STORY OF THE CHUBBY

STORY OF THE CHUBBY 37

'Shh! Stop making any sound!' I shushed Chris who was standing still by the door, his hand poised to open the door to our hotel room.

'I haven't said anything,' Chris looked at me, amused.

I looked at the door next to ours, waiting for my parents to pop out and ask us a million questions. Nothing.

Chris chuckled and pulled me gently into the room by my arm, 'You've been paranoid since the cop incidence. You thought that shrub outside the hotel had cameras that your parents had set up.'

'Incidence is such a big word,' I said as I plopped on the springy hotel bed.

'You are a wonder, Cecelia,' he said. I looked up at him and smiled at him.

'Well, so are you. I mean, why on earth didn't you just tell me you liked me?' Well, that surely wasn't me, because the real me wouldn't be so bold in asking such a question. Then again, maybe it was me...with vodka's help of course.

We hadn't switched on the lights but I could have sworn I saw his cheeks flush a little.

'I was scared, okay? This was new territory and I didn't know what to do. You are very different to all the girls I'm used to...'

'Pretty and skinny?' I asked jokingly although my face was completely blank.

'Wha- no... I mean yes...um,' he said, searching for words.

I laughed, 'Chill, I'm just kidding. I know I'm different.'

He smiled and walked to the bed, switching on the lights before sitting next to me.

'I just didn't know you felt the same way until I heard Ash saying it,' Chris said, taking my hand.

I couldn't help but blush at the gesture and tried to suppress the army of butterflies in my stomach at the moment, 'So I was supposed to ask you out on a date?' I asked with a raised eyebrows.

'No... I...Can we talk about something else?' He asked looking uncomfortable and I laughed at his discomfort.

'Alright... but lemme take a quick shower first and get ready for bed,' I said pulling my hand from his and standing up. My hand still tingled as I grabbed my pyjamas and a toothbrush but I ignored it.

'Sure,' Chris said, kicking off his shoes and laying on the bed.

'Left side's mine,' I shouted before closing the door to avoid any debate.

I switched on the lights and hang my clothes on the railing on the walls next to the towels, stripped of the clothes I had on and stepped into the shower.

I still didn't know what to make of this whole Chris-likes-me situation and whether it would go anywhere but what I knew is that I would enjoy this time here right now before we went back to our normal lives. He could change his mind or decide I wasn't worth it. I knew the guy but maybe not well enough...a few months were not enough.

A few minutes later, I was looking at myself in the mirror wondering how I was going to step out of the room. It was really nothing except the fact that I was in the oddest pair of pyjamas ever. In my defence, I didn't know Chris and I would be sharing rooms. I didn't even know he would be on this trip!

'Cecelia, you need to come see this!' Called Chris from the other side of the door. I sighed, running my hands trying to neaten the hair I had tied with a hair tie. Well, if the boy really liked me, these odd grey cotton pyjamas wouldn't matter. He'd seen me at my worst anyway I shrugged, remembering the day he'd brought me spaghetti from Mrs Watson.

With one last look at myself, I walked out of the bathroom and headed to where he was. Sprawled on top of the bed, Chris was scrolling down on his phone, a hand under his head and I couldn't help but freeze and check him out. This fine creature couldn't really like me...could he? Again with the self doubt, I know, but, I still couldn't help but wonder.