Chapter Three

JJ Giovanni ducked, avoiding a spitball to the face. He reloaded his straw and returned fire, catching Mitchells between the eyes, and they called a truce. He sank into his seat smiling to himself.

For the twenty-five-minute ride to school, he didn't have to worry about the politics of popularity or being a Giovanni. He could fade into the background and just be. Sometimes he wondered why he bothered fronting so much. Then he remembered what it was like before David and Jason let him hang with them, before he met Brianna, Rachel, Mitchells, Lance, and Henry: his squad. He couldn't, wouldn't, go back to that.

He was laughing with one of his many friends on the bus when they jerked to a stop in front of Azure Plains Preparatory Academy, AP Prep for short, or APPA, as he and the cool kids called it.

"Josh, sweetie, do me a favor and wake up Travis," the bus driver said.

He cringed at the use of his first name but kept his voice cheery. "Okay." 

As he passed David and Jason, he stopped to shoot the shit. "How are my favorite cum dumpsters this morning?"

David flexed his muscled. "Nice to see you too, squirt." 

David stood and bearhugged JJ, giving him fourteen noogies, then planted a wet kiss on his cheek. "Happy birthday, dude. Love ya."

JJ wiped his face, fighting back the blush he felt creeping up his neck. "Remind me to get a restraining order against ya."

He turned to leave when Jason called to him. "What, don't I get some love?" He puckered up his lips.

JJ reared back. "Yeah, no. God only knows where your lips have been."

David and several others nearby laughed, causing Jason to dive over David, pull JJ over his knee, and give him fourteen spankings with his worn Detroit Tigers cap.

"That'll learn ya, fucker. Happy birthday, short stuff."

"All right, boys, that's enough. Josh, you go ahead and wake Travis way in the back like I asked ya. And the rest of you need to head inside," the bus driver said in the tone she used when she meant business. 

JJ screamed internally when he realized she was talking about the other Travis on the bus.

He must have let his horror show because Jason adjusted his hat and said, "What's a matter, Joshy boy? Ya scared of mean old Turner?" 

Thinking fast, he replied, "Bitch please. I ain't scared of shit," then flipped off Jason, strutting to the back of the bus. He exchanged hive fives and fist bumps with various people, stopping to tell a few jokes which he admitted were weak-sauce.

However, the fun ended when he got to Travis's seat. 

JJ hesitated, then took a deep breath and shook him. Getting no response, he shook Travis harder and got the shock of his life when the sleeping boy shifted, latching onto his arm.    

"God, let go, would ya? The bus driver just wanted me to wake you up. Anybody got a crowbar I can barrow `cuz this kid has mad retard strength, yo." His comment drew a few rounds of laughter while he tried to contain himself, shifting from one leg to the next.

Jason and David catcalled JJ, then at Jason's insistence, they went to the back of the bus to troll him.

Jason adopted a falsetto voice, saying, "Isn't that cute? Our little Joshykins has a boyfriend. My, they grow up so fast."

Looking from Travis to Jason, JJ rolled his eyes. "Please. I wouldn't hit that with yours." Smiling wide, tongue hanging out, he flipped Jason off.

David doubled over in laughter. "Ooh, burn man."

 Jason made a sour face. "Fuck you."

"We've been through this before, numbnuts. I'm exit only, and you're so not my type."

"We both know you want this dick. Ouch," Jason said when David elbowed him in the ribs.

JJ shook his head. "If you're done busting my balls, Andale." He waved them off.

Combing back his hair and putting on his Ray-Bans, David ruffled JJ's hair, then ran away. "Later, squirt."

 "Let me know how this turns out," Jason said, laughing his head off as he followed David to the exit.

The moment Travis had grabbed JJ's arm, his palms became wetter than Niagara Falls, and he tried not to pass out. Looking everywhere but at Travis, he could hardly believe he was this close to him. 

Damn it! I should have bailed or made up an excuse not to wake him, but that would have been too sus. And that's the last thing I want. 

He put up a good front, hoping no one noticed his damp palms or the blush he knew was creeping across his cheeks. But if this continued much longer, he was going to lose it from sensory overload. Forcing a laugh as people passed and stared at them, he hazarded a look at Travis and wondered if he was ever going to budge. 

 Once the others left, his eyes drank in Travis, honing in on his gaping mouth, drool dripping on his messenger bag, and those thick, kissable lips. JJ's breath hitched, and he averted his eyes, willing away his semi-erection.

No, he couldn't think like that about Travis. Not here, not now; it was too dangerous. Okay, yeah, so Travis wasn't buff like David or hunky like Jason. And maybe he was on the chunky side. But damn it if Travis wasn't top billing in JJ's spank bank. 

Come on, dude. Stop perving. But ... maybe I could get a quick whiff of his hair?

 He leaned in but then stopped himself.

What the hell's wrong with me? Why is this so hard? Why can't I talk to him like he's any other dude? Instead, I pick on him like ... like a bully. 

JJ couldn't stop thinking about him, but Travis probably thought JJ was the lowest form of scum. He kept saying today was the day he'd finally go up to him and say hi, but he just couldn't do it. He was such a coward. 

And while he didn't know if Travis even liked guys, JJ had high hopes since he never saw Travis with girls. Then again, he never saw Travis with anyone. But maybe if JJ confessed his love for Travis, they would become boyfriends just like he always dreamed of?

