CHAPTER 1

July 3rd.

You were sitting on one of the benches on gate 5, waiting for boarding to start when you hear an announcement for your flight through the speakers:

"May I have your attention, please? This is an announcement for passengers on flight 1345 to Atlanta"

You push your headphones on top of your head and look around, eagerly waiting to hear the announcement.

"We are sorry to inform you that this flight has been cancelled due to adverse weather conditions"

You growl and cover your face in your hands. Great. Just as you were about to start an entirely new life, this happens. What the actual fuck?! The ringing in your ears turns up and you zone out before you can hear the rest of the voice through the speakers.

"Please proceed to the-.....we apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience."

"Fuck!" you yell out loud, much louder than intended. You grab your little carry-on and make your way over to the counter to get in line with the dozens of people that are trying to get more information on their flight.

As you are standing there, nervously bouncing your leg and taking a couple of deep breaths, a voice approaches from behind.

"Your flight got cancelled too?"

You turned around to a middle aged man, grey hair, muscles, black shirt underneath a brown leather jacket, dark blue denim jeans and dark brown boots.

He had dimples in the corner of his lips that made him look adorable. Your gaze lingered a little longer on his lips before you looked up into his eyes and nodded in frustration.

"Yuuppp" you nod again, leg stopped bouncing and your breath slowly settled as if he just pulled you out of an upcoming panic attack.

"Yeah me too. Was supposed to go to Atlanta for a conference but i guess I'll take a raincheck"

You huffed "quite literally" and turned back around, now only one person away from the lady at the info counter.

"Just when things were supposed to be good.." you mumbled and he raised an eyebrow. "Things aren't already good?" the man from behind you asks.

You turn around, all the way this time, not able to hide your frustration and the build up tears. "No. In fact, things are fucking awful. I just wanna leave this place"

His lips shape into a thin line, something in his gaze turning professional yet warm and inviting.

"You're alive, for all that matters. I think you have a great hand. Don't let a little delay be the setback for your future. I'm sure it will all work out. Your turn." he gestures in front of you and before you can say anything, it's your turn to inquire about your flight.

"Oh uh.. yeah. Thanks. So uh, my flight just got cancelled. It was the A1345 to Atlanta. Plus the reconnecting flights attached to it." you say after turning to the front, tapping your fingers nervously onto the counter, waiting for some miracle to happen.

"Yes ma'am, i am sorry for the inconvenience. The best we can do is reschedule your flight to.." the lady tapped her nails into the keyboard "Sunday morning, 1045AM."

You tried, really tried not to flip out but it wasn't her fault either. With a quick look to the clock, you sighed and agreed. "Is there a hotel or anything included or do i have to pay for that myself?"

Keyboard clicking. Tapping. More tapping. A mouse click.

"unfortunately-" she started but you interrupted her. "it's okay. I'll take the sunday flight."

More tapping, silence, overhead announcements.

"Right on ma'am, your flight for Sunday at 1045AM is booked. All the required information will be sent to your previously used email address. If there's anything else i can assist you with, i am-"

"Thank you. That's all" you give her a fake smile and head off to the side before it all breaks down on you.

You were supposed to fly out tonight. Be there in a little less than 24 hours with two different layovers. Start a new life in Europe, more specifically Germany. You already said goodbye to everyone, your mom that hated you regardless of what you do or ever did, your dad who was never really there to begin with, your stepdad that stepped in as a parent and your sister. They dropped you off at the airport and you already cried your eyes out after you saw them leave the departure hall. The pain of moving away to better your life, leaving everything you've ever known behind. Because you want something better for yourself. After not being wanted your entire life. You felt a little more ready when you approached the gate on your own, but this 'little' delay was just the final punch to the gut.

And it all came crashing down on you now, in the middle of the airport. Your heart pounding out of your chest, a lump in your throat, hands trembling while desperately blinking away the tears. You straighten your back to get more air into your lungs but that only pushes out more and more tears. So you do what you always do and pinch your nose, hold your breath until you feel dizzy. But that doesn't work this time. You feel dizzy, everything is slightly spinning and your body just breaks out in sweat.

"Hey hey, easy. Take a breath, focus on me"

The man from earlier appeared right in front of you, both his hands on your shoulders, knees slightly bending to meet your gaze at your height. He caught you so off guard that you forgot what you were thinking about for a brief second, a cold shiver running all over you, breath hitching.

"C'mon, look at me" he says calmly, looking into your eyes until you finally focus on him. "There you go, easy. Breathe in" he takes a breath himself "and out. Yup, just like that." he smiles reassuringly and waits until your breath seems to settle a little.

"I'm gonna let go of you now, you gonna be able to stay on your feet?"

You nod slightly out of breath, eyes fixed on him while he guides you into a little, quieter corner.

"Good. Alright. You alright?" he asks, pushing a strand of hair behind your ear so he can see your face better.

"Y-Yeah i.. uhm..i..fuck"

"Nah uh, you're fine. Don't go there again, just stay with me. You're okay. You're at the airport, nothing is broken and you're still here. You fly out Sunday morning at 1045AM, and the lady didn't offer you a hotel. That's where we're at. Nothing to worry about" he gives you a smile and tilts his head slightly to the side.

The reassurance he was giving you was…needed. Wanted. It helped a little not to spiral again, and before you could say another word, he bites his bottom lip and asks:

"Judging by your reaction, and don't get me wrong I usually don't judge, that caught you off guard. Pretty hard. So.. How can i help?"

It takes you a good second before you feel a little bit of relief. You're not alone. At least not at this moment. Someone came to help and pulled you out of something that otherwise would've taken forever. It always feels like that. It feels like your whole world is going down before you get a glance at a real thought again. You are impressed by how he managed to pull you back to your feet again. And thankful, very very thankful.

"I.. I don't even know what to do now. I already left and i packed all my stuff. I can't go back home and i don't.. I can't pay for a hotel right now, my card only has so much on it for food and.. it's..god damn, this is so fucked up!"

"alright alright kiddo, easy. i just pulled you out of a panic attack, let's not put you right back in it. Do you have any place you could stay at?"

"No" you sniffle, dragging your sleeve across your closed eyes. "I don't."

"Alright then, I'll give you some money so you can get a room at the airport hotel." He offered with a genuine smile but you decline immediately.

"No! I mean, no. Thank you, but the last thing on my list is worrying about paying a stranger money back. I appreciate it, but.. no. I guess the benches here must suffice."

"Kiddo, it's Friday at" he turned his wrist to take a quick look at his watch "0538 PM, you're gonna stay here all weekend?" his brow was raised and he looked at you with an amused look.

You nod again, bringing your backpack to the front and opening up the zippers to the front pocket.

"I will be fine. I got some snacks in here"

"That ain't happening honey" he laughed and shook his head. "The.. only other thing i can offer is-" he looks like he's overthinking his decision before saying it out loud "you can crash at my place. I got a car and i ain't going anywhere tonight anyways. So…I'm not a serial killer nor am I interested in stealing your kidneys."

You look at him, take him in, the way he's still standing there, knees bent, salt and pepper hair falling onto his forehead, slightly smiling.

This was a dumb idea. Sleeping at a handsome strangers place, a guy you just met in the line of a fucking airport, and he is offering you a place to sleep. On the other hand, sleeping on an airport bench for the next two nights sounds terrible and honestly, what the hell do you have to lose?

"Kidney's stay?"

"Promise" he held out his pinky finger and

intertwined it with yours.

"Okay. I.. Thank you, Sir"

"Jack. My Name's Jack Abbot"

"Thank you, Jack."

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