IX

 𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐮𝐫 𝐩𝐨𝐯

When the plane took off, my palms were all clammy and I was really beginning to doubt taking the middle seat. On my right, Aquilah was looking through her phone with her airpods in and on my right... Harry was going off his head about the history of this plane and it's crash record.

"I'm telling you mate, we have about a 40% chance of this plane crashing. But if we crash then-"

"Harry."

"Yeah?"

"Could you um- maybe, not uh-talk about plane crashes too much to me?"

"I'm so sorry Arthur mate. I didn't mean to freak you out." He wrapped his arm around my shoulder and rubbed his fist against my hair, messing it up.

"It's okay, I mean, you didn't freak me out, I'm already anxious enough with flying as it is. I'm also just really socially awkward and the topic just made it a tad worse. No offense! Obviously."

"None taken. Arthur, it's completely normal."

"Okay...sorry anyways."

Harry whacked my head and I whacked him back. I turn to see what Aquilah was doing and she was leaning her head on the plane wall, I could feel myself frown almost as if it was a natural instinct and immediately wrapped an arm around her shoulders before pulling her towards my shoulder.

She tried to protest and argue with me but I stood my ground and I guess Harry had my back too. She placed her head back on my shoulder and closed her eyes, I was massaging her arm with my fingers going in circular motions. As I was about to lay my head against hers and close my own eye, trying to get some rest, I felt a flick to my free arm.

"What the heck Harry." I whispered in a hushed tone, not wanting to disturb the sleeping girl or anyone else on the plane for that fact.

"I need you to be honest with me, and I'm serious Arthur." I began sweating and could feel my hands starting to clam up, I could only give Harry a small smile and a nod before he continued.

"Do you still like Quilah?" I was genuinely shocked by the question because of two reasons;

1. I didn't really know what I felt towards her, don't get me wrong, I enjoy her company and love it when she's around. I just don't know if that's because I have been no contact with her for almost a decade and we are finally friends again, or, if it's because I have a massive crush on her.

2. How am I supposed to answer this? This is one of if not her best mate, she's known Harry her whole life. Can I really trust him with such knowledge.

So instead of trying to think of I lie, I was completely honest with Harry,

"I'm not too sure."

"What do you mean, it's either yes or no!"

"Well, I like her company and I really did miss her when I went back to Jersey after that Manchester trip. When I saw her again, she was the exact same person and it was like we just picked up from where we left off. I just don't how if I have romantic feelings for her, I'm confused with my own life as it is, let alone my love life Harry. It's not easy for me to open up to people, even just talking to people. We're both extremely socially challenged and I'm just a naturally awkward person to begin with. I guess with Aquilah, she makes everything so natural and flow well, I can really just be myself. Even when I'm awkward or shy, she's able to fill that hole and can distract me from everything. I don't want to ruin what we have, I only just got her back after nothing for almost ten years Harry."

Harry looked at me but not like he normally does; eyes wide, mouth open, face frozen. It was almost as if you could see the loading icon next to his head.

"Are you okay?"

"You are so in love with Quilah."

"what!" I wasn't really sure what came to his head to conclude that-

"Mate, you so are! They way you just described her and talked about your friendship. I know you okay and I'm sure Chris has seen it too, and George and the others! You are just like mesmerised  by her, it's like everyone else disappears when you're with her."

"that's not true!"

"Do you want me to call Chris?"

"yes! he'll have my back!"

"Okay, don't say I warned you though." Harry reached for his phone from the pocket in front of him and quickly dialled Chris' number.

hello mate

hey chris, i'm here with arthur- 

hi!

oh, hey guys. what's up?

it's about arthur and you know-

oh, OH! yeah mate you're such a fucking softie for her

how did you know it was about Aquilah!

it's been a discussion more than ten times with...

with who chris?

um-georgehillandharry

what!

arthur i literally told you this

okay anyways, where is she?

sleeping...

arthur.

sleepingonmyshoulder

HA! george owes me a tenner! AND HILL! its a good day to say that arthur's a lover

what the fuck chris! you're supposed to be my best mate

yeah I am. I'm honest to you

I-

'kay bye Chris, we'll be there in an hour

bye guys, tell Aquilah i said hi when she wakes up

Harry put his phone back into the pocket and turned to me with a smirk.

"don't say anything. I mean it."

"I won't, I won't. I don't think she realises her own feelings yet." I frowned at that but quickly recovered trying not to show a poker face to Harry.

"shit. I didn't mean it like that. Quilah's always very slow with her emotions and has always been difficult with expressing them. Her life isn't perfect, her family isn't at least."

"oh, so she won't admit anything until i make it obvious?"

"yes!"

"okay then, i'm going to try and sleep so I can have some rest before we film."

"alright."

I looked down at the sleeping girl and look down at our intertwined hands, I feel mine becoming clammy so I carefully let go of her hand and wipe my own on my shorts, she quickly reaches out for my hand again and I connect them. I feel heat rush to my cheeks as I leaned my head on hers, smiled and pressed a small kiss onto her head.

I think it was in this moment that I realised that Aquilah wasn't just some girl, well, she never was. She was like a light for me and was always able to brighten up my mood. Holy shit, maybe I have fallen for her.

AUTHORS NOTE: i promised for some extra chapters this coming weekend because ive been so busy so here it is !! i cannot believe that there are so many reads and votes on this story it is insane and im so grateful for every single one 💗💗 i love you all so so much for 3.1k reads it means the world to me 🫶🏽 i love you all and will try and upload again soon !!