Ben had been lying miserably on the bed for ten minutes, crying softly, when the door opened. It was Mike, he attempted to enter the room quietly, but on tripping over a suitcase largely shouted out, “00h , ow, who left that there?”
“Ngrgh” someone groaned, “I’m trying to sleep.”
“Sorry,” Mike said, but cried out again when he stubbed his toe on the end of the bed, “.Sorry guys, but I’m gonna have to turn the light on. I need to find my stuff anyway.”
“No, leave it off, or it’ll hurt my eyes.” Nathan complained.
“Pull the covers over your head then,” Mike retorted, and flicked the light switch on. It took him a few moments to notice that Ben wasn’t under the covers, and a few more to realise he was lying on nothing but a plastic sheet. He looked around the room, “What’s going on? Ben?”
No-one said anything.
“Oh for Christ sake, Ben, get up.” Ben got up, sniffling.
“Aww look guys, the baby’s crying,” Nathan laughed, but quickly stopped when Mike shot him a look.
“Why do you put up with this shit?” Mike asked Ben quietly, “Don’t let them boss you around. And guys,” Mike rose his voice, “For fucks sake, leave him alone. You know even if he lies down and let’s you walk all over him I won’t stand for it, and where’s the fun in making someone else feel like shit anyway?”
“Who made you king of the room?” Luke asked.
“No-one, but I’m not about to stand by and let you ruin someone else’s week, I’m not trying to control what happens in here, I just don’t want what you do to effect me, and if you piss Ben off it pisses me off.”
“Oh sorry Mike, didn’t want to upset your boyfriend!” Richard said sarcastically, causing the other guys to laugh hysterically.
Mike ignored them and turned to Ben, who was just standing still as if in a daze, “Go and get ready for bed,” he said, feeling like the father of a group of small boys, and surprisingly enjoying it, “I’ll sort your bed out.”