"Thanks Ross," Amanda said quietly as he pulled her suit case out of the boot of the taxi.

        We were in the airport in Las Vegas, about to fly back to Houston and then directly to London, which meant these were the last few hours I got to spend with Amanda. We were all quiet, dreading the thought of leaving this place and going back to our regular lives. I looked over at Amanda, and she was sullenly looking at the ground as we walked up to the large building. I wanted to say something or grab her hand or do anything to erase that listless look on her face, but I did nothing.

        We got a measly breakfast, at which Amanda announced her veganism to the other two finally. There was a realization that dawned on the other two, and then she had to explain her moral decisions and how healthy the diet is if you're smart about it to them. I flinched, knowing that's exactly what she hates doing, but it was actually good to know why and how she was a vegan. After her explanations, Trott and Ross didn't seem as put off by the idea.

        We sat in the waiting area, quiet again. Amanda had her tablet out and was reading, while Trott next to her played Tetris on his iPhone. Across from them Ross read Game of Thrones and I searched twitter for anything interesting. The mood had completely changed since we had arrived here five days ago. There was no more buzzed excitement and curiosity about the weekend and seeing fans and old Youtube friends and the new girl. It was more of a comfortable familiarity and the sense of impending loss.

        Our flight was delayed, even though it was completely sunny out with not a cloud in the sky, so we were stuck there for about another hour. Amanda had begun to explain the book she was reading about Stephen Hawking to Trott, and his mouth hung open wordlessly as she tried to describe how maths could have potentially created other beautiful dimensions but it was impossible for us to visit them. It was interesting, but I don't think even she was able to comprehend all of it, and poor Trott seemed to glaze over half way through.

        "We will now begin boarding flight 37B to Houston, Texas," the man at the podium drawled, explaining the boarding procedures. We got up slowly, taking our time to pack up our stuff and get out our tickets and luggage tags. Trott was the first in line, followed by Ross, Amanda, and then myself. I watched as she bounced down the hall next to Ross and I felt a pang of regret so sharp that it took me a second before I was able to follow them. I knew the clock was ticking for my chance to say something to patch this up before she's gone, but I was struggling to figure out what that 'something' was.

        The cold air of the plane was a shock from the sweltering heat of the day. We found our seats and Amanda was already shivering when I reached her. "I can't believe they'd keep the air condition up so high," she said to no one in particular. I looked down at her outfit; she wore black shorts and a sleeveless shirt with the Kirbyluvsgaming logo across the front. The hair on her arms were standing on end, accompanied by goosebumps. 

        I didn't say anything, just took of my jumper and handed it to her as I sat down. She looked shocked, "Oh no, Smithy, I'm fine, I..." It was the first thing she'd said directly to me since she had basically told me to piss off.

        "Just take it," I told her quietly, looking at my lap. She grabbed it, but then hesitated, and I looked up. There was a pained expression in her eyes, and I gave her a tiny smile to tell her it was alright. She took it without another word and and shrugged it on.

        I looked over at Ross and Trott across the isle, but they were both focused on some game they were playing with each other. I thought about editing or playing a game, but was too lazy to pull out my laptop. I decided to listen to music until I got bored of it. 

        I saw a movement out of the corner of my eye, and I looked over at Amanda discreetly. There were dark circles under her eyes and her eyelids dropped. The weekend must have been catching up to her, as this was the first time I had seen her as anything but alive and enthusiastic. Her eyes closed and then her head slowly dipped until her chin was resting against her chest. Her hair had fallen in front of her face, obscuring my view, but I was sure she was asleep. She seemed uncomfortable, and she kept fidgeting in her sleep until I felt a head bump my shoulder.

        I froze, unable to process what was happening. I didn't know how to react to her touch. I wondered if I should shove her off or let her sleep. Would she be mad at me if she found that I hadn't woken her?

        I checked her face, brushing her hair out of her face gently. Her skin was soft and I felt a startling heat shoot up my fingers and I silently tucked her hair behind her ear. She seemed so peaceful when she slept, and I was surprised at how young she looked in this state. I slouched down, letting her head fit into the crook of my shoulder and neck. I could smell her again, the intoxicating and complex scent hit me with full force since I was so close to her. It made me drowsy and relaxed, and impulsively I leaned my cheek against her soft curls. Soon my eyes closed as well and the music swirled around me as I slipped into a dream.

        We were on a couch in a strange apartment. Amanda rested between my legs, her back against my stomach and her hair flowing down my chest in waves. I leaned my chin against the top of her head, getting comfortable and wrapping my arms around her shoulders.

        The tele was on, but it was muted. Amanda was wrapped up in her tablet, words blurring across the screen as she swiped to turn the page. I didn't mind having the TV silent, even if Amanda wasn't bothered by the noise to begin with. It was these types of nights between her classes and our work that made me the happiest. It was calm and quiet, and I was completely infatuated with the girl on top of me.

        "Hey, Alex," she said, patting my knee beside me. "Listen to this. 'The joy is that we can take back our bodies, reclaim our health, and restore ourselves to balance. We can take power over what and how we eat. We can rejuvenate and recharge ourselves, bringing healing to the wounds we carry inside us, and bringing to fuller life the wonderful person that each of us can be'," she read off the page.

