Bab 48: 45. Gus's friends
Bee
" Bee , I think we should go upstairs , " Nymph said " like right now ."
I frowned confused , why would we go there at this hour ?
We were in the dining room and everyone had finished eating . I had spent the whole meal watching Nymph and feeling the warm feeling inside .
I liked the feeling .
" Why , Nymph ? " I asked him , " Today we seem to have eaten sooner and now we must hurry to sleep . Is there a reason ? "
I had been confused when Mrs Rosi had started cooking earlier than before . And Gus had left early to his room .
" Yes , there's a reason . Three reasons to be exact and they'll be here soon . " Nymph said turning around and looking at the front door in the living room .
" Three reasons ? What are they ? " This was quite confusing . What would make them alternate their normal routine ? I had been staying with them for a week now and this had not happened before .
" I can tell you upstairs , we have to get away first before - ah gosh darn it ! " Nymph said as the door opened with a bang .
I quickly looked up to see who would open the door this way . In the doorframe stood a large man wearing a blue jacket and black pants . He walked in and after shutting the door , headed towards us .
" Ahh Yuree , how's my little Amigo ? " the man said , his voice was quick , he had a big black moustache and wavy long hair .
" Hi Rodrigo , I'm fine . " Nymph said getting up and I followed suit .
" Fine ? But you have a cast and along on your arm . " the man called Rodrigo said , he shook his head , " Gus told me about it but I couldn't believe it till I saw it . Aiaiai my friend , it's a very bad thing that happened to you ."
Nymph sighed and smiled forcefully , did he not like this Rodrigo ?
" I know but I'm fine . And as for the cast and the sling , they're coming off tomorrow . " Nymph said and then he looked at me , " Bee come on , let's go . "
I nodded my head but before I could walk the door opened again .
I looked at it and saw two men walk through it . One was big whilst the other was short and fat .
" Ey guys , you're finally here . " Gus said coming down from the stairs . He walked up to the big man and banged their fists together , " How's the garage Brad ? " he asked and the big man , Brad grunted .
" Could be better . " he said and then Gus did this same fist gesture with the short fat man .
" Hey Gus , I gotta warn you tonight . " the fat man said , " I'm in it to win and I even brought an extra club . " he reached into his pocket and pulled out a plant with three leaves and then he laughed , which made me confused . What was humourous about a plant ?
" Hey muchachos ! " Rodrigo said smiling at the men .
" Oh gosh . " I heard Nymph say and turned to him . He had a slight frown on his face and I could tell now he did not like these men .
" Hey Rodrigo . I gotta warn you - " the fat man said coming in but Rodrigo cut him off.
" I already heard the joke muchacho . " he said dryly and then he turned to Gus and Brad as they came in .
" Brad , the big bad wolf . How is it ? " he asked but Brad just grunted and nodded his head .
" Who's the kid ? " the fat man said looking at me . I saw he was actually not that short but was more fatter than I had assumed . He had a yellow Tshirt and brown pants . His hair was little and black . He wore a green cap like hat with an open space on top .
" Oh he's the guy I told you about remember ? " Gus said walking up to me . He put his arm around my shoulder and added to my confusion .
" This runt is that guy who saved Yuree ? " the fat man asked , his voice squaky and Gus patted my shoulder . I didn't like it .
" Yep , he's the one and only Bee . " Gus said laughing and I looked at the men who were looking at me .
" Who are you all ? " I asked them .
" I am Rodrigo Calivera . " said Rodrigo shaking my hand even though I had not offered it .
" And here you've got Bradley Cooper " Gus said pointing to the man in the white vest and then he pointed to the fat man , " and there is Richard Robinson . Bee , these are my chums . "
" Chums ? " I asked confused .
" He means friends . " Nymph said and I looked around at the group .
Rodrigo had a frown on his face and looked thoughtful . Brad looked at me with a blank face and the fat man had scowl on his face .
" Eh , I don't believe this kid saved Yuree . " Richard said and then he turned to Yuree, " He doesn't seem tough . Doesn't even look like he lifts weights ."
" I don't think he does and it doesn't matter . " Nymph said seriously, " You guys can start your game now and WE'LL just be upstairs . "
" Woah , woah kid . " Gus said and he took his arm off me . He turned to Yuree , " I thought , maybe , Bee could hang out with US tonight . "
" Wait what ? " Nymph asked , " Why should he do that ? "
Gus shrugged his shoulders , " He spends enough time with you as it is . Might do you two good take a break . "
" Are they a couple ? " Brad said his voice mellow and calm .
