Knowing that this process will take forever, I pull a notepad from my purse and start to write my newest resolutions. I want these to be my best ones yet.
I’m not going to promise to go to the gym more often—that never works, and I’m definitely not going to promise to eat healthier foods. McDonald’s is my go-to comfort food and I’m never giving that shit up.
This year, I’m focusing on the shit I actually want. The shit I’ve been holding myself back from. Starting with number one: “Dump Adrian’s ass.”
I write that one down twice, and I almost make it my ‘number eleven,’ but I don’t want to waste such a special honor on him.
“First class passengers may now board the plane...”
I scribble a few more, writing the first few things that come to mind.
Before I can read over it and see if everything is exactly how it should be, my zone is called. My seat is listed as “To Be Determined” so I’m pretty sure that means I’ll be sitting in the worst possible spot. Right next to the restroom.
Annoyed, I hand my ticket over to the agent.
“Did you not want to sit in first class, Miss Weston?” He raises his eyebrow.
“What? What are you talking about?”
He points at his screen. “You have a first class seat for this flight.”
I look at him in absolute shock. I’ve never flown first class before.
“Is that a yes or would you like to graciously give up your seat to a—”
“Nope.” I tell him thank you and anxiously take my spot in the boarding line.
Maybe this runaway trip won’t be a complete bust after all...
With just two passengers left in front of me, my phone rings.
It’s London. My sister.
“Yes?” I try to sound normal.
“Did you forget about me picking you up today? Where are you?”
“I’m...” I want to tell her the truth, but I know she won’t understand.
She’s been married to her college sweetheart since she was twenty one and she’s the epitome of what it means to be a “fairytale chaser.” In fact, when I told her that Adrian wasn’t the man I thought he was and that I wanted to break up with him, she cried.
She said, “Prince Charming doesn’t always wear his shining armor. He has his faults. You shouldn’t break up with him just because things have been rough for a few months. Especially not when years of eternal happiness are right around the corner!”
That was the biggest line of bullshit I’d ever heard, and that was also two years ago...
“I guess I just lost track of time,” I say. “Can I meet you?”
“Sure! Meet me at Sweet Falls Country Club, back by the pool okay? We can eat dinner together! It’s going to be so much fun! Just you and me!”
I shake my head at her terrible ability to lie. “I’ll see you soon.”
She squeals as she ends the call.
Finally stepping onto the plane, I find my row and take the aisle seat—silently hoping that the pilot will forego protocol and take off right away.
Adrian’s latest text is going to make me vomit: “Hey babe. Remember to look shocked at first, but not too shocked. Save your best face for when you actually SEE the ring...If you need an example, check out this video on YouTube. This woman nails it perfectly. Can you also pick up some beer on your way here too? Keep it in your sister’s trunk. The guys are coming over to celebrate with us later.”
I delete his text and damn near throw my phone out the window.
Please hurry the hell up and get this plane into the sky...
More passengers walk past me and I nervously bite my nails. I look at my watch and realize that the main doors are about to close. Since it seems as if everyone scheduled for this flight is already on board, I unbuckle my seatbelt and move to the window seat.
“Strawberries and champagne, Miss?” A flight attendant holds out a tray.
“No, thanks. I don’t have any cash on me.”
“No, Miss.” She laughs. “First class passengers get unlimited refreshments before takeoff and throughout the flight. Since it’s a little after the holidays, you can have complimentary champagne as well. The only thing you have to pay for is alcohol.”
My eyes widen and I happily take the food away from her, stuffing down everything within seconds.
“Ladies and gentlemen aboard flight number 743, the main flight doors will be closing in sixty seconds. We now ask that you stow away all portable electronic devices, as the pilot has been directed to begin taxi take-off once the doors close.”
I let out a sigh of relief and lean back in my chair, slipping a pair of shades over my eyes. I’ve turned off my phone, and I sincerely hope that Adrian’s embarrassment at my absence will be as brutal as he deserves for it to be.
Before I can drift into dreams of him getting hit by a bus, a deep voice sounds to my left.
“You’re in my seat,” it says.
“Am I?” I don’t look over at him. “Or are you just saying that because you almost missed this flight and want to sit in first class?”
“Excuse me?”
“I’ve tried sneaking into first class before, but just so you know, it doesn’t work. They’re going to put you out once they realize you don’t belong.”
He laughs and settles into the seat next to me. “Very cute.”
“Ladies and gentlemen...” The flight attendant begins her safety demonstration. “Please sit back and enjoy the flight.”