05.07.2015: Wow, it's been quite a while since I attempted anything for this story so really sorry about that. I've not really got much to do at the moment, so I'm gonna have a go at writing another chapter of this. Hopefully it'll get me up to playing Bully again too.
Usual order of business, got a Reviewer Reply to do:
Niall L: I wouldn't get your hopes up for Dan and Kirby – not only could Dan's man still be yet to appear, but as anyone who's played the game will know, Kirby is on a movie date with Trent during the game's second chapter, which Jimmy unfortunately interrupts. I'm probably going to work that into the story somehow. But all the same, I'm glad you're enjoying the story.
Right, let's get into it.
It felt so good to be out of damp, frog-stained clothes and into something clean. I'd made sure I didn't spend too long in the shower, as I needed to make sure that I had enough time before Music started to meet with Christy, Ivan, Lance and Trevor to rehearse our song at least one more time.
I hurried into the school and down to the cafeteria, getting a wave from Jimmy as I descended into the room. I grabbed a tray, along with a plate of something that didn't look like it would have me bedridden for the next week, and joined him at the table. He and Pete were talking about what they might write their rat reports for Dr Slawter on, but they stopped as I sat down.
"You're looking cleaner," Jimmy said with a small grin on his face.
"Feeling it too," I smiled before eating a mouthful of whatever I'd picked up. Going by the taste, it was cottage pie.
"I can't believe Kirby just threw that frog over you. Want me to beat the tar out of that dick?" Jimmy asked, looking over his shoulder to where Kirby sat on the far table with some other Jocks. Ted looked to be giving him a hard time as he gave the brunette a punch in the arm.
"Oh, no, don't. He didn't throw it on me, he tripped and it just went over me. Couldn't have been helped," I explained, wanting Jimmy to chill out a bit. "And he was nice enough to get my things for me and come apologise. He was really sweet about it."
I glanced to Pete and saw him looking down at his folded arms on the table. Had I really upset him with what I had said earlier? I'd have to talk to him later this evening and try to straighten things out. I would've said something then and there, but Pete got to his feet, saying he had to go and see Mr Galloway about his grades in English, and left.
Jimmy and I continued to eat as Jimmy told me about what he'd been up to the last night with Gary – they had gotten crap from Chad's dog in a paper bag and set it on fire in the school. Evidently, the place had not burnt down. Once he'd left Gary, Beatrice found him, and she blackmailed him into getting her diary out of the staff room after Hattrick confiscated it from her.
"How was she gonna blackmail you?" I asked, pushing a lump of mashed potato around with my fork before eating it.
"She wrote about how we're so in love, and I do not need lies like that getting out. People already think I'm a laughing stock." I couldn't help but snigger quietly. "My point exactly."
"Well, it was very noble of you, Jimmy." I said, going from quiet laughter to a simple smile. "Even if your intentions were to save your own arse."
Jimmy was quiet for a moment, before looking concerned. "I don't look like I've got a cold sore or something coming up, do I?" he asked.
I leant forward slightly, examining his face and lips. "No, you look just as handsome as ever. Why?"
"No reason," he said, quickly going back to eating his own food. I was puzzled for a moment before the penny dropped.
"You didn't?" He was silent. "Oh, my God, you did?" I put down my fork with genuine shock.
"You shut your whore mouth, Dan," Jimmy threatened, brandishing his fork at me.
"I'm not the one with the whore mouth at this table," I answered. I was both scared by Jimmy's threat, but also amused by the fact that him and Beatrice had kissed.
"For the record, she kissed me," Jimmy hissed, trying to make sure I was the only one who heard.
"Okay, okay, I believe you. I'd make a comment about your taste in girls but you look like you've beat yourself up enough over this as it," I said, trying not to laugh again.
"I swear to God, Dan, I will-"
"Danny?" A voice called cutting off Jimmy's threat. I turned towards the voice and saw Ivan making his way over.
"Oh, hey," I smiled at him, wondering what he wanted before it clicked. "Oh, crap, am I late?" I asked, beginning to panic that I'd wasted valuable rehearsal time.
"No, no, we're just all set up now and ready whenever," he explained, and stopped my panicking.
"Okay. Let me just finish eating and go to the toilet, I'll be right there." Ivan nodded, and turned to leave the cafeteria while I started to rush through eating what was left on my plate.
"What was that about?" Jimmy asked, looking confused.
"Give it 20 minutes, you'll find out," I answered with a wink. I swallowed the last mouthful and said a quick goodbye to Jimmy before getting up, dumping my tray and plate with the other dirty things and rushing off to the boys' toilets.
I was quick to do my business, and moved over to the sink to wash my hands. As I was rinsing off the soapy water and reaching for some paper towels, a flush rang through the room. A cubicle door opened and Trent stepped out, making his way straight for the exit. I immediately dipped my head, looking down at my hands as I dried them, not particularly wanting to get into a fight with the boy.
