Holiday dangers

Chapter 2.Kate

Chapter 2. Kate

Boarding took a while because this time she was seated in an economy class and people were constantly pushing each other as if the seats were not numbered. Although she had to admit that the holding area was minuscule and people were probably competing for who would take it. Even the space between the seats was minor, so you barely had any room to breathe properly. Luckily, her seat was next to the window, so she didn't have to sit in the middle between two strangers.

This was her first time traveling in economy class. The first time she came to this city to study, she didn't even have money for a plane ticket, so she took the train. That ride was not unpleasant, trains were mostly comfortable but painfully slow means of travel. Because her small hometown was located far away in the north, the train ride took a very long time and had many stops.

Later, when she found her way in life and settled in a big town lifestyle, she often traveled by plane. It was much faster that way. And when she went on vacations or business meetings, she traveled exclusively in business class, which was much more comfortable than the economy one.

She didn't have a big frame at all, but even she had a hard time getting comfortable in that small seat. Her legs kept hitting the seat in front of her whenever she tried to stretch them out. And she was only five point seven feet tall.

She couldn't imagine how people much bigger than her managed to set themselves up like this. Yes, the flight wasn't long, just a little bit over an hour and a half, but she already knew she wouldn't like it. She just hoped no one would try to talk to her. She didn't like making useless small talk with strangers.

And just as she thought that, a tall, blond guy, smiling a fake smile from ear to ear, sat on the seat beside her. He was probably in his early thirties, wearing business casual clothing consisting of light blue pants and a cheap beige sweater made of synthetic fabric. His short blond hair was neatly cut and styled according to the new fashion, and his decently looking face was clean-shaven. You could tell that he put a lot of effort into his appearance every morning. Maybe he worked in the sales department. To Kate, he looked like a talker.

And of course he was. The minute he got seated comfortably, he asked her if this was her first time flying. Just her wretched luck. It must have been the Spirit of the jolly Christmas getting its revenge on her.

"No, It is not my first time flying, but thank you for your concern." She replied politely, hoping to finish off the conversation quickly.

"Oh really," he said, not noticing her lack of enthusiasm. "I just thought that it was your first time because you seemed a bit nervous. I know that I was terribly uncomfortable the first time I flew. I was totally scared, but you get used to it with time." He finished off with a hearty laugh.

"No, I am not scared. It is just a little bit cramped in here, that's all." She answered and turned her head to look out the window, hoping that he would finally take the hint, but unfortunately he didn't. And he continued talking.

"Yes, yes it is horrible how cramped this space is. I can barely fit my legs inside. You'd think they could build bigger planes with all the big bucks we pay them for tickets."

"Mhm." She replied, not really listening to him. Her hair was constantly getting tangled between the seats, and it annoyed her terribly. If there was one thing she cared about, it was her long auburn hair. She never dyed it or applied heavy hair products that could damage it in the long run. Well, the closest she came to doing something with her hair was when she dyed a couple of strands red in her teenage years. But after that, never again.

"What is your destination? Are you traveling somewhere for the holidays?" The annoying neighbor asked her again when he noticed that she was not joining in the previous conversation.

"Yes, I'm going on holiday vacation to visit my parents."

He waited for her to ask him where he was traveling to. But when she didn't, he answered the unasked question himself.

"I am traveling for a business meeting, but how I hoped I could spend the holidays with my friends and family. Isn't Christmas just the most beautiful time of the year?" He expected the same jolly atmosphere with which she just couldn't comply.

She thought about telling him all of her, not at all cheerful, beliefs about the holidays that did not agree with his in the least, but she bit her tongue, because she didn't have the strength to enter into a discussion about different views. So she just replied "yes, it is."

But she chose the wrong strategy. He took her answer as an opportunity to continue the conversation in that direction and began to tell her everything about why Christmas is so wonderful. She felt like burying herself in a hole just to not listen to his constant babbling, and the plane hadn't even taken off yet. This is going to be a tough ride.

Luckily, his endless story was interrupted by the arrival of a third passenger sitting in their row. It was a kind old woman who first introduced herself to everyone and only then took her seat. Her name was Joana, and she was going to visit her grandchildren for the first time.

"Ah yes, how rude of me I didn't introduce myself. My name is Oliver." He said, looking at her and almost entirely ignoring the old lady.

And now they both stared at her with expectation. "Kate. My name is Kate." She finally introduced herself against her will, but it would be rude not to. Oh, how she hated small talk.

"Kate!" Oliver repeated. "What a lovely name!"

He probably wanted to say something else but was interrupted by the flight captain's voice coming over the loudspeaker. The captain wished them a pleasant trip and announced that they would soon take off, so all passengers should find their seats and fasten their seat belts.

Kate adjusted herself better in her seat and fastened her seat belt. She was grateful for the conversation break. Maybe if she manages to put her headphones on as soon as they take off and the turbulence passes, maybe Oliver will get the hint and stop talking to her.

But she wasn't fat enough. He was faster.

"So, Kate," he started as soon as the turbulence stopped. "What are your plans for New year? Except going to see your family, of course."

"I don't have any other plans." She replayed searching for her headphones in her backpack.

"Then I have a brilliant idea! Why don't you spend New year with me and my friends? One of my friends in the city throws the most epic parties." He asked her, excited.

Oh boy... He was hitting on her. You can't just ask a complete stranger to join you at a party. You don't do that unless you are a serial killer or have some ulterior motives.

It is not that he wasn't agreeable to the eye. Someone would probably say that he was attractive and his short, neatly done, blond hair helped in that assessment. But he was just too talkative for her taste, and he reminded her of her ex-boyfriend. The memories which she wasn't too keen to evoke again.

Without an ounce of humility, she could say that her appearance was far above average. She had a pretty face, an athletic build and a very good fashion sense. Guys hit on her all the time, and she usually knew how to throw them off playfully. But this time she just wasn't in the mood.

"Umm... Thank you for the invitation, but I haven't seen my family in a long time, and I was hoping to spend some time with them." She opted for the courteous answer.

But it didn't seem that he could take a hint. Because he continued with his persuasion. "But believe me, the party will be truly epic. Or if you really can't make it, we could sometimes meet after the new year or something like that..." He kept rambling.

"Sorry son." The old lady interrupted him. "But you should drop the ball, you can see that she is not interested." With that one sentence she undermined all his hopes.

"But..." He started but soon gave up seeing the look on Kate's face. He simply melted into his seat.

Kate mouthed a grateful 'thank you' to the old lady who just knowingly smiled. After that, the rest of the flight went on easily. Kate put on her headphones and enjoyed her favorite music until the pilot announced that the passengers should prepare for landing.