Jack from the Row

by Jack Saint

Nathan is a fifteen year old teenager, revolted by the world and its justice. Brilliant, intelligent, cold and taciturn, his destiny is turned upside down when he is accidentally recruited by the Third Street Saints, a street gang that preaches for a better world for the Saints Row ghetto. For the best and especially the worst.

7. 1-6 : Bromance

Chapter 6 - Bromance

November 1995 - Stilwater - Michigan - USA.

Nassim had spent a whole month with Jack to teach him to drive. He had obviously not needed so much time, but Nassim and Julius had other plans for him, to teach him to drive at high speed to make him a driver who knew how to keep his self-control. Jack was thrilled, not only did he gain confidence in his abilities, but he could drive the fastest cars in the gang to his pleasure.

Nassim used to look for him every evening after his classes and together they would drive for hours through the most beautiful parts of the city and its surroundings aera. It was a real pleasure for both men to see their relationship grow. Jack had blind trust in Nassim who was an idol for the teenager.

That's how Jack became Julius' unofficial driver. He didn't mind, since he could sometimes keep the car for his personal activities as long as he didn't do any foolish things with it.

Jack had been a member of the Third Street Saints for almost two months now, and although still shy and reserved, he was appreciated by his fellows and was finally beginning to feel accepted in a group that took him for what he was.

That morning, Julius called the young man into his office.

- Good morning Jack, please sit down.

- Is something wrong? Jack feared, always worried that he had done something bad.

- Not at all, my boy. I just wanted to see you to tell you how proud I am of you.

- Oh. Well, thanks. I try to do the best I can.

- I know, I see how hard you're working, you're always the first one to stand up to the Vice Kings, Johnny tells me regularly that you're effective on the court. Nassim also tells me that you are diligent, that you follow his driving lessons and military training. In fact, you've put on a little weight, haven't you?

- Yes, says Jack proudly. I can see my body is changing, I'm pretty happy.

- I understand," said Julius, laughing. Today I decided that you and I were going to take it to the next level.

Julius pulled an envelope from his desk and tossed it in front of the boy.

- Open it," he ordered.

Intrigued, Jack grabbed the envelope and opened it. Various papers fell onto the table, including an ID card and a driver's license. The teenager grabbed it and immediately saw that his picture was on all the papers. He read the ID. It showed the name Jack Saint, 21 years old according to the card, born on September 18, 1974.

- It's not very legal, but who cares? It's just so you can enjoy my second gift.

- Damn it Julius, these are great! They look so real.

- They do. Well, almost. Nassim had contacts who were in charge of making official papers. I know you want to be discreet about who you are, but you can never be safe from the cops, and this way you can pretend you're of age.

- I don't know what to say," said Jack, delighted.

- Ah for the name, I hope it suits you, it's not very original but good.

- It's perfect, I love it!

- Good, follow me now.

Docile, Jack followed Julius, while contemplating his new identity papers. The Saints' boss led him to the back of the church where a '72 Ford Mustang was waiting for him, purple, of course. The car wasn't new, but it looked good and Jack was very happy to be driving it.

- Excellent! Can I drive it?

- Of course, son, I've got something even better for you.

- You do?

Julius turned to Jack and handed him the keys. The young Saint didn't immediately understand.

- Is this for me? he realized after a long hesitation.

- It's to reward you for your investment, you are by far the most interesting recruit I've ever known. Even if we're not done with the Kings, we've made good progress thanks to you. And this way, it will be easier and less time consuming for you to go back and forth between Sunnyvale and here.

- I don't know what to say," said Jack, almost moved to tears. I don't think anyone has ever given me a gift before.

- All the more reason. You deserve it, son.

For the first time in his life, Jack jumped on the neck of an adult. Even more than the gift itself, the symbol was very powerful to him and he felt happier than he had ever felt before. He hugged his mentor tightly, who was a little surprised by the closeness, whereas the young man was usually always in the background. Julius noticed that he was very emotional, not even close to crying.

- Come on, you have class today, don't you?

- Yes, I do! Jack exclaimed happily.

Almost trembling, he revved up the engine of his muscle car and drove off in the direction of his school, to the sound of the radio playing "Big Log" by Robert Plant. A sense of freedom washed over Jack, whose heart was still beating fast.

He arrived at the school quietly under the sometimes doubtful glance of some of his friends in front of such a car for a boy of this age. Of course, he went to tell Tyrone immediately, who couldn't believe that his friend had such a car.

- Damn it man! Where did you get a car like that?

- Julius gave it to me," Jack answered very proudly.

- In exchange for what?

- Nothing, just for being part of the gang.

- And how did you get your license?

- Don't worry. It's legit.

Tyrone ran his hands over the bodywork. He was almost as jealous as he was suspicious.

- Did you do anything uncool to make him be so generous?

- No," Jack replied, lighting a cigarette. I just did what I had to do.

- Nate, did you do anything shady?

- Nah, I didn't do anything.

- You're going to tell me that this old guy gives you a car like that, just to please you.

- He's not an old guy! Julius, he's like my father.

- You've known him for two months and you talk about him like he's the eighth wonder of the world. Are you sure he's not just putting you to sleep and using you to do his dirty work?

- I'm not doing his dirty work, I'm fighting for a better future. If we don't do something today, tomorrow the Row will be...

- Oh, that's good, you give me that line every time! I'm fucking worried about you, man.

- Why?

- You've changed too much. You're sleeping over almost every night, all you talk about is your gang stuff, I'm never sure if I'll see you alive again every time you leave. Even your grades are starting to drop, you don't do anything in class anymore, you just think about joining those guys.

