A/N: Yeah, part four for y'all. More drama, and still more to come. Its ramping up from here on out
PART FOUR
At the party for over an hour when Sock and Jonathan finally ran into a breathless Lil. "There you two are I've been looking everywhere. The game's about to start. Let's go."
Both boys look at each other and followed Lil to the back of the house where many teenagers were gathered around in a makeshift circle writing things down on bits of papers and putting them into two plastic hats.
Finding somewhere to sit Lil gave them scraps of papers and pencils to write. "What are these for?" Sock asked.
"For ideas to put for the game," she answered a bit distracted making sure everything was running smoothly.
"What game?" Jonathan asked.
"Truth or Dare," Joane replied behind him. Sock grew ridged in his seat, "Hello again Napoleon."
A soft gasp escaped past his lips. Jonathan watched Sock then returned his attention to Jojo. There was something going on here. He's never seen Sock react this way to a stranger before. But they weren't strangers. She was chasing him a few days ago. And Sock was clearly running away from her. Jonathan reminded himself.
"H-hey, Jojo." He greeted her seeing that he had no way of escaping this time. She smiled glad he seemed to realize that too.
"So the game is obvious but instead of having to come up with something on the spot to ask people they have to grab it out of the hats. Blue for truth, red for dare," Jojo explained letting Sock sweat. "The only chicken you can do is if you don't wanna answer a truth you do a dare and vice versa. Simple as that."
"And if you don't want to do the either?" Jonathan asked.
"Then it's too bad because you have to do it." Jojo smirked, her eyes going to the nervous teen. "It was nice seeing you again Napoleon. We should really catch up, it's been too long."
He stayed rooted in his seat not giving her an answer. Sock didn't even glance at the teen next to him who looked between curious and confused. All Sock wanted to do was bolt from his seat and run off as far away as he could get. Though he should've known that Jojo wouldn't rest until she found him.
Another five minutes passed before the game actually started. And it was fun for the most part Sock even managed to relax knowing Jojo couldn't do anything to him here. She was just here to make him uncomfortable. Taking off his shoes he started mindlessly rubbing his feet on the carpet.
He passed the hats to Jonathan who always managed to look at them with suspicion. After a moment of hesitation he grabbed a slip for the blue hat. "Truth: what do you plan to do after you graduate?"
He paused, "leave as far away as possible when I turn eighteen." He shrugged and passed the hats over to his right. Sock gave him a surprised look. He didn't know Jonathan planned to hit the road which was in a little under eight months.
The game continued going a few more rounds around the circle until it reached Jonathan who read his truth silently and crumpled it up grabbing a slip from the red hat. The truth stuffed into his pocket. "Dare: Kiss the person to your immediate left."
And then the group grew quiet, entirely interested in the dare. For as luck would have it, Sock was sitting on his left. "But he's a guy," Jonathan protested.
Jojo choked back laughing. "So? We made Britney and Gina kissed. This is a democratic group. If a girl can kiss a girl than why can't a guy kiss a guy?"
Many people in the group agreed. Some just did it to see the kiss. All of them eager, sitting up straighter and leaning forward. Jonathan sulked in his seat glaring at them all before turning to Sock. Sock didn't seem to mind what was at play shrugging at the teen which was basically giving him permission to the dare.
"Jonathan, you can either do the dare or the truth… you decide." Joane said across from them her legs crossed enjoying this.
Not going with the truth that was in his pocket he turned his body toward Sock. "Let's get this over with." Sock sat up straighter and leaned forward planting one on him.
And it was shocking.
"Fuck," Jonathan exclaimed pulling away and rubbing his lips. "What the hell was that!?"
Sock blinked his lips tingling too. "I-uh…" he glanced down at his feet. He had rubbed them on the carpet probably getting him all the electricity that shocked them. Glancing back bashful he smiled apologetic, "Sorry, I forgot I was probably going to shock someone."
Everyone laughed. Sock sat back in his seat and began rubbing his socks into the carpet. "Well don't continue with that if you don't wanna shock someone else." Jonathan rebutted.
