After Aubrey had gone through the basic emergency and safety rules, the flight attendants made their final safety checks letting the pilots know everything was secure for takeoff.
Chloe and Aubrey settled into the jump seats near the galley in the front while Stacy settled herself into the one in economy.
"So, how have you been? I feel like we've been constantly missing each other since your promotion," Aubrey asking once buckled in next to Chloe as the plane continued to taxi on the runway.
"I've been good. Busy, you know but good," Chloe replied. She had been having almost daily flights aside from her required two days off. She hadn't taken a leave or an extended weekend in a long time. She really wanted to prove herself in this position.
"Good. So no more issues with Tom?"
And there it was. The reason she really wanted to prove herself in this job and the reason why she was throwing herself into it completely and head first. She loved flying, she did. She always had since she was little but to have someone treat her like she was nothing but bed warmer personally and a fancy cocktail waitress professionally, Chloe didn't stand for that.
"No, no more Tom issues. Not even casually. He's just not even worth getting upset over as far as I'm concerned."
Aubrey smiled at her friend and roommate. She knew Chloe had enjoyed being with Tom initially. He was the stereotypical, clean cut pilot for the airline. Chloe had talked about him non-stop to Aubrey, saying how he was always so sweet and there for her whenever they both could be. She had called him 'detail oriented' which in Chloe speak meant he was very efficient in bed but also with catching up with her whenever he could. The problem was he was 'detail oriented' with a lot of the flight attendants. Chloe had to listen to this new girl go on and on about her dream guy she has been with on a flight to Chicago only to find out when the girl broke regulations to show her a picture of him on her phone that it was her Tom. She ended things once she landed back in Los Angeles and didn't look back. He had tried to explain which only to led up to fighting with Chloe and making comments about how she was one of 200 of the same woman. That all FAs were the same and they all wanted the pilots, even better if they are not married and that they loved to cater to the pilots on and off the plane. They were just props for the airline there to smile, look pretty, and do what people told them.
"I still can't believe you posted about him on our Facebook page, picture, quotes, and all. I thought that was genius. He was such a dingaling," Aubrey said with a wicked smile.
Chloe smiled. Aubrey hadn't been shy about sharing her impression of Tom when Chloe first started hooking up with him. She had used other adjectives and nouns to describe him then but Aubrey, ever the professional, censored herself on the plane. On top of dumping him, Chloe had posted a warning to all of the Bella FAs about him on the Facebook page they had created outside of the company to post about any flight swaps people wanted and good places to go on their layovers to eat, shop or relax. She warned them of his attitude but most importantly, possible positive STD tests. She didn't care if that last part was true or not.
"I felt it was my civic duty," Chloe said returning a similar smile.
They continued to catch up with each other in the few minutes that it took the plane to finish taxiing. The flight was going to be a little over five hours long but once the service started they didn't know when they would get to talk privately again.
As they started to take off Chloe looked down the aisle of first class. She saw the tiny, dark haired woman with the big headphones gripping her seat's armrests. She had her eyes screwed tightly shut and seemed to be mouthing something. Chloe couldn't help but think she was cute. She looked very young, maybe 20, but the girl's dark make up and ear spikes helped her look a little older and edgier. The girl had that rebel, bad ass look that some had in Los Angles with at least one tattoo she could see on her shoulder coming out from under her sleeveless shirt, but also the leather wrist bands to go along with the ear spikes. While it was quite opposite to her style, she couldn't help but be a little attracted to those who could pull it off well and not act like fake douche bags.
She shut her eyes for the rest of take off, finding herself humming the song she last listened to on her way in. David Guetta's, Titanium, was definitely on her top ten playlist right now. As she finished humming the chorus for the second time around, she felt the plane level off in its ascent. She knew in a few more minutes the bell would ding and they would start their service.
Beca didn't necessarily hate flying per say. She wasn't one of those people who totally freaked out and cursed the existence of air travel. It was convenient and a hell of a lot quicker than trying to road trip across the country. She is pretty sure, while she loves him like a brother, if they had to endure such a road trip, Jesse would find himself on the side of the road hitching a ride from strangers after being trapped in a car for more than five hours with him. No, she wasn't scared of flying. She was just not entirely comfortable with that whole being stuck in a metal tube in the air while hurtling through the sky thing they have to go through when flying. Once she felt the takeoff had been successful she opened her eyes. From her seat, she could see most of the flight attendant she had spoken with earlier only about three or four rows distance from her, facing her while in those little seats that fold up in the wall of the plane. Her eyes were shut at the moment.
Getting a chance to take the girl in completely she definitely agreed with her first impression. The girl was beautiful, even with her eyes not captivating Beca as they had been before. She was tan, well, tanner than Beca but that wasn't saying much. She felt like she burned if she even thought about the sun. Her red hair was tied up in a bun similar to Stepford wife's hair. The girl's uniform fit her like a glove. Not too tight but still showed the girl had some curves. And those legs look magnificent coming out from the skirt just a few inches above her knees and making their way down into the black high heels she had on. Beca wrinkled her nose at the thought of having to do their job in those heels. Of course Beca could barely walk in her Converse's and flat boots let alone trying to service a flight. The heels definitely did wonders for showing off the muscle tone in her legs though.
