Cigarette Stained Lies

chapter 2: Goodbyes, Plane Rides, and Nerves

I had one day to pack up everything to go to California. My mother was coming with me while my dad is staying in New Jersey so he can keep his job. My mom wasn’t working so it made the move a lot easier.

“Jess are you ready? You need to say goodbye to your friends.” My mom yelled from downstairs.

“Yea mom, I’ll be there in a minute.” I shouted from my room.

It was really stressful for me to get almost everything I had ready to move to California. Because I’m such a procrastinator, I waited for the day before my trip to get packed. 

“Okay, I’m basically ready to leave, but I don’t know where my bathing suits are.” I told my mother as I met her in the kitchen.

“Don’t worry about that, we’ll just buy some when we’re there.”

“Okay… Hey mom? Do you think anything would change, or anything bad would happen while we’re there? And please be honest with me.”

“I seriously don’t know what’s going to happen. Hollywood might make or break you, but just remember that this is your dream. Try to make it come true because you are close to reaching it right now. And always remember to stay true to yourself,”

“Thanks mom.” I said while giving her a hug.

“I’ll be back later. I’m just going to say bye to my friends. Later mom!”

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Saying goodbye to my friends and dad was the hardest thing I had to do. I known them for the entire 17 years of my life, and now I’m leaving them.

As I’m sitting on the plane waiting for it to take off, I can’t help but get this feeling of doubt and regret in the pit of my stomach. It started to become awkwardly uncomfortable as I sat between a very large man and an annoying girl who looked to be 11 years old. Before I took my seat I begged my mom to switch seats with me, but unfortunately she said “Not a chance in hell!” 

Now as I look over at my mother from across the plane, I sent her evil glares telling her she will not get away with this. After a while, i started to wonder why couldn't Mr. Collins put us in first class instead of the middle class section where i had barely enough room to stretch out my legs.

Not trying to be a bitch, but doesn't he have a lot of money? Why can't he spend a little more to at least enjoy the way there or relax on the plane ride? I thought. Being on this uncomfortable chair and my nerves are really making me a bit crabby today.

The five-hour plane ride started a few minutes after boarding on the plane. When we first took off I slipped my headphones into my ear, and started the playlist I created the night before for this plain ride.

About an hour and a half later into the plane ride, the eleven-year-old girl tapped on my shoulder. I put my iPod on pause and looked towards her.

“I’m Stephanie,” she said.

“Hey,” I said back.

The conversation did not go on for a while after that. I thought she was going to say something else, but she just stared at me. I turned back on my iPod and try to ignore her, but that did not work. I couldn’t deal with how uncomfortable she was making me so I took off my headphones and turned back towards her.

“Okay, I do not know what your problem is, but can you please tell my why the fu… why are you staring at me.” I tried not to curse or yell at her, but I was failing.

“Can you tell me what sex is? I tried asking my mom, but she ignored me," she said.

I shockingly looked at her like she was crazy. Why would she ever ask a stranger a question like that? I turned back in my seat without giving her an answer, and went back to my iPod. Thank God in less than a half hour she fell asleep, but she slept on my shoulder. It was the longest plane ride I ever took in my life. Hollywood better be worth all of this suffering with this annoying girl. Or am I being over dramatic?