Summers & Starbucks - Chapter 5: Chapter 5

Kaiden
Senior year isn't the piece of cake I thought it would be, we are drowning in work.
The teachers are on our asses about SATs, extra credit classes and all that. At least it's a Saturday today, so we have half day off. By the time break arrives, I can barely keep my eyes open after the double physics.
"If I had a time machine, I would go back and kill all of the people who invented physics!" I moan, digging into my lunch.
"You just uttered the stupidest thing in existence of mankind, Kaiden. And here I thought Ryan was dumb," Alex says. I ignore him.
"Hey guys! How are you today?" Sasha walks to us, her ponytail swishing, effectively diverting the attention.
"Hey Sasha! Heard you vacationed in the Maldives this year?!" Bella smiles. I blink.
How the hell does she know everything?
"Who told you? But yeah, it was the best vacation of my whole life! I spent my birthday there!" Sasha chirps, placing a hand on Daniel's shoulder. He lights up like a Christmas tree.
"Anyway, I'm throwing a party tonight! You know, like a welcome back thing? More like a late birthday thing actually. I want all of you guys to come, okay?"
Everyone hoots in agreement. It is a wonder her parents don't mind the ragers she hosts but she is stinking rich. Her spending habits probably don't even dent their fortune.
"See you tonight then!" Sasha laughs and walks away, her hips swaying.
"Finally something good! It's only been two weeks of school and I already can't wait for winter break!" Ryan groans.
"I totally feel you Ryan. Being seniors is hectic, all the faculty is pressuring us. I'm failing my classes if they continue like that!" Raven sighs. She rests her head on my shoulder.
"Anyone planning to go out of state for college?" she asks.
"Yep, me. If I get accepted that is. My mom doesn't want less than an Ivy, but who's gonna afford that shit? I don't think I'm getting a scholarship," Alex sighs.
My eyes travel to the cafeteria entrance. Aaron is there, talking to Timmy.
"Ugh, why's Aaron talking to the fag?" Daniel asks. The word fag is spat out, his face contorted.
"Dan, don't call him that!" Bella says sharply.
"Why not? He is a fag, isn't he?"
"That's a derogatory term! He is your friend first and if you don't have nice things to say, just keep your trap shut," Bella snaps.
Our whole table falls silent at her outburst.
Daniel looks pissed but keeps quiet. The realisation that my best friend is homophobic, makes my stomach drop to my feet.
I stand up and stride outside. I make my way to the bleachers, heart racing. It felt so personal even when the words weren't directed to me. I am not ready to face that conversation yet.
To my surprise, Nathan's kicking a soccer ball around, alone. I watch him deftly do some tricks. He moves with such ease, it's mesmerizing to watch.
The ball rolls to my feet and I pick it up.
"What? Give it back already!" he snaps.
"Beats me why you're practicing now, with a school uniform on? You seem pissed off."
He looks worn out, like he didn't get much sleep last night. Maybe the coffee really did cost a lot and kept him up. I almost smile at the ridiculous thought.
"I am fucking pissed off. Stop asking me shit and give me the fucking ball!"
"What the hell, I was making sure you're okay. No need to pounce on me, here's your damn ball," I huff and throw it at him.
He catches it deftly. I walk off. I should let him stew in peace. Man, I could use a smoke right now.
"Kai wait, I'm sorry! I just, uh, I had a fight." he says running to me. He sighs heavily. "I needed to let out steam."
"With?" I ask, curiously. "Never mind, it's cool if you don't wanna tell me. Forget I asked."
I turn to walk away but stop, contemplating.
"Hey, you wanna smoke?"
"Like, right now ?"
I nod.
"In school hours, on campus?! Man Kai-Pie, I thought you were a goody two shoes!" he smirks, shaking his head.
"Don't push it, I will throw that ball on your face!"
He laughs and I feel a lightness in my chest. At least I got him distracted from his dark mood.
I walk behind the bleachers and he follows. It's a secluded spot, shady and looks towards the woods. Digging out an old cigarette holder and a lighter which I have buried there, I light one and take a drag, passing it to Nathan.
