The Jacket Snatcher

Chapter 6- Landed

After being caught in that awkward position with Luke, I excuse myself from interacting with the rest of the boys and lean back in my chair, leaving Luke to explain. Which, come to think of it, might not have been my smartest option...but oh, well. Too late now.

Closing my eyes, I let my mind detach from my surroundings and find myself floating in that space between sleep and consciousness, the music from my playlist helping to drown out reality. I think about Brett and what he's doing back home. I think about my parents and about how I wish I could've said goodbye to them in person instead of over Skype. I think about my quickly approaching job and hope that I will be good at it. And then I think about nothing.

Eventually, I am pulled back to reality by silence. After a few moments, I realize that the lack of noise means that my playlist has ended. Wow. That means hours had to have passed. I wonder how much longer the flight will be.

Just as the thought crosses my mind, I hear a voice ask them out loud.

"How much longer 'til Sydney?" Luke asks over my "sleeping" form to Jerry.

There's a pause. Probably Jerry checking the time.

"About an hour left," he says.

Luke sighs beside me. He probably can't wait to get off of this plane.

"So soon?" he says to no one in particular.

I almost furrow my eyebrows in confusion at his words, but I manage to keep my face still as I don't want him to notice that I am eavesdropping. I want to know what he means, but I also can't ask without him knowing that I am a snoop either.

Thankfully, Ashton overhears his bandmate and decides to ask.

"Soon? Aren't you ready to be home?"

"Yeah, I guess..." Luke's voice trails off for a moment before he continues. "But when we land, we're just going to have to fight through more paparazzi."

Oh, so he's just whining about being famous again.

"Besides, it just kinda seems like a short trip this time," Luke adds.

I don't even have to open my eyes. I can tell by the direction of his voice that Luke is looking over at me when he says that last part. Knowing that his gaze is on me makes me very uncomfortable. Unable to stand it any longer, I decide that now is as good a time as any to "wake up."

Slowly, I shift in my seat, eventually opening my eyes and blinking as I peer around. I shoot a quick look to my right and find Luke turned away from me, facing Ashton who is giggling as he looks at me over his friend's shoulder. I raise my eyebrow in question, but Ashton just shakes his head and continues to grin.

"How's it going, Sleeping Beauty?" Ashton asks.

Luke sits back in his chair and looks over.

"Did you dream of me?" he says, smirking.

I roll my eyes, but otherwise ignore Luke, addressing Ashton instead.

"I'm good. A bit stiff though." I roll my shoulder and tilt my head from side to side to work out the kinks from sitting in the same position for so long.

"Luke here gives some pretty killer massages," Ashton says.

Luke winks, and I roll my eyes again.

"Rain check," I say, even though I have absolutely no intentions of cashing in. Ever.

"Suit yourself." Ashton shrugs with a dimpled grin. "So, Steph, you never told us- why are you headed to Sydney?"

"New job." Both boys stare, waiting for me to continue. "I got an internship with Tracks."