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"I'm going to miss you, be careful and don't get in trouble. I hope you make new friends and learn a lot while you're there ok?" my mom blathered on as I checked my carry on to see if I had Chapstick. I sighed in defeat, coming up empty handed,
"Ok, mom, I’m going to miss you too," I told her, giving her a hug before they called my flight for boarding. I walked onto the aircraft and sat down in my seat, I was on a flight to London to study abroad for my junior year of college. I had just turned 20 and had decided I needed to get away from my normal photography classes. So I talked to my counselor about studying abroad and I got accepted into the program I applied for. I took out my iPod, planning on sleeping for the entire trip over the Atlantic when a tall figure slid into the seat next to me followed by a slightly shorter one. I glanced up at the sudden movement and was surprised to see a familiar face,
"Uh, hi, I'm Dan," The man sat next to me said, I knew he was familiar; he was YouTuber I had subscribed to back when I was 15,
"Er, hi I'm Stephanie. I'm actually a fan of your videos believe it or not," I replied, feeling quite awkward telling him that. I had never been much of a conversationalist, especially with guys; Dan’s face broke into a smile,
"Really? It's always nice to meet fans, especially international ones. I suppose you know Phil then?" He motioned to the other man,
"Of course," I said, "I like your videos as well," I told him, he smiled as well,
"Thanks," he told me,
"So what are you headed to London for?" Dan asked,
"I'm studying abroad for half the year," I replied,
"Really? What are you studying?" Phil asked. The plane began to roll out onto the runway,
"Photography," I told them, my iPod forgotten on my lap,
"That's awesome, I'm crap at photography," Dan said,
"It's not my strongest point either," I admitted, "It's just easier to find a job in photography than it is to find one in writing," I told them,
"So you've given up writing then?" Dan asked,
"God, no, I couldn't ever give up writing. I take creative writing classes at my college and I will over in London too," I explained,
"Good, I hate it when people give up on stuff," Dan told me, I didn't know how to respond so I glanced out the window, surprised a little bit at the height we were at, I instantly paled, my stomach tying itself in knots
"Say are you alright?" Phil asked,
"Erm, maybe," I replied, taking my eyes off the window, "I'm not the biggest fan of heights," I admitted, staring at the ground,
"It'll be alright," Dan said, "Just imagine you're not on a plane,"
“I’m trying, believe me, I just need to be distracted," I told them, squeezing my eyes shut,
"Um, you have an idea, Phil?" Dan asked, Phil was silent,
"So, um, what's your favorite color?" Dan asked,
"What kind of question is that?" I asked, laughing slightly,
"I don’t know I’m trying to help," Dan said,
“It's blue," I replied, my eyes still shut,
"Er, favorite food?" he asked
"Uh, I don't know. Ice cream?" I answered, opening my eyes. I stared at Dan as he tried to think of another question,
"Uh, first job?" Phil asked
"Working a fast food joint, worst job ever," I shook my head at the memory,
"What was so bad about it?" Dan asked,
"Well, it smelled like dirty socks and fry grease, I worked with someone I absolutely despised and I just didn't like it. So finally I quit and got a job in the bookstore in town, which was actually lots of fun," I told them,
"Working in a bookstore is fun?" Phil asked,
"Sure, there were always new books to look at and it was a really relaxed atmosphere. I worked with my best friend and the manager wasn't horribly strict. I liked it," I explained,
"Sounds like a pleasant job," Phil said, I nodded,
"It was, unfortunately the place got closed due to Nooks and Kindles and things coming out. It was right as I was leaving for college, but I really liked that place, it was awesome." I said,
"Ah, technology, destroying small businesses since 2000," Dan said, I laughed and he flashed me a grin,
"It was sad though, everyone I knew loved that place," I said,
"Ah well, nothing you can do about it now," Dan said,
"Yeah," I replied, a silence followed, along with the realization that we were on a plane again; my hands tightened their grip on the arm rests
"So do you live in Florida?" Phil asked, noting the armrest gripping,
"No, I just go to college there, I live in Michigan. I hate being so far from home sometimes but it's a really nice program they have there and I got a scholarship so I took it," I explained,
"That's gotta be tough," Phil said, I nodded; my eyes had closed tightly once again.
