Chapter 6
Seeing Ben at school the next day wasn't fun. My friends and I would usually hang out in the morning before school started but as I rolled out of bed the day after Ben found my magazine and forced me to suck him off, I knew that I could barely stomach the idea. Regardless, I made my way to school very slowly. My backpack felt like it weighed a ton, and my clothes felt constricting. My mind didn't seem to be working properly all morning. My head was cloudy and filled with varies images of all the crazy stuff that had happened over the past few months: Corey showing up at my house for my birthday and us comparing dick sizes in the bushes; finding Corey knocked out in his backyard next to an old sprinkler; Corey skinny dipping in the moonlight at a secluded beach. These memories came and went and left a dent the size of a bowling ball in my chest.
I first saw Ben towards the end of first period. I had missed most of the lesson but I ignored the irritated science teacher, Mr Burnley and made my way to the back of the room where Nathan, Jarrod, Nick and Ben all sat. Nick was the only one who had his book open as I approached. They all stared as I threw myself into the seat furthest from Ben.
'Nice of you to join us.' Nick said, slapping me on the knee.
I grimaced and watched Mr Burnley write notes on Newtons Third Law. I couldn't have paid attention even if I tried. I could feel Ben's eyes on me the whole time and was grateful when the bell finally rang. The class jumped up and fumbled to put their books and pencil cases away. I picked my bag up and followed the boys across to our usual seats by the science blocks for the fifteen minute recess.
'So how did this big boy go swimming yesterday?' Nathan asked, gesturing towards Jarrod who fell into his seat and reached immediately for his cigarettes.
Nick laughed and said, 'It was a sight to see. He couldn't even make it the length of the pool.' I looked at Nick questioningly and he explained, 'I told Jarrod that he should join the swim team so he came along last night. It didn't go all that well but.'
'Yeah well,' said Jarrod after a drag of his smoke, 'they shouldn't make pools that big anyway.'
Everyone laughed and Nick asked, 'So what did you get up to Noah?'
'He got wet too yesterday, didn't you?' Ben said, half-smiling at me. I started at him, my voice stuck in my throat and face reddening, 'We went to the beach I mean.' Ben said in response to everyone's quizzical looks.
'Oh good, for a moment I there I thought you were going to tell everyone I had a pussy.' I said, still glaring at Ben.
The guys all sniggered except Ben who kept his eyes on me and said, 'Nah, you just are one.'
Luckily the bell rang at that moment because I was just about ready to throw a punch there and then. Nick and I were in a higher maths class than the rest of the group so we said goodbye to the guys as we passed the toilets. I wondered if Ben, Nathan and Jarrod would even make it to maths class as they headed off in the other direction. As we moved with the crowd of students, Nick asked what I was up to next Monday night.
'I don't know.' I said, 'Why, what are you doing?'
'You need to come swimming with me Monday morning.' Nick said, 'Jarrod's fucking useless but I think you'd like it!'
'Oh right, well I don't know really man.'
'Common,' Nick said, slapping me on the back, 'We need to hang out more! Come to see the new Alien movie with me Monday night too, just us. I can't stand some of the guys since that party ay.'
Nick eyed off a couple of girls that just passed us as I tried to think of an excuse not to go. In truth I was planning on seeing Corey on Monday night. In the shower yesterday, when I was trying to wash off the feeling of complete shame, I decided that I would try and see Corey at his new place. I needed to see him, I couldn't deny that. Everything that had happened since I arrived at this school involved Corey. I don't know what I would say when I did, but I knew that I needed to talk to him.
'Bro, common don't leave me at the movies alone!' Nick said, slapping me again, this time in the stomach.
I winced and gave a forced laugh before giving in, 'Sure man, sounds good.'
I sighed as we came to a halt outside the maths classroom. Mr Whitlam wasn't there yet so we got our books and pens out and waited. Watching Little Lachlan coming round the bend up ahead, I had a sudden thought.
'I'll be back in a sec,' I said, walking briskly towards Lachlan before he reached the rest of the class, 'What's up Little Lachlan?'
Little Lachlan looked as if he was about to ignore me and keep walking but thought better of it. He stopped and said, 'Hey.'
'Where are the Doggy's playing this weekend?'
'At Newcastle Oval. Why, are you coming to watch us get thrashed?' Little Lachlan asked.
'No, you guys are so good -' I stared before being cut off.
'Yeah but we lost one of our best wingers.' He said a little darkly.
Of course he was talking about me. I never thought that I was a really good player but I have heard that the Belmont Bulldogs had been on a losing streak since I unceremoniously left the team.
'Yeah, sorry about that man. Is Corey still playing?'
'Yeah he is. Why?' Lachlan said.