Month: August 2023 (Page 2 of 2)

Boarding School Blues
By
Levi Holland

Chapter 8

The second solo competition was underway.

Arrows whizzed through the air before sinking into the target boards at the end of each lane, and soon the archers readied their next shots. From behind the safety of the hay bales, Cooper hung his head at a loss. None of his suitemates had any idea how to shoot a compound bow. How in the world were they supposed to earn points for Valentia?

Jordy’s floppy dreads bobbed over the heads of other students as he worked his way through the crowd of cheering students.

“So, good news and bad. Professor Bell said your team can participate today, but only if you remember his warning from yesterday.”

“Okay, so what’s the bad news?” Cooper asked.

Jordy sighed and shook his head. “Anakin isn’t allowed to do any of the challenges because of his head.”

“But that’s bullshit!” Anakin shouted.

Jordy raised his hands in self defense. “Listen, don’t tell anyone I told you, but the last two competitions are supposed to be pretty intense. Honestly, if you ask me, it’s not worth the risk.”

Despite Anakin’s grumbling, Cooper thought Jordy was right. The ugly welt he’d given Anakin the day before was already creeping from beneath the bandages wrapped around his head. If anything worse happened to his friend, Cooper wasn’t sure how he wound handle it. Sure, Naveen was the one who egged him on, but Cooper was the one who lost control.

“Whatever, I probably would have sucked anyway,” Anakin mumbled as he kicked a fluff of loose hay scattered on the ground.

The score board stood proud at the start of the archery range. Yesterday, Jordy had taken the swimming event by storm. Out of the whole school, only two other students beat his time. After his race, Cooper and Anakin ran to congratulate Jordy, and their cool friend flexed his toned muscles in a classic superhero pose as if he was surrounded by a dozen paparazzi.

“I’m really sorry,” Cooper said. “If not for me, you’d get to do these events too. I’d let you take my spot if I could.”

Anakin growled in frustration before shaking Cooper by the shoulders. “Coop, if you apologize to me one more time, I’m gonna give you a knot as big as mine.”

“Okay, okay, sorry, I just—”

“That’s it!”

“Hey, idiots,” Naveen muttered. “Try to keep it down. I don’t wanna get kicked out.”

As the upperclassmen launched their arrows, Cooper tried to pick up on the techniques the older students used when nailing the bullseye. Most of them kept their back arm flat, and the ones who did the best were the ones who were most patient, who took their time before each shot, who released their breath with their arrows.

Cooper hated to give him any props, but Xavier looked natural with a bow in his hands. The moment he picked up the compound bow, his face hardened as he fixated on the target over fifty feet away. Out of the 8th grade boys, his arrow was the only one to land anywhere close to the bullseye. He didn’t even celebrate when they awarded Fuerza the points—but Xavier’s eyes searched the crowd for someone Cooper couldn’t figure out.

Pretty soon it was time for the 6th grade boys, and a pit formed in Cooper’s stomach. This competition was going to give him an ulcer! He wasn’t exactly sure what an ulcer was, but it was something his dad always said whenever he got stressed out over something. This was definitely an ulcer kind of day, Cooper decided. Ulcer or not, he knew they didn’t have a shot in the world at winning this competition.

“I think Cooper should be the one to do it,” Naveen said. “It’s clearly the worst event, so why not?”

“We don’t know what any of the other events are! And why does it have to be me? I might be better at something else.”

“I can do event,” Julian said, quickly stepping in between them. “I do not want fight between us anymore.”

To his credit, Julian’s words silenced Naveen as their Polish roommate joined the other 6^th grade boys competing. The compound bow was more than half of Julian’s height. If there was anything to be hopeful about, none of the other boys at the archery range seemed very sure of themselves either.

Cooper recognized Fielding from his classes, staring at the bow like it was from another planet before adjusting his glasses and trying to figure out the best way to hold it. In the end, everyone’s arrows fell short, landing nowhere near any of the targets. Fielding’s even managed to fling so far wide that several onlookers ducked before the arrow sunk into the nearby hay bales.

Naveen griped throughout, whining that it should have been Cooper out there. Cooper wanted to punch Naveen in the back of the head but settled for balling his fists instead as he tried to tune out Naveen’s comments. It wasn’t worth it, and the tension melted from Cooper when Anakin’s hand rested on his shoulder.

By the time Julian came back, no one blamed him, and their Polish friend only shrugged and laughed.

“Guess is not really for me. Was fun, though.”

When the second of the three competitions was announced as wrestling, Cooper thought he might have stood a chance. With all the tree climbing he’d done, he knew he had decent balance and grip. Either way the options were getting limited. Cooper would either have to volunteer now or gamble with whatever came up next.

Cooper had barely begun to say how he was willing to go next when Naveen cut him off.

“I’ll take this one,” Naveen insisted. “It’s about time someone got us a win around here.”

As Naveen walked away to submit his name, Anakin leaned over to Julian and said, “That wasn’t very nice.”

“He is…I don’t know what word is in English,” Julian said and sighed. “I am sorry, Cooper.”

“It’s alright,” Cooper said. “It’s not your fault.”

There were a number of words Cooper could have suggested for Julian to use: jerk, asshole, dickhead, but in the end, what was the use? If he held on to his resentment for Naveen too long, it was only going to eat Cooper up inside. So even though Naveen was the biggest pain in the rear Cooper had ever met in his life, he still went to go cheer his teammate on as the wrestling matches began.

Professor O’Malley paired off a bunch of boys from different grades before sending them to change into their singlets and headgear. A few minutes later, Naveen stepped out from the changing room wearing a red spandex singlet that was clearly too small as it constricted his body. Anakin snickered at the lump near Naveen’s crotch. He wasn’t hard or anything, but the outline of his penis was obvious. Maybe Cooper was glad he wasn’t the one wearing the singlet. If something happened and he popped a boner by accident, that might have been the last straw for his social life at Blue Ridge.

As Naveen waited at the center of the mat, he reached down to pinch at a wedgie. Finally the changing room doors opened, and Cooper paled as Ivan joined Naveen on the mat. Of course they’d get paired against Ivan!

“Cooper, I think you lucked out,” Anakin whispered beside him, and Cooper could only nod. Naveen didn’t stand a chance. Over on the mat, Ivan looked bored as he dug his finger inside his ear to clean out any loose wax before wiping it on his singlet.

“Maybe he can outlast him, you know? Tire him out?” Cooper suggested hopefully.

“Don’t give up, Naveen!” Julian shouted.

The other boys from Fuerza cheered equally loud for Ivan. When the whistle blew, Naveen crouched low, widening his arms as he crab walked in a slow circle. There was a fire in his eyes, and Cooper hoped Naveen could use that to his advantage.

Sensing an opening, Naveen lunged forward to wrap his arms around Ivan’s thigh and wrench him off his feet, but as he did, Ivan palmed the back of Naveen’s singlet and dragged him to the mat with him. With a quick burst of speed, Ivan rolled his body over and pinned Naveen like he was a helpless baby. It was over.

When the whistle blew, Naveen coughed and hacked on the mat as he struggled to catch his breath. As he sulked back, they tried to encourage him, but Naveen didn’t want to talk, even smacking away Julian’s hand.

Fine then. Serves him right, Cooper thought.

His heart pounded as the mats cleared and everyone gathered for the final event. This was it. There was no other choice. He was the last of his suitemates to go and was stuck with whatever he ended up with.

“You got this, Cooper,” Anakin said in his ear.

Professor Bell marched forward, fist clutched around the final ping pong ball as he raised it in the air. A hush fell over the students as Professor Bell cleared his throat and lowered his hand to his chest.

“The final event of the fall House competition will be…”

Cooper could almost hear the drum roll rattling in the back of his mind.

Professor Bell took a deep breath before declaring, “Rock climbing!”

Cooper could hardly believe it. Of all the clubs and activities that could have been chosen, he knew rock climbing was a possibility, but he didn’t want to let himself believe. Even Naveen taking his place for the wrestling match turned out to be a wild blessing of good fortune.