"Oh," Sock said looking at his feet again and his legs felt weird now that he stopped them that he started again. "Sorry, can't help it."
"Whatever," the teen rolled his eyes before passing the hats to the next person. The round went around the group until it was Sock's turn again. Picking truth he opened the paper and his stomach turned before he read it. He knew Joane wrote this, specifically for him.
"Truth: Why did you drop off the face of the earth from everyone you used to know?" He read out loud, there was another part that was for anyone who got it to make them ask him this question. He looked up at Joane who smiled like a cat who got the cream.
"Go ahead Napoleon, enlighten us."
"You don't have to answer that, pick dare," Jonathan murmured under his breath for Sock's benefit. Shaking his head lightly he faced Joane.
"Well, Joane, the reason why I didn't was because there wasn't anyone worth talking to." Sock sarcastically added, "Who wants a friend who can't keep promises?"
Her blue eyes went livid, "You can't still be mad about that!"
"Why wouldn't I?" he barked back.
"God, Napoleon, that was months ago. Get over it. So your parents left you, big deal. It happens to everyone." Joane waved it off. The silence in the room grew thick with speculation. Sock's face flushed as everyone looked at him with intrigue and some with hunger at wanting to know more.
"Just like it 'happens to everyone' that their friend rats them out?" He flung back at her his hurt turned to bitter anger. "What friend calls social services on them?"
"A good one," she stated crossing her arms. "You couldn't stay all alone in that house."
He let a shaky breath out saying quietly, "Who says I haven't done that all along." Knowing the verbal fight was over Sock handed the hats to Jonathan. The game grew stilled after that. Sock rubbed his feet on the carpet faster in agitation. The game was ending by the time Sock got the hats again and grabbed a dare. To hell with it, he thought. Dare: poke the host (Joane). He smiled inwardly. He liked this one.
He read out loud his dare omitting whose name it was. Brenda O'Neal's eyes grew wide in fear. Everyone could tell she was going to get one hell of a shocker. Sock's bangs were frizzing from the amount of static he had on him. Smiling devilishly he made his way over to her while she pleaded that he shouldn't.
Passing Joane he said, "You're right. It's wrong to poke you. So I won't." Brenda sighed in relief. "But I still have to complete the dare." And before she started to panic again, though it was misplaced, Sock turned around and made sure he touched Joane with all his fingers. Giving for optimal shocking points.
She shrieked in pain flinching away from him. He laughed poking her again. He managed a third poke that gave a slight shock. He seemed satisfied by it. He even got rid of all the electrical charge he had on him. Lil laughed grinning at her dare.
It was her little revenge for Jojo forcing her to invite Jonathan and Sock. She didn't understand why Jojo was interested in making sure Sock was there although now she did. So to her, justice was served.
The rest of the party died down after the game ended and the boys headed off fifteen minutes later. "Hey, Jonathan, what did the truth slip say?"
He blushed but thanked that it was too dark to see, "Nothing. We need to get back home anyways." Taking his hands out of his pockets he walked off. Not noticing he dropped the crumbled paper, Sock picked it up and unwrinkled it.
Truth: Out of all the guys here in the group who would you totally give a blow job to? ;)
Sock choked back his laughter. He could now picture why Jonathan had the look of horror on his face when he read it and picked dare. Giggling he ran off to join Jonathan keeping the slip of paper in his hand.
"I didn't know she was going to do that to you," Lil said on Monday sitting with them at lunch. "If I did, I wouldn't of…"
"Invite us to the party?" Jonathan replied where she left off. Lil's face blushed pink.
"That's not what I meant to say."
"It's okay Lil, you didn't know." Sock said comforting her. She was just used to bring him to the party. Though Jonathan looked more upset by this. He mumbled something about cheering up something or someone. Sock wasn't sure, but Sock didn't seemed surprise by Joane's action. He was the only one in the table who wasn't. "Really, you don't have to make such a big deal about this. I'm fine, honestly."
