The Lament of the Tortured Soul

By
Jay

Authors Note: This story is completely fiction. It is not based in anyway on actual events. Any resemblence the characters have to any living person is completely accidential. Saying that though many of the characters share traits with one person (it was completely unintentional) who unfortunately left us at the end of January 2002. Shadow as he was known to the people he called friend, the people who loved him and the people he left behind miss him greatly.

This story is dedicated to him. Rest easy my love we’ll be together again soon.

Chapter 6

“Sounds like you had a good day?” Eric said running his fingers through Nick’s hair. They were sitting on the couch in their living room with quiet music playing in the background. Their burgers had been eaten and the remains cleared away. This was their quiet time after a busy day. It was the time that Nick enjoyed far beyond anything else.

“It was almost perfect.” Nick sighed enjoying the closeness of one of the two people who really understood him, “Do you think we’ll ever be together?”

“I hope so Nick. I really do.” Nick looked up into Eric’s eyes and saw truth in them along with the question that Eric didn’t need to ask except that he needed to hear the answer. “Are you really ok with me and Robby? If you’re not I wont pursue it.”

“It’s meant to be.” Nick answered simply giving Eric a long hug as he let himself fall asleep in Eric’s arms.

Josh wasn’t at school the next day. Though Nick was concerned he wasn’t overly worried. Josh occasionally had a day off sick. It did though give him an excuse to go see Mr. Harvey and somehow work into the conservation to ask him if Josh could go to the party.

Timing was everything when meeting with Mr. Harvey. Too early in the morning and he was still upset after what was just about always an annoying drive in. Too late and someone would have annoyed him at school and he would be closed to anything you might say. Nick managed to catch Mr. Harvey coming out of the staff room just after his morning coffee.

“Ah…Mr. Harvey can I talk to you for a minute?” He asked with his heart in his mouth. Mr. Harvey just grunted and indicated towards his office.

“What is it Nicolas.” Nick grimaced but let the name slide; Mr. Harvey knew his name was Nick not Nicolas and was just trying to get a rise out of him.

“I was just wondering if Josh was ok.”

“What do you mean?” Mr. Harvey was paying more attention to the paperwork on his desk than to what Nick was saying.

“Josh, he’s been away from school for the last couple of days.”

“Oh yes.” Mr. Harvey’s attention was now fully on Nick, his paperwork suddenly forgotten. There was something in his eyes though that Nick didn’t like. A flash as if something had just been remembered but there was also something else there deeper and a lot darker. “He hasn’t been very well but was coming right this morning. You should drop by after school.”

“I will Sir.”

“Good. If that’s all I’ve very busy today.” It was obvious he wanted Nick out of the office. This was the opportunity Nick had been waiting for and he decided to go for broke.

“Well Sir there is something else. A friend of ours is having a surprise birthday party Saturday. I was wondering if it Josh could go and possible stay over Friday night to help get things ready. I realize that this will leave you short at the restaurant especially after Robby quitting but to sort of make up for it I’d be willing to help out next weekend.” Nick took a deep breath. It had come out in a rush, much faster than he wanted he only hopped he didn’t fumble it.

“Yes, yes that fine.” Mr. Harvey said ushering Nick toward the door.

“Really, cool! Thank you Sir.” Nick practically skipped down the corridor leaving Mr. Harvey wondering what he had just agreed to.

Nick was happy as he knocked on Josh’s front door but it only lasted for as long as it took for Josh to open the door. Josh’s eyes weren’t normal they were flat without their usual sparkle and that scared Nick almost to his very core.

As soon as Nick closed the door behind him he grabbed Josh and held him. He didn’t care if Mr. Harvey was home he didn’t care that Josh almost tried to push him away. He just saw those dead eyes and knew he could make them go away.

Nick held him just inside the doorway until Josh relaxed in his arms “Hey there. I’ve missed you.” Nick whispered. He guided Josh into the living room and onto the couch not letting him go all while whispering the happenings of the last few days. He talked about silly things, unimportant things like when Mr. Edwards, who was the coolest teacher at school, came into the classroom Nick could have sworn smelling of pot. They were all things that Josh needed to hear. Nick understood that and gradually Josh came back to life.

“Why do you like me?” Josh asked in a quiet far away voice.

“What’s not there to like?” Nick asked in response a little shocked by the question.

“I’m not normal. I’m damaged.” The final statement was whispered.

“You’re not damaged.”

“Yes I am.” He said quietly his voice forceful and sure.

“Josh you are no more damaged or less damaged than anyone else in the world and other things make up for the damaged bits.”

“Like what?” He wasn’t fishing for a complement at that point Josh honestly couldn’t see what other qualities he had.

“You’re smart and good looking.” Nick gently started nibbling on Josh’s ear as he spoke. “Kind and caring. Honest and loyal. Sexy and giving. Did I mention sexy?” Giggling Josh settled back into Nick.

They stayed that way for quite some time and Nick continued telling Josh the gossip from the last few days, all the while Josh had a slight smile on his face. Nick finished with his meeting with Mr. Harvey and him letting Josh not only go to the party but being able to stay over as well.

“You’re kidding me.” Josh said excitedly turning to face Nick then flopping backwards towards the other end of the couch as Nick shock his head that he wasn’t joking. “Wow”

It was then they heard a door slam making both of them jump and a second later Mr. Harvey entered the living room looking more than a little pissed off. “Feet…couch…off…now.” His voice conveying quite plainly it more than pissed off state of mind.

“Sorry Sir.” The both said together taking their feet of the couch.

“What have you two girls been gossiping about?” He asked with snarl.

“Us boys” Nick replied answering Mr. Harvey’s challenge, “have been talking about school and stuff. In fact I was just about to tell Josh that Megan has the hots for him.”

“She does not.” Josh practically yelled.

“She does too. I overheard her tell Lisa yesterday that she thought you were really cute.” ‘and I almost slapped her’ Nick thought to himself. Josh had a big grin on his face not because a girl liked him but because he knew exactly what Nick was thinking.

“I wouldn’t hold much hope for that one. Her mother is a fall down drunk and the apple never falls far from the tree.” Mr. Harvey glared at Nick in an accusing way. “Isn’t it time you were going Nicholas. I’m sure you have homework you should be doing.”

“I was thinking the same thing Sir and its Nick not Nicholas. It’s even written that way on my birth certificate. I can bring it next time and show you if you like.” Without waiting for Mr. Harvey to reply he turned to Josh, “If you get a chance read the next couple chapters of Lord of the Flies. If Mr. Fisher is true to form he’ll give both of our classes spot quizzes in class tomorrow and don’t forget your stuff. We’ll be going around to John’s straight after school. There is a lot of work to do to get ready for Robby’s party on Saturday.”

Big thanks to Oldie for proof reading this story.

Any comments welcome though if you have a flame please keep it to youself as this story is of a personel nature jaysm42@dragonslore.com