(10) Pubsy's Place

'What is it you wanted to show me anyway?' Ralph asked exasperatedly, tugging his sleeve away from a thorny bush. It was not the first time he'd had to do so that afternoon. Apparently, the "thing" Ray had to show him was somewhere in the forest beside the school. Not a forest, really. Just a small wood. A small, thorny wood.

'I'll tell you when we get there,' Ray replied, easily jumping over a fallen log. 'I came across it yesterday when I was walking home. I kind of just strayed from the path without realizing it and kind of came across . . . it.'

'And what is "it"?' Ralph questioned.

Ray grinned mischievously.

'Now, if I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise, would it?' A playful glint shone in his eye. 'But believe me, you're going to love it!'

Ralph rolled his eyes.

'Well, I wouldn't know if I am going to love it or not if I don't even know what it is. Please, Ray!' he said, practically begging now. 'Just tell me what it is. That way, I might even be able to help you look for it!'

'No way! I'm not telling you.'

'For fuck's sake,' Ralph muttered, beginning to lose his patience. 'I fucking hate surprises, and we're both going to be late for class if we don't find this "thing" soon and get out of this fucking forest.'

Ray frowned slightly.

'It'll be worth your while, believe me,' he said. 'Trust me, Ralph. Just trust me.'

Ralph sighed.

'Fine, I trust you' he responded, giving in. 'We'll walk around for a bit longer. But I've seen what my gym teacher does to those guys who are late, so I'm going to beat it out of here before the bell rings whether we find this "thing" or not. Okay?'

The charming smile returned to Ray's face.

'Okay. Deal. If we don't find this thing before class begins, we'll just forget it and go.'

Ralph smiled.

'Well, Ray, we've got about . . .' He trailed off and glanced down at his wristwatch, quickly noticing that the hands had stopped moving. He absentmindedly tapped at the glass to see if they were just stuck or something, but they stayed just as they were. 'Crap,' he muttered, 'I have to get a new battery.' He looked up at his friend. 'Hmm . . . Well, it looks like it's up to you when we get back to school. My watch just stopped working. Just don't make us late, aight?'

'No problem,' Ray replied with a wide grin. 'We'll be back in time. Don't worry.'

-

"We'll be back in time. Don't worry." That's what Ray had said, and what had happened? They were late!

Ralph and Ray had stayed in the wood a bit too long, looking for that "thing" Ray had mentioned. But they simply could not find it and they eventually gave up . . . until tomorrow. They leisurely made their way back to the school, dragging their feet across the uneven forest ground. It took them a while to realize that they were late for their next class, and a while longer to find their way out of the damned forest, small though it was.

'Bye, Ray,' Ralph called over his shoulder, somewhat disgruntled. He hastily raced into the school and dashed up the stairs. He then speed-walked down the corridor (lest he be caught and chastised for running, which would make him even more late than he already was) to his locker, crammed his gym clothes into his bag, and then rushed off in the opposite direction. By the time he made it to the change rooms, he was already fifteen minutes late for class. However, he wasn't the only one.

'Hey,' Jack greeted him, hastily pulling on his gym t-shirt.

'Hey,' Ralph replied absentmindedly as he kicked his shoes off and tossed them into an empty locker. 'Why are you late?'

'Lyori kept me in detention too long,' Jack replied. 'Probably on purpose, too. He and Penting are likely working together to land me another detention.' He shoved his feet into his shoes and hurriedly tied his laces. 'Why are you late, Ralph?'

'Long story,' the other teen muttered. 'But to keep it short, Ray got us lost in the forest.'

'No kidding.' Jack grinned. 'Well, do you want me to wait for you?'

'Nah, just go.' Ralph waved him away. 'There's no point in making you more late than you have to be.'

Jack merely shrugged.

'Whatever. The consequences would be the same, whether I'm a second late or an hour late. Penting hates my guts.'

Ralph didn't know what to say, so he wisely stayed silent as he undid the buttons of his dress shirt. His movements were rather slow and leisurely, though that was mainly because of Jack's sharp, lingering eyes. Ralph decided that having the blue orbs didn't make him that uncomfortable. Really, he rather liked having Jack there while he undressed. But what did that mean exactly? Was he attracted to males?

'Are you okay, Ralph?' Jack asked suddenly. 'Do you want me to leave?'

'Why would you ask that?' Ralph said a little too quickly.

'Well, you seem to be watching me in a weird way.'

So he had. He had been so distracted by Jack's gaze on him that he hadn't realized it was mutual.

'Sorry,' Ralph muttered. 'I didn't mean to stare like that. It's just that you . . .'

"—are rather attractive," his mind said. "I can't believe I've never before noticed how fucking beautiful you are."

Knowing that he could only fuck things up for himself if he said anything, Ralph shut his mouth and pulled his shirt off, letting his sentence stand as it was.

