"Hey," Luke said smiling as Reid settled down at the table beside him. "Did your meeting with the counselor go okay?"
"Mmmhmmm," Reid said pulling Luke's book towards him. "I started the application process for Stanford and Oakdale University. "
"Are those the only two schools you're applying to?" Luke asked curiously.
"I have a few that I'm interested in, but those are the important ones. The others are safe schools."
"My god," Luke said shaking his head. "Only you would classify Harvard as a safe school."
Reid smirked as he flipped through Luke's book, his eyes stopping momentarily on interesting passages. "You know, you're really good," he said finally looking up at Luke again.
"You think so?"
"I wouldn't say it if I didn't mean it," Reid replied with a shrug.
"Reid," Luke started but Reid stopped him.
"I think you're really talented, Luke. In my opinion you could publish this in a magazine tomorrow and have publishers contacting you before you even graduate."
"I think you're too nice."
"Me?" Reid laughed. "I think you and Manda are the only ones who think I can be nice."
"Manda is a really nice girl. She seems like she's the complete opposite of Jones."
"That's because she is. She really likes you too."
"Does she?"
"Yep. She just asked me the other day how you were."
"We'll have to hang out again. Do you think that would be okay?" Luke asked resting his arms on the table. He rested his chin on his hands and waited for Reid's answer."
"I'm sure Manda would like that," Reid agreed. "What are you doing for Thanksgiving?"
"I'm not sure," Luke said sadly. "We usually have a big dinner at Grandma's but it won't be the same this year. Not with Mom and Dad fighting."
"You shouldn't let your parents' issues ruin your holiday Luke."
"I know."
"Thanksgiving is your favorite day of the year, even more so than Christmas. You have to enjoy it."
"You actually listen to me," Luke smiled. "I'm impressed.
"And I'm serious," Reid insisted, a small smile crossed his lips even as he tried to look stern. "Thanksgiving is about family…your mom needs to remember that and put her differences aside for one day."
"I'll make sure to tell her that. Thanks Reid. What are you doing for the weekend?"
"Well Thanksgiving at my house is not nearly as fun as it is at yours. Mom goes overboard cooking for all our overbearing relatives, and no matter how tasty everything is grandmother finds something to complain about."
"Your Dad's mom I take it?"
"Yep, the curse of the mother-in-law it really does exist."
"Oh I believe that," Luke laughed. "My dad still has nightmares about Grandma Lucinda. I think they respected each other by the time she passed away…but it was very dicey before then."
"I wish I could have met her," Reid commented. "I bet she and my grandmother would have gotten along just fine. In my opinion she picks on my mother purposely, not that I can prove it." Luke snickered as he thought of Reid watching his grandmother's every move. "The men in the family talk medicine and science from the moment they arrive till the moment dad closes the door behind Uncle Vernon."
"But you like science."
"I love it, but I can understand the need for other stimulating conversation from time to time. Are you laughing at me?"
"No," Luke laughed and shook his head. "I just…I think you're amazing."
"You're not too bad yourself, Luke." he smiled and stood pushing Luke's notebook back towards him. "I better get going. I'll call you tonight." Reid kissed Luke's cheek before disappearing with his bag slung over his shoulder. Luke sighed and fell back in the chair, all thoughts of writing gone, at least for the moment.
"So I was thinking," Luke said as he rested his head against his headboard. "What if we got our friends together over Thanksgiving Break? Like maybe that weekend we could all go bowling or something."
"Bowling?" Reid repeated. "Do you know how to bowl?"
"Yes, I'm pretty good. Jordan and I used to go with Dad all the time."
"Okay, then you can teach me."
"You've never bowled? " Luke asked slightly amused.
"Honestly, I don't understand the fascination with a ball rolling toward things that resemble hard mini bats."
"Its fun," Luke smiled as he sat up straight. "And I'd be happy to teach you. So should we do that? Invite our friends for an outing?"
"We can try it," Reid said after a moment's thought. "I'm sure Manda will be up for it, and I can invite Jones."
"And I'll bring Jordan and Chris. I really want this to work out, Reid."
"Well I don't know how our friends will react to each other, but I'll tell you this. It's not going to affect how I feel about you."
"That's good to know," Luke said softly. "I feel the same way…Our relationship is separate from our friends, I just…I just want them to get along. You know?"
"Yeah, I know. I've never met anyone quite like you in my life, Luke."
"What do you mean?"
"You're just so…good," Reid said not able to find a better word to describe what he was feeling. "I know not a very articulate word from me, but it's all I can think of at this moment. It's like you have a big heart and you're nice to everybody. Even the dietitian at school knows you by name and the security guys too. You're super sweet, but then at the drop of a hat you can get into someone's face and tell them off."
"I'm like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde," Luke quipped as he settled down in bed. Reid could hear him shifting positions and waited until he was done before speaking.
"I believe you're a bit more sophisticated than Dr. Jekyll and probably just a bit smarter."
"Hmmm, smarter than one of the greatest literary characters of all time? Why thank you, Reid you say the nicest things to me."
"I'm trying."
