"So you are saying he winked at you? Like he digs you right?", Gerald asked as they sat down for class.
"I don't know," David shrugged as Gerald seemed deeply interested in the story , while Winfrey thought over it as he remained silent during David's discussion.
"Man , you said he checked you out too , plus he winked at you once your Mom and sister weren't around. If that's not digging you , then what do you call it?"
"I just ... I think I probably misread the situation. There is no way he could have been into me," Winfrey couldn't blame David for the self depreciation; his friend had received harsh criticism from his previous crushes either because he was black or not into him.
Gerald wanted to say something but a cheery female voice caused him to sigh in exasperatedly and roll his eyes.
"Guys , do me a favor ," he got up from his desk and jumped out of the classroom window , making David and Winfrey wonder why he was running away like a criminal. "Just say you haven't since me around. There is this chick who is hella annoying . So...shit!". He ducked once he saw the pepite blonde approach his friends.
"Have you seen Ger baby around?" The blonde asked.
"Good morning to you too Cynthia," Winfrey said sarscatically with a huge grin as he slyly looked at Gerald , ready to milk whatever he could from this . Cynthia Ross was known to be very clingy to guys , that's why most of them avoided her like the plague. And then there were guys like Gerald who made the dumb mistake of flirting with her - she was pretty ,with nice curves , but way too annoying.
"I want to know where my Ger baby is?". Gerald cringed from his hiding position at the pet name , they weren't even an item, they just hooked up at a school party and once, but the girl was so delusional she thought they were a couple.
"You came all the way from Scarlett Prep to our little school just to ask about Gerald?", David asked , finding the girl's lust and determination for his friend amusing.
Scarlett Prep was an all girls' school that was just a town over . It was fancy unlike their school; St Patrick's Academy was known for its poor academic performance and it's mild grafitti. Only a few students were able to pass with distinctions , and if they were lucky , a couple of merits as well.
"Yes. Now answer the question, is Gerald around or not, you are his friends aren't you?"
David and Winfrey exchanged a look and played their dumb card as they acted oblivious to where their friend was.
"No idea," Winfrey shrugged nonchalantly.
"Not a clue," David chipped in. Both boys wanted to laugh when they heard Gerald sigh in relief, it took all their might and main to keep a straight face.
"I don't believe you two. I know how you are boys operate with your bro codes ," the girl was practically screeching attracting attention, " Ger! I know you can hear me! I will be back baby! You can't hide from me!"
Some girls, several of whom had crushes on Gerald, glared at Cynthia as the blonde stormed off.
"Another poor victim of Gerald's ," Miriam walked up to the boys with a knowing grin.
"Hey you," Winfrey smiled at his girlfriend and kissed her. Miriam Jackson had dark raven hair and baby blue eyes, she wasn't as voluptuous as most of the girls like Monica , but Miriam was beautiful.
"Am offended Miriam," Gerald spoke up as he jumped back into the classroom. The girl looked at him with a brow.
"Your cassonova attitude is going to land you in trouble . More girls like Cynthia will come after you like a mob with torches." There was a hint of wisdom in Miriam's eyes that David detected , maybe living with a grandmother had that effect.
"You see little missy , you can't blame me if the ladies love me," Gerald touched his chest dramatically as he basically bragged , he knew he was attractive and if girls couldn't resist wanting a piece of him , who was he to deny?
"Fortunately , Miriam doesn't fall under the category," David exclaimed.
"Couldn't have said it better ," Miriam high fived David."by the way , the scars on your palms make you all super hot," David smiled at the compliment, "especially you," she kissed Winfrey on the cheek , as she went to her seat as the teacher walked in , leaving her boyfriend's cheeks blushing pink.
While Winfrey wasn't looking , Gerald jumped at the opportunity to make a mocking facial impression of the lovestruck look on his friend's face causing David to hit him in the chest.
The fantastic trio were making their way out of the school as the school day ended, so sooner had they approached the gates when they heard someone yelling for David. The three turned and David was sure he had a dumb dopey look on his face at the moment.
"Ryan hi,"
"You good?", Ryan asked as David nodded . Winfrey and Gerald studied Ryan seeing he was definitely new to the community ; having never seen him before.
