New Kid at City High, Chapter 10
Benji and Gio snuggled on the futon in the basement with the TV on. It was mostly entertaining itself, as the teens were more interested in each other than the lame daytime programs.
"I should have wished better." Gio said. "If I'd 've done it right, I could've been stranded with you last night and we could've messed around."
"There's no reason we can't do it now."
"It would be awkward if your dad came down and found us, um, you know..."
"He won't intrude unannounced. But if you're worried, I can text him not to, or we can go up to my bedroom and shut the door. Hmm... That sounds best because it'll be warmer. We might freeze our little buns off down here if we get naked."
Snuggling in the afterglow, Benji's phone alerted him to a message. It was from Ben wondering what time the boys would like lunch. His work was caught up, and he was cooking comfort food. Currently, he had a pot of chicken soup started. He was sweating the veggies in olive oil and a little garlic to release their flavors before adding them to the broth. Once done, he'd keep it on "low" so it would be ready anytime they wanted it.
Benji texted back that noon would be soon enough. It would give them time to take a shower.
Ben didn't ask why they would need another one, but he probably had an idea.
"Okay, I'm not insecure about who you belong to anymore," Gio said when they were getting dressed in sweats.
"That's good. It's always been you. I have no interest in anyone else, especially Tony."
"Um, speaking of Tony, do you think we should invite him to come over for a while? I'm sure being snowbound with no one around but his grandparents doesn't make for an exciting afternoon. It looks like we might be done with the snow."
"It's okay with me. I guess it would be a kind deed, but he does live over a mile away. I'm not sure I'd want to walk too far in this weather, and the roads aren't cleared yet. What's you motive, do you want to prove you're not jealous?"
"Not really; I feel sorry for the dude."
When Benji texted Tony, he got an immediate response asking how soon he could come. He had a pair of cross-country skis he was eager to try out, and given the conditions of the streets and walks, he figured he'd have no trouble making it to the house in short order.
Tony arrived soon after. He was so bundled up that he'd actually worked up a sweat from the trip.
Ben asked him if he'd had lunch and was told that he had. However, he did think he might be able to eat the offered bowl of soup. The aroma in the kitchen made his mouth water.
The three teens entertained themselves with video games and karate practice. Ben was pleased to see how well they all got along. There wasn't a hint of the earlier animosity between Benji and Tony. He would have to compliment his son later in private.
The lull in the storm didn't last. Instead of tapering off, big flakes began to fall again, whipped up by strong gusts of wind from the west. Ben was concerned for Tony's safety if he were to go out in it.
According to the Channel 9 website, school for the following day had already been canceled due to the blizzard conditions. It would be impossible to run the buses, even on hard-surface roads, and some of the kids lived on gravel ones.
"Tony, let me call your grandmother and tell her you'll be our overnight guest. We have a comfortable bedroom that isn't occupied. You'd be safe and warm."
"Uh, that would be awesome!"
Ben called to get the okay from Adelaide. Not only was she willing to have him stay over, she was thrilled that he wouldn't be out in the elements.
He called Gloria too, extending the same invitation for Gio.
"Honestly, that boy lives there more than he does at home!" she exclaimed. "I'm sure he'll be happier staying with Benji, but I need to treat you guys to a few meals at Pagliai's to help pay back. He's probably eating you out of house and home."
"He's always welcome," Ben insisted. "He's done so much to make Benji's transition to a new school pleasant that I'd be happy to keep him."
"With Benji as his boyfriend, Gio's the happiest I've seen him since he was a little boy. It works both ways."
"That's cool. I guess they illustrate the term, win/win," Ben laughed.
With two extra mouths to feed, Ben altered his dinner plans. He figured his version of spaghetti with Italian sausage couldn't compete with what Gio was used to, but he had sausages in the freezer, and always kept pasta and diced tomatoes on hand for an emergency meal. This constituted an emergency because it certainly wasn't the time, or opportunity, to go grocery shopping!
The three boys dug into the food like it was going out of style. Gio seemed particularly pleased with the taste.
"Ben, are you sure you don't have some Italian ancestry? This is great!" he complimented his host.
The following day, the boys grew tired of video games and Benji suggested reading a novel from their extra-credit list. He'd checked one out of the school library, and they could take turns reading it aloud. He proposed that they take notes after each chapter as a basis for writing up their reports. Each would use his own words so it wouldn't look like they'd copied. The other two were quick to agree. Extra credit never hurt, and Mr. Fiala wasn't one to hand out high grades that students hadn't earned.
Benji's plan worked out well because reading the book together kept it from seeming like a chore. Each had insights to contribute, so they were filling in their outlines with good material for writing their reports.
