SIXTY-FOUR

Everyone told me that the driving test, the paper one, was the easiest thing on Earth. Heck, I even believed them.

They couldn't have been more wrong.

No matter how many times I read this shit, I can't get it into my head and I've failed that test (which kind of resembles a quiz and made my self esteem downgrade) five times already. Five.

I was so struck by this fact that I made it personal and even called Marco for help. He was my nerdy and if someone knew how to study, it was him. Only when he arrived and I told him about it, I had to explain a bit more.

I told him about me wanting to start working so I could help my father and lift some burdens off of him. He tried to hide it, but I knew he disagreed, I knew he wanted me to focus on my school and soon, college studies. He didn't said anything, -"Marco,"- I spoke, trying to maintain his eyes on me, -"Speak your mind."

And so he did after a long sigh. Like I said, he though I should focus mostly on studying, on my career that will define my future, that if I worked, it'll inflict on them and that I wouldn't be able to split my time. Still, he understood why I made the decision and even though he didn't agreed, he supported me.

He helped me study and gave me tips on how learn this shit thoroughly. Afterwards, I felt pretty confident next time I'll face this test, which was tomorrow, but shhh! Marco studying techniques were really ass kicking and precise.

We were taking a ten minute break like he suggested I should and guess what? Yup, we hooked up, arms around each other and fingernails clawed on our skin. We kissed fervently and marvelously (someone please give us an Oscar), licking our lips and soft spots, sucking on our skin and leaving blots. We parted, took some air and hooked once again until Marco's clock ringed, cueing the end of our little break, -"Let's revise everything, okay?"- He said, a bit breathless as he caressed my chin, trailing his thumb through my lower lip.

-"Do we have to?"- I whined, pouting.

He chuckled and pecked my lips, -"Yup, come on."- He pulled me up and dragged me to the table. I literally had it all in my mind and not just bottled, I really got it and understood it and I was confident I'll ace it tomorrow.

After hooking up one more time, Marco left after wishing me good luck and I was all alone, already missing my freckled bastard.

Next day, I took the test and I was surprised at how quick my name was called after I finished it. I was in the main lounge, waiting impatiently, shaking my leg up and down when I sprung up. Still, I was even more surprised when I saw the grade: I fricking passed! I then swagged out towards Dad, pretty darn proud of myself and showed him the result. He was proud of me too and after that, we headed off to buy dinner.

Next stop was the driving test, the real one, were you actually get in a damn car and ride it. Again, I was pretty surprised at how well I managed to steer and drive backwards. At first, it was complicated, it was my first time, but I adapted quickly, to the feel of the steering wheel, the sound, the form of the car and the strength of it and in a few minutes, I finished the course the trainer set up for me and I fricking passed again! He even applauded me! Well, maybe it was a bitter applaud, considering he might have gone through this over and over again, but who cares?

At home, I quickly dialed Marco's phone number, -"Hey, Marco! Guess what?"- I spoke a bit too loud, turning the license on my hand, with my lame pic, and gawking at it.

-"You got your license?"- He asked, but he already knew the answer.

I hopped to my room, -"Yeah, man! I can't believe it myself!"- I tucked the license in my wallet.

-"That's great, Jean!"- He said, but he didn't sounded as enthusiastic as I was, -"I'm happy for you!"

Just recently, I've noted how Marco wasn't so happy after all, specially since I told him I'd be getting a car tomorrow. Ever since I passed the paper test, he's been uneasy and kind of resentful. Kind of. I'm not entirely sure why. Yeah, we had a disagreement with this whole thing, but he made it clear that he understood my reasons and that he'd support me no matter what. Now I see there's more to it than that. I have a theory that he's being extra unsettled by the fact that I'll soon get a car and could go anywhere I wanted, without telling and that I'll meet new people once I get a job. He's just jealous and being overly protective, so I didn't gave it much though. He'll get over it. Besides, I'll never do a thing without his consent.

Well, maybe I should talk to him about it. Odd, it was. I'm the one who's often jealous, not him. Of course he gets jealous, but not on my level. So, I asked him, -"You alright, Marco?"

-"Huh?"- He seemed distracted, -"Oh, yeah, I am. Why?"

-"I dunno, you've been... restless and kind of pissed at me."- I began to fidget my hair nervously. Whenever Marco got into a mood like this, every nerve in my body gets in red alert.

He gasped, as in: 'how could he say such a thing?' -"No, I'm not,"- He said in defense, -"Why would I be?"

-"I dunno... it's a feeling I get."- I shrugged on my side, as if he were here.

He stayed silent for a few seconds before answering, -"I'm okay, Jean, really. If something were wrong, I'd tell you about it and so will you, right?"

