Buzz! Buzz! Buzz! Buzz! B-! My hand shoots out from under the warm, protective covers and smacks the alarm clock off my night stand. It's Monday. Start of another week. Football practice, Track practice, part time job at Peach Creek Grocery, chores, gym, bed. And each day starts off with a morning jog. My eyes struggle to focus as I throw the covers off me, immediately regretting it, as the cold morning air attacks my skin. Sending my body into a slight shock. Leaving goosebumps so visible, my skin could have been mistaken as uncooked chicken. I laid there cursing my actions, slowly waiting for my body to alcalmate to the room's tempure.
Rolling off my bed, my feet found the slightly plushed berber carpet comforting. All I need is solid ground and I'm off and running. I give my face a good wipe with both hands and vaulted from the bed. Making my way to my dad's old recliner, I usually have my sweats read to wear for a quicker start. Impressively, I managed to convince the old fart to give it up. Well, with the help of Lorrienne, my step mother, whom bought him a new corinthian leather lounge chair. It was the only time I thanked her for something. She wasn't the type of person you would give graditude to. Actually, she got damn lucky as those types of chairs are expensive. She happened to be grabbing a few things extra for dinner a few months back at my job when Mr. Ludgate, Jonny(2x4)'s father (whom owns a successful thrift shop), happened to be behind her in line as she nausingly complained about the puke green chair my father loved so much. Some days, I do believe he loves it more than me. But who wouldn't fall in love with comfort. Now Lorrienne wasn't a bad looking woman to be in her early forties. In fact, on her best day she could be Dita Von Teese's doppleganger.
Her curly, dark brown hair was pinned up in a stylish, sloppy bun on top of her head. She wore a dark blue cotton shirt that sported white pokadots. She tied the bottom of it in a short knot right above her belly button. It did wonders for her clevage (to which I avoid all eye contact from. For christ sake, she was my step mother). She matched that with tight white jeans and some red pumps. She finished off her look with painted rouge lips and white sixties mod, exaggerated round sun glasses that sat on her head like a crown. Her creamy, smooth white skin became increasingly red as she zoned on and on about the "monstrosity" that shamed her perfectly fung shui'd living room. I could have sworn it was "all" of our house. But, hey, whatever. Once in every two sentences she would break and critique my bagging of her groceries.
Marsha, the cashier, slowly scanned one item at a time, as she was getting annoyed with her chatter. She was a short, round woman with black hair and permnant resting bitch face. She didn't have all day to listen to such drool. There was an article about Mariah Carey's two hundred million dollar wedding that laid abandoned on the register's printer she was itching to get back to. Mr. Ludgate cleared his throat and injected in when he saw her finally take a breath.
He offered her a really decent price on the chair, he so happened to get in. Describing it in impressive detail. Even showing her a picture of it on his phone. Mentioning that he was thinking about keeping it himself since the Docks (one of the richer families in Peach Creek) gave him several. Continuing to mumble something about them saying "wrong colour" and "throw away, get a new one". Astonishingly she stopped talking as her eyes started to focus on him. You could almost see the gears turning in her head, as she moved closer to him, arching her back making her breasts push up against the fabric of the shirt, nearly popping off a button. Presenting an instagram worthy smile, eyes half closed, she placed her left hand on his chest, leaning in closer.
"Surely...,"she purred, coming nearly inches to his face, deep rouge lips parting, forming every word that pass through,"...as a family friend, you could...no, would help me give Percy such a lovely gift-for free!"
The average heighted man gulped. Straighting up his fair weathered tie, he takes his right hand and smooths down the few remainign hairs left on his head. Jonny is definitly the spitting image of his dad. "Well, I..."
"Oh, please do!," choked out Marsha, barely holding back,"Anything to shut her up!" I had to catch myself from laughing. Keeping my head down, avoiding eye contact. Turning to Marsha, her face twisted in a hateful, toothy grin,"Excuse her, Timothy. Some "low brows" can't appreciate the beauty of such treasures." She slides her hand over the stand up keyboard terminal, coming to a stop midway, pointing her perfectly manicured finger in her face. Without blinking, Marsha reached up and plucked the acrylic top off her nail. Shreiking, Lorriene pulled her hand back, cradlingit more in shock than pain. It took everything in my power not to double over again.
