its raining and i managed another chapter so enjoy :) thanks for the reviews you guys are great :)
disclaimer: i don't own anything
Georg and Otto let out hoots of joy as I slid lower in my seat. As if the closet treatment had not been bad enough I now had to endure a day of gym class on top of it. I was physically exhausted from the uncomfortable position I had slept in and emotionally exhausted as well. Despite my deep loathing of gym I couldn't afford to fail and have to explain why to father. I shuddered as I imagined his reaction.
The other boys began filing out of the classroom and heading towards the locker room, a jovial mood floating amongst them. I wanted to dawdle but I had to try and scrounge up what ever remained of my good behavior promise. The promise forced me out of my seat and made me tail the other boys out and down to the locker rooms. When we got to the locker room the gym teacher looked us over and smiled.
" Because of the good weather we will be beginning our swimming section." I groaned audibly but it was drown out by the raucous thunder of the other boys cheers. I hated swimming. Beyond the fact that I was afraid of the pond we used for practice seeing the other boys in their suits drove me nearly mad. Not to mention the difficulty of hiding my bruises when I was parading around in the equivalent of underwear. I grimaced as I realized I couldn't even make an excuse to get out of class like I usually did. I couldn't lie.
" Will you be joining us today Ernst?" The gym teacher looked at me expecting an elaborate story about how I was ill. I looked at the floor and nodded my head too embarrassed to trust my own voice.
" Alright then. Go get changed. The curtain is over there for the shy ones." The gym teacher glanced at me again as I blushed an amazing crimson and watched my shoelaces. The first day of gym class the teacher had shown us around the locker room and threw a thumb towards a stall with a curtain and grumbled " for the shy ones". Not only did this curtain conceal my bruises it hid the other boys from my sinful eyes. It saved me a battle against temptation that I am not sure I could win. That curtain was for so much more than just the shy ones.
The gym teacher distributed the bathing suits according to size. I slipped away from the other boys who had already started peeling away their shirts. The stall welcomed me with open arms and I enjoyed being wrapped up in its seclusion. I pulled my shirt over my head avoiding the yellowing bruises. I finally managed to wiggle into the suit when a soft knock came from outside.
" Ernst, are you changed?" I was surprised to hear Melchior's warm voice come from the other side. I began to stammer not knowing what to reply to him. He pulled the curtain aside and stepped in not waiting for my answer.
" I had to see them to make sure... to see how bad it really is." He looked at me as if to ask my permission. He waited a few moments and then drew me closer for a better look. He winced each time I would as he brushed his fingers lightly over each bruise. His eyes finally came to rest on the phenomenal rose like bruise blooming on my lower shoulder. His hand hovered over it as if he didn't dare cause me anymore pain. He whispered what sounded like the word monster. I hoped he was talking about my father and not me but I wasn't sure. I wouldn't blame him for not liking me.
" Ernst..." He sighed and closed his eyes " How can I help you?" I didn't know if he meant for me to answer but I knew I never could be able to. There was no way to help me. I was a lost cause. He began looking me over once more but this exam was much more brief. I felt naked as his gaze raked over my body but in the silent blinded world that the stall created around us I felt safe.
He handed me a towel and I wrapped it tightly around my neck trying to hide my shoulders. That towel, oh what a simple act, meant more to me than he would ever know.
" Come on. Everybody is leaving." He smiled encouragingly and I meekly smiled back. As we left the stall we came face to face with Hanschen. I gasped surprised to meet his blue eyes as he gazed at Melchior and I. As apposed to his usual aloof heir Hanschen glared lividly at Melchior as if he had committed a crime. I squirmed uncomfortable as Melchior's and Hanschen's staring match carried on for a few unblinking moments. Melchior silently challenged Hanschen and finally Hanschen looked away. He let out a loud frustrated humph and glanced at me. I was expecting him to be as angry at me as he was with Melchior but instead his brow furrowed and his face split into a devilish grin. He quickly looked me up and down and walked away. I stood confused as to what had just transpired. I gaped at Melchior who stood staring at the floor deep in thought.
