BEING HALSEY

CHAPTER 48

Sunlight breaks through the window.

I roll out of Tray's chest and walk to the bathroom. One glance in the bathroom mirror reveals a glowing Halsey. Believe me, I'm GLOWING!

" We did it," I say to my reflection and lace my fingers on the hickey on my neck. I swear I hear the mirror whisper YES when I walk away. Tray is still fast asleep when I pass the makeshift bed to get to the closet. I order our breakfast and kneel down by the side of bed. I gently touch his shoulder to wake him. He stirs, eyes struggling first to open and then all warm and disoriented like a small child.

" Hmm?"

" Morning sleepy," I whisper, smiling.

A lazy smile spreads across his sleep-crumple face.

" Mmmmmh... morning baby." I reach out and ruffle his messed-up black hair.

" Slept good?"

" Yeah, great...as ever!!" His honey-brown eyes study my face in a slow, side to side sweep.

" I ordered breakfast." I rise to leave but he reaches out and grasp my hand.

" Hal, about last night..."

I feel a twist in my stomach.

He didn't enjoy it? Am I that horrible?

" You were great." He says as he gently takes my hand and wrap his fingers slowly around mine. I can't control my blush. I sit on his lap and bring those pink lips on mine.

****
The small cosy restaurant is laid back with a lazy hum of activity and well-worn couches littered with chatting colourfully attired tourists. Surrel and abstract paintings on huge canvases adorn the bare brick walls and a jazz trio nods sleepily in one corner. We find a table with mismatched dark wood chairs by the window and sit down.

" I love it here," I say as Tray draws out my chair.

I sit like a lady.

" It's pretty cool." He says as he studies the menu.

" Hi and welcome. Our today's special is Pancetta Mac Cheese."

" We'll have the specials, please, if that's okay with you, Tray?"

He nods. " I'll take whatever you take." The waiter scribbles the order on his pad and disappears into the dimly lit depths of the restaurant.

" I wonder what my dad is doing right now." I shrug and play with a napkin. " And Polly and Pip and Gabby and Ken."

" You should call your dad."

" I know and I will. I miss him, all of them."

" You're bored already?"

" No no, It's just that I've never been far away from home. It's weird."

" It's okay. I'm here with you."

***

I step outside into the icy rain and wrap Tray's coat tightly round my body. Tray went to look for cab so it can take us back to the hotel and it's been five minutes straight. The wind whips my hair and I shiver. I lean against the door frame and sigh. I'm lost in my own thoughts when the door is pushed and my purse flies out of my hands. It opens in mid-air before crashing to the ground sending photographs and cards and all my lip glosses scuttering across the side walk.

I land on the other side, surrounded by embarrassment. You know how when something embarrassing happens to you and it's like someone hits the pause button and the world seems to stop and stare? Well, this is one of the moments.I struggle to my knees and curse as the mob around me laugh in low tones.

I hate this stupid dress.

The guy I had collided with is still standing a few feet away from me. And he's laughing. He stands there chest convulsing wildly with one hand wiping tears from his eyes while his other hand reaches out to help me. I hug the coat to my chest, still aware of all the unwanted attention from the tourists.

" I'm...so...sorry," the man gasps. " I shouldn't laugh but that was just hilarious."

Get off my face already!

The beautiful people are still laughing and it's so annoying. Where tf is Tray???!
I'm about to give this guy my piece of mind when our eyes meet. He bends down quickly and collects the remaining detritus of my fall, carefully handing them back to me. His warm hand rests on mine for a second.

" I'm sorry. Are you alright?"

" I'm fine...."

He runs a hand through his closely cropped chestnut-brown hair and then a warm one-sided grin breaks across his face.

" Uh...Well, It was good to...um..bump into you. My name's Del, Dele Hawkins."

He holds his hand out for a shake.

" And I'm Hal, Halsey in full."

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