- Even if I don't do anything, my grades are still better than yours.

- Don't play that game with me," Tyrone, usually so calm, said.

- You're just jealous really.

- I'm worried! This has nothing to do with jealousy!

- Of course it is.

While the tone was rising between the two boys, a flash in their direction drew their attention.

- What's that thing? Tyrone asked.

- I don't know, it looks like a camera flash. Come on, let's not stand in the parking lot.

The days at school seemed so long to Jack, who only dreamed of getting back to his gang. But Julius had made it clear that he needed to continue his studies. The Saints were almost all out of school, left to fend for themselves on the streets, so those lucky enough to be educated and have a more prominent social position were pushed to the limit to succeed. Julius was not fooled, having young Saints who would become adults with positions of responsibility was a big advantage over the competition. Jul was banking on the future and his posterity once the streets were cleaned up and Jack was part of his long-term plan.

But at 15, the young boy had other interests. Now that he had a taste of freedom, he wanted to enjoy it as much as possible. He clearly left his old acquaintances, too wise for his taste, and befriended the other Saints, especially Johnny, to whom he had become considerably closer since the story with Aisha. After school, it was with him that Jack looked for company.

Johnny didn't do much with his days. He was 19 years old and had been out of school for a while after a disastrous education. He wasn't interested in school and his behavior didn't allow him to keep a job. Finally, this position in the gang was the only way for Johnny to make something of his life. He was thrilled to see Jack that day, to whom he showed the fake papers Julius had given him as well.

- Man! Look what Jul gave me!

- Yeah! I got some too!

- That's fucking great, you know what that means? It means that tonight's the weekend, so we're going to have a little sex and booze party, what do you say? Proposed Johnny, very excited.

- Totally! Jack exclaimed.

- Cool! Let's go by my place real quick and pick up Aisha and Dee-Dee, is that okay?

Jack liked the evening's program right away and followed Johnny to his apartment on Saints Row. He lived in a big building, not terrible and smelling of piss from the entrance hall, in a rather poor area. Black kids were squatting in the lobby, which reeked of bad shit, and the mothers were all at the windows, watching their offspring on the streets. The boys climbed the stairs to the eighth floor, the elevator having broken down.

- Have you lived here long? Jack asked.

- Yes, since I came to America when I was eight. I've never moved.

- Do you live with your parents?

- Just my mother.

- You don't have a father?

- Not anymore. He was killed 6 years ago. He was working in a grocery store, he got robbed, and the guy shot him. He didn't survive.

- Oh...

- Yeah. So I don't really want to end up like him. He was too nice, he was a good guy. He wouldn't hurt a fly, that's why he lost it.

As he finished his story, Johnny opened the door to his apartment with his key.

- Mom, it's me," he shouted as he entered.

- Oh, you're home, are you staying for dinner? said a voice in the distance.

- Nah, I'm going out with my friend and Aisha.

A small woman came out of the kitchen. She was Korean, small in stature, with long hair that tended toward gray, and looked deeply kind. She was delighted to see Jack.

- Oh hello," she greeted him. I'm Jang-Mi, Ji-Hoon's mom.

- No one calls me that, damn it! Johnny took offense.

- Hello ma'am, I'm Jack.

- Oh yeah! Ji-Hoon has already told me about you! I'm glad to meet you.

- Johnny, Mom! My name is Johnny. How many times do I have to tell you? This is America, how am I supposed to fit in with a name like that?

Johnny looked annoyed while his mother chatted cordially with Jack. She was very happy to see that her insufferable offspring could have polite and well-mannered friends. But Johnny didn't like it and saw an opportunity for his mother to share shameful childhood stories with his friend without his knowledge, so he took him to his room. It was still a teenager's room, with - once again - posters of Aisha and other naked women hanging everywhere and a very relative sense of order.

- Your room is cool," said Jack, who, beyond the apparent mess, saw it as a very personal room.

- Yeah, it's fine.

- And your mother seems nice.

- She's a pain in the ass, but yeah, overall, she's cool. Well buddy, tonight is our night! We're gonna take the chicks out to dinner somewhere cool, you know. Then we're gonna go to Pleasant View and go all out with booze and romantic views. And then, believe me, we'll give them the whole shebang.

- The whole shebang? Jack repeated, not sure he understood.

- Well yeah," Johnny explained, mimicking a crude sex act.

- Oh.

- What?

- Nothing, nothing! It's just unexpected.

- Trust me, I know exactly what to do!

- You do? Have you slept with many girls before? Jack asked, intrigued.

Johnny looked embarrassed.

- Well, actually... No, I've never slept with a girl... Have you?

- Ah... Well... I've done stuff but I've never slept with one either.

- Yes, well I've done stuff too ! I'm not a full virgin ! Well, tonight, no more virginity, we become men.

- But, where are we going to do it?

- On the beach, or elsewhere, it doesn't matter.

- It's getting cold at night.

- Damn Jack, don't you want to do Dee-Dee? We've shot guys before but we've never dipped the wick, something's wrong with the order. We've got to fix this as soon as possible.

Jack wasn't sure what to say, although he really liked the idea of spending time with Dee-Dee.

- Well, what's it going to take? Johnny said to himself.

- Are you going to dress like that?

- Why would I do that? Do you think it's wrong?

It should be said that if Johnny spent a considerable time on his hairstyle, he spent relatively less of it on his outfits of which he did not care a little. He was dressed with a faded black jeans and much too wide, a more or less white shirt that he always adorned with an imposing gold chain and a big purple jacket.

