Chapter II
Will stood glancing up at the stone pillars that graced the front of the majestic old building. He let the well worn duffle bag drop from his hand to the ground and adjusted the straps of his overly loaded back pack. This is where he had always dreamed he would be. Rawley. He smiled and with a mix of apprehension and excitement he picked up his bag and headed toward the stone steps.
It was still early in the day and he was the first of many students expected to arrive. The halls still smelled faintly of fresh paint and polish. Will eagerly drank in his surroundings. The marble archways, the ornate woodwork and the crystal globes that illuminated from the ceilings. This was unlike any school he had ever attended. He was drawn to the school's crest that hung impressively in the front foyer. A blue shield, a large gold R and a swag with the Latin lettering, veritas est virtus. He felt the presence of another student close behind him, "Truth in virtue." the young man said confidently.
"Actually...it's truth is virtue." Will corrected.
"Whatever." The young man walked away seemingly uninterested and unimpressed.
He stopped again to stare up at the pictures of those men, the founders, that adorned the walls of the prestigious academy.
Oblivious, Will literally walked into the first person he met. A strikingly handsome young man wearing cut-off blue jeans and a Rawley crew tank top. He was carrying an arm load of orientation flyers, which scattered to the ground. "Hey, you really should look where you're going."
"Sorry man." Will apologized as he bent down, red faced, and helped gather the papers from the floor.
"No problem, " He said smiling as he extended his empty hand. "Hamilton...Fleming, welcoming committee and official tour guide extraordinaire."
Will shook his hand and returned the smile. "Will Krudski."
"Freshman?" Hamilton asked.
"Yeah." Will replied.
"All the freshman dorms are on the second floor." He pointed to a spiral staircase in the corner and then waved back as he walked away. "See ya when I see ya."
Will headed for the staircase and took the steps two at a time. He rounded the corner and found his assigned room. He inhaled slowly as he faced the closed door. He hesitated for a moment drawing out his own suspense then turned the knob and allowed the door to fall open. Entering one step at a time he took note of the crispness of his surroundings. The beds sat side by side in the large but sparsely furnished room. An older, plastic encased, electric fan looked out of place as it sat atop the wooden bureau, guaranteeing to provide him with a breeze on a hot summer nights. He set his duffle bag down on the recently polished hardwood floor. Again, he hesitated. He was assigned to this room. He was supposed to be here and yet...he felt like he was an intruder. He felt as though he didn't belong. He silently walked to the end of one of the matching twin beds and relieved himself of his back pack. He sat down on the edge careful not to wrinkle the pristine navy blue bedspread. From his perch on the bed he watched as the fountains bubbled in the quad beneath. He could see out of the arched window to the lake that lay sprawled in front of him. He wondered where Jacqueline was if she had arrived yet. He secretly hoped that she would be happy to see him again. His stomach fluttered with anticipation. He wondered if they would have any classes together and how hard it would be for him to treat her like another guy. What if he, single-handedly, was responsible for "blowing her cover." What if he caused her leave?
Hamilton's voice startled him from his thoughts. "Found it, huh?"
"Yeah...thanks." Will replied.
"You, my friend, have one of the best rooms in the place you know." Hamilton walked toward the window. Hanging around his neck was an expensive looking Nikon camera complete with a telephoto lens. Will's first thought was how many hours he would have to work at the diner to afford something like that. Will followed Hamilton to the window and watched as he opened it and aimed the high-powered camera outside. "Hello Rawley Academy for Girls." He said through a smile.
"No way!" Will said with a surprised chuckle.
"Way." Hamilton replied still gazing. "Here...see for yourself." Hamilton handed the camera to Will, the strap still encircling his neck.
Will focused on what little he could see of the girl's campus. In his mind he thought maybe two good shifts at the diner would buy him a decent pair of binoculars. This was definitely a pass time worth investing in. Suddenly a sleek black motorcycle came into his view. Will smiled. She's here, he thought to himself. He felt his excitement growing and was careful not to speak for fear that Hamilton would pick up the elation in his voice. Will allowed the lens to lazily follow the bike and watched as it turned onto a dirt road just beyond the gates of Rawley Academy. "Nice bike." He mumbled through a grin.
Hamilton retrieved the camera from Will and took a final glance. "I WILL be back." He turned and strode out of the door pulling it closed behind him as he left.
Will resisted the urge to run outside and find her. He wondered if she would be upset with him for not telling her last night that he too, was attending Rawley. Not a lie, he surmised...just an omission. He hoped it would be a good surprise.
Will opened his duffle and put the few things he had into the top drawer of one of the antique oak bureaus. He opened the closet door and tossed the empty bag onto the floor. Once again he sat on the end of the bed and looked out over the water. He had never seen the lake from this side before. He tried to relax. He fell backwards onto the bed and stretched his arms up over his head, lacing his fingers he rested his head on his hands. He inhaled and exhaled loudly. He had grown up in New Rawley, lived here his whole life and he suddenly felt like a stranger in his own town. He felt alone.
The knob clicked and the door swung open. The student was clad in a leather motorcycle jacket that Will recognized instantly. Will watched as Jake struggled to back into the room, a backpack in place, a carry bag in each hand and a smaller bag housed between her teeth. Jake turned around and startled at the sight of Will standing in her room. Her eyes widened. She stared back at Will who was now moving towards her. "Give you hand with that?" Will asked as he automatically reached for the bag in her mouth.
