Chapter 18

Ralph was out by the lake, well behind the school's main grounds, when Gabriel showed up. Stripped to the waist and exercising furiously, working through a thousand pushups after a thousand situps and flutter-kicks, Ralph gave a small sigh of irritation at the interruption he knew was coming.

But the dull, happy ache still present downstairs had put Ralph in such a good mood today, he hadn't shouted at anybody yet. More incredible was the fact that he hadn't even wanted to. Ralph sped up on his pushups, and by the time Gabriel got close he was done. Ralph sat down and almost smiled, feeling quite good after so much exercise… and the badly-needed pleasure he'd experienced yesterday.

It wasn't just the sex, Ralph knew. It was the total dominance he had whenever he had a girl. She had none of the power, she didn't get to choose or do anything unless Ralph wanted head. No- all the power belonged to Ralph, and that was precisely how he wanted it. Unless he was in control, he wasn't enjoying any of it anyway.

"Hey," Ralph said, hoping whatever Piggy- Gabriel- wanted wouldn't take too long.

"Can I talk to you for a few minutes?" Gabriel asked, getting to the point, at least.

"What's going on?"

"It's not going on, exactly," the stocky boy answered, sitting down beside him. "It's something that already happened."

"Okay," Ralph said, taking a breath and waiting as patiently as he could manage.

"So you know about Freddie Gomez and those guys he hangs out with?"

"Yeah," Ralph said. Freddie Gomez had been among the foremost of Jack Merridew's suckups and disciples, back when the blond son of a bitch had still been alive.

"Well, Gomez and his guys were messing with this kid by the vending machines, in that snack room under Black Hall."

"So what?" Ralph asked irritably. He managed to temper his words with "So what happened next?"

Gabriel frowned. "I don't know why I did it- what I did, I mean. Well, I- I just stopped him."

"You stopped Gomez?"

"He was pushing his crotch against the kid's head, knocking him against the vending machine," Gabriel said. "I pushed Gomez off and made him leave."

"Sounds like you did fine," Ralph said. "What's it got to do with me?"

"You always stood up to Jack and Roger and all those bullies, even when it was a new kid they were after," Gabriel responded. "You know about standing up to those type of people." Gabriel paused. "I just hope I did the right thing. Maybe they'll just target him even more after this."

"The kid you helped?"

"Yeah."

"I doubt they'll do that," Ralph said, thinking about it now. "Most bullies are after something easy. Anybody who seriously stands up to 'em is gonna make them work for it, and they'd rather pick somebody else than deal with that."

Gabriel's rounded face lit up. "You think so? You think I helped?"

"Yeah. And you showed that kid that there's someone around here who'll stand up for him. He'll appreciate that."

On the dirt road going further out onto the school grounds, Peter ran by leading a pack of little ones, who were attempting to follow him in something resembling a formation. When tiny Mikey looked left and saw Ralph, he bared his teeth and turned, but Peter darted back and grabbed the small cadet around his middle and headed onward, never breaking his running pace.

"Why're they so mad at you?" Gabriel asked curiously.

Ralph sighed, his irritation quickly returning. "Look. I don't wanna talk about that. Okay? So, about what you did. You did good. All right? You did the right thing. You should feel proud. This place is always gonna have bullies, but you can still try to stand up and help people."

"I've never gotten to do that before," Gabriel said in wonder, looking at the ground. "It was always me they picked on."

"Things can be different now," Ralph replied. "You can be just a normal guy if you want. You're gonna make some enemies standing up to guys like Freddie Gomez. But you can make a difference, too."

"I'd like to do that, do some good things for people," Gabriel decided.

"That sounds fine to me," Ralph answered.

"It just went on like that for years," Gabriel continued. "People picking on me. Kids were always doing that stuff to me. It never changed. Now I can make them leave people alone."

"Like I said, things can be different now," Ralph said.

"So you really think I did the right thing?" Gabriel asked, looking at Ralph.

"Yes. Sure, you did, man."

"But how're you sure?" Gabriel asked.

Ralph closed his eyes as his temper flared up fiercely, thought of how good it had felt fucking that girl, having her any way he wanted, making her obey while he did everything, made all the decisions, stayed fully in control.

"Because what you did is just the right thing to do," Ralph answered calmly, opening his eyes. "That's all it is, man. You did the right thing. Just be proud of it.

"Okay," Gabriel answered with a smile and a nod. "That's what I'll do."

"Good." Ralph paused. "So what else is going on?"

