Chapter IX: Shut Down

"With 48-0, The Flakesville Snowbears are leading going into Half-Time! John, Number 8 has really been impressing me tonight. He alone scored 3 of the 7 touchdowns. This guy is going to be something serious in the future, AND THIS IS ONLY HIS SOPHOMORE YEAR! That's amazing!"

"I agree with you there, Wayne. But, let's not forget the others. The Flakesville Snowbears made 7 touchdowns and successfully kicked 6 out of 7 field goals. Their kicker, Number 29—Billy Ross, ain't nothing to play with either. How in the hell did he make 85% of those field goals without switching kickers? And let's not forget the star quarterback, Number 12—Parker White, doing what he does best. He scored 2 touchdowns. The calls he makes for the team is outstanding. I would be devastated if I don't see this Senior in the Big Leagues."

"Number 8—Joshua Matthews is the stand out here, though John. He's a BEAST!"

The screen goes blank.

"AHHHH!" The crowd of Flakesville football players groan.

Coach Thompson chuckles and gives the tv remote to the assistant coach. "Y'all are something else." He says shaking his head. "Listen, we've got a lead…A BIG LEAD…so, cheer up! You can watch the college football halftime show when you're safe and sound in your dorms in Colorado. Alright?"

"Fine!" Parker, the star quarterback and college Senior, agrees. He turns to Josh and pats him on the back. "You're killing it, dude. I'm impressed." He says with a big smile on his face. "And Billy," He turns to Billy. "Great job with the field goals."

Billy smiles and nods at him before giving Parker a handshake and a shoulder tap.

"That's just what I do, Baby!" Billy boasts loud and proud.

Everyone is cheering him on and slapping his ass (because you know that's what football players do); meanwhile, Lucas is sitting down in the back as he grits his teeth together.

It takes a lot to piss Lucas off. When he's eventually pissed off at someone, they must have really drove him crazy. In this case, it was Billy. Along with his boasting and big ego, Billy has a problem with not cooperating with his team. He's like a ball hog, if this was basketball. He and Lucas are the team's field goal kickers. Unfortunately for Lucas, Billy doesn't know how to share; it defiantly doesn't help that Billy is such a good kicker. The coach loves him, and he loves Lucas too. But as long as Billy keeps scoring, the coach won't mind Billy making every field goal. This is bad for Lucas, because he never gets to get on the field and put his kicking skills to the test.

"What's up, Luke?" Josh taps Lucas's shoulder. "Cheer up. We're winning 48-0. There isn't a damn way in the world The Rocky Roosters…or let's say Rocky Loosers…haha! There isn't a way they catch up." Josh was super excited. "Lucas," He shakes Lucas. Lucas is basically motionless as Josh bobbles him around. "We're gonna win. This will put us on the map." If it already wasn't said, Josh is super excited.

Lucas looks up at Josh with one of the coldest and scariest glares Josh had ever seen in his life. Josh felt like he peed his football tights a little.

"W-what's wrong, br—" Josh didn't get to finish his sentence before Lucas stood and shoved Josh to the side a little. He watches as Lucas slid through the crowd of his loud football teammates before walking out of the locker room. "What in the entire f*ck just happened?!"

"Yo!" Chris walks over to Josh with a confused look and finger pointed in the direction of the exit door. "What's wrong with Lucas? He looked pissed off." Chris has never seen Lucas upset.

Josh shrugs. "I-I-Chris, I'm just as confused as you." He says.

Zay approaches the two. "Hey, does anyone know what's wrong with Lucas?" He asks the two.

"Who cares?!" Billy suddenly appears and inserts himself into the conversation. "We're in a 48-0 winning game, and he wants to go pout like a baby! Whatever he's upset about shouldn't be our focus now. We have two quarters left!" Billy tells the group.

Josh shakes his head. "No, that's my brother. We work on the field together. I don't need him upset, because A) I'm always there for him on a personal level and B) his head needs to be in the game!" Josh explains to Billy in particular.

Billy scoffs, "Man whatever." He says. "When you find out what it is and he stops acting like a b*tch, come find me. Stop making excuse for h—"

"I'm not making excuses for him, Billy!" Josh raises his voice a little. He steps up to Billy, looking him dead in his eyes. "If I'm concerned for my brother—"

Billy cuts Josh off. "First of all, he ain't your brother. Second, don't come getting all in my personal space unless you're trying to fight. Because sh*t like THIS…" He does the talking gesture. "…the talking is not what I do." Billy declares.

Chris gets in between the two guys. "Woah. Woah. Alright, that's enough." He says, holding Josh back.

Zay begins pushing Billy backwards with his back. "This has just escalated for no reason." Zay states, shaking his head.

