Date: Sun, 9 Nov 2008 06:31:14 -0800 (PST) From: Joe Parker Subject: I think I'm in trouble. Part 1, Chapter 7 I THINK I'M IN TROUBLE PART I Chapter VII (RYAN) Today will be marked by two events, Jake's visit with Felix and the return of my father from Corporate HQ in Pittsburgh. I was definitely on edge most of the day for these two very obvious reasons. My boy was going to see the Jarrow boy at school this morning and then ask to spend time with him after school was finished for the day. I still don't know quite what to think of the recent arrival of the Jarrow's here in Forkridge, but I believe in fate and that's exactly what I think it is. In my heart I can feel the same kind of urge that Jake must feel. One thing I love about my son is the sheer force of his determination. Once Jake makes his mind up, he pretty much sees things through. He realized what he needed to do to mend yesterdays wrongs and today he will work to achieve just that. In fact he should be visiting with the Jarrow's right now. If only I could have done the same. I need to make my own ammends and I realize that somehow Jake is going to be central to that happening. After what I did to the Jarrow's I won't be holding my breath but I am determined to do what I can. My opening move is already under way, my lawyers have begun making enquiries into what became of the Jarrow Homestead. I don't care what it takes, I'm gonna get that place back and return it to it's rightful owners as soon as I can. A whirring sound appears on the edge of my awareness. I look out of my office window and see a large black helicopter on the horizon. My father, the scion and ruler absolute of the Maxson Dynasty has returned. My relationship with dad has always been a case of high quality but low quantity. Growing up he was a firm but loving father. He was always present for our birthdays, National Holidays and our annual 6 week Summer vacation. But the truth was my brothers and I did not get to see our dad as much as other kids saw theirs. He would return to the estate every 2nd fortnight to spend the weekend, but mostly we only saw him at dinner. Once we hit our teens Mother would send us to join him for weekends in New York City or Pittsburgh, sometimes one or another of us joining her when she visited dad herself. I loved spending time with my Dad and he would often skip work to take me fishing or to the baseball. I made sure to recreate that feeling as much as possible for Jake and for obvious reasons I have more than succeeded. I guess I have overcompensated with Jake by degrees. I stand up and begin my journey to the heli-pad on the western oval lawn, I'm sure Mother and Miss Carol are already on the way out. I smile to myself thinking about Miss Carol. So much of everything we Maxson men are and everything we do is indelibly tied up in her. All the best bits. It is she who curbed our arrogance, kept our feet on the ground and helped us gain an appreciation for all the advantages we have due to our social and monetary good fortune. Her great great grandfather pulled my great great grandfather out of a mine they were prospecting just before it collapsed. At the time they were both poorer than the fleas on a church mouse. Add to that the fact that my ancestor was a sour racist bigot and there you have the recipe for a wonderful friendship. Which is exactly what it turned out to be. Miss Carol sadly is the last of the Garfield clan still residing at Maxson Eyrie. Her only child and son Cedric (now deceased) left the estate, went into the military and later raised his family out in California. Every year Miss Carol's 2 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren and 2 great, great grandchildren come and join her at Maxson Eyrie for her birthday in May. Garfield High School is named for Miss Carol's grandfather. He built the first school for miners children in this area. It's not well documented but for a good while there, the State Government of West Virginia did little to prosper the higher school education of the children of the local miners here.., let alone black children. They were expected to head into the mines by 14 or 15 years of age. So 'Coalface' Garfield built the schoolhouse himself and the rest as they say is history. To this day young Maxsons attend that same high school as a visible mark of respect to the man my great great grandfather came to love and respect deeply. Every year without fail for 65 years Miss Carol has presented the major awards at graduation.., I well remember receiving my own awards from her full of pride and blushes. Next Summer will be my sons turn and before us came my father. I walk out to the landing place and join Mother and the lady herself, there to greet my father. *** (Jake) I wake up with a smile and a monster erection... I bet that woke you up too huh? Well that's the way it is sorry and I usually wake up this way anyway. Right now I'm more interested in my giddy happiness rather than my dick... for now at least. Last night was amazing