"Yeah, well," Luke said his voice growing softer. "It's a very valiant try."
"Are you getting sleepy?"
"A little bit," Luke admitted sadly.
"Well don't sound so sad about it. It's okay to be sleepy."
"I like talking to you at night."
"I enjoy talking to you too. How about I talk until you fall asleep okay?"
"Kay."
Reid smiled and talked all the while preparing for bed himself. He was just making himself comfortable in bed when he heard the soft sound of Luke's even breaths. "Good night Luke," he whispered before terminating the call.
"I don't think this is a good idea, Luke."
"Why not?" Luke asked looking up at his friend even as he tied the laces on his bowling shoes.
"Because we don't mesh with this crowd," Jordan insisted waving his hand around the room to make his point.
"It's just for a couple of hours, Jordan. And you never know you could like them. Can't you just do this for me? Please?"
Jordan sighed and placed his hands on his hips. He wasn't sure why he allowed Luke to talk him into this. It would be a disaster, but Luke was determined to make it work. "Fine, but don't say I didn't warn you. These jerks probably don't even know how to bowl."
"Lay off, man," Chris, Luke's friend from the basketball team slapped his hand down on Jordan's shoulder. "Who cares if they can't play? We'll just wipe the court with them."
"There aren't courts in bowling, Chris," Luke said rolling his eyes at his friends. They were too busy snickering to notice so he turned his attention to the entrance of the alley. Reid and Amanda hadn't arrived yet, and he hoped they were going to make it.
"Didn't you tell them what time to be here?" Jordan said coming to stand beside him. "I thought Mr. Punctual would have been here already."
"He had to pick up his friends first," Luke explained, a smile crossing his lips as he spotted Reid in the crowd. "There he is," he waved to get Reid's attention and moved to meet him halfway. "You made it," he said wrapping his arms around him for a quick hug. Reid greeted him with a peck on the lips before putting an arm around him to pull him close.
"Sorry it took so long," he said whispering in Luke's ear. "Jones took forever coming out of the house."
"Yeah, I was out faster than he was," Amanda added with a laugh.
"Seriously?" Luke laughed. "That's truly sad. "Manda I want you to meet my friends. This is Chris; he's on the basketball team with me. And this is Jordan."
"Hey, Oliver is the snob brigade even here?" Jones yelled as he drew closer. Luke locked gazes with Reid and sighed. It was going to be a long night.
"Percy will you behave," Amanda reprimanded facing Jones with her hands on her hips.
"What kind of fucked up name is Percy," Jordan mumbled under his breath. Luke shot him a dirty look which quickly killed the smirk on his and Chris' faces.
"Will you guys at least try for me?" Reid asked addressing his friends. "Will it really kill you to be civilized for a change…and yes I'm talking about you, Jones."
"Hey I'm only here for the open bar," Jones shrugged his shoulder.
"Don't worry Reid. Percy will behave. How about You, Luke and Jordan right?" Amanda said facing the tall dark haired boy who nodded. "You three play one lane while I play with Chris and Percy. That way I can keep Percy here in line for you."
"Okay that sounds like a plan," Reid agreed
"Do you want to go first?" Luke asked even as he started to look for a ball that would fit Reid's hands.
"I'll follow your lead," Reid shrugged as he looked out at the lanes. People were running down to the lane, stopping and letting the ball go. Sometimes it rolled a straight line, other times it went sideways and ended up not hitting any pins at all.
"Okay, this ball will suit you," Luke said handing him the ball. "Careful it's heavy. Just watch me."
Reid could hear Jordan and Chris snickering behind him but he ignored them as he watched his boyfriend walk up to the edge of the lane, his arm was poised backwards and Reid watched him swing it forward with such fluid grace. Luke's ball rolled down the lane and knocked down all the pins, causing the lane to light up and flash a few times before setting down again.
"What was that?" he asked when his boyfriend came back to stand beside him.
"I hit a strike," Luke explained. "When you knock down all the pins it's a strike and it means you score ten points for that turn."
"Dude you seriously don't know how to play?" Jordan exclaimed his tone belaying his annoyance. "How dumb is this."
"Just ignore him," Reid said as his boyfriend's face clouded over with sadness. "Show me what to do."
Luke explained the game to Reid who listened attentively before taking the ball trying to mimic Luke's movements. Somehow he overestimated the area between where they stood and the lane, causing his foot to step forward onto the slippery surface.
"Oh my god, are you okay?" Luke and Amanda asked as both went to help Reid to his feet. Jones and Jordan laughed while Chris shook his head. Amanda pierced Jones with a stern look before focusing on Reid again.
"I'm fine," Reid assured his boyfriend, it looks like the ball hit some pins though."
"Wow Reid you did good," Amanda praised. "You somehow managed to fall and still bowl very flexible of you"
"Quit it, Manda." Reid said playfully. He picked up the ball and walked it up to the lane this time stopping before he touched the slippery surface. He tossed the ball and watched it roll down the runway only to veer off to the side. "What's it called when it does that?" he asked coming back to the ball return."
"It means you're a loser," Jordan sneered.