Billy kept feeling Zay's behind push up against him in the most uncomfortable way known to Billy. "Would you stop pushing your ass up against my d*ck?!" Billy calls out. "Damn!"

It's very shocking no one is witnessing this heated argument. Where's the coach when he's needed?

"When you stop acting like an idiot, I'll stop backing my ass up against you." Zay claims, rolling his eyes. Men and their giant freaking egos! Zay thinks to himself.

Billy uses all his strength to shove Zay to the ground. "I'm not with that." He puts emphasis on this word. "Don't put your ass on my d*ck, like I said. I'm not one of your play buddies back in middle school." He barks before he angrily walks away from the other three.

Chris looks at Josh with a raised eye. "What in the hell is happening today?"

{*****}

"Give me a S!" Clap. Clap. "Give me a N." Clap. Clap. "Give me an O." Clap. Clap. "Give me a W." Clap. Clap. "Give me a B." Clap. Clap. "Give me an E." Clap. Clap. "Give me an A." Clap. Clap. "Give me an R." Clap. Clap. "And Another S, Please." Clap. Clap. High kick. "What are we? The Snowbears!"

The Flakesville Snowbears Cheerleading Coach, Lisa Stewart, applauds the crew of participating cheerleaders. "Great, girls. 5 min break and then we'll continue."

Riley turns to Maya. "It's the last quarter and we still have 48-0. This is gonna be a blow out!" Riley was excited, because her team maintained to keep the game following halftime.

"This is the best they've ever looked in a game." Maya says, surprised that Flakesville was scoring so well.

Riley smiles and nods her head. "Yeah...hey, isn't there something special today?" Riley suddenly has this thought.

Maya ponders for a moment before shaking her head. "No, nothing that I can remember. No birthdays. You and your brother's birthday is on Valentine's Day. Lucas's birthday is in March. Missy's and Zay's birthdays are in July. Rachel's birthday is in December." She pauses then looks at Riley. "Tell me if I'm missing something, okay. So...my birthday is in May. I don't know Chris's. And Billy's just passed on August 14th. That's everybody, right?"

Riley nods. "Yeah but it still feels like something important is today..."

"Ladies..." That could only be the one and only, Farkle Minkus.

Riley and Maya turn around to see Farkle, holding eight water bottles. "FARKLE!" They exclaim as both pull him into a little group hug.

At first, Farkle's body gets stiff; no, it has nothing to do with how beautiful the girls are. Farkle has gotten plenty of hugs from Riley when they were little. Maya, on the other hand, had to be in a really good move that day. However, it seems like Flakesville has changed her. Don't get Farkle wrong: He loves Maya the way she is or has been, but this change has been a very pleasing surprise. He does acknowledge that old Maya is in there somewhere, but she's not as rebellious and scary to be around. She was already cool, but now she's...fantastic, for a lack of a better word.

"Oh...thank you. I didn't know how much I needed that hug." Farkle says after the hug ends. "Anyways," He lifts the tray to his chest and puts on a smile. "Water bottle?"

Maya chuckles at how cute Farkle looked. "You're so cute." Yes, this just escaped Maya's lips.

Riley freezes tight in her spot. "W-what? Did you just—"

"—say that I'm cute?" Farkle finishes. His once 'put on' smile suddenly turns into a more genuinely happier one.

Maya rolls her eyes. "When I said that, I meant in a little brother cute way." She explains.

Farkle shrugs. "Still, you called me cute. I've never heard you call me that. Hmm..." Farkle rubs his chin in an investigating way. "Does Maya have someone in her life that's making her say these things?"

"No." Maya quickly answers.

Riley pushes her lips together and squints her eyes. "You said that too quick. What else happened with you and Josh?" She asks.

Maya shakes her head. "Nothing else happened. Just..." She paused, realizing that Farkle was standing there. "Everything I told you. That's all."

"What happened?" Farkle questions. He puts the tray of eight water bottles on the ground before standing and folding his arms across his chest. He eyes Maya as she shakes her head and looks elsewhere. A whistle can be heard as the ref calls a 'down' on a play. "Maya..." Farkle says a little bit more stern. Riley can't help but to smile as she watches Farkle continue to pressure Maya into telling him about that kiss.

Maya sighs, "Fine. But you have to promise to not say anything to anyone." She makes him promise and they pinky-swear. "The only people that know are Riley, Missy, and Rach—"

"—YOU TOLD MISSY AND RACHEL BEFORE ME?!" Farkle exclaims. "I'm so hurt." Farkle feigns a broken heart, prompting Riley to burst out in laughter and Maya to swat his shoulder.

