The Luna Choosing Game

At the airport, we were led onto the tarmac to board a smaller private jet.

The royal jet, though small, lacked for no luxury. The seats were the finest leather. There was a sitting room and a large television.

I'd never really been on a plane before at all, much less a fancy one like this.

But I had seen what a cramped regular plane was supposed to be like on television and in movies. So I knew this was something much more elaborate and different.

Despite the large area for mingling, I led Elva to the forward-facing chairs with seatbelts. Like me, Elva had never been on a plane either. I had heard that taking off and landing were the

scariest parts. I didn’t want her to be scared.

However, as we sat in our chairs, she swung her legs back and forth like a dance, and sung to herself absentmindedly, like she hadn’t a care in the world. She seemed totally relaxed, ready for anything. Though maybe she just didn’t know what was to come.

“It’s going to be okay, Elva,” I told her, not for the first time. “If you get scared at any point —” “I know, Mommy. I’m not scared.” That wasn’t the first time she’d said that either.

When everyone and the luggage was boarded, the pilots turned the plane toward the runway. I held onto the armrests of my leather seat with both

hands, after securing both mine and Elva’s belts for the fourth time.

Elva just looked out the window. She was still singing her mindless song.

“Elva...” “Not scared, Mommy.” The engines kicked on. The plane rumbled.

My fingernails dug into the leather.

Elva continued to sing.

The plane shot forward.

then lifted,

pressed back into

fairly certain I'd left my stomach back on the

on

was a carnival ride

plane leveled out, I started

tapping it. Beyond her, I could see down to the city below. The houses looked like

my entire body was

high. Why would anyone travel

of here. I couldn’t let Elva see how much I was freaking out, or she might read my energy and freak out too. But where could I go on such a small plane? People were everywhere! But then I remembered the

I fumbled successfully enough that the seatbelt popped open, and I hurried to stand. “I have to go to the bathroom,” I said to Elva, to anyone that could listen,

back. Halfway through the plane was a set of bathrooms. Just as I reached

me, smirk quirked like he might make some

“You alright?” he asked.

I said. By now, my voice was shaking too,

and tugged me into the bathroom with him. Behind me, he closed the

the enclosed space was comforting. In this room, I couldn’t see the clouds or the small buildings far below. Here, I could theoretically be in

into him. I dropped my head

breaths were erratic. It took me some time, and a lot of concentration to match him. “There you go.” © “Julian...” “you don’t have to say anything, Piper.” He wasn’t going to make fun of me then. Not about this. That was as much a comfort as his warmth and the strength of his arm at my waist, keeping me upright

want Elva to see,” I

after a few moments.

It’s got to be her first flight too, right?” I laughed a little. It wasn’t entirely honest, still nervous, but it was getting there. “She’s having the time of her life.” He

like a ride. You ever take her to the theme parks?” «We never had the money for travel,” I told him. “But I did take her to the carnival when it came