Ecstasy

Chapter 8
Anthony closed his eyes and took in a deep breath as he walked along the river boardwalk watching all the various people in the campus ground go about their business. He’d had a rather restful day spending it looking around the place and introducing himself to a few of the lecturers whose lectures he’d be attending. Everyone seemed kind of relaxed and it made him feel good as well, although his hand was still a little sore he’d quite enjoyed Alex’s touch on it.

“Anthony!” Anthony rolled his eyes as his silence was interrupted by a high pitch voice behind him.

“May, nice to see you.” Anthony put on a fake smile as the two girls pulled up on either side of him walking at the same time as he was.

“Alone today are we?” May inquire energetically as she all but skipped at Anthony’s side. Anthony nodded and continued to walk at the same speed he had been doing a few minutes ago.

“Oh god what did you do to your hand?” Anthony pulled his hand away from Jessica’s grip as she held it in her own hands.

“Nothing.” Anthony snapped back at her as he put his hand inside his pocket. Jessica and May looked at each other suspiciously before turning back to Anthony who was looking out onto the river ignoring their presence.

“That’s not nothing Anthony and you know it, you should have it looked at.” May spoke sternly as Anthony rolled his eyes at her mothering.

“I’ve had it looked at and it’s nothing, I cut myself this morning while making breakfast.” Anthony glared down at them apprehensive about telling them the truth so that he’d not give them more fuel to the already large stories about his place of residence.

“Oh.” May smiled gingerly as they continued to walk towards the far end of the boardwalk. “So have you been to a lecture yet?” May changed the subject quickly getting herself out of hot water so to speak.

“No, I’ve got an art lecture this afternoon though.” Jessica nodded as she glanced up the bank to see a large group of her friends.

“Steve!” Jessica screamed at the group who all turned around before making their way down to them on Jessica’s insistence. Anthony sighed all he’d wanted was a morning to relax and now he’d have to meet all their crappy friends.

“Steve this is our friend Anthony Fox, he’s one of the roadies.” Anthony smiled gingerly as he shook Steve’s hand, now aware that May was leaning all over him and Steve didn’t look to happy about it.

“You’re the arty one hey?” Steve inquired as he chewed on his gum. Anthony swallowed hard and nodded not game to say much after all Steve seemed to be an extremely big person compared to Anthony. “Yeah, I’m studying sport and psychology.” Anthony lifted an eyebrow at that comment he could have guessed Steve would be a sporty person.

“Great.” Anthony mumbled as May grabbed his arm still continuing her conversation with the other group of people. Anthony was uncomfortable with May hanging of his arm like she owned him, after all he hardly knew her and she wasn’t the type of person that Anthony liked much.

“Oi look at Miss. Freak.” Anthony sighed as Steve pointed to Alex who was sitting alone on the grassy embankment.

“I’d start to get worried Stevie, she’s looking at you.” The whole group laughed as Steve shuddered and gave Alex the finger. Anthony just hung his head in embarrassment at having Alex see him with these losers.

“You better watch your step Steve mate, she’ll have ya for pissing her off.” Steve laughed and patted his friend on the back.

“Don’t worry, she’s not going to hurt us while ever Anthony’s with us. Remember he lives with her.” Anthony swallowed hard as the whole group turned their attention to him.

“Thanks but Alex and I are acquaintances she’ll not stop doing anything for me.” Anthony sighed heavily as the group fell silent at his comment.

“I see you’ve been stabbed already.” One of Steve’s friends pointed to Anthony’s hand after the long uninterrupted pause. Anthony shook his head and put his hand back inside his coat pocket.

“No I did it myself this morning.” Anthony snapped back and took everyone a little by surprise.

“Oh, right. The offer still stands for the room next to ours if you want it.” May smiled seductively at Anthony and held his arm tighter into her chest. Anthony was becoming extremely uncomfortable with the death stares he was getting from Steve every time May made a comment about Anthony.

“No we’re just fine, settling in quiet nicely thank you.” Steve laughed and shook his head.

“Yeah I bet you are.” Steve breathed under his breath. No one else heard it but Anthony did and he gave him a death stare, he knew what it was meant to say. “So how bout a drink people?” Steve changed the subject quickly sensing Anthony had heard his little comment. Most of the group nodded in approval all except Anthony who continued to stare coldly at Steve. “You coming Anthony?” Steve inquired more specifically as everyone waited for Anthony’s answer. Anthony was fuming he hated being treated like a total fool around these people. They had insulted him and Alex on numerous occasions and now they were asking him to drink with them.

