The usual disclaimers apply to this story
Part 2
I stared across the table at my mother, lowered my cup placing it on the saucer, I then related what had happened in the classroom.
Frowning, she asked,
"Are you sure he tripped you, could you have been mistaken, not seen his leg and stumbled over it?"
I swallowed another mouthful of tea before answering,
"Mum, do I look like I need specs? When I got up from my seat, I happened to look down the passageway, and there were no legs sticking out. Also, why would the boy, who tripped me, come dashing out to persuade me to return to the class, if he wasn't guilty of tripping me?"
"Alright, Cobey," my mother said, "I believe you. You were right to walk out, so what do you want to do now?"I thought for a while then said, "I don't really want to study with the seniors, my short encounter with them was not to my liking. I think they resent a fourteen-year-old joining them in studying for A-levels. If I go back to that school then I want to go back and study with my own age group, otherwise, if it's possible, find another school."
"Alright, Son, I'll talk to your School Head later, it will give him time to get the other side's view of what happened. Meantime, I'm going out to the shops, do you want to come along?"
"No, Mum, I'll stay in. I can do some more work on the B.Sc. Math paper."
She finished her tea, came around the table, ruffled my hair, planted a kiss on my cheek, then remarked,
"See you in a bit, Brains!" and waltzed out of the house, leaving me drinking my tea.
Hours later, as I studied in my room, I heard the front door close. So, I shut down my PC and made my way downstairs to see my mother deposit the groceries on the kitchen table.
"Hi, Mum." I greeted her as I walked in the room.
"Cobey, give me a hand to put these things away." she responded, "Then, I can give your school head a call before he goes to lunch."Five minutes later, I followed her into the sitting room. She went over to the telephone lifted the receiver and took it over to her favourite chair. I watched her as she sat down dialled and waited for the person at the other end to answer.
"Mr. Henshaw!" she said, in her most charming voice. My mother could put it on quite thick, when she had to. She continued,
"I've spoken to my son, he informed me about this morning's incident. I'm prepared to let the matter rest, as long as Cobey can return tomorrow."I learned later that before my mother could put the conditions of my return forward she was interrupted by Mr Henshaw stating
"Your son accidentally tripped over a boy, who had his leg stretched out in the passageway. He overreacted, by walking out, of the classroom and school. I'm afraid because of his actions, he will have to serve a detention, when he returns."
I saw the expression on my mother's face harden. When she spoke again, her voice became tinged with a hint of anger.
"Mr Henshaw, my son not only didn't overreact BUT told the truth! There is no doubt in my mind that the senior deliberately tripped him, if you believe otherwise you are more gullible than you look. As for his return, there is no such possibility! I'll be going to the local education authority to demand my child be transferred to another place of learning!"
Cutting the connection, she stood up, replaced the receiver and waited. Mum smiled at me, then she started counting loudly for my benefit. When she reached the number twenty two, the phone rang. She let it repeat seven times, before she picked it up."Hello, OH, Mr Henshaw!" she greeted, giving me a wicked grin. "What can I do for you?"
"No I'm sorry my son wasn't in the wrong. The teacher and the boy who tripped my son were the ones who were at fault. Now if you have nothing positive to add to this conversation, then I must be going. I want to see the Education Officer as soon as
possible. Also, I'm sure that they'll need to carry out an investigation into what took place and your handling of the incident!"My mother broke the connection again, went over to her chair, sat down, waited, while she explained, telling me,
"I'll give it ten minutes at most if there is no call, we'll go and see the E.O. and see what can be done, or if you have to you can study at home."Nearly ten minutes later, my mother rose from her seat, telling me to put my shoes on and grab my coat. She went and donned hers, grabbed her handbag, car keys and with me following made for the front door.
We were a couple of strides away from it, when the phone rang. My mother stopped her passage to the front door and instead lifted the receiver in the hallway saying.
"The Hodson residence, Mrs Hodson speaking."
I saw her smile then add, "Mr Jackson, how nice of you to phone, but I really can't chat to you at the moment. I was just about ready to leave the house with my son and make our way to the Education Authority Offices."
"Oh, that is good to hear, but Cobey says he will only return to Parklands, if he's allowed to study with his own year group."
My mother frowned then said, "Mr Jackson are you still there?"
"Oh good, there is just one other thing Cobey hasn't got a class schedule for his year group, can you arrange it so he gets one?"
"Thank you, Mr Jackson, I'll tell him, and you've been a great help. Bye for now." She replaced the receiver on the hook and looked at me grinning,
"Alright, you can start back tomorrow with your own year group," she said with a smug look an her face, "And there will be a schedule waiting for you at the Secretary's office."
"Thanks, Mum, do we still need to go out."
"Yes, I don't fancy cooking today, let's eat out. Do you want to go anywhere in particular?"
"Yeah, that Aussie place The Bush Tucker, they do a wicked steak there."
"Okay, let's go," she said, grabbing my arm and ushering me out the front door.
Tuesday morning, I walked through the school gates a little bit nervous, not knowing what to expect. Within the space of five minutes, my fears were laid to rest.
After picking up my class schedule from Ms. Dursford, the school secretary, no one seemed to notice me, as I made my way to my locker.
After stashing my day's food rations inside, I made my way to my first class. The moment I walked into the classroom, all eyes seemed to focus on me, and my anxiety returned. Not knowing which desks were vacant, I decided to stand by the teacher's dais and wait for her arrival. I had just moved across to the desk, when I heard,
"Cobey, what are you doing here?"
Turning to the source of the voice, I saw Ginny Gresham (her real name being Virginia, but I'd never heard anyone use her given name).
"Hoping to study, what do you think," I said trying to hide my nervousness by looking and sounding casual.
She came closer, till she was literally breathing down my neck and said,
"You trying to be sarky, Cobey Hodson?"
"Nope, that's why I'm here to start my studies again.""So, what happened to your studying with the seniors?" she asked, as she looked at my face trying to gauge if I was telling the truth or having her on.
"They didn't like me, and I wasn't too keen on them. So, I walked out, and here I am. I'm waiting for Ms. Bailey, before I take a seat, I'm not sure which ones are vacant."
"The desk behind mine is empty, take that one."
"Okay, but I best wait for her first. She can be a real pain for protocol at times."
Ginny gave me a weak smile, a little wave of her hand. Then, she moved off to her desk. which then allowed others to hurl questions at me now that the ice had been broken. I gave them all more or less the same answer I gave Ginny till the door opened and the questions ceased as Ms. Bailey walked in.David Jackson was still angry, at what had happened on the first day of school in the senior's maths class. That fucking idiot Sapsford, He thought, had let a little incident get out of hand, added to which the schools Head had made matters worse then dumped the problem in his lap. To get the boy back to Parklands he'd had to agree to let Hodson back and study with his own year group, what a waste. But as Deputy Head he wasn't giving up yet, he had Hodson back on the premises and maybe he could talk him round to studying with the seniors again.
Now, during the first break, he was hurrying to attend the meeting he'd arranged with the A-level teachers in the Staff Room.
Once inside, he grabbed a readymade mug of tea, and walked over to the group, who were collected at one end of the room, awaiting his arrival.Sipping his tea, he eyed the teachers, swallowed then said,
"At the moment, we have in this school an exceptional fourteen-year-old boy who is capable of passing the A-Level papers in four subjects with Grade A passes in all. At present he is wasting his time studying with his own year group which I hope to change by persuading him to return to studying with the seniors. By now you must have all heard of what happened yesterday during Mr Sapsford math class. If by some chance I can get Hodson to return to the senior classes I don't want a repetition of what occurred yesterday." He said looking across at Sapsford.
After another sip of his tea Jackson continued,
"I'm relying on you and the offending pupils, to insure Hodson's return to the seniors, if he agrees to return, to be a more pleasant experience. Meanwhile, I'll talk to the said students, when I take them for their English history lesson after the morning break. Alright, that's all I wish to say on the matter, if you have any questions then ask away, otherwise, I'm going to get a tea-bun, before they're finished."
"Ah! 1-A Parkland's crème-de la-crème!" David Jackson said sarcastically, when the pupils taking English history were seated, "The pupils, who made a fourteen-year-old boy so welcome, that he walked out!"
