CHAPTER 15: THE THING ABOUT A KISS

I hadn’t seen Allen for a couple of days. We talked on the phone and texted each other a lot. But it was kinda lonely without him. Thank God Chuck was back this morning. He went straight to my room from the airport and dumped his massive luggage in my living room. He took out the foods his mother and Marsha’s mother packed and put them in my fridge before crawling into bed and snuggled up to me for another few hours of sleep. It was still very early actually. It was still dark outside.

“I’m sleepy,” he mumbled as he turned me into his personal body-pillow and buried his face in my neck. It was really ticklish, but he sounded really tired, so I just adjusted a little so his hair didn’t tickle me all that bad. “Wake me up before you go?” he asked, yawning. I nodded and stroke his hair, telling him to sleep.

I, too, must have dozed off for some time because when I opened my eyes, I was blinded by the sunlight brightening my room. I looked down to see Chuck was still sleeping in my arms with hands around me and his face buried on my chest. I smiled and patted his head gently, turning slightly so I could cuddle him. He was really cute when he was sleeping. Not loud, mischievous, obnoxious, or annoying. I turned to my other side when I heard a sound from the kitchen.

“Hey,” I called out softly to Allen who was standing busy in the kitchen. He turned and his lips curled into a smile.

“Sorry. Did I wake you?” he whispered. I got up slowly as to not wake Chuck.

“No. I’m already awake,” I told him and joined him in the kitchen. “Sorry about the mess,” I smiled apologetically at him, realizing Chuck’s stuff was all around the living room.

“When did he arrive?” he asked, pouring glass of water and handed it to me,

“Early this morning,” I answered him, taking the glass gratefully.

“He went straight here?” Allen asked again.

“Uh huh. He always comes to me first whenever he gets back from his hometown. He brought lots of food. From his mother and Marsha’s.” I told Allen. He nodded, opening the fridge. “Get me some, will you? I’m gonna wash up,” I asked him and walked to the bathroom after he nodded.

Something was wrong with Allen. Again. His smile was a bit forced earlier, wasn’t it? Or was I overthinking it?

I scratched my head and started to wash my face and brushed my teeth.

Maybe just my imagination.

I decided to tell myself that before coming out to join Allen for breakfast.

“Feed me,” I demanded as I sit inches away from him, resting my body on him.

“What are you, five?” he chuckled.

“Yes. And I’m also sleepy,” I grinned at him. “I’m five and sleepy. Now feed me,” he snorted and chuckleed, trying not to be so loud.

“What time did you get back last night?” he asked after the chuckles subside and he started feeding me some steamed fish.

“Two,” I told him before taking a bite.

“That late?” Allen frowned.

“Yeah. We needed more cherry blossom petals for the tree decorations so we stayed to cut more trees and make more petals,” I told him about the decoration that will be put up all over the pathway for the festivals. “We were still short but we’ll be fine I guess,” I shrugged.

“Why didn’t you tell me? I could’ve helped,” he said and I shrugged again.

“Didn’t want to interrupt you, I guess. You were with Joy, right? Doing lovey-dovey things? Heh heh heh,” I teased him and he poked my forehead lightly but didn’t deny it.

“What are you up to today?” he asked again.

“Hmmm… costume fitting with the drama club. Clothes fitting with Quin. Probably lunch. Then I’m coming to your practice to take some shots for the booklet,” I told him and he nodded, gesturing towards Chuck.

“What about him?” he asked.

“No idea, actually,” I said. Speaking of which… “I should probably wake him up,” I told Allen after glancing at the clock. It was already nine. I walked to the bed and sat on it, gently patting Chuck’s shoulder to wake him up. “Chuck, wake up.”

“Hmmm….” was the answer I got. He buried his face in the cover and reached out to pull me down and headlock me.

“Ass!” I protested and struggled. “Get up jerk! It’s nine!” I smacked his head and hands but he still wasn’t letting go and rather, he pulled me closer to him, making me lie straight on my side and started to cuddle me, holding me from behind. Allen was staring at us and I was starting to feel really awkward. I smiled apologetically at him before talking to this asshole. “Do you want to stay in? I have to go, so does Allen,” I told him and Chuck shot his head up from my back and looked at Allen who then smiled at Chuck.

“Yo,” Allen greeted him.

“Yo,” Chuck grinned at him (still not letting go of me).

“C’mon Chuck. I have to get ready. I haven’t even finished my breakfast yet!” I scolded him.

“Aww… But I’ve missed you…” he whined. I rolled my eyes.

“I miss you too,” I smacked his head. “But seriously, get your big ugly ass up so we can all go out together!” I told him and escaped from his holds. He groaned.

“What? No kiss for me?” he asked and I smacked him harder this time.

“We’re not five!” I groaned at him.

“You still kiss Marsha!” he retorted.

“She’s a girl! She’s soft!” I argued. And he bit my arm. He fucking bit my arm! “What the fuck man! Cut it out!” I smacked his head as hard as I could until he let go and I quickly gave him a peck. “Now go wash up you stupid cannibalistic pervert!” I hissed at him and he just laughed, clearly satisfied. That bastard!

