The Queen's Back

After Ava went upstairs, Joseph took a careful look around the living room where she lived.

The space was simply decorated, mostly in shades of white. After surveying it, he sat down on the couch and waited for Ava to return.

He touched his cheek absentmindedly; it was bleeding slightly-Bud had hit him hard.

But he thought it was worth it since Ava had brought him here.

When Ava came down with a first-aid kit, she noticed the corners of Joseph's mouth lifting into a small smile.

The sight made her guilt deepen just a bit more, and she hurried over to him.

"I'm so sorry. I don't know why he snapped like that, making you take a punch for nothing," she said apologetically, opening the first-aid kit and sitting beside him.

"What are you apologizing for? I took the punch, but I gave one back, too," Joseph replied, frowning slightly.

He didn't like it when Ava apologized to him. It made him feel like she was aligned with Bud, leaving him on the outside.

But Ava was his girlfriend, not Bud's.

"Alright, alright-keep still and lower your head so I can treat it," Ava said, dipping a cotton swab into antiseptic. She reached for his cheek.

Joseph tilted his face towards her hand as instructed.

They were sitting close, and Joseph could smell the fresh, clean scent that seemed to cling to her.

His heart sped up just a bit.

Ava dabbed the cotton swab on his injured cheek.

Perhaps it was because it was Ava's first time doing that, so it seemed she wasn't used to treating wounds gently. Joseph couldn't help but hiss in pain and leaned back a little. Seeing his reaction, Ava quickly apologized and said, "I'm sorry, I didn't realize I was being rough."

overreacted,"

attempt, Ava lightened her touch, and soon she was

and a brief thought about

no use worrying about someone who had other people to take care of him. "Alright," she said, looking at the band-aid on Joseph's cheek. "But that band-aid does take

band-aid made his face look a bit less

I mind? It's nothing. Do you want some water? I'll

to hers. The warmth of his breath brushed against her, making her a little

and his chin rested on the inside of her neck. "Don't move. I want to hug you," he

of his breath against her neck made Ava's heart

extraordinarily intimate proximity. Her hands were tangled together, unsure of

get up. This position felt too intimate and somewhat

her waist, his lips brushing against her neck in

she was free, Ava quickly got up from Joseph's lap and sat to the side, a considerable distance away

fell into an extraordinary silence. Even the slightest sound could

a few

bit edgy today. After instructing her to close

politeness, Ava walked him

from holding hers. She urged him, "It's getting late. You should go home now!"

was slightly curly and felt nice to the

the hug was over, Joseph

"I gatta go. I'm going into the crew tomorrow, so we won't have much time to see each other. If you have time, you can come visit me at the

by when I can,"

to the country and was looking for work. Making money was one thing, but passing the time felt more pressing,

Bud dropped the cigarette from his hand and

picked up his cell phone

another man tonight, he understood his feelings had deepened. As Maxwell had said, he had made mistakes, but from now on, he wanted to do

to