'I'm what, Ralph?' Jack questioned curiously. 'What were you going to say?'

'Nothing. Never mind,' Ralph replied, digging into his bag for his gym shirt. 'Just forget it.'

With a rather intense look on his face, Jack sat down beside the other teen. The latter shuddered slightly at the unexpected movement and his face flushed when he felt Jack's knee press against his.

'I can't wait till tonight,' Jack whispered, allowing his hand to rest on the other's thigh. 'We'll have lots of fun together, won't we, Ralph?'

Ralph nervously pushed the hand away and stood up.

'Stop it, Jack,' he said in a shaky voice. 'We're-we're going to be late for class.' With some difficulty, since his hands were trembling so much, Ralph pulled on his t-shirt and changed into his gym shorts before hurrying out of the change room . . . leaving a cursed heart behind.

-

'Damn!' Jack murmured to himself once Ralph had left. 'If I can't get any closer to him, how the fuck am I going to win this bet?' Still muttering, he walked out of the deserted change room and followed Ralph to the gym.

'You're late . . . again,' Mr. Penting said, clucking his tongue disapprovingly.

'Yes, sir. I know, sir,' Jack responded mechanically. 'Sorry, sir.' He sounded like he was in the fucking army!

'You will write me an essay on the importance of being on time. Six hundred words. To be handed in on Monday.'

'Yes, sir.'

'Okay, now go join your partner, Mr. Macpherson, on the mats over there.'

'Yes, sir.'

Jack dragged his feet towards the navy blue mat that Ralph was lying on. The latter was idly staring up at the ceiling, determinedly avoiding Jack's gaze.

'You know,' Jack said slowly, 'maybe it would be better if we weren't partners in gym class anymore. Especially after . . . what happened.' Detaching himself from Ralph even more seemed to be the worst faux pas he could make, but Jack also knew that Ralph needed his space. He would bide his time . . .

'If that's what you want,' Ralph said softly.

Jack was surprised to hear the tone of regret in his companion's voice.

'You mean, you don't want to switch partners?' he asked.

'Not really, no,' Ralph replied, quickly adding, 'I don't really know anyone else in this class.'

'You know Lee and Terry,' Jack reminded him, immediately wondering why he had done so. Why was he purposefully pushing Ralph further and further away from him? True, Ralph needed his space, but why force it upon him if he didn't want it? Ah, well, maybe Jack was just being a prat.

'Oh, well, if you'd rather I do that, then . . .' He trailed off, shifting uncomfortably.

'No, I didn't mean it like that at all!' Jack said quickly. 'I mean, I did, but—Argh! J-just forget we had this conversation,' he said, boldly laying his hand on Ralph's arm. 'We'll continue being partners . . . for gym,' the teen added belatedly. 'We-we'll just forget that that . . . incident never happened. Okay?'

Ralph gave him an odd look.

'Why are you doing this?' he asked in a shaky voice. 'Don't you care about what the others will think?'

'The others don't know,' Jack replied. 'The others don't have to know about that. It'll be our secret. Besides,' he said, a wide grin spreading across his face, 'I would rather have Lee being Terry's partner rather than you or me. It makes for a more . . . humorous situation.' He pointedly glanced at his friends' direction. Lee was curled up on the mat, sharp breaths escaping his chest.

'That's the . . . third . . . fucking time . . . you . . . did that . . . Ter . . .' he gasped.

Terry had a sincere look on his face.

'I already told you I'm sorry, Lee,' he responded, shrugging. 'I didn't mean to kick you in the crotch.'

Having witnessed this brief display, Jack snickered softly.

'See what I mean?' he inquired of his companion.

'But I though Lee was your friend,' Ralph said. 'Isn't he?'

'He is! It's just . . . he can be a real ass sometimes. He gets on my nerves a helluva lot.'

"Especially with his non-stop betting," Jack added mentally.

'Well . . .' Ralph said slowly. 'It looks like we're stuck with each other then, eh, Jack?'

Jack ignored the mental images that formed in his mind from that sentence.

'It appears so,' he said with a grin.

'Come on then. Let's try a few positions. Unless, of course, you think yourself unequal to the task . . .'

And of course, Jack rose up to the challenge. Raising his chin confidently, he replied, 'Baby, I'll wipe the floor with your face!'

-

For the hundredth time that night, Ralph was asking himself why he had agreed to go to that club with Jack and his friends. It was probably just some local pub where a group of horny teens can work out their pent-up energy. Not exactly something he was into. Regardless of his doubtful mind, however, Ralph continued digging through his closet for some . . . suitable clothing.

'Do I have nothing to wear?' he asked himself aloud.

As if on cue, the doorbell rang suddenly.