She surrendered spitting the bag into Will's outstretched hand. " Will? What are you doing here?"
"I guess we're roommates." Will held out his hand. "Krudski, AhWill, nice to meet you." He smiled hoping that she soon would do the same.
"What?" Jake dropped the bag from her right hand and reflexively took his had in hers. She continued to stare. Will looked down at the hand daintily gripping his and then looked up into her eyes. "Will, what's going on?"
" Think scholarship. I'm this years charity case." Will smiled.
Jake broke the silence and turned around toward the empty single bed hoisting her bags on top of it. "Roommates?" She looked confused. "You're going to Rawley now?"
Will lost his grin and the excitement he had harbored all morning quietly fluttered away. "You're upset."
"I'm surprised...I guess. I'm confused."
"I'm sorry. I thought you'd be happy that I was going to be here too. I can help you with, you know, with your secret." He lowered his voice and motioned his hand toward her recently changed appearance. "I really didn't have any idea that we would be sharing the same room. That was a big surprise to me to. But..a good one." The grin returned to his face.
"This was supposed to be a single. Don't worry...I'll get this straightened out and be out of your way in a minute."
"You're not in my way...yet." He winked.
"Why didn't you mention this last night?" She whispered.
"It never came up. Are you really mad?"
Jake consciously lowered her voice another octave and played with her bangs, pulling them down over one eye. "I'm gonna go...and check out the problem with the room." Jake walked toward the door. She stopped and turned around one more time before exiting, not bothering to answer his question.
"Be careful." He said as she turned to leave.
"Careful?"
"You shake hands like a girl." Will chuckled.
"I really should go down to the admissions office, I really shouldn't be here...with you." Jake turned the knob and opened the door. She was startled again to find another young man, shorter and slightly more disheveled looking. In Jake's opinion he looked dumb and rich. He remained frozen in front of her, his arm still poised, just about to knock.
"Hey..." He said.
"Hey" She replied in a deepened voice.
"Scout Calhoun...I guess we're neighbors. I have the single next door."
"Will...Will Krudski." Will interrupted...taking the lead. Will approached Scout extending his hand. "Nice to meet you. This is my roommate...ah..." Will hesitated.
"Jake...Jake Pratt." Will looked at her and nodded his head approvingly.
Scout shook hands with Will and then extended his hand toward Jake. Jake looked at it...and then at Will. "I gotta go. Nice meeting you Calhoun." Jake passed him in the doorway avoiding the handshake. Will covered his mouth with his hand to keep Scout from seeing the smile on his face.
Scout walked into the room uninvited. "This room is perfectly feng shui."
"Funk what?"
"Feng shui...the Chinese art of placement. The doors face east...the windows face north...I mean if your into that kind of thing."
Will nodded in agreement although he was completely puzzled. A knock on the door distracted them both.
"It's open." Will called out.
Hamilton opened the door and walked in. "You've got to see this." Hamilton hurried to the window and looked down below, Will and Scout followed. Below the window a mix of students from both Rawley Academy and Rawley Girls were running toward the lake most clad only in their underwear.
"Now this wasn't in the brochure." Will said clutching the window frame to steady his gaze.
"This is good old Rawley rite of passage boys." Hamilton said pointing at the groups. "The boys school...the girls school."
"Gotta love tradition." Scout replied.
"We should go join 'em." Hamilton slipped his thumbs into his shorts and was at the door in his boxers in seconds. "You coming?"
"Are you kidding?" Will asked.
Scout and Will looked at each other briefly and then headed for the door while simultaneously shedding their outer wear. Opening it they found Jake on the other side. Her eyes opened wider at the sight of them.
"You coming Pratt?" Scout said.
"Ah...I think I'm a little overdressed for wherever it is you're going." She said.
Will stopped. "You guys go ahead...I'll catch up." Hamilton and Scout ran down the hallway.
"What's up? You look pissed." Will said to her.
"Yeah...apparently Scout Calhoun is Senator Calhoun's son. The senator requested a private room for his son so that he could better concentrate on his studies!"
"So...that means you'll have to stay here." Will said, not too disappointed.
"Yeah...for a little while. Listen Will...I'm sorry. I really am happy to see you here. You just caught me off guard a little...and right now, I'm supposed to be on my guard all the time."
" It's OK. So did you find a place to stash your bike?" Will asked.
"Well, after six schools you get a handle on those things." Jake answered. "I'm not really supposed to have it here...so, don't say anything about the bike. OK?"
"No problem. I'm like a Swiss vault. I can keep a secret." Will said hesitating slightly. "Any secret..."
Jake turned around to face him. "Thanks Will. I mean it." She automatically reached out for his shoulders and drew him to her.
"Whoa..." Will said not wanting to...but backing away...."You've got to start being really careful, as of now."
"You're right." She said nodding her head. " So, are you planning on putting some clothes on soon Krudski. I have my reputation to protect."
Will suddenly remembered he was only wearing his boxer shorts. Equally as sudden, he remembered Jake was a girl. He grabbed his jeans, slipped them on and turned his back to her as he zipped them up. "Sorry." He said, as he turned around his cheeks flushed pink.
