Title: Ante Up
Author: Courtney
Email: courtneystovall@yahoo.com
Rating: R, for a little m/m slash content
Disclaimer: If Hamilton were mine in any way, shape or form do you *really* think I'd get out of the bed long enough to write fanfic?
Summary: An all-night card game is the catalyst for confession as some truths come to light between the guys of Rawley Academy.
Author's Notes: Let me just say that I know nothing about cards unless we're talking about my computer solitaire, Hearts or maybe Go Fish . . . forgive any inconsistencies please. Just remember, it's not about the cards people! ;-)
Thanks: Everyone who sent me feedback for my previous YA stories and inspired me to write more.
--------------------------------
Part One
Saturday, 9:20am
"But *why* do you have to go?" Hamilton whined as he sat on Jake's bed watching her pack and openly pouting like a sullen child.
Jake sighed. "I've told you this," she said. "Summer session ended yesterday, fall semester starts a week from Monday and my mother leaves for a three-month European tour next week. This is the last chance I'll probably have to see her until she gets back."
Hamilton frowned, but nodded. "I know you want to see her . . . I mean, I understand. But . . . what am I supposed to do around here by myself all weekend?"
She looked over at her downtrodden boyfriend and a soft smile played at her lips. "You'll think of something," she assured him.
"Sometimes I wish I had a home other than this one that I could go to when school's out," he said miserably. She could understand that; his parent's had a house, but it was less than a quarter of a mile from the Rawley campus. There wasn't much getting away for Hamilton Fleming.
Jake set down the jeans she was folding and walked over to sit beside Hamilton on her bed. Her arm around his shoulder, she said, "My mom will still be overseas by Thanksgiving. We'll go somewhere then, some place far away from New Rawley . . . I promise."
Hamilton nodded, forcing a smile but not completely relinquishing his pout. "I love you," Jake reminded him as she kissed his cheek sweetly.
He reached out and grabbed her hand in his, replying, "Yeah, I know . . . me too." He sighed then and shrugged his shoulders. "I know that I'm just being selfish about this. Its just . . . this summer has been so great. I've had so much fun with you. And . . . I'm just gonna miss you, that's all."
She smiled. "I'll miss you, too. But it's only for the weekend. It'll be over before we know it. I'll be back Monday; you can make a go of it without me for a few days . . . can't you?"
He nodded reluctantly, "Yeah, I'll be fine. Go have fun with your mom." Then, a smile graced his lips as he added, "But when you get back we'll have a lot of lost time to make up for."
Jake grinned and kissed him sweetly before replying, "Oh, I'm counting on that."
* * * * *
Saturday, 12:14pm
Hamilton sat in the lounge, alone. Jake had been gone for less than two hours and already he was bored out of his mind. She had told him before she left that he should 'spend some time with the guys . . . the real ones.' Easier said than done, he thought to himself as he surveyed the empty student lounge. Had every single person at Rawley Academy gone home for the week except for him?
Just as he was getting ready to go spend the day with his Playstation, a voice behind him called, "Hey Hamilton, I didn't know you were still here." He turned to see Scout Calhoun walking in from the direction of his room.
"Hey man, what's up?" Hamilton asked. "You didn't go home for the break?"
"Nah, my dad's in Washington and if I walk through the Smithsonian one more time the dinosaurs might start recognizing me." He smirked. "And there's no one home at my house besides the maid . . . Helga's not exactly my idea of a good time, ya know?"
Hamilton chuckled. "Yeah, I'd imagine not. So, you'll be staying in town for the week then?"
"Yep. Me and Will both," Scout confirmed.
"Krudski too? But he lives in town," Hamilton said in puzzlement.
"Yeah well, he and his dad don't exactly get along. I think he'd rather just stay in the dorms then have to deal with his old man."
"Can't say I don't know the feeling," Hamilton replied with a nod.
"So, where's Jake?" Scout asked.
"Jake? Oh, he went home for the weekend. I mean, I guess he did. He left this morning . . . sometime." He tried not to sound too sure; it probably wouldn't look good if he were too aware of Jake's every action.