Rolling his eyes, Ralph threw on the first things his hands came in contact with. Then he stood up and, after absentmindedly rubbing his aching knees, went to open the door.

'Hi,' a friendly face greeted him, flashing him a warm smile.

'Hey,' Ralph replied, taking in the bright red hair resting on top of a rather attractive face . . . head . . . whatever. 'Er . . . you're Eddy, are you not?'

'I'm him all right! Let's get going then, Ralph!' He gallantly offered his arm, which Ralph politely refused.

'Um . . . Maybe we should get to know each other a bit better first,' he said nervously, toying with the belt loops of his jeans.

'Look, I'm just going to walk you to my car,' the other said. 'It's not like I'm going to fuck you or anything. Like, even I have to get to know a person before I do something like that!'

Ralph laughed, feeling more at ease.

'Okay, sure then,' he said, looping his arm through the other teen's. 'What's your name anyway?'

'Eddy.'

'Yeah, well, you already know me.' Ralph grinned and shut the front door. Then he allowed Eddy to lead him down the steps and to the awaiting car—an old, beat-up hatchback.

'You like to travel in style, don't you?' Ralph teased.

'Hey, it gets me places,' Eddy shrugged. 'I just need a working jalopy with four wheels. Nothing fancy.'

'Don't you care what other people think?' the former asked, awkwardly looking at the ground.

'Why should I? I don't give a shit what other people think of me. By the looks of things, neither do you?'

'What's that supposed to mean?' Ralph snapped.

'Nothing!' Eddy replied immediately. 'It's just . . . your choice of clothing is rather . . . unique.'

'Wha?' For the first time, Ralph glanced down at what he was wearing. There wasn't really anything wrong with his outfit, for he was just wearing a pair of khakis and an old button-down, navy shirt with a white tank underneath. 'What's wrong with what I'm wearing?'

'Nothing,' Eddy said again. 'Your outfit is fine! It's just not really . . . snazzy.'

'Snazzy?' Ralph laughed.

'Yeah, snazzy. A lot of people like to dress up or whatever when they go clubbing. You know, to attract attention. From what you're wearing, I can see that you're a really down-to-earth kind of guy. Of course, I can't really say the same thing about Jack.'

Ralph's head snapped up.

'What's that supposed to mean?' he demanded, snatching his arm away.

'Hey, I didn't mean any offense by it,' Eddy said, opening Ralph's door for him before he looped around the car to the driver's side. 'It's just . . . Jack does care what people think. He cares too much for his own good. He always has to be at the centre of everything, you know? Has to be popular, else he'd combust or something!'

'That's not true,' Ralph said quietly, staring at Eddy over the hood of the car.

'You know it is,' the latter replied coolly. He climbed into the car and Ralph followed his lead.

'You don't know what he's been through, what he's still going through,' Ralph said.

'I don't have to know,' Eddy responded. 'Knowing what an insufferable git he can be is enough for me. I don't need to know the rest. Besides—' He angled his gaze to Ralph surreptitiously. '—I know things about him that'll make your head spin.'

'Like what? I could easily say the same to you,' Ralph snapped.

Eddy laughed.

'You got spirit, kid. I like that.' He started up the car with a rumble.

They were off.

-

'Here we are,' Eddy said proudly, coming to a halt in front of an old, crumbly building.

"What a dump," Ralph thought. He glanced at the faded brown brick and the wide, musty windows. Loud music could be heard from inside, and Ralph could vaguely see coloured lights swirling across the windows every now and then. All in all, however, this didn't seem like it would be one of his favourite places in this vast city.

'It looks a lot better on the inside,' Eddy reassured him, as if he'd read the other's thoughts. 'It looks like Lee and the others are already here.' He parallel-parked the car between others of the same kin (meaning very old and beat-up jalopies, probably belonging to his friends). Then he and Ralph made their way inside.

'You weren't kidding,' was the first thing Ralph muttered when he went inside. It did look a lot better here than it did from the outside. All the money for renovations seemed to go into the bizarre atmosphere of the place. The walls had colourful circles painted haphazardly across their surfaces and, oddly enough, vivid umbrellas hung from the ceiling in a chandelier-like fashion.

'Nice, eh?' Eddy asked, draping a casual arm around Ralph's shoulders. 'Come on, I see the others by the bar.'

Ralph nervously allowed his companion to lead him across the crowded dance floor, well aware of the engrossed glances thrown his way. He had never been so blatantly pursued before and the experience was not exactly a pleasant one.

'Stay close to me,' Eddy said, and his arm (which had previously been resting on Ralph's shoulders) circled around the latter's waist instead.

'No thanks,' Ralph replied, easily slipping away. He hoped that he didn't seem rude. He just didn't feel comfortable staying so close to some guy he'd just met. It was so . . . weird! 'Lee!' he sighed happily when he finally found someone else he recognized. 'Fred, Terry . . .' He greeted the gang with a slight nod of his head, relieved to have some sort of distraction from Eddy.

