Richard fell asleep in 1st period. This really wasn't that uncommon, but this morning he just couldn't keep his eyelids up. By third period it was beginning to become more noticeable, especially when he accidentally went to 4th period instead of 3rd. Not noticing anything Richard fell into the nearest desk and slumped over wrapping his arms around his head and resting his head upon the desk. It actually took the teacher 10 minutes to realize why everyone was laughing.
"Mr. Haywood I'm afraid your nap time in this class isn't for another 45 minutes. Mr. Pendleton please see to it that Mr. Haywood finds room 203 without any detours."
The annoyance of being chosen to escort Richard anywhere was clearly shown on Justin's face. Why him of all people?
"I know I can trust you to take Mr. Haywood to his own 3rd period class, I'm sure they're missing him." The sarcasm lightly veiled.
Rising to his feet Justin could feel the class watching him walking over to Richard's peacefully slumbering form occupying a front row desk.
Something about touching Richard, even lightly on the shoulder to wake him seemed wrong; inappropriate almost. Kicking Richard leg with his foot he got him moving in no time.
"What the hell's wrong with you Pendleton, can't you see I'm busy?" Yawned Richard, rubbing the dreams away with his hands over his face; it still hadn't occurred to Richard that he and Justin had 5th period together not 3rd.
"Well get busy somewhere else, this isn't your class' Informed Justin standing over Richard.
"Get busy huh?" A teasing smirk crossing Richards lips as he looked up at Justin.
Justin felt his face flush red and looked back at the teacher for support only to find her back at her desk reviewing a study plan.
Justin sighed, "Do you even know what time it is?"
Richard looked from Justin to the wall clock, blinked then looked back at Justin: The realization of being in the wrong class just now presenting itself to Richard.
Getting up on his feet Richard made a big show of him stretching and yawning. Grinning from ear to ear he looked around the room, catching the eye of a hot red head in the second row. "Well now that you've all seen a glimpse of me in action, I invite you all to my party Saturday night, especially you sweet thing." Clapping his hands together and nodding toward the cute red head, Richard headed for the door not waiting on Justin to follow. Several excited whispers could be heard in the room as Justin closed the door behind them. Heading toward the stairwell Justin held on to hope that Richard would go up stairs toward his room without problem. But it came as no surprise when Richard walked by the stairs completely and out the side door toward the parking lot. "Hey what are you doing?!" running toward Richard to stop him from leaving school grounds. "I'm writing an essay, what does it look like I'm doing?" Richard didn't slow down toward his car. "No, you can't go I'm responsible for you going to class"
"What are you going to do force me?" Richard stopped and looked Justin in the eye daring him to try. Staring at Richard, Justin felt stunned he hadn't expected a confrontation. "I…I just don't want to get in trouble for your rebellion." Blue eyes on blue eyes, tension building. "Then don't" Richard paused to light his cigarette, still facing Justin mere feet from the parking lot. "What I'm suppose to just leave like you, and not care that I'm missing class? Unlike you some people honor their responsibilities." Justin felt a bubble of pride swelling up within him, having just told off the most popular guy in school. Justin turned away from Richard, smiling to himself and started back toward school. "Responsibilities is that what you call it, is that how you fool yourself through another day?" The question was sneered in a way that made Justin want to ignore it; pretend it hadn't been heard, continuing toward the school. "You're so fucking weak Justin; you can't even think for yourself you do what you're told like a dog. Doesn't it upset you to know you're wasting yourself, your life on other peoples wants…" Taking another drag off his cigarette Richard didn't notice Justin stop, hand reached out for the door. That was just it, Justin had been bullied his whole life and he took it, accepted it, felt use to it. But in all his life no bully had ever been able to break and cut as deep as Richard Haywood. Every word directed toward Justin was Fire or Ice, he never knew which to expect. All pride vanished Justin froze in place. "Oh and you're not? Inviting strangers to your party, as if you're not trying to impress people?" Justin felt shaken, Richards comment had struck him hard, harder then he wanted to show. "What are you saying you don't want to go to my party Justin? You want to stay here at school, like a good boy?" The word good oozed out almost sounding threatening, Justin wavered in place caught between give into Responsibilities as he always did and standing his ground against Richard as he wanted to. "I doubt your party would be any fun, and what would I do now if I left school, go home. Doesn't sound so great to me." The look in Richard's eyes confirmed to Justin he had just kicked himself in this battle of wit. "Haha, You don't think my parties are fun Pendleton, how could you know since you've never been? Just go home from here; you obviously don't realize there is a whole world outside of these walls, all you need is someone to show you the ropes." Gesturing toward the school while still facing Justin, Richard flicked the remnants of his cigarette in the grass.
Justin knew better, he knew better… But standing so close to Richard, feeling the hot sun on his skin Justin throw away his logic, "And you might be the best one to show me the ropes?" Justin felt nervous as he watched Richard. "Hell ya, I'm your man. Now let's go." With that Justin followed Richard toward his Mustang leaving the school behind….
LATER THAT DAY
"So how has your day been so far Justin?"
Justin looked up at Dr.Wellington suddenly surprised, he hadn't felt much like talking this evening.
"Oh boring I guess, nothing much to report on" Turning back Justin continued watching the fish swim around their artificial world.
Observing Justin as he watched the fish sparked a memory in Wellington's mind that developed into a question….
"Justin why did you name your favorite fish Richie Haywood" The Doctor eyes focused sharply trying to detect any physical response from Justin.
For a brief barely there moment Justin stiffened as if struck, taking a slow deep breath he turned to face Wellington head on.
"I named him Rich Haywood, because the Haywood's are all rich. Not Richie Haywood, what reason would I have to do that?"
Justin was quiescent and only the small crack in his voice gave him away to the lie he released.
"Uh huh hmm" Agreed Wellington as he made note of Justin's lie in his folder for future review.
"I just find it a bit odd you naming a fish after one of our town's families. Is there any reason for this?"
"Well I…." A shadow passed over Justin's bright blue eyes.
"I just thought maybe if he was a rich Haywood it would make up for the fact that he doesn't fit in with the rest of the fish. It's immature I know, I was just feeling childish the day I said that is all. No real reason for it, sort of like a joke I guess."
Keeping his eyes focused on the wall directly beside Wellingtons head, Justin did well not to make eye contact. Perhaps if Justin had looked at the doctor he would have seen Wellington critically examining him making mental notes of his strained words and tense form, yes all of this was revealing to Wellington Justin's lies. For the first time in three years, the doctor could now tell when Justin told a lie! What a break through, often times in the past Wellington suspected Justin of a fabrication but had nothing more then that a feeling. Now studying Justin's physical responses he had a method, a way to tell for sure without alerting his patient. For Wellington was very sure Justin had named that fish Richie Haywood, since the day before this meeting he had listened to the taped conversation from over a year ago. Wellington liked to tape his patients, to keep each person's dilemmas fresh in his mind from sessions prior without having to recap anything. Not wanting to push Justin further, and risking him to clam up completely on the topic, Wellington changed course: Asking Justin more about Nietzsche and Freud and some of their other common interest….
