The Goggle-head Boys
Chapter 12
KellyQ
Ken looked up from his iPod mini when movement caught his eye. He tuned to see Daisuke coming his direction. Ken was leaning against Daisuke's locker. It didn't take long to know that there was some bothering Daisuke. At least it's Friday, Ken thought, moving out of the way so that his friend could get into his locker.
"I am sure, by Monday, the gossip's going around will die down," Ken reassured, following Daisuke to the bus stop.
"That's not what bugs me," Daisuke grumbled, getting onto the bus. He and Ken found two empty seats on the crowded bus. "It just bugs me that every round this whole school wants to know everything about us. We're nothing but good friends, that's all!"
Ken patted his friend's back sympathetically as they got off the bus, making their way to Ken's apartment. The apartment was four stories high and painted Albany color. Ken pulled out his key fob and they made their way to the elevator. Once they were on the fourth floor to walk into room 488. The aroma of soup was the first thing that got their attention. The two boys took their shoes off and made their way into the kitchen to see Mrs. Ichijouji stirring some soup.
"Hey, boys," she greeted warmly, "how was school today?"
"Great, except for some gossip at school about Christopher beating the basketball team from the other school," Daisuke grumbled.
Ken shook his head, knowing that Daisuke sometimes would elaborate. Mrs. Ichijouji turned and raised a brow.
"That sounds interesting," she said, giving her full attention to Daisuke, "kids always liked elaborating when I was going to school."
Daisuke nodded his head catching on that Mrs. Ichijouji's didn't have time to hear the full story.
"We'll be in my room working our homework," Ken said, nudging Daisuke to his room.
Ken opened the door and they both dropped their bags on the floor. Daisuke flopped on the bed and sprawled out. Ken sat down on the floor and pulled out his English book and a spiral notebook.
"Are you sure we can't just play UNO before we plunge into homework?" Daisuke asked.
"We could do that," Ken answered after a few moments of thinking about it.
Daisuke slid off the bed and grinned, rubbing his hands together with glee. Ken sat across from him, shuffled the cards and dealt out nine cards. The first card was blue. Daisuke glanced at his hand and put down a draw two.
"And here I thought you liked me," Ken joked.
"I do!" Daiuske said.
Ken muttered something under his breath and drew two cards. He looked at the cards and grinned. Daisuke waited for a moment and when Ken didn't make any move, Daisuke couldn't take it anymore.
"Will you just start with the slaughter all ready?"
Amusement flashed across Ken's face as he placed a draw four cards down in the discard pile.
"Hey! Be nice to me!" Daisuke wined, looking like he was going to cry. "I've been nothing but a loyal friend to you!"
"And it's red."
The game lasted until Mrs. Ichijouji called the two boys for dinner. Ken and Daisuke got up and made their way to the kitchen table. Mrs. Ichijouji placed four bowls of split pea soup and a large plate of dinner rolls on the table. Mr. Ichijouji emerged from the living room and sat down.
"How's the game coming along?" Mr. Ichijouji asked.
"He has no compassion for me," Daisuke wined, fake sniffling. He took a dinner roll and dipped into the soup.
Ken rolled his eyes and patted Daisuke's back sympathetically. "There, there, now. But I am winning so far. He has at least ..."
"Don't say it!"
"Fifteen cards and I have five cards left," Ken explained, clearly enjoying that he was winning.
"See? No compassion what so ever!"
Mr. Ichijouji chuckled and went back to eating.
The rest of the evening passed casually until it was time for bed. Daisuke only had two options: the air mattress, or the couch. At one point, during the conversation, Daisuke said that he had no problem sleeping on the couch with a thick blanket.
"Are you sure? I have no problem with setting the air mattress for you," Ken said, gesturing to his room again. Daisuke shrugged and followed Ken to his room and closed the door.
The two friends spent the rest of the weekend studying, taking breaks every now and then to ease the stress. When Sunday arrived, Daisuke was ready to go home. Not that he didn't appreciate Ken's help - he did; Daisuke was ready to go home and get some real sleep.
The first night sleeping there was staying up all night getting their English homework done. And waking up to Mr. Ichijouji watching the news at 6:00 in the morning.
When Daisuke was dropped off, he thanked Mr. and Mrs. Ichijouji for letting him stay the night.
"See you tomorrow at the usual spot, bff?" Daisuke asked, hugging Ken.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Ichijouji glanced at each other, as Ken shook his head, amused by Daisuke's mix up.
"A bff is a term used to describe two girls that have a lot in common ..."
Daisuke flushed with embarrassment, "I ... I knew that!"
"Don't worry about it," Ken reassured, "I knew what you really meant." Daisuke got out of the car, turned and closed the door. "Oh, and for future reference ... buddy is the word you want to use for two guys that are close and have a lot in common."
Daisuke faked salute. "Yes, sir! I'll keep that in mind, professor Ken!"
Ken shook his head as he watched his friend head into the apartment.
To Be Continued ...