"Simon said that the others were-"

"What? What about Simon?" Ralph demanded, looking sharply at the other boy. "Did he send you to talk to me? Because he can shove it up his fucking-"

"No, hey- Ralph, I'm just here to talk to you," Gabriel replied quickly, holding up his hands. "Nobody sent me. I just wanted to say Simon and the others were doing okay last I saw. Everybody who came back here to school is doing all right."

"Well, good," Ralph said, nodding.

"Why don't you like Simon?"

Ralph closed his eyes once more as a wave of raw fury hit him. He thought of every moment of pleasure, every sensation, the dull ache in his balls that was still with him right now. He thought of how he'd damn near worn himself out using that whore, and God, it had felt wonderful.

"Because he acts like he's in charge when he isn't," Ralph said, doing his best to sound reasonable. "I guess Steve and Patterson are okay. I hung out with them the other night. They listen to Simon too much but they're not all bad."

"But you and him always got along fine before-"

"I don't wanna talk about him anymore," Ralph warned, his anger rising quickly. "He's fooling people but I know what he's after. You better not start working for him."

"Working for him?"

Ralph sighed, trying to focus his thoughts on every time he'd hit climax with that whore, the way he'd had every second with her entirely his way, entirely to his liking. She'd had no say whatsoever. For the time he'd been in that room, she'd been all his. He'd practically owned her, and he would again the next time he went to Desele's.

Enough thinking of that and I just might let this guy live, Ralph thought. Note to self: make her take it even more next time. I'll give it to her like she's never had it in her life.

"Ralph?" Gabriel asked, looking at him curiously.

"Just- don't let Simon twist your head around," Ralph said firmly. "He's got people fooled. I'm not gonna let him do that to you, so, take my advice. Keep your distance with him."

"But Steve and Patterson are okay?"

"Yeah. They're fine, I guess."

As long as they make damn sure to make those little trips happen, they are.

"What happened, though?" Gabriel insisted. "You used to like Simon."

"Well, now I don't like 'im," Ralph replied shortly. "Keep your eyes open and don't buddy-buddy with him and maybe you'll see what I mean. Until then, I don't wanna fucking hear about Simon unless he's fucking died or something."

Gabriel was silent for a few moments, unsure of what to say to that. This demanded questioning, investigation. He'd have to find out what was going on here. Ralph just wasn't himself. This wasn't the kind, respectful, caring guy who'd so valued and appreciated Simon's quiet, introspective nature. Something had changed Ralph, more than just the berries… but what?

"Ralph, if I need to talk to you again about standing up to Freddie Gomez, can I?"

Off the topic of Simon again, Ralph visibly relaxed. "Yeah," he said. "Yeah, sure."

"Okay. Thanks for listening. I'm glad I told you." Gabriel hesitated, then added, "I needed to tell someone. To work things out, you know?"

"I get it," Ralph replied, nodding. "Anything else? Or can I get back to my workout?"

"No, that's it for now," Gabriel said, going to leave. "Thanks again."

"Sure thing, Gabe."

ΩΩΩΩΩ

Sitting at his usual spot in the mess hall, a corner where there was a little less foot traffic and a small amount of peace and quiet, Simon thought about his first date with Arianna, about the noble prince she demanded that he become in order to truly earn her favor.

Was she serious about that whole knights and princesses thing? How serious? Maybe it was just a fantasy she'd always wanted to live out; it had to be something of the sort, because someone that smart and that beautiful couldn't possibly think she was actually-

She's a princess, Simon realized. Even if this is all just a game to her, even if she's a teenage girl underneath it all, she's high-born and above the rest. A room lights up when she walks in. So she stares at my muscles whenever she thinks I'm not looking, and so she even admits she likes seeing me shirtless now. So what? She's more than beautiful. She's perfect. She's royalty.

For the first time since the night that he'd first slept with Jennifer, Simon wondered if this was what really, seriously falling in love felt like. If so, it was happening entirely too fast for him, but he wouldn't put a stop to this for anything.

"Hey, daydreamer," Steve called out, playfully slapping Simon on the shoulder as he sat down with his tray. "Boy, oh, boy, I got some stories for you, man."

"You missed out when we went to Desele's," Patterson said with a little smile.

"Really, really missed out," Steve added.

"Well," Simon replied with a smile of his own, "I wanna hear all about it. Everything."

"Okay," Steve began excitedly, "you know about how I got my good spot, right?"

"It's his nutsack, basically front and center," Patterson added. "I know because he's told me."

