The Night Monkey

2.3 Vacation Getaway

The L/N family boarded their plane alongside the rest of the families they were traveling with. Y/N breathed a sigh of relief, happy to officially start his vacation. He walked with a smile through the crowded plane as everyone took their seats.

Grant, Julia, and David took their seats. Grant did an internal celebratory cheer at getting the window seat. He opened the sun blind, looking out over the tarmac as the plane was being loaded. Julia sat between him and her husband. She hated flying and was already a nervous wreck. David saw the look on her face. He gently took her hand and gave it a soft squeeze. Julia opened her eyes, looking over at him. Reaching into his pocket, David pulled out a view pills.

David: Don't worry, honey. I haven't forgotten how anxious you get.

Julia: "Anxious"? Is that what you call it?

She gratefully took the Ambien pills, popping them in her mouth. David smiled and sat down in his seat. He gently rubbed his wife's back, helping her calm down.

David: Do you remember our honeymoon?

Julia: Yes. 

David: You were so nervous then, too.

Julia: Hey, I had a lot going on, alright? We were already up late because the reception went on longer than we thought, my aunt Lucy was driving me nuts over the phone, and you were no help at all with the hotel reservations.

David: Hey, I tried. But everywhere I chose, you said didn't have the best reviews.

Julia: That's only because you were falling for the marketing scams on the front pages!

David: We did have fun, though. Didn't we?

Julia: Yes, we did.

The married couple smiled, recalling the shared experience. As they sat there, Y/N made his way over to them. It was then that he noticed that each row comprised of three seats, leaving no room to sit with his folks.

David: Oh, sorry, sport.

Y/N: It's okay, Dad. I'll find a different seat.

Julia: Why don't you put your carry-on with ours?

Grant: Hey, Y/N. I think there's an available space in the middle row a couple seats back. You may get lucky with this one.

Y/N finished putting his bag into the overhead compartment and looked at the wide, odd expression his brother was giving him. He shrugged and made his way a bit further towards the back of the plane. He stopped when he found an open seat. He realized what his brother was insinuating.

The open seat was right next to Kate Bishop. The raven haired girl had her head down, buried in her phone. She wore a white shirt over black jeans. Y/N stared at her for a minute, a bit timid and not wanting to come across as overly anxious. Eventually, he cleared his throat.

Y/N: Um, excuse me. Is this seat taken?

Kate looked up from her phone. She looked back at Y/N. He took in her beautiful features. Her plump lips glistened with a bit of newly applied lip gloss. A small beauty spot was placed lovingly under her eye. Her hair was hanging down, the ends of which appeared to be in slight twirls. She looked back at Y/N with familiarity, recognizing him.

Kate: Oh, hey. Uh, no, no. It's all cool. Not taken at all. Have at it.

Y/N: Thanks.

With a smile, Y/N sat down next to her. She smiled back at him, adjusting herself to make leg room. For a moment, both just sat there, unsure of what to say. Y/N looked to the side and noticed Kate was holding a candy bar, munching down on it. She had about three more in her pocket.