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So. This is a random story born from a conversation a friend and I had... I know it has a shitty summary, and I'm sorry, but I couldn't really think of how to describe it.
Anyway, I'll get back to my other story now that I've finished.
Hope you like it! Sorry if there're any grammar mistakes... I edited it but things always seem to slip through. :P
Sitting in an overheated Honda Civic, Josh drummed his fingers impatiently against the steering wheel. After casting another hopeful glance at the dilapidated house in front of him, he sighed. Josh hadn’t planned on playing chauffer for his brother’s friends, but sometimes life was unpredictable. He could think of nearly a million other ways he’d rather spend his summer vacation. Sighing, he angled an air vent to point towards him. AC was truly a wonderful invention. Josh peered over the steering wheel. He didn’t see Danny, so he blared the horn. Again.
Josh had given up on waiting and had let his head rest against the cool surface of the wheel, when he heard the car door creak open. Josh jerked up in surprise, meeting the apologetic face of Danny.
Though usually Danny’s hair looked black, today shades of red and brown stood out. The summer sun had tanned his skin and given his face a dusting of freckles. Bright green eyes looked at Josh, begging forgiveness.
“I’m so sorry! My alarm clock didn’t ring and then Jenna just HAD to take a shower even though I don’t really understand why because she’s just going down to the beach anyway, and then my mom wouldn’t let me leave without eating something. And for some reason a Nutri-Grain bar didn’t count. Then, of course, I couldn’t find the mix CD I made for ’Topher and my mom moved the books I was gonna bring him-” Josh began to tune out Danny’s words tiredly. But he tuned back in to catch the last sentence. “I can’t believe she even made me bring a JACKET!”
This spiel of words was emphasized when Danny shook the bright blue windbreaker in Josh’s face. The older boy was quite overwhelmed. He felt maybe he had been a little hasty when he promised to bring two of Christopher’s friends up to visit him. But ’Topher had always been his sweet little brother, and he couldn’t say no to him.
Sighing, Josh had picked up the cordless phone on his desk. He pressed call. “Hello?” he said while he took off his glasses and rubbed the bridge of his nose.
“Hey, it’s Christopher.” Josh dropped his glasses in shock.
“H-hey, ’Topher.”
A pause lingered. “I know we haven’t been too close recently, especially with me in boarding school and you in university and all…” His confident younger brother’s voice was strangely tentative.
“Yeah…” Josh agreed, frankly he missed his brat of a brother. “So, what’s up? Unless you called just to tell me that.” There was a hint of laughter in Josh’s voice. Just because they hadn’t been close, it didn’t mean he’d stopped loving the kid who’d once been his tag-a-long.
“Well, Joshie…” Christopher’s voice came softly through the telephone, and Josh sighed. Whenever ’Topher called him Joshie it meant he needed a favour. “I need a hand.”
“What now?” Josh prodded while smiling. “Need me to assassinate a political leader? Run pointless errands for your amusement?” Here he huffily sighed.
There was a short pause, then a chuckle. “Political assassination? Josh, you’re such a nerd.”
“At least I’m doing well in school,” Josh countered teasingly. He’d meant it lightly, but Josh seemed to have struck a sore spot by accident for Christopher didn’t respond to his comment.
“Nothing like an assassination,” the boy’s voice came through the receiver, soft but strong. “Just a small favour,” he insisted.
“What kind of favour?” The older brother asked. He would never promise something before he knew what it was, even if he would do almost anything for ’Topher.
“Well, you know how school’s ending soon?”
“Yeah,” Of course Josh knew. He was so stressed over exams, how could he not know?
“Are you going to be at home for the first weeks of summer?”
“Uh-huh.”
“Can you drive up some of my friends to pick me up, during the first week of July? Here, at school?” Christopher’s voice wasn’t pleading, but Josh knew that if he resisted long enough, the teenager would be begging.
“How many?” He wasn’t a bus driver.
“Only two. Maybe three.” ’Topher assured him.
“Sure.” Josh consented as he reached to grab his glasses off the carpeted floor.
“Uh, sorry for the rant…I’m kind of overexcited to see ’Topher and I didn’t sleep well last night.” Danny was embarrassed that he’d just let it all out like that.
“Ah, it’s okay.”
To cover up the awkwardness he felt, Danny asked, “Do you know how to get to Aaron’s house?”
Josh nodded in an absent minded manner, and then looked over his shoulder to back out of the driveway.
When he was younger Josh had entertained hopes of being a writer. His parents had quickly dashed those dreams. They hadn’t understood his passion for writing, but Christopher had. Josh babysat Christopher when his parent’s worked late. One of those nights Christopher had entered Josh’s room with wide frightened eyes. Terrified of the dark, Christopher was too afraid to sleep. Josh had gathered Christopher up in his arms, letting the boy rest in his bed while he worked on Algebra.
But Christopher still couldn’t sleep. Instead the child begged for a story. One story, and then to sleep, the boy promised. Finally Josh gave in. He narrated an exciting tale filled with dragons, heroes, and adventure. His younger brother fell asleep, but the damage had been done. The stories became routine and Josh had found a passion in story telling.
That passion would soon be buried by responsibilities and his parents’ dreams for him. In university, Josh studied medicine. He would become a doctor.
As Danny’s eyes scanned the older boy he realised how much he missed ’Topher. At least they’d see him tomorrow. The end of the school year had been unbearable without his friend, idol, and fellow prankster.
It was odd, Danny thought, being in the car with Christopher’s brother. The teenager shifted in the seat, his eyes flickered to Josh, but Josh’s eyes were trained on the road. It was true that Danny and Josh had gone to the same school, but Josh had just graduated from university and Danny had only just finished eleventh grade. Danny had never really even talked to Josh before, except for small talk when Christopher still lived at home.
A smile curled on his face. Those were the days, he thought happily. Danny knew he sounded like an old timer recounting days of youth, but he didn’t care. After all, he did feel like he’d aged decades since ’Topher left. Danny locked his hands behind his head, and grinned like an idiot.
Josh’s voice awakened him from his thoughts. “Go right here?” He questioned.
