Something New, Somewhere New - Michael Clifford

One Down One To Go

The pilot talking draws me back to reality. We are coming into land in Dubai. I take me earbuds out of my ears and wrap them around my phone. Settling back into the seat I grip the arm rests and breathe deeply. Landing is always hell for me. Slow deep breaths, landing always feels so slow and it kills me. I look out the window and see Dubai final coming into view clearer and clearer. My stomach settles the thought of getting off the plane and some food helping me. The ground getting closer and closer. I close my eyes and breathe in deeply waiting for the inevitable jolt of touching down. The seconds feeling like minutes when finally they touch the runway. I open my eyes and remove my white knuckled hands from the arm rests. Unclenching every muscle in my body letting it unwind.

We pull up to the gate and the pilot announces we can depart. I want to wait to make sure my drunk sweaty friend from earlier has got off before I try and reach my carry on from above me. Watching him stagger down the plane I gather my things including my so far unused note book and phone placing them in the bag I depart with the last few stragglers. Thanking the Steward on exit for her help earlier.

I head off the plane and try to sort everything for my connecting flight to Sydney in a few hours. All the while avoiding the sweaty drunk man who spends most of his time leering at me from a distance.

I finally make it to the gate for my connecting flight and head to the toilet. Once out I go over for a tea from the coffee shop at the gate. Looking round I spot my sweaty drunk friend glaring at me. I get my phone out and begin to send a message.

Whoever is coming to collect me from the airport needs to pretend to be my boyfriend convincingly G x

I wait there sipping at my tea. Watching where he was the whole time. I feel like prey, like a small mouse being followed by a large fox. My phone beeps.

Why?? What has happened? Are you OK? M x

I look up from my phone to check where he is he has edged closer to me.

I got a drunk guy next to me on the plane from the UK to Dubai and he was grabbing at me. He is pissed I made the steward move him. I am scared and told him I was texting my Australian boyfriend before he started getting all grabby during the flight. Help G x

I look up and he is now only a few feet from me licking his lips and shaking. I grip my carry on tightly a potential weapon. Suddenly there is a hand on my arm it is the other man from the plane. He places his drink on my table and pulls up a chair. My phone beeps again.

How convincing do you need this 'boyfriend' to be? M x

I look up and smile at my friend at the table.

Well like we have been apart for a long time and we miss each other desperately. So they have complete artistic licence over how convincing they are G x

"Thank you for this." I gestured to him sitting with me. "He was starting to scare me."

"Not a problem. I don't think your boyfriend would be overly happy with him doing that to you." He says nodding at my phone.

"No he won't so as long as he stays away and isn't near me on the plane I should be good."

"I will stay with you until you are on the plane and away from him if you like? I'm Steven by the way."

"Please that would be great thank you." My phone beeps, I hold my hand out. "I'm Gabby."

Great I will sort something. If he touches you or hurts you there will be trouble. Stay safe M x

Steven isn't very talkative but just sits and reads his book. I surf the net and give my mum a quick call on Skype. She seems to have calmed down even though her eyes are red rimmed and puffy. Everyone still at mum's house trying to cheer each other up. All trying to get in the webcam at once causing a lot of tripping and shouting. Once they knew I was fine I told them I should go get ready to board my next flight. This goodbye was a lot less traumatic for all concerned.

Steven get up and moves with me so we are closer the boarding gate for when our flight is called. The sweaty man from the flight continues to glare over at us. I fiddle with my phone feeling on fire from the disgust of his stare. Steven looks up from his book and sees me fidgeting awkwardly.

"Ignore him he is drunk and has a bruised ego. Hopefully he will sober up." He says but not looking as convinced as he sounded. I look over watching carefully clutching my carry on tightly.

Soon enough we were boarding, Steven letting me go in front of him to be sure he was between me and any unwanted attention. I find my seat near the front of the plane and say my goodbyes to Steven who is sat a few rows back. I watch as the drunk man stumbles down to the rear of the plane allowing me to breathe a shy of relief. I am again in the window seat which will keep me away from him once the other people are seated.

The plane was soon full and ready to take off for Sydney which is still some hours away. Digging through my carry on I find my slanket and eye mask so I can sleep as soon as we are in the air. This trip wasn't good for my panic attacks so far but I was managing. I look at my phone and decide to send one last text before shutting it off.

I am on my connecting flight see you in Sydney G x

Turning off my phone I place it in my carry on and slide it under my seat. The pilot starts talking about take-off and where we are going in a mild Australian accent. This just sets me off thinking about Michael and hearing his voice in person again.

The plane starts to head for the run way and I do the same routine of gripping the arm rest like they are all I have in the world. Breathing in and out slowly and deeply. My mind wandering back to Michael, my grip instantly loosens on the arm rests and before I know it we are in the air. I get my slanket and eye mask covering myself up I relax into my seat and fall asleep.

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