Stupid Bet

Cal tapped his pencil against the desk in a random rhythm demanding his mind to think of the correct answer to the test. He could hear the irritated huffs around him, feel the burning glares that bore into him, yet none stopped his pencil.

‘Answer, answer damn it what could be the answer.’ He looked back over his paper and decided to select randomly. His pencil moved in circular motions now, much to the relief of the rest of those around him.

Cal finished the test quicker than he thought he would, knowing he would make at least a B-. The bell rang soon after signaling for the students to go to lunch. Cal took off, not really running but quick enough to slip past the body of other students. He reached the lunchroom, the sickening familiar white walls with water stains glaring back at him. Holding back the urge to flip the inanimate object off, Cal slipped into line, happy to be one of the first few people there. He stood on tiptoes to see what was on the menu and almost jumped for joy when he saw it was pizza. Hands slid around his waist, tucking under his shirt.

“Hey, sweet stuff, what’s for lunch?” Cal laid his hands on his best friends and smiled.

“Thou shall never guess oh lover mine.” He felt his friend’s chest move in a silent chuckle. His own smile widened.

“Oh, please tell me lover mine for surely thou aren’t cruel enough to leave thy in the freezing darkness of starvation.” People were looking at them weird once more, a girl hanging off a guy speaking in old English. Cal laughed before grabbing her wrist and swinging her in front of him.

“You have such a way with words, my love. We are having pizza for lunch.” Cal smiled into Amber’s dark green eyes sparkling back up into mine. “Where’s that twin that is usually glued to you?”

“I’m behind you as always.” Cal felt arms wrap around his waist and pull him against a rock hard chest and abs. Cal tilted his head as Quinn’s head came down to nuzzle against his neck. Sharp little sparks flitted down to Cal’s lower regions as wet warmth slid over his neck soon replaced by sucking lips.

“Darling, I love what you do to me, but unless you plan on finishing what you started very soon please stop.” Cal let out a rough sigh as Quinn stopped his ministrations resting his head on Cal’s shoulder.

“Love, what’s for lunch?” The line hadn’t moved very much, despite being close to the front of the line. Cal shift so he was on tip toe and saw that two people were arguing heatedly. Cal let out a soft huff of annoyance as he recognized the football player and the gothic Asian. The blonde was well built and tall. His name was Danny. The shorter dark haired one had the advantage though being quick an knowing a bit of martial arts. Yeah that was J for you.

“Who’s holding up my lover and sister’s lunch? Don’t they realize some of us are starving?” Quinn’s deep dark voice whispered against his ear.

“Danny and J are at it again, more than likely over Danny trying to rape J’s girlfriend. I’m surprised the teachers aren’t doing anything.” Cal didn’t bother looking for said teachers, instead watching as Danny threw the first punch. J quickly ducked and spun to face the same way Danny dove and slammed his elbow into the blonde’s stomach. Cal winced as the cracking of bones echoed in the small room. Quinn’s arms slid away from Cal’s waist, the other noticing the lack of heat.

“Quinn, do not interfere. You’ll get in worse trouble due to your probation.” Cal and Amber spoke as one, drawing mildly surprised obsidian eyes on them.

“Why would I interrupt such an entertain fight? I’m just going to the restroom.” Quinn walked off, his tall frame hunched over. The satanic hoodie hanging off his thin frame, his spiky blood red hair standing out against the rainbow sea, and his tripp-pants barely clung to his waist almost showing more than allowed at the school. Cal watched his boyfriend until the other disappeared into the restroom. One of Quinn’s friends followed him. Cal felt curiosity stir somewhere in him, however, he tossed the feeling towards the back of his mind as he turned his gaze back to the fight at hand.

Danny was a bloody mess on the floor, his right arm and left leg in a position that you instantly knew that the bone was broke. J stood beside the sobbing male, his lips moving so fast that no one could understand what he was saying. However, from the way Danny was cringing it was more than likely threatening promises.

“What the hell is going on?” Cal rolled his eyes as the principle finally walked into the lunchroom. The old man rushed over to the now hysterical quarterback. “Who did this?”

“I did, you old hag, and if you had been here earlier or any of your damn employees had bothered to fucking step in before this piece of trash had thrown the first punch, then I would have not done what has already passed.” Cal let out a quiet squeal at J’s accent. Amber laughed at his reaction and jumped with him. They could hear the old man sputter to come up with a proper comeback.

“You are suspended from school until further notice.” Cal almost let out laugh when J just spat on the ground.

