Isaiah had just given the ball his best kick and was now watching Jonathan and Caleb blast across the field after it. The clock was down to one minute and this would be the point to win the game for them or blow it for them. Isaiah watched as the clock slowly counted down the time, seemingly flowing in slow motion. The other team jumped him and he threw the ball into the air. Jonathan bounded into the air and caught it and continued to run. Isaiah was hopeful but still nervous about the game. He often would feel anxiety on the field since, when he applied for the team, he just made the cut. Isaiah looked up just as Caleb managed to break free from the other team and take off running just in time for Jonathan to get tackled and throw the ball to him. He could see that he was really pushing himself as hard as he could; he could tell by how fast he was moving. Caleb pushed through one last person and jumped onto the goal line. The crowd of students in the bleachers started to scream and go wild. He threw the ball to the ground and did his own brand of victory dance.
Caleb looked up at the people in the bleachers and raised his hands in the air at the cheering crowd. He could see Sheena, his girlfriend of three years. Sheena, the girl of everyone's dreams, five foot six, one hundred and twenty pounds with blonde hair and brown eyes and a beautiful figure. She was the girl that everyone sought after but she was his girlfriend. They were considered to be the school power couple. Although she was beautiful, her attitude would often be a turn off to most guys. She was his first girlfriend and he loved her but sometimes he had a hard time dealing with this attitude. It had been a particularly rough day with her. She had wanted to go to the mall at lunch time, but he wasn't able to because his father had put the time lock on the truck, so she blew up at him. Sitting with her was her two friends Stephanie and Katelyn who were kind of her followers. He looked over at the parent's section, Chris, Jonathan, and Mike and Andrew. All their parents were sitting there, Caleb's parents, as usual they weren't there. They had been gone for almost a week now and probably wouldn't be back for another two or three days.
The crowd in the bleachers slowly cleared out to the point that only Sheena, Stephanie and Katelyn were left back. The coach blew the whistle that hung around his neck. The sound almost made Isaiah flinch, the high-pitched tone for some reason went right through him and it was something he still hadn't gotten used to.
"Good job, good job! Hit the showers, guys," called Coach Adams as he dropped the whistle back around his neck. The coach was a short stumpy man but when it came to football he knew his stuff and he was certainly passionate about the sport. Caleb walked down the field with Jonathan, Isaiah, Mike and Andrew. He looked at Isaiah as he walked watching him move. The two of them hadn't really spoken but Caleb had always admired him. He was on the football team and he was an academic, a bit of a nerd even. How he managed to do so well in both always quietly amazed Caleb.
"Caleb," yelled Sheena waving at him from the bleachers. Caleb blatantly ignored her as she called to him, clearly not in the mood to deal with her. Caleb smiled at Isaiah as he realised that he was starring at him.
"Good job, bud," said Caleb. Isaiah smiled at him almost bashfully, still not quite used to getting compliments on his performance on the field, especially from the other guys on the team. He was often teased by them because he was smaller and there were other rumours that floated around about him.
"Thanks," said Isaiah. Jonathan walked up beside Caleb he was excited about having just won the game. He had heard Sheena call out to Caleb. He was his best friend since fourth grade. They had met at a football camp one summer and had been good friends since then. He wasn't the biggest fan of Sheena. He didn't like the fact that she was so controlling of him and he just seemed to let her do it. Nonetheless, he thought he would make sure Caleb knew she was calling to him because he didn't want to have to listen to it later.
"Caleb, Sheena's yelling to you," reminded Jonathan. Caleb looked back at Jonathan with an annoyed look on his face.
"Yeah, I'm not in the mood to deal with her right now."
"Sorry." Isaiah watched as Jonathan put his head down and walked away. Everyone knew that Sheena and Caleb had been fighting today before the game. It was almost impossible not to know. Every time they fought, Sheena managed to make a big scene about it just to make sure she got her point across. That she wasn't getting her own way and she always managed to make it look like Caleb was such a bad person. He felt really sorry for him; just the look that would come over his face when she was screaming at him. He looked so belittled and frustrated, but Isaiah could tell that if he said or did anything it would just make him look worse.
"Another fight?" asked Isaiah. Caleb looked at Isaiah, caught off guard. He didn't realise that anyone knew he was fighting with Sheena. Although it wasn't all that uncommon for people to notice because as she was today, she was always extremely vocal about her problem. Caleb forced a smile for the sake of keeping up his appearance.
"Um… yeah man," said Caleb. Andrew watched as Caleb walked ahead of them, then looked at Isaiah. Andrew didn't like the fact that Isaiah was on the team. He didn't feel like he belonged; he just didn't think he was good enough. Caleb would often stick up for Isaiah when the other members of the team teased him. He was the team captain but even off the clock he wouldn't stand for them saying anything about him. Andrew looked at his twin brother Mike who was walking just a few feet away.
"Man, I hate having to shower with that faggot," said Andrew. Mike felt the same way his brother did, he didn't know where the rumours came from but, for some reason, they made him uneasy. But he also didn't need Caleb being on their case about it either, although his brother didn't seem to care.
"Shh, Caleb might hear you," he warned.