“Yeah,” Danny answered, “And then go straight until you reach that yellow house….”
Instead his parents were looking at him expectantly. His father had his gruff hands folded on the table. His mother was now rubbing his younger sister’s back, mumbling soothing words. But her eyes were also flickering to him. What were they waiting for, an exclamation of joy? Hardly likely, just as he didn’t think he’d cry with them watching.
Finally Danny recovered enough from his shock to get out the word, “Why?”
His father explained something about a promotion, and his mother nodded her agreement. Their faces were apologetic. But happy. Danny thought numbly that they probably considered this as an adventure and a way to start anew.
He and his sister considered it as being thrust into the unknown.
Danny sat through some jumbled explaining and hysterical crying before escaping to his room. It wasn’t until he was curled up under a comforter that he allowed some tears to come.
The first few days at his new school were terrifying. New faces and places loomed everywhere. The town was only an hour or two away from his former home, but it might as well been days away. Danny felt as if on a different world entirely.
As Danny walked through the halls, he felt like an outsider. He’d kept his eyes averted. Danny had always been a shy kid, and in this unfamiliar setting he was even shyer.
It was in Math that Danny had met Christopher.
“Where’re you going?” A sleepy voice inquired. Aaron looked over to see his girlfriend walking towards him. He leaned over and kissed her cheek.
“I told you we’re leaving to see ’Topher today.”
The girl pouted. “Oh…but...” Her blond hair was swept messily back into bun, but strands had come loose. Aaron kissed her fully on the mouth.
Pulling back, he whispered near her ear, “No buts, Nadia. I’ll be back in a few days.”
She nodded slowly. “Oh, I know, but still….”
“No buts!” Aaron’s words were chiding, but gentle.
Nadia laughed, brown eyes brightening. “I’ll miss you.” She kissed his cheek, “Wait for a second, I’ve got something for you.”
Though Aaron could hear the car horn screeching, he nodded. Soon she returned with a paper bag. Thrusting it into his hands, she smiled. “Have a fun trip, and give my love to ’Topher.”
“Never!” Aaron exclaimed. “I refuse to share!”
Nadia just laughed at that.
“Hey,” Aaron said to the two young men.
Josh nodded. Danny replied with, “Hey, dude.”
They were on the road again when Aaron unfolded the top of the paper bag and dumped the contents on the seat. Inside were a turkey-lettuce-cheese-and-mayo sandwich and a few tampons. Aaron chuckled.
When Josh heard laughter from the back seat, he moved the rear view mirror so he could see the back. “Tampons?” he asked while his eyebrow quirked.
The boy in the back smiled. “Yeah, I think she’s trying to tell me something.”
“What?” Danny asked, poking his head around the back of his seat. His eyes caught sight of the tampons on the seat.
“That I’ve been too grumpy.”
“Oh.” There was a pause before Danny laughed. “Hey, either of you have any CDs?”
“Yeah,” Aaron pulled out a leather case of CDs and handed it over to Danny, who eagerly leafed through it.
Aaron stretched out across the back seat, and promptly fell asleep.
“Hey,” a whisper interrupted his train of thought. “Hey, kid with the Volcom hoodie.”
Danny almost groaned in frustration. How could he concentrate when some boy wouldn’t shut up? The pencil marks on his equation covered page grew darker.
“Hey!” The voice persisted, now slightly louder. “Guy mutilating his paper with math while his leg is twitching and is wearing a black sweatshirt.”
Looking down at his sweatshirt, Danny saw a black Volcom sweatshirt. Oh.
He raised his head to see who had been so desperately trying to get his attention.
As his hair slid away from his vision, it was replaced by the face of a boy. Blue eyes stood out vividly against the pale tone of his skin.
“Uh- yeah?” Danny questioned at last. The infuriating math sheet was momentarily forgotten.
“Do you know how to do number two? I mean, I thought I had it, but I can’t understand it at all. But you look like you know what you’re doing….” The boy’s words trailed out, either from embarrassment or a sudden bashfulness.
“Oh, yeah, sure. What don’t you understand?” Danny asked, looking over the question.
“Like all of it,” the other teenager admitted. He grinned sheepishly.
Danny laughed. “Okay, well, do you remember how you use this equation to…?” He pointed to his work.
The boy interrupted. “I’m Christopher, by the way.”
“Danny,” he responded with a smile. The two exchanged grins. “So, Christopher, what I was saying is….”
“Something about an equation?” Christopher added helplessly.
Josh cringed. “If Aaron has so many CDs, why’re we listening to the radio?”
Danny shrugged and kept singing. When there was an instrumental part, he answered, “Because I couldn’t decide on a CD and I felt like listening to C100.” Danny shrugged again, “But we can listen to something else if you want, I guess.”
“Naw,” Josh gave up. “It’s okay; Beyonce’s not that bad.”
Danny nodded and continued singing along.
Suddenly Aaron’s voice could be heard from the backseat. “I can’t believe you know all the words. I always knew you were a closeted Beyonce enthusiastic!” Aaron gasped theatrically.
Danny flipped him off without turning around.
This exchange was watched in amusement by Josh until the DJ came back on. “And that was Irreplaceable by Beyonce. Next up is Girlfriend by Avril Lavigne, so don’t touch that dial-”
“Okay! Time to turn off the radio!” Josh announced in a panicked voice and Danny, laughing, complied.
“I mean, I just thought I’d never noticed you before because we hadn’t had any classes together or you came from a private school or something,” Christopher admitted. “Do you miss your old school?”
“A bit,” Danny confessed. The truth was he missed his old school A LOT. It didn’t help that he hadn’t made many friends. Actually none, Danny acknowledged, except for Christopher, of course.
“We just eat in the cafeteria, but you wanna come?”
Danny readily agreed. “I usually go home for lunch, but I think I have some money.”
The reward for this consent was a toothy grin. “Great. Hey, and Danny, just call me ’Topher, all my friends do.”
Danny couldn’t help but feel that he’d gained entrance into an exclusive society.
Reaching out to grab a carton of milk to set on his lunch tray, Danny’s eyes flickered to Christopher. “Hey, you want one too?”