and I'm kinda on cloud nine at the moment. When I got home last night I was immediately summoned to Dad's quarters where I cozied up next to him on the couch and told him all about how my day went. Well not quite ALL but you know what I mean. I told him about what happened yesterday morning and then what happened later that afternoon. I relate to him the way Felix let me have it and how he made me cry like a girl. I describe his house, middle class, real comfy and welcoming. I talk about how cool his Mom and Uncle Gary are and how sweet the kids are.., and I sourly reported the presence of Lenore (the whore) as well. Dad picks up on the fact that I have not mentioned much about Felix and I just shrug and mumble that he's really just kinda normal and all. He looks at me and arches his eyebrow. "So do you think you will get along with Felix son?" I burrow my head under his arm and onto his chest, I don't want him to see what might be in my eyes. I'm a bad liar and I need to guard my feelings about Felix coz I don't want Dad to know. "Mmmm I unno, he's ok I guess" I'm still mumbling, and then thankfully I yawn which masks my attempted duplicity. "Are you boys going to spend some time together son? Would Felix be interested in coming up top?" I smile into my dad's white cable knit sweater as he strokes my hair absentmindedly. This is one of my favorite places in the whole world. I can tell that Dad's engineering things so that he can have a reason to meet Felix in a place where he feels comfortable. "I don't really know Daddy, I mean I havent even invited him up here, and besides.., we're still the evil scary Maxsons to him -- but Dad, Uncle Gary and Momma Felix seem like real reasonable people... I think they would come, and if they did.., Felix would" Dad grunts consideringly. "Oh and yeah Dad, his grandparents are coming to visit in a couple of weeks, maybe we could invite them all up?" I feel my father tense and the he breathes out relaxing his body. "Yes son, I think that's a fine idea! I will tell your Grandmother and Grandpa and well set something in motion. Now Miss Carol has left you some of her famous rice pudding, go down to the kitchens and get it before your Grandpa goes back for thirds!" My eyes ignite and I begin to squirm off him... "Has Grandpa retired for the night Daddy?" I ask, I haven't seen my Grandpa in way too long. "Yup, he was with Miss Carol and your Grandmother for a while in the Blue Room but he stormed off to bed after losing the nightly domino match. Grandmother won tonight, I came third" I stretch, yawn and then chuckle to myself as I think about Grandpa.., I get my own nasty competitive streak directly from him. Daddy gets up and gives me my nightly cuddle and goodnight kiss. Yeah I know I'm a big baby but screw you and your little dog too, hehe. I just love being the big baby around here. I head on out into the atrium hall which marks the entrance to my Dads quarters, his own private universe of rooms and suites. I ponder for a moment.., I really enjoyed playing and kidding around with Felix' little niece and nephew today. I look forward to having children of my own some day, but how will I have any if I'm with Felix? A shiver surges up and down my spine and I shake my head trying to dislodge this strange thought as my hunger pangs lead me toward the estate kitchens. It's one thing to have naughty thoughts about a guy, but trying to factor him into your future is kinda weirding me out. I dismiss it and leap onto the brass staircase handrail that takes me spiralling down three storeys to the basement level. Miss Carol's scrumptious rice, cream and apricot pudding sprinkled with ginger sugar calls. *** Waking up is one of my hardest things to do.., A) - Because it's like freaking 5:45 AM.., and B) - Because I'm freaking hard of course. I reach down into my pajamas and unleash the beast. He has really grown over the last few years.., my whole body has really grown over the last few years. I curl onto my side and bring my knees up as I begin to stroke my pulsating penis. I grin as I think of the dire warnings Miss Carol gave me 5 years ago when she preached against the evils of 'mas-ter-ba-tion'... I listened wide eyed and horrified as she railed on about 'Thems diabolical nocturnal emissions and shameful night time activities!' Well, what I'm doing is in the morning not at night haha. My over-excited teenage cock cranks up another notch as it swells it's way beyond my navel and I groan... I mentally work to force Miss Carol out of my mind and without warning I am invaded with images of Felix Jarrow.., not Jess (my usual masturbatory target) no not Jess, but Felix! The first time my eyes gazed into his, touching him, nuzzling him, holding him when he dropped the glass, being held by him, his delectable ass, his beguiling smile.., the incomparable vibration of his lifeforce. I gasp as the fingers of my right hand go crazy all over my boystick, the fingers of my left hand stroking tenderly over my hardening super