The four guys entered the changeroom. They looked around, for their friend. "-Tyler?" said Aaron outloud. The moment he said this, barely an instant after, they all heard a loud retching sound, from the toilet stalls. Everyone exchanged bewildered glances, of confusement and disgust. Just as they walked into the washroom area, Tyler walked uneasily out of his stall. He leaned on the sink counters, and stuck his head under a tap, filling his mouth with water. He swished it around in his mouth for awhile, trying to get the vomit taste out of his mouth. After he spat it out, he looked up, and finally noticed his friends were there, staring at him. "-Whoa!" he yelped out, jumping back. "Cripes!" Where'd you all come from??" Naturally the outspoken one, Bullseye commented, "-Sounds like we could ask you the same thing, Ty." Tyler gave a nervous gulp. "-Wh... what do you mean??" His warthog friend cocked an eyebrow, thoughtfully. "-Well... let's see... hmmm... first you're late for gym, because you say you 'passed out'?" Then you're all 'weird' and 'quiet' for the longest time." Next you 'zone out' during the basketball game, and get a ball bashed into your head." And then, last but not least, the grand finale... you come into here, and 'blow chunks'!" Correct me if I'm wrong but... did I MISS something along those lines??" The lynx blinked once, then shut his eyes, put a hand to his head, and kind of turned away, with a sigh, as Bullseye ranted on, "-Honestly!" What is UP with that shit, man?" Just what the fuck are ya... 'PREGNANT' or something??" Michael finally stepped forward, and pulled the warthog's shoulder. "-Hey come on Bullseye, cut him a little slack!" The guy just got slammed in the head, and 'upchucked' his guts out!" Quit being so harsh, man!" Not fond of being given orders, even by friends, Bullseye was about to snipe a remark back, when Tyler said, "-Nevermind Mikey... it's okay." He... has a point I suppose." The fox gave his warthog comrade a wary look, then slowly stepped back, to Tyler's request. The warthog lowered his gaze, for a minute, then said, "-Oh alright... I'll admit it... that was 'harsh'." Sorry, Tyler." The lynx insisted, "-Nyah.. it's alright, Bullsy." I guess I 'am' being a little... ummm... well-" He wasn't quite sure what to say next. "-Secretive?" Buckthorne suggested. "-Yeah... that's it," agreed Tyler. "Thanks Buckthorne." The wolf nodded, and resumed his observing position in the conversation. Bullseye blinked. "'Secretive'??" Hmm... I was gonna say 'jackass', but... I guess that works too." The others exchanged brief glances. Typical Bullseye. Aaron rolled his eyes. "-Riiight... and moving merrily along!" The warthog took the hint. "-Oh... right..." Well, okay... so why don't you tell us what's happening here, then?" As soon as the words "-what's happening-" reached Tyler's ears, some bizarre spark of panic, triggered in his brain. Without thinking twice, he yelped out, "-It's nothing!!" I swear!" There's nothing happening between 'us'!!" Everyone looked at him. "'Us'??" they all said. Tyler realized the mistake he had just made, and paled. "Oh no... I didn't just say that outloud??" Oh crap... I didn't mean that!!" Bullseye snorted. "-Like hell ya didn't!" Just who the heck is this 'other person', Tyler?" "No one..." the lynx gulped, trying to escape, in desperate vain. Michael's eyes widened, in a thought. "-Hey... does this mean..." Tyler looked at him. "-Huh?" What does what mean??" Buckthorne said, "-Yeah... what he said." "-Whaaa?" What's the haps here?" questioned Aaron, just as confused. "-Well cough it up already!" urged Bullseye. To their surprise, a rather smug, amused look crossed the fox's features. "-It's so obvious!" I can't believe I didn't think of it in the first place!" "-Think of WHAT?!?" everyone yelled in unison. "-Tyler 'likes' someone!" Michael exclaimed. Tyler's cheeks flushed a beet red before he could get a hold of himself. "-Say WHAT??" he stammered. Michael pointed out, "See!" Look at his face!" He's blushing all over!" The lynx shook his head widly, in protest. "No way guys... you got it all wrong-!" Aaron smirked, "-I dunno Ty... I'm kinda thinking that Mikey has a point here-" I mean... you ARE acting a little funny, lately..." "-Exactly!" added Bullseye. "I mean.. just look at ya!" You're all nervous, sweaty, weak in the knees, and being weird?" I think you DO like someone!" Buckthorne thought outloud, mischievously, "-The question is... 