There! I exclaimed mentally. That last part translated to: 'if there's some other guy courting you, you'd tell me, right?' or 'If you're cheating on me, you'll be honest and tell me, right?' -"Yeah, of course I will."- And I meant it, though I seriously doubt I'd court some other guy or girl. Marco is my only man and I think I'm only gay for him.

-"I love you, you know that, right?"- There he goes again, as if blackmailing me (though that sounds too extreme and it would involve money. Marco's too good for that), trying to make me feel guilty for the whole car thing.

-"God, Marco, can you make it more ominous?"- I said, throwing my arms up, -"Come on, freckles, what's the matter?"

Another silent seconds and then a sigh, -"I'm just... worried, okay? It's dangerous out there."

-"Uh-huh,"- Figuring he wasn't saying anything now, I sighed too and dropped the discussion, -"I'll be alright, Marco. I'm no pushover. I can defend myself."

He sighed again, but this time, a bit relieved, -"I know..."

"Don't worry, you'll just tire yourself,"- I was putting effort into making him sure I'll never do none of those, that I'll never cheat or court another guy (or girl), but somehow, it wasn't enough. I knew there was a tinge of doubt in the back of his mind, -"Besides, I never keep secrets from you."- Well, now I was being too obvious.

-"What do you mean?"- He quickly asked.

I sighed and decided to go straight to the point, -"I think you're just jealous and worried that I'll cheat on you, right?"- Which was kind of sad after all we've done. Just a few days ago, he'd given me the best blow job I could have asked for and before that, I'd given him one too. Marco and I were definitely more intimate and it hurts that he think I'll cheat on him anytime soon. I know there are couple how had sex and they still cheat, but that's not something neither of us will do and he should know that.

Incidentally, I would have been worried and jealous too if he'd be in my place.

-"Huh? N-no, that's not it..."- He stuttered, his voice low.

-"Then what is?"

-"No-nothing!"- He exclaimed, a bit flustered, -"Just worried!"- And with that, he hung up.

I pulled my cellphone from my ear and just stared at the screen, face blank. Okay, something's up. I'll need to talk to him later after Dad buys me the car tomorrow.

Next day, I was really excited (and bored) in the car's dealer with my father. After a fucking lot of hours of signing papers and making deals, I ended up with a new Toyota Prius C. I preferred a used car, more cheap and probably fully paid, but Dad argued with me that most of those come in bad shape, so he ended up buying a new car from scratch and stated he'll pay it for how long it takes him. Once I rode it and headed home, with him behind, the word seemed much different now. I could go anywhere.

Two days later, I found a job in a near gym, a highly regarded and professional one. It was at the far end of Trost so I had to travel a fair deal. They were placing banners everywhere for new personnel, so I took my chances. The guy in charge of new employees was kind of slurry and bitter. He set me up as a janitor, since there were only like two of them, and stated that he'd pay me six dollars per hour. Since it was a part time, I won't gain much, not until I prove myself for a better position. I told him I'm a high school student, second semester and soon going to college, so he adjusted my schedule for weekends only so I'd be working Saturdays and Sundays noons until evening.

I told Marco about it and he wasn't happy at all; this time, he didn't even fake enthusiasm. He was glad that I found a job, what he wasn't jolly about is that it was in a gym, where lots of pretty boys and girls do workout, -"See? I told you you were just jealous."- I said to him after arriving from church on Friday. I have to admit, jealous Marco is damn adorable, his cheeks red in flutter

He pouted, his brows furrowed and his cheeks wrinkled in rebuke and jealousy. To be honest, he was also scaring me a bit. I've never seen Marco this jealous, he wasn't the type, but ever since we've gotten, ahem, comfy and intimate with each other, he's been very attached to me. I can't say I haven't either, -"No, I'm not."- It's cuter when he denies it.

I sauntered towards him. We were in my room and after church, he said he'd stay with me for the rest of the day and leave this evening, and now, it seems he doesn't want to go, -"Marco, listen to me,"- I cupped his face, his lips still pursed. I looked straight at his eye, an advise from Diego to avoid misunderstandings, -"You don't have to "worry". You know you're the only man I love and that I'll never replace you for anyone else. Think of all our times together, you think I'd do that to someone else?"- Marco's face softened as he shook his head slowly, -"So, please, don't "worry" and just trust me, okay?"

Marco smiled a bit and nodded, -"Okay,"- He affirmed and his face fell, -"I'm sorry, I'm such a moron..., how could I think that of you?"

I caressed his cheek and united our foreheads, -"It's okay, Marco, that's normal, and so is jealousy."- I wasn't telling him anything he didn't already knew.