'Hey, Ralph,' Fred responded, shooting a strange glance in Eddy's direction.

'How's it going, Fred?' Ralph asked.

'My life's all fucked up. Nothing new,' the other teen replied. 'Hey, have you met my date, Ralph? This is Wendy.'

The cute redhead next to Fred waved energetically at the newcomer.

'Hi!' she said giddily. 'Nice to meet you, Ralph.'

'Same here,' Ralph responded automatically, though his attention had now wandered away from Fred. He had just caught sight of Jack. The latter was spinning around on the dance floor with someone he didn't know. 'Who's that guy with Jack?' he questioned Lee, trying to maintain a casual composure and merely seem as though he were curious.

'Hmm?' the other teen followed his gaze. 'Oh, him. That's Joe.'

"Joe . . ." Ralph felt an indefinable anger course through him; he didn't know where it had come from. Despite the fire burning in his veins, Ralph still felt an underlying layer of despair as waves of darkness soared through him.

'S-so, are he and Jack a . . . a coupleor whatever?' he asked in a shaky voice, nervously chewing on his thumb.

'Nah, they're just friends,' Fred replied, having overheard their conversation.

He breathed a sigh of relief. They were just friends then . . . but were they? Jack's hands were resting on Joe's hips and the two of them were grinding together in beat with the music. It was a very . . . intimate dance for guys whom were just "friends".

'Are you sure?' Ralph inquired.

'Pretty sure. Both of them are too shy to admit otherwise.'

"FUCK!" Ralph swore inwardly.

'Um . . . I need a drink.' He turned to the bartender and ordered a beer, intent on draining any doubts and thoughts of Jack from his mind.

'I'll be back in a sec,' Eddy told him, making Ralph jump. He had completely forgotten about the other teen, having been so engrossed in watching Jack.

'Where are you going?' Terry asked.

'I have to use the loo.' He looked pointedly at Lee before disappearing into the crowd.

'Um . . . Yeah, and I think I'll . . . go find a dance partner,' Lee finished lamely, and he, too, vanished.

'That's odd,' Fred said. 'You'd think those two were an item or something, seeing how they both "conveniently" leave at the same time.'

It was highly unlikely that they were a couple, but Ralph was conscious of the fact that something was going on. He had followed Lee with his eyes, seeing that the aforementioned teen disappeared into the club's restroom as well. And Ralph was very doubtful that he was looking for a dance partner.

-

'What up?' Lee asked Eddy the moment he stepped into the bathroom.

'I don't know if I can do this,' the latter said, lighting a cigarette with shaky hands.

'Why not?' Lee demanded, placing his hands firmly on his hips.

'I don't know,' Eddy admitted. 'I just don't know. This Ralph guy . . . Wow, he's attractive and all, and he's quick to pick up on the little hints I drop . . .'

'Then what seems to be the problem?'

'We're playing with fire here, Lee!' Eddy exclaimed, throwing his hands up into the air. Smoke trailed from his left hand as he waved his arms about and ashes fell from his cig.

Lee crossed his arms over his chest.

'I'm afraid I don't understand.'

'You asked me to tamper with the bet, to draw Ralph away from Jack . . .'

'So? What's the problem?'

'That is the problem!' Eddy furiously raked his red hair back with his free hand. 'You know about Jack's reputation! How the hell am I supposed to get Ralph away from him? How the fuck can I compete with Jack Merridew!'

'That's your problem, not mine,' Lee replied. 'Are we done now?'

'No! We are nowhere near done! I have no idea what the fuck I'm supposed to do!' Eddy almost shouted.

'Keep your voice down,' Lee hissed. 'Do you want someone to hear you?'

Eddy sighed and took a long draught from his cigarette. He casually leaned back against the wall as he blew the smoke out through his nose.

'You're right, Lee. I can't lose my head over this.' He tossed his cigarette on the damp floor and ground it out with his boot. 'But have you seen how Ralph looks at Jack? He's hardly even aware of anything else around him.'

'Then distract him,' Lee said.

'It isn't exactly that easy, especially with Merridew in the room.'

'You'll manage it,' Lee replied, clapping his friend on the shoulder. 'You can do this.'

'I hope you're right. The way I see it, this bet is turning out to be more trouble than it's worth.'

'Whatever you do will be worth it,' Lee reassured him. 'Trust me, it'll be worth it.'

'It better be,' Eddy said. 'Okay, you go out first. It'll look suspicious if we leave the loo together.'

Lee gave him a mock salute and exited the restroom. The other teen waited for a few minutes before following his friend out the door. Had they but stayed a moment longer, they would have seen John emerge from one of the stalls with a frozen, shocked look on his face.

'What the hell!'