The teen shook his head and snatched a glass bottle of apple juice.
The two moved slowly through the lunch line.
“Nervous?”
Christopher’s voice surprised Danny. He’d been zoning out, again. When he jerked his head up to look at Christopher, he saw the boy watching him.
“Yeah, a bit, I suppose.” Danny answered offhandedly.
The other smiled a bit, “It’s okay, they’re nice.” Christopher reassured. “Or for the most part anyway.” He added and shrugged.
Danny attempted a smile, but he failed. Fortunately Christopher’s attention had already shifted to the lunch lady.
“Here we are,” Christopher whispered.
Danny peeked his head out from behind the teenager.
“Hey guys,” Christopher started. “I want you to meet Danny.” Christopher slid onto one of the stools attached to the table and motioned for Danny to sit beside him.
Danny sank into the seat uneasily and he looked around at Christopher’s friends.
They were, for the most part, relatively well built and jock-ish. He guessed that all of their clothes were from three companies in total: American Eagle, Hollister, and Abercrombie & Fitch.
Not owning clothing from any of those companies, Danny felt out of place in his Billabong sweatshirt, slightly snug jeans, and beaten up Etnies.
“Hi Danny,” One of the jocks greeted, though Danny suspected it was just to be polite. A few others added comments along those same lines, then everyone turned back to eating. Christopher seemed a little disappointed by his friends’ lack of enthusiasm. He turned to Danny looking apologetic.
Danny just shrugged. He told himself he didn’t care. But he did.
After thoroughly chewing a mouthful of Subway sandwich, the boy next to Danny turned to him. “So what classes you taking, Danny?”
Danny answered, and that simple question evolved into a discussion involving nearly everyone at the crowded table.
It would be a few more lunchtimes before Danny was accepted into the group. He never really became one of them. But they grew used to his constant presence and because Christopher was their friend, they adjusted.
Aaron shrugged. “Whatever. They’re all my CDs so I’d like any of ’em.” He snuggled against the seat, pulling his toque further down upon his head.
“’Kay. So, Josh?”
Josh had been focused on the road, but upon hearing his name he glanced over towards the boy sitting beside him. “Yeah?”
“Snow Patrol good?” Danny asked, tapping a long finger on the CD.
“Uh, guess so.” Josh relented. “Well, what else is in there?”
Danny’s nose scrunched up in annoyance. “I already read them out, but I suppose you weren’t listening.” He flipped back to the beginning of the CDs. “So, I will list them again. They are, in alphabetical order because Aaron likes that kind of stuff….”
Aaron shrugged. “What can I say, I’m a neat freak.” Josh found it ironic that this laid back, sarcastic teen claimed to be obsessed over order.
Danny rolled his eyes. “As I was saying, we have: And You Will Know Us By the Trail of the Dead, A Perfect Circle,” flip “AFI, As Cities Burn, Augustana, Avenged Sevenfold,” flip “Belle and Sebastian, Bloc Party, Broken Social Scene, Chiodos-”
“Ah, just put on Snow Patrol.”
“Okay.” Danny slid the CD out and pushed it into stereo. Music flooded the car. He softly sang along to the words, “Please don't go crazy, if I tell you the truth, No you don't know what happened, And you never will if, You don't listen to me while I talk to the wall, This blanket is freezing, it's been out in the hall….”
’Topher hardly spent any time with his other friends anymore, because Danny was uncomfortable around them. And Christopher wanted to spend time with Danny. Danny never mentioned he wasn’t fond of Christopher’s friends, but Christopher could just tell. Danny was always more reserved and less fun in the presence of the others.
One day, Christopher and Danny were lying on Christopher’s bed, staring at the ceiling. ’Topher had wanted Danny to hear a new CD he’d just gotten: Final Straw by Snow Patrol. The album was playing now, music drifting through the stereo.
’Topher closed his eyes and relished the song. He felt Danny fidget beside him. Christopher began to mouth the words along with the singer, “Please don’t go crazy, if I tell you the truth…”
It was after the first verse that Danny voice burst out, disrupting the lines of the song, “’Topher…I…I think I’m gay.”
Christopher stopped singing abruptly. He eyed the boy beside him. Danny’s hands covered his face. “Please don’t hate me.” ’Topher heard the boy whisper, the words so light he almost missed them.
Danny was all too aware of Christopher’s lack of words. The song continued without Christopher’s singing. Then he felt a tug on his wrists. Christopher was pulling Danny’s hands away from his face. Danny squeezed his eyes shut. He couldn’t meet Christopher’s expression. Danny’s arms were dragged to rest at his sides. A whisper ghosted against his right ear. “I don’t hate you.”
Then he felt lips against his own. Christopher kissed him. Danny’s eyes shot open in surprise and he glimpsed Christopher’s face. Christopher’s eyes were closed and peaceful. A blush was spreading across his cheeks. He was just too adorable. Danny closed his eyes and slipped his tongue into Christopher’s mouth.
“Hey Danny, is Arby’s okay?” Aaron asked loudly, above the music.
“Huh?”
“We’re stopping to eat, or at least we’re going through a drive-thru. So, Arby’s is fine?” Aaron clarified, leaning forward and gripping his headrest.
“Yeah, I guess. I like their curly fries.”
“Cool me too,” said Josh, drumming his fingers against the wheel.
Nearly clipping a hedge, the Honda Civic soon pulled off the road and into the Arby’s parking lot.
It was a Wednesday when things fell apart. Stealing a peck before lunch finished, Danny and Christopher heard a jeer.
“Look at those fags!”
Immediately, they broke apart. A group of slack jawed guys stood in shock. Danny recognized some of them as Christopher’s former friends. A glance told Danny that Christopher had gone pale. Danny tried to think of an excuse, but he decided he’d leave it up to Christopher. He didn’t care whether their relationship went public or not. The only friend whose opinion Danny cared about was Christopher.
“I believe the correct term is homosexuals,” Christopher spoke surprisingly calm for how nauseous he looked. Danny grabbed his hand and squeezed it.
