The Decision

5. That Night

“Hi, welcome to Moonlight Square. Would you like a room?” says the lady at the front desk. She is very pretty, I'm surprised that Micah doesn’t stop and stare. “Yes please, thank you. We would like a suite with a full continental breakfast in the morning. This is for one night only.” “Yes sir. Is this for both you and your girlfriend?” “I'm n-” “Yes.” He just looks at me like he is saying to just go along with it. “Okay, I'm sure a good looking young man like you would have found a better one.” She scans me over like I am something that belongs in a trash can. I push past Micah”Just please give us the key.” She frowns at me and hands me the key. I begin to shove him forward as he yells back “Thank-you” She gives him a flirtatious smile then puts her eyes on me and frowns. I push him into the hallway and let go. “Jealous much?” He glares at me playfully. I shove him hard, “Oh shut up.” He grins even more than before. We walk to the elevator and he pushes the up button. It glows orange under his finger. The doors almost open immediately. We walk through them, our steps in unison. He presses the close door button and we stand in silence, watching the meter go up, floor by floor, all the way to the 12th floor. My stomach begins to drop. I’ve been seriously afraid of heights ever since I was a child. I clutch the rail so hard my knuckles turn white. Micah looks over at me and puts his hand over my right hand. I would’ve normally swatted it away but the feeling is the comfort I needed.

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I begin to relax. We make it into the room and I put my things by the bed, grab a towel and go into the bathroom. I find the heater with shaky hands, still paranoid from the wall sized windows looking down on the dirt covered ground. I turn the shower on and strip, letting the hot air from the heater overwhelm me. Then I step into the shower, letting the water fall over my head like a warm summer’s rain. I wash up quickly and turn the water off. I dry and dress quickly; also, knowing Micah will be taking a shower after me. When I step out of the bathroom, I find sheets, blankets, and a pillow on the ground. Then I spot Micah in the linen closet getting a towel. “What's this?” I ask. He glances around the door and says “I figured you wanted the bed so I got some blankets and put them on the floor. What's wrong?” “You didn’t have to do that. Just sleep in the bed with me.” “Are you sure?” his eyes getting bright. “Yes, but hurry up before I change my mind.” “Okay, okay, okay.” He throws the sheets on the chair next to the bed and runs into the bathroom. I walk over to the bed and lay on the left side of it, leaving just enough room for Micah fit next to me. I lay on my right side and close my eyes. After about five minutes, I feel Micah crawl into the bed. Then, to my surprise, I feel his arm go over my waist. I tense up then relax, realizing his warmth is nice. I sink back into him and take a deep breath of him. He is homey. He smells like the woods and the mint leaves and air freshener in his house. That is why I feel so safe with him. He is my home when I don’t have one anymore. I fall asleep to the steadiness of his breathing and the beating of his heart on my back.