Wherever You Will Go

Chapter 2~ Airport

{Dianne}
So what if I can't speak French that well? I think as I wander round the shops in duty free. I'm going to try at least. Not that I have a choice, I remind myself. I signed up to this programme thinking that I was going to have an amazing time with all of my mates in a different country. How wrong I was. Turns out they only pick two or three people to go and, no matter what Andrew says and I think, deep down we both know that I'm one of the best in the class at French, so they picked me to go. Great.

Before I know it my gate is being called, so I hurry along, handing over my boarding pass as soon as I get to the desk. The woman sat there looks up at me, and almost does a double take,
"Travelling alone?" She asks, whilst smiling slightly. Nervously, I return her smile,
"Yeah- I'm taking part in an exchange student programme." At this she nods, as if everything suddenly clicks into place. I guess it makes sense, I'm quite young to be doing a flight this long by myself without a valid reason.
"Well have a good time." She says, handing me back my boarding pass.
"Thanks!!"

Once I find my seat on the plane I sit down. This is all a mistake. I shake the thought out of my head, looking round at what is going to be my home for the next 23 hours. Luckily we've managed to get me a window seat. I hate flying, but I also like to be able to see what's happening if I need to, which is weird, but makes sense in my head.

Around 6 hours into the flight I feel myself drifting off. Eventually I stop trying to fight sleep, realising that to do so is futile. Any extra sleep I can get now will probably be good for later anyway, I think. If I'm not tired then I can be my happy, bubbly self, which people will understand even if they don't speak the same language as me.

{Joe}
1h 35m. That's what the flight map says as we roll onto the tarmac anyway. Not too bad, I think as I settle further into my seat. Staring out of the window I'm suddenly thankful that my mum made me book the window seat, although I'm not entirely sure why. I plug my head phones in and click a song at random, then take my camera out of my bag. After setting it to record from out of the window I lean back into my seat, watching the world gradually grow smaller beneath me.

Please remain seated until the seatbelt safety signs have been switched off.
As if I was going to move before they were turned off anyway, I think to myself, rolling my eyes. This airport looks a lot smaller than the one I've just come from.
"Hey kid." I look up and see a man looking down at me,
"Uh, yeah?..."
"This your bag?" He asks, showing me my backpack.
"Um, yeah."
"Here." He says, before passing me it and carrying on emptying the overhead lockers. Looking around me, I see that most people have taken no notice of the announcement.
"Idiots." I mutter under my breath.

{Dianne}
Finally, finally, we land. For what feels like the first time in 23 hours, I breathe. Surprisingly I'm not too tired, but I did sleep most of the way, so I guess that's why. Once the majority of people are off the plane I walk into the tunnel, backpack on, phone and passport in hand. I have to stop myself from practically sprinting away from the plane. How I'm glad I don't have to go on one of those for another 6 months.

Eventually I'm through passport control, and go to wait for my suitcase, watching the carousel go round and round. As more people begin to crowd around I glimpse my case, and make a run for it. I'm determined to not have to wait for it to come back round again.
"Uh, 'scuse me, sorry, excuse me please." I push my way to the front of the crowd, moments too late. It slips from my grip. Damn. Walking away I groan audibly, before quickly shutting up. Not like I could explain myself to these people, probably none, or at least very few of them speak English. Suddenly I jerk as someone grabs my wrist,
"Hey, um, did you want this?" I turn around and see a boy staring at me. A rather hot boy, may I add. And he's speaking English. I'm just stood, taking him in. His messy blonde hair with cute highlights, his ocean blue eyes, and his tall, muscular body. Wow. As soon as he clears his throat I realise I'm staring maybe a little too hard. Blushing, I force myself to look away. I'm pretty sure I'm the same colour as my hair.
"This yours?" He asks.
"Um, yeah, thanks." A thought crosses my mind as I reach for it,
"How did you know." He takes me in for a minute, sending shivers up my spine,
"Well Reddo, I saw you running and kind of figured." He gestures to my crimson suitcase and then to my hair. He does kind of have a point, I guess. And Reddo? I'm not sure where that came from exactly, but I like it. All at once, reality comes crashing down on me. What am I doing? I need to leave. Now.
"Um, I-I have to go. Thank you." I add quickly, before turning in the direction of the exit, walking as fast as I dare.