A Little Bit Of Joy | ✔

Chapter Fifty Eight : The Boy In The Corner

Uncle Desmond asked me to dance so I danced with him. My body was stiff and my head was spinning since I couldn't stop thinking about Logan. He worried me to extents that I never knew I possessed- the care, the protection, the love for him was overflowing my boundaries. All I wanted was to run into his arms even when he confused the hell out of me.

But as Uncle Desmond whirled me around, my anxiety started to dissolve slowly. The music calmed my nerves and I found myself focus on his smiling, wrinkly face. He asked me over the booming of the song, "What's the matter with the lad?"

"Do you mean Logan?" My forehead creased as his smile only widened. "How did you know?"

"That look of despair, I have seen it a million times on young faces like yours," he said wisely.

I was partly awed as I nodded. "It is him . . . Well, he's acting strange and I don't like it. He's never been so ambiguous since t-the early days. He shares everything with me, but now I don't know what's bothering him. Did I do something wrong?"

"No dear, don't assume things. It'll only lead to a life time of hidden grudges until both of you start resenting each other even before the honeymoon phase is over. And certainly don't blame yourself without knowing the actual reason, it'll make your man easier to exploit you," he said, laughing. "He'll come around eventually. In fact," he paused and glanced behind me. "The lad is already here."

I surreptitiously took a glimpse of Logan who upon seeing me move, quickly stepped back into the darkness of the corner.

Uncle Desmond winked at me, spinning me around for a final time before letting me go.

I was about to leave the dance floor and manoeuvre through the crowd- towards Logan when Kevin from my former school asked me to dance with him. I didn't accept because he was insanely good looking or because he didn't ask other healthier and prettier girls than me. I didn't accept because I had a teeny-tiny crush on him back in seventh grade. I accepted because I was being polite.

"Shall we start the pity dance?" I jested and he laughed, his eyes crinkling.

"If pity is what I'm giving, I would have asked those wallflowers to dance," he pointed out, taking my hand and leading me to the centre. "Is that an awful thing to say?"

"Yes." I cackled with laughter and he smirked, pleased with making me laugh. I took a moment to study his profile- caramel coloured skin, shiny black hair and eyes and a sharp jaw which could slice people in half. Funny how I had a crush on him back then and thought my 'type' were men like him when Logan was completely different with light skin and eyes. "How are you Kevin? Didn't see you since . . . "

"Two years. I had gone to my hometown," he said and with ease, grabbed my waist. "How are you JJ?"

"Uh . . . I'm good, really happy these days."

He nodded, smiling and suddenly spun me around, leaving me giggling.

"This town hasn't changed in two years . . . Same people, same smiles, same warm welcomes. What's changed with you JJ?"

"A lot." Noticing his curious expression, I elaborated, "I have cancer---"

"Oh yeah, yeah, yeah."

"---and there's no cure. It's only getting worse, but I'm fine with it. I have accepted my fate and now I'm in a state where I'm enjoying each tiny moment. Also, I have a boyfriend so yay," I said lamely.

Kevin smiled dolorously. "Who's this lucky guy?"

I turned around to the corner where Logan previously stood and our eyes met from across the room. Even in the dark, I could make out his blazing gaze travelling from my body and then to Kevin. He shook his head sardonically and started marching towards the exit.