Love Tides | ✓

one | its not a compliment

μερικές φορές στα κύματα της αλλαγής βρίσκουμε την κατεύθυνση μας

[ sometimes in the waves of change we find our direction ]

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"Flight to Thessaloniki, Greece. Boarding."

Avery perked up from the hard, uncomfortable seat that stood in the middle of the airline's lobby. He trudged his suitcase behind him as he stood, making his way to the bored flight attendant next to the plane's open door.

Handing his ticket in, he could hear the same monotone voice echo through the walls of the small tunnel.

"I repeat. Flight to Thessaloniki, Greece. Boarding."

After climbing the plane's steps, Avery took a look around as he shakily tightened his hold on the small black camera. Everybody who boarded looked a little like clones, one after the other, men, women, and children all boarded the steps - they all looked rather similar, sharp, aligned, professional. First Class.
Gazing behind him slightly, a small smile painted his lips. They ratherly looked like him, messy, excited. All looking ready for a summer vacation in beautiful Greece. Avery felt a rather feeling of comfort seeing that he wasn't the only one with nerves.

As they all seated, Avery blew a breath from his lips, feeling as the minutes pass, the plane descend into the air, slowly but surely, the flying vehicle climbed the sky, above the clouds into the horizon.

Peering out the small, transparent window, Avery's gaze danced on the clouds, knowing quite well that the next time he'd be on land, it be across the globe. So different, yet so alike. Snowy Colorado to sunny Greece. He'd never been to the beach, or anything of the certain sort.

Nerves pricked his skin as he looked back to the seat in front of him.

Would Greece be different?

Would his mentor be harsh and strict?

The neverending questions dispersed once a voice broke him out out of his thoughts.

"Are you alright?"

It was a little girl, looking around the ages from eight to ten, with charcoal-black hair, a fitted-green dress, and small sandals. Avery noticed her front tooth missing, and it sort of brought comfort to him.

"Yeah," Avery coughed, "just, a bit nervous."

"First time riding a plane?" the little girl asked.

Avery patted his jean-clad knee in discomfort. "Yeah . . ."

"Me too," the little girl replied, looking at the seat in front of her, then suddenly switching her gaze back to Avery and stuck her hand out.

"I'm Aphrodite, its nice to meet you," Aphrodite greeted with a toothy grin.

His eyebrows furrowed. "Isn't that a . . . goddesses name?"

"Yeah," Aphrodite nodded, "my mom is really into Greek stuff, a lot stuff. Thats why we're going to Greece for vacation. Her and dad are in the fancy-people place."

"First Class?" Avery asked.

"That," the little girl agreed. "And, you are?"

Taking her hand, Avery smiled softly. "Avery."

"Thats a girl's name," Aphrodite pointed out, "and you're a boy."

"My mom thought I'd be a girl," Avery explained. "At the time, the ultrasounds weren't as clear as they are now so when I was born, it was quite the shocker."

Aphrodite hummed and opened the small magazine that was placed next to her, completely ignoring Avery's presence. "Thats cool."

"Yup," Avery clutched the seat tighter. "It really is."

***

"Όνομα, εισιτήριο, κωδικός ασφαλείας;"

Avery clutched his book-bag tighter against his side blinking rapidly, feeling the unnerving gaze of the port officer on him. "I beg your pardon?"

"Με καταλαβαίνεις?" The port officer asked, his eyes narrowing.

Feeling the nerves hit him, Avery bit his bottom lip. "Sir, I am sorry but-"

Suddenly, the port officer burst out laughing, running his hands along his bald head. "I am just messing with you, kid." He lowered his voice to a whisper, "You Americans take everything so seriously."

"How did you know I was American?" Avery asked, slightly taken aback from the officer's deep Greek accent behind his english words.

"Two things," the officer said, raising two fingers. "One; you spoke in English. Two: you didn't understand the joke."

"Whats the joke?"

"Name, ticket, security code?" The officer responded with a smug look.

"I don't get it," Avery shook his head.

The officer shrugged with a chuckle. "It is because you are American."

"Thank You?" Avery answered, confused.

"It is not a compliment," the officer said. "Passport?"

Avery handed his passport, his features narrowed in offence from the port officer's words. He looked skeptically at the officer when the man looked at the passport a little too closely.

"When was this photo from?" The officer asked, finally looking up, meeting Avery's eyes.

"Ten years ago," shrugged Avery, "I was fourteen."

The officer handed the passport back in disgust. "You do not look good with purple hair. Blonde looks better."

"Thanks," Avery grinned as he took the small pamphlet book back.

"It is not a compliment," the officer said, monotonous. He raised from the small cubicle seat, pointing to the small ferry that sat calmly on the wooden port. "You may pass."

"Thank you a lot Mister," Avery narrowed his eyes on the small name tag on the officer's chest, "Danyelopus?"

"Danielpoulous," the officer corrected.

Avery clicked his tongue. "Right! Thanks Mister Danny!" With that he ran off, with a shouting officer behind him.

"It is Danielpoulous! And remember! IT IS NOT A COMPLIMENT!"

author's note

how is everybody today?

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