Scout just nodded, not saying anything but with a look that said a lot. "Well, uh, if you aren't busy then, why don't you come hang out with me and Will tonight? We'll play cards or watch movies or something," he offered.
Hamilton nodded, "Yeah, sounds okay."
"Alright, look I have to get to work but I'm off at six. Why don't you meet us at Friendly's then?"
"Sure, see ya then, Scout," he said and he watched the boy walk towards the stairwell. It didn't seem like his plans for the weekend would be very exciting, but at least he'd have more to do than just sit around and miss Jake.
* * * * *
Saturday, 6:00pm
Hamilton walked into Friendly's right on time. He'd spent the entire day playing video games and thinking about Jake. By the time six o'clock came around he was more than ready to get out of the dorms and find something to take his mind off of everything.
"Yo, Hamilton!" Will called as he walked into the diner.
"Hey man, what's going on?" Hamilton responded. He saw Scout cleaning off one of the empty tables and nodded to him as well.
"We're just about out of here," Will assured him.
Hamilton looked around. The diner looked pretty busy; after all, it was dinnertime on a Saturday night in what might have been the world's smallest town. "You sure you guys can leave?"
"Yeah, we both worked the lunch shift," Scout replied as he walked over and took off his apron. "So, how much longer until you're done, Will?"
"Twenty minutes, tops," Will replied.
"Okay, Ham, you wanna walk across the street with me? We'll get some chips and stuff for tonight from the gas station." Hamilton knew exactly why Scout wanted to go to the station and it had nothing to do with snacks for their card game . . . but he agreed anyway.
Bella was inside the station when they got there and she looked up to smile at the two boys. "Hey guys, what's going on?"
"Not much," Scout replied. "Uh, Bella, you remember my friend Hamilton from the other night, right?"
"Yeah, sure, hey Hamilton," she said and he gave her a smile. "So, where's your other friend . . . Jake?" she asked.
A shadow seemed to pass over Hamilton's face, but he quickly covered his reaction to the mention of Jake's name. "He, uh . . . went home for the weekend," he replied.
"Hmm . . . so what brings you two into town tonight anyway?" she asked.
"Ham came to meet Will and I after work," Scout explained. "We're gonna play cards."
"Sounds like fun. I--" she started, but then was cut off by the sound of a car pulling up out front. They all looked to see a familiar red corvette pull in next to the pump, the radio blaring a loud rock song. The driver, their obnoxious classmate Ryder, looked out with a smirk as the trio came out of the door to the station.
"Well, well . . . lookie who we have here," he goaded the group.
"Ryder, nice to see you've managed to keep your car in tact for the rest of the session," Scout remarked.
The older boy ignored the comment and instead decided to continue his sarcasm. "Hammie, slumming with the townsfolk today I see. Where's your boyfriend at these days? He cruising around with someone else on his bike now?"
"Ryder, lay off," Scout interjected.
"It's okay, Scout. He's not worth it," Hamilton replied.
"I should say not . . ." Ryder said with a chuckle. "So, what are you girls planning for this evening anyway?"
"Why, no all-night poker games for you to lose your shirt in?" Bella said sharply.
"Feisty, that one," he remarked with a raised brow. "Actually, I'm headed out of town for the week. I have better places to be than the exact geological center of nowhere."
"New Rawley will be the better for it, I'm sure," Bella said with a smirk. She had finished pumping his gas and she replaced the gas cap. "That'll be $18.54," she told him.
Ryder pulled out a credit card and handed it to her. "Here ya are, love." Bella took the card, rolling her eyes at him, then went to run his payment.
"So," Ryder turned his attention back to Scout and Hamilton. "Are you two on a date?"
"Don't you have anything better to do than harass people all the time?" Scout asked.
"I'm just curious . . . you boys going to spend the night playing dress up with the lovely Miss Banks . . . or were you leaning towards a Judy Garland marathon?"
Hamilton shook his head in disgust. "Is it hard to be such a jerk? Look, if you really have nothing better to do than worry about our plans for the weekend, then fine. We're going to go play cards. Happy?"
"Cards . . ." Ryder laughed. "Just don't let the dean catch you gambling over your game of Go Fish."
