The Exchange Student (Chapter one)

There is something about the ability of an aircraft hitting pockets of turbulence that can turn an atheist into a full fledged believer in a higher entity within seconds, even if for a brief moment. Such was the case of Pacific Ocean Sun, flight 313, or Flight P.O.S 313 for short. The flight was going from Tokyo to San Francisco. There is not a greater feeling of enlightenment than flying at forty thousand feet above the Pacific Ocean in an aircraft with the acronym “P.O.S.” As if that were not bad enough, you have a thirteen in the flight number, and to top it off, I sat on row six-six-six. I really hope your not trying to visualize a plane with that many rows, it don't exist. I myself was not personally on this flight, but rather the receiving end, so I can only speak in a third person about the events that took place. In all actuality, the flight was for the most part uneventful, with the exception of a large patch of turbulence the aircraft smashed through while beginning the decent phase to land about twenty miles south of San Francisco Airport.

Yuna, the foreign exchange student from Japan that I was hosting for the school year was on this flight. This was to be my first year to participate in hosting an exchange student and I was elated. I only hoped that I could become one of the great hosts of legend. Years down the road, Yuna could become ruler of Japan and credits her rise to power to none other than me, the white father she never had who hosted her for one year and within that one year learned everything she would ever need to know to be successful in life. Don’t hate me, I have dreams too you know.

The Stewardess was walking down the aisle ensuring everyone’s trays were in their upright position when the plane crashed through a change in air currents. The first bump sent the stewardess head into the ceiling before slamming back down into the floor. The second bump sent luggage on top of her from the overhead luggage bins. Blood trickled from her hairline, but the exact location of the cut could not be seen, buried in the brunettes long wavy locks. A young man extended his hand out to help the Stewardess up, which she politely refused before standing on her own and staggering back down the aisle, somewhat disoriented, to the back of the plane and into one of the restroom stalls.

“Hello Ladies and Gentlemen, this is your cap-ee-taun speaking. Wow! that was quite the bump. For your sake, I hope you did not have food or drink on your trays, otherwise your probably wearing it right now. Please stay in your seats and keep your food trays in the upright position for the duration of the flight. We are only about five minutes out from landing, so try to keep your shit together until then.”

One passenger began puking in the little barf bags provided by the airline. The passengers around her grabbed their bags knowing they were one whiff of her barf away from blowing their own chunks. Yuna sat in the back of the aircraft, with her doll in hand, watching all of these events play out. She had the entire row, three seats, all to herself, so she didn’t have to worry about sickly passengers sitting next to her.

The aircraft hit another patch of turbulence which sent the oxygen masks down. A few passengers immediately grabbed the masks and strapped them on. Most of the passengers had wide eyes, staring at each other as if hoping Clark Kent was on their flight, and that he would soon reveal himself as Superman to save their asses. Others began to pray.

The Captain got back on the intercom, “Shit! There goes my bonus. Ladies and gents. Never mind the airbag deployment that just cost five grand. We are at ten thousand feet, so the oxygen will actually do you no good, but if you want a quick high, have at it. That last bump tripped the sensor, but the cabin is not depressurizing. Stay calm, and as I said earlier, keep your shit together. We are on final approach and will be touching down in one minute.”
The flight stewardess walked out of the restroom and sat next to Yuna.

“Crazy flight huh!” the stewardess said to Yuna. Yuna nodded her head yes as she watched the stewardess applying pressure to the cut on her head.

“Are you okay mam?” Yuna asked concerned. It was one of those questions where you want to let the person know you care, that you feel bad for them, yet the question itself is down right stupid. Obviously she would be better without a gash on her head.

The stewardess smiled, “I’ll be fine. This isn’t my first rodeo as it were. Probably wont be my last either. Thanks for asking.” The stewardess noticed the doll in Yuna’s arms.”So how old are you?”

Yuna knew where she was going with this. “I’m 17, and yes I am too old for dolls, but this one is very special to me.”

The Stewardess smiled, “Fair enough. Sorry for judging.”

The plane finally touched down and taxied to the terminal. As soon as the plane came to a complete stop, all of the passengers on board immediately took off their seat belts and were desperate to grab their luggage and get off the plane. Yuna, although excited to have landed was not as eager to jump out of her seat and stand for five minutes, so she remained seated with the stewardess.

“Oh common! Seriously! someone had to fart!” was heard from a passenger in the middle of the plane stuck in the non moving traffic of the human shuffle. Yuna and the stewardess looked at each other with a smile. The stewardess grabbed an oxygen mask and gave it to Yuna. They both dawned the mask for a moment while laughing at each other.

The plane was about empty when Yuna and the stewardess finally stood up.

“My names Dawn, the stewardess said to Yuna while extending her left hand to Yuna.”

Yuna reached out her left hand to shake, “My names Yuna, it is a pleasure to meet you Dawn.”

“The pleasure is all mine. I hope you have a great time here Yuna!” And with that, Dawn escorted Yuna to the front of the plane where the Captain was standing, telling people to have a great time in the most sarcastic tone.

“Your the funniest captain I have ever had the pleasure of flying with.” Yuna said to the Captain.

The Captain felt it was sincere and removed the sarcasm from his voice. “Thank you little Miss,” He smiled and before Yuna walked away, gave her a pin of plastic wings, “You might think you are too old for this, but I want you to have it all the same. I hope you really do have a good stay.”

Yuna smiled and exited the plane.