2. Fourteen, Part two

It was a weekend, and had been approximately a week and a half since his dad had the urge to just about beat all the life of out Gantu. Since then, Gantu had managed to walk around times when he sensed his dad wasn't feeling too happy. And now he just sat in his room, back on the wall and listening to the radio. It was basically very full of static, since he set it to catch random signals from other planets. Gantu didn't now why, but the sound of static always made him feel better.

And he wasn't feeling too great. He learned that after time, wherever you have been hit it would feel even worse after a while. It was sore even when it wasn't touched. The big alien lazily blinked, staring at the dark gray wall in front of him. When the phone beeped very loudly, he jumped and leapt to his feet. That caused his stomach to hurt a lot, and he practically staggered to the phone and quickly picked it up, pressing the 'talk' button. "Yeah?"

"'Ello."

It was Brian. To tell you the truth, Gantu didn't want to talk to anyone right now. Not even his friend.

"Hi Brian," he answered and rubbed the side of his face to see if it felt any better. It didn't.

"Everyone is going to go to the CD store. Want to come?" He asked, and Gantu could tell he was probably digging through whatever he owned for cash.

"Uh. sure. I guess we're all going to meet at Avon's?" He asked and then sighed. He really didn't want to go anywhere.

"You're a quick one. We always go there," Brian replied with sarcasm. "Well, I gotta go then. See you."

He hung up before Gantu could even answer, and for a moment he just stood there as if slowly processing the situation. Music always seemed to help in someway. It was worth it. Gantu went out of his room and cautiously down the stairs, waiting to hear any movement from his dad. There was nothing.

The alien quietly walked down the remainder of the stairs, and that was hard with his size, and he stood by the door, ready to open it very quickly. "I'm going, I'll be back later," he shouted and then left before his dad could reply.

-

The five entered the CD store. It was a familiar sight. Rows of CDs on racks with the band name written on cards or the section above everything. Their CDs were similar to human CDs, except much more small and thin, very easy to break. Immediately Brian, Valec and Avon dashed to get the last album left of a band called 'The Waste.' Gantu and Juska walked through the aisles, not really looking around. Gantu really didn't know that Juska was staring at him until she finally spoke.

"Just for falling, that bruise has been there for a long time, hasn't it?" She asked, picking up two CDs, using both of her arms on her left side.

"I guess so," Gantu mumbled.

After looking at a cover and placing it in the wrong section, she stopped and turned to face Gantu. She was smiling, but he could tell it was forced and she was trying hard not to look too serious. "You didn't really fall, did you?"

He feigned surprise. "Why do you think that?"

"Because," Juska informed him, "I know that you are always willing to make up the most stupid lies to hide the fact that you weren't exactly all powerful and frightening for once. I mean, you deny it a lot of times or make up the lamest excuses when you loose at something as small as a board game."

"That isn't exactly true," Gantu answered, his faked surprise very convincing, "But then what else would it be?"

"Remember, Violet asked us if we have ever been beaten up? I noticed that this new guy that is just about another foot taller than you arrived about a day before she asked us. And I have to say Violet probably hates you like hell and asked him to kick your ass. What kind of guy would deny a request by the prettiest girl in the school?" Juska and her expression fell to looking very serious.

"I was NOT beat up!" Gantu laughed.

"If you did, just tell us, already! We aren't going to kill him or slit his throat or anything, but as friends, we defend friends. So will you just tell the truth?" She asked.

Now, Gantu felt bad. She was doing 'the face.' It was like sticking her lower lip out and making the biggest eyes you've ever seen, and with her eye color being brown, they already looked big enough. He weakly smiled. "I SWEAR I wasn't. Like I said, I fell over the railing off the porch. You know how big I am compared to it."

Juska wasn't convinced. "Is there something going on at home that we should know about?"

Gantu felt his stomach do a flip. "No."

She sighed. "Alright then."

Juska walked off, knowing that he was completely lying about something, and went off to find the others and pretend like everything was alright. Now guilty he lied to his best friend, he exhaled slowly. Now all of the once heavenly CDs around him seemed like garbage, and he turned, to see some old lady drinking a coke. She had apparently been watching the whole scene like it was a movie.

"You want some popcorn with that?" He growled angrily.

She shrugged. "It's a free planet."

Gantu briskly walked past, ignoring her humorous face and went off to find his friends also, and then pretend just like Juska.

-

It was around midnight, and Gantu laid on his bed, wide awake and stared at the blank ceiling. His radio was on and lying close to his head, lightly playing static. Every now and then faint words could be heard, but it was mostly in another language. Either way, as long as there was static, it was still good enough. Gantu was once again just thinking of possibilities of what do about the militia or battle craft squadron once in high school. He didn't want to join it alone, except he knew that Brian and Valec almost entirely different interests, Valec being a stunt performer and Brian either a Mortician or Coroner. And if Juska joined, they'd probably be on two entirely different squadrons with her being a girl and him a guy.

