Noelle Jone believes in a lot of things but falling in love at an airport on Christmas Eve is not one. (Banner by @booksncoffee) Read on 1dff or keep reading below.
Elvis Presley’s Blue Christmas blared through the speakers of the John F. Kennedy International Airport as Noelle stood staring out the windows at the snow covered runway with a frown evident on her face. Her flight home was once again delayed and by the way the snow was falling fast she felt as if she’d never get home. It was Christmas Eve and here she stood lonely at the airport.
She knew she shouldn’t had waited until last minute to leave for home. She also knew that the holiday season was one of the busiest travelling seasons but work had kept her in the city instead of leaving earlier like she had planned. She tugged at the creme beanie that covered her blonde hair, pulling it further down as she walked away from the window and towards the gate check-in counter.
“Excuse me, Miss?” She asked gaining the attention of the elder customer service agent. The lady offered a smile. “How may I help you?” “Do you know if there are anymore flights to Denver, Colorado? I really need to get home.” Noelle asked hopefully. “Let me check deary.” The agent smiled looking down at her computer. As she did so, Noelle looked around the near empty terminal, stopping when a man huddled up in the corner caught her attention. He must have sensed someone looking because he looked up locking eyes with the blonde. He smiled as she turned her head quickly back towards the customer service agent.
“I’m sorry dear, it looks like all flights have been grounded for the night. The snow is just too bad.”
Noelle’s jaw dropped open, “But it’s Christmas!” She nearly yelled out of frustration. “Surely there has to be something!”.
“I’m sorry miss.” The agent smiled apologetic to the young distressed girl.
“It’s fine, I’ll figure it out.” She mumbled walking away in defeat. Noelle pulled the beanie off her head and threw it on the chair beside her stuff as she took a seat. Flustered, she ran her perfectly manicured fingers through her hair, pulling at the roots as she looked down at her lap.
“It’s not the end of the world you know.” The man in the corner spoke up with a British accent, causing her to glance up and get a better look at the stranger. She could make out the sharp jawline, his piercing green eyes, and the mops of curls on his head.
“It’s Christmas eve and I’m here alone without my family. It’s the end of the world.” She groaned in response, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear. “I’m here. Therefore you’re not alone.” He smiled showing his dimples. “I’m Harry Styles.” “Noelle Jones.” “Noelle.” He repeated as he rubbed his chin, “What a beautiful name for a beautiful girl.” Noelle’s face became redder as she looked away. “How about we go get coffee? I think I saw a starbucks by the other gate”. “Starbucks sounds good.” she answered as she watched him stand and approach her. “Anything but sitting here sounds good.” Harry offered a hand that she gladly took, allowing him to help her up. “After you, Noelle.” Her name rolling off his tongue as if he’s known her his whole life. She nodded at his politeness as she started walking away towards the coffee.
-
Most of the airport was empty Noelle noted as she glanced around waiting for her coffee to be done. She figure that most had went home or gotten a hotel room for the night, something she wished she had the money for. She watched Harry from the corner of her eye as he seemed to be humming along to the Christmas song that was playing a little too loud over the airport speakers. He seemed to be enjoying himself despite being stuck at the airport on Christmas Eve.
“I love Christmas music.” Harry said, breaking her trance on him. Noelle nodded at his comment. She figured he was one of those people who probably started listening to it right after Halloween ended.
“It’s okay.”
Harry faked a gasp and placed his hand over his heart. “Just okay? Christmas music is the greatest music genre ever created in mankind.”
She couldn’t help but let a snort. “I wouldn’t go that far.” It wasn’t that Noelle didn’t like Christmas music, she did. It was just that she’s been listening to it at work since Thanksgiving and she could only take so much of Frosty the Snowman after all. “Besides, it’s the same song over and over again just covered by a different artist.”
“I have two Peppermint Mochas. One for a erm… Harry and another for a Noelle.” The barista called out before Harry could respond.
“Still the greatest ever.” He muttered in a childish way as he grabbed their drinks from the counter top. “Thank you.” He smiled at the pretty blonde behind the counter who fluttered her eyelashes at him in return.
Noelle watched with a hint of jealously. Yes, she had just met the Brit and he could probably have a girlfriend but in that moment he was hers. She followed behind as he sat them in the corner table.
“My mum’s going to kill me since I’m not going to be home for Christmas.” Harry stated as he pulled out Noelle’s chair for her.