        "That's nice babe," I mused, feeling sleepy. I liked listening to her going on about her veganism. As much as her friends and family ostracizes her for her beliefs, I can't help but idolized her for how strongly she stands for what she believes in. I kissed the top of her head, taking in the sight of her, the feeling of her hair tickling my arms and the warmth that radiated from her skin, the steady rise and fall of her chest, and the smell that wove it's way through her hair. I should have been bored here just being her pillow, but I was content to stay here forever.

        I felt a tapping on my shoulder. "Sir," the voice asked, "Sir?"

        "Oh yeah," I said, startling awake. "Sorry," I apologized to the hostess.

        "Sir, could you put your trays up? We'll be landing soon," she told me.

        Amanda stretched beside me as the hostess shuffled on. "Are we there?" she asked sleepily. She didn't seem to have noticed the position we had both been in a few seconds earlier.

        "Yeah," I said, dazed. "You have to put your tray up," I pointed.

        "Oh, right," she jumped, pushing the tray into the back of the seat in front of her. She started to pack up what little things she had.

        "Ladies and gentlemen..." the pilot began, saying that we will be starting our decent. I dreaded it, knowing that Amanda wouldn't have much time before her next flight because of the delay. I started panicking internally, trying to plan what I was going to say to her but stumbling even over my own thoughts. I felt my palms start to sweat and when I looked at her my heart fluttered with trepidation.

        I looked over to Trott and Ross, trying to clear my head. Trott just gave me a questioning looked and pointed at the two of us when Amanda wasn't looking. I shook my head, not understanding what had happened either.

        We walked off the plane and found the gate where Amanda's plane would be departing. The minute we got there the woman started announcing boardings. I took a deep breath as she turned to the three of is. She looked towards the hallway and back at us, eyebrows furrowed with a sad look in her eyes.

        She set her bags down and threw her arms around Trott. "It was so amazing to meet you guys," she said over his shoulder. They pulled away and held each other for a moment while she said, "I had a great week, you three are amazing."

        She gave Ross and hug too. "You have my number and email," she said, "we have to do a collab sometime!" she gushed.

        "It was amazing spending the week with you Amanda," Ross said with a smile. "We would have been so lost without you," he joked.

        "We'll miss you so much," Trott said. They both went in for a final hug and she slipped and arm around each of their necks. "We'll keep an eye out on your channel," he said, "if you have any good games you want to play with us don't hesitate to ask."

        She thanked them and smiled sadly as they walked away, giving us privacy. She started taking off my jumper and suddenly I felt like I desperately need her to keep it on. "Keep it," I told her quickly.

        "Smith, I really shouldn't..." she sighed, but I stopped her.

        "Don't worry about it, I have plenty," I said quietly, giving her a half hearted smile to reassure her. She put it back on silently.

        Her smiled faded and she looked down at her feet, a blush creeping to her cheeks. I gulped, ready to say everything I had been thinking for the past week. I needed to tell her how much I cared about her and would rather stay here in the airport with her in this moment forever than have to say goodbye.

        I opened my mouth just as she raised her brown eyes to meet mine. Everything drained out of head as something I couldn't place passed between us. There was a breath, only half of a second, where everything stopped before we threaded our arms around each other. It's as if all the things around us melted away while we hugged. So much that I couldn't have said was explained, and even more that I hadn't realized she was feeling was evident when she was in my arms.

        It wasn't even 30 seconds of contact, but it might have well been hours. I felt the burning pain in my chest dull to a slight ache as our relationship was fixed with such a small action. Everything that I had been feeling crashed down on me, and I realized how foreign these emotions were to me. I couldn't have cared less about the girls I had been with in the past few years; I didn't have relationships and I most certainly didn't fall in love.

        Yet this girl had changed me in a matter of days. She had reduced me into a puddle; I worried about my behavior, my looks, anything that might change Amanda's feelings towards me. I would lie awake at night thinking about her, and then dream about her during the day. Minecon was amazing, but how could that ever compare to just being with her? It was the highlight of my days spent here in America.

        And I have learned about words in the silence. I never imagined that so much could have been said in a look, a brush of a hand...a hug. The dynamics of our relationship were ones that I had never experienced, yet I can't stand the thought of going back to what I had previously thought of as social connections.

        I'll miss you too, I tried to express to her, I...I love you...

        "Last call for flight C46 to Tampa, Florida," we heard as we reluctantly pulled away. She let go, not looking at me as she present her tickets.

        No, it couldn't end like this. I needed her in my life; Id' do anything to keep her with me. I couldn't leave it at that. "Wait!" I called, but she was already down the corridor. I watched, dumbfounded, as she turned the corner and disappeared. It would probably be the last time I'd ever see her in person again, or, at least, for a long time.

        I heard footsteps approach behind me, and felt a reassuring hand on my shoulder. Trott and Ross looked at me with pity, and I stayed silent, willing Amanda to come back around the corner.

        But she would never reappear.