actions speak louder than words {karlnap}

chapter 26

(Karl POV)

"You good?" I ask.

Alex resettles himself in the plane seat for the fifth time. "I swear there's something poking my ass."

I give him a deadpan look. "Check your pockets."

He pats his butt pockets and smiles bashfully. "I had something in my pocket."

I roll my eyes playfully. "Figures."

He sits down with a sigh, but immediately starts rearranging the things at his feet and around him. His bag, his earbuds, his phone charger, his homework, everything. 

"You remind me of Dream when he hasn't taken his ADHD meds," I remark. "I've only seen it a few times, but it was kind of off the rails."

He chuckles awkwardly, righting himself immediately. "Sorry, I'm nervous," he admits. 

"What for?" I ask.

"I'm still convinced Nick will murder me."

I roll my eyes for literally the 27th time today. I'm not even kidding. Alex has been suuuuuper fidgety and nervous all day.

"You have nothing to worry about," I promise, reaching over to link our fingers. "My friends will love you, and he won't have it in him to hate something they love."

His face heats up and he smiles thankfully. "Alright," he says. "I guess I believe you."

I scoff. "You guess."

"I guess." 

"I hate you," I mutter, pulling my hand away. 

He smiles, leaning towards me. "No you don't."

I narrow my eyes at him. "Maybe I do."

He hums, giving me a knowing smile.

I push his face away, turning so he can't see the rising heat in my cheeks. 

Oh god, wait, how will he react to Nick and I interacting? I mean, obviously we're gonna kiss when we see each other again... what would he be thinking? He only just said he'd try going out with me, like, a month ago. Barely. 

Whatever. He has to know it'll happen, right?

The safety video plays, we start taxiing, then we're off. I lean against the window as we climb higher in the sky. I smile to myself; I'm gonna see my friends again.

Alex nudges my shoulder. "Wanna watch a movie together?" he asks.

"I don't want to spend two hours leaning over your shoulder," I say. "No offense."

He giggles. "No, I mean we watch the same movie on our own screens, as in sync as we can get."

"Oh, okay," I reply, grinning. "Sure. Which movie?"

We agree on a movie, and he makes sure we're synced before we start watching it. I smile over at him to see he's already looking at me. He looks away, cheeks turning pink. I look back at the screen. This trip will be fun.

(Nick POV)

This must be a stange sight. 

Eight teenagers, standing in the middle of the airport, no bags, no signs, no nothing. Bickering.

Dream and I stand back and watch as everyone else bickers over literally nothing of value. Like, seriously. I have no idea what they're arguing about. 

But Karl's flight should have landed by now, so we should try to go find him. 

Not that anyone would care if I spoke up.