sensitive left and right nipples. "Aaaarrrrrggggh!!!" I yell as I blast my upper torso and up to my nose with white hot Jake-shake. I look at the stuff all over my hand and give it a lick... I have grown accustomed to the taste over time but I always blush to myself as I eat it. I don't really know why. Wow that was some orgasm! what would Felix say if he knew I had used him as a jerk-off fantasy? My cheeks redden and then I burst out laughing for no real reason at all. I go all goofy after I jack off and I sometimes wonder if it's because my true brain has just exploded? I use my pajama coat to wipe myself off so that I don't drip and then I leap out of bed throw stuff into the hamper. I 'water the can' and then race for the shower. I love showering and will spend up to 45 minutes in the shower some mornings. It's the real reason why I'm so often late to school. The 360 degree shower jets really wake me up and invigorate my body, getting me pumped for the day ahead. Speaking of which I'm hard again. My penis has raised his sexy head again and I am too weak and carnal to ignore him. One hand cups and plays with my nuts while the other strokes my straining member. The steam of the shower drifts all around me as once again my mind fills with sinful visions of the boy whose being I just can't get my mind off. I soap up and stroke into the fissure at the tip of my cock and the exquisite almost painful pleasure causes me to stand up on the tips of my toes. I lean against some of the wall-mounted shower jets and one sprays directly into my ass. I groan in appreciation, hey I'm not above some hot ass-play. Us guys talk about getting our salad tossed all the time these days haha. I bend my knees and send a soapy finger 'ass-wards'. I really wanna get into Felix' ass but my own will have to do for now. I love the feeling I get from sliding my fingers deep into my ass, it's so sensitive and so secret. I redden at the thought that big bad jake is not only spanking the monkey, but he's spanking the monkeys butt too. I was about to laugh at my own stupid thought but I'm overcome with lust and sex-filled sensation and I groan loudly instead. More white hot Jake-seed erupts from my dick as I finger that secret place deep inside my butt. Man! -- anyone would think I'm a sex fiend! Today I choose my CK One shower gel because it kinda reminds me of Felix and I do what Miss Carol would prefer me to do. I reverently cleanse the 'Temple of de lawd'... grinning unrepentantly all the way. Ahhh it's gonna be a great day! I'm finally dressed and sitting at the circular breakfast table in the eastern conservatory, flooded with flowers and morning-light. This glass roofed and walled winter garden is one of my favorite sections of the Eyrie. It's always warm in the cold months due to the huge open fire at the outer end of the room and the amazing scent of geraniums, crocus, winter daffodils, wisteria and morning jasmine fill the air as a contrast to the smells of breakfast. I amble over to my Grandpa for my hug, then kiss Grandmother who offers her cheek and then Miss Carol who is examining me suspiciously. I blush, surely she can't know!!! Her ancient eyes narrow and she makes her famous 'Harrumph!' sound. It's the sound she makes when she knows someone has been up to 'no-good-nik' but cannot prove it. "Sit down and eat chile!, yalls is too skinny by far" she grumbles. Absolutely nobody else thinks that about me except for her haha. I sit down and start shovelling food, Grandpa chuckles shaking his head and Grandmother pretends she doesn't see. "Goodmorning darling" says Grandmother, "Did you sleep well?" She frowns as I grunt in the affirmative, mouth full of muesli milk and sliced banana. Grandpa laughs again and then begins to question me about my recent escapades with the Jarrows. He always was one to get straight down to business. By the time breakfast is finished I have consumed 2 bowls of cereal, 8 toast with honey and butter, a plate full of scrambled egg doused with black pepper, bacon and hash browns, 3 tall glasses of grapefruit juice and one whole pineapple... I think I'm ready to head off to school now. Before I leave the table I finish off Grandpa's waffle and drink the rest of Grandmothers feijoa juice, have you tried feijoa's? They're amazing! They smile with amusement as I rush off to the close-by bathroom where I keep my nearest electric toothbrush. After I'm done brushing I return to kiss them goodbye and wish them a happy day. I am about to take off but Miss Carol raises her hand and says, "This day be a day fer prudence and moderation boy, don't be lettin y'alls fists get de better of y'alls now hear?" I give her my widest eyed look before responding, "Yes M'am, I believe I have learned my lesson" She grunts doubtfully as I sprint over to Dad's office, kiss him goodbye and I'm off. It takes 15 minutes to get down the mountain to school and it's right on 7 AM as I jump into my truck. I should have just enough time to pick up Felix and then make it to