Chapter 2

A/N

Chapter two is here. I wanted to get through the first chapter pretty quick to set things up. Some more background will develop as time goes on. Honestly, a lot of this is a bit of a writing test, to see how good I am at consistency with a longer story. I know this is still a bit of a slow chapter, but bear with me. Things will get a bit more exciting when we get to our destination.

Stephanie owns the people. I own ideas.


LAX is bustling. Women in suits and heels dash to catch their flights, hipsters that are too cool for their own good stroll through the terminal, and business people yell into their cell phones. There's a lot going on, but I'm comfortable with it. I love travelling. Though some people may feel more anxious in this chaotic setting, I've always loved airports. It means something exciting is happening, whether I'm embarking on a new journey or returning home after a long time gone.

After getting off the plane, I consult the departures board to see where I need to head. I still have about six hours in LAX till my flight, so my departure gate isn't up yet. Luckily I was able to check my bags through back in Seattle, so I don't have to deal with lugging my backpacking pack around, just my duffle I decide to stop in a café before heading towards the international terminal. I grab a coffee with cream and, because I couldn't say no to the pastry display, a donut. I people watch as I munch.

Airports are perfect people watching spots because everyone has an interesting story here. I watch two little girls running around a gate while their dad chases them. My guess is he's desperately trying to wear them out before their flight so they sleep the whole way. He's doing a good job of it too, they're panting when he finally catches them, swinging one into each of his arms. The screen above the desk in gate says their flight is going to Boston in about an hour. That's got to be a five hour flight at least; I say a silent prayer to the airplane gods that those girls don't cause too much trouble for their dad.

Tipping my head all the way back, I get the last sip of coffee. After dumping my cup and donut baggy, I start heading towards my terminal. I've been in LAX before, but it's been eons, so it takes a while to orient myself and figure out where to go. After staring at a terminal map on my phone for five minutes, I head out in the direction I'm almost positive is right. Until I realize it's not. Backtracking, I head in the opposite direction. Fifteen minutes later I walk through the International Terminal doors. I'm dripping in sweat. It's hot in LA, even in winter, and I'm wearing some of my heaviest clothing to save room in my bag. I take my coat off and awkwardly tie it around my waist. I find my check in desk and head over to it.

The desk is dead right now, it's still about five hours till take off. I get my ticket printed and head towards security. As expected, the security line is long, it takes almost two hours to make it through the line. When I finally make it to the front, I struggle taking my shoes and jacket off, before removing my laptop and toiletries from my carryon. I'm definitely holding up the line, and I feel like a hot mess. After rushing through the scanner, I'm deemed good to go, and I grab all my stuff, putting it back hastily. I'm already sweating again.

By now, the gate is listed. So I decide it's probably best if I just go sit down there. I'd rather be waiting where my flight leaves from, just in case. Three hours after landing in LAX, I'm sitting in front of my gate. There's a few other people waiting. I have no idea how many people are in the program I'm travelling with, but I surreptitiously look around. There are three other people that look about my age, with carryons that are suspiciously big for a normal trip. A sign that they are probably study abroad students as well. I debate trying talk to the nearest, a pixie like girl with short black hair, but I chicken out. Grabbing my magazine, I bury myself in an article about Robert Pattinson's relationship with FKA Twigs. Such an odd pairing if you ask me, but they work well together.

When I finish reading an enthralling article on winter colors (surprise: they're black and grey) I realize the gate is starting to fill up a bit. There are a lot of people sitting around me about my age. I decide to suck it up and talk to someone. In front of the seats across from me is a brown leather bag with a tag for my program, we were all supposed to put them on our luggage. Its owner is a boy with tan skin, blonde curls and deep blue eyes. He's very pretty, but not really my type.

As I'm assessing him, he looks up at me. My gut screams at me to look down and away; I'm too shy for this, I'm too anxious for this. Just as I began to avert my eyes, he waves. I stop my retreat, frozen for a second, before my mind kicks in gear and says he waved you idiot.

Unfreezing, I wave back and introduce myself, "Hey, I'm Bella!"

"Jasper," he returns tucking the hair in his eyes back. He looks nervous.

"Are you on the study abroad program with ACSA?" I ask.

"Yeah I am! God I've been looking around at all these college aged people trying to figure out who's going, so I'm glad you said hi!"

"Oh I know, I've been eying everyone coming to sit at the gate. Where are you from?" I'm curious about the slight southern twang to his voice.

"I'm originally from Nashville, but I go to NYU. So you could call me an urban cowboy. Ask anybody from the country in Tennessee and they'll tell you I'm city folk. But in New York I'm a regular hick! How about you?"

"I grew up in a little town called Forks in Washington, but I much prefer Seattle. I go to Seattle U, which I normally love, but right now I'm pretty happy to be getting a break."

Jasper frowns a bit at that, but doesn't comment. I'm glad cause I already feel weird that I've said that much. I should have just lied and told him I love Seattle U like I've been telling my parents and my high school boys Paul, Sam, and Embry. There's an awkward beat, so I rush to fill that, "What are you studying?"

He looks relieved I haven't given up on the conversation. "It's kinda hard to explain, because I have a couple majors and minors that I basically want to combine into child psychology." As Jasper explains the degrees he's pursuing, I glance to the left and see the pixie watching Jasper talk. If she's as interested in our conversation as she seems to be, she must be on the program too. She's so small, but she looks strong. She also looks born to travel in an earthy tee shirt, a pair of cargo shorts, and well-worn Chacos. She pulls off outdoorsy in such a hip way, like some sort of nature goddess.