Bella returned then and handed Ryder his credit card and receipt. She waited for him to sign, then took one of the copies back. "Well, too bad you have to rush off," she said.
Ryder was still laughing. "Have fun kids. Don't forget the popcorn and cheese puffs. I'm sure it'll be a *blast*." They watched as he drove away, all scowling after the annoying young man.
"God, I hate him," Bella said. "What a jerk."
"Jackass is more like it," Scout put in.
"Actually, he might be right," Hamilton said.
"Excuse me?" Scout said in disbelief. "Did you hit your head today?"
"No, I just mean that we never do anything exciting, ya know? We never have any real *fun*. I mean, crew meets and cotillions aren't what teenage life is supposed to be all about. There's supposed to be more . . . right? Shouldn't we be getting into at least a little bit of trouble in our youth?"
"You want to get into trouble?" Bella asked in confusion.
"No, I just want to do something . . . different, for a change."
Scout shrugged. "Well, have anything in mind?"
"I dunno . . . there aren't too many people left at school so a party would probably be a waste of time. I guess we could get some beer . . . at least kick back a little." He looked to his two friends.
"Yeah, that's fine with me. But where are we going to get it?" Scout asked.
"Uh, not that I want to be a part of this debauchery, but if you guys are looking for alcohol then I could probably find some for you," Bella offered. "I'm sure someone around here can come across something for you."
Hamilton nodded, though he looked just a little nervous. "Okay, cool." He pulled twenty dollars from his wallet and handed it to her. Scout did the same. "Just get whatever you can," he told her.
"Okay, Scout can you watch the station for a bit while I go make some calls?"
"Sure, no problem," he replied.
After she had left, he and Hamilton were sitting inside the gas station waiting. "So, uh . . . you know we're letting Ryder dictate what we think is fun, right?" Scout said.
"Yeah, well he might be right about cutting loose. I feel like . . . like a kid sometimes, ya know?"
"Yeah . . . I just hope this is a good idea."
Hamilton looked at his friend and said, "Don't worry about it, Scout. Everything will be just fine."
Scout looked back and quirked his eyebrow. "Hmph, famous last words . . ."
* * * * *
Author: Courtney
Email: courtneystovall@yahoo.com
Rating: R, for a little m/m slash content
Disclaimer: If Hamilton were mine in any way, shape or form do you *really* think I'd get out of the bed long enough to write fanfic?
Summary: An all-night card game is the catalyst for confession as some truths come to light between the guys of Rawley Academy.
Author's Notes: Let me just say that I know nothing about cards unless we're talking about my computer solitaire, Hearts or maybe Go Fish . . . forgive any inconsistencies please. Just remember, it's not about the cards people! ;-)
Thanks: Everyone who sent me feedback for my previous YA stories and inspired me to write more.
--------------------------------
Part One
Saturday, 9:20am
"But *why* do you have to go?" Hamilton whined as he sat on Jake's bed watching her pack and openly pouting like a sullen child.
Jake sighed. "I've told you this," she said. "Summer session ended yesterday, fall semester starts a week from Monday and my mother leaves for a three-month European tour next week. This is the last chance I'll probably have to see her until she gets back."
Hamilton frowned, but nodded. "I know you want to see her . . . I mean, I understand. But . . . what am I supposed to do around here by myself all weekend?"
She looked over at her downtrodden boyfriend and a soft smile played at her lips. "You'll think of something," she assured him.
"Sometimes I wish I had a home other than this one that I could go to when school's out," he said miserably. She could understand that; his parent's had a house, but it was less than a quarter of a mile from the Rawley campus. There wasn't much getting away for Hamilton Fleming.
Jake set down the jeans she was folding and walked over to sit beside Hamilton on her bed. Her arm around his shoulder, she said, "My mom will still be overseas by Thanksgiving. We'll go somewhere then, some place far away from New Rawley . . . I promise."
Hamilton nodded, forcing a smile but not completely relinquishing his pout. "I love you," Jake reminded him as she kissed his cheek sweetly.
He reached out and grabbed her hand in his, replying, "Yeah, I know . . . me too." He sighed then and shrugged his shoulders. "I know that I'm just being selfish about this. Its just . . . this summer has been so great. I've had so much fun with you. And . . . I'm just gonna miss you, that's all."
