School Rivals

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Disclaimer: This story now belongs to me. Do not steal. If you plan to do so, I must first warn you, I totally bite!



Warning: M/M relationships. Some minor arguing. Curse words are used. Also, Erick is still in the closet, therefore, he's in the whole "I'm not a fag" stage... I hope I don't offend anyone by the way I wrote this chapter. I mean no offence, I just couldn't do this chapter any other way... His thoughts towards gay's are going to be a little rude. Anywho, gay guys are hot, so eh, don't get offended! And...I think that that's all for this chapter. No lemon in this chapter. Sorry (and I am sorry to say, I don't think there will be a lemon for quite a few more chapters...)! If any of these things bother you, then please leave now! This WHOLE story is rated NC-17, so please don't flame me if you see something that bothers you later on. O_O Now please enjoy the chapter! It's finally here, yay me!

A/N: I want to give a special shout out to my beta! Willow!! Thank you so much for taking the time to beta this chapter for me!





~Chapter Nine- And the seriousness of it all begins~





It was a cool breezy Saturday afternoon. The cool air felt refreshing all around, and the sun was warm and comforting. The birds were singing their tunes, and the problems that seemed to occupy Erick on a daily basis, seemed not to be a problem at that moment. For the first time in a LONG time, Erick was feeling relaxed. His father had returned home once again, an unfortunate event that Erick dreaded, but so far, nothing too extreme had happened. Yeah, they had argued till his father's heart was content, and afterwards Erick had decided he needed fresh air--- but nothing was new there, he was used to it! He had walked out to his back yard after the fight; where the grass was uneven and needed to be cut. Where the flowers that the previous owners had taken great care of, had dried off and died. He had gone around to the back of the little garage behind his house, which his father had filled with unused tools; and since he had gotten there, he hadn't felt the desire to leave. It was so comforting and relaxing---he wished to stay that way forever!






He didn't know what it was. Perhaps it was just the refreshing air, or perhaps it was the songs that were being sung from afar by the beautiful soothing birds. Or maybe it was just that he was laying back and being lazy (which he had been doing quite often). But for the first time in a very, very, long time he didn’t feel the pressure of the world on his shoulders. And this was a good thing, because too many problems had crept into his life. And he had been dealing with a lot of shit lately. So him relaxing, enjoying himself, and feeling good, was a good thing. He needed it....he wanted it. He didn't want to be stuck in the past, he didn't want to be stuck in his problems; he wanted SOME time for himself! He didn't want to be in pain at all times... That was normal, wasn't it?





Everything at one point in his life had been easy to cope with, but now, anything that came his way, he seemed to be at a loss of what to do about it. He could still remember when he was smaller; when he had no problems. He could still remember the one woman that he loved with all of his heart--- His mother. His mother had been a kind and caring woman; she had loved and cared for him. And she had never done anything to make him feel like he didn't belong; she had never made him feel like he wasn't wanted. How she ended up marrying one of the biggest jerks in this world was beyond Erick.




But he remembered that at nights; when his father was already in bed, snoring; his mother would come and join him in his room, and she would spend about half an hour talking with him. They would laugh and joke and play around. And then, finally, when the time came that his mother had to go; she would tell him how much she loved him. Then she would kiss his forehead and tuck him in. Leaving Erick with the feeling that he was the most cherished person in the world. Leaving him with the feeling that he was valued and loved by someone. A feeling that he hadn't felt in years. A feeling that he didn't think he would ever have the chance to feel again---A feeling that he missed.






He missed his mother so much. The woman was the only reason why he even thought of maybe going to college one day. She had once told him that he could be anything he wanted to be. She had once told him to always aim for the greater things in life; she had always told him that he was worth so much. But sadly, his mother Olympia, was very much mistaken. He wasn't worth all that much, and he would be lucky if he even finished high school. Sure, he wanted college and all that, but he knew that it would take a lot of work to get there.... Work that he was willing to do, but would be hard nonetheless. And he would only have his mother to thank if it ever happened; because she was the one person in this world that had ever loved him unconditionally. She was the one person that would have loved him no matter what. She was the one person who had ever, and ever will, believe in him....






