The Secret

Chapter 2: Terminal Turmoil

My head was throbbing. Why did I drink so much? I moved my blanket off me, slowly sliding out of bed. I was back in my own room. My hair a tangled mess that I was going to have to fight with for an hour just to be able to go out in public. As I stood a wave of nausea hit me. I ran to the bathroom, barely making it to the toilet.

Vomiting sucks. But vomiting while hungover is worse.

I started the shower making sure it was hot enough to boil my skin, and cleanse whatever thoughts I had last night. As I showered all I could imagine was Harry. Him In the shower with me.

No, I needed to stop. It was just a kiss. A drunk kiss at that. He probably didn't even remember. He was probably on a flight home by now.

I turned the shower off wrapping a towel around my body and letting my now semi-tangled hair fall. There was enough steam in here to make it look like I was in a sauna. I wiped the condensation off the mirror and stared at myself. My black hair, and bangs that were too long and needed cut. My eyes were still puffy from all the crying I had done, along with the stench on my breath.

More nausea hit. It was going to be a long day.

I threw on the first outfit I could find in my suitcase. I was fine with leggings and a black sweater. Did I look like I was on the verge of a mental breakdown. You bet. What did I care though I had no one to impress now. I was not looking forward to flying home to New York and face my family I hadn't talked to in almost a year. I hated flying. Ever since watching that movie with Tom Hanks and the beachball, I loathed it. I never cried harder though when Wilson floated away.

I checked my phone.

Nothing.

I packed my suitcase and made sure all the linens were folded and put on the edge of the bed. I always felt bad leaving a hotel a mess. They had a lot of rooms to clean and the least I could do was at least make their lives a little easier.

I walked downstairs handing the front desk my keycard and walked outside. The sun was beaming. Of course I didn't have sunglasses. I had left them in the Uber I took to get here. I never did learn to drive here in London. Liam wanted to live here because this was where the band had started. I guess this is where it ended too.

I opened my phone and order an Uber. After waiting what felt an eternity later, along with a few waves of nausea, a black sedan pulled up. "Are you Arthur?" He smiled and nodded. I could see the little Uber sticker on the front window falling apart. The driver was nice enough to help me with my suitcase even though it probably weighed as much as the frail old man picking me up. "I got it love, get out of the cold and into the car where it's nice and warm. I'll throw this in the boot, and we'll be on our way!" He smelled like a tobacco pipe; it was a nice different scent. I'm glad I packed the jacket away, so it didn't lose the minty scent I would be breathing in daily.

I climbed in the sedan, throwing my seatbelt on and putting my phone on the complementary charger the car had. The driver shut the trunk and climbed into the driver's seat. I still was never used to the steering wheel on the right side. The driver smiled at me in the mirror "You're going to Heathrow, is that right?"

I sighed "Unfortunately."

"I always wanted to travel. Never could really afford it. Here I am 66-year-old and having to drive people around all day. All I want to do is sit at home, go to the park and feed the birds. Ever since my missus passed, I couldn't afford to retire." I fought back tears. "But life goes on, where are you traveling too anyways?" He was very talkative.

Tears began to fill my eyes, but I couldn't cry right now, "New York. My flights in a few hours but I like to beat all the crowds."

"That's very smart of you! I do that when I go get groceries every Sunday. It's my favorite day. Hey that's tomorrow! It's a fresh start to a new week." His optimism was nice to hear after a few shitty days.

*

We pulled up to the airport drop off and Arthur began to get out when I stopped him. "It's okay I can get it. I really appreciate you bringing a little bit of joy to my day. I really hope you have a great day tomorrow."

"Thank you! You have a safe flight and take care!"

I opened the trunk to find my burgundy suitcase. I dragged it out of the trunk as it flopped onto the ground. I waved to Arthur and walked through the glass doors.

*

Check in was seamless and no issues were had. Now it was just a waiting game to make sure Liam's jacket would make it back to me safe. I saw the closest food to me which happened to be Dunkin Donuts. It wasn't my favorite, but I needed coffee and food as soon as possible. I ordered my seasonal peppermint latte, along with a breakfast sandwich and sat down at a nearby table. I still had two hours before my flight, and my gate was only two gates down. I opened my phone, still no notifications.

I began to scroll through social media, hitting all the basics like Facebook, Twitter, and of course TikTok. I was scared to open Instagram. It's where I had so many posts of Liam and I. I tapped the app, and there was only one post.

A black and white picture. It was barely visible, but you could make out a face.

Harrys face. Kissing me.

The caption read "I know your secret. Get on the flight and the rest of the world will see who you truly are."