Jobs come in endless amounts of possibilities. Some brave souls lay their life on the line, others give back by teaching. Someone washes the dishes while others prepare. I've attempted many, but only settled on one which wet my appetite enough to pursue it as a career. Long flights left me exhausted and sore, cheeks aching from the never ending smiles and eyes heavy but not allowed to close. Kids on their first flights, adults who flew as if it was like riding a bike to work every day. There was something about being thirty thousand feet in the air which gave me a buzz. It almost feels as if I was born to fly.
The years of experience and expertise I'd gathered quickly built up a buzz around my name in the industry. It was contained to National City Airport, perhaps spreading to a few other nearby airlines, and I was told it was impressive. It was silly to admit to myself that my work was anything but normal, as I just did what I loved. Every fibre of my being adored my job and some days, it didn't even feel like work. I boarded the plane, did my work, then landed back on the runway. Anything could happen. Everything did happen. Especially once I started working for a private company.
Today was my first day. My apparent reputation had given me the chance to serve some of the most wealthy people in the country, myself and one other crew member along with the pilots the only staff on board. Most flights were short haul and easy going. Others, a little longer. Gritting my teeth and laughing along with someone who certainly wasn't funny came naturally to me, and I figured I'd need it a lot with those who had too much money. Was that even possible? Too much money? I thought they'd all be the same, but I was more than wrong.
Six short hours would fly by. Max, my new colleague, was already preparing a glass of cool carbonated liquid for the arrival of our VIP client. Fingers tingled as the thought of being in the air today on a tiny jet fit for few mixed with the nerves, but I kept my cool. I'd somehow built quite the poker face over the years of working as an air hostess.
"Most clients request a glass of champagne be offered when they board, but today's asked for something non-alcoholic. All the notes will be presented to us during the briefing before each flight," Max explained, neatly draping a pristine white cloth across his arm. "We stand by the door and greet the client. Some ask for our names, others just take the drink and ignore us. You know how it is."
I smiled, nodding.
"I'm impressed so far, you know. You live up to what I've heard about you."
Adjusting the frames of my glasses slightly, I shrugged and looked away to the pilot straightening her tie. Anything to deflect the compliment.
Max took his position by the door of the jet, dropping his shoulders and straightening his posture, "I have a feeling you'll have no trouble fitting in around here, Miss Danvers."
"I hope not," I quietly responded, joining his side and mirroring his actions. "As long as I'm flying, I'm home."
The curl of his lips indicated a smile at my comment. I knew most others in the industry didn't feel exactly the same as I did, but I didn't care who knew about my obsession with flying. It was a magical experience.
"Good morning."
Eyes switched from Max's face to where the voice came from, something dropping in my stomach. I couldn't help a smile fall onto my face as the figure stepped up into view, sunglasses being pulled off to reveal salty sea eyes.
"Good morning, Miss Luthor. Welcome aboard."
Max's words were rehearsed and clean, the woman nodding as thanks before picking up the glass, condensation already collecting on her fingertips. I wouldn't be working for a wealthy man who probably told dirty jokes and looked at me as a piece of meat. As much as I had learnt how to deal with that situation safely, the relief of not having to washed over my body. Now, it was just full of excitement to fly.
"What are your names?" she asked, her words creamy and warm.
"Max Wilson, Miss Luthor.
The woman smiled, showing off her perfect teeth from beneath a crimson lipstick, "Please, call me Lena."
Max nodded, and all I could do was stare as her eyes met with mine. Blinking was all I could manage. Hair as soft as clouds was scraped back into a high ponytail, ruby blouse accompanying the slight hint of blusher on her cheeks. I won't even mention how the high waisted jeans made her look as if she meant business which, she probably did. Lena Luthor was stunning. But I also had a feeling as if she'd be like the lull after a boulder of turbulence.
"Your name?" she prompted, eyebrows raising at my silence. "I hate to break it to you, but we do in fact have a strict take off schedule to follow, Miss…?"
"Danvers," I blurted out, quickly regaining anything I'd lost. "Kara Danvers. Pleasure to have you with us today, Lena."
"Pleasure it all mine, Miss Danvers. If you'll excuse me, I have some work to be pressing on with."
With that, the woman made her way to one of the main armchairs and pulled out a small tablet. Max caught me watching, nudging my arm and moving towards the back of the plane to pull the door closed. The familiar pop of the door sucking shut thankfully pushed me into autopilot, various other drinks and snacks being prepared while we moved to the runway. It was a matter of minutes before we were seated and being flung into the air. Take off would never grow old. It was a deep inhale of fresh sea air, engines roaring like lions in the wild and gravity being turned up on the dial. Light as a feather. Soft sways while adjusting in the air. Up, up and away.
Years of being a flight attendant, an impressive one, quickly spread. Today was her first day with a private company, the tiny jet being her home for the next 6 hours with only one other crew member.
"I'm impressed, Miss Danvers," she heard from who she learnt to be Max. "So far, you live up to the gossip travelling around about you."
Kara adjusted her glasses at the compliment, unsure whether or not it was a good or bad thing for there to be word exchanged about her. It was obvious that her job meant the world to her,