Mr Jackson stared around the room. He eyed the various youths, none of which whom met his gaze for long.
"So why the resentment? What did he do that caused one of you to trip him, as he walked to the front of the class and the rest of you to laugh at his embarrassment?"
Silence no one answered his question.
"I will endeavour to persuade Hodson to return to the seniors again." The teacher said glaring around at the students. "If he does return and any of you have the slightest inkling at having a go at him again whether it be vocally or physically. Let me make it quite plain it will not be tolerated, and the consequences will be dire for the perpetrator. Now let us get on with the lesson."
One particular pupil in 1A let out a sigh of relief, as no names were mentioned.
My classes went well right up till the lunch break. Although the lessons were more like revision for me, being back in class amongst my own age group was a real pleasure.
I went to my locker at the lunchtime bell, got my food, as well as my novel, then I headed for the sports fields. Being early September, it felt quite warm, so instead of using the benches I chose to sit under a big elm, leaning against the trunk.
As I munched away at my sandwiches, with my nose stuck in the book. I didn't hear, or see, the person, until he asked,
"You going to teach me how not to be a piece of shit?"
I looked up from my book to see the boy, who had tripped me in the classroom yesterday, standing over me.
"Nothing for me to teach!" I said looking up at him.
"Mind, if I join you?" and not waiting for an answer he sat down next to me leaning his back against the tree unwrapping his sandwiches, and taking a bite out of one. "I see we have something in common," and as I looked at him and frowned, he held up his sandwich saying between chewing mouthfuls of his bread,
"We don't have school meals. What have you got in yours? Oh, and by the way, the name's Mitchell Winters, normally shortened to Mitch."
"Just finished my ham and mustard, sarny going to start on the salmon and cucumber, I'm Cobey Hodson."
"Yeah, so I found out. Look, I'm sorry about yesterday: You know the incident in the class, I acted like a moron."
"You really are learning, and, acting less and less like a piece of shit! Oh, and, apology accepted. "What've you got in your sarny?"
"Roast beef, lettuce, and tomato. You want to swap half yours for half mine?"
I handed over half my Salmon sandwich and got a roast beef in return and promptly took a bite out of it.
"By the way, you thought of coming back to study with the seniors?" Mitch said while continuing to munch on his bread, "Jackson told us that he hopes to persuade you to return."
"Nope, I'm happy where I am." I said, as I swallowed a mouthful of beef sandwich.
"Come on, Cobey, just give it a try for a week. Then, if you don't like our company, you can head back to your own year group."
While Mitch talked, I could see Jackson striding across the grounds towards us.
"Seems like my company is in great demand today, Jackson's headed in this direction."
"Oh shit! The senior exclaimed, "Hope he doesn't make any reference to yesterday."The teacher drew up frowning at seeing the two of us seated together, he was just about to speak, when I stopped him with the comment,
"Yes, Mr Jackson, I'll start studying with the seniors again tomorrow."
Part 3
Mr Jackson stared at me for a few moments, then he looked across at Mitch, before he asked,
"Was Winters instrumental in changing your mind?"
"Yes, Sir."
"At least he made amends for his infantile behaviour of yesterday. I'll see you boys later."
As he made to leave he stopped, "Have you still got your senior class schedule, Hodson?"
I nodded.
"Very well."Our teacher strode off, leaving the two of us to finish our meal break.
"According to Jackson, you got straight A's in all the exams, he set you." Winters said, while he chewed on his sandwich.
"Yep." I dived into my back pack for a soft drink. Mitch waited patiently for me to expand on his question.
I hastily swallowed a mouthful of orange juice, before answering, "If he says so, I suppose it's correct."
"Good, then if I need some help in the math's and physics papers, would you assist me?"
"Yeah, if you want."
"I think I'll want with a capital W." Frowning he added, "I'm hoping to sit my A-levels after Christmas in four months time if all goes well."
"So, we'll be sitting our exams at the same time." I said, as I finished my drink, "How about you let me copy some of your course work?"
Mitch pulled a face before he answered, "Actually I haven't got a lot for you to copy. I missed six weeks of school last term, but you're welcome to what I have. I was hospitalized after a fall, when rock climbing and ended up with a concussion and a badly broken arm. I should've sat my A-levels last June but missed out, so will have to wait till next year."
"So, are you okay, now?"
"The head's back to normal," and waving his right arm around, as he stood, Mitch said, "The arm is nearly as good as new." He started picking up his litter saying, "I think we better get back otherwise we're going to be late."
I grabbed my belongings, and with Mitch walking beside me, we made our way back.
"See you later!" I said to my new friend, when we reached the main entrance. Then, I headed for my locker so I could put my pack away.
"I'll meet you at the afternoon break by the cafeteria." Mitch responded as I walked away.
I waved my hand over my head in acknowledgement, while I moved down the hallway. Then for some unknown reason I stopped, and turned. Mitch hadn't moved he had remained in the same place where I'd left him, and continued to stare at me. I gazed back at him for a moment then gestured once more with my hand, and made my way to my locker and from there to my next class.As I journeyed towards my destination, I couldn't help but think about the boy I had just left.
What a difference a day can make. Yesterday, my opinion of Mitchell Winters was far from high, yet today, we got along like a house on fire."Did Jackson find you?" Looking over my shoulder, I saw Ginny rapidly scrambling to catch up with me.
"Yeah, seems like I'll be studying with the seniors from tomorrow."
"Sugar! Just when I thought I had got you to come out of your shell, so you could help me out in maths, when I need it!"
"Is that the only reason you talked to me?"
"No, you're cute as well, but I think you've said about ten words in the past couple of years."
"Yeah, well I'm the strong silent type!" I added with a broad smile.
"Silent, yeah, strong you must be joking!" she laughingly retorted.
I didn't respond, instead I kept on walking.
"Cobey, I'm sorry!"
I abruptly halted, which caused her to nearly bump into me.
"You don't have to be sorry, if you need help in maths just yell, and I'll see what I can do."
She grinned, while she quipped,
"How loud, must I yell?"
"Loud enough for me to hear you. Come on, we'll be late for class."Mr Simmonds droned on about the reign of the Plantagenet's from 1399 to 1485. Having studied that period of the English monarchy about two years previously, try as I may to keep an interest in what was said I couldn't stop my mind from wandering.
Suddenly I found my thoughts focused on Mitch Winters and how for the first time in nearly four years, I had enjoyed the company of another person other than my mother. Better yet, I actually became aware of participating in conversation with another individual for more than a couple of minutes. Thinking about our lunch hour meeting, I now looked forward to seeing him again at the afternoon break: Consequently, I itched for the bloody bell to ring. When it did I jumped out of my seat. I raced from the room, headed straight for my destination as fast as possible without breaking into a run. I couldn't see Mitch in the vicinity of the cafeteria, so I made a beeline towards the entrance. I was just about to go through the double doors, when I heard the distinctive voice of Mr. Jackson call my name, which stopped me dead in my tracks.
Letting the doors close and walking over to where the teacher stood, I responded with, "Yes, Sir."
"Cobey, I need to have a word with you, now that you're on your own."
I waited for him to ask his question.
He hesitated a moment then haltingly queried, "Umm, did Winters coerce you in any way, so you would start studying with the seniors again?"
"No Sir, actually I was just on my way to meet up with him once again."
My answer brought a look of relief to his face as he exclaimed, "Oh, that's good, I'm glad you've made a friend with one of the seniors. That puts my mind at rest, I'll see you later."After Jackson had left, I made my way to the cafeteria entrance and opened the doors. The moment I entered, I saw Mitch: he is one of theutallest boys in school, and stood in one corner chatting with a group of his friends.
Since I am not one to socialise with crowds, I began to retrace my steps, however when he saw me by the exit, he waved in my direction.
Turning he said something to his friends. He detached himself from them and hastened over to where I stood.
Once he reached me, he grabbed my shoulder, and guided me towards the doors while he stated,
"Let's get out of here," as we exited the cafeteria, "I thought you weren't going to show." he said.
