Drama By Name
Friendships and Comic Strips
Alex was rudely snapped out of his daydream by the school bell signalling the end of 4th period and the beginning of lunch. He gathered up his Geography notes, some of which had fallen on the floor and now had dusty footprints across them, and shoved them in his bag.
While he was making the long trek across the school to his locker, he passed the art rooms and was brought to a halt when he heard Blink 182 drifting from the senior room at the end of the corridor. He walked down the hall to where the music was coming from and peered around the open door. It was the girl from his Dramatic Arts class who said she liked ‘good music’. And damn, was that good music! The girl was stood next to an old stereo working on a busy-looking canvas, dancing on the spot, quietly singing along, shaking her brown hair under her beanie about. Alex could see paint in her hair that matched the colours on her painting. Smiling to himself, Alex knocked loudly on the door to try to get her attention. She turned her head round as fast as a hurricane, her eyes widened and she practically dived to turn off the stereo.
“Sorry about that... Can I help you?” She said quietly, looking at the floor.
“Nah, it’s alright. I heard the music and had to investigate. I’m sorry.”
“Hey, aren’t you in my Dramatic Arts class?”
“Yeah, I’m Alex. You’re Tay, right?”
“Nice to meet you Alex, and yeah, that’s me.” She held out a hand for Alex to shake, but took it back when she noticed her fingers were covered in paint. She smiled at the ground again and tucked a piece of hair behind her ear, smudging a streak of red and black across her face.
Alex chuckled softly and looked over at the canvas. The painting was of a ballerina raised on her toes, arms out. The thing that made it so striking was the fact her dress and shoes were black rather than pink or white, and she was mournfully gazing at the ground. Her closed eyes were ringed with a red that matched the bouquet of roses she held and the ribbon around her waist. The wild, messy style almost made it look like she was dancing right of the canvas. It was sorrowfully beautiful.
“Wow, this is amazing Tay! I wish I had as much talent as you!”
She laughed gently “Thank you, and I’m sure you do, you just need to find the right outlet for it. That’s all.”
“Thanks.” Alex said with a smile. He glanced at the clock, realising he said he’d meet up with Zack and Rian 5 minutes ago. “Shit, I gotta go,” he said running the door, before looking back over his shoulder and saying, “but we need to hang out, you’re pretty cool.”
“Sure. See ya, Alex.”
“See ya, Tay!”
Alex ran the rest of the length of the school to get to his locker, to find Rian more talking at Zack than talking to him. Zack looked up and caught sight of Alex, causing Rian to turn to see what Zack was looking at, and he immediately stopped talking.
“Heya, what took you so long?”
“Sorry, I heard Blink coming from the senior art room and got talking to that Tay girl. She’s pretty cool.”
“Blink. Nice.” Rian nodded in approval “Anyway, come on you guys. I did some scouting at morning break and they still haven’t blocked up that hole in the fence.”
“Awesome. Let’s go before the field gets too busy.”
The boys set off towards the school field and around the back of the equipment shed. The previous year while looking for a good smoking spot, they’d found a hole in the school fence that lead to the wooded area next to the school. One day they’d snuck out and, over the course of 2 weeks, built a small wooden shelter big enough for four people. Back then they’d had another friend, Vic, but he’d disappeared during spring break. The rumours were that he’d run away with a girl he’d gotten pregnant. Either way, they’d never heard from him again.
They reached their den and settled in under the shelter. It had become a little overgrown over the summer, ivy and weeds crept in through the bound stick walls. They sat on the ground and Rian pulled out a pack of smokes from his jacket. Alex and Zack took one each and lit up. Alex inhaled deeply and relaxed.
“So gentlemen, how goes the day so far?” Rian asked, exhaling smoothly.
“Bullshit. Got a detention already from Jackson for not having my kit. How the fuck was I supposed to know we had PhysEd on the first day? Who does that? PhysEd, second lesson on a Monday. Mother. Fucking. Bullshit.” Zack huffed from under his hood before taking a long drag from his cigarette.
“Alex?”
“Algebra with Murphy was a drag, Mr Allen still stinks of whiskey, and Ms Steadson made us take, like, 5 pages of notes on rainforests.”
“Oh, tough break dude.” Rian hissed and patted Alex on the shoulder in an ‘I-feel-your-pain’ kind of way.
“What about you Ri?”
