Chapter seventeen.
Teens never, ever make the right decisions!
''And this is why I think teens never, ever make the right decisions.'' Pisti shouted, startling almost everyone, perhaps Ugo the most. Judal and Yunan seemed highly embarrassed as they were gathered at the station. They had waited for at least half an hour and neither Sinbad, Ja'far or Sharrkan were to be seen anywhere. Yunan had explained the situation, as Sharrkan should have been here, waiting for Sinbad and Ja'far.
''Okay, this can happen.'' Ugo said, before turning to Judal and Yunan. ''Where is Sharrkan?'' he asked. Judal was about to shrug, before he received a text. ''It seems he's received a message by pay phone from Ja'far that they didn't make it back on time, because they were lost, and went after them. Hopefully they will return by tonight, considering their luck.'' Judal answered. Pisti blinked a few times, ''Sounds like him alright. Well, at least, when and if they meet up, one of them at least has a working phone.'' Pisti said.
''Ask him where they are supposed to meet, and we'll have to see what we can do from there on.'' Ugo told Judal, who texted Sharrkan. ''I really, really need a stiff drink after all this.'' Pisti complained, getting comforted by Yamuraiha, who rubbed the tiny teacher's back, and told her everything would turn out to be fine, or at least 40% proof...
When Sharrkan arrived, he found Ja'far seated at a bench, and Sinbad offered him a wave. ''We found the station!'' he said oh-so happy as Sharrkan made his way towards them. ''Yep, just too late.'' Ja'far said, sounding really tired. ''I know, I texted Judal what's going on. I think he told miss Pisti and the others already.'' Sharrkan said, comforting Ja'far by patting his shoulder.
''You texted Judal?'' Ja'far asked, as Sinbad asked, ''Did you three have had any fun? How is Kyoto?'' ''Yeah, it wasn't too bad. And yes, I texted Judal, for two reaons. One, I have his number seeing that we're both on the same team. And two, I don't get along that well with Yunan right now.'' Sharrkan replied. ''He's weird, isn't he?'' Sinbad nodded in agreement. ''What happened?'' Ja'far demanded to know, crossing his arms as he asked this. Though his tone implied that Sharrkan had no other choice but answering.
''Nothing in particular. I just didn't like something he implied. We should be spending time on how to get back. Here, take my phone, and call Miss Pisti. Surely, you memorized her number, right?'' Sharrkan said, handing his phone to Ja'far. ''I'm not done with this yet.'' Ja'far said, before dialling Miss Pisti's number. As he called the tiny teacher, Sinbad leaned over to whisper, ''So, what did he do?''
'He didn't actually do anything yet, but if I tell him about his feelings for Ja'far, Sinbad would surely take measures. That's not fair, because... I really like Ja'far as well.' ''He was just annoying me, that's all.'' he told Sinbad instead. ''Ah, I know, right? He annoys the hell out of me as well.'' Sinbad replied. ''Believe me, I know all about it.'' Sharrkan said. ''So, did you and Ja'far have any fun?'' he asked Sinbad, as he watched Ja'far speaking to their teacher.
''Kind of, we just went shopping for souvenirs and toured a bit around. He was really stressed out when we were lost.'' Sinbad said. ''And that surprises you, because...?'' Sharrkan asked. ''It didn't. But, it wasn't too bad. I really did look forward to spending some time together. But at least I found a white scarf for J... ehr never mind that.'' Sinbad blushed at the end of his sentence.
'Mmm, somehow I can't envision Ja'far in white. Off-white maybe, with a tint of green. Get it together, Sharrkan. Sinbad just admitted wanting to spend some time together with Ja'far, and he even bought something for him. Be a good coach, and make a move.' he told himself, but just as he was about to say something, Ja'far had returned. ''Miss Pisti is very upset, so she allowed Yamuraiha to answer the phone. I might as well have talked to herself though, because her tantrums were audible in the background.'' Ja'far said.
''You know, for someone that tiny, she's terrifying.'' Sinbad said, and Sharrkan nodded in agreement. ''Despite that, she understood the situation, seemed Judal and Yunan explained it well. They are currently headed back towards the inn, and once they have arrived there, principal Ugo agreed to pick us up at this station. He agreed because Pisti and being angry don't go along so well with driving. In the mean time, we're supposed to at least get something to eat, because when we return, the inn stops serving supper.'' Ja'far explained.
''Oooh, let's go somewhere fancy.'' Sinbad said. ''If you're that rich, then sure.'' Sharrkan replied, but as far as he knew, Sinbad didn't actually work. His answer was confirmed when Sinbad's smile faded, and his shoulders slumped. ''If we save some money now, we can go somewhere fancy, before we go to the movie. That's if you still want to go with me.'' Ja'far comforted the king.
