CHAPTER 12: I want him to smile

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

We meet at the campus' gate and I quickly stuff my duffle bag on the back seat before hopping in beside Allen. The traffic isn't as bad as I thought it would. We chat and listen to music along the way.

I have been to Kintara a few times before. Usually with Marsha's family on school holiday. This is the first time I ever went somewhere with someone who isn't Chuck or Marsha. And I only know him for a few weeks too. I'm a little nervous though I don't exactly know why.

Maybe because he's taking me to this sweet and really amazing and over-expensive looking resort!? My mouth is agape as we enter the resort complex. He parks the car near the lobby and tells me to wait in the car while he's getting the key. Then we drive for a few more minutes before Allen turns off the car engine in front of this huge lodge.

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

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

I take a deep breath as I lean my body on the railing and stare at the dark ocean below. It feels so good. The wind caressing my hair softly. The smell of sea water and the sound of the waves crashing are really relaxing.

"You'll fall leaning like that," Allen wraps his hand around my waist, pulling me back a little while his other hand rests on the railing, beside my own hand.

"Aren't you overdoing it?" I ask him, but not really protesting. I lean my body so it rests on his as I look up to him. I notice he's actually quite taller than me. Probably even a little taller than Chuck.

"Here's comfortable," Allen says calmly. I chuckle.

"As long as you're paying," I say shamelessly. He smiles and knocks the top of my head with his chin.

"What a cheap guy," He says jokingly. "Let's get dinner," He says and takes my hand into his and I let him lead me to the restaurant by the beach.

We're sitting on one of the tables at the seaside restaurant, facing the sea. We sit side by side, close to each other. Shoulders touching as I peer over to look at the menu. It decide to just let Allen choose (I got scared when I looked at the price). He orders most of my favorite foods (lucky me) though I basically can eat anything and everything.

"Eat slowly," He chuckles as he sees me devouring the foods on the table. I mumble something that is supposed to be 'Shut up and eat' at him which makes him laugh.

After dinner we go back to our lodge to enjoy some beer and the relaxing night on the balcony. Allen turns on the Jacuzzi after changing into his swim trunks. I can't help but stare at his body. I mean, that guy's have amazing abs! He's tall. His body is very toned. His muscles are almost as big as Chuck's. But he's leaner than Chuck.

I feel embarrassed all of a sudden and run to the room to change. Shaking away the images of Allen's body. I'm so jealous right now. I mean, I have a pretty amazing body, if I'm allowed to say so myself. I work out, obviously, and I do martial arts. But my muscles are not big. I'm very lean. And tall. But still, not as tall as Chuck, let alone Allen.

I get out and walk to the Jacuzzi, lowering myself into the spacious tub. We're sitting in the tub face to face, legs stretch out and it's so spacious our feet barely touching. I playfully kick his leg and he retorts. We go back and forth with that a few times before Allen, laughing, stretches his hand out to me, "Come here," He says softly.

I am not even hesitating. I move closer more in reflex. He wasn't commanding me, mind you. But I still comply nonetheless and soon, I find him wraps his arms around my waist, bringing me even closer. Making sure I don't run away. I sit between his legs. My own on his sides. I sigh and rest my head on his shoulder before he turns me around so I sit facing the sea, still between his legs. His arms are still around my waist. I sigh and chuckle at the same time.

"You're becoming more and more like Chuck, you know that?" I say and I can feel him snorting. I feel ticklish when Allen buries his face in my neck. I bit my lip (it's ticklish) but not saying anything. I still feel kinda worried for him about the whole Joy thing.

I end up making lots of jokes, again. I tell 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 laughs, well, chuckles, most of the time.

I don't know why I'm trying so hard to make him laugh. Not that he asked me to or anything. I just want him to laugh more. To smile, at least. And I mean, 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's basically because of my selfishness. I just really want to hear him laugh.

So here I am, speaking until my throat hurts. Occasionally turning around to check whether he's listening or not. And whether he's smiling or not. And oftentimes, I'd brush his hands and his hair as I talk. I talk and talk and keep talking until Allen bursts out laughing and hugs me, burying his face in my neck. His body shaking with laughter. I am stunned.

What the hell's wrong with this guy? I thought as I stare down at him. After a while he brings his head back up and looks at me. My expression is questioning.

"Sorry," He says, brushing my cheek gently with his hand. I frown. "Thank you," He says and I frown some more. Before I completely die out of embarrassment.

I've been found out! That's totally embarrassing! I bury my face in my hands, smacking his head when he starts laughing again.

"I really get it now. Why Marsha and Chuck are very protective of you." He says. I frown but keep my face hidden. He wraps his arms around me, caressing my back gently, soothingly. "You're just really, too adorable," He says and that pissed me off.

"You mocking me now!?" I shoot my head up and struggle to get away from his embrace so I can murder him. But he just tightened his arms around me, after a while, I finally give up, tired, and just hug him back. I lean my head on his shoulders, my hands on his back patting it gently.

I am a little relieved now. Allen seems to be in a far better mood now. I can feel my lips curl into a smile as we sit there, me comforting him silently, and him, somehow, comforting me too.