In honor of it being...um Tuesday...Here is "i". For "I LOVE YOU HALLIE FOR UPDATING!!"
HEM. With this, I change my rating to "T"...you have been warned. Oh and keep in mind that they are teenage boys...
I is for Ignorance
...
Whoever said that "ignorance is bliss" is completely and unconditionally correct.
There are some things that I desperately wish I had not learned about Neal. I can remember one instance, very clearly, that took place in our early page years, when I was thirteen. I think my innocence was officially ruined that one afternoon. But my corruption continued to grow exponentially in the years that followed. I guess that's what I get for having boys as friends for the majority of my life.
We had just enjoyed a particularly brutal training session that morning, thanks once again, to Neal and his inability to keep his mouth shut. I was so thoroughly exhausted and couldn't believe those boys actually had the energy to talk. I could barely open my mouth to put food in it, let alone chew and swallow. I remember thinking that it was all well and good for them to keep themselves entertained, but couldn't they give the lunch table banter a rest for a day?
Flashback
A chorus of laughter and what could only be described as giggles interrupted my thoughts.
I sighed and unwillingly turned my attention from my pessimistic musing to the conversation that was going on around me. I knew that if I didn't pay some attention, it would come back and bite me in the butt later. Like the time last week when the boys had decided not to meet in the library that night for studying...
"--and then you stick it in?" I heard Owen whisper in tones closely resembling horror. Excuse me? Just what were these boys talking about? I heard a gasp as Neal gave a knowledgeable nod. "Doesn't it, well..." Owen trailed off, the end of his remark unintelligible. But judging by the snickers he received, I was glad I hadn't heard it.
"For who?" Merric demanded of Owen. I made a face. I was beginning to regret my attempt to pay attention.
Owen's mumbled reply was barely audible, and he kept his eyes down, embarrassed. I was beginning to feel a tad bit pink around the edges myself and took a sudden interest in my pie. I decided it was best I remain inconspicuous. And I do love cherry pie.
"Actually," Neal began, "I've heard it's really quite pleas--" He cut off, as the Stump walked by, finishing his remark in a whisper.
Now just where had the he heard that from? It was at this point that I started wondering if Neal knew I was actually listening. I had thought, no hoped, that he wouldn't actually talk about that sort of thing in my presence. How wrong I was.
"Oh really Neal?" Seaver asked, in a disbelieving tone, "have you actually asked someone who's, well, a-hem?"
I could practically hear Neal's ego inflating. "Of course I have!" He said, shooting death glares around the table. This was a very long lunch. And I was running out of pie.
"Who?"
"Erm," Neal began, and for the first time in the conversation, he turned pink. It was a lovely pink, too. "Well I--"
"Yeah I thought so," Seaver said in triumph. "He hasn't asked anyone! He's just making it all up. Unless of course he has actually, you know..." Seaver trailed off. But no one had any trouble guessing what he had been about to say. I saw Seaver's face change from a look of speculation to one of disbelieving admiration as blood flooded Neal's face. Dark pink this time.
"You have?" Owen, Seaver, Merric, and Cleon whispered in unison. I choked on my last bite of pie as Neal made no attempt to correct them. Oh dear. It was amazing that I managed to keep my face smooth and pink-free as every single head turned in my direction.
"Bug?" I said tentatively in response to the open mouths and, in Neal's case, raised eyebrows. Thankfully, the boys believed my answer. Or they were too embarrassed at having been caught talking about that to question it. All except Neal of course. He grinned that wicked grin of his, gave me a wink, and made a show of not telling them anything else.
End Flashback
Those were the longest five minutes of my life, waiting for the bell that would end lunch. Waiting with nothing to distract me, while all of my friends pestered Neal with questions that he refused to answer. I remember wishing that I had not decided to pay attention that day at lunch. I never could look at Neal without being reminded of that particular conversation. And I think he knew it too.
It wasn't until four years later that I learned that Neal had been bluffing.
Well. EHERM. Review?
Oh and I really do love cherry pie...