"Yeah, whatever," said Andrew nonchalantly. Isaiah stopped walking and looked back briefly having heard the last part of the comment. He and Andrew made eye contact briefly as the two of them walked by him. Andrew was someone that he didn't particularly get along with, Andrew didn't like him and had no problem showing it. As long as Caleb wasn't really around to say anything to him about it, his brother Mike was someone who didn't really talk to Isaiah. The two of them walked past him he took one last quick look at the field and walked into the locker room that adjoined the school gym. The team was excited after the win, they walked in patting themselves on the back before starting to get undressed. Isaiah stepped up to his locker that was two units down from Caleb's, but right next to Jonathan's. Jonathan stepped up to his locker and lifted his shirt off then looked at Caleb who was fiddling with the lock on his locker.
"Awesome job out there, Caleb… as always," said Jonathan.
"Hey man, I couldn't have done it without you guys!" said Caleb getting his locker open. "Awesome pass out there. Got us the game." Caleb patted Jonathan on the back and lifted off his shirt. Isaiah followed his lead and lifted off his shirt. He rolled it up and put it into his locker. Jonathan took his pants off then walked passed him with a towel around his waste leaving just him and Caleb. Caleb had his back to him, Isaiah couldn't help but stare at him. Anyone could tell by looking at Caleb that he really cared about his body, he went to the gym daily and was heavily involved in sports for years, this gave him the almost sculpted body that now stood before Isaiah. His father was Cuban giving him a dark exotic look. Caleb looked over at him and flashed him a greeting smile.
"Good job out there, Caleb. You saved the day," said Isaiah trying not to seem obvious that he was staring.
"Hey thanks. You too, bud." Caleb took his pants and underwear off then grabbed a towel out of his locker. He put the towel around his waste and shut the locker quickly putting the lock on it. Isaiah leaned into his locker to look for his towel with a smile on his face that Caleb couldn't see.
"See you later." Isaiah continued to undress as Caleb walked passed him.
"Yup," said Caleb briefly as he walked passed Isaiah into the shower room. Isaiah finished undressing then put his towel around his waste and shut his locker not bothering to lock it.
Isaiah walked into the shower behind the other guys. Caleb, Jonathan, Chris, Andrew and Mike had walked in ahead of him. They were standing under a group of showerheads that hung from the ceiling in a circle, the boys stood back to back as they washed. Isaiah took one of the showers away from the rest of the group, he turned on the water and started to work through his shower routine. He could clearly hear the groups conversation.
"So guys, where's the victory party at tonight?" asked Chris dumping soap into his hand from a squeeze bottle.
"Hells yeah, mutha, that's what I need! Caleb, we doing it at your house again this time?" asked Jonathan excited. Caleb had an unsure look on his face as he spoke.
"I don't know, man. My parents are outta town but I'm not sure about the whole party thing. The girlfriend is going to wanna hang out and, quite frankly, she hates you idiots." The group laughs at the comment. The rest of the team and Jonathan in particular didn't like Sheena, they all saw her as just a spoiled brat that leached off Caleb. Every one of them, except Isaiah, had tried to get him to leave her at some point and any onlooker could see that it bothered him.
"The feelings mutual," said Mike. "I'm sure she knows that."
"Man, that shit's weak. You need to tell that bitch how it is. But then again, we've been telling you that for years! We know how it is eh buddy?" Jonathan made a whipping noise and made the action with his hand then continued to scrub his chest. The team laughed at the comment, Caleb shook his head hiding frustration.
"Man, whatever. At least I got some pussy to get whipped by! When's the last time you got anything other then the Sears catalogue?" said Caleb keeping with the light mood.
"Ha ha. Fuck you, ass. I get plenty o' pussy." Jonathan turned off the water on his showerhead and stepped away from the shower. Andrew looked back at him with a big smile on his face. Everyone new Jonathan for two things other then football, partying and women, he made it no secret that he was heavily into either. He'd often talk about his conquests in the locker room, much to the others dismay.
"Yeah, from that fat chick!" Andrew called out for everyone to hear. The group laughed, and Isaiah found this to be particularly funny. The "fat chick" they were referring to was his best friend Casey. He didn't like hearing them talk about her like that but he knew that she would get a kick out of him being teased, little did they know she used him just as much as he used to her. Isaiah snickered out loud and shook his head not realizing it.
"Whatever," said Jonathan. Jonathan was clearly irritated about being teased and everyone laughing at him. As Isaiah laughed he turned his attention to him with an angry look on his face. "What are you laughing at, faggot?" Isaiah became nervous as Jonathan approached him putting a towel around his waste. Jonathan was significantly larger then him and probably had about forty pounds on him. The words were something that Isaiah had unfortunately become used to over the past year or so, since the rumours had started to circulate about him. The entire room had gone quiet the only sound was the water streaming from the showerheads. Isaiah shot Caleb a nervous glance before he spoke.
"Nothing, man… Just thought about something," said Isaiah his voice cracking.
"That's what I thought, fucking faggot!" Jonathan pushed Isaiah harshly, Isaiah stumbled almost falling to the floor.
"Man, knock it off…" Caleb put his towel around him and stepped over to them, he wasn't about to stand for Jonathan getting physical with anyone, particularly the smallest member of the team.
