Chapter 17;

I threw the phone down on my bed, springing up quickly. The sudden movement made me dizzy and I had to stop for a moment to let my mind settle.

"Sara," I hissed, throwing my thick pillow on her. She flew up in the bed, her hair a mess on top of her head.

"What?" she said, looking dazed and confused.

"Get up, we're going to London," I muttered, quickly dragging a suitcase from under my bed. Whatever Charlie was up to I would kill her. Sara was still half asleep when I pushed her out of the bed. I shoved her towards the bathroom. She leaned sleepily against the counter.

"Sara, you need to wake up. Now. I'm sorry for this," I said, throwing a cup of cold water in her face from the sink She blinked rapidly, then glared at me.

"What the fuck G, I was waking up slowly," she growled, I rolled my eyes.

"Go pack your shit. And look nice," I demanded, turning away from her and going back to collect my things quickly.

I did a quick check of the house, making sure everything was in order. Mom and dad would be pissed when they got home, but I left a sweet little note on the counter, and they'd get over it either way. Sara trudged into the foyer, dragging her luggage behind her. She looked flawless for how little notice we'd had. I scowled inwardly.

"So Charlie just randomly called and told you that we were getting picked up," Sara said, deep in thought as I neatly taped the note on the door. I nodded.

"Seems a bit odd if you ask me," she shrugged, leaning against the wall. A horn honked outside, and when I looked through the window, sure enough, there was a bright yellow cab pulled into my driveway.

As I pulled all my belongings and Sara's out towards the cab, I couldn't help but feel like something was off. Like something big might happen, but I couldn't put my finger on it. The cabby slammed his door shut, walking towards us with an annoyed expression to help us with our things. I politely thanked him and Sara and I went to sit in the back seat. Youuuuu've got a text message babeeeee my phone blared from my pocket. I pulled it out, frantically trying to silence the annoying ringtone Harry and the boys had made one night. I opened the new message, and my forehead crinkled in confusion.

Can't wait to meet you. I've heard a lot. Xxx.

I flashed the screen to Sara, asking if she knew the number, but she shook her head. I texted it back warily, wondering if somehow my number had been leaked. No reply. I let my head fall onto the cab window as it pulled down my drive. Who was this? It was going to drive me nuts.

"Please turn off all electronics and prepare for take off," the pilots overly perky voice rang out through the intercom. Flying was routine for me, so everything was already off. Sara on the other hand, she was a skiddish flier, and insisted on holding my hand during the take off. She chewed furiously on her gum, claiming it would make it hurt less when they popped. I laughed softly, and gave her hand a supportive squeeze. She closed her eyes as the plane traveled down the runway. I sat calmly as the plane ascended into the air, and when we were going smoothly I shook Sara gently to tell her that takeoff was over. She peaked over at me with one eye then sighed in relief and loosened her grip on my hand.

"You may now turn your electronics back on," the flight attendant chirped walking up and down the isle. I pulled my cell phone from my pocket, and pressed the power button, Sara did the same. It buzzed unexpectedly in my hand and I slid the lock screen over.

Our meeting time grows closer and closer dear. I'm so excited. Much love.

I glared at my phone. It was probably Harry or one of the boys playing a prank. None of them had answered my texts all day though. This was getting to be so odd…Sara giggled next to me, and when I looked over she quickly put on a serious face, turning her phone so that I couldn't see it.

"Sara," I said, trying to keep my tone even, she knew what was going on, and I hated when she kept things from me. I was about to make a grab for her phone when the plane started to violently shake. Sara's face fell white, and she grabbed me faster than Niall eats breakfast. I looked warily around the plane. The shaking had stopped.

"Put your seat belt on," I cautioned Sara, and she buckled in, her hands shaking violently. Everyone was in a panic.

"We're just experiencing some turbulence," the pilot said smoothly, but he was interrupted by another bout of shaking. This doesn't feel like turbulence. I felt the panic rise in me, but I had to remain calm for Sara. If I lost it, she would. I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath.

"Just sit back, and don't think about it, text Niall," I said to Sara as calmly as I could. She nodded, flopping back against her seat. The rest of the flight seemed to go on forever, and when we finally landed, I had the strange urge to kiss the ground…but I didn't.

"London again!" Sara smiled, as we walked out of the airport. I looked around at what was actually pretty familiar surroundings. I heard someone scream behind me and my body reacted before my mind. A girl was running towards me quickly, and she had a huge smile on her face. She stopped in front of me and I just kind of stared at her awkwardly.