One of the guys stepped forward. “I call ’em like I see ’em, Christopher.” The group pushed by, purposely knocking Christopher’s shoulder as they passed.
Danny had never been so proud of his boyfriend. They skipped the rest of their classes and went to the movies instead.
Christopher was infuriated that the teachers turned a blind eye to the bullying. In revenge, Christopher started to pull pranks on the teachers. Usually they were minor. A textbook would go missing from the teacher’s desk and appear back there hours later. There was an occasional whoopee cushion or bird noises that didn’t appear to be made by any student. Once the PA system randomly played Drop It Like It’s Hot.
Sometimes Danny helped Christopher out, but Christopher always came up with the ideas behind them. Danny was merely an accomplice to mischief. The teachers were furious, but even if some suspected Christopher they had no proof. Christopher’s grades began dropping, but he didn’t care. He confided to Danny that he hoped that if his grades got worse then his parents would give up on him becoming a lawyer. ’Topher wanted to be a musician.
It was around that time that they met a wispy girl named Erin. She’d approached them at their lockers one day.
“Hello.” She said quietly. “Can…can I hang out with you guys?”
Christopher eyed the girl warily. “Why?” He’d grown more suspicious since his friends’ disloyalties.
“I….” She leaned forward and whispered the words. “I’m a lesbian. And I…I think it’s cool how you guys aren’t afraid to be yourselves. Ever since I heard about you two not denying you’re going out, I’ve admired your courage.”
Christopher looked sceptical, but Danny smiled at their group’s new addition. “Hey, I’m Danny,” he stuck out my hand.
“I know your names.” She said, but shook his hand anyway. “Erin.”
He pointed to the broody teen nearby, “Christopher.”
She grinned, “I know.”
Two became three.
“You…” The boy’s voice was low. Danny suddenly remembered his name, it was Greg. “You’re the one who turned Christopher into a fag.” Greg spat out angrily.
Danny was stunned. “Wh-what?!”
“You heard me,” Greg said. “’Topher was perfectly happy before you came along. He hung out with us, even had some girlfriends. But now…you disgust me.”
Thoughts spun around in his head. They thought Christopher was gay because of him? Danny admitted that he was partly flattered. He was too occupied with his thoughts to see the punch coming.
It was a right hook. Not with a lot of strength, but the tiled wall behind him made up for any lack of power in the punch. Danny’s skull thwacked against the tiles. For a moment his vision was blurry as the pain jolted through him.
That was why the second punch to the gut also took him by surprise. Danny gasped sharply. Coughing, he thought he was going to puke. “You wimp!” Greg shrieked. “You make me sick!”
Danny had enough mind to kick Greg sharply near the knee. As Danny hoped, Greg’s knees gave in and he collapsed to the ground. While Greg was confused, Danny punched him in the jaw.
It was Danny’s first time punching a real person instead of a wall or a pillow. He felt like his knuckles were broken. Tears built up in his eyes, but Danny wasn’t sure if they had come because of the pain in his fingers and head or the emotional pain he felt from punching another. He tried to remind himself that it was either him or Greg. Survival of the fittest, Danny told himself as he struggled to his feet.
When he reached up to feel the back of his head it was sticky with blood. “I make you sick?” Danny yelled. “You jump me in the bathroom, and I’m the twisted one? You fucking hypocrite!” Danny pummelled the cowering figure, but now that Greg had recovered from shock he was fighting back.
The fight turned into a tussle of fists. Danny tasted rust in his mouth. Blood. Red liquid was leaking from Greg’s nose. They were too preoccupied to hear the door swing open and a student run away yelling.
They didn’t even notice the group of teachers enter the washroom until, “DANNY MOORE and GREGORY HASSE!” a teacher screeched, causing them to pause. “WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?”
Hands were roughly pulling them apart, but even then their fists reached for each other. Arms encircled Danny, pulling him away from Greg. He could see one of the gym teachers grabbing Greg and dragging him away as well.
The only words that came to Danny’s mind were, “Oh, shit.” Then he passed out.
Danny and Greg were both suspended for four days. Christopher was despondent, maybe that’s why his next prank was the craziest yet.
“Huh? What?” Danny spluttered before realising it was Aaron talking. He swivelled around in his seat, “Yeah?”
“What were you thinking of?” Aaron asked, face curious.
“I was remembering when we met.” Danny said, “Actually after we met.”
Aaron cocked his head, “Anything in particular?”
“How shy you were,” Danny chuckled and Aaron blushed. “And how you’re so different now,” his voice lost it’s teasing edge and Danny met Aaron’s gaze squarely. “It’s really amazing how much of a difference clothes make.”
Josh hadn’t wanted to intrude on inside jokes and memories, but now his curiosity was piqued. “Why, uh, what clothes did Aaron wear before?”
Danny looked a little surprised, “Why, dresses and skirts and such… girls clothes.”
The man’s eyebrows drew together. “Why?” Why would a boy wear a skirt?
Aaron leaned forward on the seat, “’Cause I’m a girl of course.” She giggled. “’Topher didn’t tell you?”
“What!?” Josh almost turned around to see if she was serious, but remembered the road just in time. “But your name is Aaron?”
“Yeah, Erin,” The girl replied.
“But isn’t that a boy’s name?” Josh asked incredulously.
She frowned. “No, it isn’t.” As Josh looked at her closer in the rear view mirror he realised she really did look like a girl. Her features were too delicate and feminine to be male.
Danny cut it. “Oh! You’re thinking of Aaron spelled A-A-R-O-N! No, her name’s E-R-I-N.”
“Oh,” Josh said. There seemed to be something left unsaid, but Josh didn’t know how to continue. “So… are you Christopher’s girlfriend?”
This caused quite a reaction. Erin burst out into laughter. “No way! Eww, me and ’Topher?! Not a chance!”
Josh didn’t know what was so gross about the possibility. Or he didn’t until Danny broke in, mumbling, “Uh, Erin’s gay.”
Oh. OH. Josh felt like a huge idiot. If only he’d been closer to his brother recently. He really had no clue what had been going on in Christopher’s life. Josh felt out of the loop.