'whom' would she be?" "-Yeah!" What he said!" the warthog said, echoing the wolf's statement. They all looked at the lynx, expectantly. Tyler swallowed dryly, wiping his sweaty forehead. *How am I supposed to get outta this NOW??* He knew the answer to his own question, ironically. He just didn't want to believe it. He knew there was certainly no way out of the sticky mess he'd gotten himself stuck into. He had no other choice. He HAD to tell them the truth, unless he wanted to be teased about having a crush on someone or worse, to the death. Tyler sighed outloud. "-Okay... you wanna know the truth??" No, I DON'T just 'like' someone... it's... much worse than that." They were all silent, in thought for a moment. Bullseye then tried a guess of his own. "-You had sex with her sister, instead?" Everyone slowly turned towards Bullseye, gawking. "-WHAT?!?" the warthog grumbled. "It could happen!" The lynx asked, "-Yeah... but to 'me'??" Bullseye spoke thoughtfully, "-Oh... good point." And in a way, that it made Tyler feel smaller. Tyler muttered, "-Oh gee... you couldn't 'emphasize that more, could ya?" "-Oh come on Ty, I didn't mean it like that," Bullseye sniffed. "All I meant was... you know... there's YOU... and... here's ME." "-And 'nuff said," Buckthorne finished for him. "-You're telling me..." Aaron mumbled. "-So Tyler... what could be 'much worse' than that?" Tyler scratched at his arm, nervously. "-Well... here's the thing... if I tell you guys... you gotta promise me something." Michael asked, "-What for?" "-Believe me, Mike... you'll see why in a minute." Now do you all 'swear'??" The guys thought the matter over, then, as their curiousity was driving them to the brink, they all agreed they wouldn't breathe it to anyone. "Alright then... here we go... but remember guys... keep an.... 'open mind', as it were." They nodded eagerly, waiting for him to start. "-So yeah... it was lunchtime earlier... I guess ya'll noticed I wasn't there in the cafeteria?" Bullseye commented, "-Yeah... even I kinda missed your loud mouth, there." The lynx blinked once, and continued, "-Right... I was outside, around the back, trying to study for that chemistry test I have next block... ya don't believe me, ask Lewis." *How ironic!* thought Tyler, at his mention of Vera's twin brother. Aaron nodded, "We believe ya." It's okay man." "-Kay... yeah... and I was just looking over those stupid sheets and tables, when... someone came out the backdoor." They were all hanging onto his words now. The moment of truth had come. "-It... was Vera." There was silence. Finally, Michael spoke, "-Vera?" As in... Vera Prower?" A.K.A. Lewis's little sister??" Tyler slowly nodded, "Yup." "-Whoah... I never thought I'd have to say this, but... Tyler you just might wanna be careful at who you make eyes at, here!" Bullseye exclaimed. "I mean... Vera means Lewis, and Lewis means MAJOR trouble for anyone who goes 'groping' her... Rockavar can back me up here-" Hey wait... Rockavar!" Oh god, Tyler... you've really gotten yourself into a screwed up situation here... not ONLY will Lewis crush you like a bug... Rockavar will more than likely help him pulverize your ass!" I mean... he just got over that huge relationship with her, and he's still trippin'... oh my god, he's going to KILL you... you're stealing his woman... oh shit." The lynx was now absolutely freaked out. "-WHAT??" Dude... you're not SERIOUS, right??" Oh god, please tell me you're not!!" The other exchanged wary glances. Bullseye rubbed the back of his neck, thinking. "-Errr... those exact words, Ty?" Tyler's mouth fell open, in horror. "...Oh my god... I'm gonna DIE, aren't I??" he wailed, dropping onto a bench seat, and put his head in his hands. Aaron walked over and patted his friend's shoulder. "-Hey come on, Tyler... maybe it won't be THAT bad..." Right guys?" "-Uhhhmmm..." Michael murmured, pulling his chin, uneasily. Buckthorne gulped, "-Weeeell..." Bullseye just looked up at the ceiling, whistling absentmindedly. The hedgehog blinked, numbly at his friends' useless help. He sighed. "-Oh screw it... you're right Tyler, you're gonna