The moment I sat down I knew in my deepest being that this was going to be the worst flight of my life. I had to sit in the aisle seat next to a young lady who was continuously blowing giant bubbles of coral pink bubblegum.

“Hi ma’am.” I had said when I first sat down.

“Eww! Are you hitting on me!? Your like 50 years old!” She said with obvious disgust.

“Oh no, I’m so sorry I gave you that impression, I was just trying to be polite.” I said pointing to my ring. “Plus, I’m married and I’m not 50; I’m only 31.”

“You say that like 31 is young!” She laughed, giving me the side eye.

“Ahem…” I cleared my through, willing for this conversation to end.

“By the way,” she added, “you look ugly, I wouldn’t have been interested in you anyway.”

I stared at her in shock and almost stood up to leave the plane, but I didn’t. I wasn’t going to let some idiot teenager bully me off this flight.

“Whatever.” I mumbled under my breath.

“Excuse me!?” She said, turning to face me squarely and pulling out her remaining AirPod to lend me her full and undivided attention. “What did you just say!?”

“Nothing?” I said, highly confused.

“Repeat what you just said to me!?” She said, raising her voice.

“I don’t know what you mean, can you please calm down. I won’t bother you anymore. You can listen to your music in peace.” I said feeling helpless in this escalating situation.

“Well that’s going to be impossible to do as long as you’re here. If you truly want me to be able to listen to my music in peace then you will leave the plane!” She yelled at me.

“I don’t care lady, I just want to read my book and arrive at my destination!” I blubbered.

“You are going to pay for ruining my day!” She glared at me. “Flight attendent!” She called, “This old man is harassing me, can you please escort him off the plane!?”

“What!” I said in defense. “I didn’t harass her, she’s just making this up.”

“I don’t care what happened.” The flight attendent said. “It’s too late for me to do anything about this because we are already in the air.”

“Well then can you at least move me up to first class? I feel unsafe sitting next to this man.” She said, glaring at the flight attendant.

“I suppose.” The flight attendant said grabbing the ladies luggage and leading her down the aisle.

“Bye!” The lady said, waving at me with a smirk on her face.

And that’s when I realized that she planned everything out so she could be moved to first class.

“Gen Z’s.” I let out a small chuckle.