Opposing Forces

Chapter 6

By Jeff

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Brief note: Thanks for all the support I've received from your e-mails, I hope you all had a prosperous New Year, and please, feel free to contact me, I'm always looking for good chats. Again, I hope you all got what you wanted this holiday season! Here's Chapter Six to start off the Year 2002! ~J

Part 1, The Birds and the Bees and Your Little Cousin

"You see, Susie..." I began, but ended up in confusion while scratching my head.

"...Dwayne and I were...wrestling," Tyler spoke up.

"YES!" I screamed in agreement. "We were wrestling like big boys do...and..."

"...but you were kis---" she argued.

"No, we were not," I said sternly, then I added, "What did Mommy say about people who lie?"

She pointed at her nose, "Their nose gets bigger and bigger like Pinnochio!"

"That's right," I said. "And do we want to look like Pinnochio?"

She shook her head furiously.

"Well then," I said. "Then don't be telling people lies then. Now go on and watch the rest of Barney."

"But Dwaynie, I'm hungry," she whined.

"Go watch Barney," I said. "And I'll come down and fix you some milk and cookies."

She smiled and ran down the stairs, I watched her turn down the stairs before going back into my room.

"That was close," Tyler commented, slipping me another kiss.

I returned the kiss, "Yes, I know. But we have to be more ...(another kiss) careful."

"We will," he promised, giving me another kiss.

"I better get Susie her milk," I said. "Before she comes back up and catches us in the act again."

"I can't believe she bought the Pinnochio deal," he commented.

"My god, Ty, she's three."

"Right," he said, giving me a sheepish grin. "Let's get those cookies!"

Part 2: Culturally Awakened on Monday Morning

Winter break couldn't possibly last forever, although I think we would all enjoy that theory more...sadly, we return back to prison---I mean, school. Come to think of it, I never really explained about my school. Here goes:

So I'm Dwayne Louis Carmichael....and I go to St. Peter's High School. A rich, private institute for the rich and tasteless. Why do I go there? My parents believe in our "well-being" in the education field, so my parents wouldn't give their kids but the best education money could invest in.

I hate it there, superficial bimbos and alpha-beta wannabes wandering the hallways, only consumed in the importance of their lives: money. My brother lives for the 'action', as he calls it. He mocks them yet he remains popular...guess people just don't know what's good for them anymore. My sister....I regretfully inform you, spends all her free time helping out in the school library...not the brightest area to spend your recreational hours, but it's her life. Why am I telling you my about my school in the midst of my scandalous relationship with Tyler? We'll continue this story on Monday morning, first day back from the holidays.

"Just made it," I told Ben and Jane as we stepped into the corridor.

The bell rang and everyone began to bustle around to homeroom. I adjusted my tie a little bit and entered the classroom, Mr. Duvarte looked up and asked to speak to me.

"Mr. Carmichael," he said. "I'd like you, seeing you are the junior class president, to report to the counseling center. There is a new student for you to show around our campus, I'm going to write you a pass. Is this alright?"

"Sure," I said, cheesily. "Anything to help out those in need."

"Wonderful," he said, signing the slip. "I knew I could count on you."

I looked over at Tyler, his attention was with his dumb idiotic jock friends. I looked back at Duvarte, as he hands me the hall pass.

"Thanks," I said.

"No, thank YOU," he said as he flipped through his attendance book.

I picked up my backpack and strolled down aimlessly towards the main office. I entered and our school secretary, Mrs. Rose, was there.

"Oh good, Mr. Duvarte got a hold of you. Your new classmate is in the principal's office right now."

Mr. Radley...often referred to as Boo Radley (from To Kill A Mockingbird) because of his intimidating and cold features on his face. I knocked on Radley's door, "Come in," he ordered.

I opened the door quietly and walked in.

"Ah, one of our finest students, Dwayne Carmichael," he said. "Dwayne, I want you to meet the Zergas."

This Russian family looked at me and beamed.

"Dwayne here holds one of the highest GPAs for the Junior Class," Radley praised. "Also, he's our Junior Class President. I must say, under his leadership, the Junior class is doing well."