"Hey! Calm down. We all laughed you. Didn't hear you talking to anyone else like that," said Caleb taking a defensive posture. Jonathan turned around and looked at Caleb still with an angry look on his face. Caleb new he wasn't surprised, this wasn't the first time he had to come between Jonathan and Isaiah. Caleb stood staring at Jonathan waiting for a response half expecting what he was going to say anyway.
"Caleb, why do we have this faggot on our team anyway." The rest of the group nervously looked on wondering what was going to happen. These incidents didn't ever get too serious, but this was probably the first time in a long time Jonathan had physically attacked Isaiah. They new that Caleb wouldn't stand for it.
"Man, Jonathan, you know you're my best friend, but I'm still team captain. He's on the team because he does what he's supposed to do. Now just shut up before I have to get the coach involved." Jonathan stared at Caleb angry and hurt that Caleb would always take Isaiah's side in these situations.
"Whatever. I'm out of here. I'll see you boys later." Jonathan walked out of the shower room and waved at the others on his way by. They stay silent for a few seconds hearing Jonathan thrashing his locker around briefly then the sound stops. Isaiah looks at Caleb shortly and then goes back to shower.
"Thanks."
"Yeah man." Caleb walked back over to his shower and hung up the towel in front of him. Mike looked at each of them sensing that the tension had faded and decided it was ok to get back on the topic at hand.
"So. Yeah. Party. When?" Caleb smiled at Isaiah then looked at Mike, deciding to let the incident slide off for now.
"Fuck it. Just come over to my place. Tell the peeps and bring your friends. The 'rents aren't in town and it's the weekend. We might as well take advantage of it." The team started whooping and hollering with excitement. Caleb smiled and turned off the water, he put his towel around him and walked out into the locker room. Caleb opened his locker and took out the clothing he would wear for the rest of the day. His favourite black jeans and his orange silk button up. He finished towelling off still thinking about Isaiah, he would often stare at him when no one was looking. Caleb felt guilty for feeling this way, and he felt as though he could never act on it. People in Strathcona just wouldn't allow it and Sheena would never forgive him. He felt he was stuck with her at this point, not that he didn't love her but lately their fighting was really getting to him. Caleb got dressed and put the lock on his locker then picked up his duffel bag and walked out into the school corridors. He had to go back to his school locker to get his books. He was heading down the hallway when Sheena walked around the corner ahead of him. She had a look on her face that Caleb was all too familiar with. He braced for impact.
"Didn't you see me waving at you today?" she asked clearly agitated. Sheena put her hands on her hips and raised an eyebrow. "I saw you looking right at me. I know you saw me."
"Sorry I didn't hear you." The look on Sheena's face changed from agitated to angry.
"I was talking to Jonathan, he told me, he told you, he heard me." Caleb looked at Sheena frustrated about the entire situation. He ran his hand through his hair then rested his hand on his neck.
"Sheena why did you even bother to ask if you already knew the answer."
"Because I wanted to catch you in a lie." Caleb looked at Sheena this was the type of game he was sick of and it had been going on too much lately.
"Whatever I'm not dealing with this anymore. Why do you always have to play these games, what does it prove?" Caleb looked at Sheena bracing for one of her smart- ass remarks.
"That I'm smarter than you Caleb. Stop being a dumb jock for once. You're not going anywhere." Sheena's attitude was becoming too much for Caleb, he decided to end the conversation before it got too much more hostile. He pushed passed her and walked down the hallway.
"Whatever I'll see you on the bus!" Sheena stood and looked at him for a second then let out a sigh in frustration as she watched him walk away.
The school day was now over, and Caleb and Isaiah were getting their books out of their lockers to get ready to go home. Isaiah glanced over at Caleb, then went back to what he was doing pulling a binder down out of his locker. "Hey, Isaiah." Caleb put a text book in his backpack and walked over to him. Isaiah stopped what he was doing and looked at him. "Just wanted to tell you not to listen to Jonathan. He was just being an idiot earlier. I've always thought you were pretty cool." Caleb smiled at him and Isaiah gave a small smile back.
"Yeah, it's cool. Just bugged me when he pushed me. Thanks for stepping in." Isaiah took another text book from his locker. He was happy that Caleb was talking to him and couldn't seem to stop smiling.
"No problem, bud." Caleb looked him up and down with his eyes then walked back to his locker, he took one of his text books and put it down into his back pack. "So you coming to the party later?" The smile on Isaiah's face faded as his nerves took over. He had never been to any of the parties before in the past because he didn't really get along with anyone that went to them.
"Oh, um, yeah, I'm not sure about that to be honest." Isaiah paused briefly to try and come up with an excuse as to why he wouldn't be able to attend. "Not sure if my mom will let me." Caleb looked at him slightly confused, Isaiah new that wouldn't be enough. "That and Casey wants to do something later tonight." The confusion faded from Caleb's face as he spoke, he really seemed to want Isaiah to come along.
"Well, if that's the case, you can bring her if you want." Caleb stopped what he was doing again and looked at him with a questioning look. "Man, why don't you ever come to any of our victory parties?"
"I don't know, to be honest." Isaiah decided to stop making excuses and just tell him. "Not really my thing, you know?" Caleb smiled at him again as he closed his locker.
"Well, why don't you come anyway?" Caleb urged. "I'll be disappointed if you don't." Isaiah could feel the colour almost rush out of his face, he was rather put off that Caleb was trying to get him to come to this party. This wasn't the first time he had turned them down and all the other times he just let it slide, why was this time any different?
