Pick Me Up

*Jaime’s POV*
Whilst trying to supress the confusing feeling of euphoria that rose within me when I found out Marley and I are staying at the same hotel, I was working on trying to stifle the large smile attempting to play on my face after I asked her to take me out into Sydney tomorrow to get my new phone. Oh my god Jaime, it’s like you don’t have a filter anymore. It’s like my mouth detached itself from my brain and decided to do its own thing and ask Marely out.

I don’t understand though. I’ve known Marley for the better half of 45 minutes and I think I’m already really fucking attracted to her. She hasn’t said much for this entire trip but god, I am falling. It’s like my life didn’t completely fucking shatter at all this morning. But somehow, by some divine intervention or something of that nature, my attraction feels right.

Despite her awkward response, I’m glad Marley said that she’ll take me to get a new phone. Maybe if she isn’t busy, we can find a nice little coffee shop and I can buy her a coffee or something before we go phone shopping, so I can get to know her a little more.

---

My heart began to race as we eventually approached the Mecure Hotel. Not because of how frightened I was of Vic and the guys and how angry they are going to be at me for not contacting them and smashing my phone, but because it was my last few minutes with Marley and I was worried about whether or not she will want to see me again tomorrow like she said. I’ve been thinking whilst Marley navigates what she terms ‘Satan’s city’, that I will try to get her to meet the guys and maybe get her to make friends with them too like she has me. Yeah of course they’re going to want to yell at me first but then they’ll want to meet Marley, whom saved me from the dreaded cold and rain. I don’t want to force Marley into making friends, rather help her make friends. I’m sure the guys would love her.

I just had to build up the confidence to ask her, which was weird considering that all of five minutes ago I asked her to take me to get a new phone. Although right before I finally manifested the courage to ask her, she turns to me, turning off the car.

“Um, I’m sure your friends are in there somewhere, you’re welcome to go find them” Marley spoke monotonously. She said with a smiling gesture that it was fine for me to leave and go check in whilst she grabs her bags and sends a message to the place she’s working at last night, although, I don’t think that’s really what she wants.

Whilst she sounds like she’s happy for me to leave and go find my friends, I get this strange urge that she wants me to stay a little longer, maybe help her with her bags into her hotel?

“No that’s okay, I can stay and help you with your bag” I smile charmingly, instantly making her blush. She held her head down attempting to hide her small smile but it didn’t fool me. I got out of the car and popped the boot for her (trunk I think is the Americanism?). She had a number of bags and I didn’t know which one to grab.

Marley got out of the car and picked up the blue duffle bag and shut her boot. I offered to take it for her however she refused, seeming to be silent with me. She walked me to the elevator, walked in and dropped her bag. She pressed the button to the reception area and that’s where we stood. In silence. Not a word and barely a breath. I was unsure of what to say mostly because I was unsure if I had said or done something to upset her.

The elevator door dinged and then opened. As soon as it opened, Marley rushed out the door whilst I was drawn and distracted by a voice calling my name.

“Jaime! There you are!” Vic yelled at me. Mike and Tony where yelling the same things.

“Where the fuck have you been!” Vic yells at me whilst pushing me in my chest causing me to stumble.

“Seriously man, we tried calling you and its going straight to voicemail. Its been nearly two hours!” Tony scolds at me.

“Well if you guys would stop attacking me and forcing me into this plant I might be able to fucking tell you!” I roared back, most likely causing a huge scene in the foyer of what I now see is a luxury hotel.

We looked around as the guys got a hold of their breathing and calmed themselves. There was a number of faces staring at us, a few old ladies judging us and a security guard who looked on edge. We sat down in the lounge chair nearby where I was able to explain my situation.

“Listen, I broke my phone” I started, pulling the smashed brick from my pocket, to which I received the expected ‘what the fuck’ reaction. “However, I remembered the name of the hotel and was lucky enough that a driver by offered to drop me here. Her name is Marley, she’s just over –“

When I looked over to the desk, Marley was gone. She’d disappeared.

Notes

Why did Marley disappear?