- Well, I don't know, for a date, it's maybe too classic, said Jack, much more refined.

Jack made him clean beside his friend. As he was coming out of class, he was in grey pants and impeccable white shirt cut to size. He was generally very concerned about his appearance anyway.

- Nah, it's okay, Aisha always sees me like this, it'll be fine, she won't get confused like this.

- If you say so.

- Besides, I took a shower on purpose this morning, it's okay, I'm on top of my game.

Jack didn't raise his eyebrows, but he did frown at the information.

Johnny sprayed himself with perfume and combed his hair. He thought he looked pretty good.

- Good, now, the final touch! He said while searching under his bed.

Johnny took out a box of condoms that he unwrapped like a wildman and shared its contents with Jack.

- How many do you think we need?

- Well, one, right?

- Just one? Johnny wondered. Are you sure that's enough?

- Well, it's one for each session.

- But that's just it! I take several.

Very sure of himself, Johnny filled his pocket with condoms and handed one to Jack with a wink. Before leaving, Johnny called his sweetheart, with whom he spoke in a honeyed voice. He promised her a meal in a great restaurant and the night of her life. Seduced, Aisha accepted and told her sister who was delighted to go out with the handsome Jack. While waiting for the fateful hour, the boys lay on Johnny's bed, smoking.

- How old are you really, Jack? Johnny asked his friend.

- Hum…

- I'm not going to tell Julius, just so you know.

- I'm 15, I was born in July.

- Ah, shit. You're actually pretty young. You know Dee-Dee is 16, right?

- Please tell her I'm 18, girls don't like younger boys.

- Yeah, don't worry.

The boys were interrupted by someone knocking on the door.

- Ji-Hoon, you're not smoking inside?

- No, Mom! he shouted, opening the window as if that would immediately alleviate the smell. Damn it, Jack, let's get moving, let's go to the mini-mart and get some booze and cigarettes.

- I'm ready.

The two boys came out of the room that reeked of cigarettes and smiled politely at Jang-Mi who wasn't fooled.

- Saranghae eomma! Johnny shouted before slamming the door to the apartment.

Armed with their brand new ID cards, the boys bought beer, whiskey and vodka and left with bags full of them. They could hardly hide their excitement and headed back to Saints Row to look for the girls. Johnny and Jack showed up at the door of their apartment. An imposing man in his fifties opened the door.

- Good evening Mr. Tyler, are Aisha and Dee-Dee here? Johnny asked politely.

The girls' father looked at his offspring's suitors with reservation. He knew Johnny well from his childhood and was a little disappointed that Dee-Dee had fallen for a white man. But he didn't argue and just did whatever fathers of blooming maidens do.

- Be careful. And have them home by two o'clock, as agreed.

- Yes sir," said the boys in chorus.

- And if you could keep your hands in your pockets, that's just as well," warned the father.

Fortunately, the boys did not need to justify themselves as the girls appeared, all beautifully coiffed and dressed for the occasion. They kissed their father before joining their young suitors.

- Damn it Eesh, your dad is freaking me out! Johnny admitted.

- He's always exaggerating," said Aisha. So where are you taking us for dinner?

- I don't know, Johnny chose," said Jack.

- You'll see, it's a surprise.

Aisha had already imagined herself in one of the city's great restaurants, but she was disappointed when Johnny stopped at Freckle Bitches, the local fast food joint.

- Is this a joke? Aisha asked.

- No, it's the best burgers in town!

Jack and Dee-Dee looked at each other and laughed as Aisha pulled a long face. The two couples sat down at the table, but Aisha, who was way too dressed up, didn't even touch her food.

- Look, I know you're supposed to be dead, but do you have to look so goddamned? Johnny asked as he devoured his burger.

- Johnny, you promised to take me to dinner.

- Well, I did.

- We're at Freckle Bitches!

- Where did you want to go?

- Someplace nice! Why didn't we go to Mykonos ?

- Because it's too stuffy there. They're too formal. Oh and help me! Said Johnny pushing Jack.

- We're fine with it," Jack replied, winking at Dee-Dee.

- You see, you're the only one who's a diva," Johnny added.

Aisha looked as offended as she could.

- You don't know how to appreciate good food," Johnny said, giving her another layer.

If she could, Aisha would have gladly gutted him on the spot.

- Come on, come on, how would you like to go to Pleasant View? He tried to make up for it.

- For what? asked Aisha, still angry.

- To see the sunset, on the beach, it's quite impressive, came Jack to the rescue of his friend.

Not too convinced, Aisha followed the group that went back in the car in the direction of Pleasant View. But her anger disappeared as soon as she arrived on the place. From the top, it did indeed look magical and the view was magnificent. Jack and Dee-Dee had already sat side by side and were slowly getting closer, all in complicity. As for Johnny and Aisha...

- You could have told me to walk, I wouldn't have worn a dress!

- You're never happy, Eesh, you're a pain in the ass.

- I should have been more suspicious with you.

- Stop bitching! Look around you! We are young, we are free and especially, we have what it takes to spend a good evening.

With that, Johnny took out the bottles of alcohol with a triumphant look on his face.

- How did you get that? Aisha asked suspiciously.

- You ask too many questions. Hey kids, how about a drink? Johnny offered Jack and Dee-Dee.

- Hell yeah," said Jack.

- Have any of you ever had a drink? asked Aisha.

- Of course you have.

- Because this is hard liquor, it's not just a few beers.

- Relax Aisha, he's a big boy, let him be," said Johnny. Can I get you Dee-Dee?

- What the hell," Aisha objected. She's 16 years old!

