1.6

40 4 10
                                    

The 18th of December, 2020

(slightly longer)

Emma's POV

"Sweaters, shirts, jumpers, trousers, toiletries, socks, undergarments, coats, shoes, pyjamas, contacts stuff, hearing aid case, books, medical things, laptop, and gifts, yeah I think I have everything," I list out while packing my large suitcase. I look around my room and take a glance at my camera. I impulsively pack it into its bag and place it carefully in the suitcase. I take one more look around the room and close it up. I grab my carry-on bag and place a book, headphones, my inhaler, EpiPen, charger, passport, wallet, and a few snacks in it. I look in the mirror and check over my outfit. Black leggings, a white t-shirt, uggs, a scarf, and a brown trench coat. It's currently four in the morning, my flight is at six, so an hour to get there, and an hour to get through security and bag check. I take a final glance back into my room before I shut the light off and close the door behind me. I make my way upstairs and into the kitchen.

"You ready?" Julia asks while handing me a toasted bagel.

"Yep, all packed and ready to go," I confirm. She nods and we head out the front door. I snuggle into my coat as the crisp wind hits my body. We quickly make our way to the car and I place my suitcase and bag into the trunk. The heat immediately warms us up and the radio is turned on. Making our way to Dulles Airport at four in the morning is not as bad as one would think. You have slight early morning traffic, but you also have travel traffic. All in all the ride isn't too bad. We pull up to the drop-off area and I take in a deep breath, this is it.  I'm going to London for the first time.

Julie and I step out of the car and we gather my bags. When I'm all situated I turn to her before letting go of my suitcase and giving her a big hug goodbye. "It'll be okay Em, these next seven hours are going to be quicker than you think. Just keep yourself occupied," she tells me while smoothing down my hair in the back comfortingly. I nod and pull away. I take one last look at her before taking the handle of the suitcase and making the walk to bag check.

Security goes by faster than I thought, however, I did have to take out my hearing aids. With my extra time, I look around in a few shops. Since it's the international wing it's mostly tourist stuff, ick. I pass a rack of magazines and tabloids. I fully intend to walk past before I catch the sight of three very familiar people, including myself. You've gotta be shitting me. It's a picture of me downtown, Mollie is supposed to be in the picture but she's been cropped out. I'm in a small picture bubble in the corner of the magazine. The bigger picture is of Harry and Louis holding hands and laughing down the streets of London. I smile at their openness until I read the headline.

Is she a charity case?  Is this all PR? Is-

I stop reading there. Of course, he confirms a relationship with a man, and it's for PR, but he never confirms a relationship with a woman and he's supposedly been in 17. The world is so fucked up. I'm not just a charity case, we've been over this before. I'm not just a charity case. I'm not sure if I'm trying to convince myself or the imaginary journalist next to me.

"Flight 928 non-stop to London is now boarding, Flight 928 non-stop to London is now boarding." I make my way to the gate and take out my passport, ticket, and ID. The attendant checks my ticket, I slide my ID and Passport below the device and place my face in front of the camera. When it approves the attendant lets me on the plane. I find my seat easily and take my window seat. I anxiously bounce my leg up and down and take off my coat since it's warm on the plane. I pull out my book, Boyfriend Material, and open it up to the first page. I feel someone sit down next to me and see a late twenty-year-old with a young kid, I see the magazine they're holding and immediately hide my face in my book.

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