181 Days of Madeline Jesty

Chapter 67: Territorial

Mickey and I dozed off while waiting. When I checked the time on my watch, it was already ten minutes past four thirty.

"Ah, fuck, I forgot to set the alarm," I murmured.

I knew we were late, but I didn't panic at all. Not when I found myself tightly wrapped around Mickey's arms. She was sleeping so soundly, I couldn't help but smile.

I closed my eyes and pressed my lips against hers—gently, quietly, and slowly, afraid to wake her up. When I leaned back, her eyes were already open.

"How long have you been awake?" she murmured, pulling me closer.

"M-Mickey, it's already almost five! We agreed to meet at four thirty!" I reminded, pushing her back a bit. "We have to get ready."

"Iola can wait."

"Steph is also waiting!"

Mickey groaned, clearly disliking the idea that we had to get up to meet with Iola and Steph. "God, my Majesty, you've turned me into two people—a hardworking student with a dream to afford everything you want, and a lazy-ass, good-for-nothing, horny lesbian who just wants to cuddle you all day."

I laughed. Did she just say horny?

Mickey tightened her embrace, squeezing me until I complained with a chuckle. "Mickey! We promised Steph and Iola!"

"Should I eat you out so we can just stay here?" she added, even wrapping her leg around mine, making sure I didn't go anywhere.

"Alright—"

"Alright?" She immediately got up, loosening her grip on me. I used this opportunity to break free, pushing her onto the bed, which wobbled from the gentle force. Mickey gasped, adding, "I can't believe you targeted my weakness!"

"Let's go! They're waiting."

"Fine, fine."

I checked my phone, expecting messages and calls from Steph and Iola, but surprisingly, there were none. I called Steph a number of times, but she wasn't answering.

Without a choice, I placed my phone in my pocket and headed toward the door. "C'mon, that bitch isn't answering."

"You call Steph a bitch?" Mickey asked as she followed.

"It's our endearment."

Steph's room was just a few steps away from Mickey's, so we didn't even break a sweat to get there. I rang the doorbell five times, but Steph didn't open the door.

"Maybe she left," Mickey guessed.

"Or she's still asleep."

"I'll go check the lobby."

"You don't have a phone, so how would you tell me if she's there?"

Mickey shrugged. "I'll go back here."

"Why don't we just go together?"

"What if Steph wakes up?"

I rolled my eyes, giving up on my idea. "Ugh, fine, fine."

While Mickey headed toward the elevator, I leaned against the wall beside Steph's door and waited for any notification. Oddly, Iola didn't leave any message either.

I suddenly imagined them together and chuckled at the idea of them dating. They were often bickering about little things. Besides, Steph was straight—unless she was curious.

I was about to call Steph one more time when I heard the door open. I opened my mouth, ready to scold her about her not answering my calls, but closed it immediately when I saw Iola instead. Her eyes were wide open, shocked that I was there. Steph was behind her, just as stunned as Iola. She was the first to speak, stuttering in panic.

"M-Maddie!"

"A-are you two—"

"No," Iola replied, cutting me off before I could finish the question. But unlike Steph, she was composed. Her calm demeanor was more suspicious to me, though. "We were waiting for you."

"Together? In her room?" I pointed at Steph.

"Yeah, is there a problem with that?"

I looked at Steph, who had just closed the door and was now putting the key card inside her pouch. When she averted her gaze, then and there, I knew something had happened—something that Steph was ashamed about but Iola didn't bother at all.

A "hmm" was all I could utter. I didn't want to make assumptions, but the difference in their behavior was a dead giveaway. Besides, Steph would open up once she was ready.

"I've been spamming the doorbell," I said.

"Earphones," Iola replied.

An obvious excuse. But I wouldn't tell her I knew.

"Where's Mickey? You're alone?"

"She's in the lobby, trying to look for you," I replied. "Let's wait for her here."

"Did you stay in her room? You weren't in yours."

How did Iola know I wasn't in my room, though?

I simply nodded, with a brow raised. It would be useless lying to her anyway. Her family owned this hotel, and she could easily check the cameras. In my mind, though, why would she go to such lengths just to check if I was lying?

"Are you two officially dating?" she added.

I chuckled. How many times did she have to ask this? "No, we aren't. What the hell, Iola?"

"Is that your way of lying, or are you in denial?"

The furrow between my brows deepened, but my smile remained. "Why are you suddenly pressuring me to answer your question? I'm not even pushing you to explain why you're in Steph's room."

"You jealous?"

My mouth dropped open. Now I wasn't sure where Iola's attitude was coming from. "No, just curious." I lightly tapped her cheek twice before reaching out for Steph. She held my hand and allowed me to pull her next to me. Then to Iola, I remarked, "You're being cocky today, aren't you?"

"Just a little annoyed that you weren't in your room," she muttered under her breath. "Sorry."

"No worries," I said casually. "Being territorial is sexy, if you time it right and don't overdo it."

I heard Iola let out a heavy breath. "I'll wait for you downstairs."

Without looking back, Iola walked off, leaving Steph and I alone. I turned to Steph and squeezed her hand, quietly letting her know I was just there if she wanted someone to talk to.

"What?" She let out a nervous laugh. "You worried about me?"

"No, why would I be?" I asked, trying a bit of reverse psychology on her. "Besides, I have a way to find out if you're bothered."

Steph chuckled. "You won't see me anywhere near that goddamn water tank."

"Hey! It has a name. Respect Tanky!"

Things started to feel a little less heavy as we laughed. A few seconds later, Mickey appeared with Iola in a headlock, only releasing her when they were in front of us. It made me think that Iola didn't even get the chance to press the elevator buttons and was just dragged back to where we were.

"I have the culprit with me."

"Hey!" Iola complained.

"So, what do we do next?" Mickey asked. "Do we tour around the hotel? Or do we play in the rain like children?"

Steph glanced at Iola. "The second one sounds nice."

"Then into the rain we go."