the ticket counter with my false identity intact, but for some reason, I’m still looking over my damn shoulder like someone is watching me.
The hairs at the back of my neck rise, I feel a tingling going down my spine like several pairs of eyes are on me but when I turn around to scan the large area, there’s no one is paying any attention to me, it’s almost like I’m invisible.
But still, there’s this nagging sensation I can’t shake.
That’s because you’re a paranoid, self-harming, depressed mess who’s going to die alone, with no one to ever truly want or love you.
The thing about that voice in my head is that, it doesn’t lie. Everything is true and sooner or later, the truth is going to catch up with me, making me face the consequences of what I didn’t do for Nancy when she needed my help to save her life.
“Enjoy your flight, Miss Hazel,” the lady behind the counter says. I fake a smile then make my way to the wrong gate, knowing damn well that my flight is already boarding.
If I’m being followed, I want whoever it is to think I’m headed for New York City. I even booked and paid for a ticket with my real name and the thing about technology is, I could do online check-in and go straight to the gate since I didn’t have any luggage other than my carry-on.
So whoever is watching or monitoring my movements will think that I’m on that flight and on my way to New York. But just in case they’re watching me now, I go straight to the gate where they’re calling for a New York flight. I sit down, all while briefly checking the time. I have to be across the airport to my actual gate in less than five minutes or all of this would have been for nothing.
“Final boarding call from LAX to JFK. All passengers on this flight please make your way to gate E,” the lady on the speaker announces and just then, I watch as a family of maybe ten, rushes toward the gate. They have toddlers and grandparents, and bags flinging everywhere, it’s just chaos. All of them look flustered and I decide that this is my chance.
So, while the big-ass family makes a spectacle of themselves, running toward the gate, I make my move knowing that all the attention is currently on the family—because people in airports don’t really know how to mind their own damn business.
I take the opportunity to blend in with them, then duck in the side hallway that coincidentally leads to my gate.
Shit. I’m over here working double time meanwhile there might not even be anyone following me, but there’s still this feeling…
I practically race down toward my gate, getting there just before the lady starts packing up to close the gate.
“You’re late,” she says with a snarky look on her face. She eyes me like I’m the last bitch standing in the way of her Friday night drink up.
“The plane is still here, isn’t it?” I fire back, not in the mood for this.
She eyes me silently then accepts my ticket and passport.
“First class, 3E,” she says, passing me my passport and ticket back. I stare at her dumbfounded, blinking like a cartoon character.
“I didn’t pay for a first-class ticket,” I murmur, alarm bells now ringing through my head. No, this can’t be happening.
“Well, you were upgraded, honey,” she says while smacking the gum she’s chewing like some hippie, southern waitress.
“Upgraded? By who?”
The hairs at the back of my neck stand up on end making me turn around in search of something…someone… anyone. Who would upgrade me? Who would know that I’d be on this flight especially when I used a fake identity?
“Upgraded by the airline of course,” the rude lady says, staring down at her computer. “It’s a free upgrade. Nobody paid for it.”
“A free upgrade?” I scoff. I don’t think so. For one, how often does that happen? How many people just get upgraded anytime like this, on a late flight, for free? This isn’t like the movies.
“Yes,” she sighs, looking beyond annoyed with me now. “It’s a free upgrade. Most people would be thankful and excited for a chance like this. Now, are you getting on the damn plane or should I call and tell them to take off?”
Whoa, okay then.
“Uh, yeah, I’m going,” I mutter distractedly.
I’m in a daze when I board the plane. There’s a low buzz filling my