Dandruff

No words were exchanged as Jacob trailed Russell into the main building, and all sorts of things were going through the younger boy’s mind. What did Russell want to talk about? Was something wrong? Did he want to break up already? Did he want to have a quickie? Well, a quickie was absolutely out of the question; Jacob was still crippled from Phoenix’s less than gentle encounter, not to mention the bruises that still hadn’t healed yet would be hard to explain. It was unlikely that sex was what Russell wanted anyway; they had agreed that they wouldn’t rush into that... His eyes drifted down Russell’s broad shoulders to his firm ass. What the fuck had he been thinking when he spewed that ‘no sex’ bullshit...? Oh right, the whole Phoenix issue. Pfft. He was getting sick of having his feelings stomped on by the sadistic lawyer. He would make the man see he wasn’t a toy. And when Phoenix saw that, he’d realise what a great relationship they could have.

Yeah, right.
Phoenix threw his fucks away like garbage; he wouldn’t give a Jacob a second thought. His brain knew that his silly crush and the great sex that shouldn’t have been great weren’t worth the abuse, but his stupid, teenage heart didn’t seem to comprehend that. Life really was a big, dark room.

It was still rather early, so not many people were in the hallways, and most of the class rooms had yet to be unlocked. They kept walking until Russell opened the door to the Art room, signalling for Jacob to follow him inside.

“How’d you know that door was open?” Jacob enquired curiously, looking around at all the students’ paintings mounted on the walls and the sculptures on the shelves. Harrison Academy’s Art room was much bigger than the one at his old school. Actually, it was bigger than most of the rooms in his old school.

Russell closed the door as he replied, “Mr. Buchanan leaves it open so students can come in and work on their pieces before school starts.”

“Oh. So, what did you want to talk about?” he sat on one of the desks.

In an instant, Russell settled between his legs, hunching to connect their lips in a tender kiss. Jacob was startled at first, but he quickly melted into it. This was nice. It was so much different than the bruising, hungry kisses Phoenix blessed him with every once in a while. He sighed dreamily as Russell’s tongue gently coaxed his mouth open before delving inside. Jacob sucked eagerly on the slick tongue, enjoying the minty taste of toothpaste and the sugary hint of fruit inside the other’s mouth. Suddenly those tantalising lips were gone, and Jacob was as confused as ever.

“Why’d you stop?” he demanded, tugging on Russell’s tie a tad desperately. “I wasn’t done yet.”

“If we continued like that, I wouldn’t have been able to stop,” Russell threaded his fingers through Jacob’s unruly mop of curls. “I’ve been thinking about you all weekend.”

“Yeah, I’m unforgettable like that.”

“I can’t disagree there, but I actually dragged you in here for a reason, not just because I wanted to make out. The making out was fun, though,” Russell said as he walked to a nearby desk, unzipping a black and red backpack that obviously belonged to him.

“You call that making out? I was just getting warmed up!” Jacob slid off the desk and sauntered over to Russell, fully prepared to finish where they left off. He hugged Russell’s waist, one hand slipping down to grope the Goth’s cock through his clothes. He knew he was being a bit too persistent, but damn it, what better way to get over Phoenix than by experiencing amazing sex with someone else who happened to treat him like a person? And of course he was still fantasising about that gorgeous, pierced cock and those tattooed hips slamming into him. Call him whatever you want, he was a proud penis connoisseur and like any other person his age, he wanted to fuck more often than not. Absentmindedly, he wondered if there were any T-shirts with ‘Penis Connoisseur’ on them. Gay pride parades weren’t his thing, but he’d attend one just to wear such an awesome shirt.

He was brought back down to earth when Russell politely shimmied out of his grasp and turned to face him.

“Did I come on too strong or something? You seemed fine with it on Saturday...” Jacob pouted. He hated being rejected. How could his stalker-cum-pseudo boyfriend person reject him? Since when was he even so goddamned insecure? Phoenix was definitely going to have foot the bill for the therapy he would need someday.

“It’s not that... I just want to give this to you before I forget. You’re distracting, you know...” Russell held up a silver necklace with a shiny, little chainsaw pendant. “My friend, Alicia, and I went to the mall yesterday. For some reason, I thought of you when I saw it so I had to get it.”