“Had Info Tech second, but I spent most of the lesson texting Cassadee. Thanks for that dude, I so owe you.”
Zack looked up, confused. “Owe him? What? What happened?”
“Well, while you were doing your Sleeping Beauty impression in Drama, that cheerleader Cass gave me her number to give to Ri.”
“Yeah, we’re going out after school. I’ve got a feeling that this is gonna be a good year.” Rian stubbed out his cigarette and folded his arms, leaning against the trunk of the tree the den was built around.
“So, you and Cass have really hit it off, me and Tay have been chatting, what about you, Zee? Any new acquaintances?”
“No.”
“Surprise, surprise.”
“Zee, if you don’t talk to people, you’re gonna be stuck with us two for the rest of your life! Then Rian will go off and get married, and I’ll get my own place, and you’ll end up being the awkward third wheel!”
“I don’t like people, you know that. Anyway, I’m already the awkward third wheel.”
“What are you on, Zee! You’re my best friend!” Alex exclaimed, shocked that Zack thought that. “I don’t get piggy backs from Ri, I don’t tease Ri, I don’t mess about with Ri. I do all that with you ‘cause I know you don’t mind because you’re my best friend!”
“Really?” Zack asked with a small smile. “Of course! Come here...” Alex crawled over and gave Zack a hug. At first Zack just sat there, but he soon wrapped his arms around Alex in a warm embrace. After a few moments, Alex pulled away and said, “You big pussy! Tell you what, wanna go into town after school? We can go to the music store, yeah?”
Zack grinned and nodded. Instead of going back to his seat, Alex stayed in Zack's lap and wrapped Zack's arms around himself.
“So, what did you and Cass talk about, Ri?”
After 2 hours of Double English, the final bell rang and Alex could not have been more relieved. How could Mrs Fielding’s droning voice bore someone nearly to sleep and keep them wide awake at the same time?
He grabbed his bag from under his desk and made his way down to Mr Barakat's classroom, remembering Rian's message. When he got there, the classroom door was closed so he knocked. A muffled “Come in” made its way through the wood, so Alex entered. The classroom was empty of students, meaning Mr Barakat must have a free period last thing on a Monday. Alex walked over to the teacher’s desk, where Mr Barakat was sat almost nose-on-paper as he drew something, deep in concentration. Alex coughed gently to get the man’s attention, and Mr Barakat's head snapped up, eye’s wide in slight surprise as though he’d forgotten someone knocked and entered.
“Ah Alex! You got my message then?”
“Yeah, why did you want to see me?”
“To apologise.”
“What for?”
“For ruining your copy of ‘Batman’. I know I’d be mad if anyone so much as dented one of my comics.”
“Oh it’s fine, don’t worry, sir.” Alex said dismissively.
Mr Barskat smiled at being called ‘sir’ again. Probably the new found novelty of being a teacher.
“I’d read it already, it doesn’t matter.”
“Yes it does. Look, here,” Mr Barakat pushed his chair back and rummaged around under the desk, before popping back up again, grabbing Alex's wrist and forcing $5 into his hand. “Buy yourself a new one, on me. But don’t tell anyone, I’m technically not allowed to give money to students.”
Alex held the money back out the Mr Barakat. “No, sir, it’s fine. I can’t take this, it’s..”
“No Alex. I insist. My treat.” Mr Barakat closed his hand around Alex's with a wink, crumpling the money in Alex's palm.
Alex was caught slightly off-guard by the wink and unexpected contact, and stared wide-eyed at Mr Barakat. Quickly regaining brain function, his eyes travelled up to Mr Barakat's forehead where a white dressing sat above his eye.
“How’s your head?”
Mr Barakat's hand absent-mindedly reached up and touched the dressing.
“Oh, it’s fine, just a bit of a cut. Nothing to worry about. Anyway, I don’t want to be keeping you Alex! I’ll see you,” he checked a sheet of paper on his desk, “tomorrow, lesson 4! Have a good evening!”
“Yeah, you too, sir. See ya.” Alex left the classroom and almost walked straight into the back of Zack, who was leaning again the lockers. “Shit, sorry buddy! Ready to go?”
Zack turned around, the corner of his mouth twitched up. “Yep, ready and raring.” As they made their way down the hall to the exit, Zack frowned slightly and asked, “What were you doing in there, I though you just has English?”
