02 | Adjusted

 

The airport was packed, as it always was in Atlanta, known for being one of the biggest and busiest airports in America. But, Nichole and her mom shuffled their way through as they always did before. For most teenagers her age, a bustling airport was excited, but to Nichole, it was just another moment of not being in control of her own life. Once again, being re-routed for someone else's plans. When would it be her turn to make her own?

The plane ride to South Korea was not unusual to what she normally expected. Yeah, it was a long ride, but she’d had long plane rides before, and traveling to South Korea wasn't anything new. The seats were just comfortable enough to stand it, but not keep her from fidgeting every few minutes. Nichole's mom on the other hand seemed to handle it with ease, as she does with everything that comes her way.

 

More grace. Nichole thought to herself. She wanted to be more graceful in life, like her mom.

 

At that moment she felt a sudden surge of guilt. She'd been acting like a brat since she found out her sister was planning to move to South Korea and that she had to go with her mom to make sure Mason was settled in okay. It wasn't what Nichole wanted to do, it was not in her plan for her summer break. And because of that, she had been throwing a fit and giving an attitude when she saw fit. But, never once did her mother yell at her or complain about the way she acting. Always patient, her mother. It was a humbling sight indeed to see her mom be so accommodating. She'd given her life to make sure they were well taken care of and well adjusted. Why wouldn't this time be any different?

 

Only two hours had passed with almost nine hours to go. Boy, was it a long flight. Even with the abundant amount of entertainment, Nichole brought to keep her occupied; her song lyric journal, books, sudoku puzzles, music, nothing held her attention long enough before the anxiety of landing being in a country where she didn't speak the language crept into her mind. She began to wonder how she would possibly get around, she didn't know any Korean. For that matter, she'd not even met a Korean person before. At least, not that she knew of. She figured she'd have to stick close by her mom or sister if she wanted to do or go anywhere. She'd be a prisoner to them both on her own summer break she thought in annoyance. It had only been a few hours into the plane ride and she was already wishing she were back home in her bed in America.

 

But it wasn’t too soon after the first snack on the plane that Nichole was fighting the urge to fall asleep. Before boarding the plane she had made a plan that she’d stay awake and not fall asleep like when she was little on the plane.  She wanted to experience the entirety of the plane ride like the adults, just like she had thought many times as a child. But she couldn’t help herself. Once the lights on the plane dimmed for the passengers to rest while flying, she found herself dozing off, whether she wanted to or not. Unfortunately for Nichole, none of the plans she was making for herself were panning out well. Sleeping during the ride went on like this throughout the plane ride, only waking up to eat the complimentary snacks and beverages and the gourmet meals in between. Although it wasn’t her favorite, she oddly enjoyed the airplane food. It wasn’t as bad as people made it seem. But then again, she was used to it. After the meal, the lights dimmed yet again, and Nichole was fast asleep yet again.

 

After the last meal on the plane, it was only a few more hours before it was time to land, and the lights had dimmed once again for the final time, giving the passengers the opportunity to rest right before landing. Only this time Nichole couldn’t sleep, not that she had been sleeping well the entire flight, but something about this last time, she couldn't drift off at all. She would go in and out, but couldn’t help but wake up, anticipating the landing. Anticipating seeing her sister for the first time in a month. Anticipating coming back home, alone.

 

• • • • •

 

Finally reaching South Korea, somehow felt different. Nichole had been to many different countries because of her dad’s work, but not this time. She was here because of her sister. This was new and she wasn’t too sure what to make of it, just yet. She’d only been to other countries really just to live… not for fun, or for play, or for leisure...  So, what was this?

 

The lights below lit up as her plane pulled in closer and closer. Even from a distance, Korea looked, magical. The lights danced underneath the plane, twinkling with every circular motion as the plane started to descend. Nichole felt her heart rate speed up as she knew her time wrapped in the comfort of the airplane's walls was coming to an end. She'd have to get off and face her issues head-on. Along with all those around her that might have heard her snoring on the plane.

 

It really dawned on Nichole when she entered the tunnel, that she was no longer in America. Everyone she looked, nothing but Korean people surrounded her. No more diversity. Each person, similar hair texture, color, build, similar height. And of course, she is generalizing, but it's nothing like being in America. It was like, something out of a matrix movie. Although, she shouldn’t have been as shocked, because she had lived in Japan at one point, which is where her mother is from, but she was younger then.

 

Nichole and her mom traveled through the airport, both received stamps on their passports and filled out overseas forms to enter South Korea. It was a lot that her mom had to do, and once again, Nichole felt gratitude for how easily she does for others without complaint.

 

Once you were able to enter, they both made their way down to the ticketing station to buy a bus ticket.

 

• • • • •

 

The bus ride soothed her anxiety a bit more as she watched the landscape go from the peaceful countryside into a buzzing burst of city life. By the time they had made it to the outskirts of Seoul, the sun had begun to set in the distance. Turning the sky a beautiful mix of oranges, yellows, and pinks.

 

Not much had been said on the travel over, only intrigues of comforts and discomforts. But Nichole thought to herself, who cares at this point. She had been made to follow her sister, whether she wanted to or not. She had been told that her sister was not coming back, whether she wanted it or not. Her level of comfort was obviously not a concern for anyone.

 

The bus had taken them but so far before they got off on the side of a busy street. Her mom looked around and for a split moment, Nichole was certain they both were lost. But her mom was level-headed and in any moment she easily overcomes, with grace.

 

She nudged you along to the edge of the sidewalk while throwing her hand up to hail a taxi. Nichole followed behind quickly, luggage in toe as a cab quickly approached. They both quickly put their suitcases into the trunk and got into the backseat. Nichole's mom began explaining to the cab driver where they needed to go to get to the hotel but there seemed to be some confusion. Eventually, she was able to give him the direction of the War Museum, which was across from the hotel and you guys were easily able to get there.

 

By the time they found their way to the Dragon Hill Lodge Hotel, night had fallen and Nichole was exhausted. Her mom checked them both into the suite and Nichole finally felt like her body could rest. She flopped down on the bed, kicking off her shoes.

 

“You should go shower and then get some rest.” Nichole’s mom said, “I’m going to call your sister before bed.”

 

Feeling the weight of the past few days finally crashing in on such a petite body, Nichole had no fight left in her. She nodded her head and rolled over to push herself up off the mattress. She headed into the bathroom, pausing a moment to take in the luxurious feel of the room, before looking at herself in the mirror. She looked exhausted. But she was anxious to see her sister at the same time. She knew it wouldn’t be long before she could, but she still couldn’t help but think, these would be the last days being with my sister, for a long time. Whether she liked the idea of it or not. It was happening and she was going to have get well adjusted to the idea.