- It's okay, a drink won't kill me," Dee-Dee replied, holding out her arm.

Exasperated, Aisha let go and sat down in the grass, ready to sulk. Jack turned on the car radio, which played the same song he had listened to on the way to school that morning. He went back to sit next to Dee-Dee and put his arm around her shoulders so she could lean against him.

- Freedom, booze, sunset and a beautiful girl next to me. I think I could hardly be in a better place right now," Jack said to Dee-Dee.

- I'll never thank you for saving me that day," Dee-Dee said softly.

Jack felt so proud at that moment. More than ever, he felt like he had done something great for a good cause and won the jackpot. He kissed Dee-Dee for a long time and she let herself go, to the rhythm of the music, totally ignoring the argument between her sister and Johnny.

- I don't drink a drop of alcohol anyway," Aisha stood her ground.

- What are you doing, you prude? Relax, it looks like we're doing something crazy here. Look, aren't we good here, you, me and the sunset?

Fortunately the place was well chosen, because the girl ended up relaxing. While she was making a fuss over an unfortunate drink, Aisha was much less critical of the joint Johnny gave her, and finally, he was able to lie down beside her without being castigated.

- Well, I admit that the place is really magical.

- Ah, see! No matter what you say, Stilwater is still a beautiful town.

- If it weren't for all the corruption...

- Yeah. We'll make it work.

- Tell me, Johnny... Do you think we'll be here forever?

- I don't know Eesh. Where would you like us to go?

- You know... The money I made from my records. Before, it was blocked until I came of age. But with this death thing, my parents will have access to it as soon as the proceedings are over. So, I thought that maybe this was a good opportunity to get out of Saints Row.

- You want to leave? But where? Johnny worried.

- I don't know. There's a lot of places to go. But I had another idea.

- What's that?

- What if I bought us a house? In the new suburbs or something. We'd stay in Stilwater, I know you want to, but at the same time, we'd be a lot farther away from all those ghettos.

- Us?

- Don't you want to live with me Johnny?

The truth was, he wasn't expecting it.

- I thought maybe we could give it a try. How long have we been dating now? Aisha asked him.

- I don't know, forever, right?

- Maybe it would be worth a try then?

- To live together as a couple?

- That's what we are, right? I mean, if you don't want to...

Johnny did not let him finish his sentence that he almost jumped on her to kiss her. For him, it had always been obvious.

- I love you, I've always loved you," Johnny admitted.

- Yes, I know," Aisha smiled as she kissed him back.

Next door, Jack and Dee-Dee had taken the time to get to know each other well through kissing and caressing, but Jack wasn't sure if it was the alcohol or Dee-Dee's presence that was making his head spin. They had been drinking too much and too fast for a while to give each other courage. The two teenagers liked each other but were both a bit gauche.

- I think you're so handsome, you have such beautiful eyes," Dee-Dee whispered in his ear.

- Yes, so do I," Jack replied before realizing that his sentence was meaningless.

A little too drunk and a little too excited, Jack and Dee-Dee indulged in more intimate caresses. For the first time, Jack was caressed by a girl and finally felt like a man despite his obvious clumsiness. As Dee-Dee, totally uninhibited, starts to wank him gently, Jack takes the opportunity to return the favor by passing his hands under her skirt. Even trying to be a little discreet, it did not escape Aisha, a little further.

- Johnny! Is your buddy groping my sister?

- It's okay... He's fingering her a bit, she doesn't seem to be saying no. We already did that too.

- No but, she barely knows him!

- Eesh... About that... We've known each other a long time. Do you just... Do you not want to try?

- What? Here, when there might be a pervert hiding behind a tree?

- There's no pervert behind a tree. Seriously... You want to live together but you don't want to sleep with me.

- It's not that Johnny.

- Then what is it?

- I don't know... I'm afraid that... That once you get what you want, you won't be interested in me anymore...

- But Aisha! You're the woman of my life, how can you believe such a thing?

- I don't know... It's stupid, I know...

- I love you, I just want to make love with the woman I love. It's normal.

Cautiously, Johnny kissed Aisha and lay down gently on top of her. Johnny was strangely tender and gentle, the exact opposite of his everyday self, and despite the strange, open-air environment, with his sister just a few feet away, Aisha allowed herself to be kissed.

Just a little further away, Jack and Dee-Dee are done with their foreplay and are eager to try their first sexual adventure together.

- Do you have what it takes... ? Dee-Dee asked shyly.

- Yes!" exclaimed Jack as he pulled the condom he had received earlier from his pants pocket.

Jack dutifully tore off the wrapper and got ready while Dee-Dee lay down on the grass. He stood over her and the two of them looked at each other and could see that each had bright eyes. But maybe a little too much.

- I feel so weird... said Dee-Dee.

- So do I.

- No, no. I feel really weird.

And before Jack could realize anything, Dee-Dee started to throw up in a straight stream on her almost-lover, who had a backward movement that broke his erection directly.

- Ah. He said, disappointed.

- I think I'm sick, I've had too much to drink.

Dee-Dee turned to the grass this time and threw up all she could, while Jack, a little distraught, at least tried to hold her hair back as he dripped with puke.

Next door, Johnny and Aisha quietly went about their business.

- Johnny... I didn't really plan this for tonight, and I didn't bring a condom and I...

- Don't worry, I do!

Thinking he was doing the right thing, Johnny took out of his pocket a dozen condoms all hung together in front of Aisha's eye which changed color.

- No but... Did you take me for a whore or what? What are all these?

- Well, they're condoms.

- And you were going to use them all? But what did you think I was?

- But it was just in case!

