April 2014
“Niall!” Penny called as she ran after the blonde haired jokester, weaving in and out of security guards at the airport. “Stop right now!” She said as she jumped on his back, reaching for his hand which was clutching her iPhone.
“Wha’s the madder? Don’t want me readin’ your messages?” He managed to get out between laughs. He thought he was a comedian for sure. Penny however, was not pleased. She had been stranded at the airport with Niall for almost 3 hours. They were flying out of Miami to meet the rest of the group in Bogota for the opening night of their “Where we are Tour.” They had to take care of some press stuff and Lou had volunteered Penny to go with Niall, to serve as his makeup artist/hair stylist for the sports interview he was doing. Sadly, the weather had delayed their flight and they had less than 24 hours to get to a different country and get all set up for the concert.

“Niall James Horan, you’re not cute.” She said after the two of them had crashed down into the wall near their terminal. Niall was having fits of giggles, beyond pleased with his joke. Penny finally took the phone from his hand and looked at the screen, she had five texts from Harry and one missed call.
“You’re a little fucker. Seriously.” She added, feeling peeved, but wanting to laugh so hard. She slid the screen open.
Harold <3 <3
Can’t wait to see your beautiful face! I’m
going to give you a thousand kisses.
5:41 PM
Everything okay?
6:00 PM
I’m worried, text soon?
6:20 PM
Niall’s not answering either? IS EVERYTHING
ALL RIGHT?
7:00 PM
Okay, seriously. You’re worrying me, call me
as soon as you can please. X
7:45 PM

“Shit, Harold’s wiggin out Niall. He thinks we’ve been murdered or something. You’re a shit friend.” She said shoving his arm playfully before pressing her finger against the call button and placing the phone to her ear.
“Penny! Is everythin’ all right? I’ve almost sent a search party for you two.” Harry answered after one ring; his voice was filled with worry. After the last tour Penny and Harry had been inseparable. Constantly flying here or there to see one another, jumping at any opportunity to work together, it was clear they were smitten. They’d only really told Niall, but she knew the rest of the boys knew. There was no way they couldn’t; they just didn’t bring it up.
“Baby, I’m fine. Your best mate decided to hide my phone from me, make me search for it for almost an hour, and then I had to tackle his little leprechaun ass to get it!” She said, glaring over at Niall who placed his hand on his chest, giving her the most hurt expression he could muster.
“I take offense to tha’ I’ll have you know!” He exclaimed, shaking his head and looking off to the side.
Penny cracked a smile, laughing slightly. “Sorry babe, aren’t you at sound check?” She asked, leaning forward and pulling her legs beneath her.
“Yeah, I am. I’ve been checking my phone constantly though, I think Paul’s about to go mental. You’re all right though love? What’s going on with your flight?”

Niall had gotten up to go check on the flight, as if he knew what Harry was asking. Penny sighed, “I’m fine. Just bored and waiting on the weather to calm down so that we can leave. This airport smells like musty old men and a teenage boy who bathed in cologne.” She cut her eyes to Niall, stifling a laugh at the ridiculous dance he was doing for one of the security guards.
“Honestly, I don’t know how you boys get anything done with him around.” She added, leaning back against the cold tile wall.
“He’s the funny bone, what can I say.” Harry laughed, missing his friend and his girl. “Well, I’m gonna go do some blocking, but call me before you take off? Or message me. Whatever, just check in.” Harry was playing papa bear and it was adorable. Penny smiled. “Okay, I will. See you soon and then you’re stuck with me for like a year.” She said laughing, not bothering to hide how insanely excited she was for this tour.
She said her goodbyes and then joined Niall, looking out the window at the rain droplets that were slowly moving down the window.
“Eerie, innit?” He asked, throwing his arm around her shoulder and pulling her in for a nice embrace. Penny nodded, looking out the window. Niall had been like a baby brother to her, but she couldn’t deny they had chemistry. Luckily she was dedicated to Harry and wasn’t too impulsive that she couldn’t control the urge to pull him off to the bathroom for a scandalous quickie. Instead she leaned her head on his shoulder.
“I’m so ready to go. I want plantains. I swear that’s all I do; I just want to go to different countries to eat. I have a problem.” She said with a laugh, looking up to him.
“Hey, it’s all right. I won’t deny I was just thinking about that. Food is my true love, I will wait forever for it…but I’d rather have it now.” The two shared a laugh and after waiting what felt like an eternity, they heard Niall’s security guard telling them it was clear for take-off.
Almost four hours later, the plane had landed and the pair was making their way off of the plane.
“You snore, seriously. I heard it with me own ears!” Niall was teasing Penny; it was like a nonstop playground flirt with the two. To be honest, this was the most time she’d spent with him away from Harry. It kind of worried her how well they got on.
“Shut up Horan.” She said as she rolled her eyes, finally getting into the building. It was cool outside and the breeze was beautiful. She had pulled her hoodie out of her bag and put it on in the plane. It was about two sizes too big and was black with a bear on the front. Niall had stopped near the entrance, checking his phone. He was probably checking in with the guys, but Penny couldn’t resist the opportunity. She ran towards him, reaching her hand out and snatching his phone out of his hand. She kept running, her feet hammering against the carpeted floor as she spun around a corner, hearing Niall close on her trail. She looked down at the phone; it was a message he was sending to Louis.
Tommo
I really like her, I feel so bad.
12:01 AM
Well it’s not like they’ve said anything.
Maybe they’re just really good friends?
12:02 AM
They’re definitely more than friends.
I just need to forget this.
12:05 AM
Whatever you say man, keep it in your pants then
and hurry your ass up! We’re dyin’ out here.
12:25 AM
If only it were that easy, we just landed.
be there soon x
12:26 AM
Penny had definitely stopped paying attention to her surroundings upon reading the words on the screen. She ran right into a railing and Niall had rammed right into her back. She stumbled and once again the two were on the floor. She let out a grunt as her leg connected with the hard linoleum. Perhaps she didn’t think that one through.
“Jesus Penny, why’d you do that for?!” Niall asked with a panic stricken face. He knew she had read the message, he couldn’t believe how undeniably embarrassed he was.
“Payback. Bitch.” She said nonchalantly as she regained her composure, there was a moment though.

A moment when her eyes met his and she realized what Silas had said so many months ago was true; friends don’t look at friends like that.

Notes

So, the iPhone chats wouldn't format perfectly on this site, but for the texts between Louis and Niall its-- Niall, Louis, Niall, Louis, Niall.
Hope you enjoyed, the boys are growing up and Penny is getting herself in too deep!