''Yes! Can we go after camp?'' Sinbad asked with puppy eyes. ''Sure thing. Why don't you go and see if someone knows a good restaurant that's somewhat affordable, or perhaps get a map of the city, so we won't get lost, again.'' Ja'far told him. Sinbad nodded, before heading off towards a kiosk. Sharrkan blinked a few times, before awkwardly asking, ''Did you just ask him out? On a date? Without my coaching?'' his voice got slightly higher when he mentioned date.
''Huh, oh, I guess I did. We used to go to the movies more often, though, so it seemed normal to me.'' Ja'far said innocently, before whispering, ''But I do need your coaching for when we go there. I think I'm ready, and I'd like to confess to him during the movie.'' Sharrkan was taken aback for a minute. ''Oh?'' he muttered dumbfounded. ''I think it's a good idea.'' Ja'far said, ''I really, really want to get together, and you said it yourself, there are signs of him liking me back.'' he added.
'I knew this was coming, eventually, but did it have to feel that devastating?' Sharrkan wondered, as his heart felt torn by the thought of Ja'far confessing to Sinbad. He managed to offer a weak smile, as he said, ''Sure, that sounds great. As your coach, I say go for it.'' 'As your friend, I hope you back out.' he added in his mind, mentally slapping himself, this was good. This was what Ja'far wanted after all, this is what they had bonded over.
'At least he doesn't end up with Yunan.' he told himself. ''I still do need you to coach me trough it. I don't even know how someone asks someone out. And the thought alone is nerve-wrecking, so you will have to keep me calm. And afterwards, I really don't want to lose this what we have, so we'll keep hanging around as friends right?'' Ja'far asked.
''Afraid not.'' Sharrkan told him, and Ja'far seemed crestfallen. Before he could ask why not, Sinbad returned. ''I've got a map. There is a really cute restaurant nearby, and... hey, what's going on? Why do you seem so depressed?'' Sinbad asked them. ''Nothing in particular, Ja'far was just nagging about what happened today. Let's go and get something to eat already, I'm starving.'' Sharrkan said.
''Sure thing, let's go already!'' Sinbad said, as they headed towards the restaurant. 'Sharrkan..' Ja'far thought sadly, before following them with a sigh. After dinner, they met up with Principal Ugo at the train station, and Ja'far still hadn't really cheered up. ''You've cost us a lot of trouble, we were so worried.'' Ugo said, all frazzled. Sinbad laughed, before he said, ''I'm so sorry, Sir. We didn't mean to. We will behave for the rest of the trip, won't we?'' he looked at the others.
Sharrkan nodded in agreement, as Ja'far only nodded ever so slightly. ''Well, it's alright, as long as you won't do it again. Miss Pisti wanted an apology for missing out on precious moments, whatever she means by that.'' Ugo explained, before looking at Ja'far. ''Everything alright? Did something happen?'' he asked him. ''Nothing, sir.'' Ja'far answered dully, before asking, ''Can we head back? I feel tired.''
Sinbad and Sharrkan shared a worried look, before they hopped into the bus that would bring them back towards the inn. Ja'far sat quietly, just staring outside, as they drove back. 'I don't want to lose my friendship with Sharrkan, why would he abandon me when I'm dating Sin? Am I making a mistake?' he wondered. 'No, he agreed on helping me out, so it can't be that. Perhaps, he doesn't appreciate my presence, and wants to get this over with as soon as possible.'
When they reached camp, Ja'far thanked Ugo silently, before heading towards his bed, barely greeting Masrur, who had waited for them. Masrur quirked an eyebrow, as Ja'far told him he was off to bed, something was off, then he turned to Sharrkan and Sinbad. ''What happened?'' he asked, his heavy voice making him sound kind of angry.
''I don't know, we had fun while we were out eating.'' Sinbad said. ''But when we headed back, he got all depressed like this.'' ''Maybe he's just tired.'' Sharrkan added. ''Talk.'' Masrur said, surely something must have happened for his best friend to be like this. ''Well, when we headed there, he seemed a bit down, for some reason, but then we went to this cute little bar, though I really thought it was a restaurant.'' Sinbad started.
When they had reached the place, it appeared to be a cozy bar. ''Sin, are you even serious? This isn't a restaurant. Maybe they only serve drinks and snacks.'' Ja'far scolded. ''No, it stated they have the highest rated dishes around, that are affordable. And my insticts tell me that they are correct. Can't we at least give it a chance? I will pay for your dish as well.'' Sinbad told him. ''I suppose so. Your instinct is usually spot on. What do you think, Sharrkan?'' Ja'far asked.
