The car ride was mostly silent. Not awkward, just...silent. Walker finally broke it, fidgeting with his hands in a way that suggested he had something to tell her.
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"Okay so," He cleared his throat, drawing Sophia's attention away from the window. "I don't know how much of this you'll be expecting, but there's fans everywhere. That means lots of photos, lots of people recording you, and not a lot of personal space."
He paused and waited for Sophia to nod, then continued.
"I know you don't love strangers, or people in general, so we figured if we just boarded at different times but still sat next to each other, you wouldn't be bugged as much. They wouldn't know you're on the plane with me. Does that work for you?"
The way he had planned it all out for her comfort made Sophia's heart melt. She didn't deserve it, after all he's already done for her. She had a new life because of him, and was able to leave her dad's violent tendencies behind too. So much of this new opportunity was from Walker that she wasn't sure how she'd be able to repay him. Ever.
So the best she could do was make things as easy for him as he was making them for her.
"You know what?" She shrugged as if the thought of strangers didn't bother her. Hiding from them wouldn't be an option for much longer.
"Let's just do whatever's the easiest. I mean, I'll have to learn to talk and interact with them eventually. Soooo, once we get to New York I'm done hiding." She paused. "The only problem is that I have a feeling most teen girls won't be too happy I'm with you. Traveling. Alone."
"Well, they don't know who you are." Walker reasoned.
"Yet. And also I think them not knowing makes it worse."
He had to agree. "Okay you're right. So separate boarding, sitting together, minimal talking. Sound good?"
It wasn't long after they finalized their plan that they arrived at the airport. The first part was a breeze. She walked a few people ahead of him, putting earbuds in after they went through security to give the illusion she was traveling alone.
It was only once they reached the innermost part of the airport with gift shops and food stands that things began to change.
She saw multiple people (mostly teen girls) look somewhere behind her and immediately whip out their phones. She had to hold her smile in when she heard others yelling his name for photos.
In a way she felt special. Friends with a guy people die just to catch a glimpse of in public. It was weird, knowing this boy had such a different life outside of her hometown.
She pushed away the jarring thought that he may have a different personality as well.
In no time she navigated her way to the gate, sitting close to the boarding doors so she could get on before Walker. She watched him sit a few rows away, facing her. A secret smile passed between them, both suddenly giddy about the adventure.
Once they were on the plane, Sophia chose a window seat, turning down the music in her earbuds. She threw her carry-on onto the seat next to her in hopes of saving it.
A few minutes passed before she saw Walker making his way down the aisle with his hood pulled far over his head. After stashing his luggage he slid in next to her, and they shared a lightning-fast fist bump to celebrate their success.
T-minus 4 hours until landing.
The plane ride was relatively normal. She finished reading Little Women, then napped for about two hours, earbuds still snugly in her ears. Phoebe Bridgers drifted in and out of her dreams.
Being jolted awake by turbulence, Sophias heart dropped when she realized her head was resting on Walker's shoulder. He hadn't tried to shove her off.
Shit shit shit.
She jumped up in her seat, mumbling apologies as she pulled an earbud out. When she looked at him, he easily faked not knowing her, and simply waved her off with a "don't worry about it."
She gave him a quick smile before abruptly whipping around towards the window. If anybody saw that they were so dead. So dead.
But luck must have been with them, and they touched down with no further problems.
They got off the plane together, and the second Soohia stepped off the ramp and into the airport, it was like nothing she'd ever seen.
This airport was 3x as big as the one they left from, full of dazzling lights, too many people, and with a view looking out onto NYC at night. Her breath was taken away at how small she suddenly felt.
Noticing Walker had his hood up still, she realized maybe she should too, so she copied him. They kept their heads down, wheeling their bags out of the airport and to a car Walker led them to. A man stepped out, loading their luggage for them as they got in the backseat, shutting the doors.
Words burst out of her mouth the second she sat down, pulling off her hood.
"Walker I totally blew it, I know-"
He shook his head, slightly smiling. "Sophia it's fine really."
But she shook hers harder. "If anyone on that plane saw us or took a video or photo or whatever, they would assume things and that wouldn't be good and then-" The words wouldn't stop coming out, so Walker slapped a hand over her mouth.
"Sorry." He quickly removed his hand. "But I think you're overreacting. I was watching, and I'm 100% positive nobody saw us." He gave a reassuring smile.
"Seriously Soph. Nobody saw us."
"Why didn't you wake me up, or push me off?"
He stared for a long moment, his face unreadable before he glanced away. "You looked too peaceful."
Another short pause. And then like that it was back to normal.
"And besides, that's what friends are for. Sleeping on them and drooling all over their shoulder."
"Ew Walker I don't drool."
"Yuh-huh."
"If you say yuh-huh one more time I will hit you."
Their ride to the hotel was completely silent.
——— 2 hours earlier ———
Walker was scared to breathe, incase she woke up. He pretended to scroll through his phone, but in reality his mind was spiraling. Was his shoulder comfortable enough? Don't move don't move. She looked so peaceful. Her hair smelled good. Why did he just think that?
Leena had slept on his shoulder many times before, so why was this so different? He had butterflies, and he knew why, but god—he couldn't accept it. She'd never feel the same way. Just ignore it Walker. It'll go away.
A sudden sinking feeling made him look up, and that's when he saw it. Out of the corner of his eye. Some guy filming them.
Though Walker didn't make eye contact with camera, he prayed his notice of it was imperceptible.
The plane shook from turbulence. The man put the phone away. And Sophia jolted awake.
