Harry and Payton

Chapter 18

   Harry carelessly threw his suitcase into the trunk of the car before slumping off to climb in and plop beside Niall, who gave him a reassuring grin. 

   “Cheer up, mate.” he said, nudging Harry with his elbow. Harry slowly looked over at him before slightly shaking his head and burying his face in his abnormally large hands, exhaling noisily. 

   “I know you miss her, but you’ll be able to see her again soon.” Louis said, smiling before turning in the passengers seat to look down at his phone. Liam patted his back, his almond shaped eyes squinting as he smiled at Harry who gave him the smallest smile. 

   “She hasn’t texted me at all.” Harry mumbled, frowning at his phone. Niall slowly looked over at him, then back at Liam and Zayn, who exchanged looks with each other.

   “Maybe she’s waiting for you to text her first.” Zayn suggested, resting his chin on the back of Niall’s seat. Harry looked back at him before redirecting his attention to his still quiet phone, stuffing it in his pocket. He was sure she was fine, she’d left London a few days ago and she probably wasn’t allowed to text from where ever in the world she was. 

    For Harry, he was headed to Heathrow to catch their flight to Australia to start off their tour. He had to admit he was excited, who wouldn’t be? But he wished he and Payton didn’t have such busy lives and could spend every day together like regular teenagers in love. He knew it would never happen, but he could only hope.

    Harry rested his head against the head rest and stared at the roof of the car, going off into his own little world, to the moment with himself and Payton at the beach. He remembered it so vividly it surprised him. He smiled at the thought of her smiling and had to wonder if she ever did this. Went off daydreaming about the times they’d spent together and wishing she could go back in time to the exact moment when there were no busy schedules, just time being spent together. 

   “Harry,” Liam said, shaking his shoulder. Harry turned to look at him, quickly catching on as he watched Niall and Louis hop out of the car that was pulled up at Heathrow airport. He quickly hopped out and grabbed his things, slinging his brown leather bag around his shoulder before taking his suitcase and rolled it along the pavement beside Niall. 

   “Don’t you miss Lauren?” Harry asked, keeping his eyes on the ground as Niall glanced over at him, quickly fixing his hair. Niall gave a small shrug as Zayn appeared beside him, giving them both a smile.

   “Well sure, but I know we’ll be able to make it work and I have faith.” Niall responded. Harry’s head shot up to look over at Niall, his eyebrows crossed.

   “What’s that supposed to mean?” Harry inquired, slightly confused. Niall glanced at Harry again, smiling and shaking his head.

   “Nothing.” Niall replied.

   “You’re not saying I don’t have faith, are you?” Harry asked, slowly catching on. The smile from Niall’s face quickly disappeared as he frantically shook his head, holding a hand up in surrender.

   “No, no not at all.” he said, biting his lower lip. Harry exhaled noisily as they waited for the elevator. 

   “Then what did you mean by that?” Harry asked. 

   “Oh Harry, would you just drop it, I didn’t mean anything by it.” Niall answered, looking over at him as the doors of the elevator slid open. The boys piled in and Niall stood quietly beside Harry as he continued to eye him. 

   “You had to have meant something by it.” Harry mumbled, looking down at the tile floor. Niall threw his head back and let out a chuckle as a smile spread across Harry’s face. Niall playfully punched him in the arm as the doors opened, the security guards leading them out of the stuffy elevator and into the airport where a bunch of fans were waiting.