Running over the choices in his head, which he had been doing a lot lately, Gantu heard heavy and almost angry sounding footsteps coming up the stairs. It was Venes. The fourteen year-old sat up, hoping that the footsteps would go to another part of the house, but instead they still continued to head his way. He pressed himself up against the wall, as if that would help in some pointless way. It had only been a week and a half since the last time Venes had a temper, and Gantu was in no condition mentally or physically for it again.

The door opened quickly, and his dad walked into view, and was just silent, giving Gantu a very stern stare.

Gantu attempted to smile and it turned out look very fake. "Yeah?"

"Did you do your homework already, because I'm not having you stay up to five in the morning finishing it. You kept me awake for hours last time," he growled.

"I didn't have anything. Sorry about that," Gantu apologized, while in reality he could really care less on how much sleep Venes received.

His father made a grunting noise and left. Gantu realized he had been holding his breath ever since he first heard the footsteps and inhaled. Good thing that was over.

Once Gantu thought about it though, not all of his worst injuries had been from his dad. A lot of times they were all his fault. The worst was when he was eleven and about to turn twelve when on a class field trip they went to some meat processing plant or something. It was a complete accident, and he still felt bad about it, but Valec was pretending to be a bull-related animal or something (Hey, this was in fifth grade. Yes, they are going to act like kids) and was going to 'attack' Gantu. Instead, Valec tripped while in the process of running, and instead of Gantu gripping the wall for support during the collision, he accidentally shoved his hand in a meat grinder meant for grinding up huge pieces of whatever you put in there.

It was basically a miracle Gantu managed to pull his arm out before the blades cut his wrist and he would've bled to death on the spot, but his race was, like always, strong and his big bones in his fingers slowed the spinning fan. That had really grossed out the students near him, as some guys and girls began crying and the class nerd threw up. And yes, although he hated to admit it, Gantu was bawling his eyes out. Who wouldn't though? One of the joints in his fingers had been bent backwards and his hand cut up to the bone so much you couldn't tell what was what. He still had scars from that, but his race healed a lot quicker than others.

The phone broke his train of thoughts, and Gantu was about to answer it, but decided not to. He didn't feel like talking. It might be Juska trying to question him further, but he doubted it. His phone didn't have an answering machine, and thank god it wasn't those new models that are just about becoming the COOLEST thing to have, where you could see the person you're talking to on this hand-held phone/video camera.

Anyway, Gantu breathed a sigh of relief when the phone didn't beep for the second time. He switched the static to a radio station and closed his eyes, although not tired.

-

It was near a month ever the events of that day when Juska was first suspicious, and now the MR Junior High was unusually quiet. Finally, the bells rang and a mob burst out of the doors practically screaming and cheering their heads off. Amongst this mob a group of five managed to get out before being trampled to death. Gantu covered his ears, obviously not used to this high-pitched of a noise. Everyone else on the other hand was screaming, too, very happy with the fact that past the summer they were going to finally be in high school. This would mean lockers that finally worked, and they wouldn't be treated like the whole 'if-you'll-be-quiet- I'll-give-you-candy' kiddy idea.

Valec was running in circles around the group, being very hyper and throwing shredded paper in their faces. "Like, OH MY GOD! I am so totally stoked on how school is like, finally, over!"

Brian brushed a piece from his eye. "You make such a wonderful prep, Valec."

"I know!" Valec squealed and for no reason tackled Avon to the ground.

As they wrestled on the ground, Avon was practically bitch-smacking Valec across the face with her tail while she held him in place. Brian was laughing so hard he was rolling on the ground.

Juska smiled brightly. "This is the best day! Because after the break, I'm finally going to be able to join the squadron!"

"So, I guess you're doing it right away?" Gantu asked, a little sad because he didn't know whether he was doing it too, or if she would be all alone.

"Yeah," she answered, and picked up on his sadness. "It depends on whether or not you're doing it. And Avon still doesn't know for sure, but a summer is a long time to wait."

Gantu tried smiling, but it didn't work. School just got out, his dad was probably going to be in a better mood than normal because he didn't need to waste his time beating up Gantu because of grades, and he had a lot of free time. So why didn't he feel happy?

TBC

A/N - TUM TUM TUMMM! I didn't like this chapter because there were no saddening events to write. Time to answer some reviews.

TOONLUVR84 - I know, right? I wish more people would though, so I had something to anticipate.

BLUEFOX GANTU'S LOVER - And I love you, too. What a tender moment. ( Anyway, I'm going to have to remember how you called him Ganny. That was great, man!

PIEWOLVESANDSUCH - First off, I love your username so much. And second, YES. George Bush has a low IQ for a president. Rock on and hard, man. Rock on.

PURPLEJOY6 - I've seen both of those episodes but can hardly remember a thing. But I wish I did. Cheese wiz, you said I'm talented! Oh, my golly gosh self, you're silly! (nerd smile)