“You really have to leave?”
“I’m sorry, Justin, but it’s necessary.”
“How long will you be gone?” Justin asked his father, while his mother said goodbye to Daphne and her mother.
“Don’t worry, we’ll be back before you’ll even have a chance to acknowledge our absence.”
“Yeah, sure… I’m going to feel so lonely.”
“You won’t be lonely, Justin. Daphne will be here with you.”
“ That makes me feel a LOT better,” Just replied sarcastically.
“Come on Justin, don’t act like a baby.”
“I’m sorry Mum, it’s only because I’ll be missing you.”
“Well, I’m glad to know that you love us so much, but you’ll have to get used to it. Don’t forget that you’ll be eighteen in two weeks. You’ll be a man and that means responsibilities and duties.”
“Will you two be here for my birthday?”
“Of course we will, Justin. Now make those tears disappear or you’ll make me cry too. Or worse, you’ll make your father cry and you know, tears don’t suit him.”
“You’re right. I’ll try to stop,” Justin said as he tried to stop the flow of tears, but he couldn’t help it, he was a sensitive person… maybe too sensitive. However, Justin didn’t care about that right now. He was too sad about his parents’ departure.
“Don’t worry Justin, I’m not leaving.”
“I know that Daph,” Justin replied as he smiled at his friend.
“I think it’s time to go,” Justin’s father said. “Let’s get in the coach, Jen.”
“I’m coming,” Jennifer said. She hugged her son a last time, “I love you Justin.”
“Love you too, Mum.”
****
“Look at him, Craig,” Jennifer said to her husband, once they were seated in the coach. “He’s so unaware of the possible danger over his reign.”
“That makes me afraid, Honey. Justin will be soon eighteen, but he’s still a child,” Craig said sadly. “It’s all our fault, if we were harder with him, instead of being the understanding and loving parents we have been, Justin would be more mature and aware of the reality he’s living.”
“That’s bullshit, Craig. I won’t be hard on my son just to make him more mature.”
“You’re right, Jen. God, sometimes I can be such an asshole. I don’t think I could manage without you in my life.”
*****
“Don’t be sad, Jus. Your parents aren’t going to the moon. They’ll be back soon,” Daphne said trying to console him.
“I really hope so Daph,” Justin said unaware of Brian’s presence behind him.
“Jus, who’s the man behind you?” Justin turned to see the new guard chief standing behind him.
“Oh, it’s just Brian,” Justin answered trying to pretend he wasn’t interested.
“Oh my God, he’s to die for.” Justin was quiet, he wanted to tell her he agreed, but he wasn’t ready to reveal his feelings.
“Of course, you males can’t admit that another male is handsome,” Daphne replied, misreading Justin’s silence.
*****
It had been a long day for Justin and now he was having an even longer night. Again, he was having difficulty sleeping. There were too many thoughts going through his mind and every thought was of Brian. Justin wondered why a man he had just met and he hadn’t even been very nice to him was so important. Actually, Brian was the rudest person Justin knew. Why did he find himself so interested in the man, and why was he standing in front of his door?
“Were you looking for me?”
“Are you having a feeling of déjà vu too?”
Brian couldn’t help but laugh at Justin’s statement. “I guess you’re looking for me to apologize.”
“Well actually…” Justin was going to say that he wasn’t there for his apologies, but suddenly he felt very angry thinking about the night before. After all, Brian tried to molest him. “Yes, I’m here for that reason indeed.”
“And what if don’t apologize to you? What if I told you that I’m not ashamed of what I’ve done?”
“Well, then you don’t want to know what I could do to you. Maybe you’ve forgotten that I’m a prince and you’re just a plebeian,” Justin replied and wondered where his determination was coming from.
“My compliments your highness finally you’re revealing your true self.”
“What do you mean? I don’t understand.”
“I mean that you’re not the kind and generous prince that everybody thinks you are. The truth is that you’re just a spoiled and childish princess.”
“I’m not a princess, I’m a prince. I’m a male, if you haven’t noticed that,” Justin answered, slowly raising his voice.
“Woohoo, the princess is getting angry. Oops, I’m sorry I meant the prince. I’m also sorry about last night, I promise it won’t happen again,” Brian answered without meaning a single word.