Joan’s fingers trailed down King’s back. So much bruises. There was the indentation of a fist at the upper part of his back, just on the slope of his back right under his neck. The person must have hit really hard.
He suffered too much, too much and yet he was always happy, that cheerfulness in him even when he was angry, hurt or sad was always there. She admired that.
If she had to be honest with herself, she would say she admired King, looked up to him. He was always full of surprises, charming her out of her wits. He wasn’t only a best friend to her, he was a brother; sometimes older, sometimes younger; he was a crush; in the sense that she admired him; even a father; when he went all responsible and overprotective on her. He was the only prominent male figure in her life. Sometimes she pondered on her mum's words. Perhaps was it just gratitude and a feeling of indebtedness that overwhelmed her and made her think so highly of him? But in those weak moments, she either thought of him, reflected on past memories or called him to hear his voice. That was enough to reassure her that that wasn’t the case. It wasn’t. King was her king.
She glanced at his bowed head. He was stiff, too stiff. She pulled her hands away and then pulled his shirt back down.
“I have just an ointment here for it” she said, “It wouldn’t be enough to get those wounds to heal and rid your back of the scars, I have to go out.”
“No.” he said quickly, turning to face her. His sudden movement caused her to fall back on the bed. He apologized, pulling her up.
“What if the guy is out there? We can’t risk it.” He explained.
“You said he didn’t follow you here” she pointed out, “And besides, we can’t stay locked in here forever.”
“I said I didn’t see him.” He corrected, stretching his legs out in front of him. He took her hands and pulled them to the side.
She looked at him weirdly, “What are you doing? She asked.
“Turn around.” He ordered.
She complied, sitting with her back to him. He held her arms then pulled her down to the bed so that she lay on her back, on level with his hip. He grinned satisfactorily then grabbed pillows while she watched him curiously. He placed one under her head, she muttered a thanks while he placed two behind his back, against the foot of the bed. He leaned against them, his grin still intact then he rested his elbows on the bed structure, the hand going to her face to caress it so that now her face was caged.
She raised a brow, looking up at him, “Just that?”
He gave a sheepish grin.
“I wanted you closer.”
She had to admit he was good with words, the tingle in her stomach didn’t go unnoticed.
“You have to stop using words like that if you want me to get married.”
“What?” he laughed, “You were the one who said you wouldn’t feel complete if you went without hearing my voice in a day. Do you know what that did to me?”
She smirked, “That’s justified. I don’t want you getting married.”
His laugh increased.
“Babe, just say you love me and stop throwing clues everywhere.”
She frowned.
“Of course I love you.”
It was his turn for the corner of his lips to curl upwards.
“You know what I meant.”
She blushed furiously, looking away from him immediately.
“Stop saying that” she warned, “I’m very sensitive to those kind of words.”
When he didn’t say anything and she could still feel his eyes boring holes in the top of her head, she looked up at him. He had a look on his face that she couldn’t decipher.
“What are you thinking?” she asked.
He shook slightly as if caught off guard.
“Nothing” he answered, giving her a soft smile. He rubbed her ear.
“Ok… how will you get home?”
The corner of his lips curled up into a half smirk.
“I’ll just spend the night under your bed again.”
Her eye brows drew together and she squi Ted her eyes.
“What do you mean?”
He laughed slightly then spoke.
“The last I disappeared, when you got angry at me for leaving your house without telling you…”
She nodded.
He smiled sheepishly, “I didn’t actually leave, I was under your bed.”
“What!” her eyes popped out and she tried to get up but he pushed her gently back down.
“You mean you were under my bed, this bed…” she tapped the bed, “througjout the night and I didn’t know?”
He nodded.
She laughed, “You King, are ridiculous!”
His words made her happy, elated. That he had found solace even when rejected in her, under her bed, to mean that even he could not go too far from her.
“I should get off this bed and check if there is not another King hiding under there.” She spoke, her cheeks stretched out wide.
Her smile mirrored his. He didn’t even feel the slightest bit of shame! She told him that.
He scoffed when she told him, “Am I not entitled to my bestfriend's bed just as much as she is? I choose where to lay my head.”
She giggled then took his hand still trailing soft circles round her ear and kissed it.
His smile widened.
“I guess I made you really happy. I should hide under your bed more often.”
She pouted, “If you want a kiss, just ask me. It’s free.”
“Even on the lips?”
She threw his hands away in response.
“Do you know how worried I was about your whereabout and all the while you were so close, right under my nose. I really should sweep my room for any ghosts each night.”
He laughed, his hands going back to trailing soft circles round her ear. His eyes twinkled and she stared. She was sure all her admiration could be seen in her eyes at that moment.
“What?” he asked when his laughing stopped.
She gave a wry smile, he couldn’t see it.
“Can’t I just look at you?”
He chuckled, “Yeah you can. I’m all yours.” He said, spreading his hands for effect.
"Just don't get bloated, I'm here everyday."
She giggled, slapping his arm then they stared at each other, their oh so familiar stares.
"King..." she called suddenly, a thought had just popped into her head.
"Hmmmn."
"Why did they invite you?" she questioned, several thoughts running through her head as she stared at him for an answer.
"Who?"
She gave an exasperated sigh.
"Andrew and his crew. You said he told you your coming there was planned?"
He now listened to her more intently.
"So what could their reason be?"
"Uh... To give me the note?"
"Jack could have easily slipped that into your pocket or locker in school."
"To let me know them?"
"And scare you? Why would they... I'm so confused." she shook her head.
"You're not planning on calling that number, are you?" she asked, raising a threatening brow. She knew him, he would be curious. Anyone would.
He shook his head, his expression going flat.
"What?" she asked concerned.
"Jamal."