The world had spun off its axis. It had to, because never before had anyone spoilt Jacob with gifts. Sure it was a slightly unconventional, but it was the best thing to happen to him in a while. And the pendant was pretty badass in itself. He had no idea what to say or do.

“You don’t like it, do you?” Russell frowned slightly, obviously mistaking Jacob’s silence for dissatisfaction.

“Are you kidding me? I love it,” Jacob offered him a genuine smile. “You didn’t have to buy me anything, though...”

“If you like it, then it’s yours. It only cost $200.”

‘Only $200?’ Rich people...

After securing the necklace around his neck and tucking it under his shirt (it was against school policy to wear jewellery, yet Russell somehow walked around with clearly visible piercings), he pulled Russell down for a thank you kiss. He didn’t know how to express the way he felt by using words without sounding cheesy, so the kiss was the next best thing. At least Russell seemed to be enjoying it. Maybe now was the perfect time to reciprocate the blowjob Russell had given him?

Fate had different ideas. The handle to the door creaked as it was opened. The couple separated immediately, trying to look as innocent as possible even though their faces were flushed, their uniforms dishevelled, and their lips curiously red. Only a blithering moron could think they were up to anything good.

In the doorway stood a petite Asian girl Jacob had never seen before, but she looked like she was around fourteen so he would never have shared a class with her before. She cradled a large sketchpad under her arm with her backpack thrown over the opposite shoulder. She stared at the two boys blankly before smiling cheerfully.

“Hey, Russell,” she chirped.

“Good morning, Christina,” Russell forced a small, nervous smile, wondering if the girl had a clue what she’d interrupted.

Christina put her things down at a desk before pulling a chair and sitting, humming a happy song all the while. Once she was settled, she spoke again. “What’s your name?”

It took Jacob a second to realise she was speaking to him. “Uh... I’m Jacob.”

“Jacob, hmm?” she tilted her head curiously before turning to Russell. “He looks a lot like that drawing you were working on last week.”

“You drew me?” Jacob raised an eyebrow incredulously.

The blush on Russell’s face deepened to a hilarious shade of red. “It’s getting late. Your friends are probably wondering where you are. I’ll walk you back halfway.”

“You didn’t answer my question.”

“Christina’s crazy; just ignore her,” and with that Russell grabbed Jacob’s wrist and led him outside.

“Bye, Jacob!” Christina called after their retreating forms.

When Jacob returned, he found Claudia had joined everyone under the tree. She was lying down with her head on Trent’s lap, obviously exchanging heated words with Tori if the expressions on the girls’ faces were anything to go by. Trent looked thoroughly uninterested and Garry was standing a little ways off, flirting with a cheerleader. The moment Tori’s eyes landed on Jacob, she got up and proceeded to make her way over to him.

“What did Russell want?” she asked.

“The kid I’m babysitting is his sister. His parents asked him to give me some information on her,” he replied without even thinking. Damn, he was a good liar. If he didn’t hate lawyers now, and studying in general, he would’ve totally made a damn good lawyer.

“Oh. Did he say anything about me?” she looked hopeful.

Jacob shrugged. “Does he look like the kind of guy to say more than necessary?”

“I guess you’re right...”

Great, now she looked depressed. Jacob gazed up at the cloudless sky, thinking of something to say to lighten her mood. Being comforting was not his forte, and chicks were too complex anyway, so instead he would change the topic altogether.

“You should resolve your sexual tension with Claudia and get over Russell. Your obsession with him is creepy.”

“Claudia?!” she scoffed disgustedly. “Like I’d ever want to touch that cow’s udders? Give me a break!”

“I heard that! Don’t hate me because puberty liked me better!” Claudia yelled.

The air of gloominess disappeared instantaneously as insults were hurled back and forth.


==

Nothing was stranger than the prospect of meeting Phoenix’s parents. Phoenix was someone who seemed to spawn from Satan himself, not the act of human coitus. Jacob couldn’t imagine the man as a child at all. He just seemed like someone who was wreaking havoc from the beginning of time. It was even weirder to imagine that the barrister had siblings. Could anything less than evil be brought forth from the same loins? He was nervous and more than a little perturbed. It was apparently Phoenix’s parents’ thirty-second wedding anniversary and so the entire family would be spending the weekend at a beach house to celebrate. A duffel bag held all of Jacob’s belongings while Felicity had packed two carry-on bags full of things. He had no idea what she could’ve possibly filled those with. The bags were thrown into the Range Rover’s trunk and soon they were off. The scenery they drove past wasn’t particularly fascinating, but Jacob couldn’t tear his eyes away even if he tried. Only a car ride could drag someone deep into the bowels of Utter Boredom.