Jonathan wasn't convinced. Sock couldn't be fine with the topic of his parents being brought up again. He'd seen his reaction the first time he mention them. He saw the same emotion flicker through the night of the party. He was putting up a front and Jonathan had no idea why that upset him.
"Are you sure?" Lil asked. When he nodded she released a deep breath out, "Hey, what did she mean by that your parents left you?"
Jonathan wanted to smack her. Why would she ask a stupid question like that? Glancing to his side Sock forced a smile that no one noticed. "Oh you know. They went to travel the world. Sight-seeing, that sort of stuff. And they couldn't take me so they left."
"And they didn't think of leaving you with a relative?" Lil asked.
"I don't have any relatives. They were both an only child, like me, so there really wasn't anyone to hand me over." Sock explained not really caring what he was saying. He detached himself from the story; he was just stating facts. Nothing to trigger him from the hurt of being abandon.
"Still, they should've thought of a guardian before they set off." She scoffed taking a bite out of her food. Sock looked at his food losing his appetite. The food here wasn't that good anyways. She didn't know that they did do that. Only they picked one that couldn't do that job. Uncle Maxwell probably did agree to take care of him, but that was years ago and obviously not valid anymore. "Did she also say she called social services?" Jonathan bit roughly into his sandwich mad at Sock's parents. How thoughtless of them.
"Yes," he answered. "And he showed up on my birthday. It was the best birthday gift a friend could ask for."
"Oh, that really sucks…" she said. She was going to ask another question when her friends showed up and plucked her away.
The table went silent for a few minutes. "You didn't have to do that."
"Hmm," Sock questioned.
"Answering all those questions. You didn't have to do that. I know the topic isn't something you like to talk about." Jonathan explained.
"Oh," Sock shrugged, "She wanted to know. It's worse if you don't tell them. They just keep asking and asking. I'm fine anyways."
Sock jumped when Jonathan smack his fist on the table. "Stop saying that."
"But—."
"—No, you're lying." Jonathan frowned. His blue eyes turned to him glaring, "Don't you dare say you're fine about this. Because you and I both know that's a lie. If you say that one more time I swear I'll…I'll…"
"You'll…?" Sock prompt.
"I don't know," He exhaled. "Just tell people to butt out and that's it's none of their business."
"Like you do?" Sock answered. He knew he hit a nerve when does blue eyes turned icy on him.
"Exactly," he said biting the rest of his sandwich.
There was another long pause of silence before Sock spoke up, "Thank you."
"For what?"
"For looking out for me," His green eyes smiled sadly at Jonathan's. "You're the first person to do that in a long time." Grabbing his plate, Sock threw it away and left leaving a very confused blond sitting alone to digest those wonderful, sad words.
It was relatively quiet in Sock's life. It was summer and he was now working full-time at the movie-video store re-shelving, organizing, and packing things in storage. He wasn't spending much time with Jonathan these days much to his disappointment. It just seemed that they were always working and the only time they really saw each other was in the mornings as they got ready for work and at night to sleep.
It wasn't until the Labor Day weekend that they finally spent some time together. Okay, maybe Sock bugged Jonathan to spend some time with him. But hey, he didn't protest too much.
Going downtown late in the afternoon they hung out and caught up on lost time. Sock even managed to make Jonathan laugh several times. And none of them over any embarrassing moments about Sock. Jonathan really was enjoying his time with his roommate. He'd forgotten how much he enjoyed his company. To the point where he missed those times at school. He even had the opportunity of seeing Sock without his hat on this morning. Boy, was that a way to enjoy your morning.
Jonathan didn't think hair could defy gravity like that. Even with the hat on all day Sock's hair would spring up like a diving board. He almost ran his fingers through the other teen's hair but refrain himself. Jonathan had no idea why he felt the urge to do that in the first place. Brushing it aside, he was just in a good enough mood this morning that he allowed Sock to drag him to the end-of-the-summer festival. Normally he wouldn't have gone but it seemed like it might be fun. If not, Sock would keep him entertain.
"We're going to have so much fun," Sock exclaimed circling around him grinning from ear to ear. Despise taking a day off of work for this he couldn't help getting a little excited. Sock was just that contagious.
