Breathe

Bellhops and Balconies

"Blake Maxwell." I told the front desk clerk my name.

"Ah, yes Miss Maxwell, I was told you would be staying long term?" she asked in a posh British accent.

"Yes." I replied, "I would like to book a room for three months, nothing too fancy."

Three months. That was a realistic goal right? I needed to find a job, make some money and find a more stable place to live. I could do it, I had to.

"Of course," she smiled, "I just need to verify some things and then I will have someone help you with your bags."

"Thank you, for your help, Amanda." I said squinting at her name tag, after the questioning was over.

The cost wasn't too bad, less than I had expected, at least. I had money saved up from 3 years of being a cashier at a local grocery store and from my years of waitressing. Not to mention, Dad always put money in my account, every month, for me to go to college, not that I was planning on it, but it was nice to have the money now.

I hope Dad thought about me. I missed him, more than he would ever know.

"Do you need some help with your bags?" A tanned boy with neatly trimmed, blonde hair asked. His blue eyes looking straight through me, waiting for a response.

"Uh, yes, uh, please, uh." I stuttered.

I am so freaking awkward. He probably thinks there's something mentally wrong with me.

I couldn't help it, though. He was simply gorgeous.

I caught a glimpse of his name tag, as he removed my Longchamp bag from my arm and lifted my purple suitcase off the ground.

Marcus.

I awkwardly followed him towards one of the three elevators in the hotel lobby.

We both shuffled into the small moving box and he reached a perfectly tanned arm, to press the button for the 6th floor.

My home for the next three months was on floor 6 of 15. I was assuming that the view wouldn't be as nice as the view on the 15th floor, but I wasn't about to start complaining.

After a painfully quiet ride up, the doors opened with a "ding". Marcus stepped out first and lead me down the carpeted hallway to room 127. He slid my room key through the slot on the door and pushed it open, after the small light flashed green.

"Here we are." Marcus said in a monotone voice. His personality was definitely not as charming as his looks.

How disappointing.

"Thank you." I reply, as he places my bags next to a queen size bed.

I can't help but yawn obnoxiously.

This causes Marcus to crack a slight smile. "I wouldn't sleep just yet." He said. "You have to power through the jetlag or you'll just be more tired."

I noticed his British accent wasn't as thick as Amanda's and it made me wonder if he was originally from England.

"Thanks for the advice." I say quietly, trying not to make a fool of myself.

"If you need anything just ring the front desk."

"Right, okay."

Then, Marcus held his hand out, palm up.

Is this some sort of British thing? What do I do? Shit.

I tried to cover up my confusion and casually high fived him.

Marcus' eyebrows scrunched in confusion and he replied with an, "Uh?" That's when I realized what he wanted.

A tip. He wanted money and I slapped my sweaty palm with his. What is wrong with me?

"Oh my goodness. I am so sorry. Uh, one second." I said, feeling heat rise into my cheeks.

I fumbled through my Longchamp looking for some cash. Luckily, I recovered a crumpled $5.00 bill and handed it to him.

Marcus sighed in annoyance. "You're in England now, your American money is useless, but I'll let it slide because clearly, you have things to learn. My second word of advice, after not sleeping through jetlag, is convert your money to pounds. My third, would be to use those pounds to buy some English clothes, you look silly, you're not in America anymore." And with that, he turned on his heels and walked out of the hotel room, closing the door behind him.

I knew he was right about everything he said, but would it kill him to be kind?

I sighed and looked around the hotel room. There was a small bathroom to the left of the door and beyond that, a tiny kitchen, crowded with all the necessary appliances. I had a queen size bed and next to it was a nightstand with a cream lamp. To the right of my bed was a chest, where I was going to put all my clothes, once I got around to unpacking. The room was modern, with a mirror on top of the chest and a television near the kitchen. Also, to my surprise there was a balcony.

I could use some fresh air.

I walked over to the glass doors and pulled them open. As soon as I stepped onto the balcony, I began to cough. I really needed to stop taking such big breaths.

I was admiring my view, which was much more breath taking than I thought it was going to be.

"Hey-"

"Oh my god!" I screamed. I almost peed my pants, I was so surprised to hear another voice. I thought I was alone out here. I quickly adjusted my eyes to the balcony on the right of mine, where I heard the voice and immediately spotted a familiar fedora.

Harry?