Johnny and Aisha didn't have time to argue when Jack went to meet them in a panic.

- Dee-Dee is not well, I don't know what to do!

At these words, Aisha immediately got up and went to help her sister who was still vomiting her guts into the grass.

- What did you do to her? Aisha asked in a reproachful tone.

- Nothing! We just had a few drinks.

Aisha's gaze was fixed on the empty whiskey bottle and the almost finished vodka bottle.

- A lot... Jack corrected.

- Take us home," ordered Aisha, lifting her sister up.

Docilely, Jack opened the car doors to put Dee-Dee in the back seat before Aisha snatched the keys out of his hand.

- And I'm driving! I'm the only one who hasn't been drinking.

The drive back to the girls' apartment was chillingly silent, punctuated by Dee-Dee's occasional throat-slurping out the window.

The boys were greeted by a glare from the girls' father, who said not a word to them.

- Mr. Tyler, I can..." Johnny tried to justify himself.

The father just held up a finger to indicate that he didn't want to hear it before closing the door. Johnny had just enough time to catch a glare from his fiancée.

- What a fucking fiasco... Johnny lamented.

- I'm full of puke... Jack remarked.

- Do you want me to lend you a T-shirt?

Jack agreed and followed his friend home. His mother was probably already asleep since the apartment was pitch black. In the bedroom, the two teenagers changed.

- I don't understand why Aisha took it the wrong way. If I had come without a condom, she would have made a big deal of it too.

- I don't know. Dee-Dee didn't say anything to me when I pulled one out.

- Oh yeah? Did you get the deal then?

- No, I didn't. She threw up on me. I was this close to getting it. That's how it goes...

- Good, I was afraid you'd get it off your virginity before me.

- What do we do now? Jack asked, lighting a cigarette while lying on Johnny's bed.

- I don't know... Why don't we go to church? Maybe there will be some Saints there. The guys hang out there a lot on weekends.

- Yeah, if you want. I don't have anything else to do anyway.

A little fresher than when they arrived, Johnny and Jack stormed out of the apartment.

- Shit, I forgot my keys! Johnny realized.

- It doesn't matter, we'll sleep in the church.

- We sleep badly there... There's always some weird guys.

- We'll improvise, don't worry.

The boys walked to the church, where there was still a lot of life, considering the light and the bass noises coming out. There wasn't a big party, but a few Saints had gathered for a drink, including well-known faces such as Dex, Troy and Lin. In the middle of the place of worship, Johmarcus, the official tattoo artist of the gang, was inking some brave Saints and decorating them with a purple fleur-de-lis, the symbol of the gang.

Dex was present that evening, and approached the two young boys whom he greeted warmly.

- Hey guys! Good to see you.

- Hi Dex," Johnny said without much enthusiasm.

- What's wrong? You look depressed.

- No, no, everything's fine. Is Julius here?

- No, not that I know of. I came for Joh, look what he did to me.

Dex revealed his brand new tattoo, which he had on the inside of his upper left arm.

- Oh nice! Johnny exclaimed. It's fucking awesome! I want one too.

- Well, ask Joh, he tattoos those guys.

Johnny immediately pulled Jack by the arm and led him to the tattoo shop.

- Where are you taking me?

- Jack, our youthful looks are not in our favor, you know that.

- Uh, so... ?

- We need to show we're a force to be reckoned with.

- Well, that's why I work out, to gain mass and...

- No, no, no, bullshit," said Johnny. It has to be obvious at first glance, we have to catch people's eyes.

- Oh? And how?

Jack looked at Johmarcus and immediately understood what his friend was getting at.

- Yeah, no, I'm not into it.

- Come on Jack!

- I don't know... In high school, this is going to look bad. I'm going to get in trouble.

- Jack, Jack, Jack. Dude. Screw high school. The fight is on right now. High school, you're done by the end of the year. Plus, you'll be commanding respect with the Saints emblem on your body. You get an easy 50% more charisma and 50% more intimidation.

- And 100% trouble, yes.

- But no, it proves your commitment to the Saints, look, everyone does it! What will you look like if you don't get a tattoo? Like a fragile virgin!

Jack was very drunk and very manipulative. These stories of commitment and respect resonated with him immediately and without thinking, he finished the bottle of beer he was holding and took his place on one of the Johmarcus tables.

- You? You're the new guy, are you sure you want to get into this? questioned Johmarcus who was preparing his equipment.

- Yeah, I'm tired of being taken for a fragile virgin.

- Yeah, we're men! added Johnny almost screaming, who was also starting to get too full of alcohol.

- I warn you guys, it's definitive, I don't want any whining, warned Johmarcus.

- Go ahead, go ahead, encouraged Jack by making big gestures.

- If you want to, but if your mother gets you high, it's not my problem. Where do you want it?

Jack stretched his neck and signaled with his finger that he wanted it there. Johmarcus was used to guys getting a little too excited and didn't try to argue. He could see that Jack was too drunk, too young, but he pretended not to see anything and put his finger on the teen's neck.

- Oh, is that it? Jack asked naively when he saw the pattern on his neck.

- Don't dream sweetheart, it's now that we have fun, said Johmarcus while starting to ink him.

The pain surprised Jack who was careful not to make a show of it but who already regretted it.

- It's okay, it doesn't hurt too much? asked Johnny, who was trying to reassure himself.

- No, it's fine," lied Jack with tears in his eyes.

The time of the tattoo lasted an eternity for Jack until the liberating words of Johmarcus.

- It's good for you, I'll clean it up and next.

Jack stood up in pain. His neck was now inked with a purple fleur-de-lis that was oozing everything it could.

