Unspoken Affection

07

Today is finally the day. I get to see Harvey! Ahh, I'm so excited! My heart raced just thinking about it. I'd barely slept last night, going over every little detail, and now that it was actually happening, I felt a mix of excitement and nerves.

Emma texted me earlier, letting me know she'd be the one picking me up when I landed. I smiled at the thought—Harvey's sister and I had hit it off over our online chats, and I couldn't wait to meet her in person too.

As I boarded the plane, I took a deep breath, clutching the little gift I'd brought for Harvey. Everything felt so real now. Soon, I'd be there, with him, starting this new chapter together.

Before the plane could take off, I snapped a quick picture of the view outside the window and uploaded it on my Instagram with the caption: *On my way to a new adventure!* After posting, I felt a rush of excitement as the plane finally began to move down the runway.

Little did I know, Jake was scrolling through his feed when he saw the picture. His heart sank as he recognized the familiar view from the window, realizing Lia was on her way to the UK to see Harvey. A mixture of emotions swirled within him—jealousy, concern, and a lingering sense of connection he couldn't quite shake off.

He stared at the screen, his mind racing with thoughts. *Is this really happening?* he wondered. He hadn't spoken to Lia since the exams, and seeing her heading off to be with someone else stung more than he expected. He couldn't help but feel that he had missed his chance with her. Jake took a deep breath, trying to push the feelings aside as he continued scrolling, but he couldn't shake the unease that had settled in his chest.

"Babe, you good?" Emily asked, wrapping her arms around Jake.

Jake nodded absently, trying to focus on Emily, but his mind kept drifting back to the picture Lia had posted. He felt a strange mix of emotions swirling inside him—curiosity, concern, and a hint of jealousy.

"Yeah, just a bit distracted," he replied, forcing a smile. "Thinking about... stuff." He didn't want to mention Lia or her upcoming trip, especially not with Emily so close.

Emily noticed his unease. "You sure? You can tell me if something's bothering you. I want to be here for you," she said softly, looking into his eyes with concern.

Jake took a deep breath, appreciating her support but unsure if he wanted to dive into his feelings about Lia. "It's nothing, really. Just the exams and everything. You know how it is."

"Okay, if you say so. Just remember I'm here for you," she said, giving him a reassuring squeeze.

As they settled into their seats for the flight, Jake couldn't shake the feeling of unease. He kept glancing at his phone, half-hoping for a message from Lia, but it never came. Instead, all he could do was stare at her photo, wishing he could understand what was going on between her and Harvey.

"Hey, what's the plan when we land?" Emily interrupted his thoughts, eager to shift the focus.

Jake forced a smile, trying to push aside his worries. "We'll meet up with your family and maybe hit that restaurant you love. Sound good?"

"Perfect! I can't wait," Emily replied, her excitement infectious. But as Jake tried to immerse himself in the moment, Lia's image lingered in his mind, a reminder of the unresolved feelings he couldn't quite shake off.

As the plane finally took off, Lia felt a mix of excitement and nervousness coursing through her. She was on her way to see Harvey, and the thought of finally being together made her heart race.