"This is how friends are" I suddenly say to myself after I try to think about all reasons why we are just friends and nothing more.
"Huh" he says looking at me.
" I was just thinking" i say. I didn't even know I voiced that out.
"Thinking out loud then" he says turning back to the tv. My mind wonders to Lay's talks. What could have given her that idea. Is it how he behaves around me? But how is that? I don't find anything abnormal about his behavior around me. If Lay would think that way being my sister and one of the closest person to us then what will other people think.
"Ric" I say, he turns looking at me.
"Do you remember when Nat said he heard people talking about us? About us dating." I ask
"Yes" he says raising his eyebrows in a questioning manner.
"Does that still bother you" he asks. "People will always have things to say" he adds
"It just crossed my mind" I say
"What are you thinking about Bee" he asks concern written all over his face. I think about how to tell him. What do I even say is bothering me right now. I decide to just tell him what Lay said.
"After you left earlier, Lay said you just got jealous because you like me" I say softly as I watch his face to see his reaction. He just shrugs.
"Of course I like you" he says. "You are my friend remember" he quickly adds.
"Yh, I know" I say feeling happy all of a sudden, as if a problem of mine has just been solved. I grin at him and he smiles back.
"I definitely know you better than Lay does" I say too happy to look at his reaction to that. I focus my attention back on the tv while my mind does a happy flip finally going to rest. I have nothing to worry about. It's just Lay being Lay. Reading too much into things.
"Why play the movie when you wouldn't even watch it" I hear Lay's voice (ughh, damn Lay. She's there even in my dreams).
"Can't believe I fell asleep too" I hear Ric's voice beside me. I force my eyes open and almost got blinded by the lights from the tv. I think we both fell asleep at a point. Ric reaches for his phone.
"Oo, it's late" he says.
"What time is it' I ask sounding really sleepy even to my ears.
"Midnight" he responds standing to his feet as he stretches his arms while looking at me.
"You look too sleepy Bee" he laughs.
I groan, I can't even open both eyes at this moment.
"How does she even do that" I ask. Remembering who woke us up.
"Who?" he asks.
"Lay of course, she appears and disappears as she wishes" I say.
He laughs. "Wish I knew" he says.
"Maybe you should learn from her" he adds.
"You'd need that power to move to your room right now. Because I don't see you ready to move an inch. Are you going to sleep on the couch?" he asks.
"I'll just stay here I say. It's comfortable and I have to work on my drafts by 3am, so there's not much time left". I say still in that sleepy voice.
"Don't overwork yourself" he says softly.
"you'd grow old fast if you do" he adds laughing.
" And you'd still like me even then Ric" I say
"Old or not you'd still be here" I add hearing myself far away.
"I will Bee. I'll always be here" I hear a voice say but from afar. I hear nothing else as I drift back to sleep completely.