[Short part this time! Hope more people comment soon. I'm starting to feel like I'm losing my touch! Seriously O_o. Comment as MUCH as you like, I swear nothing bad will come of it. Happy Reading! ^_^]
"So how did you both get here? I think you said something about Maggie..."
"Yeah," Belinda replied. "Long story short, Gina said we could come if we had Mags the other end, letting us back in. Took a bit of convincing though-"
"And I take it mum didn't know that I told you to get someone else to come instead," Keith said coldly, getting angry with her again. Really, it was stupid. He could understand if she'd been so out of her mind with worry that she couldn't help but come. But to come because she felt guilty? That was stupid. "And why the hell didn't you listen? I thought you were at least a little smarter than tha-"
"Okay, knock it off Keith. Would you quit bitching? Belinda was worried, she came to get you, she's here, get over it. It's not like she had much of a choice. Your mum said she wanted you home soon as, Belinda was the quickest way. So could you stop being an ass and-"
It's okay Jack," Belinda said quietly. Keith let his gaze flicker over her before meeting her eyes. "Look, I'm sorry I came. It was obviously a bad idea. But don't act like I'm the only one making the mistakes. I think it's only fair that I ignore what you want every once in a while, considering."
Keith flushed, turning away from her as she stalked away. He hadn't thought she would bring that up on him, had assumed he'd already been forgiven. It had been idiotic to be so presumptuous but...hadn't he gone through enough? Did she need to fling more salt on the still raw wound? But he had heard the blankness of her voice, the way she seemed so...mechanical. What was wrong? She couldn't be upset with what he said, could she?
"Belinda, wait," he began, catching her upper-arm. She spun to face him, her eyes dark and shadowed. He hadn't noticed last time but it didn't look like she had gotten much sleep. She wouldn't have needed it here, so it must have been before that. He leaned close to her, desperate to make sure that Jack (a decent distance behind them) wouldn't hear him. "I'm sorry, okay? I didn't mean it. It's just..."
"Just what? That you didn't expect me? Or you were hoping for someone else? Well sorry, looks like you drew the short straw - you're stuck with me. I don't care if it is a disappointment. Now we really have to get moving. I-I've got a bad feeling about this."
"What, so you're pre-cog now?" Keith said gently, trying to lighten the mood again. She was looking up at him, eyes so distrustful...his hand just automatically brushed her cheek, trying to magic a smile out. "Come on, I'm just...anxious. I've been more than a little worried, about everything."
Belinda looked up into his eyes, trying to see if he meant it. She was no great shakes at reading people - especially guys - but she wanted to be able to tell what he was thinking. She may enjoy the spice his spontaneity gave her when he kissed her, but his mood swings were giving her serious whip lash. Whenever she thought she had him sussed, he changed completely.
"Tell me, is Mr. Hyde coming back sometime soon? I don't like him very much."
Keith jumped when he heard Jack chuckle behind them. He pulled his hand back, quicker than he had believed possible. It was okay to be friends with your best friend's girlfriend. It was most definitely not okay to be intimate - no matter how innocent the intentions - with your best friend's girlfriend. He felt guilty for not wanting Jack to interrupt.
"Hey, can we get going now? If, you know, you're done flirting..."
"It's not- We weren't- Shut it Jack," Keith spluttered, whilst Belinda went red. He deliberately put some distance between himself and Belinda now, trying to rid himself of the guilt. How could Jack be so...so calm about everything?
Even as he was thinking it, he could see Belinda rolling her eyes, chatting and smiling with Jack. This was going to be harder than he thought it would be. But even as she was smiling she was letting her gaze dart anywhere and everywhere, taking in as much as possible. Something really must be bothering her...
Keith shrugged the thought off, following them. It was a mistake he wouldn't forget.
