Date: Wed, 10 Nov 2004 19:03:42 -0800 (PST) From: Fup Duck Subject: Under Pressure - High School 38 STANDARD DISCLAIMER: Let's see: 1. If it's illegal - don't read this. 2. If you can't accept it - don't read this. 3. If you're underage - don't read this. 4. It's mine - don't distribute without permission. 5. Characters and events bear an uncanny resemblance to people I grew up with and stuff I went through - ooops. ;-) That about covers it. Okay, this chapter is mostly dialogue. Bear with me, okay? lol I'm gonna end the 'day-to-day' portion of Under Pressure with the next chapter. Then I'm predicting a small 'intermission' until I post the epilogue. I'm gonna have to go back and research any loose ends I've left. By the way, if you want to help with that, emails would be welcome....lol Here's Chapter 38...... ****************************************************************************** FROM CHAPTER 37 "Take care, Kel," David answered with a warm smile. "Always, man, always. See ya. And, thanks." Kelly closed the door and walked toward the house, giving a small wave as David backed out of the driveway. David waved back and started driving back to the war zone. UNDER PRESSURE/HIGH SCHOOL 38 - Cruising "So what kinda music ya got?" "The tape case is on the back seat, see if there's something you like." Chad leaned over the front seat to get the case and David seized the opportunity to smack Chad's butt with the back of his hand. "Hey!" "What?" David answered, innocently. Chad sat back in the seat with the tape case on his lap. "What'd ya do that for?" "Do what?" "Hit my butt." "Couldn't resist a target like that," David laughed. Chad snorted then opened the case, looking through the titles. "Who's Steely Dan?" David laughed, "There's gonna be some in there you probably never heard of." "Are the Doobie Brothers good?" "They're all good, you ought to expand your horizons." "Huh?" "You know, do stuff or listen to stuff that you haven't before." "Oh, why?" "To expand your horizons," David answered laughing. "You sure can be stupid sometimes." "Yeah, Kel says the same thing." Chad giggled and slipped a tape into the player. "I know this song!" he exclaimed as 'Long Train Running' started coming out of the speakers. David grinned as he drove, watching Chad move to the music, every once in a while joining in when he knew the words. "They're pretty good," Chad stated. "It's only one song, man." "Yeah, but I like it." David shook his head, merging onto the highway, heading south toward the next major town. Chad had gotten permission from his parents to go along with David when he went to the mall to spend some of his Christmas money. School started again tomorrow, and he needed supplies and thought he'd buy another tape or two, if he had money left. He had called Kelly to go along, but got no answer. "So, whatcha gonna buy?" David asked the swaying boy in the passenger's seat. "I dunno," Chad shrugged. "Mom gave me ten bucks." "Well, you can buy lunch then," David joked. "Okay," Chad agreed amiably. Then he started digging through the tape case again. The 45 minute drive was filled with a medley of music as Chad switched tapes all the way to the mall. David found a parking space in the semi-crowded lot and they got out and started toward the entrance. Chad grinned up at David, who draped his arm over the boy's shoulder. Chad giggled and slid his arm around David's waist, bumping his hip against David's leg. "You'd better watch it kiddo, I'll kick your butt." "You and what army?" Chad asked as they pushed the door open and entered the mall. "Oh, you'd be surprised," David replied loftily. "Yeah, sure. So where we going first?" "Ummmm, Woolco first, I need some stuff for school." Chad slid his arm from David's waist and shrugged the arm off his shoulders, then started to run toward the store. "Hey!" David yelled. "Get your butt back here. Don't go running off, you goof. We'll get there." Chad stopped and waited for David to catch up. David put his hand on the boy's shoulder. "Don't be doing that man. If I lose you, we won't be able to do this any more," he said with a smile. "Jeeez, you sound like my dad," Chad complained, but returned the smile. Entering the store, David headed for the school supplies, then felt a tug on his belt loop. Turning around, he saw Chad with a finger hooked through the loop and grinning. "Ya don't wanna lose me," he giggled. "Maybe we need to get a leash." "No way. I'm not a dog." David laughed and picked up a couple packs of paper, pens, two binders, and walked toward the checkout, Chad still with his finger hooked in his belt loop. Waiting in line, David noticed the back of a head that looked familiar. Grinning, he bent down to Chad and whispered, "There's