Chapter 14: I Remember
I feel slightly anxious because Kocoum is really quiet as he follows Anastasia's car. Aquata is in there with her while Esmeralda and Meg ride with Phoebus. The stern look on Kocoum's face makes me cringe and I refrain from starting a conversation. I sigh quietly before I lean my head on the window, mindlessly watching the scenery as we pass by. It's been at least an hour and a half, the only noise is the Kocoum's car and the slight hum of the radio. The closer we get to the ski lodge, the more static passes over the music of the radio.
"Are you okay?", I finally ask.
"Just thinking", he says as we start to see the snow.
"What about?", I ask quietly.
"Nothing for you to worry about", he assures me and puts his hand over mine.
I let go of a breath that I didn't know I was holding and give him a small smile. He smiles back and we park next to Phoebus' car.
"I am so excited!", Esmeralda squeals as she practically drags me out of the car. I laugh along and already feel like I'm in a better mood. The car ride almost made me regret coming, but Esmeralda always manages to cheer me up.
"Me too", I say with a little laugh, trying to match her enthusiasm.
"So am I!", Aquata says as the three of us link arms and walk to the reception area.
We all walk in together and the old lady at the reception lowers her head, and looks up at us in an ironically condescending way.
"Hi there, ma'am. I made a reservation for Jones", Phoebus says as she types something on her computer.
"Rooms 505, 507 and 509", the old woman says in a slow manner as she hands us our keys.
"Please follow Edgar to your rooms. He'll take your bags up", the woman says as an old man approaches us with a large, golden cart and starts loading our luggage onto it.
"505 to 509, Roz?", Edgar asks.
"Yes", Roz replies shortly as she goes back to typing.
"Follow me, please", Edgar says to us.
We all follow him slowly as he make his way to the large elevator. Not all of us can fit, so Meg, Kocoum and Esmeralda volunteer to walk the stairs. Edgar tells them to meet us on the fifth floor and they can join the group again. I feel a little uncomfortable, the closest people I feel all went to the stairs. The elevator dings as the doors close and I try to find a spot on the wall to focus on as we ascend.
"I'm so glad Esmeralda planned this. I needed a weekend getaway. Milo's been trying to call me", Anastasia says as she laughs with Aquata. I frown at the fact the she's laughing. She doesn't seem to be hurt at all.
"Right? And it helps that my sister is a ski instructor here", Aquata adds and I tilt my head. At the same time I pretend I'm not listening. I know that Aquata is one of seven children, but I haven't met them all. I know Ariel and Adella work at Ariel's grotto, and she has a younger sister who is still in high school, but I've never met any of her other sisters. I guess we just aren't close enough to meet each other's siblings. Esmeralda and I are both the only child in our family, so it made it easier for us to bond. Esmeralda was fostered into her family and when I moved to West Andily after my mother passed away, she empathized with me and made me feel better.
"Esmeralda always surprises us, huh", Phoebus says with a smirk and Anastasia and Aquata giggle.
Edgar seems to be disinterested in the conversation and clears his throat when the elevator doors open again.
"Hello again", Esmeralda jokes as we all laugh.
Edgar takes us down a few doors before he uses a swipe card to unlock three different rooms. Kocoum, Meg and I take the first room which has a double bed, a single bed and a sofa. Anastasia and Aquata take the second room which has two single beds, and Esmeralda and Phoebus takes the third room with a double bed. It seems as if Esmeralda had already planned everything out, but I'm glad I didn't have to stress about it, and I don't mind sharing a room with Meg. It's not like Kocoum and I would get up to anything.
"Let's all settle into our rooms and meet in the lobby in half an hour", Esmeralda says as we all nod in agreement and make our way into our hotel rooms. I am surprised at how sophisticated it is. I've been to a ski lodge before, but none that was this grand. The Triton's must be very wealthy to have at least three daughter's in such well-paying jobs.
Kocoum, Meg and I unload our luggage into the drawers and wardrobe provided by the lodge then we all sit on the sofa and watch a little TV to unwind from the drive.
"You sure you're okay?", I ask Kocoum as I lean into him.
"Yeah, as long as you're having a good time", he responds with a small smile.
"You two are so cute", Meg says as I giggle.
"We better get going", I say as I unfold myself out of Kocoum's grip and stand to my feet. The two of them follow suit and we make our way to the lobby. Phoebus and Esmeralda are already there, but Anastasia and Aquata haven't arrived yet.
"The girls have just gone to Aquata's sister so they can organize our first ski. Let's go", Esmeralda says as we nod and make our way to the equipment apartment. I'm really looking forward to skiing and I pray that we don't do anything too risky. My dream-slash-nightmare is in the back of my head, and I hope it has nothing to do with this trip.
A/N: Just a short chapter today. Happy Valentines Day! A little bit of lovey-dovey, haha. Well, no angst, so that's the best I can do. Hope you are all well!