Born Regal

ANYA

Before I knew it, three weeks had passed, but I couldn’t get my trip to Mr. Chang’s out of my head.

I still considered telling my mom about my adventure, desperately wanting for the last three weeks to gush to her about the handsome stranger I had run into. I was hoping that one day maybe I’d run into him again.

But then, telling her probably would be a terrible idea. Maybe when I was thirty, it could be something for us to reminisce about and laugh over.

My bags were packed and my plane ticket ready as the sun set. For the first time in my life, my mom wouldn’t be with me through the entire ordeal.

Moreover, I’d be catching a flight at night, which was terrifying in itself. We had only ever flown once when my grandmother had died, over in Arkansas.

***

As soon as we had arrived, I could see why my mom got the hell out of Dodge. There were more churches than McDonald’s in a single square block, compared to maybe one in five blocks in New York.

I still could recall looking at them and wondering if they ever had church worship wars. I mean, some of them literally shared the same front yard!

Maybe it was inappropriate to even think about, but it made me grin every time I imagined that. I wondered if anyone would ever make a distasteful video game about it.

“You have your straightener, right? More pads? Your immunizations came through; negative COVID test and vaccination record? Face masks, just in case? They require it anyway. Any—”

“Mom, my period isn’t due for almost another week. I have everything packed; we checked four times already.

“All my immunizations are up to date in the system, and they’ll scan me at the door and check my temperature regardless of tests or vaccines.

“It’s one of the few airports that let you since all flights run within the country. We’ve been over this. They’ll also provide masks if I don’t have one if and when I’m required to wear one.

“I have my carry-on ready with all my electronics. I’ll be all right, I said finally, emphasizing the last few words.

Her lower lip trembled. “I can’t believe you’re leaving me. It seems like only yesterday that I heard you whimpering in that trash can, all bundled up, tiny and hopeless. Now you’re all grown up.”

Tears gathered in her eyes, and I tried not to sigh in annoyance. I rested my hands on her shoulders, instead of pressing my forehead against hers.

“If it wasn’t for you, it wouldn’t have even been possible. I’m glad no one came to claim me. You have been the best mom I could ever have asked for. This isn’t goodbye forever; it’s just goodbye for now. Remember?”

She began to sob, and I also teared up, again, as she gathered me in a giant hug. Everything about her smelled like home.

Even though I was excited to leave, I was also terrified of being away from her. It was time for me to grow up, though, and we both knew it.

The last few hours were a blur, and before I knew it, I was standing in line, waiting to get checked in, having given my mom one last tight hug. Soon, I was seated in the terminal, waiting to board.

I fiddled with my boarding pass several times, even though I knew I was at the right gate. My hands quivered slightly as I tried not to cry. I’d be in Oregon before I knew it, going to my dream school.

Everything I had read said it would be beautiful.

“First time flying?”

I jumped slightly, glancing over. A male close to my age, who was clearly a college student, sat near me. His brown hair was slightly curled, and he had honey eyes. He was a seat away, with his phone currently plugged in.

“Second time actually, but this will be the first time alone.”

“Ah. What for?”

“College,” I admitted sheepishly. “Oregon Institute of Technology.”

“So, you’ll probably be doing a transfer in California?”

I nodded. “It was that or Texas, but my mom wanted the transfer flight in California just in case…since we have some family there.”

I blushed, realizing that I had already dropped the uncool M word to a handsome stranger.

Talk about lame, bringing up your mother when you’re an adult.

I’d probably still be the weird kid with an overprotective parent in college too if I kept dropping that bomb.

He simply smiled. “Sounds fun. I went to college a few years ago, but I got bored and dropped out.”

I looked him over, slightly confused. He looked way too young to have dropped out of college a few years ago. But looks could be deceiving. “So, what are you doing now?”

He shrugged while typing on his phone. “Not much. Approaching beautiful women in the airport on occasion. Spent a few years in India… That was pretty fun.

“Now I’m headed to California though I imagine the flight will be more entertaining than the destination itself.”

“India?” I asked curiously.

It was supposed to be hot there, but he didn’t look very tanned.

“Yeah, the food was pretty amazing there, but the religious nonsense was a little too much to handle.”

“I mean, I understand and respect the culture, but in my personal opinion, the amount of repression those people do when it comes to their desires... it’s stifling.”

“Hmm!” I replied, rechecking my boarding pass as they called out seat numbers. It wasn’t me.

“Well, that’s me. First class and all that,” he said with a quick smile before sighing and unplugging his phone to shove his carry-on. “It was a pleasure meeting you, Miss... ?”

“Anya,” I said with a timid smile, lifting my hand. Great, now I was a grade schooler again, lifting her hand up like she was being called on in class. Mentally, I was slapping myself.

