A/N: You have found A Teenage Prayer, the spin-off to The Sory-Ram Trilogy, chronicling the renewed relationship of Joel and Sebastian (aka Warren). To read about their roots, check out Ready to Take a Chance Again, the third entry of The Sory-Ram Trilogy.
"Warren, baby, you've actually attended three months of therapy. I'm so proud of you," Joel said, cupping Sebastian's face in his hands.
"Well, it's all thanks to you, Joely. I got that STD test like you wanted me to, and I'm one hundred percent negative in all cases. I'm clean, baby." Sebastian pulled out a piece of paper and embraced Joel. "Can we take our first date tonight? Say we go to the movies with Sam and Rory," Sebastian offered. "Sam said there's an Avatar showing at the Lima Cinemas."
"Oh God," Joel moaned. "I never want to see Avatar again."
"Why? It's a great film, it's got space and naked blue people and cool special effects," Sebastian said.
"As if the world needed to see giant Smurfs in space," Joel scoffed, "and all those poor suckers spending fifteen bucks, giving that the spot of highest-grossing film ever. Two billion dollars my ass, just wait another ten years and that egotist James Cameron will come up with another big-budget piece of shit."
"Seeing Avatar in 3D that first day out remains to be my worst cinema experience ever; I went on a date with this really cute guy and afterwards, I never saw him again. I swore never to see that film again," Joel explained. "Can we please see something else?"
"Alright, baby, we can go see…," Sebastian started, but Joel cut him off.
"Nothing in 3D, it costs too much," he said.
"I was gonna say we can go see Jubilant Sound 'cause it's a musical and I know how much you love musicals and Holly Lawton," Sebastian said, putting his hands up in surrender.
"I'm sorry, Warren. Let's go see that one, unless you want to see something else," Sebastian opened his mouth, but Joel got there first, "that's not Avatar." Sebastian sighed and took Joel by the arm.
"Hey, guys," Sam called as Joel and Sebastian walked towards the theater. "Seeing Avatar with me and Rory?"
"Joel hates Avatar, so I'm going to have to decline," Sebastian said.
"What? Joel, really, how could you hate Avatar?" Sam asked incredulously, his mouth agape. He shut it when he saw the look on Joel's face.
"We're seeing Jubilant Sound. Come on, Warren," Joel said, pulling Sebastian forward. Sebastian shot Sam an apologetic look. "Two for Jubilant Sound," he told the ticket taker.
"I'm sorry, sir. Jubilant Sound is all sold out. The only film tonight not sold out is Avatar," the ticket taker said.
"What? It got shitty reviews. Fine, we'll see Avatar." Joel slammed twenty dollars on the counter. Sam looked excited when Joel and Sebastian got in line behind him and Rory. "Don't say a word, any of you," Joel snapped, looking really pissed off.
The film started and Joel was surrounded by ecstatic geeks wearing Na'vi ears and blue makeup. "I hate everything," he muttered and one of the people in front of him shushed him. Joel retaliated by kicking the guy's chair.
"I don't like this movie either," Rory whispered next to him. "Sam loves it so much I just go with it."
"High-five," Joel whispered and the two boys slapped hands. "I think the best thing to do here for the next two and a half hours is not to waste our money. I'm gonna abuse the film, just like I did at Rocky Horror."
"It shouldn't be called 'unobtainium'. That's a load of bullshit!" Joel yelled out during the final battle, inducing shushes from the entire auditorium.
"I'm sorry, sir, but you've caused too much trouble and I'm going to need to ask you to leave," an usher whispered, leaning over Sam and Rory.
"Good luck making me. I paid ten bucks for this shit, I ain't leaving," Joel snapped, not taking his eyes off the screen.
"Sir, please don't make this any worse than it needs to be," the usher said. Joel looked over at him and his eyes widened.
"Oh my God, it's you," Joel whispered gleefully. "Warren, honey, I'll be right back." Joel slipped out of the aisle and into the lobby with the usher. "Well, well, well, Kenny Wilson, how grand it is to see you here."
"Who are you and how do you know my name?" the usher asked, looking perplexed.
"You don't remember me, do you?" Joel laughed. Kenny shook his head. "It's Joel from Knightley, remember? The guy you and your douchebag friends picked on every day? The guy who transferred after being outed at prom, does anyone come to mind?"
"Holy shit, Joel Richardson, is that really you?" Kenny asked.
"The one and only," Joel grinned.
"What are you doing here? I thought you left state," Kenny said.
"Oh please, why would I leave Ohio? There are so many memories." Joel shrugged. "Especially of you, Kenny; do you remember the last thing you did to me? I sure as hell remember you shoving me into the goddamn girls' locker room after cheerleading practice."
"Joel, I'm sorry. I was such a dick back then. If I go could back and change it, I would," Kenny pleaded.
"Oh, Kenny, you're not the first person to say that. Remember Warren Rhodes and when he outed me at prom?" Kenny nodded. "Well, he's my boyfriend now."
"Are you serious?" Kenny looked surprised.
"Do I look like I'm kidding?" Joel asked and Kenny shook his head again. "Oh, I missed you, Kenny. Hold on a second. No, I didn't. You made my life hell at Knightley. Do you remember the time you and your friends stripped me of my clothes and pushed me out of the fucking second story window?"
"Joel…," Kenny started to say, but Joel covered his mouth.
"Not finished yet. After that incident, my leg was broken and I needed a damn neck brace," Joel continued, his voice rising higher.
"Joel, is something wrong?" Sebastian walked into the lobby, looking worried.
"Just catching up a little with my former bully," Joel said sarcastically.
"Ok, we'll talk to him later, baby. Let's go, the movie's over." Sebastian took Joel by the arm and led him out of the theater.