Taylor Miessau
Just my Luck
I suddenly realize that after about thirty miles ago, I've been going in the wrong direction. Instead of going East, the right way to the village, I was headed West, farther and farther into the national park. Seeing as I am in a completely different country, my sense of direction is evidently unfamiliar. Now, I look around and see nothing but hunter green moss, with tall weeds going in every empty space. The bright color of flowers have sprouted everywhere, creating emphasis to all the green. I find a near by rock close to a stream, and place myself on it. The map is in French, and I only know a few words. No wonder I'm lost, I think, feeling the worry hover over me. If being lost in a foreign country wasn't bad enough, I now remember my flight in less than three hours, the only one left till the next day. I have to be at the meeting, I yell up at the sky, which then begins drop rain on my pale complexion. I feel scared tears fall, blending with the rain. My thoughts roll back to the beginning of the day, when everything seemed to be perfect.
Roxy applies on her red lipstick and slides on her heels. She checks the mirror first before turning to ask for my opinion.
"How do I look?" She asks, turning slowly.
"Wonderful. Totally trendy. I have no doubt that they'll absolutely adore you."
She smiles at this, but I can see the worry in her eyes. Of course, she's worried, I would be too. This isn't just a enjoyable trip for her like it is for me. She's here for one meeting to show her fashion designs, and her future depends on it. So with that, I kiss her on the cheek and wish her luck.
"You'll do great. Trust me, you're incredible. Just go out there and show them what you got. I'll meet you at the airport around 9ish."
I spend the rest of the day doing tourist things. Shopping in all the trendy stores you just don't see at home, trying a cool restaurant for lunch, and even touring a national park all by myself. I never thought something could be so beautiful. The scenery was breathtaking, much different than my city apartment back home. I'd take my mother back, I promised to myself, walking through the park, the sun blinding my face.
This rock is pocking at my back side, I think, getting up and running under a near by tree. A burst of cold air rushes around me, and this time I reach for my phone. Once again, another bad things seemed to occur. Not only did I have no service, but my phone had also died at some point during the day. I was stranded in the rain, somewhere that I knew nothing about. The worst thoughts come to mind. What if I never find my way back and I'm stuck here? What if a bear comes and attacks me? What if I don't get back to the hotel in time, and someone takes all my money? The tears have taken over and almost miss the young man run by.
"Hey!" I shout, but my voice is so shaky, that he doesn't hear me.
"Hey, sir!" He hears me now, and turns, looking at me through the big rain drops.
I, myself, stare back, stunned at the blue of his eyes. Of course I would see a cute man, when I'm drenched, with make up smeared down my face. His French features are very noticeable, and I question if he even understands me, but lucks in my favor at the moment.
"My lady, what are you doing out here?" He says, running over shielding himself from the rain.
"I got lost, and then the rain started. My maps all in French, and I don't have cell service." I say, wiping my face, and putting on the best smile.
"Not happy- go- lucky kind of girl, I see. Where were ya headed before you got lost?"
"Back to my hotel, The Lorraine."
"Ah, I know where it is. I can take you there," he says, taking off his warm coat and wrapping around my shoulders.
"Thank you, really. I couldn't be more grateful," I say, and we head down the road, sneaking smiles at one another.
"I'm Winston, by the way."
"Claire," I reply, and I start to wonder if getting lost wasn't such a bad thing.
I find a few things out by the time we arrive. Winston is wealthy, but you wouldn't know unless he told you. He has a love for animals, a vet as his occupation, along with a safety rescue job here at the park. He's young, but sophisticated. He has a twin brother, who happens to work at the airport, who happens to be able to be able to get us first class tickets. He walks me to the door, and I find it hard to say goodbye. For just meeting someone, he's great at first impressions. I remember the last time I ever loved someone, and how Winston reminds me of him.
"Well, I can't think you enough, Winston. For everything. Is there anything I can do in return?" I ask him, taking off his warm coat. A shiver goes through me.
Winston wraps his arms around me, and as creepy as it sounds, I hold him back. He doesn't feel like a stranger, like someone I've known all my life.
"Just promise we'll keep in touch, and maybe you can come visit again. You know, if you want to."
"Of course," I reply, thinking about the idea of seeing him again.
He kisses me on the check, and just like he came, he was leaving into the chilly November night.
The airport is bustling, lines extending out the door. I luckily find Roxy, and I can tell this trip was a success. I pull her into a hug when we reach each other, and we tell each other about our days as we wait for our flight. An hour later, we start to question the wait. Just as we were thinking this, the intercom tells us to board, and we go to the desk.
"I'm sorry, but these tickets are invalid." The airport hostess says, handing us back our tickets.
"What? That can't be. These are first class tickets," I say, handing them back.
He scans it again, but once again it just beeps.
"Ma'am, It's not going through. I'm sorry."
Roxy and I watch as everyone passes us, and we began to panic.
"Sir, we have to get on that plane. I have work the next day, and this is the only flight tonight."
"Please, ma'am, can you step away?"
"You have no idea what my day's been like. Let me on that plane." I push through him, not thinking, and find myself in a place I never thought I'd be.
Jail. Just my luck, I say.