''Well, his instincts are better then his brains, I'd say we'll give it a try. Will you pay for my dish as well, Sinbad?'' Sharrkan added, and Ja'far nodded. ''I'm not paying for your dish, and hey, I'm not that stupid!'' Sinbad objected, but then his stomach growled. ''Let's go.'' Ja'far said with a smile, opening the door for Sinbad who made his way towards an empty table. Sharrkan followed suit, as did Ja'far.
They hadn't even sat down for a minute when a waiter approached them. ''Good evening, can I get you fine gentleman something to drink?'' he asked. ''I'd like a wine pl-'' Ja'far clamped his palm over Sinbad's mouth. ''We're high school students, not adults.'' he hissed. ''Sinbad here will have a coke, I assume Ja'far wants tea, preferably jasmine if you serve that, and I'd like some water.'' Sharrkan told the waiter.
''Right away, sir. Here are your menu's, I recommend the daily special which is fresh salt-water fish with rice, otherwise we serve some curry as well. We also have a little specialty which is bear curry.'' the waiter told them, as he handed them their menu's and jotted down their ordered drinks, before heading towards the bar.
Sinbad licked Ja'far's hand, who withdrew it in disgust. Sinbad laughed playfully, as Ja'far wiped it clean on Sinbad's trousers. ''That's disgusting, and even Sharrkan knows we shouldn't order any alcohol. That was reckless, Sin.'' Ja'far scolded. ''I wouldn't really have taken it, you know.'' Sinbad told him, pleased that Ja'far replied with a fond, ''I know. But it could have been troublesome''. Sinbad turned to Sharrkan, ''How did you know what to order for us?'' he asked.
''Well, you always drink a coke after training, and I happen to like water. And it has come to my attention that Ja'far savors the taste of tea anytime of day. It happens to stand out when you spend time together in one place.'' Sharrkan said, before getting an awry look from Sinbad and a shocked one from Ja'far. ''What... what do you mean by that?'' Sinbad asked. ''I allowed him to stay over when his ceiling collapsed. That's all that happened, it was merely protection.'' Sharrkan explained, and only then realised his mistake, as Ja'far slapped his forehead, and Sinbad turned to Ja'far asking, ''What does he mean by, the ceiling collapsed?''
'Okay, that was stupid.' Masrur thought, as he gave Sharrkan a blank stare. ''I didn't know he hadn't told that yet, okay.'' Sharrkan said. ''Wait, you knew?'' Sinbad asked, and Masrur nodded. ''I could've helped! Why didn't he tell me?'' Sinbad whined. ''Because he didn't want you to worry. He has already explained that.'' Sharrkan told him. ''Go on.'' Masrur said, referring to the story.
''Oh, right.'' Sharrkan said, ''Well, after Ja'far explained the situation, the waiter returned, and we ordered our dishes. Sinbad had the bear curry, as an adventurous taste, was that any good?'' Sharrkan asked. ''You bet it was, it had this sublime taste and-'' Masrur coughed, urging them back to the topic. These airheads were so easily distracted, it was exhausting. He should've talked to the source instead.
Sinbad ordered the curry, as Sharrkan eyed the plate that their neighbours received. ''The plates are a bit big here. Ja'far, would you mind sharing a plate of the fish with me? Otherwise, if we order seperatly, it feels like a waste.'' Sharrkan said. ''Sure, I was pleasantly surprised the last time we had fish.'' Ja'far said, and Sharrkan nodded to the waiter, ''One plate of the daily special then.'' ''Certainly sir, we will add a bit extra though, you need to eat well.'' the waiter told them, before gathering their menu's and heading towards the kitchen to place their orders.
''So, you stayed together for a while, after your ceiling randomly collapsed. That's why you two were suddenly that close. I really figured you had a thing for Sharrkan here, Ja'far. Not that I would have objected to that, I mean I would be cool with that and all, but..'' Sinbad said. ''Well, we happened to live very close to each other.'' Ja'far said. ''Yeah, I mean we aren't even that close. We are just hanging out for now. You can take your best friend, and spend more time together if you wish. I'll have some of my gaming time back at last!'' Sharrkan said. ''You're awful.'' Sinbad said, jokingly, assuming Sharrkan was making a joke.
Sinbad yawned, ''After that he was awfully quiet, but then again, it has been a long day. Is Judal around?'' Sinbad asked. ''In your room.'' Masrur told him. ''I'm going to go ahead and chat with him. Wanna come too?'' he asked Sharrkan. ''I don't like him, maybe I'll follow Ja'far's lead and head to bed.'' Sharrkan replied, but Masrur grabbed his wrist, maybe more harshly then intended, as Sharrkan yelped ''Ouch, that hurts!''