I heard his footsteps stop and I slowly looked up into the mirror, and caught him looking at my reflection. I looked back down again, and pretended like I had seen nothing, but I jumped with fright as a hand gripped my shoulder tightly and turned me round.
"You're that little punk who was with Hopkins when we were playing around with that nerdy kid, aren't ya?" I was too scared to answer, my eyes wide with fear as I looked him in the eye. "Aren't ya?!" he demanded as he shoved me against the wall of the bathroom. The last time he had me against a wall was definitely more enjoyable than our current position.
I swallowed and nodded. "I ought to kick your runt ass for all three of you!" He raised his free arm, hand balled into a fist at the end of it. I turned my head away and waited for the punch, but it didn't come. Instead, I heard him say something under his breath.
"Zorro?"
I turned my head back, realising that the side of my face he'd seen was the side that he had scarred the night Jimmy and I had gone to save Bucky. The scar that he had felt after he kissed me last night. He slowly dropped his fist and released his grip on my shoulder.
"You're the Zorro from last night?" he asked, looking at me with confusion. I gave my shoulder a rub as I nodded.
"Yeah. That was me." Hearing that, Trent took a step back, looking somewhat flustered.
"I- I didn't know." He rubbed the back of his neck as he looked down at the floor. "I'm sorry. For saying I'd kick your ass." As much as I appreciated it, I was taken aback by the apology.
"Thanks, but why the change of heart?" Trent was starting to look like he was blushing. He let out a sigh before making eye-contact with me
"D'you remember what I said to you last night?" he asked. I thought for a moment before shaking my head. Trent's brow furrowed slightly, and he took a small step closer. "Said I thought you were hot. That you were the hotte-"
"-hottest Zorro you'd ever seen," I finished for him, as the memory of him saying that popped into my head.
"You do remember then?" He asked, a small smile appearing on his face. "I wasn't just sayin' it so you'd kiss me. I meant it." I felt a smile growing on my own face at Trent's words.
"Another thing, I'm sorry about that," he said, pointing at my scarred cheek. "If it makes you feel better, I think the scar makes you look hot." That got a laugh out of me. I wasn't angry about the scar anymore. I'd had plenty of time to get used to it, and now it was just another part of my face.
He grinned at my laughter. "You're not pissed at me?" he asked.
"I was. But not anymore, no." He seemed relieved at that.
"Good." He was quiet for a moment, and we just looked at each other before he spoke again. "Listen, I think we got off on the wrong foot, know what I mean?" He stuck his hand out to me. "Name's Trent." He smiled, and I eventually shook his hand with my own.
"Daniel."
"S'good to meet ya, Daniel," Trent said, smiling as we shook hands. We let go of each other's hands, and stood there in an awkward silence for a moment before Trent spoke. "Hey, if you're not doing anything tomorrow at lunch, would you maybe… wanna eat with me?" he asked, almost sounding nervous.
"Uh, sure… yeah," I answered, nodding with a smile. "That sounds nice." Trent smiled and started to back up towards the exit.
"Great, cool. I guess I'll see ya later then," and with that, he left. I turned to look at myself in the mirror, wondering if all that had just happened, before I looked to my watch to see there was only 10 minutes before class started.
'Shit.'
I ran towards the Music room, and once inside, apologised profusely to the others for taking so long, making up an excuse about nerves of performing giving me an upset stomach. Trevor said he'd felt the same earlier, and then Ivan and Lance confessed that they were both really nervous too. We all began talking over each other, until Christy grabbed a drumstick and hit it against a cymbal, getting our attention.
"Can we get one more practise run in then so we're not all crapping ourselves over this?" she asked, looking impatient.
"Yeah, let's get on with it," Lance chimed in. Everyone went to their positions, Lance, Ivan and Christy each grabbing a guitar and standing behind a microphone. Trevor settled himself behind the drum-kit, and I stood behind a mic, looking out over the soon-to-filled chairs of the empty classroom.
"Ready?" Trevor called out, before counting us in.
"1, 2, 3, 4."
"Take your seats, everyone!" Miss Peters called loudly, trying to get everyone to settle. Christy, Ivan, Lance, Trevor and I were all in our seats waiting for what was to come, while everyone else was talking amongst themselves. I could hear some talking about why there were several instruments set out at the front that looked ready for a band to come in and use.
I felt a tap on my shoulder, and turned to see Jimmy leaning over his desk towards me. "Is this why you ran off with that Ivan kid?" he asked, a small grin on his face.
"Maybe," I answered, trying not to think about the performance too much. Even with all the practising, I was still really nervous, and getting more so with each passing second. Once everyone had taken their seat, Miss Peters smiled across the room.
