Fatal Flaws

chapter 19

"Hello sir, we will take three rooms, each for two nights, please" Skylar pipes up from behind me, stepping towards the desk. We all stand patiently, watching him tirelessly type several things on his computer. Which, like its owner, is an ancient, old box-style monitor. I doubt they even make them anymore. I'm only half listening to him as he tells us the total. Sky digs through her purse, retrieving a small black credit card, handing it to him. He lowers his glasses down onto the bridge of his nose, allowing him to read the name on the card better. After we pay, he waddles around the desk, motioning us to follow him. He leads us down the hall on the right, to the last two rooms.

"I'm sorry, but it seems we only have two rooms available on this end and one on the other side," he apologised,  fishing two small keys from his breast pocket and handing them over to Skylar. "Do you need me to show you to the other side, or would you just like the key?" he asks, pulling another single key from a different pocket. 

"The keys are fine. We don't want to be a bother" Skylar smiles, extending her hand to retrieve the last key.

After giving us the keys and room numbers, he advises us of a few policy rules. Finishing by letting us know if we need anything he'll be at the front desk all night before he walks off. Heading back the way we had come from. We stand there for a few moments, watching his backside as he hobbles down the long hallway. Stopping several times to adjust, various pictures hung on the wall.

"So obviously Hope and I will share a room. Umm, how do you guys want to divide the other two?" Skylar asks once the old man has disappeared from view. It's obvious she's trying to avoid the heavy awkwardness that seems to suddenly fill the air.

"How about the girls take one room and the boys the other?" Hope suggests with a slight shrug of her shoulders, lying her head down, resting on Sky's shoulder.

Jessica's cheeks turn a dark shade of red as she fidgets around nervously. I can sense she doesn't want to be my roommate. My heart drops into my stomach. I know who she wants to sleep next to. She wants him, and he probably feels the same way about her. 

"I was hoping to share a room with Ben," Jessica stammers, completely catching everyone off guard. Especially me. "I mean, of course, if that's okay. If not, I don't care to share a room with Bex." She smiles at me over Hayden's shoulder.

"Well that would leave Hayden and Bex sharing a room" she stammers, contemplating it in her head. I know what she's thinking, without her even speaking. She's thinking about the conversation from the other day.

"It shouldn't be a problem. All the rooms are equipped with two beds. And we won't even be there except for sleeping." I bargain, trying to ease her worried thoughts. She doesn't respond, instead giving me a warning stare. 

"It doesn't matter to me. I've been driving for three hours, and after stopping at that hamburger spot, I'm ready to shower and crash," Hayden mumbles. He looks down at the floor while adjusting the bag on his shoulders. He seems irritated at the suggestion of us rooming together.

"Okay, it's settled then, Ben and I will take this room next to you guys, "Jessica squeals. Satisfied with the sleeping arrangements.

"Alright, see you guys in the morning. We can meet up around ten. Sound good?" Hayden says, snatching the last room key out of Sky's hand. We all nod in agreement, splitting off, and heading to our separate rooms.

I follow silently behind Hayden. I can't help feeling like he's mad that he got stuck sharing a room with me.  Passing by the front desk, the old man doesn't look up from the magazine he's reading. The other hallway is darker with only tiny old-fashioned oil lamps, lighting the way. They remind me of the ones they use on Little House on the Prairie, giving off an spooky glow as we continue walking. Our room is the very last one at the end of the  hallway, room number 40.