Maya couldn't help but to smile a little at Farkle. He was such a sweet kid. A great friend. One that Maya wished she would've paid more attention to when they were in middle and high school. "Josh kissed me." Maya tells him.

Farkle shrugs, "Okay. That's nothing new, right? Didn't you two kiss before?"

"...And he told me that he loved me."

"WHAT?!" Farkle exclaims, jumping up and down like a little kid on a candy rush. A few people close by turned their attention to them. "Sorry!" Farkle announces to the strangers before turning his attention back to Maya. "Really? I'm so happy for you."

Maya smiles, "Thanks. But, it's not a big deal. I mean, he was probably just telling me that to make me feel better or something."

"MAYA!" Farkle groans. He places both of his hands on the opposite shoulders of the 'in disbelief' blonde. "Stop that. He wouldn't have said that if he didn't mean it. I mean, I know Josh. YOU know Josh more than I do. The only people he tells that to is Riley...and Lucas." He says then folds his arms. "You know...to be quite honest, I am creaped out by how close Lucas and Josh are. Tell me I'm not the only one." Farkle wants to not be alone on this thought.

Riley shakes her head. "No, they've always been like that. I keep telling people they're twins—"

"—Which is ironic because you're literally Josh's twin." Farkle laughs.

Maya nods in agreement. "Yeah," She sighs, "They know each other so well. When one is down, the other's down. When one's happy, the other one's happy. When one's ready to fight, the other is ready..." Both Riley and Maya laugh at how accurate Maya's statement was.

The sound of a three whistles made for one large screeching sound.

"Um...guys..." Riley and Maya look at the worry on Farkle's face before turning around to witness whatever he was scared about.

"Oh no..." Maya and Riley say simultaneously.

"Guys!" Rachel and Missy both run full speed to the other three.

There, lying on the ground of the Rocky Rooster's field clutching their stomach to death was...Joshua Matthews.

"Oh my god..." Maya's hand flies to her mouth as an unknown noise begins to spill from her mouth.

"JOSH!" Riley screams at the top of her lungs from outside the field's lines.

Farkle pulls Maya in a hug as the other three girls look on. Riley was beside herself, while both Rachel and Missy stood there in absolute shock.

"What in the hell!" Missy shouts, pointing to a situation happening a few feet away from Josh.

"You were suppose to block for him, dumbass!" Billy scolds at Lucas. He pushes Lucas back, who let out a growl under his breath. That was a lot strength Billy used. If Lucas wasn't so strong, he would've fell back. "What was that? Oh, you're growling like a dog now? Well maybe you can transform into a pitbull so you can actually start blocking appropriately! Weak ass..."

There's only so much you can take before...*PUNCH*

"Woah! Woah!" You can hear Chris's voice as he and Zay approach the two.

Chris holds Lucas back, while Zay holds Billy.

"You want to punch, country boy! Come on! Go ahead! Do it again! I dare you!" Billy barks to Lucas, trying very hard to get out of Zay's embrace.

"Woah! Ok, we can...do...without the...name calling." Zay tells Billy in between the resting spots of trying to keep him away from Lucas.

Suddenly, the Flakesville Star Quarterback—Parker White—approaches the war zone. "Woah! Woah! What in the entire f*ck is going on here?!" He stands in the middle, looking back and forth.

"Zay, let me go! Let me go!" Billy struggles to escape Zay's arms. "He just punched me!" Billy yells out loud, continuing to struggle against Zay.

Parker runs to Coach Thompson. "We've got a situation. I'm gonna handle it. We'll be in the locker room, seeing as we've got time with this Josh situation right now." Parker says, turning around to see refs and sport doctors circling around the star in his own right.

"Thank you." Coach Thompson pats Parker on his shoulder. "I made you the team leader for a reason. Thanks for taking care of that while I focus on Matthews right now."

Parker nods before running over to the group and ordering Zay and Chris to follow him to the back.

{*****}

"Oh my gosh, I can't believe this happened." Rachel whispers to Maya, Missy, Riley, and Farkle as the five sneak into the locker room area.

"I—Wow!" Missy was lost for words.

"Shh-Shh! Wait!" Farkle whisper-shouts and stretches his arms out to stop the group. "I can hear them." He says. "See, lean up against the door a little. Hear that?"

On the other side of the door, Lucas is sitting down on the floor with his head resting backwards on the lockers as he stares straight ahead. Chris is standing near Lucas for the time being, while Parker stands in the middle. Billy, of course, is pacing back and forth, trying to decide whether to charge at Lucas or not. Every time Billy walks near Lucas, Zay walks quickly behind; Zay is prepared to take position.

"Ok! Can someone please explain to me what in the hell happened here?!" Parker asks again.

"Country Boy punched me in the face out there, and I'm still granted an ass whooping." Billy claims.

