Falling for Phil (An AmazingPhil Fan-fiction)

Chapter 15

I breathed in a shaky breath that smelled like recycled air and faint cologne. I slouched in my seat trying to ignore how close I was to the man next to me. Sitting next to strangers was terrifying. Especially on planes. They had the opportunity to judge me for several hours in my weakest element. This element in which I'm either irritatingly cramped, sleeping in a position where I snore like a jet, or glaring over at the 4 boys I came with that actually got to sit near each other.
I yanked at my sleeves covering my icy fingers. This stupid air conditioning will be the death of me. I reached up shutting my air vent, quickly retreating to my seat with a silent shiver. I wrapped my arms around my torso trying to moderate the heat through my body. I closed my eyes leaning my head back in agony. Shouldn't it be the heat on, not the air conditioning? Maybe I could ask for a blanket or two... Maybe ten.
As if my pleads were answered, the vent above me rushed a breeze of warm air. I eased into my seat with a little smile. I wonder if I pleaded for cookies maybe they'd show up in my lap. I nearly melted in comfort as the heat from the vent increased. Okay, now I seriously have to check if those cookies will magically appear.
I peaked through my shut eyelids with high expectations for gooey cookies. Instead of the sugary snack, I was greeted by the sight of the man at my side reaching above me. At first I was ready to swat him away but then my attention got caught on the stunningly white shirt the guy wore. After that I came to realize that he was focused on fiddling with the vent above me. A meek grin drew on my lips. How generous of him.
From there it was like a snowball effect as I noticed one thing after another. Underneath his T-shirt were toned arms that made me squirm with an odd excitement to see more. He had a pair of broad shoulders to match his arms, and I nervously swallowed. I was shaken by my sudden salacious behavior, but I also felt a need to satisfy it. My arm outstretched and I lightly ran my fingertips along his biceps. I bit my lip to hold back the devious smirk that tried to slide onto on my face. As soon as I realized what I was doing I stared ahead in horror.
What have I done.
I pulled my hand away instantly as my common sense returned. I clutched my fingers together as if to scold them in some way. His eyes immediately whipped toward me. Before he could catch my gaze, I squeezed my eyes closed and sank my teeth into my bottom lip. "I officially hate me life." I whispered to myself hoping this was a daydream or something. I pictured myself in a peaceful home with a nice book in my lap and dog at my feet. Somewhere that's less high strung than this God awful situation.
I squinted one eye open to see the train wreck I threw myself into.
I was met by a stunned grin, on a very handsome face. My cheeks combusted into what I'm sure was an unflattering shade of red. I snagged my head toward the window shielding my scarlet stained face from the man.
"Jesus Christ- I didn't- I- it- accident." I choked out my excuse of an apology, even failing to breathe my own air properly. Did I even speak English just then?! Fucking hell! I buried my head into my hands giving up. He simply sat back down. My cheeks heated up my palms as I only burrowed deeper into the safety of my skin.
Through the cracks of my fingers I could see him watching me with a misunderstanding look. "I didn't startle you did I?" He asked trying to maneuver into my view. I once again shackled my face into my hands and shook my head nervously.
"No." I answered, my voice wavering in protest.
"You looked cold- and I thought you were asleep." He replied seeming puzzled by my irrational response to our 'accidental' touch. After what had felt like centuries the stone lifted from my chest and my breathing slowly calmed down.
I'm fine.
He thought I was sleeping. He thought I woke up and jumped because of his presence. That's it! I'm in the clearing!
He doesn't even know it was my inner pervert stroking his toned arm. I could feel the burning in my cheeks smother down to a weak warmth. I unraveled my fingers away from my face and glanced around searching for any unwanted attention. A few people were looking but nothing major.
I turned to get a good sight of who exactly I couldn't keep my hands off of. I caught eye contact with a pair of steely gray eyes blinking back in pure curiosity. "You okay now?" He questioned with a smile that was threatening to pull wider. His head titled to the side and his eyes flicked over my face trying to soak up any possible information.
"Ye-" I tried to reply but my voice came out as a broken whimper. I cleared my throat and quickly restarted my words. "Yeah, I uh- I scare easily ." I urgently nodded, licking my lips, suddenly realized I was in need of chapstick.
"Lay off the horror films, hm? It'll help." He recommended nudging my arm playfully. I flinched away immediately, still sensitive from the embarrassment I had somehow escaped. Or at least partially escaped. He must think I belong in a mental institute for how red I turned over a little skin rub. "It'll really help." He added with a light chuckle.
I let out a tiny harrumph of laughter but it soon died as for it didn't feel real. It wasn't real. Tense was written all over me. My laugh sounded like a cry for help, a soft bleat of pain.
"You know what, I didn't quite catch your name." He continued, trying to get out more than nervous rushes from my mouth.
"Haley." I responded, wishing to retreat into a plush pile of blankets like a cold kitten. I glanced back and forth from his eyes to toward the group of boys I came along with. I could see Dan eyeballing me, with not so much of a worried look but more of a shut-the-fuck-up look. He was trying to get some sleep along with a few other passengers, while the other majority of us sat restless, wide eyed and lost in laptop screens or whispering to a companion beside us.
