"You have my phone...Right?". His voice was so hoarse, like sandpaper was rasping his vocal chords. Heck, I felt like I suddenly got the flu from just looking at him.
"..Eh?" I didn't really listen to his question. God, I probably sounded like a true imbecile, and the 'trash' before me didn't seem all that pleased about my response.
"My phone. P-h-o-n-e." An arrogant and annoying tone. He coughed and cleared his throat. His grip on my shoulder tightened, another hand fell on my left shoulder blade, which hurt for obvious reasons. I really didn't want to catch whatever deadly decease he had, in all honesty. The way he had caused me pain some days back was more than enough.
"O-oh! I got it... Do you want it?" I felt nervous, my heart was beating quicker, my legs felt weak. What if he was mad about it? I didn't even go out of the pictures-
He walked past me. Just straight inside, not even asking if he was allowed to take a single step past the door or not. No, he just marched straight in..
...Or rather, I would describe his attempt to do it as quite the sad sight. He just got halfway through our tiny hallway (Barely space for two people), before he once again coughed. If there was something I couldn't stand, it was rough coughs like that as it reminded me of people throwing up. Illness was something I always had a hard time dealing with, it frightened me.
That was probably why my palms were so incredibly sweaty.
"Hey, I can get it for you, no big--" I yelped as the already sorrowful sight before me crumbled down and pretty much passed out. He was way too weak to do anything. Great, just great. Not only was I in my Uncle's apartment with one bedroom only, now I was stuck with my attacker too, who had fainted right before my feet on the cold, wooden flooring.
I didn't have much other options but to carry this bastard to the bed, and pray that my uncle wouldn't:
A. Make gay jokes about me and the guy
B. Threaten the guy to give us money way above the hospital bill
C. Just be angry about everything and rant for hours, get a beer to clear his head and get a bit too drunk.
I really didn't want to deal with an angry Uncle on the top of it all. I knew he was always grumpy after work, so there was no way he would allow an actor to rest up on his couch that he got from a bargain sale somewhere.
How would this end up well in the end..?
"Ugh..!" He was not that heavy, but I still felt like I was lifting the worlds heaviest bag of flour. I could barely keep myself up on my feet once I had a proper hold of his figure, as I wandered towards the couch. I didn't want this smelly actor on my Uncle's bed, so he just had to rest on my sleeping spot for now. I wanted to go back to my apartment that night anyway.
Care wasn't exactly what I was giving the stupid fool as I dumped him down on the couch, not considering that he was possibly in pain. It was really not like me to not consider the others feelings on a topic, but this was an actor after all. Arrogant, annoying fools who just thought about themselves. Hell, this guy proved it pretty well when he pushed me to the side rather than kindly ask me to retrieve his phone and give it back, like a decent human being would do.
...A hand fell on my forehead. I was really sounding like a monster now, thinking things like that. "I really have to pull myself together", I mumbled while getting him a blanket and some pillows. There, that should be enough. I was supposed to be the one resting, but instead, I had to babysit an actor.
Maybe I could call someone and tell that hey, your child is here, come pick him up? So many people worried about this rebels escape from the set, especially that man from the afternoon show. Maybe he was a father or something?
I couldn't do much but to wait for him to wake up. The problem, however is that once I have to sit still in silence and be patient, I get quite sleepy. The pain killers didn't help on the situation either, I suddenly felt a heavy loud of sluggishness fall upon me.
--
"W-where am I?" My eyes looked everywhere, but, it was foggy. I could barely see my hands before me if I stretched them out, my feet were somewhat visible. The ground felt dry under my bare feet, I couldn't quite make out what the substance was.
It was not warm, nor cold. It felt... comfortable? I walked on, maybe I would find some kind of life form?
My nose suddenly bumped into something. It was cold, slightly wet, and hard, like a rock. The brown hues of mine tried to make out what it was. It looked blue with a hint of gray, some weird signs were on it in a language I didn't understand. My hand fell on top of it, now it felt dry, but my nose felt more and more soaked.