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Jake and Will found their way to the Common Room. It was a comfortable room where the Rawley students could hang out or entertain students from Rawley Girls. A large screened TV and selection of "tasteful" movies lined one wall while a chess board, ready for strategic play lay on a table. The opposite walls housed hard bound editions of the classic works of Shakespeare, Walden and Thoreau. They relaxed for a while challenging each other with games of Nintendo but Jake clearly had the upper hand.
"Your mother seems really nice." Jake said.
"She is...she's really great. Sorry about the pictures. She insists on photographing every potentially historical moment in my life." Will exhaled casually.
" It's cool. Years from now you can look at those pictures and maybe you'll remember me."
"I'm thinking I will probably be doing that even without a picture." Will grinned as the blush took over. "So where did the name Jake come from? I would have expected Jack...Jacqueline."
"Jake was my grandfathers name. My mother's Dad. He kinda raised me when I was little...when my mother was away touring. He died when I was twelve."
"I'm sorry."
"Me too...he was a really cool guy. He was my family. But, after that, my mother continued to work and rather than leave me alone we have this really cool housekeeper...Consuela who lives with us."
"What about your Dad?" He asked cautiously.
"I don't know much about my father. My mother doesn't talk about him anymore. All I know is that his that she met him when she was in school. They fell completely in love. she got pregnant, and things changed between them. I've never met him.
"Well, having a Dad isn't all that it's cracked up to be...you know?"
"Are you glad that your Dad didn't come to orientation today?"
"Yeah...I am. But, I wish my mother didn't feel like she has to lie for him. 'He's not feeling well today...'he's really tired'. What she should have said was, he was really drunk and he was really hung over. I hate it when she lies for him" Will sounded angry and it worried Jake.
"She just wants to protect you Will...protect your feelings"
Scout and Hamilton walked into the room, still in their boxers.
"Well I guess that was the public humiliation part." Scout said with a slightly crooked smile.
"Your embarrassed? I live here! I know these people." Hamilton said to Scout. Scout chuckled as he seated himself on the couch next to Jake. Hamilton took a large overstuffed chair and bounced himself down on it, resting his head on the back in feigned exhaustion.
Jake knew, as a boy, she couldn't stare at him. But, he was gorgeous. She couldn't see past his mesmerizing blue eyes. She watched him as he lifted one knee and settled it over the arm of the chair. Will took note of Jake's reaction.
"Have you two met?" He offered.
Jake was on her guard once again. She looked over at Hamilton. "Where's your room?" She asked.
"Right next to the Dean and his wife...AKA Mom and Dad." Jake felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand up. Will noticed the worried look on her face. "Don't worry...I'm not a narc or anything. Hamilton...Fleming." Hamilton leaned over and extended his hand to Jake. Having no choice she took his hand in hers and shook, squeezing as hard as she could. "Oww. Easy man." Hamilton took his hand back and settled himself into his chair. Jake's mouth was so dry it prevented her from speaking.
"Ham this is Jake he's my roommate." Will felt himself emphasize the "he" trying to remind himself that to the rest of the world Jake was a boy.
"Hi." Hamilton gave a little wave. There was something about Jake that caught Hamilton's eye.
Scout snatched the baseball cap from Jake's head. "Cool cap. You like the Yankees?" He asked as he looked at the logo.
"I guess." She answered.
Without warning, Scout casually brought the cap toward his nose and sniffed it.
"What are you doing?" She said grabbing the hat back from him.
"It smells good." Scout said. He looked at Jake and felt a slightly uncomfortable connection. "Um...I didn't mean...uh..."
"It's OK." Jake nodded.
"No...I meant..."
"Whatever."
"I just meant..." Scouts face flushed.
"It's cool." Jake said as she took the cap back and pulled it onto her head.
Scout fidgeted on his side of the couch. He crossed his left leg over his right then thinking better of it...he lowered his leg so both feet were again on the floor. He let his knees fall open in what he thought was a typically male pose. He looked over at Jake...but turned his head quickly back when she turned to look at him. Finally, feeling too uncomfortable...Scout excused himself and returned to his room. "I gotta get going too." Hamilton said as he stood to leave. "Scout thinks his Dad might pay to rewire this place. It'd be great. The computers will be like twenty times faster. Mmmm....Guess I'll see you guys around."
"Cool." Will said, not really interested.
"Yeah." Jake replied thinking that she could probably do that herself easier and cheaper. Hamilton caught Jake's eye as he turned to leave. She felt his stare course through her producing a slightly uncomfortable heat. He smiled at Jake and then turned to leave. Jake's eyes followed Hamilton as he walked out of the Common Room door. When he was clearly out of sight, and out of earshot, she looked over at Will to find him staring back. "What?" She said to him. "He's cute."
"Gee, I was just thinking the same thing." Will said sarcastically. He was surprised to feel a slight twinge of jealousy.
"Cute...yes. But Hamilton Fleming could put a serious crimp in my plans. Cute or not...he is someone I really have to avoid."
"Bummer." Will said...smiling.
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Later that night Jake and Will finished settling into their shared room. Jake covered her mouth with her hand and stifled a yawn. She was tired from the long day but she was apprehensive about her new sleeping arrangements.
"Tired?" Will asked.
"I guess. It's been a long day."
"I'm gonna hit the sack." Will moved toward his bed. Without thinking he unzipped his jeans and let them drop to the floor.
