Gate 24

Chapter Seven

Last night went very well.

Lisa and I ended up watching some late night football down at the bar; it was shown on the big pull down screen with a projector... You know, you had in primary schools and stuff. Anyway, Lisa was really kind to me, reassuring me that everything would be okay. She also told me a few interesting things about herself.

Lisa can drink for England as an Olympic sport, I swear. Even though she only had two pints, she knocked them back as if they were water and not beer. She’s extremely petite too; how didn’t she end up at least slightly tipsy after the drinks?

Anyway, it’s now six in the morning and I’m lying in bed with a cigarette shoved in my mouth and the glass door wide open to let out the wispy fumes. Man, when I get back to the UK, I wanna invest in an e-cig. Lisa was telling me about how her brother has one and you can get different flavours for it and stuff. It sounds amazing!

Today, I have to be down to the breakfast hall at seven if I want to be fed. Then, I’ll be helping the Kids Club organisers set up their stuff for whatever they have planned. I’ve also been asked to take charge of the afternoon water polo and help with the midday water dance – the kid’s version of aqua fit.

That sounds horrendous – who wants to do water yoga at nine thirty in the morning? I’m allowed back up to my room for half an hour before we start, and I have half an hour’s break for when I want to eat my lunch. The lunch here is amazing, especially the salami sausages!

Pulling the covers off of my sweating body, I push the finished cigarette into the pile of ashes formed in the tray and listen to the sizzle of the dying heat. Then, I stand up only to see my bare body in the mirror. I’m in pretty good shape if I say so myself, but I’d rather look at other things than my naked body at six in the morning.

Man, I hope my neighbours don’t get pissed at me for showering at six in the morning. Even though it’s early here, the sun is already half raised in the turquoise sky; I smile as the heat reflects onto my bare back. Walking towards the bathroom, I grab a pair of trunks and shirt and through them into the bathroom.

Just as I’m about to lock the bathroom door, someone bangs o my door. Oh god, I’m stark naked and some stranger is at my door. “I won’t be a minute!” I yell, rummaging around for something covering. Thankfully, a towel sits over the side of the bath; I wrap it around my waist and pull the door open to see Frankie staring back at me.

“I wasn’t expecting that,” she giggles, a confused look on her face. Is she into me or something? I hate to sound so up myself, but she’s hinting at something and I’m too blind to see it. Trying not to tense up, I look her in the eyes and make sure her gaze doesn’t leave mine.

“I’m full of surprises,” I giggle. “What are you here for, may I ask?”

“I have your suitcase!” She drags the case out from behind her and presents the silver oblong to me. “I don’t think there are any issues with it. Hey, what exactly are you doing? Showering?” Kind of a creepy question, if you ask me.

“Uh, yeah,” I reply, slightly unsure of what to do. She’s a little bit weird, but she’s very kind. She’s the kind of person I’d befriend on a sports team of some sorts. “Why do you wanna know?” I really hope that didn’t come across as flirtatious...

“Dude, you’ll be swimming in a few hours! It’ll mess up that hair of yours.” Frankie flicks her hair, a quirky look on her face; her humour is the kind of humour I love. “Or are you showering so you can take a lovely selfie to show your Instagram followers?”

“I don’t even have Instagram!” I yell playfully before cupping my hands over my mouth. “Oops, I forgot that I now have neighbours. I live in a detached place at home. Anyway, thank you very much for bringing my case over Frankie, I really appreciate it.”