He grinned at me. “Anya. Cute name.”

I thought I was going to melt into the floor from the heat in my cheeks. “Th-thanks,” I squeaked.

Cute. He called me cute!

He stood up and winked at me. “I’m Domonic. I’ll see you around.”

I gave him a weak wave and tried not to analyze every moment of the conversation. He was positively gorgeous as he showed his ticket and spoke with the attendant.

For a moment, I was sure he had returned my glance. But I pretended to look preoccupied and pulled out my phone. Three texts from my mom already.

The color in my face drained back to normal as I let out a small sigh. Reality. I had dropped the M word and I’d probably never see him again no matter how cute I was.

And so it begins, I thought with a wan smile as I read her texts. At least she cared; not everyone was lucky enough to have a mother like her.

The school I had attended wasn’t exactly the best, considering it was a public school in what could only be described as the slums, which housed the majority of my school peers.

There were plenty of delinquents that never managed to graduate, peers without parents who cared, and peers needing help with hygiene, which was lacking at home.

In my heart, I knew I was fortunate to have her as my mom.

I smiled, beginning to text a reply, but stopped abruptly to fumble with my ticket as the PA system sounded.

“Aisle C. Calling all passengers for Aisle C for Flight 382. Aisle C.”

Quickly pocketing my phone and picking up my carry-on, I slid it over my shoulder, joining the small line that was beginning to form.

I had checked two main bags, but my mom had insisted I also pack an extra pair of clothes for emergencies, so it made my carry-on slightly bulky.

It bumped along against my hip, jutting out in a most awkward manner and dragging on my left shoulder in a way that also hurt my neck slightly.

I waited in the short queue before handing over my ticket. The female flight attendant looked it over, scanned it, and looked up with a smile on her face. “Ma’am, your flight has been upgraded to first class.”

Her face was all smiles, her hair was completely smoothed back, and her thin eyes had become slits. It took me a moment to comprehend what she had just said.

“First class? But I didn’t pay—”

“Sometimes when we are overbooked or first class is underbooked, there are adjustments to tickets,” she explained.

Her wide smile never left her face as she handed me my ticket. “I hope you enjoy your flight. I’ve marked the ticket, so just bring it up to the front and the crew will help you find your seat.”

My cheeks turned hot, and I didn’t really know what else to say other than a polite stammer. “Th-thank you.”

Ducking slightly, I headed past her out of the terminal and onto the bridge attached to the plane.

As soon as I stepped foot into the plane, I moved left toward the first class, breaking from the line of passengers. I chewed the inside of my lip, seeing no attendant in sight as I got closer.

I paused in front of the curtain, unsure of what to do, my fingers itching to move it but too shy in case I was chastised, as I felt the eyes of passengers from rows A and B on my back. My nervousness grew by the moment.

For a moment, I considered going to my labeled seat, but thankfully the curtain opened and a male attendant stood there.

He looked slightly better dressed in a sleek black outfit than the other attendants in blue, with a golden embellishment of the airline logo.

His bright green eyes landed on mine; his blond hair was almost perfectly styled, with a few stray ones falling over his eyes. The effect was very attractive, making me slightly tongue-tied.

“You must be our upgrade. May I see your ticket, madam?” he asked softly in an almost boyish, angelic tone.

Not “ma’am.” Not “little girl.” Not some pet name that commonly came out of people’s mouths, like “sweetie,” “hun,” or “darlin’.” No, no. He had said madam, like an eighteenth-century rogue in one of the games I played.

I held it up mutely, unsure of what else to do. He glanced at it, a smile blooming on his face. “Right this way, milady.”

His arm pulled back the curtain for me to walk through, showing me the way. I half ducked, half bowed as I slipped in, the curtain sliding back in place behind me as I stood awkwardly, unsure of where to go.

His hand went to my upper back, guiding me toward a middle seat that looked like a cozy pod.

“Right this way. Since we’re on the red eye, you’ll be able to rest after takeoff. We should arrive around 4 a.m. I am to be your personal attendant, so if you need anything, don’t hesitate to hit the button.”

I couldn’t hide my blush. I also couldn’t meet his gaze, only looking down at my feet shyly.

“Thank you,” I murmured, slipping into the seat and placing my carry-on over my knees. There was plenty of space to store it, but I continued to hold on to it until he moved on.

As soon as the attendant was out of sight, I let out my breath. I hadn’t realized I had been holding it in. It felt like my hormones were in overdrive, what with the two attractive men I had already run into today.

This made me seriously nervous about college. I hadn’t really ever been interested in anyone after my first and last boyfriend, and even he was more of a passing fancy.

Now, though, they seemed to be flying at me at an alarming rate.

“So, we meet again,” a voice to my right purred, making me freeze.