"Really? That's a little strange isn't it?" Caleb suddenly realised what he had said and his thought processed changed not wanting Isaiah to think anything of the comment, truthful or otherwise. He jokingly punched Isaiah in the arm lightly Isaiah smiled at him.
"Hey I'm just kidding. It won't be so bad. You'll have a good time. See you later, man." Caleb smiled and started to walk away. Isaiah watched him as he walked away. He was almost in a trance at the fact that Caleb wanted him to go to this party so bad and just blatantly tried to cover it up when Isaiah reacted to what he said.
"Okay!"
Casey walked up to the locker next to Isaiah and stared at him as he spoke to Caleb. Isaiah clearly didn't see her approach. As the two of them spoke she could see Isaiah's face light up. Casey was the only one in school who really knew Isaiah's secret. She watched them converse, their body language was of that of two good friends even though Casey knew that wasn't the case at all. Isaiah and Caleb didn't see each other outside of practise and games but Isaiah wanted to be around him more. Casey leaned against the locker and continued to listen to them talking until Caleb walked away. Isaiah put the last of his books into his backpack, his face still lit up with happiness at the conversation he just had. Isaiah closed his locker door and Casey was standing right behind it startled he dropped his pack.
"Ah, shit! How long have you been standing there?" The two of them laughed as Isaiah quickly picked up his backpack and hung it over one shoulder.
"Only long enough to see you light up with joy as he was talking to you. Have you told him yet?" Casey was already pretty sure of the answer.
"Yeah right, 'cus that'll happen anytime soon." Casey rolled her eyes at Isaiah's tone. She knew that it wasn't the fact that he was a guy that he doubted himself but because of his poor self confidence.
"Hey, you never know! Besides, it would be so funny to see his bitchy, control freak girlfriend get what everyone wants to come to her." Casey was the complete opposite of Sheena. Casey was short and a bit on the heavier side, with black hair and blue eyes, she often would dress in a lot of dark colours giving her an almost gothic look. She wasn't athletic by any stretch of the imagination, but she was extremely intelligent having been skipped ahead a year as a result. She was a year younger then Isaiah but would still graduate with him, but also because of her intelligence and her appearance she was often teased by the other students and Sheena in particular.
"You mean Sheena?" asked Isaiah knowing full well who she was referring to. "I can see why everyone hates her. She's just never been nasty to me personally. I think she sees me as the quiet one on the team."
"She's nasty to me on a regular basis." Casey paused and looked up and down the halls then at her watch. "Let's go we don't wanna miss the bus." Isaiah nodded at Casey and they both started down the hall toward the exit. The high school was a small building, three floors with probably two hundred students. Like the town it was placed in it had a lot of history behind it. Once a textiles plant the school had been converted in the early 1900's into a hospital, then in the 60's they converted it to a high school. The building reflected it's age, in places the paint on the walls was peeling or cracked. The lockers they used weren't as old as the building, but it had been a long time since they were replaced. Most of them were bent or had scars from past students. Casey and Isaiah walked out into the front of the school where there was a crowd of students waiting for the bus. Isaiah could see Caleb and Sheena standing with her friends Stephanie and Katelyn. Sheena was getting really close to Caleb, but he still had the irritated look on his face. Isaiah watched as she touched his chest and leaned on him as she talked to her friends.
"Oh my god Stephanie, that guy was so hot why didn't you stay with him?" Sheena seemed to be purposefully trying to draw attention to herself as she hung off Caleb.
"I don't know, I just didn't want to, sure he was pretty, but I don't need a relationship right now. I'm out to have fun," said Stephanie. Isaiah didn't really know a whole lot about Stephanie, but her reputation was not a pretty picture unless you were looking for a one nighter. Caleb looked at her and fought back the urge to roll his eyes at her comment. Sheena didn't like his friends, but he couldn't stand Stephanie. He hadn't told Sheena but at one of the parties they had been to she tried to sleep with him. "Why are you so quiet Caleb?" she asked.
"Oh, I think he's still mad at me," said Sheena looking up at him, "We got into another fight earlier." Sheena looked back at Stephanie smiling wide as if proud of herself.
"What about?" asked Stephanie.
"I caught him lying again." Caleb looked down at her and then away and pulled away from her. He glanced over at Isaiah who was standing with Casey obviously looking for an escape from her. Jonathan and the other guys weren't out of the building yet. "Come on Caleb, let's not fight like this anymore today please." Sheena reached out and took Caleb's hand and pulled him into a kiss then brushed her hand on his face and pulled back. "All you have to do is say you're sorry." Caleb looked at her as he pulled back from the kiss. The look on his face said he didn't want to be bothered fighting with her anymore he was tired and just wanted to take a nap.
"I'm sorry, Sheena. But you know how I get sometimes when we're going through these games." This was always what Caleb let her feel but the truth was that when he was in the midst of a game was when he was the most at ease and his mind was the clearest. Lately the only thing that kept him sane was the game and his practises.
"I accept your apology. Now wasn't that easy?" Sheena smiled at him and hugged him. Isaiah looked on and rolled his eyes at them. Jonathan, Chris, Mike and Andrew came walking out of the school and went over to where Caleb was standing. Jonathan brushed up against Katelyn and slapped her on the ass.