Erick sighed as he felt a cold tear travel down his cheek. It was the memories of his mother that gave him some hope for his future. He knew that he shouldn't expect much out of his life, but he could at least, some day, once he left this house from hell, expect his education to get him something of a decent life. Perhaps, if he did go to college, he would be a teacher? No, not a teacher, he wouldn't be able to handle the little children without choking them to death! No, maybe he wanted to be a lawyer, or a doctor, or go to the army! He had heard of people with horrible backgrounds achieving such things, and who knows, maybe he could be someone in life too? It's not as if he had the worst life of all time! He had it bad, yes, he did, but he knew that there were people out there who had it worse. People who were raped every day, people that didn't have homes. People who were sick and dying from diseases that they didn't deserve to have. And all HE had was a father that beat him and never fed him! It wasn't too bad, was it? So maybe, just maybe, he could be someone in life! Maybe....




"ERICK WALTERS, WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU?" His father’s loud obnoxious voice called out from a distance.





*Why does the peace never last?*






Erick stood up from his peaceful spot on the grass and made his way towards the house; before his father decided that him not answering at the first call was a big crime; which would probably lead to a good beating. And that was something that he didn't want; not today.






He made his way through the back door that was connected with the kitchen, and he traveled into his home’s living room. Where, to his shock, he saw a crying Lissa. And all of a sudden, the former insecurities that he had managed to forget, even if only for a little while, along with all his problems, decided to crash in on him all at the same time. Something was terribly wrong!





"Lissa, what are you doing here?" Erick asked tentatively. He was a little scared to hear what she had to say to him. Something HAD to be wrong; why else would she be in his house? He had never invited any of his friends to his house before---for obvious reasons. He remembered that Carlos had dropped him off once...but why did he tell Lissa where he lived? But an even better question was: why was she crying in front of his father, as if though the she had no shame?!? Yes, Erick was convinced; something was terribly wrong; something HAD to be wrong for Lissa to be here in his house, looking the way she was....




"Erick, can I talk to you in private? Please?" She sniffed.





"Yes, please get the hell out of my sight. I swear, if you two disturb me any longer, I’ll make you wish you were never born Erick. Now, get your stupid little friend out of my house, understood? Anyone who is willing to be friends with you is NOT welcome in here! NOW GET OUT!" His father all but yelled...






He was momentarily shocked by all that was happening to respond. Erick looked over to see Lissa, and saw that she was standing there with her mouth wide open in the shape of an O. She was apparently shocked at his father’s rudeness. He shook his head a little, trying to get control of the matter at hand. He was a bit shocked at his father himself, normally the bastard wouldn't have even let the girl in! And the jerk he had for a father would have defiantly NOT called him over to talk to his friend. His father MUST be sober. And he wasn't quite sure which was more scary. A hostile, murderous, sadistic, sober prick. Or a hostile, murderous, sadistic, drunk prick. No, that was a lie, he preferred the sober asshole better. At least the jackass wouldn't try to kill him in that state, or at least he hoped not...




*Lissa........Why is she here? Why the hell is she crying......?*



"Don’t worry father, we’re leaving. We wouldn't want to make your life any worse than it already is. We know that you need your precious time alone. You know, to get drunk and do all the stupid shit that idiots like yourself enjoy doing". He paused as he motioned for Lissa to walk over to him.






"Oh and by the way, you should really practice a little more on your threats. I mean come on now, the whole ‘I’ll make you wish you were never born’ thing.... You really think that’s going to scare me? I have been wishing that for a long time, so seriously father, you should practice on your threats. I think you’re getting old or something".





"Why you little..."




