Her

Part Fifteen:

A bell on the door jingles when Maddy holds the door open for me. 

"Oh thanks." I mutter, and he nods. We are greeted by warm air that is just a hair under being stifling. I try to suppress a gasp of laughter as I look around. If someone made a Lady Shack and threw up pink and fifties stuff on it, then the Lady Shack had a baby with a funky bohemian traveler, Nancy's  would be the child. Like, seriously. Black and white tiled floor (the white more like a yellowed bleh) coats the ground, and fifties-deco furniture is scattered around the room in organized chaos. Travel posters of far away islands and vintage posters line the purple and black striped walls, and lampshades draped with multi-colored scarves adorn ornate golden stands. Dreamcatchers and fairy lights hang from the ceiling, clashing with the jukebox and records stacked in the far corner. I turn back to the front desk and tap on the brass bell twice. Next to me, Maddox looks down at me and I can see he is even more unsure now but amused.

Rustling and soft blundering noises sound from far back in the hallway behind the desk.

"Oh! Oh! One moment! I- uh, just a second please!" A voice shouts from somewhere in the depths of the hallway. I glance at Maddy again and give him my best wth face. He places his hand on the small of my back as a woman pads down the hallway. My breath is taken away again (Y'know... not the fact of Maddy's touch or anything...) at the wild yet beautiful appearance of this lady. Her silver and blonde hair is thrown together on the top of her head in a messy bun, tied with a scarf, and pink cat-eye readers perch on the end of her sleek nose. Winged eyeliner frames her emerald eyes, distracting people from her few wrinkles and smile lines. She wears a long flowy skirt with bare feet, a black shirt underneath an open tan leather jacket with fringe. The look is complete with turquoise and silver jewelry and a boa thrown around her neck.

She must seen me staring because she says, "I'm a river gypsy who never grew out of her vintage stage, darlin'."

"Oh, sorry, I just, um. Sorry." I feel my cheeks flame up, surely the color of a tomato. I glance at Maddox and see him trying not to laugh, which makes me flame even more.

"It's no big deal, honey. I'm Nancy. Now, how can I help you two? There are only about four people staying here, so you have a wide option of rooms tonight, my dears."

"Any room will work, ma'am." Maddox says.

"Oh don't you be ma'am-ing me. I'm too young for that. Now... here is your key. Pay in the morning. Enjoy, my loves!" Nancy coos, handing him a vintage-looking key with a aqua tassel on the end. I catch her wink at Maddy before she disappears somewhere back into the hallway.

"What was that about?" I question.

"No idea." Maddy shrugs, and we start up the stairs and down another more bohemian-decorated hallway. Our room is number fourteen, and about the size of classroom. Scarves and gold accents dance around the room showing off what blares in my face.

There is one bed.

A small bed. Okay, probably a full but not quite a queen size. I know I have slept on the ground next to him, but that was different. There were sleeping bags and towels. I mean, I curled up next to him that night but it was just... different. I don't know. I feel my breath quicken, but Maddy feels unfazed. If he is worried, he is hiding it extremely well. 

"Imma take a shower." He says casually, and disappears into the bathroom. I set my slouch bag from Walmart on the ground next to the right side of the bed and slink down onto it. So. Soft. And. Squishy.  I could melt into it right now. Fifteen minutes later Maddy appears out of the bathroom in sweatpants. I look up and am greeted by his bruised yet chiseled torso, even though he is across the room. My face flames yet again, and I see him smirk, amused, and walk to his bag to grab something. Jesus! Help me, someone!

"I'll be out later." I mumble and walk into the bathroom and take a shower myself. I wash my face and hair and just stand for a few moments under the water. Maddy was just in this shower. I mentally scold myself for having this thought. When I turn off the water, the mirror is foggy and I really take a moment to look at myself. Would my family from before recognize me? Would someone like Maddy be able to love me? Why am I even having these thoughts?

 I put on the black leggings and a pj shirt (Lacy bras are uncomfortable. How do girls submit to this torture every day!?). When I open the door, Maddy is sprawled on the right side of the bed with his arm thrown over his eyes. I walk up to him, hands on my hips and say: "Excuse you sir, but you are on my  side."

"Your side?" He mumbles, incredulous, sitting up and looking behind him, "Well, sweetheart, I don't see your name on it." What happened to make him seem so much more open towards me? Is that shower miracle water or something?

"Well I don't see yours either. I claimed it. It is my side. Now if you will kindly move." I try to keep a poker-face. He sits up in front of me, looking up at my face. Before I can end the stare down or move away, he is standing up and slipping his arms around my waist, throwing me over his shoulder and flipping off the light switch. 

"Maddox!" I squeal, punching his back, "Put me down! Put me down!" He moves to the bed and tosses me gently on the right side. He leans over me, and I can see his grin through the semi-darkness. 

"Now you have your side back, sweetheart."

My chest is heaving up and down and I am sure he can hear my heart pounding. He moves so that he is laying next to me, and I can feel him still smiling that stupid smirk. He is driving me crazy.

"Jesus Maddox!"

"Yes?"

"Stop!!"

"Stop what?"

"Stop making me fall for you!" I shout into the pillow.