"Whoa...you sleep in your underwear?" Jake asked.
Will half turned and smiled at her. "Not usually...." He winked. "But, I will tonight."
Jake blushed. Will climbed into bed and began what would become a nightly ritual of beating his pillow into submission and rustling around to find just the right position.
Jake walked toward the closet. She turned off the light as she opened the closet door and stepped inside just a little and pulled the door partially closed. Feeling protected she pulled off her sweatshirt and reached under her tank top to remove the corset that she had already become accustomed to wearing. Will heard the Velcro pull apart. She slipped on a pair of gym shorts and headed for her own bed.
"I was going to ask what you did with them." Will chuckled.
"Shut up." She giggled.
Jake sat up in the bed with a pillow propped at her back and looked up at the darkened ceiling. The clock on her nightstand illuminated the late hour. She reread the letter she had written to her mother.
Hey Mom,
Just a note to say I'm here. I miss you and guess what? I just might be fitting in. I guess that's all. I'll see you when I see you.
Love,
Jacqueline
She folded the letter in thirds and carefully enclosed it in the envelope. She daintily ran her tongue across the glued edge and sealed it shut. She looked at the Rawley emblem defiantly glaring back at her. "Well, this will tell me if she even reads my letters." She placed the envelope back into her notebook and dropped it onto the floor as she stretched out on the bed. Her body felt tired but her mind was racing and prevented her from sleeping. She glanced over at Will and listened to the faint sounds of his rhythmic breathing. At least he doesn't snore. She thought to herself. Jake's mind wandered. She wondered if this would be it. If she would finally gain her mother's attention this time. Jake continued to toss and turn. She let out a long slow exhale hoping to calm her mind and her body.
"Can't sleep huh?" Will whispered.
"I'm sorry...did I wake you?"
"Not really..." There was a long silent pause. "So...what's it like?"
"Being a guy?" She asked.
"No...I pretty much have that covered. What's it like where you live...in New York?"
"It's OK. Busy."
"You really miss your Mom don't you?"
"Yeah. I guess."
"But Jake, is this whole charade really worth it?"
"I hope so. I just want to remind her that I'm still here. Even if she's mad at me for doing this...negative attention is still better than no attention."
"I guess."
"Are you happy that you're here?" She questioned.
"Yeah. All I can ever remember thinking is how much I wanted go here. How much I wanted to be one of you."
"You wanted to be girl?" Jake laughed.
"Funny. No. My whole life has been about limitations...what I couldn't have. I wanted to be one of the entitled. I wanted to have all the opportunities that the Rawley guys had. Instead of waiting on them at the diner. I wanted to be the one who was waited on. I thought it would make me a better person...help me get out of here."
"And now?" She asked.
"I'm here because I got a scholarship. I'm still waiting tables. I'm still waiting on them. Those guys seem to have everything that I think I want. Nothing's changed...at least not yet."
"Having everything...as you put it, is not that great. I grew up in a big house, a really big, empty house. I had lots of things Will, but those things didn't make me happier or a better person. I can pretty much buy what ever I want. I just have to call my mother's financial advisor and he cuts me a check and I go to the computer store or the bike shop and pick out what I want. It sounds great doesn't it?" Jake exhaled again.
"Well...to a kid who has very little to start with...it doesn't sound that bad." Will smiled.
"The only problem is the one thing that I really want...I can't buy. I can't buy time with my mother. So, this is my way of trying. By switching here to Rawley Academy for Boys, I'll finally know if she even bothers to read my letters. If she even cares."
"Aww Jake...I guess I know how you feel. It hurts to see what you want right there in front of you and not to be able to get it."
"Well, this time I'm sure it will work. It has to." Jake said as she rolled over to face Will's bed. "And Will...?"
"Yeah."
"Thanks again." She said sincerely.
"For what?"
"For keeping my secret. For everything you did for me yesterday. It really helps to have someone here that I can talk to...and be really honest with. I don't feel quite so alone now."
"No problem. Now, get some sleep. We have crew early in the morning and I hear Mr. Finn is a real slave driver."
"Good night Will." She said.
"Night Jake." He said turning over in his bed. For the first time in a long time...Will didn't feel quite so alone either.
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The muted click of the door startled Will into semi-wakefulness.
"Hello?" He called out.
"Shhh...Will. It's me."
"Jake?" Jake approached Will's bed and bent down keeping her voice hushed.
"Sorry. I wanted to take a shower."
Will squinted his eyes to focus on the glow from his alarm clock. Five-fifteen AM. "It's still dark." He said, punching his pillow and scrunching it under his head.
"I know. I have to get up before everybody else so...you know...so that the other guys aren't in there too."
"Right..." He turned to face the wall closing his eyes and preparing for at least another two hours of sleep.
Jake stood up and headed for the closet. She fished through her bags and pulled out her clothes for the day. She gracefully slipped off the baggy sweatpants and tossed them aside. She replaced them with a pair of lacy, pink panties and covered those with a pair of plaid boxer shorts. "Ugh!" She said softly to herself.
Will turned over restlessly. He yawned again and opened his still sleepy eyes, squinting slightly as he adjusted them to the faint light of dawn. He could see Jake's silhouette partially obscured by the closet door. He focused on her.
