Fools

Eight

Ralph walked through the halls of his high school, desperately trying to get to his chemistry class before he was late. He was almost running, not exactly paying attention to where he was going. He rounded a corner and bumped into a rather tall man. He was just over six foot, his hair cut really short. There was a small amount of stubble on his slim face. He had a nervous look in his eyes, but a kind smile as he assisted Ralph in picking up his school supplies.

"I'm so sorry, I didn't see you there." Ralph rushed as he gathered his things. "Thank you for helping me Mr..."

"Matthews." The man said. "Mr. Mathews. I'm new here, do you think you could show me to the honors english room, please?" His tone of voice wasn't panicky like any normal substitute teacher running late, it was more of a calm or relaxed sound. Ralph eyed him for a moment before responding.

"It's back that way, take a left, room one-oh-three." Ralph said, gesturing the way with his thumb. Just as they were about to part ways, the bell rung. Ralph groaned and made his way to Chemistry. He slipped into the classroom and took his seat at the shared lab table. Jack glanced at Ralph as he took out his notes. Ralph payed attention during the teacher's lesson, but Jack couldn't seem to focus on anything except his boyfriend.

He opened to a new sheet in his notebook and started drawing. He occasionally looks up at Ralph and adds more detail to his picture. Jack kept his arm between his drawing and Ralph so he wouldn't be scolded by the smaller boy. The period seemed to fly by and just before the bell, Jack had a picture of his boyfriend drawn in his chemistry notes.

***

"Are you coming over tonight?" Ralph asked once they'd gotten seated on the bus.

"I can't." Jack sighed. "Dad wants me home for some dinner thing with his boss. I have to dress up and act like I care about becoming a businessman when I'm older." He rolled his eyes.

"Yikes." Ralph cringed. "That sounds awful."

"It's so annoying. He does this at least once a month." Jack huffed. "I think he's trying to get a raise or something, as if he doesn't make enough money as it is."

Ralph nudged Jack. "If it makes him happy, you should at least try to let him enjoy it. Maybe to you it's enough, but to him he sees it differently than you do." Ralph said gently. He didn't like Gregory all too much, but he didn't want Jack to despise his father for doing something that made himself happy. "Besides, it's not going to kill you to eat one meal with him. You eat with Aunt Annie and I every other night."

Jack sighed. "You're right." Ralph smiled at his boyfriend, about to lean up and kiss him, but he quickly realized where they were and how many people were around. He could get into trouble for kissing a boy in public. "I just wish he didn't have to make such boring conversation."

Ralph shrugged. "It's what adults do. One day you'll have kids and then they'll think the same thing."

"MERRIDEW!" The driver called as he pulled up to the corner. Jack bid Ralph goodnight and got off of the bus. Ralph pulled out the book he was reading, The Spire by William Golding. He found himself easily getting lost in the book and reading nearly a whole chapter within a what felt like a few minutes. However, he almost didn't hear his name being called as the bus stopped at his house. He rushed inside and switched on the lights.

It was quiet in the house, something Ralph wasn't used to anymore. He's usually accompanied by a certain red headed boy until after dinner with himself and his aunt. He turned on the radio in the kitchen and grabbed a cookbook from the top of the spice cabinet.

The beatles played in the background as Ralph mixed together the ingredients to make brownies. It was something he'd thought about earlier that day and hadn't gotten off his mind since, so instead of pestering his aunt to make him some he made them for himself.