Lost in Europe

CHAPTER TWENTY- AVERY

The hotel was absolutely amazing! We were going to stay in Hotel 41, but given that its about five hundred dollars a night, we went for the cozy, modern, Montagu Place Hotel. My room, the first out of sixteen, had a brown and tan stripped bed with drapes hung low. We've been in the hotel for the past five days and have only been to the little shops around it. I talked Collin into going to the London eye and Buckingham Palace earlier today. Tonight we're going to a club down the block, and tomorrow will be our first official tourist day in London. Between the naps and laziness, I've wasted important, valuable time in London- the city that I've always wanted to go to...- ironic, I know.

“ Go get ready! Geez!” Becca called out from behind me. I was in the walk in closet, picking out my dress for tonight. We had thirty four minutes until we leave, and I was clueless on what to wear.

“ Here... Let me help you.” She pulled out a black dress and threw it to me. I pulled off my robe after she left and slid the slim fitting dress over my head. It shaped my body, giving me curves I didn't even know I had. In the front, it went all the way up to my neck, not showing any cleavage, except for the slit by the chest. It went directly downwards, showing a bare minimum. The back was covered except the slit down my back, stopping right before my bottom. A giant belt with a bow strapped around my waist, giving me even more of a curve. I slid silver pumps on my feet, then stuck my hair up in a tight bun. I pulled strands out in random places, then swept my bangs out of my face. Becca did my makeup earlier, so I was ready.

“ Damn...” She said as I walked out of the closet. “ Should have kept that outfit for myself.” She teased. Collin walked in with his mouth hung to the floor. “ Wow.” was all he said.

“ Can we just go?” I said through a laugh.

“ Uh- yeah...” Collin said hesitantly.

The club was packed. Out of all of the pubs in London, this was the only one with music and a dance floor. The rest were half pub, half diner. No music, just beer. Collin and I danced for about an hour and a half before finally taking a break. A few other people came with us. Basically, everyone except Mr. Evens and Amy. Amy was sick, and Mr. Evens can't know about this...

The music was loud and I could feel my pulse in my ears.

“ Want something to drink?” Collin asked.

“ Yes please!” I tried yelling over the music, but it was useless.

He walked into the crowd to the other side of the dance floor where the bar was.

“ Hey. Where's lover boy?” Tim asked for the millionth time on this trip.

“ Getting drinks.” I said, matter-of-factly.

“ Not tipsy yet?” He asked.

“ Shut up! If I wanted to be drunk, I would have been drunk by now, trust me.” I said, angrily.

“ I don't believe you.” He smiled.

“ Well believe it.” He was kind of annoying me...

“ Not until you show me.” He said, pointing to the table where Collin had just set my drink.

“ Fine. Here.” I chugged the tall glass of who knows what.

“ Dang. Now the question is, can you hold it?” He looked at his watch, then back up at me.

“ Damn right, I can!” He laughed then looked back down at his watch.

“ Alright, I'll give you credit for this. Now, the next test... Does your dancing match your drinking?”

“ Probably not, but I'll take you up on that offer.” I glanced over at Collin, sort of as an 'okay' from him. He nodded his head and smiled, then looked down at his phone.

The lights from above flashed and strobed, as they were programed to do. The bass came from every side of the room, sending vibrating sensations up my legs.

“ So, how long have you and... Collin been together?” He asked curiously. We started swaying and rocking to the music.

“ Almost two weeks I think.”

“ Cool. So about Becca-” I stopped him there.

“ She likes you- like seriously won't shut up about you. Go for it dude.” He smiled the biggest smile I've ever seen then hugged me.

“ Thanks, Avery. I'm gonna go ask her right now. Pardon me.” He excused himself and found his way off the dance floor, leaving me alone.

“ Hey, love.” I turned around to a guy... with hair like mine. It was fiery red, and messy. Almost like he had just woken up. “ Can I steal a dance?”

I didn't know what to do, so I just bobbed my head. He grabbed my waist and rocked to the music.

“ What's your name?” I asked, trying to distract myself from the thought that a stranger was basically groping me from behind...

“ Ed. Yours?” His voice was deep and raspy.

“ Avery...” I turned around, looking him in the face, but still dancing. The song ended minutes later, leaving Ed and I standing.

“ If I can buy you a drink, let me know. I'm here all night.” He bowed and backed away. I was speechless... That feeling, like when Collin first kissed me... It came back, sending my stomach into my throat. I could see the tips of his hair walking towards the bar. His face came back to my mind. Ovalish, framed with glasses, and a smile that stretched across his face. Really cute...

I sat down at the table Collin had been siting at. There were seven bottles on the table. Someone has been drinking a little... Collin was nowhere to be found.

“ Hey! Haven't seen you all night. You'll never guess what just happened to me!” Becca screamed. “ Tim asked me out!” She squealed.

“ Good for you!” I did the happy dance with her. “ Have you seen Ed- I mean Collin...”

“ Oooh. Nice save, but whose the man whore?” She asked excitedly.

“ I don't wanna talk about it. Becca?” I pleaded.

“ He was by the bathrooms last time I saw him.” She pointed to the black hallway with neon signs above it.

“ Thanks.” I halfway jogged, half power walked to the hall.

“ Collin?” I yelled out, again, being drowned out by the blaring music. I passed a few corners and decided I was lost, so turned back. He was still nowhere in sight.

“ What the hell?!?” I gasped at the sight.

“ Avery no...” realization crossed his face as a smack on the cheek crossed Cindy's.