what comes to light (+18)

1

In between classes, Issac deals to his clientele, which is mainly comprised of classmates and a few pill-popping teachers. Shepherd scopes the hallway.  Students bustle to their next period. The hall monitors are scarce, either on a bathroom break or giving out warnings to unruly freshmen. Still, Shepherd stays vigilant.

"Can I have a little more for this weekend?" Chris says. Chris is jittery today, more so than last Friday when he stood right here and also begged Issac for a couple more pills. Yet, by looking at Chris, you could infer he had a greater vice than ecstasy.

"You owe me," Issac says, slipping an extra baggie into Chris' backpack.

He's feeling generous today, Shepherd thinks.

"Thank you," Chris stammers. "Thank you so much."

There are three minutes left before the second warning bell goes off. "Ok, you got what you needed," Shepherd says, 'shooing' Chris away.

Chris looks up at Shepherd, awestruck. This reaction is commonplace with most of the student body at Summit Hill Collegiate when interacting with Shepherd. "Right, I'll be going right away," Chris says. " G-good game last week."

Shepherd stares at Chris, pondering whether he should entertain the druggie. Shepherd wasn't known to be cruel like a lot of his friends on the football team, despite sharing the same sentiments with them about the student body.  At a young age, his father ingrained into him that a good reputation was critical to a successful life. So, he hides his contempt for Chris with one of his breathtaking smiles.

"Thanks," he says.

A blush creeps behind Chris' ears. "Me and my friends are holding a party together. I-it'd be so cool if you could stop by."

Shepherd can barely hold back from rolling his eyes. "I'll have to raincheck on that. But thanks for the invite."

He watches for Chris' reaction, gauging whether his response had the desired effect. When the druggie nods, leaving with a hopeful look on his face, Shepherd can't help but feel smug.

Issac slams his locker shut. "Can you do me a favour?"

"Depends on the favour," Shepherd counters, walking toward his next class.

Issac cracks a smile. "Who's got you all mad?"

Issac has been friends with Shepherd long enough to know when his moods fluctuated. Usually, Shepherd can maintain an air of nonchalant charisma. Today, he's restless. His father is out of the country for the next week on a business trip. Without him to act as the buffer between Shepherd and his mother, trivial things like not doing his chores or staying out past his curfew became explosive arguments. These fights were wearing on his well-cultivated persona.

"It's nothing," Shepherd says. "What do you need?"

"I need you to carry for me this week."

Shepherd halts, accessing Issac's request. "Why?"

Issac's blue eyes flicker momentarily, taking on a lapis lazuli shade. He's about to lie to him. "Smiths has been on my ass lately."

"Isn't he always?"

"He's out for blood this time. I need to lay low for a while."

Vice Principal Smiths and Issac's rivalry could go down in Summit Hill Collegiate's history books, right along with the school's first Noble Prize winner. Issac seems to be using this reason as an excuse.

Shepherd understands the consequences of being caught with a cocktail of drugs. In his second last semester of high school, he has already secured a full-ride scholarship and is the top college football recruit in Texas. He could lose a lot if anyone discovered he was holding for Issac.

"You can keep it in your locker," Issac says as if to meet halfway with Shepherd.

Shepherd quickly decides he doesn't care if Issac is lying to him. Issac hasn't yet wronged him, so he takes the path of least resistance.

"Fine, but I want it gone by Monday and double the cashout this week."

Issac is tight-lipped. "You don't even need the money."

Shepherd shrugs. "Take it or leave it," he says.

Though Shepherd remains playful,  Issac knows not to push him further.