Jake tossed the warm-up jacket she'd covered up with on the bed. She was facing into the closet, topless and Will found himself smiling unconsciously. He was mesmerized by her perfectly sculpted back. Envisioning the smoothness of her skin...he felt he could almost touch it. She reached her arms around and fastened the hook on her bra. She bent down and picked up the corset. She exhaled. She wrapped the binder around herself and patted down the Velcro. Jake slipped on a T-shirt and covered that with a flannel over-shirt. She took a pair of jeans from a hanger on the closet. Will thought to himself if the "girlie" handshake didn't blow her cover hanging up her jeans on a hanger certainly would. He smiled again.
Jake held up the jeans in front of her. They were at least two sizes too big but experimentation had proven that if she pulled the belt tightly enough around her slender waist she could attain the "bulkiness" she was looking for.
Jake looked at her reflection in the mirror. She fussed with her hair. The masculine reflection stared back at her. She crooked her arms at the elbows and tightened her fists. She pumped her arms...looking for her elusive biceps. Smiling she lowered her arms in front of her attempting her best "he-man" pose, complete with a grunt. Will tried not to laugh as he continued to stare completely absorbed in the vision.
Jake emerged from the closet and glanced over at her peacefully sleeping roommate. Not wanting to wake him again she softly tiptoed out of the door.
When the door clicked shut. Will reopened his eyes. He stretched his arms over his head and found himself smiling...but he wasn't exactly sure why.
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"Afternoon gentlemen..." He approached them looking like no other teacher on campus. "My name is Finn. No mister is necessary." He walked passed the crew team and stunned them all by not stopping until he was waist deep in the water. "What?" He turned back to them hushing their collective giggles. "It's time to throw convention out the window...get ready for the greatest summer of your lives"
Will glanced over at Jake. He smiled thinking this very well could be a great summer. She returned the look.
"Well? Any one gonna get in the boat?" Finn questioned.
"Two man...you're going into the water to early!" Jake called out in her much practiced lowered voice. The early morning sunlight danced across the water. The peacefulness cut only by the oars of the rowers.
Will watched her as she took command. He was impressed by her strength, not her physical strength but her inner strength. It took a lot of guts to do what she was doing. He admired her for it. Her voice seemed unnatural to him now. He found himself smiling when he heard her use it. It elated him to think that he was part of her secret. She trusted him. He liked that feeling.
"Remember, I'm not just here to teach you how to be a kick ass crew team...But to edify you in the superstars of literature...like Faulkner...like Shakespeare...and Hemingway and Steinbeck. Those guys had passion...let me tell you a little something about passion. It doesn't come from here..." Finn pointed to his head. "It doesn't come from here..." He pointed to his heart. "It comes from right here." He grabbed his crotch and Jake laughed. They pulled the boat into the dock and disembarked. "That is it for today, gentlemen. Go forth and conquer." Finn said. The crew practice lasted into the early part of the afternoon. The members of the team dispersed after what was to become the customary English/Crew "pep-talk".
"He's just a little weird." Jake whispered to Will.
"He's kinda cool though...best teacher I've ever had." Will responded. "I'm gonna hit the showers...you?"
"Ah...No..." She smiled. "I'll see you back in the room." Will ran a step or two to catch up with the other members of the team.
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"I gotta go to work." Will said as pulled his uniform shirt over his head.
"Oh." Jake sighed trying not to sound to disappointed. "Okay...well maybe I'll see you later?"
Will headed toward the door. Once opened he paused and turned back to look at Jake. "You want to come by the diner later? Maybe grab a burger or something?"
"Nah...I hear the food is really greasy and the service there is awful."
"Funny." He said smiling.
"Maybe." She said sounding happy to be included. "If I don't get a better offer."
"I usually get a break around seven."
"It's a date." She said smiling. "Ah...well, you know what I mean."
"Yeah." Will responded. Will smiled as he shut the door behind him and headed to Friendly's.
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Will cleaned the counter in front of him with a damp rag. It had been a slow dinner shift and the tips seemed light this evening. He briefly thought about the binoculars he had planned to buy but now, he wasn't sure if he'd bother.
Scout came out from the kitchen carrying a rack of clean glasses. "Where do these go again?"
"Next to the other ones." Will pointed, shaking his head as he gave the obvious answer.
Scout emptied his hands of the glassware and turned back to look at Will. "OK boss...what's next?"
"Tell me again why are you working here? Because I know it's not the lure of financial security." Will said as he jingled the change in his pocket.
Scout smiled. "I promised my Dad that I'd get a summer job. He thinks it'll be good for me, 'work ethic' or something like that." Scout busied himself sorting silverware into a tray.
"Shouldn't you be trying out for the debate team or the mock trials or something like that? Wouldn't that look better on your college transcripts than a summer spent scooping ice-cream at Friendly's?"
"Probably."
"So, do you have future aspirations to be a politician like your Dad?" Will asked. "I heard you had some pretty impressive test scores on the entrance exam."
"Yeah..." Scout lowered his eyes. "About those..."
"What?"
"Look Will I've got to confide in someone..." Scout said with a pleading look on his face.
"I didn't really do as well on that test as you think."
"Come on man, third highest in Rawley history. That's unbelievable."
"I know. But, the truth is...I...um..."
"What?" Will prodded.
