Her (Love Yourself Tour - Book 1)

Chapter 5

We arrived at the airport right on time despite me double checking everything to make sure I didn't leave anything important behind. I went through all the check-in procedures that were needed, and after checking in my larger suitcase, I was left with my carry-on and backpack which doubled as my camera bag. I made sure to bring all my camera equipment with me. Camera Equipment was the only thing that wasn't going to be provided for by the company which was understandable. Each photographer was different according to what cameras and lens' they preferred to work with.

I stopped in front of the gate indicated on my boarding pass. I turned around and faced my mom, dad, and Torrie who all came to see me off. Without warning Torrie barreled into me almost toppling us over hugging me tightly. We hugged each other for a long time when I heard the first overhead announcement that my flight was going to start boarding. I went to pull away from Torrie, but she wouldn't budge.

"Torrie, you have to let me go or I am going to miss my flight." I spoke giving her a squeeze.

"No, I can't. I know I said I you could leave, but I lied. You're not allowed to go now." She choked out.

I glanced at my dad, and he nodded. My dad stepped over and helped separate Torrie from me. I could see that she had tears trailing down her cheeks as I looked up at her. I stepped towards her and smiled as I wiped her tears away with my fingers.

"It'll be okay, I promise. We'll talk every single day no matter the time difference okay. I promise."

She didn't say anything instead nodded her head as my dad pulled her into a side hug rubbing her shoulder. I looked at my mom who stepped forward to hug me one last time. She held me tightly.

"I love you sweetheart. Remember what we talked about okay?" She whispered in my ear before giving me a final squeeze letting go.

My dad switched places with my mom and hugged me once more just as my mom did telling me he loved me too. Torrie went to give me another hug after my dad released me, but I threw my arms up in the form or an X blocking her. She started to laugh which made me smile.

"You have to promise you'll let go or no hug." I spoke my stipulations for another hug. 

She nodded her head in agreement and I opened my arms for one last hug from her.

"I still can't believe we are going to be away from each other for so long. We've been inseparable since Preschool."

"I know, but like I said we'll talk every day. Even if it is me just telling you I was lazy and laid around the house in my jammies all day."

I heard the announcement that my flight is boarding again prompting us to pull apart from one another. As we did, Torrie stepped backward to stand in-between my parents. I gave them all a final wave telling them how much I loved them before I turned around with my carry-on and headed for the gate.

I handed my boarding pass and passport to the lady at the desk. I could hear Torrie crying again while my dad continued to comfort her. I was on the verge of breaking down myself but somehow, I held it in.

I continued to keep it together as I made my way down the tunnel that led to the plane entry door. Once again, I showed my boarding pass and passport before I entered the plane itself. The stewardess pointed me in the direction of my seat after I told her my seat location. Walking down the aisle, I located my seat which was a window seat.

I looked up to the overhead compartment handle needing to put my carry-on up in it. I reached upward to unlock it which I was barely able to do thanks to my height. Short people problems I lamented to myself. Lifting my carry-on up I began sliding it into the overhead compartment when it started to slide sideways. It was just about to slide completely out when someone stopped it from doing so by righting it and pushing it all the way in for me.

"Thanks." I spoke out in gratitude as I turned towards them.

"You're welcome." I heard next to me.

Fully turned to face the person who helped me I was met with their back. They were already walking down the aisle towards the opposite end of the plane. I shrugged my shoulders after a moment and sat down in my seat. As I did, I started to put the rest of my stuff down and get situated.

As the rest of the travelers were boarding, I pulled my phone out to check it one last time before putting it on airplane mode. I could see that I had multiple messages from Torrie already. I smiled to myself. She really was the greatest friend anyone could ever ask for. I began to read the multiple text messages my lips bending into a smirk as I did.

Torrie [06:32 AM]
You text me the moment that plane lands you hear me lady.

Torrie [06:33 AM]
Also, I swear to God you better not find a new best friend while you are out there, or I will kill you both.

I chuckled.

Torrie [06:35 AM]
You are allowed to find a boyfriend though 😘

I rolled my eyes, but when I read the next text message, I started laughing out loud.

Torrie [06:36 AM]
And you better not be rolling your eyes at me.

"I swear this girl!" I muttered to myself as I started to reply to her messages.

Me [06:41 AM]
Yes, yes, I know. I will text you the moment I get in.

Me [06:42 AM]
Also, I will never be able to find anyone weirder than you so don't worry about being replaced.

Me [06:44AM]
Lastly, will you go get a boyfriend already so you can stop pestering me about having one?

I heard the overhead speaker come on as I sent my last message saying that we must put our phones to airplane mode and fasten our seatbelts as takeoff was about to begin. I did as was instructed while watching the flight attendant do the safety demonstration. When the safety demonstration finished, the flight attendant took her seat fastening her seatbelt as well. In no time I could feel the plane start to move. I leaned back into my seat.

Looking away from the window after a moment, I realized that I had an entire row to myself. It's a rarity to have a whole row to yourself when you fly. As I thought about that, I felt the plane start to ascend upward into the sky. I looked back out the window despite it terrifying me. I was afraid of heights. The only time heights didn't bother me was when I had a camera in my hand. I supposed my need for the perfect picture outweighed my fear of heights.

As I saw the concrete world slowly disappear, I pulled my camera out of my bag from underneath the seat and put it up to the window and took a few pictures changing the angle in-between each shot. When all that was left was blue and white for miles and miles, I snapped a couple more then packed my camera back up into my bag tucking it underneath my seat once more. 

I closed the window covering up the view and shifted my body forward. I saw that the fasten seatbelt indicator light was shut off. I unbuckled my seatbelt and let the straps fall to my sides. I pulled up the armrest next to me and folded my legs together Indian style in my seat thankful that I dressed for comfort and not style like Torrie suggested I do.

I was wearing a t-shirt, sweatpants and sweatshirt, all of which were from the Rhode Island School of Design where I was attending school. They were all gray with the school logo in red. I paired my red low-cut converse to go with them. I had also brought my mid-length black padded jacket, but I had taken the jacket off once inside the airport since it was warm inside it.

I placed my jacket to my left and proceeded to pull my headphones out of my pocket. I connected them to my phone and hit the play button to start up my Korean audio lessons. My goal was to at least know some basic sentences before landing. I brought my wrist up and looked at my watch calculating that I would have about 16 and a half hours to do so. I leaned fully back into my chair and closed my eyes listening to the woman in the recording instruct me on how to say hello in Korean.