"Mr Jackson wanted to speak to me, that's why I was a bit late."
"Oh, yeah, what was that about?"
"He asked whether you twisted my arm, to make me reconsider studying with the seniors again."
"You're joking!"
"I'm not, and I even showed him the bruises, but he didn't believe me, so you're safe for now!"
We both laughed, at the same time we made our way outside.
"What about your friends in the cafeteria?" I asked, as we walked through the school grounds.
"They'll keep."
We continued walking till Mitch paused for a bit then frowning, he stared into my eyes and asked.
"Who's Cobey Hodson?"
His question turned my insides to jelly!
"What d'you mean?" I finally managed to get out nervously, with my voice cracking.
"Just what I said, I've been asking around, since lunch time, and either they say "Cobey who?" or, something like "The kid keeps to himself, and doesn't say a lot when spoken to. So, I want to know who you are!"My nerves took over, and panic enveloped me. Sooner than answer any questions, I turned tail. I bolted heading for the safety of the school.
I heard Mitch shout, as I ran off, "Cobey, wait up!"
I ignored his plea. Instead, I kept going until I reached the protection of the main building. Once inside, I made my way to the classroom. I was literally shaking, when I arrived and entered it.
With break still in progress, I found myself alone, I sat at my desk, until I had my nerves under control. Once calmed down, I thought about Mitch. I decided my attempt to get close with another boy was not a good idea.
I had been so used to my own company, since my father's death, that the first time a person had enquired about me through genuine interest I'd done a runner. I realised that I had nothing really to tell about myself other than my age, height, weight, and that I liked to study.
When Mitch Winters finds out the limited extent of the information which there is to be had about Cobey Hodson, he'll soon realise that I wasn't about to be the most interesting character he'd ever encountered.
Since my Father demise I had lost the ability to socialise or for that matter take an interest in anything other than my studies. To put it bluntly I was about as interesting as watching grass grow.Classes resumed and when the bell went for the end of school I was thankful that my mother for once was on time to pick me up.
I was out of the school gates and inside the car so quickly my feet didn't touch the ground. Even if Mitch had been in the vicinity, he'd have had no chance to talk to me.On the way home, I told my mother I planned to study with the seniors.
"What made you change your mind?"
"One of the boys, and Mr Jackson."
"I hope you won't have any problems this time."
"No, I don't think so. Mr Jackson seems to be taking a personal interest in making my time studying with the seniors as pleasant as possible."Mitchell Winters watched the car carry away the kid. The boy's behaviour perplexed him. They had been getting along fine during lunch, then at the afternoon break, when he'd he enquired about whom Cobey was, it had caused the kid to run away.
Now, as the vehicle disappeared from view, he thought, he'd better stay well away from Cobey Hodson: He didn't want to be responsible for the youth walking out of the senior's study group once again.Wednesday morning, the moment my mother dropped me off, and I entered the school a bit apprehensive. I wondered what Mitch Winters might say.
My first session started with a double period of chemistry. I soon learnt when I looked around the class, it wasn't one of Mitch's A-level subjects, so at least for now I wouldn't have to face him. At the first break, I grabbed a drink from my locker and made my way out to the recreation area.
I couldn't help but notice Winters because of his height. But, thankfully, he didn't notice me, as he stood amongst a group of his friends.
At the end of the break, I headed for room 3c. I knew Mitch would be in the class. I arrived there before most of the other pupils and took the same seat that I selected on my first day of the term.
When the rest of the pupils entered Mitch Winters amongst them, he didn't give me a glance. He just went to his desk, which was two ahead of mine, and sat down with his back to me.
Mr Sapsford arrived, the normal hubbub of voices subsided. He looked around the class and noticing where I was seated didn't ask me to move to the front of the class, as he had demanded on the first day of school. Instead he let me remain where I was.For the rest of the week, plus the next one, the pupils in all of my classes only spoke to me if necessary and Mitchell Winters not at all. It didn't bother me in the least, as I was quite used to keeping my own company.
However, Ginny did collar me one lunch break. She asked for my assistance in explaining the Pythagoras theorem. She stated that she'd been giving Trevor Bentley the eye, rather than pay attention during the lesson.
So, I described the theorem for her in simplified terms. She went away really happy, saying "Why couldn't Gibson explain it like that.
On the Friday of the second week of the return to school, Mitch Winters watched the fourteen-year-old from the corner of his eye during the afternoon break. The boy appeared unperturbed, that the other pupils in his class hardly spoke to him. In fact, he seemed to prefer it that way. As he watched the younger teen, there was something about him, which gnawed away at the back of his mind. It concerned the boy's face. But, he couldn't put a finger on it.
At the end of the day's classes he watched as Cobey dashed out to the waiting car, as if he was in a hurry to escape the confines of the school and everything in it.I suppose I'd better take my case work around, so that he can copy it. Mitch Winters thought, as he watched the car drive away with the boy in it. It might seem childish, if I were to withhold the notes, after all, I offered him the use of them. Now, to get his address.
He made his way over to the school secretary's office. After giving the lady a fabricated story about losing Hodson's address. He went on to explain he needed it to let said student have the A-level course work. He came away with a piece of paper, on which appeared the words 34 Marlborough Road.
Happy with himself and now a genuine excuse to call on Cobey Hodson, he headed home. As he entered his front door hearing sounds coming from the drawing room, he made his way there to see his mother watching television.
After greeting his mother Mitchell Winters informed her that he'd be going out after his evening meal.
"Any place, in particular?" she enquired.
"No, just have to keep a promise and lend someone my course work to copy. I shouldn't be too long."
"Well remember we're going out this evening so don't be too late."
He was about to leave the room, when the advert for Qatar airways on CNN drew towards the end. The stewardess's face, or rather the upper part of it came on screen, and then the question: that had bugged him ever since he'd met Cobey Hodson, clicked into place. It was his eyes, they were the same colour as that of the woman in the commercial, a kind of smokey green. He smiled to himself, happy at having solved the problem concerning the kid, as he climbed the stairs to shower and change.I had just finished my evening meal, and stood at the kitchen sink helping my mother with the dishes, when I heard the front doorbell ring. Mum dropped the dishcloth to make her way to the front door. I could hear muffled voices, then the front door closing, then footsteps going to the sitting room.
Next, my mother appeared in the kitchen, saying,
"Cobey, you've got a visitor! Leave the dishes, I'll attend to them. You go and make him welcome."
Drying my hands I made my way to the front room expecting to see one of the teachers from my school, instead, standing in the middle of the room carrying a folder stood Mitchell Winters.
"Mitch, good to see you!" I said rather nervously making my way towards him. "What brings you around, and how did you know, where I lived?
"I didn't, I got the address from the school secretary. I brought this around for you, It's the course work from last term. I've copied Bob Haines's notes so it's bang up to date."
I thanked him, as I took the proffered folder, "I'll let you have it back on Monday, at school."
"Monday. That soon?" Mitch exclaimed, "I thought you'd need a couple of weeks at least, to copy it."
"No, it's okay. You can have it back on Monday. I've got nothing else to do, so I may as well finish it."
"Well, you can always come over to my place and hang out if you want too." Mitch said, going a bit red in the face.
I was stuck for words, it being the first time someone actually had invited me to spend time with them in over four years. When I hesitated to answer his request, he blurted out, "You can bring your sister along with you, if you wish."
Frowning, I replied, "Sister? I don't have a sister!"
"Uh, that person, who answered the door wasn't your sister?"
I started laughing then stopped, seeing the look of embarrassment on his face,
"Sorry, didn't mean to laugh at you, that was my mother."
"Oh, Christ! He exclaimed, "She looked so young, and she has those same smokey green eyes as you."
"Yeah, well, when I tell her what you said, you'll be her friend for life!"
"Oh, Man," Mitch groaned, "Don't say anything, please!"
"Okay I won't, now, instead of standing around, do you want to sit, and would you like any refreshment?"
"No, thanks, I'm good."I settled down opposite him and contemplated how next to proceed. I took a deep breath then stated,
"Um Mitch, you're the first visitor I've had in four years. We've had relations, and some of my mother's friends, around on a regular basis, but you're the first one that's come to see me. So, I've got no idea how I go about keeping you entertained. Um what do you normally do, when you visit your friends?"
