Love in London

Chapter One: Airport Drama

Billie sighed and dropped the bag into the taxi's trunk. The driver glared at her, impatiently. She rolled brown her eyes and pulled open the door, plopping into the seat. The bright colored car pulled away from the curb and she leaned her head against the window. It was cold and her thick brown hair stuck to the fog on the glass and she watched the tall buildings go by. The streets gave way to traffic and the airport came into view.

She lifted her head and watched as they drew nearer to it. They drove through the maze of cars until they came to an empty parking space.

"That'll be 30 bucks." The man look at her through the rear view mirror. She nodded.

"Yeah sure." She pulled out her wallet. A Union Jack was spread across the back of it and she pulled out the money. "Here ya go." She got out only pausing to grab her bag from the trunk. She pulled her phone out, pushing the lock button so that it flashed the time.

"I'm not late." She said under her breath. She pushed through several doors, finally reaching a line of people, all carrying rolling luggage. She made her way to the end of the line and dropped her luggage. She dug through her pockets, pulling out all the articles she needed.

All her paperwork was finally done and now she sat at the gate. She could see the plane outside. It made her stomach do flip-flops. She was excited to be leaving the gloomy city that she'd grown up in and head towards somewhere new. She checked her phone again and again, waiting for them to allow boarding. Finally, she heard the nasally voice of a woman over an intercom, saying that they would begin boarding. She grinned and grabbed her backpack and ticket.

The plane made her feel cramped. Billie was jumpy and excited and she wanted to run around. But she put her headphones on and pushed play. The music roared in her ears and she leaned against the seat. Outside the window she could see the ocean. It seemed black, but reflected the stars in the sky. As if the sky was below them instead of around them.

The day's excitement was taking its toll. Billie's eyelids grew heavy. She fought to keep them open but as hard as she tried, her eyes still closed.

 

Billie blinked and groaned. She slammed the small window beside her shut and stretched. She pulled her headphones out and glanced around. A voice filled the cabin and she looked up.

"We will soon be beginning our descent into London, Heathrow Airport." Billie smiled and began gathering up her things. The plane's nose dipped downwards and she felt her stomach flop. She relished in the feeling. The wheels touched pavement, sending a jolt through all the passengers. Finally, they stopped. Flight attendants walked through the aisles checking the passengers. When they'd finished, they all smiled warmly and opened the door that led to the terminal. Billie grabbed her things and headed out the door.

 

Outside of the airport the streets were crowded. The London sky was overcast and the air smelled like rain. A sign stood tall. She walked towards it. After only a few minutes a red bus rolled up. She giggled to herself. She stepped onto the bus and sat in one of the seats. She pulled out her wallet and found a card. An address was scribbled on the back. She stayed on the bus for a few stops but then got off.

She shivered. Her purple tights and black dress may have been a bad idea, even with the sweater. She glanced at the signs about the shops. One of them had coffee shop written in cursive. She stepped inside. The interior was warm and crowded. People filled the tables. All except one. There was an almost empty seat.

A young man was sat at it. His hair was red and disheveled, his pale complex dotted with freckles. He had headphones on with the volume so loud Billie could hear it faintly. She walked up to the table and pulled the chair out. He looked up, pulling the headphones off.