"This is the final boarding call for Flight DL5758 to New York City. Passengers, please make your way to Gate 37 with your identification and boarding pass ready. I repeat, this is the final boarding call for Flight DL5758 from Los Angeles to New York City."

"Alright," Claire hopped up from her seat and turned to face our group. "It’s a week in New York and then off to Milan for Fashion Week. Has everybody got their boarding passes? Good, let's go."

I stood up, legs shaking as from exhaustion. It was three o'clock in the morning and I had barely been sleeping the past week.

Ever since the incident at my parent's house, Jack had barely said a word to me. The talk we'd had in the living room had been our last full conversation in days.

It wasn't from lack of trying, but work had been keeping us busy the past week. Jack worked long hours and I arrived home late most night, too exhausted to even consider talking but rather fall into bed.

It was awkward, and for us it never had been. I hated everything about the situation but there was nothing I could do; Jack refused to speak about it and any time we were alone together, there was always something that pulled either one of us away again.

We'd already been through security and bag placement. Claire herded the group to the boarding gate where we made our way to the plane. I walked like a zombie whilst Jack was wide awake beside me.

Jack had been the one to drag me out of bed this morning and drove us to the airport where we met up with the rest of the company. The car ride would have been the perfect time for me to initiate a conversation again but I was running on caffeine and willpower. Talking to Jack required my full attention and lots of energy.

Claire ushered us down the aisles as the sleepy models loaded their carry-ons into the overhead compartments. Brendon winked at me as he passed but all I could was offer him a tired smile before flopping into my seat.

"You know Troye," Brendon said, leaning against the back of the chair in the aisle. "I can sit next to you and you can sleep on my shoulder if you want. It's way comfier than those leather chairs."

"Thanks," I murmured. "But I'll be okay."

Brendon frowned. "Okay, if you're sure."

Jack appeared a second later, stopped in front of Brendon as he waited for the model to move. Brendon turned and saw him, a small scowl on his brows. "Jack."

"Brendon." Jack smiled, nodding at the chair. "You're in my seat."

Reluctantly, Brendon moved out of the way, eyes on me. "I'll seat you later, Troye."

I gave him a small wave as Jack sat down in the seat beside me. He didn't look at me once as he said, "Are you okay?"

I turned to look at him in surprise. "Uh, y-yeah. Thanks for rescuing me."

Jack nods and holds something out to me. It's a small orange bottle with white tablets inside. "I got you these." he said. "They're meant to help with the nausea."

Attempting to hide my surprise, I take the bottle from him. "You remembered."

Being on a plane didn't scare me, but I had never been too good with heights and the turbulence often made me feel nauseas.

"I forgot to get some earlier," I mumbled as I downed two tablets with a sip of water. "Thankyou."

Jack's eyes never met mine. "You're welcome."

A flight attendant appears to demonstrate safety protocol but I never look away from Jack, sneaking subtle glances at him from time to time. My friend stared straight ahead at the flight attendant, never returning my gaze.

I sighed quietly. The tension between Jack and I was killing me and I didn't know how much longer I could wait this out.

As we listen to the overhead announcements, my phone vibrates in my pocket. Taking it out, I see that it’s a message from Gabriel.

Let me know when you land and know what your schedule is like. There's a little it-spot I'd love to take you to :)

A lump formed in my throat as I turned my phone off and slid it into my pocket. Everything was a mess right now and I was still trying to work out what I was going to do about my predicament. Right now, it could wait.

The other passengers had settled into their chairs, most adorning headphones or absorbed in books. Most of my group curled up in their seats with neck pillows, ready to sleep away the five-hour flight.

It was still dark outside. I settled into my seat with my head propped in my hand as I leaned against the window. The medication was starting to take place and I felt drowsy.

Sneaking a quick glance at Jack, who had put in his earphones and was typing on his laptop, I sighed and turned to look out the porthole window.

Final announcements were made and I felt the plane begin to roll out to the runway. Minutes later we were taking off, the ground disappearing into a blur until we were high in the clouds.

Seeing as Jack was barely speaking to me and the rest of our group had clocked out, I closed my eyes and let sleep overtake me, praying it would knock me out the entire flight.

***

A suddenly jolt knocked me out of my slumber and I realised the plane had touched down on the runway.

The aircraft came to a stop and an announcement overhead declared that it was safe for passengers to move about the cabin.

Jack stood first, closing his laptop and shoving it into his carry-on before stepping aside to let me out into the aisle.

Jack passed me my bag and I gave him a tired smile. He returned my smile with a small shrug and I felt my shoulders drop.

"Alright gang," Claire stood a few rows up. "We've got a car waiting for us so let's get through the airport quickly. We've still got to get to the hotel and get ready for the welcome dinner tonight."

The models moved like zombies, despite their five-hour nap, but Claire's sharp tongue and quick stride was enough to kick them into gear.

People stared as we moved through the airport. After passing through security and baggage claim, the group came to a halt in front of a crowd of screaming civilians.

"Troye!" one girl with dark hair shouted. "Welcome to New York! I love you so much!"

"Troye over here!"

"Is that Troye Evans? Troye!"

"He's that model I was telling you about!"

"He was on the cover of Vanity Fair last month!"

I draw my hood up as our personal on-call security leads us through the crowd. Fans scream and reach for me and the others but I only offer them a small smile and keep moving.

Outside we were ushered into a small bus that would take us to the hotel.

"That was insane." Sienna breathed. She flipped her dark hair over her shoulder. "I had no idea we had such a following in New York."

