Masked Risks

Chapter 16

I had packed a lot for the three days of our trip to Laguna Beach for the competition, but the one thing I forgot about was the tremendous amount of people that would be there. Somewhere along the highway, I lost my patience.

“Let’s just check in,” I grumbled as pulled out my suitcase from the trunk of Erik’s car.

“Someone needs a nap,” Owen commented.

Maybe that was why I was cranky. I rode along in the two hour drive to the location of the competition with my ex-boyfriend and my brother. Owen came along as the “chaperone” to the trip because it was one of the only ways I could get my parents to let me go away with my friends overnight. Plus, Owen wanted to be there to support as like he had since the beginning.

But it was decided that the easiest way to share rides was for Owen and I to ride with Erik. Since he had the larger vehicle, I sat in the backseat of his Range Rover as he and my brother actually got along. I don’t know what bothered me about it, but I sat in the back, listening to my iPod as they started a bromance.

How cute.

I walked into the lobby of our hotel alongside Owen as Erik dealt with the valet. I looked up at the large ceiling and the large windows that only proved that the view from the hotel was in actuality much better than what they advertised online.

Then I saw all of the young people my age buzzing around. That’s how I knew I was in the right place.

“Should we wait for everyone else?” Erik as, coming up behind me.

“They left before us, so something tells me they didn’t wait for us,” I said, walking towards the front desk. I felt myself returning to a happier mood the further I walked into the lobby. I also felt the nerves settle in my stomach as I rested my arms on the desk.

“Hi, we’re here for the hip hop competition. Battling Innocence?” I smiled at the guy sitting behind the desk. He remained stoic and not smiling.

“Name?” His hands hovered over the keyboard in front of him.

“Munzetti,” I answered.

He typed in my response and clicked a few times. “Room 835,” he handed me a set of key cards. “Enjoy your stay.”

I picked up my luggage and lead the way to the elevator as Owen and Erik continued their conversation from the car. I rolled my eyes and pressed the button for the eighth floor.

The doors were sliding closed as a voice yelled. “Hold the door!”

Feeling nice enough, I pressed the button to open the door. A guy my age slid in through the door, a bit out of breath.

“Thanks,” he smiled.

I nodded. “What floor?”

He looked back at his key card. “Uh, the seventh.”

I nodded and pressed the button then closed the door again and leaned my head against the wall of the elevator.

“I’m Dakota.” I opened my eyes to see this guys hand out towards me.

I stood up straight and shook his hand. “Olivia.”

“Are you here for the competition?” He asked. I looked up at the numbers above the door. Six more floors and I could be alone. Well, as alone as possible in a shared room.

“Yeah, you?” I replied.

“Yeah. I’m pretty pumped,” he smiled.

I returned the smile politely and said, “Me, too.”