''Sorry.'' Masrur said. ''It appears you and Masrur have some talking to do. See you later.'' Sinbad said, before he skipped towards his room. Sharrkan looked at Masrur, who gave a seemingly blank stare if you asked anyone else. ''You are upset. I don't blame you, seeing how close you and Ja'far are. I don't intend to hurt him.'' Sharrkan explained. ''How about yourself?'' Masrur asked. A flash of hurt was present on Sharrkan's face for a split second. ''I... I am fine.'' he said.
''Liar.'' Masrur told him. ''Fine, but it's the only way I can take distance. He... he told me he wants to go on a date with Sinbad, and on that date, he wants to confess. I need to stop my feelings now, or else, I'll get hurt even more.'' Sharrkan whispered. ''You're wrong.'' Masrur told him. ''Thanks for trying to cheer me up, but I'd rather maintain my dignity.'' Sharrkan said with a smile, before adding, ''I'm tired. I'm going to bed. See you tomorrow.'' ''Goodnight.'' Masrur told him, before Sharrkan wandered off.
On the way towards his room, he found Hinahoho and Yamuraiha bent over something small. When he drew nearby, he discovered that that thing was Miss Pisti. When the dwar- ehr, the tiny teacher spotted him, she pointed her finger somewhat towards him, before she slurred, ''Yhou! Yhou ahre one of the reasonsh I have a headeck right njow! Wher'sh that s-lupid k'ing!'' Hinahoho craddled her, as Yamuraiha patted her back.
''She's drunk, isn't she?'' Sharrkan said, sounding unimpressed. ''Yeah, she is. She was really stressed about you three missing.'' Yamuraiha said. ''She was?'' Sharrkan asked. ''Yeah, she thought Sinbad would get lost and eventually sold as a slave or something like that. She has quite the fantasy.'' Hinahoho said. ''She also thought you would take Ja'far towards some love hotel and you two would elope.'' Yamuraiha added.
''T-that's just silly.'' Sharrkan sweatdropped. ''P-p-pervert Shjarrkann, leaf- 'im alone.'' they heard Pisti say. ''Sounds like she's sleeptalking. I'll take her.'' Yamuraiha said, as she took the snoring teacher from Hinahoho before bringing her to bed. ''Maybe she isn't too far fetched though. You went after them, because you care for Ja'far that much, and wanted to make sure he was fine.'' Hinahoho said.
''T-that's not..'' ''Deny it all you want, but you're smitten, son.'' Hinahoho told him. ''Son?'' Sharrkan objected, quircking his eyebrow, before whispering, ''I already said I liked him, but there is nothing to be done about it. He likes Sinbad, and he's going to ask him out, and Sinbad definitely isn't going to say no. I don't stand a chance.'' Hinahoho gave him a corncerned look before saying, ''You're an idiot.''
''I know.'' Sharrkan said. ''You're an idiot in school too, yes, but Ja'far is fond of you. If your heart wants him, fight for him. My wife would tell you the same thing.'' Hinahoho told him. ''That would be selfish. My duty is to get him with Sinbad, and that's what we will achieve.'' Sharrkan said, ''And that's final.'' he added, before heading towards his room. 'We will see.' Hinahoho thought, before heading to his room to call his wife.
When Sharrkan entered the room, he'd expected Ja'far and maybe Yunan sound asleep, and Judal and Sinbad talking, but the war he found when he entered was something else entirely. ''Oh, hey, Sharrkan.'' a giggling Ja'far said, before Judal took his chance and smacked his pillow against Ja'far's head, making him almost tumble over. He started chasing the black haired teen, definitely out for revenge.
Sinbad was already chasing them, even though the two had beaten him, as they were trying to hit eachother. But he seemed to enjoy himself. ''Isn't it fun? We introduced them to pillow fighting, and they seem to have taken to it.'' Yunan told him, as he leaned against the wall, taking some pictures. Sharrkan caught a pillow that Judal had thrown at him, but he managed to dodge. ''Count me in.'' he said, as he wacked Yunan, before following the others.
Afterwards they all laid down, feathers flying everywhere. ''Camp is fun.'' Ja'far said. ''It is.'' Sharrkan said, sighing contently. Sinbad was knocked out, for someone that big he was easily tired, and the pillow fighting had worn them out. ''I admit that was fun, even if it was with you lot.'' Judal told them, before drifting off. ''Can't wait for tomorrow.'' Yunan said, before reading his book. And soon all of them had fallen asleep, Sharrkan holding Ja'far's hand, as they snuggled for a bit.