Thinking back, he realised he knew nothing about Phoenix’s family, other than the titbits Felicity had shared with him once. All he knew was that they were rich and that his parents didn’t like Felicity because her family wasn’t of the same social standing. And if they didn’t like her, they sure as hell weren’t going to like Jacob. He knew he was obnoxious, not to mention the fact that his dead, dirt-poor mother was the only family he had. Oh, and that his father could be anyone who liked women.

Yeah, they were just going to love him...

Well, fuck them in advance then!

“I can’t wait to see Jupiter again,” Felicity said.

“She flew in from Italy last night. She broke up with her boyfriend and Dad says she’s taking it out on the help,” Phoenix sighed. “She is going to be a pain in the ass to deal with.”

“So you’re not the only dick in the family? This can only get worse,” Jacob drawled.

“Listen to me, you little brat. You are not going to embarrass me in front of my family, so watch your fucking mouth while you’re there,” Phoenix’s eyes narrowed angrily in the rear view mirror.

“Phoenix, there’s no need for that kind of language!” Felicity admonished her husband, turning around to give Jacob a sympathetic smile. “I’m sure Jacob won’t be any trouble.”

“If he plans to live another year, I’m sure he won’t, too,” Phoenix’s tone remained threatening.

Jacob was on a roll. “What kind of messed up family do you have, anyway? At least I’ve spoken to Felicity’s parents on the phone, and they live in frigging London! Your parents live in L.A, too, and I doubt they know I exist.”

“They know about you. They’re just busy people,” Phoenix rolled his eyes at the boy’s dramatics.

“How can they be too busy for a five-minute phone call? That’s ridiculous.”

“You’re going to see them now, aren’t you? Stop fucking complaining; the world doesn’t revolve around you.”

“Don’t mind him, Jacob. He always acts this way when we’re going to see his family,” Felicity looked normal enough, but her slightly tired tone revealed that she probably wasn’t too excited about this trip, either.

“I can see why; they sound like pricks.”

Growing tired of hearing Jacob bitch and moan, Phoenix turned the radio on and put it on the weather station at an ear-splittingly high volume. No amount of complaining from both Felicity and Jacob convinced him to turn it down, and so it stayed that way for the rest of the hour long journey. At least Jacob knew it was going to rain in Jamaica today...

They drove through the gates of a huge, beachfront community. The houses were all massive so far, looking more like mansions than anything else. A few people were enjoying the sun’s rays and could be seen walking along the broad sidewalks to the beach or lounging on their lawns, patios, and roof decks. As they journeyed further along it appeared as though they were getting closer to the beach. Now that Phoenix turned down the fucking radio, waves could be heard lapping at the white shores. Two tanned, muscular guys with sun bleached hair were walking down the sidewalk, each holding a surfboard. Guys like that really were a dime a dozen in these kinds of neighbourhoods. Hell, they were almost like clones. Jacob wouldn’t have been able to tell that jerk Brett apart from those surfers. However that didn’t mean he wasn’t appreciating the view... Generic or not, they were damn hot. If he didn’t burn like fucking Dracula in the sun, he’d hang around the beach and see if he could pick one up. Wait no; he had Russell and Phoenix to think about. Jeez, that sounded sluttier than it was supposed to.

Two teenage girls in bikinis pranced around in a pool at the front of one of the beach houses, and Jacob couldn’t stop himself from wondering why the fuck you’d need a pool when the ocean was right behind you. Once again, rich people confused him. He’d never get used to the shenanigans of the financially endowed.

