Life or Something like It

Chapter 5 Hard Night

Stepping out of the shower that night, Orlando quickly dried off before towel drying his hair; the afternoon had gone smoothly much to his relief. Opening one of his many suitcases, Orlando dug down to the bottom for a pair fresh of pajamas, and quickly slid into them. Yawning Orlando looked toward the clock radio that was perched on the bed side table, and sighed…6pm. Heading towards the phone he dialed the room service number and ordered himself some food before settling down on the couch and flipping on the television.

A knock on the door startled him awake a few minuets later, standing he headed towards the door thinking it was his food. Opening the door with out checking, Orlando was extremely surprised to find Johnny, grinning like the Cheshire cat outside in the hall, a case of beer in his hand. “Nice jammies Bloom.” Johnny exclaimed, as he slipped past Orlando into the younger man’s room. Looking down ward, Orlando blushed; he was wearing his Mr. Potato Head pajamas. Closing the door he felt his face flush. “Yeah well I’m not the one that came to breakfast wearing bunny slippers! At least I wear my pajamas in private.” Orlando huffed, feeling a little put off. “Hold it bloom, I wasn’t making fun. I like them.” Johnny replied holding his hands up in surrender. Reaching ithe the case, Johnny pulled two beers out and tossed one to Orlando, before opening his own and settling down on the couch without waiting for an invitation to do so.

“Come on in and make your self at home.” Orlando replied sarcastically before settling back down on couch in the spot he had vacated only moments before. “So what have you been up to Bloom?” Johnny questioned before taking a gulp of beer. “Nothing just waiting for my dinner to arrive, then I was planning on heading to bed…jet lag still has it’s grip on me.” “Yeah know what you mean, me I’m going to drink this here case of beer, watch some television and head to bed myself sword practice took it’s toll on me…I’m not as young as I used to be.”

“Yeah see I told you gramps!” Orlando poked back.

“Watch it twerp…I may be old but I’m not that OLD!” Johnny challenged back.

“Yeah you just keep telling your self that Old Man!” Orlando replied bouncing off the couch with vigor as a knock sounded at the door.

Unlocking and opening the door for the young women bellhop to bring the food in Orlando stood off to the side. Reaching towards he wallet he started to pull out a ten to hand to the woman, but Johnny beat him to it and tipped her instead. After the woman left, Orlando turned to Johnny, “You didn’t have to do that you know…I was planning on paying her.” “Ah don’t worry Bloom, I’m not going to miss the bill…I’ve got plenty more where that came fromsidesides…I just gave her money, you on the other hand gave her the privilege to see an actor wearing Mr. Potato Head Pajamas, she’s not about to forget that for some time I can a sure you.”

Slumping down on the couch, Orlando felt his cheeks redden. “I’m ruined.” He whispered dejectedly. Smiling Johnny patted him on the ba“Don“Don’t sweat it Bloom, it’s not the end of the world she probably thought it was cute.”

In truth, Orlando really didn’t care that the woman had seen his pajamas, he was just happy that it had been a women bringing him is food rather than a man…because then he would have really been embarrassed. Lifting the lid off his room service tray, Orlando sighed in content, breathing in the vapors. Baked chicken, mashed potatoes and vegetables.

Looking to Johnny Orlando asked, “Do you want some chicken?”

“Nope I ate earlier…tried to call you but you didn’t answer…ended up eating with the Knightly women. Let me teou wou what a treat that was.” Johnny answered, while opening his fourth beer.

Digging into his chicken, Orlando paid Johnny no mind, savoring the taste. It wasn’t until a few minuets later, when Johnny snatched the remote from him and started flipping stations that Orlando looked up from his meal at the older actor.

“So what do you think we get to do tomorrow?” he questioned.

“Don’t know…I think we’re getting fitted for our costumes and I heard Gore mention something about condos…so we mige gee getting new living spaces.” Johnny replied.

undsunds fun, I guess. Wouldn’t mind doing some more sword training…that guy is amazing I worked with him on the set of rings as well.” Orlando piped in happily.

Smiling at the enthusiasm of his younger co-star Johnny started to laugh. “Well aren’t we the little outgo-err”

“Hey gramps, just because I have energy and you don’t doesn’t give you the right to tease me.” Orlando challenged back

Playful punching Orlando on the arm, Johnny replied in his best old person impression, “You little whippersnapper…you need to learn some respect for your elders.”

Then to add to it, Johnny stood up and proceeded to walk around the room in a hunched over way pretending to use a cane.

“Why in my day…If I where to have behaved like you are now…. my father or granddaddy would have taken me back behind the woodshed and walloped the tar out of me.”

Howling in laugher, Orlando managed to fall off the couch. Johnny’s impression of an old man was hysterical.

Leaning down within inches of Orlando’s face Johnny poked him in the shoulder,

“Breath…just remember to breath, Bloom you’re turning purple.” Johnny told him, dropping his act as his concern started to grow.