"Are you alright?" Dan asked me,
"It has come back to my realization that we are soaring over an ocean thousands of feet in the air," I said,
"It'll be ok," he said,
"Just don't think about it," Phil told me,
"Trying," I muttered, "So, um, what brings you to Florida?" I asked them,
"Playlist Live of course," Dan said,
"Oh right, that was last weekend," I said loosening my grip slightly,
"Yeah, it was a lot of fun," Dan said, "Although I still have trouble with the fact that teenage girls are confessing their love for me when I'm 26," he said, I laughed,
"You'd probably be the first guy I've ever heard say he doesn't like the fact tons of girls fawn over him," I told him, Phil snorted,
"Oh no, it's not bad, it's just weird when you find like 13 years olds saying that they're in love with me," he explained,
"Ok, that would be a little creepy I admit,"
"Yeah, and then they try to get your number and you're just like, 'um, no, just no'" He said, "And then they get angry and stomp over to their mummy's and then you have to talk to them about it," he shook his head,
"The tragic life of being well known to a teenage demographic," I fake pouted,
"You know what, some of those women are scary," he said, I laughed, the women in front of us turned and stared me down,
"Excuse me, miss. But my young daughter is trying to sleep and your rather loud laugh is keeping her awake," she snapped, I glanced at the girl next to her, who was long past being awake and was sleeping peacefully,
"Sorry ma'am, I'll try to keep it down and try not to wake your daughter," I said, trying not to snap back at her, "I hope she sleeps like an angel," I fake smiled, the lady huffed,
"Thank you," she shook her head, "people," I heard her mutter quietly, I huffed and sat back in my seat,
"Well, that was slightly rude," Dan said,
"Did you call me rude young man?" the lady turned around again,
"Actually yes, I did. Your daughter has not woken up since we've been in the air. She was not disturbing anyone except for maybe you and you could've been a little nicer about the way you addressed her," he said, I stared at him, along with Phil and the woman. A flight attendant approached us,
"Is there an issue?" she asked,
"Yes" Dan and the lady said at the same time,
"She is being much too loud for my daughter to sleep properly," the lady said,
"She was quite rude about the way she asked her to be quiet though," Dan explained,
"Miss, your daughter is sleeping quietly and Sir, there is no reason to yell," the flight attendant said,
"But Miss, she was being very rude," Dan objected, I placed my hand on his arm as a sort of warning,
"I'm sorry, Miss," I told the flight attendant, "She was being quite rude and he just didn't appreciate it, we'll keep it down from now on," I said, Dan opened his mouth but I tightened my grip on his arm,
"Thank you ma'am," The flight attendant said, strolling off,
“Please work harder to restrain your boyfriend," the lady snapped,
"He's not my boyfriend and I'd appreciate it if you'd drop the attitude ok? We'll keep it down to ensure your daughter gets sleep," I told her,
"You will most certainly keep it down," she said and turned back around, I sighed, letting go of Dan's arm,
"Ow," he said, rubbing the red spot,
"Sorry," I said,
"No, it's alright, I was getting out of hand, thanks," he said, meeting my eyes. I shrugged,
"All in a day’s work," I said, Phil shook his head,
"You guys are crazy," he said, then looked pointedly at Dan, "You in particular, you could've just let it slide but you had to say something didn't you?" he asked,
"How long have you known me Phil?" Dan asked,
"Too long," he sighed,
"Then you should know I do not appreciate rudeness," Dan stated, I saw the lady shift slightly and I gave Dan a look that clearly said 'shut up.' he didn't say anything about it for the rest of the flight, in fact nobody said much, and eventually I drifted off.