"Wonderful name. See were getting less nervous, right?" He cheerily responded, giving a slow nod. His long bramble of chestnut hair shook as well, beckoning me to nod back. I timidly nodded and he continued talking. "Great, nice to meet you then! My name's Maximilian, but to save your breath just call me Max." He threw a smile at me as he leaned back on his armrest. But I only stared as if my vocal chords were ripped from my throat.
I'm in no need of a friend that I most likely won't see ever again.
"You don't talk much, huh." He added never letting go of his smile. His eyes staying on me the entire time. "That's fine and all, as long as you're listening." I felt words seep into my mouth ready to spill. I tried to contain them, not knowing how he would answer. He could get offended, or either be really passive about it.
"I do talk. I talk too much! I talk so much I tend to annoy even the closest of my friends! But to be honest Max I would love nothing more than to slump over and sleep for eternity." I responded in my normal tone, with a half-assed smile. My burst had caught him by surprise, which I could see by the way he looked taken aback for a mere moment. He recovered and instantly slouched back into his spot.
"Go for it, I don't mind."
"Thanks-"
"But-" he clipped of my words, "only if you talk with me afterward." An easy smile drew on his lips that made it hard to say no. But why would I say no anyway? This is the first gentleman I've met in a good while. He's young too, maybe even my age. Now that's rare.
"Sure." I smiled in return, upon seeing a flicker of happiness brighten his gray eyes. I turned away toward my little window. Stifling a yawn, I crouched my legs up onto the seat. I let my eyelids fall, and my body relax. The tension of sitting by Max rolled away after finally chatting with him.
"When you're not a nervous wreck, your voice is actually very charming." Max added in a quiet tone from beside me.
"Why is it not the first time I've heard that compliment?" I murmured whisking away in daydreams as I spoke.
"Because it's true."
"Shh, and let Haley sleep." I mumbled and swatted him away with a smile that he would never see.
________________________________________
"If I'm lucky maybe I'll spot you back home in London." Max said giving a slanted grin that held a hint of sorrow.
We never got around to talking by the time I awoke. We landed an hour after I fell asleep, and I feel sort of bad about it.
"I'll keep an eye out for ya." I reassured with a small smile and wave. He mirrored a wave and walked off to wherever he had to be.
I turned on a heel and faced the boys who were waiting. They all greeted me with a impatient faces. A frown pulled at my lips and I shook my head. "Waiting a few minutes won't kill you."
"Sleep deprivation might." Dan grumbled letting out a sigh as he looked up to the ceiling.
"At least she will talk to strangers." Phil intervened shrugging, "you, Dan, avoid humans at all cost." An unnoticeable grin slipped onto my face at his words. I wanted to rub it into Dan's face that I even got Phil on my side. Dan just flashed a smile of defeat, knowing it was all too true, and continued to add to the argument. I was entertained but Brandon soon we wrapped me into a whole new conversation.
"You had some sort of thing with him didn't you?" He mildly nodded over his right shoulder. I nonchalantly glanced, having no doubt that he was talking about Max. Though my eyes deceived me and I for sure had to take a double take. The only person standing in that remote spot was Phil.
"No, no, no. Of course not." I laughed unconvincingly.
"You two flirted nonstop." He droned giving me a straight look. I crinkled my nose and shook my head.
"We just met today!" I exasperated at his nonsense. He was definitely talking about Max. He clamped a hand over his face.
"Not the airplane guy, I mean him!" He agitatedly flung his index finger toward the boys.
"I don't flirt with Dan." I said giving a light grimace.
"Not Dan you ditz! The blue eyed one!"
"Phil? Uhm. No." I lied, and acted repulsed, crossing my arms over my chest. "He's too old." I scoffed.
"Oh come on Haley. I know you don't give a shit about that age stuff." He huffed. He flicked his eyes over to the boys and back. I saw an idea spark in his head. "Lie again and I talk loud enough for them to hear." He warned standing up taller crossing his arms as well, as if to mirror me.
"I'm not lying." I spat out eyeing him closely. He didn't lose composure and squinted right back in a glare.
"When you lie you get overly defensive." He stated in a know it all tone. My grip on my arms loosened, I got silent realizing he was right.
"Okay, fine, yes, I did. Let me restate the word 'did'. We broke up a couple weeks ago." I mumbled dropping my hands looking to the floor, quitting this fight. He had the upper hand here. He knew the emotions behind my actions and words. There was no use arguing with a person that has dealt with you through yours and their life.
"I was so right! I saw you guys sneak a kiss! I knew it!" He chanted in glory. My eyes widened in fear and I smacked my palm over his mouth. I winced as the slap echoed tremendously. I could feel his hot breath hiss a curse into my palm.
"Sorry about that." I apologized retreating my hand.
"Oh yeah, nothing personal." He replied with a distorted face of pain that said otherwise.
"You, what?" Two of the three voices rang in unison beside us. I turned around rapidly, just praying to God that they weren't talking to me or Brandon.
Unfortunately to my dismay, there was Kyle confused as all hell, and Phil running fingers through his now disheveled hair, as he let go a sigh. I pursed my lips anxiously and searched for Dan. I wonder what his reaction is.
I spotted him on a seat focused on fumbling with his phone. He glanced up at me and back down to his game. He lifted a finger and lazily pointed at me.
"You see, I may not talk to strangers but, I definitely don't kiss them."