"I'm tellin' the story!" Steve growled with mock anger, glaring at Patterson. He paused, cleared his throat, and continued, "Well, the girl I fucked, man? She found my good spot so fast. It was like someone told her. I mean, it was like we were a couple of fuckin' animals for I don't know how long, but when I was trying to take a break, she crawls up super slow, letting me just look at her, and then she stops and licks me. Slow. Real slow." Steve grinned. "I loved it. I loved the whole thing. I'm a human being again, dude. We gotta go there all the time now. I need it just to stay sane."

"Me, too," Patterson agreed. "Plus, uh, my chick kinda knows my good spot, too."

"Oh, really?" Steve demanded. "Now, where's yours, and how could that chick you were banging know more than my girl?"

"She's kind of a whore."

"She's modeling material, and I fucked her all night. God, it felt good!"

"Is that about how it was for you and the girl you were with? That description fit?" Simon asked with a knowing smile, looking at Patterson.

"Yeah," Patterson agreed. "I can't believe how much of a difference it makes. And I tried some new things with her, dude. Once we're all back in my room, we're talking details. I mean all of 'em. No other way for us to go over positions and stuff."

"Man, you still know more than me and my man Simon after all the pussy we've had?" Steve asked, throwing a muscular arm around Simon's broad shoulders.

"You'd be surprised some of the stuff I've tried with a girl," Patterson remarked.

"Simon, how are you not, I dunno, committing felonies right now or something?" Steve asked, looking at Simon in wonder. "You missed out on the greatest place there is. We hand them money and we fuck beautiful girls, any girl we pick. It's heaven, man."

"Look, tell me all about it when we're up in Rob's room," Simon encouraged. "I wanna hear every nasty, sweaty, excessively detailed story."

"Oh, I was gonna tell you all that anyway!" Steve exclaimed, and all three boys had a good laugh at that one.

"Well, what's coming up for you, Prince Simon?" Patterson asked with a sly grin.

"Ah-uh," Simon replied coherently, turning bright red as his face rapidly grew hot. "Um."

Steve laughed delightedly. "Now you're just embarrassing him."

"Yeah. It's kind of fun, isn't it?"

"You bet it is."

"Well, I was just gonna say that Arianna and I are gonna talk again this afternoon," Simon went on with forced calm.

"I bet she's so fucking tight-" Steve said, but Patterson clapped a hand over the other boy's mouth before he could go on.

"She probably is," Simon admitted. "But that isn't the point. And she's not one of those whores you can rent. She's even more beautiful than any of them. She's a princess. Okay?"

"Sure," Steve nodded. "I'm sorry, man." He sighed. "I just know the sex is gonna be fucking amazing when she lets you. I'm just happy for you."

"So is there any news yet?" Patterson asked.

"Arianna told me to come see her without a shirt on today," Simon replied. "Ordered me. No shirt, she said."

"That's good," Patterson remarked. "That's very good. Means she's okay with admitting what that means. Make sure she gets a great view."

"Oh, I will," Simon said, already thinking of how he wanted to copy Arianna's attention-getter stretch to get her staring at his rock-hard abs, one of his favorite things about his changed body. The other was quite a few inches long and between his legs.

"You two really love just flirting with each other, don't you?" Patterson laughed.

"Uh-"

"C'mon, I've seen you two. You walk along taking turns ogling each other. One of you stares, the other pretends like they don't notice."

"They're definitely gonna fuck," Steve remarked, looking quite pleased.

"Hey, I told you-"

"Simon, I said I'm just happy for you," Steve said reasonably. "Look; be honest with us. Would you fuck her today if she asked you to?"

"Yes," Simon replied honestly. "But I told you she isn't just some girl."

"Nothing disrespectful about appreciating that body of hers," Steve replied enthusiastically. "You're not saying you don't think she's an awesome person and stuff. You're just saying that body of hers drives you crazy and you wanna get in a bedroom and make her sweat. I mean sweat, man, like the three of us can do. You wanna do that with her, so just admit it. At least when you're talking to us."

"I already told Rob," Simon explained. "We talked. He said it's okay for me to- you know- to want to fuck her and… everything you said."

"See?" Steve answered him. "What's so bad about it?"

"Nothing," Simon said. "But if it happens she has to choose it. Gotta be her choice. I'm not just gonna use her."

"I guess you could encourage her a little," Steve replied with a wink.

"Maybe," Simon said. "But right now I wanna talk about my first date with Arianna."

"Tell us everything," Steve insisted. "I'm listening. Please!"

Simon laughed, shook his head, but proceeded to explain how the date had gone from start to end, his own thoughts on it and how he figured it had been for her. Steve and Patterson listened attentively, nodded at a few points, asked a few questions here and there. When Simon had relayed the story in full, he added that he couldn't be more excited to see Arianna again today.

