Seat 17D
By D.B.
"...you really oughtta check out-"
He didn't want the aisle seat.
"...from Florida? Me too, I live at the-"
He didn't want a stranger to sit next to him.
"...Gardenias, roses, some other plants. Do you like gardening? Cause I lo-"
He didn't want to talk. Not about Florida, not about gardening, or what to check out in New York. He just wanted one single moment to himself, but going to the bathroom for the fifth time would make others raise a brow; and he did not want other to raise a brow at him. For Aaron, flying with the least amount of contact was considered a win; anything more---such as a lady talking nonstop from Florida to New York---would be considered quite the loss.
"...are rather a drab color, this flight's seats should be at least a pale blu-"
"I don't want to talk to you."
...
Aaron blew it.
"Oh...oh. I'm so sorry, I really didn't mean to bother you. I mean this whole flight I've just been talking, talking, talking. People say I don't notice, and I mean clearly I don't. I try, try, try, but here I am. I mean your head must be exploding-"
"please, just... do you always talk this much?"
"oh. I see your point."
...
For the first time since he boarded and sat down, Aaron got the silence he was waiting for. But, it wasn't a good silence. In Aaron's head, it was ten minutes of "crap, what have I done. I mean she must really hate me. Did I sound like a prick? I mean I must've cause she hasn't spoken since. But why do I care, I mean she stopped talking like I asked her too. Oh gosh, I must be the worst".
And finally,
"Look I'm sorry ma'am. I didn't plan to sit next to someone like you, and you didn't plan to sit next to someone like me-"
"It's ok."
...
Aaron got his answer. He was the worst. The worst not-talker, not-wanting-to-be-noticed, aisle seat passenger on the plane.
The last 30 minutes of his flight...lasted...in awkward silence...for an eternity.
----------
Leaving the airport with another silent plane victory under his belt, Aaron's head could not have hung lower.
"Why do I always have to be like this?"
Points:
Time spent:
Canary word: Present
Possible AI signals:
Original Text:
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Good Morning/Afternoon/Evening/Night(whichever one it is in your part of the world),
Hi! I'm Kate and I'm here to leave a quick review!!
First Impression
Well this is a lovely little piece here. Really captures those thoughts really well and makes for quite an interesting little read, showcasing how this kind of interaction goes down pretty accurately.
Anyway let's get right to: Kate's Line by Line Reactions;
Well seems like the start of one of those somewhat more awkward conversations one can have when riding about in a plane. Looks like our passenger here is not happy about this predicament.
Well that was direct. Love that this person just absolutely does not want to bothered and has absolutely no problem making sure the other person is fully aware of that. Definitely characterizes them both very well too.
Well looks like its a little bit awkward and they're not about to be besties but for the most part we're not going to see a fight break out and Aaron is going to be able to have some peace.
Why did this become so relatable out of nowhere. Wow. I love that moment where Aaron just has his peace but is just like at what cost have I achieved this and is now just so guilty. Incredibly realistic moment there and I am loving it.
Ahh you really make us feel very sorry for poor Aaron in this moment. It looks like he really didn't intend for things to get so out of hand there and my man just spent his time in the most horrifying awkward silence.
Aaand that's it for this oneee!!!
Overall
Overall I think it makes for quite an interesting little piece here that taps in well to the emotions at play here and makes for a really interesting moment here! Very nicely done!
As always remember to: Take what you think was helpful and forget the rest!
Kate
Wow, you amazingly showed what many of "less talking" people feel almost everyday sitting besing an extroverted person. The way we sometimes unwantedly hurt someones feelings.
The feeling embarrassment was on point and the awkward silence felt too real. There's not much else to point out. The pacing's great too.
"and he did not want other to raise a brow at him." You could replace this with, "and he didn't want that."
One suggestion would be that you may use italicized sentenced while showing the main character's inner thoughts.
I hope I didn't offend you in any way. I'm not a good critiquer and also English isn't my native language.
Thanks and Regards.
Thank you for your review! I really appreciate your feedback!!