The Movies Make It Look Easy

Chapter 33

Chapter 33

Shannon's P.O.V:

I'd checked in online when I booked the flights, so when we stepped into the crowded Departures area, I headed for the nearest board with flight times. Nick was looking around with a lost expression on his face so I linked my arm with his and directed him to the board where a group of people were clustered, all looking for their flights. Our flight was leaving at one, and I scanned the board looking for the Dublin flights. When I'd found the right one, we headed for the queue to drop off our bags.  

The atmosphere was one of anticipation. Most people, like me, were on their way home to spend Christmas with their families. I found myself moving about restlessly as the excitement all around me caught on. The line inched along slowly, only moving a couple of steps at a time. "Do you have your passport?" I asked Nick.  

He nodded and took it out of his pocket. He placed it into my outstretched hand along with my own. It had been express mailed to the apartment a few days before and it was shiny and new, unlike mine which had a distinctly worn look about it and had stamps dotted in it from travelling to Croatia and Africa.  

My picture had been taken when I was sixteen and was typically unflattering. A quick glance at Nick's told me he was the exception to the rule - I shook my head to myself, I don't know why I was even remotely surprised.

Eventually we reached the top of the line and I wheeled my bag to the desk with Nick following closely behind me. I handed the man behind the desk both of our passports and boarding cards with a smile and went to pick up my bag. Nick realised what I was doing and took it from my hands, depositing it where I pointed.  

The man smiled tiredly at us as he quickly surveyed our passports. He placed tags on my bag before the conveyor belt started moving, taking my bag with it. The process was repeated with Nick's suitcase and the man wished us a nice day before signalling for the next person in the line to come forward.  

I tugged on Nick's arm as I directed him towards security. I explained what was going to happen as we walked slowly through the crowds. He nodded distractedly as he looked around him in fascination, not really listening when I told him that he'd have to take off his belt and make sure he had no metal on him. When we finally reached the metal detectors, I took off my jacket and placed it in a tray alongside my laptop.  

I placed my bag beside it and waited for the security guard to tell me to walk through the metal detector. I fidgeted as I waited - I'd always had an irrational fear that I'd be stopped even though I hadn't done anything wrong. Thankfully it didn't beep when I stepped through and I went to collect my things.

I turned around in the middle of putting my laptop back in my bag to see Nick walking through the metal detector. It started beeping madly and a security guard pulled him to one side. I vaguely heard him saying; "please spread your arms and legs" as Nick grimaced at me across the tops of the few people's heads between us.  

I covered my mouth with my hand in an attempt to cover my smile as Nick was searched. Two minutes later, I was standing beside him as he threaded his belt back through the loops on his jeans. He was practically spluttering with indignation at having to be searched. "It's not like I'm a freaking terrorist" he muttered, picking up his jacket.  

When I was able to talk without laughing, I turned him gently and pointed towards a chubby man with a walrus moustache and a receding hairline. "See you're not the only one" I told him.  

He seemed to be appeased and allowed me to guide him away from security. We entered duty free but neither of us particularly needed anything so we bypassed it and headed towards our gate, following the overhead signs.