Saving Herself

Joe Mama

 Ah, such beautiful morning, hm?

This fine day and the troublesome boy Troy could not see it. Currently, it was the first period, German class. And in the classroom, there was no sign of Troy.

The teacher was already at her desk, organizing her papers.

The teacher was also known as 'The Superficial'. Well, according to ChatGPT, superficial is someone who is friendly on the surface and total bull crap deep down. I mean, no, ChatGPT indeed did not say that. Gosh, let me add my two cents, for goodness sake. ChatGPT described it as someone who lacks depth and reliability. Why? Because she always eerily smiled. Never kept promises. But heck, she was good at lying, I must say. The whole class was whipped for her faked kindness.

The classroom was filled with chattering of the students. This was a hell house, all of it. Joe was sitting at his assigned desk, looking across the room to an empty seat, where Troy was supposed to sit. He was bouncing his leg impatiently, his gaze wandering between the clock and Troy's empty seat. But no one ever came. The Superficial stood up. Class is starting. Joe ruffled his black hair.

Maybe he's just late. , he thought, rummaging in his pencil case for his pen.

The Superficial had a list in her hand, calling out the names of the students to check their attendance. Once Joe's name fell, he briefly rose his hand, confirming his presence.

Troy is hella late., he thought, bored out of mind as he listened to the rest of the names who were called. Then, the Superficial called out Troy's name. Silence.

"Oh, yes, right. Troy is sick today.", the Superficial remembered.

Huh?

"Joe, since you live close to Troy's house, could you deliver the worksheets we're gonna work on today to him?"

"Yeah sure.", Joe answered.

Troy is sick? Why didn't he tell me??

And thus, a whole period of German class passed, with Joe's leg bouncing nervously. His leg looked like is was getting electrocuted at this point.

Break time he could just barely endure. His head hurt.

And then, just when the second period was about to commence, he stood up from his desk, hoisting his backpack on his shoulder and rushed to the desk of the Superficial.

"Miss, I don't feel so good. My head hurts. Can I go home?"

"Oh, my, Joe.", the weird smile was there again. Wide, forced. She didn't mean it. She didn't care a single ounce.

Aurelia was sitting alone in the back and saw all this, all this so-called kindness looked so sickening to her. And Aurelia hated Joe as well, she wasn't giving him an ounce of sympathy, don't get me wrong. But there was nothing to do about her hatred.

The hatred she had for the Superficial was bottled up and drowned in discipline to save herself.

"Yes, of course you can go home. Just don't forget to give the secretary a notice of departure."

"Yes ma'am."

--

Going home? Joe? Hahah. Nice one. At this moment, he was standing in front of Troy's house, his finger hovering over the bell button, contemplating if he should ring the bell. Troy's parents might be home, and realise that Joe is ditching class. But... he could use the homework he has to deliver as an excuse.

"Ah man, ugh.", Joe mumbled, getting his phone out and calling Troy.

After a few rings, Troy picked up.

"What's up?", Troy asked in a croaky voice. No doubt, he was sick. 

"Hey man, are you home right now?"

Stupid question, honestly, of course he is at home, idiot. This guy is sick for goodness sake. Where else is he supposed to be? Ice rink? Amusement park? Hm? Get a grip of yourself.

"Yeah I am. Why?"

"Uhh so I kinda ditched school and I am right in front of your house right now. Are your parents home?"

"WHAT??"

"Jeez, don't overwork your voice. Open the door."

Troy had hung up. Joe took the phone from his ear and looked at the screen. Soon after, the door swung open, and it was Troy. He was relatively short, had blonde hair and grey eyes. The grey eyes Joe loved the most.

"Hello," Joe said, smiling.

"What did you come here for? I'm sick."

"Uhh... delivery.", Joe answered, stepping past Troy into his house. He took off his shoes and looked at Troy, who looked at him, confused, his hands still on the door handle, still opening the door.

Joe reached out and pushed the door shut. Thus, the place was filled with silence.

Joe laughed a little, his hand found its way to Troy's back, and he gently pushed him towards the stairs.

"You shouldn't be walking around the house with just socks on, it's gonna make you sick all over again. Come on. You should lie back down."

They walked up the stairs, Joe's hand persistently placed on Troy's back.

"Dude genuinely what did you come here for? I'm sick, you know. I could infect you-"

"Lie down."

Joe's hand placement moved to Troy's lower back as he lightly moved Troy towards his bed.

(oh my goodness)

Troy said nothing in confusion. It was kind of weird, there was nothing to get through that dense mind of Joe's, any attempt was futile. So, for once, he listened to Joe and lay down.

Joe sat on his bedside, rummaging in his backpack.

Troy realised that he was more comfortable than usual.

Joe took out some crumpled worksheets out of his backpack. I swear to god this guy could not take care of a neat piece of paper.

"Here. These are the worksheets we did in German.", Joe said, stroking the surface of the paper in attempt to make it even. He placed it on Troy's bedside table.

"Is that all you came for?", Troy asked. After all, Joe could've given him the papers at the threshold of his house and leave right after. But Joe through all the trouble to walk into his house.

Joe smirked, and leaned slightly forward, stabilising himself with his hand close to the Troy's waist. Joe was basically trapping Troy between his body and his arm.

"Are you expecting more?", he asked in a flirting manner. (Teehee omg)

"No... not really.", Troy answered.

"Are you sure?", Joe asked. He leaned closer to Troy.

"Hey, don't get too close you could get sick from m-"

"Don't you feel like something... just something might be missing?", Joe interrupted, leaning even closer.

At this point Troy could feel Joe's breath on his lips as he spoke.

"What-"

Joe was getting closer.

Troys' phone rang.