"Hi," she breathed heavily, obviously tired from her sprint, her smile didn't fade, "so, I'm sorry to bother you, but you're Gurveer!" she squealed and I looked to Sara as the girl did, "and you're Sara! Oh my. I follow you guys on Tumblr, and I just, I'm glad that the boys have gotten lucky enough to have girls like you." she rambled for about 5 minutes, then stopped to breath.

"Hey," I chuckled, "Yeah, this has never really happened before," I said, fidgeting nervously. Sara was all smiles though, of course. She'd always been more friendly than me.

"I'm Paige by the way," she smiled, and I couldn't help but want to just hug her.

"Nice to meet you dear," I smiled, "but we've got to get going." my attention was drawn to the blinking light on my phone indicating a new message. Her face fell slightly.

"Do you have a twitter hun," Sara asked sweetly, and Paige's eyes lit up. She was our age…she seemed nice. Well, if we were going to be here awhile some girl friends would be nice. Sara wrote down her twitter on the back of her hand.

"We'll be in touch," I hugged her lightly after Sara let go. As we walked off Sara looked at me, smiling from ear to ear.

"What?" I asked, not understanding her joy, but she just shook her head and looked away. I remember my phone then, and went to check it when it started to ring. Getting over my slight startle, I tapped the screen.

"Hello?"

"G," Charlie sounded relieved, "Go to the corner of the street, but be quiet." she hung up. That bitch. I motioned Sara along, but she was already in the lead. Creeping her way along the brick walled buildings. She turned around and whispered to stop, and I could hear voices. It was Harry, and Charlie and another woman, I didn't recognize the voice.

"Harry, I want to meet her already," the woman whined, she sounded a lot like Harry.

"Mum, I can't call her and tell her to get on a plane at any second of the day, she's probably exhausted," Harry sighed. So it was his mom. What it the world is this girl up to.

"I don't know about that," Charlie said, and I could tell by her voice that she was grinning smugly right now. My phone buzzed. Come round, and you're not very quiet.

"What do you me-" Harry began, but when Sara pulled me around the corner he fell silent. Then slowly a smile spread across his face, and his eyes gleamed. Anne looked at me in shock and for a moment I felt very uncomfortable.

"She's gorgeous!" she grinned, giving Harry a little squeeze on the shoulder and he shrugged her off in embarrassment. I blushed slightly.

"Nice to meet you," I finally worked up, extending my hand, but she declined it and hugged me. She turned to Charlie,

"It's good to know someone around here knows how to get something done," she said, shooting Harry a "if she could do it, so could you" look and he shrugged.

"Gemma is coming later," Charlie smiled at me, "That's who's been texting you all day." Realization washed over me, and I nodded. I was meeting Harry's family…I don't think that had sunk in quite yet. While I was lost in thought, Anne had moved on to introduce herself to Sara and they were making small talk. I was brought back to reality by two strong arms wrapping securely around my waist. I smiled and turned to look at Harry.

"So we meet again," he winked.

"Didn't give me much time to miss you," I teased and went to kiss him softly on the cheek. The sly little devil turned his head at the perfect moment, and my lips met his. He pulled me to him, the passion rising slightly. Out of habit, my hand found his hair.

"Well," Anne laughed, clearing her throat. I pulled away quickly, hiding my face in his chest, pure embarrassment overriding every other emotion. Harry chuckled, smoothing down my hair. Harry's phone rang from his pocket, he groaned and fumbled trying to get it before the caller hung up.

"Liam, what's wrong," Harry said, concern swirling in his emerald eyes. Anne stepped towards him, putting a delicate hand on my back. We watched him for any sign of what could be happening. Sara leaned against my other side, nervously playing with her hair. Harry's face fell white, and he looked at Sara and I.

He pulled the phone from his ear, "What was your flight number?"

"273, why?" I answered, searching his body language, words, everything for even a hint. Harry hung up the phone. His face still drawn down with worry.

"You're plane," he muttered, talking with his hands. I could tell he was trying to make sense of something, and trying to figure out how to put it. "The engine exploded." My heart fell to my stomach.

"What," Sara whimpered. The bumping. The shaking. The issues.

"I knew it wasn't turbulence," I cursed under my breath.

"A lot of people are hurt, the plane is completely gone," Harry whispered. We had been on that plane. We were the luckiest people in the world. I realized I was crying.

"It's alright sweetie, my baby will take good care of you," Anne whispered encouragingly in my ear. I gave her a small smile. An hour in London and this happens. It can't get any worse.

"So is this the whole reason we're out her?" I asked, trying to change the subject. Harry scowled, running a hand through his hair.

"Well now that you're here I guess we can't avoid this," he glared at Charlie, "Management wants to speak to you two."

Shit.