Part Two

Jay's POV

You know that feeling when nothing is actually wrong, but you can tell something must be wrong? Because that was a feeling I got. Not to mention that I am addressing an invisible audience.

You see, non-existent watchers of my life, I have a friend. More like a known-each-other-their-whole-life kind of friend really. This friend's name is Ezekiel Palmer, commonly called Zeke. Zeke is a self-proclaimed artist, has a strange technical device that he deems magical and an even stranger family. He always drags me into some trouble.

Here we come to the part that is odd. We have not got into trouble. For the whole week actually.

And Zeke is seriously working.

Yes, you heard right. He is actually painting in his room for a contest on Sunday. And he threw me out.

Well, he did not actually say anything (because he knows I would kill him if he dared to throw me out of his own room), he just kept quietly painting until I couldn't take it anymore and went down to watch a cooking show with Mrs Palmer. Which was not half as bad as it sounds, because I like Zeke's mum, but the fact remains that Zeke was not doing any mischief and it got on my nerves.

Apparently my only sources of entertainment were books and Zeke's antics. What has happened to my life?

"What's up, Jay?" I heard Maxine's voice behind me.

Recently she started spending time with Ike. I mean, like, a lot of time.

I thought about this before, that maybe Zeke is just jealous, and that's why he suddenly seems different. I have seen Zeke jealous before, but it may be more serious this time.

That is, I am angry he is not saying anything about this to me. Also slightly worried.

"Zeke is being an idiot." I answered her.

She giggled. "Don't say that, I heard he's busy painting."

"Speaking of that, Jay honey, could you give him something to eat?" Said Mrs Palmer with a knowing gaze, which was somehow terrifying, because I had no idea what she was thinking.

"Sure, Mrs Palmer."

I entered his room again with a bowl of cereals, that of course was not prepared by me. Ike made it and then got distracted enough by Maxine for me to steal it.

After five seconds of being completely ignored I decided to make the bloody idiot aware of my presence.

"Stop for a moment and come here, imbecile."

"Hmm?"

Not even looking at me, great.

"Look, Zeke. I know you are an idiot that cannot deal with his feelings so he avoids the problem, and it's fine by me, but please eat something, because your mom asked me to feed you. Being heart-broken is not a good excuse for your mother I'm sure and I'd rather not discuss it with her."

He at least looked at me. However, it was not sadness or any other emotion expected I saw in his gaze. It seemed rather curious.

"Heart-broken?"

"Because of Maxine and Ike? That ring a bell?" Did he really immerse himself so much in the world of art that he forgot?

"Ahh!" He came and sat opposite me on the bed. "You're right."

I thrust the bowl in his direction, but he did not take it.

"What are you doing? Eat!"

"I heard something about you feeding me."

"What?" I did recall saying something like that. "Don't be childish! Eat on your own."

"Won't you comfort my broken heart for a while Jay?"

That bastard did not look heart-broken. He looked like he was plotting.

"Fine." I heard myself say. I always play along with his antics anyway.

He smiled and I raised a spoon with milk and cereal. He closed his eyes. The temptation was just too strong.

I poured it over his head. His shocked expression was totally worth it.

But before he could say anything I stuffed the spoon with another portion into his mouth.

"Don't try plotting anything against me. I'm smarter than you."

He smiled like he know something that I did not and caught my wrist. He tried to force the spoon into my mouth but I closed it.

"This sounded like a challenge Jay. And you know I'm always up for a challenge."

I didn't really understand what he meant but the word 'challenge' seemed fun enough. I was bored without his stupid plans.

And when I opened my mouth to say something he put the spoon into my mouth with a stupidly self-confident smile.

Z&J

Rachel was going around the living room, fuming. I was honestly afraid to ask, but somebody had to and it would be better if it was a sensible person.

"Did something happen, Rachel?"

"Oh, so you haven't heard? It's outrageous! Your school is making a play but only boys can perform. Those sexist monkeys!"

"Rachel, you're not attending our school." I said, trying not to offend her.

"So what!" And she went to fume outside.

Zeke choose this moment to go down.

"What did you do to her?" He asked mildly amused.

"Oh, nothing. I asked why she was angry. Did you finish painting?"

"Not yet, I need a longer break. Did she tell you all about our sexist school?"

"She mentioned something. Why are they doing something like that?"

"From Rachel's mumbling I understood that an all boys school with traditions is holding a competition for the best Shakespeare's play and our theatre teacher has an old conflict with their teacher, so she vowed to win."

I stood up and walked closer to him (invading his personal space maybe too much) brimming with excitement.

"Did you just say 'Shakespeare'?"