If it wasn't for the fact that Pete just lower the dial to the stove top and the sizzling of the frying pan hushed, he may not have heard the knock on the door. The sound just resonated above the pops of the kitchen. Removing himself from the set, he sauntered over to the door knowing that he had ordered some tools the day before. He wasn't expecting them so soon but he never minded Gray's company. The visits are usually short but Pete never lets him leave without a full belly. As he went towards the door he adjusted his cap.
Right as he had a hand on the knob the door quaked with another set of heavy thumps, which surprised him since Gray isn't so rude. As the knob twisted in his hand he pulled it open to see someone he wasn't exactly expecting. "Well finally you opened the door. What was taking so long?"
"Actually, I was cooking, Rock" Pete didn't mean to bare a half-lidded scowl. As much as he liked Rock- and he really had affection for him-he really was not happy to see him. The guy can be… a real pest. Rock didn't seem to happy either as he had some sort of cross expression plastered on and a reddened cheek. Lumina perhaps. "Cooking?" Rock's muddy eyes lit up carmel in the light. "Well, actually…" It wasn't until Rock was leaning forward that Pete noticed that he had been bringing the door closer to the frame as he spoke.
"Good. 'Cuz I'm hungry" he extended a hand out onto the wooden door and pushed it back. "Ooh, it smells good" he moved in. "Hey, wait! I didn't say you could come in-" Too late. Within seconds, Rock was already at the kitchen opening the lids off the pot and frying pans. "Oh, not bad. I think I'll have to sample it though" he smirked. Pete smacked the lid right out of his hands. "Ow!" Rock snapped, some of the grease from the pan popped onto his skin. "What the hell was that for?"
Pete was surprised that he even had done that. He quickly masked the startled look and gave Rock a stiff warning. "Don't just come in and start touching things" Rock on the other hand snarled and leaned back against the counter. "What's your issue, aren't we friends?" Sure. Pete crossed his arms. They are friends, at least in the most casual form. It was back in the spring season a few years ago. The pink cherry blossoms were wafting the air with their scent, steady light was streaming in through the inn windows. Pete had just introduced himself to Ruby, the inn keeper. Her husband, Tim, had recently left for some adventure or something in some remote part of the world. Hanging off the stairwell, he saw Rock for the first time.
Pete was quite eager to meet someone around his age. Most of the villagers were ageing folks with long wrinkles and coarse hair. "Who's the hick?" was the first thing Rock had ever said to him, more about him. It wasn't until Pete made it known to him that he was from the city, did Rock seem eager to know him. The city, huh? Oh, I want to go to the city. This town is boring. Rock would say as they walked to the beach together. Rock taught him how to surf. He would paddle way out as if swimming to somewhere far off and ride the currents. Pete had never ridden the water before and didn't take it too well. When he fell in, Rock would just laugh. It was as his head peeked above the steady waves and saw Rock relaxing on his board, his legs submerged, that Pete started to see something to him.
Rock could be cool when he wanted to be so when he bragged about having the girl in the mansion at the uppermost part of the Valley, Pete just believed him. Pete himself was always awkward around girls and sought to learn from the master. Rock became like a mentor to him, despite him being three years younger. Rock was quite the bit shorter than him too, a fact he did not like being reminded of when Pete would challenge him in an argument. Pete would step to him, less than an inch away, reminding Rock who was the bigger man. Not that Rock couldn't fight back, his words were much more brutal than any fist.
With those words, Rock could get him to do things that he knew was wrong. Skip work. What does it matter anyways? The farm isn't freedom. Laying in the fields is freedom. With that, the two of them toiled away in the fields for hours. Only the tongue-lashing he received from Takakura halted him from Rock's influence. See that girl? She's Muffy. Look at her, she's so easy. Go make a move on her. That one ended in an argument after Rock took it too far and got the both of them kicked out of the bar. Pete for the first time questioned how much Rock knew about girls. A fight ensued, many fights for days to come.
