[Okay, before everyone gets mad at me for waiting so long to update, I have a reason! I've been getting busy, what with Uni only a week away, and my student finance (student loans for uni) not sorted, I'm freaking a little. No student finance = no uni. No uni = sad RainyDayGirl. Yeah. But here's the next part to I Can't Give Him Up... so enjoy! And, just so you know, I would be thrilled if you left comments. Just saying, it would probably be one of the highlights of my day. Happy Reading ^_^]
Jack knocked on the bedroom door, knowing that Keith was in there with her. If Maggie hadn't given him the heads-up he probably would have just burst in on them, planning on comforting Belinda. And it sounded like they were talking about something serious. He heard Belinda say 'come in', her voice strong and clear. He entered to see Keith and Belinda sitting on the bed, Belinda curled up on Keith's lap.
He knew he should probably find it weird that they were dating but, to be honest, he was just relieved that Belinda was smiling. He grinned a 'hello' at Keith before turning sympathetically to Belinda. He would have hugged her if Keith wasn't holding her so tightly. Instead he just sank onto the bed next to them. There was a moment of awkward silence before Jack finally spoke up.
"Hey Bel. How're you holding up?"
She gave a sad little smile, leaning into Keith as the tears swam in her eyes again. She was barely holding back the sobs and Jack felt awful. His eyes met with Keith's briefly and Keith reluctantly let Belinda go so Jack could hug her too. Once Belinda had cried everything out again, Keith took her back into his lap and hugged her tight as they moved the conversation on to talk about Saturday.
"So, me and Keith will come over at about twelve and we'll leave Maggie here? Alone?"
"Oh, don't worry Bel," Keith said, smoothing her hair soothingly. He kissed her head, wanting her to understand. "Maggie's probably a lot better off not knowing what we're going to do about Andrew. She'd only want in so we can't talk about it near her. Ears like a bloody cat."
"I know but..." she couldn't shake that stupid feeling again. But it wasn't like it usually meant anything. She'd only ever been right about it when it was happening right then. And not even all the time. "Okay, so we leave her here for the day. Won't she be a little pissed when she knows we did this without her?"
"Better her angry than hurt, right?"
Belinda agreed grudgingly, exhausted again. She decided that she would cross bridges as they came instead of trying to bang her head against an insurmountable wall. She was vaguely listening to Jack and Keith but it was difficult to get interested when they were being so quiet. She sighed, hugging herself closer to Keith. She didn't care if she was being clingy. Right then, all she needed was someone to hold her back.
"Is she okay?" Jack asked, worried when Belinda slumped in Keith's arms. "She's not, you know, having a fit or something, is she?"
"Nah, she's just tired. She keeps falling asleep and then waking up. Don't worry, when she's used to being awake during the day she'll find it easier."
"Oh. So," he said, sure Belinda was asleep. "Why didn't you tell me? I would've liked to know if you liked someone."
"Well, I kind of- I mean, you two were really stuck together and- look, I fixed it, didn't I?" Keith blustered, blushing but defiant. "And now everyone knows, so it's not so major, is it?"
"Yeah, I guess. It's just...weird. I mean, I can see that she likes you just as much and it's obviously good for her. But...I don't even know how you know each other, not really. Belinda always sort of glossed over that."
"Oh, that," Keith muttered, reluctant. He didn't want Jack to know what had gone on when he had been such an ass. And if Belinda hadn't said anything, she obviously hadn't felt like sharing either. "I just- it was pretty obvious that Andrew was a genie and- I mean, does she really look like the type who can take care of herself?"
"I guess not," Jack agreed, wondering if there was more to the story that Keith was telling. "So - what? You just decided to go all heroic? Man that's corny."
"Yeah, I know. But I really do like her. I don't even know why I like her. I mean, she's just so...different from everyone else."
"Different is usually a good thing. I mean, imagine if she was like Emma!" Jack shuddered, trying to shake the image of Emma and Belinda, the best of friends and both totally evil. "Anyway, it wouldn't be good if she conformed. She's better being who she is."
"Oh, I know, I wasn't saying I wanted her to change, anything but. I'm glad she is who she is, I just wish I'd noticed her sooner."
Keith was still blushing, heat coming off of his cheeks. Jack chuckled, moving the conversation to other things until Belinda finally woke up again. Checking the time, Jack realised he had to go before his mum freaked out entirely. Hugging a sleepy Belinda goodbye, he left humming happily. He was glad Belinda had Keith to take care of her. She needed all the protection she could get, if he was completely honest.
"So, did I miss much?" Belinda asked Keith, her voice thick with sleep. "Or were you just talking about guy stuff?"
"Guy stuff," Keith admitted, smiling a little. "Nothing that interesting. Still tired then?"
"You have no idea. I swear, it's like someone suddenly made the days longer."
"That must suck," he said, kissing her forehead lightly. "Still, only one day to get through until the weekend and then we can get rid of the Andrew problem that is evidently stressing you out."
Belinda grunted sleepily laying her head against him. She was soon fast asleep, feeling perfectly safe in Keith's arms.