Erin finally stopped laughing. “Wait, you didn’t know that-”
The boy beside him cut her off, giving her a sharp look, “Well I guess Christopher didn’t tell him.” The comment was vague. Josh wondered if it had been deliberate. Looking over at Danny, he saw the boy looked a little put out as he stared blankly at the darkening highway. Why was he upset?
Josh wished again that he knew his brother better.
“Hello?” Josh said. Who would be calling him?
“Hey,” the voice answered urgently.
He cupped the receiver and dropped his mail. “Hey- ’Topher? Is that you?”
“Uh, yeah, it is. Joshie I need your help,” Christopher pleaded.
Josh leaned over to pick up his mail from the floor. “What do you need?” He asked as he ripped open a nondescript envelope. Josh guessed it was another bill, but upon reading the letter, he realised it wasn’t.
“Well I need-”
Christopher’s words were cut short when Josh gasped, “Holy shit.”
Though annoyed at being interrupted, Christopher’s curiosity forced him to ask his brother, “What?”
After a short silence, Josh began to explain, “Christopher, do you remember how much I loved to write? Well, how much I still do even though I’m studying medicine?”
“Yeah,” ’Topher suspected Josh was trying to drag it out to torture him.
“Well, I submitted a story I wrote to a magazine…and they’re publishing it!”
To be honest, even though Christopher was happy for his brother, he wanted nothing more than to get the information he needed from his brother and go about his day. “Wow, that’s great.”
“Yeah, I’m so psyched!” Then he remembered Christopher had been calling to ask him something. “Oh, that’s right, you were asking something, sorry. So, what do you need?”
“Do you still have that information about the security guards from when you pulled that prank right before grad?”
Josh hung up with a slight frown. He’d given Christopher the information though Christopher refused to tell him why. Josh hoped his brother would be okay. He’d just have to wait and see what happens…and pray his parents never found out about whatever Christopher was going to do.
Maybe he could get one of them to tell him about the prank.
“Hey, Danny?”
The teenager turned to face him, “Mm?”
“What was the great prank Christopher pulled?” Josh asked.
“Y-you don’t know?!” Danny’s mouth fell open in surprise.
Josh felt a little embarrassed. He should have made his parents tell him. “No.”
“Well, I know what happened, but you should have Erin tell you. After all, she was actually there, and I wasn’t.” Danny thumbed over his shoulder at the girl in the back.
“Why weren’t you?” The words were out of his mouth before he could stop them.
Danny grinned. “The day ’Topher and Erin broke into the school, it was my last day of suspension.”
“Why were you suspended?” Josh decided it was unhealthy to be as inquisitive as he was.
Fortunately, Danny wasn’t offended. “For fighting,” he said grimly. “A guy started beating me up in the bathroom and I fought back…. Ugh, I feel pissed just thinking about that asshole.” He looked back at Erin. “Want to tell Josh all about ’Topher’s brilliant prank?”
Josh wanted to ask who had attacked him and why, but he recognised a subject change when he heard one.
“I suppose. It wasn’t that brilliant though. And I did a lot more than I get credit for,” Erin said haughtily. Then she began.
“You came,” he said, a little dazedly.
“Did you think I wouldn’t?” Erin asked. “Ouch, ’Topher, that hurts.”
Christopher chuckled. “Sorry. Okay, let’s do this.”
Erin nodded her agreement.
The two of them made their way toward the school.
Erin followed Christopher down the gloomy school hallways. Even she had no clue what Christopher was planning. After a bit, they reached the gym doors. The two wooden doors were locked, but that didn’t stop them for long. Christopher picked the lock, just like he did with the door they used to get in.
Stepping in, Christopher locked the doors behind him. “I can’t risk tuning on the lights,” Christopher told her. “But I brought flashlights.” He dug around in his backpack and pulled two sturdy looking flashlights out.
He handed one of the two to Erin, who flicked it on. She pointed the beam into the backpack. Erin glimpsed Sharpies, pencils, photos, and some sketches. Seeing Erin’s interest, Christopher dug out the photos.
“Can you draw this?” He outlined his ideas and showed her the reference pictures he brought. “I originally wanted to paint something, but there’s no way we would have had enough time.” He pulled out a Thermos and sipped from it. “Coffee,” he explained when he noticed her gaze.
Erin looked over his supplies. Flipping through the photos, she nodded. “This is going to be good.”
“-the principal is pissed, I hear.”
“But do they know-”
“Right in the gym!”
“I bet Danny was behind it. I mean we all know he and Hasse hated each other.”
Danny’s eyes perked up at the mention of his name, but he still couldn’t grasp what had happened. So he decided to travel to the source of the gossip: the gymnasium.
Upon entering the gym, Danny could only see a crowd of people. With difficulty he waded through the crowd. When he got closer, he gasped at what he saw.
Drawn upon the wall with Sharpie was Greg Hasse. Wearing a ballerina outfit complete with a tutu and tiara. Greg looked like something out of Swan Lake. His expression was more demure and feminine, but there was no mistaking the jock. Even if Danny hadn’t been able to recognize him an arrow pointed to the figure, labelling it Greg Hasse. Behind the Swan Princess there were more ballerinas. Danny could recognise every face of the teenagers that had hounded him and Christopher. Arrows pointed to them too, naming every princess.
Danny burst into laughter. This had to be the work of Christopher.
Looking to the side he saw the Principal and Vice Principal drawn with blindfolds. Likewise, arrows pointed to them as well, labelling them with their names. On the other side of the set of ballerinas, Danny saw a fight scene depicted in silhouettes. One shadow was pulling back his fist to hit the other. Red blood splotches were drawn around the pair of fighters. Danny felt a bit sick.
Words stood out on the wall. “Even if you ignore it, it still happens.” As Danny read the words he heard them whispered into his ear. Jerking in surprise, Danny turned to meet Christopher’s gaze.
“Like it?” Christopher whispered, his breath hot against Danny’s ear. Danny nodded numbly. “Good. ‘Cause I did it for you.”