It was in these fights that the two of them learned where the landmines were hidden. Don't question Rock's relationship with Lumina, the girl in the mansion. Rock always bragged about her. How she was the prettiest girl in the Valley, the richest, the smartest and how she was hot for him. Pete was stunned in jealousy when he caught a glimpse of her ambling through the town. Her clothes were finely woven and she walked with the grace that can only be taught. Her brown hair was cut neat and perfumed. Lumina… Pete played with the name on his lips.
It was partly in jealousy that Pete questioned Rock on the relationship he was always bragging about. Rock talked about her a lot but Pete never saw the two of them together. Well, it's not like I need an audience when I'm with her. Ironic for a guy who takes every opportunity to brag to anyone that'll listen. After further pestering, Rock marched him up to the mansion just so he could "prove it".
As Pete reflected on this incident, he didn't know which was louder, a sudden clap of midsummer thunder or the sudden clap of Lumina's palm across Rock's face. It was so quick, Pete thought he saw it ripple. After that, it was never brought up in conversation again. Rock still boasted about their "relationship" but Pete knew never to drag it up. It only aggravated the argument. Rock learned to map the bombs too. Don't mention Pete's mother. Don't ask about his finances.
During the fall and winter of his first year, Pete was splurging on booze and whatever Rock convinced him to buy. It was a fast life, spinning into a blur. The money was going out faster than it was coming in. All the proceeds from the spring and summer fruits were long gone. More, more, more! Rock chanted. Faster, faster, faster! The snow outside was cold against the frosted window panes of the bar. Heavy drinking, froth dripping, laughs and burst of vomit. Jewelry, gold from the mines, where'd it go? Pete couldn't remember. It all came crumbling down in the peak of winter.
The house was bare from Pete having to sell his possessions. Rock was no-where to be found. If it wasn't for Takakura, Pete doesn't think he would've made it through. He still isn't in the best place but he's managed to keep some chickens and a few cattle. Takakura offered him the cookware. When the new spring came Rock resurfaced outside the farm. "Hey, Pete. The waves are great today" he smirked. Seeing that smile, that lazy stance he takes, that carefree air he seethes, it made him burn on the inside. After all he was drowning, he just comes up again like nothing ever happened! All the money, everything he could afford he bought- it was all because Rock had asked him to! He looked up to him like an elder brother. He trusted him and he left when he was needed most and now he just shows up again once it's all tidied up.
"So how 'bout we get going?" Pete felt his insides twisting and coiling. Rock thumbed back towards the entrance, "Forget about your farm" he smirked.
"Yeah" Pete smiled despite himself. He immediately lowered his tools and followed him. Rock smiled and slung his arm over Pete's shoulder. "Hmm. What would you do without me?" He winked. Pete felt himself shuddering. "You cold?" Rock laughed.
On the waves, Pete could see the best of him. But in the time to come, he would see the worst. It was in the cool blue of the late spring evening, the sky was somber in the blistering red sky. Across the expanse, wisp of grass and shrubs were dull grey in the shadows. The cherry glowed between Rock's fingers and he puffed it a few times before passing the joint to Gustafa. Weed was something Rock introduced to Pete. It was hard to find in the valley but Gustafa was a good supplier. It would be out at Gustafa's place where they would light up. Pete felt uncomfortable every time. There was a girl there too. From the looks of how Gustafa always had her close, he assumed she was his girl. Her name was Nami, Pete soon learned. She was pretty but not in the way Pete usually likes.
