FOOLS CAN'T DANCE - xxhfflepffxx

CHAPTER 3

Standing at Heathrow airport waiting was probably the most nerve racking thing I had ever done in my life.

I sat there, my heart thumping as my hand gripped on my two suitcases and flimsy plane ticket.

Butterflies filled my tummy in swarms making me feel sick with giddiness. Though it was 5:00 am (my plane to Korea was at 6am) I was probably the most awake I had ever been. I was nervous, scared, happy and oh my god, I could've probably pissed myself from the excitement.

I was about to embark on a journey of a lifetime. Meeting new people, seeing new things and awesome new places. And, for the first time in my life,I was on time! :o

After around 15 minutes of contemplating life, I realized I had around an hour to do last minute stuff before I could get on the plane. So I wondered round the airport shops. The airport was PACKED of couples going on honeymoons, families on stressful vacations and workers going on business trips. I ended up getting a sandwich, a charger, some sports socks, an eye mask and a hand book of Korean phrases. A random selection I admit but by the time I was done mooching around, it was time to get on the plane.

I walked up the stairs leading to the plane and looked out, catching a glimpse of my last sight in the UK until after the new year. A grey, concrete plane runway. Well, so much for sentimental moments. I sighed. Not a sad or bored sigh. Or a peaceful sigh. Just and anticipant, excited one.

I entered the plane, which looked like every other plane ever, I'll be honest. The same rows of bland, meant-to-be-comfortable-but-really-aren't chairs, same mix of travellers, the usual stuff. Yet this time, it felt different. I felt different. Freer.

I awkwardly squeezed through the chairs and passengers, apologizing constantly, making my way to my seat. I don't know why but I just smiled at the passengers and staff. I was just so excited. I didn't know what to expect. I plopped my heavy backpack on the seat next to the window and sat on the seat next to it on the inside of the row, knowing I would need the loo constantly.

I looked at my ticket and counted on my fingers.This flight from London to Seoul would be 10 hours. Wow. Shitzel. I hoped I had enough music to last through that! I pulled out my phone, my book (Little women by Louisa May Alcott) and my headphones to try to untangle them. Suddenly a big item of luggage fell from the overhead bin and narrowly missed my head. I jumped. "Woah!" I exclaimed, immediately getting to my feet to put it back and help. "Oh my god I'm so sorry!" I turned to see a girl, my age, with gigantic frizzy, black hair exploding from her head and bright blue glasses that were slightly wonky on her face. She was very small yet was carrying a massive backpack, purse, another bag and I'm guessing that the suitcase that had fallen was hers.

"Oh it's fine" I reply, "these overhead bins never fit anything" I chuckle. "Do you need help?" I asked, looking at her mound of luggage. " I think so" she chuckled, slightly out of breath. I helped her put her luggage in the storage units, heaving all her big bags to the high destination. Thank god I'm tall. "Where are you going with all this luggage?" I chuckled while I fitted in the last of her luggage into the small overhead bin. "Seoul, I'm a dancer so I'm doing some shows there" she replied, bashfully sliding her glasses up her nose, her cocoa cheeks turning a rosy pink. I chuckled in disbelief.

You can't be serious.

"No way, me too! The BTS thing?" I asked in curiosity. "Oh my gosh yeah! Well, what a coincidence!" She giggled sweetly. "Is this seat taken?" She asked pointing at the seat with my backpack on. I smiled. Yes! A nice person who I could be friends with! I could know someone! "No, be my guest" I replied moving my bag off the seat and sitting in it. The girl slid onto the seat beside me, putting her purse at her feet. "I'm Hope by the way" she said smiling as she pulled out a marvel comic and her phone. "I'm Leila" I replied. Yes! Good Leila! You are being sociable! "Do you like Cat woman?" I said pointing at the comic she was reading, the female superhero making a striking pose in the action scenes. Hope closed it so we could examine the cover together. "Not really, but it's the next one in the series" she explained. After that, the plane set off and me and Hope bonded over Harry Potter, dance and annoying families. Hope was from Essex but she moved away to go to Birmingham for uni when she turned sixteen and started dancing. It's crazy how you can learn enough about someone to instantly click. I think those 10 hours were the best in my life. Me and Hope listened to music, laughed until we were physically hurt, read together. I couldn't believe I hadn't met her before. After 5 hours we were best friends and took polaroids and used them as book marks. We also got shushed numerous times by other passengers for our loud giggling. I had never met anyone like Hope, who even if we didn't have the same interests or beliefs, seemed genuinely interested. She cared.

She was also really goofy.

And kind.

And smart.

God how was she so cool?! And I had only met her that day and I already felt a strong bond.

"Hello everyone, just a quick update from the captain, the plane will be landing shortly"

I looked at Hope and grinned excitedly as she squealed. How was she a literal ray of sunshine? It was amazing! My cheeks were aching from the countless smiles. My feet tapped on the floor eagerly. Hope would sometimes randomly squeeze my hand in excitement, I would squeeze back. I just couldn't wait. And I didn't have too.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, we have arrived at Seoul Airport, please enjoy your stay here"

Both me and Hope shot up, manic with excitement and squealed, fizzing with energy. We both scrambled to get our things and were ready at the exit door in record time. The plane door opened, I peered at Hope and took a deep breath...