The Mute Luna

Chapter 6: Relaxing

“This place is great.” Joey commented with a smile as they walked into the hotel. It was even more beautiful on the inside than the outside. The lobby was decorated with red velvet carpet, black curtains, small black leather couches on a stage-like platform and a huge marble fountain in the center, water flowing from the mouth of a wolf down to the polished rocks below. A small oak desk with a wall of keys behind it sat in the corner with a set of gold elevators nearby.

Girls sipped drinks in strange shaped glasses, talking about their dresses, makeup and what they hoped for their mates. The boys were immediately rushed to the elevators so they would not be able to meet their mates just yet, that special moment saved for the ball tomorrow night.  Hotel workers rushed to help with the guests, yelling to each other and working fast.

Carter's eyes wandered around the beautiful room, wondering if her mate was nearby. Was he already here? Was he looking for her as well, hoping for a supermodel? Her heart began to ache when she thought of how it would feel to be rejected. Joey, who was frantically looking around as if he could see his mate, looked at her. 

“Guess this is where it all starts.” His voice was softer than she expected. His green eyes were glazed over, his mind far away. 

A man in red rushed over to get Joey to his room before he could meet his mate but Joey explained how he and Carter had been allowed to stay together. They were walked to the gold elevators and assured inside. She stared as the doors slid shut with a ding. Soft music by Taylor Swift played as Joey pressed the button leading to their floor and it shot up, making her stomach panic.

She gripped her best friend's arm for support and he chuckled. “Nervous?” He asked. She nodded. The hotel room was much nicer than Carter expected, though the rest of the hotel was so nice, it shouldn't have shocked her. There was a large living room With two white sofas surrounding a small stone fireplace with a glass door next to it, leading out to a balcony that seemed to overlook the world. Next to the living room was a small set of golden doors that led to one room while a set opposite it led to another.

The rooms had large beds with fluffy blankets and pillows, a large TV hanging on the wall, a desk, a small closet, large window to see outside with a couch beneath each and a small bathroom also. Carter explored one of the rooms that seemed to be hers since her things had already been brought up, her dress she still had not looked at hanging in her closet with a pair of black heels. And though the room was very nice, she resented it. 

It had none of her posters from home, did not smell the same, did not have the same bed or covers. It didn't feel like home. Maybe that actually comforted some people but it just made Carter homesick. If only she could just go on and go home. The thought made her think of just sneaking off and going home in secret but she knew her father would never forgive her and she couldn't leave Joey. 

With a silent sigh, she went back to the living room, where Joey was laid on a couch. He had already turned on the TV over the fireplace when she sat next to him. 

“Hey, are you scared about all of this?” He asked, not looking at her. She gave him an 'Are you serious right now?' look. He grinned. 

“No, I mean, when we meet our mates here, I heard we have to be in the same hotel room as them.” He explained. “Like you'd have to go and be with your mate on his floor while mine comes here. I hope that's not true. This guy has to have the ‘Joey Stamp Of Approval’ before he can do all that.” Carter's heart started pounding in her chest. 

She had to be with her mate when she met him? Be in the same room? That was a rule? Why? Why would that possibly be a rule? It didn't do any good, just made Carter nervous and scared. But then she remembered how if her mate rejected her, she wouldn't have to. She calmed a little at the thought.

Joey looked at the clock. “Huh. I guess we should start getting ready for the banquet.” He stood but Carter shook her head at him. He raised an eyebrow. “What?”

'I'll stay here.' Carter wrote and showed him the white board. 'I don't want to go tonight. I'll go to the ball tomorrow but I'll just lay around here and watch a movie or something.' 

Joey hesitated. “I don't know, Cart. Are you even allowed to do that?”

She shrugged. 'Who cares? No one will notice if I'm not there. You go and have some fun. You know I don't like big crowds or anything. I'll just hang here.'   

Joey hesitated but nodded, still looking unsure. “Okay. But I'll be back soon, okay? If you need me, just go downstairs. I'll be back soon.” He sounded nervous about leaving her but seemed to trust her enough. He gave her a small hug before going to his room to change then shower. 

Carter smiled. She could use a break. She went into her room and into the bathroom. After lighting a few candles, she filled her bathtub with hot water and put in enough bubbles to almost spill over. With a small radio from her room, Carter turned the station to some slow, relaxing music. She locked the door then undressed and sank into the tub. 

A sigh almost escaped her. The warm water was comforting and made her want to fall asleep. She heard Joey yell goodbye as he left and heard the door shut. 

Her eyes closed as the relaxation took over.