Leaning closer in towards Orlando, Johnny panicked; Orlando was no longer laughing but choking. His face turning darker and darker by the moment, grasping him around the middle, Johnny quickly squeezed and lifted hoping to dislodge the bit of food that was cho Orl Orlando. After three more desperate squeezes, Orlando managed to choke up the food.

Keeping Orlando held tightly in his grasp, Johnny lowered the both of them to the floor managing to grasp a glass of water off the table as he did so. Settling Orlando into his lap, Johnny brought the glass to his lips, “Here take a sip of this it will make you feel better.”

Orlando eagerly accepted the water wanting the dry burn in the back of his throat to disappear. Johnny allowed Orlando to take several small sips before pulling the glass away from his mouth. Setting the glass on the near by coffee table Johnny started rubbing soothing circles on Orlando’s stomach.

“I’m so sorry Orlando.” Johnny apologized

“Not your fault.” Orlando croaked leaning back into Johnny’s embrace. Liking the warmth and comfort that he found there.


After a time, Johnny released Orlando and returned to the couch picking up his beer again. Taking a big gulp, Johnny closed his eyes. Orlando felt so nice in his lap, perfect, almost as though he had been created to fit there. Swallowing hard, Johnny opened his eyes and glanced around the room for Orlando. Eyes meeting their target, as Orlando’s retreating back entered the bathroom and shut the door behind him. Taking another gulp of beer, Johnny finished off the can.