I frowned upon hearing this ... me and Nymph ? A couple ? The thought made me think . Nymph had not said he loved me and we were not doing anything that I believed to be romantic so how could we be seen as a couple ?
" No , we are not . We are just ...just hanging out ! " Nymph said indignatly and then he turned to Gus , " I am not sure I like the idea of Bee learning how to gamble ." he said with a scowl.
" Hey this is gambling between friends . " Richard said and Yuree looked at him with raised eyebrows .
" How does that make it better Richard ? " He said and then he looked at me , " Bee do you want to go ? We could play snakes and ladders again . "
" Oh come on . " Gus said folding his arms , " You're like a possessive lover or whatever you are calling your relationship with him . "
" We are friends . " Nymph said and I felt slightly ... bad . I didn't understand it but I did not like being just Nymph's friend . I wanted to be more but I would not rush him .I was happy to just be with him .
" Does he think the same thing ? " Gus said pointing at me .
" I care about Nymph but accept whatever position he chooses for me in his life . " I answered and Rodrigo hissed.
" Ai , I have to ask ; what is wrong with his voice ? Sounds like he ate cement ." he said and I frowned .
It was not true , my voice was hoarse but I hadn't eaten cement . It was soil and gravel from when I had come up from my grave . I had swallowed alot of dirt .
" Eh , you get used to it . " Gus said and then he turned to me , " And Bee , you should join us . You know what they say , alittle space between partners is sometimes a good thing ."
" Who says that ? " Rodrigo asked whilst taking a seat .
" Yeah , I want to know that too . " Nymph said indignatly and Gus shrugged .
" People , can't say who though . I forgot . " he said and Nymph rolled his eyes .
" I'm sure you did , but Bee and I aren't like that . " Nymph said , " Bee can do what he wants when he wants to . "
" Then let's ask the kid what he wants . " Richard said looking at me , " Kid you want to play some board game for three year olds or learn a skill that can help you get ahead in life ? "
" Nice presentation ." Gus said and from his pocket he pulled out a small box . The two men proceeded to take the remaining seats and Nymph and I moved away from the table .
" So Bee you in ? We could put in another chair . " Gus said looking at me .
I felt uncertain about this . I looked at Nymph , " Does Nymph wish for me to join them ? " I asked him .
" I ... I really don't , but you know what ? Maybe ... you should ." he said solemnly , " I want you to try new things and Terry says you only live once ... so well ... for you , I think this is something you can ... pass the time with . I won't care if you enjoy it but I'm not joining . I'm going to watch TV on the sofa ."
" Good job , maybe your relationship will last now . " Gus said laughing and Nymph groaned and then he turned around and walked towards the living room . I looked at him for a moment and then at the men around the table .
" I will participate as Nymph has requested . " I said and then I took an extra chair from the ones in the kitchen . I sat down and joined the group .
" Pick up your deck and we'll teach you the basics ." Gus said and I looked down . There were five flat cards on the table with a red triangle on the back . I picked them up and looking around , I held them in a similar manner like the other men .
Then they started teaching me how to play ' Go fish ' and ' Black Jack ' aswell as others. It was hard at first but I soon got the concepts and methods of winning . After a while they agreed I was ready and we started playing .
" Hey where's Amy ? " Richard asked during the game .
" Ah , yes where is Amy ? " Rodrigo said smiling and Gus scowled at him .
" She's upstairs . She's got a headache and went to bed early . " Gus said and played his hand . " Ha read them and weep . "
The others groaned and showed their hands . It seemed they didn't have anything good to put down and Gus laughed .
Then I put down my hand and his laughter died .
" Ha ! Royal flush ! " Richard shouted triumphantly pointing at Gus , " looks like the Jack has been kinged ."
" It was a lucky break . Kid just got lucky ." Gus said frowning but I didn't feel any real pleasure from winning . I looked at the living room .
Nymph sat on the sofa with his head in the palm of his hand . He looked at the screen with a bored expression and I could see he wanted to sleep .
" Whoowe ! You were right . " Richard said suddenly , I turned to him . He was smiling at me with a twinkle in his eyes .
" I told you , kid's smitten like he got hit with a baseball bat ." Gus said chuckling . What were they talking about ?
" Bee , " Brad said , I turned to him . During the short interlude when they taught me how to play card games I had grown to understand the human Brad alittle . He was silent and stoic , only spoke when he felt it was necessary . I felt a sense of ... respect ? Yes , respect for him .