It made the time pass quickly.
For a change of scenery in the late afternoon, they put on their winter coats and went out to clear the driveway and sidewalks. Ben was pleased to have their help and offered to pay their guests for their work. The boys, however, told him it was just a down payment on what he'd provided for them.
Since school was definitely on schedule for the next day, Ben drove Tony and Gio to their homes as soon as the streets were clear enough. Of course, Benji rode along and gave his boyfriend a goodnight kiss to tide him over.
Second term progressed rapidly with sporting events to attend and performances of both concert band and jazz band to participate in. Since Tony wasn't in band, it gave Benji and Gio time to be together without him. Both boys kept up their skills through practice and with private lessons.
Mr. Ramos kept them a few minutes after class one day to discuss their progress.
"Both of you have made a lot of gains this year, and I could encourage Gio to try to take first-chair away from you, Benji. I'm not sure I'd be able to tell which of you is the best. So, I have a proposal to make. It's kind of like having co-captains on a sports team. I'd like to have you switch chairs so you'd alternate the honor for every other concert band performance. In jazz band, you'd both have solo parts. Then, all would be equal. Um, I probably shouldn't say this, but you don't have serious competition for the chair other than each other."
"That would be great!" Benji exclaimed. I'd like to think I'm top-dog, but I'd like to see Gio in the spotlight too."
"I love your attitude, Benji. Being at the top of the heap looks even better when egos don't get in the way," Mr. Ramos said.
"Well, we're sorta special friends, if you know what I mean."
"I'd heard a rumor to that effect, but I don't like to pry into my students' personal lives."
"It's okay, Sir. We're officially dating. I hope that's not a problem."
"It isn't as long as there's no drama to get in the way of a cohesive ensemble."
The snows of January merged into the snows of February, and the students of City High began to wonder if spring would ever arrive. The weather had one benefit, the guys could earn extra money clearing walks and driveways for people who were either getting too old to take it on or were too busy with other obligations.
The town had been cracking down on property owners who didn't have their sidewalks clear within 48 hours after a snowfall. Fines ranged as high as $500 for a business, with lower rates for homes, so it was far less expensive to pay a student than to face paying city workers.
Gio and Benji weren't in dire need for funds, but they were industrious enough to want to make their own way when they could. They would need money for the band trip to Florida over spring break. They'd participated in fund-raising opportunities like selling citrus fruit in late fall and would be doing the same with chocolate bars next month. It seemed like the band was always in need of something in addition to the fees for the busses to take them there.
Benji and Gio had the kind of relationship most of their gay peers, and a few straight ones, envied. They appeared to be on the same wavelength all the time. They could often finish each other's sentences. That, however, was about to change.
Benji was in a silly mood and decided to see if he could get a rise out of his boyfriend. Out of the blue on Friday afternoon as they were cuddling on the sofa, he thought he'd tease Gio a little.
"Um, I've been thinking. Maybe we shouldn't be dating each other exclusively. Do you feel like we may be sorry someday if we don't, um look around a little?" Benji asked with a perfectly straight face.
"What? I thought you loved me! SHIT!"
With that, Gio grabbed his coat and ran out the door for home.
"Wait, wait, I wasn't serious!" Benji called after him."
He was torn about what to do. Should he run after him or wait for him to cool off?
Ben found him standing in the living room with tears running down his cheeks.
"What's going on?" he asked.
"I just screwed up the best thing that's ever happened to me," Benji sobbed. "Me and my stupid, immature mouth!"
"Are you willing to share with me?" Ben continued.
"You know how I like to tease. I had no idea Gio would take me seriously."
"So, what did you say?"
"I asked him if he thought we were gonna be sorry someday if we settled down before we'd dated other people. I didn't mean I wanted to! I was toying with him. I thought he'd tell me I was an idiot, but he got mad and left right away!"
"I doubt he was mad. I'll bet he was hurt. You told me before that he was kind of insecure."
"But he said he was past that. I thought we could joke about it."
"It's evidently not a laughing matter. I'd recommend a peace offering. Oops, I promised not to give advice."
"I need advice! What can I do?"
"I'm sure you can think of something if you calm down for a minute. Does he have a favorite candy or something you could give him? Are flowers too, uh gay?"
"I don't care what's gay or whatever. I need to do it right now! Where can I find flowers?"
"Well, Aldi is close and usually has nice ones, unless you don't think they're expensive enough."
"Quick is better than pricey! I'll go right now."
"You might put a few clothes in a duffle bag in case he wants you to stay over. Or, you could invite him to spend the night here. Please let me know so I'll know what to do about dinner."
