Chipless

Chapter 19- The Lockwood Motel (And flashbacks!)

I slowly take the two sets of keys out of Mrs. Vaskarla's hand, "Thanks, I guess." She just smiles and walks away, coffee in hand. I have to raise my voice a little to get everyone's attention because they're off doing something else. "I got the keys! Let's go!"

At first they just look at me, then they snap out of what seems like a haze and walk out of the lobby. The Lockwood Motel is less of a motel and more of a bunch of cabins in a large open area. "I hate the outdoors with a burning passion." Lily groans.

"Tough luck," Ze laughs, "that's what ninety percent of being a chipless is." He covers his mouth like he has just said something no one is suppose to hear.

Ana walks over to him, "It's ok, no one can hear us." Ze sighs with relief and we continue to our cabin. Ana looks at Lily, Jared, and I, "Some people consider the name chipless swearing. We've been taught it's wrong but no one like Quinn can hear us so it's fine."
"Oh ok." I nod.

The cabin is pretty nice, the girls get the upstairs, unit 8B, and the boys get downstairs, unit 8A. Our unit has a kitchenette, which won't get much use, a couch, and two twin size beds. "Sweet! The couch is a pull out! Dibs!" Jared plops down on the couch.

"No need to call dibs," Gavin says, "We where gonna make you sleep on it anyways."

"You guys are so nice." Jared says sarcastically.

Lily walks downstairs, "Oh, Anthony, I forgot to give you this." She reaches into her jacket pocket and pulls out my phone, "A week or so ago the police had finished looking for evidence of where you had gone and sense you don't have any remaining immediate family, they gave it to me."

I take it from her and slide it into the back pocket of my jeans, "Thanks." She smiles at me and runs back upstairs.
"So what are we gonna do all day?" Gavin's asks, "I don't wanna die of boredom!"

"I don't know," Ze shrugs, "Try not to get raider bombed, disguise ourselves, not die."

"What makes raider bombs or whatever you call them so special?" Jared sits up, obviously intrigued.

"They're special bombs created by the government, their side effects are memory loss, trouble breathing, and possibly losing one or more of your five senses." Ze's description makes them sound terrible, "Last the government used the was when I was ten. It sent me to the hospital and I almost lost my sight."

"They sound horrible." I say, I realize I'm just thinking out loud. We just sit there in silence for a moment. Nothing happens, which is unusual and a sign that something's important is about to happen.

"Gavin! Jared!" Ana yells from upstairs, "How bout you give Ze and Anthony some 'alone time'?" I see the sly grin on her face. I also know what 'alone time' means. Time for Ze and I to get extra close, which I wouldn't mind. With five other people around, getting time for just us is nearly impossible.

Gavin and Jared walk towards the stairs, "You think they want us to come watch their pantie party?" Jared laughs.

"I wish." Gavin responds.
I look back at Ze as he takes a seat on the bed. I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket and look to see who's texting me.

Lily: We gave u some alone time, use it!!!

I roll my eyes and slide my phone back in my pocket. I walk over to the bed and lay next to Ze. "So," he starts, "now that we have some alone time," he kisses me slowly and with passion. I forgot how nice alone time was. Ze pulls away from me, "I to show you how much you you mean to me."
I roll on top of him, "Do what you please." I whisper. I kiss him and he runs his hair through my hair. This is what I want. Thirty seconds pass and I'm already stripped of my shirt and so I Ze. I need air but I want this more.
Someone knocks on the door. "It's probably Mrs. Vaskarla," I say, "act normal, and hide your tattoo, it might give her the wrong idea about you." Ze nods and puts his shirt back on, pulling his right sleeve down, trying to cover the end of his tattoo.
I slide my shirt back on and walk towards the door. I open it and find out I was right. It is Mrs. Vaskarla, "I hope I'm not interrupting anything," She laughs, "I'm just coming to check on you, is everyone else upstairs?"
"Yes, they are." I tell her, "And we're fine, thank you."
She looks past me and her smile fades, "What does it mean?" I realize she's talking to Ze.
Ze hesitates, "Uh," he looks at his right shoulder, "my tattoo?"
Mrs. Vaskarla rolls her eyes, "Yes the tattoo, or is it just random?"
"Rebellion," He finally responds, "where I'm from the government doesn't see me as the most, cooperative guy."
She nods and looks back at me, her tone of voice changes to something more serious, "Make sure he treats you well, if not," she pauses, "I'll make sure to knock some sense into him, ok?"
"Ok," I smile. She slowly shuts the door, eyeing down Ze before it closes it all the way. An awkward silence falls upon the room.
"You think she likes me?" Ze asks, biting his lip.
"No." I shrug.
"Well aren't you just a little ray of sunshine?" He rolls his eyes.
"I'm just being honest," I lay down next to him, "am I suppose to lie to you?" He takes my hand in his and I smile, "It's just a sign that I trust you."
"I trust you too," He smiles, "but your honesty sometimes makes me want to strangle you."
"Shut up," I laugh, "but if threatening to strangle me is your feel of saying you love me then sometimes I wanna strangle you too."
He kisses me on the cheek and I smile widely. The only possible way my life could get better is if Quinn and the government would leave me alone, leave us alone. He pulls me in for a kiss just as perfect as the ones we've had before. But just as it starts to get heated, my phone rings in my pocket. I pull away to answer it.