“God, I can’t wait to lie on the beach. I need to work on my tan,” Felicity slid her window down, sticking her head out the window so that the breeze blew through her hair. Did she really need more of a tan? She was always bronze. With her perfect features and long, golden hair, she looked like she was in the middle of filming for Victoria’s Secret or something. Jacob shook his head. Didn’t she get tired of being Little Miss Perfect? She was more or less hanging her head in the other lane, though. It would be kind of funny if a car sped down and took her head off with it. Wait no, that wasn’t funny. That was sick. What the hell was wrong with him...? Maybe he’d need that psychological evaluation sooner than he thought.

Just how big was this neighbourhood anyway? They’d been cruising through it for about ten minutes now, and it felt much longer than that. Someone must’ve heard his prayers, because they were going through the open gates of one of the houses.

The beach house was one of those modern architecture projects, composed of mostly glass and lots of rectangles, the concrete parts painted a pale blue. The walls of the sprawling patio and the upstairs deck were made of glass. Large, bare windows revealed the modern, unusually shaped furniture in the living room. Five white lounge chairs and matching umbrellas sat in the patio, sliding glass doors behind them leading to the living room. There was a lawn at the front of the house, but sunlight reflected on the white sand further down. The house was situated on a large piece of land and there were quite a few expensive cars parked all over the place, and a Harley Davidson bike in the garage. Goddamn. Jacob considered his mind blown.

Phoenix parked in the garage next to the bike. He announced that they’d let the butler carry their bags up later. They climbed up the wooden steps to the porch and knocked on the glass door. No one was in the living room, and the house was so big that Jacob wondered if anyone even heard them knocking. Phoenix knocked again, so loud this time that the door shook.

“You broke the door last time... Don’t do that,” Felicity shook her head at Phoenix’s impatience.

Finally someone was walking through the living room. It was Jupiter; Jacob recognised her from the photos. She looked older now, but she was still extremely attractive. Her hair was in a short, spiky cut now. She wore a rather sheer, teal summer dress over her white bikini, her large breasts barely contained.

“Phoenix, I’m so glad to see you!” she exclaimed once she opened the door, wrapping her arms tight around her brother.

“Yeah, it’s almost been a year,” Phoenix’s smile was creepy as hell. Why was it creepy? It was creepy because it looked so normal and genuine. Since when was Phoenix capable of forming a real smile? The apocalypse was nigh.

“Everyone’s by the pool,” Jupiter pulled away from the embrace before enveloping Felicity in another. “I missed you too, Felicity! You look so good!”

“Thanks, you look lovely, too,” Felicity beamed.

The hug ended and Jupiter said, “Are you sure you don’t want the number of the plastic surgeon I was telling you about? I still think you’d look good with some small C’s...”

“I’m fine. You don’t have to ask me every time you see me,” Felicity glared playfully. “This is Jacob, by the way.”

Jupiter’s blue eyes scrutinised the boy from head to toe before she let out a squeal. “Aw, you’re so cute! I love your hair!”

“Uh, thanks?” Jacob was afraid she was going to hug him. He wouldn’t be surprised if she’d smother him to death with those giant breasts of hers.

“So how do you like living with Phoenix so far?” Jupiter enquired conversationally.

“He’s a prick,” Jacob supplied easily. “Are those real?”

Silence took over for a few moments before a fit of giggles erupted from Jupiter. “Yes, they’re real. I’ve never heard of imaginary boobs.”

“Okay, let me rephrase, were those surgically enhanced?”

“Jacob!” Felicity slapped his arm. “Behave yourself!”

“The boy has a right to know!” Jupiter grabbed Jacob’s hand and forced him to grope one of her tits. “Does it feel fake?”

Felicity was stunned while Phoenix rolled his eyes. This weekend was going to kill him.

“Hmm...” Jacob gave it a few experimental squeezes. It was soft and squishy... But he didn’t know what normal breasts felt like, so how the hell would he know if she had implants or not?

Jupiter didn’t miss his lost expression. “Sweetheart, are you gay? You’re not even showing any enthusiasm!”

Jacob didn’t move his hand, he just kept squeezing. “Technically. These things are pretty fun, though,” he cupped the other one, giving it the same treatment. “You know those squeezy balls they give people in therapy to strengthen their wrists? You could totally market these for medicinal purposes.”

“That’s the first time I’ve heard that!” Jupiter guffawed. “It’d be natural healing... because they’re natural.”

“Oh... Well, I guess now I know how to tell the difference!”

