CHAPTER 4: Hotel Room

I was sitting between Chad and Sara. The buzz from the party among all the people in the limo was still there. Though the buzz was still there, there were only hushed conversations as a few of us were getting tired. I leaned my head down and briefly closed my eyes. The limo wasn't at all squished with all the teenagers; there were just enough seats for everybody which was a relief.

I opened my eyes as I felt the limo pull over. I stared ahead to see the screen divider that separated the limo from the driver. The black divider slowly pulled down and head peeked inside.

"Sara, can I have a word with you?" the limo driver asked, peering at us.

"Yeah," Sara said with a nod. She got out of the limo, probably heading over to the driver's seat. The screen divider went up, blocking the view of the limo driver and the front seat.

"You think something's wrong?" Amber asked, sitting up in front near the limo driver.

"Hopefully not," Matt answered.

Once I found out that Matt and Christine were going to be in the limo with us, I tried to think good thoughts; not at all thinking the worst and the awkwardness of it. I turned my head to see Chad sitting in his seat as he texted somebody.

Suddenly the limo door opened as Sara came back in. She had a grim look on her face as she looked at all the expectant faces.

"So?" Spencer asked, motioning his hand as he looked at Sara.

"Okay," Sara started, "the driver says that the limo has an oil problem and something about the road being closed."

We all looked at her, taking in the words in silence.

"I called my mom and she said we'd better just rent a room for a night at a nearby hotel," Sara finished, looking at us with a slight grimace. She was prepared to hear any complaints. Everyone just stared at her with slightly opened mouths.

"So, we're going to try to get a room for the night. Hopefully we'll have enough money if we all chip in," Sara said, with an expectant look.

"What?" Jenn asked a bit horrified at the turn of events. "So that means we have to spend the night here?"

"Yeah," Sara said with a nervous laugh. Jenn shook her head at the disbelief.

"So, everyone okay with the plan?" Sara asked, finally getting a bit impatient. Everyone nodded their heads.

"Alright, well there's a hotel right across the street," Sara laughed at the irony. "So, let's go and try to get a room."

She opened the door again and hopped out. We all filed out of the limo. We were greeted by a cold breeze and a full moon up in the dark sky.

I hugged my purse and my bag of clothes to me as shivers went up my arms at the coldness. I looked around and saw a hotel/motel. I really didn't know what to call it though.

"Let's go," Katie said from beside me. I followed her across the street, hearing the crunch of gravel beneath our shoes. Sara went up to the front desk and was talking with the worker. Everyone took seats on the lobby couches looking tired as ever. Brenton, Mark, and Chad occupied a couch as then all leaned in—talking in whispers. I followed Katie over to them.

"Hey," Katie greeted them with a smile as she took a seat between Chad and Mark. There wasn't any more room on the couch.

"Here, sit by me," Brenton said with a smile that could have melted my heart. I smiled at him as he scooted over to the edge of the couch, making room between him and Chad. I took the seat and Brenton scooted in, leaning his elbows on his knees, listening to the conversation. His leg touched mine, sending a feeling of warmth through me.

"How much is a room here anyways?" Mark asked, looking around at the furnished lobby. His dress shirt was wrinkled and his hair was sticking up in places.

"We'd be lucky to get a room," Chad replied, shaking his head. Then he looked at Katie with a cocky grin on his face, "One room."

Katie rolled her eyes and hit Chad in the shoulder. "I got the message. One room for how many people?" Katie asked, looking at Chad. "Thirteen people," Katie answered when Chad just creased his eyebrows.

"Well, I'm calling the bed," Chad said, lifting his hands in front of him. "That's all I'm going to say."

I looked at the couch in front of us to see Jenn and Christine, Spencer, Amber, Nathan, Troy, and Matt. I sighed, looking away from them. I have barely talked to Jenn once we entered Ally's party. I haven't spoken to Matt, except for a 'hey', when we filed into the limo, driving away from Ally's party.

Just then Sara came over to us, waving over Jenn and the rest of them over. They left the couch and were standing, surrounding Sara.

"Alright," Sara said, "There's an open room with two twin beds and a couch. It's the cheapest available room they have right now. It's $250 for one night."

"So, how much do each of us have to pay?" Troy asked, running his hands through his hair. Chad took out his phone and typed in the numbers, we all watched him, waiting.