I sighed exasperatedly after Chuck walked to the bathroom after brushing my head gently. I got up and sat back down beside Allen to finish my breakfast. I got a little surprised when Allen suddenly held my chin with his fingers and brought it so I was facing him. Allen then ran his thumb on my lips. I licked my lips after he pulled his hands away.

“What? Something on it?” I asked.

“Hmmm? Yeah,” he said absentmindedly and then smiled at me. “Finish your breakfast,” he said, getting up. “I’m going back to my room to wash up. See you at the court later,” he said and I nodded dumbfounded.

What was wrong with him now? I scratched my head when he closed the door behind him.

Chuck was following me to the costume fitting with the drama club and clothes fitting with Quin. He wouldn’t leave me alone. He kept clinging onto me and it was starting to piss me off (It’s summer! It’s stuffy!). Even on the basketball court (I asked them to play on the outdoor court so I could take more pictures). Well, he was not bugging me when I was actually taking pictures, but whenever I sat down on the bench, he would put his hand around me and nuzzled (It’s hot!). But after a while, I got too tired struggling so I just let him do what he wanted. He hadn’t been this clingy and needy for a long time I kinda wondered what happened, but I guess he just matured a bit and held back. Until now, at least.

I sighed and continued to watch the basketball team practicing, looking for chances to get good shots. Our basketball team was actually very good. It was one of the best clubs in this university, and they have proven it by collecting dozens of trophies in the last ten years. Even I could tell that they were indeed very good. Everyone, especially Allen (he was the captain, so, duh) really knew what they were doing.

And Allen… he was just… amazing. I couldn’t help but felt mesmerized by him. He was talented, kind, handsome… I could see that he truly loves basketball. Even with serious expressions, he seems relaxed, content and I can tell that he really enjoys playing basketball. Other times that I saw that blissful expression, was when we were in Kintara. He was playing on the beach with those kids. His hair shone as brightly as that time under the scorching sun. His skin was glowing. It was really beautiful to watch. He was really beautiful to watch. Unconsciously, I smiled as I took one last shot of him.

“Hi,” Erica, the manager, approached us as the team took a break. “Got any good shots?” she asked.

“Plenty,” I told her. “Your boys are amazing,” I told her and she smiled proudly.

“You’re also very talented,” she told me.

“Of course he is,” Chucks said sheepishly.

“Yo,” Carter, one of the basketball team members, and also our former gang members, approached us and fist-bumped us. “You must be happy huh, Lee? Now that your husband’s back. You can now dump this useless jerk here,” he teased, pointing at Allen, who also joined us, jokingly.

“Ain’t gonna do that,” I shook my head, pretending to be serious. “He’s more royal than Chuck,” I stuck my tongue out at Chuck who smacked my head.

“Cheap asshole,” he snorted.

“Where’s the wife?” Carter asked, laughing with Chuck.

“London. With her boyfriend,” I told him.

“That must have been nice,” Erica said in jealousy. “To have both a husband, and a wife,” she started teasing us too. I shook my head.

“Twice the nagging, preaching and scolding,” I told her. “Wanna take my place?” I grinned at her, she shook her head.

“Nah…” she said thoughtfully. “I’d rather take their place… But then, they’ll kill me… so, I think I’ll stay here,” she grinned at me.

“Well, you’re right. Lee’s mine,” Chuck said, patting my head, “And Marsha’s,” he added.

I smacked his head, “Who says so?!”

“Me. Just now,” Smartass. I smacked him again.

“I’m gonna go back to practice,” Allen said before giving me a weird look (that felt kinda cold and somehow… scary?) and left.

I had this sudden urge to run, grab his hand and say something. I didn’t know why though, and I didn’t know what I was going to say even if I did go after him and grabbed his hand. So I just sat here, scratching my head, for once, not understanding even myself.

By the time the basketball team finished practice, it was already dark. Chuck had gone to his own practice a while ago and I was waiting for Allen so we could head back home together. I approached him when he walked out of the locker room after a shower.

“Hey,” I greeted him. “You were really awesome out there today,” I told him.

“Thanks,” he gave me a small smile. Looked kinda weird though, his smile.

“Wanna get dinner?” I asked.

“You don’t have any more work to do?” he asked as we headed out of the building. The wind was quite chilly tonight. I wonder if it was going to rain.

“Nope,” I answered him, looking up at the sky to look for any signs of the long awaited rain.

“What about Chuck?” he asked again.

Hmmm? Why did he say Chuck’s name in that way?

“He has a late practice. But he’ll come by later to get his things,” I told him and he stopped. “Tell you what. Why don’t we all stay in, order some food and watch the new DVD I just got?” I asked, holding his hand and pulling on it, making him face me.

He was, now. Stared at me, actually. I felt a little awkward as he pulled the hand I was holding, bringing it up to brush my bangs from my face (it was getting slightly longer, I might need a haircut), touching my cheek gently, he ran his thumb over my lips. I shuddered, not knowing why.

“I’m actually a little tired,” he said slowly, palm still on my left cheek, which, by the way, felt like it was starting to burn. What the hell? “You go eat with Chuck. I’ll see you tomorrow,” he said and he slowly leaned in and planted a kiss on my other cheek ever so softly. His lips lingered for a good God knew how long (I didn’t actually count, duh) before he pulled back, giving me a small smile and walked away, leaving the dumbfounded me there, feeling my face as if it was on fire.