(Well Hello Readers, it sure has been awhile. Hmm I feel like I always say that in some other variation of the phrase, since well I guess I don't do well at making sure there isn't too much time in between chapters. Though I must say, whether you have been here since the start or just found out about this little gem, I'm glad you are still enjoying this story! I don't know what more else to say, so I'll just say the usual. Have fun and enjoy! P.S Don't be afraid to share with me what you think about the story/characters/pairing either through anonymous review or private messages!)
A familiar low buzzing sound hummed in Justin's pocket. Justin gripped the edge of his wooden desk in panic. A sweat drop dripped down the right side of his forehead. 'No, no, no. Shh. SHHH. BE QUIET.' Justin pleaded in his head. 'NOT RIGHT NOW. Shit. Shit. SHIT SHIT SHIT.' His teeth were clenched tightly while his heart started to pound as if it were Sheldon Cooper persistently banging on penny's door.
"Vvvvvvvvvvm." The low buzzing continued to taunt not just him, but the entire room. The class was dead silent, before this only the sound of white paper pages turning and lead pencil scurrying across them, was piercing the transient abyss. "Vvvvvvm." The deep warning tone resonated through out the classroom. 'Shit. Fuck. Shit. Fuck. Shit. Shiiit.' Justin cursed relentlessly in his head. He was well past the moment of revelation now. He had forgotten to turn his phone off before entering his classroom. What a well timed ironic happenstance, his phone just has to find itself buzzing in the middle of Mr. Rudy's very strict ap lit class. Right on the day they had a test that they've been preparing and studying for for about a week.
'Daaaaamn it.' Justin continued to curse in his mind. He knew this was an issue he could not avoid. If he tried to just ignore it and pretend that It didn't exist, than it would abruptly interrupt the classroom in its entirety. Which wouldn't be the worst fate, if not for the fact that Mr. Rudy absolutely despises modern technology of all sorts. This is the one subject in all of the school that strictly forbids the use of computers. We are all forced to use dusty old books from the library as our references, even though it would be so much more quick, efficient, and convenient to just use google. If it were up to Mr. Rudy, we would all be back in the dark ages reading by candle light and drinking pale mead.
Don't get me wrong, there were still some redeeming factors about such an idea, like how people actually appreciated, respected and even fought for the quest of greater knowledge and bettering one's self intellectually. Which is a hell of a lot better than the worst of our generation lusting over 13 year old douchebag rappers and brutally butchering the English language through the means of random facebook comments. Still, the evolution of technology is here for a reason, even if Mr. Rudy does not want to admit nor understand that.
"Vvvvvvvm." The smart phone reminded him. He could feel the hard rectangle of technological advancement and social media pressed up against his upper thigh. This was an incredibly pressing matter. Justin quickly jousted down his glance towards his jean pocket and back up again, making sure no one noticed him. He repeated this sequence until finally making the most fatal of risks and diving his hand into his pocket to retrieve his phone if only for a moment. The soft glow of the phone's screen illuminated his face as he stole a peer at it while hiding it under his desk. One swift dart of his eyes to make sure the coast was clear and he was home free. He discovered upon the screen a tiny picture of an envelope with the unmistakable face of the one he loved gently pasted onto of it. The words "New Message" and "Zeke" could be seen, with an subtle and yet thoroughly intimate smiley face placed at the end.
This made Justin's face warm, his heart flutter wildly, and a smile grew on his face. 'Wonder what Zeke is blowing up my phone about?' Justin pondered. 'It must be important, he's never this spammy with his texts. Just a few delightful Heys, what's happening, and the occasional love you. Nothing this repetitive. Whatever it was, it must be pretty darn urgent.' Right as Justin was in the process of raising his hand to slide his finger across the unlock screen, he could feel a shadow above him and a fathomlessly intimidating presence in front of him. He heard the man clear his throat in a long and indignant manner. This could mean only one thing.
"Mr. Russo, mind you sharing with the class what intriguing news your pocket device brings?" Mr. Rudy inquired in his obviously fake but hourly practiced British accent that he only used to sound more flagrantly distinguished by his students. "Oh Mr. Rudy I- Um-I-" Justin nervously stammered in response. "Come now, don't be a scrooge and share your information with all your mates." Mr. Rudy playfully persisted. "It's really not necessary." Justin replied, nervous sweat drenching his face. He could feel every single pair of eyes glued to him, as if the anonymous masses were observing a crucifixion. Blood thirsty devils, they'd give up one of their own kin to be savagely scavenged alive if it provided them with an hour of entertainment.