The Russian couple nodded in admiration, meanwhile I grinned like the idiot that I am...while Radley went off on my academic and leadership excellence.

"Dwayne, please welcome your fellow classmate, Vladsmir Zerga."

"V...la...des...me..." I said slowly.

Sue me, I can't pronounce these Russian names.

"Vladsmir," this boy responded. "But please call me Laddy, that's what my friends call me."

"Laddy," I said, shaking his hand (firm grip). "I'm Dwayne, or Dway as MY friends call me."

"I can assure nothing but the best from St. Peter's," Radley told the Vergas assuringly. "Your son is in great hands."

Again, I'm grinning like there's no tomorrow....

"If you'd like, I can show you around our wonderful campus, we can stop by Mrs. Rose's table to pick up a copy of your schedule," I said, in an almost tour guide tone.

"Great," he said. "Let's go. Thank you, Mr. Radley, goodbye father, mother."

With that, I said my goodbyes and we left.

"Father and mother?" I asked incredulously.

"It's a term of respect and endearment," he said. "Also, in front of adults, it's just politeness. I usually call them Mum and Pops."

"Ahh, I was starting to worry you were a good little Catholic boy," I said, teasingly.

"Catholic boy, I am," he said. "But I don't know about good or little."

I chuckled. I took a sidelong glance at Laddy here....tall, spiky blond hair...yup, this one is going live into the pit....(also known as the female population of St.Peter's).

"Mrs. Rose," I said cheerfully. "How about a schedule for my friend...V...lad.."

"Vladsmir," he finished.

"Yes, what he said," I said, smiling.

Mrs. Rose smiled and handed over Laddy's schedule.

I took a long glance...pretty high academic classes.

I read off his schedule, "US History Honors, Calculus Honors, English Honors, AP Chemistry and AP Physics, Gym, Russian Art and Literature Honors."

Laddy chuckled, "Father...I mean Pops likes me to succeed in education. Education is very important."

Laddy imitated his father on the last remark, I laughed.

"Except for gym," I said. "I'm going to have to wish you good luck."

"I have to take gym for a semester, for we only had gymnastics in Russia."

"You were born there?" I asked.

"Yes, I came to the States a few months ago in New York for the fall chapter."

"I see," I said. "Well, I guess we could start by grabbing a snack from our cafeteria."

"Is the food good?" he asked.

"Depends, sloppy joe is a yes....their macaroni and cheese and breadsticks could use a few adjustments."

"Sloppy joe is good," he said, in his choppy, barbaric English.

"Yes, it is," I agreed. "After the cafeteria, you take a quick left down this hall to get to the science wing and the gymnasium."

"I see," he looked at his schedule. "I have two sciences."

"Your father must be a fan of the scientific world," I said.

"He's a biochemist," he said. "He likes his work."

"Well, no point in pursuing something you don't enjoy doing," I said.

"Yes," he confirmed.

"Down here, we have English/language and art...over there is the history wing."

"Do we have any classes together?" he asked.

"I believe we have English Honors and AP Chemistry together."

"That's good," he said. "I hate being the new kid."

"Do you move often?" I asked.

"No, only this big move and the move from New York, Pops was transferred to the States."

We continued to fill each other in about our lives, little personal factoids.

The bell had rung for first period, and I had to depart from my new (not to mention amazingly breath-taking) friend for Spanish.

Duvarte was already taking roll in his mind as students begin to pile in from the door. I grabbed a seat next to Ryan and Tyler sat on the other side.

"Hey, Dwayne," they said at the same time.

"That was eerie," I commented.

"Just timing," Ryan mumbled.

"You guys, we have to get along," I whispered. "Tyler, you're my boyfriend, and Ryan, you're my best friend...of all people, I want you two to get along."

Tyler extended his hand out for a handshake, Ryan only sneered and returned to his attention on today's lesson: Present Progressive Verbs...-ar, -er, -ir.

