Love in Lockdown

After the Party

Paige's room was on the second floor and looked over to an office building with an old secondhand bookstore underneath. People were milling about the entrance of the store, laughing, and most likely waiting for their takeaway orders from the little Vietnamese hole in the wall next door.

Alicia was watching the scene, wearing a heavy expression. Paige noted her shoulders were sitting forward and she didn't have her usual spark. In the years they had worked together, Paige couldn't think of when she had seen her friend looking so low.

'I'm guessing you wanted to chat in here so you wouldn't have to be around Ethan?'

Alicia didn't respond. She turned from the window and feel back onto the bed, her legs hanging off the edge. Paige sat beside her and ran her fingers through Alicia's blonde curls, waiting for her to speak first.

After a few minutes Alicia opened her eyes and sat up against the headboard of the bed.

'Last night at the Halfway Party, Ethan kissed Chloe. And they left together. I shouldn't care, but I do. I can't look at him because I will cry and he will want to know why.'

Paige took Alicia's hand in hers and gave it a squeeze. 'I'm so sorry honey.'

'I knew he wasn't interested in me that way, and I had mentally prepared myself to see him with someone else, but not Chloe.' Alicia dropped her head on Paige's shoulder. 'I feel like such an i***t. And I just want to get out of here.'

Paige remained silent. Instead she pulled Alicia in for a long hug, rubbing circles on her back the way her mother used to when she was upset as muffled sobs escaped.

'I just want to get out of here.'

'It's only a few more days.'

'I know but things are not normal out there either. Today it just feels too much.' Alicia sat up and wiped her cheeks. 'I wish I was more together like you Paige. You can handle anything.'

Instead of feeling flattered, Alicia's words had Paige reeling. It was strange to think that was how her friend saw her, when inside she always felt as though she were on the edge of losing control of everything.

'Alicia, if only you knew what it was like living inside my head. I love my job because I am always solving other people's small problems and I never have to deal with my own.'

Alicia gave a small smile as she threw her arm around Paige's shoulder. 'Well look at us. Two different kinds of crazy.'

Paige laughed. Her confession about Nate was on the tip of her tongue and while she wanted to share, she didn't want to be reminded about what a huge mistake she was making. I stead she steered the conversation towards gossip.

'So I met Jason Striker earlier today. Wow...'

Alicia eyes lit up as she jumped excitedly, leaving Paige to laugh at her sudden shift in mood.

'Oh he's the worst! But I know for sure a couple of the girls have slept with him. I suppose he'd be alright for a bit of fun, but he is always scouting.'

Paige nodded and twisted her hair around into a loose knot at the base of her neck. Alicia's eyes went wide and she leaned forward to get a closer look at Paige's neck.

'Is that a hickey?' Alicia gasped.

'What? No!' Paige jumped off the bed and ran to check her neck in the mirror of the bathroom. There was denying that mark on her neck was a hickey - and a big one. Heat rushed to her cheeks as Alicia called out giggling.

'I'm waiting...'

Paige walked back out, hands on her cheeks.

'It's that hot player isn't it? Mr tall and dreamy with the green eyes.'

Paige perched on the edge of the bed. Her mind whirring with her options. Tell the truth, lie, tell a partial truth. It was Alicia's hopeful blue eyes that inspired her to confess.

'It was Nate. I know you said to leave it, and I was going to.'

Alicia squealed and jumped with excitement again. 'Tell me everything!'

'The night of the Halfway Party I went to his room and we kissed. It was intense, but amazing.'

'Have you seen him since?'

'Just now.' It felt good to be sharing. 'I know I shouldn't Alicia but I just can't let him go. I'm so sick of doing the right thing all the time.'

'Oh Paige.'

'You don't need to remind me this will probably end badly. He's a football player, famous, way too good looking.' Paige fell back on the bed. 'And now I have a huge hickey on my neck!'

'f**k it Paige. Forget everything I said earlier. Have some fun. Chloe never does the right thing and she's always having a great time. Now tell me, are his abs this amazing in person?'

Alicia hovered her phone over Paige's face with a shirtless photo of Nate from his i********: account on the screen. Paige's cheeks flamed red again and Alicia collapsed in a fit of giggles. 'I'll take that as a yes!'

Paige joined Ethan back at reception whileAlicia took the rest of the day off. The Department of Health officers were removing their protection wear outside the foyer doors after testing everyone in the hotel. The day had been quiet with everyone hiding out with hangovers and the process of virus testing had left a somber mood through the hotel - an all too heavy reminder of life outside the walls.

'So... Alicia was ignoring me right? I'm not imaging that?'

There was a vulnerability to Ethan's question that surprised Paige. He was always so confident and unaffected.

'She was.'

'Any chance you'll tell me why?'

Paige turned to face Ethan. 'I'm sure you could guess if you really thought about Ethan. I know you. You're not that clueless.'

Ethan didn't reply, and Paige didn't miss the tightening of his knuckles on the chair he was leaning on.

'Ethan. She'll get over it. Just give her time.'

'I don't know of I want her to get over it.'

Just as Paige was about to grill Ethan on exactly what he meant when she was interrupted by a gravely male voice that sent a shiver through her body.

'Can you help me?'

Holding back a smile she turned to find Nate smirking, his hair tousled and stubble lining his jaw. Paige was sure he had to know how good he looked.

'I'm sure I can help you.' Paige couldn't keep the playfulness from her voice.

'I have been asking for something to be left in my room, but it seems to be forgotten each time. Maybe I can leave this here as a reminder?' Nate slid a small folded piece of paper along the desk towards Paige, letting his finger graze hers as she reached to pick it up.

She unfolded the note, taking in its contents.

Where we first met. 10pm.

'I'll make sure it gets to where it needs to be.'

Nate have her a slow smile as he leaned forward. 'Be sure you do.'

Paige watched as walked into the dining hall, turning to wink at her before disappearing through the door. There was something about a man who wasn't hesitant about letting the world see what he wanted. Shaking her head she turned and jumped as Ethan came into focus. She had forgotten he was there.

'What is going on there?' Paige opened her mouth to explain but Ethan cut her off. 'Actually. You forget what I said, and I'll forget what I think I just saw. Just be careful Paige.'

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