“No, I’d rather swallow razor blades than drink with you. Now if you’ll excuse me I have an art lecture to attend.” With that Anthony walked quickly away up the grassy embankment, towards the canteen. He glanced across at where Alex was sitting and he thought he caught a glimpse of a smile crossing her face but he didn’t dare look any longer. He was in such a rush he walked straight past Alan and Dawson who were sitting having a drink before their next lectures.

“Anty, where you off to?” Anthony stopped and turned around at his pet name being called from behind him. He smiled as he saw Dawson and Alan smiling at him.

“Hey.” Anthony smiled and shook Alan’s hand before sitting down next to Dawson and resting a hand on his knee as a sign of affection. “Just on my way to art, but I think I’m a little early.” Alan laughed and nodded understandingly, after he and Dawson had watched the little display on the waterfront between Anthony and Steve.

“He’s a bit of an arsehole isn’t he?” Anthony smiled at Alan and rolled his eyes before taking a sip out of Dawson’s coke.

“Yeah just a bit of wanker, god knows how he got into Uni.” Dawson laughed and shook his head at Anthony in repute.

“Not the same way we did I assure you.” Alan and Anthony agreed with Dawson’s little comment, anyone as dumb as Steve had to be paying his way.

“Does Alex always sit alone?” Anthony queried as all three men looked gingerly towards where Alex was still sitting on the grass, writing something in a book and playing with what looked like a set of chi balls.

“Yes, she hates company when she’s on campus. Though she’s all for clubbing on the weekends. She’s quite a little partier if you get her in the right mood and she likes you enough to talk to you.” Anthony smiled gingerly across at Dawson who lifted an eyebrow dubiously at his partner’s very obvious questions.

“She copes a lot of stick hey?” Dawson commented as they turned their attention back to the table. Alan sighed and nodded as he took a bite from his complementary biscuit with his coffee.
“Yeah she gets it all, but she can defend herself quite remarkably well. She’s got a black belt in karate and accompanied with a sharp tongue and knife skills you wouldn’t believe a woman could have she’s got quite a good way of defending herself wouldn’t you say?” Dawson and Anthony gawked at Alan in amazement before glancing across at Alex who looked so innocent and harmless sitting there alone.

“Jesus Christ, you wouldn’t want to go pissing her off would you?” Alan shook his head and laughed.

“No, but she hardly ever uses any of it. She prefers to just stay silent and take it, it’s a good tactic if you’ve got the control.” Dawson and Anthony agreed for saying she’d probably want to stay in Uni it was better not to create a scene for yourself.

“She’s pretty.” Anthony breathed still staring at her as if she was a statue. He was captivated by how she sat motionless only her hand’s writing and rolling the green Chinese relaxation balls in her palms. Alan looked at Dawson a little strangely, as Anthony made no attempt to explain his little comment. Dawson swallowed hard he knew what Alan was thinking, he and Anthony hadn’t quite explained themselves fully the other night.

“Beautiful some say. Although never had a boyfriend in her life, she’s the kind of woman every man dreams of but never actually touches.” Alan smiled warmly as Anthony and Dawson looked at him shocked by what he was saying. Dawson was a little confused but he could see that Anthony and Alan had some sort of understanding no doubt it was an artist thing again.

“She’s very close to Craig though.” Alan looked directly at Dawson who backed away a little sensing he’d said something wrong.

“Yes, she’s close to us all. She didn’t used to be that close to Craig though.” Anthony looked at Alan a little confused, Alex and Craig didn’t seem like the people to not get along with each other.

“I thought they’d been friends for a long time?” Anthony questioned trying not to sound as if he was prying into the past years at the house.

“They have been friends for a long time, but when Craig first moved into the house they hated each other and then one night they went upstairs together and that was it.” Dawson swallowed hard and looked gingerly across to Anthony who was listening intently to Alan as he spoke. “The protection society would have you believe she’d put a spell on him or used her special talent on him, not that we’re even sure that this talent exists. But if you ask the guys at the house, we reckon she got some arse after all she’s only human. Must have been bloody good, next morning Craig came down grinning like a Cheshire cat with its cream. He wouldn’t tell anyone what had happened, said it was too complicated they’ve been friends ever since then.” Anthony shook his head, it was all a little weird for this time of the day but Dawson seemed to have become a little more interested no doubt enticed by a possible sex scandal.

“I thought nobody was allowed in her room, surely if they we’re doing it you’d know about it.” Alan laughed and relaxed back in his chair finishing of his coffee.