Sitting around twiddling his thumbs, Johnny flipped stations while nursing another beer while waiting for Orlando to reemerge. Finding nothing on the television, Johnny stood up and started looking around the room in interest. Spying a pile of photos on the bedside table, Johnny picked them up and started thumbing through them.

~~~~~~~

As Orlando stepped into the bathroom; he could feel Johnny’s eyes burning into his back. Closing the door behind him, Orlando snapped the lock into place. Heading quickly towards the toilet Orlando leaned over and vomited, life had just gotten way too complicated. As good as it had felt to sit in Johnny’s lap just now, Orlando knew that he couldn’t and wouldn’t get involved in another co-star least not one that he’d known only for twelve hours, despite how gorgeous he might be. Moving over to his tote bag, Orlando pawed through it looking for the familiar tin box.

As he felt the cold tin touch his fingers he sighed in relief. Taking the box out of his bag Orlando lowered his pajama pants. Taking the blade out of the box, Orlando turned on the water to disguise any noise, and brought the blade to his inner thigh. With slight pressure, Orlando kissed his skin with the blade. Instantly all of his concerns melted away from his body as a new sense of relaxation settled throughout his system. Finding that he didn’t need to make another mark, Orlando slide the blade under the running water to wash off the fresh blood and returned it to its box. Next, he took a wad of tissue and pressed it to the wound, stopping the bleeding before bandaging the wound and pulling his pants back up. Taking a deep breath Orlando exited the bathroom.

“What are you looking at?” Orlando questioned knowing full well exactly what Johnny was looking at.

“Got tired of the T.V. these caught my eye. Is this your family Bloom?” Johnny asked holding up a picture of his mom and sister. Nodding his head, Orlando stepped closer, “Yeah that’s my mom Sonia and my sister Sam.”

“They look nice, where is you father?” Johnny questioned

Orlando swallowed hard, trying to force the feeling of pain from rising up again after he had just so soon fixed it. “He’s dead.” He answered, ducking his head from Johnny’s eyes.

“Hey I’m sorry…didn’t mean to pry.” Johnny replied, instantly sorry he had even brought it up.

“It’s alright you couldn’t have known.” Orlando answered before wiping away a single tear. Whiling willing his body to relax again, he couldn’t crumble with Johnny here.

Changing the subject, Johnny put the pictures back down on the table, “Well, it’s been an interesting evening Bloom we should do it again, just next time with out the nearth death experience okay?”

“I’d like that.” Orlando answered, feeling a smile crawl across his lips.

“Okay, how about tomorrow we go to a bar or something…maybe dancing…?”

“Sounds good Johnny, See you in the morning… hey…. about what time do you head to breakfast usually?”

“I don’t know, I’ll give you a call…. it will be nice to eat with someone other than Keria, it’s hard to swallow with her drooling at me all the time.” Johnny answered, grabbing his almost empty case of beer and heading towards the door. Stopping along the way to hug Orlando good night.

“Night Bloom, make sure you drink some more water, other wise you’ll be good and horse tomorrow from all that coughing.” Patting Orlando on the back, Johnny released him and stepped back, heading out the door.


Orlando closed the door and immediately locked it, turning he headed full speed back into the bathroom. Skidding to a halt, he dropped to his knees and promptly emptied his stomach again. His stomach tightened into knots, as his head swam causing him to throw up again. Reaching towards his bag in a haze, Orlando spilled its contents all over the floor as he pulled it from the counter. Grabbing the box, Orlando frantically pulled the blade from inside and brought it to his thigh, kissing the skin with its touch, going deeper this time.

No release came for Orlando, as he desperately searched for it slicing his skin away. Instead, his nausea rose again, causing him to once again vomit. He continued in this pattern until there was nothing left but dry heaves, and no relief to be found. Throwing his blade to the side in disgust, Orlando with the aid of the counter pulled himself to his feet, only to collapse back down onto the hard tile floor, as his legs in his weakened continued decided to give out from under him.

Crawling on his hands and knees, Orlando headed out of the bathroom leaving a bloody trail in his wake. Crawling Orlando managed to reach his bed, pulling him self up onto it took more out of him then he was willing to admit. Reaching for the bedside light switch was almost impossible in his weakened and miserable state but he somehow managed it. Flicking the switch the room disappeared into darkness. Collapsing backwards, Orlando welcomed the blackness that came to claim him.

*****************

The piercing sound of his cell phone ringing startled Orlando, from his slumber the following morning. Looking around the room in a haze, he tried to locate the offending object. Spying it on the bedside table he pushed the talk button.

“Hello?” he croaked out barely able to talk.

“Honey is that My My god you sound awful!” Sonia’s voice sounded from the other end.

“Hey mom.”

“Are you sick?”
Not wanting his mother to worry, Orlando shook his head. Then realizing that she couldn’t see him he replied, “No mom, I just yelled to much yesterday I guess. I’ll be fine.” Truth be told, Orlando doubted that he would be fine, his head was swng ang and his vision blurry, his stomach felt as though it had been tied into a million tiny little knots during the night.

“That’s good. I’m glad you’re not sick.”

“Naw just tired,” Orlando answered, turning over to look at his clock. Cursing when he saw that it was only 5:30 am “Mom, not that I don’t want to talk to you but it’s too early…can I call you back later?”

“Oh Sweetie I’m sorry…. go back to bed, I’ll talk to you later.”

“Thanks mom, bye”

After his mom had hung up, Orlando angrily pushed the off button and hurled his phone across the room. Flopping back down on the bed, Orlando closed his eyes. Yet no sleep came to him. After a time, and still no sleep, Orlando sat up in bed. It was apparent now that he wouldn’t be getting anymore sleep. Taking stock around the room, Orlando surveyed the damage he had done the night before; the cleaning staff was not going to appyappy with him. Deciding that some work needed to be done, Orlando climbed out of bed. The material of his pajama bottoms stuck to his legs, looking down he cursed at the very evident bronze bloodstains on the legs.

Heading into the bathroom, Orlando cursed. The room was a mess and the smell of the room was enough to make him want to vomit again. Pinching his nose, Orlando quickly flushed the contents of the toilet. And opened the small bathroom window in hopes of airing out the roomhen hen started to pick up all the scattered items from his tote bag. Finding his blade in the corner under the sink, Orlando washed it off the best that he could and put it back into it’s box. Before tucking both into the bottom of the tote. Now what to do with the blood stains on the floor? Taking one of the many white towels, Orlando soaked it with cold water, getting down on his knees he quickly washed the tile floor and the entrance to the carpet. Managing to get most of the blood off the carpet, Orlando smiled. Getting up, he dumped the towel into the shower.

Turning on the water in the shower, semi warm, Orlando jumped in still fully clothed. As his pajama pants had healed into his cuts from the night before, and he would have to soak them to remove them from his wounds. After a while he was finally able to pull them off, quickly finishing his shower Orlando got out and dried off. Digging into his tote n, hn, he pulled a roll of bandages out and quickly wrapped them around his somewhat oozing wound.

Entering the main room, Orlando dug into his suitcase looking for something to wear. Pulling out a pair of olive cargo shorts, and a black t-shirt his sister had found for him with a picture of a skull and cross bones on the front. Climbing into them quickly Orlando moved to the bed and started to strip it of the blood stained sheets that he found there. Taking them into the bathroom he then dumped those into the shower too allowing them to soak. Seeing that everything was in it’s place now, minus the bloody towels, sheets and pajamas in the tub, Orlando smiled in relief. Flopping down on the couch, Orlando flipped the TV on to wait for Johnny to call.





A/N: Okay I hope you all enjoyed the chapter. It's another case of trying to reach a certain point in the story and not really having much to talk about. There were several things in that chapter that will play into the game later though so it had to be written that way. Well anyways, I'm off. Need to study and go write some more of chapter 12 for Yo Ho A Pirates Life for Me, so that story can hopefully have a new chapter in the next couple of days. Well anyways, if you want chapter 6 for this story to be out sooner then in about a months time you need to go review! Hell Review more then once I don't care...but I WANT FEEDBACK!!!!!!!!!!!! No REVIEWS NO CHAPTER!!!!!! Now go hit the little button! You know the one I'm talking about.