Devil May Love

Everything was perfect... or at least it should have been. Would have been if he could only stop thinking so much about a certain brunette. He cursed, along with his partner, as he accidentally stepped on his toes again. Shouting an apology, Jullien turned and made his way over to the bar, where Judy had planted herself the entire night. It was no wonder. The Latino bartender, Kitsune, she had such a huge crush on was on duty tonight and Judy just so happened to take a seat near her station. The drink she'd ordered at the beginning of the night was only half gone. She never had been much of a drinker. Her eyes followed Kitsune as she worked and looked away whenever she thought the other girl might be looking her way. Jullien laughed to himself and took a seat beside her.

"Bet you haven't even said hello, have you?"

Judy shot him a pitiful excuse for a glare and looked over his shoulder.

"Do you even know her real name yet?" They'd started calling her Kitsune because of the small fox tattoo on her left shoulder and the Japanese legend, which Judy found to be a wonderful coincidence.

Judy shook her head, not really paying him any attention. Jullien couldn't help but think he could get used to this. Turning away from her, he beckoned the tanned girl over and she nodded, holding a finger up to ask for a moment. He received a hard jab in his exposed ribs.

"What are you doing," Judy hissed, her glare much more convincing this time. Jullien didn't respond, but smiled innocently and turned away from her again.

"What can I get ya," the bartender asked, slinking up to him a few seconds later. Jullien could see why Judy was staring so hard. She was wearing a small red tube top with a yellow star in the center and a pair of blue and yellow knee length baggy skater shorts. Even Jullien had to admit she had a great body. Slim but tightly muscled, she definitely looked like she could carry her own.

"Actually, I just wanted to ask you something, if you don't mind."

She smiled. "Information will cost ya an order, hon. So, what'll it be?"

"Just a Pepsi then."

"You got it." Dipping down, she selected his drink from under the bar and exchanged it for the money he'd pulled from his pocket. "Now, what's that you wanted to ask me?"

"Just your name."

She raised her eyebrows and looked him over. "Sorry, you're pretty and all, but not exactly my type."

Jullien couldn't help but laugh. "It's not for me." He jerked a thumb over his shoulder at Judy. "It's for her." He heard Judy groan from behind him, his smile widening.

Kitsune's did as well and she stepped over so she was standing in front of Judy, looking down at her. "Well, you can tell her that if she'd like my name, she should ask me herself." And then with a quick wink, she was gone, serving someone else.

Judy jabbed him hard in the side again. "You fucking asshole," she hissed at him again. She went to jab again but Jullien caught her wrist, smirking.

"You know what to do. If you don't, its your own fault. Now, can I tear you away for just a second?"

"No," she grumbled but this time her eyes were on him and attentive.

"Good. Listen, has your mom said anything to you yet about calling Gaib's dad?"

Judy's face darkened. "Oh, he's Gaib now? And no, she hasn't. Personally, I'm hoping she forgets."

"Judy!"

"At least until he's eighteen," she added. "You're going to get your ass in trouble, Jullien. You fucking kissed him. You keep saying you're not interested in him for that reason yet that's the second time you've touched his lips with your own. And don't give me that protection bull either because you don't protect someone by kissing them."

Jullien hated it when she was right. Popping the tab on his soda, he took a long drink before responding. "I don't know what I feel sometimes, Judy. And I'm not joking. One minute I think I'm crazy for ever wasting my time with this kid and the next, I'm seeing his face after fucking Alonzo and wondering when I'll get the chance to see him again will be."

Judy gave him a questioning look. "You thought about him after Alonzo? Really?"

"Yeah... I did. It wasn't sexual, but I thought about him."

"Jesus, Jullien... You really do have a thing for this kid, don't you? I mean, you're not just out to sleep with him or make yourself feel good for doing a good deed... You really like him."

Jullien held up both hands as if to protect himself, shaking his head. "Whoa, that's going a little far, Judy. It's not like that, okay? I'm just... hell, I don't know. But its not like that."

Judy only gave him a knowing look, taking his soda can and drinking from it. She paused a second, then switched their drinks. "Here, you need this more than I do."

