I feel that I'm in for the journey of a lifetime.

          I've spent the last six years of my life cramped up inside an apartment in Seattle, Washington, working as a tour guide. Day after day, I wake up at seven to eat a bowl of raspberry oatmeal, then take the monorail downtown to start my job. I guess it's not so bad when you put it that way. I get to see the city, visit beautiful landmarks, and tell fascinating stories. I'm always meeting new faces—some more memorable than others—most fading away like the mist in the morning when the sun rises.

          Regardless, it doesn't change the fact that I'm going to be spending the next week in Vietnam. I'm thirty-two, and have been dreaming about this vacation since I was a child. I can't wait! And to make it even better, I'm going with my favourite people in the world. Sitting beside me, is my gorgeous boyfriend, Shawn, who I've been seeing now for almost three years. Across from me, hunching over on her phone, is my best friend since middle school, Christina. And finally, to her left, laying down on the airport chairs, is my brother, Oscar, who is a towering 6'5".

          I smile at the group. "Wow. This is actually happening, hey?"

          "It's for real," Shawn says with a grin, pulling me in for a cuddle.

          "I know—it's crazy," Oscar admits while sitting up. "We've been talking about this trip for years and years."

          "More than years," Christina corrects him. "I remember back in grade twelve, Jane told the volleyball team that she'd take us all to Vietnam if we won the championship that year. I think you might have been a little drunk though."

          I laugh. "Oh, God. You remember everything, don't you? Those were the days."

          "You never told me you played volleyball?" Shawn questions with a raised brow. "Every time I try to get you out to do something sporty, you just tell me you'd rather go for a long, romantic walk."

          "Yeah, well. I like long, romantic walks," I reply with a teasing sneer. "Is there a problem with that?"

          "No, not at all."

          The both of us come closer, until our noses briefly touch. We give each other a few pecks on the lips, as we zone out and do our own little thing together. It's okay, Christina and Oscar are so used to seeing us like this—when we get all mushy and touchy with one another. It hardly even phases them anymore.

          "So, are you excited for our trip, babe?" Shawn asks.

          I blush. "You can't even begin to imagine."

          "Good. Because I want you to know, there isn't a single person on this planet I'd rather be going with than you."

          "And you know I feel the same way about you, Shawn." I rest my head on his shoulder.

          "I mean it, Jane. I want us to remember this next week for the rest of our lives."

          "I'm sure we will. For the rest of our lives."

          We sit there in silence for the next few minutes; Christina and Oscar hold a conversation of their own. Oscar claims that he only sees her as a friend, but we all know deep down the pair are slowly becoming a thing. I've known Christina my whole life, and my brother is the type of dude she'd go for. Would it be a little awkward if they start dating? Maybe a bit, but I'll never let my emotions get in the way of their happiness. I truly want nothing but the best for them.

          And with that, just as I was starting to wonder how we were doing for time, a female voice begins to speak over the intercom.

          "Good morning, passengers. This is the pre-boarding announcement for flight AA107 to Vietnam. We are now inviting those passengers to begin boarding at this time. Please have your boarding pass and identification ready at the gate. Regular boarding will begin in approximately eight minutes time. Thank you."

          "Well shit, it sounds like they're ready for us," Christina says.

          Dozens and dozens of travellers, including us four, get ready. A lineup begins to slowly form in front of boarding gate C4.

          Shawn chuckles. "It's about damn time. I was beginning to think they forgot about us."

          "Don't be silly," I tell him with a lighthearted nudge. "You really think they would take off without us?"

          "Hey, it's possible," Oscar counters. "Stranger things have happened. Shit, we put humans on the moon for Christ sake."

          Christina rolls her eyes. "Why you gotta go all serious and political on us? I thought the point of this trip was to get away from all that?"

          "Oh, I'm sorry. Is my integrity too much for you to handle?" he teases.

          Christina does everything in her power not to smile. "God, I can't believe I have to sit beside you on a fourteen-hour flight. And just so it's clear, I'm getting the window seat—end of story."

          Oscar laughs. "Yeah...good luck with that, honey."

          "Okay-okay, can you two lovebirds wait till you get to the hotel room?" Shawn jokes as the line of passengers around us gets longer.

          We all enjoy the humour passing around as we patiently wait to make our way onto the plane.

          I then take a moment to myself, breathing in the familiar scent of North America, before I'm lost in a world of adventure across the globe. I look around. All kinds of travellers surround us—businessmen, families, elderly couples. It even looks like some Vietnamese residents are returning home, as they stand a few metres behind us, chatting amongst one another. I innocently observe them, trying to catch a glimpse of the environment I will be living in for the next week. They seem like friendly people—very kind and outgoing.

