Blindsided

Part 2

Bailey

"Mum, I'm going now!" I call, weaving my way through the too-pristine place that my mum calls her house. 

"Ok, I'll miss you. Make sure to text me when you land." She replies, a cloth in her hand as she wipes down her already clean kitchen island. She continues cleaning, even as I reach down to hug her awkwardly. She doesn't reciprocate the action, simply patting my hand twice in a 'that's enough' way. I unwrap my arms from her, swallowing the gulp of annoyance growing in my throat. She hasn't changed in the last 21 years that I've been alive, if anything she's become more obsessive.

I don't bother even calling out to her as I close the front door, knowing I probably won't get a response. I walk out towards my awaiting uber, chucking my heavy suitcase in the trunk before sliding into the backseat.

It's only a short 10 minute ride to the airport, and before I know it I'm grabbing my case and walking through the large automatic doors. I check in my bag at the front desk before breezing myself through security. I walk through the bustling airport to the departure lounge, surprised when I check the time to see I still have 20 minutes to spare before my flight boards. I think the fact that I was bursting to get out of from my moms house was the main reason I broke my streak of being late everywhere I go.

Seeing a Starbucks just around the corner, I walk towards it, ordering myself an iced coffee for the flight.

Heading back to the sea of blue chairs labelled as a lounge area, I spy there's still around 10 minutes of boredom left until boarding. I sigh, chucking my backpack down on the floor as I sink into a chair. Well, sink is probably the wrong word. More like... flop down and get a back spasm at how uncomfortable the chairs actually are.

I take a sip of my coffee, pulling my cap further down onto my head as I scan the lounge. I do this wherever I go, scan the crowd to see if there's anyone I know that I should hide from. It's better to have the upper hand in these situations, I've found.

My eyes dart from person to person, studying each of their faces suspiciously. My eyes reach the other side of the lounge as faces become people's balding heads, each one staring back at me as if they're challenging me. 'Go on!" they jeer, 'Guess who?'

I should probably see a therapist.

I reach the end of the passenger line, my eyes returning to my coffee while my brain processes who I just saw.

Wait...

I flick my head back up as I realize who I may or may not have just seen. I find her dark curly hair, swept up into a long winding braid immediately, my eyes squinting to look at her closer.

It's been a few months since I've seen her walking along the pool deck, but I'd recognise her from anywhere.

Melanie Flores. My biggest competitor, both in and out of the pool.

"Attention passengers, we are now boarding flight 737 from San Diego to Boston. Would all people in rows 15-29 please come forward with your boarding pass. Thankyou." I snap back to reality as a loud voice comes over the intercom, drawing me to look at my ticket.

Row 23, seat E. I stand from my seat, watching as Melanie does the same. We swing our backpacks onto our shoulders at the same time, and walk to the long line of passengers waiting to board. I slip into the place behind her, careful not to make a sound just yet. I have to tilt my head slightly to see the top of her head, her gaze never snapping from in front of her.

I decide to test her, as I know it will get a bigger reaction out of her. I cough from a little way behind her, careful not to irritate her too early. Watching from above, her nose twitched slightly, but she doesn't turn around. I smirk to myself as I lean down a little, positioning my mouth only mere inches from her ear. I cough again, spotting a small sigh of annoyance as she shuffles forward a step, clearly wanting to get away from me. Yeah, not going to happen Melly.