“Oh, Mr Barakat wanted to see me. He kinda wrecked my copy of ‘Batman’ and wanted to apologise.”
“Oh, alright. So, what do you wanna do?”
“Well, I need to go buy ‘Batman’ again, then we can go to the music store, then milkshakes maybe?”
“Cool, sure”
“Heya, Matt!”
The little bell on the door to The Dungeon comic store rang as Alex pushed it open, closely followed by Zack.
“Hi Alex, how’s it going?” Matt was leaning on his elbows on the counter, his hair in its usual state of bed-head and chewing on his lip ring.
“Alright. Matt, this is Zack. Zack, this is Matt.”
“ ’Sup.” Zack grunted as he pulled down his hood.
Alex drifted over to the ‘B' section looking for the most recent issue of ‘Batman’ but could find any copies. “Hey Matt?”
“Yeeaah?”
“You haven’t got any copies of ‘Batman’ left, do you?”
“Whyyy?”
Alex made his way over the counter when he realised that Matt must have been in the back room. “Well, the one I bought the other day got completely obliterated by my teacher.”
Matt stuck his head around the door frame. “How does that even happen?”
“When your teacher is klutz of the century. But seriously, do you have any left?”
Matt fully re-appeared, dragging a box from the store room. “Well, technically yes, but I was kinda saving it for my brother.”
Alex leaned on the counter and did his best puppy eyes. “Oh please, Matt? I’ll love you forever...”
“Shut up you big pansy! Okay, you can have it, but if my brother kicks my ass, I’m kicking yours.”
Alex almost dived over the counter. He grabbed Matt by the face and kissed him on the forehead. “Thank you! Total life saver Matty!”
Just then, Zack appeared at Alex's shoulder. “What’s going on?” He said, looking half annoyed, half confused.
“Matt's betraying his blood ties and giving me the last ‘Batman’.”
“Er.. What?”
Matt ducked under the counter and pulled out the comic, which was immediately snatched away by Alex. “I was saving it for my brother, but I think Alex deserves it more.”
Alex handed the $5 over to Matt, who handed him $2 change.
“That reminds me, I was wondering if I could set you and my brother up? He’s been kinda stressed recently and I think he just needs a night where he can relax a bit, you know?”
Just then, Zack cut in. He drew himself up to his full height and looked down at Alex. “Whoa, wait. Even this guy knew you were gay before me? You haven’t even mentioned him before today and you two already seem closer than me and you! You just fucking kissed the guy!”
“Jeez, Zack, we’re just friends, calm down.”
“Well you two are clearly closer than you and me, Alex.”
“No Zee, we’re best friends! Come, on lets go get milkshakes, we can go to the music store later.” Alex put his arm around Zack and steered him towards the door, throwing a “Thanks, see ya.” backwards to Matt. As soon as they got outside Alex turned to Zack, looking into his face, though Zack was avoiding eye contact. “Zee, what the hell man? The whole reason I suggested that we came to town was because I wanted to prove that you are my best friend! Matt just did me a big favour, that’s all!”
Zack still refused to make eye contact, and instead stared at the ground and chewed the inside in his cheek. “I know. I’m sorry Alex. It’s just... Sometimes I feel like I’d be so easily replaced. I get jealous even when you and Rian have your own conversations and I’m just... there.”
“Oh Zack, you total and complete ass!” Alex pulled Zack into a hug, and was almost immediately swamped by the boys arms. “Do I need to spell it out? You. Are. My. Best. Friend! Get it?” He felt Zack laugh and nod, his chin brushing Alex's hair. Alex pulled away and smiled at Zack, who smiled back. “Come on, you dumbass. Let’s go get milkshakes.”
Alex and Zack wandered off down the street, Zack still with his arm around Alex's shoulders. They were re-living the ‘Wake up, Princess’ incident from that morning and laughing with each other.
“You know I’m never gonna let you live that down, Princess Zack!” Alex looked into Zack's face and giggled, sticking his tongue out.
“Shut up, pansy!” Zack laughed out, tightening his arm around Alex's shoulders and getting into a headlock, messing up his hair.
“Okay, okay I’m sorry! Just get off, ass-wipe!”
Zack let go and the two straightened up, laughing like hyenas. Alex laughed so hard that he fell sideways into Zack who had to wrap his arm around the boy to stop him from falling over. While they stood there recovering from their fit of hysterics, Alex looked down the street and spotted something he did not want to see. The football team. Well, 6 members of the football team, all lead by Jason Tate.