...The door will open one day...
I suddenly heard a voice, it was annoyingly low and husky, with a sweet lazy tone to it. I tried to ask something, but my voice was gone, as if I was mute. My hand clenched itself into a fist to hit it, but the fog stopped me from doing it.
...I want to see you again...
'Whose there?' I tried to say, but not a single sound came out, just my breath. Ugh, why was only that person allowed to speak? How arrogant of them to do. Now, a lot of voices were speaking. My nose felt as a puddle was raining on it every second, and I could barely hear that voice once again speak to me:
...L......y.....
'Who are you? Speak louder, I can't hear you!' I could still not talk. Sounds bounced all around in the fog, it felt as if they were mocking me or something. A mix of laughter, familiar words that I knew but just couldn't make out, yells, cries, that scream I never wanted to hear again, growling, howling, someone was crying, now a child was crying, unfamiliar words, all at once--
I couldn't make out a damn thing, my hands protected my ears to try to stop it, but they just grew louder and louder. The scream repeated itself once more, making me shiver. No, I don't want to hear it again. Please stop, please, stop--!
Wake up, you idiot...
Huh? The voice was suddenly as clear as the sun, way above all the other chaos. But, it sounded even more husky, and very familiar...?
WAKE UP!
--
"AGH--" My head bounced up, facing a furry face who had its tongue sticking out. I had fallen asleep on the floor like the imbecile I am. The stinky breath of my grandparents dog was poisoning me, drool stuck on my somewhat round nose. So Uncle was forced to take care of her again...
...Wait, Uncle? I felt a cold shiver run through my body. This meant he was at home, he had seen that actor! That wasn't good, what if he had gone on a rampage already and destroyed half of our house? The dog was maybe calm, but she was always like that.
Then I heard laughter.
I sat up, my eyes focused at the couch. My Uncle sat there, with the actor next to him. They were looking at me, I could see my Uncle covering his mouth quickly once he noticed that I was awake.
I knew it was the pool on my nose that was so incredibly funny, with the addition of my injured face (the latter was just a wild guess). It was rare to see my Uncle this happy, though, so even if my face was everything but happy, I myself felt my spirits brighten up. My Grandmothers dog settled down on my lap, drooling on top of my pants. Great, I just cleaned those pants, now they're dirty again.
"Lily," I frowned once Uncle used that nickname for me and felt a flush of warmth enter my cheeks, "We're in luck." He gave a nod towards Zhong Yong, who was just looking at me with those golden eyes of his, they were not blank anymore at all and even had a slight spark to them. Lucky bastard, having such brilliant eyes instead of dull brown ones like mine.
"Why?" I grumbled and hugged around my Grandmothers ball of fur. Its tail was wagging back and forth at a rapid speed and therefore kept hitting my stomach hard. It was not comfortable at all.
"This fellow right here is a swell guy, Lily!" Not again with the nickname! "He is sincerely sorry for hurting you the other day and will gladly pay the hospital bills!" Uncle turned towards the fool once again, and received a smile from the actor. At least they were getting along. How annoying. The worst part was that I couldn't just ask him why he was swell, since the guy himself sat there with his butt on my Uncle's couch in a rather comfortable position.
"I see." once again a mumble rather than a loud sentence, my gaze was on the dog rather than that arrogant child who had somehow captured my Uncle. I bet he told a sad story and pretended to cry to guilt trip Uncle so he would accept him into the house. There was no way his stay would be approved of so quickly any other way.
The only other option was if Uncle knew him beforehand, but that was impossible.
"The fellow will be staying here until the media stops with their nonsense. He messaged his family and stuff so everything is alright." Uncle got up on his feet, ruffling through my hair on the way. My grandmothers dog bounced off my lap and ran after him, clearly waiting for a treat of sorts. I only glared after him, he even walked quicker towards the kitchen counter. Why in the world was he so incredibly happy today?!