In the blink of an eye, Jacob found his hands had been forcibly removed by none other than Phoenix.

“Molestation time is over,” the lawyer growled warningly.

“Aw, just when I was enjoying it!” Jupiter teased, enjoying the mortified expression on Felicity’s face way too much. “Relax, Blondie! He’s much too young and skinny for me!”

“Hey, I thought we had something special,” Jacob pouted playfully.

If anyone told Phoenix his raging bitch of a sister and Jacob would get along, he’d never have believed it. Idiocy had to be contagious, or Jupiter was drunk. Both were very probable solutions to this problem.

“If it makes you feel any better, I like your necklace,” Jupiter patted his head. She was actually about an inch taller than he was.

“Necklace?” Phoenix frowned, seeing the piece of jewellery for the first time.

“I was supposed to ask you about that!” Felicity declared. “It suits you. Where’d you get it?”

“Oh... uh... Russell gave it to me,” Jacob answered quietly, wincing a bit at the harsh look Phoenix was shooting him.

“That’s so sweet! You HAVE to invite him over soon!” Felicity grinned.

“Is Russell your boyfriend?” Jupiter questioned.

“Something like that...”

The slightest narrowing of Phoenix’s eyes showed just how much referring to Russell as his boyfriend aggravated him. The satisfaction that gave Jacob was intoxicating.

“Ah, teenage love. I miss the dramatic simplicity!”

“That sounds so deep.”

“I’m poetic. Jeez, the others must be wondering what’s keeping us so long. Shall we?” Jupiter led the way to the pool.
They walked through the spacious living room, past the big kitchen where an old maid named Ingrid was putting dirty dishes in the dish washer and a butler named Owen was preparing glasses of champagne. Beyond the kitchen were a staircase, a sunroom, a laundry room, a bathroom, and a door leading out to a wooden deck which overlooked the pool.

Phoenix’s parents were easy to identify. His father looked like an older version of Phoenix, his dark hair peppered by streaks of grey which served to give him a more distinguished look. His eyes were the same intense shade as Phoenix’s. He was quite handsome for a middle-aged man, dressed in an eye-catching red, silk shirt and black slacks. If Phoenix aged like that, he was lucky. His wife sat beside him on the bench, but she looked like she’d had a few run-ins with Botox injections. There was not a line in her face and she looked like a doll, her petite features pretty but her grey eyes cold. Her mousy brown hair was swept into a long French braid. She wore a red, summer dress which matched her lipstick perfectly.

Leaning in the corner was Phoenix’s apparently estranged brother, Pilot. He still had the ponytail he’d had in the photos, but now he boasted a tattooed sleeve on his right arm, not to mention that he looked a little taller than Phoenix now. He had that whole ‘bad boy’ vibe going for him with the cigarette that dangled between his lips, and Jacob couldn’t help but get a little giddy... in a manly way.

“Ah, Phoenix! Give your old man a hug!” Mr. Scofield said warmly as he stood.

Watching them hug was freaking Jacob out. They both looked decidedly evil. Satan was Phoenix’s father.

“Felicity, you’re looking well,” Mr. Scofield then looked at Jacob. “And you must be the boy I’ve heard so much about. Phoenix, are you feeding this child? Looks a little thin, don’t you think?”

“It’s genetic...” Jacob blinked. He felt insulted already, and the way that Mrs. Scofield was staring at him wasn’t helping matters.

“Fair enough! Feel free to call me James and that stunning lady over there is my wife, Vanessa,” Mr. Scofield gestured to Phoenix’s mother.

Vanessa forced a painful looking, fake smile on her thin face. “It’s nice to meet you, Jacob.”

As much as Jacob wanted to give her a rude reply, he held his tongue. “It’s nice to meet you, too.” ‘...you fucking bitch,’ he added mentally.

“Phoenix darling,” Vanessa gracefully got to her feet, her skirt fanning around her thin legs. “You remember that nice Donna Walker you dated in high school? She lives nearby, you know. Her family has recently invested shares in a computer company, and her own restaurant is doing quite well? Would you believe she’s still unmarried? You should pay her a visit while you’re here.”

Yikes. If it wasn’t clear before, it was clear now. Phoenix’s mother did not give a damn how plain her dislike for Felicity was. Jacob looked at Felicity, and found her lips were pursed into a thin line.