At the same moment, the jocks spotted Alex and Zack, and shouted down the street, “Hey, look at the faggots over there!”
“Not in public, fags!”
“Ew, think I’m gonna be sick!”
Zack suddenly stopped laughing a looked in the direction of the shouts. There were strangers on the street that had just been passing by, now looking back and forth between the jocks and Zack and Alex. Zack let go of Alex and straightened up. He went into a silent rage, pounding up the street towards the jocks who were stood laughing at their own apparently hilarious bigotry. As he got closer, most of the boys stopped laughing and backed up when they saw how big and well built Zack was, but Jason just faced Zack and braced himself. Zack walked right up to the boy, toe-to-tow. Zack was maybe a centimetre taller, but other than that, they were evenly matched.
“You got a fucking problem?” Zack growled at the Letterman jacket clad teen.
“No, but you obviously do. Gay’s are fucking wrong. That’s not the kinda thing people wanna see in public. Fag.”
“No, you’re wrong. No one gives a shit, and even if they did it’s none of their business. So shut the fuck up and fuck off. You’d better be glad there are witnesses, else I’d kick your ass so hard you wouldn’t be walking anywhere for weeks. Got it?” Zack just stood there, fists clenched and eyebrows low.
Jason just stared for a moment, stunned into silence by the threat. He back up a few steps and looked away, then turned to the rest of his team mates. “Come on guy’s, don’t want to intrude on their date any more, do we?” And with that the stalked off down the street, knocking into Alex as they went.
Zack turned to look at Alex who hurried up to him, putting a hand on his arm. Alex felt him relax under his touch. “Are you alright? What did you say?”
“I’m fine, doesn’t matter. Are you alright, Alex?”
“Yeah, I’m fine. Nice one dude.”
“Thanks. Come on, milkshakes."
Zack put his arm back around Alex's shoulders and they walked down the street towards the café. When they got inside the café, the first thing they saw was Rian in a booth with Cassadee, both laughing at something. Zack, started to make his way over to them, but Alex stopped and anchored Zack by the back of his hoodie.
“Hey, what the... What are you doing?”
Alex just shook his head. “No we’re not sitting with them. Firstly, they’re on a date. Secondly, today is about you and me. Come on.”
They settled themselves towards the back of the place, to leave Rian in peace and keep a little hidden in case the jocks walked back. The waitress came over to take their order of two strawberry milkshakes. As she went off to get their drinks, Zack shrugged off his hoodie and hung it on the back of the chair. This was the first time today that Alex had seen Zack without it on.
Now, he could see why he hadn’t taken it off all day. All down his left arm were thick red lines. Some looked older than others, some looked only days old. Alex couldn’t look away, and unfortunately Zack caught him staring and quickly hid his arm under the table. He looked up at Alex, his eyes full of fear, then down at the table. Alex reached across and grabbed his right hand.
“Zee, what..”
“Don’t. You didn’t see anything.”
“No, Zee, I...”
“Please, Alex. Don’t.” Zack's voice sounded broken, on the verge of tears.
Alex just squeezed his hand and gently called his name. “Zee... Zee, listen to me. If... if there’s anything going on, you can talk to me. You know that, right?”
Zack looked up at Alex, eyes wide and brimming with tears. He nodded slowly and squeezed Alex's hand back, smiling a broken smile. “Not now though, okay?” Zack nodded again and let go of Alex's hand, joining it with the other hidden under the table.
The rest of the afternoon carried on almost like normal. They sat and drank their milkshakes and chatted about Zack and Rian's escapades at camp. After, Alex walked Zack home and hugged him tightly, reminding him to talk to him anytime, day or night. Zack gave him an extra squeeze and did something very un-Zack-like and kissed Alex on the top of the head. They said their farewells and parted.
When Alex got home, dinner was nearly ready. After eating his lasagne, he disappeared to his room and tried perfecting the chords of ‘Basket Case’ but gave up when his mom knocked on his door telling him to get to bed. Looking at the clock he saw it was only 11pm, but figured he should get some sleep, he did have school again tomorrow.
He took off his clothes and crawled under the covers in just his boxers. He soon fell asleep, but had troubled dreams full of Mr Barakat dancing around the classroom with Tay's ballerina, knocking Zack over and making him bleed everywhere.
