The Safe Place (Bridge To Terabithia) || ✓

Ch. 9 - Welcome to NYC

Having flown numerous times because of her parents's works, Leslie was accustomed to all of the procedures and was confident in flying on her own as well. As a parent of course, Bill still had his own concerns and made sure to give his daughter and Jess the proper instructions, especially Jess as it was the boy's first time flying. Before they had drove off to the airport, he and Jack made a plan for both of their kids to follow which he agreed on because he knew that things might become hectic if the two didn't have any guidelines and only alone by themselves. Bill spoke about this with Leslie and Jess while waiting at the departure gate.

The first and foremost important rule for them to follow was to not waste all their money they had been given by their parents, and to only use it during an emergency. Jess and Leslie nodded their heads, knowing that they wouldn't even need to buy anything since they'll be spending most of their time 'working'. Second was that they can't go anywhere without Mason's permission. Jess absolutely had no idea who Mason was but Leslie seemed to know as she nodded her head and even chuckled as if it was funny. And the last rule was that they would need to keep in contact with the family for at least two times a week to keep them up to date. There was luckily only three rules for the two to follow as Bill knew that they would have probably not bothered to remember them all if there was more than five.

     After ten minutes of waiting, one of the crew members approached them and told them that Jess and Leslie would board first before the other passengers as they were unaccompanied minors.

"You know what to do," Bill said to Leslie and then pulled her in, kissing the top of her head. "Say hi to Mason for me."

After they had exchanged goodbyes and Bill asked Jess to make sure Leslie doesn't get into trouble, Jess chuckled as he knew all the mischief that Leslie could do when there was no one to supervise her. Leslie then stuck her tongue out to her father and then took Jess's wrist, dragging him towards the attendant who was going in, and then waved to Bill one more time before going inside.

As they followed the attendant, Jess looked out the glass and was amazed by the aircraft that stood outside. Leslie noticed this and chuckled.

"Is this your first time flying?" The kind attendant asked gently.

"I've gone several times," Leslie replied politely and looked at Jess. "But it is Jess's first time flying."

     Jess turned to them and then to the attendant who was smiling at him. He pursed his lips and nodded. "I've never gone on one before."

     "Well, Jess, we're honored to have been your first plane to be on."

Jess and Leslie were taken to their seats and the attendant helped with stowing their carry ons before settling them down and explaining to them the usual safety manual of the plane. After that, the attendant pointed out where the lavatories were if they ever needed to use them later.

When the attendant left, Jess nudged Leslie and asked, "what's a lavatory?"

Leslie replied with a laugh. "They're toilets, Jess."

Three minutes passed and the rest of the passengers started to enter as well. A blonde woman came and sat at the left of Jess. She gave a friendly smile when she saw Jess and Leslie and then stowed her bags before sitting down. Jess was watching in wonder as he saw many people coming in, wondering how big the plane must be to hold so many people. Eventually, the announcement came to tell them the usual safety features that was explained to the two earlier and the pilot also spoke a few words to greet the passengers. Everyone was then instructed to wear their seatbelt as the plane was going to take off soon.