CHAPTER 12: I WANT HIM TO SMILE

The next day I quickly wrapped up all of my jobs so by the time Allen’s finished with his practice, we could head straight to Kintara. We ould be taking Allen’s car (of course) and it took approximately four hours to get there, so we’ll probably have dinner there or on the way.

We met at the campus’ gate and I quickly stuffed my duffle bag on the back seat before hopping in beside Allen. The traffic wasn’t as bad as I thought it would. We chatted and listened to music along the way.

I had been to Kintara a few times before. Usually with Marsha’s family on school holidays. This was the first time I ever went somewhere with someone who wasn’t Chuck or Marsha. And I only knew him for a few weeks too. I was a little nervous though I didn’t exactly know why.

Maybe because he was taking me to this sweet and really amazing and over-expensive looking resort!? My mouth was agape as we entered the resort complex. He parked the car near the lobby and told me to wait in the car while he was getting the key. Then we drove for a few more minutes before Allen turned off the car engine in front of this huge lodge.

As I stepped inside the lodge, I think my jaw fell all the way to the floor. It was huge! It was beautiful! The lodge had a very spacious living room and a very big kitchen. There was only one other door there that led to the massive bedroom with a king-sized bed and a connecting door that led to the massive bathroom.

I quickly ran to the room, throwing my bag carelessly to the bed (but not my camera bag, duh) and quickly opened the sliding glass door that led to the balcony which had a Jacuzzi and a private stair that led to the path down to the beach below.

I took a deep breath as I leaned my body on the railing and stared at the dark ocean below. It felt so good. The wind caressed my hair softly. The smell of sea water and the sound of the waves crashing were really relaxing.

“You’ll fall leaning like that,” Allen wrapped his hand around my waist, pulling me back a little while his other hand rested on the railing, beside my own hand.

“Aren’t you overdoing it?” I asked him, but not really protesting. I leaned my body so it rested on his as I looked up to him. I noticed he’s actually quite taller than me. Probably even a little taller than Chuck.

“Here’s comfortable,” Allen said calmly. I chuckled.

“As long as you’re paying,” I said shamelessly. He smiled and knocked the top of my head with his chin.

“What a cheap guy,” he said jokingly. “Let’s get dinner,” he said and took my hand into his and I let him led me to the restaurant by the beach.

We were sitting on one of the tables at the seaside restaurant, facing the sea. We sat side by side, close to each other. Shoulders touching as I peered over to look at the menu. I decided to just let Allen choose (I got scared when I looked at the price). He ordered most of my favorite foods (lucky me) though I basically could eat anything and everything.

“Eat slowly,” he chuckled as he saw me devouring the foods on the table. I mumbled something that was supposed to be ‘Shut up and eat’ at him which made him laugh.

After dinner we got back to our lodge to enjoy some beer and the relaxing night on the balcony. Allen turned on the Jacuzzi after changing into his swim trunks. I couldn’t help but stare at his body. I meant, that guy had amazing abs! He was tall. His body was very toned. His muscles were almost as big as Chuck’s. But he was leaner than Chuck.

I felt embarrassed all of a sudden and ran to the room to change. Shaking away the images of Allen’s body. I was so jealous right now. I meant, I had a pretty amazing body, if I was allowed to say so myself. I worked out, obviously, and I did martial arts. But my muscles were not big. I was very lean. And tall. But still, not as tall as Chuck, let alone Allen.

I got out and walked to the Jacuzzi, lowering myself into the spacious tub. We were sitting in the tub face to face, legs stretched out and it was so spacious our feet barely touched. I playfully kicked his leg and he retorted. We got back and forth with that a few times before Allen, laughing, stretched his hand out to me, “Come here,” he said softly.

I was not even hesitating. I moved closer more in reflex. He wasn’t commanding me, mind you. But I still complied nonetheless and soon, I found him wrapped his arms around my waist, bringing me even closer. Making sure I didn’t run away. I sat between his legs. My own on his sides. I sighed and rest my head on his shoulder before he turned me around so I sat facing the sea, still between his legs. His arms were still around my waist. I sighed and chuckled at the same time.

“You’re becoming more and more like Chuck, you know that?” I said and I could feel him snorting. I felt ticklish when Allen buried his face in my neck. I bit my lip (it was ticklish) but not saying anything. I still felt kinda worried for him about the whole Joy thing.

I ended up making lots of jokes, again. I told him stories about me, my two best friends and my gangs. I basically told him lots of things about a lot of things. Some important, other are just plain me babbling something stupid. But he laughed, well, chuckled, most of the time.

I didn’t know why I was trying so hard to make him laugh. Not that he asked me to or anything. I just wanted him to laugh more. To smile, at least. And I meant, not like the forced and weak smile, but like the real smile. The bright and beautiful smile I saw when I first met him. Okay, so, it was basically because of my selfishness. I just really wanted to hear him laugh.

So here I was, speaking until my throat hurts. Occasionally turning around to check whether he was listening or not. And whether he was smiling or not. And oftentimes, I’d brush his hands and his hair as I talked. I talked and talked and kept talking until Allen bursts out laughing and hugged me, burying his face in my neck. His body shook with laughter. I was stunned.

What the hell was wrong with this guy? I thought as I stared down at him. After a while he brought his head back up and looked at me. My expression was questioning, undoubtedly.

“Sorry,” he said, brushing my cheek gently with his hand. I frowned. “Thank you,” he said and I frowned some more. Before I completely died out of embarrassment.

I’ve been found out! That was totally embarrassing!

I buried my face in my hands, smacking his head when he started laughing again.

“I really get it now. Why Marsha and Chuck are very protective of you,” he said. I frowned but kept my face hidden. He wrapped his arms around me, caressing my back gently, soothingly. “You’re just really, too adorable,” he said and that pissed me off.

“You mocking me now!?” I shot my head up and struggled to get away from his embrace so I could murder him. But he just tightened his arms around me, after a while, I finally gave up, tired, and just hugged him back. I leaned my head on his shoulders, my hands on his back patting it gently.

I was a little relieved now. Allen seemed to be in a far better mood now. I could feel my lips curled into a smile as we sat there, me comforting him silently, and him, somehow, comforting me too.