Nodding a thanks, Jullien downed the rest of her drink in a few back to back swallows. He'd barely set the glass back on the bar when it was picked up by Kitsune. She grinned a little at Jullien, then turned her eyes to Judy. "I'm going to be off in a few minutes so if your friend really wants to know my name, now would be a good time to ask. I might even be in the mood for a dance or two afterwards."

Jullien couldn't stop the large smile that grew on his face and he stood up, leaning over to kiss Judy's cheek quickly. "I'll be sure to tell her. I need to get home anyway." He knew it was a little early and Judy would have to find a ride home or call a cab but neither of them were concerned. Judy didn't even look back at him as he left.

Back in his apartment, he kicked off his platform boots, his stockinged feet slipping a little on the hardwood floor as he made his way over to the couch and flopped down. Lifting his hips up, he unhooked the stockings from the garters and slid them off his legs, tossing them over on the coffee table. His stomach rumbled loudly and he reluctantly pulled himself back up and made his way into the kitchen. He and Judy had planned on going to eat after the club so he hadn't eaten beforehand. Tossing together a quick sandwich, Jullien flipped the TV on as he ate and eventually ended up drifting off to sleep there.

---

It had been a week and three days since he'd been over to Judy's. Gaibriel knew for sure because he'd been counting. Each day he'd started to doubt and after a week, he'd found himself getting angry at Judy's mother for lying to him. It didn't stop him from hoping, however and he continued to count the days as they passed and listen extra closely to phone conversations. Behind him, his mother bustled about the kitchen, keeping busy doing absolutely nothing. It made him sad and he wished she'd leave.

Gaibriel's head popped up out of his English book when the telephone rang. Neither of them moved for it. His father was already home and in his office. Closing his book, he shoved everything quickly in his bag and stood up.

"Done for tonight," his mother asked, more for conversation than actual curiosity. Usually, Gaibriel would have stayed and talked to her for a while but he wanted to catch a little of the phone conversation. He could come back after he stored his things away.

"Yeah, mom. I'll be back after I put this up." She said something as he was leaving that he didn't catch and didn't bother going back to find out. The door to his father's study was at the base of the stairs. He stood with one foot on the bottom stair and his hand on the railing, pausing and listening. His father's voice was deep and carried easily, a trait he'd picked up during his years doing missionary services.

"Yes, I understand... She did? Well, I must say, that's unexpected. His teacher has never mentioned anything about it to me."

Gaibriel's head turned towards the door, not bothering to make it look like he was on his way up the stairs anymore. After a shot pause, his father continued.

"That's quite a compliment, Mrs. McNair. Thank you. Yes, we do stress hard work here, especially when it comes to his school work. ... Ah, I see... How often and how long, may I ask?"

Gaibriel swallowed the lump that was attempting to close off his throat. He was almost certain it was Judy's mom. He wished now he'd thought to ask Amanda what her last name was.

"I see. Well, Mrs. McNair, I do appreciate the offer and I will consider it. If you would give me a number to reach you, I'll think it over and talk to Gaibriel about it and call you back when we've reached a decision."

The glue on Gaibriel's feet dissolved and he dashed up the stairs, tossing his book bag haphazardly into his closet, grinning from ear to ear. He fought the urge to laugh out loud. He had to force himself to sit down on his bed and took a few deep, calming breaths. His father would be up here soon, if what he'd told Amanda's mother was the truth, and he couldn't see Gaibriel acting like that. He had to act normal or he might know something was up.

His mind raced, trying to think of what he normally did. His thoughts overlapped each other and he wondered why it was so hard to recall the way he behaved every single day. His eyes fell on the clothes basket full of freshly washed clothes by the door that he'd failed to notice coming in. His mother washed and folded them now that she was home all day but it was still his job to put them away and return the basket to the laundry room.

'My mother,' he thought, popping up off the bed, going over to the basket and quickly tossing the clothes on hangers and in drawers. When he'd emptied it, he grabbed the basket and went back downstairs, forcing himself not to run. His mother was still in the kitchen, stirring something on the stove, filling the kitchen with a delicious smell. She glanced at him over her shoulder. "Oh, you saw them."

"Yeah, thanks." Opening the laundry room door, he stored them inside and took his seat back at the table.

"Do anything interesting at school today," she asked, peeking inside the oven.