“That’s not necessary. I haven’t had contact with her in years,” Phoenix wrapped an assuring arm around Felicity’s shoulders.

“She’s gotten even more beautiful. The years have been very kind to her. She’s quite the eligible bachelorette in our inner circle,” Vanessa bent to pick up a glass of brandy that had been resting on the arm of the bench, sipping it daintily with her pinkie finger extended.

An awkward silence settled over the deck, punctuated by the roar of the sea beyond the fence and the wind licking at the pool’s surface. James was lighting his own cigarette with a fancy, gold lighter. Jupiter bit her bottom lip nervously as she sat on the other bench, picking up her own glass of strawberry daiquiri, only to find less than a mouthful left. Pilot was still leaning against the glass banister, observing with an unreadable expression. He looked so out of place in his black tank top, camouflage pants, and combat boots. He noticed Jacob staring at him and he cocked an eyebrow in response, causing Jacob to look away and blush like a damn virgin.

“What’s keeping Owen so long with those damn drinks?” Vanessa muttered, reclaiming her seat.

“I’ll check on him,” Pilot volunteered, his voice was so similar to Phoenix’s, deep and slightly husky, the type that made women wet just by hearing one word. Jacob had to stop himself from shuddering. Was it getting hot out here or what?

“That’s a good idea,” his mother agreed.

“Jacob, why don’t you come with me?” Pilot gestured for him to follow.

Not knowing what else to do and wanting to escape the tension outside, Jacob followed Pilot into the house. The man didn’t say a thing to him until they were in the kitchen. Ingrid had already left and Pilot told Owen he’d take care of the drinks, which the butler had put in the fridge as per Pilot’s instructions. When they were alone, Pilot took a seat on the wooden table, watching Jacob with eyes the same grey as his mother’s. While Vanessa looked cold, Pilot had a subtle anger about him. No wonder he didn’t get along with Phoenix; they were too alike.

“So, how old are you, Jacob?” cigarette smoke escaped the wide, thin lips as he spoke.

“Seventeen.”

“Phoenix’s charity case, hmm? I find it hard to believe; he’s always been a fucking cunt.”

Jacob was surprised by the animosity. At least someone else knew Phoenix wasn’t as great as his public persona would have people believe. “Don’t worry; he’s still a cunt.”

“He doesn’t treat you nice?” Pilot leaned back, looking down his nose to gauge Jacob’s reactions.

Jacob felt as though he shouldn’t be talking about Phoenix behind his back with his brother. What a loyal whore he was. He shrugged indifferently.

Neither of them spoke as Owen lugged the luggage from the Range Rover past the kitchen, Jacob for lack of anything to say, and Pilot perhaps silent for the Intimidation Factor.

Growing tired of the silence, Jacob suggested they head outside with the drinks. Maybe Vanessa and Felicity would’ve gotten into a cat fight by now. He didn’t want to miss the claws flying as Botox Barbie Mom met her doom. He’d pay to see shit like that, and that was saying a lot since he was as cheap as it got.

Instead of answering, Pilot flicked his cigarette butt to the floor, not caring where it landed.

“Uh... No offence, but you’re creepier than Phoenix...” Jacob blinked a few times.

“I’m sorry we can’t all be big shot lawyers,” drawled Pilot sarcastically.

“You’re still rich, so what does it matter? What do you do anyway?”

“I’m a bike mechanic.”

“That’s much cooler than being a lawyer.”

“Is it?” Pilot jumped off the table and approached Jacob with all the grace of a panther ready to pounce.

“Yes...” Jacob swallowed noisily, his back pressed between the counter and Pilot’s firm body. Pilot wasn’t quite so sexy anymore. He was even crazier than fucking Phoenix.

“Jacob, I want to ask you something personal.”

“If the answer gets you away from me, I’d be happy to oblige.”

Pilot grabbed his chin, forcing him to look into those odd, grey eyes. “Phoenix is fucking you, isn’t he Jacob?”


==


The Munez Feed:
Thank you so much for reviewing. It means a lot. I’ve been down and out lately, and reading what you guys think makes me happy. So, uh, we’ve met Phoenix’s family. Be afraid, be very afraid.

Munez