"Nineteen or twenty bucks per person," Chad answered, shutting his phone. We all took out our wallets as we checked to see if we had money.

"Anybody not have money?" Brenton asked, looking at everyone. We all shook our heads, looking at each other.

"So, does anybody have extra money so we can at least get a second room?" Chad asked, having a hopeful expression. Chad really wanted to claim a bed.

"Not enough for another room," Sara said with frown. It was either get one room where everybody chipped in. If we got a second room, everyone would have had to chip in more than their $20. Chad sighed, slumping back into the couch.

"Okay, I'll go book the room," Sara said, collecting everybody's cash.

"I'll go with you," Spencer said, trailing behind Sara to the front desk. Everyone turned back to each other's conversations and calling their parents about the news as my eyes followed Sara. I really admired how confidant and independent she was; taking the responsibility. Sara was really mature for her age and thanks to her, some of that independence rubbed off on me since we've been hanging out.

"Gosh, it's cold in here," Katie said, hugging herself.

"That's because you're wearing a dress," Mark explained, leaning his elbow on the couch arm. He stuck a piece of gum in his mouth as he chewed.

"It's because of the air conditioning too," Brenton added, leaning his head on the couch. Just then I shivered, creating goose bumps on my arms. I took out my jacket from the bag and put it on.

"Good thing you brought a jacket," Brenton laughed, looking at me.

"Yeah, thank you Mom," I said with a laugh. I pulled out my cell phone, feeling a vibration. I texted my mom about the turn of events and she finally replied. I read the message and replied back.

"So, you tell your parents about this?" I asked, finishing up the text to my mom.

"Yeah. They're not worried much," Brenton answered me. "What about you?"

I looked up at him and noticed that the top few buttons of his dress shirt were undone, revealing a white plain shirt. His tie was loosened around his neck.

"Just told my mom right now; she asked about the room cost and everything," I answered back with a shrug.

Brenton nodded and fixed his eyes to his tie, fingering it. I observed him, trying to grasp the fact that I'm actually friends with this very attractive guy—or any of the other guys. If I never moved to New York I would have never known any of them… Spencer the football player, Chad the playboy, Mark the sweet guy though he could have his moments, and Brenton….is just Brenton.

"Your hair isn't spiky anymore," I stated looking at his brown hair. Like how it is on a regular basis, his short hair was now down. Brenton laughed, looking back up at me with his light brown eyes. Just then Sara and Spencer came over. Sara with a hotel key in hand.

"Level 23. Room 217," Spencer stated. Everybody immediately shot up from the couches.

"I'm getting a bed," Chad stated as he quickly made his way over the elevator. Everyone followed and I rolled my eyes.

"I'm getting a bed," Katie corrected him with a laugh.

"We could share," Chad joked, eyeing Katie. Katie hit him in the shoulder and laughed. Brenton laughed at them, shaking his head.

"Chad," Jenn said, "How about who ever gets there first gets first choice?" Everyone was listening to Jenn make the offer.

"Fine," Chad laughed.

"Wait," Jenn said, correcting herself as she looked at Sara. "Sara has the key so who ever gets to the door first."

"We got two keys, Spencer has the other one," Sara informed with amusement in her eyes.

"Fine," Chad laughed again. "You're on."

The bell dinged, signaling that two elevators were open. Everyone else quickly filed into an elevator, hoping to get there first.

I rushed into the nearest elevator and realized I was the first one in. The doors shut and I noticed that I was in the elevator with Brenton, Chad, Katie, Spencer, and Troy.

"What level is it?" Chad asked impatiently as he looked at all of us.

"21?" Chad asked, pushing the number.

"No, it's 23!" Spencer exclaimed. He pushed the number 23.

"Great," Troy said sarcastically. "An unnecessary stop." He looked at the number 21 as if it were evil. We all groaned in unison.

The elevator ascended and stopped on level 21. Chad repeatedly pressed the closed button. The doors closed and the elevator ascended once more.

"C'mon, c'mon," Spencer murmured, staring at the elevator door as he rubbed the key between his hands. I wasn't really as determined to get the bed because my hopes were dashed away when we had to land on the unnecessary stop.

The elevator dinged and opened. Spencer and Chad were the first ones out of there. We all hurried down the hall, reading the signs for room 217. Katie laughed beside me as we headed down the hall.

