Meridian (Ariana/You)

Chapter 7

This was, by far, one of the most stressful journeys to work I have ever experienced. There were thousands of scenarios that were playing in my mind on how this afternoon could go.

I looked at my phone, radio silence from Ariana since that text.

I felt like she was going to break up with me and we were not even together. I felt sad, I felt troubled. This girl was making me feel so many ranges of emotions that were so hard to deal with.

I saw the hotel as I got out of the station. This time there were no cars, no crowd either, which was a relief. What if she was leaving right away and this is how she had to break the news?

To avoid being spotted at work, I used my staff card to access the emergency staircase that led right into the floors of the hotel. I was really not supposed to be there and if I crossed one of my colleagues, I would never hear the end of it as to why I was going to Ariana Grande's room in my civil clothes.

As I turned the corridor, this big security guy was in front of Ariana's room door. I did not want to be in the receiving end of his punches.

"You're going to have to move along." His loud booming voice filled the room as he was pointing to me standing in the hallway. I jumped at the sound of his order.

"Uhm, I work here, Ariana told me to meet her here." The security guy looked me up and down before knocking at the door. A faint voice told the security guy to let me in, which he did by pulling out his card and letting me through the doors.

Ariana's room still had not changed since yesterday, still just as much mess although I could have sworn it was a little tidier. I walked over to the living room where I heard some music playing in the background. I recognised it to be "Goodnight and Go" By Imogen Heap as I was a big fan. I saw her small figure sitting on the couch.

"I love this song." I spoke out randomly not knowing what I was setting foot in.

She jumped a bit, startled at the sound of my voice as if she had not heard me come in and then turned to face me.

"Hey, sorry you startled me." she said forcing a smile. She had removed her makeup and she looked exhausted. She looked like she had been crying. I felt my heart sting again in pain from her crying. I wanted to just go up to her and just hug her so tight until I could get all her pain to transfer to me. Kiss her forehead and tell her everything is okay, be her shoul –

You gotta stop that man. I felt my mind intervening again.

"It's really lit that you like this song. Not a lot of people still know Imogen Heap these days. But this is such a soothing song. I'm so happy you do though because it's a special one for me."

She faintly smiled at me. I remembered I was here for a reason and as much as I hated to bring it up...

"You- You wanted to talk? Wh-what's up? Are you okay?" Of course she's not okay. She doesn't look okay.

I saw that she wanted to start talking but she hesitated. She looked very thoughtful probably trying to pick out the right set of words to express herself.

"Look, we both need to address the elephant in the room." She started. She patted the space next to her on the couch as a gesture for me to sit down. I did so with no hesitation and sat next to her. I lightly bit my lip afraid to hear the rest of what she had to say.

"There's no denying you felt the sparks that I felt yesterday evening. I saw the goose bumps. It's just easy with you. I just feel like I've known you my whole life, even longer than my own best friend, Courtney." She carried on, not really expecting me to say anything at the moment.