The Adventure (Tomark)

Chapter 9

Being back at high school is not half as bad as expected. Perhaps it's his new-found confidence, perhaps it's the fact that Ian keeps telling everyone about him being friends with Mark Hoppus (who, after all, is pretty infamous at their otherwise unspectacular school) — either way, Tom notices an odd friendliness towards him, a certain appreciation, even. It's not enough to get him a seat at the popular kids' table, but it does make everyday life easier and brings some unexpected advantages as well, among them Anne's hot friend Wendy talking to him all of a sudden.

In addition, math does not pose much of a problem anymore. Tom tends to forget that his summer did not only consist of hanging out with a certain college student, but also included countless hours of intense studying supported by a rather merciless (but apparently highly effective) tutor. However, when a satisfied Mrs. Baker hands the results of their last math quiz to the class about three weeks into school and Tom recognizes the circled C on his sheet, he is more than relieved.

„I'm proud of you, DeLonge!" Anne exclaims as they leave the classroom, „You did a great job."

„Umm, I actually think that you did all the work by putting up with my shit the whole summer. But yeah, I somehow managed to pass, and I'm fucking grateful."

Tom hesitates for a moment before finally hugging Anne. „I mean it, thank you. Passing that stupid quiz brings me one step closer to escaping this hellhole, and that's pretty damn awesome."

„My pleasure," a laughing Anne replies. „I actually miss being your tutor already. It was kinda fun," she adds and then looks at Tom questioningly. „So, what are you gonna do with all that free time?"

„Don't know yet. Probably practicing guitar, watching TV and yeah, jacking off. Lots of jacking off."

„Eww, too much information!" she squeals and pokes Tom's stomach. „Why don't you ask Wendy out?"

The teenager raises an eyebrow. „Um, probably because she looks like a younger version of Sharon Stone while I'm, I don't know, more of a Steve Buscemi lookalike?"

„What the hell, Tom! Don't be so hard on yourself," Anne chides and shakes her head decisively before quietly adding, „I think she really likes you."

Tom smiles vaguely. Anne probably exaggerates, but he feels flattered nevertheless. A girl like Wendy being into him is what Travis probably would call 'a fucking jackpot' and Tom can't deny that she is quite alluring. However, with everything that's currently going on inside of him, going out with her doesn't seem to be the best idea.

„Yeah, it's just... I'm not really in the mood right now, that's all."

His statement causes furrowed brows and Tom can almost see the little cogs in her mind working. They walk in silence for a while before Anne finally raises her voice again.

„You're not into boys, are you?"

„What?!" Tom gasps, a bit louder than expected. „Of course not!"

He is not entirely sure where this determination is coming from and using 'of course' seems fairly inept as well, considering that he fondled Mark's junk just a few weeks ago. Tom sighs and insecurely buries his hands in his pockets. His whole situation is not as clear as he presents it, but there is no way he's telling Anne about this.

„Well, that'd at least explain you being weird about dating Wendy," Anne remarks, shrugging. „And it wouldn't be a big deal, either. I mean, I'm Mark's sister after all."

The teenager smiles through gritted teeth; he knows exactly what Anne is hinting at. „I'm not being weird or anything. I just don't feel like dating right now."