Anakin shook his shoulders. “Cooper! This is it! This is your chance!”

The crowd of students swelled around Professor Bell as he led the way toward the school’s rock climbing wall across campus. They followed the grassy hills until coming upon the horse stables where the rock climbing tower was stationed. The pictures he remembered seeing in the gymnasium couldn’t do the tower justice. It was like the time he and his parents visited New York City, and half the trip he spent staring straight up at the unbelievably tall skyscrapers.

Per usual, the seniors started first. On the wall, multiple colored pathways led the way to the top. Using only the blue handholds, each group raced upward until they managed to ring the bell at the top. Cooper knew the secret was in staying two moves ahead. You couldn’t afford to backtrack and start again. You’d burn out too fast. Lose your grip and fall. There were no second chances.

Cooper rubbed the sweat from his palms. He had to believe he could do this. How many long summer hours had he spent climbing trees with Sawyer over the years?

Spending the rest of his time memorizing the route he planned to take, Cooper felt as ready as he could be as the 6th grade boys were called to the wall. One of the professors helped him step into the loops of the harness. The straps were secured around his waist and thighs, tight enough that the front of his shorts bulged, but he didn’t care about that. He refused to let himself lose focus.

The other 6th graders were preparing beside him, standing on their mark after their harnesses were fastened. The only boy Cooper recognized was Roman, since he shared classes with the Fuerzas. Ivan had already helped them dominate the canoe race, and then the wrestling match. Out of everyone, Cooper knew he had to beat Roman at all costs.

“Climbers, ready?”

Cooper took a quick breath. This was it. Now or never.

A whistle blared, and Cooper sprinted towards the base of the wall. Moving with the harness around his hips was strange at first, but he was grateful it didn’t impede his range of motion any. Wedging his foot between the first blue handhold and the wall, Cooper stretched his arm out high. The handholds curved enough to grip, and Cooper pushed up, using the momentum to get his foot to the next hold.

The cheers from below fueled him as he climbed. He didn’t care if they were for him or not. He had to believe winning could help make a difference. He belonged here, just like them!

One more hold. Another. It didn’t matter how many were left. All that mattered was getting to the next one. And then the next. With each step, Cooper’s legs grew more shaky. When he was climbing trees, he could rest whenever he wanted. There was always plenty of space and plenty of branches. Here, there was only one path, and each narrow foothold didn’t allow much room to catch his breath. He worried if he stopped too long to see how far he still had to climb, he would lose too many precious seconds.

One of the kids to his left slipped on his way to the next handhold. His flaming red hair flopped around as he tumbled headfirst into a spinning free fall. The farther he fell, the more the harness slowed him until his body safely landed on the ground. The kid punched the ground in frustration before craning his head towards the rest of the climbers.

Anakin’s voice cut through a chorus of disappointed groans. “Coop, hurry!”

On the other side, Roman was passing him, grunting with each effort made as he climbed higher and higher. Gritting his teeth, Cooper sought out the next handhold and used both hands to launch himself upward. He nearly slipped as his sweaty palm twisted around the hard plastic jug. His hands stung as a blister formed, but he couldn’t worry about that now. Couldn’t let go. Had to keep climbing! In desperation, Cooper kicked out with his foot and managed to hook the bottom of his shoe around the hold without slipping.

The cheers below were swelling now. His legs were burning, his arms were cramping, and any moment he knew his body would quit on him. What good was it to get so close to where he wanted but fail just before the end?

Beside him, Roman was only a half step behind as they reached the last few holds.

Three to go.

Two.

Roman cried out as he made a last ditch effort to lunge for the bell at the top. His body torqued as he stretched his arm as high as he could, but in the end, his hand swiped only empty air. All at once, Roman’s body thunked against the wall and tumbled down, slowing to a stop like the others who had fallen throughout the day.

Cooper’s heart soared, and suddenly his whole body was like helium as he made the final climb and finished the race to the top. He’d done it! He’d actually won! The cheers from below couldn’t match his own joy as he gripped the bell pull and rang it with all his might.

As Cooper kicked away from the wall, the harness controlled his descent until his trembling legs touched the ground again. The moment he was free, Anakin tackled him to the ground in a hug.

“Cooper, you did it! That was so badass!”

Others swarmed him in congratulations, patting his shoulder, ruffling his hair. Many of them were Valentias, some even as old as the seniors. Cooper had just enough time to pound fists with Jordy before getting swallowed back up in the chaos. Even winners from the other Houses came to give their kudos.

Cooper turned to see Julian standing and grinning with Anakin.

“That was so awesome, Cooper!” Julian shouted, his words thick with his accent.

“Julian cheered with me the whole time,” Anakin explained.

Cooper couldn’t help but look around. Even with all the people who had congratulated him on his win, the one person he had really been trying to impress was nowhere to be seen.

As if sensing who Cooper was looking for, Julian said, “Naveen saw the race, too. He’s not bad guy, Cooper. Just needs time.”

Julian extended a fist and apologized for not standing up for Cooper sooner.

“I’m not good friend,” Julian tried to say, “but I’ll do better.”

“It’s okay,” Cooper said, “I forgive you.”

With his win and the rock climbing event finished, the first House competition was brought to a close. Cooper couldn’t have asked for a better way to end the day as he headed back to the castle with Anakin and Julian.

*

As the day wound to a close, Naveen was nowhere to be seen, and it wasn’t until dinner when they found him already sitting at their table with Jordy. Whatever they were talking about, Naveen was nodding intently as Jordy explained something. By the time Cooper grabbed his food, Jordy was already back at his table with Kai.

It was like the past week hadn’t happened at all. The moment Cooper sat down at the table, everyone was talking to him and including him in their conversations. Cooper wondered if he was in some kind of multiverse. Only Naveen was silent, barely eating his food or looking up from his plate.

In the end, Valentia lost the House competition. Actually, lost was too generous of a word. They got thrashed. The only reason they didn’t wind up in 4th place was because of Cooper’s win at the rock climbing wall. The extra points he earned for winning was just enough to snag 3rd place overall. It wasn’t pretty, but it was night and day from the canoeing accident the day before. As expected, Fuerza crushed most of the events, and nobody was surprised when Headmaster Robinson declared their House the winner.

Near the end of dinner, Nadia and Naveen were huddled together as they whispered. Whatever his twin was saying, Nadia looked pissed. She talked a lot with her hands, waving them around whenever Naveen tried to say something back. When she was done, she grabbed her dinner tray and left with her roommate back towards the girls’ dorms.

Cooper was on his way out of the dining area when Naveen called out to him.

“Cooper, wait,” he said. “Can I talk with you for a minute? In private?”

“Anything you have to say to Coop, you can say around me,” Anakin said and crossed his arms.

“It’s okay, Anakin,” Cooper said. For some reason, he didn’t think Naveen was trying to corner him or insult him this time.

As he followed Naveen to the cobblestone courtyard outside the banquet hall, the cool night air breezed across Cooper’s arms. He rubbed them as the flickering lamplight cast shadows over Naveen’s coppery skin. For the first time since meeting him, Naveen looked unsure of what he wanted to say next.

“Cooper, I don’t even know where to begin apologizing.”

“You could always start with, I’m sorry,” Cooper suggested.

“No, of course. I am. Cooper, I’ve been such a dickhead to you. And I could come up with a million different excuses why, but it doesn’t change any of that. I don’t deserve your forgiveness, but I hope you can give me a second chance to show you I’m not a terrible person.”

Cooper bit his tongue to try and avoid saying something he’d regret. Did Naveen think after a week of being cruel that a simple apology was enough to forgive him? He wanted to blame Naveen for all the hurt he’d caused him—to tell Naveen the only reason he was even saying sorry was because Cooper made him and the other Valentias look good.

“Cooper, I was too dumb to see the type of friend you kept trying to be. I know words don’t mean much, but please let me make it up to you.”