"Well… what are you studying?" Jasper breaks my thoughts. I snap my gaze back, I've been staring at the pixie longer than I thought.

"Sorry… I'm a graphic designer, I want to work with a sustainability focused company in developing their eco-friendly marketing; I just think it's so important these days to be working towards a healthy future for those who follow us." I say this all in one big breath, causing me to gasp at the end of my sentence. Blushing, I say, "I just get excited when I talk about it." Jasper has a grin on his face and is nodding slightly.

"No it's great to see someone so passionate about their major, most of the time people are in it for the money. So it's honestly refreshing to see someone who clearly loves what they're doing. I think I'll get that when I have a better idea of what I actually want to do with child psychology. I have a lot of options and I'm not really sure where I'm going. I guess I'm kinda hoping I can get away from everything and figure some shit out abroad." He glances up at me, "Sorry for the word vomit. You're easy to talk to. Got any plans for the long flight ahead?"

We dissolve into easy conversation. As we chat, our black haired neighbor keeps glancing over. While we've made eye contact a few times, her eyes tend to linger on Jasper. There's fascination and attraction in her eyes. Jasper is great. I'm thrilled with the first friend I've made on this journey. He's so positive and adventurous. He's already talked about possibly sky-diving if he gets the chance, or maybe a ten day backpacking trip on our spring break. And he's convinced me that I want to be right there with him on all of it. Me. Timid Bella. I feel like I'm kicking anxiety in the butt right now.

Another girl, Jessica, overheard our chat and joined in. She's heading to one of the other big universities in the country, but she'll be at orientation with us. She's friendly, bubbly, and sweet, but maybe a bit too much to be around all the time. While I like her, I'm happy we will just be at orientation together. I can't imagine travelling around with her. Jasper is passionate and positive, but in a much more mellow way that I jive with.

Slowly but surely our group grows and I meet quite a few more kids on the program. Mike, Eric, and Tyler are all coming to my university; whereas Maggie, Riley, and Bree are heading off to the other. The pixie is in our circle, but she hasn't introduced herself, though she's certainly chatting away. It's almost as if she's forgotten she hasn't told us her name. Talking to her is like talking to someone you've known for years. And true to her fairytale-esque, nature goddess appearance, her personality is enchanting. She's happy and curious, constantly asking questions of you. I'm starting to have a good idea of the people I want to stick with.

The last two hours fly by while I chat with my fellow travelers. And before any of us are ready, the plane is boarding. I've met less than ten of the people on my trip, but as I look around, there must be nearly sixty young students filing on my plane. I'm now wondering just how big this program is. I know ACSA, the American Council for Study Abroad, is a popular program provider, but I certainly wasn't expecting this.

I end up in the second to last row of the plane, sitting in the window seat, next to a Portuguese woman who speaks almost no English and shuts her eyes as soon as she's situated. I'm really disappointed I'm not with any other students on the program. Looking around, I see many study abroaders chatting together. My anxiety has been practically nonexistent today, which of course is phenomenal. But now, sitting here isolated, it sets in again. It's not the same worry, because mortality feels far away when you're jetting off on a big adventure. No. This anxiety is derived from the potential for loneliness abroad. Everyone else is meeting their future friends and travel partners. Jasper and the pixie are in the same row and chatting with a third student in between them. I'm alone and making no friends. Everyone will know each other by the time we land. And I'll still be at square one.

The plane takes off. And before I can let myself fully freak out with the potentials of the next four and a half months, I have a glass of wine, pop a melatonin, and fall into a deep sleep. I wake about eight hours later as the flight attendants are instructing passengers to open the window shades. I'm thoroughly impressed with myself, I don't think I've ever slept that long on a flight. I figure we must be getting near at this point. The head flight attendant announces breakfast will be coming around shortly. I decide to watch a movie to pass the time. Just as Elizabeth is realizing she's been wrong about Mr. Darcy all along, my breakfast arrives. As I'm eating my yogurt and fruit, I look over and make eye contact with Jasper. I wave and he smiles and waves back.

I'm feeling a lot more rational after sleeping. I have orientation with everyone for the next four days, not to mention four and a half months, to get to know people. Everything will be fine. Breakfast ends and the flight attendants pick up all of our now empty trays. Our pilot announces our descent, and I immediately glue my eyes to the window to watch. You can finally see land after hours of ocean. It looks beautiful. I'm mesmerized up until the moment the wheels hit the tarmac, when I'm jolted back into reality. Then the captain comes on overhead.

"Alright everyone, for your safety please remain seated with your seat belt fastened until the Captain has turned off the Fasten Seat Belt sign, signifying we have parked at our gate. Please check your seat for any personal items before exiting the aircraft, and take care when opening the overhead bins as luggage may have shifted during the flight.

Welcome to Auckland Airport, where the local time is 7:30am and the temperature is 25 degrees Celsius, or 77 degrees Fahrenheit for the Americans on board.

On behalf of Air New Zealand and the entire crew, I'd like to thank you for joining us today, and hope to have you on board again soon. If Auckland is your final destination, have a lovely stay; if you are continuing on from here, safe travels."


A/N

And here we are. Is Bella just stopping or staying? Let me know what you think. Like I said earlier, things should start to pick up more from here. Though I think we have a bit more development this, like meeting Jasper and the pixie. I'm hoping to write a lot now, before school starts, because all bets are off after that. See ya in a few days.