Flying Is Scary

The kid kept fidgeting in his seat. He looked out the window, fumbled with his seatbelt. He was making Dylan nervous. It wasn’t as if he didn’t understand, the kid was flying alone, but it was making him nervous anyway. 

He had been escorted to his seat by an attendant, all sweet smiles and words. But now that he was alone and settled down in his seat, he didn’t seem to be able of staying still. He was looking around, eyes huge as plates, and his feet were twitching. He must’ve been around 9 or 10 and his legs weren’t long enough to reach the floor. His hands were clutching the seatbelt, his knuckles going white from the strength. Dylan just couldn’t take it anymore, and the flight was going to be 5 hours long. 

“Okay kid, relax, it’s just a plane. I’m sure you’ve flown before.” His voice wasn’t angry, but maybe a little bit impatient. The kid turned to look at him, and Dylan could see the terror in his eyes. “Or maybe not,” he corrected. “Then you’re going to love it, there’s this second where you’re completely weightless and then it’s like you’re back on earth and nothing has happened.” The kid’s eyes were still terrified. 

He looked out the window again, probably thinking how to get away. Dylan sighed, he wanted to help this kid but he really didn’t know how. And then, the engine started and noise invaded the cabin. The plane was preparing to take off. The kid looked at him again, a whimper escaping his lips and just as the plane gained more and more speed his hand shot and grabbed Dylan’s. He clutched it desperately and Dylan just squeezed back. It was going to be a long flight for the poor kid.