The Hotel - H.S.

Chapter 5

Zoey's POV

When we got down to the lobby I was pleasantly surprised to see May was still working behind the registration desk. Harry and I approached and she looked up with a tense smile. 

"Hey guys, how's it going? It's been insane here. An elevator went down and it took hours to get it fixed. People have been a bit pissed off." She explained, running a hand through her short, blond hair.

"Oh dear, you don't say. That is dreadful! Hopefully no one was stuck in it?" Harry asked, smoothly.

"No, I don't think anyone was in there. No one called down from the emergency phone...It's just been a pain in the ass and I am working overtime to get the paperwork processed for engineering tomorrow..." she trails off, eyes on her computer as she taps away.

"May!" I interrupt her, yelling in an exacerbated way. "Someone was in there! WE WERE IN THERE! We were stuck for like 5 hours! That damn so-called emergency phone is dead as a doorknob-"

"Doorknob?" She and Harry both mutter at the same time, looking at each other and me.

"and we were stuck there, starving to death and in a state of constant terror!" I finished dramatically, wild eyed and laying it on thick.

"I wouldn't say I was in a state of constant terror..." Harry corrects, trying not to laugh at me. "But I am definitely near death from starvation. Do you guys have any food or vending machines or anything around here?"

May is wide eyed for a few moments, just staring, before she hiccups with laughter. "You guys were stuck in there?!" Apparently she finds this hugely entertaining. "Zoe, why didn't you call me from your cell!"

"No service." Harry and I answer in unison. May giggles, fighting to compose herself. 

"I am so so sorry, I had no idea and I was here alone. I will let engineering know about the phone in that elevator immediately in the morning. As for food...." She looks down at her watch, "I would say the only option besides delivery fast food is going to be our break room. We have vending machines and free prepared foods for staff that work over night. Follow me."

She comes around the desk and leads us down the hallway to the left of reception. We wander with purpose through a few doorways and hallways into the behind-the-scenes of the hotel. Harry slings an arm around my shoulders as we walk, seeming to try to relax me. It works, I release the rest of my tension and by the time we are turning into the cafeteria like employee break room I am smiling again. We walk to a refrigerated case full of packaged salads, sandwiches, snacks, fruit, and more. May leaves us to help ourselves and heads back to reception, while I grab a sandwich and Harry gets a salad and some fruit. 

"Well, I guess I have taken up enough of your evening..." Harry starts to say as we walk back down the winding hallways towards the lobby. "You know, being stuck in an elevator with you was a very nice time. I would even do it again." He jokes with a smile. I smile too and chuckle. We pass the front desk again as I see May putting on her coat and speaking to a new employee standing near her.

"Mayflower, if this elevator traps me again I will release the hounds on you!" I yell at her as we walk by.

"It's fixed! I'm pretty sure you won't get stuck again! Like at least 59% sure you won't get stuck again." She calls back, walking away from us and down the hallway we just came from. "Goodnight sweet angel babies!" She taunts, waving an arm up in the air without looking back at us. Harry and I laugh, pressing the button for the elevator.

"This is probably so stupid of us but I am not walking up 13 flights of stairs" I laugh as we wait. The doors slide open after a few and we enter. As they close behind us and Harry presses the 13, he turns to me.

"Next question: How do you take your coffee?" He asks, continuing our earlier elevator game.

"Black, as satan intended. You?" I quip back, dryly.

"Satanic as well!" He responds, straight faced but with enthusiasm. We both grin at each other as the elevator doors open on floor 13. We exit and both begin walking towards the right. We end up at doors right across the hall from each other, shaking our heads at each other as we both reach for our key cards. "Looks like we were destined to be friends."

"Well goodnight Harry Styles, it's been real." I call over my shoulder as I open my door.

"Goodnight neighbor, see you tomorrow." I hear as I step into my room and my door closes behind me. I smile and lean back against it, closing my eyes in shock. Was tonight even real? I have never felt so comfortable with someone so quickly. I have never felt electricity in my nerves from someone's casual touches. I have never looked into the eyes of someone who was capable of creating the kind of therapeutic art that this man creates, purely with the intent of sharing it with the world. 

I push off the door and walk forward, kicking my shoes off and sliding them into the closet. I sit down to take a few bikes of sandwich, thinking about this night and everything tomorrow morning brings. I begin my trial tomorrow. For the next 2 weeks I will be going in daily for 6 hours a day getting infusions and electric current therapies. There will be testing and monitoring and symptom management thrown in there as well. I know I am ready for this, but the nerves are real. I can't help but think that the night would have been much more stressful from anticipation without the chaotic distraction that was elevator Harry. I very much like elevator Harry, and I am suddenly excited about the next few weeks. I know he will be here even longer than me working, and I am really going to enjoy getting to know him more.