"I thought your first cig was with me, at the camp?" he smirks.
"A white lie. What are you gonna do about it? Punish me?"
"We won't get caught, right?"
"Nah, trust me. So who did you beat up? Someone trash talked your hair or something?" I snicker.
"I didn't beat anyone up!" He exhales, the smoke making a cloud overhead. "I fought with mom. She just drives me crazy sometimes, it's so frustrating!"
"Oh yeah, moms can be tough."
He sighs, fidgeting with his blazer cuffs, his curls shielding his eyes. He looks up, his hazel eyes troubled and distant. It stirs something in me. I place the cig on the step and grab his wrist.
"What are you -?"
Pulling him to me, I wrap my arms around his waist, hesitantly. I have never been a hugger but I think he needs it. Sparks shoot through my body. Nathan sighs softly, resting his chin on my shoulder, his hands going around me almost instantly.
He smells like smoke and body spray and coconut shampoo.
Fuck Kaiden you creep, stop sniffing his hair.
He lets go first. We don't talk after, passing the cigarette between us.
I hand him some mint gum to chew, lest we get caught with the stench of smoke on us. The bell goes off and we separate to get to class.
"Thanks, Kaiden," he mumbles.
Before I can reply, he's lost in the crowd.
By the time last period rolls around, I am exhausted but at least it's Art. I walk inside the studio. It's almost full and the only two places are at the very back. There's easels arranged facing each other.
I place my stuff and grab the seat near the window, looking forward to today's class.
Art is my favourite subject.
Much to my surprise, Nathan runs in, out of breath, taking the only empty seat in front of me.
"Oh hello. Since when do you take Art? I didn't peg you as the artsy type!"
"I am not. I dropped Geography, it wasn't interesting. At least here I can pass time and not be bothered about it!" he smiles.
"Oh."
He's definitely not here for me. I almost laugh at my stupid brain for entertaining the thought.
He takes a pencil and sharpens it.
"But I had to have a replacement subject so I chose this. Even though I'm complete and utter shit at it!"
The art teacher, Mr. Lawson, announces the lesson - Portraits. He teaches us about proportions, curves, angles and shadows.
"So class, today you will be drawing the person you are facing. You can choose any medium, any colour scheme. I will grade it based on the points I just explained. Also, make sure that you leave the canvas or paper in your respective places and write your name on it," he says. "You should aim to finish it in the next fifty minutes."
Fuck, I have to draw him.
"I won't promise a good portrait okay?" Nathan smiles.
I nod and set to work, deciding to stick to charcoal, graphite and white pen. It's easy to draw Nathan's outline, he's symmetrical. I draw his Adam's apple and the little dip in his chin, trying to perfect his full lips and the wide eyed gaze he gives.
Everything about him is ridiculously attractive. At least I have an excuse now to stare at him.
I'm going to enjoy Art even more than I usually do.
Mr. Lawson is doing rounds and nods approvingly at my work. There's an idle chatter going in the classroom.
"Why are you laughing?" I ask Nathan, who has a wide smile on his face.
"You are going to hate me! Dammit, I shouldn't have taken this class!" he snorts.
"Well, you can't be that bad?"
"I'm not. I'm worse!"
I try to finish as much in detail as I can, adding the highlights with a bit of white paint. I smudge the dark background, making his face stand out more. My hands are all black from the dust.
The bell goes off and I wipe my hands on a rag.
Nathan jumps up, coming to see my work. For some reason, I am really worried about his reaction. I don't dare look at him, collecting my stuff.
When he doesn't say anything even after I finish packing, I look up. He's staring at me like I have two heads.
"Are you fucking kidding me?" he whispers, grabbing my shirt and shaking me hard. I blink. He's angry?!
"Mr. Summers, what in the world are you doing?!" Mr. Lawson shouts. "Let go of Mr. Pierce this instant!"
Nathan stomps to his own work and brings it to me. It's a single line caricature of me and it's fucking hilarious.
"What the - ?!" I laugh.
The awful creation is not even remotely resembling me.
