Then There Was You

IX

I wake up feeling disoriented, uncomfortable and extremely groggy. A quick glance at the alarm clock tells me it's 9am. I've slept for nearly twelve hours.
Wow. Almost a new record.
Slowly pushing myself into a sitting position, I realise I've still got all my clothes on. Including my boots. I don't know why, but the sight of my boots on the bed makes me feel angry. I reach down, unzip them, yank them off and throw them over the other side of the room. They make a satisfying thump.
Inspired, I start peeling off the rest of my clothes, disposing them in a similar manner.

I'm lying completely naked on top of the bed, feeling somewhat less agitated than I did a moment ago. I take a deep breath, watching my chest rise and then fall as the air releases from my lungs. I reach for my phone and discover that I have a new miscall and a message from an unknown number. Panic suddenly floods my body. What have I missed? I open and read the text immediately:

"Hey little one, it's Henry."
My stomach flips as I read his name.
"Filming starts tomorrow, so we should meet up today and break the ice. What do you think?"
Break the ice? Really?
I bite my lip nervously as I type out my response:

"Good morning Henry!
Sounds good. I'll make sure to wear a coat."
I hit send, laughing at my own joke.

I look at my phone for a minute and then put it back on the bedside table. I'm just about to get up and go to the toilet when my phone vibrates loudly. I reach for it embarrassingly fast and open the message:

"Very funny...
Your room or mine?"
In a room. Alone. My stomach squeezes nervously at the thought.
I quickly type my reply:

"My room. If you don't mind?"
The advantage of home field. Well, it's not home, but I've at least slept in here. It's proven itself to be safe enough. It made me feel slightly braver to face him.
I keep my phone in my hand for a minute, expecting another fast reply. But he doesn't text back. I shrug, toss my phone on the bed and head to the bathroom.

I lock the door behind me out of habit, and start my morning routine.
The shower looks great. It was the kind that has the waterfall feature shower head. I turn it on and wait for the water to heat up.
The complimentary soaps don't seem too bad, so I decide to use them instead of rummaging around in my suitcase for my own toiletries.
I take my time washing myself. Letting the hot water soothe the knotted muscles in my back. And allow myself to think of being alone with Henry. Really, what's the worst that could happen? I was just being silly.
And besides, I was going to have to get used to him quickly, if we were going to work together.
Which we were. Tomorrow.
It really was for the best if we get all the awkwardness out of the way. If we do it privately, then it means no one can see me blushing like an idiot. A comforting thought.

I'm feeling positively refreshed and confident to face him as I step out the shower. I first wrap my hair up in the signature turban that all young ladies master like a coming of age ritual. Then I wrap one tightly around my body.
I sigh and unlock the door, throwing it open.
I give a short scream, as I realise there's someone sitting on my bed. He startles at the sound, and I clamp my hand firmly over my mouth, effectively ending my shocked shriek.
Henry looks at me, as if I'm the one who's in the wrong.
"What the fuck are you doing?" I hiss at him, clutching the towel tightly around my body. The towel isn't as large as I'd like, but fortunately, I'm small. The towel almost reaches my knees.
"You said yours?" He said, his eyes popping wide, feigning innocence. I make an ugly scoffing sound in response.
"I obviously didn't mean now! How did you even get in?"
"Your door was unlocked," he explained, giving his large shoulders a shrug.