"What are you doing here?" , David asked. Ryan smiled as he gestured to his bicycle and the goods on it , causing the black boy to feel something fluttering in his stomach - Ryan had a dead drop smile.
Gerald could see the other guy was flirting with his oblivious friend with the smile , he himself knew that trick; just because he was straight didn't mean he couldn't tell when people of the same gender flirted amongst each other.
"I had to run a delivery for some girl who attends this school."
"Ok. Uhm, these are my best friends , Gerald and Winfrey." David pointed to the two as he addressed them both and Ryan nodded politely. Gerald gave him a nod , while Winfrey just studied him , he was sure Elsa would not approve of someone flirting with her children , especially David.
"So David you new around these parts?", Winfrey spoke up and Ryan nodded, David wanted to roll his eyes and Gerald internally groaned - they knew when their friend was being interogative.
"Yeah , I moved in with my Dad , he owns a shop near by."
"Oh !Steel as in 'Mr's Steel's Lucky convinent store ' , that man has the best prices!" Gerald exclaimed as he realized why the last name seemed familiar. He and Winfrey had bought some condoms there sometime , he vividly recalled the shop owner, obviously now ; Ryan's dad telling the two to be safe during sex with their respective partners and always come for more.
Winfrey's brain was making the same connection as Gerald's , now that he thought about it , Ryan did look like a young version of Mr Steel.
"How do you know my last name?"Ryan asked.
"David told us," Winfrey replied noticing how Ryan smiled when he said David recalled his last name.
"You talking about me," Ryan said to David with a smile that was still intact, Gerald and Winfrey could see he was flirting with their friend on the sly. "Can I talk to you alone?"
"Alone?", David squeaked.
"Sure!", Gerald replied on his best friend's behalf.
"Hold on a minute -," Winfrey tried to rebuff , but the older boy was just pulled away by Gerald as Ryan watched in amusement.
"Your friends seem pretty fun."
"They are ," David awkwardly scratched his left ear as he recalled the wink Ryan sent him the previous day.
"You are always in uniform when we see each other," David self consciously looked at his uniform; the white shirt , the navy blue tye and the grey trousers , while girls wore a grey skirt. He and Winfrey always wore their uniform formally , while most guys like Gerald , had their sleeves unbuttoned and rolled up , and other boys didn't tuck in. Girls would loosen their ties and show part of their clevage , not that the teachers cared about dress code.
"It would be nice to see you out of them," David's eyes widened at the statement as a mischevious smile was put up on Ryan's face.
"You smile alot , umh...am sure girls fawn over it," David tried to change the topic, he was honestly hoping he misunderstood Ryan ; did the other boy mean naked or just seeing him in anything that wasn't school uniform.
Ryan chuckled , "everyone says the same thing . And yeah , girls love it , however they mourn when they hear I route for the other team." Ryan maintained eye contact with David as he said that , moving closer to the black boy taking in his scent , he smiled when David's breath hitched .
David forced himself to look into those brown hazel eyes ; he could tell Ryan wasn't messing with him.
"So you have been flirting with me?"
"Well you checked me out first , so naturally it's to flirt , am I right ?", David felt like melting at his bluntness.
"And what ? you expect me to fawn over and drop to your feet because you are such a hot stuff ," David scoffed, he may be inexperienced, but that did not mean he was easy, and a part of him was worried that Ryan was straight and just trying to mess with him .
"Of course not." Ryan said seriously as he leaned on his bicycle not daring to break eye contact with.
"If you want I can stop flirting with you if it makes you uncomfortable."
David bit his lower lip , he did enjoy someone actually flirting with him . Ryan saw the action and smirked .
"Or do you want me to contuine," he asked in a low voice as he leaned in and talked in David's ear , ignoring the students passing by them. David felt shivers as he felt the other boy's warm breath, both boys enjoyed the body heat they could feel radiating off the other. David found it in himself to muster the willpower to put his hand on Ryan's chest creating some space between them.
"Am not that easy ," .