"Right," Jonathan added wearing his big white T-shirt and basketball shorts. It was still hot and wearing his hoodie would probably kill him of a heat stroke. Sock was also wearing his shorts and finally left his skirt back home and a blue T-shirt, however, he was still wearing his ridiculous hat. Sock would surely be dying of heat later. But for now he was yapping about the rides they were going to go on and the food they were going to ingest. Jonathan shook his head laughing and decided to enjoy the day out with Sock.
And the day did turn out to be a lot of fun. They went on several roller coasters, ate some overprice food and Jonathan even caved and they went on the Ferris wheel. Slowly creeping up to the top Sock gushed about this and that. It wasn't until they were at the top that he nearly got them killed.
Amazed at the scenery Sock leaned forward to get a better look and nearly tipped their seats over. Heart at his throat Jonathan yanked him back causing their seat to swing back and forth dangerously. "Idiot, are you trying to get us killed?"
"Sorry, sorry, sorry," Sock apologized squeezing his eyes tight the sensation of falling making them both stay very, very still. Once their seat stopped they both slowly relaxed Sock huge eyes looking back at Jonathan's scared. "I'm so sorry. I-I d-didn't mean to."
Jonathan sighed, "I know you didn't, just be more careful about it. You nearly got us killed."
"Sorry," the green eyed teen squeaked out again. "Are you okay; I didn't hurt you?"
"Sock," he groaned because Sock was checking him trying to see if he was 'hurt'. "I'm okay. Stop worrying alright?"
"I-uh… you sure?"
"Positive." He nodded while Sock still had his hands spread out on his chest. The silence stretched and Sock awkwardly moved his hands away. Sitting straight ahead, their seat came down slowly and then they went around a few times on the wheel not really talking by that point.
"So, do you wanna go on the roller coaster again," Sock suggested after they got off the Ferris wheel ride.
"Probably shouldn't," Jonathan answered thinking the last time Sock nearly puked on him.
"We could go on the bumper cars again?"
He laughed, "And have you driving like a maniac again? I don't think the guy would let us on after the stunt you pulled."
"Oh come on, it's called bumper cars…" Sock whined. "What's a little healthy competition?"
"Yeah, healthy. You gave everyone whiplash and went crazy terrorizing the little kids." Jonathan scoffed looking at the culprit who grinned sheepishly. Sock had no morals when it came to that game. Jonathan was only glad they ran out of cars and he sat next to the maniac otherwise he would have been on the receiving end of Sock's bumper car rampage.
"Okay, fine, so that's out. What's there to do then, hmm?"
"Go home?"
"Nooo," Sock whined acting like a spoiled kid. "It's so boring there. Jonathan come on, staying out late never killed anybody."
"I would like to poke a hole in that logic but that would be redundant," Jonathan sighed but agreed to stay out longer. He didn't want to go back home either. Walking down the street they found a quieter venue and sat down on a bench.
Resting Sock scooted closer to Jonathan the sun long since set and the cold air chilling them. Taking a risky step Sock laid his head on Jonathan's left shoulder. Though Jonathan had boundary issues he let Sock stay slightly comforted by the gesture. Sighing out loud Sock glanced up at Jonathan.
"Hey," the green eyed teen whispered, "Do you really plan to leave once you turn eighteen?"
"Yeah," he answered.
"Why?"
"Why what?"
"Why do you wanna leave so badly? It's nice here," Sock replied smiling slightly and scooting closer to Jonathan to keep warm.
"I just do," he answered his voice lowering in pitch. "All my life I've said that once I turned eighteen I'm hitting the road. Put as much distance from here. I still feel that way, it hasn't changed. It's just… I don't know… feels a little strange that I only have five months left."
Sock stayed quiet absorbing it in, "Where do you plan to go?"
He laughed softly, "That's the best part. I don't know. Anywhere really. Wherever I feel like going. Just as long as it's far enough away from here."
Sock nodded understanding. He did the same thing when he found out he was put into the system. But he also didn't want for Jonathan to leave him. It was nice to finally know someone who cared about him. "Can I ask you a personal question? If you don't want to answer it you don't have to."
