Chapter 2 : New friendships

Lena and Michael boarded the plane, excited for the adventure ahead. The air inside the cabin was cool and refreshing, and the hum of the engines filled the air. As they made their way down the aisle, they noticed the other passengers settling into their seats, stowing their luggage in the overhead bins, and fastening their seatbelts.

Lena found her seat and settled into it, feeling a mix of excitement and anticipation for the journey ahead. As she looked around the cabin, she noticed her neighbor, a woman who appeared to be having difficulty fitting comfortably into her seat.

As Lena settled into her seat between Michael and her neighbor, who was struggling with the small seat size, she couldn't help but feel empathy for her discomfort. Lena knew that it was challenging to travel when your body didn't fit into the standard sizes and shapes, and she wanted to do what she could to help.
As the flight attendant began the safety announcement, Lena turned to her neighbor and asked if she would be willing to share her experience with her. She nodded, and Lena began filming their seats and the surrounding area, after asking her neighbor name. Her name was Mary.

"I'm here on this flight to the United States with my seat neighbor, Mary, who has graciously agreed to share her experience with us. Mary, can you tell us how you're feeling right now?" Lena asked.

Mary took a deep breath and replied, "It's not easy, Lena. The seats are so small, and it can be really uncomfortable to sit like this for hours. I wish there was more consideration for people who don't fit into the standard sizes.
Also the security belt is a particular challenge for me as it can be difficult to adjust it to fit properly. I have to ask the flight attendant for an extender and it can be quite embarrassing. I also find that the armrests are often too narrow and uncomfortable.""

As Lena observed Mary struggling with the security belt and armrests, she felt empathy for her discomfort. Lena turned to Mary and gently asked, "Would you like me to lift up the armrest between us so that you can have a bit more space and comfort?"
Mary nodded gratefully, "That would be so kind of you, Lena. Thank you."
As Lena lifted the armrest between their seats, Mary settled back into her seat with a grateful sigh. With the armrest up, there was now more space between them, but they were still in close proximity to each other. However, Lena and Mary were both friendly and accommodating, and they didn't seem to mind the close contact.

As the flight continued, Lena and Mary found themselves in close proximity, with their arms occasionally brushing against each other. However, they both seemed comfortable with the situation, smiling and chatting as if they were old friends.
Micheal noticed Lena's proximity to Mary and leaned over to whisper in her ear, "Hey, everything okay? Are you comfortable with this?"
Lena turned to him with a mischievous smile, "Of course, Michael. Mary is way softer than you," she joked, nudging him playfully.

They both giggled quietly, trying not to disturb their neighbor, who had closed her eyes and seemed to be dozing off. Lena turned back to Mary, feeling grateful for her new friend and the unexpected connections that could be made while traveling.
As the flight continued, the aircraft suddenly hit a patch of turbulence, causing the entire plane to shake and rattle. Passengers were jolted and jostled in their seats, and belongings shifted and bounced around the cabin.
Lena looked over at Mary, who was dozing off, and noticed that even in her sleep, she was jiggling a little with the turbulence. Michael couldn't help but watch her movements.
As the turbulence continued, Lena, Michael, and Mary did their best to stay calm and ride it out. Michael tried to distract himself with a book, while Lena held onto the armrest tightly, trying to breathe deeply and stay calm. Mary shifted in her seat, her belly jiggling with the turbulence, but still seemingly asleep.

Eventually, the turbulence subsided, and the cabin settled into a smoother rhythm. The flight attendant announced that it was safe to move about the cabin, and passengers began to stretch and relax, grateful for the return of calm.
Lena turned to Michael and smiled, relieved that they had made it through the turbulence safely. Mary opened her eyes and smiled, seemingly unfazed by the experience. Together, they settled back into their seats, ready to continue their journey with a newfound appreciation for the ups and downs of air travel.

As they prepared to depart the plane, Mary felt a sudden urge to extend an invitation to Lena and Michael. "Hey, listen. I know we just met, but I feel like we really connected on this flight. Would you be interested in getting together for dinner one night during your trip? I could show you around the city and introduce you to my boyfriend, Pete."