school. I smile like a maverick as I speed out through the main security gate. In my mirror I can see Mr Allen the gatekeeper shaking his fist with ineffectual fury. Life is good. *** I get into town in record time, race down towards Felix street and what do I find? -- what the Hell do I see??? It's Felix' house and there's Jessica's car and there is Jessica up on the porch smiling and flirting with Felix! I see red, how dare she start picking him up all the time, once yesterday was ok but today? -- Hell no! Who the Hell does he think he is chatting up my lady? Besides.., Felix belongs to me, he's mine! I mentally check myself, 'Get it together Jake! He's not yours, she's yours not him!' I compose myself, they've just spotted me and I need to cool my jets. Felix looks so fine today, Faded Levi's blue plaid shirt and a red and white letter jacket probably from his last school. Both Felix' and Jess' hair have halo's around them from the streaming sunlight. They are like perfect angels and me? Well I must be the devil. I extricate myself from my truck, not sure how this is going to go. I wanted to have him to myself for as long as I could today. Things started out so good this morning and now already a spanner being thrown into the works. Deep down I feel guilty, Jess is meant to be my girl. I love her, I am meant to feel loyalty towards her. But all I feel right now is frustration that she has inadvertantly placed herself between me and Felix.., MY Felix, not her's not nobody elses.., He's mine. I deliberately fail to analyze that last thought. Things went from bad to worse from there on. To state it plainly, while we were arguing, Felix basically walked... and so wrapped up were we in our stupid little war of attrition that we did not even notice until he was well and truly gone. (Felix) Why do things like this always happen to me? I'm sitting on the swing seat out on the front porch waiting for Jake, but guess who shows up instead? Jessica! -- I forgot all about her, I didn't realize she might come back today and here she is in all her beauteous glory. My throat catches, she's almost overwhelmingly beautiful. Different to Jake who is all hard planes and angles. Jessica is exquisite, an exotic pearl to Jake's rough diamond.., a flowing tropical river to Jake's violent Arctic ocean. Boy am I feeling poetic today! I shake myself out of my reverie as she opens her door and carefully steps out of her car, a vision in Ellesse pastels, cream and mint. She's like some damn tennis player and I mean DAYUM! "Good morning Felix , I hope things went well for you and Jake yesterday?" She smiles that wonderful smile, one part vulnerable, two parts mysterious. "Hiya Jessica, yeah we kinda gonna be friends an all now" Her eyes light up with relief but also something else.., worry? concern? -- I shrug it off. Before we can say another word, a familiar roar fills the street and Jake's monster SUV screams into view. Forgive me for being uncouth but if Jessica's presence tightens my heart, then the force-field type realitiy of Jake Maxson tightens my pants. See I told ya... He's wearing slightly loose dark blue hollister jeans and a deep green mohair sweater with no shirt underneath. How does he pull off such perfection so easily? He's so hot.., I can see his white underwear peeking out from under his sweater. My eyes travel up to his eyes and they are not amused. Jessica opens proceedings, "Hi there Jake, I didn't realize you would be collecting Felix today?" He glances at me quickly looking me over before casting his seering ultraviolet gaze over Jessica. Does he maybe think that I am cutting in on his action? Personally I'm beginning to feel mighty uncomfortable about all this. "No hon I just saw your car here and decided to investigate" He just lied! -- he told me last night that he would drop by and pick me up... I'm feeling REALLY uncomfortable now. "I see" she responds speculatively.., "Well if you want to take Felix to school then I have no problem" "No Jess, I only came by because I saw your car, I understand that if you had arranged to swing by and pick Felix up then it's no problem!" His voice is raised and he won't look at me. "Jake don't yell at me please" Jessica is tapping her foot now, arms crossed defensively.., her attention completely focussed on her boyfriend. Her boyfriend? - something in me doesn't like that thought, disagrees with that notion. I slip off the porch unnoticed, and start walking down the street towards school. I ain't gonna put up with their lying and posturing. I do not wish to be caught up in the middle of whatever it is they have between them. I can still hear them bickering as I get to the end of my street. Why did Jake lie like that? bald faced lie right in front of me? Am I meant to be some kind of 'Dirty lil secret?' Does he only wanna be my friend in the shadows and by-ways, kept strictly away from the spotlight? My hopes of a strong new friendship with Jake are beginning to fail miserably. My mouth takes on a definite