Parker turns his head to Lucas. "Lucas, is this true?" He asks.

To be honest, Billy started the fight with shoving Lucas. However, it seems like Lucas isn't in a talking mood, seeing that he has locked his eyes on the set of lockers that's across the room.

Parker sighs. "Lucas?" This time, he put some tone in his voice. "Lucas, if you don't tell me your side, I'm going to have to side with Billy on this one and you'll be suspended for 6 weeks minimum."

Chris and Zay quickly jump into action.

"Alright," Chris begins speaking his peace. "It's not that serious. They're friends. They've known each other for some time now. This...fight or whatever you wanna call it...It's not something to worry about."

Zay nods his head in agreement. "Yeah, Parker, it's fine." He backs Chris.

"Fine my ass..." Billy exclaims and shakes his head. "He punched me in the face. He should be suspended. Period." Billy wasn't taking 'no' for an answer. For some reason, he wants Lucas suspended from the team. The Billy that Zay has always known would just let bygones be bygones. So, what was the problem this time? "You're the team leader, Parker. What's the call?"

{*****}

"Ah! Ow! Ssssss!" Josh moans in pain as Chris and Zay help carry him to the couch. There, they gently place him on it, trying not to cause Joshua anymore pain. "Thanks guys." He thanks them.

Chris pats his shoulder. "You're a trooper. Call us if you need any help." He tells him.

Zay nods, "Yeah. You got our numbers."

Josh nods his head. "Yeah...but..." He grunts as he tries to shift his body to the side so that he can lie down. Chris runs over and helps him. "Thanks." He tells Chris. "But yeah, man...I'm good. Lucas is...um...Lucas is here." He lets out another moan while clutching his stomach.

"Damn! They hit you hard." A voice suddenly makes an appearance. "You know, if country boy—"

"—stop calling him that!" Zay barks. He was over Billy at the moment.

Billy folds his arms. "Country boy. There, I said it again. Who's gonna stop me?" He smiles, feeling like he won. "What else should I call him? Mr. Perfect? Huh, you like that! Should we stroll down memory lane?"

"Billy, I don't understand what Lucas did to you for you to be acting like such a..." Chris pauses, trying to think of a better word to use than the one he was thinking of at the current time.

"Acting like a what?" Billy asks, stepping forward. Chris didn't back down either.

Chris looks Billy straight in the eyes. "...acting like a d*ck!" He grits his teeth together.

Zay awkwardly slides in between Chris and Billy.

"How many times have I told you to get your ass off my—"

"Why are you acting like such an ass today?" It was Zay's turn with Billy now. "Me backing my ass up against you isn't intentional. You would know that if your immature ass would grow up! This isn't middle or high school, Billy!" Zay argues.

Billy scoffs, "Really? Oh my gosh, this isn't middle or high school Billy!" Billy mimics Zay but uses a way girly tone. "No shit Sherlock!"

"What's your problem?" Josh finally decides to speak.

Billy scoffs again and shrugs his shoulder. "What's my problem? Oh wow...yes, let's turn this into the Billy You're Wrong segment of the night, right?" He shakes his head. "You know what? I'm out of here. Every single time there's anything wrong, I'm always the guy in the wrong. WELL WHAT ABOUT LUCAS!" Billy raises his voice and now his arms are wailing around the air. "HE STARTED IT—"

"—No, YOU started it." Zay corrects him.

Billy turns his attention to Zay. Oh lord..."So, you're defending him now? Why? You two in some secret love affair or something?" There goes Billy throwing out personal information to anyone that will catch it. "You know...like in middle school. No wonder why he stood up for you back then. Explains so much."

"Oh my god! You're such an asshole, dude!" Zay exclaims as he runs out the door.

Chris shakes his head, "You need help bro." And with that, he runs after Zay.

Billy growls under his breath. "You now what? Since everyone seems to be upset with me, how about I do you guys a favor and disappear? Maybe you will learn to appreciate me more." He declares before shaking his head and walking to the door.

"Billy..." Josh pipes from his position on the couch. Billy lets out a sigh as he reluctantly halts and turns around to face him. Josh clears his throat. "You and Zay. What happened? Why do you keep referring to something that some of us know nothing about?" He asks.

Billy laughs, "Oh...you seriously don't know? I thought Lucas tells you everything...hmm..." Billy smirks as he watches Josh's face become slightly upset. "That's nice know. Looks like Ole Country didn't exactly tell you everything."

"Stop calling him that." Even when Josh felt...not included for what seemed like the first time since he met Lucas, he wasn't going to let anyone talk crap about him.

Billy shrugs. "Whatever you say, Matthews...Watch your backs." And with that, Billy leaves and shuts the door.

