Page 1 of Roaming Holiday

1

NINA

I don’t want to die today.

My fingers ache from drumming them against my thighs for the past ten minutes. I narrow my focus on my tired muscles. If I stop, I think. If I think, every deadly scenario will force its way?—

“Stop,” Maia says, covering my hand with hers.

I inhale and crane my neck to see how many more people are behind us. At least thirty. I study their faces because they might be the last ones I’ll see.

“Is it hot in here? I’m hot,” I say, fanning myself after rolling up my sleeves. I refuse to remove my jacket because I’ll have to put it back on before sitting down so my bare skin doesn’t touch the airplane seat. The thought sends a shiver through me. I exhale.

Calm down, Nina.

“No, you’re just freaking out,” my sister says with annoyance edging her tone. She scrolls through her airplane playlist. “Did you download your music so you can listen during the flight?”

I gather my hair to twist into an updo. “Yes, of course.”

While my fear is the very concept of airplanes, Maia’s is having no music to listen to for nine hours. I tie off my bun, and she silently fixes stray curls for me. Still addled from my anxiety, I text my best friend.

I’m panicking.

Even though she’s busy moving her stuff into her boyfriend’s apartment, her answer buzzes back quickly.

Raven

What’s wrong? Is the flight delayed?

No, but I’d like to delay getting on a flying death trap.

Raven

Aw :( Deep breaths! Take the trazodone as soon as you sit down and you’ll wake up in paradise!

I snort a laugh, shifting the heavy bag over my shoulder.

That sounds like a threat.

Raven

Shit, you’re right.

Zafir says to challenge yourself to not feel stress.

That’s awful advice.

Raven

I know, but he’s a football player. Everything is a competition to him.

You got this. I’ll be waiting for your text when you land! Love you!!!!

She attaches a slew of emojis, and I send a heart before locking my phone. I don’t feel better, but now I focus on how at least one of us is making strides in life. Raven is a year and a half younger than me and on a better track than I am. Even though we both graduated with honors this year, she’s starting the well-paid internship she’d always dreamed about and is moving in with her annoyingly perfect boyfriend. For god’s sake, he nearly lost the interest of the NFL because he delayed a game just to tell Raven how he felt about her.

Me?

Within the last month, I moved back in with my parents after graduation, I dumped my cheating boyfriend of eight months, and I accepted a mid-paying job because I’m too scared to dream bigger.

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