"It's lovely to see all your young faces again as we come together to explore the wonder of music and relish in the creativity that is ready to break free from us all," she said airily. "But first, we have a performance from a handful of budding musicians. If they could make themselves known and take their places, we'd all love to see and hear what you have to show us."
As Miss Peters made her way to the side of the classroom, the five of us performing stood up, and made our way towards the front. Before I left my seat, I glanced to Jimmy, who gave me a thumbs-up. I smiled, and took my place at the front of the class.
It was only as I stood up there now that I realised what an odd bunch we must look like. But it was too late for that now, we had a song to sing, and the sooner we got through it, the better. I took a deep breath, exhaled slowly, and put a hand around the mic.
"Hi. We're gonna be doing Dirty Little Secret by The All-American Rejects." I looked back over my shoulder to Trevor, signalling for him to count us in for the last time.
"1, 2, 3, 4."
The others began to play the intro of the song, and I counted in my head when I needed to come in, and I noticed a supporting smile from Jimmy. I also noticed Trent sat towards the back of the class, arms crossed on the desk he was leaning forward over, and staring at me with a small smile on his face.
"Let me know that I've done wrong
When I've known this all along
I go around a time or two
Just to waste my time with you
Tell me all that you've thrown away
Find out games you don't wanna play
You are the only one that needs to know
I'll keep you my dirty little secret
(Dirty little secret)
Don't tell anyone or you'll be just another regret
(Just another regret, hope that you can keep it)
My dirty little secret"
I caught Jimmy's eye again, and the look on his face was priceless. I had been singing this song whenever I could for the past fortnight or so in order to memorise the words, and I was sure he must've heard me at some point. But it seemed that only now was he really listening, and if his face was anything to go by, he was impressed.
"Who has to know
When we live such fragile lives
It's the best way we survive
I go around a time or two
Just to waste my time with you
Tell me all that you've thrown away
Find out games you don't wanna play
You are the only one that needs to know
I'll keep you my dirty little secret
(Dirty little secret)
Don't tell anyone or you'll be just another regret
(Just another regret, hope that you can keep it)
My dirty little secret"
As my eyes swept over the classroom, I saw Trent's feet tapping away to the rhythm of the song. Looking at him made me think about what he asked me. Did other people know he was into guys? It certainly didn't seem like he was in the closet, but we were alone in the bathroom earlier, and in costumes last night, so he could've gone unrecognised then too. Also, what would his bully mates think if they saw him with me? Would they think he was picking on me, and try to join in? I looked away, and focused back on the song.
"Who has to know
The way she feels inside (inside)
Those thoughts I can't deny (deny)
These sleeping thoughts won't lie (won't lie)
And all I've tried to hide
It's eating me apart
Trace this life out"
Suddenly, I was thinking back to Pete. What I had seen last night between him and Gary, and how I had seemed to upset him earlier. I really needed to get things sorted with him. I wanted to apologise for upsetting him, and I wanted to help him get out of whatever it was that he had going on with Gary. He couldn't possibly be happy with the guy, but maybe he felt like he couldn't leave him alone because Gary actually looks out for him from time to time. Plus, Gary's an intimidating psycho and that alone could probably stop Pete from trying to break things off. But Pete was the first friend I had made here, and I'd be damned if he was going to be the first friend I lost here too.
"I'll keep you my dirty little secret
(Dirty little secret)
Don't tell anyone or you'll be just another regret
(Just another regret)
I'll keep you my dirty little secret
(Dirty little secret)
Don't tell anyone or you'll be just another regret
(Just another regret, hope that you can keep it)
My dirty little secret
Dirty little secret
Dirty little secret
Who has to know
Who has to know"
Miss Peters was the first to start clapping, but very quickly the whole class was applauding us. Well, all bar two jocks who were arm-wrestling on a back table, but I could easily ignore them. I looked back towards the others, smiling brightly, and saw their pleased faces. They abandoned their instruments and gathered around me, and we all babbled about how well it seemed to have gone. Christy even pulled us all into a group hug.
"Well done, children! That was an inspiring performance! The school's choir could do with some of those strong voices." She came closer to us and lowered her voice for us. "That was great, guys, I'm so proud of you all." She turned back to face the class. "I hope that some of you in the audience take something from this – don't be afraid to express yourself! These kids took a risk performing in front of you, but they did their best, and in my opinion, they were amazing. If any of you would like to perform something in a future lesson, come to me and we can arrange it. But one last round of applause for Dan, Christy, Ivan, Lance and Trevor!" The class applauded us again, and we took a small bow before going back to our seats.
My heart was pounding in my chest, so glad that it was over, but so pleased that everyone seemed to enjoy it. I felt myself being tapped on the shoulder again, and I turned to see Jimmy grinning. "That was awesome, man! Well fucking done."
