“Thanks.” I murmured, feeling my way into the room. I couldn't find the light switch, and I was too tired to, anyway. I could just make out the silhouette of a table, and turned around it. To my left, there was a shadow that looked like a couch. I released my suitcase and collapsed onto it, not even bothering to pull it out or change. I was asleep in an instant.
Colton:
I watched as Natalie staggered into the room, contemplating whether or not I should be worried about her falling. She turned to the left, and I could just barely see as she collapsed onto what looked like a small sofa. I raised my eyebrows, starting to walk in towards her. Seconds later, I heard her light breathing, and could tell she had fallen asleep. I'd sort of figured that I was the only one who'd slept on the bus ride. I rubbed my stomach at the memory of my awakening.
I had planned on Sky and I taking the room with the couch. I didn't mind sleeping on it, and I figured Maggie and Natalie would want to share. But I could hear loud snores coming through the door that adjoined the rooms, and realized that wasn't happening. I sighed.
I'd finally reached the couch. I could just make out Natalie's small figure curled upon it, breathing lightly. She was hugging her arms. Earlier she'd insisted that she'd warmed up, and made me take my jacket back, although I'd suspected she was still cold. This proved my hunch. I shook my head at her stubbornness and turned to the bed, which was just a couple steps behind me. I pulled the sheets back quietly.
Back home, Sky constantly fell asleep on the couch after late nights out with her friends. She would just drop, shoes on and all. Natalie was nothing like Sky, but the similarity of the situation made me laugh inwardly. Usually my parents were asleep whenever Schyler got home, but I'd made it a habit of getting her to her bed. She'd never said anything, but I knew my sister better than anyone, and I knew she appreciated it.
I turned back to the shivering Natalie. My eyes were beginning to adjust, and I noticed (with plenty of amusement) that she'd somehow taken off one shoe before the collapse. It was sitting on the edge of the couch, just barely balancing.
For a moment I hesitated. I didn't want to do anything that would make her feel uncomfortable. But she was a friend. I'd do this for anyone. Either way, all I was doing was moving her to a bed. There was nothing wrong with that...
I gently slid the remaining Tom off her foot, and set it (along with it's pair) on the ground. Then I carefully slid my arms under her and lifted her, so as not to wake her, and took the couple of steps to the bed. Her skin was cold. Her head lolled tiredly against my chest, and she shivered again. I looked down at her as I deposited her on to the bed. She was still fast asleep. I subconsciously reached down and brushed her hair out of her eyes. Then I gently covered her in the sheets, tucking them around her. She twitched slightly, but remained asleep. For a second I just looked at her. Something about her made my heart beat speed up. Ever since that hot day in Savannah. I shook my head in attempt to clear it.
A yawn came over me. Tomorrow was gonna be a big day. I trundled across the room to the other bed, collapsing on top of the sheets. I needed all the sleep I could get.
Natalie:
The next morning I woke with a start to the sound of loud voices echoing from the vents. Confusion filled me and I glanced to the side of my bed, looking for my digital clock. I quickly realized that I wasn't at home. Yesterday came back in flashes. The storm. The wait. The bus. The hotel. And Colton. I sat up with a start. I knew I'd collapsed on the couch last night. No question about it. Yet I was lying in a fluffy white bed.
Chapter Four: Phillip
Start from the beginning
