MIKO
"That feels so good."
"What does?"
"The wind. It feels so good."
I hike him higher on my back as I walk, his nose pressed on my bare neck, bangs tickling me. "If you feel cold, I can offer you my jacket."
"No I am fine," he sighs, hands clasping at my front. "Where are you taking me?"
"Somewhere you will love."
The rest of the guys must be at home already, but I felt like I needed more alone time with Jude. I shouldn't, I know, but going back home didn't feel like the right thing to do. Plus, he is drunk, which makes this decision all the more selfish.
"I have a feeling every place you will ever take me, I will love it."
My heart flips. "Yeah?"
"mn. You are a very cool person," he mumbles as he presses his face further on my neck. "Am I heavy? I can walk."
"No, you aren't." I thought of my hold as we get nearer my destination.
It's a chicken shop. Putting down Jude and guiding him on the bench to sit and wait for me, I buy what I need and then take the paper bag, thanking the lady before going back to Jude.
He is puking by the trash can.
I rush by his side. "Are you okay?"
"I feel horrible," he retches again. I hold him, letting him finish before he straightens up, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. "That's something I don't think I will do again."
That makes me laugh. "Yeah, that's what everyone says." I hand him a bottle of water, one of the things I had bought, and he thanks me.
"Come, let's get out of here," I start crouching again, but he shakes his head.
"I can walk now, I think."
"Okay." We make our way to the park, one of my favourite places in the city, especially at night. Here, you can see some scattered stars, the trees around creating a peaceful ambiance to just sit still and be. A reprieve from the bustling noises of the city, even though it's still inside it.
"It's so quiet here," Jude sighs, head tilting back, eyes closed as he breathes in. "It's making me miss home."
"Your parents or your grandma's?"
"My grandma's. That's where I consider my home. It is in the countryside, but it always feels like it's a world of its own."
"I have never been to such a place."
That makes him sit up so fast he ends up groaning as he purses his lips. "I probably shouldn't move so fast."
"Probably."
"But seriously. You have never been to the countryside?"
"No," I exhale, sitting back as I look at the sky with a small smile. "I have been here all my life. My family too. It's a big city, too big for some to even consider getting out and exploring more of the outside."
"But you?"
"Me?"
"Yeah."
"It feels small sometimes. It feels like there is something out there for me that I need to see. Be. I don't know, but that's how I feel sometimes."
A silence stretches between us, but it's a comfortable silence.
"What about tonight?"
I smile, turning my head to look at Jude, who is looking at the stars, his head inches away from me. "Tonight … it feels just right."
His smile affects me in a way that I sit upright and grab the paper bag. "We should eat these before they get cold."
"You bought food?" he leans closer to peek inside.
"You didn't have dinner, and I thought you might feel better if you ate something to help with the hangover." I hand him one of the containers. "Here. Eat this; it will make you feel better."
"You are very caring and thoughtful." he opens the paper dish.
"It's just food." I huff out, as I had him a fork. "Greasy food helps with hangovers."
"Goes to show how thoughtful you are."
"Eat up."
…
I am towel-drying my hair when I hear a knock on my door.
I thought everyone was asleep since the party tonight went harder than anyone would have imagined.
"Jude?" A mixture of surprise and relief floods me as I look at the boy who is leaning on the doorway, looking embarrassed. And still drunk by the looks of things.
"Can I crash with you tonight as well? I don't think I can sleep in my room yet. I don't-"
"Sure, come in," I cut him short. "You don't have to explain anything to me if you wanna hang out with me."
Relief washes over him, his shoulders dropping as he walks in. "Thanks."
He has showered and changed, wearing a shirt and sweats, hair curling at the back of his neck, bangs drooping over his eyes.
Yeah. Jude looks very appealing right now- when is he ever not- and I don't know what to do with myself.
Suddenly, I am aware that I am only wearing shorts and nothing else, the towel still around my neck.
He goes to the couch.
"You can have the bed; the couch might look comfortable, but it will hurt your neck."
"Okay," he doesn't object as he pads over to the bed and climbs in. It's so natural, I am left in the middle of the room staring at him wide-eyed.
"Do you want us to watch a movie or something?" he asks as he grabs the TV remote.
"Sure," I clear my throat, heading for the bathroom. I don't know what's happening right now. When I get back after I have worn a shirt, Jude is waiting for me, already snuggled in the bed.
"Don't tell me you are thinking of taking the couch again."
I was. All I can do is chuckle nervously as I watch him scoot over and pat the bed. "Last time you had to stay on the uncomfortable couch while I had the bed to myself."
He sighs, looking at me with sleepy eyes.
"Come on, I don't bite."
Oh god.