The airport felt colder than usual, and I could feel the stares. My scar, still healing from a car accident, felt like it defined me now, despite my efforts to hide it. It stretched from my hairline to my jaw, a permanent reminder of that day.

A month later, I boarded a flight, hoping for a quiet trip. But the couple next to me made their disdain clear. The man sneered, asking if I could cover up my scar, while his girlfriend complained loudly. My heart sank.

When a flight attendant intervened, she calmly stood up to them, even announcing over the intercom that harassment wouldn’t be tolerated. The couple was moved to the back of the plane, and passengers around us clapped in support.

The attendant returned with an apology and offered me a seat in business class. I hesitated but accepted, finally finding a moment of peace as I sipped my coffee.

For the first time in weeks, I let myself cry—not from shame, but from relief. The plane soared on, and I began to feel like myself again.