Author's Note: There is only one more part left and I have finished writing it. I will upload it after I read through it once more.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Like so many times before, Bif was called to the young master Harrington's room. Dread filled his mind as soon as Tad delivered the message. He had been lying in his oversized bed, moist towel over his face, trying to push out the day's events. The kid that Gord and Jimmy parented had been escorted off only hours ago. He'd been present for some it, wanting Vendrome to spot him, to know that he still cared. Watching him wait to say goodbye brought a sick feeling to his stomach, and he retreated to his dorm. Bif would also miss the tyke. Troy had been good company that afternoon. It felt like years ago.
Bif knocked before entering Derby's room. As custom, this earned him an, "Oh for heaven's sake Bif, just come in!" He found Derby in the back, sitting shirtless on his bed. The sight increased his nausea. Why is he never seeming to be fully dressed anymore? It took concentration on the three pairs of shoes laid out at Harrington's feet, but Bif believed that he managed not to turn red. "Come here Bif, I need your assistance."
He crept towards his friend, keeping awkwardly off to the side. "What did you need?"
"No, no, no, come down over here." Derby patted the mattress beside him. "If I am going to be staring down at my feet the rest of the night, I want to make sure I love the sight."
He sat down as far away as he could, which earned him a look. Bif scooted closer, making sure to keep at least seven inches between them. It seems like he does this stuff on purpose. The thought made his heartbeat loud enough to ring in his ears. "What, uh, what did you need?"
"I'm picking out shoes for the corporate dinner Father is forcing me to attend. I just cannot make up my mind. What do you think? The loafers?"
Bif had no idea which ones were the loafers. The six black shoes all looked nearly identical to him.
"Oh, and I wanted an update on our little scheme. But the shoes first!"
"The ones on the left."
"You have saved me my man! I cannot believe that I did not see that obvious choice myself." Derby moved closer, going after the pair Bif picked.
Should have said the ones on the right. Bif feared that Derby could hear the pounding in his chest. Maybe he'd be able to smell the gay on him or something. He might not care.
"So anymore intel on the Hopkins front? Are he and Gord together again?"
Derby must have recently come from the shower. His skin was still a bit pink and heat radiated off him. It felt nice to be so close. Dangerous, frightening, tense, but somehow nice.
"Bif?"
He loved the way his name sounded in that voice.
"Bif!"
"S-Sorry, yes?"
"Did they get back together?"
"Who?"
"James and Gord! Jesus Bif, where is your head tonight?"
The mention of Gord pulled Bif back towards reality some. His friend was hurting, and here he was drooling over the guy that was the cause of some of it.He was being a bad person, wasn't he? Maybe he should just tell Derby, like Gord said. Then Harrington could reject him and he could try to patch things up with Vendrome. Not a terrible idea.
"Are you ill?" Derby put the back of one of his manicured hands against Bif's forehead. He hadn't expected the physical contact and lost control over his reddening. He swore that even the skin of his hands grew pink. "Hm, you're a little sweaty. Perhaps you should see a physician?"
Maybe Derby wouldn't just throw him aside if he knew.
"I'm fine."
"Really? Then tell me about the lovebirds."
"Well, they were spotted together at the carnival last night and I saw them together today."
"Excellent, Bif! That is just fine to know." Derby smiled and it made Bif's will waiver. Then he concentrated on the thin lips themselves and his thoughts turned back towards making a move. "We can wait a few weeks for the pain from losing that little brat to heal, and then spring our attack. Oh it will be delightful!"
"Hey Derby," Bif started, feeling as though he might be sick all over the expensive carpeting. "I think we've done enough to those two."
"What?" Derby asked with a chuckled. He leaned forward to slip on the shoes.
"I want to leave them alone. We've done enough and you had some revenge."
Instead of lashing out, Derby did something much worse. "Oh sweet naïve Bif. I forget how innocent you truly are." He sat up and was even closer than before. Putting an arm around Bif's considerably higher shoulders, he leaned in close. "One must dominate one's opponents. Winning alone simply isn't good enough."
The whole of Derby's side was pushed against Bif's body. The smell from his soap was intoxicating, but not as much so as the heat. He stared at the face that was so close to his own. I won't even be here next year. What does it matter if I screw things up now?
"Father taught me that when I was six. I had just come home from…" Derby yammered away in the background, completely oblivious to the struggle enraging inside his friend. Bif could hear his voice, but no longer made out what the blonde was saying.
Words didn't even have to be involved. If he just got to kiss him that would be enough, like in the movies. He closed his eyes and puckered his inexperienced lips before pushing his face forward into… into nothing.
Bif opened his eyes and saw Derby's look of disgust. The blonde had avoided him, not even giving him the chance to play out his fantasy.
"What on Earth are you trying to do!" Derby hollered.
Bif stood, feeling down, but not as crushed as he had feared.
"That was a terribly tasteless joke."
"Not a joke."
"What is wrong with you?"
The boxer began to walk towards the door. He was the most clearheaded he felt in years. Even if Derby harbored some mutual feelings, he'd never show them. He wasn't strong enough, just a weak little boy hiding behind daddy's money.
"Where do you think you're going? Come back here!"
"I'm done with this." Bif muttered, not turning back.
"What are you talking about? You can't be done." He heard Derby take a few steps forward, but not enough to reach him. "I-I'll tell everyone that you are a fake if you leave now."
"That's okay," Bif answered when he'd reached the door. He opened it slowly, wondering if he would be more upset in a few hours. His bravery and rationality might solely be shock.
"Fine then, go you freak! I'll have Father put you back in those filthy commoner's dorms where you belong. I don't care if there's only a few weeks left, I will make you suffer!"
Tired of the yelling, Bif left closing the door behind him. He was partway down the hallway when it opened again. Warily, he turned to see Derby.
"Please Bif," Derby spoke in a hushed volume. "You're not feeling well. We can just be back to normal tomorrow. We can box together! And then we can work on the plan. We've put so much into it. Please Bif!"
He had never seen Derby plead before. It was unnerving. He could take solace tomorrow in the fact that the young master Harrington liked him enough to beg. He couldn't let things go back though. In a matter of no time he will be gone from Bullworth and he rather that he left with some of his backbone.
"Derby,"
"Yes Bif?"
"I already told Gord about Northwik. Your plan is finished."