Riptide | #wattys2016

Going Under

[ u n e d i t e d ]

In a world where we have everything we need, we cease to acknowledge the little things that help us through life. Everyone, at some point in their lives has felt as if they are going under, drowning in their fears that become a so called reality. We all dread the day that happens, because we know it's coming for us it just waits for the right time to strike.

Some people take what they have for granted, I happened to be one of those people a year ago. I had lost my father at the age of eight to a car crash, whilst my mother died fighting off cancer when I was sixteen. I took her for granted, I rarely said I love you with true intentions. All I wanted from her was money, new things, food, she loved me and all I could think about was my social life and myself.

I remember the last words I said to her, "I wish you never existed." Oh how I regret those words, the ones that made karma stab my in the back and hit me like a tonne of bricks. That night she passed away while I was out, partying and having fun.

It had been a year and I just turned seventeen three days go, there was still a weight that brought me down - a guilt in the pit of my stomach that always made me not want to be social, not live a normal life.

"Flight to Los Angeles flight 235 is now boarding," a woman's voice ring audibly through the speakers that clung to the corners of the room. I stood, fidgeting awkwardly with the strap of my bag as I handed over my ticket to the flight attendant. She was very tall and lanky, quite busty and had a pretty face along with long, flows locks of brunette hair that fell to her lower back, there was no doubt she was often hit on by several guys on these flights.

She handed me back my ticket and I murmur a shy, quiet thank you before shuffling my way to the airplane. There were several people in front of me, most of them being young men and women who looked to be in their early to mid twenties.

Everyone filed on board me took their sets, shoving their bags lazily it it he over head compartments of the plane then sitting down in their assigned seats. My hand brushed along the leather of the seat as we took off into the air, my lashes kissing my cheeks as my eyes softly shut. I found myself drifting into a sleep, the loud muffled voices of the people round me being drowned out by my overpowering anxiety.

"Attention passengers, you may now take off your seat belts and move around the plane freely, thank you for using US air lines." The captains deep, but welcoming voice pierced my ears and my eyes cracked open to see the couple next to me ordering a drink.

"Would you like anything dear?" The woman asked, she looked like she was in her late twenties and I smiled softly, "could you order me caramel popcorn and a water, I'll pass the money over, one second." I say, trying to be polite as possible as I reach into my pocket for my purse. The lady stops me, "Nonono, I'll pay for this." I smile to her, she seemed like a very kind and down to earth woman, I liked her.

She passed me my popcorn and water and I take it gratefully, "Thank you," I speak to her, my vocals sounding hoarse and dry. I unscrew the lid of my Figi water, taking a sip before speaking once again, "My name is Jordan." I hold out a hand across her sleeping boyfriends body to shake hers. She takes my hand in hers, giving my hand a firm but gentle hand shake, "No problem, I'm Melissa, lovely to meet you."

We continued with our conversation and I explained to her that I was flying over to LA from Melbourne, Australia to live with my Aunt as I had lost my parents. She understood my situation, telling me she had lost hers a long time ago. Turned out she and her boyfriend who I had come to know as Jay were going to LA as they both landed an acting role in a movie that's yet to be released.