"Hey baby, you gonna be at the party tonight?" Jonathan had a big smirk on his face.
"No," said Katelyn offended, "My parents are going out of town." Katelyn glared at Jonathan. Every now and then he would cross the line, she didn't take well to his advances all the time. "And even if I was, what makes you think that you would have any chance with me?" The other guys laughed at him.
"Oh come on now, you didn't mind it a month ago." Jonathan gestured and grabbed the crotch of his jeans, Katelyn let out a frustrated sigh and walked away from him.
"Jonathan stop being such a pig," said Sheena. The bus pulled up to them and the students began to stand in line to wait to get on. Isaiah and Casey shared a seat two rows up from Chris, Mike and Andrew. Caleb and Sheena are sitting away from the rest of them on the other side and Jonathan is a sitting behind them in a seat by himself. The bus driver was focused on his driving. Caleb looked around the bus, he was getting ready to tell Sheena about the party, but he didn't want the backlash. He knew she wasn't going to be happy about it, he just hoped that she wouldn't blow up at him over it. He didn't think he could control himself if she blew up at him again. He looked over at her she was reading a teen vogue magazine and leaning into him. She looked unusually peaceful and he almost didn't want to tell her but he new if people just started to show up at the house she would completely freak out and make a scene. She noticed that he was looking over at him and smiled, he smiled gently back at her.
"So," he began, "we're having the victory party tonight at the house." Sheena closed the magazine she was reading and dropped it in her pack and looked at him with a disappointed look in her face.
"Awe baby, you know I hate those idiots being around. I was hoping the two of us could have a bit of a celebration of out own." Sheena had a seductive look in her eyes as she rubbed his forearm with one hand and put her index finger on his chest moving it in a circular motion. Caleb was borderline shocked at her reaction he certainly expected worse, he kept the tone of the conversation going.
"I know, babe, but they're my friends. And more importantly; my team-mates," he explained, "How am I supposed to get my scholarship without them? Besides, just because they're there doesn't mean we can't hold our own celebration in my bedroom." Caleb leaned in and kissed her briefly. She pulled back and looked at him with a little bit of frustration in her face but also smirking at him.
"Why can't you just have fun now like everyone else our age?" she asked.
"I can't say I will but I can try, right?" Caleb put his arm around Sheena and squeezed her into him gently. If she would be like this more often his life would certainly be easier. Jonathan jumped up from the seat behind him and rested his arms on the headrest of Caleb's seat.
"Hey Caleb, dude." Sheena let out a quiet sigh and Caleb looked back at Jonathan who smiled at Sheena's irritation. "When do you want us to come or the party?"
"'Round seven?"
"Sounds sweet." Jonathan stoop up out of his seat and put his arms in the air to purposely draw attention to himself. "Hey everyone, partay at Caleb's house tonight at seven! Bring your friends and whoever the hell else wants to come. Wooo!" Jonathan cheered and the other students on the bus started to hoot and holler drawing the attention of the otherwise focused bus driver. The bus driver turned around to see Jonathan standing in the aisle his expression was clearly annoyed.
"Hey!" he bellowed, "get in your seat and quiet down back there!" The bus driver looked from Jonathan to the road several times waiting for him to respond. Jonathan looked back at the bus driver and then sat back down in his seat.
"Sorry. I'm done now." Casey watched Jonathan closely as he sat down. Casey knew that Isaiah couldn't stand him but she couldn't help it, she thought he was hot. His brown hair and blue eyes sometimes captivated her, not to mention the fact that he had the tall and sturdy body he worked hard to maintain. Even though he often abused it with heavy drugs and alcohol, she didn't care it was just sex. She looked at Isaiah who sat next to her reading out of a textbook.
"Jonathan is so hot." A look of disgust came over Isaiah's face as he book marked his page and closed his book.
"Casey, he's such an asshole. Why would you even want anything to do with him?" asked Isaiah. Of all the people that Casey could choose, Jonathan to Isaiah, was the worst. She even knew that he was the one that gave Isaiah the most trouble when it came to people teasing him but she didn't always seem to care.
"I don't know he's just hot." Isaiah looked over at him briefly then looked back to her as if to be checking if she was right. He just couldn't see how someone like Jonathan could be attractive to anyone he was a womanizer and borderline alcoholic.
"Casey, come on now. You know he'd only use you." Casey was clearly offended at what he had said even though he obviously didn't mean it the way she took it.
"I'm so sick of people saying that I'm stupid. I knew he didn't love me, but everyone always makes it sound like he never would because I'm the "fat girl". But the truth is that he wouldn't because he's an asshole. I used him just as much as he used me," Casey ranted. Casey turned her head and looked away. Isaiah felt bad because it was true what people thought, but he didn't think that way. To him Casey was beautiful because he knew her personality and he didn't understand why she didn't see herself in a better light.
"You know I don't think that," said Isaiah trying to be apologetic, "I just hear the locker room talk they all have. The other guys tease him about you." Casey turned her head to look at him with a small smile on her face. She thought he was hot but that was about it other then the easy sex she thought he was an idiot.