While he was making the long trek across the school to his locker, he passed the art rooms and was brought to a halt when he heard Blink 182 drifting from the senior room at the end of the corridor. He walked down the hall to where the music was coming from and peered around the open door. It was the girl from his Dramatic Arts class who said she liked ‘good music’. And damn, was that good music! The girl was stood next to an old stereo working on a busy-looking canvas, dancing on the spot, quietly singing along, shaking her brown hair under her beanie about. Alex could see paint in her hair that matched the colours on her painting. Smiling to himself, Alex knocked loudly on the door to try to get her attention. She turned her head round as fast as a hurricane, her eyes widened and she practically dived to turn off the stereo.
“Sorry about that... Can I help you?” She said quietly, looking at the floor.
“Nah, it’s alright. I heard the music and had to investigate. I’m sorry.”
“Hey, aren’t you in my Dramatic Arts class?”
“Yeah, I’m Alex. You’re Tay, right?”
“Nice to meet you Alex, and yeah, that’s me.” She held out a hand for Alex to shake, but took it back when she noticed her fingers were covered in paint. She smiled at the ground again and tucked a piece of hair behind her ear, smudging a streak of red and black across her face.
Alex chuckled softly and looked over at the canvas. The painting was of a ballerina raised on her toes, arms out. The thing that made it so striking was the fact her dress and shoes were black rather than pink or white, and she was mournfully gazing at the ground. Her closed eyes were ringed with a red that matched the bouquet of roses she held and the ribbon around her waist. The wild, messy style almost made it look like she was dancing right of the canvas. It was sorrowfully beautiful.
“Wow, this is amazing Tay! I wish I had as much talent as you!”
She laughed gently “Thank you, and I’m sure you do, you just need to find the right outlet for it. That’s all.”
“Thanks.” Alex said with a smile. He glanced at the clock, realising he said he’d meet up with Zack and Rian 5 minutes ago. “Shit, I gotta go,” he said running the door, before looking back over his shoulder and saying, “but we need to hang out, you’re pretty cool.”
“Sure. See ya, Alex.”
“See ya, Tay!”
Alex ran the rest of the length of the school to get to his locker, to find Rian more talking at Zack than talking to him. Zack looked up and caught sight of Alex, causing Rian to turn to see what Zack was looking at, and he immediately stopped talking.
“Heya, what took you so long?”
“Sorry, I heard Blink coming from the senior art room and got talking to that Tay girl. She’s pretty cool.”
“Blink. Nice.” Rian nodded in approval “Anyway, come on you guys. I did some scouting at morning break and they still haven’t blocked up that hole in the fence.”
“Awesome. Let’s go before the field gets too busy.”
The boys set off towards the school field and around the back of the equipment shed. The previous year while looking for a good smoking spot, they’d found a hole in the school fence that lead to the wooded area next to the school. One day they’d snuck out and, over the course of 2 weeks, built a small wooden shelter big enough for four people. Back then they’d had another friend, Vic, but he’d disappeared during spring break. The rumours were that he’d run away with a girl he’d gotten pregnant. Either way, they’d never heard from him again.
They reached their den and settled in under the shelter. It had become a little overgrown over the summer, ivy and weeds crept in through the bound stick walls. They sat on the ground and Rian pulled out a pack of smokes from his jacket. Alex and Zack took one each and lit up. Alex inhaled deeply and relaxed.
“So gentlemen, how goes the day so far?” Rian asked, exhaling smoothly.
“Bullshit. Got a detention already from Jackson for not having my kit. How the fuck was I supposed to know we had PhysEd on the first day? Who does that? PhysEd, second lesson on a Monday. Mother. Fucking. Bullshit.” Zack huffed from under his hood before taking a long drag from his cigarette.
“Alex?”
“Algebra with Murphy was a drag, Mr Allen still stinks of whiskey, and Ms Steadson made us take, like, 5 pages of notes on rainforests.”
“Oh, tough break dude.” Rian hissed and patted Alex on the shoulder in an ‘I-feel-your-pain’ kind of way.
“What about you Ri?”
“Had Info Tech second, but I spent most of the lesson texting Cassadee. Thanks for that dude, I so owe you.”
Zack looked up, confused. “Owe him? What? What happened?”
“Well, while you were doing your Sleeping Beauty impression in Drama, that cheerleader Cass gave me her number to give to Ri.”
