Selene's New Moon

Ch 14: Morning Pep Talk?

  I wake up in a dark and unfamiliar room.  I can hear other people sleeping near me.  I almost panic before the events of the day before come back to me.  I am in a hotel with the guys.  I turn on my side to face the other bed and I can make out the outline of two figures.  I blink a couple of times, letting my vision adjust to the darkness of the room.  I check the time on the small clock on the table between the beds.  9:08  Wow, I haven't slept this late in a long time.  It was rather late when I finally went to bed last night though.  I wonder what time the guys finally came in at...  They have got to be exhausted. 

  I stretch silently in the bed- my arms in legs pulling in opposite directions as my back arches off the mattress. My body aches a little; probably from the fall off the porch roof yesterday.   I decide a warm bath may be in order.   As quietly as I can, I step out of the bed.  I see my bag up  against the wall near the tv and slowly walk over to grab it.  I am glad to note that my ankle seems to be handling my weight just fine.  I continue on to the bathroom and sneak in, closing the door behind me as silently as possible.  Glancing in the mirror, I grimace at myself.  Thank goodness no one else was awake yet! I must of tossed and turned  a lot last night.  My clothes are all rumpled and my hair is a messy bird's nest of snarls.  I can even see the remnants of a crease across my right cheek.  I huff at my reflection and get undressed for my bath. 

  I run the water as hot as I can stand it and quickly wash everything, including my hair, so that I can then just soak for a few.  I lay in the water and stare at the ceiling.  I think about all that I did yesterday.  I did it! In finally escaped that house! Excitement zings through me and I can feel that my smile reaches from ear to ear. It starts to fade slightly as I remember the conversation from last night.  I knew that  when I finally left my parents house, things would be difficult.   I was not expecting that real live monsters would be one of the challenges that I would have to face though.  Ok, time to get out and get moving before I think too much.  One step at a time.  That was the only way I was going to make it. 

  I dry off and comb my hair, leaving it down to dry.  There is a hair dryer available, but I don't want the noise to disturb anyone.  The weather channel had mentioned that today should be a tad bit warmer, so I decided to wear my plain gray t shirt.  I pull out my long, black cotton skirt to wear with it.  I brush my teeth , gather up my things, and quietly exit the bathroom. 

  I am startled to see that Owen is awake and working on a lap top at the small table near the window.  A little bit of light is peeking in around the sides of the curtains, casting a gentle glow on his figure.  He is wearing a pair of black sleep pants and a matching black t shirt.  His hair is sticking up in every direction.  In this moment, it is hard to believe that this is the same man who intimidated me so much the night before.

  "Miss Selene, please join me," he commands, his eyes never leaving the computer screen.  

  Ok. Yeah.  Same man.  His voice wasn't loud, Felix is still sleeping after all, but he still managed to sound powerful and in control. I walk over, setting my bag down on the way, and settle into the chair across from him.  Sitting this close to him, I am able to see the short stubble on his cheeks and chin.  I am struck by how handsome he is and instantly feel my face heating up. 

  "Um... I'm sorry.  I tried not to wake you," I whisper

  "Not to worry.  You were not at all loud.  I am usually the first to wake up."

   He finishes reading whatever he is looking at, closes the lap top, and looks up at me.  His steel eyes meet mine for a moment before I look away.  

   "There is something we should discuss this morning while we have this moment alone."   His tone is serious.

  "Ok," I whisper as my nervousness increases.