Chains

Chapter Three

POV: Alex

It must have been around 7:30 when my subconscious jilted me awake, 15 minutes before my the time my alarm clock was set for. Never really being the type to stay in bed for that little while longer, I decided to get myself up and dressed.

Even though I was staying in the motel for the benefit of Norma, I couldn't help but feel a sense of comfort here. I'd wisely chosen room number 11-the room in which I had to stay in after the fire in my house a while back. The longer I stayed in the room, the more like 'home' it began to feel-and coming back here made me realize that a feeling like that doesn't go away.

I walked across the motel porch, planning to head straight for the house. But then I spotted Norma in the office. This early, really? I took those final steps over to the office, pushing open the door.

She quickly looked up from the front desk in reaction to hearing the door open, blonde curls blocking her view. She brushed the hair from her face, tucking it behind her ears. "Oh-hey.."

"Expecting someone else?"

"Not necessarily," she shook her head. "I just didn't expect you to come in, I thought you'd have headed straight off for work or whatever"

"Nah, I don't have to go in for a few hours-just like to get up early. What about you though? I didn't think there'd be any need for you to get up this early?" I asked, somewhat confused.

"Is that a snide comment about the success of my business?" She practically jumped down my throat, slamming down the pen she had in her hand.

"Christ-" I raised my eyebrows, holding my hands up briefly in surrender. "No. Calm down. I just meant that I didn't think you opened up this early..."

"Oh," She sighed, eyes closed as she rubbed her forehead. "Sorry..."

"It's fine-" My brows knitted in concern. "You alright?" I could tell she was stressed out about something, but then again, wasn't she always?

A quiet groaning noise escaped her lips, and she tilted her head. "Do you want a coffee?"

So basically, 'sit down and relax, because you're about to hear a hell of a big rant'. I flashed a subtle smile out of amusement and nodded. "Sure, why not."

"Come on through to the back." she said, nodding her head towards the little room behind the desk.

I walked over, and just as I began to make my way behind the desk, she was trying to get out. "Sorry-" I muttered, moving out of her way. However instead of moving the opposite way to me, she moved aside at the same time. We must have let this happen about 4 times before I finally took action, grabbing a hold of her shoulders as I moved aside to make sure we wouldn't coincide with each others actions again. Norma seemed to duck the awkward exchange very quickly, heading for the coffee machine and pouring two cups full. I did the same, continuing my journey into the back room with a nervous chuckle. The smallest of moments seemed to make us both feel awkward, and it made me think about what would happen if we ever happened to-
No, I thought. And that wasn't the first time i'd had to push thoughts like that out of my mind.

I cleared my throat, pulling up a chair and sitting down. "Sleep well?" I asked, voice raised slightly so she could hear me.

There was a seriously long pause, and that pause answered my question better than her words did. "...Yeah." She eventually said in a feeble attempt to convince me.

"You didn't sleep at all, did you?" I speculated, resting my elbows on the desk.

She came into the room a few moments after i'd asked my question, placing the two coffees down on the desk and taking her seat near me. "Nope."