I take a shaking breath as I step onto the plane. Its been far too long since I’ve flown and I’m surprised by the nervousness I’m feeling. I make my way back to my seat an am relieved to find i have the whole row to myself. This has always been my favorite part about the late flights, everything is quiet and calm, the lights low and the passengers few and far between.
I toss my backpack under the seat in front of me and collapse down onto my seat, stretching out my legs on the other seats in the row. I sigh and lean back against my seat, closing my eyes. It’s been a long day, and even though I wish I could sleep on this long flight, I know my anxiety about flying will deny me that opportunity.
I look up as another passenger makes his way towards me, he slides into the row across the aisle from me and nods at me. I smile at him before I remember about our masks, and the fact that he can’t see.