Tokyo Drift || HS

31 || Football, Not Football

FOR THE REST OF the flight, I try to avoid making eye contact with Harry, who peers at me like payback is due and he is going to serve it.

Instead, I do my best to keep awake like he said. I know the advice is actually wise. We'll be able to make it through the time change better if we put off sleep, even though my body is starting to crave it.

As the hours pass, the descent finally begins. Part two of Harry's plan to keep us hidden is about to take effect.

When we land and the passengers start to depart from the large airplane, I stay as far behind Harry as possible. People instantly recognize him in the London airport. It's strange to see him flooded by people asking for a picture. But I just turn the other direction, taking the opposite way to the back exit like he said. Once I get through customs and baggage claim, I walk out a pair of sliding doors to a different black SUV that waits outside. The license plate reads identical to the one that Harry told me to look for.

Our late afternoon flight plus the six-hour time change puts our arrival at early morning the next day. Not sleeping for another several hours almost seems impossible.

The more the grogginess from the flight wears off, the more that I think this whole plan is actually insane.

I can't believe I really came to England.

Penny and Sophie are going to lose their minds.

I can already see Sophie grinning in excitement - applauding me for my spontaneity. But they'll probably be confused at Harry and I's random reconnection. I have been far from open with them about how much he's consumed my mind over these past months, and now I really regret it.

Harry's separate car drives slowly in front of mine, leading us to his personal home. Out of all his real estate, the London home seems to be the one he cares about the most.

The driver begins to slow.

I look out the window in front of me to see a tall brick wall guarding a modern-looking house. Harry's SUV gradually brakes, pausing next to a security system before the heavy black garage door slides open and allows our small caravan through the wall.

Once we drive through the barrier, the space around us unfurls. I sit in awe as I take in the stylish abode.

The towering, white house is shaped in what looks like stacked cubes, with several large windows and a wide skylight. The yard is small, but lush and green - surrounded by a sizable patio, clearly set up for hosting.

Harry gets out of the car. His hat is now gone. He ruffles his shaggy hair and pulls a bit of luggage over his shoulder before walking to my door.

I don't understand how even now, he manages to look like he could have just walked off the runway - not off of a long, sleep-inducing, overseas flight.

He opens my door and I can't suppress the way my nerves spike from his presence.

"So she likes to pull stunts now?" He smacks my ass when I step out of the car. His face is alight with mischief as he stands tall behind me.

I shrug, unable to not tease him back. "I was tired, could have been better."

"Hm?" He murmurs curiously. I feel his hand wrap around the back of my neck - his thumb massaging the tense muscles behind my ear.

"Yea. Maybe if I'm feeling nice, I'll let you find out how much better."

His movement stills in response to my statement. I can't help but laugh, enjoying every moment of this new dynamic between us.

I follow him through the green yard and across the concrete patio. He opens a sliding door that leads us through the back entrance, where the first thing I notice is his gorgeous kitchen.