Clear as Glass

Chapter 1 - Theatrics

Tears rolled down her face. She could fix this. She had too. Connor and she had been through everything. They'd been together for almost three years now and, god she wanted to get married to him, he couldn't break up with her now.

Cleo ran down the stairs of her old dusty apartment into the sub-basement. She grabbed the car keys of an old shelf which Connor had installed for her so that she could put trinkets and memoirs from her time in Ohio. She had moved down to North Carolina for her job but Connor had family and his whole life was in Ohio. She asked, no begged him to come but when he declined every time she understood why, but it still hurt.

He was her best friend. She had been through love and heartbreak with him, they had known each other for over two decades and he would break up with her over text. Feelings surged as she tried to focus on where she was going. She could fix this. There had to be a reason. There must be a reason. He couldn't not love her any more

Lately, her job had been getting busier and busier in the upcoming crime spring for Halloween. Everyone always had to work overtime and longer hours coming up to Halloween to prepare all the locals for drug and alcohol activity that happened. Cleo was a detective at the NCPD and had been trying to take a fewer easier case to give herself time to go see Connor but there hadn't been a time recently.

She mentally cursed herself for not taking more time with him as she got in the car and drove up along her street trying to get to the main road as quickly but sadly as possible. She wouldn't lose him she said to herself. She refused to believe there wasn't a way to fix their relationship. They had had a few issues but they always got through them. Right?

As she turned onto the main freeway she turned the stereo on preparing herself to get lost in the music for the 11-hour drive.

After about 6 hours of continuous Cleo saw a sign saying motel 15 miles ahead. Considering that she had started driving late in the afternoon she decided that stopping and getting a room for a night and getting gas wasn't the worst idea. She knew she should keep going to get to Ohio quicker but, she had to be awake to talk to Connor. As the exit came into view she pulled her 2009 red Toyota Corolla into the driveway and parked. In all her rush she hadn't picked up clothes for the trip so she'd have to get some new ones on the way back or in Ohio...

Getting out of the car she stretched her back and legs after sitting for 6 hours and then walked to reception. A plump, elderly lady with short caramel hair and glasses about half the size of her face sat in front of her. She wore a name tag saying Sophia on it and smiled as Cleo walked through the glass sliding doors over to the desk. The receptionist asked if she wanted a room and Cleo nodded. The reception hall was quaint with a few waiting chairs and a small table in the corner with doilies and a stack of business cards. Cleo's face was washed with cool air-conditioned air as she stood at the desk waiting for Sophia to book her a room.

Sophia handed her a small key with the number 37 on it and pointed her in the direction of the furthest building, Cleo smiled and walked towards the door. As she reached the door Sophia called to her "Breakfast is at 7 and goes till 10 sweet-pea" Cleo nodded again and sighed as she walked out into the humid West Virginian air.

After a short walk to her room, she got the key and tried to push it into the door to open it. The key slide in roughly halfway and then stopped. She tried to turn the nob but it didn't budge. She pushed the key harder but I didn't move. She really didn't want to walk back to the reception and she pushed the key in once more but it still didn't budge. She fell against the side of the wall and closed her eyes. She didn't want to deal with this right now. She just wanted to get a bit of rest before she got to Ohio.

Not defeated yet, she stood up straight and tried to pull the key out. It didn't budge. Now not only was she locked out she couldn't leave to return the key. She slammed her hand hard against the door. This couldn't be happening, could it? Was she really so bad at relationships that the universe was trying to make sure she couldn't get to Connor? She sat down on the concrete outside of the door and rested her head on the wall again. She sat for minutes or hours she wasn't sure but the the faint sound of keys jingling brought her out of her own mind.

Cleo brought her head up and saw a janitor walking down the hall. She stood up and called out to them. "Hey, excuse me, please my key won't work and I need to get in" The janitor turned his head around and Cleo saw a gorgeous boy.

High cheekbones and perfect sun tanned skin. Although the sun had gone down, Cleo could see his blue eyes through his dark long lashes and as he turned his head a few dark locks of almost chocolate brown hair fell into his eyes. He brought his hand up to his face and brushed them out of his eyes. When his gaze fell on Cleo he smiled and his perfectly straight teeth practically shined.

A sweet, Honey-like voice replied, dazzling her.

"Sure"