In Which I am Fascinated, Bored, and Learn Some History

“So how was your night?” Theresa asked at breakfast the next morning.

I looked at her.“The fact that I’m actually drinking coffee should indicate that it was horrible.”

“Couldn’t sleep?” she asked, sympathetically.

“Let’s see. I woke up at 1:30, and tried falling asleep again for an hour. This did not work, so at around 3, as dawn was coming in, I grabbed my book, and read till about 5:30. I fell asleep then, and you woke me up around 8. You wanna know my life’s story too?” I concluded a bit testily.

“Sheesh.” Theresa said as she dug back into her breakfast.

Afterwards, we all trooped up to the room, where the daily fight for the bathroom ensued. Not in the mood for fighting today, I went and started re-folding all my shirts and putting away my pyjamas, being sure to save enough room for my toiletries bag. As Theresa won the fight for today, I took a moment to thank Paul.

“What for?” he asked, his eyes unmoving from the TV screen, as he lounged on the bed.

“Taking me, putting up with me, showing me that amazing palace yesterday.”

Paul took his eyes off the screen and blinked. He opened his mouth to say something, but was cut off by Theresa.

“What time are we picking up this rental car?”

Paul looked at his watch.“Ten. We’re leaving around 9:30.”

Seeing as I was already packed, I slipped into the bathroom to brush my teeth. I came out half a moment later.“Did you know that you can hear the TV in here?”

Theresa looked at me in disbelief.“You can’t tell me that you just discovered this now.”

I felt a bit embarrassed by the fact.“Look, I had a bad night, okay?” I snapped.

“So don’t take it out on me.” Theresa replied coolly.

I, feeling yet again like a berated kid, headed back into the bathroom and finished my original goal.“Thanks to my new dress code, the fashion’s never clashing.&rd