“Mine too.” She responded sitting down.
“Maybe we can attend each other’s funeral?” Harry asked, taking a sip of his drink.
“That sounds like a deal.” She smiled, tilting her head to the side as her fingers tapped the lid of her coffee. “I’m angry I won’t be home for Christmas.”
“Same here, gonna miss my mum and sister’s Christmas dinner.” He said pushing his hair back, “What about you? What are you going to miss?”
Noelle pondered on Harry’s question. What was she going to miss? The smell of Christmas cookies her little sister always had their mom cook? Was it the smell of the fresh snow on Christmas morning? Watching the Christmas Story on repeat all day? Or was it even the faces her little cousin’s made when they saw what Santa had brought. She pouted, “I’m going to miss everything. All our traditions - just everything”.
Harry felt for the girl, he pretty much figured it was her first Christmas away from home after listening to her heartbreaking phone call to her family. He had done Christmas on his own many times. Especially times like these when he would wait until the last minute to take a flight back to England - which you thought he would have learned nothing good ever happens when you wait last minute. “Maybe we can make some new traditions?” He suggested.
Noelle looked at him puzzled. “We hardly known each other”.
“Well I know your name is Noelle, you’re flying to Denver, you’re breathtakingly beautiful and you like Coffee. What else is there to know?” He smiled showing his swoonful dimples. “Now come on, there’s a Christmas tree down a way AND I there’s a bar.”
“How do I know you’re not like some serial killer trying to sweet talk me to get me drunk and murder me?” She joked as she raised her perfectly arched eyebrow.
“I promise I’m not some serial killer. Now come on! We have traditions to create!” Harry jumped out of his chair, determined to turn Noelle’s Christmas around. He didn’t even give her a chance to agree as he pulled her from the opposite seat. “We will have a great Christmas. I promise.”
-
Noelle let out a laugh as Harry spun her around on the empty floor of the airport bar to Jingle Bell Rock, causing her to spill her champagne on her and the floor.
“Harry look what you made me do!” She threw her hair back letting out a fit of giggles.
It was music to Harry’s ears. He smiled at her as he pulled her back in close. “Oops.” He said in her ear as he swayed them to Bing Crosby’s White Christmas that had just began to play.
A smile tugged at her lips as she laid her head against his sweater clad chest. She felt small in his arms but it felt calming. Her eyes fluttered shut, enjoying the warmth of his body, not to mention the proximity of their bodies. “Why are you being so nice to me, Styles?” She asked quietly a few minutes into their slow dance. “We barely know each other.”
“Because it’s Christmas and no one should spend Christmas alone. Not to mention I find you quite cute.” He replied as he rocked them side to side. “And I would like to get to know you Noelle Jones.”
Noelle felt the heat rise to her cheeks as she began to blush in the arms of the man who was still practically a handsome stranger. “I’d like that.” She said as she tilted her head up to meet his warm green eyes. She wanted more than anything to get to know Harry, after all, they had spent most of their day together and all she had learned was that he was from England, and a terrible dancer but quite the singer. She had learned that when the airport had played Last Christmas.
Harry pulled back creating a space between the two but kept his hand on hers, “Let’s go find a place to chit chat then.” Before she even got the chance to agree, Harry had taken her flute, sitting it on the bar top and whisking her away towards the gate where most of their personal belongings still sat.
-
It was nearing midnight as Harry and Noelle laid together on the floor with the pillows and blankets the airport had given to the remainder of those who stayed, as they began to truly get to know each other. Harry had got on his laptop and found a video of a fireplace after learning of the cabin Noelle stayed in during the holidays and figured it could give her some piece of home. Which Noelle enjoyed and in returned bought his favorite movie, Love Actually, on hers so they could watch it together.
Maybe it had been the champagne she had drank at the bar but she began to feel like she had known Harry her whole life. As she glanced over at him she couldn’t help but be smitten by the curly headed Brit. It sounded cheesy, especially to Noelle. These kind of things only happen in Hallmark Christmas movies, but everything just felt right. For some odd reason, Harry felt like home to her. She couldn’t explain how or why some stranger gave her this feeling. He just did. Biting her lip, she looked back at the laptop playing the movie in hopes of focusing on something else besides the boy she was beginning to crush on.
