Ephemeral | ✓

first hour

first hour |

Entering the plane made Jake Lambert sick to his stomach. He'd risked his life on a flying con only one other time, and that was to get to Washington. During holidays, his parents were the ones who flew out and came to him from New York for reluctant visits. It was an agreement they had made since Jake was afraid of heights.

And crashing....

And dying....

He shook his head before forcing his way through the people standing in the aisle, shoving their own luggages into the compartments. Once Jake found his seat towards the middle, he did the same thing of putting his possessions away before sitting down next to the window. At the time, it seemed logical.

Then again, he was on a plane, having to relive his fear all over again. It made Jake's senses believe that up was down and down was up.

Staring out at the black asphalt, lost in his own thoughts, he failed to notice that someone was suddenly occupying the seat next to his. An attractive girl slumped in her seat, already bored out of her mind as she listened to music. Jake couldn't help but notice her deep red lips occasionally mouthing words to some unknown song. He turned his head before he was caught staring.

He didn't say anything because he wasn't going to go against the rules of personal space and don't talk to strangers. But he really thought she was cute.

It wasn't until lift off that Jake felt a rush of panic that he had been anticipating. He grasped his armrest tightly, knuckles turning a ghastly white. Jake's back was pressed against the suddenly uncomfortable seat. His heart raced as he squeezed his eyes shut, wanting to cry.

A bored voice asked, "You okay?"

"Huh?" Jake managed to rasp out. He didn't ease up, especially with such a concerned voice. At least his sarcasm was intact.

"Are you okay?" She asked again, sounding more worried than before, realizing that the situation actually seemed serious. The young woman shifted to look at him.

"Never the better. Just 'fraid of flying," it was interesting to have her go from I-could-care-less to holy-shit-you-could-die. She offered him an unopened water bottle and some gum to chew so his ears wouldn't hurt. She also suggested to switch seats once they were allowed to move around since the height wasn't making Jake feel any better.

"You don't need to help me," Jake let out, slightly less paranoid, knowing there was a person who would help him out, "you don't even know me."

"I know that," the girl snapped, "you were practically dying over here. Still are. So shut up and accept it." Jake sheepishly nodded, trying not to shrink away from her irritated glare, "What's your name, anyway?"

"Uh, Jake Lambert."

"Cool. I'm Riley." She didn't give Jake a last name, but that was reasonable. He could've been some stalker.

He quieted up, pulling out his laptop, hoping the still-remaining anxiety would fade away. He just typed, something he loved to do. Write. Maybe he wouldn't have to awkwardly endure the rest of the flight with a stranger. A stranger who thought he was an idiot. He was sucked into his own world, while she was floating about in hers.
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First chapter of this short story!

And yes, it's gonna be short.

-islandarc