A Step.

I drive as fast as I can but also carefully. No matter how early I tried to get out after work I'll still be late thanks to Val. Rolling into her driveway, I slide the window down and shout "Valerie McClure, how long does it take you to grab a packed suitcase and a carry on and get out of the damn house?" She had called me about 20 minutes ago and I clearly helped her pack yesterday so what's taking so long? She finally cat walks out into the driveway with her suitcase behind her and her carry on backpack hanging on her right shoulder, and let's not forget to mention the sunglasses she's wearing at 9 in the night. I get out of the car to open the boot and help her get her stuff in. Both of us jump back in the car and drive away. "Sorry hon, I kinda lost track of time." "Why, was Sean there again and what's up with the glasses?" She blushes and says, "I wish. I didn't have any space in my backpack so had to put it on. Hey, I thought you were just dropping me off to the airport why do you have a bunch of your stuff? Going somewhere?" "Yeah I texted you about that this morning. Melissa didn't bother to call until today morning at 11 that my aunt wanted me at her anniversary which is tomorrow. Did you lock your house?" Val's mouth shapes into a circle and I hear an oops, " That's okay, I'll call Sean. He can enter and lock the door. By the way when did Melissa get married and why is she inviting you to the anniversary, I mean wouldn't a person invite people to their wedding?" "Not Melissa's anniversary, my aunts you idiot." I say as I slam my forehead at her dumbness.

The rest of the journey was Val telling me about her weird boss but I barely listen. A few minutes later, we are looking to park my car somewhere. Val hums a song as she looks around to find an empty spot. "There, over there!", she pinpoints in an overly excited manner. We both get out at the same time and Val gets a cart to keep our luggage in. "So when is your flight?", Val yawns. "It's the same time as yours I tried to book it that way and surprisingly your flight had a few empty seats, so I managed to get on the same flight as you." With a wide smile she says, "Really, yay!", as we walk inside.

Walking into the plane I wear my carry on backpack on two shoulders so it doesn't hit every person sitting down in the face like last time. "Alayna, where are you sitting? I'm on 16 C." "15 C." I say and continue walking down the aisle as she follows me with her hands on my shoulders like we were forming a "choo-choo" train. I struggle to get to my seat and since this is economy class it is a very uncomfortable seat and I'm stuck here for the next five hours, great. Thank goodness at least I have the window seat, which might just help me not get sick.

In the chattering crowd, I spotted a young woman trying to put her exhausted toddler to sleep who cannot sleep due to the busy crowd and her excited older brother. I don't know if I relate to the toddler, wanting to be put to comfort, or the mother, tired by the pain of taking a step forward and then being pushed back. When I left a few years back, I didn't think I would be returning back to my land of nightmares. When Melissa called this morning I knew I shouldn't have agreed to attend but my blabbermouth betrayed me and spilled out a "yeah, sure." That very moment my heart bounced so hard I could feel it vibrate my ribs.

As the plane starts moving, the jerk brings me back to the real world. I look around, everyone quietly seated. To my right is a little girl who is moving her legs back and forth. She turns to see me and delivers a wide smile with her blush pink lips. Next to her is a blonde woman, probably the little girl's mother, who put her head back and closed her eyes to rest. Her frown explains the painful headache she is experiencing. Monday is a terrible day for travel, I've learned that over the years.

My plan is simple, hang out with Val until the party, attend the party, leave New York. My phone beeps in my hand and I open it to check. "Alayna your in luck, kinda" read the message from my assistant at work. "You have to meet a client in New York so since you are leaving today, I booked an appointment this week." Just when I thought my plan was simple. I spoke too soon. Extending my stay is gonna be hard. Can't the client come over to LA? Why does this have to happen. Having to stay around Melissa is already bad enough. The worst that could happen is that I could be killed in the hands of Melissa. I've never been able to understand how her parents didn't see her cunning nature. Her big hazel eyes speak evil and that grin she always has is easy to miss when you are not her prey.

I throw the phone in my bag, cross my hands and rest my head on the wall next to the window. The view from my window is of darkness spread over the land. The plane starts moving a lot faster and the lights are dimmed. Along with all the things to worry about, my ears hurt really bad as the plane goes higher into the dark sky. I peep between the seat and the wall to see how Valerie is doing. Well, she is asleep. Just five more hours of extreme uncomfort, pain and anxiety.