          It doesn't take long before we reach the boarding gate. Shawn hands the agent our tickets. He scans them with a machine, before returning them back to us.

          "Passports too, please," he asks with a serious yet friendly tone.

          I signal Oscar to give both our ID to the man. I have a reputation for losing things, so I decided to let my brother carry both his and mine. 

          The agent takes hold of all four passports, eyeing each of us down, one by one. When his gaze reaches my brown eyes, I try my best to look presentable. I don't exactly look great in my passport picture. Then again, no one really does.

          "Enjoy your flight," he says while nodding, handing us back the identification.

          "Thank you," I say.

          Shawn and I lead the way onward towards the plane. We hold hands as we walk through the jet bridge, while Oscar and Christina trail shortly behind us. The cool air seeps in through the crevices of the bridge, sending a slight chill over my skin. It's still pretty cold here in Seattle, which makes it even more exciting that we're all going to be soaking up the sun on the beautiful beaches.

          "How we doing this morning?" The flight attendant smiles as we enter through the door of the plane. She's wearing a white top with a black skirt and high heels.

          "Never been better," Shawn happily replies.

          "Wait, so you guys are in the back, right?" Oscar asks from behind.

          "I think so, yeah," I say while looking at Shawn to confirm.

          He nods. "Yup. Seats 29H and 29I to be exact."

          There's a brief moment of silence between the group, as it's now time for us to temporarily part ways.

          "Well, see you motherfuckers in Vietnam." Oscar chuckles, as he and Shawn do a bro handshake.

          "Yeah, as if you can hold your bladder that long," Shawn jokes again, dabbing him up with a fist pump. "I'm sure we'll be seeing you in the back a few times here and there."

          "Yeah, well, not me." Christina pulls me in for a hug with her short arms. "You guys know how I hate public bathrooms!"

          It's then I realize we are blocking the walkway for the passengers.

          "Okay-okay, we gotta go," I say with one final smile, waving goodbye to my brother and best friend.

          Shawn and I then push to the back of the plane, nudging our way past other travellers. Our movements are slow—kind of like being stuck in traffic. I feel like for every ten steps I take forward, I have to take five steps back, allowing others to maneuver themselves around in the tight space. 

          But once we're alone, it doesn't stop Shawn from getting frisky with me, even if we are surrounded by strangers.

          He whispers in my ear, "I think I'm gonna let my princess sit in the window seat."

          I giggle hearing his words, hoping that no one heard him. He's so charming that way.

          Once we eventually reach our seats in row twenty-nine, I grab Shawn's handbag and my mini suitcase, and put them into the carry-on compartment above. I make sure to close it tight, then squeeze my way over to the window seat, just like Shawn had promised. 

          I cross my arms, giving a cheeky expression to antagonize him. "Hehe, I like it when I get my way."

          "Oh, believe me, I've been aware of that for the last two years." He chuckles, slipping into his seat beside me.

          "Hey—three years," I politely remind. "Our anniversary is coming up this month. You do remember, don't you?"

          "Of course I remember. I would never forget something like that, Jane. Never."

          "Okay, good. You had me a little worried there."          

          "You worry too much," he tells me, plugging in his earbuds with another grin. "And just for the record, I already have something special planned for the two of us that day."

          I smile once again, watching as he leans himself back, now listening to music.

          Shortly after, the pilot makes an announcement. He starts explaining the emergency safety rules when flying. Arrogantly and not interested, my eyes wander over to the window. I look outside, spotting all kinds of jets lined up—each different shapes, colours, and sizes. I try to picture where they are headed; perhaps we will cross paths with them sometime in the future.

          That's when I have a rather...interesting thought. For whatever reason, the scene in which I'm in, reminds me of something—or someone. His name is Dean. Dean Johnson. A previous lover of mine that I had dated in my mid-twenties. Don't get me wrong, I'm perfectly happy in my relationship with Shawn, but he just comes across my mind every now and then. Almost like an old painting resting on your wall that you occasionally take time to admire.

          I remember the day we met on the monorail, the same one I take to work every day. It was like something out of a movie. We bumped into each other accidentally, then locked eyes for what felt like centuries. I know we had our reasons for ending it, but sometimes I ask myself how I'd react if I saw him standing there again. It's sad, really. We never kept in touch after the breakup.

          Nonetheless, I get comfy in my seat and close my eyes. 

          I need to get some rest...because we're on our way to Vietnam. 

          And like I already made clear, I can't fucking wait.