Our lips met afterwards and moved in sync and clashed with each motion, like waves against a shore. My tongue slithered in his mouth and toyed with his, like two dogs who've just met. I gripped his slick hair and pushed his mouth deeper in mines as he pulled me towards him by my hips. We kissed for several minutes and parted, whispering 'I love you' to each other.

That Saturday was my first day of work and I finally understood why the janitors at school were all bitter and morose: this was the most boring job ever. Not only that, others tend to look at you snootily, as if we were some kind of aliens or something. I say 'we' because the other two janitors got the same treatment. I brushed those though aside though, I came here to work and help Dad and I plan to keep it like that.

Also, I though that since these people were so painstaking and meticulous with their exercising utensils, the bathroom and everything else would be at least moderate, but I was wrong. Again. It's repulsive; the toilets were un-flushed, so the water was green or brown, stagnant due to huge mucks or paper. The sinks were rife with cropped hair (I have no idea why!) and covered in mushy mucus. I literally turned on all the sinks, letting wade down the tube and with gloves, I brushed the hair into my hands and dumped them in a steerable trash I dragged around. After cleaning the toiler (which I'm not giving you the details. Trust me, you'll puke), I sprayed one of those good smelling, homecoming perfumes around, because, really, this place needed it. Rush.

Around four, I was given a break and was eating yesterday's leftovers I brought in a small lunch room with just one round table and three chairs. At the corner of it the room laid a small microwave on a simple table. This place was so closeted and remote from the rest of the building that the air was kind of stale and tough to take in. God, it was like an oven in here!

I was pulling my long ass shirt's collar, which the managers gave me, trying let some air in when the door opened, -"Keep it open, will you?"- I said, not even looking at who it was. I wasn't facing the door.

-"Sure. Whatever."- It was one of the janitors. No one else eats here.

He sat in front of me with his own basin, his eyes glued to it, -"Harry, was it?"- I asked, not sure of his name. He was young, possibly of high school too and kinda lanky. With dark hair, pale skin and somber eyes, he looked like a vampire.

He just shrugged ignorantly.

-"Fine. Didn't cared anyways."- I spat. Damn it, their bitterness and ignorance was sticking to me. The other one, Thalia, I think, was just as grouchy -or worse.

Right on cue, she entered on a tantrum, -"God, I hate them so much! This isn't worth the pay!"- Great, she's querulous too. Just what I needed.

-"Pipe down."- I said, hissing at her sharp voice that penetrated my ears like a din.

But of course, she didn't, -"And who do you think you are?"- She turned to the taciturn Harry, -"Who's this? New kid?"

He just nodded.

Every hair in my body bristled on the 'kid'. I turned to her in an abrupt movement, -"And who do you think you are calling me a kid, huh?"

-"I'm old enough to call you whatever the hell I want."- And sure enough, she had the look that she'd been here way longer than me or Harry. She wasn't young, that's for sure. With burgundy hair and wrinkled skin, I'd say she was around her forties. To be honest, those creases looked like they were caused from so much frowning and whining.

What a good first day, huh? -"Hell no,"- I answered, scowling at her, -"Just because you're an old, grumpy grandma doesn't give you the right to call me that."- There I go again, losing control of my tongue. I didn't cared, my mind was too tired and jaded to withdraw.

-"Old grandma?"- She repeated, her mouth gaped and finger-wagging me, -"Now, listen here, you little brat-"

-"Argh! Enough!"- I snapped, throwing my arms up, -"I came here to eat in peace and you come right in to screw it all!"

I tried to mollify her, but clearly, I didn't chose my words well and just made it worse. This must be a new record! First day of work and I was already arguing with someone I barely know! -"Don't talk to me like that, young man!"

This probably couldn't get any worse. Harry stood and left, leaving me alone with this crazy bitch... that somehow reminded me of Mom, of her old days when she used to yell at me in that same way. It was an odd comparison, really odd. Eventually, I left too, leaving her shout her soul out.

That evening though, I felt bad. Really bad. Harry seems like the shy type and my discussion with Thalia seemed to have scared -that or he gave no fucks. Thalia was just stuck-up with work, I've been told before I left that she's the one in charge of the janitors and that by her austere and brash attitude, she has lost people. I didn't blame them -or her. Yeah, surprising after our dispute, but check this out: I also learned that she has been working there for ten years. Ten years being overlooked and subdued by her superiors. I won't mention the nasty work a janitor undergoes, because when she signed up, she knew she'd have to deal with it, but being treated like shit? That's a no go. So, in part, I could understand why she's so grouchy. There's no better example than my own experience today: just one day, first day, and I got all moody too.

So, naturally, when I got home, I plonked onto bed from the exhaustion. My phone rang several times, but after a few minutes, I stopped hearing it. Was it Marco? Dad? I dunno and I was too tired to stand up and answer. I fell asleep after staring at the ceiling for hours.