GINGER PHOENIX a novel by M. Cairol Yakup

Chapter 10

THE PROTEGES

The next thing he knew when he woke up, he was already in his bedroom. His head was on Avery's chest. It was probably afternoon by this time. He couldn't tell. The window was covered with thick dark curtain.

Avery had been awake earlier beore him. He was staring at Azzim. He didn't know how long Avery had been watching him. It was really embarrassing because he drooled on the vampire's chest. He quickly wiped his mouth with the end of his pajama's sleeve and placed his head on the pillow next to Avery.

Avery chuckled as he wiped Azzim's drool with the blanket. It seemed like he thought it was funny.

"Sorry," he said and sank his head to his pillow next to Avery.

"Why do you always have to put your head on my chest?"

Azzim felt burning on his face when Avery asked the question.

"I... Don't know," Azzim felt stupid. He didn't know what to say. It was the first time Avery asked him the question.

"What are you expecting from my tits, milk?" Avery joked.

"I'm sorry," Azzim began to feel uncomfortable now.

"It's kind of comfortable there, huh? Even when you shift your position when you are sleeping, you're always going to end up on my chest!" Avery was laughing. It had been awhile since the last time Azzim saw him laughing like this.

"I'm not gay, Avery." Azzim said quietly. He felt even more stupid for saying that.

"I didn't say you were!"

"But you're making me feel like I am!"

"Does it even matter?"

"Well it does because I'm not! Don't look at me like that!"

"What?"

"Well, I could say the same about you!"

"Like what?"

"You always kiss me on my forehead!"

"I like doing that. You've never complained before. Okay, if you don't like it, I'll stop doing it."

Azzim sighed heavily; annoyed.

Avery laughed harder than before. Azzim had never been so embarrassed like this in his whole life. He wished he had never got himself too attached to Avery. What was he thinking? Cuddling with another guy on the bed and thinking that there was some immaculate sort of connection between them? He decide to keep a distant between him and Avery starting today.

"I'm just playing Azzim. I know that you're not gay!" Avery hit Azzim's head with a pillow.

But Azzim wasn't relieved with Avery's words at all. He knew the vampire was just being funny but he didn't find it amusing. Ever since the first night they met, he still had no idea why he was so drawn to Avery. Azzim couldn't deny the fact that he was too attached and too dependent to the vampire. Were those things considered as gay if he felt it towards another guy? He never had a male friend who was close as Avery before.

But what if Avery was the gay one? He could've had used his vampire charm to make Azzim fell for him. Azzim was sure about his own sexuality but he didn't know much about Avery.

"Don't be stupid!" Avery hit Azzim with the pillow once more. He knew what Azzim was thinking. "I've never use my charm to get a guy! That had never happened and will not happen as long as I live!"

"But why did you choose me as your companion in the first place?" Azzim asked curiously. He wanted to change the topic.

"Well that's because in that club that night, you were the only one who seemed lost for hopes. That's the quality I'd always seek for my companion. And that has got nothing to do with being gay!"