I looked at her and whispered, "Girls should be getting the beds."

"I know. What gentlemen these guys are," Katie agreed with an eye roll and a laugh.

Before I knew it, we were outside of room 217. Spencer stuck the key inside the slot and opened the door. We all filed in, taking in the room which was sort of like a suite. One room contained the twin beds and a desk with a rolling chair and the other room contained a three seater and a two seater couch, a small dining table. Each room had its own television. The winners—Christine, Jenn, Amber, Nathan, Mark, Matt, and Sara were in the room with the beds. We walked into the bedroom, hearing them discuss and argue about the beds.

"How about girls get the beds?" Amber suggested. "Guys, do the gentleman thing."

"Alright," the guys answered grudgingly. Brenton, Chad, Spencer, Katie, Troy, and I stood in the doorway of the bedroom listening in on the winners' conversation.

"So, who got the rooms?" Chad asked sadly, already knowing the answer.

"Us," Christine answered happily as she sat down on one of the beds. Jenn took the other side of the bed. Sara and Amber were on the other. Looking at the beds, only two people were able to fit on each bed. I was about to make a run for the room with the couches, planning to snag a couch of my own but Sara grabbed Katie's and my attention.

"Sorry guys," Sara said, getting up to walk over to Katie and me. I reluctantly turned around, slumping a bit as I noticed from the corner of my eye that the guys were heading into the other room—claiming the couches.

Katie shook her head, "It's alright. It's just a bed."

I laughed, nodding in agreement. "One night we can survive. It's not like we're babies."

Sara laughed, "Yeah."

Katie and I smiled and went over into the room with the boys.

"I don't know if it's a good or bad thing to be in the same room as the guys," Katie whispered to me.

I laughed, looking at her. Katie shrugged her shoulders, putting on an innocent smile. We looked at the room and I saw Brenton and Chad wrestling for the two seater couch. Spencer took claim of the three seater couch, watching Brenton and Chad with amusement. I walked over to Spencer and sat on the arm of the chair.

"Who do you think is going to win?" I asked laughing as Brenton tried to push Chad off the couch. "Chad!" Brenton exclaimed laughing as Chad pushed him back.

"I don't know, too close to tell," Spencer laughed, tearing his eyes away from the entertainment.

"How'd you get this spot?" Katie asked, taking a seat next to Spencer.

Spencer looked over at her with a huge grin, "While everyone was in the other room, I ran and sat over on this one."

Katie and I laughed. I looked around the room to see that Troy and Matt took seats on the chairs next to the dining table. They were watching television and I was relieved of that; I didn't want to talk to Matt because I felt awkward after he saw me and Brenton together on the dance floor. Nathan was sitting on the other end of the three seater couch, watching television—his feet propped up on the coffee table in front of us.

Nathan then looked over at us, "Me, Spencer, and Mark have this coach." He put on a grin.

"Wait, where is Mark?" I asked, looking around the room.

Nathan turned his eyes on me and answered, "Snack run. He went to get something from the vending machine in the ice room." I nodded my head.

"Where am I going to stay?" Katie asked as her eyes roamed over the crowded room.

Nathan looked at her and stood up from the coach, "You can take my spot on the couch."

"Are you sure?" Katie asked hesitantly.

"Yeah," Nathan nodded. "I'm fine right here," he continued as he took a seat in front of the coffee table, facing the television.

"Thanks," Katie said. She got up and hugged Nathan. Oh, gosh. What about me? Just then my phone vibrated in my jacket pocket. I looked at it to see that I had an incoming call from my mom. I got up and headed out the noisy room. I walked past Brenton and Chad—who were still wrestling each other. I laughed.

"Hello?" I asked into the phone. I was standing outside in the hallway.

"Hey, so you guys in your room yet?" my mother's voice asked.

"Yeah, we had enough money to pull up a room," I said with a smile.

"That's good. Just wanted to make sure you were okay."

"Yeah, I'm okay," I said into the phone. Then I saw Mark come up the hallway with a bag of chips in his hand. "Well, I got to go. I'm really tired," I continued.

"Alright, bye," my mom said before hanging up. I hung up the phone and looked at Mark as he approached with an open bag of chips in one hand. A couple bags of chips and candy bars were in his other arm.

