CHAPTER 7: PICK ME, PICK ME, PICK ME UP

"Hello?" I pick up my ringing phone and answer the call from Chuck. We had just finished with the calendar shoot and I notice that the sky is already dark.

"You finished?" he asks.

"Cleaning up," I answer him as I roll the backdrop and toss it aside for the drama club to pick up.

"Going back with Allen?" he asks again. I turn and search for Allen before shouting,

"Allen, you want to go back together?" I ask Allen who shouts back.

"I gotta pick Joy at the airport!" he tells me.

"I'll come pick you up," Chuck says, apparently hearing Allen's answer. Then he hangs up before I can protest. I sigh. That jerk and his over-protectiveness. I am not a freakin' girl, for fuck's sake.

I hurriedly pack up my things while the rest of the equipment and decoration is being handled by the volunteers (that I will pay later) and the basketball team members and photography club members. I really don't want to make Chuck wait for me. He'd turn all whiny and annoying when he had to wait. Even just for one freakin' minute.

The boys and the volunteers, as well as the photography club members bid their goodbyes one by one until there are only Allen and I left in the classroom. I still don't see Chuck, which is good because I still have to pack up my camera, laptop and other equipment.

"Waiting for Chuck?" Allen asks as he sits next to me. I nod.

"Aren't you picking up Joy?" I ask back and he looks at his watch.

"I'll stay a little longer." He smiles at me while I frown.

"You can't make a girl wait, it's not polite." I jokingly scold him. Though I think it's quite true. Aren't girls always pissed off when their boyfriends are late?

"Sure, whatever." He rolls his eyes.

"You say that a lot, don't you?" I say to him more like a statement rather than a question.

"Yeah, well. Whatever." He says and laughs, shrugging.

"Hummm...." My brain starts to get a little mischievous. "What if I say.... Treat me to lunch tomorrow?" I tease him.

"Sure, whatever." He rolls his eyes and laughs.

"At Royal Korean Barbeque," I add, challenging him again.

"Sure, whatever." He laughs louder now. Have I said that he has a very pleasant laugh? I want to hear more of it. "That all you've got?" he asks and I pout, annoyed at him for playing my game better.

"I am not so shameless, you know." I pout, crossing my hands in front of my chest.

"I don't mind, you know." He mocks me but still laughs. I try kicking his shin but he so easily dodges it and now he laughs even more while I grumble, though I'm secretly pleased upon hearing more of his laughter.

"Whatever!" I stick my tongue out at him.

"Yo! Lee!" Chuck's standing at the door and I get up immediately when he calls me, grabbing my things and wave at Allen before rushing towards Chuck who then circles his arm around my waist and pecks my cheek before placing his arm around my neck.

"See you!" I bid my goodbye to Allen and Chuck and I both leave.

"Tired?" Chuck asks.

"Hmmm..." I'm actually very tired. I only slept for a few hours last night thanks to the stupid snow blowing machine thingy (admit you miss it!) and working with a bunch of 20 something year old guys who act like they're five was so not helping in getting my tiredness forgotten.

"Dinner?" Chuck asks again. I'm thinking about it, but I'm too tired to care about food.

"Nah. I want to sleep," I tell Chuck and he nods as we walk in silence until we reach my dorm. "Staying?" I ask as we reach our door. Chuck nods and follows me inside. He takes off his shoes and throws his bag on the couch. "I'll go take a shower first," I tell him and walk straight to the bathroom.

After my shower, I open my laptop while waiting for Chuck to finish. I look through the pictures I've taken that day and silently chuckles. Those basketball lovers sure know how to make things interesting for the shoot (I won't spoil it. All I'll say is that it'll sell. Very well). I chuckle and shake my head at their goofiness. I only need to add a few touches here and there lightly because I'm already quite satisfied with the pictures. Now I only need to make the design for the calendar and prepare for the booklet shoot.

"Sleep," Chuck orders from behind me, whispering in my ear, making me jump.

"Shit! Dude!" I smack his head as he laughs. Chuck grabs me below my armpit and holds me up and shoves me to the bed before turning off my laptop. I pout but comply nonetheless, lying my head down on my pillow and Chuck joins me soon after.

Chuck snuggles up against me, pulling my body closer to his. One arm circling my waist, one arm resting behind my head, my own head resting comfortably on his chest. I used to be uncomfortable with Chuck's habit of spooning me while he sleeps, but over the years, it's comforting and I just let him do what he wants and let the sleep kick in.

"Sleep," He orders again, softly. This time, I don't even pout and just close my eyes, relaxing against the mattress and Chuck's warm body and let the drowsiness take over.