"OH I REALLY THINK IT IS." The old man raised his voice and swooped down to pluck the black smart phone from Justin's hands. Justin panicked in response. "Sir that's really not necessary." Justin pleaded as he half reached for the phone. "Why it must be dreadfully important if you felt propelled to break my number one rule of this classroom-" Mr. Rudy held the phone up into the air and turned to his surrounding students. "Which is...?" He prompted his class. They replied in dead unison "One must never bring outside technology or distracting personal devices which will always come between one's personal learning journey." They had recited that numbing line countless times this year, each and every time the more tedious than before.
"That's correct class. So why should Mr. Russo have the nerve to not only break this one very important rule but also to withhold such a pressing notification from us?" The rickety old teacher continued to prompt his surrounding students. 'Nonononononononononononononononono. Pleaaaase. Anything. But. That. Have some dignity sir. Oh goodness golly gosh if he reads whatever is on that message, which whatever it contains is still extremely private, I am royally screwed. I am thoroughly fucked beyond belief.' Justin could just hear the chorus of deviant laughter echoing through his head. He would very much enjoy nothing more than to bury himself deep inside this small wooden desk and never come back out again.
"So class, shall we hear what Justin's secret message has to say?" The gaggle of merciless teenagers agreed fervently as though they were a pack of starving wolves and the teacher was holding up a raw juicy piece of red meat. Welp. My goose is thoroughly cooked. Roasted to be exact. After his teacher read those messages there would be no chance of coming back from the social homicide that would occur after. He would most likely have to transfer schools immediately because he would never in the absolute of his school life be able to live down the coming traumatic event.
'I wonder if I could convince Zeke to transfer schools with me. Though it would be a hard sell since the only other close respectable establishment of education was Edmundton Square High which was a private school known for housing complete elitist chaffs and was also about a 30 mile drive out. He would possibly be able to share a dorm with Zeke all by himself, and that wouldn't be too bad at all. Only problem was the dilemma of how to convince the parents to not only agree to his transfer but pay for his tuition. Also there was the issue of if they had to ask why he felt forced to leave his current school, he'd have to make up some pathetic lie about traumatic school bullying. Which wouldn't pass parental inspection and if it some how did, instead of getting a get out of jail free card from his highschool, it would just end up being a very embarrassing trip to the principles office with his family. They would have to drag Max along because the little brat has nothing better to do than to find ways to make our lives truly miserable.'
"Sadly-" Mr. Rudy's medium baritone voice abruptly broke Justin's train of thought. Justin snapped out of his hypothetical mind rant just long enough to bring his attention back to the phone held high up in front of him. "I have not the knowledge nor desire to learn how to work this juvenile concoction so I shall save us the time we would have wasted deluging into this young man's personal affairs and sum up this delightful interruption of important learning time by telling Mr. Russo that he shall see me in detention after school and by taking this frivolous distraction of a device hostage until further notice. Now carry on with your tests and we'll all make believe like this little bugger of an scene never happened." The old man said with a finality only matched by an angry parent finishes a fierce sibling spat or a politician dismissing a question from the press about their actual human rights policies.
You could feel the majorities disappointment through out the room as they begrudgingly returned to their tedious multiple page test. In fact the only one who was more than mildly relieved was Justin himself. Who would gladly trade the years of therapy that such a terribly traumatic event would require to recover from for an evening in detention. "Sorry Sir. I promise I will be there." Justin replied.
"I'd assume you would." Justin also slowly returned to the paper that he was neglecting all period. "Second detention this month Justin, what has gotten into you?" Mr Rudy asked the air as he let himself down into his chair with a classic old man grunt. "A dick probably." Dane Rogers chortled out. This was met with the very predictable chorus of class laughter.
"I WILL NOT HAVE THAT RUBBISH in MY CLASSROOM, MR. ROGERS. DO YOU WANT TO FIND YOUSELF ALSO IN DENTENTION AFTER SCHOOL WITH MR. RUSSO. ONE MORE INTERUPTION AND I PROMISE YOU THAT YOU WILL. DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR?!" Mr. Rudy shot out an order with a such a yell. He meant serious business. "Crystal." Dane responded sarcastically, still thinking he was such hot shit. "Good." He said again with that air of finality. Not even half a minute passed before Dane had to open his god damn mouth again.
