Victoria glared at him.
"You never support me."
"This isn't about supporting you."
She looked toward me again.
I was staring at the window, trying to remain composed.
Something about my silence seemed to provoke her.
"Are you just going to sit there?"
I turned toward her.
"What would you like me to do?"
She laughed.
"At least show some respect."
I felt anger rising.
"Respect for what?"
Her expression hardened.
"For people who understand where they belong."
The words made several passengers react at once.
Someone behind me muttered, "Unbelievable."
Elena stepped forward.
"Ma'am, I'm asking you to stop confronting this passenger."
Victoria lifted one hand.
"Fine."
For a moment, I thought the confrontation was over.
Then she reached into her expensive handbag.
She removed a small perfume bottle.
The glass container was elegant, with a silver cap and a pale label.
Victoria looked directly at me.
"Some people really don't understand the standards up here."
Then she pressed the nozzle.
A burst of perfume sprayed into the air between us, toward my face.
I recoiled instinctively.
The scent struck my nose and eyes, making me cough.
"Are you serious?"
Victoria smiled.
"Just freshening the air."
Elena moved forward.
"Ma'am, put that away immediately."
Gerald reached toward his wife's arm.
"Victoria!"
She pulled away.
I blinked, trying to clear my eyes.
The perfume had made them sting, and I could feel the attention of the entire cabin focused on me.
I hated it.
I hated that everyone was watching.
I hated that I could hear someone whispering about my sweatshirt.
And I hated that Victoria seemed to enjoy having an audience.
I looked at her.
"Please leave me alone."
She tilted her head.
"Oh, now she's making demands."
I took another breath.
"I have done nothing to you."
Victoria leaned closer.
"Then why don't you go find the seat where you actually belong?"
I glanced toward Elena.
The flight attendant was already reaching for the interphone.
Evelyn lifted her phone.
"I'm recording this."
Victoria turned.
"Put that away."
Evelyn didn't move.
"No."
For a brief second, Victoria seemed uncertain.
Then she looked back at me.
I was still sitting in 2A.