The Devil's Playmate

ONE

   Benjamin had gotten used to the hands petting his messy hair, and the fingers running through his tangled black locks as if he were a mere pet.

But he was. To these people at least.

Someone gripped Benjamin's chin and tilted his face to the side. The guy beside him smiled at the sight of Benjamin shifting uncomfortably on the ground, trying to stay quiet on his knees.

A student with brown hair and dark eyes forced Benjamin to keep his eyes trained on him.

Marcus clicked his tongue. "What's with the attitude, Benny?"

"I'm sorry..." Benjamin automatically replied. It was a reflex at this point. "I'm just tired-"

"Even if you're tired, it doesn't mean you have to show me such shit attitude."

Benjamin flinched when Marcus removed his hand and continued to pet his head. He ignored how Marcus would sometimes stop and grip his black locks. It was like the student was contemplating on bashing his face against the desk, but Benjamin found himself relieved when Marcus let go and tenderly smoothed out his hair.

"Your hair is so messy!" Someone complained loudly.

Benjamin bit his lip as he stared up at Emma on the desk next to Marcus. The girl was too busy primping herself to properly get a good look at Benjamin, but once she applied her lipstick, she gazed down at the boy and crossed her legs.

"It's so messy! Every day you come in looking like you're homeless or something! Right, Blythe?"

Blythe, standing next to Emma on her phone, have a halfhearted shrug and kept on playing her game. Emma scoffed and tossed a piece of her strawberry blonde hair behind her shoulders.

"Benny!" Emma demanded, "Come here!"

Benjamin didn't go at first. He waited and looked up at Marcus hesitantly. Marcus stopped petting him and shrugged, allowing Benjamin to slowly get up and scurry over to Emma. But as always, he was quick to kneel down in front of her and let the girl yank his hair.

Emma grabbed a pair of scissors and a comb. "I keep telling you to let me fix you up myself! Do I have to cut your hair again?"

Benjamin felt himself shake. He didn't want Emma cutting his hair again.

Emma noticed him cowering away, but laughed instead. "You're such a drama queen!" She giggled and yanked his hair again, "Stay still, sweetie!"

Despite not wanting to, Benjamin stayed perfectly still and looked away when he noticed Marcus looking over at them, disinterested.

"Benny, you're so cute," Emma cooed as she snipped away at his hair. "And because you're so cute, you have to become the most dull and boring person ever, okay?"

"Yes-"

"No!" Emma grabbed a fistful of his hair. "That's not how you answer!"

Blythe stopped playing on her phone and looked over at her cousin, frowning heavily. Emma took great pleasures in controlling whatever Benjamin does, and it was amusing for Marcus as well.

"Benny," Marcus drawled out. He held a hand out and ignored how Benjamin jumped a little. "What's the proper way to answer?"

Benjamin felt the weight on his chest grow a little heavier. He placed a hand on Marcus' palm, just like a dog being trained.

"... Woof."

Marcus smiled just as Emma happily squealed, pleased with how he answered. Blythe looked away and lost interest once more.