Spanish lasted forever, the awkwardness between Ryan and Tyler was overwhelming. It was that unforgettable car-ride...but ten times worse. The bell rang and I was off to my next class.

"Wait up," Tyler said.

"I have to get to class, Tyler," I said, a little irritated.

"All right," he said. "See you at lunch?"

"Uh...about that..."

"Yeah?"

"We don't hang out together exactly...." I said.

"So, we could skip our own groups for a day, can't we?"

"And live in seclusion and only surface up when the other isn't present," I said. "I don't think so. I definitely do not want to be dependent on you."

"You think too much on this, Dway," he said, sadly. "It's just lunch. I'll see you later."

Tyler walked off in the other direction, while I trudged to physics.

"Loverboy looks pissed," Ryan said, coming up next to me.

"And you're just loving it," I commented.

"Whoa," he said. "What's up your ass?"

"What is your problem?" I asked quietly. "You act like such an ass around Tyler, why can't you be sweet around him like when you're around me?"

"I can't be nice to someone who's got something that belongs to me," he said and added. "You."

He walked off into another wing, while I continued to trudge to physics in anger and frustration.

"You look confused," someone said.

"Jacob," I said. "Hey, how was Clear Lake?"

"Awesome," he said. "Sorry break was so crappy between us, I had shit load of things to do. Clar's sorry too, she's taking the day off to go to some spa with her mom."

"Lucky bitch," I said.

"Agree."

"I got this new Russian guy in my last class," Jacob said. "V...V..V something."

"Just call him Laddy," I said.

"I take it you've met him?"

"I gave the guy our famous St. Peter's tour!" I said, with fake enthusiasm.

"Poor guy," Jacob said.

"What can we do?" I said, shrugging. "We're the Junior Class Pres and VP."

"And the world goes round," he added.

We laughed.

"This is my stop," he said, pointing at the physics room.

"Enjoy yourself," I said.

"Only if you do," he called back.

I walked a few more feet down to my classroom and as I was entering...the bell rings.

"Mr. Carmichael," my chemistry teacher said. "That's another tardy, minus two."

I let out a sigh and took my seat, at this rate, I'll flunk the course.

After another long lecture on atomic bonds...the bell rang.

"We get ten minutes off now?" Laddy asked (he was in my last class).

"Yes, we get recess now," I said. (Still pissed over my loss of daily points)

"Cheer up," he said. "You're still a fine student."

I laughed at Laddy's pathetic effort to cheer me up, feels good after dissing Tyler...pissing off Ryan. And yeah...the start of Monday morning.

"Mind if I took a smoke?" he asked.

"You SMOKE?" I said.

"Only when I'm nervous," he said, grabbing a lighter and pack of cigarettes from the inside of his school coat pocket.

"Sure," I said. "I guess."

We ended up outside, almost to the side of the building.

Laddy lit his cigarette and took a deep inhale...

"You want a puff?" he asked me.

"No thanks," I replied. "Maybe some other time."

"That's fine," he said nonchalantly. "What's that?"

He pointed over towards a packet of weed.

"It's marijuana," I said, picking up the content and sniffing to confirm my prediction. "Yeah, it's pot."

"Pot?"

"It's another term for marijuana here in the States," I explained.

"Freeze!"

I did as I was told...but by fear, not obedience. Radley was marching towards us, his bony finger waving angrily at Laddy and me.

"Mr.Verga, first day and caught smoking?" Radley sneered. "Are your parents aware of your smoking habits?"

"Not at this moment, no," Laddy retorted.

"Marijuana, Mr. Carmichael?"

"Mr. Radley," I began. "We just found this package laying there on the sidewalk and I picked it up to see if I was right about it and I was going to turn it into the office."

"Right...Mr. Carmichael and Mr. Verga, I'm going to ask you two to step into my office right now."

"Under what circumstances?" I asked.

"For being under the suspicion of drug use and dealing," Radley responded.

Great way to start a Monday, how am I going to explain to the folks about this one?

Please write with your opinions, they do matter (to me!)
You know the e-addy. ~Jeff (until Chapter 7)

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