"I cheated...OK? I cheated on the exam. I bought a copy of the test on-line"
"What?!"
"Shhh...look Will the only reason I'm telling you this is because I know that you signed up to be a tutor and you're probably pretty smart...and well, I'm probably gonna need some help if I'm going to pass this session."
Will stared at him blankly. "Why?" Will asked.
"Because I suck at geometry." He answered.
"No...not why do you need a tutor...why did you cheat?"
"Because I suck at geometry. " Scout grinned. "Seriously...Because I had to get in. I couldn't be the first Calhoun to break tradition. My grandfather went to Rawley...my father went to Rawley...do you see a pattern developing here? It's expected that I go to Rawley too."
"So you cheated to get in."
"Sort of." Will looked at him delving for a more honest answer. "Okay...yes." Scout admitted. "But, you can't tell anyone...Okay?"
Will looked through him at first. He understood how hard it was to want to please your parents...to please yourself. How much it could hurt when you didn't feel like you'd lived up to the expectations. "Okay." Will conceded. "I'll take it to the grave. I promise. So, I guess the answer to the first question is YES." Will asked.
"What question?"
"Are you interested in pursuing a life in politics...because buddy...you're half way there."
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The bell on Friendly's door jingled announcing Jake's arrival She was noticeably overdressed for such a warm night, but only Will seemed to take notice. She sauntered toward the counter and took the empty seat on the corner.
"Hey." Will greeted her.
"Hey." Jake smiled at him. "So, what's good here, I'm starving."
"Besides the help?" Will smiled.
Will's thoughts were interrupted by the bickering he heard coming from the other end of the counter. He looked down to see Scout arguing with one of the customers. "Hang on a sec..." He said as he left her and took the opportunity to rectify the situation. He put one hand on Scout's shoulder. "Scout...this is Frank. Frank doesn't want a cappuccino...he wants a burger."
"Badly" Frank said. Scout nodded and walked back toward the kitchen to place the order.
Will waited until their meals were prepared before moving them to an empty booth. They were quiet at first...staring at each other awkwardly.
"So, what's up?" He asked between bites.
"Not much. I finished my essay for Finn's class."
"Already? I haven't even started mine." He said.
"Well...I was bored. You and Scout were both working tonight."
"Awwww no one to play with?" He chuckled.
"Something like that." She toyed with the french fries on her plate to keep Will from seeing the blush that was slowly creeping over her cheeks.
Jake finished her hamburger and pushed the plate away in a "manly" fashion. "Dessert?" Will asked.
"I shouldn't..." Jake said gently patting her stomach. Will cleared his throat, bringing to her attention the girlish gesture she was making.
"Ah..." She corrected herself. "Bring it on!" She said loudly.
Will smiled as he left the table. He returned a short time later with a gigantic goblet of ice-cream covered with sauces and fruits and mounded with whipped cream.
"Oh my God." Jake said, her eyes opened even wider as Will set the sundae in front of her. Will climbed into the booth beside her.
"Don't worry..." He whispered. "I've called for reinforcements." He held up four spoons. Jake exhaled a sigh of relief.
Scout joined them, seating himself across from Jake and dug in heartily. "Hi Jake, who's the fourth spoon for?" He said all in one breath with a smudge of chocolate syrup dripping from his chin.
"Bella." Will answered.
Jake turned her head like a jealous wife. "Who's Bella?" She asked. Jake felt her heart skip a beat. It hadn't occurred to her until now that Will might have a girlfriend.
"Bella Banks. Charlie's daughter." Will started to explain...for the benefit of Scout. "She's a friend of mine. Her Dad owns the service station across the street," he said pointing out the window. "Bella and I grew up together. We went to the same elementary school...and well, we've just 'bonded' through the years." He smiled. "She cried on my shoulder, on the bus, the whole way to school first day we went to Kindergarten. We've been buddies ever since."
Scout chuckled, "You didn't cry Will, on your first day of school...leaving home?"
Will hesitated, "...I think I would have cried if I had to stay at home."
Will was silent for a moment and Jake noticed. The jingle announced the next customer. A beautiful young girl approached the table. Her long blonde tresses hung down covering her bare shoulders. Her features were delicate and feminine. She was someone that you would have had to look twice at. Jake instantly felt self conscious about her own appearance.
"Hey Bella." Will greeted her. "Guys, this is Bella Banks, my best friend in the whole wide world..." He said dramatically.
Bella smiled and playfully punched him in the shoulder. "Bella...this is Scout Calhoun..." Scout looked up from the ice-cream long enough to wave. "And Jake Pratt. Jake and I are roommates at Rawley."
"Poor Jake." Bella smiled. Jake smiled back.
"Alright pump girl..." Will laughed, "Have a seat."
"Hi." Jake said in her deepened voice.
"Hi, nice to meet you both." Bella seated herself next to Scout. "OK...where's my spoon." She said. "I can't stay too long. Grace is watching the station for me but she won't stay long." Bella rolled her eyes.
"Grace is Bella's sister." Will added. Jake nodded. Bella looked up, the spoon still in her mouth and stared at Jake. Jake caught her eye and smiled back at her then continued with her ice-cream.
"So, Jake, where are you from?" Bella asked.
"New York."
"Cool." She said. Bella found herself staring unconsciously at Jake between spoonfuls.