Not answering my question, Mitch smiled, saying, "Is that why you bolted, when I asked, who's Cobey Hodson?"
I hung my head, not wishing to look into his face, before I replied,
"Yeah, I didn't know how to respond and got scared thinking, that if you learned the truth, you'd be a bit disappointed with the facts."
"Okay, first of all, I'm not, and wouldn't have been." As I looked up Mitch Winters had a huge grin on his face, while he added, "Now, let's get down to you entertaining me. What music do you like, or listen to?"
I pointed to the CD player, "Umm, those discs over there, but they're all my mother's. I've never bought any of my own."
"Okay, have you got a PC?"
"Yes."
"Good, what games do you have on it?"
"Uh, only the ones that were loaded onto the computer when I got it, there's solitaire, 3D pinball, and some others."
Mitch smiled, "You know, Cobey, your answers to my questions are entertaining enough. What say, we just sit and talk."
"Great, we can go to my room. I'll put this folder away, and up there we won't be disturbed by my mother."
He followed me out into the hallway and to the stairs. Before we climbed them, I yelled, "Mum, Mitch and I are going to my room."
I heard a faint, "Okay, Son." And, with my friend behind me, we continued on our way.Inside my room I put the folder away, then offered the seat by my PC to him while I took a spot on the bed. Mitch declined the chair, instead he plopped down beside me.
He was looking into my eyes again, before saying, "Your mum, and you, both have the same shape and coloured eyes, as the stewardess on the Qatar airline advert."
"Is that good or bad?"
"Haven't you seen the ad?"
I frowned, then I recalled the one he was talking about, as my mother always watched CNN.
"Yeah, I remember, but you only see one eye at the end of the ad."
"But that's all you need to make the comparison."
I watched as Mitch's eyes roved around the room checking out all that was in it.
"Other than the computer, you don't have a whole lot here. Have you got any DVD's stashed somewhere?"
"Nope," and then I remembered, "Oh yeah hang on there's this one."
I went to my wardrobe, searched around till right at the back my hands came in contact with it. Pulling the DVD out, I walked back over to Mitch and handed it to him.
He glanced at it, and seconds later he laughed, before explaining, "I've got this one as well."
He returned the disc to me asking, "You like football?"
My mind immediately flashed back to the time when my dad still lived. The two of us used to play in the park together and watch the Saturday afternoon matches on Sky TV. A lump came to my throat, while my eyes started to tear up, as I recalled the memories.
At my silence, and seeing the sudden distressed look on my face, caused Mitch become concerned. He took my arm and in a low hesitant voice, he enquired, "Cobey, you okay?"
Part 4
"Cobey," Mitch's concerned voice startled me out of my thoughts.
"Yeah, I'm okay. I was just thinking back and remembering of what used to be."
"If it's not too private, what were you thinking about?"
"My dad!"
"You want to talk about it?"
I looked at Mitch. With my voice catching in my throat and not knowing why at the time, I said, "Yeah, I'd like to talk about him."
I composed myself then started my narrative.
"I love my mum and, at present, she's the single most important person in my life. But, when dad was alive, I loved him something fierce. He was my everything. We had such wonderful times together. He'd kick a ball around with me in the park, or in the garden and teach me all the tricks he'd learnt from watching that video." I said pointing to the video that was lying on the bed. "Other times, when he was attending to the garden, he'd get me involved. At first, I wasn't too keen on gardening, couldn't see the point in digging around in the soil. Then, when I saw the results of what he'd helped me to plant, I was hooked. Other times, he'd get me lying on my back with him on the grass in the garden, and he'd show me how to see pictures in the clouds. You'd be surprised at the hundreds of different shapes you can see, as the clouds moved in the wind. We used to compete, as to who could see the most, he would always let me win. He was never too busy to talk to me and every conversation with him left me wondering how my dad knew so much about the world. Then when he died a week before my tenth birthday I think a little bit of me died as well. I became very introvert and lost all desire to interact socially with anyone other than my mother. You were the first person who I spoke to socially for more than five minutes in years. So, when you asked me in school, who was Cobey Hodson I couldn't answer. I panicked and ran to hide my nervousness and embarrassment, not knowing how to respond to your question. After that, when you left me alone, as did the other pupils in the class, it made me think that you weren't too eager to be associated with a nonentity, which in a way, suited me and let me revert back to my normal way of life. But now, with you here and me telling you about myself, I hope you'll understand me better and my reluctance to talk to people."
Mitch looked at me, his eyes seemed to be roving over my face and taking in every detail. Then, fixing his eyes to mine, he said, "I only asked who Cobey Hodson was because wherever I made enquiries about you, I came up with a blank. Which, to say the least, was very unusual. As a good looking kid like you, who'd been at the school for over two years, you were more or less unknown."
"What d'you mean good looking?"
"Exactly what I said, with those smokey green eyes and your tanned complexion, it's surprising why nobody has got to know you better."
"Umm I don't think I was very sociable, so I suppose the kids just left me alone. Anyway, you've got to know me better, so your questions been answered."
"Yeah, I know a bit about you, but I want to know more," Mitch hesitated a bit then continued, "I'm asking again, can we meet up tomorrow?"
Without even thinking, the words gushed out of me, "Okay, where?"
"What about here, at your place."
"Umm no, I have to go shopping with my mother Saturday mornings. We normally walk around the mall for a bit my mum likes to window shop, after that we get the groceries in for the week. If I don't go with her, I'll end up having to eat all the things that she likes for the rest of the week, and I'm not into all that broccoli, asparagus, and other green food that she wants to shovel down my throat." So, give me your address, and I'll meet you at your place when we're done."
"You got a piece of paper to write down the address."
"Just tell me, I'll remember it."
Mitch seemed a bit dubious about me remembering the address but still he gave it, "10 Willow Close. You're sure you'll remember it?."
"Yeah." And, I repeated the address back to him.
"Can you give me your email address?"
"Any particular reason?"
"Yeah. If you don't show, I can mouth off at you without interruption."
"I'll show, but, anyway, it's becoy95@yahoo.com."
Mitch looked a bit perplexed, but when I explained that "boyce" was an anagram of Cobey and "95" was the year of my birth.
He grinned and said, "That's good easy to remember, and I don't need to write it down. Okay, I've got to get going. My parents will be waiting for me, we're going out this evening." He gave me an enquiring glance, adding, "So, I'll see you tomorrow, after your shopping trip."
"Yeah." And, I led the way downstairs. Mitch popped his head into the sitting room to say goodbye to my mother. Then, with me following him, we made our way out of the house and to the front gate.
"See you tomorrow." Mitch mouthed for the umpteenth time, making sure there was no possibility of me forgetting.
"As soon as I can get away." I watched him walk down the street a while then turned and went back into the house.
The moment I was inside the house, my mother was standing in the hallway with a big grin on her face.
"What?," I asked, a bit annoyed because of the her cheesy grin.
"I'm so glad you finally made friends with someone and asked them over."
"I didn't ask him over, Mum, he just came to lend me his folder with the course work for me to copy."
"Oh!" She exclaimed, with the grin fading from her face, But then, it was back on again, as she asked hopefully, "You did invite him over again?"
"No, Mum," And again, the grin vanished from her face. But not wanting to disappoint her, "But, I'm going over to his house tomorrow." I mumbled.
The grin was back on her face, as she came over and hugged me. "It's been a long time, Cobey, but finally you've stepped out of your shell."
Mitchell Winters made his way home, pleased with himself. He was glad he'd taken the decision to visit Cobey with the excuse of lending him the course work folder, but it had worked. And the kid had opened up to him. Now, maybe he would
open up to others in the school and become a bit more sociable. It wouldn't happen overnight but with a bit of help and encouragement, he might start to behave more like a normal 14-year-old boy. And tomorrow, he could further
encourage the kid to develop their friendship. The kid had stirred emotions in him, that he'd thought had been laid to rest. But now they were again surfacing, and this time, he hadn't tried to suppress them. The boy had attracted him like a magnet. Yes, they'd got off on the wrong foot, but now that incident had been forgotten. And their friendship had begun to blossom.