"Careful, Becs, you got a little something right…," Jesse said as he reached across and swiped his finger near the side of Beca's mouth. "There. Don't worry, I got it and I don't think she noticed," he said with a smile as he went back to reading his magazine.
"I don't know what you're talking about, nerd," Beca said grabbing the latest edition of Sky Mall in the pocket of her seat. "I was just thinking about getting a globe with a full bar set inside of it. I think it would be a nice addition to the flat."
Jesse shook his head at her. "Yeah, whatever delusional story you want to tell yourself. Who even buys that crap anyway? I mean, who pays almost two grand for a replica British Phone Booth while on a plane?"
"Uh, dude, I totally would! What page was that on?" Beca flipped through the pages quicker.
"Nice deflection but I'm not going to forget you eye sexing the ginger up there. As your official lesbro, wingman I do have to compliment your tastes though."
"Ew, I don't even know where to begin with that statement. One, would we call her ginger – I think you've been hanging out with Fat Amy too long. Two, I'm not sure self appointing yourself as my lesbro wingman counts for anything and also, I don't think you should ever use that phrase again. Like ever."
"Come on Beca, you can't deny my talent for getting the ladies to flock to your side," Jesse said with his eyebrows raised, tilting his head toward her.
"I'm not sure walking up to the ladies at the bar, telling them you know the DJ and bringing them up to the booth after the set counts as being a successful wingman, Jess. I could just as easily walk up to them after a set and tell them I was the DJ and get the same results."
"And yet, you don't. There lays the predicament my friend. Therefore, I get the credit, Professor."
"Professor? What the hell?"
"Come on, Beca! It's a classic reference to Gilligan's Island! Ginger? The movie star," Jesse starts to sing the theme song. "The Professor and Mary Anne here on Bella Air.."
"Oh my God I don't even know you right now," Beca says turning her head away as Jesse ended the song with a flourish.
Jesse laughed at his friend covering her face looking away from him. He knew she loved his antics even though she always played it off that she thought he was a dorky, goofball. Deep down Beca was too but she had to be completely comfortable with people to let it show.
Overhead a bell dinged and the captain made an announcement stating they were at cruising altitude and that it was safe to get up from their seats now and use approved electronic devices but still recommended to stay buckled up when in their seats.
Beca watched as the ging…guh, damn you Jesse, redhead got up from her seat and started to gather things in the front. She momentarily stepped out of her view as she moved into the galley area. Beca plugged her headphones back into her iPod, placed the headphones back over her ears and put it on shuffle as she flipped through Sky mall.
A few minutes later, Chloe made her way down the aisle with a notepad. She began talking with an older couple sitting together in the front row and then to a couple guys in suits across the aisle from them. Beca took in the way she seemed to radiate happiness as she talked with everyone. Beca had to admire those 'people person' types. She lacked that talent completely. Most of her interviews were okay as she could joke with the reporters but anyone trying to get below the surface or anything outside of her music got the biting, sarcastic Beca Mitchell.
As she took the orders from the other passengers she got to the larger blonde near the back on the right side.
"Hi, there! What can I get you to drink this morning?"
"Ahh yeah, do you have Barcardi? And Sprite?"
Beca looked over at Fat Amy, as she removed her headphones, eyes wide hearing her order. It was nine o'clock in the friggin' morning. What was she thinking?
Chloe, not phased in the least as she had known passengers to drink at all times of the day smiled, nodded and let her know she could get that for her shortly. She turned to the small brunette who she noticed already had her headphones off. She hated when passengers kept their headphones in and either screamed their request at her or whispered it because they didn't want to scream knowing with the headphones on everything around them seemed quieter. She didn't really need to hear their orders as she had gotten really good at reading lips in this job, it just seemed kind of rude to Chloe.
"Hi, I'm Chloe. I'll be taking care of you this morning. Is there anything I can get you to drink?"
"Just coffee, please."
"Okay, any cream or sugar in that?"
"No thanks, just black is fine."
Chloe smiled and took Jesse's order for a Coke and Cynthia's Roses order as well.
When she came back, Chloe pushed the small cart with all the drinks ahead of her serving everyone their orders.
When she got to Fat Amy she popped open the can of sprite, pouring part of the glass into a cup of ice and taking out a little bottle of Bacardi to give to the Aussie. Just as she was moving to hand the glass and can over to her, there was a slight bump and rock of the cabin. The glass and ice dumped onto Beca's lap, narrowly missing her iPod but not missing her dark jeans. Luckily most of the can hadn't spilled but the damage was already done.