Kel, you ought to go scare him." Chad giggled and nodded, walking slowly toward the other teenager. He saw Chad move up behind Kelly, then dig his fingers into his ribs. He heard Kelly yelp, then spin around to grab his attacker. Chad was giggling nonstop as Kelly recognized the youngster and grinned. Then Kelly's glance followed Chad's finger to where David was standing, chuckling to himself. A few words were exchanged, and Kelly grinned at David, then turned back to pay for his items. "He said he'd meet us outside," Chad informed David. "Cool. Scared him, huh?" "Yeah, it was funny." After making their way through the checkout line, they joined Kelly on a bench outside the store. "So, what are you guys doing here?" "David's buying school stuff, and I'm buying lunch." "Well, the kid wouldn't let me alone to go cruising, so I thought I'd bring him along." "Cool, so you drove?" "Yeah," David replied. "I'm here with mom and dad, maybe I can just catch a ride home with you guys." "I dunno," David grinned and nodded his head toward Chad, "He's a little musically confused." "I am not. I just wanted to see what music you listen to. Hey, what did you do to your eye?" "I ran into a door at my uncle's. Hey, let's see if we can find mom and dad so I can ask 'em. We oughta see a movie while we're here." "I don't know if I can," Chad replied, downcast. David poked Chad's shoulder, "That's why we have telephones." "Well, I dunno if I have enough money either." "I'm gonna go find them, and you all call Chad's," Kelly suggested. "Okay, we'll meet ya back here." "Yep, see you goofs later," Kelly laughed and started off down the mall. David and Chad found a payphone and called Chad's house. "Hey, Mrs. Murray, it's David. Ummm, we ran into Kelly at the mall, and he said something about seeing a movie. Is that okay?" "Well, I guess it would be okay. I thought you'd be tired of him by now. He's a terror in the mall." David laughed, "He's not that bad." "Just don't be late, school starts tomorrow. Let me talk to Chad." David handed the phone to the boy and leaned against the booth, looking for Kelly's return. "Okay, mom, I will," he heard Chad finish the conversation and hang up the phone. "So?" Chad sighed, "She said I was supposed to be good, and not be a pain." "Well, so far so good," David smiled. They returned to the bench to wait on Kelly. "So what movie ya wanna see?" he asked the younger boy. "I dunno, what do you want to see?" "Probably either Star Wars or Close Encounters." "Cool!" "Well, Kel's seen Star Wars, so I dunno if he'd want to see it again." "Oh, well the other one would be okay too." "Let's see what Kel says," David responded, catching a glimpse of Kelly making his way toward them. "So, what's goin' on?" he asked. "I can go," Chad smiled. Kelly punched Chad lightly on the shoulder, "Cool. So what movie ya wanna see?" "Dave says you saw Star Wars, so I guess the other one will be okay." "No way, Chad, which one do you wanna see?" Kelly asked again. "Well, Star Wars, I guess," Chad admitted. "Star Wars it is then," Kelly grinned. "I could see it a couple of times and still like it. It's sorta long though." "Well, as long as we're home so Chad can get his beauty sleep before school tomorrow," David laughed. "I don't need beauty sleep," Chad complained. "No, but Dave does," Kelly chuckled. "All I can get. Well, we oughta get something to eat. And I wanna take my stuff out to the car." "Well, why don't the kid and I meet ya at McDonald's?" Kelly suggested. "Works for me, catch up to ya in a few," David replied, heading toward the mall entrance. When he entered McDonald's, he looked for the other two while standing in line to order. Kelly caught his eye, and motioned him over to the table where they were sitting. David noticed they had their food already and pointed to himself and the menu board. He saw Kelly say something to Chad, and the boy walked over to David. "Kelly already got your stuff. He said he knew what you ordered." "Cool, let's go." Joining the other two boys at the table, he found his usual meal waiting. "Am I that predictable?" Kelly laughed, "Two cheeseburgers, large fry, and a chocolate shake. Nope, not predictable at all." "Hey, Chad, we'll pay for your movie, okay?" David said. "Thanks," Chad mumbled around a mouthful of french fries. "Actually, Dave will pay for your movie since you bought him lunch," Kelly grinned. They finished their lunch and walked toward the movie theater. Chad, in between the two older boys, wrapped his arms around their necks and lifted himself so his feet were off the floor, laughing. "What's this all about?" Kelly complained good-naturedly. "My legs are tired." "Poor baby," David laughed. "But you're too heavy." "C'mon Dave, he