Cooper shook his head. Words don’t mean much, except Naveen’s words had hurt him plenty. From the corner of his eye, Cooper spotted Anakin waiting in the shadows, quiet as the two boys worked out their problems. A week ago, Anakin had asked him for forgiveness as well, and now Cooper couldn’t imagine life at the academy without him. Cooper took a deep breath through his nostrils.

Everyone deserved a second chance.

Maybe everything would turn south between them, and by tomorrow, he and Naveen would be at each other’s throats again. It was a risk, but one Cooper prayed would pay off as he stuck out his hand in a peace offering.

Naveen’s face seemed genuine as he rattled Cooper’s hand and thanked him.

“Finally! Have you two made up yet?” Anakin called from the awning. Julian stood by his side, having snuck up at some point during their conversation.

“Haven’t you ever heard of a little privacy?” Naveen asked.

“Like I said earlier, whatever you say to Coop, you can say around me.”

“Come on,” Cooper said, rubbing his arms for warmth. “Let’s get out of here.”

And for the first time since starting at Blue Ridge, Cooper made the walk back through to Valentia’s tower with all of his suitemates. The day had been a rush of emotions, and his body was ready to collapse by the time they all finished the long climb to their bedrooms.

***

The cheers deafened Roman’s ears as he stared at the final few handholds above him. There was no way he would let Cooper Morrow win, not when Roman was so close to the top.

Still, Cooper kept his lead, and Roman was running out of time. Roman dug his toes into the holds and crouched, knees wobbling as he prepared to spring up and snag the bell that would claim his victory. But his foot slipped, and the jump that should have made him a hero wound up being his downfall as he uselessly pawed the climbing wall on his way to the bottom.

Only this time, the harness didn’t slow him, and when his body thwacked onto the ground, the breath was kicked from his lungs. There were no more cheers. There was no ringing bell.

There was nothing.

Roman groaned as he struggled for air. His ribs felt crunched as he struggled to flip on his back. Above him, the sun blinded him as it beamed down, but soon something blocked its path, and when Roman opened his eyes, Xavier was looming over him.

Roman could do nothing to crawl away from his brother who had the same look in his eyes like whenever they were in his bedroom.

Xavier dropped to his knees. Roman tried to protect himself, but Xavier pinned his arms beside his head before straddling Roman’s waist. Even though his brother was clothed, Roman had no trouble feeling Xavier’s erection through his sweatpants as his brother ground against him.

Roman grit his teeth as his own dick tingled. Why did this always happen? He didn’t want this. He hated it. Hated the way his body was reacting, responding, enjoying what Xavier was doing.

“Stop it,” he muttered, not sure if he was talking to Xavier or his aching boner.

Xavier wasn’t even looking at Roman, only through him as he continued rocking his hips forward. With every thrust, Roman drew closer and closer toward that pleasurable cliff he’d gotten to so close before. He didn’t want it. He did, though. Just not from Xavier. Not like this.

“Stop it!”

A hand shook Roman’s shoulder as he sprang up in bed. Like the other nightmares over the last week, it had left him breathless and sweaty, and worse yet, as painfully hard as he was in his dreams.

Roman couldn’t make out Fielding’s body in the dark, but the stress of the nightmare and Xavier was overwhelming, and Roman began to cry. His tears burned his cheeks as they fell, and he punched his arm to try and distract himself from the pain in his heart.

Fielding crawled in bed beside him, saying nothing as he scooted the comforter back and pulled Roman to his chest to let him cry.

It had been so long. He needed the release. Laying his head against Fielding’s bare chest, Roman breathed out a sigh as his friend’s fingernails scratched lightly through his damp hair.

“Is this okay?” he asked, and Roman nodded. “My moms do this for me when I’m upset.”

The touch was electric, sending goosebumps over Roman’s body as he relaxed into it. Feeling cramped as he curled against Fielding’s body, Roman tried to stretch his legs out, but as he did, the boner in his underwear brushed against Fielding’s thigh.

They both froze.

Roman thought back to their shower from yesterday, when both of them had gotten hard in front of each other. Thinking about the soapy hand gliding over Fielding’s slick erection made Roman shiver. He should repay Fielding for comforting him. That’s what a good friend would do.

As Roman placed a hand on Fielding’s stomach, his friend’s undefined abs tensed beneath his touch. Smooth skin led the way down to the waistband of Fielding’s briefs, and after a small hesitation, Roman brushed his fingers across the front of Fielding’s underwear, pleased to feel the hardness there and Fielding’s gasp at his ear.

“Roman, what’re you…”

Roman snaked a hand inside Fielding’s underwear, past his silky, bare pubic region, until his fingers wrapped around the thin, straining erection. Fielding shuddered as Roman worked his fingers steadily like he had for Xavier so many times. Hands squeezed and latched on to Roman, not in a painful way, but like they had nowhere else to go as they palmed and pressed urgently against him.

Using his friend’s breathy moans as a guide, Roman knew Fielding must have been close to the same good feelings Xavier had.

“Roman, stop,” Fielding said in a strained voice. “Wait.”

It wasn’t until Fielding’s hands left his hair and went to halt his gliding wrist that Roman felt a sting in his chest. What was he doing wrong?

“I don’t know what’s going on,” Fielding said, “but you don’t have to do this.”

“Didn’t it feel good, though?” Roman whispered. Why wouldn’t Fielding let him do this?

There was a long stretch of silence before Fielding said, “It’s okay to just lay here together. Let’s do that instead, okay?”

Roman wasn’t sure what to think of that. Touching his dick was how Xavier liked him to show affection, so why wouldn’t Fielding want the same thing? Already Fielding’s fingers dragged teasingly along his scalp as Roman tried to settle his mind. The ever-chirping cicadas outside helped as he listened to their cries.

Under Fielding’s touch, Roman’s dick strained and he desperately wanted to reach down and squeeze himself, to keep chasing those good feelings and see where they led. But he also wanted to lay there and enjoy the soothing touch from his friend. Sinking into Fielding’s chest, Roman yawned deeply as his eyes grew itchy and he finally fell back asleep.

End Chapter 8

Copyright 2023 – Levi Holland
All rights reserved

Boarding School Blues
By
Levi Holland

Chapter 7

“Go! Go, Jordy! Paddle!”

The sun streamed high overhead as Cooper screamed with the rest of the Valentias down at the lake’s docks. Four canoes stormed around the final bend of buoys, and Valentia only trailed behind Fuerza by half a boat.

At the head of Valentia’s canoe sat Jordy Diaz, who shouted commands at Kai and his other suitemates as they increased the power behind their synchronized rows.

“Left! Right! Left! Right!”

Jumping up and down beside Cooper, Anakin shouted, “I think they’re pulling ahead!”

It was true. Maybe thirty yards separated Fuerza from taking yet another win in the competition, but the Valentias were hot on their trail. Cooper hoped Jordy’s team would win. Not just because Jordy and Kai were part of his House, but also because Xavier was leading Fuerza’s canoe. A week into his time at Blue Ridge, and Cooper still remembered the way the bully toppled him over with no remorse on his first day.

“Come on, Jordy!” Cooper cried.

A brief glance at the bulletin board showed that Valentia and Fuerza were only separated by two points. The girls’ races had been just as heated, but if Jordy’s team could squeak out the win, then Valentia would be back on top.

“Oh, no! Cooper, look!”

Anakin pointed to Xavier’s canoe. Having noticed Jordy’s crew gaining on them, the tip of Xavier’s boat was steering at a sharp angle in an effort to cut them off.

“That’s cheating!” Cooper shouted. “They can’t do that.”

“Well, they’re doing it, so it must be allowed.”

Any second now the two boats would smash together, unless Jordy could somehow find a way to cut their speed and pull around. It looked like Jordy knew what he had to do, because all at once he called for everyone to dig their oars against the current.

Water sloshed over their paddles as Xavier’s canoe drifted harmlessly past, and immediately Jordy called for everyone to row in the opposite direction. Making up for the lost seconds would be difficult, but even as Jordy, Kai, and the others strained to regain their momentum, Cooper believed they could do it.