“Unfortunately for you, you gay old fuck of a virgin, I don’t give a shit. Why don’t you ask the little sobbing bitch why he got his ass kicked.  Were you watching as he raped my sister? I bet you were the one who recorded it and then put it on the internet.” The cafeteria went silent, only the sobs of Danny could be heard as two teachers lead him from the room.

“How dare you speak to an elder as such, don’t they teach you over in Asia to respect your elders?” The principle was obviously flustered now, even Cal and Amber could see the cold sweat that had broken out on the man’s face.

“You didn’t deny it and with that you made a very racist remark. Are Asians the only ones who teach the young to respect their elders? I do believe you have the same custom, just not as enforced. The only reason I don’t kill you or that piece of shit you just towed out of here is because my sister asked me not too. Now, I’m taking myself away from your pedophile gay ass. You’ll be receiving a visit from the police.” The room bust out in applause as J made his way out of the cafeteria. The Asian paused in the doorway and bowed before leaving.

“What did I miss?” Cal smiled as the familiar sense of security filled him as Quinn’s arms wrapped around him once more. Quickly, Cal brought Quinn up to date, with commentary from Amber.

“Damn, maybe I shouldn’t have left that sounds funny to have watched. Why didn’t you guys record it?” The line was moving now and they were at the salad bar giving their number before going to their usual table outside under a huge pine tree.

“It was awe~” Cal stopped talking as Quinn offered him a grape. Careful not to bite his love’s finger, Cal accepted the food.

“You talk too much and don’t eat enough. You’re thin as the tiniest twig on Earth.” Cal leaned on Quinn’s chest as the two fed each other.

“Jeez you two are going to make me puke. Why aren’t you out of this stage already? You should be fighting by now.” Amber’s honey sweet voice washed over Cal causing him to laugh and choke on what Quinn had just fed him.

“Aww, don’t kill my soul mate twin, Amber.” Cal was enveloped by boobs and that’s all he saw before Ellen laid on him like a blanket.

“Ellen, you’re going to suffocate my boyfriend in you tits darling. Please move so he isn’t suffocating, I still have use for him.” Cal was freed from his boobie prison and glared at Quinn.

“I’m glad I’m just a use for you. What happens when you’re done using me?” Cal knew Quinn had been playing around, but he felt that somehow he wasn’t joking as much as he put on.

“Come on babe, you know I was joking. I’d never get bored with you.” Quinn leaned in close and whispered the last part into Cal’s ear. Cal felt the fear that he was going to suddenly lose his heart.

“I know it was a joke put on for the girls, but do you really mean what you say?” Cal’s voice dropped low so only Quinn could hear. Amber was right his relationship with Quinn was perfect. The past year and a half had been pure bliss for Cal. He lost his virginity six months ago, and truly loved the one before him. That didn’t mean that Quinn felt the same.

“Oh, is someone finally curious as to whether his boyfriend is faithful to him? The answer to that question is no.” Cal looked into Quinn’s eyes, searching for something, anything to tell him the other was lying.

“How can you say it so calmly? Did I really mean so little?” Cal was surprised he was able to keep to the whisper they had been doing. Something flashed in the other’s eyes, but it was gone to quickly for Cal to determine what it was.

“Yes, you did mean so little to me. That is why I can say this so calmly. Why were you expecting this to be anything other than a high school romance that last for about a year? Aww, aren’t you cute!” Cal flinched as Quinn patted his head. His heart cracked and tears stung at the corners of his eyes. Quickly he pushed past Ellen and out of Quinn’s arms. He started running, not hearing when his name was called. He had no idea where his legs carried him, when he came too he was on the school roof.

Cal walked over and locked the door, before sliding down it. His heart had continued to shatter as he had run and his chest felt as if someone had dropped a hundred pound weight on it. Amber’s words made sense. Her words had been a warning of some kind and he was thankful that he knew. He would end it tomorrow if Quinn hadn’t already spread the word around. That didn’t stop the mind numbing pain, however. The tears flowed freely now, with no one around to witness them.

Cal had no idea how long he stayed on the roof, he only knew it was before the final bell rang as he started heading down as the school buses horns blared around him. He made his way to his car, his keys in his hand as before he realized it.

“Cal!” Amber’s voice floated over to him as the bell rang for the end of school. Ignoring the call, Cal hopped in his car and locked the doors. He threw the mustang into reverse backing out of the parking space. His gaze fell on Quinn making out with another guy. Another crack in his already shattered heart, if that was possible. Anger came instead of pain and he drove out of the school area barely avoiding a bus as he drifted in front of it.

