Inciting Incident (Harry Styles)

Chapter 2

And I'd give up forever to touch you
'Cause I know that you feel me somehow
You're the closest to heaven that I'll ever be
And I don't want to go home right now

***

Being forced to work at half 7 in the morning should be illegal. But at the Tipton, a 4-star hotel, guests need to check out by 10am and duty calls (and also pays the bills).

So taking over from the night porter, I make myself a seriously large, strong coffee, and started the paperwork for the checkouts. There weren't many due to it being a Wednesday, most people staying for business stay until Friday. So it should be a fairly easy morning if I'm lucky.

Working at the Tipton may be stressful, especially at Christmas and during the summer. But all the staff here are like a little family, if anyone needs anything they are always there. Even though they can get on my last nerve, as family do, I wouldn't change them for the world. They also cover me when I'm late and for that, I will always be eternally grateful.

The day passed relatively quickly and fairly uneventful and before I knew it, it was 3 pm and I eagerly did the changeover and was free to leave and do what I want for the rest of the day. I grabbed my bag from the locker in the staffroom and walked down to the gym. It was so quiet this time of year, the first month is packed, but after the first three weeks, everyone got bored and preferred McDonald's.

I never was much of a "Gym Freak" but it is true that after your workout you do feel a lot better, mentally and physically. The adrenaline always sticks with me for the rest of the day and my head feels clear anytime I workout and for that alone I will come here. 

"Strange to see you this early Jordan." Kyle smiled kindly, as I walked in. His blonde hair was drenched in sweat against his forehead as he looked up to smile at me from the treadmill.

Kyle was the first person I met when I started here. He worked as security in the hotel and worked out any other time he could. I always got along with Kyle as we often see the world the same and understand each other from a strange point of view that can only be felt between me and Kyle.

"First day in a week that I'm not working a 12-hour shift. So I may as well make the most of the gym." I responded, before going into the changing room and changing into gym clothes.

***

Entering my flat, I dropped my bag by the door and strolled into the living area and saw Callum standing by the window with his arms crossed. "Hey, cutie." I smiled, skipping up to him to give him a kiss but he took a step back.

"Why weren't you answering my messages? You finished at 3, why weren't you home by 3:15. You've been on Facebook since. Do you know how rude it is to ignore someone's messages?" Callum aggressively snapped at me, I took a step back looking at him questioningly seeing if he was being serious, the serious frown etched onto his face told me all I needed to know.

"Whoa, where has this come from? Everything I do doesn't concern you, Callum. But I went to the gym and didn't realize the time." I sigh knowing that he wasn't going to let this go easily. He stepped towards me, anger radiating off him.

"So you were around that Kyle?" He snorted looking towards me through his contracted pupils that were freakishly small with anger. I roll my eyes discreetly before stepping towards him trying to calm him down.