can carry us to the car after the movie." "Yeah, been a while since I've had a piggyback ride." "I can't carry you guys, you're too fat," Chad giggled as they joined the ticket line in front of the theater. "Fat? Does this look like fat?" Kelly asked, lifting up the hem of his shirt. Chad looked for a few seconds, then replied, "Yep." "He called me fat, Dave," Kelly griped. "A spade's a spade," David laughed. "Yeah, and you're no help." The three continued to chat and joke around until they were seated in the dim theater. "Know what we need?" Kelly asked, raising his eyebrows. David grinned at Kelly, then at Chad. "Munchies." Leaving their coats on the seats, they went back out to the concession stand, returning with popcorn, candy, and sodas. "Thanks for buying this stuff guys," Chad said. "Hey, it's cool, you need munchies to watch a movie," David laughed, settling back in his seat between Kelly and Chad. Their conversation quieted as the theater lights went dim. About halfway through the movie, which all three were enjoying, David felt Kelly's finger brush the side of his leg. He grinned and dropped his hand to the cushion, and felt Kelly's hand come to rest on top of his under the armrest. Chad was excitedly moving in his own seat as the movie progressed, bumping David's leg with his knee every few seconds. "Hey man, you're gonna give me a bruise," David complained, smiling, laying his hand on Chad's knee. "Sorry." "It's okay, just kidding ya," David replied, pulling his hand from Chad's leg. He raised his eyebrows as Chad grabbed his hand, replacing it on his knee. He caught Kelly's eye, and motioned toward his hand. Kelly grinned and shook his head, then leaned over and whispered, "Gonna is hard to eat your popcorn." David chuckled quietly and continued to watch the movie, using one hand or the other to eat and drink, returning it to its former position each time. As the movie reached its conclusion, he gave Kelly's hand and Chad's knee a squeeze then placed them on his armrests. "That was cool!" Chad exclaimed as they were leaving the theater. Kelly laughed, "Yeah, even the second time around." They talked animatedly about the movie as they made their way back to David's car. After unlocking the doors, Chad slid into the front seat, then moved to the middle, patting the open space beside him. Kelly grinned across the roof at David, who shrugged and slid in behind the wheel. Kelly took the offered seat and closed the door as David started the car. "Gonna is awful crowded," David laughed. "Wait, get out Kelly," Chad said. Kelly opened the door and got out, followed by Chad, who took off his coat, throwing it into the backseat. Kelly and David followed suit and got back into the car. "Well, that's definitely better," David observed, backing out of the parking space. "A little chilly, though." "It'll warm up when the heater starts working." "I'm warm," Chad giggled, pressed in between the two teens. "Well, maybe I'll roll down my window," Kelly said. "Go ahead. See if I care." Kelly smacked the back of Chad's head lightly, "You sure you're only 10?" "Almost eleven, why?" "Cos you act just like Dave," Kelly laughed. "Yep, he IS pretty cool, isn't he?" Chad laughed and Kelly snorted derisively as they got back onto the highway. Their conversation focused on the movie, then Chad asked, "So how come you two were holding hands?" David jerked in surprise and looked over Chad's head to Kelly, who had a 'deer in the headlights' look. "Ummm, we weren't holding hands," he replied, looking at Chad. "Oh, okay, it looked like it," Chad stated. "Nah," Kelly assured the boy. "We have this thing where we spell out words with our fingers on the other guy's hand when we want to be quiet, like during a movie or something." "Oh. Cool. Maybe you can teach me how to do that too." David let out his breath quietly, "Yeah, I'll teach ya sometime. If it's okay with Kelly. It's sort of a friend thing." "Well, if he's gonna be hanging around us, maybe it's a good idea." David could actually hear the relief in Kelly's voice and thought, "Attaboy, Kel." The conversation returned to the original subject as they got closer to home. David exited the highway, and a short drive later, pulled into Kelly's driveway. As Kelly was getting out of the car, reaching into the backseat for his coat, he smiled at Chad. "Have a good time?" "Yeah, thanks," Chad replied and held out his hand. Kelly laughed and squeezed Chad's shoulder instead. "Friends don't shake hands, man." "Oh, okay," Chad smiled and squeezed Kelly's shoulder as he leaned back in the car. Kelly grinned at Chad, then said to David, "Call me later?" "Yeah, no sweat. Had a blast man, see ya in school tomorrow." "Yeah. See ya, goof," he