Battleground | Juju Watkins

17. Regrets and Mysteries

I ran my finger across them as I cursed myself. They were small but they were colourful. When did she even do this?

Was I really so wrapped up in thinking about Juju that I didn't feel Rayah sucking on my neck hard enough to create hickeys?

***

I made my way down to breakfast and I immediately saw Kiki sitting at a table with Avery.
I bolted towards them, collapsing into a chair beside Kiki before pulling her in for a hug. I felt her chuckle against me before she hugged me back.

"Woah, are you okay?" Kiki giggled before giving me another tight squeeze. I pulled back to look at her and smiled.

"I'm just happy to see you," I breathed out before I lay my head down on her shoulder and I took in a few deep breaths.

Avery chuckled from beside Kiki before she placed her head on Kiki's other shoulder. I wrapped my arms around the two as we all giggled and savoured this moment of peace.

"So, did anything happen?" Kiki whispered to me when Avery left to get some more food, which is something I should be doing but I couldn't. I couldn't see Juju in the room and that made me anxious. Where was she?

"No," I replied back quietly as I looked down at the table and I started to play with my cutlery. Kiki didn't say anything back, she didn't need to.

I knew she understood that something bad had happened and she didn't want to push me. Instead, she rubbed my back soothingly as we continued to sit here.

"Won't you be too warm?" Kiki questioned as she pulled on my jumper gently. I felt my breath catch in my throat as I thought about her question.

I didn't even think about that. I only thought about wearing a jumper that would cover my neck. I had spent at least thirty minutes trying to cover the hickeys up but they were still as clear as day.

"Nope," I answered quickly before I brought my hands to rest under my chin, pulling my jumper further up my neck as I did. Please, if there is a God, help me now.

My praying was interrupted by the sound of Juju bursting in through the door. She was wearing the same clothes as yesterday and she looked like she hadn't slept a wink. Her eyes landed on me immediately and she wasted no time before bounding across the room to get to me.

"Do you know how long I have been looking for you?" Juju spat as she reached our table and she leaned against one of the chairs.

I was in a complete state of shock. I was shocked seeing Juju for the first time since last night, I was shocked at how angry she was and I was shocked at her question. Did she spend all night looking for me? Is that why the bed looked like it was untouched?

I didn't reply, instead I looked around nervously realising that we were grabbing people's attention.

Juju seemed to pick up on this quickly and she came to sit down next to me before placing a quick and torturous kiss on my forehead. The stares from the people around us stopped immediately and they went back to eating their own breakfast.

"Where were you?" Juju whispered as she leaned closer to me and I heard Kiki cough awkwardly beside me before she excused herself and she left to go get some more food.