- But it's gross, right?

- A tattoo is a pain in the ass, man," Johmarcus explained. You don't touch it with your fingers, you clean and disinfect it well for a month and don't worry, it'll be fine.

- It's so dope," said Jack, looking at himself in the mirror.

- It's looks stylish! Said Dex. You're really good, Joh.

- Thanks, Dex. It's my pleasure. Come on, Johnny, where do you want it?

- On the pec!

- Fuck, that means that for the next few days, we'll see him walking around half-naked all the time," Dex whispered to Jack, who started laughing.

Johnny winced when Johmarcus tattooed it, but he was so proud of the result that he couldn't stop admiring himself, while Jack and Dex sat and watched him drinking beers.

- Fuck, I'm a man now, I can feel it," Johnny enthused.

Dex couldn't help but roll his eyes as Jack rubbed his tattoo, which earned him a scolding from Johmarcus.

- Honestly, she doesn't know what she's missing," Johnny continued in his monologue.

- Yeah, poor thing clearly," Dex laughed.

- Anyway, I don't give a shit if she doesn't want me, I can get all the pussy I want.

- Did he have another fight with his girl? Dex asked Jack.

- She wouldn't sleep with him.

- Really?

Dex saw this as a great opportunity to make fun of Johnny.

- Oh, that's bad, man, you've got a tattoo, a gun, a car, but you've never touched a chick?

- Of course I have," Johnny defended himself.

- That's not what the kiddy says!

- But are you serious, what did you say?

- Nothing," offended Jack, who was smoking quietly without asking anyone for anything.

- But you're actually a full virgin, Johnny? laughed Dex, all happy.

- Not full, no, I've already had my dick sucked.

- By whom, your cousin?

The Saints all laughed loudly around Johnny.

- By Anissa from the neighborhood.

- She's a crazy bitch. Everyone went down on her too. Well, except you.

- That's bullshit.

- But really, you never fucked Aisha, it's a shame, you've been with her for a thousand years!

- Because I respect her.

- Because she doesn't want you.

- And what about you, are we talking about you Dex? Because it doesn't seem to me that you're a seducer either, when was the last time you touched a woman, huh?

The assembly turned to Dex, who felt quite embarrassed.

- I've already slept with a chick.

- Oh yeah? How many times?

- It's the quality that counts," Dex tried to deflect.

- How many times?

- Once...

This time, it was Dex that the Saints were laughing at.

- Well, at least at 18, I've already stuck my dick in, unlike you, the full virgin.

- I'm not a full virgin I told you! He is a full virgin! Johnny defended himself by pointing at Jack.

- Don't get me involved in your stories, I'm not asking for anything," said Jack who thought he would be spared.

- Are you a full virgin, the little prodigy? Dex was amused.

- What's a full virgin?

- It's when you've never done anything with a girl.

- Well, not full, then.

- What did you do? With your sister or your cousin doesn't count.

- Very funny. Well... I already fingered a chick and I also made a cunni once.

- And you never had sex with it? Did you ever get a blow job?

Jack felt very annoyed, all eyes were on him and his sex life was a bit empty.

- Well ... Well, no. In fact, I haven't. Well, no. He realized, annoyed.

- Man, but you've been fooled on the whole line! A cunni against a minimum blowjob, explained Dex, as a great connoisseur of sex. Well, you're a full virgin then. And a bit of a victim.

The Saints had a great time openly laughing at poor Jack.

- Why are you laughing? asked Lin, who joined the group.

- Hey Lin, are you a full virgin chick? asked Johnny.

- Full what?

- Virgin chick is when you've never done anything with a guy.

- You're really 12 years old mentally, you're pathetic. Keep jerking off, you don't deserve more," sighed Lin and rolled her eyes.

As soon as she arrived, Lin left immediately, pushing a Saint on her way.

- Damn, she's so unfunny. I'm sure the guy who unsealed her, she killed him in the end," said Johnny.

- But she sure did," added Dex.

As Johnny crudely imitated the sex act, Troy turned his attention to the conversation.

- What are you kids doing?

- We were just talking about girls, so I guess you don't know much about it," said Johnny.

- Do you know anything about chicks?

- Have you ever fucked Troy? Jack asked innocently.

- Me? A little, my boy. Why? Are you comparing your number of conquests? I'm sure I'll fuck you all in this game. Throw your numbers around!

The three boys looked down.

- So what? Are you chickening out? Troy wondered.

- We never fucked Troy. That's the problem," Jack admitted.

- What...? None of you?

- Yes, I did," said Dex without too much pride. But only once. And it wasn't great either.

- Are you kidding me? said Troy, taken aback.

They all nodded their heads to indicate that they were not.

- Damn it, guys! You're holding guns, you're killing people and you're telling me you never dipped the wick? That's why you're all so fucking nervous! I understand better now!

- It's easier to kill someone than to seduce a girl... Dex admitted.

- No, no, that's not right. Guys," Troy shouted to the crowd. Who's a virgin here?

Only two other brave men confessed. Skylar, a shy young boy, and another Saint from Dex's group. The others remained silent, though there were probably others.

- You five, I'm taking you in. Fissa.

- Where are we going? Jack asked.

- You don't argue, you come.

Not particularly motivated, Jack got up with difficulty and followed Troy, accompanied by the others.

- Get in the car, virgins boyz," Troy decreed.

- Where are we going? Johnny insisted. I want to hit the sack.

- You get in that car and shut up. I'm taking you to a friend's house.

- A friend? Skylar repeated suspiciously.

- Exactly, I hope you're hot.