"Now, now, father, not in front of the guest!" Erick replied, trying hard not to laugh at his father’s shocked state. It had been a while since something he said had actually affected his father; but then again; it had also been a while since he had seen his father sober. And his friend standing there, with her eyes wide opened in complete shock, as if though this was some kind of sick joke, was NOT helping! It was way too funny....






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They had been walking for a while; neither bothering to shut the silence up. He wanted to know why she was there, but he also knew that he probably wouldn't like the answer he got. So he preferred to let her tell him when she was ready. He had to admit though, he was a bit scared that she might just take off running right then and there...






Since they had left his house, she hadn't once stopped fidgeting with her shirt, her bracelet, her necklace, and basically, anything she could get her hands on. And it was a bit weird. She was always one of those people that were straight up with you, she didn't beat around the bush or anything like that. And that's what she was doing now---beating around the bush. And he couldn't help and feel scared at that. What exactly was it that had gone so wrong? SO wrong that it had her in this shape?!? It certainly couldn't be anything good...





"I'm sorry to have come to your house like this. You know, without calling or anything." She said, her eyes cast downwards, looking at her feet as they moved along. "It's just that Carlos wanted me to tell you, so here I am. I don't know how to make it sound better than it is, so I'm just going to say it straight up. The GGFF got Bobby last night when he was coming out of work. They gave him a pretty fucked up beating... They broke his right shoulder and his left leg. Bobby's friend, one of his co-workers, scared them off and they ran. If it hadn't been for him; who knows what would have happened! Bobby's in the hospital now, and they don't know how long he's going to have to be in there. He was unconscious when I went in to see him, and I only got to see him for about five minutes..."




Erick stopped walking as the reality of what Lissa was telling him sunk in. Bobby was in the hospital. Hurt. Unconscious. With a broken shoulder and leg! And it was all his fault! There was really nothing he could say to that! What was he supposed to say to that---I'm sorry? No, sorry didn't fix things, and he'd learn that the hard way. Bobby was hurting because of him, because of his selfishness; because he'd angered Jacob; because he'd been a fool on the first day of school. If only he'd walked away, if only he'd been able to control his anger and not fight back. Carlos would have never felt the urge to step in and help; Bobby would have never been involved! So what the hell was he supposed to say to this....?!?





"Erick, look at me. Look at me!"





He was brought back out of his thoughts as Lissa's voice echoed in his head. He felt the urge to cry, he felt the urge to run away from the world. He was always screwing up, he couldn't get anything right. Why was it that anything good that happened to him always turned around to slap him in the face? The last weeks that he'd been here, he'd grown rather fond of Carlos, Bobby, and Lissa. He had even, to a certain point, thought that they might be his friends....to a certain point. But he had to go and screw that up too!






"I said look at me!" Lissa cried out a bit frantically. A look of relief took her over when Erick looked into her eyes.




"I know what you're thinking Erick. And this is NOT your fault! Those guys are jerks; they did this because they're assholes; and they feel the need to control everything and everyone. Bobby is in the hospital; your FRIEND; is in the hospital. I came here to ask you if you wanted to go see him. Carlos wanted to tell you himself, but he had to work, and once he gets out of work, he's going to head straight over there." She paused for a few moments, then she shook her head lightly. "Look Erick, I know this is awful, but Bobby doesn't have any friends aside from us. We have to stick by him..... We have to show him that we are going to be there by his side. He was there for you when you needed him. He protected you! So why not at least pay him a visit?" She smiled at him sweetly. "Now, are you going to come with me, or what?"






Erick just stood there shocked. Had she actually just told him that this wasn't his fault? Was she blind to the situation? Or was she just stupid? Of course it was his fault! It's ALL been his fault since day one! Not only was Bobby in the Hospital, but Carlos himself was in danger of ending up in there too! And the same could be said about Lissa. Everything was his fault, he'd angered the GGFF gang, and not only the GANG, but their leader!! And now one of his only friends was in the hospital! And it was all thanks to him...