“Yeah, we’re going out after school. I’ve got a feeling that this is gonna be a good year.” Rian stubbed out his cigarette and folded his arms, leaning against the trunk of the tree the den was built around.
“So, you and Cass have really hit it off, me and Tay have been chatting, what about you, Zee? Any new acquaintances?”
“No.”
“Surprise, surprise.”
“Zee, if you don’t talk to people, you’re gonna be stuck with us two for the rest of your life! Then Rian will go off and get married, and I’ll get my own place, and you’ll end up being the awkward third wheel!”
“I don’t like people, you know that. Anyway, I’m already the awkward third wheel.”
“What are you on, Zee! You’re my best friend!” Alex exclaimed, shocked that Zack thought that. “I don’t get piggy backs from Ri, I don’t tease Ri, I don’t mess about with Ri. I do all that with you ‘cause I know you don’t mind because you’re my best friend!”
“Really?” Zack asked with a small smile. “Of course! Come here...” Alex crawled over and gave Zack a hug. At first Zack just sat there, but he soon wrapped his arms around Alex in a warm embrace. After a few moments, Alex pulled away and said, “You big pussy! Tell you what, wanna go into town after school? We can go to the music store, yeah?”
Zack grinned and nodded. Instead of going back to his seat, Alex stayed in Zack's lap and wrapped Zack's arms around himself.
“So, what did you and Cass talk about, Ri?”
After 2 hours of Double English, the final bell rang and Alex could not have been more relieved. How could Mrs Fielding’s droning voice bore someone nearly to sleep and keep them wide awake at the same time?
He grabbed his bag from under his desk and made his way down to Mr Barakat's classroom, remembering Rian's message. When he got there, the classroom door was closed so he knocked. A muffled “Come in” made its way through the wood, so Alex entered. The classroom was empty of students, meaning Mr Barakat must have a free period last thing on a Monday. Alex walked over to the teacher’s desk, where Mr Barakat was sat almost nose-on-paper as he drew something, deep in concentration. Alex coughed gently to get the man’s attention, and Mr Barakat's head snapped up, eye’s wide in slight surprise as though he’d forgotten someone knocked and entered.
“Ah Alex! You got my message then?”
“Yeah, why did you want to see me?”
“To apologise.”
“What for?”
“For ruining your copy of ‘Batman’. I know I’d be mad if anyone so much as dented one of my comics.”
“Oh it’s fine, don’t worry, sir.” Alex said dismissively.
Mr Barskat smiled at being called ‘sir’ again. Probably the new found novelty of being a teacher.
“I’d read it already, it doesn’t matter.”
“Yes it does. Look, here,” Mr Barakat pushed his chair back and rummaged around under the desk, before popping back up again, grabbing Alex's wrist and forcing $5 into his hand. “Buy yourself a new one, on me. But don’t tell anyone, I’m technically not allowed to give money to students.”
Alex held the money back out the Mr Barakat. “No, sir, it’s fine. I can’t take this, it’s..”
“No Alex. I insist. My treat.” Mr Barakat closed his hand around Alex's with a wink, crumpling the money in Alex's palm.
Alex was caught slightly off-guard by the wink and unexpected contact, and stared wide-eyed at Mr Barakat. Quickly regaining brain function, his eyes travelled up to Mr Barakat's forehead where a white dressing sat above his eye.
“How’s your head?”
Mr Barakat's hand absent-mindedly reached up and touched the dressing.
“Oh, it’s fine, just a bit of a cut. Nothing to worry about. Anyway, I don’t want to be keeping you Alex! I’ll see you,” he checked a sheet of paper on his desk, “tomorrow, lesson 4! Have a good evening!”
“Yeah, you too, sir. See ya.” Alex left the classroom and almost walked straight into the back of Zack, who was leaning again the lockers. “Shit, sorry buddy! Ready to go?”
Zack turned around, the corner of his mouth twitched up. “Yep, ready and raring.” As they made their way down the hall to the exit, Zack frowned slightly and asked, “What were you doing in there, I though you just has English?”
“Oh, Mr Barakat wanted to see me. He kinda wrecked my copy of ‘Batman’ and wanted to apologise.”
“Oh, alright. So, what do you wanna do?”
“Well, I need to go buy ‘Batman’ again, then we can go to the music store, then milkshakes maybe?”
“Cool, sure”
“Heya, Matt!”