"May I come in?" Benji asked when Gloria answered the door.
"Of course, you may. I hope you're here to repair whatever's going on between Gio and you. He's in his room crying his eyes out. I won't pry or try to cast blame. I know high school romances can be full of angst at times. Lord knows Sophia has had her share of drama before she met Harrison."
"Gio may not want to see me. Could you please knock on his door and ask?"
Gloria went to Gio's room with Benji in tow. She was thankful that Sophia wasn't around so there would be no witnesses to whatever transpired.
"Are you awake, Honey," she said as she rapped.
"Yeah."
"You have a visitor who's eager to see you. May I let him in?"
"Who is it?"
"I think you know, and he looks about as bad as you do."
"Okay, I guess," Gio sighed.
Gloria gave Benji's shoulder a squeeze as she turned to go back to the kitchen.
The first thing Benji did was get down on his knees offering the bouquet to Gio with a hopeful look in his eyes.
"Please accept these as a small token of my love for you."
"No one's ever brought me flowers," Gio said, swallowing.
"I hope you'll forgive my flippant remarks. I was teasing, but Dad said he could understand why you didn't take it that way."
"Maybe I overreacted, but why would you mention seeing other people if you didn't have some desire to do it? Deep down inside, are you sorry we've been exclusive? Do you have an interest in someone else? If so, I'd rather know straight-up instead of hearing it later."
"Straight-up, I love you. I don't want anyone else. I'll try to curb my propensity to tease."
"Hmm... Propensity is a pretty big word for a high school junior. Are you trying to impress me with your superior vocabulary?"
"No, it just seemed like it fit. What do I have to do for penance? I'm willing to do about anything short of cutting off my dick."
"I don't want you to do that! I mean, I'd still love you without it, but it does give me a lot of pleasure."
"I have a thought; how about I kiss your butt like Tony did mine?"
"I don't know. Would it gross you out?"
"No, but it would be a sign of humility. I could lick your balls like a submissive dog when he encounters an alpha."
That being said, Benji laid the flowers on the nightstand and proceeded to unbuckle Gio's belt and unzip his jeans.
"You've made your point; you don't have to do it?" Gio said.
"Yeah, I do. Please turn around and lean on your bed."
Gio did as he was asked, and Benji proceeded to plant kisses over Gio's firm globes, as Gio turned his head around to watch. Then, Benji spread them apart and stuck out his tongue.
"Nope, don't do what I think you're doing! If you lick my crack, that will gross ME out!"
"I've heard that it feels really sexy."
"Yeah, but I'll bet you're gonna want to kiss me with that same mouth and I'm not sure I want to taste my ass on your tongue. I haven't showered since this morning."
"Okay, but may I lick your balls?"
"I'd be okay with that!"
Gio loved the feeling, of course. Things might have gone further had not Gloria tapped on the door to let them know Benji was welcome to stay for dinner, and it would be ready in 15 minutes. Benji was so happy that he nearly forgot to text Ben about the invitation.
"You're forgiven," Gio insisted, after he'd kissed Benji deeply. "I need to ask you to forgive me for being a drama queen. I won't let it happen again. And, about your teasing, I need to get used to it. I don't really want to change you. I love you the way you are!"
Gio was so relieved about how quickly they'd made up that he nearly forgot to pick up the flowers to put them in water.
After serving a delicious dinner, Gloria invited Benji to sleep over if he wanted to. He took her up on the offer, sending Ben another text about his evolving plans.
Author's notes. Wow! I heard from a bunch of you this past week. I'm sorry I didn't keep track of the responses to the video link I sent. So, the list includes only those who commented about chapter 9. There are a lot here too: Sam Z, Chandra B, Walter S, Allen, Richie W, Bill T, Ray M, David H, Jim M, Les H, Ott H, Marty H, Tim T, Mendy D, Doc H, Bill K, John L, Gordon, Skip M, Joe W (2), Jim A, Paul F, FJB, Peter S, Zero M, Sam z, Jim W, JLF, Paul R, and Wayne S. Thanks! I usually send this off for posting the night before, so last-minute ones often don't make the list.
It's been a LONG road of physical distancing, but it looks like it's worth it for combatting the spreading of this virus. The economic toll is yet to come. I'm hoping those who have a little extra will share it by tipping heavily to support people who provide services in these stressful times.
We've made it through other disasters by coming together. I'm hoping our united front can prevail now too. Instead of placing blame for political purposes, let's pull together to make things better! I know, that's hard to do in this era when political parties are so divided. Perhaps having a common goal can help heal our differences.
Love and Peace,
David