"And you should be," Patterson replied approvingly. "You two are a perfect match."

"And they're both fucking hot," Steve added.

Simon and Patterson both turned to look at him curiously, and Steve went red and started stammering, trying to backpedal.

"Look- I- I didn't mean it like that!"

"How did you mean it?" Simon asked, pressing the barb in further.

"I- well, I just- you know- look at you- I mean, you have big guns and- and stuff!"

"I never knew you thought Simon was hot," Patterson observed. "Maybe you two oughta go up to the barracks, close a door, and-"

"No!" Simon and Steve both exclaimed, making Patterson laugh.

"Uh- well, anyway," Steve went on, "I- er- um, yeah. So I know Rob's on the swim team, Simon. You and I should play so we can have, like, an outlet and stuff. Our bodies need it, especially since we don't get to fuck every day like we really should."

"At this point, our bodies need about all the sex and physical activity we can get," Patterson added. "Steve's got a great idea. But did either of you have any ideas about how you wanted to do that?"

"I was thinking of doing some running," Simon responded. "I liked it on the island, I like it now. Cross Country would be a good place to go. They don't normally have kids my age on the team, but I'm not exactly normal for my age."

"I've always liked playing soccer," Steve added. He grinned. "The babes back home love it when I dress up in team uniforms. It works for me."

"And I'm gonna stick with swimming," Patterson said. "You guys ought to go and work on signing up. You'll make great additions to the teams, so no reason they wouldn't take you, even if we're largely done with regular tryouts."

"We will," Simon promised.

"Hey, are we lifting today?" Steve asked.

"Only after you two tell me every single detail about your first trip to Desele's," Simon told him.

"Yeah, let's go up to Patterson's room!" Steve exclaimed. "C'mon, Simon needs to hear all the details!"

"You really need to go with us next time," Patterson said, looking at Simon. "I feel human again. I can think straight. I can't go without for more than a few days at this point, and I doubt you can either."

"Just lemme hear all the stories for now," Simon replied. "I got a girl now. I'd like to go, but, if I decide I can't 'cause of Arianna, just let me do that, okay?"

"Sure thing, man."

ΩΩΩΩΩ

Simon came by Faculty Row exactly on time, just as Arianna had known he would. He looked truly spectacular in the afternoon sunlight, naked from the waist up, just as Arianna had wanted. He slowed to a walk, approached her, bowed and gently kissed her hand as she offered it.

"I hope you don't have somewhere else to be," Simon told her, "because it'd be a privilege to talk with you."

Pleased and unable to quite keep from showing it, Arianna offered him a smile. She cleared her throat. "Uh- well, you're pretty hot- hot- it's hot out. Out here. Outside. I think you're hot. I think it's hot outside! It's very hot outside!"

"It is," Simon agreed. He fell into step beside her, sneaking a few glances to admire her when he thought she wasn't looking. Arianna's face burned and she tried to look anywhere but at him, but she ended up staring anyway, her eyes devouring his pecs, arms, shoulders, and abs with their usual ravenous hunger.

"You're so much better than these crude, unsophisticated boys," Arianna said finally. "All they can think about is the most basic things that ever come to mind. They're little more than animals. I have nothing to do with them."

"I understand," Simon replied. "They're not all bad, though." He hesitated. "I mean, none of them are worthy of you, like you said. But they're not the worst guys."

"They are all trying to be Jack Merridew," Arianna pronounced, "and he didn't have a bit of class in his whole body."

"No, he didn't," Simon laughed. "I try not to be like him."

"I hope you aren't going to be letting those sweaty, uncultured boys get to your head," Arianna told him. "You at least try to be a gentleman."

"But Miss Arianna, I have to engage in those sweaty, uncultured sports and workouts so I can please you by showing up with my shirt off."

Arianna blushed crimson again. "Well, you better keep working out then," she said quickly.

"I'd say the same," Simon replied, "but you probably don't have to worry about fitness when you fell from Heaven."

"Slap yourself, Simon," Arianna told him.

"Okay." Simon did so.

Arianna turned and took hold of one of Simon's powerful, rock-hard arms, tugged him over behind a big oak tree. Nobody could see them over here in the shade. She looked up at Simon, let herself admire his awesome upper body. It felt good to just do that and not even try to hide it. Simon let her look, simply waiting patiently.

Knowing just what to do to him next, Arianna calmly, slowly reached up and put her hands behind her head and stretched, drawing his attention to her smooth, suntanned belly, her nice shoulders, her chest, even, clad in the black sports bra the outfit paired with the black athletic short-shorts that gave such a nice view of her legs.