Danny wanted to cry. He had a sudden feeling that the shit was soon going to hit the fan. He whispered near Christopher’s ear, “I love it.”
“Danny Moore?” A teacher’s voice was heard, and Danny leapt away from Christopher as if burned.
“Yes?” Danny said.
“Mr. Moore, you’re to come with me.”
The first thing Christopher did when he heard the teachers were going to suspend Danny for vandalism was confess to doing the job single-handedly.
“So that was the prank,” Josh commented.
Erin nodded as she polished off her chicken fingers.
“But why didn’t you get caught, Erin? Everyone knows Christopher can’t draw,” Josh asked while spearing a cherry tomato.
“True,” Erin admitted. But with a smug smile she added, “But I had an alibi.”
A clip of 99 Problems by Jay-Z alerted her that her cell phone was ringing.
“Hello?”
“Hello. Is this Erin?” a female voice said.
“Yes…who is this?” Erin inquired. “And how did you get my phone number?”
“Uh, this is Nadia.” The girl said. “I got your number from your msn name.”
Erin tried to remember her msn name. Oh, yeah… it was ‘Christopher, you bitch, call me!’ and her phone number. “Oh,” she tried to remember Nadia. “Oh! We met at that gay dance a week or two back, right?”
“Yeah,” Nadia said, relieved. She wasn’t sure what she would have done if Erin didn’t remember her. “Well I called about the mural thing.”
“What mural thing?” Erin feigned. “I was sick today. Did something happen?”
“Don’t pretend like you don’t know what I mean,” Nadia snapped. “I know that Christopher can’t draw shit. Of course you’re the one who drew it. I called because I wanted to know if you needed help with an alibi.”
Erin was silent for a moment as she thought the offer over. “That would be awesome. What do you propose?”
“Well,” Nadia informed her. “I was watching a movie with some of my friends yesterday, and if I tell them you were there, they’ll cover for you. All of them think the drawing’s great. I can’t tell you how many times the guys you drew on the wall have made snide comments about me and my friends. They’re such dicks.”
Erin agreed. “So if they ask me, I was watching a movie at your house yesterday. During what time, and what movie?”
“You slept over, but you got sick halfway through the night. Too sick to go home, especially during the night, you stayed over, missed school because of being sick, and went home in the afternoon. The movie we watched was…Lady in the Water. Do you know that movie, or enough to lie about it?”
“Yeah I know that movie. I think it’ll work,” Erin smiled. “Thanks.”
“No problem,” Nadia replied. “Christopher’s already confessed and I couldn’t let you be taken down too, even if we don’t know each other that well.”
“What, Christopher confessed?!”
“Yeah, they were accusing Danny, but Christopher played martyr and took the blow for him. Honourable, but since he did it anyway…maybe it’s not that honourable.”
Erin rolled his eyes and sighed. “What an idiot. Well, Christopher will be Christopher. And about not knowing each other well…maybe we should change that.”
“Are you…hitting on me?” Nadia giggled.
“Maybe,” Erin answered. “Does it bother you?”
“No,” Nadia said, “Actually quite the opposite. Are you free this Friday?”
Danny was staring out the window, once again zoning out. Josh was paying attention, but he wasn’t sure how to respond.
“Well, congratulations.” He answered awkwardly.
Luckily, that was enough of a response for Erin. “Thanks,” she said.
Josh nodded. “I have a girlfriend too. But I think we might break up because she’s still in university and I just graduated.”
“That’s too bad,” Erin said politely.
“Yeah, but I don’t think a long distance relationship would work. We haven’t been too close recently anyway.”
“Couldn’t you just go to grad school around here? Or keep living here?” Erin suggested.
Josh shuddered. “Truthfully, I want to move. I want to get as far away from my parents as possible. If I live nearby they’re going to hound me to visit every weekend like they do now. I’m just worried about Christopher.”
“Why?”
Josh answered passionately, “Our parents smother him. They keep wanting him to grow up into something he isn’t. I’m so sick of them trying to pave his future like they’ve done with me. I don’t want them to ruin him. He’s already becoming so distant from us.”
“He wants to be a musician,” Danny mumbled.
The young man glanced at Danny curiously. He was slightly envious of the youth. Danny probably knew his brother much better than he did.
“Then I’ll help him fight our parents. I want him to only do what he wants. I want him to have a chance to make his own choices,” Josh promised himself.
Danny smiled. “Good luck. I hope you two win.” After a pause he added, “Christopher’s really talented. You should hear some of the songs he’s written. They’re phenomenal.”
“I should.”
Disdainfully, Josh realised that he was the golden child only because he was living out the dream of his parents. He sneered at this realization. Josh hoped that his sacrifice wouldn’t be in vain. When he finally decided to study to become a doctor, Josh promised himself that Christopher would only do what he loved.
He cut into the chicken on his plate viciously. Josh was just waiting for the bomb to drop. Finally, as his father spooned steamed vegetables onto his plate, he announced, “Christopher, we’ve decided to send you to boarding school.”
Josh nearly spat out the chicken in his mouth, but he forced himself to chew and swallow. He glanced over to see Christopher’s reaction. The teenager had stopped eating, and his eyes were blazing. The grip on his fork and knife were threatening.
“What did you say?” Christopher’s words were low and they brought a challenge.
“We are sending you to boarding school.” Their father spat out. “Maybe then you’ll quit those pranks. That Moore kid is a bad influence; I suspect he’s goading you into these ridiculous stunts. He’s probably pressuring you to misbehave. You know, kids like that are just attention starved. It would be good to remove you from his company.”
Josh didn’t recognize the name Moore. Which of ’Topher’s friends had the last name Moore?
But he didn’t have to wonder for long. “Danny is NOT a BAD INFLUENCE.” Christopher screamed. Now he was on his feet, in a rage. He still held the fork and knife. Josh saw his knuckles were going white.
