I'm Sorry

Chapter Two: Oh Wait, It's You!

Time for a flashback:

The floor swayed as I stood up when the airplane finally landed. Lights from the crevices from the walls became alight, a soft gold to a bright white. I came from Japan and I landed in New York City. I was going to meet one of my friends, Satoru, somewhere in Queens. One of the flight attendants announced to the passengers, "Welcome to New York City, where the local time is 6:37 in the evening and currently 35 degrees. We thank you for choosing Delta Airlines and we hope you have a wonderful evening." I would like to admit I could grasp about only half of what she said. Other people began to stand and stretch. Surprisingly, the people calmly filed out and emptied the plane. I slipped through a couple and a family to leave the plane and into the airport itself.

My fingers intertwined with the laces from my backpack's shoulder straps. I looked around, the endless noises of people and life and the bright orbs from the ceiling and boards for advertisements woke me up a bit. The fresh and warm smell of food enveloped me. Sighing deeply, I trudged on to where the baggage claim was. I checked my watch, it read 6:50 (I'd already changed it while I was on the plane) I checked my phone- it was dead. Great. Just great. I looked around as I walked to the board of flights and the board of a map of the airport. There were no empty outlets that I could plug my charger into. I grumbled bitterly as I walked on. My steps slowed as I got closer to the glowing board of blue and white with its names and numbers. My eyes glazed over the names trying to look for "Delta Airlines" and "Los Angeles ". After a few seconds, I finally found it, Carousel #5. I looked to the side attempting to find the little avatar of a suitcase, forget trying to read English, my brain was still sleeping- so were my feet.

I followed the arrow and people from my flight to where the baggage claim area was. The strangers in front slowed their paces, then to a stop. I took the chance to tie my shoe at the speed of light. Shooting back up onto my feet, the crowd slowly began to walk again. I looked back and my eyes widened at the number of people waiting too. We took a set of escalators up and down until we reached a long hallway. The horde of people slowly dispersed as we got to the end of the hallway. We passed two automatic sliding doors into the room of the carousels. My head whipped around trying to find a restroom- found it. My still-sleeping feet carried me to the men's restroom, thankfully there wasn't a line.

After relieving myself, I skipped and hopped to Carousel #5 like I was being carried by the wind. Slithering through people, I made my way to the front of the merry-go-round. I looked for ways to find my two big luggage. My feet shifted as the baggage passed me, but none of them were mine. Finally, after a long five minutes, both of mine slowly slid toward me. I grabbed both at once and heaved them onto the ground. I let them drop but one of the wheels crushed my foot, causing me to yelp in pain. I mean at least I could feel one foot now. I grit my teeth as my hands tensed on the handles of the trunks. I sighed and slowly walked away with my two cases rolling on either side of me.

I walked outside into the cold and crisp evening of a January evening. The tufts of white tendrils left and curled from my lips as I breathed in and out. My eyes swiveled side to side, trying to find the train station, I knew that I shouldn't take the taxi. Satoru had told me before leaving Tokyo, that taxi's a bit expensive and that I should just take the train after leaving the airport. I scratched my head, I know that I have to take the train but how? I looked for someone to ask. I found a tall, black-haired man leaning against the stone wall near the doorway. I walked up to him and asked, "Hello- sorry but uhm- Do you know where the train station is...?" He glared down at me with his green and blue eyes- I thought I'd pass out from how scary he looked. "Oh yeah, but you'll need to take the AirTrain first, it brings you to a station for free." I raised my eyebrow in question. He took in a deep breath and continued, "You need to go back in and find it- You'll need to ask someone, I don't know where it is." I opened my mouth to thank him but he turned away, "Tha-" I hesitated and only bowed my head slightly. I took my luggage and rushed back in.