“Come on, just a little further,” he urged.

In the end, it was the Fuerzas who crossed first as a pistol cracked, announcing the end of the race. Cooper groaned with the rest of the Valentias as Jordy fell back against Kai in exhaustion. Kai patted the front of Jordy’s life jacket in support.

Already the Fuerzas were cheering obnoxiously as the bulletin board was wheeled out and another tally was added beside their House.

“We were so close, too,” Anakin mumbled.

“We can’t give up yet,” Cooper said. “We can do this!”

As the canoes were rowed to the docks, the 7th graders readied themselves to start while an announcement called for all 6th grade boys to join Professor Bell near the bulletin board.

Hanging around Professor Bell’s neck was the boat house key. Like the castle where their classes were held, the boat house was a towering, two-story structure. Before the races started, they got to check out the inside and see where the members of the canoe club spent their afternoons.

As Professor Bell explained the rules about their life jackets and the race, a fresh crack from the starting pistol signaled the start of the 7th grade race.

Cooper found himself checking out the competition. Between the four Houses, they all seemed evenly matched except for Ivan. He easily had a foot and a half on all of them. Ever since they started their classes, Cooper wondered if Ivan must have failed a grade sometime before 6^th grade. Seriously, what kind of steroids was this kid jacked up on? Maybe he’d be the awkward kind of big that would slow them down, Cooper hoped.

“Mr. Morrow, are you paying attention?”

Cooper blinked as his blood ran cold. Not good. He’d zoned out. A couple of the other 6th grade boys snickered, but Naveen’s glare was venomous.

Professor Bell sighed. “These rules are so no one gets hurt. At any point, if you try and sabotage another team’s canoe with your oars, your team will be immediately disqualified.”

The boys nodded, and after Professor Bell finished explaining the rules, he directed them down to the docks where they were fitted with their life jackets and helmets. The buckle beneath Cooper’s chin was pinching him too tight, but when he tried to get some relief, the professor who helped him out frowned and tightened it back.

Anakin held the mustard yellow life jacket out at arm’s length, shaking his head as he slid them over his arms. “Who in their right mind would ever want to wear these?”

Cooper laughed. “Maybe people who don’t want to drown?”

“I think I’d rather drown,” Anakin said.

Cheers turned Cooper’s attention to the group of boys rounding the final bend. In a rare turn of events, Sagesse had come out on top over Fuerza, with the other two Houses falling shortly behind. Winning the suite competition now was a long shot, but they had to try. There was no way they were giving up.

When the pistol fired again, it was finally their turn.

Cooper steadied his breath. Jordy’s advice rang in the back of his mind. This was it. His chance to prove to everyone he belonged.

Cooper walked to the front of the canoe, but he was nearly smacked by an outstretched oar as Naveen leveled it at his face.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Naveen asked. “That’s my seat.”

“No, it isn’t,” Cooper said. “We can sit wherever we want.”

“And I want the front seat. Someone like you doesn’t get to choose where they sit.”

Cooper’s hands twisted around his oar. He wondered how far Naveen’s head might roll if he whacked it with his paddle.

Naveen didn’t wait for permission as he marched towards the front of the canoe. Julian shook his head and mouthed an apology to Cooper, while Anakin only gestured for Cooper to take the seat right behind Naveen. Anakin settled in behind Cooper, and Julian brought up the rear.

“We’ll follow my lead,” Naveen said to no one in particular. “Even with a handicap, we’ll show them who’s on top.”

Cooper’s blood boiled, and he doubted he could keep his emotions bottled up much longer.

At the other docks, the boys from the remaining three Houses sat poised and ready.

“Ready!” a professor called from the middle dock, aiming the pistol high into the air.

With a deafening crack, the sidelines erupted in cheers, and Naveen led the charge, digging the right side of his oar through the water.

“Stay with me!” Naveen shouted.

Cooper’s fears were realized as the bigger boy from Fuerza sloshed bucketfuls of water behind him with each powerful stroke of his arms. In no time at all, their rivals were pulling ahead, already reaching the buoys marking the halfway point.

“Row faster, guys!” Naveen ordered. “Come on!”

“We’re trying,” Cooper shouted. “You’re not waiting for us to row with you.”

“Who asked you?” Naveen said. “I was talking to my teammates.”

Cooper had had enough. When Naveen lifted his oar out of the water to begin turning the canoe at the first set of buoys, Cooper used his oar to jab the end of Naveen’s.

“What’re you doing, you idiot!?” Naveen shouted and slapped back at Cooper’s paddle.

Cooper rammed the bar against Naveen’s life jacket, and the raft began to wobble. Turning his body around, Naveen toppled Cooper backwards into Anakin’s lap.

“Naveen, stop!” Julian called, but it was no good.

Cooper gripped the edges of the teetering canoe and kicked at Naveen. Leaning over to try and knock his foot away, Naveen’s extra weight at the side sent the canoe tilting. In a panic, Cooper clutched his oar as his body went lurching out of the boat.

“Watch out!”

Cooper felt the end of his paddle strike something hard as his body plunged into the darkness of the chilly lake water. With the life jacket on, it was only a second before he breached the surface, but right away his heart sank. Anakin’s body floated face down in the water.

“Anakin!”

Cooper ditched the oar, struggling against the life jacket as he swam towards his friend. The moment he got there, he lifted Anakin’s head out of the water. Next to his temple, the skin was broken and bleeding, and Anakin wasn’t opening his eyes. Keeping Anakin’s head above the surface, Cooper positioned his body beneath him as he cried out for help. Julian was the only one of them to have stayed in the boat, and Naveen was swimming back towards Cooper.

From the shoreline, the cheers had grown silent and a few whistles pierced the air as Professor Bell dived in the water and swam their way. Everyone else had stopped the race, but that didn’t matter anymore. The most important thing was keeping Anakin safe.

All at once, Anakin sputtered up water and choked out a cough as his eyes fluttered open.

“What happened?” he asked. Anakin hacked up another wet cough as they floated on the water’s surface before signaling to Cooper that he was alright.

“Cooper must have smacked you in the head, that’s what,” Naveen said.

“That’s it!” Cooper said. “I don’t care what happens anymore. I don’t care if I’m kicked out of this shitty school. You’re the biggest freakin’ jerk I’ve ever met!”

Cooper swam over to Naveen before grappling with him in the water. Naveen was ready, though, and clipped Cooper in the side of the jaw with his fist. His head wrenched sideways, but Cooper had so much adrenaline pumping through him, the punch was little more than a dull ache. He was ready to pounce on Naveen when an ear-splitting whistle shrilled right beside them.

“Boys! Boys!” Professor Bell roared, but neither of them stopped until their teacher swam between and forced them apart.

“It’s his stupid fault,” Naveen said. “He tipped our raft and hit Anakin with his oar!”

“That was an accident!” Cooper explained. “And it only happened because you kept blaming me for everything that went wrong!”

“That’s enough!” Professor Bell shouted and silence fell over the waters. Their professor’s hair was soaked and plastered to his forehead, and his breath huffed through his nostrils as he eyed them both. “Anakin, are you alright?”

Anakin winced as he pressed his fingers to the welt at the side of his head. The skin beside Anakin’s ear still wept with blood. Cooper’s stomach dropped as he realized what he’d done. He’d hurt the only real friend he had at Blue Ridge.

“I think so,” Anakin said. “It just stings really bad.”

“We’ll get you cleaned up and checked for a concussion,” Professor Bell said. “Boys, help me get him in the raft, and if either one of you causes any issues, so help me, this will be your last day at Blue Ridge.”

Naveen shot him a withering look, but Cooper didn’t have the heart to fight anymore. He swam to where Professor Bell was assisting Anakin to the canoe and helped push up until Julian was able to help Anakin into the canoe. Professor Bell pulled himself up before assisting Cooper and Naveen.

Professor Bell took the front, and Cooper squeezed in beside Anakin who rested his head against Cooper’s shoulder and closed his eyes.