By 11.45am on Saturday morning, my mum and I were back in the house. I helped her stash the groceries away then decided to have a snack before heading to Mitch's house. With a bacon and tomato sarnie, and a cup of tea residing inside my stomach, I was ready to leave. Giving my mother a kiss, and promising to be back before it got too late, I left the house for the first in four years on my own, to visit someone other than a relative.
I had studied the street map and local bus routes so was quite sure I could find my way to my destination quite easily. Walking down to the main road I headed for the nearest bus stop that would take me to Mitch's locality. I didn't have too long to wait before a 263 bus arrived. Boarding it on and paying my fare I was able to find a seat by a window so I could a watch for St Martin's Church, which would be my indication to ring the bell for the bus to stop at the next exit. As it happened other passengers needed to alight at St Martin's and the bus stopped right outside the church. So when it took off again I rang the bell and got ready to jump off at the next stop.Alighting from the bus I crossed the main road walked along it till I came to Willow Close.
As I turned into the road I noticed that it was a dead end and that road was much wider than the normal. The pavements were quite wide maybe because of the trees lining the road on either side. Every house I walked past was built on a grand scale with driveways leading to the front doors. I continued walking down the road looking at the numbers till I came to Mitch's house which was the one at the end of the road. The other houses were grand but this made them seem rather insignificant. Looking at the house and grounds I was having second thoughts of continuing with my visit. The front expanse of garden was big enough to fit our house and three others besides. The whole place looked way out of what I was generally used to in a house. There were wrought iron gates across the driveway which were locked, but at the side was a smaller gate which I presumed that pedestrians used. Taking a deep breath and getting my emotions under control I approached it. Trying to open the gate proved fruitless as that was also locked. Noticing a bell push at the side I pressed the button and waited. I was on the point of giving into my feelings of trepidation to turn around and head home when a man came into view.He was about the same height as Mitch but a lot broader and older, he wore what looked like a black uniform and cap. I waited as he unlocked the gate, then stepped into the driveway when he opened it.
"Is Mitch at home?" I asked
The man stared at me then gripping my arm asked in a very authoritative voice, "Who are you, and what's the purpose of your visit?"
Getting annoyed at the man grabbing my arm and talking to me like I was some kind of criminal, I tried to wrench my arm free. This only made him tighten his grip on my arm which became quite painful. Getting really angry I lashed out with my foot catching him on the shin. The next thing I knew, I was lying on the floor my head spinning, he'd slapped me open handed across the face.
As I struggled to my feet I turned my back on the man and headed out of the gate and thankfully he didn't stop me. I'd got about half way up the road when I heard my name called, turning, I saw Mitch running to catch up with me. I waited till he had, and at once he was very apologetic about what had happened.
"I forgot to tell Shawcross that you were visiting today, that's why he acted the way he did."
"Well you're welcome to Shawcross I'm going home; I don't take kindly to being slapped around the face."
"I'm sorry Cobey. Come on back I'll make him apologise to you."
I was still angry about the slap and now I vented my anger on Mitch.
"No thanks, your house looks like a fucking prison, and you've even got warders to patrol, the grounds. You can shove your fucking house and guards where the sun doesn't shine, and you'll most probably enjoy it."
I turned and continued my way home leaving him standing on the pavement.Mitchell Winters was devastated, he was so looking forward to have the kid spend the afternoon with him and now it had all gone down the drain. He turned and made his way back to the house to see Shawcross waiting by the gate.
"I'm sorry Mitchell, I didn't know he was one of your friends, I thought he was one of those kids who might be casing the place."
"Bollocks you were just trying to assert your authority. I just hope he decides to sue you for assault and take you for every fucking penny you've got."
"I was only doing my duty and in any case he kicked me first. I only retaliated in self defence."
"Self defence bullshit, the kid isn't even half your size. I'm going inside, have the car outside the front door in an hour's time."
"Yes sir, I'm sorry for what happened."
"Fuck you, don't speak to me," and Mitchell Winters stormed off towards the house. I'll give Cobey time to get home and cool off, he thought as he headed upstairs to his room, then go over and see him and hopefully get him to lighten up again.
I reached home, just as my mother was preparing to go out. Seeing me, she was, at first, surprised at my early return then concerned at the mark on my face.
"What happened?" she asked, as she stroked my face, then she added, "Does it hurt?"
I related to her what had happened, and she was all for going over to Willow Close, and confronting the guard. I managed to calm her down. And, after bathing my face with a cold flannel to try and reduce the slight swelling, she started to remove her coat, that she'd been wearing for the purpose of going out.
"You don't have to stay at home, Mum." I said making my way over to the fridge to get a cold drink, "I'm not dying, and if I need you, I can always call."
"Are you sure you'll be alright?"
"Mum, I've been slapped around the face not shot, I'll be okay." I said, getting exasperated at the fuss, she was making.
She donned her coat again, came over and gave me a kiss, saying, "Now call me if you feel the slightest bit of discomfort."
"Yes, Mum." And, my mother, after planting another kiss on my cheek, made her way out of the house.
Mitchell Winters exited the front door, to see his BMW Series 6 convertible, that his father had bought him, when he'd passed his driving test, standing in the drive with Shawcross behind the wheel.
Yanking open the driver's door, "I'll drive," he blurted out.
Shawcross exited the car. And before Mitch could take his place behind the wheel, he asked, "Has the place you intend visiting got a drive or place to park off road?"
"No." Mitch responded.
"Then, I'd better come with you, you can't leave a sixty thousand pound car parked in the
street. I'll return with the car, when you wish to return home. Just phone, and I'll bring it over."
Not wanting to argue the point, Mitch climbed behind the wheel and waited for Shawcross to get into the passenger side, then they headed out for Cobey's house.
The moment my mother had left, I headed up to my room, intent on copying the notes from the folder, that Mitch had lent me. If I worked at it for the rest of the day, and tomorrow, I could return it to him on Monday. But, try as I may, my mind could not concentrate on my work, instead it was drawn to Mitch. Putting my pen down, my thoughts went over the events of the past few days, and why was Mitch being so nice to me. Maybe he was trying to make up for what he'd done in the classroom on the first day of term. But then, he'd already apologised and had also been good enough to bring the folder that lay in front of me. As my thoughts tried to make sense of Mitch's actions, I also started to think about my own. I had insulted him, when he had tried to get me to return to his house and have the guard apologise. And still, he hadn't got annoyed with me. I was beginning to feel a bit guilty, about what I had said to him outside his house. Trying to put it behind me, I grabbed my pen again and started copying the course work, where I had left off.
I'd been working for about half an hour, when I put my pen down, as thoughts of Mitch entered my head. 'It's no good, I won't be able to work unless I do something about it!' I thought.
I headed downstairs to the sitting room to call him on the landline, when reaching the bottom of the stairs, the front doorbell rang. I went and opened it, and stood open-mouthed, as the person I had been thinking of, stood framed in the doorway.
As I stood there staring, he smiled saying, "Can I come in?"
Which brought me to my senses. And, I stepped aside to let him enter the house and close the door behind him, when he had.
"I'm sorry for my outburst outside your house." I said, as I led him into the sitting room, "But I got a bit angry after being hit by your guard."
"No need to apologise, I'd most probably would have reacted in the same way."
"Yeah, but it wasn't you that hit me." I said, as I indicated for Mitch to have a seat, "It was the guard, so I shouldn't have taken it out on you."
He didn't take a seat, instead he stood in front of me looking at my face. He extended his hand and gently brushing the cheek, where I had been hit, asked, "Does it hurt?"
His touch on my face was so soft and caring, that when he removed it, I wished he'd kept it there. I was still so taken by the feel of his hand on my cheek, that I didn't answer his question but stood looking into his face.
"Cobey."
And, at the sound of his voice, I came to saying, "No, it doesn't hurt now, just hope the swelling goes down before we return to school."
"It should. Can we start again and forget about what happened earlier at my place?"
"Yeah, but just keep your dogs of war at bay."
