This Won't Have A Name For A While

12. A Matter Of Feeling

It wasn't room service.

When I undid the lock and slid back the latch, I saw my sister Sarah standing in the doorway with a smug look on her face, but which quickly changed to one of confusion and disappointment.

-"Irene? What are you doing here? I thought this was John Taylor's room? I came here because I'd heard he was staying in our hotel."- She bombarded me with questions, giving me no opportunity to answer any of them before she asked more.
-"And you didn't come back from work last night? Were you busy? Did you stay here instead?"-.

-"Slow down!"- I instructed her, and tried answering some of the things she'd asked me, but to no avail.

She barged her way into the room, pushing past me, and not listening to any of the answers I could give her. She stopped dead when she saw John sitting half under the covers, shirtless, drinking from the cup of tea he'd abandoned when we kissed earlier. I could almost see her mouth fall open in surprise, and I wondered how I could ever explain this to her - it was the worst way for Sarah to find out.

-"WHY ARE YOU IN HIS ROOM?"- She screeched at me, fuming and demanding an answer. She seemed more irrational than usual.

Then, I saw it click in her mind - my being in John's room and dishevelled appearance, him wearing nothing in bed, the messy sheets, the dress I'd been wearing last night tossed carelessly on the floor. Even her 13-year-old brain could put two and two together.

-"Did you two... sleep together?"- She gasped, looking absolutely horrified.

John locked eyes with me, silently demanding to know who the hell this was in his hotel room, and what we could say to her. Our lack of reply was good enough for her, and she turned tail and fled, slamming the door as hard as she possibly could behind her.

-"Who the fuck was that?"-

-"My little sister, John."- I told him, shortly. The day that had started off so well had gone downhill pretty quickly.

-"Why did she react like that?"- He interrogated me, asking almost as many questions as Sarah.

I had to choose my words carefully.

-"Well, it's very complicated,"- I tried to explain, before he cut me off.

-"I have all morning, come over here and you can explain, I don't mind,"- John lifted the bedcover up for me. I joined him.

-"Remember the photoshoot in New York?"- I started.

-"How could I forget?"- A dark look came into his eyes and he snaked a hand up the back of the shirt I wore. I had to compose myself before I could carry on - I couldn't be distracted.

-"John, this is urgent,"- I stopped him, -"she convinced me to apply for the position, even though I hadn't graduated from my photography course. She wanted a photo of you."-

John raised his eyebrows at me.

-"You lied?"-

-"That's not the problem, John. For years she's been a huge fan, and she's so madly in love with you that she risked getting me in trouble!"- I raised my voice a little.

Looking a little taken aback, all he could manage was an "oh."

-"Exactly,"- I sighed, -"although I guess it was my fault, too"-.

-"If it's any consolation, I'm glad you decided to do it,"- the dark look was back.

I got off the bed quickly, making my point.

-"John, I don't think you understand! We've really pissed her off, and she's my SISTER. We have to at least find her and apologise to her!"- I burst out.

Finally, he seemed to understand.

-"I can be ready in 5 minutes."-