Chapter 20: Friendship

Over the next few months, the bond between Arthur and his friends and I grew. I found his thoughts on aristocracy fascinating. He seemed to be equally fascinated with me as well in terms of my mathematics genius. While I won't go into the many times we enjoyed tea together or pondered life's questions, just know that there was an established bond of trust. But that afternoon there seemed to be a shift in the air. The weather was starting to turn less hot and a bit colder. Little did I know that the weather was a warning that things were about to change in my relationship with Arthur. I was in the library trying to find something to occupy my brain. It was going 90 miles a minute with no signs of slowing down. I found a book about art history that seemed a bit interesting. With a book in hand I walked over to a table and turned on a small lamp. The library was unusually filled with whispers and hushed dialogue. From what I could gather, most of the conversations were about an unusually high level of thefts that had been happening around campus. Things that had gone missing from both students and staff alike were of high value. Gold rings, brooches, money - that sort of thing. Louis asked if I would try and discover the person responsible for the theft but I had no interest in solving it. However, the more thefts that kept appearing the more I began to wonder if my new so-called friend was responsible.

"Hi William," a voice said.

I looked over and saw Harry with two books at his side.

"Hello Harry," I replied, returning to my book.

"Arthur and the guys are thinking of going out tonight? Would you care to join us?"

It was no secret that Arthur and his friends were known to frequent a pub known as The Boatman a few miles away from campus. Not being much of a drinker I declined Harry's invitation. However, Arthur seemed to appear out of nowhere and was standing next to Harry.

"Aw come on Will! Why not have some fun?" He said leaning on Harry's shoulder.

"Well…all right," I said. "What time?"

"How about now?" Arthur said with a smirk.

I laughed. He always seemed to be very spontaneous. "Why not?" I replied.

Arthur and Bunny cheered in delight. They had been trying to get me to go with the gang for some time. Funnily enough, I was a bit nervous. As an introverted individual I enjoyed keeping to myself but lately I thought it would do me some good to get out of the dormitory. We took a carriage ride to the pub. It was quite a long ride. The sun was starting to set and I could feel my eyes dropping. After some time, I was shaken by Harry. We arrived at the pub and it seemed to be quite busy - with tables outside beginning to fill up. It was positioned close to the Thames and I could hear the murky water lightly lapping against the stone wall. Secretly I was hoping it would be too full to allow me, Harry, Arthur, and their friends John and Reginald into the establishment. John and Reginald had met us there and let us know they had reserved five chairs at a table near the bar area. The noise level wasn't too bad as it seemed most of the people were college students and were studying. The stench of strong rum and alcohol filled my nostrils. We took our seats in the wooden and uncomfortable chairs. Large shelves across from us were aligned with various spirits and drinks. A barmaid came over to us. She appeared not in the best of spirits as her eyes had a half lidded gaze.

"What can I get you gents?" She asked with a notepad in hand.

"The usual Jacqueline," Arthur said with a smile. "Five pints."

"I would also like to have a cup of black tea with a splash of cinnamon and orange," I said, speaking up. "If it wouldn't be too much trouble, miss."

"Miss?" She said to me, smiling. "You a proper one ain't you?" With that she gave me a wink and went to fetch our drinks.

Arthur and his friends began talking about their last cricket game. I felt a bit out of place. It wasn't the talk of cricket that bothered me. I kept to myself a lot during my university days; only really dealing with other pupils of mine if the situation demanded it. Like a study group, private tutoring, etc. This was the first time I had ever been out of my element. At a bar. As the evening wore on, the boys and I drank and talked and drank and talked. It was interesting seeing which boy would get drunk first. If we were taking bets I no doubt knew that Harry would be the first. I looked at a small clock on the wall and noticed it was getting late. My head swimming, Harry, Arthur and I headed back to the carriage. John and Reginald said they were going to get a room at an inn to sleep off the alcohol. How I wished I had done the same. That was the longest carriage ride I have ever taken in my life. Fearing my stomach contents were about to spill over, I was so thankful to reach the university campus. My head felt dizzy as I made my way back to the dormitory. Harry had to go to the lavatory; no doubt to upchuck so he left Arthur and I by ourselves. Down the long hallway, I began to stumble. Arthur caught me and put my arm around his shoulder.

"Drink too much Will?" He said with a laugh. Out of all of us he seemed the most sober. We walked into a room that I just noticed was Arthur's room. He laid me down on a bed, my head still swimming and spinning. My eyesight started to turn a bit blurry. While staring around the room something shiny caught my eye. It appeared to be a brooch. A glass and sapphire one that I had heard had gone missing. And now here it was in Arthur's room sitting nonchalant on a small table.

"It's you…" I said softly sitting up from the bed.

Arthur just laughed at me. "You're a bit slow Will."

I got up from the bed and put my hand on one of the bed posts to steady myself. All along I had known that it was highly possible that he was the one stealing around campus, but I couldn't prove it. Now this small item held the key to all of it. Of course he could always lie and say that he just happened to find it in his room. Arthur walked over and picked up the brooch. He stared at it with great satisfaction.

"I told you William. We have to take action." He said brushing the brooch along his jacket.

"These are students. Yes, they are part of the aristocracy but they were born into it. Thieving is still wrong. You can't change anything by breaking rules." I said.

"That's where you are wrong William. The only way to make them see is to take. Take what they desire most. Sadly, they mainly admire money, jewels, and wealth. Their loved ones come second."

While I agreed with him on some of these points, I had grown fond of most of the university students here at Eton. Sure there were snobs that had silver spoons in their mouths all their lives but that was all they had ever known. If I was going to start a revolution against the rich it would be the very top.

"Don't worry though. I will give them back." He said with a smirk.

My head and stomach felt woozy again. "So why steal them?" I said, holding my head.

"It's a game," he said laughing.

No surprise to me there. Everything to Arthur was a game. For some reason, he began approaching me very slowly. His eyes had shifted again to a piercing gaze.

"Much like the one we are playing now," he said, looking at me up and down.

I didn't like the look in Arthur's eyes. Before I knew what was happening he pushed me on the bed. I struggled but in my drunk state there wasn't much I could do. He slowly untied my school tie and unbuttoned two top buttons of my shirt.

"You are so beautiful William," he whispered. I could smell the alcohol on his breath.

He then reached for the buttons on my waist. A reaction known as fight or flight kicked into my system. I knew I had to get out of this room and away from Arthur. I reached up to punch him but he grabbed ahold of my hands and pinned them above my head. His athletic build wasn't one to be trifled with. Deciding to scream for help I opened my mouth, but as soon as I did he kissed me and wouldn't stop. Fortunately, my legs were still free. With one timed blow I knee-ed him in a particular weak spot on us men. He fell off to the side in pain. I quickly got up and ran to the door. He had locked it! After fidgeting with the knob, he then grabbed my hand. With one swift motion, I spun around and punched him in the face. Finally free I unlocked the door and ran out into the hallway.

"I'm telling the school board Arthur. About the burglaries," I threatened him; most likely in an attempt to regain power.

"You tell and I'll just tell them that you helped me as my accomplice," he retorted back. "You have no proof William. Just my word sweet angel," he said drunkenly.

I left the dormitory and headed outside. My stomach felt sick. My head was swimming. I wanted to disappear. No way could I tell anyone what happened. Just then I heard a voice behind me that was a great relief to me.

"Are you sick brother," Louis said.

I turned around and collapsed into his arms from exhaustion.