Fallen Royals

Chapter 18

Natko blew hot air in his frozen hands. He was returning to the hotel after another day spent on skis. He was feeling a bit like a dick as he saw his friends only in late evening hours. Someone might even say he was avoiding their company. The truth was he needed space and quiet, a silent sanctuary from past months. He expected for school to be a relaxing environment but he landed in a highly competitive group who forgot they're hormonal teenagers but acted as overzealous librarians with books always in their hands. They pushed him to have good grades and that meant a lot of intense study sessions. Now, they were finally on loose and Natko didn't want to get in the way of the hormones. It could lead to a disaster. He noticed how close he was to Adela and was afraid that teen might have more than friendly feelings towards him. For him, she was like a baby sister.

The group was already finishing with their meal when he came to sit at the table.

"Hey, Natko! We thought you weren't going to make it." - Adela saved a spot for him. He sat next to her.

"Got lost in time. Where are Milan and Sass?"

"They're having their special date."

"Do they?"

"Yeah, our room is taken for the night..."

"Where will you sleep?"

"Can I crash at your place?

"Of course. I'd never let a friend freeze in the cold halls while her friend is being warmed up..."

"Oh, shut up, you're so obscene." - Adela playfully hit him on the shoulder. - "I already packed for the night." - She pointed at her bag. -"so we can call it a night after dinner. I'd love to watch a movie."

"Luckily I packed some action movies."

"No romcoms?"

"Uh, not something I'd watch..."

Adela laughed. - "Honestly, I can't imagine you watching 'Yours Truly' or 'Weekend Getaway'."

"Please, don't even try."

"Hate to interrupt you," - Stefan got up from his chair. - "but my poker night starts in 10 minutes, so I'm leaving. Have fun with the movie."

Stefan left and soon Natko and Adela followed.

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The movie was an action blockbuster from the early 21st century. It was about humans colonizing an alien planet and the aliens fighting back the evil humans who were destroying their planet in the name of profit. Adela and Natko were watching it comfortably in their pajamas from their own bed. Adela at one point loudly yawned, deconcentrating Natko who's all emerged in the movie.

"Do you want to sleep? I can turn it off."

"No, no. Just this bed is hard as rock. Thought it would be more soft like in my room. It's hard to watch the movie."

"Want to switch beds?"

"Nah, I don't want you to suffer on it."

"Khm, I can move to the left and you can take the right side of my bed." And I'll just move to your bed when you fall asleep.

"Yeah, that'd be great!" - Adela jumped out of her bed and dived into his bed.

Natko laughed at her reaction. "You have a lot of faith in me. Didn't your mother teach you not to jump into a man's bed?"

"I'm sure she did but I think I slept through that lesson." - She winked.

"Ok, can we continue with the movie?