Chapter Seven: Go Ahead Tough Guy

After the girls left, Caleb turned to Reid. His shoulders rose and fell with each of the deep breaths he took. Reid turned away from him and attempted to brush off the remaining glitter.

"I know what you're going through," Caleb said sympathetically. "I know how hard it is to stop."

"How could you KNOW what it it's like?" Reid snapped back at him. "You haven't Used since you Ascended."

"You know it's twice as hard for me," Caleb shot back.

"And it breaks my heart," Reid replied sarcastically as he clasped his hands together under his chin.

"Do you have any idea how much I want to beat the hell out of you right now?" Caleb threatened as he got in Reid's face.

"Then do it," Reid shoved Caleb away letting his eyes blacken. Caleb fell backwards into the fence.

"No," Caleb shook his head.

"Pussy!" Reid taunted.

Caleb shook his head. "Go ahead tough guy. Kill yourself. I'll call Baby Boy right now and tell him to start writing your eulogy."

"That was harsh," Reid replied, feeling angry and hurt by the remark.

There was an uncomfortable quiet between the two Sons. Normally this moment would have been alleviated by a sarcastic comment from Pogue or Tyler. But without them the silence was almost deafening.

"I'm going back to the dorm," Caleb finally said. He shoved his hands in his pockets and began walking.

Reid watched him go. He knew Caleb was right. He knew that each time he Used it took away a small piece of his life. He hated the Power. Hated being cursed. But at the same time he loved it. Loved way it felt to Use. Maybe he was addicted. Maybe the Power would kill him… someday. But that day wasn't here yet.

He reached for his phone to call Tyler. Before his friend could even say 'hello' Reid began talking.

"You know that unwritten rule, if your roommate dies during the semester you get an automatic 4.0 – Does that still apply if you kill your roommate? Because I'm seriously considering smothering him in his sleep."

"I don't think a 4.0 will matter much when you're in jail for attempted murder." Tyler replied.

"Attempted?" Reid scoffed.

"You know Caleb would whup your ass. Again."

"Haha. I'm about to come down there and whup yours."

"You should already be here. Tell me again how you managed to miss the application deadline."

"Let it go, man."

"How can I let it go? Your mom filled out the all the papers and I wrote your fucking essay! All you had to do was submit it!"

"I told you I forgot."

"But you didn't forget to apply to Harvard."

"That's different…,"

"Yeah, Yeah," Tyler patronized. "Don't worry, I won't rub it in your face too much when we demolish you guys in November."

"Is that when the Columbia/Harvard meet is?"

"Harvard is hosting. You didn't see it on the schedule?"

"I haven't exactly been to practice yet…,"

"Reid!" Tyler exclaimed.

"They were 'optional'. Real practices start in two weeks."

"You better get your ass in the pool. Bruno swims your race and he's…"

"Bruno?" Reid chuckled.

"Don't laugh. His times are phenomenal."

"How phenomenal?"

"A full two seconds under yours."

"That's fast," Reid's brow wrinkled with worry.

They compared notes on swimming then briefly discussed classes and before ended up on Reid's favorite topic: girls.

"Nothing yet," Tyler admitted. "But there is this one girl on the diving team who is especially flexible. What about you? I got the pictures from Caleb."

"Nice, huh?"

"Did you ever find Queen of the Fairies?"

"Still working on it," Reid told him. "I've been a little distracted with this girl from my English class and her roommate. I'm thinking threesome."

"That shit only happens in porn," Tyler laughed.

"There's this other girl, Sarah who talks way too much," Reid continued. "Maybe when she has my dick in her mouth she'll shut up."

Tyler laughed harder.

Reid laughed along as well. The fight with Caleb was long forgotten.

Official OC Counter:
1. Vanessa - Sarah's roommate
2. Sara - From Calculus