Josh's eyebrow center in confusion. "Wait is that a threat?" However, Billy is already out of the door. "Why wouldn't he tell me?" This was the next thing that escaped the broken brunette's lips as he stared up at the ceiling. Lucas always told Josh everything, from embarrassing moments to the most heartwrenching ones. "What is so different about Zay's past that Lucas wouldn't want to tell me?" Josh feels as if he was getting nowhere with this thought.

If Lucas hid it, he did it for a good reason...right? He thinks to himself.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

The door opens with Chris running in. "Oh hey! I think...I left..." Chris begins looking around before he grabs possession of what he came for. "My phone. Hey, you're gonna be alright here by yourself?"

It was nice that Chris cared.

Josh nods his head. "I'm fine. Seriously." He says with a smile that suddenly fades into a worried face. "I'm worried about Lucas."

Chris nods his head, "I am too. Alright, I'm gonna go swing by Missy's dorm before I go call it a night—"

"—Oh look at you Mr. Chandler. Dirty Chris stopping by some girl's dorm who appears to be very gorgeous and beautiful..." Josh's giddy smile looks so funny and teasing at the same time.

Chris shoots the idea down. "What? No...none of that." He lies.

On the outside, Chris looks amused. If anyone had to determine the liar in the wrong, he would've fooled them. In the inside, Chris wants to scream and run out of the front door, but he knows that it'll only look suspicious.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

The knocks on the door were suddenly followed by two very worried teenage adults.

Chris uses this opportunity to slip out of sight & mind.

"Oh my gosh, Josh!" Riley cries out as she runs to the side of her twin brother. "Are you okay? Where does it hurt? Oh my gosh, I am going to drag Lucas by the tips of his hair for not blocking for you!" If there wasn't already confirmation, Riley is pissed.

Josh lets out a comforting laugh as he places a soft hand on his twin sister's arm. "It's okay. I'm okay." He tells her. Maya stands a few feet away towards the end of the couch, looking down at Josh and Riley with fear. Josh notices this as well. "Maya, I'm okay. I'm fine. I promise." He promises to Maya, but she doesn't make direct contact.

"Where is he?!" Riley exclaims before she jumps up and starts running around the little dorm-apartment.

Josh looks up to Maya and pats the little space next to his body on the couch. However, Maya looks down at her feet. She couldn't bear to see Josh like this...all beaten and bruised. It was hard.

"Maya..." His tone sounds like a whisper, but he was trying to talk without choking up. He wanted to be strong. He needed to be strong for his sister, his teammates, his best friend (who he still wants to desperately talk to), and most importantly...his girl. "I'm okay. Seriously. I'm a little bruised up, but I can take it. I'm a big guy." A sigh escapes his lips as he watches Maya continuously play with her feet. "Maya..." He says again. "Just...look at me. Please." His voice begins to crack. Maya stops playing with her feet but does not lift her head to look at Josh. "You know I don't like to cry..." He says, holding back his tears.

With that, Maya finally stares into Josh's welled-up eyes. She wants to say something...anything, but none of what she could say would make this situation any better. He was hurting and there wasn't a damn thing Maya could do about it. "I'm sorry." She whispers before tears start falling from her eyes.

"Come here..." He says before pulling her in to a hug. He was lying across the couch with her head in his chest as she sort of sat beside him. He begins to run fingers through her hair as he tries to calm her crying. He even places a kiss on the top of her hair, right in the middle. "It's okay. I'm okay. I'm going to get through this and be back on that field in no time." He says.

Maya sniffs, "I just wish there was more that I could do." She cries harder.

Josh feels the tears trying to burst out of his eyes, but he wouldn't allow them.

"Um...guys..." Riley announces as she walks through the mini hallway. Maya quickly sits up and wipes her eyes while Josh simultaneously does the same thing. Riley finally stands in front of the two with a familiar turquoise colored birthday card. "I found this on Lucas's bedside desk. No wonder he's having a bad day."

Josh was shocked.

No, he wasn't shocked at Lucas.

He was shocked that he forgot.

"The last birthday card Lucas received from his dad...How could I forgot?" Josh groans.

Maya finally remembers too. "Today's the day his dad died."

{*****}

Knock. Knock. Knock.

"Coming!" Missy announces as she runs to the door. She quickly swings it open and is very happy, when her cute blonde friend is standing there with a box of pizza in one hand and a wine bottle in the other. "Oooooh, when I said come over so that we can finish eating, I didn't mean food but it'll do. And wine! How were you able to get that? You're not old enough." Missy exclaims as she pulls her boy toy inside and locks the door.

Chris chuckles, "I got my ways. And...when did you tell me to come over to...finish eating?" He asks.