"Your family runs the service station?" Scout asked.
"My Dad actually, he's a mechanic."
"And so is she..." Will interrupted. Bella blushed when she smiled.
"Really?" Jake asked.
"Not really...but I can hold my own under the hood of most cars." She answered.
"And...motorcycles?"
"What about 'em?"
"Can you fix them too?" Jake asked.
"Depends. We don't get many in here...but I'm sure I could."
Will lowered his voice. "Jake's got a bike stashed here at Rawley but it's all very 'hush--hush'." Will winked.
"Must be cool being the only guy on campus with a motorcycle." Bella said. Will took note of the smiles and the blushes Bella was producing as she flirted with Jake. He leaned back in the padded seat of the booth and smiled. This could be interesting. He thought to himself.
The goblet was finally empty. "Well...some of us have to get back to work" Will said.
"Ah, take your time man." Scout offered as he stretched his arms over his head and yawned.
"Thanks...but you need to get back to work too, Scout. It's time to start practicing some of that work ethic."
"Right...boss." Scout excused himself and Bella stood up allowing Scout to exit from her side of the booth. Bella re-seated herself in Will's spot...next to Jake. Bella glanced out of the window at the garage. "Mmmm things seem OK...I'll stay and keep Jake company for a few more minutes."
"Great." Jake said. Jake felt an instant attraction to Bella. She wasn't sure what it was but she felt like she could easily be best friends with this girl. Jake felt as if she'd known her forever. She already felt closer to her than she'd felt to anyone else she'd met so far...except of course, for Will.
"So, Jake what do you do?" Bella asked, obviously changing the subject.
"Do?"
"You know...for fun...what do you like." Bella clarified.
"Oh. Just the usual guy stuff. Football, wrestling, drag racing...that kind of stuff."
Bella looked at her and they both burst out laughing. "Seriously, drop the he-man charade and fess up." Jake coughed. She was stunned that Bella had caught on to her secret so easily. "All guys say that kind of thing at first...then when you really get to know them you find out their favorite movie is like Pretty Woman."
Jake was relieved. "Well, Julia Roberts was totally hot in that." Jake smiled and Bella beamed.
"OK, the truth is I'm a computer geek, I like to read mostly and watch movies, but mainly old ones. My mother is an actress." Jake said, feeling somewhat cleansed by her honesty.
"Wow, really? What movies has she been in?" Bella asked intrigued.
"No, she's a stage actress. Theater...you know, she acts in plays and stuff. She was in CATS on Broadway and she's played Lady MacBeth in three different languages."
"I've never seen a play, I mean a real one. Will and I did see the junior high school version of Guys and Dolls a couple years ago...but that's about it."
"That's a great one." Jake said smiling back.
"Favorite old movie?" Bella asked.
"Easy...Bringing Up Baby. I love Katherine Hepburn." Jake answered "And yours?"
"The Way We Were." Bella answered. "Hey...you know they just restored an old drive-in near here. It opens tomorrow night. Do you want to go?"
"Yeah...sure." Jake said. Will approached the table and cleared it of the remaining glasses and silverware.
"Hey Will, Bella and I are going to the drive in tomorrow night. Do you want to come?" Jake asked.
Will looked at Bella who had a look in her eyes like she was willing Will to say no...and then at Jake who's eyes pleaded for him to say yes. "Oh..yeah. Wouldn't miss it." Again he smiled...but mostly to himself.
"I've got to get going." Bella said getting up. "So Will, we'll see you tomorrow night then?"
"Yes, you will." Will nodded. And they both watched as Bella left the restaurant.
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The three were perched side by side like birds on a wire. They were silenced by the darkened night. The illuminated screen holding the steady gaze of their eyes...but each of their minds were elsewhere.
Will turned and looked at Bella who was seated in the middle. He'd never paid much attention to how pretty she'd become. He looked past her to Jake. God she's beautiful, he thought.
Bella turned to glance at Jake who was seated to her left. She was mesmerized by his look. He had such gentle features coupled with such a strong personality.
"This movie is so romantic." Bella leaned in and whispered to Jake.
"It's creepy, she's a witch." Jake replied.
"Two people, completely fall for each other under the worst possible circumstances and they go for it." Bella said.
"Oh look, it's a full moon." Will interrupted feeling slightly left out.
"Oh yeah...look at that" Jake responded. Jake looked up at the moon and then inadvertently glanced in Will's direction. There was something about him...something about Will that made her feel safe, that made her feel comfortable. He'd been nothing but the perfect gentlemen around her and she was starting to wonder if that was enough.
"Actually, it's a full moon tomorrow night." Bella corrected.
"Thanks for the update." Will returned his eyes to the movie in front of him.
Jake suddenly felt uncomfortable between the two 'best friends'. "I'm going to go...and get some jujube's. OK..." Jake left the lawn chair and headed for the concession stand, if nothing else, to compose her thoughts and get a breath of fresh, tensionless air.
Bella turned to look at Will. "God...I thought he'd never leave." She started.
"What do you mean?" Will asked looking confused.
"I mean...you've got to tell me everything...do you think he likes me?" I thought I got those vibes...but...am I confusing signals...he's so hard to read. But, that's kinda what I like about him."
"Yeah..." Will said. He was thinking of all the reasons he had found to like her too.
"Can you talk to him for me?" Bella asked.