Their mother now joined the fight. Leaping to her feet, she screeched, “Sit DOWN, Christopher Thomas Perry. Why when your brother was your age-”
Josh knew this was his cue to interject. His parents wouldn’t play that card and get away with it. “When I was ’Topher’s age I was trying to make up for neglectful parents. Mom, don’t you dare compare us.” He glared at his parents with bitter intensity. They were shocked at first; Josh had never had a quick temper. But they weren’t shocked for long. He continued speaking, “Christopher has his own talents, and just because he wasn’t forced to grow up like I was-”
His father started speaking even though Josh hadn’t finished. “Neglectful parents? Joshua, you should be grateful we’re paying for your education! Why, I had to pay my way through university! I worked three part-time jobs and still had to maintain good grades-”
“-Don’t you remember what it was like to be young? Let Christopher grow up at his own pace, this is the only childhood he’s going to get-” Josh continued, voice raising.
“This is going beyond childhood! But it’s for the best; we’re just trying to build Christopher a good foundation before university!” Their mother turned to Christopher, “How are you going to be a lawyer at this rate? Do you want to ruin your dreams-”
Now Christopher joined in, “Don’t give me that CRAP about foundation! And they aren’t my damned dreams! Do you think I want to be a fucking lawyer?! You’ve got to be fucking kidding me!”
Their mother was astonished. “Christopher Thomas, watch your mouth! Is that Danny to blame for your foul language as well?”
“LEAVE Danny OUT of this SHIT!” Christopher yelled.
Josh had stopped arguing and was trying to get everyone to calm down. “Okay, okay, can we talk about this reasonably? Screaming is not going to accomplish anything. We just have to listen to each other-”
They all stopped screeching except for their mother who hadn’t finished her sentence.
“-I’d leave him out of it if you weren’t SUSPENDED because of him and his pranks!”
Josh was speechless. Christopher was suspended?! While he was stunned, the situation spun out of his control.
“Well, screw school! I don’t give a damn if I fail!” Christopher shot out.
“You’re going to boarding school and that’s final!” Their father bit out.
“Like fuck I am!” Christopher yelled before stomping away. “I’m going to see DANNY. At least he UNDERSTANDS. You don’t even try! I can’t wait until I can live own. MAYBE THEN YOU’LL MIND YOUR OWN FUCKING BUSINESS!”
This was punctuated by the slamming of the front door.
With once glance at Christopher’s face, he knew he was upset. Danny led Christopher into the house and gave him a tight hug. He pulled Christopher’s warm body close to him, and just held him. It wasn’t until Danny felt Christopher’s body shuddering and a wetness growing on his shoulder, that he realised Christopher was crying. For a moment Danny felt anger take over him. Right then Danny hated Christopher’s parents and his weak brother. How could they have hurt him like this? How could they have let him be hurt like this?
Pulling his friend closer, Danny let one hand rub Christopher’s back in a way he hoped was soothing. “It’s okay,” Danny muttered. “Everything’ll be okay.”
Christopher raised his teary face. Danny distressed when he saw how red his eyes were and how disheartened his friend was. “Can we go upstairs?” ’Topher whispered.
Danny nodded. Silently, Danny led Christopher upstairs, even though he knew Danny’s house well. Danny closed the door of his room and then sat on the bed with the boy.
In stops and starts Christopher haltingly recounted the fight. He ended with, “Th-they’re going to send me to boarding school.” Tears begin to gather in Christopher’s eyes once more.
Danny was mortified. His Christopher was leaving? He was torn in two. Danny wanted to be supportive, but he felt so awful. He cuddled against Christopher, who buried his head in Danny’s shoulder. “Is there anything we can do to change their minds?” Danny’s voice sounded strangely calm to himself.
Christopher scoffed. “If we tell them we’re more than friends, I’d be going to boot camp for the rest of my life.” His voice carried sadness.
“They won’t at least listen to us?” Danny reached to hold Christopher’s hand. He felt empty and needed something to hold onto. He was beginning to feel caught in a storm he couldn’t control. A storm that would take ’Topher from him.
“They never listen.” Christopher replied in a deadened voice.
Feeling tears coursing down his cheeks, Danny nearly screamed. Instead he bit his lip until it bleed. He wasn’t sure whether it was him or Christopher that had started trembling, but all the same, the two of them were jittering.
“It’s okay,” Christopher was now murmuring to Danny. “Please stop shaking, Danny.”
He tried to relax his tensed body, and slowly the shudders stopped even though the tears continued. Danny tried to think, but none of his thoughts were making sense. “Will you stay over?” Danny asked the other, “It’s late.”
“I was hoping I could,” Christopher replied.
Neither of them felt like changing or getting ready for bed, so the two of them simply slept in their boxers and t-shirt. They huddled up against each other for warmth, and it was a long time before either could stop crying.
“We should probably stop in a hotel soon.” Josh spoke the words everyone was thinking. He started to scan the sides of the highways for hotel signs.
“I don’t mean to be… impolite,” Danny said. “But, what’re our funds as far sleeping arrangements?”
“I have my mom’s credit card,” Josh said smugly.
Danny laughed, “So, the Ritz?” Josh gave him a sharp look and he sobered. “Sorry, I forgot you’re not like ’Topher.” A small frown was on Danny’s face and he bit his lip. Danny stared out at the highway and Josh pointedly didn’t look at the teenager.
An uncomfortable silence descended.
“I have thirty-eight dollars and fifty-seven cents…” Erin offered, breaking the peace.
Josh bit his lip, but he couldn’t keep in the laughter. He was relieved when he heard Danny join in as well.
“What?” Erin demanded. “What’s so funny?”
But this only made the two young men laugh harder.“Sure you don’t want some help paying?” Danny asked Josh
“Nah, it’s fine. I have my Mom’s credit card after all. And it’s only eighty bucks for a room with two beds.” Josh reassured him.
“Well, are you sure it isn’t too expensive? I mean, we could go to a different hotel-”
Erin broke in, “Danny, if he says it’s fine, then it’s fine. Besides did you see how dingy that last motel was? I don’t want to imagine what it looks like inside!” Erin exclaimed about Moe’s Motel.
Danny shuddered.
“Probably had cockroaches,” Josh added, enjoying Danny’s obvious discomfort.
“Gross, gross gross, gross, gross, gross,” Danny closed his eyes and chanted while covering his ears.