Missy watches as Chris sets the pizza and wine on the table before she pushes him down onto the couch. "I texted you." She says, straddling him.

Their lips meet, but Chris quickly pulls apart. "Are you sure you texted me? I never got a text." He tells her.

She leans in and recaptures his lips. "Who cares? You're here now." She says before kissing him again. "You have some really soft lips." She tells him.

"Mhmm...Thank you." He says in between kisses.

"Someone's getting excited." She announces. Chris's cheeks turn red and he looks down, trying to avoid her eyes. "I love when you act all shy and embarrassed. It's cute."

Chris lets out a nervous chuckle. "You hungry?" He asks her, trying to change the subject.

Suddenly, Chris can feel the warmth of Missy's hand sliding down his chest...stomach..and inching towards his little friend. "I am." She says with a little cute giggle. "But, can we—"

"—Okay! Can we not do this right now?" Chris announces as he gently shoves Missy to the side.

Missy pouts. "But babe—"

"—Babe? We're doing that now?" Chris was honestly surprised. "Since when?"

Missy sighs and rolls her eyes. "You do this every time. EVERY. FREAKING. TIME!" Missy screams and jumps up from the couch. "You come over here with your cute tall 6 foot fine ass wearing those button-up shirts that hugs your chest quite nicely. Those jeans...those damn jeans! I just want to rip them off of you! And why do you come in here with the top button of your shirt just open. I swear it talks to me saying come catch me if you can...and I fall for it every single time!" She whines before shoving her face into both of her hands.

Silence.

It was never this silent with these two in the wrong. They're usually smacking lips so loud that the people across from them begin to complain...okay that's an exaggeration.

Chris sighs.

"Missy..." He pauses, trying to recollect his thoughts. "I...this friends thing...I don't know—"

"—Already! This hasn't gone on for a whole month and you're already beginning to throw in the towel." Missy says.

Chris stands and walks towards Missy with his arms open wide. "Stop it. Hey, come here.." He says before wrapping his arms around Missy's warm body. Moments like these aren't necessarily had with these two. When they're with each other, it's either spent in a short amount of time or just kissing. There's never many times where they can just talk and be in each other's arms.

Ever since she was little, Missy never understood hugs like these. She always heard of them but thought it was all fairytale. Who ever gets a hug that makes them forget everything around them but that one person who has them wanting their walls to finally start tumbling down? For the longest time, Missy felt as if it was a myth. But now, she totally gets it.

"Missy..." Chris whispers from atop of her head. "I don't want to stop...but I'm not there yet." He admits.

Missy keeps her head placed on Chris's chest as she scrunches her face in confusion. "Meat grabbing is taking it too far?"

Chris lets out a nervous laugh.

What does he tell her?

He can't tell her that he's virgin, right?

But, it wouldn't hurt...but then again, everyone on campus thinks he's done it over 40 times now. Unfortunately, that's what came with Chris being the star basketball turned running back.

"I..." Chris stops himself. "I just think that there are levels and I'm very respectful when it comes to women. I wouldn't just touch their breast without their permission, and I wouldn't want them jerking me around whenever they please." Was that a good save? He thinks to himself. Yeah, I think it was a good one.

"But..." Missy makes whiny noises. "It's no fun with just kissing." She admits and Chris sighs. "But..." She adds, "I understand. I should've asked you first before I started getting handsy. We do have this FwB deal but there's respect that comes with it as well." She explains.

Chris smiles. "Well said." He brings her in for a hug for a second time.

"And...I did tell you not to tell anyone, right?" Missy announces and Chris almost chokes on his own spit after thinking about his spill to Rachel. "Because, I don't want this getting around. People will think I'm a whor—"

"—You're not one, okay babe..." Missy liked that Chris used that word. It made her feel more protected by Chris. He kisses her forehead. "No matter what people say. We made this deal together. We shouldn't be tormented over lust."

Missy sighs and nods. "Yeah. I't just...this isn't a perfect world. And people will do it if they find out."

"F*ck them!" Chris shouts loud and proud. "They're just hating that they didn't think of it first."

Missy smiles and tightens her arms around his body. She kisses his chest through his shirt before looking up at him. His blue eyes never looked sexier. She lets out a sigh, "Alright. I'll behave. We'll take this slow."

"If we just jump right into it, it won't be fun anymore." He tells her. "Slow and steady wins the race."

Missy fake pouts. "I know but...ugh...I just...You know what they say about you tall guys." She whines. "I have never done this with anyone over 5'10'' and here I am with 6'2'' Christopher Chandler. I had to seize my opportunity."

Chris looks down at her with the sweetest smile.

"What?" Missy asks with a smile of her own.