downward curve and I fight back my emotions as I find myself outside Garfield High. I look at my class schedule and the little map they gave me, trying to figure out what direction I need to go in. Hmmm D block classroom 14 A... Just as I get to the door I spot Jake and Jessica in the carpark, looking around, seeking me. I dash into the hallway and collide into a hard unyielding chest, oh God it's Clarke... At first he looks stunned and then as the realization of who it is that bumped into him settles.., he begins to steam up. He's actually really good looking, so is that other guy, 'Clarke' Junior. Nicely cut brown hair, bright blue eyes and handsome regular all american guy features. "WTF!?!" he shouts, releasing me from my badly timed assessment. "Were you just checking me out faggot?" A crowd of onlookers has quickly gathered and he pushes me, trying to get me off balance, clearly aiming to get me on the floor so he can... But he is no Jake Maxson. He's about 6 feet tall maybe a little more but I ain't gonna let him push me around. I regain my balance and then shove him back HARD. "Don't touch me!" I growl. His eyes are momentarily startled but then his ire surges and he gets right up in my face. "Looks like we gonna have some interesting times from now on huh faggot!" he derides me, giving me a belittling frown. I shove him away from me again.., "Don't you be calling me no faggot dog breath" I warn. He seems highly insulted that I called him dog breath, lol I have to laugh to myself about adolescent vanities. Most unfortunately for me, his old buddy 'Clarke' Junior shows up and stands beside his homophobe friend with a smirk on his face. He's itching for a fight, I can just see it in his eyes. I'm screwed. "What's up bro?" he smiles at his comrade in arms. "I think it's time to open a can of whoop ass on this here buttmuncher" Clarke replies. I think I'm gonna hafta start running, sheese this will be my third day of trouble around here. Where are all the teachers and hall monitors when you need them? I turn to run but some new guy, probably a friend of theirs pushes me from behind and I stumble right into Clarkes extended fist. "Oooof!" sudden pain shoots through my stomach and I can feel my breakfast beginning to make it's way back up. "Ooops did I do that?" he feigns a concerned voice. "I guess you did bro haha!" says another voice. I am doubled over and he grabs hold of my head. I can see his knee rising up, coming straight at my face. But it doesn't make it.., A hand comes from out of nowhere, slips under Clarke's knee and holds it up. Then the owner of that hand gracefully kicks Clarke's remaining foot out from under him resulting in a jarring thud as Clarke hits the deck hard. He cries out in pain and starts rolling around his hands on the small of his back, startled tears in his eyes. It's Jake, my Jake.., he came and he found me. Rescued me I guess... I am grateful. He must really like lockers coz he now has Junior up against one. "F_ _ _ k off!!!" he snarls at all the rubberneckers and they all quickly dissipate not daring to stick around and see what would happen if they disobey orders. It is only now that I spy three others. Three others who have not moved away. Jessica, Beth and Sue. I am intrigued by the cold look in their eyes as they survey their boyfriends (Jessica included). They have no sympathy. Jessica comes over and places her hand on my shoulder, but she doesn't say nothin. We are all eyes for what Jake is doing to Junior. Junior is a goodlooking boy. He's lithe and lean, same height as Clarke with hazelly green eyes, chestnut hair and red lips. You can tell he's related to Lenore and right now his pretty eyes are frightened and also a little incredulous. I don't think he can quite believe the way his old buddy old pal Jake is behaving. "Do I have to tell you again Matthew?" Jake is saying.., I guess his real name is Matthew "Mmmmm-no Jake please let me go" It must be kinda hard to talk when an angry 6'8" guy has his paw around your pencil neck. "You touch my cousin again and I will rip your f-king head off and shove it up your f-cking daddy's fat ass! Same for you Clarke, did you both hear me!" Juniors eyes tear up and he nods vehemently. Clarke groans in the affirmative from the floor. Sue shows no emotion towards her boyfriend, neither does Beth... sheese these girls are heartless. "Now I just wanna make sure we got this straight. We been friends for a long time boys but I promise you. This is the line you don't ever wanna cross. You mess with my cousin again and you won't find no place to hide from my anger this side of the ever after" He actually slaps Junior hard eliciting a piteous cry from him. "That's enough Jake!" Jessica cries, "Havent you done enough of this kind of stuff for one week! Please just let him go, let them go.., they get it Jake ok? -- they get it" Jake releases Junior and Junior topples to the ground joining Clarke who is now sitting up, his eyes full of fear. "Jake we're sorry man!" Clarke