priorities-2

20

I take an international flight to meet up with the tour, booking into the same hotelas everyone else. I message Slasher telling him I'm back before soaking in my hotelroom's hot tub. I'm excited to crawl under the covers and put on a great movie to fallasleep to.That's when I hear the proverbial tap on the door just as I've picked my movie. Iroll my eyes before dragging my butt out of bed to peak out the peep hole. I expect tosee Slasher standing in the hallway, but to my annoyance the hole is covered forcing meto open the door.Slowly I open it ready to slam the door shut if I'm not familiar with the personoutside, "Slasher! I was just about to watch a movie," I start closing the door on him.He puts his arm out stopping me, "Just a few minutes of your time," he demandsbefore stepping in."Can't it wait?" I ask."No, I want a second chance, you're the one who lied and your treating me like I'vewronged you. You let me believe that you and Ted hooked up and he impregnated you,how can you think I won't be angry?" he complains."Nothing justifies your countless girls, so your conscience intentions to hurt mehaven't gone unnoticed. I have zero interest in getting back together with you," I shoothim down."You're deflecting your sadness over losing Carrie on my behaviour during thetour. Let me be there for you," he advocates for himself. "We can at least be friends."I think about it, he was a great friend, "okay, friends," I shake his hand. "Now if youdon't mind, I'm so looking forward to this movie.""You want company?," he asks sheepishly. "I'll sit in that cozy looking chair overthere," he points.I roll my eyes, "Okay." I crawl back under the covers and resume the movie that isstill on the opening."You're not eating any munchies? No drinks?" He asks very needy-like."Seriously?" I complain. "What do you want? Popcorn, pizza, chocolate? I'll justcall room service," I say sarcastically.He ignores my sarcasm, "I'll call for you," he offers like he's doing me a big favour.He phones the number on the little booklet and orders everything I mentioned and more."Are we good now?" I ask."I would be more comfortable in bed," he says with nerve."Don't let me stop you from going back to your room," I counter offer, but I movethe comforter so he can join me. When our snacks come we pig out while watching themovie. At one point, I must have fallen asleep because I open my eyes and it's morning.I half expect him to be gone, but he's there, "Good morning," I chirp.He stretches out completely clothed, "Hello!""You know it's ten o'clock?" I slide out from the queen bed and walk to theoversized bathroom. Eight hours until we have to be on stage. The water is beating downon me when I realize I unwittingly left my phone on the bedside table next to Slasher. Icut my shower short and quickly dry off praying I haven't received a text message or acall from Carrie.Slasher is standing in the middle of the room holding my phone, "Do you want toexplain?"My heart thuds in my chest, don't assume anything, I tell myself, "I don't knowwhat you're talking about, can I see?" He passes my phone. I release the breath that Ididn't know I was holding relieved it's Ted rather than Carrie, "Ted and I are flatmates,he can't text me? Unhand my phone!"He whimpers handing it back. I reach for it and scan the screen: Call meI dial Ted's number, I can hear the faint ring of a phone in the hallway, that must bea coincidence. No answer, I hang up and try again, I hear the phone in the hallway again.I walk over to the door and open it, Ted's in the hallway, "Oh My God!" I say aloud.Slasher grimaces like it's the last person in the world he wants to see at my door. Iopen the door wider so Ted can see Slasher and doesn't say something he'll regret. "Hi,"he greets casually."What are you doing here?" I usher him inside. He's carrying a bag with him anddressed super casually."I had to leave the apartment, she's everywhere," he says referring to losing Carrie.He's very convincing."I know, it's awful," I relate. "She must have been so depressed, to end her own lifelike that and not get help," I play into it.

Ted drops his bag, "I didn't book a room, kind of expensive here, can I stay with you?" "You don't have to ask," I tell him. "I'll book him a room," Slasher volunteers, not wanting us to stay together. "That's so nice of you," I say sarcastically enough for Slasher to pick up. "I couldn't," Ted being the nice guy that he is, feels bad because he doesn't want Slasher to think that he would take advantage of him. "I insist," he offers. "Have you eaten?" I ask. "We have some leftover food from last night but it's junk food. We can go out for breakfast," I suggest. "The two of you can take my limousine," Slasher says, "I'm going take a shower in my room. I'll catch you later." He leaves, letting the door drop heavily behind him. "That was nice of him," Ted comments." "He wants me again," I grab my purse. "Is Carrie here?" "No, she's studying right now, she's got a big exam coming up. Nice of Slasher to book me a room!" "He wants you to be in a different room from me so we don't hook up in our grief. She knows not to text or call me in case someone sees my phone doesn't she?" "I should think so," he says. "I can't wait to see you in concert tonight, but if you can't get me in I don't mind waiting for you here," he offers. "Backstage baby!" I tell him. "Great," he exclaims. The driver takes us to a bistro close to our hotel. It's a quaint older building with brown lines on it, resembing something you would see in Sweden. The driver lets us know to text him, and he'll be back for us. We enter the quiet serve yourself style restaurant and study the menu on the wall behind the waitress, "What do you feel like?" I ask Ted. "Bacon! You?" He asks. "The same." I agree. We order two sides of bacon and coffee before grabbing a booth in the centre of the restaurant. "Have you heard anything from Leonardo or Hunter?" I ask out of curiosity? "I think Leonardo's been in touch with Will, but I don't know any details, I had to rush to catch my flight."