He smiled, "Shawcross has been warned, one more slip like that, and he'll be seeking employment elsewhere. Now before we go any further, is your mum at home, so that I can apologise for the guard hitting you?"
"No, she's gone out, thank goodness, she was driving me nuts fussing about what had happened."
"Damn! Other than wanting to see if you were okay, it was one of the reasons I came over."
"Are you in a hurry to return home?"
"No, why?"
"Well, you can keep me company, till my mum returns."
Mitch smiled, saying, "Now that's the best offer I've had all day!"
Part 5
I stood looking across at Mitch, who had this wicked grin on his face.
"Uh, umm, okay then. What do you want to do?" I said nervously, not knowing how to go about entertaining my guest.
"Well, first of all, I think we'd better sit instead of just standing around." And, he took a seat on the settee, patting the place beside him, for me to join him.
As I sat, he asked, "So what had you planned to do, when you got home, after your brief visit to my place?"
"Copy out the course work you lent me, so I would be able to return it to you on Monday. Actually, I'd already started on it but hadn't I done much. I came down to phone you and to apologise, when the doorbell rang, and you arrived. Also, I thought about making something to eat, after the phone call. Only had a snack before I left the house."
"So, what were you going to make?"
"Not sure, my mum hadn't cooked, she wasn't expecting me back so soon."
"I know where there's a whole heap of food waiting to be eaten. It was prepared for a certain visitor to my house, who never got a chance to partake of it."
I looked at Mitch, searching his face for an explanation, as to why he was so forgiving towards me.
Then, he had that grin back on his face again saying, "You want to return with me to my place to eat?"
"I, umm, uh," I stuttered. And, he halted my indecision, saying, with an even broader grin, "I take that as a yes."
I nodded my head in response, and at once, Mitch pulled out his mobile phone and dialled.
"Vince, can you bring the car back to Marlborough Road?"
"No, I'm bringing a guest with me." He cut the connection, and put his phone away, "Shawcross will be here in a few minutes. You want to get your shoes and whatever else you need to wear?" He suggested.
I didn't move, I was still sitting there staring at him. I wondered how I had let this boy start to organise my life, and yet, I didn't resent it.
"Cobey?" his voice, soft and caring, broke my thoughts, "Are you thinking of changing your mind about accompanying me to my place?"
"Uh no, I was considering phoning my mother." I lied, "And letting her know where I was going." I went and picked up the phone to emphasise the point.
I dialled my mother's mobile and waited for her to answer.
"No, Mum, there's nothing wrong," I said when I heard her answer the call, "I phoned to let you know, that I'm going out to Mitch's house."
Just then, I heard Mitch say, "Cobey, can I speak to your mother before you hang up?"
"Hold on, Mum, someone wants to speak to you," and I handed the phone to Mitch.
He apologised to my mother about my being assaulted, and then I heard him saying, "Don't worry, Mrs Hodson, I'll escort him home." And then, he was returning the phone to me. I made my goodbyes to my mother, not before she again asked, if I was alright. And, I suppose from the tone of my voice, she knew when to drop the subject.I put my shoes on and grabbed my coat from the hallway. Mitch asked if he could use our toilet, and I directed him to it.
"Top of the stairs, turn left, and the door directly in front."
He thanked me and bound up the stairs. While waiting for him, the front doorbell rang. I went and opened it, to see my assailant from earlier in the day, standing in doorway.
"Come in, Mr Shawcross." I said, moving to one side and holding the door open, "Mitch won't be long, he's just using the toilet."
He walked in, and after I'd closed the door, he lifted his hand to my face. I flinched at first, but then, he smiled and took my chin gently in his hand. He turned my head, so he could see the side of my face, where he'd hit me saying.
"I'm sorry for what I did, I over reacted to your kicking me and behaved like an imbecile."
"Apology accepted, do you want to sit in the living room, till Mitch finishes?"
"No, I'm okay here. I must say, you're being extremely nice about my behaviour, earlier this afternoon."
"Holding a grudge is not going to get me anywhere, and you have apologised, so the matter is closed." Just then, we heard the flush activated, and shortly afterwards Mitch appeared on the landing.
Coming down the stairs, and seeing the two of us, in the hallway waiting on him, he smiled saying, "I see the two of you have met up again. Shawcross, did you apologise?"
"Yes, he did." I responded, before the guard could speak, "You ready to go?"
"Whenever you say so." he said, joining us by the front door.
The three of us left the house. I, making sure to double lock the front door, then followed Shawcross and Mitch to the car.
When we reached the car, which was parked a few houses down from our house, Shawcross asked, "Mitchell you want to drive?"
"No, you drive, I'll sit at the back with Cobey."
The moment we were seated, Shawcross glided away from the kerb and made for the main road. We had barely gone a couple of hundred metres, when he had to swerve to avoid a car door, suddenly opening in front of him. I hadn't applied my seat belt and was thrown sideways into Mitch, ending up sprawled over his lap. He helped me to right myself, asking if I was okay. Before I could respond, Shawcross's voice cut in, "Cobey, put your seatbelt on." Nodding to Mitch to indicate I was alright, I complied with the driver's request.We arrived at Willow Close without any further incidents. As we approached, the wrought iron gates that loomed like a metal barrier before us. The car slowed but not all that much and I became a bit apprehensive. They suddenly swung open, when I swear we were no more than fifteen metres away. Shawcross steered the car around the drive and brought it to a standstill under the portico adjacent to the front door.
Thanking Shawcross and saying "Goodbye" to him, I followed Mitch to the entrance.
He didn't produce a key, instead he placed his hand on a glass panel. A light, I presumed to be a laser beam, read his palm and finger prints. And seconds later, the door swung open.
The grounds and exterior of the house were impressive, the inside was just indescribable. As I stood inside the door looking around, Mitch grabbed my arm and propelled me along the hallway to the rooms at the rear of the house.
"You can look around later, let's go and eat."
He steered me down the hallway through a huge dining room, then a short passageway and into a kitchen. The kitchen had just about everything in it, along with a woman, who was standing at what can only be described as a cooking range, "El Supremo."
"Hello, Elsie." Mitch greeted the woman at the cooking range, "This is a class mate of mine, Cobey Hodson."
Then turning to me, "Cobey, meet Mrs. Fernbridge, or if she takes a liking to you, it's Elsie."
I went forward and offered my hand, at the same time saying, "Pleased to meet you, Mrs. Fernbridge."
"It's Elsie!" she said, taking the proffered hand, and she held onto it, staring into my eyes. Reaching out, she took my chin in her other hand and turned my head sideways. "Mitchell." she called, "Have you seen this boy's eyes and lashes?"
"Yeah." I heard Mitch respond from the kitchen table, where he'd taken a seat. His eyes twinkling and with that grin back on his face he said, "And, so have all the girls in my senior's class!"
Elsie let go of my face and noticed my blushes. "Don't feel embarrassed!" she said to me. Propelling me towards the kitchen table, "There's many women and some men, who'd give their right arm to have eyes and lashes like yours." She addressed Mitch again, "He's a bit young to be in the same class as you Mitchell?"
"Yep he's got brains oozing out of his ears, you know, one of those child prodigy's."
"I see," Elsie said turning her attention to the food on the range.
As I took a seat opposite Mitch, Elsie started warming food, and also getting plates and cutlery, which she set before us.Mitchell Winters looked across the table at the boy seated opposite him. The boy stirred feelings inside of himself, which he thought he'd laid to rest. For three years, he'd been able to control his true desires, and had even dated the opposite sex. But it had all been a lie. None of his affairs with the girls had lasted more than a few weeks. Now, the green-eyed boy sitting opposite him, had awakened those emotions, that he'd tried to suppress. The moment they'd confronted each other on the stairs, after the tripping incident, he'd fallen in love with the kid. He let his anger get the better of himself, at the boy's refusal to return to the class, so he had hurled an abusive insult at the younger boy.
The way Cobey's eyes had flashed with suppressed anger at the slur, had sent a tingle through his body. Showing no fear, he'd taken the insult thrown at him, and in a controlled voice, turned it to his advantage. He had hurled the same insult back at him with double the venom. He'd stood staring at the boy's retreating back. Open mouthed, and wondered how, he was going to get on the good side of the now departed boy, and win him over as a friend.