"Erick... Are you OK?" Lissa asked. She was seriously starting to worry, and Erick could see it in her eyes.






"Yeah, I'm fine, just thinking is all. And yeah, I'll go. You want to head over there now? Or....."





"Yeah, we can head over there now. I stationed my car at the park and walked to your house. I needed to clear my head. Lets go get it, shall we?" She said, the concern still plain on her features.






Erick just nodded in response....






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He hated the fresh smell of Hospitals; no matter how clean it was, he hated it. They'd been sitting down in the family waiting room for about an hour. Lissa had brought her laptop with her, one that Carlos had spoiled her with. And there they were, sitting down, staring at the laptop screen, watching a movie. Or rather, Lissa was watching the movie, because he was looking at it, but his mind was certainly not into 'Tears of the Sun'. Besides, the movie sounded depressing; why the hell would he want to watch a depressing movie at the moment? Lissa had some weird choices...






He sighed as his thoughts went back to Bobby. He wondered if the older boy had regained his conciseness yet. He didn't like the idea of Bobby all beat up because of him. The thought that perhaps the older boy would never use his leg again, or his arm for that matter, caused a large part inside of him to be disturbed. He knew it was selfish; but he didn't even want to see the older boy anymore. What was he supposed to say to Bobby? How was he supposed to react? Seeing Bobby unable to move or talk would make him feel even worse than he already felt! And even if it was selfish, so fucking what?!? His life was already hell, he did NOT want, or need to feel worse!





But of course, that never mattered to the world, because no matter what, the circumstances always changed for the worse; or at least for him they did. He would have to go in to see Bobby, because even though he had a selfish want, he knew he wouldn't feed that want. He wouldn't give into it, because then he wouldn't be able to live with the guilt. And he knew from experience that guilt could be far worse than anything.... Besides, he knew that the girl beside him wouldn't let him leave the hospital without seeing Bobby. And she did have a point. Bobby HAD protected him on MORE than one occasion. Bobby had risked his own safety for Erick, and that was something that he would never be able to forget.





"Hey baby."




He looked up to see Carlos head towards Lissa. The boy kissed his girlfriend and took a seat next to her. Erick looked at the entrance and focused his gaze on the built form that was standing there, staring at him intently...





*Great. Just great!*






Why the hell did Jazon have to be there?!? The older boy was so sexy! And Erick just didn't know how to act around him. Jazon caused feelings to swell up in him, he caused emotions to stir, and he caused a slight sting to travel down south! Ever since he had met the jerk, the older boy had openly flirted with him. Something that had NOT gone unnoticed by everyone in their little group. Hence forth, this caused everyone to tease Erick about being gay and in love! HE WAS NOT GAY AND IN LOVE!! Though he sure as hell was in lust! But he was not in love...or gay....or whatever....right?!?!?! He was NOT in love with Jazon!






"Hey". Jazon took a seat next to Erick.





"Hey". Erick responded, looking at the screen that was sitting on Lissa's lap; trying to pretend that he was watching the movie.




"How long have you been here?" Jazon wrapped an arm around Erick's shoulders.






"About an hour." Erick replied, fixing his gaze on the hand that was now wrapped around him.






"Oh. Are you OK?" Jazon scooted closer.




"Yes. I'm not the one with a broken shoulder and leg." Erick shot out. He knew it was rude. But this guy acted as if though it was OK to hug him out of nowhere! Jazon acted as if though it was nothing...And it was! Jazon's touch did more things to him than he wanted to admit... And he couldn't let that happen...!





"Yeah I know... I was just a little concerned with you, that's all love." Jazon pecked Erick's cheek.





"Awww how cute, look Carlos!" Lissa squealed.






Erick turned around to face a smiling Lissa. And if the girl hadn't been a girl, he would have slapped her silly! What the fuck? This was not cute! This was sexual harassment, that's what it was!




