If I Could Fly // h.s.

Chapter 1

"Now boarding Flight 105 to London. Please make your way to Gate 4B. Flight 105 is boarding now."

I rolled my eyes as I heard the announcement come over the JFK Airport intercom system. After a three hour delay, my patience had worn rather thin. I had already been feeling jet lag kick in from the plane ride I took from Atlanta to New York early this morning. I pick up my black carry-on and lifted my pillow from the seat I had been occupying in the lounge. I had to admit, waiting in the first class lounge was much more amenable than the hectic area in the main section of the airport. I would have to thank Aunt Jane again for bumping up my ticket. I leisurely made my way to the crowded gate and handed my ticket to the lady behind the counter.

As I made my way through the terminal, I started feeling that small sense of panic build up in the back of my mind. This would be my first flight across an ocean. Something about that made me feel incredibly small. I arrived at the entrance of the plane and was greeting by a remarkably beautiful flight attendant. I'll bet the business tycoons request her to be assigned to the first class section.

She takes my ticket and looks up at me, flashing her perfectly bleached teeth. "Amelia Radison?" I politely nod. "Lovely. Come right this way, Miss Radison." She then leads me to the second right-hand pod in the first section. Other than a neighboring pod, it was almost completely private from the rest of the area. This really is a more dignified way to travel.

"An attendant will be by here shortly to take your drink order and make sure you are settling in. Enjoy your flight!" The woman makes her way back to the front of the plane as I start settling down into my seat. I get my bag and pillow set up on the counter by the reclining chair that really is quite comfortable. I start taking out all of the necessities, trying to busy my mind so that maybe I can keep from remembering how truly terrifying this is. I lay out my phone, headphones and the current book I'm reading on the space nearest to my right armrest. Though I can't really see them, I can hear other passengers arriving to their designated pods.

I start counting my breaths, a trick I learned over the years as a way to keep my anxiety in tact. After all I've been through, one plan ride won't be the thing that breaks me. Just as I start wiping my sweaty palms on my black skinny jeans, I hear someone clearing their throat.

Nothing could have prepared me for what I was about to see. Scanning from the bottom up, I see a tall, gorgeous guy walk up to the pod connected to mine. I recognize him of course. I don't live under a rock, contrary to what my best friend would say. It was Harry Styles. He had his long, tangled curls half pulled up in a hair tie. He was wearing a simple white v-neck and some black pants that had to have been tighter than mine. His green eyes were peaking at me like he was gauging how I was going to respond to his presence.

"Hi," I managed to squeak.

"Hello, love. It looks like we are going to be comrades on this flight," he says with his crooked smile reaching the right dimple in his cheek. "Do you know who I am?"

"Of course. You're one of the members of One Direction." I manage to sound a bit more confident now. Thank god.

"Are you a fan?... I mean do you... Only you're not freaking out on me right now," he rushes his jumbled thoughts, trying to find the right way to understand why I wasn't fangirling all over him.

"I suppose I am. Your music is really quite good. The last album was definitely my favorite. You can sit down, though. I promise I'm not going to erupt into a explosion of excitement," I say with a encouraging smile.

He shoots me another dazzling smile and starts settling into his seat and setting up his things like I had done just moments ago.

"We've established that you know my name... Any chance you could give me yours?" He smirks.