A Poignant Fallacy

Scene 70 - He's Got Me

I didn't fall asleep on the uber ride to the airport because I knew I would be mad at my parents or brothers when they had to wake me up. My eyes were heavy and I was miserable. Of course my parents are some of the richest people in Arkansas but they'll always save a buck on the 5am flight.

We got through security with no problem, but it sure was scary. I hated when the TSA personnel would yell at me to take my shoes off. The conveyor belt part is so fast too!

My parents boarded the plane in the group A which meant they were on a different part of the plane and got to board before us. They always get first class tickets for them and leave us back in basic economy. Whatever that means. I just like when it has a movie screen.

We had a row of three, a single seat across from that row, and two seats behind that same row of three. Scarlett and Jackson boarded first and I followed closely after him almost tugging on his backpack to keep up. I was tired, but I needed Jackson.

I have bad plane anxiety. Mostly during takeoff, but throughout the whole trip. Jackson always holds me and holds my hand and gets me to sleep right after we get into the air. He's the only way I know I'm protected and safe.

I saw Jackson and Scarlett enter a row together, but it was the one that we only had two seats in. There was some stranger sitting in the window seat.

"What are you doing?" I ask him in a small groggy voice.

One of his eyebrows pops up puzzled, "Scarlett and I are sitting together."

I now frown. I can tell that people are waiting behind me, but my eyes are on Jackson only.

"Juliette, sit down please." He says pointing to the seats in front of him.

I stay rooted in the floor, cross my arms, and stick my nose up at him. I was putting up a bratty act mostly because I was tired, but I was terrified. I've never flown without holding Jackson's hand.

"No." I say defiantly.

He now frowns at me in genuine anger, "Juliette there are people behind you waiting to get on the plane. I am sitting with my girlfriend and you are sitting where I tell you to."

Beau lightly pushes me, "C'mon Juju."

I turn around and stick my tongue at him and then I turn back to Jackson to whine,

"You always sit with me! I need you! I'm too scared."

Jackson is fuming, probably because I usually listen to him, but I guess Link's philosophy has been getting to me. He looks past me to see how many people I've held up and then he yanks me by my upper arm into his row. He was on the aisle so that worked out conveniently for him.

People started rapidly passing us and giving me and him dirty looks. He leans down close to talk coldly in my ear,

"You are going to turn around and sit your tiny behind in the row in front of me because you will listen to me when I tell you to do something."

Tears start to prick in my eyes, he's never been so mean to me before.

A cry slips out unwillingly as I quietly ask, "Why?"

He looks at me and sympathy flashes all over his face. He instantly pulls me into a hug.

"I'm sorry honey I know you're scared. You're a big girl now though I know you can do it without me. Scarlett and I want to enjoy this vacation as a couple. You understand don't you?" He says to me sweetly.