" Come on I am not getting any younger!" The gym teacher's voice made us both jump and broke Melchior from his stoic trance.
I scurried outside to find Georg, Otto, and Moritz already paddling around. Moritz sat uncomfortably at waist depth and flinched at each wave Otto put out. I watched as Hanschen did an elegant swan dive and landed with cool precision into the pond. Hanschen had always been the best swimmer in the class and you could often find him on summer days lazing around in the pond. Melchior and I edged our way along the shoreline. After a few moments Melchior waded in and made his way to Moritz. Despite being rather athletic Melchior was a horrible swimmer and thrashed about in water as if he couldn't get his limbs to work in time.
I slipped into the water trying my very hardest to not get my head wet. I swam out to a sunken log submerged just enough that when I sat down on it the water came to the middle of my neck. I found this log one summer day after becoming frustrated with swimming. The gym teacher would tell me I had a swimmers body and he couldn't understand why I was the slowest one in the class. I knew my gawky frame should have made it easy to slip through the water but my arms disagreed with my feet as I tried to make them kick and pull. The log made it look like I was treading water and allowed me to pass gym class.
I watched as the other boys showed off and enjoyed the warm water. Georg and Otto began trying to sneak up on each other under water. Surprisingly Otto was very good at it and managed to scare Georg twice as he pulled him underwater. Suddenly Melchior began splashing Moritz and a great battle ensued. They were laughing so whole heartedly it made me smile just to listen. Every so often a head would turn to make sure that the gym teacher had in fact fallen asleep in his usual spot under a tall shady oak. Hanschen practiced his butterfly. He was terribly graceful as his body undulated through the water his feet and hands in perfect time.
After a while I began to watch my feet kick back and forth loosely in the water. The light danced on my pale skin and made beautiful patterns that constantly shifted as the water rippled. Watching my feet move beat by beat had a deeply soothing rhythmic effect and I soon began to forget to think.
" Boo!" I yelped and nearly fell off the log but a pair of strong hands caught me. " Come now Ernst, you mustn't let little things like that surprise you." I looked to see Hanschen slip next to me on the log. I had no idea what to say as he sat there smiling at me. The perfect Hanschen sat a few inches from me and all I could do was gawk stupidly as my brain started firing at light speed trying to come up with something witty to say. I couldn't wrap my mind around the odd event that happened in the locker room and to make it worse now Hanschen was sitting next to me. The same Hanschen that doesn't talk to me. The same Hanschen that I have dreamed of, and the same Hanschen that doesn't even know I exist. I opened my mouth to speak but only a squeak came out as my face caught fire with embarrassment. He laughed belittling my embarrassment and causing me to sink lower into the water.
" Now, now, no need for embarrassment. After all these are rather odd ... circumstances. Wouldn't you say?" He inched closer on the log smiling and looking at me intently. He was waiting for me to say something but my mind was sputtering entrapped in his eyes.
" H-H-Hanschen..." I fought for words. " You swim very well." As the words left my mouth I wanted to reach out and drag them back in. I must sound so stupid! He cocked his head and laughed. I swooned as his hair caught the sun light.
" Well, it is not all that difficult."
" I could never swim like you do." I slammed my shut in an attempt to staunch the flow of stupidity that was tumbling out of it.
" Sure you could." He slid even closer and slipped each of my hands into one of his own. He began gently leading me in a smooth breaststroke. I felt his bare chest press against my back as he brought my hands together and out again and again. I couldn't breathe. He was so warm that if I stayed in his arms to long I thought I might melt. My heart began racing and stiffness began taking hold. Not now I begged with my body praying it would listen. His breath teased my hair and tickled my ear. I giggled and hoped he didn't notice. He replied with a deep echoing chuckle that gave me chills. After a few more heart stopping moments he slid away leaving our legs just barely touching. I sincerely hoped he wouldn't move away.