Jonathan sighed, "Go ahead. Ask me."
"What exactly is your history with your parents?"
Jonathan grew ridged under Sock's head; Sock was about to apologized and take it all back when he spoke. "I've never told anyone about this. Only my case worker, Providence, knows about it."
"So what happened?"
Sighing he got comfortable on the bench resting his head on top of Sock's. "My mother abandoned me when I was a baby. Or so I'm told since I have no way of proving that."
"Kinda like mine…" Sock whispered his eyes watering up. He felt like he understood him better and knew the sting that being left behind felt.
"Yeah, like yours. I don't really know the story between my parents. If they loved each other or if they just stayed together because of me or if it was a thoughtless one-night stand with consequences." He bitterly added. Sock felt the same way, he always felt like he was an unwanted or an unplanned mistake they couldn't take back.
"But whatever it was she didn't stick around long after she had me. She left going with another guy and leaving me in the care of my father." He said father like it was a curse word. And with good reason he must have.
"And your dad?"
"He always blamed my mother for leaving him with me to raise. Cursed her and me for ruining his life. That he would've had a completely different life if she didn't end up pregnant with me. Or if she was going to leave to have taken me too. So many variations he said but it was basically the same meaning." Sock listened in horror. His parents never said it to his face that they wished he was never born even though he knew by their actions. But they never told him that from a young age over and over like Jonathan's had. He wanted to comfort him but didn't know how.
"I'm so sorry," Sock said voice thick with unshed tears.
"It's really no big deal, I'm over it." Jonathan soothed the other teen not wanting him to shed tears for him. There was no point, Sock continued to sniff and wipe his face.
"But you shouldn't have to deal with that." Sock protested, "No one should. They don't know how much that hurts. Having them say or act like we are a hindrance in their life. It's something that never heals inside us. You always feel like you're unwanted."
They shared a long pause of silence letting time go by, the air getting colder but they didn't make a move to leave. Shyly Sock moved his right hand and held Jonathan's left. Instead of pulling away he gripped it in solidarity. "When I was young he, my dad, got drunk off his ass and left me alone in the house. It took more than a day for them to find me. They arrested him for a DUII and reckless driving but he never mentioned I was at home, hungry. That was the first time I met her, Providence."
Sock squeezed his hand to show his sympathy, it was so unfair, Jonathan didn't deserve this. He never should have been through this. Sock would rather it had happen to him than Jonathan. He continued his voice more in a hush, "I was scared, there was pounding on the door. I thought it was my father in a drunken rage. I hid behind the couch. The door finally opened and I heard a woman's voice. I was curious to who she was so I peered over.
"She was beautiful and she was nice. I remember that. She offered me her sweets. And I was so hungry I took them never bothering in asking why she was here or if they were poisonous. She took me out of that house. And I entered this world." he sighed his thumb unconsciously stroking Sock's hand. "The system had its ups and downs. At the beginning it was nice. A good change in atmosphere but other houses were a real living hell. Too many of us and the older bitter foster kids would take it out on the younger ones."
Sock felt the shudder that Jonathan made making him questioned what could have happened to him. What other horrors did he live in the system? "Eventually my father got out of jail and I was sent back to him. And at first it was fine, he was clean. It lasted like that for a few months but eventually he would fall off the wagon and start drinking. It started with alcohol and then he got into drugs."
"He… he became another person when he was high. But it was when he was coming down from that that he was at his worst. Especially if he couldn't get his next fix."
"What happened?" Sock asked softly worried.
He flinched like he heard something, "Bad things… I… I'd rather not remember."
"I'm sorry," Sock apologized again gripping his hand. "You should never have had to go through that."
He shrugged moving both of their heads. "It's in the past. All I'm doing is waiting for my birthday and I'll be gone. He won't have a grip on me anymore." The mood was sad around them thinking about what their parents put them through.