Sure enough, Simon gawked while she made a show of stretching, acting as if she had simply dismissed him for the moment. Arianna almost gave him a smug look, but managed not to. Simon was a prince among these stupid, cultureless boys, sure… but he was a boy all the same. He liked girls just as much as they did. He just didn't walk right up and proposition her the way the overconfident ones did, or jabber frightened nonsense at her until she walked off like the uncertain ones did. Since Simon was a boy with the usual wants, that meant Arianna could make him do just about anything… and the thought of that power was intoxicating.

"Whenever you come by to see me," Arianna said, "unless I say otherwise, never, ever wear a shirt. Understand?"

"Of course." Simon smiled. "I knew you'd like the view."

As her face heated again, Arianna replied, "And what's your favorite part about looking at me, Simon?"

Now it was his turn to turn red. He stared at her with wide eyes, trying to think of a response. Arianna got closer, closer, even as her own heart began pounding like crazy. "Well, Simon?"

"Uh- what I like best? Uh- well- okay, I like-"

Arianna leaned her head back, closed her eyes, and stretched again.

"Like-"

"Yes?" Arianna asked.

"Uh-"

Arianna opened her eyes and smiled at him, running her eyes over all those sculpted, rock-hard muscles, that gorgeous suntan.

"I like everything," Simon said. "I mean, I mean, you- I like everything. There's nothing I don't like. I can't keep my eyes off you."

"I think boys like you should have all your shirts taken away," Arianna told him, moving closer, letting him look down at her, bewildered and out of his comfort zone, just where she wanted him.

"Okay," Simon agreed.

Arianna considered getting closer still, thought about luring him into the house to try a thing or two with him, but she backed away at the last second, confused, nervous, and incredibly excited. She needed to plan her next moves. She was going to get him in that house sometime when Dad wasn't around, make him seriously leave his comfort zone, and just enjoy her Hunky Prince boyfriend.

"Simon," Arianna went on, "if you have to be one of those sweaty boys, you're going to be at the pool, right? So you can be less sweaty and uncultured?"

"Yes, of course," Simon agreed. "I'll be there. Actually I love being at the pool. I get to hang out with Steve and Patterson, we sort of just sit around by the side of the pool, swim around some."

"Never wear a shirt in the pool, either," Arianna told him. "It's not allowed."

"Oh, I wouldn't dream of it," Simon told her with a wink, recovering himself some. "I look so much better without one."

"Yes- well, obviously. I mean- so-" Arianna cleared her throat. "Uh- you play sports?"

"I'm going to try for Cross Country," Simon responded. "I love running and it's a great fit for me."

"You'll be a great runner," Arianna told him immediately. "You'll have some great run times. I know you'll be the best."

"I'd love to see you at my meets or training runs," Simon told her.

"Maybe I'll be there," Arianna said.

"Okay. I hope so."

"You're not single anymore, Simon," Arianna said suddenly. "I hope you know that."

"Yes, ma'am," Simon replied quickly.

"I said you can just call me Arianna."

"Sure."

"So?"

"Yes, Miss Arianna."

"We'll work on that."

"Yes."

"Simon," Arianna said, "when are you going to ask me out again? I expect to be treated well."

"Oh. Um, uh- you wanna godatewimme?"

"What was that?" Arianna asked, looking at him sharply.

"You- uh, you wanna go out with me? On a date? We can have dinner. Anywhere you want."

"Next Saturday, right at three," Arianna said. "Wear that nice uniform. You almost look like you're not some sweaty, uncultured boy when you dress like that."

"Okay. That's what I'll do."

"It's kind of fun talking to you sometimes," Arianna said. She smiled, stood on her tiptoes, put one hand on his right pec, which felt like a slab of solid muscle. Then she kissed him on the right cheek before she could stop herself.

Figuring it was best to make her exit then before she got let herself try anything else, Arianna promptly took her best runner's posture and headed off down the quiet street, back towards her house, aware that Simon was surely watching her, admiring the view, and realizing she didn't mind.

For the first time in her life, Arianna Lovejoy had a real boyfriend. She only hoped this continued to be just like it had been in her most fanciful dreams.

A/N: 6-13-2020.

And another chapter's done. I wish I could thank more readers than just one, but AM83220 is the only one who has been posting reviews regularly for this story. He's also helping to write it, providing the narrative summaries that I turn into chapters. This story could not proceed the way it has without his assistance.

Now, of course, any review posted is appreciated, provided it isn't from a troll, since those do happen on here. If you read this, feel free to share your thoughts on the chapter either in a review or in a PM to me.