48 Hours is All We Need {S.M.}

Chapter Three: First Encounter

***

Published: May 12, 2020

Edited: January 8, 2021

       Hey guys! Here's another update! I hope everyone is enjoying it so far! I love hearing feedback! Comment your favorite thing so far! I also hope everyone is staying safe! 

Enjoy:)!

                                                                                         ***

      It was safe to say that there was no feeling left in my bum and back. I was so stiff and sore that I did not want to move from my seat, but I knew that I had to. I was able to get enough sleep on the rest of the ride, but not as much as I had hope. 

     We had just arrived at the hotel thankfully. I was physically and mentally in need of a bed. Our chaperone had told us to wait while she goes inside to check with the employees of the hotel. Some started to stand up and gather their bags, while others stayed in their seats. I decided to stay seated with Brittny. I stared out the window watching some people walk by. There was not many since it was almost midnight. I noticed a small group of four people stood by the entrance. Two of them were big and tall and stood close to one of the shorter guys. The one that was scrawny and tall nodded to the three before walking in the hotel. The one by the two bigger men stood against the wall.

    I turned my attention to the hotel. The hotel's sign was big and noticeable with its lights. The fact that the sign wasn't blinding satisfied me. I have never liked flamboyant things or people.

     Mr. Thechter came back after a few minutes. He had all our room keys, numbers, and floors we'd be staying in. We were all told to exit the bus with everything we had on us, and that when we get off grab our luggage from the bottom compartment and head inside to wait for our keys and rules. Brittny and I exited the bus along with everyone else. It was a bit difficult finding my luggage when everyone else had the same idea.

         I grabbed my luggage once Brittny had pointed it out to me. I thanked her before we walked inside the hotel. Everyone started to pile in the lobby once they had their bags. Mr. Thecther started to go over the rules, his voice urging everyone to pay attention and listen. "Now I want everyone in their assigned rooms. You are to stay in there and not wonder off the hotel or park grounds. Disobedience and misbehavior will not be tolerated. Now on to your room keys. . ."

         Mr. Thecther went on calling out names and assigned room numbers. I yawned, scratching my shoulder at an odd feeling. It was lighter for some reason. I gasped as it occurred to me that I had left my polaroid on the bus. Brittny glanced at me in question. "I left my camera on the bus. Do you think you can watch my stuff while I go get it real, quick?" I asked in a whisper. I did not want to draw attention. "Yeah but be quick. If someone ask, then I'll say you had to use the restroom." Brittny said as she moved closer to my belongings. I thanked her before slipping away from the crowd of students.

                                                                                                     ***

      11:49 P.M.

        "Wait! I-I left something on the bus. May I please get it real quick?" I asked as I jogged over to the bus. The driver had just been closing the doors before I had caught up. At my request he opened the door and said, "Hurry up, kid."

         "Thank you, sir."

        "Yeah, yeah. Just get your thing and go."

         Well, not the response I was expecting, but I'll just have to take it. I walked down the isle searching the seats for my camera. It was my prize possession. It held memories and stories to me. I was not about to leave it on a bus. I grinned as I spotted it. It was still in my white camera bag, untouched. I checked everything to make sure it was untouched before hurrying off the bus.

         11:52 P.M.

         I stepped off the bus, turning back to the driver. "Thank you again!" I was given back a grunt and a complaint about teenagers. The driver closed the doors before starting the engine. I rolled my eyes at the lack of courtesy from the man. I understand it's really late, but it couldn't hurt to be nice.

         11:53 P.M.

         "Well okay then." I muttered under my breath. I sighed as I walked away from the bus. I opened the case to examine my camera. I still can't believe I left it on the bus. I could have sworn I grabbed it before I left. Perhaps I was too tired to realize I had neglected to grab it? Either way I was glad to have gotten it back.

        I turned down a corner hoping that I was heading back the right way. I had walked a bit further, because the buses had move to the back of the hotel. I hope no one noticed that I was gone for a few minutes. I would hate to be the first and only person to get in trouble on this trip.

        11:55 P.M.

         I may have gotten distracted by a few good photographic opportunities. The moonlight was shining at just the perfect angle on a flower. I took the picture, capturing the moment on my Polaroid. I waited for the picture to come out. I grabbed the picture, lightly fanning it so it could dry. I continued to walk as I fanned the photo.

         11:57 P.M.

        "I'll be right back. I'm going to take a walk. I'll be fine." A male voiced said before another approved. I barley paid it any more attention as I focused on my photo. I glanced at a sign noticing the different directions it gave. I noted if I keep continuing to go straight, then I would end up on the other side of the hotel. I learned that I needed to head down the left path and then take a right to get to the lobby.

        11:58 P.M.

        "It's like the world knows that if there were no signs stating directions, then I would always get lost." I said to myself, "Honestly, I'm not that hopeless." I continued fanning the picture to make sure it was completely dried. I noted the pitter patter of footsteps echoing ahead. The sound grew as I approached a corner. At that moment I realized I had to take a right. I turned right at the corner only to run into a person.

       "Wo-woah!" I stuttered.

       The person gasped.

        My right foot caught his left foot, causing an unexpected unbalance between the two of us. I felt my body move backwards with gravity, then a hand grabbing my arm in an attempt to support me. However, the sudden action caused us to lose our balance again.

       11:59 P.M.

        We were both on the ground in the end. My eyes were screwed shut from embarrassment and pain. I could tell the person was a male; my face was buried in his chest (which I can tell he must work out some). One of his arms ended up wrapped around my waist during the fall. I assumed his other hand was supporting him, because I could tell we were not lying on the ground. That would mean I was practically sitting in between his legs...

       Sudden obnoxious flaring came from my right leg now. I must have had scraped it when we both fell. "Ow. That hurt..." the guy muttered. My eyes flew open as our current position registered in my mind. I moved back a bit as I looked up at the person. "I'm so sorry, sir. I didn't look where I was going."

       "Ah. No, you're fine! Are you okay?" His voice was low but not deep, yet oddly familiar.

        I glanced at his face, but the first thing I noticed was...

        12:00 A.M.

       ...his eyes...