pleads.., "We won't do anything to hurt your cousin no more?!?!" Jake flushes at this statement. "I don't wanna have to remind you bout this again Clarke -- GOT IT!" he looms threateningly over his prone buddy. "Dude please I get it?!?" Clarke begs. "Say sorry" Jake demands "Sorry Jake, yeah sorry Jake" they both whine. "Say sorry to HIM" Jake barks beginning to lose his patience again. I flush red almost wanting to hide behind Jessica as I once again become the center of attention. "Sorry" they both mumble. "Not good enough!" Jake roars, He grabs them both by the scruff of their necks and yanks them clean up from the ground dangling them in front of me like some demented puppetmaster. They cry out in genuine fear, wer'e all afraid, this is going too far. Jakes out of control. "F-cking say it!" "I'm sorry Felix, I'm so sorry please!" screams Clarke, tears and muccous running down his face. "Please forgive me Felix!" begs Junior, his body heaving and shaking with fear and anguish. I step towards Jake with my hands up, "Ok ok. it's all good, please Jake don't do this, it's all over now" I cry, my own eyes brimming with tears. The bell rings and as if some spell has been broken, Jake drops both boys.., looks around shrugs and then saunters off to class as if nothing happened at all. I can't believe it, I've never seen anything like it. He's totally psycho! The girls finally decide to come and claim their much the worse for wear boyfriends, Jake's supposed closest buddies. Gee I'd sure hate to see how he treats his sworn enemies. All four of them head into the mens bathroom together. Jessica and I are left staring at each other, both trying to think of something to say. It seems like 10 years later but two teachers show up and begin questioning us as to what just happened. Some kids have probably reported the incident. Jessica calmly begins to speak. "Hello Coach Morris, Mrs Jordan, Jake, Clarke and Junior had one of their usual flare ups and like always they turned into a pack of b-grade drama queens and put on a little performance for half the school." Speaking of which, Junior and Clarke emerge from the mensroom looking surprisingly none ther worse for wear. But their eyes are red and the teachers ain't stupid. I start praying that the gals won't come out anytime soon. "Nice of you to join us gentlemen" Mrs Jordan remarks, she looks and sounds like an old battleaxe, even has pointy glasses. "Why don't we all go to the office hmmm?" Jessica and I try to slip away but Mrs Jordan stops us short... "I said ALL of us, now march!" Coach Morris goes off to fetch Jake. I mentally cringe.., Man is there ever gonna be just a normal day for me at this cursed school? I think about what just happened and a bone deep shudder runs through me. I could have got hurt real bad today and very nearly did. I glance at Clarke and Junior and they look back at me this time with different eyes. I send them the universal 'I'm sorry dude' expression and they flash the same expression back. I slow Jessica's pace a little (she's holding my hand and it feels so good). I let go of her hand and smile at her, she smiles back, shugs and carries on. I walk in line between the two other boys and our shoulders bump. I look over my shoulder and see Beth and Sue sneak out of the bathroom. They wave and rush off to class - late. Clarke and Junior have seen them too. We three look at one another and smile shyly and I'm thinkin.., Maybe, just maybe - everythings gonna be alright. *** (Jessica) I saw it again today. I think I will start calling it 'The Passion of Jake' and boy was it in full force today! The writing is clearly on the wall for me isn't it? Jake is beginning to forge something with Felix that exceeds his two oldest friends and even myself, his girlfriend of 5 wonderful years. During our little clash this morning at Felix' house it just became so obvious to me that Jake didn't want me there. Not because he is afraid that Felix has designs on me. He may pretend that he is worried about that but I know better. The reality is - Jake does not want ANYONE intruding on any opportunity to be with his new found cousin. And from the amount of emotion he freely displays towards Felix, Jake is quite willing to destroy the friendships of a lifetime to pursue whatever it is he wants to have with his cousin. He's very much prepared to burn bridges. Although it has to be said, what Clarke and Matthew did was mindnumbingly stupid. They knew not to mess with Felix. Their girlfriends warned them and got them to promise to leave him alone. Jake himself confirmed this with them yesterday morning. They're not the smartest of guys but they sure ain't THIS dumb. Matthew - God bless him, is great with his hands. He can take apart, rebuild and fine tune an engine - any engine better than a fish can swim. He's phenomenal with numbers and figures, exceeded only by Jake. But don't ask him to spell something, he's terminally affected in that department.., you would think that after 17 years spelling