The Flight [H.S] - Chapter 12: Chapter 12

A wave of mixed feelings hit me as I look at him walking away. Everything around us is in slow motion, the only thing moving is him, as he takes a pair of sunglasses from the pocket of his bag and puts them on. He stops at the exit, moving his head towards me. His mouth forms a slight smile, painting one in mine. But when I less expect it, he takes the step and walks outside of the plane. Leaving me in the booth, alone.
The men around me take their bags and start leaving the plane as well, but I'm paralyzed.
My chest doesn't seem to move, my breathing has suddenly stopped. I don't know why I'm feeling this way, I have a knot in my throat and my vision is blurry. And I think, for the first time in the whole ten hours, that I'm alone. In a new country. Its just now sinking in that I'm here, that the first person that accompanied me is gone. I'm alone.
I laugh, because the whole situation doesn't let me react another way.
I can't believe I spend a flight next to him, next to Harry. Its crazy to think how we connected almost instantly, now that he isn't here it seems surreal, like it never happened. But it did, and those memories will stay with me forever.
And with a smile on my face, I take my bag and walk out of the plane, following the small crowd of people outside. A wave of nervousness start to consume my stomach, anxiousness taking all over me. The first thing I see is the airport, planes arriving and moving around the airstrip. The sky is a little bit grey with spots of blue sky, from here I can tell its raining.
I wait for my luggage with patience, looking around me and taking everything I can in my memory. In almost twenty minutes I have my bags with me, I move to the lines of check out. Everyone around me seems to be busy with their phones, passports and such.
Just when is my time to hand my passport I see Harry again, now walking outside of the airport followed by a group of people with cameras and young girls screaming. He takes the attention of the people around me, even from the officer that is receiving my passport.
"The young Harry Styles. Can you believe that?" The officer says, a thick British accent in his voice. "My daughter dies for him. Heard that he's a ladies man, I don't like that."
"I wouldn't know." I only say, a shy smile appearing on my face.
"First time in the UK?" He finally takes my passport, beginning the process of admission.
After a brief questions he hands me my passport back welcoming me to London, I take it and take my first step in this new city. The airport is even more busy on this side so I walk fast to get outside. The wind finally hits my cheeks, the freezing London weather. It smells so different, more fresh but humid, smells like nature somehow.
Black cars with the word 'taxi' on top are rounding me, horns and people passing by me quickly. Once again I stay paralyzed, the cold wind and slight rain falling over me start to damp me while I take a look around. I can't believe I'm in London. Finally my new beginning is finally here.
What do I do now?
"Frances? Frances Evans?" I hear a voice calling for me, waking me up from my daze.
I turn around to find a middle age man dressed as a driver, with a hat and everything.
"Yeah?" I hold my bags tightly, slightly confused of how this stranger knows my name.
"Good morning, Miss Evans, I have a car waiting for you." The man says, pointing to a black car near the parking area.
"Uh, I didn't... Um, I didn't ask for a car, sir." I respond politely, this is pretty weird. I have seen the movie Taken, I would be lying if I say I'm not a bit scared right now.
"Oh, you didn't but Mr. Styles did, he gave me strict orders of taking you wherever you want, Miss." He chuckles, in the most British way possible. "I'm his driver, Clyde. Nice to meet you."
"Harry? He... He did this?" I move my head back, for some reason this doesn't surprise me. That's the guy I met on the plane, the simple down-to-earth man with the heart of gold.
"Yeah, Miss Frances." He nods with his hat, giving me a smile. "Would you be taking the ride?"
"Oh, yeah, sure." I chuckle, this trip seriously couldn't be any more perfect.
"Let me help you with your luggage." He takes the bags for me and guides me to the car.
Once inside the warm car I leave a sigh out, I'm really happy right now. Everything seems to be taking place and its only the first day away from Los Angeles. I can already feel the real me returning from where she was. A part of me knows that I have to thank Harry for that, for helping me take the first step.
"Where to, madam?" Clyde asks from the front seat, is weird to see him on the right side of the vehicle.
"The train station, please." I smile, taking my phone out of my bag.
"Right away." He responds, turning the wheel and driving away from the airport.
When I unlock my phone I find the picture we took as a lock screen. I can't help but giggle, he's not with me anymore but he made sure to make me remember him. The car, the picture, he really is too much. I feel the butterflies return to my stomach just by looking at him. I finally unlock my phone and call my parents to let them know I arrived safe.
The call didn't last long, it was late in Los Angeles and they were sleeping so I made the call quick.
Clyde keeps driving while my eyes take a look outside the window. The buildings are perfectly placed one next to the other, people with umbrellas walking around with their rain boots, even with this grey weather they have a smile on their faces. Out of nowhere a loud sound resonates inside and outside of the car, taking me totally by surprise.
"Don't worry Miss, that's just the Big Ben." He points in front of him as we pass the bridge. My eyes stay stuck on the tall tower, a permanent gasp on my mouth.
In no time we arrive to the train station, even from outside it looks really big. Clyde steps out first to get my door and I step outside as well, the wind sending goosebumps all over my body. I grab my purse and suddenly remember that I only have US currency.
"Sorry I... I haven't exchange my money yet. Do you accept dollars?" I ask totally embarrassed as he takes my bags out of the trunk.
"Nonsense, madam. The ride is already taken care of." He says while placing my bags down.
"What? No, I..." I stop mid sentence, closing my mouth. Harry... "At least can I tip you?"
"Its not necessary madam." He politely smiles. "Anything else I can help you with?"
"No, well... Yes." I take my bags and adjust the one in my arm as well. "If you see Harry again, tell him that I say thanks. He didn't have to do this for me."
"I will, in fact I will see him in just a few hours." He points out.
"And thank you Clyde, for driving me." I say with a polite smile, giving him a wave goodbye.
He just nods his hat and me and steps inside of the car again as I walk inside of the station. Its even more big inside but for my luck its warm. It wasn't hard to find the line of tickets so I walk with my bags to the office box, ordering a ticket to Oxford. The lady tells me the next train leaves at noon so I have a couple of hours to spare. I also check in my luggage, only having my hand bag with me.
With the ticket in my hand I walk around the station, looking around and letting everything sink in.
My mind is still getting used to the idea that I'm here, in another continent all by myself. Its been only a few minutes but I already feel the change, the people is so different. Instead of cellphones the people here are reading books or the newspaper, the way they dress is different, much more sophisticated. Even the way they sit is different, I love it.
I sit down on a stool, taking my phone out to call Michael. I see the people pass in front of me and by each second I fall even more in love with this new environment. I'm so ready for this new page in my life, I know there's much more to come and a lot more to experience.
This is only the beginning of my trip.
Here I am Europe, I'm yours.