" Yes ? " I replied .
He pointed at Nymph , " What do you feel for Yuree ? " he asked and I knew he was serious . He was always serious .
" I ... I care about him . " I confessed , it felt odd sharing my feelings with these humans but it did not bother me too much . I only cared about Nymph's feelings .
" He ... makes me feel whole and complete ." I said thoughtfully with a frown . I knew I loved Nymph but putting how I FELT about him into words was slightly ... difficult .
" Ai , Love is something . " Rodrigo said softly , looking up with a smile on his face. " If only my unrequited love would know how I felt ." he continued wistfully and Gus snapped his fingers infront of his face .
" Wake up ! " he said crossly , " How many times have we gone over this ? She's my sister and you ain't getting a chance with her . "
" You never said this to Lazarus ." Rodrigo said quietly and Gus smacked his head hard . I was thrown aback , this was the first time Gus had shown any physical aggressive behaviour .
" You keep that piece of trash in your mouth Rod or so help me , you're out of that door ! " Gus said menacingly and Rodrigo nodded his head .
" We were talking about Bee and Yuree here . Romeo and Juliet or , technically it's Romeo and Romeo ." Richard said smiling and Gus seemed to ease down his anger .
" Then getting back to the topic , " Gus said turning to me , he spoke in a somewhat stern voice , " listen Bee , you've been with us for a week and in that time I've been watching you . You hang around Yuree like a lovesick puppy and do whatever he says . "
" A slave to romance ." Rodrigo put in but Gus ignored him and continued to speak to me .
" You're a weird kid , I gotta tell you but you care about him and that's something huge . " he turned to look at everyone sitting on the table before he looked at me , " Love doesn't come easy and for my nephew it hasn't ever come . Amanda may think I don't notice things but I've heard Yuree climb out onto the roof , doing who knows what but I have a good guess . One time , late at night , I walked by his room and I swear I heard him crying but I didn't go in and never told his mom even though I think she may know . "
I listened to this with mixed emotions . I felt bad about Nymph crying and alittle bit angry that he had felt so sad and Gus aswell as Mrs Rosi had done nothing .
And as if reading my thoughts he answered , " I know you may think we did nothing or that we just let him cry himself to sleep but it's not like that . " Gus said , he sighed , " Kid let me tell you , being ... attracted to similar sexes is not always approved and Yuree gets the blunt end of the stick because it's usually obvious . His dad and Amanda used to talk to him about this alot of the time . Amanda doesn't do it now because Yuree always puts on a brave face . But it's hard , it's real hard . "
" Yes , it's hard . " Brad said quietly and I looked at him , he was looking thoughtfully at his hands but his statement made me think about what Nymph had said the day he was hurt ;
" It would be weird for a boy to lift another boy in his arms like that ."
I had not fully understood this but now I did .
There were people who did not approve of such relationships and Nymph had suffered because of them . I felt anger rise against those people but Gus was still talking so I listened on , I believed this conversation was important somehow .
" So , Bee as his uncle and one of his dad's old friends , I am telling you to care for that boy like he's your life . " Gus said glancing at Nymph on the sofa , his face became soft for a moment , before looking back at me .
" The kid's grown up looking for one thing and that's this ' love of his life ' . " Gus continued , " I don't know if that's you but I want you to try and be it . Love him , care for him and protect him . Amanda would say the same I reckon . "
I nodded my head , I would do all of this as long as Nymph wanted me to .
" I will do this for Nymph as long as he wants me to . I will care and love him only ." I said honestly and Richard grumbled .
" Gosh darn it , why don't the ladies ever come calling when I use that line ? " he said and Rodrigo answered , " Look in the mirror ."
They both laughed at this and I just payed it no heed . They had made such similar jokes throughout the night and I had familiarised myself with it . Although, I still didn't understand their humour .
Gus sighed at them and shrugged , " Who knows ? Maybe one day , Bee will pop the question . "
There it was again ! The ' popped question ' that the butcher had mentioned . What was this question ?
" Which question is this ? " I asked him , " The butcher at the supermarket had spoken about it too . What question can make Nymph want to be with me ? "
" He's joking right ? " Rodrigo asked and Gus shrugged . Rodrigo frowned and looked at me .
" You do not know the ... the question ? " he asked and I shook my head . Why would I ask if I did ?
