Just Different

Chapter 37

Brad's eyes peeled open and he groaned. His muscles felt stiff and he felt crust around his eyes. He grumbled and sat up, his back popping in the process. The air around him smelled like rain and he assumed it had been raining all night.

He looked down at his phone next to his pillow. A part of him didn't want to check it, knowing how many texts he was going to have. But he picked it up anyways and looked. He was right. People from school were either asking him if he was actually dating Rob, if he broke up with Rob, etcetera. Some dorks sent pictures of him with photoshopped dicks over his face. He sighed and tossed his phone away from him.

Anger still fueled Brad, but he wasn't furious like he was yesterday. He still couldn't believe Rob would do something like that, as innocent and kind as he seemed. And he couldn't believe he was with someone as vile and cold hearted as Chester. Chester, of all people. But then again, Chester is gay and apparently so is Rob. It seemed likely now that they would be friends.

Brad looked at his window. His blinds were closed but it was still clear that it was cloudy outside. The perfect weather to match his mood. Brad grabbed his phone again and decided to just read all his messages and get it over with. After reading a few, his heart dropped when he realized Elisa didn't text him at all. Maybe she didn't know what happened yet? Or maybe she still didn't want anything to do with Brad. He hoped it wasn't the latter.

'What if I text her first?' Brad thought. He seemed keen on it, but then he realized that maybe Elisa still wouldn't answer him. Rob and Chester ruined his reputation already, and Elisa toon in everything like a sponge and she believed it all. He shook his head and lay back down.

Brad wondered how long Rob had been hanging around Chester. He guessed it had been for quite some time already. And he guessed Rob was with him right now. Who knows what they were up to. His phone began to ring and Brad sighed, not wanting to answer, but he did anyways. It was Joe.

"Brad? Are you okay?"

"Better than yesterday. I'm still pissed."

"I'm sorry... We should've told you sooner but--"

"You knew too?" Brad exlaimed angrily. Then he sighed and decided it wasn't worth getting mad at Joe too.

"Mike told me, he knew about all of it longer than I did. I wanted to tell you, I didn't think it was right."

"Well I'm glad someone agrees with me," Brad grumbled.

"And well, I also told Mike how it all seemed strange to me. Chester being nice to Rob? I honestly think there's more to it."

"What do you mean?" Brad asked as he sat up and brought his knees up to rest his chin on them.

"I mean Chester might be up to something. And I think he's already accomplished what he was originally intending to accomplish. He's using Rob."

"Serves him right for being around that dick."

"Brad, Rob's our friend, we can't just--"

Brad cut him off, "No Joe, he's your friend. I have nothing to do with that faggot anymore." Brad knew how harsh he sounded, but he knew he was right. Everyone warned him about Chester and he deliberately ignored everyone and still became buddies with the guy. Whatever Chester was doing to him, he deserved it.

"Brad... You know he meant well..."

"He ruined my relationship Joe! I was happy with Elisa!"

"He was being influenced! You can't blame him for everything!"

Brad paused. Mike said those exact same words. "I'll talk to you later. I don't want to talk about this anymore." He could hear Joe begin to retort, he hung up anyways. He was done with everyone trying to justify Rob.

Brad wad really glad it was the weekend. He was not looking forward to seeing Rob or Chester. He was still miserable about Elisa. Maybe it would be worth it to try and patch things up with her, but how would she take it? Would she believe that Rob and Chester were behind all of the things she heard? He'd have to find out Monday.

***

Rob woke up to find Chester gone. He had fallen asleep after crying again. He sat up and looked around. The RV was silent other than the Hi-Fi playing. There wasn't any movement to be heard. Chester's usual humming and singing was absent.

Rob lay back down. He wanted to text him and see where he was, but he heard the RV door open. The curtain flew open and Chester walked in with two Subway bags hanging from his arm and a tray holding two cups.

"Oh you're awake? I got us brunch." Chester set the bags on the bed and the drinks on the foot of the bed. "I got you a turkey sub with pepperoni. I was gonna call you and ask what you wanted but I didn't wanna wake you up."

"Uhm, it's okay. I like turkey." Rob sat up again and watched Chester dig under the bed for something. He pulled out a large glass bong and smirked at Rob.

"With yesterday's traumatic events, I was thinking you needed a stress reliever."

Rob's lips pursed. "Oh, well...I've never..."

Chester continued to smirk. "I figured. You don't have to if you don't want to." Rob chewed his lip and Chester got up and left the room. Rob heard the faucet run and the mini fridge open and close. The older teen returned with ice and water in the bong.

Chester reached under the bed again before sitting on it again. He held a grinder and a lighter. Chester began humming as usual as he packed the bowl to the bowl, then he smirked and held it out to Rob. "You first."

Rob gulped and took it with shaky hands. "Here, I'll help you, just exhale first and put your mouth here--"The lighter flicked and a flame fizzled into existence. "Now inhale."