Page 137 of Introvert

I had no response to that, and when he opened his eyes, my jaw was still slack.

"Thought you were going to kill me when I stole your book," he said.

"I considered it."

Felix's mouth remained pinched, but his eyes brightened.

"Your cousin was right," he said.

"About what?"

"I like your kind of awkward."

Again, I had nothing.

I remembered Lottie saying something along those lines, but I didn't think Felix would, let alone agree with her.

I like you period, my heart responded.

But it didn't seem like a smart thing to admit since I was actively trying to get over the guy.

The plane jostled again, and this time the lights flickered.

Felix cursed, grabbing onto the armrests so hard his knuckles went white.

"Hey, it's okay," I said, keeping my voice soft.

His breathing seemed faster, shorter, abnormal. Felix looked like he was seconds away from a full-blown panic attack, buthe nodded.

"We'll get through this."

I tried to think of something to take his mind off the storm.

"It looks like Gigi spared no expense on the plane or the pilot," I said. "Plus, like you said, she loves you, so there's really nothing to worry about."

Felix didn't release his death grip.

"You know what has me kind ofworried?" I rambled. "Senior year. I know it sounds stupid, but the tour changed me. It showed me how much I really love music, being around it, immersed in it, a part of something bigger than myself. I'm scaredof going back to school and feeling like my old life is less somehow."

Going on instinct, I took his hand and placed it against the center of my chest.

"Breathe, Felix."

His eyes met mine.

"Try and relaxwhile I talk you down off the cliff." I took a deep breath and continued, "I'm also scared I'll miss everyone, London, Ryker, Santino, Elliot, Hayden, Izzy, Essie, Taylor andher awful snoring. And you," I said. "I'll miss you terribly—even if you can be annoying sometimes."

Felix was quiet, but then he said, "I'm not annoying."

"Only when you steal books."

"Princess?"

"Yeah?" I said.

"I'm afraid of flying."

I tried not to smile.

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