The Pilot Afraid to Fly

The stare down

     I make my way through the halls to my classroom holding my breath. This is the twelfth time that I have been late this semester and I am pretty sure that Mrs. Martez will not be too happy about that. I carefully twist the doorknob in hopes that it would open without a sound and I would just slip into my seat before anyone even noticed. Well one can only dream. The creak of the door seemed to echo throughout the hallway and magnify each time it bounced off of a wall. Time seemed to stand still as I entered the classroom. I could feel each and every single one of my classmates eyes staring at me as I sat down into my seat and pretended not to notice anyone. I began digging in my backpack to get out my homework just so that I could have an excuse not to look up.

     When I finally looked up from my tattered backpack, my eyes were met with the evil gaze of Mrs. Martez's. We don't call it the death stare for nothing. There was a long awkward silence as her eyes bored into me. Being that this is the twelfth time that I have been given this stare down, I was starting to get used to it. So instead of sliding down into my seat while my classmates started to snicker, I stood up. When I did I saw the faintest sign of shock in her eyes as she continued to stare at me. The slightest twitch of her eye and I knew that I had gotten to her. I began walking towards her desk with a feeling of pride. Her eyes narrowed daring me to take another step closer. Without the slightest bit of regret I looked her in the eyes and lifted my foot before slowly stepping forward. She opened her mouth to say something but before she could the bell sounded to start class.

     "Alright class take out your homework!" she croaked, as if nothing had ever happened. She then proceeded to go around the room and check everyone's homework. Despite how noble I had felt a few minutes ago, I was started to feel scared as she came around to me. I quickly showed her my homework in hopes that she would just pass on by but instead she leaned down and whispered in my ear, "You pull another stunt like that and you will land yourself a one way ticket to the principal's office." She sputtered as her hot moist breath entered my ear making me feel sick to my stomach. Well, I wouldn't be surprised if I have an ear infection tomorrow.

"Daniel, what was that all about." Joshua asked eagerly after class.

"Nothing!" I said annoyed, "I'm just tired of always being the laughingstock every morning that I am late! I mean if only she knew, not even my whole story just a little more than the news half heartily mentions every now and then. I have been trying really hard this year to cut my daydreams short about my father because I know that I am taking high school courses now and really need to be on time, but sometimes I cant help it, my mind just trails off and goes to a completely different world."

" Whoa there Dan, calm down." He said placing his hand on my shoulder before blatantly adding.

"Now are you done with your little rant."

Who am I kidding, what was I even thinking. Josh was one of my friends I had known since I was in Kindergarten, but he still doesn't know my biggest secret. He doesn't even have the slightest clue. I have thought about telling him almost every day but I just haven't brought myself to it. The only person that knows is my mom but she is not very understanding of my aerophobia. She keeps pushing me to get on flight simulators, high rides, and even tried to get me on the plane shaped swings at the amusement park. No matter how much I want to get over my severe fear of planes, I just completely shut down and I don't know why.

 "Hellllooooooo! I asked you a question!" Josh said snapping me out of my thoughts.

"Oh what was the question again, I'm sorry." I said apologetically

"Man what has gotten into you, you have been acting like a child that just found out it was adopted. I asked if you wanted to get something to eat!"

All of a sudden it seemed as if those words were the cue for my stomach to make all kinds of dinosaur noises.

"Yeah lets walk on over to burger shack."

We walked out of the doors of the school and started towards our all time favorite burger spot, or at least what was left of it.