And then there’s Grayson. Grayson Parkerson is my one regret in life. I loved him so much, and yet, I let him go. Now I’m going to die, and he’ll never know that leaving him is my biggest regret.

All these thoughts jumble in my head as I try to buckle the second connector. My fingers are trembling as I fumble with the latch.

I close my eyes, trying to focus. I have to get strapped in or death is a certainty.

I check over the panels, making sure everything is locked. The door handle slides up and I look at it, visualizing what I’ll do if I need to. My job is to get off this plane, not worry about all the things I haven’t done or the love I lost.

“Jacob?” I say, needing him to focus on what matters. “Do you remember what I said about the door?”

He nods, and I see the fear in his eyes. I pray he doesn’t see mine. “Stay calm and just follow my directions,” I instruct.

Jacob’s gaze stays on me. “What’s your name?”

“Jessica.”

My heart is pounding, and the only thing holding me together is my training. If we panic, we don’t make it out of here. All of us will have to be a team, and that means one of us has to be the voice of reason. I’m shaking, feeling a sense of dread like I’ve never known, but there’s nothing I can do but pray.

Jacob’s voice is much stronger as he speaks again. “Okay, Jessica, it’s great meeting you, and we’re about to go down in a plane crash together, so that means we’ll be lifelong friends if we survive.”

I try to smile, but it feels mangled. “Get in your position, Jacob.”

He nods. “If I don’t make it, I need you to tell Brenna I loved her and I was thinking of her.”

“Don’t think that way.”

“My family. I need them all to know that I love them.”

“Focus, Jacob. Remember, getting off the aircraft is imperative.”

“Will you tell them?”

I’m not making that promise. We aren’t going to even discuss it. There is one final ping, alerting me that it’s time and we’re nearing the ground.

“Jacob.” My voice is strong and forceful.

“I’m ready.”

I look to Jacob, keeping my gaze on his. He mimics my position, and I start to chant, all the while praying this isn’t our last moment. “Brace. Brace. Brace.”

I sit up, gasping for air, clutching my throat as I struggle to breathe. Sweat soaks my shirt, and my heart is beating so hard I wonder if it’ll bruise my chest.

It was just a dream.

It’s okay. I’m okay. I survived.

I’m in my room, in my bed, and I’m safe.