Holding up the french manicured cover, she turned it slightly left and right, admiring the art work.
"For someone who is so "high brow" you sure enjoy cheap things."
"YOU...!"
"Mr. Ludgate, thank you for the gift. I will be by tomorrow after practice to pick it up,"I quickly stated, motioning my step mother out to the car with me, while simultaneously the store manager ushered Marsha to the side, scolding her for her actions. I don't know how she kept her job for all these years and got away with so much, I thought, as we barely made it out the automatic sliding doors when she quipped how she didn't give a shit.
The memory made me smile. I walked over to the side of my night stand and picked up the clock. It read 5:15 am. I wasted too much time. Get it together Barr! Throwing off my sleep bottoms, keeping my wifebeater on, I slipped into my sweats in record time. Lacing up my sneakers, I managed to make it out the door in under a minute. Careful not to distrub my dad or god forbid, Lorriene. Pacing out to the end of the walkway, I took in the crisp, cold morning air. The cul-de-sac was dark, despite the dimly lit street lamps that struggled to stay on as the dawn approached. My eyes and thoughts drifted to across the street as a famaliar aqua colored house was the only one lit.
Double dork is always up this early. For what reason I will never know. He's a nice kid. Kind of skinny. Makes me want to buy him protein bars or something. To beef up...or feed to...He has the most infectious smile and perfect soft lips...what?! No! He has a nice smile. How many times has this kid bumped into me in the hallways. His skin is as soft as my dad's new chair. I wonder how it feels to hold...
My thoughts were interupted by an over joyous greeting,"YOUR BOOTY KING HAS ARRIVED!"
"SHUTTHEFUCKUPNAT!,"I angryily whispered through my teeth to my best friend. Always the one for dramatic flare he was decked out in neon yellow and green running gear, with a head band to match. His bright blue hair was pulled into a bantu knot on the top of his head. The guy was actually pretty tone considering his diet of what seemed to be nothing but junk food. He stood a few inches under me in height but was huge in personality. Jogging in place, he does a mock sad face, before sprinting off, shouting behind him to catch him if I could. Of course, I could. I'm the track team and football team's captian. I'd better be able to. Within seconds I easily sprinted past him and headed down toward the Peach Creek city limits.
A morning run is just what I need to clear my head. It's nice that Nat joins me every once in a while. Actually, it's surprising to see him half the time as mornings are not his thing. I'm usually alone with my Ipod and AC/DC. We slowed to a stop in front of my door. Placing my hands on my lower back I looked up to the sky and tried to catch my breath as Nat was bent over catching his. His head pops up,"It's 7:05...you think your parents are up? I'm straving!". Giving him a death stare,"My dad and Lorrienne are probably up, yes, and I'm not feeding you, you pig!"
"Aw, come on now, love. It's rude to turn down a guest's request."
"I can. It's my house. And you faternize with her."
"Oh, she's not so bad. You just got to beat her at her own game."
"I don't like games...,"I mumbled as I opened the front door and was greeted by the delicious smell of bacon, eggs, potatoes and my god, is that pancakes? Walking quickly pass the living room to the small, but quaint kitchen my father sits at the end of the table sipping his coffee and reading the Peach Post Dispatch. Putting down the cup full of motor oil colored coffee, he greeted us. "Oi! Boys! Back so late?". Giving him a smirk, I point my thumb back at Nat,"This puppy followed me home. I couldn't shake him. Sorry."
"That's no way to treat your friends, Kevin,"Lorrienne whipped around from the stove holding a fry pan, nearly hitting me with it in the process. Jumping back, I glared at her. "Kevin, fix your face,"my dad half heartly mumbled, not even looking up from the paper now. He already knew without looking. As usual she was dressed to impress. A flowly pink cotton dress with white heels and belt to match. This time her shoulder length hair was down with a head band and a small gold chain to finish off her outfit. She shash-shayed over to the table and flipped two sunny side eggs on to my dad's plate and proceeded back to the stove. "You don't even know him...besides we have to head to school early,"I half mumbled, annoyed completely by now.