"Come on, stop being such a pussy" Rock would bite at him when Pete refused, "It's just a joint" Seeing her eyes on him though, Pete felt like he couldn't hold out too long. Plus some side of him wanted to look cool in front of Rock. "Leave him alone" Gustafa would just smile, the evening sun would reflect in his round sunglasses. Eventually, Pete did it. It was a bad experience, instantaneous choking, it burning in his nostrils and his eyes teared up. "That's what you get" Rock took it from him and went to puff it. "Ah, you made it all slobbery"
"It's cool. I can make more" Gustafa just sighed. It was in times like these, Pete wondered why he even gave a shit about what Rock thought. It wasn't long until Rock started requesting money again. He was able to hold out for a few weeks but soon he was handing out money to him. Thanks! You're such a pal.
Oh, I just need some to get a drink at the bar.
I want to get Lumina something nice, her birthday is coming up. I plan on getting laid.
You know how Gustafa is, high price for high quality.
Each time, Pete gave in, withering away.
You're such a good friend. No, such a good sucker.
What would I do without you! Sponge off someone else.
I'll pay you back, I swear. Like last time?
Pete began staying in the coops and sheds longer than necessary. When he would hear Rock calling for him he would retreat deeper into the floorboards. In town, he would shrink away from the inn. It wasn't long before Rock started searching for him. Oh, there you are. Why were you hiding? No reason. I need you to hold onto something for me. Rock then revealed some smoking paraphernalia from a rucksack. Ma's been sneaking into my room. She can be such a noisy bitch sometimes. Can you hold this for me? ...yeah.
Once Rock knew where he could find him, Pete could no longer hide. It brought him great anxiety to see Rock coming up the path. Hey, let's hit some together. Doing such a thing on the farm was risky since Takakura could easily find them. He warned him but they ended up doing it anyways. I got you a date. It was in summer of the second year that Rock went about trying to get Pete a woman. I couldn't get you with that Muffy but that farmer girl is good too. She's the real innocent type. Probably still a virgin. He smirked as he ran a hand through his hair.
As much as Rock bothered him, Pete was eternally grateful to him for setting him up with Celia. Pete had had his eye on her for sometime but really lacked the confidence to ever do anything about it. And it turned out she was a virgin… Pete didn't find that out until another year had passed. In that time, Takakura had stopped Pete as he toiled the field. It's amazing how your body just knows when something bad is about to happen. His entire stomach bunched together and dread drowned him thicker than his sweat.
Takakura had seen them. On one of their many smoke-outs, they had been viewed. He didn't have much choice, Pete took him to his home and revealed all of Rock's possessions. Like wildfire, it went through the entire town. Rock the stoner. Somehow, Pete was spared in it all. The innocent farm-boy that got caught in up in wicked schemes. Celia wept over him when she found out.
The dread that had pooled in his intestines didn't subside when it all came out. He knew that Rock would be pissed and he waited in fear for the day that Rock would find him. It wasn't too long of a wait. The next morning, he heard a succession of heavy banging on the door. You told? Why the fuck would you do that! He didn't wait to be invited in, he pushed Pete back into the home upon him opening the door. After all I've done for you. I thought we were friends. Friends look out for each other! Friends? Friends!
It was then that the surface tension broke and it all spilled over. The fight was a long one. Fist, blood, venom. It went on for hours. Pete never knew he could scream so loud. It was drawn out, stretching way off the issue into any topic. Many landmines were ignited. There was a shouting match and a knock-out, drag-out. Fist flying, blood spurting from noses and split lips. When the dust settled, Rock was gone, the house was in shambles and Pete was left to lick his wounds.
It had been a year since then and seeing Rock now, leaning against the countertops left him with ambivalence in his heart. The first season after the fight, he just wanted to hurt Rock. The second season he settled down and felt nothing. The third season and he felt regret panging in his chest. Somehow, he didn't know- he still had a strange affection for Rock. A fraternal sort of affection. He didn't visit him during the last season of the year and now Rock was right in front of him.
Despite seeing him and imagining all the ways he could apologize, he still was gripped with a resurgence of anger. "Well, aren't we?" The question took him out of his trance. "-friends" Rock was still clutching his hand where he was burned. Pete wasn't sure how to respond but nonetheless he dipped his head in a nod.