“It’s okay, Coop,” Anakin whispered. “I know you didn’t mean it. It’s okay.”

“It’s not okay,” Cooper muttered.

For once in his life, Naveen said nothing as he sat in front of them, though Cooper was willing to bet if Professor Bell wasn’t there, things wouldn’t be so quiet.

When they arrived back to the docks, two teachers carrying first aid kits helped Anakin from the canoe before bringing him to the shade of a popup tent and checking him for a concussion. Professor Bell’s school uniform was still drenched and dripping as he tried to wring the water from it.

When Anakin was cleared and his wound cleaned and bandaged, Professor Bell escorted them back to their suite. The whole time, Cooper kept turning his head to check on Anakin. It didn’t matter how many times Anakin told him he was fine. Things could have gone so much worse. They should have. And it was all his fault.

Upstairs at the top of Valentia’s spire, Professor Bell had them sit on the couch, while he pulled each of them to the side to hear their version of what happened. Cooper tried to explain how it was an accident, that he never meant for Anakin to get hurt. Was he trying to hurt Naveen instead? No, well, maybe. He wasn’t sure what had gotten into him all of a sudden.

After Professor Bell talked to them all privately, he addressed them as a group.

“You boys were extremely lucky nothing happened to Mr. Adams,” Professor Bell said. “And I do mean all of you. Not just Cooper.”

“How is any of this my fault?” Naveen asked.

“Because you are a team!” Professor Bell said tersely. His voice cut the quiet of the room like a knife. None of them dared speak.

Cooper kicked himself mentally. Maybe all this really was his fault.

“Like it or not,” their professor continued, “Cooper is here to stay. I suggest you both find ways to make amends with each other. There won’t be a second chance should something like this happen again.”

There was no room for discussion as he spun on his heels and marched down Valentia’s steps. Cooper jumped as Naveen’s door slammed shut behind him. So much for trying to win him over, Cooper thought.

Anakin lay on the couch, leaning his head back against the cushions as he rested an ice pack on his head.

“Don’t give up, Coop,” he said. “He’ll come around. Promise.”

Cooper wasn’t so sure anymore. Was staying at Blue Ridge worth putting the people he cared about in harm’s way? Anakin seemed to think so, even though he could have been hurt so much worse. That wouldn’t have happened if he had been gone.

“Cooper?”

A small voice spoke behind him, and when he turned, Julian was facing him, face scrunched as he searched for the right words in English to say.

“Just so you know, I tell Professor Bell Naveen started fight. You’re not bad person.”

Cooper nodded his thanks before Julian retreated back to his bedroom and shut the door behind him.

“See?” Anakin asked, giving a thumbs up from the couch as he forced a smile. “Progress.”

***

“Did you see the way they toppled over?” Fielding shouted as they scanned the bulletin board for the updated scores. No way was Fuerza going to lose now. “I thought PB was gonna strangle them for sure.”

Roman raised an eyebrow. “I think PB is gonna strangle you if he ever hears you call him that to his face.”

“Our little secret,” Fielding beamed, smiling angelically as he mimed zipping his lips.

While there was talk about disqualifying the entire 6th grade boys’ race, in the end, the professors agreed to award points based on their last positions before the fight. That meant Fuerza had pulled out another win. Roman, Fielding, and Wyatt practically tackled Ivan off his feet, knowing it was him who had been a huge reason for their win.

Earlier in the day, they were told the first solo event would be a swim meet held right after the canoe races. Already, buoys were being arranged to mark how far they’d have to swim before circling back.

They all agreed Ivan would be the worst choice. While his extra weight and muscle helped propel them to victory during the canoe race, he lacked a swimmer’s body. Roman considered volunteering, knowing all his time at the pool back home might be good for something, but it was Wyatt who raised his hand instead.

“I’ll do it,” Wyatt said. It was one of only a handful of sentences Roman had ever heard him say.

“Alright, Wyatt!” Fielding shouted. He patted his shoulder like a parent dropping their kid off for their first day of school. “You’re gonna do great. We believe in you.”

“You’re just glad you don’t have to swim,” Roman pointed out.

Fielding squeezed a totally unprepared Wyatt in a hug. “You go and get us that win now, y’hear?”

“You’re crazy,” Wyatt mumbled.

“Crazy awesome,” Fielding said. “Now, go!”

None of Cooper’s group came back, and they were automatically given 4th place. Roman might have felt good about the win normally, but there was no fun in winning by default. The only reason Cooper’s team had 4^th place was because someone had gotten hurt.

In the end, Wyatt came in second, losing to a swimmer from Sagesse who glided through the water like a dolphin. Not even Roman could believe how effortless the boy swam.

“Check that kid out,” Fielding said, pretending to hold binoculars up to his eyes. “Woah.”

“Hey, whose side are you on?” Roman asked.

When Wyatt returned to them, his damp, floppy hair dripped water down his forehead as he apologized for losing.

“You did better than any of us could have,” Roman said. “Especially Fielding.”

Roman ignored the gasp he heard as the final scores were tallied. The suite competition was a slam dunk for Fuerza, but there were still three other solo events happening the next day, and it was anyone’s guess what they would be.

Heading back inside, Roman was thankful for the break. His skin bristled with warmth from the hot sun, even with all the extra sunscreen he put on.

“Oh my god, I’m so burnt,” Fielding said as he pressed a thumb against his arms. “My moms are gonna kill me if they find out.”

Roman refused to glance inside Xavier’s suite as they walked up the steps. Ever since he’d nearly pummeled him and Fielding, things had been silent. The only other time he’d seen Xavier that week was in the dining hall. His brother was barely touching the food on his plate. It annoyed Roman that he even worried what might have been wrong with Xavier. What did it matter? Xavier didn’t care about him, so why should he?

“I’m beat,” Fielding said as he fell back on his mattress. Already, the bathroom showers were running as Ivan and Wyatt rinsed the sweat from their bodies. “I swear I could fall asleep right now.”

“Don’t,” Roman said. “You’ll get your covers all smelly and gross.”

“Yeah, yeah. Thanks, Mom.”

Roman chucked a pillow at his friend and grinned as Fielding yelped in surprise.

“What do you think tomorrow’s gonna be like?” Roman asked.

Fielding waved a hand from his bed. “Who knows? I just hope it’s something I’m actually good at.”

“Maybe they’ll have a competition to see who can talk the longest.”

Roman ducked when Fielding hurled the pillow back over.

“‘Maybe they’ll have a blah blah blah’” Fielding repeated. “Whatever. I think the shower stopped—guess I’ll go next.”

Roman sprang up from the bed and picked out a new set of clothes. “Hold up. I’ll go with you.”

Fielding whipped his head around and stuttered. “What? Why? You don’t have to do that.”

“Come on,” Roman said, “It’s no big deal. You’ve taken showers by yourself all week. There’s nothing to be worried about. I have the same thing you do, you know.”

“Yeah, but…” Fielding got fidgety, shifting his gaze around the room. It reminded Roman of the first day they met.

Roman grabbed his clothes and towel and pushed Fielding out the door. It wasn’t until they reached the steamy bathroom that Fielding gave up fighting him.

Inside the bathroom, Ivan and Wyatt were toweling off as water dripped to the marble floor around their feet. Roman couldn’t believe how much body hair Ivan already had. His dick hung beneath a compact, but dense patch of black pubes. There were even little dark hairs down by his ankles. Roman was once again amazed that Ivan could somehow be in 6^th grade. Weren’t they supposed to start puberty in like a year or two?

Wyatt on the other hand was scrawny in every way. Completely smooth other than the brown hair on his head, Wyatt had the appearance of a boy two years their younger. Sitting on top of his tight sack was a shriveled up button dick that seemed to stick out soft rather than hang like Ivan’s.

Neither seemed fazed by the other’s nakedness, and Roman tried not to stare as he slipped inside and carried his clothes to the empty ledge near the shower.

As their suitemates wrapped themselves in their towels and left, Roman asked Fielding, “You coming or what?”