"Nope, just the usual. The coach said I was doing better in gym though." A fast rattling had started as he was talking and it took him a moment to realize it was coming from his own leg, which he was bouncing up and down, jingling the spare change in his pockets. He stopped it.

"That's wonderful. You should tell your father. I'm sure he'd be glad to hear it." She didn't make her voice quite as convincing as she'd probably intended to. Gaibriel didn't respond to that one, getting up and grabbing a soda can from the refrigerator instead. He'd just sat down and popped the tab when his father entered.

Gaibriel watched him as he approached his mother, worried for a split second before he saw that he only intended to hug her. He made a comment about dinner smelling wonderful before pulling a coffee mug from one of the cabinets and filling it. He sat down across from Gaibriel, folding his hands around his mug, peering across at him. "We need to talk."

A 'stay calm' mantra had began circling in Gaibriel's head. He forced a worried smile, taking a large gulp from his drink. "Yes sir... what about?"

"A mother of one of your classmate's has just called me, requesting that I allow you to tutor her daughter in math."

Don't smile, don't smile, don't smile. Another swallow of his soda. "Really?"

His father paused, seeming to mull over his thoughts before continuing. "She also tells me that you were recommended by name by the teacher of the class you share. SAT-prep, I believe it was."

Gaibriel nodded a little, forcing his face to stay blank. "She told me not too long ago that my scores were the highest in the class." He drank deeply from the can again, his leg starting to bounce again, stopping it almost immediately.

His father peered at him curiously. "Are you that thirsty?"

Gaibriel cursed himself silently, nodding, saying the first acceptable excuse he thought of. "Worked hard in gym today," he lied. It sounded genuine.

"Speaking of which," his mother's soft voice interrupted, pausing just after, silently waiting for permission to continue speaking. When she wasn't berated, she said, "Gaibriel was just telling me that his gym teacher says he has been doing better there."

His father actually looked impressed, an expression he rarely saw and didn't really know what to think of. "Then perhaps I have misjudged a few of your actions, son."

Gaibriel was confused. He had no idea what him doing better in gym and tutoring had in common or why they would make his father think he's misjudged him. "Sir?"

Leaning back in his chair, but keeping his hands wrapped around his cup, his father watched Gaibriel closely as he spoke. "The girl you are possibly going to tutor is Amanda McNair, the same girl I caught you associating with in school. I punished you for disobeying me, and you did. But when I asked Mrs. McNair about it, she informed me that the teacher has only seen you two talking a few times before I told you to stop. She also told me that you were helping Amanda out with her homework at lunchtime."

Gaibriel had to bite his tongue to keep from grinning. "Yes sir. She asked me a few times to help her out."

"Well, that, son, is acceptable, I believe. I would prefer it if you took her into the library, however, instead of sitting out there with her ruffian crowd."

Gaibriel nodded. Amanda's friends seemed far from ruffians to him but he knew better than to argue. "Yes sir."

"Now, about this tutoring... I talked it over with Mrs. McNair and she believes that it would be best for you to go over there twice a week and once on the weekend, to help keep Amanda focused. This seems quite fine to me. I am considering allowing you to help this girl."

Gaibriel almost lost it. He'd felt the smile pull at his lips a little before he managed to wipe his face clean. He didn't say anything. His mind refused to produce an acceptable answer.

"I will, of course, check on you often. Understand?"

Gaibriel nodded and took a few long swallows from his drink, noticing it was already almost empty.

"And you will inform me everyday of the type of work you helped her with and her progress. I will be certain that you are actually working and not up to things you shouldn't. Which brings me to your behavior. If I get one single suspicion that there is anything more going on here than tutoring, I will put an end to it and punish you severely." His father leaned back up, glaring over the table at him. "Do we understand each other?"

"Yes sir." Gaibriel had expected his father to be so stern. It was nothing out of the ordinary for him.

"Good. Go upstairs and wash for supper."

He certainly didn't have to be told twice. Leaving his nearly empty soda can sitting on the table, Gaibriel walked calmly from the kitchen and up the stairs. It was until he was washing his hands in the sink and happened to glance up in the mirror that his uncaring front broke. His reflection smiled brightly back at him.