his own name would be within reach, but you would be wrong. (Is that one 't' or two t's?) At least he's gotten over the fact that there isn't any letter 'y' in his name. Clarke doesn't lack at all in the academic field. He gets very good scores in everything and does particularly well in science, biology and history (especially war history). But he is a social failure.., he's not a loser - far from it. He's just one of those guys that always says the wrong things (just ask Sue), takes things the wrong way etc. Somehow without fail he always seems to miss the finer points of human social interaction. Most of the time they are fine and when they do get a little out of hand Sue and Beth somehow manage to get them back on the straight and narrow. Failing that there's always Jake... yeah Jake. Jake and I were both ashamed that whilst we were all wrapped up in our selfish little disagreement, Felix just queitly left for school. The ultimate reprimand! - he showed us both just how we had defeated the very purpose for why we were at his house in the first place! Typical of Jake - he thinks it's all my fault of course. He doesn't outright say it, but I know he's thinking it. He is a marvellous study in contradiction, frustration and cuteness even at the best of times. We both guiltily sped off towards school searching in all directions for the boy who has unwittingly come between us and this morning very willingly left us behind. I know Jake was lying this morning. I could see it in his eyes - why didn't he just say.., 'Hey I want Felix to ride with me' I would have gotten it. If I didn't like Felix so much I would be scheming to destroy him. But with the specter of an angry Jake looming large across that particular scenario.., I wouldn't dare. Who in their right mind would? If I lacked self belief and respect in myself, I would fight for what I have with Jake. But I'm a pragmatist. I realize already that what I share with Jake isn't a 10th of what Jake is already sharing with Felix. Painful as that is to admit. Jake is officially mine, but emotionally he belongs to Felix. Just three short days and my hopes and dreams are in ruins.., unbelievable. I just hope it doesn't cost more than it was worth to try -- when all is said and done. *** (Jake) I sit at my desk grinding my teeth. I'm going to be on damage control far into the forseeable future. I glance around the classroom and everybody's eyes quickly shift away, except for Mark Fisher, school quarterback and the only one with nuts enough to stand up to me from time to time. Not that he could ever hope to own me but I respect his personal fortitude. He's actually a great guy and now that I'm starting to notice guys (well at least one guy), I can admit that Mark is nice looking. Classic grecian features with blue eyes, blonde hair and 6 feet of athlete. He's always cajoling me to join the football or basketball program, but wrestling is my first love in Fall and by Winter I'm training for baseball in the Spring. I scan the room and once again everyone's eyes shift away except for Marks. The teacher drones on about Displacement Theory and I roll my eyes, I gave a practical lesson in just that.., 20 minutes ago. I blow a kiss at Mark and he flashes me a smile. 'Your'e crazy!' he mouths. I just shrug and give him the evil eye. He shakes his head ruefully. Hmmmph maybe I'll go out for football this Winter. The door opens and whaddya know it's the football coach himself. Marks mentor Coach Morris. Now I like Coach Morris and he likes me. He would like me more if joined the football team. He was coach when my Daddy captained our team all the way to the State Championship and this year for the first time since then, we may have another shot at it. Yeah I like Mr Morris but not today. He finishes speaking to Mr Sixsmith or 'Old Droner' as we like to call him and then he points at me and then to the door. Damn, getting away with what I done this morning was way too much to hope for. They're gonna call up the mountain and Dad's gonna keeeeeeel me! I am in deep doo doo. I grab my things, shove them into my backpack and commence my walk to the gallows/office. I rake my eyes over the room just daring anybody to look at me, but only Mark does. "Later killer" he winks as I pass by him. "Mmmmph pray for me" I smirk back. "Did I say you can speak Maxson?" Coach Morris snapsand I zip my fingers across my mouth.., His eyes narrow as he holds the door open. I sigh and walk out into the hall and it's off to the principals office I go.., so much for my 'Great Day'. Did I mention that Mark is hopelessly in love with my girl? Haha, sucks to be him. **************************************** Please join me again for the next chapter~ Thankyou to all those who have e-mailed in support of this story. To answer the most frequently asked question. This story is usually updated on Sunday nights (Central Standard Time) Sometimes you will receive a second chapter update the following day. Contact the author -- joejoeparkertex@yahoo.com