 But maybe Travis wasn't even into him like that. Hell, Travis probably hated his guts. 

Ugh, I can't keep doing this to myself. If I don't talk to him today, Imma go crazy.

The chime for homeroom rang out over the loudspeakers, breaking JJ's train of thoughts. However, Travis was still sleeping with his vice grip on JJ's poor wrist. The awkward situation ended when Travis let out a huge yawn, woke, and released him. 

JJ jerked back. For a second, he could have sworn Travis's eyes had a red glow to them, like back at the bus stop, giving him a legit Sith Lord vibe.

"What are you looking at?" Travis demanded, then pushed JJ out of the way, not sparing him a parting glance. 

 JJ flexed his arm, trying to get the circulation going again. He watched Travis head inside, then followed him.

What an asshole. 

Travis turned and stared at him as if he'd heard JJ's thoughts. Caught off guard, JJ mumbled, "Um, you know if we don't hurry, we're gonna be late to homeroom, and you know what a dick Mr. Rosh is. So, um . . . yeah, let's hoof it. Bye."

***

JJ watched Travis sleep through homeroom, taking in his messy curls and that dopey smile. He ignored the general chaos around him as his friends vied for his attention. 

"I'll catch ya later," he told them and hung back. Seeing his chance, he kissed his St. Jude pendant for luck and woke Travis.

He smiled wide. "We gotta stop meeting like this."

 Travis yawned, glared daggers at him, then blew JJ off. This only strengthened JJ's resolve. 

 He stood in the doorway of an empty classroom, watching as Travis made his way through the sea of students to his locker. Then he followed him. He'd need to get his things at some point, but this was more important.

As Travis keyed in the last number and reached to open his locker, Keith Maxwell slammed it shut, towering over him. JJ knew of the brain-dead jock from going to parties with David and Jason and thought he was a huge douche. Seeing his opportunity, he made his way over to them. Then he stopped.

What am I doing? Keith would crush me like a bug. But maybe I'd get in a few shots, and Travis would think I was brave for defending him?

JJ inhaled, exhaling slowly through his nose, working up his courage. He willed his heart not to burst from his chest.

The things I do for love. 

Keith, leering, said, "How's my favorite freak today? Oh, can't wait to blow me, you say? Okay, just this once since I'm such a nice guy." 

JJ puffed out his chest. "Leave Travis alone."

 Keith turned. "Or what, Giovanni? You gonna kick my ass?"

"Move it," came Travis's cold reply.

 Keith whirled around. "It speaks. I'm shocked."

"I can talk. I just tend not to engage people less intelligent than me. Ergo, I don't talk that often. Now move."

"You heard him, Maxwell."

Travis glared at him, and JJ could have sworn the edges of Travis's eyes turned red for a split second. 

"I don't need or want your help. And who said you could call me by my first name? Now both of you move so I can get into my locker."

 Keith got in Travis's face and poked his chest. "Make me, tough guy." 

 Travis shoved Keith, sending him flying a meter down the hallway, much to everyone's surprise. A small crowd gathered to watch the potential fight, but before things escalated, their principal came around the corner.

"There a problem here, boys?"

Keith shook his head. "I slipped. Right, Turner?"

"Yeah."

Mr. Malo gave them a skeptical look before saying, "Move along. First period is about to begin."

When Mr. Malo was out of earshot, Keith punched his hand, glaring a hole through Travis. "You're dead."

Travis smirked, a bit of red creeping into his irises again. "Any time you feel froggy, leap." He laughed and then walked away. 

One thought ran through JJ's mind: Da fuq?

***

JJ and Travis shared many classes, such as art, which was a free period that day. Once Ms. Molly arrived, JJ asked for a pass for the bathroom and instead got his supplies from his locker.

He loved free period art classes because they were perfect for napping, doing homework he should have done earlier, talking with his friends, and ... Travis watching.

By now, the rumor was Travis had put Keith in the hospital. JJ dispelled this the best he could, but people believe what they want. So, he turned toward Travis, who was sleeping again and not very well as he kept shifting in his seat, head on the desk. The noise of the students must have gotten to him because Travis yawned, stretched his arms, and began doodling on a piece of sketch paper.  

 Their teacher walked through the room, offering a compliment here and constructive criticism there, but always with a positive attitude. When she came to Travis, she stopped, saying she'd never seen him produce anything above crude contour line drawings and how impressed she was with the level of detail in his current sketch. 

JJ had to agree. Though, it looked like something out of a nightmare, what with the bodies strewn everywhere. And was that a lake of fire?

"Travis, dear, this is an interesting piece. I suggest you use a larger medium to capture more of the fine details. And when did you start drawing with your left hand?"

"Joy, I get to use the canvas like a big boy."

JJ laughed at this, but Travis scowled at him. "Something funny?" 

"Just what you said about using the canvass like a big boy and all. Totes hilar, bro."

Travis's eyes widened. "I didn't say anything." 

JJ's jaw dropped. WTF? This day's getting freakier by the minute.

They stared at each other for a moment, neither of them saying anything. Confusion all over his face, Travis turned away and continued working, stopping every now and then to massage his forehead. He finished before the end of the period, running out before giving Ms. Molly a title for his work.

"Joshua, be a dear and ask Travis what he wants to title his piece."

"Will do, Ms. M."      

***

Author's Note: JJ is quite the piece of work, but he works through his issues in therapy. As does Travis.

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