Disco Balls and Plane Tickets
Chapter 1
Melissa: “Where will you be flying today, Miss Ather,” the lady from behind the check-in counter asked me when I finally reached the desk. “Amsterdam, Holland,” I replied putting my elbows on the counter. “And how many bags and you checking in?” “One,” I lifted the heavy blue duffle bug onto the platform as she wrapped the sticker around the handle and placed it on the black rubber conveyer belt. 5 more minutes of instructions from the lady in uniform and I made my way, family and Hillary in tow, to the long security line at Hartsfield International Airport. I breathed in the fresh air. It was only two days ago that I was in this same line with Taylor before he too departed for Europe. I remembered holding his warm hand as the line crept closer to the tan security panels and closer to the plane that would rip him from me. Now, the gap would close for Hillary and I and for my family. Two weeks in Europe with some of my best friends, and singing too, why wouldn’t I be happy? I was, but I was nervous too. I had never been so far from home and everything I had ever known was here. I pushed the nervous and anxious voice out of my head. “Hey, ya better take your belt off before the thing beeps again,” Hillary reminded me about the metal detectors and the heavy metal belt hanging from my jeans. When I came with Taylor, it had set off the metal detectors and embarrassed me beyond belief as everyone stood laughing as the security guard searched me. “That would be a good idea,” I said removing it and placing it and my bag with the others to go through a quick security check before I headed towards the gate. I picked up my bag and headed towards the trams and towards my terminal. I remembered a few days earlier, we all refused to hand onto the handle rails to try to test our balance. Both Zac and Hillary fell to the floor in laughter and I clung to Taylor as the two of us stood laughing too. This time, I held onto the rail as the train stopped at terminal T and the crowd flowed out into the hallway and crammed onto the escalator. I looked back at Hillary, who didn’t let her eyes leave the handrail for a second. I could she was upset. “It’s only for two weeks, Hill. I’ll be back before ya know it.” “I know,” she said solemnly. We got off the escalator and walked towards the gate, the point of no return. 10 minutes till boarding. Hillary and I sat looking out the large glass windows watching the planes take off and land. I knew we were both thinking about the same thing, about Taylor and Zac. About their departure, I kissed Taylor goodbye and he promised to call me the day I got home and that he’d send me a postcard everyday. I hugged his family goodbye and they boarded the plane as a single tear fell from my crystal blue eyes. I missed him already; I missed his touch, kiss and everything. I also knew how much I’d miss Hillary and talking to her everyday. “Melissa,” I heard a few screams behind me and turned around to see 3 girls from school. “Hey guys,” I yelled as the came running over. “Omg! I can’t believe we’re going to Europe,” Heather beamed with excitement. “I know. Its so surreal,” Lillie said in response. “Yea, it is pretty great,” I said. “Oh, yea. I almost forgot. Hillary, this is Heather and Rachel, you’ve already met Lillie.” “Hi,” she shock hands with all three girls as a crowd began to gather around gate T15 and the 45 choir members began to show up and mingle in excitement. We talked for maybe 5 minutes before the boarding began, then, taking a deep breath, I hugged my family goodbye and told Hillary I’d send her as many postcards as I could. I gave her a hug as the stewardess announced, “This is the final boarding call for flight 517 to Amsterdam, Holland.” I looked at Heather, and the rest of the crowd and we got in line to board the plane. As she tore my ticket, I took a deep breath. “This is it,” I thought, “no turning back now.” Panic hit and I pushed it back again as I waved goodbye to my family and to Hillary and walked down the plank towards the plane and towards a whole ‘other world. A single tear streamed down my faced and I brushed it off.
Chapter 2