"Thanks. Glad it's over though," I replied, smiling with a mix of relief and pride.
"You should be on one of those singing talent shows, you'd do great," Jimmy said, moving to lean back in his seat.
"Nah, I wasn't that good. You don't need to blow smoke up my arse, Jimmy," I chuckled.
"I could do worse to it," Jimmy smirked, crossing his arms as he looked at me. I rolled my eyes and turned back to face the front, where Miss Peters was now starting one of her talks about the elegance and simplicity of music.
When the bell finally rang for the end of the day, I was one of the last to leave the classroom. Along with Christy, Ivan, Lance and Trevor, we were kept back by Miss Peters as she once again congratulated us on our performance. She eventually let us all go after trying to persuade us to join the choir and perform at the Christmas Pageant. We agreed to the pageant but not to the choir, each of us claiming we were too busy to join the club. I said a quick goodbye to each of the others before heading downstairs and out of the building.
"'Bout time you got out. Miss Peters still fawning over you?" I heard a voice ask as the door swung shut behind me. I turned my head to see Jimmy leaning against the white marble column.
"Not really. She just tried to get us to sign up for more musical things," I answered, walking over to the nearby vending machine. I pulled out my wallet to get some money, but Jimmy stepped over and put his hand over it, stopping me.
"Put your money away," he said, before delivering a swift kick to the side of the machine. A few moments later, it groaned and dropped out a cold can of cola. Jimmy leant down, grabbed the can and handed it to me.
"Thanks, man," I smiled appreciatively, taking the can and popping it open. I took a long drink before lowering the can. "Were you out here waiting for me?" I asked, an eyebrow raised slightly.
"Yeah, actually, I was," he answered, turning and starting to pace along the concrete. "There was somethin' I wanted to talk to you about."
"Oh, okay, sure." I walked over to a nearby bench and sat down, patting the space next to me for Jimmy. "I'm listening." Jimmy paused for a moment, before walking over and sitting down next to me, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees.
"Look, I'm just gonna come out with it, okay?" He said, still staring straight ahead. I heard him take a breath before turning to look at me. "I think you're hot, dude." That was not at all what I had expected to hear from him. A silence hung between us for a moment before I finally spoke.
"Uh, thank you?" I said with confusion, still processing the new information.
"It's cool. I wanted to tell you last night, and I was coming to find you, but when you ran into me, you ran off before I could say anything." I blushed faintly as I remembered why I had legged it so quickly. "I was hoping you'd still be at that party thing. I heard someone spiked the drinks, and thought I could get a little Dutch courage before saying anything." Someone had spiked the drinks? That explained why they had tasted a little weird. And why I was all over Trent so quickly.
"Jimmy, this is really unexpected, I mea-" I couldn't finish what I had to say, as Jimmy had leant over and kissed me. For someone who gave off this persona of being a tough guy, he had surprisingly soft lips. We stayed like that for a couple seconds before Jimmy pulled away, a cheeky look on his face.
"Not bad." I gave him a punch to the arm for that remark.
"Get over yourself, Hopkins," I laughed.
"Sorry, man," he said, rubbing his arm. "Just had to do it. Felt like it for a while now. Plus, better saying you're the last person I kissed than that Beatrice chick." I grinned, and Jimmy got to his feet. "We cool?" he asked, putting his closed fist out towards me.
"Yeah, we're cool," I agreed, and bumped my fist against his.
"Sweet. Catch you later, man," he said, waving before turning and heading for the stairs.
Out of all the things that had happened to me in this school, that was up there as one of the strangest. I would never have expected Jimmy to just kiss me like that, or even tell me that he thought I was attractive. The way he'd said it made it seem like he wasn't looking to make a thing out of it. Just that he needed to get it off his chest. Either way, it was sweet of him.
I stood up, drained the rest of the can and threw it in the bin before making my way over to the library. Pedro was probably already there waiting for me, ready to show me how he'd done on his last test.
08.07.15: Whew, that's a long one.
Mostly because of the song lyrics, but whatever. And yes, I know it was horribly cliché and cheesy to choose that song, but the main reason I picked it was because it was in the Top 100 in 2006, which was the year of release for Bully, and thus the year I'm setting the game and story in.
So our Dan's had quite the afternoon – Trent's started to show a softer side which is attracted to him, he's been roped into performing with the band in the Christmas Pageant, and Jimmy's said his piece, and kissed him too.
Hopefully you enjoyed this chapter, and I didn't make Trent or Jimmy to out of character. The next chapter, whenever I get around to writing it, will conclude the game's first chapter and feature Jimmy and Russell's fight in the Hole, so look forward to that.
Hint, hint, if you want to see that chapter sooner rather than later, maybe send me some reviews or something, I dunno…
Anyway, that's all for now, laters!
~ Ryan