The little bell on the door to The Dungeon comic store rang as Alex pushed it open, closely followed by Zack.
“Hi Alex, how’s it going?” Matt was leaning on his elbows on the counter, his hair in its usual state of bed-head and chewing on his lip ring.
“Alright. Matt, this is Zack. Zack, this is Matt.”
“ ’Sup.” Zack grunted as he pulled down his hood.
Alex drifted over to the ‘B' section looking for the most recent issue of ‘Batman’ but could find any copies. “Hey Matt?”
“Yeeaah?”
“You haven’t got any copies of ‘Batman’ left, do you?”
“Whyyy?”
Alex made his way over the counter when he realised that Matt must have been in the back room. “Well, the one I bought the other day got completely obliterated by my teacher.”
Matt stuck his head around the door frame. “How does that even happen?”
“When your teacher is klutz of the century. But seriously, do you have any left?”
Matt fully re-appeared, dragging a box from the store room. “Well, technically yes, but I was kinda saving it for my brother.”
Alex leaned on the counter and did his best puppy eyes. “Oh please, Matt? I’ll love you forever...”
“Shut up you big pansy! Okay, you can have it, but if my brother kicks my ass, I’m kicking yours.”
Alex almost dived over the counter. He grabbed Matt by the face and kissed him on the forehead. “Thank you! Total life saver Matty!”
Just then, Zack appeared at Alex's shoulder. “What’s going on?” He said, looking half annoyed, half confused.
“Matt's betraying his blood ties and giving me the last ‘Batman’.”
“Er.. What?”
Matt ducked under the counter and pulled out the comic, which was immediately snatched away by Alex. “I was saving it for my brother, but I think Alex deserves it more.”
Alex handed the $5 over to Matt, who handed him $2 change.
“That reminds me, I was wondering if I could set you and my brother up? He’s been kinda stressed recently and I think he just needs a night where he can relax a bit, you know?”
Just then, Zack cut in. He drew himself up to his full height and looked down at Alex. “Whoa, wait. Even this guy knew you were gay before me? You haven’t even mentioned him before today and you two already seem closer than me and you! You just fucking kissed the guy!”
“Jeez, Zack, we’re just friends, calm down.”
“Well you two are clearly closer than you and me, Alex.”
“No Zee, we’re best friends! Come, on lets go get milkshakes, we can go to the music store later.” Alex put his arm around Zack and steered him towards the door, throwing a “Thanks, see ya.” backwards to Matt. As soon as they got outside Alex turned to Zack, looking into his face, though Zack was avoiding eye contact. “Zee, what the hell man? The whole reason I suggested that we came to town was because I wanted to prove that you are my best friend! Matt just did me a big favour, that’s all!”
Zack still refused to make eye contact, and instead stared at the ground and chewed the inside in his cheek. “I know. I’m sorry Alex. It’s just... Sometimes I feel like I’d be so easily replaced. I get jealous even when you and Rian have your own conversations and I’m just... there.”
“Oh Zack, you total and complete ass!” Alex pulled Zack into a hug, and was almost immediately swamped by the boys arms. “Do I need to spell it out? You. Are. My. Best. Friend! Get it?” He felt Zack laugh and nod, his chin brushing Alex's hair. Alex pulled away and smiled at Zack, who smiled back. “Come on, you dumbass. Let’s go get milkshakes.”
Alex and Zack wandered off down the street, Zack still with his arm around Alex's shoulders. They were re-living the ‘Wake up, Princess’ incident from that morning and laughing with each other.
“You know I’m never gonna let you live that down, Princess Zack!” Alex looked into Zack's face and giggled, sticking his tongue out.
“Shut up, pansy!” Zack laughed out, tightening his arm around Alex's shoulders and getting into a headlock, messing up his hair.
“Okay, okay I’m sorry! Just get off, ass-wipe!”
Zack let go and the two straightened up, laughing like hyenas. Alex laughed so hard that he fell sideways into Zack who had to wrap his arm around the boy to stop him from falling over. While they stood there recovering from their fit of hysterics, Alex looked down the street and spotted something he did not want to see. The football team. Well, 6 members of the football team, all lead by Jason Tate.
At the same moment, the jocks spotted Alex and Zack, and shouted down the street, “Hey, look at the faggots over there!”
“Not in public, fags!”
“Ew, think I’m gonna be sick!”