While Danny was in his own world, Josh pulled Erin aside. “Are you sure you’re okay with sharing a room with two guys?”
Erin simply shrugged, “I’ll be fine. Actually, I’ll share a bed with Danny, because we know each other the best so it makes the most sense.”
Josh nodded, “Okay, I suppose, if you want to. You trust him?” Josh looked dubious.
Erin laughed, “Of course. He doesn’t, ah, swing that way.”
“What…oh,” Josh was surprised, again. He supposed he’d have to start getting used to being shocked.
They made their way back to Danny, who had stopped thinking about bugs and now held their key. “Okay, let’s go,” he said as he hefted his duffel bag up.
Tiredly, the three of them walked down the hall to their rooms.
“Are you taking everything to boarding school?” Danny voice came from his cell.
The teenager paused in his packing crusade. “No, but I want to keep as few things as possible here. I wouldn’t put it past my parents to throw everything out once I leave,” Christopher answered bitterly, “or I can see them going through everything.” He shuddered. “Can I leave a box or two with you for safekeeping?”
“Uh, I guess,” Danny responded as he surveyed his room. Yeah, he guessed there would be enough room to accommodate some of Christopher’s junk. “Am I allowed to look through it?”
“Er…if you want, I just don’t want my parents poking their noses into my stuff,” Christopher informed him. “Besides you’ve probably gone through most of my stuff anyway,” he added.
“Yeah, probably,” Danny admitted. “When’re you leaving?”
“Most likely Saturday, I think I’ll take the bus up. I mean, my parents offered to drive, but I really don’t want to spend a whole day in the car with them. Can I stay at your house on Friday?”
“Sure. Hey, maybe my parents will drive you up? They’re dead gone on you after all.”
Christopher laughed, “That would be awesome.” As his words died stillness descended.
“Well then, I’ll let you get back to your packing. Bye….”
“Yeah, bye…” then Christopher asked abruptly, “What would be the hardest colour to paint over?”
“Um, black probably,” Danny was baffled. “Why?”
“You’ll see,” was all Christopher said before he hung up.
Christopher ignored the curt greeting. Instead he pulled Danny into a fierce hug. Christopher rested his head on the other boy’s shoulder. “I painted my room black.” He grinned at the thought.
“What?” Danny exclaimed, “And all by yourself? I would’ve helped!”
’Topher sighed. “Yeah, I know you would’ve, but my parents wouldn’t have allowed you over. They’re being stupid again.”
“Wait…but why did you paint your room?”
Christopher’s eyes lit up, “In revenge, of course! The room’s so gloomy looking now and it’ll be so hard for them to get rid of it.” Christopher laughed, “I left a note too. It said: Have fun painting over this, ha ha! I also drew all over the black with some white out I had. It was so much fun! It’s too bad my parents were being all jerky and wouldn’t let anyone come over, you would’ve had fun defacing my walls with me.”
Christopher looked so smug that Danny didn’t have the heart to tell him he thought the idea was a bit over the top. At least he had fun, Danny thought.
“-I don’t care what others say, Doc. Ock is totally the coolest villain! I mean he has those cool metal arm things and-”
“Does this mean we’re going to have to break up?” Danny jumped the question.
“What, because I prefer Doc. Ock over Venom?”
“No! I mean, since you’re going away to boarding school, does that mean we’re breaking up?” Danny clarified.
“Well I don’t want to break up, do you?”
“No, but I don’t want you to be bound by me! What if you meet someone at boarding school-”
“I won’t,” Christopher said confidently.
“But do you really think a long distance relationship will work?” Danny was starting to feel panicky. His lip quivered.
Christopher reached over and grabbed Danny’s shoulders. Then he stared straight into his eyes. “We’ll call each other and send e-mails. I’ll come home over the summer. If it works then it does, and if it doesn’t then it doesn’t. But I don’t think I could just give up now. We can’t give up because we’d be living with so many what-ifs. So please, try?”
Danny nodded.
Danny was startled when he heard a door shut behind him, but after whirling around, he saw it was Josh.
“Oh, hey,” Danny turned back to look out over the parking lot. He leaned on the railing of the balcony heavily.
Josh came up to join him at the railing. “Couldn’t sleep?” he asked.
“Yeah, kinda,” Danny murmured. His eyes drifted to the starry night sky.
“Can…can I ask you a question?” Josh asked uncertainly.
Danny’s eyes didn’t leave the stars. “Sure, shoot.”
“Are you and ’Topher…a couple?”
Danny almost turned to stare at Josh, but he caught himself in time. Looking straight ahead, Danny felt a blush burn in his cheeks. “Maybe you should ask Christopher that.”
Josh scoffed. “Please, Christopher is evasive. He hates questions. Nor have we been so close recently. Please tell me, are you?”
“And I’m telling you, you should be asking Christopher!”
“Christopher tends to think the whole world’s against him,” Josh muttered.
“Then tell him you’re on his side!” Danny exclaimed. “I don’t want to get involved.”
“As his boyfriend, you’re already involved.”
Danny didn’t respond.
“I’m not asking if he’s gay or anything, frankly I don’t care. All I want to know is what’s going on!”
Danny still didn’t answer. Not matter how nice he deemed Josh, Danny didn’t want to make decisions on Christopher’s behalf, especially when it involved ’Topher’s family.
“Please? I’ll tell you embarrassing stories of Christopher when he was little!” Josh begged.
No, no, no, no…. “Fine.”
They spent half the night exchanging stories of Christopher.
Josh turned away when they kissed, feeling awkward. It wasn’t the fact that it was two boys kissing that bothered him. He just felt uncomfortable watching two people kiss, especially when one of the participants was his brother.
When Erin saw the two boys, she yelled out the window, “Get a room!” When she sat back down she had a smug smile stretched across her face.
Danny and Christopher turned when they heard the words, humiliated. But before they drew apart, Danny whispered in Christopher’s ear, “I missed you so much.”
“I missed you too,” Christopher whispered back.
Danny stooped to grab the suitcase that had been so hastily dropped before and they walked, grinning, to the car.