As Jimmy suited up he realized that he was really nervous about Petey being in his class. Jimmy wanted to see Petey in those tight singlets that the coach made the boys wear more than any other girl at Bulworth but he was afraid at the effect that this viewing would have on his singlet. As he prepared himself for the trial that lay before him Kirby walked by and smacked Jimmy's ass. Jimmy frowned at Kirby and snapped "Keep your hands to yourself you meat head" Kirby looked hurt by Jimmy's words. Kirby swore back "Watch your back Hopkins. Remember you don't own this school yet."
If only Jimmy thought. Then he could tell Petey how he actually felt. The coach blew the whistle and he headed out into the auditorium. The coach began his usual arraignment of the students. Calling them girls, making fun of certain physical traits in some lame attempt of getting the boys worked up to be active. Coach approached Petey and Jimmy's heart skipped a beat.
"Kowalski why are your eyes so big? Been looking around at what you wish you could be?" The coach spat these words with cruelty and a lack of compassion that would have made Gary proud. Jimmy snapped back "At least he isn't a fat ass..." The class sundered into silence. The hulking lump that was Coach turned and faced Jimmy. Jimmy stood undaunted. "You got yourself a girlfriend Hopkins?" The coach asked this meaning to be demeaning and embarrass Jimmy into submission. Jimmy caught Petey's eye trying to see if this is a fight he wanted Jimmy to fight.
Pete's eyes showed a love that caught Jimmy by surprise. He looked onto Jimmy as his hero and someone that he really loved. Who would stick up for him he thought to himself? Jimmy Hopkins the school bad boy who all the girls loved and whom Petey had stayed up a few nights thinking of was now coming to his defense against a teacher of all people. "He's more a man than you are Coach." Jimmy's retort cut the already thick air like a knife through melted butter. Coach looked confused as to what to say. The class could see his eyes struggling to think of some witty comeback. Someway of recovering some lost shred of supremacy in a class that already though little of him.
"How about we see who is the real man Hopkins?" All the Coach could come up with was a wrestling match between Hopkins and Kowalski. This would settle the conflict once and for all. Jimmy was infamous for showing no mercy in the ring. Not only that but submission was the only was that Hopkins won. This meant making Kowalski cry for release. The Coach knew that all thoughts that Kowalski had that Jimmy and he were friends were to be shattered upon entering that ring.
Jimmy's thoughts raced. What should he do? He couldn't't imagine hurting Petey. He loved him too much. Yet his reputation lay on the line. Pete was serene in comparison. He finally was going to be touched by the boy of his dreams. Happiness filled his thoughts. He cared little for the pain he might experience. He knew that Jimmy had been looking at him the past few weeks. He wouldn't't be hurt to badly. The boys met in the middle of the mat. Pete smiled showing complete submission to Jimmy. Pete's eyes met Jimmy's and Jimmy knew instantly what to do. The Coach shouted to three and Pete dropped to one knee.
Jimmy looked shocked. Pete interjected before anyone could have a word. "Jimmy is stronger, faster, better and more athletic than me. A wrestling match would only showcase what I already know to be true." As Pete said this he was kicking himself. Why would he back out from something that he wanted as much as this? He knew in the back of his head. He didn't want the first time Jimmy touched him to be in an auditorium faking aggression. He wanted it to be pure. He wanted unmitigated Jimmy. Jimmy looked at Pete in a new light. They had a lot to talk about in the Dorm. He had a new found respect for Pete and wanted it to be shown in a new and dangerous way. Pete was about to get his dream and Jimmy didn't even know it.