"Shut up and take your turn," Amanda charged.
"I don't take orders from you, Bitch."
"Hey, watch your mouth, Punk," Jones said getting in Jordan's face.
Chris stepped in before they could come to blows. "Just go take your turn," he ordered pushing Jordan toward the lane.
"Let's go get some drinks," Reid suggested placing a hand on Luke's shoulder. He let his hand slide down his arm until his fingers grasped Luke's and pulled him away from their friends. He could hear Amanda's voice in the distance telling Jones to behave. When he and Luke reached the bar he told Luke to sit while he ordered six colas. "Are you alright?" he asked turning his gaze on Luke.
"I'm sorry, Reid," Luke said sounding miserable.
"You don't have anything to apologize for, Luke. You aren't responsible for your friends, or anyone's actions for that matter.
"We don't have to finish the game if you don't want to."
Reid turned for a moment to get their drinks and handed two of them to Luke. "We're going to go back and play. Then you and I will go for a drive, and the others can find their way back home."
"Luke smiled and kissed Reid softly on the lips. "Okay, let's go make sure they aren't killing each other over there."
"Your turn, Luke," Amanda said when they reached their lanes. "Here I'll take those." She took the drinks out of his hand and he went to take his turn. Reid bowled another gutter ball which prompted Jordan to complain once again that this was stupid.
"Why would you come play a game you don't know how to play genius?"
"I wanted to learn," Reid said taking his glass of cola from Luke. "It's just supposed to be fun isn't it?"
"I still say you should know how to play," Jordan mumbled crossly.
"Dude, just take your turn," Chris said shoving the ball in his direction. Jordan took the ball and bowled a strike.
"See that Genius?" he said walking over to Reid who wasn't intimidated by Jordan's size at all. "That's how you bowl."
"Jordan, stop being such a jerk," Luke yelled, catching everyone off guard. Reid was immediately by Luke's side, his hands on his shoulders to keep him steady, but it was apparent that Luke had had enough. "It's just a stupid game, and we're supposed to be here having fun. But all you're doing acting out and I've had enough of that."
"Look you're the one who wanted to come here, Luke," Jordan fired back. "I told you this was a bad idea."
"The loser actually makes sense for a change," Jones said crossing his arms in front of him. "This whole thing is stupid. We just don't mesh."
"Who are you calling a loser, dumbass," Jordan said turning to glare at Jones.
"Do you really think I'm afraid of you," Jones laughed. "You jocks are all the same. You think you're better than everyone else but in truth you're stupid and brainless. As if the fact that you two," Jones indicated Luke and Jordan, "Are both good at this barbaric game. You probably can't even spell bowling."
"Jones!"
"Percy!"
Reid and Amanda looked apologetically at Luke who was about to say something when his best friend lunged forward and punched Jones in the face." A full out fight ensued and Luke was torn between trying to stop it and hiding his face in the folds of Reid's shirt. He shared a private glance with his boyfriend before they both moved forward to break up the fight.
"Take that you punk," Jordan yelled as Luke pulled him away from the other teen.
"Get off of me, Oliver," Jones sneered. "I have to teach that idiot a lesson."
"Percy, stop being an idiot," Amanda jumped into the mix helping Reid to keep their friend at bay.
"Just stop it Jordan," Luke pleaded with his angry friend. "Please stop you're causing a scene."
"Let me go," Jordan snapped pushing his startled friend away forcefully. "I told you this was a stupid idea, Luke. Are you happy now?"
Jordan's outburst managed to bring the scuffle to a standstill and Luke wished he could be anywhere but there. Everyone was staring and he felt like he was going to be sick.
"Luke, wait," Reid called as his boyfriend turned and fled the scene. He let go of Jones knowing that Amanda could handle him, and focused on Jordan who didn't seem bothered at all that his best friend was upset. "What is wrong with you?" he asked trying to keep his temper on a very short fuse.
"I don't think I owe you anything," Jordan retorted. He moved to turn away but Reid stopped him and forced him to look at him.
"You just upset my boyfriend, who I thought was your best friend. That is not acceptable on any day, and especially not today."
"Can you at least attempt to be intelligent?" Jordan scoffed. "You're such a phony?"
"What is your problem with me?" Reid asked seriously. "Why do you hate me so much?"
"Why do you care what I think of you?" Jordan charged.
"I don't," Reid said pointedly. "But your best friend does." He knew he had his mark when Jordan's eyes grew sad and he glanced behind him in the direction Luke had run. "Ah I see a hit a nerve. Look, Jordan, I don't know what your problem is, and frankly I don't care. But I care about Luke, and I don't want to see him hurt. So think about that, the next time you want to make a scene in public." He felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to see Amanda standing next to him with his shoes as well as Luke's in her hands. "You coming?" he asked taking the shoes from her.
"Go find Luke," Amanda instructed. "I'll take care of these guys."
"Thanks Manda," Reid said kissing her cheek before slipping away to find his wayward boyfriend. He turned in his bowling shoes and insured the attendant that he would bring the other shoes back as soon as he found them. He also apologized for the ruckus his friends had caused.
