He shrugged. “Maybe that’s why Drew named me Noah. He probably saw I have the makings of
him.”
I choked mockingly. He laughed.
I sat on the bed, enjoying the soft feel of it. He sat on the nearby easy chair, beside the coffee
table. He was suddenly silent, as if lost in thought.
“We could share,” as soon as the words were out, I suddenly felt the weight of their implications.
Me and Anthony on the same bed? That would be very awkward.
“No, I’m fine.”
“No you’re not. The bed’s big; we could stay on opposite sides. Don’t worry, I just sleep talk. I
don’t sleep bite.” Another awkward comment from me. Me and my big mouth.
He laughed, and stretched. “Okay, I guess that’s fine.”
There was a knock on the door. Anthony and I froze.
“Mr. Chan? Luggage.”
I blinked. “We have luggage?” I whispered to him. He shrugged.
He went to the door and slowly opened it. Then I saw the old man in the reception enter the
room and put two average-sized bags on the floor near the coffee table.
“Thank you,” I called out to him. He smiled faintly. He looked tired.
Before closing the door, Anthony smiled and thanked him too.
“Where did this come from?” I wondered out loud.
He shrugged again. “Your uncle, maybe.” Then he neared the bags and examined them.
Uncle? He sounded a bit confident when he said the word.
“They even have tags.” He sounded amazed.
I raised an eyebrow. “Really?”
The bags looked a bit stuffed with what I assumed were clothes. They were tagged accordingly.
Noah and Allie Chan.
I yawned, after I took a peek at the bags. “I think I should wash up now.” I picked up the bag
with my pseudonym, and headed toward the bathroom. It looked fairly large and homey, minus
the tub. After a few minutes, I emerged from the bathroom, feeling and smelling fresh.
I placed my bag on the small rack near the bathroom. I know shoes should be placed there, but
I didn’t want to open the built-in cabinets. Horror movies have taken their toll.
After placing the bag neatly on the rack, I scanned the room. Only one light was turned on now,
and I saw that the room was empty. Paranoia swept through me that I dashed for the door.
When I opened it, I saw Anthony approaching from my right, with two canned-soft drinks in one
hand and two bags of chips stuffed on his other arm.
“You’re through,” he smiled. That favorite smile.
I sighed in relief. “That scared me.” I admitted.
“Sorry, I just grabbed a few midnight snacks.” He said as he final y reached the door. I backed
away and turned on the other light. He placed the food on the foot of the bed.
“Where’d you get the money?” I asked him, perching on the bed near the food. I felt like a little
girl with all my favorites in front of me. It was such a pleasant surprise that he knew my favorite snacks.
“From the bag,” he said as he placed the coin purse back inside his bag. Wel , Noah Chan’s
bag.
I nodded, suddenly wondering if there was money on mine.
I thought he was going to sit near me but he suddenly returned to the bag. “You go ahead and
eat. I’l just have a quick shower.” He picked up the bag and entered the bathroom.
“I’l wait for you. I’l just check up on Drew while you’re there,” I called out a little too loudly to make sure that he heard me.
“Sure.” I heard him call out.
I smiled as I got up from the bed. I’m starting to wonder if it feels this comfortable without the
pretension. I mean, if ever we get to be real Mr. and Mrs.
I shook my head vehemently. I should not have these kinds of thoughts!
Within minutes, I was in front of Drew’s door.
I knocked twice.
“James?” the name was so awkward. That was the name of his best friend in London. The one
who betrayed him and ‘stole’ his girlfriend. But in a way, that was good since Drew knew what
kind of friend he was and girl she was.
I counted in my mind while waiting and Drew opened up on the sixteenth count. But I added one
more to make it seventeen. I smiled to myself.
“Something funny, Al ie?”
It was real y funny using the names.”Nothing, James. What took you so long?”
I entered and was shocked when I saw his bed. It was a king-sized one.
“I thought they only had queen-sized?”
He shrugged. “Dunno.”
I narrowed my eyes at him. “What time are we leaving tomorrow?”
“Oooh. So you don’t get a little too engrossed with---“
I punched him on the arm. Hard.
He grunted. “You have to grow respect.”
“You have to grow manners.” I countered, rolling my eyes at him. I spun on my heel and opened
the door ready to leave.
“Four A.M.” he said, voice stil in pain.
“Thanks James,” I feigned sweetness. “Good night,” I said, closing the door behind me. I sighed,
suddenly grateful that everything seemed normal. For now.
I entered our room and was shocked to find Anthony perched on my spot earlier, taking a sip of
his soft drink.
“Done already?” I neared him, sitting in front of him. He handed me my drink, before shrugging,
“Athletes have to be quick.”
I raised my eyebrows. “Okay,” I said in a teasing tone. He chuckled and opened my bag of chips
before handing it to me.
I obliged and we were silent for a few minutes, both enjoying the food.
He was the one who broke the silence. “You remember the Little Prince book?”
I furrowed my eyebrows in thought. Was he referring to the same one…
“In my locker? You were the one who put that there?”
“Yes and No,” he munched on his food and washed it through with his drink.
I waited for him to continue.
“Yes, the same book in your locker, but I wasn’t the one who placed that there.”
I scooped a handful of chips and stuffed it in my mouth. Gee, talk about being demure. “Then
who did?”
“Carl.”
I grimaced. “So I was right.”
“But it wasn’t his. It was mine.”
My eyes turned toward him. “Yours?”
He nodded.
“Then why didn’t you just hand it to
