Martha checked her bag for her boarding pass and passport for the hundredth time.
"You've got everything you need! I know you're nervous, just try and relax." Her friend Lauren said smiling, rubbing Martha's arm reassuringly.
"I know!" Martha replied with an uptight sigh, "I know this is what I want to do, I just don't know if I'm ready. It's such a big change. It's so far away and..."
"Listen" Lauren said interrupting - she knew Martha well enough to know the signs of an approaching meltdown.
"We've been over this a million times, you know it might be hard at first, but ride it out for a year and I know you'll be loving life again! You've got a good job and your apartment looks lovely and I'll be out in two months to visit and then New York won't know what's hit it!" Lauren looked into Martha's eyes and put on a wicked grin that made Martha's left eyebrow spring up and a giggle escape her lips.
" I know, I know, you're right, " Martha laughed "I wish you were coming too. just to keep me sane!"
"Ain't nothing sane about us!" Lauren giggled "You know I couldn't leave Greg behind. You've got a chance for a brand new start."
"Maybe if you left him behind, he might realise what he's missing and ask you to marry him already! It's only been ten years!" Martha scoffed, but instantly regretted saying it when she saw the hurt in Lauren's eyes.
"Well you and Lee got married and look what happened to you two!" Lauren spat back.
"Oh, I'm sorry I didn't mean that, I'm just, Fuck! Terrified!" Martha said gripping on to Lauren's shoulders.
"I know, I'm sorry too..." Lauren smiled.
Martha's flight number was called for passengers to make their way through security.
"Ok, be strong and brave and try to enjoy yourself! I love you!" Lauren said as she hugged Martha tight, which told Martha, Lauren wasn't as sure about being left behind as she was making out.
"I love you too!" Martha whispered into Lauren's ear as she squeezed her back.
They released each other and laughed. Martha checked her bag for her boarding pass and passport.
"Oh, for fuck's sake, you've got everything, now go!" Lauren laughed at her friend.
"Ok, ok! I'm away!" Martha laughed back, grabbed the handle of her little on flight trolley and made her way into a new life.
YOU ARE READING
Something Better
FanfictionA Brandon Flowers romantic fan fiction. Martha moves to New York to escape life in Scotland after a sticky divorce. Life in New York is not as easy as Martha had hoped and after meeting up with an old friend, Charles, who is based in Las Vegas, she...