die," Aaron shrugged. Tyler groaned, pitifully, at the news he already knew. There was a moment of uncomfortable quiet, in the lockeroom, between the boys. At last, it was broken by none other than the warthog, who had by then stopped whistling. "-Huhmmm..." he murmured outloud, to himself. Michael rolled his eyes. "-Oh god... he's 'thinking'... let's all run away, while we still can!" he jested. Even though he was down in mood, Tyler's curiosity was still as insatiable as ever. "-What's so interesting, Bullsy?" "-Well... just wondering... what exactly did you and Vera 'do'?" Bullseye asked. The lynx had intended not to tell anyone this, but to his dismay, the moment he opened his mouth, his brains spilled out. "-Nothing... we just kissed." He then slapped a hand to his mouth, but it was far too late. Everyone was staring wide-eyed at him. "-You guys KISSED??" Tyler tried to cover it up. "-NO!" I didn't mean to say that outloud!" I was just 'thinking' it! I-" "-'Thinking it'?" echoed Bullseye. "You mean that didn't happen, but you 'wanted' it to?" "-Yes... I mean NO!" shrieked Tyler, frantically, landing himself into further hot water. His warthog friend cocked an eyebrow, suspiciously. "-Well... that could only mean two things... either that DID happen... or... it didn't happen, but you WANTED it to!" ...Now which one is it?" Tyler twitched and racked his brains desperately, trying to dodge this 'bullet', but no avail. "-I... err... ggggrrraaaaah!" Oh FINE!" Alright!" It DID happen!" But I did NOT want it, I swear to God!!" SHE'S the one who kissed me!" That's it!" Another silent spell took place. Once again, it was interrupted by Bullseye. "-Sooo... how WAS it?" he questioned, referring to the kiss. Tyler gave a blank look, and blinked. "..'What'??" "-Was it good?" Any... 'tongue' or something?" The lynx shot him a look of apallment. "-BULLSEYE!!" "WHAT??" Geez!" grumbled the warthog. "Y'know... for the 'blabbermouth' you are... your details sure SUCK, here!" Tyler glared, "-There are no details TO give!" Because NOTHING HAPPENED!" She kissed me!" That's all! It meant nothing!" It was a mistake!" End of story!" That's when a sudden thought came to Michael. "-You know... it's kinda... interesting," he thought, outloud. "-That would be?" Buckthorne spoke for all. Michael had an amused smirk on his face. "Tyler... and Vera... a couple." They all looked, stunned for a minute. Then they all burst out laughing. Tyler sighed, feeling dejected and two feet tall. "-Gee... thanks a bunch you guys... great way to kick me down, when I'm already neck deep!" "-Oh come on, Ty... you know we didn't mean it like that!" Aaron apologized. Bullseye added, "-Hey... if it makes you feel any better... I happen to think Mikey has a point!" I mean... who wouldn't want a gal like Vera?" Seriously... if 'I' had a chance to get with her... DAYAMN!" I'd wanna fuck her stupid!" Know what I'm sayin'?" I know you can't really tell with that dress she wears... but that girl is one fine piece of ass... yeah!" The others were shocked at Bullseye's confession. Tyler slowly said, "-Bullseye... think for a minute... just how BADLY Rockavar and Lewis would HURT you for that comment." The warthog gave a skeptical grunt. "-I know!" That's why I'd never try to make a pass at her." Buuut... if they were outta the picture... believe me... I'd be on that 'fiery little vixen' like a flame, baby." Aaron gave a snicker. "-Oh yeah?" I'll bet ya, even if Rock and Lou were outta the way... even YOU couldn't get her anyways." Bullseye raised an eyebrow. "-Oh 'yeah'?" "HELL ya!" said Aaron. "Did you like... just MEET Vera, man?" That girl would eat you up, and spit you out like-!" The hedgehog hocked a loogie and spat onto the floor, as a demonstration. "-Weeell.. maybe more better than that," he admitted, to the pitifulness of the saliva gob. "But yeah... you get the jist." Buckthorne looked to his best friend. "-I hate to say it... but he's right, Bullsy." You'd have a better chance at getting... Aleena, or someone!" The warthog looked disgusted at the idea. "-Are you kidding??" I wouldn't touch HER, even if I wanted to!" "-How come?" Buckthorne wanted to know, as did the other three listening. Bullseye stared at them, incredulously. "-Hel-lo!" She's like.... frickin' 'Virgin Mary'!" Touching