Plane Rides

by Keira Lawrence

I hate flying.

I am petrified of heights. I drink and drink until I feel bloated. I am always made to drink so much before we take off. Nobody explains to me why. I guess it's because they're worried I will dehydrate and fall asleep. I often wish I could just go to sleep and allow the fear of flying to fade away until we're safely at our destination. But I know I mustn't.

I stare at the brightly lit runway, a malevolent ribbon ready to trip us up. Speeding down the runway, my arms tremble and shivers tear down my spine, racking my body as adrenaline and fear build inside me. My stomach drops and then grips with anxiety like a volcano erupting. I feel as though everyone can feel me shaking as the ground drops away from us. We soar fifty thousand feet in the sky, looking down over the toy-like counties. I try not to look down, but I just can't stop myself. It's fascinating, but at the same time, I am terrified. The clouds ghost eerily past us.

Suddenly, I am blinded by dazzling arrows of lightning tearing the sky apart. Thunder booms and bellows overhead. I've heard people talking about how plane crashes hardly ever happen, but a few of my friends have been in that situation. I think that is my biggest fear - dying in a plane crash. Horror struck, my senses are muffled as I listen to the pilot's announcement to fasten seat belts as we go through turbulence. I flinch as raindrops the size of boulders pummel angrily against my side. My stomach flips over and over as we ride the air like a rollercoaster. My nerves are stretched as I listen to the howls of the agitated babies on board and I pray that the pilot has the experience to get us to safety.

Up, up, up we climb through the clouds, where the storm gives way to a blazing sun. I close my eyes against its dazzling glare. As the passengers quieten, calm slowly descends upon me. My eyelids are heavy as sleep beckons me...

My eyes snap open as the pilot announces our descent. My mouth is dry and I desperately long to quench my thirst. We are nearly there. A murmur of anticipation is all around me as the ground greets us. I blow out my cheeks and utter a heartfelt sigh as we reach our destination safely.

The relief and relaxation when I'm back on the ground is amazing. Everyone claps and cheers. Seeing the delight on the passengers faces fills me with pride.The pilot taps my control panel.

"Well done old girl, we did it again," he murmurs softly to me.

I watch as the fuel truck approaches me and sighing with happiness, I guzzle the amber liquid and rest a while. It won't be long before I will be filled with excited passengers and take to the skies.

I hate flying.