He drove to his special spot. No one knew of it, this secluded spot of his. The sound of nature and the river separated him from reality. He parked his car on the side of the road and walked down to the small waterfall a few miles into the forest. He had always come here when his thoughts troubled him. He sat on the rock that hung out over the river. The river was deep enough to swim in, just it would be freezing in this winter ice.

Thoughts of Quinn and the earlier episode flickered in Cal’s mind. Pain and anger had him punching the rock. Wincing as his skin tore, blood seeping out to kiss the oxygen in the air. Cal looked down at the water. The dark water called to him as he crawled closer to the edge. He wouldn’t jump, not because of some guy. No he would just watch the swirls of water dance around one another. His reflection stared up at him. Bright red hair shining against the sun, cat green eyes shining with tears, a slightly crooked nose where he had broken it in his first fist fight.  Suddenly he was falling, not trying to catch himself as he fell. The air left him as ice surround him. Kicking against the bottom of the river, Cal came up for air his teeth chattering against the wind.

“WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU’RE DOING?” Cal spun in the water as Quinn’s voice drifted over to him. Angered, Cal swam to the opposite side of the river and sat on the bank.

“Swimming, what else would I be doing in the river? Surely you don’t think I would kill myself over you.” Cal smirked as he shook hair hoping to get rid of some of the water. He knew his mind had taken over, hoping to give him what he so wished for.

“Damn I hate when you lie.” Cal raised an eyebrow at Quinn’s irritated tone.

“I don’t think you have any right to hate what I do. You shouldn’t even be here. Aren’t you supposed to be at work anyway or was that another lie?” Cal stood walking over to a rock and laid his hoodie out on it. He sat on the rock, determined to ignore the taller male. He brought his knees up to his chin, wrapping his arms around them.

“You know one of your faults is you take everything seriously. You know what makes me sad, is you didn’t even recognize me and me male twin had switched places.” Cal’s eyes widened as Quinn’s voice appeared behind him.

“You and Thane switched places? You’re lying to me again. Thane’s in prison.” Thane had gone to prison for murdering the person Quinn had put in the hospital. There was no way Thane had gotten out of prison, and if he had then Quinn and Amber wouldn’t have been in school. They would have been pulled into questioning.

“Damn I thought you had forgotten about that. Hmm, how to make amends? Would you like the truth?” Cal pulled closer into himself nodding a little. He didn’t really, but he did as well. “I was dared into dating you, my friends figuring I wouldn’t fall for you. I had to stay with you for a year and six months. Once that time was up I was to break your heart. My thought at the time was oh I can do this. I asked you out. I remember the shock and happiness in your eyes when I asked you.”

Cal smiled at the memory, heard the smile in Quinn’s voice.

“Ah I got you to smile.” Cal quickly killed the smile and buried his chin deeper into his knees.“Sorry, but at first I was annoyed with you and awkward because you didn’t act like anyone I had ever been with. You were too happy. However, I found myself growing feelings and that annoyed me even more. By the time a year rolled around, I knew I wouldn’t be able to go through with the bet, so I started cheating on you.”

Cal felt his heart drop even farther to think that this had been going on for six months and he had never known. A hand smoothed down Cal’s hair and he shook it off.

“The time was up, and I put it in my mind that I wasn’t breaking  your heart, I was breaking one someone else’s heart. It tore me up inside when you jerked away from my arms. I followed you to the roof, you know.”

Cal sighed, and turned towards Quinn, those obsidian eyes staring at him with adoration and hope.

“Why should I believe you now? You just shattered my heart for the amusement of others. Why didn’t you stop when you realized you had true feelings for me?” Pain appeared in those beautiful obsidian eyes and part of Cal was glad that he had hurt the other.

“If I had broken the bet, then they would have gone after you and done god knows what to you.” Cal froze as Quinn leaned on him. Quinn had broken his heart so he wouldn’t have had to been raped or worse. Cal smiled wrapping an arm around Quinn. “Do you forgive me?”

“No, I don’t. You need to prove you love me once more before anything. We’re friends for now.” Cal watched as happiness bloomed over Quinn’s face. Happiness spreading through his slowly healing heart.

“I’ll prove it to you don’t worry. I’ll always love you.” Before Cal could protest, Quinn pressed his lips against the others in a chaste kiss. “Don’t ever leave me like you did earlier.”

“Don’t give me a reason too then.” Quinn nodded, leaning against Cal watching the sunset shimmer against the water.