Close to you

Chapter 1

I wake up to the sun beaming through the open bay windows of the hotel room. 10:34am the clock reads on the table next to the bed. 

The flight back home ended up getting delayed taking over six hours to arrive at the airport in LA. When I finally made it to the hotel I could barely keep my eyes open long enough to unlock the door and place my bags down before crawling onto the bed to sleep. 

I walk over to the open windows and bask in the warmth of the sun. It feels great to be home after being gone for so long. The street and sidewalks in front of the hotel are busy as people go on with their day. There is so much life in LA; I had forgotten how beautiful it is. 

Grabbing my phone, I decide to turn on some music while I jump in for a quick shower before my room service arrives. “Castle on the Hill'' by Ed Sheeran is the first song that plays. I enjoy the peaceful moment as I let the water rinse over my skin. Dylan flashes through my thoughts causing an unsettling feeling in my stomach. While I am sad to be leaving Emily and Matt, I needed to come back home.  

I set out of the shower and wrap a towel around my body and then my hair. As I wipe off the steam on the mirror I hear a knock on the hotel door. 

“Room Service.” I hear from the other side of the door.

I look down to make sure I’m fully covered before opening the door. 

“Breakfast Smoothie for room 417?” The lady asks to confirm my order.

“Yes, thank you.” I tell her and she hands me the smoothie. “It looks incredibly delicious.” 

She smiles, then waves and turns to walk down the hallway.

I closed the door and took a drink, it was delicious. My phone cuts off the music as it starts to ring. I pick up the phone to read the screen, a picture of Rose pulls up and I swipe to answer.

“CALLIE!” She shrieks, into the other end of the phone.

“You're awake! “Are you here? Are you dressed? Are you ready to hit the beach?” She spills out without taking a breath.

“Rose!” I shriek back into the phone. “Yes, I’m here!!!” 

“I can’t wait to see you. I should be there in about 10 minutes!” She continues shoutly through the phone. 

“Ok, I just have to get dressed but then I’ll be ready. Call me when you pull up and I’ll head out.” I told her before hanging up the phone. 

I decided on wearing my favorite royal blue bikini. It is the most comfortable one I have and I love the way it fits. It has an athletic cut top and brazilin fit bottoms. It shows off my curves perfectly as it leaves everything covered yet is a little teasing. I slip into my wedges and pull on my cover up. I feel incredibly sexy and confident as I grab my purse and head for the lobby. 

Rose pulls up as I walk out of the hotel doors. She barely puts her car in park as she jumps out to hug me. 

“Your home! I’m so glad you're back home!” She is almost in tears as she continues to hug me.

“I’m glad to be home. I’ve missed you! I had forgotten how beautiful it was here.” I told her as I hugged her tight. 

We pull away from each other and climb into the car. It’s been almost 2 years since we have seen each other in person. The car ride to the beach we gush on about how amazing the other one looks. We talk about mistakes we have made, relationships we have lost and how we are both ready to wipe the slate clean and start over this summer.