Destination: Beautiful (It's back!)

Chapter 11

When Hollis asked me to 'crash' at his apartment, I wasn't expecting to be sharing a bed with him. Not that I minded.

His room was surprisingly well kept. It had blue walls, with white boxy furniture. Books and CD's were stacked along a book case, only a few were astray.

He lifted the white down comforter for me and I climbed in, suddenly feeling self-conscious. What if I drooled? Snored? Oh god, what if I cuddle raped him? That would be utterly and extremely mortifying.

He climbed in next to me and smiled. I smiled back. He turned away and grabbed something off his nightstand. I raised and eyebrow as he found y hand under the blanket and put a foam object in my hand.

"What?"

"You said you were a light sleeper, I snore."

I looked at the pink pieces of foam. They were, indeed, earplugs. I smiled at his thoughtfullness.

"Thank you."

He kissed my forehead lightly and whispered a 'good night.' I returned it and rolled over and let myself drift off to sleep.

The morning light streamed through the small window above my head. My reluctant eyelids lifted to a incredibly gorgeous view to wake up to.

Hollis was sleeping, snoring softly. The sun hit his tanned face and made him look like he should be in a Ralph Lauren Ad. He must have noticed me watching him, because his eyes opened. He smiled at me lazily and I smiled back. 

"Good morning." He whispered.

"Good morning. Okay tell me now, what did I do?"

"What do you mean?

"Did I kick, talk, grope you?"

"No, but I wouldn't mind the latter."

I rolled my eyes and got up from his bed and stretched.

"We can go back to work today." He muttered, he too got up and stretched. I got a look at his gorgeous shirtlessness, I might have stared a little too long though.

"Catching flies?" He laughed and I shut my mouth quickly. He walked toward me, a wicked grin stretched across his face.

"And this could all be yours..." He said in a game show host voice. "...if you want it." He circled his arms around me and I laid my head on his shoulder. He kissed my hair and I felt a ripple go through me. Ugh. I hated feeling like this. Almost vulnerable, whatever, I was never one to dissect my emotions.

"Can I get back to you on that?'

He looked defeated, but gave me a small smile. I kissed his cheek and told him I had to go home and change for work.

"Visit me when you get there?"

"Of course." I pecked his cheek one more time and left in his sweats.

I sprinted into my apartment twenty minutes later. I checked the clock. I had a half hour. Shhhhhiiit!

"You didn't come home last night. With a special someone?" She said snidely.

I bulit up my confidence and finally, took a stand against her. "Yeah, I did spend the night with someone. The guy you threw yourself at a couple days ago, Hollis."

She gasped and shrunk back into her room

Elle- 1

Jenna- 0

I rushed to work with my hair in a bun, and I'm pretty sure my outfit looked like a cross between Betty White and Indiana Jones. I had a black blazer and a light pink top, and kahkis. Not my best choice.

I sprinted (well,as best I could in heels.) over to the Java to visit Hollis like I promised. I said a quick hello and darted off towards the building.

"Elle, wait, calm down."

"Hollis....!" I whined. "I'm gonna be late"

He came around the front of the stand. I let him hug me and I relaxed in his arms. He whispered soothing sounds into my ear and I felt myself becoming less and less stressed. I really needed less work, more play. Wait no not play, that sounds dirty, Oh Elle just stop thinking.

"Oh hey guys." I listened, heels clicking, oh damn.

Hollis let go of me and cleared his throat. "Hi Kate."

"I just- I thought. You and I-." She stuttered. I didn't feel a sense of triumph, or glory, or even joy. I felt bad for her. I know how it feels to love someone who doesn't love you. I know the feeling way too well.

"Kate. I didn't mean to hurt you. Its just," he paused. "I hope you'll be okay."

She nodded and turned to me. "Whore." She spat before walking away. Any feeling of sympathy I had for her was gone. She was still a royal bitch.

"Don't worry about her, you better go though." Hollis smiled and I trotted off to work.

To say that the situation in the office was awkward was an understatement. The tension was palpable. Kate was tense, her jaw clenched and eyes locked on the clock. I tried my best to concentrate on work, but failed miserably. I got 2 e-mails sent, and a package delivered. What a day.

I got home, plopped on the couch, and closed my eyes. 

Finally, relaxation.

And there's the phone. I sat up and answered it without checking the caller ID.

"Hey babes." It was Holly.

"Hey Holly, what's up?"

"I'm waiting for James to get us dinner."

"So your, like seeing him now."

"Yes! He's fantastic!" She squealed. I pulled the phone away form my ear until I heard her stop.

"That's great Holls."

"Oh sorry about that guy the other night. He was a total loser!" She laughed and I felt a sharp pang as she made fun of my sort-of-boyfriend.

"I-uh-um...." Oh god, my great skill in speaking under pressure.

"What? You liked him?"

"Holly...I don't know how to tell you this. I knew Hollis before the date. We're friends." 

"Why the hell didn't you tell me?" She sounded ticked off, uh oh, that wasn't normally a good thing with Holly.

"Yeah. It's just. I wanted you to have a good date, you seemed so excited to bring me a cute guy, so I just went along with it to make you happy."

She sighed. "Thanks doll, but I don't need that. He was cute though, wasn't he?"

"Smokin'. He kinda kissed me the other night."

"Oh my gosh! So you like him? You got yourself a boy toy!" She singsonged.

"Yeah, I like him. But, no we're not together."

"Not yet...Oh I gotta go babes, James is here. Love you." And she hung up.

--------

The rest of the week went by quickly. I was so busy. Friday night, I was finally able to relax. I hunkered down on my couch and ate blueberry ice cream. 

Hollis texted around ten and asked me if I wanted to do something, I turned him down, and told him we should meet tomorrow.

After all, you always need a little you time.

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Okay Major Filler, but you know....

Love and Kisses

-Abbey