Run Away With Me

Can't Wait To Tell My Grand Kids About This One

"Come on Madeline." Jack said with a roll of his eyes.

"I know, I know. Just give me a minute ok?"

He nodded his head and walked the other way. I can't believe I'm about to get into a plane just to fall out of it. What if I die? NO. No, I can do this! I am a badass. I started this whole trip to try new things. I jumped off a cliff, I can jump out of a plane. I can jump out of a plane. It's safe. Right?

I walked towards the plane and climbed the two small steps. Once Jack saw me, he grinned and reached a hand out to me. I grabbed it and clutched it hard. He intertwined our fingers and thankfully it brought some comfort to my racing heart. At least I wasn't going alone.

"Are you sure you've never done this before?" I asked. He still seemed so ready, like this wasn't a big deal, like we weren't about to fall out of a plane at 10,000 feet.

"Never, but I've always wanted to. It's on my bucket list."

"Like a, 'before I die' bucket list?"

"If you're asking if I'm dying, no I'm perfectly healthy. But, you know, things I want to do in my life before I do die, eventually."

"Why didn't you tell me? We could do things on your list-" The plane started moving down the runway and my stomach dropped. I took a deep breath and Jack squeezed my hand. "What's on your list?" I rushed out, distracting myself from my lurching stomach.

"You know normal things, travel the world, get married, get a tattoo, carve my name on a tree in the middle of a forest, go scuba diving, swim with dolphins, learn to surf, a few other things, I don't know I kind of just add things as I go."

"You said you've never been anywhere but California and Colorado?"

"Well, now I've been to Utah." He grins at me and winks.

"Can we do things on your list? While were here in California, I mean.

"Sure, Madeline. Hey do me a favor. Open your eyes."

I did as I was told and I only regret it for a second. After the second passed, I was thankful. The plane was, and still is, reaching higher altitude but from where we are, we can see vast ocean and a whole skyline view of the city. The largest buildings looked like tiny spots on the ground.

"This is amazing."

"Just wait until we jump." The instructor who is currently strapping himself to my back says loudly into my ear as the plane engine is making a lot of noise. There are tugs and yanks on my hips and shoulders every once in a while, reminding me that I am in the hands of this man.

My stomach lurches again and I have to will away the urge to vomit. "Please don't talk about it."

"It's going to happen, Madeline. Maybe if we talk about it, it won't seem so scary."

"Doubt it. W-what are we doing a-after this?"

"I don't know. It's only 10 and it will probably be close to 11 after we are on the ground and all unloaded. We could go on a hot air balloon ride?" he suggests and I laugh sarcastically.

"How about an activity on the ground instead of so high up in the air? Put a pin in that one and we can come back to it."

"I like that you're still open to the idea though. At least you are willing to try new things. Ok," he thinks for a moment longer then says, "I have the perfect thing to do, but it will have to be a surprise."

I nod my head and the men that are sitting behind us tap our shoulders. I look over and the man behind me starts explaining that we are almost to altitude and he will begin strapping me in. He instructs me to lift my hands and starts fastening himself to me and going over the procedures for when we jump again. He puts his hand out in front of me and I take it in my own. He wraps his fingers around mine and yells, "You have to do stuff that scares you! It's what keeps you alive and what brings you the best shit in your life. If you never do things that scare you, what's the point?"

I nod my head, unsure of what to say to that. It may be a thrill but not one I had intended on. I could have gone my entire life without falling to my death. But he isn't wrong. Going on this trip scared me, but here I am having the time of my life. Asking Jack to come with me scared me, but we actually became friends because of it.

"Think of it as a much higher version of the cliffs, you loved that as soon as it was over!" Jack yells.

I nod my head and gulp. Do something that scares you... Just like the cliffs...

"Let's do this!" Jack's instructor says and flings open the planes door. The wind fills the cabin, forcing all of us back a little. Jack and the man strapped to him hold onto the railing and brace themselves.

"See you on the other side, Miss Madeline!" With another excited scream from the two of them, they jump. First falling down a few feet then flung to the side by the force of the wind.

I gasp and cover my mouth, my heart starting to beat out of my chest.

"You ready darlin'?" I hear my instructor say but I can't answer him. He stands up both up and walks up to the edge of the plane where the door is still open. "I'm going to count to three, lift your legs up and keep your eyes open. You won't want to miss this!"

I nod my head, still slightly hyperventilating.

"One,"

Oh god, oh god, oh god.

"Two,"

Please don't let me-

"Three!"

He flings up out of the plane, my legs go up to my chest and I scream. I try to remember what he said about keeping my eyes open, still screaming as we spiral down towards the ground. The man strapped to my back is screaming in excitement and after a moment my screams of fear turn into excitement as well.

The fear of falling has worn off and the thrill of flying has taken over. I see the bright blue ocean in the distance, the wind whips at my face making strands of my hair fall out of my ponytail and fly all around me. What seems like hundreds of feet away, I can see Jack's instructor pull the string that releases his chute and their bodies jerk up.

I feel a tap on my shoulder and the man yells, "Wanna get crazy?" I nod my head excitedly. "ok, tuck your feet up as much as you can, when I lean forwards, don't resist." I nod again in understanding and tuck my knees to my chest.

Colton, my instructor, pushes us both forward and we do somersault after somersault, spinning in the air. When he flattens out again, he tells me to hold onto the straps and put my head back against his shoulder. Moments later he pulls our chute and we both jerk back from the force.

We slowly glide down to the ground, He lets his steer the chute but tis hard. Colton must have a ridiculous amount of strength because it took Colton helping me to pull one side down. He retook the reigns and guided us to the ground, telling me to lift my knees to my chest and sit on my butt as we not so gracefully hit the grass as we land.

"Now, that wasn't so bad was it?" He asks as he unbuckles us from each other.

"Can we go again?" I ask excitedly, still feeling adrenaline pump through my veins.