"Fat, short, ugly."
William Zhao had once described his daughter with those words, dismissing her existence with the casual cruelty of a man evaluating a failed investment.
The last time Aidan had seen Raven Zhao, they had been in ninth grade. Even then, their meetings had been brief and infrequent. In truth, they had only crossed paths three times in their lives, despite their fathers maintaining a friendship that stretched over three decades.
Aidan leaned against a pillar near the airport exit, scanning the stream of arriving passengers.
Suitcases rolled across the polished floor. Voices echoed under the high glass ceiling. Every few seconds, the sliding doors opened, releasing another wave of travellers.
He waited.
And waited.
Then he saw her.
Raven Zhao was short and heavy, her round face and thick frame standing out against the taller crowd.
Her loose shirt fell over a full chest and stomach, her broad hips and soft arms giving her a solid, grounded presence.
Hair tied in a neat bun, she had a plain black smartwatch in her right hand and flat Crocs. Strangely familiar, yet distant.
She paused and scanned him for a moment.
'I never thought I would see him again.
His eyes...they are looking into mine—just as I had dreamt.
I had three memorable nightmares of meeting him; in those dreams, I wanted to see him, but when the moment arrived, I hid myself.
I thought I'd lose weight and become charming, be a girl he would instantly fall in love with. Look at me; I am so embarrassing.
He is more handsome now.
But I don't care.
That little crush of younger me—it is gone.
Though I miss myself.'
She took a deep breath, and sighing, she called his name.
"Aidan?"
"Ahem…yes?" His eyes widened, shocked to see her after such a long time.
She used to be cheerful and talkative. She always cradled a glow in her eyes and sweetness in her deep voice. But the girl before had changed. She didn't smile at him like she used to. It was uncomfortable.
He looked at her and then at his watch. "The conference is in a few hours. Let's go to the hotel first. You can rest and change."
"This is what I am wearing to the conference," she declared, innocently.
"That is not…wait, you are not serious, are you?" He asked, hands placed at his waist.
She didn't respond, 'Why is he embarrassing me?'
Aidan realized and instantly apologized and said, "Come with me."
He opened the trunk of his black Audi and reached for her suitcase, but she stepped back, lifted it herself, and said, "Thanks." After refusing his help.