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“Jump.” Her body is on my back in seconds. My arms lock underneath her legs to keep her stable. “See, that wasn’t so hard,” I tell her as I begin to walk leisurely in the hotel’s direction.
“Whatever.”
I laugh in contentment; her attitude is endearing.
“How does it feel to have me giving you a piggyback ride?” I try to get under her skin playfully. One thing about Vio is that she doesn’t like to be referenced as a kid.
“I would refrain from your comments, or I will jump off your back in a second.” Her tone is commanding.
I lean back in laughter while still walking. “What if I just…” I unlock my arms from under her legs and she lets out a yelp.
“Don’t you dare, Xavier.” Her grip gets tighter around my neck and shoulder. Laughter doesn’t cease from escaping my lips. “I’m serious.” Her legs are still wrapped around me, but I can feel her heart beating against my chest.
“Fine, I’ll stop now.” My legs fasten underneath her legs again as we continue walking.
Five minutes pass by as we get closer and closer to the hotel.
Vio is calm and her closeness to me lets me feel her emotions in a way. Her chin is on my shoulder as she lets out a sigh of relief.
I like her this close to me. I would want it for the rest of my life if I were able to have it. But I don’t have that convenience and it breaks my heart.
I want to be able to wrap my arms around Vio whenever I want to. Take her out on nice dates and kiss her on the lips. But sometimes obligations take a role in life. It punches you in the face until you succumb to it.
I want her, but that doesn’t mean I can have her.
“The view is pretty.” Vio’s voice sounds right next to my ear lightly.
We’re walking past a pier where the hotel is set on the boardwalk.
“Yeah, it is.” I can hear the waves rolling and crashing on the beach. The sound of the ocean reminded me of what I was doing just three weeks ago. Acapulco and then Brazil, one after the other being defined by my memories with Violetta.
If I’m going to be reminded of Violetta whenever the beach is near, it’s going to be a blessing and a curse.
The blessing being that a place that brings me peace will never fail to remind me of a person I adore. But the curse is knowing I can’t have her.
I really hope that sometime in the future Marrisa gets bored of me. That’s something you shouldn’t ever hear from a significant other, but it’s true. I can’t break up with her, I don’t have it in me to be another disappointment.
Fifteen minutes have passed, and we finally make it to the revolving door of the hotel. The lobby is empty; the only person there is the concierge.
My feet take me through the grand entrance and the high ceilings of the fancy hotel, finally arriving at the elevators. I press the button and the doors automatically open; I make sure that the top of the lift doesn’t hit Vio’s head. Once I know it’s high enough, I walk in and press the level that both me and Vio are staying on. Sofia is right across the hall from Vio and I’m a few doors down.
My finger presses the number fourteen and it dings in response, the doors closing.
I watch the digital clock move from number to number as it goes up. The elevator dings again as the doors open and I’m revealed the clean smell of a hotel and carpets that are made of Nylon. Striding past a few rooms, I stop in front of number sixteen, Vio’s room.
“Vio, can you give me the key?” I ask her.
She doesn’t respond. “Vio?” I turn my head slightly to see her nuzzled up against my neck, dead asleep. I smile at the image of her at peace.
I let out a breath before I unlatch one of my arms from under her legs and reach into her pocket. Out of luck, a plastic card meets my fingers. I pull it out of her pocket slowly, trying not to wake her up, and see the hotel’s name in cursive letters, verifying it’s the room key. Waving it over the sensor, the light turns green, and I turn the handle. My feet lead me into a room that is identical to mine a couple of doors down.
I take a few steps toward the bed and pull the covers to the other side of the pillow. I sit down and lean back slowly, softly unlatching her hands from around my neck. They separate easily and so do her legs from around my back. Once I know she’s on the bed securely, I stand up and look at her face. Her whole body is overtaken by a serene stillness. My hands meet her sneakers and I take them off. Once they’re on the floor, I slide off her socks.
Because who wears socks to bed, psychopaths?
Bringing the comforter over her body, I tuck her in. I know she’s all ready for bed, so I turn off the lamp on the side table. My eyes are on her face once more and I can’t help but trace my finger over her features. She squirms as a result of my touch; my hand moves back as if I’ve been burned by something. But she doesn’t wake up. Smiling again, I lean forward and kiss her on the forehead.
“Good night, Blondie,” I whisper.