Without waiting for a response, Roman removed his shirt and let it plop on the marbled bathroom floor. He kicked it away from a puddle of water before undoing his shorts. Behind him, Fielding faced the opposite way, but his shirt was gone. Freckles dotted the pale skin of his narrow, upper shoulders. Roman flushed when Fielding lowered his shorts and underwear and the white globes of Fielding’s ass came into view.

Keeping his underwear on for now, Roman reached inside the shower and turned on the faucets. Hot water sputtered out until a steady flow began, adding to the steam already swirling around in the bathroom.

Fielding cupped his hands over his bits as Roman removed his underwear. Unlike his friend, Roman didn’t bother covering up. What was the point? They couldn’t go the entire shower guarding themselves. And besides, they were going to see each other naked over the next seven years. Ivan and Wyatt had clearly gotten over their bashfulness, and it was time for the two of them to do so as well.

“Oh…” Fielding whispered, his eyes drinking in the sight of Roman’s naked body, his smooth tanned skin, his slightly drooping balls and penis, the curves where his abs began to show. In comparison, Fielding wasn’t quite skeletal, but Roman could count his ribs.

Fielding’s eyes locked on to the fading yellowed bruise on Roman’s stomach. After the incident with Xavier, Roman explained that it wasn’t the first time Xavier had done something mean like that. He didn’t mention any of the stuff about touching Xavier’s dick or making him shoot his stuff. He wanted to, he tried, but he couldn’t. It was like someone snapped a lock around his lips and trapped the words inside.

Roman shook the thought away as he opened up the glass door to the shower and stepped inside, propping it open for Fielding to come through.

“Can you see without your glasses?” Roman asked.

“I can see alright,” Fielding said, stepping over the ledge and into the shower.

The warmth from the spraying water immediately spread through the aching muscles in Roman’s back, and he exhaled in relief. Fielding waddled over to the other shower, hands still cupped over his groin.

“You can’t cover yourself forever,” Roman said. “How’re you going to use shampoo or wash yourself?”

“I…uhh…” Fielding stammered. “I won’t then.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. Look, what’s the big deal?”

Fielding turned his head away, and when he muttered, Roman could hardly hear him over the noise from the shower. “Promise not to laugh?”

Roman stepped out from under the shower head and placed a hand on Fielding’s shoulder. “I promise.”

Still keeping his head turned as he squinted his eyes shut, Fielding removed his hands, and Roman saw why he’d been so worried, even if it brought a smirk to his face.

Standing proudly up from his pale groin, Fielding’s boner arched upwards all three-and-a-half inches towards the ceiling, throbbing and pulsing in time with his heart beat. The shaft was as white as the rest of his body with a little pink mushroom crown on top. Beneath his penis, Fielding’s sack was larger than he’d expected, but his balls were drawn up, kind of like Xavier’s did before he shot his stuff.

If anything, Roman wanted to laugh, only because of how anxious Fielding was. So what if he popped a boner? It happened all the time.

“Is that all?” Roman asked.

Fielding opened his eyes and looked down, as if to double check he was still hard. This close to his friend, Roman knew their groins were only a foot from each other at most. It had been years since he’d shared a bath or shower with Xavier, and the closeness alone was starting to make him hard.

Fielding’s mouth opened as Roman’s penis stretched to its full length. Rather than curve upward like Fielding’s, Roman’s dick pointed out like a spear ready for battle. To show he wasn’t embarrassed, Roman flicked the end of his boner and gave it a wag.

“See? Nothing to be embarrassed about. We’re boys. It happens. A lot, actually.”

Fielding was breathing a little heavier, and when he reached down toward his groin, Roman thought he was going to cover himself up again. Instead, Fielding gave his penis a soft squeeze while staring at Roman’s and shuddered. The technique was different, but it seemed like he was making himself feel good like Xavier had. Roman wondered if that meant Fielding could shoot stuff too.

A strange tightness formed in Roman’s chest as his boner twitched. Trying to distract himself, he grabbed his shampoo bottle from the ledge and squirted some in his palm.

“Come on. Let’s get washed up, and then we can go have dinner.”

They finished the rest of their shower, both boys hard as a rock the entire time. When it was time for his body wash, Roman was careful as his hands glided across his soapy body and down to his throbbing erection. Something was going on with him, and every touch on his dick sent little chills over his skin. He was careful to only touch it as much as he needed before moving on to his balls and rolling them in his hands.

Across from him, Fielding gave his boner a little more attention, his palm sliding over the entire length several times. Roman blushed at the small groan that escaped his mouth as Fielding’s knees buckled with every swipe across the pink crown. It took everything in Roman not to reach out and slip his finger’s around Fielding’s boner. Before anything could happen, Fielding snatched his hand away and washed his body free from the soap.

Roman had tried to make it happen before. Tried to make his penis jump and twitch like his brother’s. But every time he felt like he was close, and he got close a lot, his mind was haunted with a memory of Xavier slapping him or punching him or shoving him, and the desire emptied from his body in a rush.

 Feeling like he needed to catch his breath, Roman cut the water off, and it dripped all over the floor as he opened the shower door and pulled their towels from the ledge.

Fielding’s strawberry-blonde hair was a shade darker as its curls plastered to his forehead. When Roman tossed him the towel, Fielding rubbed his hair with it, his tiny boner wagging side to side each time. As Fielding bent over to wipe his legs, Roman saw the globes of his ass again, and before he could change his mind, he coiled up his towel and flicked it out at Fielding’s butt.

His friend lurched up and shielded his cheeks before hobbling away, and Roman laughed as he dodged Fielding’s own attempts to towel snap him back.

“That wasn’t nice, Roman,” Fielding said, holding his ass with both hands as his boner jutted upward. At least they were over their nervousness now.

Once their clothes were on, the two boys waited for Ivan and Wyatt before heading down to eat.

Along the way, Roman thought the day had been one of the best days he could remember in a long time. Maybe it was how well they did in the House competition, or maybe it was just the fact that he had done it alongside people who cared about him.

Roman couldn’t stop himself from squeezing the tops of Fielding’s shoulders. His friend looked back and beamed at him before adjusting his glasses.

It felt good to have someone close in his life again.

End Chapter 7

Copyright 2023 – Levi Holland
All rights reserved

Boarding School Blues
By
Levi Holland

Chapter 6

Cooper knew how to win his suitemates over.

The canoe competition and solo events were the perfect way to prove he belonged just as much as Naveen or any other Blue Ridge kid out there. Now all Cooper had to do was survive through the weekend.

After the assembly, the 6th graders were split into two groups. The Valentias and Fuerzas walked together with Professor Riviera, who introduced herself as their history teacher. Inside her classroom, maps of all types and sizes covered the wall. Some were faded and brown, protected from further damage by lamination, and others were freshly printed. The dates on the maps ranged back over a thousand years in some cases. When Professor Riviera spoke to them, her face glowed as she explained how one seemingly unimportant event could spark revolutions for entire nations. Back in elementary school, history was one of Cooper’s least favorite subjects, but the way Professor Riviera talked about it, he might actually start to enjoy it.

Even though they were made to sit with their Houses, Naveen and Julian still weren’t talking to him. Someone tapped his shoulder, and when Cooper turned around, a girl whose name he didn’t know yet from Valentia asked politely if he could crouch down so she could see better. Anakin shrugged like it was progress.

Their next class was science with Professor Bell, and right away Cooper could see why everyone seemed to like him so much. He let them sit wherever they wanted! Even then, Cooper wasn’t surprised only Anakin chose to sit beside him near the front.

Professor Bell’s classroom had all sorts of beakers, tools, and instruments they’d get to use throughout the year. They laughed as Professor Bell ended the class with a few funny videos of classroom experiments gone horribly wrong.

“Nobody died in the making of these videos,” he said, and then paused. “I think.”

After Professor Bell’s class came lunch, and Cooper was quick to scarf down his food. The less time he gave Naveen to tease him, the better. They had a whole hour to relax before their next class, so he and Anakin walked back to their dorm room together. Already they had plans for decorating the inside of their room.