And without another thought, Erick shot up from his seat.




"Listen you pervert. I. Am. Not. Gay. I am NOT a fag, I have been trying to be nice with you. But apparently you do NOT get the hint. I don't like you, I don't like men, I don't like you! Dammit, if you ever touch me again....I'll....I'll----" He was cut off.




"Calm down Erick!" Jazon smirked. "I just...I don't know, it's just that you tempt me too much. And I like being around you. There is no denying that you're totally some hot eye candy! Now, calm down, sit down, and talk!"





Erick stared blankly at Jazon! Was the guy completely nuts or something? They had met three days ago! And in that short amount of time, Jazon had called his house about a billion times! Jazon had bothered him every day after school, trying to get him to accept a ride home, so that he wouldn't have to walk, and even though the older boy was denied each time, the dammed pervert was still insistent! Jazon had even bought him some candy and a bag of chips during lunch (which he wouldn't be complaining about if he wasn't so damned sure that the guy wanted sex in return!). And sex---Well, that was something he simply would not do! Especially not with a guy....!!! First off, he was not gay! Second, Jazon was way too annoying. No matter how fucking sexy the older boy was, he was still to damned annoying! And third, Erick was NOT gay! What more could he say....?!?!?






"Listen Jazon, I think that you and me need to settle some things right now!" Erick fumed. There was no way that this could keep on going. He only had so much control, and if Jazon kept at it, he was scared that he might just end up..... Hell no! This had to end now! Whether Jazon wanted it to end or not, it had to end now.....!!!



"Whoa, calm down Erick." Carlos said, the amusement clearly visible on his features. Erick made a frustrated noise and practically stomped; the anger was radiating off of him.




"Calm down??? Calm down??? This guy! This guy has called me countless times; he has stalked me and has tried to convince me to ride in a car with him! He has bought me things that I do not ask of for. And hell, I don't know what the hell he expects me to give him in return. It's not like I have shit! And to make matters worse, he fucking kissed me on the cheek! And that, my friend, does NOT sit well with me." He turned to a smirking Jazon. "So, you either get your shit together, or don't bother me anymore. I am not a fucking fag, I like girls, so leave me the hell alone!" Erick raised his voice. Not at all noticing the people that were sitting on the couches around them, staring at him as if though he had lost his mind...





"Could have fooled us." Lissa muttered under her breath. Which was not a good Idea. Erick turned to the girl and narrowed his eyes dangerously at her. Causing Carlos to raise an eyebrow at him...



"Alright, alright, everyone calm down." Jazon stood up and grabbed Erick's shoulder, making the boy face him once again. Though he regretted it a bit, when Erick harshly pulled his shoulder away. "OK Erick, I'm sorry. Maybe I was being too straightforward and blunt with you. I thought that you were ready.... Apparently I was wrong. But don't think that I am an idiot. I know what I see when I look into your eyes... And I know what you think----" He was cut off.





"What are ya, a fucking mind reader? Professor Xavier? Jean Grey? Psylocke? Huh, what the fuck are you?!? You don't know shit! You barley even know me! So just fucking lay off already. You're acting as if I'm a fucking girl. A girl whom you're trying to win over! And that is just insulting and fucking creepy! Do it again, and I swear, I'll tell the principle, or someone! I swear it...!" Erick stared intently into Jazon's blue eyes. He might not be able to take out the older guy, but he sure as hell was not going to be harassed like a stupid girl without at least fighting back...





*Dammit....Why the fuck are his blue eyes so fucking sexy?*





He felt himself blush as Jazon smirked knowingly at him once again.




*Stupid damned bastard! Probably doesn't even like me. Sick jerk probably just gets off making me feel all creeped out!*





"Alright Erick. I wont try to 'win you over' as you call it. I wont come on too strongly. But I still want to be your friend...you don't mind that, do you?" Jazon's eyes adopted a worried expression.






