Bare-Back Mountain

Chapter Twelve:

Well... you did it. You got what you wanted. Back with Katie, right? Back to Earth, back to more serious matters. I was never serious. Right?

Or was it you?

I pulled in a carp. No- rainbow fish? Fuck it. I threw it back in, not even taking the time to measure it out. I took a deep breath trying to calm myself. I was angry. Really. Really. Angry.

Gone gone gone... die homo die. It didn't matter any way. I'd never liked any one like that before. Why did I think that all of a sudden...

Why did I think...

I let the fishing rod slip between my fingers. No one would bother it there, underneath the murk of the river. No one would wonder why it's there. Just a discarded pole. I stood. The air felt different. Summer was ending, the blazing sun fading and turning its back against its season. Fall grew close with the promise of things like Moon Viewing... the harvest festival... free food...

Game over.

It was seven days later. The second day of fall. The leaves were already a rich golden color, as though they had each been dipped in honey and left to dry. I hadn't seen much of anyone. I was camping in the mountains, attempting my first ever- live alone and not mooch. I'd be really warm right now... probably eating fish. Eve would be there. And- I curled up tighter under my make-shift blanket. I really was a hobo. Really was useless. Why am I doing this? I could be right there at the bar, talking to Basil or something and eating food- No good to think about food though.

I lay on my back, thinking of nothing (and doing a damn rotten job of it) and humming.

Every time we touch, I feel the static.

I curled up tighter, shoving the song from my mind. How could I've been so dumb? Gay? Joe wasn't gay from the beginning. He was just... a horny bastard.

"So stupid..." I whispered. The clouds were thickening above and the wind picked up. A chill ran through the air and small animals scurried to find safe havens. My make-shift blanket blew away. Not like I could've stopped it; it was just a pile of leaves.

"Even leaves are running away from me!" Or maybe you're running from them? I sat in silence for a long time. The clouds grew darker and the first pitter-patter of rain turned into a roar. "Screw this, I'm fucking cold."

Two hours later and I was curled on top of Eve's bed, donned in her pink bunny slippers and being pampered.

"I was so worried about you! Don't ever do that again, k?" I smiled, sipping hot chocolate. "Promise me, you fag!" She pointed at me as though to shoot a gun.

"What if I don't promise?" Another sip.

"BANG! Shot your heart."

"Too late for that." I replied. Her face grew sullen and I stirred the hot chocolate absentmindedly.

"Oh I'm sorry Ray..."

"No really... I'm fine. Just..." I sighed. "Stupid... that's all. Just stupid." She sunk down on the floor next to my dangling bunny-clad feet. Putting her head on my thighs, she took a deep breath.

"It's just really unfair..." Her voice sounded tight, as though she would cry. I felt worse (trust me) but Eve...

"You know... it's funny. I'm over it."

"Really?"

"Yeah. Totally ok. Few days in the mountains-" I pretended to stretch. "one billion percent better." She paused as if to mull over what I'd just said, deciding whether or not I was telling the truth.

"You stink. I mean, you seriously reek."

"Bitch."

"Well you do! How many days were you up there? Never mind- I don't want to know." She took my half-empty cup from my hands.

"Hey! I was still-"

"About to take a shower. Yeah." She marched me to the bathroom and shut the door in my face. I could hear her walk downstairs. Alone again. But I did look horrible. Bags under my eyes, hair ruffled to the maximum... It looked like I was lost in Africa for three years with nothing to eat but spiders and- sniff- dung beetles.

Ew.

"You look good." Duke smiled as he cleaned an empty glass. "Well... better any way." I gave a polite smile.

"Thanks." I guess...? "You renovated! That was fast."

"Yup." Awkward pause.

"So..." I said, trying to start any conversation. Any at all... please? He nodded in reply. Big help you are. "Where's Eve?"

"Oh!" He dug around in his pocket before pulling out a small note written in deep pink lettering (sparkly too). Could've given me that before all this small talk!

"Thanks!" I read it quickly.
"Meet me in the square." I hesitated. What the hell is she cooking up?

When I came outside, the rain had stopped. The clouds were parting. As I walked, thoughts buzzed in my head.

"Hey Ray!" Eve waved me over when I finally made in to the square. "Ok now I don't know if you were afraid to talk because of my uncle or what so come on... tell me. It bothers you." My fake smile fell and I staggered slightly. How the hell does she always know?

"I-"

"Ray, please."

"Ok. It does. It does! It's- It's not fair Eve! Dammit! I- I really liked Joe! And he just- I can't believe he would do it! I can't believe he would just- I can't even... Evie..." She pulled me into a deep hug making small shhh noises. "I'm sorry..." I grumbled miserably. "I was so stupid. I'm sorry I'm so..."

"Dramatic? Bitchy?" She laughed, pulling away. "Just kidding." Note to self: kill her later. I laughed back though.

"Hey- Ray? Tomorrow. Meet me at the square again. Three o'clock sharp. Ok? Promise?" She held out her gun-hand again. This time I put my hands up in surrender.

"Ok Tex, I surrender. I don't think my heart can take another bullet."