Zack suddenly stopped laughing a looked in the direction of the shouts. There were strangers on the street that had just been passing by, now looking back and forth between the jocks and Zack and Alex. Zack let go of Alex and straightened up. He went into a silent rage, pounding up the street towards the jocks who were stood laughing at their own apparently hilarious bigotry. As he got closer, most of the boys stopped laughing and backed up when they saw how big and well built Zack was, but Jason just faced Zack and braced himself. Zack walked right up to the boy, toe-to-tow. Zack was maybe a centimetre taller, but other than that, they were evenly matched.
“You got a fucking problem?” Zack growled at the Letterman jacket clad teen.
“No, but you obviously do. Gay’s are fucking wrong. That’s not the kinda thing people wanna see in public. Fag.”
“No, you’re wrong. No one gives a shit, and even if they did it’s none of their business. So shut the fuck up and fuck off. You’d better be glad there are witnesses, else I’d kick your ass so hard you wouldn’t be walking anywhere for weeks. Got it?” Zack just stood there, fists clenched and eyebrows low.
Jason just stared for a moment, stunned into silence by the threat. He back up a few steps and looked away, then turned to the rest of his team mates. “Come on guy’s, don’t want to intrude on their date any more, do we?” And with that the stalked off down the street, knocking into Alex as they went.
Zack turned to look at Alex who hurried up to him, putting a hand on his arm. Alex felt him relax under his touch. “Are you alright? What did you say?”
“I’m fine, doesn’t matter. Are you alright, Alex?”
“Yeah, I’m fine. Nice one dude.”
“Thanks. Come on, milkshakes."
Zack put his arm back around Alex's shoulders and they walked down the street towards the café. When they got inside the café, the first thing they saw was Rian in a booth with Cassadee, both laughing at something. Zack, started to make his way over to them, but Alex stopped and anchored Zack by the back of his hoodie.
“Hey, what the... What are you doing?”
Alex just shook his head. “No we’re not sitting with them. Firstly, they’re on a date. Secondly, today is about you and me. Come on.”
They settled themselves towards the back of the place, to leave Rian in peace and keep a little hidden in case the jocks walked back. The waitress came over to take their order of two strawberry milkshakes. As she went off to get their drinks, Zack shrugged off his hoodie and hung it on the back of the chair. This was the first time today that Alex had seen Zack without it on.
Now, he could see why he hadn’t taken it off all day. All down his left arm were thick red lines. Some looked older than others, some looked only days old. Alex couldn’t look away, and unfortunately Zack caught him staring and quickly hid his arm under the table. He looked up at Alex, his eyes full of fear, then down at the table. Alex reached across and grabbed his right hand.
“Zee, what..”
“Don’t. You didn’t see anything.”
“No, Zee, I...”
“Please, Alex. Don’t.” Zack's voice sounded broken, on the verge of tears.
Alex just squeezed his hand and gently called his name. “Zee... Zee, listen to me. If... if there’s anything going on, you can talk to me. You know that, right?”
Zack looked up at Alex, eyes wide and brimming with tears. He nodded slowly and squeezed Alex's hand back, smiling a broken smile. “Not now though, okay?” Zack nodded again and let go of Alex's hand, joining it with the other hidden under the table.
The rest of the afternoon carried on almost like normal. They sat and drank their milkshakes and chatted about Zack and Rian's escapades at camp. After, Alex walked Zack home and hugged him tightly, reminding him to talk to him anytime, day or night. Zack gave him an extra squeeze and did something very un-Zack-like and kissed Alex on the top of the head. They said their farewells and parted.
When Alex got home, dinner was nearly ready. After eating his lasagne, he disappeared to his room and tried perfecting the chords of ‘Basket Case’ but gave up when his mom knocked on his door telling him to get to bed. Looking at the clock he saw it was only 11pm, but figured he should get some sleep, he did have school again tomorrow.
He took off his clothes and crawled under the covers in just his boxers. He soon fell asleep, but had troubled dreams full of Mr Barakat dancing around the classroom with Tay's ballerina, knocking Zack over and making him bleed everywhere.
Notes
Ultimate Tay Jardine crush HOLLAWATIC's new song is feckin' perfect c:
Poor bby Zack :((
Also, I had my very first Supernatural dream last night, I was on a mission with Castiel.
This was amazing omg I loved it.
6/28/16