"Oh my gosh! I am so sorry!" Chloe said grabbing some cocktail napkins and dabbing at Beca's jeans as she lifted her iPod out of the way from any future damage.
"Hey, no, it's fine really. Look the tray got most of it. We're good," Beca tried to keep the flush from going across her face as Chloe was blotting the napkins on her jeans on her lap and thigh and placing some more on the tray to keep the liquid from cascading off the surface.
She had to take Chloe's hands to stop from rubbing the spot on her pants more. She wasn't sure what the policy was for flight attendants feeling up their passengers but she could hear Jesse snickering next to her.
"I can go get a towel really quick to get the rest of that. I'll be right back," Chloe said starting to retreat back to the galley only to be stopped by the small hand around her wrist.
"No really, it's okay. It was Sprite right? So no stain and it will dry in a bit you know? I'll just direct the blower onto it. We're totally fine," Beca said trying to keep from making this a bigger deal than it was. She let go of Chloe's wrist when she felt confident the girl wasn't leaving.
Chloe had never spilled anything during a service before, and especially not onto someone. What a way to start out her new position.
"You know, I think Beca is right. We're fine here but if such an incident were to help me, say, get a certain captain's name and number we wouldn't have any complaints at all. And the drinks still of course," Fat Amy said to help ease Chloe's visible nerves.
Chloe leaned up, smiled and chuckled at the girls a bit as she prepared another glass for Fat Amy's drink.
"You know, you really just saved Fat Amy from spilling it herself. It happens at least once a day," Beca said enjoying the sound of Chloe laughing. She wanted to keep that sound coming.
"Yeah, she's right though it's usually not on the first one and not always on her but I think I like your idea of spilling on her more than me. I'm going to have to use that in the future," Fat Amy said as she accepted the glass and bottle from Chloe.
Chloe turned and poured the cup of coffee for Beca, making sure she was steady as she leaned down to set it on the girl's tray. As she was bent over a bit she leaned closer to Beca's ear, noticing the girl was still a little flushed herself.
"I really am sorry. If you want, drinks are on me for the rest of the flight for you and your friends."
Beca shivered slightly as she felt the warm air move across her skin before the other girl pulled away.
"Maybe I will wait until the drink that was on me dries and I will let you know," Beca said trying to be smoother than she felt. Realizing what actually just came out of her mouth she drew her bottom lip in and bit down on it shaking her head slightly. "Please ignore that last part because I can't even believe that just came out of my mouth."
Chloe, not taking offense at all, laughed as she took in the girl who seemed to be blushing more with her eyes closed seemingly cursing herself internally.
She finished the service for first class and came back to the galley area where Aubrey had been watching the whole scene unfold.
"Chloe! What the hell? What is wrong with you? You know those three are with Cynthia Rose. We need to make them happy, not feel like they are at a bar at closing time getting drinks spilled on them by the lushes."
Chloe looked back at the blonde freaking out.
"It's fine Aubrey. They are fine and it wasn't like I could do much with the turbulence there."
"We deal with turbulence all the time, Chloe. Get your head on straight. I'm going to go check on Cynthia Rose and you better hope she doesn't want to file a complaint."
Chloe released the breath she had been holding as she cleaned the cart and let Aubrey pass. She didn't take too much offense to Aubrey's words as she knew the girl was just nervous with the A-listers on the flight. She just wished her friend would chill out a bit seeing as she already felt bad about the situation. She knew Aubrey would have to at least include it in one flight report even if a complaint wasn't filed so the head office was at least aware of the incident in case one was filed later.
Jesse couldn't contain his laughter as the redhead made her way back to the front of the plane.
"Wow, Beca, just wow. I don't think you have any room to complain about my wingman skills. Like ever," Jesse said imitating Beca's tone earlier.
"Yep, go on," Beca said, know it was best just to let Jesse get it all out of his system now.
"I mean were you trying to make her feel worse about spilling on you?" Jesse continued laughing as he sipped on his Coke.
"Keep it coming."
"I'm going to get you one of those t-shirts that says 'insert foot here' with the arrow pointing up."
"I'm pretty sure those don't exist but let's go, finish it up."
"Okay, okay, last one. How does it feel knowing you two spoke less than five minutes total and she's already got you wet? I think I saw that wet spot getting bigger as she tried to help you out."
"And there it is. Alright, we're done with this. I am going to be ignoring you now for the foreseeable future and you should be thanking whoever you pray to that I need this coffee in my system more than in your lap right now. "
Jesse just grinned back at Beca as she settled back into the large chair and drank her coffee.
"Don't worry about it Beca. Hey, if I get the pilot's number I will be sure to get you in good with the ginger," Fat Amy said downing what was left of her drink.
Beca smiled at Fat Amy and was about to thank the girl until she heard Jesse humming Gilligan's Island. She just sighed and tried to go into her own little world where maybe she could be smooth enough not to make a fool out of herself in front of gorgeous women.