laughed. David chuckled as he backed out of the driveway and turned toward home. Chad stayed in the middle of the seat and sighed. "I had fun, thanks." David draped his arm over the boy's shoulders, "No sweat, kiddo. I had fun too. Glad your mom let ya see the movie with us." "Me too." David removed his arm from Chad's shoulders as he made the sharp turn onto the road leading to their respective houses. Chad slid over to the passenger's seat and turned to face David. "I'm sorry about saying you guys were holding hands." "S'ok, man, no big deal." "Well, I mean it looked like it." "Well, you kept my hand on your knee," David replied looking straight ahead through the windshield. "So? That was okay, wasn't it?" David sighed, "Yeah, it was okay, Chad. Just don't tell anyone okay?" "No way!" Chad exclaimed. David glanced at him and grinned, "Friends?" Chad leaned over and squeezed David's shoulder, causing David to chuckle at the reference. Then he slid back beside the older boy and said, "Thanks for paying for my movie and all, I had a good time." David tousled the boy's hair, leaving his hand on Chad's shoulder, giving it a brief squeeze. "No sweat, anytime." As they turned into Chad's driveway, the boy slid back into the other seat, shooting a questioning smile at David. David smiled and winked as they pulled up to the house. Chad leaned over the seat to get his coat, and David popped him on the butt again. Chad jerked a little, then looked over his shoulder, grinned and wiggled his butt again. David laughed, "You'd better git before I do something else." Chad quickly grabbed his coat, and flopped back into his normal position giggling. After a brief struggle, he managed to get it on and zipped. When David opened the door to get out, Chad asked, "Where you going?" "Thought I'd say hi to your parents, and tell them how bad you were." "I was NOT bad!" "Well, I'm the good, Kel's the ugly, so that leaves you as the bad one." Chad broke into giggles at the reference, "Hey, that's a good movie." "Yeah, it is," David agreed, following Chad up the front steps and through the door. "Well, I see you made it back in one piece," Mr. Murray observed from the living room. "Dad, we saw Star Wars! It was so cool!" "Well, I'm glad he wasn't his normal pain in the butt self," Mr. Murray laughed. "Nah, we had a blast." "Well good, maybe there's hope for him yet." "Daaaad!" "Young man, you need to take a shower and get your stuff ready for school," Mrs. Murray said from the top of the stairs. "Okay," Chad replied then hugged David. "Thanks." "Like I said, anytime kiddo," David smiled. "You don't know what you're getting yourself into," Mr. Murray warned with a smile. David shrugged, returned the smile and said his goodbyes, turning to leave. "How much do we owe you?" Mrs. Murray added, coming down the stairs. "Nothin'," David grinned. "On me." "You sure?" "Yeah, no sweat. I'll see you all later. Have fun in school tomorrow, Chad," he laughed. Chad rolled his eyes and waved as he started upstairs. David once again said his goodbyes, and started home. He walked into the house, noting his mom and sister were in the living room, and his dad was downstairs doing something at the workbench. He filled in his mom on his trip and went to the phone, dialing Kelly's number. "Hello?" David groaned inwardly, it was Mike. "Hi, Mike, is Kel there?" "Maybe, why?" "I need to talk to him." "You just spent all afternoon with him. Christ, you'd think you were queers or something." "Mike, may I please talk to Kel?" David requested evenly. "Well, since you asked nicely," Mike patronized, then put down the phone and yelled for his younger brother. "Hey, Dave. Sorry about that." "S'ok, he's an ass. So?" "Ummm, I can't talk now. I'll catch you in school tomorrow, okay?" "Okay, but if it's about what I think it's about, don't worry about it." "Really?" "Yeah, he's a cool kid. And that 'talking' thing was a good idea," David laughed. "Well, had to come up with something. So it's cool?" "Yeah, no sweat." "Good, okay, I gotta go, see ya in school." "Yep, see ya." He hung up the phone and went back to his room, getting his stuff ready for the next day. After supper, he took a shower, and relaxed in his bedroom with a book until he was too tired to keep his attention focused on the words. He said goodnights to the rest of the family, slipped into bed, and was soon snoring lightly. ****************************************************************************** Well, that should give you a pretty good idea of the relationship between the 'three amigos.' lol And yes, we finally converted Chad to 'good' music. lolol Please feel free to contact me with any questions or feedback. email: fupduckmd@yahoo.com AIM and Yahoo: fupduckmd Fup