Ignoring me, she grabs a plate that had bacon and sausages on it and presented like a diner waitress to Nat. "Surely, you have a minute to stay and eat something, Nathaniel. After all you're still a growing boy and I know how much you love sausages,"she grinned.
"How can I turn down an offer like that. I'll have the biggest one...over there,"he said pointing. She puts several on a plate adding, tongue in cheek,"I hope you can handle more than one. We have so many."
"Good lord..."
I rolled my eyes, turning, trying to get Nat to follow. Instead, his eyes widen, cooed at her,"That dress, Lorrienne, looks so famaliar!". She gives him a twirl, finishing off with her hands on her hips,"You like?".
"Oh yes! It looks exactly like the dress my mom gave to the Good Will a year back. I'm glad to see it's found a new home,"cuffing his hands, giving a cheesy grin. Wide eyed now, she managed to speak through her teeth without opening her mouth,"...hahah...eh...don't be such a BITCH, my darling. It's unbecoming of someone to be jealous of others. Besides, boys can not wear dresses.". Trying my best to pull away, I yelled from the living room,"He's not a bitch!".
Whipping around with a mock hurt look on his face, Nat clutches his hand to his chest. With a trembling bottom lip and puppy sad eyes, he quipped," But Kevie! I am a Beautiful Intellectual That Causes Hard-ons!". Lorrienne stood in shock nearly dropping a piece of bacon. Without looking up from his paper,"Have a good day, Nathaniel!". I took this as my que to grab him and make our exit. Taking two steps at a time, we were in front of my bedroom door in seconds. I took a quick shower before busting into my room naked, much to Nat's delight and quickly got dress. "Dude, you can use my shower."
"It's okay, I'll do it at home. You can drop me off,"He said sheepishly, waving his hand.
"Suit yourself, but you can't keep coming in late,"I said, whipping around the banister of the stairs, jumping the last five steps and dashing to the front door. Before he could close the door behind us, Lorrienne screamed a reminder of something that was of no importance. I opened the garage door and was greeted by the love of my life: a cherry red crusier with double matted black pipes. I grabbed my helmet and tossed Nat the spare. Backing the bike out of the drive way, my peripheral vision catches a blur of white strips bouncing frantically down the walk way across the street.
His face was already flushed from the strenuous activity of running. He's so cute when he blushes...
I was shaken out of my daydream as Nat had leaned forward and whispered near my ear "...tasty...". Elbowing him, he puts his arms up quickly to block my blow and proceeded to scoot to the end of the bike. Waving his hands as if flagging down a rescue plane,"WOO! HEY DOUBLE CUTIE! NEED A RIDE?".
"Dude!"
The smaller boy stopped and looks in our direction, tugging on his beanie. He gave a smile that could melt the sun. "Oh! Greeting gentlemen! I would have to decline such a generous offer as there seems to be no room...,"he fidgets with the strap of what looked to be an oversized purse. "Nonsense! I can easily get off. And besides I have to stop by my house anyway,"Nat said, happily bouncing on the back. I shot him a look to which he shrugged at.
"Thank you for the offer Nathaniel, but I prefer not to, uh, choose that mode of transportation. Either way I must hurry. I will see you gentlemen at school!". And without looking back his slender legs broke out into a hurried power walk, mumbling to himself, rush rush rush! My mind drifted watching him scurry away. I daydreamed of running my finger along the the treading of the top of his red sock. Inserting a finger, rounding it to the back of his ...
I feel a hand creeping up my back in a caressing motion. Once again my elbow found his crossed arms instead of an intended target, like his chest. Chuckling he makes a sour face,"What are you thinking about over there, Kevie Barr?".
"Nothing,"I huffled, revving the engine, taking off, barely giving Nat the chance to hang on. What am I thinking about, I wondered to myself as we wiped through turns heading to the upper scale part of Peach Creek City. Why am I thinking about Double Dork all of a sudden? Why do I get this feeling like I haven't eaten in a couple of day and my stomach starts to hurt? Why does my heart beat fast? Why do I stop breathing when he looks at me? Why can't I speak when he's near? Why? What is this feeling...