Crossroads of Life

Chapter 20

Bailey’s POV:

“Ladies and gentlemen, please fasten your seatbelts as we approach Louisville to descend for landing,” the voice of an overly happy flight attendant said, waking me up from my sleep. I pulled my head off Niall’s shoulder and looked out into the aisle. I rubbed my eyes with the back of my hands, bright colours forming abnormal shapes against the darkness of my eyelids.

I yawned and stretched a bit, sitting up in my chair. I buckled my seatbelt and blinked a few times, adjusting the loose Doctor Who t-shirt I was wearing. The buckle of my black belt had dug into my skin while I slept, leaving a red mark below my belly button.

I leaned over carefully, trying not to disturb Niall who had his head resting against the window. I buckled him into his seat and planted a light kiss right below his jaw line.

I turned away, letting him sleep, and I looked over to the two seats across from me. Zayn was asleep on the aisle seat, his head on Liam. Liam sat, looking down at his phone while he typed. I started gathering all my things around me, preparing for the landing.

A few seconds later, I felt my phone buzz in my back pocket. I stood up a little and slipped it out from under me, the blinking light showing me I had a notification. Quickly typing in my password, I unlocked my phone to see that I had a new twitter mention.

@Real_Liam_Payne: Arriving in @Bailey_Decker‘s hometown. Looks lovly from up here. #cityoflouisville

I looked over at him and he tried to wink at me jokingly.

@Bailey_Decker: @Real_Liam_Payne I’m surprised you spelled Louisville right. #proudofyou ;)

I sighed and placed my phone in my lap, casually avoiding Liam’s gaze. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Liam look down at his phone and smile. I looked over at him and he pushed Zayn’s hair out of the way so that he could mouth the words ‘how dare you.’

I shrugged in response and smiled cheekily. Snapping a picture of both Zayn and Niall who were fast asleep, I tweeted them, along with the words, “Just enjoying the rollercoaster that is International Airlines” mocking one of Zayn’s favourite sayings.

Within minutes, I had thousands of retweets (which I will never become accustomed to) and I smiled at some of the fans comments and put my phone back into my pocket again.

The plane tilted downward and I felt us descend, nearing closer and closer to American soil. I was a little sad to be leaving the UK. It had become my temporary home and it felt as if I just got there. But in reality, it had been almost two whole months until the first days of August approached.

Niall stirred as soon as the plane hit the pavement, rumbling down the runway. “Are we there?” he asked groggily lifting his head from the window and pulling his pillow into his lap.

“Yep. Welcome to America, Mr. Horan, home of the Big Mac and the first ever Walt Disney World,” I replied sarcastically. He laughed and poked my dimple with his forefinger, smiling at me while he stretched.

“Don’t forget Obama, though,” he said and I laughed.

The plane had come to a complete stop and we were now being informed that we were ‘free to move about the cabin.’

Niall and I unbuckled ourselves and stood up. Niall reached his hands above his head to stretch a bit more. The hem of his shirt rose up a bit, revealing his skin. I poked him lightly in the tummy and he collapsed a little, letting out a puff of air and placing his hands back at his side.

The group of us gathered our carry-on bags and exited the plane, entering the terminal. We dragged our things through the brightly-lit hallways, lugging my heavy carry-on over my shoulder. “Look, a gift shop!” Liam yelled, darting into the nearest store. Louis followed closely behind, asking me something about American candy.