"Lap it up." Brendon smirked from the other side of the bus. "They adore us. They must've seen my shoot for Nylon I did last week."

Sienna's perfectly-sculptured brows knitted together. "Most of the work I've done for Cosmopolitan, especially swimwear, doesn't target a New York demographic. I'm surprised they even knew we were coming."

"The company felt it best to highlight our arrival in order to raise hype about Fashion Week and the featuring designers." Claire explained, eyes flicking to me. "With Troye on the first line-up, it was easy to catch the public's eye."

I blushed as everyone turned to me. "My presence means nothing. A lot of you have done more than me."

My words rang true. Sienna had modelled for magazines such as Cosmopolitan and Bazaar numerous times, Lacey was a spokesperson for feminism in fashion for Darling's latest issue. Even Brendon had an impressive portfolio, including a personalised letter of appraisal from renowned Italian designer, Roberto Cavalli.

"Oh please," Sienna scoffed at my comment. "You're basically a Victoria's Secret Angel, Troye. Designers and photographers love working with you."

"Except I don't work for Victoria's Secret, nor am I anything close to an Angel." I pointed out.

Sienna shrugged. "You have a natural talent behind the camera, Troye. It's a gift. The company is always receiving requests to feature you in another designers clothing."

"They are?" I asked Claire who nodded.

"We get many companies contacting us each season to work with you. It's why I said you should consider your options when your contract is finished."

Brendon's head snapped up. "You're leaving."

"What?" I sat back. "No. I'm just-"

"His contract ends this year," Sienna said to a surprised-looking Brendon. "He's free to search for other companies."

"But you're not going to do it, right?" Brendon said to me. 

I shrugged. "It depends whether or not I get re-contracted."

"This is us," Claire announced suddenly, pulling everyone's attention away from me. 

The bus pulled up in front of the Four Seasons Hotel and my jaw nearly dropped at the sight before me. I had travelled for work multiple times before but the company had never booked anything this fancy, even for last year's fashion show.

The group climbs out of the bus, gawking in awe at the massive building in front of us. Claire has enough of our antics and ushers us inside. 

"Alright," Claire turns to us after checking in at the front desk. She holds up five plastic cards. "These are the keys for your rooms. Do not lose them."

She hands out the cards and stands back. "We still have a few hours until the Welcome Dinner starts. Get upstairs, shower, nap, whatever you want, but don't leave the building. You will be meeting the designers tonight so I expect professional behaviour only tonight. Go."

We did as Claire said, heading upstairs in the elevator to the floor our rooms were situated on. 

Jack was silent behind me, staring down at his phone the whole way up to our floor in the elevator. The other models chatted around us but standing beside him, I could feel the tension. However, Jack and I were still roommates. 

"Jack, Troye, this is you on the end." Claire said, pointing to the last door at the end of the hallway. "30B."

Jack swiped the card and pushed the door open, dumping his duffel bag on the bed nearest the door. I followed in silence, walking over to the other bed and sitting down slowly.

I listened as Jack moved about the room, first placing his toiletries in the bathroom before moving to hang up his suit for dinner in the closet. He's careful not to enter my proximity each time he passed. 

"Okay, seriously?" I stood up when Jack walked past me a third time, making no eye contact or attempt at conversation. "Are you just going to ignore me for the entire trip?"

Jack looked at me for the first time since we left the apartment that morning. "I'm not ignoring you," he said. 

"You haven't spoken a word to me since we left for the airport." I argue. "If I've done something wrong, just tell me what is it. Please."

Jack stopped moving, shoulders slumping as he dropped the pile of clothes he was holding on his bed. He sighed. "You haven't done anything wrong, Troye."

"Then talk to me." I walked over to him and placed a hand on his arm, eyes begging. "Please."

"We need to get ready for the Welcome Dinner." Jack shrugged me off and headed for the bathroom.

"The dinner isn't for hours!" I exclaimed after him. "Jack, what's going on?"

He stopped in the doorway of the bathroom, his look calculating. When he didn't say anything, I started moving for the door, "Perhaps I should ask Claire for another roommate."

"No." Jack turned around sharply, halting me in my step. His gaze was fierce but soon softened as he ran a hand over his face. 

"I'm sorry, Troye." he said. "I'm not trying to ignore you. I'm just-I'm just trying to make this trip go smoothly."

"Because it's so rough?" I stepped towards him, confronting. "We live together Jack and you can't even spend one week in the same room as me?"

"Not now." he whispered and I stepped back in shock, his words punching a whole in my stomach.

"Has that much really changed?" I whispered and Jack looked at me with knowing eyes. "You know it has."

I sat down on the bed, eyes closed as I clenched the sheets tightly in my fists. "Just tell me how to fix it. Tell me how to make things better."

"There's nothing to fix. You haven't done anything wrong."

"Clearly I have!" I shouted, causing Jack to flinch. "Or you wouldn't be standing here unable to meet my eyes."

Jack finally looked at me directly. He assessed my expression, drawing his own conclusion.

"We have to get ready for the dinner." he said. "After that, maybe we'll talk."

"I'm supposed to meet Gabriel tomorrow night." I whispered sadly.

Jack forced a smile. "Then you should do that."

He went to close the bathroom door, stopping it midway and said, "Gabriel sounds like a great guy. He doesn't know how lucky he is."

With that said, Jack closed the door and soon the shower running could be heard. Sighing, I fell backwards on the bed.

Something told me that getting through this week was going to be harder than I thought.