Borderline

Chapter 12

"Name?" Asked the lady at the table, sounding bored.

"Veronica Grable," the girl in front of me replied. She had brown, curly hair and was carrying 5 large suitcases in various shades of purple.

The lady looked down her list, then checked off her name. "Room 233," she said, handing her a room key.

"Thank you!" She smiled, then grabbed her suitcases and walked away.

We were next.

"Names?"

Eli spoke first. "Hey, Mrs. Keller!"

The lady looked up and smiled at him. "Eli Richards! I'm so glad you're back!" She stood up and gave him a warm hug. Joshua and I stood there, not sure what to do.

"I have a small favor to ask you, Mrs. Keller," Eli said, using a voice similar to one that a child would use while trying to distract their parents from a bad test grade.

I rolled my eyes. Rich brat probably uses that voice a lot.

Mrs. Keller sat back down, now smiling and looking less bored. "Depending on what it is, I might be able to make it happen."

"Is there any way that me and my two friends here can all be in the same room? They're staying with my family while their parents are on a business trip to France, so it'll only be for a little while." Eli gestured to us, and Joshua continued like he was reciting a script.

"Yeah. Our parents should be back in about three months, then we'll be out of your hair." Joshua sent a smile her way, and I saw her beginning to cave.

I decided to join in. "Please, miss? We promise that we won't be any trouble. We'll do our school work and follow all the rules." I planned on doing none of those things, but I must have given her a convincing enough smile because she gave in.

"I suppose that can be arranged..." She said slowly. I high-fived Joshua.

"Thank you so much, Mrs. Keller." Eli smiled.

"Names please?"

"Eli Richards, Ryder...um..." Eli's eyes filled with worry.

I quickly helped him out.

"Ryder and Joshua Morgan." She scanned her list and checked off Eli's name before handing us each a room key.

"Room 343. Have fun!" She waved at Eli, who waved back eagerly.

Joshua leaned over and whispered in my ear. "Nice save, R. Rich kid almost blew it."

I laughed.

"Although," he continued. "Why did you use our actual names?"

I immediately stopped laughing and my eyes went wide. "Shit!" I started panicking, somehow managing to keep my voice in a whisper. "No no no! What if Carter looks here?! He'll find us immediately! God, I'm such a fucking idiot! I'm-"

Joshua stepped in front of me and grabbed my shoulders. I looked him in his blue eyes, feeling my own burn with tears.

"Ryder, it's fine. Carter would never think to look for us here."

I cut him off. "But he might! Josh, what if-"

"Ryder. Shut up." I closed my mouth. Joshua sighed. "There's no way he would think to look for us here. We'll be fine as long as you don't go telling the world where we're hiding. Okay?"

I sighed and nodded. I knew he was right. But I couldn't help worrying about Carter anyway.

"Hey!" I remembered we weren't alone. Eli waved to us from down the hall. "I found our room!"

Joshua let go of me and we walked over to meet up with Eli, who had already unlocked the door.

The space wasn't bad, but it was clearly only meant for two people. Not because it was small, but because everything was in twos. Two beds, two desks, two dressers, et cetera.

The room was probably big enough to house 5 people comfortably. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. Of course we were in a huge room: this was rich kid school.

Eli had already flopped down onto one of the beds. "This one's mine. You guys are gonna have to fight for the other one."

I looked at Joshua, who was already smirking competitively at me.

At the same time, we lunged for the bed, but I got there a millisecond faster.

"Ha! Suck it, loser!" I made an 'L' with my fingers and put it in my forehead. I stuck my tongue out and laughed.

Suddenly, I was tackled onto the bed, Joshua on top of me.

"Who's the loser now, little girl?" I knew this was a test. Joshua always gave me tests like this.

I let a smile slide into my face as I grabbed his wrist and bucked my hips up, sending him flying to the floor. I rolled on top of him and pinned his arms above his head.

"It's still you." My smile grew, and Joshua let out a sigh.

"Fine. You win...this time." He smacked my upper arm lightly. "Now get off me, you crazy bitch."

I laughed and slid off him, chancing a look over at Eli. He was staring at us with a blank expression on his face.

"I guess Josh is sleeping on the floor," I tried, attempting to break the awkwardness.

"Guess so," Eli responded before turning to face the wall. I watched as he laid there silently.

Joshua and I sat there for a few minutes before I heard whispering in my ear.

"I think someone's getting jealous," he said, and I could tell he was smiling.

I smacked him, a slight blush rising to my cheeks.

"Not likely, moron."