Sinful Addiction

Part 7- The Girl Is An Actual Genius

Heading over to the baggage check kiosk quickly going through the motions just wanting to get through TSA so that she can get her hands on some more caffeine. Standing in line with the tons of other people with dazed looks in their eyes, everyone wishing they were in bed rather than at the airport right now.

After slipping her shoes back on she pulls on her jacket and begins to walk to her gate as she passes a Dunkin' Donuts. Drawn in by the smell she jumps in line debating if she should cave and order a large. The only thing stopping her is knowing she is sitting in the middle seat in the middle seat and she doesn't want to annoy the person next to her by constantly having to get up to use the restroom.

"What can I get for you?" The barista across from her asks as she pulls Alexia from her thoughts.

"Uhhh can I get a large cold brew with mocha swirl and light ice please?" Deciding her caffeine addiction is stronger than her social anxiety.

"Any cream or sugar?"

"No thanks." She looks over the barista's shoulder trying to see if there is anything to eat that looks good. "Can I also get a chocolate frosted donut, please?

"Mhm." She nods her head finishing up the order. "That will be four-fifteen."

Tapping her watch to the card reader she pays for her order. As she walks down to the pickup counter she gets a notification from the United app. "Shit, please don't be canceled." She whispers to herself then picks up her coffee and donut. "Thank you!" She calls back over her shoulder before walking out of the way tapping the notification 'A change has been made to your flight from JFK to ORD please see an agent.'

Walking up to the counter she is greeted by an extremely welcoming attendant. "Hi Miss, how can I help you?"

"I'm not sure honestly, I got a notification telling me to see the service desk?" Holding up her phone so the woman can see the details of her booking.

"We can get this sorted out no problem, may I take this?" She points to the phone. Receiving an affirmative nod she begins clicking away at her computer. "Alexia Petrova, correct?"

"Yes." Feeling a bit more awake as she has sipped down almost half her coffee already.

"Alright, it looks like you have been upgraded to first class, I can either print you out a new boarding pass or the one on here will be automatically updated."

"Oh, yea, I can just use the one on here. Does it say why I have been upgraded?" She asks knowing damn well she didn't pay for the upgrade herself.

"It looks like the upgrade was purchased ten minutes ago, that's why your boarding pass had to be updated." She hands her the phone back. "Can I help you with anything else?"

"Okay. No, thanks."

"Have a safe flight, Ms. Petrova."

"Thank you." She walks back over to take a seat in the boarding area, only slightly freaking out internally. It has been a childhood dream of hers to fly first class but no matter how many times she has flown she has never been able to justify paying so much extra for a first-class ticket. Assuming that it was Tony who upgraded her, she pulls out her phone to send him a thank you but realizes he still hasn't even read the message that she is coming home. 

Deciding that it's not that important she is just going to accept a good thing when it happens she puts in her earbuds and curls up into herself. Relaxing, slowly sipping down the rest of her coffee and enjoying every bite of the, admittedly stale chocolate donut.

"Now boarding group one for flight 5313 New York to Chicago O'Hare International airport." The voice over the PA system fills the waiting area.

Getting up to board imposter syndrome is now sitting in. In no way does she feel like she is good enough to be boarding first class. Surrounded by people who look accustomed to flying this way. The majority of them are wearing expensive clothing and dripping in money, as she follows in her sweats, holding the straps of her backpack. Despite the fact that Alexia made well over eighty thousand dollars in the past month alone she never treats herself to luxurious things she just feels that it isn't worth it. Her earnings were so sporadic she would rather put the money into savings. The fact that she knew she would have money to cover her rent and possibly buy her apartment was more important to her than buying the newest phone or upgrading herself to first class.