"Nothing." The way he said it was the sexiest thing ever. "You're cute. You know what? I will let you get handsy this one time. ONE TIME." He proposes to her.

Missy was shocked. "Wait...huh? Why?"

"You listened. Most girls don't." He admits. "Annnnd, you're just too cute whining over tall guys and seizing your moment."

"But now I kinda want to wait because I might ruin—" Missy starts explaining but then cut herself off, realizing there was no way she was talking herself out of doing this now that she got permission. "—oh what the hell! You gave me permission."

Chris stares deep into her eyes as she starts to trail down pass his abs. "ONE TIME. One time, Missy..." was shortly followed by a pleasure-filled moan "Oh my god..."

{*****}

The sound of keys clinging and clanging woke Josh from his slumber on the couch.

It was dark. Really dark.

If this was a horror movie, the best strategy would be to keep quiet and say nothing. However, in Josh's case, he knew who the mystery man was. Josh was on a mission to get answers and be a rock for his brother. Today marks 9 years since Lucas's father died in a plane crash. Josh remembered it like it was yesterday. The tears. The heart drop. The consoling. The horrible news. The exciting yet upsetting result. It was a lot for a 10 year old boy to take in. And, Lucas's poor mother almost gave up on her life entirely until the twins' parents talked her out of it and promised to be there for her and Lucas.

"So, you're just gonna go to sleep and pretend like none of this has ever happened?" Josh's sudden voice halts Lucas's body for a moment.

Josh had sat up and could make out Lucas's teen muscular figure. What must be going on through his head? That was a question Josh wishes he had an answer to, but he doesn't...and that's what is scary about this whole thing.

Instead of responding to the rhetorical-yet-not rhetorical question, Lucas continues with his movement and walks into his room.

Josh sighs then runs a hand through his messy hair and sleepy face.

SLAM!

"Oh hell no, he did not just slam that door." Josh sounds like his mother, but he could care less. "Lucas, if I have to drag my painful body into that room, so help me god!" Josh yells over to Lucas's door as he slowly makes his way to the door. He's holding his ribs and they hurt like hell, but he doesn't care. He wants Lucas to confide in him like he's always done. Nothing should be different now.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

No sound of movement.

Silence.

BANG. BANG. BANG.

The knocks get louder.

BANG! BANG! B—The door swings open faster than Josh has seen anyone do it ever before. It made him pee himself a little, preparing for what comes next.

"WHAT!" Lucas yells. "STOP KNOCKING ON MY F*CKING DOOR!"

Josh knew this was bad. Lucas hardly ever curses. If he does, someone or something has really lit a fire under his ass and pissed him off.

"You can yell. Just let it all out." Josh tells him.

Lucas shakes his head. "You don't understand—"

"—HOW CAN YOU SAY THAT, LUCAS?!" Josh was upset. "How can you even say that with a straight face? I know what today is. I know what you're going through. I was the one always here when you needed to cry...or you just wanted to kick it and have a full day to not remember what happened but still end up doing so..." Josh's voice begins to crack. "DON'T. YOU. EVER. act like I don't understand what you've been through."

Lucas just stood there. Motionless. Not a single word said.

And then...

Lucas falls to his knees and begins sobbing. As if on cue, Josh drops down beside him the best he can with his injured ribs. "Come here." Josh says with tears of his own streaming down his face.

Every year for the pass nine years, this was the end result.

"You...Lucas, listen to me, you cannot blame yourself for what happened to your dad—"

"—YES, I CAN!" Lucas cries out. "He was doing research in South Africa. And...and, I remember finally getting in contact with him after like 4 months of thinking Is he alright? Is he gone? Is he sick?" Josh has listened to different variations of this story and every time he cries harder than before. "And I begged him to come back so that I could go back to my school in Texas with Zay and Billy, because I wasn't fitting in there in New York. I only had you, Riley, and Maya...but it didn't feel right. So, I gave him a call. Finally he answered. I begged him to come back. Mom told me to just let it go. That dad will be back and I'll get to see him again." Lucas looks over to his birthday card and picks it up. "This was the last thing I got from him. It's not fair! I want to die. I want to see him."

Josh tightens his arm around Lucas. "Stop saying that." He gets up and turns on the light before falling back into place. "Jerry wouldn't want you saying that. He's watching over you now. He's proud of you, Luke." He tells him then kisses the top of his head. He begins running his semi-free hand through Lucas's hair, a technique that helped to calm Lucas down. "I remember us. Us. Me and You. Your mom & dad got divorced when you were four. Your mom moved to New York and your dad stayed in Texas. You used to come to New York for the Summer's and go to school in Texas. I hated watching you leave at the end of Summer. I wanted you all to myself. I use to be so mad at your dad for taking you away from me." Josh sighs.