The boys looked at each other, not quite sure what Troy was getting at. He led the group to Imperial Square, a neighborhood the boys didn't usually frequent.

- Come on, everybody out," Troy said as he parked.

- What the hell are we doing in Chinatown? Johnny asked.

- Just follow me," Troy said without answering.

- This is the Rollerz district, doesn't that suck? Dex worried.

- Come on, guys, don't be a pain in the ass and come on.

Obediently, the boys followed Troy to a small store that said "massage" on its front. The idea didn't displease the Saints, who saw it as a nice way to relax. An old Chinese woman was at the reception. She was quite imposing, with a very hard look. She was not happy to see all these boys arrive at the same time.

- Hi Wu," said Troy.

- Troy.

- I need these boys taken care of.

Madam Wu took a quick look at the Saints.

- No way, they're too young, especially those two," she said, glancing at Jack and Skylar.

Jack understood that they were talking about him, but he didn't see why that was a problem.

- That's why I need you and your girls. Do something for them.

- No, Troy, I don't want to get in trouble with the police.

- Wu. My dear Wu. I assure you it's not just the police you'll get in trouble for refusing. Come on, you see these guys, they are kids ! Just time to whack Willy Wonka into Wonderland, that's all.

Wu muttered something in Chinese before clapping his hands. Several young women, of all origins, dressed in long red dresses open on the side which revealed their long legs, presented themselves at the entrance.

- Hello ladies," said Johnny, delighted.

Wu gave some instructions to his girls who advanced towards the boys by drawing them inside a living room.

- Me, I want this one," said one of the young women, taking Dex by the hand. You come my beautiful?

- Uh, yes, ma'am," said Dex, impressed.

- I'll take this one," said another, going to stroke Jack's hair. I love his eyes.

- Oh, I wanted to pick that one too," said another.

- Well, let's both take it!

- You're a lucky bastard," said Troy to Jack, who still didn't understand. I'll take that chick, you take care of my boys.

The boys were still quite naive at this point, until they were each drawn into a discreet corner of the living room. But since the room was shared, they could all see that one of Wu's girls was already taking care of a client, and that it wasn't a massage.

- Wait, but what's this trap? Dex asked.

- Come on guys, I'll pay you for them, have fun," said Troy.

- But you're paying us prostitutes now?

Although the idea bothered him, the fact of being undressed by a pretty girl made Dex quickly forget his principles. He let the young woman massage him before she straddled him for something a little more serious.

For his part, Johnny let himself be massaged as well, finding the caresses of his young maiden particularly exciting.

- Damn, here's a real woman. Not some prude like my girlfriend. Fuck. After all I've done for her, she can't even trust me enough to sleep with her. Frankly, sometimes I don't understand her.

Johnny went into a sort of extremely awkward monologue that began to embarrass his partner.

- Listen, handsome. I suggest you relax. How about a blow job?

- Do I want to? But please go ahead, it will change me from my girl. She is frigid I think, it is the only explanation.

A little sick by his monologue, the young woman smiled politely not to let appear her annoyance and began to undo the belt of Johnny before kissing him through his underwear.

- And besides, she's. Oh... Oh... Johnny repeated, stopping dead in his tracks.

Delighted to have shut him up, the young woman lowered her client's underpants but this one had an abrupt movement of retreat.

- No, I can't do that. I can't do that to her. She'll kill me if I sleep with another girl, that's for sure!

- Johnny, you're starting to bust our balls," said Troy, already wallowing naked on top of a girl.

- No, no. I can't. I can't, I want her. Not another one. No, it's dead.

Deciding, Johnny got dressed again under the annoyed look of the young woman. Troy motioned for her to leave and join him instead, which she did. Johnny left the establishment and spent the rest of the evening sending messages to his sweetheart in which he shouted his love to her.

Inside the massage parlor, Jack found himself with two ladies who were very much to his liking, running their hands all over his body, exciting him to no end.

- You are really a beautiful boy, said one of the girls. You will be magnificent when you will be a man, the women will jostle each other, it is certain.

- Thank you... ?

- You look so shy, it's so cute! What do you want? She asked him by smiling to him.

Intimidated, Jack was quite unable to answer her. Accustomed to this kind of customer a little shy, the young girl took the initiative and made a nod to her friend. Then with two, they began to take down his pants to make him a blow-job in duet.

Jack expected everything for this evening, but surely not to that, even in his biggest fantasies. He had the impression to be in a parallel reality by watching these two girls being active to make him good. His glance crossed that of Troy who made him a wink, what disturbed a little the young man who looked away quickly. Because of his inexperience, Jack ejaculated very quickly, under the satisfied look of the two girls who had fulfilled their mission.

- My God... Jack said as he fell backwards. Fuck, it was crazy.

The two women threw each other a complicit look before getting up. But Jack held them by the wrist.

- Hey wait! It's not over yet, is it? Can we try something else? he asked.

And less than five minutes later, Jack finally left the club of the full virgin Saints by having his first sexual intercourse with one of Wu's girls who agreed to lie down under him. As he penetrated the young woman, everything in Jack's brain shifted. For the first time in his life, he could not analyze or think about anything other than his pleasure. This sensation of cerebral emptiness that he had always been looking for did him even more good than the act itself and he felt almost free of all his thoughts that invaded him all day long. At this precise moment, Jack knew that sex was the only way for him to empty himself, in every sense of the word. After having finished with the first girl, Jack asked if he could renew the experience with the second.

- But my word, but you are insatiable you! She declared amused.

