The Big Town Princess and The Small Town Teacher

New Town, New Job

I woke up the next morning, my back sore. I sat up and stretched, my joints not used to a stiff mattress. I looked around the crappy motel room and smiled.

For once in my life, I felt happy. I was happier in this hellhole than I was in my father's mansion back in Dallas. Being here on my own, I was finally doing things I chose to do. No one else was controlling my life, telling me what to do, where to go, or how to act. It was just me.

I got dressed and decided to straighten up the room. A few hours later, it looked like a completely different place. I smiled when I got an idea.

I left my room and headed towards the lobby. The same girl who checked me in yesterday was still behind the desk.

"Hello," she smiled as I walked in. "Is there something wrong with your room?"

"No," I said quickly. I smiled at her as I leaned my elbows on the counter separating us. "Actually," I smiled at her. "I have something to show you."

She looked at me strangely before following me back to my room. When I opened the door, her mouth dropped.

"Holy. . ." She quickly caught herself before she could swear.

"Shit," I smirked as I finished for her. She looked at me and laughed before walking into my room.

"You did all this?" She stuttered as she looked around my room. I shrugged as I followed her inside. "How?"

"I grew up with a really nit-picky dad. He hated things dirty so I got pretty good at redecorating."

She giggled as she spun around. "I was thinking," I said slowly, hoping this didn't come off wrong. "What if I helped you fix up the rest of the motel? It actually wouldn't take long. We'd need some supplies from the market, but we can get it done in a day or two."

"Wait," she said cutting me off. "You really want to help fix the place up?"

"Sure," I shrugged. "Why not? It's not like I have anything else to do in town. Plus, it could be kind of fun."

I watched as she chewed her bottom lip, hesitating. She looked around the room again before sighing. "I'd have to check with my dad," she stuttered. "He's the one who owns the place. We could. . . We could pay you."

When she offered to pay me, it sounded like she wasn't sure. I laughed as I waved my hand, dismissing the idea. "No need. I actually like cleaning and redecorating."

"Well, maybe we could give you free rent?"

"I already paid for my first month here," I chuckled. "Don't worry about it. Really."

She looked around the room again before sighing, chuckling softly. "If you can do this to the rest of the place, I'll let you live here for free for as long as you want."

* * * * *

Alicia, I later found out her name, and I spent the next three days cleaning, painting, and redecorating the motel. We didn't buy new appliances. We mostly just painted, dusted, and mended things that needed fixing. But once we were done, the motel looked brand new.

"Thank you so much, Annie." Alicia smiled at me. "The place has never looked better."

I laughed as she gave me a tight hug. She pulled out of the hug when something over my shoulder caught her eye. We turned around to see her father, Mr. Calden, walking towards us.

"You, young woman, are a miracle worker."

I smiled awkwardly as he put his hand on my shoulder. "Thank you, Annie. If there is anything you need, free rent, anything, let me know and we will get it for you."