"....Sure." I was skeptic, but, it wasn't my problem, right? I would leave to my apartment anyway, I really wished to return to school the next day and catch up quickly instead of hanging around with a rebellious celebrity. I couldn't believe my Uncle at times, doing foolish actions like these without thinking. It was all an act, an annoying act!
Zhong Yong didn't say a thing either, he just looked at me. I felt those eyes glaring at my neck, it was as if two daggers were slowly trying to penetrate my skin. Torture, I say, horrible, undeserved torture! Why would he look at me anyway? Was I funny looking or something? I'm just a normal guy with no notable traits at all, who is content with his looks except from his smile.
"Dinner." Bags with fast food, on the table, probably hamburgers and fries again. The actor was bound to dislike it and call it trash, and tell my Uncle to cook him proper food! Hey, actually, that didn't sound half bad, maybe he would be of use!
I turned to see this conversation take place. My uncle placed the food and drinks on the coffeetable. Any moment now, that Zhong Yong would grumble or frown. He moved his hand to remove the mask (a clean one), probably to be able to speak problem--
"So what is this?" he asked, voice not as hoarse as earlier on, but still traces of being worn-out. His eyes was looking at the food... was his eyes sparkling?
"Just some crap I picked up on the way home. You're lucky that they somehow gave me three portions instead of two, boy." My Uncle laughed again, totally not expecting to hear how mad the snobbish actor was about the food served to him.
"Ah... commoner crap?" He tilted his head and kept looking at my Uncle, who nodded. Uncle, he just insulted us! How can you remain so calm and collected after that? I forgot about my own food and instead observed the two. This could be my only shot at maybe getting along with that actor and approve of him. Protest about the food--
"I've always wanted to try it." My heart stopped. No, this couldn't be... Why would he want horrible fast food? He grabbed a fry, dipped it in ketchup (watching my Uncle doing it first), then ate it. He wasn't lying, he meant it. He wanted to taste the horror called fast food!
"It ain't too bad, right?" My Uncle asked, and the bastard Zhong Yong nodded, eating more. I just grabbed some fries myself and chewed on them slowly to make myself feel even more miserable than before. There was no way I would ever get somewhat along with this guy!
Later on that evening, it was time for me to head back to my own place. It was closer to school by half an hour, that was simply why. My Uncle had company anyway with his stinking actor best friend, the two of them did really get along as if they had known each other for a long time already.
I had to take care of my grandmothers dog though, which I didn't mind all that much. It was the better puppy in my case, if I had to pick between her and the filthy actor whom my Uncle was in love with. My guess was that if I visited again, they would be preparing their wedding. Gross, my Uncle ain't that good looking anymore thanks to his unhealthy life! Zhong Yong deserved someone way above his level, otherwise, his sparkly looks would outshine and kill my Uncle.
He headed outside to get the car ready, and it was just grandma's dog, the trash actor and me left in his apartment. I didn't even look at him, I couldn't stand how his bright eyes kept looking at me and every action I did. Was it that amusing to watch me tie my shoes?
"You'll visit again, right?" He suddenly asked. I froze where I stood, having to think twice about what he just told me.
"...No. School." I mumbled, ah, lovely to use it as an excuse for once.
"It's Wednesday today. Two more days until the weekend." Shit, he knew the basics of school!
"...I said, I got school, a lot to catch up to-"
"I can help you. You know, as an apology for what I did-"
"I'll be fine!" I interrupted him before he could finish. My voice was sharper than usual, it made me slightly shocked about myself. It wasn't like me to bark back at someone like that.
"I mean... I like to study alone.." I picked up my grandmothers dog. She really needed to give her a name instead of just calling her 'dog'. I gave the actor a quick glance, noticing that he looked a tad sad from my reply. His eyes didn't have that spark anymore. He covered up his mouth with his mask.
"...Understood." A silent reply, it shrunk to a whisper at the last syllables.
"Be kind to Uncle. He's struggling a lot, and I don't want you to ruin his life more." I turned around, not able to look at that broken expression. Wasn't he supposed to be an arrogant, annoying guy?
...Maybe it was me who was annoying and arrogant in this case.