" How do you do that?" I whispered exploring how my heart was racing and forgetting he could hear every word. He smiled and assumed I was talking about swimming still. It was really so much more.
" Well it is pretty simple." He said leaning in again. " Take Melchior for instance. He fights against the water, thrashing about. Then there is Moritz who frets about every little wave. Now, you have to let the water work for you.... like me." He smiled and leaned in closer still. "You know it could work for you too." His hand brushed mine and I gasped not realizing I had been holding my breath.
" Come now little Ernst, you mustn't let little things like this supr " His sentence cut off as he froze stiffly his eyes widening. I was about to question him when I sharp tug pulled my bathing suit down past my ankles and then completely off.
" Oh god." I whispered in utter shock. Hanschen looked at me and we realized we had both fallen prey to the same prank. A few meters off Otto surfaced cackling. My entire body blushed as I realized Hanschen was completely naked a few inches away form me. I watched as Otto began swimming towards the other boys but he was still quite a distance from them. Hanschen slipped off the log calmly as I locked my gaze on the water directly in front of me.
" Do excuse me." He said politely as he dunked under and began swimming away. As he passed I felt a hand brush my bare bottom. I fell of the log in surprise. I searched the water to see if Hanschen knew he had... I couldn't finish the thought. I tried catching my breath and fighting off the stiffness that came back with a vengeance.
I slipped back onto the log and watched as Otto stopped to tread water and catch his breath. Suddenly Otto screamed and began to kick around.
" Hey give that back!" Otto reached into the water and pulled Hanschen up. Hanschen hung his head and reluctantly handed over a bathing suit. Dismally I realized that Hanschen didn't rescue our suits. If Hanschen couldn't do it then no one could. I pondered how long I would have to wait shivering on the log until nightfall came. Hanschen began swimming away from Otto faster than I had ever seen him swim. He was soon back beside me.
" Here." He smiled dashingly and handed over a bathing suit.
" Oh Hanschen..." I wanted to cry. I slipped it on quickly being sure to tie the string extra tight. I wondered if Hanschen also had a suit but I didn't dare look.
" Might I suggest we leave... quickly." A hint of urgency tainted his other wise calm persona. I looked over to see the other boys toweled off and starting up the hill back towards the locker room. Hanschen and I swam to shore side by side. He would occasionally slow down to keep pace with me. When we reached the shore I jumped out and quickly wrapped a towel around my shoulders conscious of Hanschen right behind me. I looked back to see Hanschen gripping a suit twelve sizes too large around his waist.
" Hanschen is that ..." I gaped his reply was a big jokers grin. He jerked his head out back towards the pond where I saw Otto twisting and contorting his face as he fumbled with something under the water. Hanschen had some how managed to switch his suit with Otto's and now Otto was stranded.
" He should have fun trying to squeeze into that." Hanschen laughed at his own joke and made his way confidently over to the gym teacher who was still asleep. Hanschen tapped him lightly on the shoulder rousing him form his slumber. " I do believe my good friend Otto could use some assistance" Hanschen smiled charmingly and turned and began walking away. I stood stunned at the chaotic scene Hanschen so easily left. The gym teacher had already began making his way out into the middle of the pond and Otto frantically was trying to get away.
" Well are you coming?" Hanschen called back to me. I struggled with what to do for a moment but decided it best to follow Hanschen. I began to doubt my decision as I realized who I was with. Hanschen was very different than Moritz or Melchior. He was confident and wicked and so untouchable and out of reach. Why should Hanschen talk to me? Why should Hanschen even look at me, the quiet little misfit boy of the class? I wouldn't blame him if he never even knew I existed.
These thoughts were banished has his hand lightly brushed my leg. I contented myself with his touch and didn't question whether or not he did it purposefully. I contented myself with just being by his side. If only my body would let that be enough.
NOTE: hopfully i that was a bit of comedy releif :)