While all the other Saints had finished their business or were about to do so, Jack slept with another girl where he let all his frustration express itself through his body. This amused Troy, who thought his boys were far too nervous and was glad he had come up with this idea to relieve them of all the rage they were feeling on a daily basis.

- Ah sex, it's the only thing that makes the world go round, he said while lighting a cigarette, surrounded by two naked women who continued to caress his chest.

As for Dex, he had just lived a much more enriching experience than his first time. He too suddenly felt like a man and was strangely calm. The two other Saints were also very quiet, being pampered by two adorable creatures.

Troy gave Jack another three quarters of an hour to do his experiments before he had to stop him or he would have to spend the night there, especially since Wu was looking at him with a glare to tell him that he shouldn't abuse.

- Come on kiddy, we have to go now, said Troy while tapping on Jack's shoulder, very busy on all fours with his partner.

- Get the fuck off me, Troy.

- Finish it girls, we need to get home.

The young women were used to long customers and made sure Jack finished. He immediately wanted to do it again, but Troy told him it was over for tonight. Frustrated, Jack got dressed.

- Can we meet again? he asked the girls.

- If you pay, of course.

The experience had been so revealing for the young boy that the principle of doing it with a professional didn't bother him at all. Since he was dragging, Troy had to almost push him to the exit to pay his bill. He put down several bills in front of Wu who didn't look very satisfied.

- You're kidding, Troy. How much time did this one spend with my girls? You told me it would be quick.

- He was more energetic than I expected, I kind of underestimated him.

- You pay for the whole hour, for all your guys, you've been hogging my girls too long.

Troy grinned and pulled the entire bill out of his wallet, which he reluctantly placed on the counter before Wu snatched it up with a quick motion. While Troy unloaded all his dollars, the boys sat in the car.

- What took you so long? I was bored," Johnny grumbled.

- Why didn't you come along," said Skylar, fastening his seatbelt.

- I'm dead, I feel totally empty," said Jack slumped in the back of the car.

- Damn right, man! You worked your ass off.

- I want more.

- Damn Jack, it's whores, isn't that weird? Says Johnny.

- I don't care. Hand me the bottle, I'm thirsty.

Johnny almost regretted not staying with the group, but he cared too much about his relationship with Aisha to mess it up. He handed the bottle of liquor to Jack, who almost drank it all in one gulp.

Troy went to join the boys, who were almost all smiling stupidly, with an air between appeasement, tiredness and satisfaction

- Damn, you guys cost me a bundle. It was the first and last time.

- We didn't ask you anything at the time," said Dex.

- Yeah well, I felt sorry for you. You couldn't risk dying without ever having touched a woman.

Troy took his boys back to the church where they hung out until the early morning, soaking up the alcohol.

- I'm going home, I've had too much to drink, guys, I'm dizzy," said Dex, aware that he had overstepped his bounds.

- Fuck, I'd go to sleep too, but I forgot my keys and if I wake up my mom, she'll kill me," Johnny explained.

- Why don't you get an apartment? What the hell are you still doing at your mother's house at your age?

- It's because he's still a virgin," laughed Jack, completely drunk.

- Take him home, he's as full as his balls are empty, the fucker.

- Why should I take him home? Johnny quipped.

- Because you came up with it and you dragged him into your bullshit. You can handle it, but Julius will kill you if you leave him alone like that.

- Don't worry, I'm going home alone. Who do you think I am," said Jack, who stumbled to the church exit.

And of course, as soon as he came out, he vomited all his abuse of the evening.

- Well, I'll leave you Johnny. Have a good night with your big buddy," Dex snapped, patting his friend on the shoulder.

Jack was on all fours on the floor, coughing and spitting, so much so that Johnny felt sorry for him. There was no way he was going to be left alone like that, it could be dangerous.

- Come on, man. I'll take you home, where are you staying?

- In Frat Row, in a boarding school where there are only fucking guys, there are no chicks, replied Jack, laughing before coming back.

- No but, never in a million years will we get there alive...

Jack couldn't stand up and was almost asleep in the gutter until Johnny had a flash of insight. When they first met, he had taken him home to Mission Beach, so somehow Johnny picked up his friend, who was gradually slipping into an alcoholic coma, and tried to move him forward.

- Dude, you weigh a ton and you smell like puke, it's unbearable! Johnny complained.

- Let me die here, it's okay. I'll die like a man from now on," Jack replied, fist to heart.

- Learn to drink, asshole.

The sun was slowly starting to rise when Johnny and what was left of Jack arrived at Mission Beach, the neighborhood where Tamara lived. Going through his friend's pockets, Johnny found some keys and managed to open the door. Jack had collapsed in front of the door again, forcing Johnny to drag him inside by pulling him under his arms.

- I'm not well," Jack managed to say, but couldn't open his eyes.

- Yeah, well, I'm not much better.

Johnny struggled to get his friend to climb the stairs and stumbled as he burst out laughing, but miraculously managed to get him to his room. He dropped Jack on his bed, still fully dressed.

- What the fuck is your room, a hospital room or something? Johnny asked as he saw the white walls and almost no decor in his room.

- It's a prison cell," Jack laughed, holding up his finger.

- You're a really weird guy.

- I want to jerk off so bad, but I can't lift my arm.

Johnny sighed and looked wary, but luckily for him, Jack snored almost instantly and Johnny didn't have the heart to leave him. There was no one else in the house, and he feared his young friend would choke on his vomit or go into an alcoholic coma that would be blamed on him. He undressed him with difficulty and managed to get him into bed more or less correctly. Not really being one weird thing away from that evening, Johnny finally did the same and went to bed next to his friend and fell asleep almost as fast as he did.