Harry looked over a mere two seconds after Noelle looked away. He took the time to take her in. He admired her hazel eyes that were glued to the scene, and the soft features of her oval face. She was stunningly beautiful. His eyes fell to her pink tinted lips and couldn’t help but to think of how kissable they looked. He smiled as she let out a small yawn and began to shift around to get comfortable. It wasn’t long before her eyes began to flutter shut and she cuddled up to his body. His arm gladly wrapped around her tiny frame as he nuzzled his face into her hair that smelled of strawberries.
-
The morning came early for Noelle as We Wish You A Merry Christmas played a little too loudly throughout the airport. She rubbed her face as she blinked open her eyes. The first thing she noticed was the way she and Harry were cuddled together. Her head was no longer on the pillow but on his chest. She couldn’t help but feel silly as people passed by the pair. Carefully, she maneuvered her way out of his arms, careful not to wake him, and walked over towards the huge windows. She was shocked to find the runways cleared instead of covered in snow. It wasn’t long before she felt a body standing beside her, causing her to look over and come face to face with a half asleep Harry.
“Merry Christmas, Noelle.” His voice deep and laced with sleep as he displayed a goofy grin. Noelle returned the smile. “Merry Christmas, Harry.” She said as she threw her arms around him in a hug. Harry hugged her back, resting his head on hers. He smiled as she gave a soft squeeze, enjoying her warmth.
“Thank you for last night. I liked our traditions.” She all but whispered.
“I liked them too, now let’s see if we can find you a flight home.” He said as he pulled away from her and lead her towards the check in desk.
-
Noelle looked around as she waited to board her flight to Denver. Suddenly it was like the world existed again and it was no longer just the two of them like it had felt last night. She frowned a little at the realization of it. She felt as if she had just met her soulmate and now it was over, like some cruel joke. What if she had just made this whole fantasy in her head from watching one too many christmas movies?
“Now boarding Flight 113 to Denver Colorado.” The overhead speakers announced, breaking her train of thought. She glanced over at Harry who looked up from his phone. “I guess this is where we go our separate ways?” She more asked than said. They of course had traded numbers earlier but still, who’s to say they’d actually keep in contact with each other. “We’ll see each other again.” He said as he pulled her into a hug. “Besides we have traditions to uphold next year.” He joked as she wrapped her arms tightly around him.
A silence fell over the two as they stood hugging. “Last call to board Flight 113 to Denver Colorado,” was announced again, causing the two to break apart. “Goodbye, Harry Styles.” She said sorrowfully.
“Goodbye, Noelle Jones.” He gave a small but sad smile. “I’ll text you later.”
She nodded her head as she turned around and walked away to board the flight, leaving him behind.
-
The first thing Noelle did when she got off the plane in Denver was turn her phone back on and head towards the baggage claim. Not even thirty seconds of her phone being on did she receive a text message from Harry. Feeling giddy inside, she opened it right away.
Harry Styles// Turn around
“What?” She thought to herself as she did what the messaged said. Her jaw fell open in shock as she saw the British stranger from the John. F. Kennedy International airport standing there with a goofy grin.
“WHAT THE HELL, HARRY?” She nearly screamed as she ran to him and embraced him in a hug. “What? What are you doing here?”
“Do you ever think things happen by faith? Like maybe by some Christmas miracle me and you were supposed to meet here?” Harry replied as he hugged her back.
“What are you talking about Harry?”
“I’m just saying, maybe the Christmas faiths wanted us to meet.” He said as turned his body towards her. Noelle looked at him in confusion, not quite sure where he was going with that one. “Last night was the best night of my life. I just, I’ve never felt this way about someone so soon. I want to spend every Christmas with you.” He rambled. “As I was boarding my flight to England, I couldn’t do it. I didn’t want to be with my Mum and sister. I wanted to be with you.”
“Harry-”
“I know we don’t know everything about each other but I want to know everything there is to know about you. Oh bloody hell, Noelle Jones, I think I love you.” He blurted out as he pressed his lips against hers. “I think I love you too, Harry Styles.” She smiled as her arms snaked around his neck and kissed him back. Her fingers entangled in his hair as she let out a giggle. The crowd around them erupted in cheers as the two kissed in the baggage claim. “I wouldn’t want to spend Christmas with anyone but you.” She whispered as she held him close.
Maybe this was like a Hallmark christmas movie after all, but it was hers.