"No. I mean...bad idea." Will looked away.
"What...you talking to him...or us getting together?"
"I don't know..." Will answered. "I just don't see it...the whole thing." Will's head was spinning. He was amused at Bella's attraction to Jake, at first. But now, he was wishing he had the right to tell her the truth. But he had made a promise to Jake...and he couldn't break it...at least not yet. He couldn't believe that he was having feelings...jealous feelings toward Bella because she liked the guy that he himself really liked. Oh God, what am I thinking!
"Trust me Bella, he's not your type." Will tried to explain.
"And what exactly IS my type? Another townie, a local? What, I'm not good enough for your new, high class, Rawley friends? Is that it Will? She sighed.
Bella..." Will said, "That's not what I meant. Of course you're good enough, you're great. Any guy would be lucky to have you even glance his way...just not Jake."
"Really..." Bella said looking indignant that her so-called best friend wouldn't help her out. She moved farther from him and seated herself in what had been Jake's chair.
Jake finally returned without the candy. She took the empty seat in the middle and wondered what had happened in her absence.
"They were out..." Jake said smiling.
Jake looked up at the screen. She had lost interest in the plot and now was only conscious of the stares from Bella, on her left, and Will, to her right. Jake wondered if there were any, not-so-platonic-feelings, between Bella and Will. She had the urge to reach out and take his hand in hers. But, she knew she couldn't. She wondered if Bella would be jealous if she found out that Will was rooming with a girl. She thought about the fact that she was rooming with a guy. A really handsome guy. A really intelligent guy. A really great guy. And again, she found herself smiling.
Bella couldn't keep her attention focused on the screen. She was a little angry with Will for not coming to her aid...as she felt she would have done for him. She felt Jake sitting next to her. She just couldn't get him out of her head. She wished she could have reached out and held his hand. She wondered what this evening would have been like if Will hadn't decided to accept Jake's invitation. She wondered if she and Jake had been alone...if things would have been different. The thought made her smile.
Will settled into the lawn chair. He forgot what was happening in the movie. He could feel Bella seething at him but, he knew, when the truth came out...she'd understand. He glanced sideways at Jake who was now sitting next to him. His knee was touching her knee. He wondered if she felt it through her jeans. He wondered if Bella hadn't been there if he would have been bold enough to reach for her hand. He smiled just thinking about it.
The night air was filled with tension so thick it could be cut with a knife. At first they tried to ignore it and when that didn't work they just hoped the movie would end soon.
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Jake had changed for bed and was now nestled beneath the covers. "Well, that was fun." She said.
"Is that what you call it?" Will replied.
"What?"
"Nothing. Never mind."
"So...you and Bella have been friends a long time, huh?" Jake asked changing the subject.
"Forever."
"Did you and Bella ever...uh...?" Jake was trying not to sound like she was prying for information when she was.
Will laughed ."Me and Bella? No, besides I was too busy lusting after the school nurse." Will answered
"She was hot?" Jake asked in boy fashion.
"Not really, she weighed about 300 pounds...but there was something about that uniform." He smiled. "I love Bella, but I think we're just afraid of losing what we have. We have a great friendship and neither of us would ever want to lose that."
"Wow. I'm envious. The only person that's been in my life for any length of time is our housekeeper." Jake smiled at first but it soon faded when she realized the truth in her statement.
"I guess Bella and I are...I don't know...kindred spirits or something. She's the only girl that I've ever had in my life." Will stopped clearing his throat, "until now. We're connected. Fate introduced us one day and we've just sort of always been there for each other. And believe me, there have been some tough times."
Will finally turned off the light and settled himself into bed.
"Bella's had some hard times?" Jake asked cautiously.
"Yeah. Her Mom left on her sixth birthday."
"That's a real happy childhood memory." Jake said, not meaning to be sarcastic. She actually felt a little sad for Bella.
"Her mother walked out on them leaving Charlie to take care of Bella and Grace by himself. Bella hasn't seen her mother since."
"Yikes. That is rough. "My mother's hardly ever around but, she does pop into my life now and then...between performances."
"I spent a lot of nights sleeping over at Bella's house."
"Really. That's so...Dawson's Creek."
"Who?"
"Never mind"
"Charlie used to let me stay over night at their house whenever things weren't so good at mine, which was pretty often. Bella and I used to stay up half the night and talk. Sort of like this..." He smiled. "We used to think about what we were going to do or be when we grew up. You know stuff like that."
"And...what was that?" Jake asked.
"Well, when she was six or seven she was always planning her wedding...she was going to marry some knight on a white horse and ride off into the sunset with him. They would have tons of children...and she said she would never ever leave them. As she got a little older her plans would change a little, she wanted to be a teacher for awhile, then a nurse, then a mechanic...like Charlie" He smiled at the old memories...something he hadn't really thought about for a long time.
"And now?"
"Now, I think she just wants to be happy."
"What about you?"
"I was going to grow up...and move away." Jake heard the sadness in Will's voice.
"I'm glad you're here." She said sincerely.
"I'm glad I'm here too." He said looking over at her.
"Thank God it's the weekend...I'm gonna sleep really late in the morning..." Jake rolled over to face the wall.
"Will punched at his pillow and buried his face into it. "Goodnight...Jacqueline." He whispered.
" 'Night Will."
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