One Time

Meeting Up: Part 2

As I was saying, I was driving on the way to The Water Club hotel at Borgata. That's where the convention is held. My friends were staying over in one of the rooms just for the convention which is bound to start in 5 hours. I remembered all their faces when I told them I couldn't stay over as I had something to do in school the night before.

"Tell me she's joking," Bailey looked over to Kesha and she just stared at me for a second.

"I'm not. And I know...it sucks." I told them.

Sarah threw her hands in air, hopeless. "Heather. Cmon it's just for one day."

"Sarah, I'm just going to do some touch-up with the project. Mr. Jose wants it tomorrow morning, and you know what happens when I hand in late. You guys know him."

Bailey gave me this worried expression, almost as if she knew what I mean. "Heather's got a point too, guys."

"Omg Bailey, really? You're going with this?" Kesha said across the room.

Bailey looked around and said,"Sarah, don't you remember-"

"Okay Bailey let's not talk about the dark times. Okay, Heather. You may go do your thing. Just- promise us you'll come right after you hand in that project."

"Immediately." I swore.

Kesha crunched up on a bag of chips and teased Sarah, "Hey Sarah, I'm surprised you're able to hang with us this time. I mean- Jake wouldn't even allow-"

"Enough about my boyfriend. He gets clingy sometimes." Kesha snickered.

"And it's not always a bad thing, Kesh!" I laughed.

"Um, Heather. Don't worry about getting ready, you'll just do it in the hotel room when you arrive. We'll get ready together."

"Ooh someone's gonna be glammed up!" I said to Bailey.

"Oh stop it." She said shyly with beet red cheeks.

So here I am, parked in the hotel parking lot and on the way towards the entrance. My hands were carrying 2 grocery bags filled with none other than, food. I reckoned they'd be hungry up there. I stopped by 7-11 on my way here. The bellboy— bellman to be exact, pulled the door open with a welcoming smile and greeted me with a, "Good morning, miss." I smiled pleasantly and tried to walk pleasantly in as well despite my grocery bags clumped on to my chest.

He looked at me for awhile, as if wanting to offer some help, but before I let him have the chance to offer, I scurried off into the nearest opening elevator and the door shut closed right behind me. The elevator music soothed my ears, and I glanced past the grocery bag to see a little kid, about 9 years of age, staring up at me.

"Hey. " I breathed out.

These bags sure are getting heavier by the minute. No response. He continued staring at me, this time, with a smirk.

"What? Oh gosh, is there something on my face? I knew I shouldn't have a burrito this morning! Gosh and what would Mr. Jose think of me now!"

I couldn't touch my face as both my hands were occupied by the two bags of groceries. I looked down to the kid once more.

"You're pretty hot stuff." He said with a smile.
That's almost becoming creepier and creepier.

"Um. How old are you kid?" I asked.

"9."

"Huh." I said quietly. "Well you should get back to your mom." I said as the elevator doors opened.

I walked out and I could hear him shout behind me.

"Hey! We should go out sometimes!"

"Uh uh in your dreams, kiddo." I called after.

The elevator doors slid shut and I prayed to myself, hoping I'd never have to see him again. Ugh, kids these days.