Girl (Phil Collen Fan Fic)

Chapter Three

Phil's P.O.V

"Do you work here?" I asked, as we walked down the stairs. It was a squared spiral staircase, with green and red ribbons, through the banister.
"Goood question!" Katie laughed. "I kinda do, but I don't. I just help out, with cleaning the bar and reception, after hours. I'm free all day, unless dad needs a favour. I do get paid, though!"
"We're in the middle of nowhere. Do you get out much?" I chuckled.
"Urm..." She hesitated, falling a step behind me. "Not really. All my friends are here. I'd like to see the world, though!"

We stopped walking, and I looked up at Katie.
"I have been outside! I'm not sheltered here! We're just busy, a lot. My day off is Saturday, so I like to drive into the town and grab a coffee, before heading to the record store."
"You ever left England?" I asked her.
She stepped down, onto my step. She was rather short, but she didn't seem to mind it.
"I've been to New York. Would love to go again." She smiled.
"New York's great!" I smiled back at her.

We continued to walk.

"Do you travel?" Katie asked, stepping onto the ground floor.
"Yeah, all the time. I've been almost everywhere." I followed her, turning right, down the corridor, leading us to the reception.

There were two double doors, at the bottom of the stairs, leading to the back of the hotel. I wonder what's out there... I believe my room is facing the back, but my window's frosted up.

"So, what do you do for a- Holy Shit! You're friends with Lars Ulrich, from Metallica!" Katie suddenly stopped, as we entered the reception area, looking at Rick, who was talking to Frank, with Joe.
Rick looked surprised, but Katie seemed to be embarrassed.
She covered her mouth and shut her eyes. "I'm so sorry!" She laughed out.

"Boys, this is my daughter, Katie. Let me apologise for her. We don't usually let her out, during the day." Frank joked.
"Well, hi!" Rick smiled at her, as she now stood shyly, holding her left forearm, with her right hand.
"Sorry..." She cringed.
"It's alright. You know who we are?" Rick walked over to us.

Katie looked at me, then to Rick. "Uh... No?"
"Ah, right. Well, yes, I'm friends with Lars. I'm Rick Allen." He held his hand out to her.
She shook his hand and smiled. "And let me apologise for my dads awful jokes. I'm Katie."

"Kate, show them to the dining hall. They're eating for free." Frank looked over at us. "And there's nothing wrong with my jokes!"
"Uh... Sure!" Katie shrugged, as Joe came over. "Long way or short way?"
"Short way?" I replied, and Katie did a 180°, leading us back to the stairwell, but through some double doors, under them, to the left.

She led us in, holding the door for us, and we were met with a guy, tall, black eye make up, with brown dreads, and a load of bracelets on his arms, wearing a black dress shirt, black trousers, with black shoes, stood at a little desk, with a pile of menus and a large notebook.

"This is the almighty Lister. He'll take you to your table. They're eating free." Katie introduced us.
"No... way..." Lister smiled, with a Yorkshire accent. He recognized us.
"Yes, way." Katie was confused. "Enjoy your meal." She turned to us, before heading to the left, out of sight.
"Def Leppard, minus two. Pleasure. I haven't gotten round to introducing Katie to your music, but I will! Anyway, room numbers, please!" Lister smiled, grabbing a pen from his shirt pocket.
"A.04, A.05, and C.01." Joe smiled and Lister ticked us off.

"Sitting together?" He asked us.
"Yeah, please!" We all nodded.
Lister grinned and grabbed some menus, leading us to a round table in the centre.
"Will this be fine?" He asked us.
"Perfect." I smiled, taking a seat on a purple fabricated chair.
Lister handed us our menus, once we were seated.

"You're meals are free, so do enjoy. Rita will be your server for the evening. We'll give you a moment to-" Lister was cut off by Sav and Vivian joining us, led by Katie.
I smiled at Katie, getting one back.
She gave the lads their menus and quickly left us.
"Welcome!" Lister smiled. "We'll give you a moment to decide and Rita will be along shortly, now any drinks?"

"Just a cola, for me, mate." I smiled, looking to the bar, where Katie was sat talking to her mum.
The dining hall was next to the bar, on the bars left. Many tables, with a festive theme, and a window, looking into the kitchen, around the corner from the bar. All the windows to outside were clear, but the view was a misty snow storm, getting stronger. Christmas music continued to play.

"So, you met the mysterious Katie, then?" Joe started, once Lister left us, sat on my left.
"She's alright." I shrugged. "Seems a little... lost. I guess."
"How old is she?" Sav asked, looking back at her, sat next to Joe, his back to the bar.
"A year younger than me." I replied, looking at the menu.

"And you like her?" Vivian asked, sat on Sav's left.
Everyone looked at Viv, then turned to me.
"She's nice..." I shrugged.
"You like her!" Sav pointed at me, smiling.
"Not like that! How old are we? Twelve?" I argued, with a laugh.
"OK..." Joe smirked, nodding, giving me a knowing look.

"Same as before, boys?" Cortney asked, holding a trey of drinks.
"Yes, thank you!" Rick spoke up.
Cortney gave us all our drinks and left us.
"It's not a bad place, here. Frank says they've had it twenty years now. Family business." Joe changed the topic.
"Sounds fun. Do you guys 'ave a Christmas tree in y' rooms?" Sav asked.
"Small one, yeah!" Vivian laughed.
"And the duvet!" I piped up.
Everyone laughed, agreeing we all had the same.

"Hey, everyone! I'm Rita. I'll be serving you tonight. Have you all decided?" A average height woman, with an Belfast Irish accent, walked over, smiling.
"Belfast?" Vivian asked her, perking up.
"Yeah, and you?!" She smiled.
Me and Joe shared a look. "Missing home, Vivian?"