"Wouldn't wanna be alone in a room with that fag, he might try to butt rape me or some shit." Dane attempted to state under his breath so just the students could hear him. They blew his cover by reciprocating with more bloody predictable laughing. 'Oh I would literately make you choke on your own hypocritical tongue if it weren't so very illegal in both the human and the wizard society.' Justin's glare burnt into his desk as he thought that. "COULD YOU POSSIBLY BE SO DAFT AS TO NOT TAKE MY PREVIOUS STATEMENT ANY LESS SERIOUSLY RIGHT AT THIS VERY MOMENT?" Mr. Rudy thundered with an inquiry that ripped through the silence of the room atmosphere. Dane tried to hold his usual cocky composure of acting like he didn't give a damn about any sources of authority but Justin could tell that there was shade of pale white coding the jocks face.
"IT IS IMPOSSIBLE THAT YOU JUST DIDN'T HEAR ME BECAUSE YOU CLEARLY RESPONDED CORRECTLY TO SUCH A STATEMENT." Justin had to admit, it felt real good watching Mr. Rudy put that d-bag in his place. "I WANT TO MAKE MYSELF VERY CLEAR. I HOLD RESPECT OF THE EDUCATIONAL ESTABLISHMENT AT THE HIGHEST OF MY PRIORITIES AND BELIEVES. ANYONE WHO DISHONORS SUCH A CORE VALUE OF LIFE WILL BE MET WITH THE HARD HAND OF THE LAW, OR IN THIS CASE THE SCHOOLS DISCIPLINARY MEASURES." 'Hah, you're really gonna get it Mr. hotshot.' Justin applauded. "YOU ARE ONE HUNDRED PERCENT WITHOUT A DOUBT FINDING YOURSELF IN DENTENTION WITH MR. RUSSO UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE." Mr. Rudy rudely notified Dane about his punishment with such authority, that I'm pretty sure at least one person in the class had lost control of their bowels. Justin's heart sank to the bottom of his stomach and then trampolined up to get stuck in his throat. 'Oh great wizard Merlin, anything but that. Detention with absolutely anyone else but Dane Rogers. I know you are quite the fan of irony but this really isn't the time.' Justin claimed to the mythical arch wizard from far beyond his time. Dane shot him a look of complete distaste aka what someone from a popular film would describe as a "stink eye." 'The feelings mutual, buddy.' Justin's responding expression communicated.
The rest of the period dredged on like wading through thick swamp water. The last thing on his mind was the one third completed test that Justin had barely even touched. Now he really couldn't focus on it, what with the constant feeling of impeding doom hanging above him. The last thing he wanted to do was end up in solitary detention with non other than Dane Rogers, the long time school bully who just so happened to recently come out and come on to him right in front of his boyfriend, Zeke. Justin tried in vain to feel some sort of sympathy for the guy and his situation, but it was mere impossible after all the crap that Dane had put him through over the years. Struggling with the realization that you might like dick does not give you the right to act like one. Woah, that sounded way too much like Alex. She is rubbing off on me in all the wrong ways.
The routine school bell was not met with the usual joyous glee to flee from the dull musty classroom but more of a sort of carnal need for freedom from this tense prison. I don't think anyone had seen their ap lit teacher so furious before, it was probably a bit threatening. Most people couldn't take Mr. Rudy seriously with that ridiculous accent of his, but Justin had a feeling now this period would be feeling a lot more like North Korea than usual.
Justin packed all his things in his backpack, except for his phone which was rudely being held hostage by that ridiculous and yet now terribly intimidating old man of a teacher, slung his sack of bricks over his side and left the classroom with such a sudden gusto that he almost powered walked out of there. Just without the creepy old person in spandex part, that is. Ugh. "Oh Mr. Russo." "What now?" Justin groaned under his breath.
"I don't presume you would feel the need for me to notify your parental figures about such repeated acts against authority, do you?" Mr. Rudy might as well have been holding a knife to his throat with such a threat. "Nononononono, That's absolutely not necessary, Sir. It's just a common mishap that will never happen again, I promise you that, sir." Justin attempted to appeal. Mr. Rudy stared at him with his milky blue eyes as though he was scanning Justin's face for any sign of mistrust. After a long and very uncomfortable inspection, Mr. Rudy surrendered his tyranny. For now at least. "Very well. I'll see you after school." With not so much as a nod or a bow, Justin exited the room.
"My brother, the certified bad boy. You know, I never would have thought I'd ever be saying that phrase but damn does it feel good." Justin stopped the course to his locker mid hallway. That familiar voice could only belong to one other person. "It's not like I'm meaning to do this, you know." Justin attempted to excuse himself and continued on his path. "Nah, it's OK. I understand." Justin paused. "You do?" Now this one I have to hear. "Yeah, of course I do." Justin had made it to his locker by now and was twiddling with the padlock while stuck in this conversation with his younger sister. Alex casually threw herself against the locker in an attempt to look cool, like they do in the movies, except usually they just lean on them. That probably hurt surprisingly more than Alex would ever like to admit.