Erick stared at the older boy for a few moments. He couldn't be friends with someone whom he had just met three day's ago. Such a thing was not possible. But he could be civil. Or he could at least try... Even if Jazon did make him feel things that should not be felt! Especially towards a guy! Jazon did, after all, look sincere. And if the older boy did not live up to his word, he could very well just throw some authority figure on him. He'd like to see Jazon try to 'kiss' him again, fucking pervert would have something coming! He might not be able to fight back physically, but he sure as hell was not dumb. He had rights! He would fight back with his fucking brain!






"Whatever." Erick muttered under his breath. "Just DON'T kiss me again. And keep your distance."






When Jazon only nodded and smiled innocently, Erick walked over to a lonesome couch and took a seat.





*Good. At least THAT'S settled.*




He wouldn't have been able to handle Jazon's constant flirting... Hell, he didn't even know if he'd be able to FIGHT Jazon's constant flirting! He was glad that the matter was now settled. And hopefully, Jazon wouldn't try anything funny with him anymore. Now all that he had to worry about were HIS OWN hormones! And hopefully THOSE would not get too out of control. He had to figure out what those feelings were---the feelings that he felt when he was around Jazon. But he didn't have to figure them out THIS soon! He knew that it wasn't normal for him to be thinking that Jazon---whom happened to be a guy---was hot. It just was not normal. And he knew it! He knew that there was something wrong with him. But there was no way in hell that he would admit that, especially not to Lissa, Carlos, and Jazon himself! No fucking way! He'd figure out what was wrong with him, fix it, and then everything would go back to normal. Or so he hoped...



"One of you can come in to see Bobby now."



Erick looked up to see a woman in a blue dress. Her eyes were swollen and he could tell that she had been crying. The woman looked somewhat like Bobby, and he couldn't help but wonder if she was his mother. She certainly looked the appropriate age...





"Erick, why don't you go?" Jazon turned to face Erick.





*That bastard. The fucking bastard!!*






Jazon was trying to get back at him! That's what it was! How the fuck was he supposed to just go in to see Bobby? How the fuck was he supposed to do that?!? What the hell was he supposed to say to the guy? He wasn't ready to face him....not yet! Especially not alone! Erick could feel a knot start to build inside of his stomach... What the fuck was he going to do? He couldn't go in to see Bobby. No, he couldn't go in, not all alone....






TBC
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A/N: Hey people! Sorry that it took so frikkin long. I know, I know, I know! But some messed up shit has been happening lately. I have not forgotten this story at all! So please don't worry about that! It's just that after I wrote the last chapter, my brother went into surgery. And for about three weeks, I had to spend almost all day long with him in the Hospital. No joke. It wasn't that he 'couldn't' do anything for himself. It was just that we didn't WANT to leave him alone all day. So I had NO time to work. You guys should have seen my room! And then, my eldest brother decided to let my bro borrow his laptop, so that he could play games on it. And I was so frikkin happy because it meant that I would get to write on his computer! And that's what I did---I wrote! And I wrote half of this story and saved it onto his laptop. And since I didn't have any of the smaller disks, (the kind that fit into his laptop). I wasn't able to save it into one. And his CD burner, to my great luck, did not work. So I had to rely on him to E-MAIL me the fucking story. O_O Isn't that great? My brother, the biggest procrastinator on the face of this earth, was going to e-mail me the story! And he did, a week later.



So anyways, I got the story and yatta yatta yatta, I worked on it a bit at night. And little by little, I worked up to this chapter. And walla, here ya go! I hope that you guys enjoy this! I know I DIDN'T enjoy WRITING IT. But I sure as hell did enjoy reading it! lol, I love this story... And well, I hope you guys enjoy reading it too! I will update as soon as I can. I promise to work on my next chapter asap! I already know what's gonna happen...sort of. We'll just have to see! Anyways, I guess I'll shut up now. Please review and let me know what you thought of the chapter...




Love ya lots,
Jubes!
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