A/N: So this is my first story in a while. I'm usually uneasy about writing because I don't think it's going to be any good and finding time to is rough. But I will try. Hopefully this goes well. :)
"Hey mom, I got us some coffee, you wanted black right?" a woman looked up at me, with a warm smile and reached out for the cup. "I got myself a cookie too I hope you don't mind."
"Of course not, I just want my change." Oh! How could I forget? I reached into my pocket and handed her the $4.35 back. I sat down beside her, watching people walk back and forth. My mother and I were waiting for a plane to go to Tokyo, Japan. I was going to meet my family that was there for the first time. I felt nervous. I didn't know a lick of Japanese nor about Japanese culture. Aside from what I read on the internet. My mother felt it would be good for me to meet my family. She herself has been there quite a few times in my life time, but I never went because of school.
I rubbed my thumb against my coffee cup, "Hey mom…" She raised an eyebrow at me. "You think they'll like me—"
"Flight 401, to Tokyo Japan, is boarding now. Please have your ID's and tickets ready."
She stood up holding onto her purse and carryon luggage. "Sweetie, don't worry, everyone always does." I followed her into the line to board the plane. She handed me my ticket and I whipped out my driver's license.
The woman at the desk grabbed it and took a quick look over my dorky smiling face in the tiny picture, and to see if the names of the tickets matched. "Alexandra J. Holsinger," then gazed at me. "Thank you, please enjoy the flight." She handed me my information and smiled at me. I took a deep breath as I entered the long tunnel. No turning back now.
We found our seats which luckily they were side by side. But the window seat, is mine darn it. Automatically claiming it, my mom just giggled in acceptance. I teasingly stuck my tongue at her, slouched, and became comfortable. Well… as comfortable as I could be. I've been on a plane before, many times. My mother worked for the airport, so it was free for coach. But I've never been overseas and my nerves were going insane. The pilot did his talk about the weather, seat belts, no smoking, and turn cell phones off, blah blah. My eyes were glued onto my phone as I needed to send a text.
"I'll miss you :,( See you in a month, "I hit send, then held the button on my phone to turn it off. I sighed and looked out of my window hoping the next 12 hours would fly by…no pun intended.
"Alex, just go to sleep okay? It's 5:30 am. You're going to need some sleep." My mom begged a little. She just wanted me to calm down.
"Shouldn't I stay up actually, since it's a way different time zone than it is here?" She huffed at my protest. I just smiled. "Don't worry, mom, I got my nerves covered." I plugged my earphones in my mp3 player, and whipped out my favorite manga.
"Okay fine, but I'm going to take a nap."
"Cool, hope the plane isn't in the ocean when you wake up."
"Very funny, missy." She rolled over and was fast asleep. Not going to lie, I probably won't sleep at all until we get there. I hate sleeping while flying, driving, boating, whatever. Luckily loud music will sooth my brain for the next 12 hours.
That was the longest 12 hours of my life. There was no turbulence, no panic attack, no nothing. My mom was wide awake as well, knowing fully that I never had slept. My mp3 player died hours ago, and I read my manga about 20 times. I didn't have room to pack many and they are always a fast read. She grabbed her luggage from the overhead. A nice leather brown and my purple duffel bag and we walked off the plane.
I took my first steps into Japan. Everything was different. I could feel my nerves starting to really get the best of my now. Without the proper amount of sleep I couldn't fight it and hide it like I normally could. I started the shake. I couldn't keep my hand still. My mom, being the wiser saw this. She grabbed me by both my shoulders as she started doing breathing exercises with me. With 5 deep long breathes I was able to control those pesky nerves of mine. "Don't worry, everything will be okay. Okay?" I just nodded in agreement. She led me down the escalator and to a sweet looking woman holding a sign.
Her hair was black and she had the sweetest smile. Looking a lot like my own mother, I knew this had to be my aunt Shiori Minamino. And I'm assuming to be my cousin is the boy with her. The one with very pretty red hair and emerald green eyes. Geez, how does hair poof up like that? Mine just goes everywhere, which is why I normally do a double braid to control that fury that is my hair. My mom hugged them both, said something, that could only believe to be Japanese, and gestured to me. I looked at her and just kinda bowed. If I remember correctly this is the proper way to greet someone in this country, "Ohayo." It was pathetic, but I tried.
"Oh, Alexandra, you don't need to be formal with us." The woman spoke. My eyes grew wide. My mom never mention that they knew English!
"Oh, I'm sorry, but I took a few English classes, I knew you didn't knew much Japanese. I thought it might be easier this way. Shuichi helped teach me."
"Hello," he nodded his head a little. If this is my cousin, I don't think I want to meet anyone else. No no no! I can't think like that. 1) He's my cousin, no matter what Japan is like, in USA WE DON'T DATE COUSINS! And 2) I have a boyfriend waiting at home.
"Uh… hi?" My mom and Aunt Shiori talked for a little and we went to go pick up our luggage. Shuichi came to help. He seems… nice…. Maybe too nice?
"Thank you, Shuichi, now tell me while you're mother is fetching the taxi, tell me how is she really doing?" My mom questioned.
"Oh she is very well. She's just happy to see her sister again and to finally meet her niece." He gently smiled at me. I just let out a little heh and grabbed my luggage handle myself. He grabbed the handle. "Let me, please."
I gripped tighter, I wasn't about to let someone I just met carry stuff for me. Whether he's family or not. "No thanks, I have it." He nodded with a light smile and we were off to the taxi. My heart was pounding. I never knew it could go this fast. Well Japan, here I am. Come what may.