" Ai , Muchachos , this is a sad night . " he said looking at me with a frown , " How can a young man not know the question that makes their partner's heart start racing ? The question that makes the love between them grow and combust ? The question that makes the universe spin ? The question that defines life ? The question that - "
" Sweet jam on a whale ! Just tell him already . " Gus said cutting Rodrigo off , " You keep saying ; the question this , the question that and even I don't know what you're talking about anymore . "
" Hey , I'm just trying to put some importance on it . " Rodrigo said raising his hands .
" He means marriage " Brad said and I looked at him , marriage ?
" You know as in " Will you marry me ? " Richard said chuckling , he rubbed his nearly bald head , " Me , I'll never ask it . Not for this life time bachelor . So watch out ladies ! "
" Yeah , that's the reason you'll never ask that question . " Gus said smiling strangely at him and Richard frowned .
" Don't you feel you may be rushing things Gus ? " Rodrigo said , " I mean , these two have only been together for a week if your words are right . So why push something like this forward ? Can't you let love grow on its own ? "
" I ain't rushing nothing . I'm not telling Bee to pop the question right now ." Gus said , " I mean Yuree's only seventeen ."
" He is eighteen and you know it ." Richard said shaking his head and then he looked at me , " And how old is Bee here ? Twenty two ? "
" I am twenty ." I told him , although I still wasn't sure . This was the age that Nymph had guessed when I asked him .
" See , both legal . Now the only thing missing is the ring and suits . " Richard said chuckling but Gus glowered at him .
" Yuree's still at school and Bee is unemployed . " Gus said and Rodrigo put in , " The kettle calling the pot black . "
" Hey , I could get a job but I choose not to ! " Gus said defensively and Rodrigo nodded his head with a chuckle .
" He could work at my garage if he wanted . " Brad said and Gus shook his head immediately .
" Nope, stop it . We are not trying to get them married . " he said exasperated , " We were just giving Bee advice not rushing him to the aisle ."
" Bee "
I turned around to look at Nymph . He had gotten up and was walking towards us . His eyes were drooping and he swayed alittle bit on his feet .
" Bee , are you guys still playing ? " he said his voice sounding sleepy , " If you are , then I'm going to bed . I can't stay up any longer . Good night , you guys ."
He turned around and took one step towards the stairs but before he could take another step , i quickly swooped him into my arms and carried him .
" What the - Bee , what are you doing ? " he asked me , looking slightly more awake .
" I am showing you that I care for you , as you are the person who is my life . " I said using similar words that Gus had used .
" Oh my gosh , what ... what are you talking about ? " he asked me , his cheeks turning deep pink .
" Hey , let the guy show some affection . " Richard said and then he tipped his green hat , " After all , there is nothing wrong with some tender , love and ... carry . "
He laughed uproariously but nobody joined him . I looked down at Nymph . Should I pop the question now ? I wondered , If I did then Nymph would stay with me . But would he say ' yes ' ?
" I will take you to your room now . " I said quietly and then I walked to the stairs . The last thing I heard from the men on the table was Richard asking Gus in a voice like a whisper .
" By the way , I was meaning to ask ... why does Bee wear a mask ? " he said but I didn't hear the answer .
" I am never staying with you guys after a game of cards again ." Nymph said smiling as I entered his room .
I put him down onto his feet and he raised his brow at me , " What were you guys talking about ? Those guys seemed pretty pleased when you lifted me up ."
" We were talking about love , sexual preference and marriage ." I said honestly and Nymph gaped .
" Did you even play anything ? " he asked and I nodded my head .
" Yes , we played and I won . " I said and he chuckled .
" Well ... good . I'm happy if you are happy . " he said and then he laid on his bed . Sighing softly with his eyes closed , he raised his head towards the light and exposed his small pink neck .
I instantly felt a deep desire rise inside me and I frowned . I wanted to ... lick his neck ? I wondered , Was I hungry again ?
" Nymph , good night . " I said and turned towards the door . I quickly walked out of the room as Nymph replied with " Good night , Bee . "
Outside his bedroom I sighed heavily whilst looking at the shut door . Nymph had caused me to feel strange sensations before , but this one was new . I didn't understand it ... what was wrong with me ?
PERTIMBANGAN PENCIPTA 
NixelLazuli
NixelLazuli I should tell you all , Bee is a very difficult character to write about .
His confusion , his lack of memories and forgotten knowledge make it a struggle , but I still try to make it fair for both our MC and ML .
Next chapter ,back to the hospital and we learn alittle bit about our ghost girl ; Misty . Not alot but somethings .
It's not nothing someone hasn't guessed but there is more mystery coming up .
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