“The walls are only one shade, and it’s burgundy, for crying out loud! They couldn’t have picked a better red than burgundy?”

Cooper thought it looked like plain old red to him, but maybe he didn’t get what the big deal was.

“Tell you what. I’ll sketch some ideas for us, so start brainstorming something cool!”

“Maybe we can find some spare art supplies somewhere around here.”

“What I really wish we could do,” Anakin said excitedly, “is paint the whole inside wall and make a kickass mural out of it.”

“We’d get in so much trouble!” Cooper said with a grin.

“Yeah, but it’d look cool!”

When they reached the top of the spire, a pang flared low in Cooper’s stomach as the urge to poop struck him. Running into the bathroom, Cooper closed the stall door and squatted just in time to do his business.

It wasn’t until he finished wiping and flushed that he heard the echo of footsteps in the bathroom. He expected to see Anakin when he was finished, but when he opened the stall door, Naveen was standing there, eyeing him down like a gunslinger from the wild west. He scowled and said nothing as Cooper went to wash his hands at the sink.

“So what’s your plan? You just gonna ignore me for the next seven years?” Cooper asked, flinging away the extra water dripping from his hands.

When Naveen said nothing, Cooper tried to walk past, but Naveen stomped his foot down and blocked his path with an outstretched arm.

“Dude, what’s your problem?” Cooper shouted. He tried to steady the quiver in his voice and resist the urge to punch Naveen in the jaw.

“My problem is you! And don’t worry, I won’t have to wait seven years for you to be gone. It won’t take nearly that long.”

Cooper couldn’t take it anymore.

“Why are you being such a jerk to me?” Cooper asked and shoved Naveen.

Before Naveen could push back harder, Anakin ran into the bathroom, immediately jumping between them. Not too far behind him was Julian, eyes wide with panic when he saw them.

“If you wanna fight me, go ahead and do it!” Naveen shouted. “I could take you on any day!”

“Guys, stop!” Anakin shouted. “We’re part of the same House. We shouldn’t be fighting like this.”

Naveen grit his teeth, his eyes full of hate as he stormed out of the bathroom. Julian hesitated again before running after Naveen. Good riddance to both of them, Cooper thought. He growled in frustration as he dug his fingernails into his palms. “This isn’t working, Anakin. They hate me, and I hate them too. It’s never going to work!”

“It will,” he promised. “Your idea was a good one. I’m sure by the time the canoe competition starts, he’ll see how awesome you are. Besides, I think Julian’s actually starting to come around. Notice it’s only Naveen who has the problem?”

Cooper forced himself to take deep breaths as he stared hard in the bathroom mirror. He was like a rabid dog on the loose, the way his eyes danced wildly back at him. As he struggled to count to ten and calm himself, he shook his head. He was stupid to think changing things would be easy, even if Anakin was by his side.

“I don’t know, Anakin. I don’t think I can do this.”

“Come on,” Anakin said, and patted Cooper on the back. “You just need some time to calm down. Let’s just chill before our next class.”

They did, and to Cooper’s surprise, he did actually feel a little better as he and Anakin talked about their lives back at home. Anakin got to hear all about Sawyer and some of the adventures they got up to, and Cooper learned how Anakin’s desire to be a fashion designer began.

“And my parents are both super chill about the whole thing. I don’t know. Sometimes I worry it won’t work out. I mean, I think I have good ideas, but,” Anakin paused, gesturing to himself, “I know I don’t always wear the best matching things. I guess I’m still trying to find my style.”

“I believe in you,” Cooper said. He gave Anakin a light tap on the shoulder with his fist. “You can do anything you set your mind to.”

“Thanks, Coop.”

By the time their third class started, Naveen made it a point to squeeze into one of the few open seats in the back corner of their reading class. Cooper and Anakin sat near the front.

Professor Gray was a lot like himself, Cooper realized. The students were respectful because he was their professor, but there was a clear tension in the room. Professor Gray was another person who didn’t belong at Blue Ridge. No, that wasn’t true. Professor Gray belonged, just like Cooper. It was everyone else who had the problem.

“Reading and writing are the foundation of humanity—they are what separate us from the primates. The pen is the sword which lets language bleed onto the page. You would be wise to learn both well.”

Okay, so maybe they were pretty different, too.

“I don’t know about that guy,” Anakin said after they were dismissed to their next class. “I mean, who talks like that? He makes life sound like some depressing Batman story. ‘The pen is the sword that blah blah blah.’”

“I think even Batman was happier,” Cooper said, and Anakin laughed as they walked to their next class.

Next up was math with Professor Lee. Before she got started, there were tons of whispered comments from the girls in the class about how pretty she was and from the boys about how hot she was. Cooper agreed she was nice to look at, but he wouldn’t ever want to date her or anything like that. What was so exciting about that?

One thing that was exciting to him were the STEM projects they would get to do throughout the year. The idea of working with robots and programming sounded awesome to him! Then, Professor Lee told them how the spring competition was always about solving an engineering problem in the most creative way possible. That was an event Cooper rubbed his hands in anticipation over. Hopefully by then he would have changed everyone’s minds about him.

“Uggh, one more to go,” Anakin said as he shoved his schedule inside his pants pocket. “And then, we’ll be free for the day. Sweet freedom!”

Their last class wasn’t even a class at all. At least, not in the traditional sense. As they followed Professor Lee back inside the gymnasium, she explained how all new students were required to join one of the school’s clubs.

“They’re a wonderful chance for you to try something new or make new friends,” she said.

Right away, Cooper spotted Professor Bell standing by a poster for the student council, the Blue Ridge Buddies. Maybe one day he’d be able to pull off what Jordy had and make people love him, but for now it felt impossible. All around, the gymnasium was crawling with professors standing near their club posters. Cooper couldn’t wait to find one for himself.

Anakin leaned over and whispered, “I hope I can get into the art club.”

“You will,” Cooper said. If anyone deserved to be in the art club, it was Anakin. One look through his drawings would convince anybody who saw them.

As Professor Lee let them roam the gymnasium and explore, Cooper searched for the one club that might speak to him more than any other. What were his interests? He loved Detective Dackery and reading, but there was no book club, at least, not that he could find. Maybe he could help out in the school library. Cooper made a mental note to check it out when he had some free time.

Many of the clubs were either some form of athletics or a specialized activity like music, choir, or art. As Cooper passed the Blue Ridge Buddies table, Jordy waved at him as he smooth-talked a group of 6^th grade girls who looked way more interested in staring at Jordy than hearing about the club.

“Hey, Coop, come check this out!” Anakin called.

When he turned the corner, Anakin stood in front of a sprawling poster for the rock climbing club. Cooper’s jaw dropped. Several action shots showed off kids climbing the fifty-foot wall somewhere on campus. Even though it had only been a few days, homesickness rocked Cooper like a wave. If he closed his eyes, Cooper could nearly sense the sun kissing his neck, the humidity clinging to his sweaty skin, the sweet smell of dirt and pine in his nostrils.

When he opened his eyes, it was him in those pictures, reaching up for the next rock on the wall. He didn’t know much about rock climbing, but he loved climbing trees. That’s where he felt at home. That’s where he belonged. As he walked over to the lady standing in front of the poster, Cooper knew without a doubt that this was the club for him.

***

Roman found Fielding inspecting a handout for the horseback riding club.

“You like riding horses?” Roman asked.

“Well, I mean, I’ve never done it before or anything,” Fielding said, “but how hard can it be? What’re you choosing?”

Roman wasn’t sure. He spent the last half hour roaming the gymnasium, hoping some light from the universe would shine down and catch his eye. The only thing he knew for certain was that he didn’t want to choose the archery club. Back home, an archery medal hung from Xavier’s bedroom wall. The first time Xavier brought the medal home was at the end of 6^th grade. He’d earned it for being the most-improved that year, and Roman would have given anything to join the same club as his brother, but now…

“Come help me look?” Roman asked.