Lucas wipes his face. "This is the first time I'm hearing of this." He says.

Josh nods. "Yeah." Tears are still streaming down the sides of his face. "It's the truth though. You were the happiest little 5 year old I had ever met. It was strange. I remember asking myself Didn't his parents get divorced?" This makes Lucas laugh and it puts a smile on Josh's face. "At the time, I thought divorces were the worst. But, I was wrong: Losing you was. And for the first time since I met my best friend, I was so scared of losing you when your dad died. It was the most scariest thing ever. Probably in my life. BUT...I couldn't let you know that. I had to be strong."

"You know, Josh, you didn't have to be strong for me—"

—YES I DID, LUCAS!" Josh exclaims. His tears are like waterfalls now, and this catches Lucas's attention. "You were my brother. Are my brother. And I don't care what happens back then to now to 20 or 50 years from now, you will always be my brother. I will ALWAYS feel that I need to be strong for you, because you need it. You went through a bunch of bologne when you were little. I was very fortunate not to have gone through it, but guess what...I did. I went through it through you. And, I'm glad I did." He finishes.

This time, Lucas has his arm wrapped around Josh. "You have always been there for me." Lucas whispers. "I am forever grateful. Thank you from the bottom of my heart."

"I love you." Josh announces in the quiet and silent room.

"I love you too." Lucas responds back with no reluctance.

Josh laughs, "We say I Love You so much. If a rumor went around school about us dating, I would totally believe it."

Lucas laughs as well. "Well screw them. Just because you tell someone you love them doesn't mean you're all kissy kissy—let's go make love with them. Although, I wouldn't totally be oppose to making out with you." He jokes.

Josh points to Lucas's bed. "You wanna go right now. I've heard gay sex is a really powerful thing now." He jokes back.

"Oh my god, Josh, what am I going to do with you?" Lucas says and shakes his head.

Josh laughs, "I have no idea. You're stuck with me forever and ever and ever and ever and ever..." Josh begins singing and starts leaning into Lucas's ear, trying to annoy him. Lucas swats at his face which causes Josh to nut shot Lucas. "NUT SHOT!"

"Oh my god!" Lucas moans. "And while I'm sitting down too."

Lucas begins to retaliate, but Josh throws his hands in front and shakes his head. "Nope. You were part of the reason I almost got killed today. I owe you 10 more of these." Josh says.

"I'm so sorry." Lucas says in a soft and caring tone.

"Don't worry about it. You and Billy may need to make up, though. I almost beat his ass during half time after you stormed off. And I would've done it after the game if I wasn't so f*cked up." Josh tells him, motioning boxing moves.

Lucas sighs. "Yeah. Same old Billy" He says, shaking his head. "Never fails."

"Speaking of Billy, he keeps hinting to something about Zay that you've never told me." Josh brings up. "And I believe him, because Zay stormed off very pissed off. VERY! Like...whatever happened must not be good."

Lucas sighs, "I promised Zay I wouldn't bring it up again. I gave him my word." He says.

Josh nods, "I can respect that. But, you gave me your word first!"

Lucas sighs once again. "Uh oh...Dangit, ok...you can't tell anybody." He tells Josh and Josh nods his head in agreement.

Lucas leans into Josh's ear.

"Why are you whispering? We're the only ones in our dorm." Josh chuckles.

Lucas shrugs. "Do you wanna know or not?" He says before leaning into his ear and letting it all out.

Josh's mouth drops open.

Brace yourselves for what comes next.

"ZAY WAS ONCE GAY?!"


A/N: I know! I know!

It's been a long time since I updated. Don't worry, I wasn't going anywhere. This is a whole new unseen chapter. None of the "original" readers have read this one. It took me a while to re-create my direction a little, but I got it done. That...and I had about 5k+ words written and it somehow got lost. BUT, it's finally here and I'm so excited for you guys to continue reading.

Josh and Lucas (JUCAS) will be the main duo of this story. No, that does not mean we won't get any Riley/Lucas or Maya/Josh. I haven't seen a story create this super compelling bromance between Josh/Lucas. And I plan on making that happen. I finally know what I'm gonna do with Farkle. You guys might get excited. Missy/Chris is another relationship I love writing, and we'll see that unfold. I have a lot of Maya/Josh coming up. Ooooh, and when Riley starts getting flirty with another guy, how does Lucas take it? What's gonna be the relationship from all the guys with Billy? Does Rachel know Zay's secret yet? Nope. How will that play out? Oh, and don't think I forgot about that Lucas/Riley kiss from last chapter. All coming in the next upcoming chapters.

~Skylar_Stormai~