Just Different

Chapter 16

Elisa giggled softly and pulled at Brad's shirt again, bringing him in for another kiss. She felt Brad's grin against her lips and she couldn't help but smile too.

"You're so cute," she mewled once they pulled away. Brad chuckled and shook his head.

"Me? The cute one? Pfft."

"Oh stop it, you're cute and you know it!"

"Hey love birds, I'm trying to enjoy my food," Mike said jokingly. Elisa frowned as she glanced at Mike. Mike's smiled faded, Elisa's sour expression leaving him confused.

Elisa still didn't know if Mike and Joe, or the other kid, were aware of the rumors that suddenly surrounded Brad. She was still suspicious of them and Brad, but she didn't let the gossip get to her. As long as she didn't mention it, then it wouldn't be a problem. The person might reveal themselves sooner or later.

"Mike how are you trying to enjoy school food," Brad laughed. Mike shrugged and stuffed a forkful of meatloaf into his mouth.

"This stuff is actually decent," Joe piped in, chewing his food. "But Rob here is playing it safe." Joe pointed his fork over at Rob, who was eating pasta from some tupperware. 

Rob chuckled, "Yeah I'd rather keep my intestines clean."

Brad chuckled too. The group suddenly grew quiet as Chester and Dave walked past them, Dave talking animatedly. Once they were out of earshot, Joe turned to Rob.

"You're insane, you know that right?"

"What?" Rob asked, glancing over at Chester. Did Mike tell them?

"Stopping Chester like that. Dude you would've had your ass whooped, I'm so surprised that Chester didn't do anything to you," Joe said, shaking his head.

"I just did what I thought...was right," Rob mumbled, slightly relieved that Brad and Joe didn't know yet. Mike still hadn't confronted Rob about his friendship with Chester, and he was beginning to think maybe Mike didn't care about it.

"Either way, that was just scary," Joe said.

"I still appreciate it," Mike said. Rob looked up at him, surprised. "I have a feeling Chester was just in a bad mood. That hit would've hurt a ton if Rob didn't stop him."

Mike smiled at Rob. He returned a small smile.

***

"Is it just me, or does anyone else have the feeling Elisa doesn't like any of us?"

"No I have the feeling too," Mike replied to Joe. Mike sighed and kicked at a rock in front of him, "He keeps giving all of us this look."

"She's probably just clingy."

Rob looked over at Mike and Joe. This was a sign that Chester might've already put whatever his plan was into work. He just didn't know what exactly he had done.

The three boys were nearing Joe's street. Rob was getting anxious and he wanted to meet with Chester already, just to know what exactly he had done. He hoped whatever Chester was doing was working.

"I'll see you guys tomorrow," Joe called out as he turned at the intersection they were crossing.

"See you Joe," Mike called back. It was just Mike and Rob now. Rob knew Mike was headed to the shack to clean, and he had no choice but to walk with him; the junkyard was pretty close to that area.

As they neared where Mike would take a turn into the trees towards the cabin, Mike stopped. He turned to face Rob.

"I don't know what you see in him."

Rob stopped in his tracks. It took him a moment to figure out who Mike was talking about. But then he realized he meant Chester. There was no avoiding it. He looked back at Mike.

"Whatever he's telling you to make you stick around, he's making it all up."

"What makes you say that?"

"Chester has just always been manipulative."

"What if he became that way after you Mike." Rob bit his tongue but it was too late, he'd already said what crossed his mind. Mike's blank expression didn't change though. But Rob could still see the faint expression of guilt in Mike's eyes.

"That's not the point right now," Mike continued. "If you want to keep yourself from getting hurt, I suggest you leave him now. He won't be a good friend to you."

"I..." Rob began. Chester had been nothing but kind to Rob since they first met. He saw how Chester acted towards Mike and his friends, but he knew it was out of spite. "It's different, Mike."

"How?" Mike asked, crossing his arms.

"I haven't done anything to hurt him. He just felt pushed away. Nothing more."

Mike's expression softened and he sighed. "I see what you're saying, but...I'd suggest you'd still be careful, okay?"

"Yeah," Rob muttered, looking away from Mike and down at the pavement. "I will."

Mike didn't add anything as he turned and walked into the thicket of trees. Rob sighed and continued to walk. He decided it was best not to mention the exchange to Chester. He would become angry with Mike, and who knows what Chester would do. Mike was still Ron's friend and he didn't want Mike to get hurt.

Brushing past the piles of old car parts and broken machines, Rob hurried towards Chester's RV. He opened it up and stepped inside. Chester was sitting at the table, watching videos on his laptop.
When the door opened, his head perked up.

Chester smirked, "Hey."

"Hey. What are you watching?"

"Just some concert videos." Chester paused the video he was watching and then he closed his laptop. "Any progress today?"

"I think so," Rob replied. He set his backpack down by the door and then took a seat across from Chester. "Elisa seems to be on our cases over something."

"So then it's working," Chester mused out loud.

"What exactly did you do?"

"Oh," Chester exclaimed, "I never told you. Well Sam did most of the work. All I had to do was, well, mention Brad in a certain sentence and knowing her, she took it the wrong way. You know how gossip goes, it warps itself. So now a bunch of people think he's gay."

"Hm." Rob bit his nails. So Chester started a rumor. Maybe that was why Elisa seemed to be bothered whenever Rob and the others were around Brad. It made sense. Hopefully she believed the rumors enough to leave Brad.

Chester watched Rob, who seemed to be in thought. 'This is going so well,' Chester thought happily. As long as Rob didn't find out he made the rumor seem like it was started by him, then Chester would have him in no time.

Chester had been holding out for so long, but it was becoming difficult. He was even contemplating letting Dave be dominant just so he could imagine Rob topping him. He shifted in his seat, tearing his eyes away from Rob for a moment.

Chester always had the urge to just pounce on Rob and kiss him, touch him, and have the other boy run his hands all over his body.  He was growing restless. He bit his lip to keep himself from groaning. Chester just wished this whole plan would move along faster.