Now, here Cobey Hodson sat in his house at the same table, the two of them sharing a meal. He was half way to his goal."A penny for them." I said, staring across the table at Mitch. I had noticed that he'd been silent for a while, and seemed deep in thought.
As my voice broke his chain of thoughts, his face quickly broke into a smile, as he said, "I'm trying to figure out, how I'm going to entertain you, after we've eaten."
I was sure, that wasn't exactly the truth, but didn't question his reply. Instead I said,
"I assumed, because of your silence, you were thinking of the best way to get rid of me, after we'd eaten. But, if you still want my company, we can do some maths revision." I said light heartedly, knowing that most boys of any age would baulk at the idea of maths revision on a Saturday afternoon.
"You must be joking!" Mitch blurted out, "Why would I want to get rid of you, after taking all the trouble to get you here?" I saw his face redden, then he started to bluster. Which, at the time, I attributed to him daydreaming, while in the presence of his guest. "Umm, I mean, uh, umm, after inviting you over, who would want to do maths revision on a Saturday afternoon?" He finally managed to blurt out.
"So, I can presume, maths revision is a no, no. What do you suggest we do, after we've eaten?"
"I'll think of something, that should keep you from being totally bored." He pushed his plate away, denoting he'd finished filling his face. "I'm going to grab some strawberry Pavlova, do you want some?"
"Yeah, you bet!"
Mitch removed his plate and took it over to the sink, where Elsie was busy with some vegetables.
"Leave it on the side, I'll attend to it later. Go and serve your dessert, and don't overdo it with the helpings!" She said, shooing Mitch away from the sink.
By the time Mitch returned to the table with the Pavlova, I'd finished my food and eagerly awaited the dessert: If there was one thing I could make a pig of myself on, it was strawberry Pavlova!Our stomachs full, we paid our respects to Elsie. And, with Mitch in the lead, we made our way out of the kitchen and back towards the main entrance. Once there, we climbed the stairs to the first floor. On the way up, Mitch informed me there were seven bedrooms on that floor. We climbed another flight of stairs to the second floor.
"Why don't you have your bedroom on the first floor? I asked.
"Because my brother and sister visit at least once a month and bring their families with them. It's absolute chaos, when their broods are yelling and screaming for attention. Up here, I have the whole of the second floor to myself and relative peace." Grabbing my arm and propelling me towards the first door, "Let me show you around," he said, as he pulled me into the room.
I just didn't know where to look first. The room was huge: It must have been two rooms knocked into one! To the left of the door, the room stretched out to a wood panelled wall, and a three piece suite faced the wall. There were also speakers and other fittings, which at the moment, I was unaware of their use. Directly in front of us, the window took up nearly half the adjacent wall. A desk, and chair with a monitor, stood in front of the window. The monitor must have been nearly thirty-six inches across and looked like a touch screen PC. A pool table and a rack of cues took up the remaining space to the right side of the room.
Each section of the room had ample space around all the furnishings, so no area was cramped for space.
"This is the entertainment room." Mitch said, as I stood gazing around dumbstruck at the sheer lavishness of everything.
"Come on, we'll be back here later." And, he led me along the passageway to another door, which he opened. I followed him in.
"My bedroom." he said, walking over to the bed and collapsing on it. The room, like the other, appeared to be two rooms knocked into one. The bed was huge: I guess you could get six of me into it. From the bed, Mitch pointed to another door, saying that's the ensuite, and the other door is a walk in wardrobe.
I won't go into details of what else was in it, but you name it, Mitch had it!
Lying on the bed with his hands behind his head, he watched me looking around the room. Then after a few minutes, getting up, he said, "You seen enough?"
I didn't answer, just nodded my head. "Okay then, let's go back to the other room."
Outside in the passage way, I pointed to two other doors, "What are those rooms for?"
"That one," he said, indicating the door nearest to the bedroom, "is my study, where I do all my school work. The other, is a guest room for my friends, who stay overnight."
Back in the entertainments room, Mitch looked at his watch, saying, "We can catch the second half of the afternoon match."
I froze and remained, where I was by the doorway, not following Mitch into the room.
Noticing that I had not responded to his remark, Mitch turned and saw the look of anxiety on my face. Concerned, he asked, "What's up Cobey?"
"I don't want to watch any football!" I managed to get out, at the same time shaking my head vigorously.
"Why?"
"I don't!" I yelled, as my nervousness got the better of me. "Can I go now?" I pleaded.
He came over and grabbed my shoulders. "Cobey lighten up," Mitch said, his voice soft and reassuring, "If you don't want to watch the match, we won't. Come on, you don't have to go home." And I let him lead me over to the settee and take a seat.
We sat in silence for a bit, then his voice softly enquiring, "You, okay?"
I looked at him, smiled, and nodded.
"You want to talk about it?"
I hesitated, and words seemed to get stuck in my throat.
"You don't have to, let's drop the subject. You want to shoot some pool?"
"It brings back too many painful memories, watching football!" I managed to blurt out.
"I'm sorry." Mitch responded. Looking concerned, "You okay now?"
"Yep." Then, deciding to relate my reason for not wanting to watch the match, I said, "I haven't watched a match or kicked a ball, since my dad died."
Mitch remained silent, watching me. I think he was nervous about interrupting me, in case I clammed up again.
"You see, when I watched a match, it wasn't just me sitting on my own. In fact, I never sat on my own, when we watched football. My dad would always make room for me, and I would sit between his legs, leaning my back against his body. His arms would wrap around me, and I would revel in the feelings of love emanating from him. After my dad died, the first time I tried to watch a match, I just broke down and cried. I switched the television off, and since then, I've never wanted to watch a game again."
I finished my explanation and waited for Mitch to say something. He seemed to think for a while, then as if he'd made his mind up, said,
"Cobey, do you trust me?"
"Yes."
"Okay, stand up!" he said, which I did. He sat straighter on the settee, took hold of me, turned me around and, pulled me downwards, to place me between his legs, his arms encircled me, as he gently drew me back to rest against his body.
Part 6
I was so nervous at first I wanted to jump up and run, but I resisted the urge and the longer I sat resting my back against Mitch's body the more comfortable I became. I closed my eyes, and tried to imagine that it was my father once again holding me in his arms, but it was not to be. Mitch's embrace stirred totally different feelings, to the ones I had when my father held me.
I heard a click, and opened my eyes in time to see a panel slide to one side, to reveal a huge screen. Suddenly it lit up and I recognised the red and white shirts of the Arsenal football club that the players were wearing.
"Arsenal are playing Aston Villa," Mitch whispered in my ear.
I watched the team my father had supported play for the first time in four years. The memories came flooding back. But unlike the last time I'd tried to watch a game on the box, the tears did not cascade down my cheeks, lying in Mitch's arms made me feel a lot more comfortable, and gave me the male comfort that I needed.
I was suddenly released as Arsenal scored, and a, "YEAH!" blasted my ear drums as Mitch threw his arms upwards in appreciation of the goal. But I was also yelling in exhilaration, I swivelled in my seat to face him with a grin a mile wide on my face, he once again grabbed hold of me and pulled me into a hug. My face got buried in his shoulder and then I felt the hardness between his legs. I wasn't sure what to do, then decided to make light of it saying, "Let me up I can't see the match with my face buried in your bloody shoulder and that thing poking my thigh."
It was comical to see as Mitch lifted me off him and deposited me by his side on the settee saying, "Oh God! Cobey I'm sorry really sorry."
Not wanting to embarrass Mitch further I said, "No problem. Now can we carry on watching the match?" I rose from sitting beside him got between his legs and sat down, at the same time grabbing his arms and wrapping them around me, as I once again lay back against his body to watch the game, "Now try and control that thing between your legs while we watch the match," I said
"How the Hell do you expect me to control it with your arse pressed against it."
"Well sit straighter, and make a gap, so it's not pressing against me."
"Bollocks, I'm sitting like this, if you don't like it sit on your own."
He couldn't see my face as I grinned to myself. He'd got over his embarrassment and was actually arguing his case for having an erection. "Okay just shut up and watch the box." I said feigning annoyance.