"Can I have one?" I asked, extending my hand towards his chip bag.

"Sure," Mark said, offering me the bag. I stuck my hand in and took a chip. He knocked on the door, and Chad opened it. Mark and I entered and I saw Brenton lying across his couch lazily. I laughed.

"What happened Chad?" Mark asked with a laugh as he took in Brenton.

"Chad, we could just share the couch," Brenton said, sitting up.

Chad turned to him and said, "I wanted the couch to myself."

Brenton rolled his eyes. Mark passed the chips and candy bars to the guys.

"So, you'd rather either have the couch to yourself or not have the couch at all?" I asked, confused.

Chad looked at me and said, "Yeah. But I lost anyways."

"You should have seen it," Nathan laughed, still in front of the coffee table.

Just then Jenn came into the room, "Can you guys keep it down? We're going to sleep."

"Sorry," Spencer whispered. He then looked at everyone in the room with a finger to his lips with his eyes comically wide. We quietly laughed. Jenn rolled her eyes and shut the door between the bedroom and our room. Then the door opened again, revealing Sara.

"Here are some extra pillows and blankets," Sara said, extending her hand with the items.

"Thanks," Matt said, standing up to grab them.

"Well, it's late so we'll just wake up late tomorrow or whenever we wake up. Is that okay with everyone? Heading back home in the afternoon?" Sara asked, looking around the room.

"Fine," Brenton answered with a smile. Everyone nodded. Sara smiled before closing the door.

"Who wants?" Matt asked, looking at everyone. I couldn't help but think of how sweet Matt is; kindness was practically built into his DNA.

"You and Troy should take it," Spencer said, speaking for everyone. "You guys got the uncomfortable chairs."

Troy took the pillow and blanket, settling back in his chair; leaving Matt with his own blanket and pillow.

"Sienna," Brenton called from his spot on the couch. I looked down at him. "Where are you sleeping?" he asked curiously.

"Um…" I started, glancing around the room. Matt looked at me and I quickly looked away. "I don't know," I admitted, turning back to Brenton.

"You could sleep here," Brenton said, patting beside him.

"Thanks," I said, smiling as I took the seat next to him. I could practically feel Matt's eyes boring at me and for some reason I felt…guilty; bad.

To my surprise, Brenton got up and said with a smile, "Of course." I creased my eyebrows confused.

"What are you doing?" was the first thing that came out of my mouth.

"Giving you the couch," Brenton answered as if it were obvious.

"Wait what?" I asked, taking in what he said. "No, you practically wrestled for the couch," I said objecting, standing up. I looked down at his wrinkled shirt and his flushed face from the wrestling match. Why does he have to look so cute?

"You should sleep here," I stated. He was walking over to the closet, and opened it up. I continued to stare at his back, waiting for him to turn around. Everyone else in the room was either staring at the television, and secretly listening to us or openly staring and listening to us. He finally turned around with a couple more pillows and blankets he found in the closet.

Brenton walked over, his eyes looking at me. As he was passing Nathan, he gave him a blanket and a pillow. He threw a pillow at Chad, who made himself comfortable beside Nathan. He tossed another pillow and blanket to Katie. Katie smiled, satisfied to have gotten a blanket and pillow. She hugged the pillow to herself and spread the huge blanket over her, Spencer, and Mark—whom were obviously distracted at watching Brenton and me as they stuffed chips into their mouths as if they were watching a movie.

"I was just trying to be the nice guy, giving you the couch," Brenton said with a smirk on his face as he stopped in front of me.

"And I'm just trying to be the nice girl, saying you should have the couch," I retorted with a smile on my face as I stared up into his light brown eyes. I looked into his eyes and his attractive face, forgetting about Mark, Spencer, and the other guys looking at us.

"Since you insist," Brenton said with a shrug and a laugh. He then maneuvered around me with a pillow and blanket in hand, lying across the couch. I looked at him with a stunned expression, not expecting that to happen. He laughed, looking up at my speechless face. He sat up, and grabbed my hand.

"I'm kidding," he laughed as he pulled me over to the couch. I rolled my eyes and pushed him on the shoulder, feeling a wave of heat run across my cheeks as I sat down. I looked away from him, not wanting to show how embarrassed I felt.

