Page 42 of The Suite Life
After a bit of fumbling, Donnie manages to jostle the door open.
‘There we go,’ he says proudly. ‘Come on, let’s head back before we get ourselves in any more trouble.’
That sounds like a good idea because, if I stay here, I really could get myself in trouble.
22
It’s hard to avoid your family when you’re trapped on an island with them.
It’s not that I want to avoid my family, per se, more that I want to avoid the build-up to the wedding, people asking me questions about my date, and just being around Nathan and Sunshine generally.
So, here I am, reporting for dinner with Lucy, Rick, my mum and dad, Nathan and Sunshine. Three loved-up couples. And me. Fab.
I would dwell on how apparent my single status feels, sitting here with couples, but to be honest I’m sort of distracted because something is up.
I thought I was imagining it at first – everyone likes to tell themselves that they’re the main character, right? It’s both the reason we worry about what people are thinking about us when we’re not around, and why we walk down the street listening to music through our headphones, pretending it’s the soundtrack to our day.
I’m not imagining it, though, not today. Something is definitely going on. I even put on a dress that was less see-through, and it’s still happening, so we can rule that out at least.
I know this is going to make me sound paranoid but, honestly, I feel like people are talking about me. I keep catching people (staffandguests) staring – some of them even whispering about me – and I’ve tested it, to make sure it’s me. I went to the loo and the eyes went with me, they didn’t stay with the table. Why? I have no idea.
It has its perks, though – whatever it is – because the free champagne is flowing. I swear, people keep making excuses to come to our table, to talk with us all, schmoozing us, plying us with free drinks and unlimited bread. No, I’m not complaining about unlimited bread, because who would? It’s just… odd.
‘They’re very attentive here,’ Mum says, pleasantly surprised.
‘Yeah,’ Dad replies. ‘But is it me, or are they only this attentive with our table?’
‘No one else is getting free champagne,’ Rick says, glancing at the surrounding tables.
‘Maybe they know we’re getting married?’ Lucy half-jokes.
‘Maybe they know I’m here,’ Sunshine adds – completely straight-faced.
‘Do you know that guy?’ Nathan asks me.
I follow his gaze to a man, probably in his forties, who is staring over at me. When he catches us looking, he doesn’t look away – like I would, if someone caught me staring – he gives me a nod and heads over.
‘Hey,’ he says.
‘Erm, hi,’ I reply, laughing awkwardly.
‘I just wondered if I could buy you a drink?’ he asks.
Oh my God, what is going on?
‘I’m okay, thanks,’ I tell him.
‘We’re eating dinner, mate, do you mind?’ Nathan says, dismissing him.
The man ignores him.
‘You know where I am, if you change your mind,’ he says with a wink.
I watch him walk off before turning my attention back to the table. Everyone is staring at me.
‘What?’ I blurt.
‘What is going on with you?’ Lucy asks with a chuckle.