“You got it, partner,” Fielding said, pretending to adjust a fake cowboy hat as he galloped beside Roman.

They breezed past the music clubs pretty quickly. Who would want to spend hours outside of class having to practice a new instrument? No thanks. Art wasn’t really his thing either. He was terrible at it, and he wasn’t really interested in learning how to be less terrible. When they turned the corner, Fielding slapped him in the arm and pointed.

“Look, it’s the scholarship kid.”

Near the rock climbing poster, Cooper chatted with the professor in charge of the club. Waiting behind him was the scrawny, weird-dressed boy he remembered seeing with Cooper the night before. Probably his roommate.

It didn’t matter to Roman where Cooper came from, and he had nothing against the kid. Clearly others did, though. Even Fielding, who was nice to everyone, couldn’t keep the criticism from his voice.

“You’re not thinking about doing rock climbing with him, are you?” Fielding asked and lifted his hands in defense. “I mean, if you want to, that’s your call. But me personally, I wouldn’t do it. Social suicide.”

Fielding was studying Roman for his response, and before he could change his mind, Roman turned away.

“Nah, you’re right,” Roman said. “Who would want to be in a club with that kid?”

Professor Lee told them they didn’t need to choose right away. They even had the chance to rotate around to a few different clubs if they wanted. Maybe that’s what Roman would do. At least then he’d have a better idea of what might interest him. Who knows? Maybe he’d even give horseback riding a shot with Fielding.

There was a tightness in Roman’s bladder, and he promised Fielding he’d be right back before slipping away from the noisy gymnasium. Scratching his head about where to go, he exited the double doors and turned a corner, hoping to ask someone for directions, but the outside corridor was empty. It wasn’t until the end of the next hall that he spotted the restrooms, but as he drew closer, a familiar voice made his ears perk. Roman crept closer to the edge of the hallway and peeked around the corner.

Xavier was deep into an argument with Roy Rochester, the dark-skinned head of security. From this far away, their words were little more than heated mumbles. Whatever they were talking about, Xavier wasn’t a fan. His brother scowled and shrugged off whatever the guard had to say before storming back down the long hallway. Not long after, Roy cleared his throat, adjusted the front of his suit, and headed Roman’s way.

Roman wasn’t sure if looks could kill, but Roy’s face looked murderous as it twisted with anger. Praying he wouldn’t be seen, Roman hunkered down and tried to make himself as small as possible as he squeezed his eyes shut. If he didn’t find a toilet soon, his bladder was going to burst. Why did hiding always make him have to go even more? With held breath, Roman waited until the man’s footsteps faded away before dashing across the corridor into the bathroom.

There was barely enough time to unsnap the button on his shorts and fish out his dick before his bladder gave way. His grateful sigh echoed in the bathroom as his stream sprayed the inside of the toilet bowl. As he shook the last remaining drops, Roman wondered what Xavier might have done to draw so much attention to himself with Roy. Whatever it was, there was no point in asking Xavier. Roman would have better luck talking to a rock.

Back in the gymnasium, Fielding and Wyatt were craning their heads to see over Ivan’s shoulder. They were all huddled together near the wrestling posters, where a barrel-chested man was handing Ivan details about the club. His name tag read Professor O’Malley on the front, and as he leaned over to point out information, the man’s biceps threatened to rip the seams of his Blue Ridge suit apart.

“Anyone dumb enough to wrestle Ivan is asking for it,” Roman said as he walked up to them.

While Wyatt only smirked, Fielding said, “He’s a walking bulldozer!”

“He’s perfect,” Professor O’Malley agreed, echoing their thoughts.

It wasn’t long until Professor Lee summoned everyone together. After a few words about curfew and classes the next day, they were dismissed for the afternoon.

Ivan and Wyatt wanted to explore where the cobblestone path down by the lake led, but Fielding wanted to take all their stuff back to their rooms and rest. Promising to meet up with everyone later on, Roman and Fielding made their return to Fuerza’s spire.

Along the way they passed a group of 6th grade girls from different classes who kept staring at them and giggling before they peeled away towards the girls’ dorms.

Roman sneered at them, but Fielding leaned in and whispered, “Do you think anyone’s ever tried to sneak up to their rooms?”

Roman blushed, knowing what Fielding was hinting at. “Maybe. Why, are you thinking about it?”

Fielding stuck out his tongue and made a blech sound. “Me? Yuck, why would I ever want to hang around some smelly girls?”

“Please,” Roman said, “if you had the chance, you’d hang out and make friends with an old broom.”

“Yeah, yeah, I’m a social butterfly, I know. Doesn’t mean I wanna see them…you know,” he leaned in again, “naked.”

Roman agreed as they reached the bottom of the stairs and began their climb. They passed the senior’s floor, where rock music blared from a speaker while a few older guys squeezed shoulder to shoulder on the couch and played Madden together. Some of the other high school suites had people inside as well, but no one paid them attention as they climbed past.

It wasn’t until they reached the 8th grade suite that they had any trouble. Just as they were about to pass, a rubber ball whizzed from deep inside before it thwacked hard against the wall.

Fielding yelped in surprise as the ball bounced back, and a sinking pit formed in Roman’s stomach. He didn’t need to turn his head to know Xavier was inside, but he did anyway.

They locked eyes at the same time. Xavier rested with his legs spread out on the floor as he leaned back against the couch, arm cocked for another throw. His eyes were like a coiled rattlesnake’s, ready to strike with the slightest movement. Whatever had happened between him and Roy, Xavier was in a foul mood.

Fielding tried to go across the opening again, but the rubber ball was quick to launch from Xavier’s hand. It struck inches from Fielding’s head as he flinched, and Roman stepped in between them.

“Stop being such an asshole!” Roman shouted. “If you want me to leave you alone, then fine. But leave us alone, too!”

Xavier sprang to his feet and rushed him. The last time Roman had seen Xavier move that fast was when he’d spied on his brother touching himself. Xavier grabbed him by the front of his shirt and stretched it out as he hoisted Roman to the tips of his toes. The breath whooshed from his body as Xavier slammed his back against the wall.

“Hey!” Fielding shouted, but Xavier palmed his face and forced him away. Fielding’s glasses flung from his face as he stumbled to his hands and knees.

Xavier’s breath washed over Roman’s face, his eyes darting back and forth like a feral lion’s. Roman tried to keep the tears from welling in his eyes.

Don’t do it, he told himself. Don’t let him win. Roman’s hands trembled as he tried to pry Xavier’s from his shirt.

Something clicked in Xavier’s eyes. His brother looked down at Fielding and back at him before shaking his head and dropping Roman in a heap. Without another word, Xavier spun on his heels and walked back inside his suite.

“Just go away,” he said before swiping the rubber ball from the ground and retreating to his bedroom. The door slammed shut, and they both flinched.

Roman drew the back of his arm across his eyes, trying to hide the tears that he’d failed to stop.

“Are you alright?” he asked Fielding, who was making sure his glasses weren’t bent before testing them on his face.

“Are you?” he asked.

Roman shrugged and shakily stood back to his feet. Physically, he was fine, just shaken. But otherwise?

“Let’s just go upstairs,” he said, brushing past Fielding, knowing there was too much he wasn’t saying.

Fielding snatched his wrist and stopped him from climbing any higher.

“That was Xavier, wasn’t it?” Fielding asked. “He’s your brother.”

Roman nodded, not trusting himself to say anymore without getting choked up. There was little point in denying it now. He’d spent his whole life hearing how similar he and Xavier looked. Sure, Xavier had changed some with puberty, but the resemblances were unmistakable—their thin frames, their pale blonde hair, their clear blue eyes.

Fielding dropped his hand and pulled Roman into a hug. Maybe it was because of everything Xavier put him through over the past couple months, but Roman had to fight the urge to push Fielding away, instead keeping his arms pinned to his side. How messed up was he that even a hug felt foreign to his body?

When Fielding finally let go, he patted Roman softly on the back before the two of them finished their climb to the top floor.

End Chapter 6

Copyright 2023 – Levi Holland
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