"You get off on the rush of adrenaline that comes from breaking the rules. It's ok, I do too. I guess you've just always been better at hiding it than me." Wrong. Dead wrong. Completely absolutely the opposite of the real reason this has been happening. "Yes. That's obviously why I'm constantly getting in trouble all the time now, is because secretly I'm as big of a fuck up as you." That came out a bit harsher than Justin meant it but after the day he has had so far, he couldn't give less cares. "Glad you can finally admit it. So what do you want to do for lunch today?" Typical Alex Russo, rolling with the punches. Justin reached for the science books in his locker and exchanged them for the math books in his hands.
"Since when have we ever done lunch before?" With heavy air quote emphasis on the words done lunch. "Since you've become such a rule breaking, follows the beat of his own drum kind of badass. That's when. Now come on, tell me the deets." Great. This sudden false idolization from his sister was on the list of some of the last things he needed nor desired. "What deets?" More vocal air quotes. "You know what I'm talking about." "No I really do not." Justin quipped. "How you got in trouble with Mr. Downton Abby wanna be." Alex stated jokingly. "It's really nothing interesting." Justin brushed the topic aside as he stuffed the three ten ton textbooks in his backpack. "Oh please. You're not allowed to withhold such juicyness from me." She exclaimed. "There's nothing juicy about it." Again, you guessed it, more air quotes.
Alex followed Justin to where ever he was headed at the time. Which there was only one place on Justin's mind right then. "Jody Finster said you snuck gay porn into the old bats classroom." Alex said with a deviously proud grin. "Jody Finster also said that you had chlamydia. She's not what I'd call a golden statue of truth and integrity." He quipped. " "Ew. What really? Well Jody Finster is going to find that her period comes a lot earlier this month than she expects, and with some explosive results at that." Alex hinting that she was going to pull a prank on the cliché school gossip with magic, which was highly against the Russo family rules, but after all he'd done, he wasn't one to talk. "Exciting." Justin replied with a heavy amount of sarcasm. He really didn't have time for this. He was too busy scanning the conglomerate of students in the hallway for a familiar welcoming face.
"So what kind was it? Was it like the usual buttsex stuff or was it really kinky like bondage, SNM, or Bears and Twinks." "Where have you even heard of those things before?" Justin replied with even more disgust. "The internet, duh. OH or was it something even stranger and kinkier like gay furry porn, or OOH anime tentacle porn!" Alex continued to harass Justin with her wildly weird accusations. "What?! Great Merlin no. Nothing like that. Like I said, it was just something boring. Geesh, where do you people come up with this stuff?" He hypothetically requested though he probably did not want to know the answer to such an query. "Again, the internet, duh." Justin let out a frustrated sigh.
"So IT WASSS gay anime tentacle porn." Alex playfully jabbed Justin in the shoulder. "You dog you. I always knew my big brother was total freak." She laughed as if her own joke was so gut-bustingly hilarious. "No. As I said before, nothing like that." Justin let out another frustrated sigh to separate his thoughts. "I just forgot to turn off my phone during a test in ap lit, that's all." Justin said, with a finality that endeavored the kind found in Mr. Rudy's tone that day. "Oh. That's it?" Alex replied with a disappointed drawl. "YES. That is it. That's why I'm in detention, because I brought my loud phone into class with me. Happy?" Alex wasn't the only one disappointed, Justin was too but for different reasoning.
"Sure. You brought your phone into class with you." "Yes." "...To look at gay tentacle porn with." "NO! Gosh darn it no." Justin denied with such annoyance. "Alright well I gotta get to go blow stuff up in chem class, see ya Mr. Kinky Freak." Alex dismissed herself with wave of the hand and ran off into the crowded sea of students. "You are simply incorrigible, you know that?!" Justin yelled. "Whatever freaky pants!" Alex joyously yelled back.
Now that that's over, Justin had about .2 seconds to find Zeke before he was late to his next class. Desperately searching the now quickly emptying hallway one last time, It was depressingly clear that his wonderful boyfriend was no where in sight. 'Well, better get to Advanced Science class, no point in getting another detention.' Justin gave up his manhunt and trudged down the shallow hallway, defeated he would not be able to see Zeke's warm smile until tomorrow. 'Oh well. It will be worth it. It always is.' Justin encouraged himself and impetuously tried to block the reminder of his impeding doom aka detention with Dane, and instead focused on getting lost in the image of the fine details of Zeke's soft and reassuring face. That kept him at peace, for now.