HER anywhere, considered 'undignified' would make even ME feel dirty!" I'd like... wanna go to 'confession' or something!" And I'm not even Catholic!" What does THAT tell you??" Some sniggering escaped from his friends, at the idea. And with a perfectly calm and normal expression, with a tint of deviousness, Buckthorne simply remarked, "-Well... in that case... Masevar must feel like an awfully 'bad boy'." The spontaneous remark was followed by laughter, at this outrageous thought. Bullseye smirked, "-Yeah no kidding!" Shame on the little 'devil'!" Just then, Aaron came up with a totally snewd joke. "-Just couldn't keep the 'serpent' in his pants, could he?" The others howled at this. Whilst laughing hard, Tyler for a moment thought he felt his abdomen twinge in pain, but he let it pass, as he was enjoying himself, and even stopped to add his own two cents. "-Nope... just had to sink his fangs into that 'forbidden fruit'!" They were all holding their sides by then. Pausing for breath, Bullseye gasped, "-Actually-" and paused for another second. Michael looked up, "-'Actually' what?" Bullseye wiped his eyes. "-I don't think Masevar ever DID do that, y'know... with Aleena." "You sure about that?" Aaron asked. "I mean... they WERE together for over six months... that's a pretty long time." And they WERE pretty close and all..." "-Yeah I know," Bullseye spoke. "But you know how Aleena is... her parents... she probably won't have 'premarital consummation', if you know what I'm saying." "Ooooh..." The guys all understood. Buckthorne nodded, "-Ya... sounds 'Aleena-ish'." Not that it's BAD thing..." We should be proud of her for that." No woman should have to feel like she HAS to be 'de-virginized' just becuz some idiot boyfriend wants her to... no offense to our dear Bullseye, of course," the wolf assured, patting Bullseye's shoulder. The warthog gave a forced smile. "-Yeah, I 'love' you too, shithead." "Sorry man... but come on... you know what I mean." If woman want to be... 'pure' until marriage, then well hey, they have a right!" They're the ones who are most 'risk' when it comes to sex!" They only WANT to do it, willingfully, if they LIKE it, or it's the guy's birthday or special occasion, or if they want a baby." Bullseye hissed in annoyance at the last thing. "-Dohye!" Did you HAVE to bring that one up??" Tyler asked, "-Dude, what's eating you?" The warthog glared, and turned away. Buckthorne explained, "-I said 'baby'... and Bullseye's pissed becuz there happens to be a new arrival at the orphanage, that's about months old... and 'teething'." "-I'm telling' ya, that little sucker can scream like a banshee!" grumbled Bullseye. "I was up half the night, listening to that kid squeal!" I just wanted to take it and-!" All I have to say is... I was 'this' close to reaching over and grabbing Buckthorne's coffee this morning, I was so damn tired!" Then I stopped and realized, 'I don't feel like KILLING myself today!' and pulled back." He was referring to his allergy. Bullseye was allergic to the cocoa/coffee beans. So he never drank coffee or had anything like chocolate, for example. That would be just putting himself into an allergic reaction, in which his tongue would swell up, until it barely fit his mouth, and he'd have to get a needle to bring it back down to normal size. He'd learned that the hard way... His friends nodded, understandingly. Just then, the lockeroom door opened. The boys all turned to see Coach Sparks walk in. He gave a stern look to them. "-What is this, a 'gossip party'?" Also, I don't remember giving you four permission to leave... Cooper, Telford, Wolfe, Warthogg..." Aaron spoke up, "-We know Coach... we were just trying to help Tyler-" "-Well he looks fine now... you four... go on," the german shepard jabbed a thumb at the door. "-Yes Coach," they all muttered, obediently, and went out. "-One more thing..." their teacher added. They all looked back. "-You all missed about, say... fifteen minutes of exercise?" I'd say that's worth about ten laps around the school." They all looked choked. "-WHAT??" the boys all gawked. The teacher looked at his watch. "-And your next class starts in about... ten minutes?" I'd get going if I were you." Now SCOOT!" Realizing he was serious, the young males quickly bolted out the door.
