Pavane for a Lost Boy (Or Rather, How to Survive Loss after Rejection)

Chapter Forty-Four

If I could relate to Garfield Cat on one thing, it would be the fact that Mondays can suck real bad.

And when I arrived at school with my crew on Monday after the weekend and was greeted by the condescending grin of Ms. McNeese, I had a hunch that something was not going to be my kind of thing. "Good morning, Demario," she crooned with her student-cronies at her side. "I take it that this weekend was pleasurable."

"She would hope so," Serenity scoffed sotto-voce.

"It was...eventful, but Saturday and yesterday full of relaxation with family was what the doctor ordered for me," I replied formally. "The football game and after-party was rather chaotic in a sense." No thanks to Theo "Drug-Carrying" Blake and Ryan "Hot-Hands and Big Cock (I will deny it if you tell anyone that)" Peavey.

Ms. McNeese pouted. "I heard about that unfortunate incident at the party and the morning afterwards," she said. "That Blake kid is full of evil, I can tell you that much."

Isn't that the pickled-lushed pot calling the kettle black? I thought sourly.

"All the same, I'm glad that some much-needed best rest was the cure for your ills," McNeese went on. "Today, Demario, I'm having you spend time with Ryan Peavey after school today, so you're expected to give him your undivided attention. That means none of your friends here are allowed to join in, not even Slade."

Oliver sent her a death glare.

I just inhaled sharply. And here I was hoping to at least escape Peavey to start off the week. "I do have practice with the swim/dive team later today," I said.

"But of course," McNeese trilled. "And what better way to kill two birds with one stone than to have Ryan join the team with you?! I insisted that he'd expand his athletic horizons as he told me that he used to swim during middle school. So I told him that there were some spots available for the diving team and he insisted that he signs up."

"What?!" my friends and I exclaimed just as a chastened Coach Lanier walked towards us with Ryan following suit.

"I'm so sorry, Demario, but McNeese here insisted that Mr. Peavey join the team and be your diving partner," the coach said, shooting a glare at the nonplussed McNeese. "You'll still have Slade for the platforms, but Ryan's yours for the springboard runs. And yeah, you'll be spending time with him beforehand, so make sure to at least fulfill the project requirements."

I gave Lanier a "good-sport" smile that eased her tension. "I'll make the most of it," I promised, though my nerves were rattled as Ryan's seductive gaze made my stomach churn.

"I can't wait to hit the waters," Ryan cheered. To me, "And think of this as a way for us to fully bond, Bader. The football game was a good start alongside the party, although the latter could've been better if Theo hadn't interfered. But this project is going to be a perfect way for us to...enrich my chances of proving that I'm more suited for you."

"Gag," Holly spat lowly just as the bell rang and we all took off.

"Remember, Demario. You'll need at least fifteen minutes with Ryan to fulfill my quota before you can spend time with Slade as much as you wish," McNeese trilled.

"This is a nightmare," Oliver said lowly, feeling unbalanced from the latest development. "Ryan's going to be on the team with us?! This is bullshit!"

"Well, we just gotta hope that Ryan's going to keep his hands to himself after this past Friday," I replied tersely, shuddering lightly. "That event still makes my skin crawl."

"Can't blame you there," Epiphany commented just as Coach Lanier rejoined us. "Lanier, please tell me that you're going to supervise this session between Bader and PEavey."