**Chapter 3: "Stranded"**

The announcement came over the airport's loudspeaker, and our group's collective groan was palpable. "Ladies and gentlemen, due to unforeseen circumstances, our flight has been delayed. Please bear with us as we work to resolve the issue." I felt a surge of frustration, but it was quickly replaced by a sense of resignation. Delays happened, and we'd just have to make the best of it. As we stood in the terminal, waiting for further instructions, I realized my phone was dead. I tried to pull it out of my bag, but it was useless. The battery was completely drained. I looked around, hoping someone might have a charger I could borrow, but everyone was too busy trying to figure out what was going on. That's when I noticed Alex standing next to me, his eyes fixed on his phone. He seemed to sense my gaze and turned to me, a hint of a smile on his face. "Phone dead?" he asked, already knowing the answer. I nodded, feeling a little embarrassed. "Yeah, I forgot to charge it." Without hesitation, he tucked his phone into his pocket. "I'm not in a hurry. I can keep you company." I smiled, feeling a sense of gratitude. "Thanks. I appreciate it." As we stood there, waiting for what felt like an eternity, Alex suggested we play a game of hangman. I agreed, and we started to play, using a piece of paper and a pen to keep track of the game. The time passed quickly, and I found myself laughing and joking with Alex in a way that felt completely natural. Our group was scattered around the terminal, some people pacing, others sitting, and a few trying to find food or drinks. But Alex and I were oblivious to it all, lost in our own little world. We teased each other, made silly jokes, and just enjoyed each other's company. As the minutes ticked by, I started to feel a sense of ease around Alex that I'd never experienced before. It was as if we'd known each other for years, not just hours. I caught myself stealing glances at him, noticing the way his eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled, or the way his hair curled slightly at the nape of his neck. The delay turned out to be longer than we'd anticipated, and we ended up stuck in the airport for nearly an hour. But I didn't even notice. Time flew by when I was with Alex, and I found myself feeling more and more at ease around him. As we finally got the all-clear and boarded our new flight, I felt a sense of disappointment that our time together was over. But I knew it was only the beginning. Something had shifted between us, and I couldn't wait to see what the rest of the trip had in store. As we took off into the sky, I glanced over at Alex, who was smiling at me. I smiled back, feeling a sense of connection that I couldn't ignore. We'd started as strangers, but now I felt like I was getting to know him in a way that I never thought possible. The flight attendants came by to offer snacks and drinks, and Alex turned to me and asked, "Want to get a soda?" I nodded, and we walked to the galley together, our shoulders brushing as we moved. It was a small touch, but it sent a spark of electricity through my body. As we sipped our sodas and settled in for the flight, I couldn't help but wonder what the rest of the trip had in store for us. One thing was for sure: I was excited to find out.