"Cobey," he softly called,
"Yeah."
"You're not pissed off at me."
"If I was pissed off at you would I still be sitting here. Now can we watch the game? OH FUCK! OH SHIT!" I yelled, Villa had equalised. I swivelled and looked at him, "You see what happens when you talk too much?"
He started laughing, as I continued to glare at him, "How can you blame me," he said still laughing.
"Yeah well I have to blame someone, and there's no one else to yell at except those morons on the box, and they can't hear me."
He pulled me forward and kissed me on the end of the nose. Startled I yelped and pulled my head back.
We sat staring at each other.
"What?" Mitch asked.
"What's with the kissing me on the nose."
"Because I wanted to. Now, are you going to argue about it, or carry on watching the game?"
I reverted back to my previous position not saying a word, but a bit confused over Mitch's actions. The match only lasted another twenty minutes and although Villa pressed hard for a winning goal, Arsenal managed to hold on for the draw.
The game over I made to stand but Mitch's arms around me wouldn't let me rise. I swivelled my head to look at him to see a big grin on his face.
"What's so funny?" I said frowning.
"You, I've never seen anyone cringe, or squirm, so much when their team is being run ragged."
"Okay you've had your fun now let me up."
"Why," he said still grinning, "It's really cosy like this."
"You're enjoying this aren't you?"
"Yep."
I looked at Mitch's face trying to gauge the reason for his holding me, but couldn't make out a thing because of that stupid grin.
"Come on Mitch let me up will you."
"Why?"
"The match is over that's why."
"So you only want to make use of me," he said frowning, "You're alright sitting here with me while the game is on but as soon as it's over it's bye, bye."
"No it's not like that it's, umm you don't have your friend's arms around you when you're sitting talking."
He took his arms from around me saying, "Okay sit where you want."
His tone of voice told me he wasn't very pleased with what I'd just said. But come to think about it he was right. I had in a way made use of his presence to watch the game. Maybe I might have been okay sitting by myself when the match came on, as it had been four years since last watching a game. But sitting with Mitch had made it so much easier. I didn't move when he released me instead I faced the front again and lay back resting against him. His arms encircled me, and pulled me tighter into his body.
I could feel his hardness as he pressed it harder against me, "Mitch," I croaked, as I was getting emotionally concerned as to what was happening.
"Yes" he responded his breath blowing on my ear as he leaned forward to bring his face close to mine.
"I, umm," I swivelled my head looking at him his face nearly touching mine, "What are you doing?"
He'd let his feelings take control of his actions and suddenly realising what had happened he jumped from the chair lifting me as well. From the happy cheerful Mitch, suddenly his face looked drawn and he wouldn't look me in the eye, "I think I'd better take you home," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Why?" I blurted out. And he quickly looked at me enquiringly.
"Because of what happened on the settee, that's why."
I knew I had to say something to get Mitch to stop feeling guilty at what had taken place. "You got an erection and pressed it against my arse. Big deal, anyway you were rousing a few feelings inside of me as well."
"I umm, are you, umm, homosexual as well?" He managed to get out hesitantly.
"Haven't really thought about sex," I said, "I've had my head buried in my studies for the last two and a half years. And yeah before you ask I have had wanks but not all that many, mostly wet dreams."
"So you're not pissed off at what happened?"
"Are you stupid or something. If I was angry I wouldn't still be standing here yapping to you, I'd be halfway home by now."
The grin was back on his face again as he said, "You have such a nice way of putting things."
"Yeah whatever." I hesitated a moment then taking the bull by the horns said, "I need to talk to you Mitch, about myself."
The moment I said it he was all concerned, "What's wrong, you can tell me anything."
"There's nothing wrong idiot. It's about the feelings I had when we were sitting together. I enjoyed it and like you I got aroused."
He took my arm led me over to the settee again sat down again placing me between his legs.
"Don't worry," he said reassuringly as he placed his arms around me, and pulled me back to rest against his body. "I've got my emotions under control as long as you don't start squirming around and rubbing your arse on my dick."
"What," I swivelled my head to look at him.
"I'm joking," he laughed. Then becoming more serious asked, "So what do you want to talk about?"
Turning my head forward so he couldn't see my embarrassment and resting it on his shoulder stuttering I began, "Umm, uh, you see I don't know a lot about sex and all that stuff. Yeah I've read a bit about it on the internet and had those stupid sex lessons at school. Where everybody sat around giggling and knew more than what the teacher did, except me. Unlike the other kids I'd never had any practical experience with another person. I don't know if I'm a homo, or hetero. Or anything else you can think of."
Mitch interrupted me asking, "You've not experienced anything at all with a girl, or boy?"
"Nothing, I just said so, that's why I need to talk to you, I've looked at pics of both boys and girls on the net when I need to get off, but recently it's been more boys than girls." I paused for a bit, nervous about what I was going to say next, then plucked up courage and continued, "Last night when I had a wet dream it was you that caused the discharge."
I turned and faced Mitch again blushing slightly.
Her leaned forward and like before he kissed me on the nose, "That doesn't mean a thing Cobey. People have all sorts of weird dreams when they're fantasizing about sex. You'll only truly know about your sexual orientation when you actually experience it. Yes you might now be attracted to boys."
"Not boys," I interrupted him, "Just one boy."
His eyes roved over my face noting my seriousness, "Okay one boy. What about girls?"
"Umm I don't know, I've never experienced anything with a girl, I haven't really had any contact with either sex, except for you in the last four years."
"Would you like to try going out with a girl?"
"Wouldn't know what to do, or how to chat her up, or even kiss her."
"Oh Christ!" He exclaimed. "Okay would you want to learn how to kiss?"
"With you?" I asked incredulously
"Do you see anybody else in the room?"
"Umm," I hesitated then deciding to go for it said, "Okay what do I do?"
"First of all let's stand up. That's normally the first position you're likely to be in when kissing someone for the first time, but nowadays anything goes."
We stood facing each other then Mitch, who was about ten inches taller than me said, "First of all when going to kiss someone you don't want your noses to collide."
I giggled a bit at that, and he gave me a withering look. "You want to learn how to kiss or not?"
I kept quiet and nodded my head.
"Okay now to carry on until someone started giggling like a girl. So if he or she tilts their head to the right then you also tilt your head to the right. Then open your mouth slightly and bring your lips together. You can if you want on a first kiss slowly insert your tongue into the other person's mouth. If she or he doesn't object, then gently stroke her tongue with yours. Don't waggle it around like a dog's tail, like some people do thinking it's the height of eroticism."
Seeing the look of puzzlement on my face Mitch stopped for a while then said, "Give me your hand."
I did and he started to rub it quite quickly for a few seconds then stopped and then gently stroked it. "Which of the two actions did you think was the more sensual?" He asked.
"When you stroked my hand."
"Good you've felt the difference remember it."
"But how long does it take to learn how to kiss properly."
"Well we'll try it now and see how you do, then I can gauge your abilities."
"Umm, are we actually going to kiss, you and I?" I asked nervously
"Jeez I'm sure there's no one else in here but I'd better check again," Mitch replied emphasising the point by exaggeratedly looking all around the room
"Okay, you don't have to be sarky."
Mitch came closer so our bodies were touching, he put his arms around me, and I stopped him by saying, "What do I do with my hands?"
"The same as I'm going to do with mine, when you've got your arms around the person and you start to kiss you can keep your hands motionless or use them to gently massage the other person's body. Or when you get more intimate you can fondle the more private areas. But for now we'll just stick with the kissing."
Once again he wrapped his arms around me, bent his head tilting it slightly to the right. I lifted my face upwards to meet with his, and did as he had instructed me.The third most important change to my life came in that next moment, and one that will stay with me forever.
The instant our lips met I had the most wonderful sensation pass through my being. I thought it couldn't get better till Mitch's tongue penetrated my mouth and gently caressed my own. I was in Heaven. I closed my eyes and let Mitch's arms support me as I seemed to drift away and revel in feelings of pure ecstasy.
T.B.C.
If you wish to respond to the story then please do so to :- cable4uw@yahoo.com