My No. 23

Arsenal Girls

Luckily we had a day off because no alarm was set and we were both awoken by a rapid knocking on the door. We shot up right staring at each other wide eyed as if we've just been caught. Alessia mouths "say something" as the chapping continues.
"Who's there?" I shout.
"Bell open up, it's Leah" a voice comes back.
Both of our faces get more intense. Leah one of the people on this camp who would probably piece together something has happened if she saw me and Alessia in the same room, taking ages to answer the door.
Alessia's face shows she's got the same concerns. We jump out of bed and we're throwing clothes back and forth to each other quickly getting dressed.
"One sec, just getting clothes on" i shout through the door to Leah.
Alessia is pulling my hoodie on and I point towards the bathroom. She shuffles her way through and closes the door.

As I pull my top down I swing the door open. Leah's stood in the frame with her arms folded.
"What is wrong with you Bell!" She demands. I can feel a tint of red hit my face. How does she know. My eyes flick to the bathroom and straight back at Leah as she walks by me.
"I texted you last night to make sure you got back, no reply. So thought maybe you crashed out as soon as you were in." If she wasn't so angry I would probably laugh at that.
"Then I've texted you umpteen times this morning. No one saw you get back. I thought something bad might've happened." She finished sitting on the edge of the bed. My eyes wandered over her face. A real look of panic was covering her. I sat down beside her and threw my arms over her.
"Leah, I'm sorry. I was just knackered from the last couple of days and having a day off yaknow, I just never set an alarm and..".
She interrupted me "no I completely get it. Just with this being your first camp I don't know just worried about what was going on. Sorry Bell". She said pulling back.
I was over aware that Alessia was right behind the door, listening to everything. I just wanted to get Leah out as quickly as possible.

"How about I get a shower and we go get lunch?" I ask her smiling.
She let out a laugh, "yeah that would be good. I could say to some of the Arsenal girls".
She takes out her phone and sends a message into our group chat. From the corner of my eye I can see Alessia's phone sat on the bedside table. It lights up. My phone pings and I wait for hers to, blowing our cover. But nothing. She has it on silent. I sigh in relief.
"Give me an hour and I'll meet you all down at the reception." I say standing up.
She follows my lead. And heads for the door.

As soon as it clicks shut I grab the bathroom handle and swing the door open. But no one's there. Surprised I take a step in to properly scan the room. Just then I feel two hands hit my shoulders and I fly up in fright. She was hiding behind the door. With my big reaction she began howling with laughter. She was doubled over having to cover her face.
I started laughing at myself too. Her smile and laugh were so infectious.
"Very funny" I say sarcastically.
She begins imitating my jump. Still finding herself hilarious. I roll my eyes and head back through to the bedroom and she trails behind. Once we're sat up on the bed she grabs her phone.

Leah: Gals, Lunch? 12:30 meet at the reception desk

Beth: Yess pls, I've only had a coffee :(

Lotte: I'll be there

Alessia: okay I'll try look up some places to go

She finishes typing and my phone pings with her message. She falls against me and I put my arm around her. This time feels different to before. Before we know it we've been sat for another half minutes both watching TikTok from her phone. After, she locks her phone and throws it to the bottom of the bed.
"So... what are we doing?" She asks. Confused I just stare at her blankly.
"Like after last night and everything?" She clarifies.
Again unsure what to say I just look at her. I open my mouth to reply when her phone lights up.
"Fuck. Beths already at the reception". She says checking her phone.
"How about we get a coffee or something later and we can chat about it?" She asks smiling at me.
"Yeah" I say back with a small smile. It's quiet for a second as we just sit smiling. She then bounds out from my arm and hops off the bed. Holding her two hands out for me.
"Cmon we better get a move on". She says gesturing for me to take her hands.
I flop back on the bed. "I wish I didn't say anything about food and we could just stay here in bed all day". I say with a childish strop sound to it. It makes her laugh but. She half climbs back on the bed and takes my hands herself and drags me up.