“Nobody’s ever been inside her room so the rumors about why started and I think they’re all full of shit. She just likes her privacy and as for Craig, he’s also never been in her room though she’s been in his but only on the odd occasion. He swears he’s not fucking her they’re just good friends so we leave it at that, after all it’s Alex and you don’t ask personal question about Alex.” Alan smiled as both Dawson and Anthony swallowed hard and looked gingerly at one another. Anthony shivered as Dawson entwined his fingers with his under the table. Alan had a perfect view of what the little couple were doing under the table, as he could see the reflection in the glass behind them but he ignored it after all he was a queer as well. There was silence, as everyone looked at one another unable to find another conversation topic after the last interesting one. Anthony sighed and glanced back over to where Alex should have been sitting. He did a double take when he noticed that she wasn’t in sight.

“Where is she?” Anthony snapped a little hastily, unaware of how awkward it would sound to Dawson and Alan. There was a silence as Dawson and Alan also looked over to where Alex was sitting only a few minutes ago, and now had suddenly disappeared so quickly.

“You wouldn’t be looking for me?” The whole group nearly jumped out of their seats as soft voice perked up from behind the group. Anthony and Dawson dropped each other’s hands as Alan stood up quickly as they all realized it was Alex who’d approached them unawares to them all.

“Alex how long have you been there?” Alan questioned quickly as he kissed her softly on the cheek and pulled a chair up for her.

“Long enough.” She whispered smiling knowingly at Anthony before sitting down in between Anthony and Alan. Alan had been a little stunned by her willingness to come over and talk to them usually it was the other way around. Usually she’d have just shrugged them off and told them to politely get lost but all of a sudden she’d become a little more social.

“Are you going to the art lecture?” Anthony broke the uncomfortable silence that had fallen upon the table since she’d joined them.

“I am.” Anthony nodded as she gave him an extremely simple answer before taking a sip out of a water bottle in her bag. Anthony couldn’t help but notice all the various rings on her fingers. Some with gems and some without but all mainly Celtic signs and all on her left hand.
“You’ll have some company then Alex, Anthony was just making his way there when he met us.” Alan smiled at Alex before looking gingerly towards Anthony who nodded and smiled lightly at Alex. She lifted an eyebrow at him suspiciously before standing up and brushing off her skirt.

“We better go then, I’m sure Simon’s will be pissed if you’re late for your first lecture.” Anthony nodded and stood up shaking Alan’s hand before kissing Dawson quickly on the cheek.

“I’ll see you this afternoon.” Anthony whispered as Dawson smiled at him and watched as he and Alex walked off together towards the lecture theaters. Anthony was unsure of what to say to her as they walked in silence towards the lecture theaters. He couldn’t help but smile as he watched her skirt blow effortlessly open as she began to walk up the stairs in front of him exposing her beautifully toned legs. Anthony swallowed hard and followed her up the stairs now becoming aware of people staring at him and Alex. He was slightly surprised as they came to the first lecture theater and stopped on the veranda outside it.

“Smoke?” Alex offered him a cigarette out of her bag, he smiled and took it generously. Watching as she lit her own and past him the intricately designed lighter to light his own.

“Thanks.” He whispered as he handed back the lighter and took a long drag from his cigarette watching as she leaned against the balcony looking down on the busy grounds below her.

“You must have a death wish talking to me.” Anthony looked at her a little confused as she continued to stare out to the campus grounds after her little comment.

“Why, I can choose who I talk to can’t I?” Alex laughed and took another drag from her cigarette.

“Not in this place you can’t, you either learn to put up with the crap you’ll get for even associating with me or you join the society.” Anthony laughed, as she looked back at him concerned by his naïve behavior.

“No I refuse to be a victim of the ‘fuck I’m a toss patrol’. I can talk to whom I like and at the moment I do so wish to talk to you. So they can all go fuck dogs because I’m not going to change just because they want me to.” Alex smiled at him as she put her cigarette out on the rail and dropped it into the garden as people started to go inside the lecture theater.

“I’m not quite sure you know what you’re getting your self into but if you keep that attitude you and I are going to get along just fine.” Anthony smiled wistfully as she winked at him and walked inside the theater leaving him to follow after he’d put out his cigarette. He was quite pleased with himself she seemed to be proving all the stories wrong about her as she was quite friendly towards him at least. He took a deep breath and followed her into the lecture theater determined to find out a little more about her as the lecture went on.

TBC...................