Disclaimer: Why do I have to do this again? Oh yea, that's right, it's because I can't afford to be sued… whatever. sigh I don't own Tales of Symphonia, nor any of its characters. I do, however, own this plot!

Chapter 3: Unfortunate Circumstance

Lloyd's POV

"I'm sorry, but there aren't enough beds for all of you. Because of the recent snowstorm, our inn has been flooded with people," the obviously exasperated receptionist tells us.

Genis appears outraged at this. "You have got to be kidding me! We FINALLY get to an inn, and half of us are STILL forced to sleep on the floor!"

I quickly try to calm him down, but to no avail. The boy would, no doubt, have steam coming out of his ears, if at all possible. I understand how it feels, though, seeing as all of us have been denied access to soft beds for a long time, but there's nothing we can do about it if the rooms are all full.

Raine apparently has the same thoughts of me, for she calmly says, "Genis, we're all tired of sleeping on the ground, but if there aren't enough beds for everyone, there aren't enough beds."

She turns to the dark-haired, middle-aged woman behind the desk. "Just how many rooms are left?"

The receptionist replies, slightly nervously (which is understandable), "There are four rooms, with just as many beds…"

"That means two people to a room. Now that that's been decided, who'll be staying with whom?" asks Raine.

We all look around at each other, but no one speaks up.

"Okay, fine. Presea with Colette, Regal with Genis, Lloyd with Zelos, and I'll be with Sheena. Any objections?"

I groan inwardly at the thought of having to stay with the royal pain-in-the-ass, but none of us have the courage to object if we want to.

"Good. Next decide who will sleep on the floor and who will sleep in the bed."

I walk up to the receptionist, receive a room key, and walk up the stairs to wherever we'll be staying, Zelos uncharacteristically keeping quiet. Room number 9. I insert and turn the key, open the door, and am met with the sight of a rather average-looking inn room. Everything is in various shades of tan, from the bed covers to the walls, floors, and furniture.

Seeing the bed, my mind returns to our current predicament. "Zelos, you can take the bed. I'll sleep on the floor."

I'm used to sleeping on the cold hard ground, so one night on a plush carpet isn't going to kill me.

The Chosen grins before replying, a dead giveaway that he's planning something I probably won't like. "Fine, suit yourself."

The grin widens slightly, and I grow more suspicious by the moment, but choose not to do anything. I sigh, and grab the top pillow and bedcover off, laying them on the tan carpet, making myself a small area to sleep.

"Well, it's late, I'm tired, and I'm going to bed," I say, pulling down the covers the covers to slip into the makeshift bed.

The Chosen stares at me minutely before replying, using the same words as earlier, "Suit yourself."

He switches the light off and slips into his own bed as I shut my eyes peacefully and wait for sleep to take me into the wonderful world of pleasant dreams.

But instead of sweet sleep and tender dreams, I toss and turn all night, half-aware, hair matted to my forehead with sweat, blanket twisted around my body haphazardly. My cheeks feel like they're on fire, and my ears ring with the sound of my own heavy breathing.

This continues for the entire length of the night.

TBC!

Meh. Sorry it's such a short chapter… the next one's a little longer, and the one after that is quite a bit longer. So… dun hurt me! cowers… and, as always, the authoress and her insatiable muse are review-hungry… Tell me what you think!