She smiled. "I'll miss you, too. But it's only for the weekend. It'll be over before we know it. I'll be back Monday; you can make a go of it without me for a few days . . . can't you?"
He nodded reluctantly, "Yeah, I'll be fine. Go have fun with your mom." Then, a smile graced his lips as he added, "But when you get back we'll have a lot of lost time to make up for."
Jake grinned and kissed him sweetly before replying, "Oh, I'm counting on that."
* * * * *
Saturday, 12:14pm
Hamilton sat in the lounge, alone. Jake had been gone for less than two hours and already he was bored out of his mind. She had told him before she left that he should 'spend some time with the guys . . . the real ones.' Easier said than done, he thought to himself as he surveyed the empty student lounge. Had every single person at Rawley Academy gone home for the week except for him?
Just as he was getting ready to go spend the day with his Playstation, a voice behind him called, "Hey Hamilton, I didn't know you were still here." He turned to see Scout Calhoun walking in from the direction of his room.
"Hey man, what's up?" Hamilton asked. "You didn't go home for the break?"
"Nah, my dad's in Washington and if I walk through the Smithsonian one more time the dinosaurs might start recognizing me." He smirked. "And there's no one home at my house besides the maid . . . Helga's not exactly my idea of a good time, ya know?"
Hamilton chuckled. "Yeah, I'd imagine not. So, you'll be staying in town for the week then?"
"Yep. Me and Will both," Scout confirmed.
"Krudski too? But he lives in town," Hamilton said in puzzlement.
"Yeah well, he and his dad don't exactly get along. I think he'd rather just stay in the dorms then have to deal with his old man."
"Can't say I don't know the feeling," Hamilton replied with a nod.
"So, where's Jake?" Scout asked.
"Jake? Oh, he went home for the weekend. I mean, I guess he did. He left this morning . . . sometime." He tried not to sound too sure; it probably wouldn't look good if he were too aware of Jake's every action.
Scout just nodded, not saying anything but with a look that said a lot. "Well, uh, if you aren't busy then, why don't you come hang out with me and Will tonight? We'll play cards or watch movies or something," he offered.
Hamilton nodded, "Yeah, sounds okay."
"Alright, look I have to get to work but I'm off at six. Why don't you meet us at Friendly's then?"
"Sure, see ya then, Scout," he said and he watched the boy walk towards the stairwell. It didn't seem like his plans for the weekend would be very exciting, but at least he'd have more to do than just sit around and miss Jake.
* * * * *
Saturday, 6:00pm
Hamilton walked into Friendly's right on time. He'd spent the entire day playing video games and thinking about Jake. By the time six o'clock came around he was more than ready to get out of the dorms and find something to take his mind off of everything.
"Yo, Hamilton!" Will called as he walked into the diner.
"Hey man, what's going on?" Hamilton responded. He saw Scout cleaning off one of the empty tables and nodded to him as well.
"We're just about out of here," Will assured him.
Hamilton looked around. The diner looked pretty busy; after all, it was dinnertime on a Saturday night in what might have been the world's smallest town. "You sure you guys can leave?"
"Yeah, we both worked the lunch shift," Scout replied as he walked over and took off his apron. "So, how much longer until you're done, Will?"
"Twenty minutes, tops," Will replied.
"Okay, Ham, you wanna walk across the street with me? We'll get some chips and stuff for tonight from the gas station." Hamilton knew exactly why Scout wanted to go to the station and it had nothing to do with snacks for their card game . . . but he agreed anyway.
Bella was inside the station when they got there and she looked up to smile at the two boys. "Hey guys, what's going on?"
"Not much," Scout replied. "Uh, Bella, you remember my friend Hamilton from the other night, right?"
"Yeah, sure, hey Hamilton," she said and he gave her a smile. "So, where's your other friend . . . Jake?" she asked.
A shadow seemed to pass over Hamilton's face, but he quickly covered his reaction to the mention of Jake's name. "He, uh . . . went home for the weekend," he replied.
"Hmm . . . so what brings you two into town tonight anyway?" she asked.
