My eyes opened slowly as I could feel buzzing against my leg. I'd fallen asleep in my clothes and my phone was digging into my leg as it vibrated, the light from the screen bleeding through the fabric. As I became more awake I noticed there was some noise coming from the hotel room door. Very light knocks. What was happening? How long had I been asleep? It didn't seem that long.
As I stood up and made my way to the door I managed to wrestle my phone from my trouser's grasp.
The caller ID flashed with 'Sexy Coach', it was only 10:30pm. I'd been asleep less than an hour, why was he calling me? And why was someone knocking at my door?
My hand froze on the handle, half scared to open the door.
"Week, open the door." I heard him whisper. Why was he calling /and/ knocking?! I opened the door slightly, still afraid of what I might see.
"Oh you're still dressed, that's good! Throw on a jumper and a coat! Maybe a hat and scarf too!" He seemed extremely excited.
I rubbed my eyes in response and let out a long yawn.
"Why?" I quizzed. "It's late. We should be sleeping! I tried to snap while staying quiet enough not to wake other guests.
"Do you trust me?"
Against all my better judgment I responded that I do.
His face lit up as he again instructed me to layer up.
I slowly stumbled around my room in the low light trying to find all of my layers.
Once I was sufficiently wrapped up I made my way to the doorway he was obstructing.
"Let's see how much you trust me." He grinned as he lifted the scarf from around my neck and wrapped it gently around my eyes.
My heart started to race.
"Remember, I'd never let anything bad happen to you."
As much as I wanted to believe him, choosing to say it at that moment seemed like the exact thing a murderer would say to try and calm his victim. My palms and neck grew hot as the fear started to burn through my body. I felt his hand take mine and as if my body knew something my brain didn't all of the fear dissipated.
He led me forward, slowly. He moved me through to hotel, to where I was going I didn't know.
Suddenly I heard the sound of a door opening and the freezing cold wall of the outside slammed into me.
"You're ok. Don't worry."
He kept reminding me as I heard a car door being opened. He placed his hand on my head as he lowered me gently into the car.
We drover for what was probably ten minutes along smooth roads. The car ride was silent.
The car turned and after a few more metres stopped.
I heard Coach get out of the car and walk around to my side. He opened the door and helped me out.
"Are you ready?" His hands cupped both sides of my head from behind.
"Yes...." I said weakly, some of that fear creeping back in.
"Ok." His hands slowly pulled the scarf free as he pulled my head back slightly so I was facing the sky.
As the scarf fell from my face, my eyes blinked to adjust to the light that stung them.
The light. The light that was dancing across the sky. Greens, yellows and pinks burned across the sky. Stars shining behind them in the deep blue sky.
I stood motionless, my mouth agape.
Coach's stubble caressed my ear.
"You told me you'd give anything to see the Northern lights and you'd be devastated if you missed them. I didn't want to wake you up but I couldn't let you miss this chance. You deserve this."
His hand brushed against mine as he lowered it, I grabbed his hand and squeezed gently. My eyes welled up at the sight of pure magic dancing across the sky.
Coach slipped his hand from mine and went back to the car. I didn't break my gaze with the sky. I was in awe.
I felt a blanket being placed over my shoulders, and heard something being placed on the ground behind me. His hands rested on my shoulders as he slowly lowered me until I was sat down an a foldable chair he had brought. He sat himself down next to me, his leg pressing against my own and handed me a cup of warm soup he'd just poured from a flask.
"You seem really prepared." I mentioned without releasing my eyes from the lights.
"I've been ready since I saw you." Even without looking I knew he was smiling, but there wasn't one ounce of sarcasm or humour behind his words.
I snapped my face down and looked towards him, my vision blurred slightly from the tears still pooling in the corners. His eyes had taken on a similar glossiness.
