Flower Boy

2.7 | TRANQUIL NIGHTS

                                                                                        (2.7) s i m o n

I AM EXHAUSTED AFTER A LONG DAY OF SIGHT-SEEING and I have finally returned to grandma's house. My parents are asleep in the next room, while I am texting in the living room with my grandma sitting on her rocking chair.

It is about 12.00 a.m., Judith is still awake texting me. I didn't want to skype with her (grandma Lorna) in the room, just in case Judith speaks any profanities.

"Simon, are you talking to your girlfriend?"

I jump a little bit when she asked such a question.

"Oh no, I'm just talking to my friend." I can feel my face heat up in embarrassment, the worst part is that she wasn't really buying what I'm saying.

"You don't have to worry, darling. I won't tell your parents."

"N-no, it's not like that!" I couldn't stop myself from blushing, plus it isn't helping me convince grandma.

"Is she a girl you like?"

"No ma, it's not a girl!"

That went out of context. I don't think I like Judith that way, not that I'm aware of it.

"You like a boy?" She asks with her eyebrows raised. She looks surprised, but not offended.

"What, no! He's a friend of mine."

"You look quite fond of this 'boy', Simon. Do you think I don't see that? You're smiling so much."

"G-GOOD NIGHT, GRANDMA." I shifted hurriedly off my seat, heading towards my bedroom in light speed. I know arguing with her is basically a losing game, and I don't work well under pressure.

I close the bedroom door behind me, then faced-first to the pillow on my bed. She must have weird thoughts circling in her mind now, trying to deny her words might make everything worse. 

Judith is still online, texting me continuously from my sudden pause from just now. I text him back asking to skype, with him replying immediately after. His face soon showed up on my screen, smiling.

"What are doing right now?" I ask as I see him moving around his room.

"Cleaning up a little."

"What? It's midnight, can't you do it tomorrow?"

Who cleans at midnight? He must be bored off his head.

"I can't sleep."

"Try lying on your bed, maybe it can help."

"Yeah, yeah. Don't worry about me."

"Jude."

"Alright, I'll sleep."

"I better be off, I guess."

"No, you stay. I wanna talk."

He goes towards his bed, as I wait patiently for him to settle down. I still don't get why I smile every time I talk to him. He smiles back too, and I am extremely grateful for that. The people I know never really want to talk to me in their free will like Judith, and I never minded all this while. But having someone be with me feels great.

I feel for once, loved.