Sock already knew they had things in common but he never knew how worst off Jonathan had it. Squeezing lightly his hand Sock tilted his head up slightly as his nose was by Jonathan's neck. And suddenly Jonathan's scent engulfed Sock. A spicy citrusy scent that only belonged to Jonathan. He smelled it on the blond teen's pillow but that was a light scent compare to what he smelled now.
Knocking Sock out of his senses his head started to swarm with pleasant thoughts. Knowing it wasn't a proper moment he regrettably removed himself away lightly tugging at Jonathan. "We should probably go. Its really late and Mr. Jones doesn't like us arriving so late at night."
Helping Jonathan get up they let go of their hands and made their way back home keeping close and barely brushing their arms together as they walked.
Both boys grew closer after that moment but as luck would have it Sock didn't have a lucky streak. He was walking home with movies both teens decided to watch when he looked up to see Joane leaning beside the front door.
"What are you doing here?" Sock asked as the blood left his face. No, I thought she was gone from my life.
"Napoleon, I've been waiting for you," she smiled and a feeling at the pit of his stomach told him it was nothing good. "I wanna have a little chat with you."
"Sock, did you get the–," Jonathan opened the door and saw Joane and Sock standing by the entrance. "What do you want?"
"Why to talk to Napoleon of course."
"If memory serves me right he doesn't want to talk to you," Jonathan spat glaring at her. She didn't bat an eyelash at him returning her attention back to the green eyed teen who still stood frozen in his spot.
"Napoleon, can we talk somewhere private I have a message from Aunt Denise." Joane chimed and that finally got a reaction from Sock.
"Sock doesn't have any aunts." Jonathan pointed out.
"You have a m-message from her?" Sock asked slightly stunned.
"Sock, you don't have any aunts, you told me that yourself." Jonathan said in outrage. He could see Joane still held power over Sock and Jonathan was brimming with anger at her.
"Idiot, its not Napoleon's aunt. She's mine." Joane retorted looking back at the green eyed teen as he debated with himself. Should he stay or should he go? "It's very important. It has to do with Uncle Rick too."
Gasping he looked at the confused teen by the door. Almost shoving the DVDs at Jonathan Sock told him to start without him. "Where are you going?"
"I-I h-have to talk to Joane. It-it's about Aunt Denise and Uncle Rick. I'll be back as quick as I can." Sock muttered avoiding eye contact which put Jonathan on alert. "Joane, let's go."
"Goodbye Jonathan. I'll try to bring Napoleon back safe and sound." Joane smirked rubbing into his face that Sock picked her over him. Not looking at the confused and angry teen Sock tugged at Joane's arm as they hurriedly walked away and turned right when they got onto the main road.
###
Jonathan was on edge glancing at the window that faced the front of the house. It's been over half an hour since they left and Sock hadn't returned from his little chat with Joane. Agitated he kept bouncing his leg and looked every few seconds at the window willing it to bring Sock back. He didn't trust Joane and every minute Sock stayed with her was another minute she had in dropping her venom. Enough was what she did with him when he showed up to live here or at the party. He didn't understand why Sock would agree to go with her.
Not watching the movie he let it play in the background watching the window again. This was annoying. Where the hell was he?
It wasn't until close to the end of the movie that Sock walked back appearing from the left side. Stopping the movie that he didn't watch he put it back in its case before walking outside to confront Sock. "What did she want?"
"Nothing, she just wanted to tell me about Denise and Rick." Sock said looking away and tried to walk around the fuming boy.
"Bullshit," he retorted, "What did she tell you. Because I don't buy the whole aunt and uncle story. So tell me, what did she want?"
"Nothing," Sock insisted again not making eye contact.
The teen's blue eyes narrowed. "Fine, keep it a secret. But I don't buy yours or her flimsy excuse." He brushed past him and stormed off down the street. Sock watched Jonathan go sadly. So what's it going to be Napoleon? How much is your current life worth? You're friendship with Jonathan?
Aunt Denise meant I have something urgent to talk to you. Uncle Rick meant it was of high urgency and top secret leaving it for later was a huge risk. Sock couldn't tell Jonathan what they talked about.
END OF PART FOUR