Harry and Payton

Chapter 16

    Payton stepped off the plane at Heathrow airport, her stomach growling at her as she waited patiently for her bags to come around. They finally showed up and she carefully placed them on the cart, turned around and headed to the arrivals area to find Andy, who she’d surprisingly missed over the past couple weeks. She made her way through the door and instantly spotted him in his skin tight black jeans and simple grey hoodie. She gave him a friendly smile and he returned it with a grin as he made his way to meet her. He patted her shoulder before hesitating to give her a quick, awkward hug. 

   “How’ve you been?” he asked, taking her spot behind the cart to push it towards the large black van waiting outside, surrounded by a swarm of screaming fans. Her heart pounded at the sound of them yelling her name along with the other girls. 

   “Alright.” she replied, giving him a small smile as she pushed open the door, the girls heads shooting around to stare at her. The screams got louder as they started screaming her name and waving papers at her, camera flashes going off. She felt overwhelmed and a little frightened considering how narrow the path from the door to the car was. Payton smiled and waved, taking the pads of paper and pens to quickly write down her signature. Reporters were everywhere, yelling questions about her and Harry which she wasn’t in the mood to answer at the moment. There was a time and place for that and it certainly wasn’t here. Andy encouraged Payton into the van and she stood on the step, smiling and waving at everyone. 

   “Oh Payton, stop showing off and get in the car.” A familiar voice giggled. Payton instantly ducked into the car that slowly pulled away and slammed the door to see her three best friends beaming at her. The car was dark, but the ceiling lights were just enough to make out each of the girls beautiful features. She lunged forward and grabbed the three in a tight group hug, giggling. 

   “Are you excited or what?” Monica asked, patting the empty seat beside her for Payton to sit. She plopped beside Monica and gave her a quick hug before nodding.

   “So excited, how was your guys’ time off?” She inquired, quickly fixing her messed up hair. Elise gave her a knowing look before mock-rolling her eyes and answering her question.

   “Mine was great, got a lot of shopping in,” she giggled. “But I think the real question that’s on everyones mind is, how’s Parry?” Elise questioned, raising her perfect eyebrows at Payton. She felt her cheeks burn as she looked away from their stares, a smile pulling at the corners of her lips.

   “We’re great.” she responded, looking up at them.

   “Just great? There has to be something you aren’t telling us.” Cameron pressed, leaning forward. Payton exhaled noisily and slighty shook her head, smirking.

   “Just ask me what you want to know.” Payton replied, bracing herself for the questions that were about to be asked. 

   “Where’s the list?” Cameron asked, cocking an eyebrow. Payton snapped her head up, her eyes wide with surprise. 

   “How’d you guys know he wrote me a list?” Payton whispered, glancing around the car at the driver and Andy who was on his phone. Surprise, surprise. 

   “Let’s just say Louis has a big mouth.” Monica giggled, looking around the the girls, who nodded in agreement. Payton smirked and hung her head.

   “How long did you think you’d be able to keep it a secret?” Cameron asked, giving her a knowing look. 

   “I was going to tell you eventually, I just wasn’t sure when.” Payton replied in a small voice, fiddling with her thumbs. Elise glanced back at Andy before smirking and scooted beside Payton, looking at her with big eyes.