"Ham came to meet Will and I after work," Scout explained. "We're gonna play cards."
"Sounds like fun. I--" she started, but then was cut off by the sound of a car pulling up out front. They all looked to see a familiar red corvette pull in next to the pump, the radio blaring a loud rock song. The driver, their obnoxious classmate Ryder, looked out with a smirk as the trio came out of the door to the station.
"Well, well . . . lookie who we have here," he goaded the group.
"Ryder, nice to see you've managed to keep your car in tact for the rest of the session," Scout remarked.
The older boy ignored the comment and instead decided to continue his sarcasm. "Hammie, slumming with the townsfolk today I see. Where's your boyfriend at these days? He cruising around with someone else on his bike now?"
"Ryder, lay off," Scout interjected.
"It's okay, Scout. He's not worth it," Hamilton replied.
"I should say not . . ." Ryder said with a chuckle. "So, what are you girls planning for this evening anyway?"
"Why, no all-night poker games for you to lose your shirt in?" Bella said sharply.
"Feisty, that one," he remarked with a raised brow. "Actually, I'm headed out of town for the week. I have better places to be than the exact geological center of nowhere."
"New Rawley will be the better for it, I'm sure," Bella said with a smirk. She had finished pumping his gas and she replaced the gas cap. "That'll be $18.54," she told him.
Ryder pulled out a credit card and handed it to her. "Here ya are, love." Bella took the card, rolling her eyes at him, then went to run his payment.
"So," Ryder turned his attention back to Scout and Hamilton. "Are you two on a date?"
"Don't you have anything better to do than harass people all the time?" Scout asked.
"I'm just curious . . . you boys going to spend the night playing dress up with the lovely Miss Banks . . . or were you leaning towards a Judy Garland marathon?"
Hamilton shook his head in disgust. "Is it hard to be such a jerk? Look, if you really have nothing better to do than worry about our plans for the weekend, then fine. We're going to go play cards. Happy?"
"Cards . . ." Ryder laughed. "Just don't let the dean catch you gambling over your game of Go Fish."
Bella returned then and handed Ryder his credit card and receipt. She waited for him to sign, then took one of the copies back. "Well, too bad you have to rush off," she said.
Ryder was still laughing. "Have fun kids. Don't forget the popcorn and cheese puffs. I'm sure it'll be a *blast*." They watched as he drove away, all scowling after the annoying young man.
"God, I hate him," Bella said. "What a jerk."
"Jackass is more like it," Scout put in.
"Actually, he might be right," Hamilton said.
"Excuse me?" Scout said in disbelief. "Did you hit your head today?"
"No, I just mean that we never do anything exciting, ya know? We never have any real *fun*. I mean, crew meets and cotillions aren't what teenage life is supposed to be all about. There's supposed to be more . . . right? Shouldn't we be getting into at least a little bit of trouble in our youth?"
"You want to get into trouble?" Bella asked in confusion.
"No, I just want to do something . . . different, for a change."
Scout shrugged. "Well, have anything in mind?"
"I dunno . . . there aren't too many people left at school so a party would probably be a waste of time. I guess we could get some beer . . . at least kick back a little." He looked to his two friends.
"Yeah, that's fine with me. But where are we going to get it?" Scout asked.
"Uh, not that I want to be a part of this debauchery, but if you guys are looking for alcohol then I could probably find some for you," Bella offered. "I'm sure someone around here can come across something for you."
Hamilton nodded, though he looked just a little nervous. "Okay, cool." He pulled twenty dollars from his wallet and handed it to her. Scout did the same. "Just get whatever you can," he told her.
"Okay, Scout can you watch the station for a bit while I go make some calls?"
"Sure, no problem," he replied.
After she had left, he and Hamilton were sitting inside the gas station waiting. "So, uh . . . you know we're letting Ryder dictate what we think is fun, right?" Scout said.
"Yeah, well he might be right about cutting loose. I feel like . . . like a kid sometimes, ya know?"
"Yeah . . . I just hope this is a good idea."
Hamilton looked at his friend and said, "Don't worry about it, Scout. Everything will be just fine."
Scout looked back and quirked his eyebrow. "Hmph, famous last words . . ."
* * * * *