“Hello?” I picked up my ringing phone and answered the call from Chuck. We had just finished with the calendar shoot and I noticed that the sky was already dark.

“You finished?” he asked.

“Cleaning up,” I answered him as I rolled the backdrop and tossed it aside for the drama club to pick up.

“Going back with Allen?” he asked again.

I turned and search for Allen before shouting,

“Allen, you want to go back together?” I asked Allen who shouted back.

“I gotta pick Joy at the airport!” he told me.

“I’ll come pick you up,” Chuck said, apparently hearing Allen’s answer. Then he hung up before I could protest. I sighed. That jerk and his over-protectiveness.

I am not a weakling, for fuck’s sake.

I hurriedly packed up my things while the rest of the equipment and decoration was being handled by the volunteers (that I would pay later) and the basketball team members and photography club members. I really didn’t want to make Chuck wait for me. He’d turn all whiny and annoying when he had to wait. Even just for one freakin’ minute.

The boys and the volunteers, as well as the photography club members bid their goodbyes one by one until there was only Allen and I left in the classroom. I still didn’t see Chuck, which was good because I still had to pack up my camera, laptop, and other equipment.

“Waiting for Chuck?” Allen asked as he sat next to me. I nodded.

“Aren’t you picking up Joy?” I asked back and he looked at his watch.

“I’ll stay a little longer,” he smiled at me while I frowned.

“You can’t make a girl wait, it’s not polite,” I jokingly scolded him. Though I think it was quite true. Aren’t girls always pissed off when their boyfriends are late?

“Sure, whatever,” he rolled his eyes.

“You say that a lot, don’t you?” I said to him more like a statement rather than a question.

“Yeah, well. Whatever,” he said and laughed, shrugging.

“Hummm….” My brain started to get a little mischievous. “What if I say…. Treat me to lunch tomorrow?” I teased him.

“Sure, whatever,” he rolled his eyes and laughed.

“At Royal Korean Barbeque,” I added, challenging him again.

“Sure, whatever,” he laughed louder now. Have I said that he had a very pleasant laugh? I wanted to hear more of it. “That all you’ve got?” he asked and I pouted, annoyed at him for playing my game better.

“I am not so shameless, you know,” I pouted, crossing my hands in front of my chest.

“I don’t mind, you know,” he mocked me but still laughed. I tried kicking his shin but he so easily dodged it and then he laughed even more while I grumbled, though I was secretly pleased upon hearing more of his laughter.

“Whatever!” I stuck my tongue out at him.

“Yo! Lee!” Chuck was standing at the door and I got up immediately when he called me, grabbing my things and waving at Allen before rushing towards Chuck who then circled his arm around my waist and pecked my cheek before placing his arm around my neck.

“See you!” I bid my goodbye to Allen and Chuck and I both left.

“Tired?” Chuck asked.

“Hmmm…” I was actually very tired. I only slept for a few hours the night before thanks to the stupid snow blowing machine thingy (admit you miss it!) and working with a bunch of 20 something year old guys who act like they were five was so not helping in getting my tiredness forgotten.

“Dinner?” Chuck asked again. I was thinking about it, but I was too tired to care about food.

“Nah. I want to sleep,” I told Chuck and he nodded as we walked in silence until we reached my dorm. “Staying?” I asked as we reached our door. 

Chuck nodded and followed me inside. He took off his shoes and threw his bag on the couch. 

“I’ll go take a shower first,” I told him and walked straight to the bathroom.

After my shower, I opened my laptop while waiting for Chuck to finish. I looked through the pictures I took that day and silently chuckled. Those basketball lovers sure knew how to make things interesting for the shoot. I chuckled and shook my head at their goofiness. I only needed to add a few touches here and there lightly because I was already quite satisfied with the pictures. I only needed to make the design for the calendar and prepare for the booklet shoot.

“Sleep,” Chuck ordered from behind me, whispering in my ear, making me jump.

“Shit! Dude!” I smacked his head as he laughed. Chuck grabbed me below my armpit and held me up and shoved me to the bed before turning off my laptop. I pouted but complied nonetheless, lying my head down on my pillow and Chuck joined me soon after.

Chuck snuggled up against me, pulling my body closer to his. One arm circling my waist, one arm resting behind my head, my own head resting comfortably on his chest. I used to be uncomfortable with Chuck’s habit of spooning me while he sleeps, but over the years, it feels comforting and I just let him do what he wants and let the sleep kick in.

“Sleep,” he ordered again, softly. This time, I didn’t even pout and just closed my eyes, relaxing against the mattress and Chuck’s warm body and let the drowsiness take over.