It was 7pm when we had finished filming and John and I were back on the bus. I was laying across his bed and he was changing.
“Something wrong?” he asked over his shoulder.
“I was just thinking that I don’t have anything. I am not looking forward to going back to my house to pack some things, but I need to.” John came over and laid on the bed with me.
“I’ll go back with you tomorrow.”
“You are such a sweetheart.” I rolled over and kissed him on the cheek. We laid there looking into each other’s eyes. We moved in closer, about to kiss when someone knocked on the door. I sat up startled and looked at the door.
“Yeah,” John growled.
“Mike and I are hungry. We figured Wynter would know where to get some grub and you guys could come with us,” Robby called through the door.
“I’m kinda hungry too,” I said apologetically.
“All right, let’s go.” We pulled on our shoes and went out to Robby and Mike. We all piled into my little car. It was extremely amusing to see Robby and Mike in the back with their knees up to their chests.
“What are you guys in the mood for?”
Mike and Robby shrugged.
“What about that tea house you talked about earlier?”
“They serve some cool food and some really good tea.” They all thought it sounded cool, so I got on Highway 36. We drove towards the setting sun and mountains. The boys commented on how stunningly beautiful they were. I said “When you live here you forget to stop and appreciate their beauty. It’s almost as if they’re not there at all.”
They made funny faces at their exotic foods and teas, but all loved it once they tried it. Robby was immediately endearing and Mike was shy. So while Robby and John made their best efforts to make me laugh, and trust me it was working, Mike just sat back and laughed. After dinner none of them wanted to go home, but we couldn’t go any place too public. They didn’t want to be mobbed. I suggested a movie, since it was dark in the theatre.
We got back on Highway 36 and headed east. When we got to the AMC Promenade it was swamped. I thought they should wait in the car while I got tickets, they agreed. I got us tickets to the latest comedy that was showing. I got them from the car and we got into the theatre as quickly as we could. The theatre is huge, a two story screen and those high back seats that have arms that go up and down. I was set in between John and Robby with Mike on the other side of Robby.
As we talked about the ads rolling by on the screen, Robby professed his love of movie theatre popcorn. John was quick to agree, so I was sent to get popcorn and pop. I arrived back with two large buckets of popcorn and four pops. As I handed Mike and Robby a bucket and two pops, they all insisted on paying me.
“No, no, guys. It’s on me.”
“But you paid for the tickets too,” Robby insisted.
“Don’t worry about it. Now, shush, the movie is starting.” I handed John the popcorn and sat down. At this point I realized that neither of us had put the armrest down between us. I was quick to take advantage of this by sitting as close to him as possible. About five minutes into the movie John put his arm around me and pulled me to him. I put my head in the hollow of his shoulder, closed my eyes and breathed deeply. He smelled so good, I never wanted to move.
In the middle of the movie John, Robby and Mike got in a popcorn fight, getting us kicked out of the theatre. We tripped over one another in gales of laughter as we left the movie.
“All right, where are we going?” I said when I could finally breath.
“Do I hear a fountain?” Robby got a mischievous look on his face.
“Yeah, right down there,” I said pointing away from the theatre. “The big kind that you can walk through. You know the ones that shoot up from the ground.”
“Cool, show me.” So we all walked down to the fountain. Once we got to the fountain, Robby grabbed Mike and pulled him towards it. Mike screamed in protest, but Robby managed to pull him in. A spray of water shot up between them, soaking them both. John and I were laughing so hard tears were forming.
“Oh, you think it’s funny?” Robby said. He ran over to me, picked me up, and threw me over his shoulder. He carried me into the fountain as Mike pulled John in. All four of us were dripping wet as we walked back to my car. I was still picking popcorn debri from my damp hair when we got in.
“Okay you three, where to now? And I suggest some place warm because I’m absolutely freezing,” I said giving Robby playful glare. He giggled like a school girl at me.
“Well, our plane doesn’t leave until tomorrow, so we’re staying at a hotel for the night,” John said.
“Which hotel? I’ll take you there.”
“I can’t remember what it’s called but it’s on 104th Avenue and Highway 36.” I laughed when John said that. “What’s so funny?”
“See that highrise across the street.”
“Yes.”
“That’s your hotel.” All three just looked at me. “Okay, so I thought it was funny. Gimme a break.” I drove across the street to the hotel parking lot.
“Do you want to come in with us?” John sounded more like he was begging than asking.
“Sure.” The guys checked in and we rode up to the 15th floor to their rooms. Mike said he was tired and wanted to go to bed.
“Thanks for the movie, Wynter.” I felt Mike’s hand slip into my back pocket when I hugged him. He went into his room and I walked down to where Robby stood.
“Where did John go?”
“He’s in his room waiting for you. I just wanted to say goodnight.”
“Goodnight.” Right after he let me from our hug, he put his hand in my front pocket. “But Ro...” He put his finger to my lips.
“No, I insist. Goodnight, Wynter.” He kissed me on the cheek and went into his room. I checked and found a twenty dollar bill in each pocket. I looked up to find John staring at me.
“What you got?”
“Robby and Mike gave me money for the movie.”
“Persistent, aren’t they?”
“Uh-huh.”
“Well, come on in.” He moved aside to leave room for me to go into his room. “I know you said you had a friend you could stay with, but I thought you might stay with me tonight. That way we could go back to your house to pack you some stuff tomorrow.”
“Okay.” We just stood inside the room staring at one another, finally John spoke.
“Uh, well, there’s two beds in here. So you can have your own if you want.” I didn’t know what to make of that comment. Did that mean he wanted to sleep in separate beds or not?
“Okay.” We each dried off and changed in the bathroom and then got into the separate beds. We both tossed and turned for over an hour. I just couldn’t seem to get comfortable and John seemed to be having the same problem. I heard John get up out of his bed behind me. I felt the blanket on my bed being lifted, I looked over my shoulder at him.
“I can’t sleep over there, can I sleep with you?”
“Yes, get in.” I moved over to let him in, then laid my head on his chest. He put his arms around me.
“Mmm, better,” he whisper, his voice low and husky.
“Much better.” I felt his body relax and his breathing become slower, more rhythmic. I fell asleep a few minutes after he did.
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