A black duffle bag digs into Harry's shoulder as they walk through the airport. Sam is like a kid in a candy store as he happily trots down the hallway. Admittedly, the two haven't traveled since they settled down, so Sam's excitement is understandable, Harry decides. 

However, he can't seem to squash the nerves gathering in his stomach. In only a few short hours, Harry will be back in LA. He'll be back in a town that ruined him. He could run into anyone from his past walking down the street. The mere thought sends a shiver up his back. 

When Niall sent the first-class plane tickets, Harry thought he was joking. Of course, they talked about the trip and planned the details of it but it was real when he got the tickets. There was no backing out of it. When they came in an email, Sam was excited to be flying first class but Harry's heart sank. 

"Our gate is right up here! I think they're about to load," Sam cheers excitedly. He hangs back so he can knot their fingers together. Harry gives him a forced smile as he follows Sam towards their gate. 

"Boarding flight number 378 to Los Angeles. First-class passengers, please step forward for boarding." 

"We made it just in time," Sam smiles as he gets in line to board the plane. Harry nervously tangles their fingers together, hoping that the pressure helps ease Harry's hammering heart. 

~_~_~

The flight couldn't have gone smoother, but somehow the knot in Harry's stomach hasn't unraveled itself. His fingers dig into the armrest as an announcement comes from overhead, "Please buckle your seatbelts as we begin to depart. Thank you all for flying with us." 

Sam stirs next to him, having fallen asleep for most of the flight. "We're landing," He asks groggily, his southern accent dripping slowly from his lips. Harry allows Sam's familiar voice to wash over him, easing his anxiety slightly. 

"Yeah," Harry mumbles back. Sam sighs loudly as he sits up straighter in his chair. He throws Harry a sideways smile and tangles their hands together. 

"You've got this, darlin'. You ain't got nothin' to worry about," Sam promises.

~_~_~

They follow the stream of people heading towards pick-up to meet up with Niall at the airport. Harry thought he would've remembered his way around, but he was mistaken. Over the course of the last decade, the airport has changed significantly. 

"You said it's a black SUV, right? I think there's one down the ways," Sam says as they walk down the row of cars in the passenger pick-up lane. Harry nearly freezes as he sees the car Sam's referring to. 

Through the dash, he can see the familiar face of one of his closest friends. Niall's changed a lot since before, but Harry has too. Niall now rocks his brunette hair and laugh lines frame his mouth and forehead. 

As they get closer Niall jumps out of his car. A wave of nostalgia washes over Harry as he sees Niall for the first time again.

"I'm Niall, it's nice to meet you, Harry. It's fine, Lottie, go run off and do what you got to do. Liam, Zayn, and I got this, right guys," Niall says. Harry remembers Liam throwing him a small smile and Zayn not even sparing him a glance. 

"So, where do you come from, Harry? I'm from Ireland if you couldn't tell. Liam's from Wolverhampton and I'm going to assume you're English," Niall says. His heart starts to slow to a semi-normal rate. 

"Oh, really? How long have your Mums known each other?" 

"Not long, they met in the beginning of June after the Manchester concert, I think. The concert was amazing, and you guys had a great set, but the way." 

"Were you there?"

"I wish. My friends went and there were some videos circulating Twitter."

The wedding seems like ages ago now. Niall smiles widely as he brings Harry into a hug. 

"Louis here did sick! Zayn's high-note was fantastic, and Liam... he's just plain sexy, huh?"  

"Harry! God, it's good to see that ugly mug again, huh," Niall laughs loudly. 

They exist the elevator and stop as they hear a set of familiar voices. "Stop hitting me with your sausage, Niall," Zayn's voice yells. Harry raises an eyebrow at Eleanor as they turn and see the four pop stars sitting around a table. 

"Hmm, bet you like that," Niall teases. Niall takes his sausage link and slaps Zayn's arm with it. Liam groans and rolls his eyes while Louis eggs them on.

"Niall, can you stop hitting Zan with your sausage," Liam groans. 

"You're just jealous," Niall proclaim. He takes the sausage and bites the end off, giving Liam  seductive face. Niall throws a wink at Liam one he's finished his bite. 

"You must be Sam! I've heard a lot about you mate. I'm Niall Horan," Niall introduces. 

"Samuel Mendoza, the pleasure's mine," Sam replies easily. Sam sticks out his hand but Niall reaches out and brings the taller man into a hug. 

"I don't play videogames," Harry answers softly. Louis stops and straightens. Zayn's mouth falls and he hesitatingly sits in the open armchair. 

"Did I just hear that someone doesn't like videogames," Niall asks. He enters the room and takes his seat on the sofa next to Louis. He glances around the room waiting for an answer as Liam pulls a movie from Louis' collection. 

"Not everyone has to like videogames, Niall," Liam adds. 

"I just don't understand. How can someone not like videogames?" Niall muters. 

Sam's hand on Harry's arm pulls him out of his head. "You ready," Sam questions. Harry gives a small nod as he follows Sam into the back of the SUV. 

~_~_~

Hey guys! So, I have finished outlining the rest of the book! There is a definite ending now! I couldn't be more relieved. I was feeling super nostalgic while going back and finishing the ending of this book so I had to include some flashbacks for y'all. Thanks so much for reading and I hope you enjoyed! ~B