"Good. Serves him right." Isaiah opened his text book and went back to reading for a few seconds. "So speaking of locker room talk, what about the party? You are going, right?" Casey looked at Isaiah with a broad smile and an expecting look on her face. She knew he was uncomfortable with the aspect of the parties this was why he didn't go to them before, but having listened to their conversation she knew he had a bit of an incentive to go.
"I wasn't sure if you were going to do anything tonight so I left it open, although Caleb asked me to go to it." Casey looked at him clearly not buying the "left it open" story.
"So let's go then. I'll go with you. I've been to a few of their parties at Caleb's house before. They always seem pretty rockin'." Isaiah stared down at his book nervously for a second it almost looked like he expected a different reaction from her.
"Cool. Sounds good." Isaiah turned a page in his book and continued to read Casey stared at him for a second wondering why he was so engulfed in his text book realising that he was trying to avoid too much conversation with her.
"So Caleb asked you to go tonight, huh?" she taunted lightly. Isaiah snapped his book shut and put it on his lap. He looked at her surprised that she would say it so loud.
"Casey, keep your voice down." Isaiah was clearly embarrassed his cheeks flushed red and he looked around to see if anyone had heard when the bus came to a stop. Caleb and Sheena got up Caleb walked ahead of Sheena and stopped at Casey and Isaiah's seat he flashed a smile at them.
"See you guys tonight at the party." Isaiah smiled but tried to avoid eye contact his face still flushed red.
"See you later, Caleb," said Isaiah. Sheena stood behind Caleb waiting for him to move on.
"See you, Caleb," said Casey. Sheena looked at Casey with a repulsed look on her face, it was clear that she didn't want her to be there.
"Oh my god, she's going to be there?" she said disgusted. Casey looked away awkwardly to keep herself from saying anything. She knew if she said something it might result in a physical fight and she didn't want to have to hurt Sheena. Caleb looked at Sheena with anger in his eyes, this was it he had had enough of her attitude for one day and he wasn't going to be quiet about it. It was bad enough that she ruined his day, he wasn't about to let her attack someone for no reason with him standing right beside her.
"Yeah, I said anybody could come." Caleb looked at her anyone looking at him could tell he was almost furious. "Can't you just keep your mouth shut for a fucking second?" Sheena looked at him shocked briefly.
"Oh, fuck you, asshole." Sheena pushed passed Caleb and got off the bus, she headed up his yard. Caleb looked back at Isaiah and Casey and smiled at them.
"Sorry," he laughed nervously, "Gotta go." Caleb quickly followed Sheena and walked off the bus and up the yard. The door on the bus closed and it started to move again.
Caleb walked up behind Sheena with the key to the house in his hand, she stood on the door with her arms crossed and tapping her foot obnoxiously. Caleb chose to ignore her childishness and put the key in the door and walked into the big house. Caleb's family was very well off, his parents were both corporate lawyers for a large firm based in Ontario. The house exterior was boxy and functional in appearance but the interior was very roomy, the foyer opened up into the large living room that was nicely decorated. The furniture was new, a leather couch loveseat and chair sat in the middle of the floor in a half circle in front of a fifty-two inch television and entertainment centre. The door to the kitchen was on the other side of the living room and there were two more doors one led to an office and another led to a filing room. There was a set of stairs that led to the upstairs where Caleb's, his parents and his uncle Caesar stayed as well as a guest room. Sheena walked in behind Caleb and stayed silent as she headed upstairs to Caleb's bedroom. Caleb rolled his eyes and followed her upstairs, they walked into his bedroom. A large open room with a double bed centred on the wall a small walk in closet and his computer desk in one corner and entertainment centre in the floor in front of the bed.
"Sheena you were in the wrong," said Caleb plainly. Sheena looked at him as though he was saying something that was completely shocking. "What, you were?" Caleb sat his pack down and sat on his bed and laid back, he could tell that she was extremely angry, she didn't take well to being humiliated especially in public. "Are you really going to hang on to it for the rest of the day?" Caleb was almost taunting her, for once she couldn't argue with him because he was right by any stretch of the argument. Sheena let out one last frustrated sigh and got up and went back downstairs. Caleb put his head back on his pillow and closed his eyes finally getting the nap he wanted. His head and body were aching, his muscles and body were aching from the game. As for his head ache it was all on Sheena he was looking forward to the party tonight to be able to just have fun and relax with his friends. Caleb slowly drifted off to sleep.
The bus had just started to move again after dropping off Caleb. Several of the students on the bus were laughing about Sheena. Jonathan sat back in his seat and looked back at Chris, Andrew, and Mike.
"Haha. Someone's not getting any tonight!" he called out. Isaiah smiled at Casey feeling the overall emotion of the bus laughing at Sheena.
"Poor guy. Way to go, Casey."
"Oh, whatever. What a bitch. I'm glad I pissed her off, and not like Caleb is in any real trouble. He'll just pull out his dick and she'll love him all over again like usual," said Casey sarcastically. Isaiah was suddenly uncomfortable, he didn't like hearing about Caleb and Sheena's sex life. The thought of Caleb being with Sheena bothered him because it was apparent, at least to him, that they stayed together because it was easier for him just to stay with her then to deal with the backlash of a break up with her.