"You didn't even try did you?"
"This, is me, at 100% effort! And you? THIS DESERVES TO BE IN A FUCKING MUSEUM!"
"Language, Mr. Summers or you will be sent to detention!"
"Sorry sir, but if you don't give Kaiden an A plus plus grade and a full 100%, I will locate your house and piss in your garden!" Nathan says in all seriousness.
The entire class bursts into laughter.
I can't believe he just said that!
Mr. Lawson looks shocked, at a complete loss for words, mirroring my expression.
"Did you just -?" I whisper, face redder than Mars.
We exit the class, the others still laughing at the unexpected joke. Nathan is lucky Mr. Lawson is a chill dude.
We walk to the lockers, his eyes not leaving my face even once.
"What? You're being creepy!" I mutter, unable to bear his scrutiny.
"You have a gift, you know Kai-Pie?"
"Meh, I'm alright. Loads of people here can do better."
"Quit the modesty, I have never seen such natural talent. I can't draw a stick figure right. And you, you drew me like that? Someone would think you were in love with me if they saw that portrait!"
My breath hitches. I open my locker and stuff my books in, trying to contain my blush.
"Haha Nathan, real funny. Tell me, why weren't you at lunch yesterday?"
"I already told you, I had work with my econ teacher," he says and his jaw ticks.
Every time he lies, he involuntarily does that, I've noticed. It would be easier to call him out next time he does it.
"You can't lie to me, Nathan. You don't even take Econ. Also, I know you didn't have any double lessons."
"Careful Kai-Pie, you sound like a stalker!"
"Don't call me that!" I laugh despite myself.
"Why not? It's so cute! Kai-Pie!"
"Shut up, you, you - cheese bucket!"
"That's the most creative insult you can come up with? You're off your game if you can't even think of something remotely insulting!"
"Fuck off Nathan! Stop bothering me!"
We leave the building, heading towards the gym for P. E. I don't think the people making the time table thought this through, nobody is going to have the energy to shoot hoops or do laps. Nathan isn't on the team yet so he has to attend PE. The others in sports are exempted.
"I have a request," Nathan says, scratching the back of his neck, ignoring the freshman who says a high pitched hello to him. She walks off quickly, embarrassed.
"A request? What kind?"
"I was wondering if you could do a mural for me?"
"A mural?"
"At my house. In my room specifically."
"You want me to paint your room?"
"You're amazing. I was planning on it for so long but then, I am shit at art like you saw. Also, you can text me the materials. I'll buy them. I can also pay you for the time and effort?"
"Woah woah, pay me? Why would you say that?"
"Because, it's hard work! And you'd be wasting quite a lot of time!"
"I'm not doing it alone, of course not. You provide the food, I will bring the paints and brushes. It's a group activity. All of my friends are coming! I'm not taking the blame alone if your parents decide to go apeshit!" I laugh.
"Also maybe throw in some free Venti frappes in there?" I ask, putting on my best puppy eyes.
"Ugh, fine!" he smiles, shaking his head. I cheer, punching the air.
We reach the gym changing room, in a comfortable silence. We're early, the only ones there. I open my locker, take out the jersey and change into it.
He pulls his school shirt off and the muscles in his back ripple with the fluid action. The eagle tattoo on his toned chest looks magnificent. A month of watching him shirtless in summer and I'm still not used to the beautiful specimen that is Nathan.
"Enjoying the view?"
A hot flush creeps up my neck. I can't even deny that I have been staring.
"What - no! " I sputter.
He steps closer, his hazel eyes staring into my green ones. My heart is thundering like a horse stampede. In the moment, it's just us, the musty air and nothing separating us but static which feels like it will electrocute me.
"I wasn't staring! I was thinking about how fit a soccer player must be to play like you!"
He laughs, rolling his eyes, poking my forehead with two fingers.
"Only you, Kai-Pie."
Footsteps approach and he goes back to his bag. The rest of the boys enter the room. I exhale heavily, putting on my shoes. I was almost fucking drooling.
Holy crap, I am so screwed.