"What? I don't get a thank you for letting you sleep on my couch?" Brenton asked as I perched on the edge of the couch. He leaned his chest towards me, his heat on the back of my shoulder. I tried to suppress a smile but I failed. I turned around and looked at him with a smile on my face.

"You're such a jerk," I laughed. Then I put on a sincere face, "Thank you."

Brenton laughed, his light brown eyes looking into mine, "Of course."

"Flirt fest," Spencer quietly sang with a goofy grin on his face. I looked at him with a slightly horrified expression; I forgot they were there. My cheeks became hot as Spencer and Mark looked at us with goofy grins.

"You guys should get a room," Mark laughed; receiving a punch from Katie on the shoulder. Katie turned and also punched Spencer's football shoulder.

"What was that for?" Mark laughed again, turning his gaze towards Katie's amused face.

All Spencer did was look down at Katie with a smirk. Chad laughed from the floor next to Nathan. Nathan and Troy had amused faces. I couldn't help but notice the Matt's blank and unreadable expression. Brenton laughed from beside me, turning my attention back to him. I laughed off my embarrassment and got up from the couch, heading towards the restroom with my jeans.

I looked myself in the mirror to see that my hair was messed up but in that beach way. I quickly put on my jeans, not wanting to worry about my dress riding up or anything. I stepped out of the restroom to see Mark in line. Mark smiled at me before heading into the restroom.

The lights in the room were off, making the room dark except for the low-volume television that sent a glow into the room. Troy and Matt had their eyes closed and were leaning on their chairs —which were leaned against the wall at an angle. Their pillows were behind them and blankets were covering their dress shirts and ties. Nathan and Chad were sprawled out in front of the coffee table with their pillows behind their heads and the blanket covering them. Nathan was asleep, but Chad was watching the television. Spencer, on the end of the couch, had his head leaning on the pillow. Katie had her head leaned against his shoulder as their blanket covered them—both of them watching the television. I walked over to Brenton to see him underneath the blanket. He was sitting up, resting his head on his hand as his elbow was on the arm of a chair. He was staring at the television.

"Hey," he whispered as I approached him. I smiled, settling underneath the blanket. The two seater couch was unusually small and I felt Brenton's leg against mine. I stared at the television but barely saw it. All I could think of was that this night was crazy; that Brenton was actually here with me.

Mark exited the restroom and pulled the blanket over him, making sure not to take any from Spencer who was seating on the other side of the couch. I brought my legs up on the couch, cuddling myself into a little ball with my head resting on the left arm of the couch as I stared at the television.

I realized that the T.V. was set to a scary movie. I turned my face away from the television so I wouldn't have to see the bloody scene of one of the Final Destination movies. I leaned my cheek on the armrest, grateful that the television was at least on a low volume.

"Ew, change the channel," Katie whispered disgusted, looking at Mark and then at Spencer.

"What? Scared of scary movies?" Spencer teased back with a laugh. He looked down at Katie's face on his shoulders. Katie straightened up, pulling the blanket up to her neck. She nodded as she stared eye-wide at the television, not caring to defend herself.

Brenton laughed from the other side of the couch. I lifted my head to see him staring at Katie. He rubbed his hand to his forehead as he yawned.

"I'll protect you," Spencer said with a laugh. I looked back at Katie and Spencer. Spencer put his arm around Katie's shoulders.

"I was wrong," Mark stated, looking at Katie and Spencer. Chad, Brenton, and I looked at Mark curious of what he had to say. "You and Katie should get a room," Mark laughed.

Katie lifted her head from Spencer's shoulder and punched Mark's shoulder and Spencer leaned over to smack Mark on the back of the head. Chad laughed, turning back to the movie. I lifted my phone from my jacket pocket and took my hand out from under the blanket. It read two o'clock. I yawned, putting the cell phone back in my jacket pocket.

Just I was about to close my eyes, my read resting against the arm rest, a pillow was tossed on the side of my body. I removed the white pillow, enabling me to see Brenton staring at me. He had his elbow on the right arm rest and his legs propped up against the coffee table. My stomach flipped at the sight of Brenton and his gesture. He felt my stare and lazily turned towards me.

"Thanks," I whispered, receiving a slight smile from him. I took the pillow and placed it on the arm rest. I leaned my head on part of the pillow and I hugged the end of the pillow to me. I sighed, feeling bliss in me. Life couldn't get better.