"Yeah," Isaiah paused his discomfort starting to shine through, "I wonder why he took the bus and not the truck. Pretty sure his parents took their car." Caleb would rarely go on the bus, when he first got his license his parents bought him a white Ford f150 pick up truck that he took pretty much everywhere.
"Yeah, it is a little weird to see him on the bus," said Casey. Jonathan came up behind them and sat down in the empty seat smiling at Casey.
"Hey, Casey. You gonna be at the party tonight?" he asked. Isaiah could see the look in his eyes that he would get when he was trying to get with a girl.
"Yeah, I'm going with Isaiah. We'll be there around eight or so. I assume you're going?" Casey knew Jonathan didn't like Isaiah and she almost seemed to be showing off the fact she was going with him.
"Of course! You know you really should come to my place before the party?" Casey looked at Jonathan knowing full well what he was implying.
"Oh yeah, and why's that?" Jonathan smirked at her thinking that she was catching the vibe he was trying to throw off.
"Well, free liquor is always good." Jonathan leaned into her and smiled with a bit of a seductive look in his eyes. Casey put her finger on his shoulder, smiling at him she pushed him away from her.
"I'm sure there will be plenty of that at the party though. Maybe we'll talk after." Casey watched as the look on Jonathan's face went from seductive to surprise and embarrassed. Mike was watched as Casey rejected Jonathan and started laughing at the look on his face.
"Oh ho, shot down by the fat girl!" he hollered. Jonathan stood up quickly and sat back in his original seat still surprised that Casey rejected him. He just assumed that she would accept the invitation maybe if Isaiah hadn't been there things would have went his way. He had already been rejected by Katelyn who he thought was probably the hottest girl he knew, but Casey would have been good enough for now, he was just looking to get off at the end of the night anyway.
"Shut up, Mike! Whatever!" The bus slowly came to a full stop and Jonathan watched Isaiah and Casey get up and walk off the bus. Jonathan couldn't stand even being in the same room as Isaiah let alone the bus. There were a lot of rumours floating around that he was gay and Jonathan was completely convinced that they were true. Once in awhile he would catch Isaiah in an awkwardly long stare, never at him, but at Caleb his best friend. He had noticed that Caleb and Isaiah had been chatting a few times today and it really bothered him. It was bad enough today that Caleb was the only thing stopping him from giving Isaiah a few good punches here and there, but he didn't want them to be friends. Just the thought of what could happen was enough to make Jonathan want to hurt somebody. The thought of two guys together was disgusting to him, it would be even worse if it was his best friend. The worst part about it was that Jonathan wasn't convinced that Caleb felt the same way he did. He certainly didn't think that Caleb would ever be interested in another guy, but he would tolerate it and that's what scared him. Jonathan stood up and walked to the back of the bus where Mike and Andrew were sitting. "Man, I know that Isaiah's a fag. Don't you guys think so?" Mike looked at Jonathan caught off guard by his bluntness.
"Where did that come from?" asked Mike.
"Not really anywhere. I just know he's a fuckin' faggot. I'm going to have to kick his ass next time I get a chance." Jonathan was clearly irritated. Andrew looked at Jonathan feeling the same way and wanting in on the action.
"Man, fags are gross. Lemme know when you're gonna do it. I think he is too, but Caleb is always around when you say something so I just don't bother. Not worth the trouble of having him pissed at me," explained Andrew.
"Man, Caleb won't even know about it. I don't know why he sticks up for him anyway. He even does when we're not at the games or the gym."
"Well, he has to put on the front, you know, and he's good at it. That's why he's the team captain." Andrew shrugged his shoulders and stared at Jonathan for a moment. Jonathan got up and let out a sigh in frustration, he walked over and sat back in his seat.
Isaiah and Casey walked down the street towards his house as they often did. Casey lived a few blocks away from him so she would just get let out at his stop to spend the extra time together. Isaiah walked this road every day for his entire school career. There were only a few houses on it, his parents and some neighbours that they really didn't speak to often. He lived in the small house with his mother Carla, his father had passed away when he was only three of prostate cancer and his grand parents were all dead. This made Isaiah and Carla extremely close, they were used to only having each other. Carla worked as a manager at the local grocery store, not a glorious job by any means but it was enough to keep them in a place to stay and food. They shortly came to Isaiah's house.
"What time did you wanna leave for the party?" asked Casey stopping to look at him.
"I don't know, you're driving, you tell me." Isaiah stopped and looked at her thinking for a second. "I'd like to just go and get it over with though, I know I'm going to be almost having an anxiety attack until my feet are solidly in his yard anyway."
"Alright well I'll call you later. I wasn't thinking of going until like eight or so."
"Okay, cool I will talk to you then." Casey nodded to Isaiah and continued on her way home, Isaiah walked up to the front door of his house and walked in. His house was a small two bedroom bungalow with a basement that led right off the foyer. Stepping in the house you stood in the kitchen, walking into the kitchen turning right was the hallway that adjoined the living room, bathroom, Carla's room and Isaiah's room at the end of the hall. Isaiah took off his shoes and walked in to his bedroom. His mother wouldn't be home for just over an hour so, he decided to sit at home and get some of his homework done. He wanted to try to take his mind off the already building anxiety about the party.
