Accidentally in Love

Accidentally in Love {Chapter 36}

Author's Note: Short Chap, but still just as good, right? :)  Activity goal for this chapter is 10 only because I have to get the book finished by Wednesday to qualify for the Wattys, please help me to reach the goal fast!  Love you all!  Dedicated to Pandasrcool for being the first to post on my message board!

-Jess

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“Alright, everyone in,” Paul said, directing everyone into the large van.  Surprisingly, there was almost enough room for everyone in the vehicle.  Louis, Liam, Josh, Sandy, Jon, and Dan piled into the back in the second and third rows of seats.  Paul took the driver’s seat, with the rest of security in a smaller car which would be following right behind them to the airport.  Danielle, Eleanor, and Perrie had to join security, as the van had already filled up.  Zayn sat in the passenger seat, with Harry, Niall, Marygrace, and Jess all sitting in the first row of seats.  Niall and Harry sat in the window seats with the two girls between them.  Luckily, Niall was able to convince Paul to let the girls come with them to the airport to say their goodbyes.  Marygrace snuggled up to Niall, fitting her head in his neck, which she had clearly made a habit of.  Her blonde hair cascaded down covering his shoulders in a waterfall of strawberry scented locks.  Niall reached his hand over, running his fingers through her soft hair like a comb.  His other arm was wrapped around her shoulder, holding her close.  The whole car sat in silence as the engine of the van roared to life.  Paul hit the gas, beginning the dreadful ride to the airport.  Their time together was drawing to a painful close.  Marygrace’s hand crept into her handbag, which was sitting idly on her lap.  The rest of her body hadn’t moved whatsoever.  Why would she want to anyway?  She lazily typed out a message to her mother.  Morning Mommy!  Hope snow’s been cleared up.  Pick me up at JFK at 10?  Next, she threw her phone back into the darkness of her purse and shut her eyes, soaking in the feeling of his arms around her.  Before she knew it, she’d fallen asleep.  Niall looked down at her, noticing that she’d drifted off.  He let out a quiet chuckle, observing how cute she’d looked when she was sleeping.  He was careful not to wake her, though.  

Zayn had plugged in his headphones and was in his own world, while Liam was quietly staring out the window as they passed Central Park, admiring the freshly fallen blanket of white the had dusted over the tops of the trees.  Josh was also listening to music and Sandy, Dan, and Jon were chatting quietly.  

“Someone’s a bit sleepy,” Harry chuckled looking over at the blonde.  

“I think the fans woke her up this morning,” Niall whispered sympathetically, still protectively combing his fingers through her hair and looking down at her peaceful face.  Jessie exhaled, tired as well.  Niall heard Marygrace’s phone beep, muffled by her purse.  He pondered whether or not it would be an invasion of her privacy to check.  He didn’t want to wake her, but what if her mother wasn’t able to pick her up at the airport?  Niall made a decision, if it wasn’t from her mother, he definitely wouldn’t read it.  He delicately lifted her phone out from the top of her handbag, shutting off the screen lock.  It lit up with a new text from Marygrace’s mother.  Niall clicked on it, reading.  Morning sweetie!  Clear enough to come.  Call you when I get there.  See you then! :-)  After his eyes skimmed over the message, he shut the phone and put it back exactly where it was.  Even though it was a harmless text message, he still felt a pang of guilt for reading it.  He leaned his head against the car door and his eyes fluttered closed.  Niall figured he’d only shut his eyes for a minute or two, but just the same as his girlfriend, he was out cold within two minutes.  They both slept soundly, cuddled up next to each other.  Harry grabbed his iPhone from his pocket and sneakily snapped a picture of the two before laughing to himself.  

“Send that to me!” Jess whispered, giggling at the sleeping couple.  Harry laughed along with her.

“What’s your number?” Harry said, composing a new text message.  She recited it aloud to him and he sent the picture along.  Her phone beeped, signifying that she’d received the text.  Score! she thought smiling to herself, proud of herself for cleverly giving Harry her number while simultaneously getting his in return.  

The snow had started to fall outside yet again.  It floated down in small white clusters, sticking to the frosty windows of the car.  Paul turned up the heat in the car, as it was borderline freezing.  Jess shivered, pulling her hat down over her ears.  She exhaled and saw her breath swirl out in front of her in a frosty fog.  Harry looked over at her and feeling sympathetic, gently placed his arm around her.  He rubbed his hand up and down the sleeve of her coat, trying to generate a bit a warmth.  Even though the gesture didn’t generate any actual warmth, it made her feel better in a split second.  The surprise took her breath away and the only thing she could do to show her thanks was look up into his sea-green eyes with a faint smile on her face.  He smiled back at her, throwing in a wink at the last second.  The smile didn’t leave her face and she couldn’t help but feel like her heart was smiling along with her.  She suddenly wished for Paul to turn the heat down just so he’d keep his arm around her.  

No words were exchanged for the next half hour as every passenger in the car was either sleeping or simply dreading the chaos, unloading, and goodbye-ing that was about to take place.

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