Solance

Three

The next morning was a blur of chaos. Ms. Laura hurried the kids into the airport, their luggage in tow as they sprinted down the terminal. Solance could barely keep up, the sound of their shoes echoing against the polished floors.

"Faster, come on! We're late!" Ms. Laura called, her voice panicked.

Mario, the youngest, was holding onto Solance's hand, trying his best to run as fast as his little legs could carry him. The other kids were right behind them,with their faces red with exertion. They weaved through the bustling crowd, dodging other travelers and luggage carts as they rushed toward their gate.

By the time they reached the boarding area, the flight attendant was standing with a slightly raised brow. "You're just in time," she said, glancing at her watch. "Almost didn't make it."

Ms. Laura let out a breath of relief, herding the boys into the line. Solance hung back, eyes darting around as her heart pounded in her chest. This was her chance.

While Ms. Laura focused on getting the tickets out for the kids, Solance slipped quietly out of the line, her movements quick and deliberate. No one seemed to notice as she backed away, then turned and bolted down the opposite hallway. Her breath came in quick bursts as she ran past a row of vending machines, her eyes fixed ahead on the sign for the Los Angeles gate.

She could hear the final boarding call over the loudspeaker as she reached the counter. The attendant looked up, raising a questioning eyebrow as Solance handed her the ticket Jax had stashed for her.

"Just in time," the lady said, scanning the ticket before nodding her toward the plane. Solance didn't say a word, just gave a tight smile and hurried through the door.

The weight of her decision hit her as she stepped onto the plane and found her seat. She sank into the chair, the sound of the engines humming beneath her, heart racing. She had done it. This was it. There was no turning back now.

***
As Ms. Laura hurried the kids toward the boarding gate, she tried to do a quick head count in the midst of the chaos. She called out for Solance, but the wave of people rushing onto the plane drowned out her voice. The flight attendant assured her they could do a head count once they were on the plane, as they were in a hurry to board.

With a sense of unease gnawing at her, Ms. Laura was rushed onto the plane along with the boys. As they settled into their seats and the plane began to taxi down the runway, she did another head count. Her heart sank when she realized someone was missing. Solance.

Ms. Laura felt a surge of panic as she realized Solance was missing. Frantically, she turned to the flight attendant and exclaimed, "We need to stop the plane!"

Panic gripped Ms. Laura as she frantically searched the plane, her eyes darting around in desperation. Mario, one of her foster kids, sat beside her, his face mirroring her worry. She tried to keep her composure, but the fear of not knowing where Solance was weighed heavily on her.

The flight attendant put a reassuring hand on Ms. Laura's shoulder and said, "Ma'am, we can't delay the flight. Please, try to stay calm."

"S-Solance, she's one of my foster kids," Ms. Laura stammered, her hands trembling as she searched the cabin frantically. "I don't see her anywhere.

The flight attendant nodded, her expression understanding. "Okay, okay. Can you describe her to me?"

Ms. Laura took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. "She's a young girl, about fifteen years old, with wavy brown hair and she has a beauty mark on her left cheek I think.

The flight attendant placed a calming hand on Ms. Laura's shoulder, trying to reassure her. "Okay, We'll alert the pilot and the authorities to search for Solance once we're in the air. Stay calm, we'll do everything we can to find her. She probably just sat in the back"

Reluctantly, Ms. Laura nodded, her mind racing with thoughts of Solance's safety. She glanced around the cabin one last time.

"Yeah....yeah you're probably right"

Just as the plane was about to take off, Mario looked out the window and saw another plane rolling off beside theirs. His eyes widened as he spotted Solance in the nearby plane, her gaze locked with his. She made a shushing gesture, a hint of mischief in her eyes, while Mario stared back at her in confusion.

***

Solance's mind was a whirlwind of conflicting emotions as the plane taxied down the runway and took off into the sky. Part of her was exhilarated by the rush of adrenaline that came with her impulsive decision to leave with no one knowing, but another part of her was gripped by fear and uncertainty.

As the city below grew smaller and smaller, Solance tried to push aside her doubts and worries, focusing instead on the possibilities that lay ahead. She was heading to Los Angeles, a city of dreams and opportunities, where she could start fresh and carve out a new path for herself.

But as the reality of what she had done sank in, Solance couldn't shake the feeling of guilt creeping into her heart. She had left without saying goodbye to Ms. Laura and the kids, who had taken her in and cared for her like family. Would they be okay without her? Would they understand her need to break free and find her own way?

As the plane soared through the clouds, Solance made a silent vow to herself. She would make the most of this chance, no matter what challenges lay ahead. With determination burning in her soul, Solance leaned back in her seat and gazed out at the endless expanse of sky, ready to embrace whatever lay on the horizon.