Sheena walked back up the stairs with a glass of water in her hand, they had been home for an hour and Caleb hadn't come to look for her. She had been so angry at him for most of the day she decided that she would just let this whole incident slide. Sheena walked into the bedroom, Caleb was asleep on the bed Sheena stayed quiet and approached the bed she looked at him. Caleb was beautiful, his short black hair and hazel bedroom eyes, together with his smooth olive coloured skin would be enough to drive any girl crazy. She was the envy of every girl in school and that was her favourite part. She loved being in public with him and showing everyone what they had, she loved him but the physical part of their relationship was her favourite. The sunlight peeked in through the curtains and landed on Caleb's chest. Sheena smiled and still stayed silent she walked over to him and sat down next to him. She could hear his breathing and watched as his chest heaved up and down, she put her hand on his stomach and slowly lifted his shirt to admire his abdominal muscles. Caleb breathed in deeply and rolled on his side facing her. He slowly opened his eyes and looked at her, she smiled at him.
"How'd you sleep?" she whispered. Caleb sat up and rested on one arm, he yawned then got up from the bed and walked over to his computer.
"Good." Caleb looked back at her as he sat at his desk. "Are you alright?" Caleb sat and looked at her for a second. She seemed reasonably calm but sometimes she would come at him out of nowhere with her anger.
"Yes I'm alright. Are you ok?" Caleb smiled at her then turned around, he opened a program on his computer. He had to make sure that his parents new what was going to be going on at the house tonight. His parents didn't have many rules their main ones were no drugs, something that was sometimes difficult with Sheena, and no parties with out them being notified of it going on.
"I'm alright I just have to write my dad an email." Caleb started to type at his computer for a few minutes as Sheena looked on. After watching him type she started to get irritated with him not paying attention to her. Sheena stood up off the bed and walked over and looked at the screen.
"Caleb, what are you telling him about? Get off the computer and come cuddle with me," she whined.
"I've just gotta let them know what's going on tonight so that they don't come home in the middle of it and ruin everything," explained Caleb as he continued to type. He knew that was a lie, they wouldn't be coming home, he just wanted to get it done and over with.
"I thought they were gone for the weekend," said Sheena confused.
"Well, they're supposed to be, but you never know."
"Come on babe." Sheena put her arms around his neck and started to kiss his neck slowly. Caleb cocked his head to the side and gave her an annoyed looked pushing her away.
"Can you hold on for just a minute so I can get this email sent off?" Caleb's annoyance was clearly reflecting in his voice. Sheena took her hand off him and walked back over to sit on the bed equally annoyed.
"Alright, whatever." Sheena looked at him with her arms crossed.
"I'm sorry," Caleb's voice changed from annoyed to apologetic almost seeming to kiss up to her, "I just need to do this or else they get super mad at me when they come back. Dad already has the time lock on the truck set for tomorrow for when he found that pot you left in my drawer. You're lucky that I'm still allowed to see you right now." Sheena knew he was right, most of the time he got into some kind of trouble it was her fault either directly or indirectly, another point that she couldn't argue.
"I know, I know. I'm sorry." Sheena walked back over to him and rested her hand on his shoulder. She watched as he typed a few more words and hit "Enter" on the keyboard sending the message to his father.
"Finally." Caleb hated doing these reports to his parents, but if he didn't they would be angry and he would loose the truck for even longer. They had camera's watching the outside of the house so if he had a party without telling them it would be over for him. Sheena giggled and kissed him on the neck again.
"Good," she said quietly, "Now, where were we?" Caleb smiled and looked back at her.
"You were the one leading the way." Sheena slowly kissed him as he stood up. Caleb put his hands on her waste as they started to kiss passionately for a few short moments. Sheena put her hands up his shirt and started to rub his strong, broad chest. Sheena pulled from the kiss and smiled at him then looked back at the bed briefly then back at him. She began to back up slowly toward the bed, Caleb followed her lead as they walked to the bed she grabbed him and started to rub him. Caleb quickly got up on the bed and laid down on his back, they continued to kiss heavily as they moved into position with Sheena straddling him. Sheena leaned in and started to suck on Caleb's neck then opened his shirt and started to kiss down his chest. Sheena began to undo his pants just as his cellphone rang. "Shit."
"Don't answer it," Sheena whispered.
"I have to. It might be Jonathan on his way over." Caleb fumbled through his pocket and pulled out his phone. Sheena let out a frustrated sigh and got off him.
"Is it really that important." Caleb looked at her frustrated and put the phone to his ear.
"Hey man, what's up?"
"Not much, brother. Ready to start the party? I got the booze, big boy," said Jonathan's voice from the phone.
"Yeah man, you can come over. What time is it anyway?" Caleb looked at the clock on his end table. "Shit six thirty? I should go unlock the door. Peeps are probably already on the lawn. See you soon."
"Awesome. Later." Jonathan hung up his phone and Caleb put his phone back into his pocket and sat up on the bed doing up his shirt. Sheena sat back on the bed and tried to lean into him, Caleb pushed her back and stood up.
"So what, let them wait for another half hour or so. Do you think they'll care?" Caleb kissed her on the cheek and headed downstairs. Sheena hit the pillow out of frustration.
"Sheena, people are gonna start showing up!" Caleb called out from downstairs.
"Whatever, you idiot." Sheena stood up and walked downstairs.