"Who said you were ?", Ryan looked at David's lips hungrily as he wet his own with his tongue , causing David to roll his eyes; he was wondering if he really had such an effect on Ryan.
Meanwhile , Gerald and Winfrey watched everything from across the street. Gerald seemed very amused at seeing the show in front of him , while Winfrey went into protective mode .
"He really is shameless , flirting with David right there in school premises."
"Please Winy, we live in Ruby Core , almost everyone flirts anywhere at any place at any time," Gerald said with an eye roll - there was literally a lady flirting with with a gang member on his bike right next to them, however Winfrey just stood there ignoring his point.
"Well , I don't like how he keeps trying to get in David's personal space - like doesn't he get personal boundaries."
"Winy , you are just been overprotective, David already has his mother to do that. Besides , aren't you happy for him? He literally said it yesterday how he thought no boy can like him in this town and one finally does. So what's the problem?
Winfrey looked at Gerald knowing he had a point there . He looked at the scar on his palm and sighed.
"Of course I want to be happy someone has taken an interest in David -,"
" - But?", Gerald probbed , knowing full well it was coming .
"But he seems like a flirt , very much like you. How sure he doesn't want to use him for his body or some play thing?"
"Man , we know our home boy is inexperienced when it comes to relationships and how they work. But we know he's tough when he has to be , he did it by creating some distance between them didn't he? Trust him , our little boy is growing."
"For his sake , I hope you are right."
"Of course am right , when am I ever wrong." Winfrey looked at Gerald with a challenging brow , the former was ready to air his point of view when Gerald raised his hands in surrender , " geez , just don't ." He knew full well Winfrey had a very good memory of all the times they got in trouble because of him and Gerald was certain , Winfrey wouldn't hesitate to go into a lengthy account of the misfires.
"Go on a date with me sometime we can know each other better ," Ryan said as he got onto his bicycle while David laughed.
"Don't people need to be in a relationship to go on a date?," Ryan smirked at the question.
"It doesn't have to be a relationship, it's just two guys trying to know each other better." He shrugged nonchalantly as he looked at David waiting for an answer.
"I need to go home," David turned his back to Ryan and walked in the direction of his friends.
"That wasn't a no!", David could hear the glee in Ryan's voice .
"That seemed to have gone be well," Gerald with full cockiness in his tone.
"Let's not talk about it." David said , not really looking forward to Gerald's teasing and Winfrey's advice. As the three boys continued walking , David saw a classmate of his , Miranda get out of some geep with expensive bags in her hands . He always wondered how some of his peers always came with the latest accessories , because he very well knew they weren't rich , and most of the did not scream ' work ethic'. He had heard that some of them made pornography videos just for cash and that made him cringe.
Gerald and Winfrey also observed another vehicle ; not surprising in the least. Ruby Core was like some beacon for criminals in the big league . They were either recruiting or looking for sexual favors. Some rumors circulated on who made porn videos in their school and how quick subscribers paid just to watch, and from the two's perspective that was better than prostitution, the downside however , was that a bunch of creeps obviously watched too - perverted men and women oogling young meat.
"Donnie , it's been a while , nice to see you in the neighborhood again. How can I serve you?", Monica Ross aka mini madame as said in excitement. She was Nevile's foster sister and the recruiter of her fellow youth into prostitution. Currently she was in the vehicle of one of the notorious criminals in the country.
"Thought it would be nice to cruise by . Jez still not aware of your business?"
" Hey , a girl has to hussle , besides , I still offer her those who want to join her business."
Sebastian Loch aka Don Silver chuckled , Jezebel Thorn was a rival competitor in the drug trafficking world and a nasty bitch too , so hearing one of her own cheat her was funny.
"Tell me , what's his name , the black boy in the middle?"
Monica looked out the window and followed Don Silver's line of sight and scowled , "David Murray? Don't tell me you want him to work for you? He's pretty soft , I don't think he can manage in your criminal organization."
"I want him all for me - I want him in my bed."
"Seriously?", Monica chuckled but stopped immediately Don sent her a threatening look. He could be charming as well as dangerous. Don Silver was a very attractive man that turned women on and made men envious.
Dark jelled hair with some grey in it , dark eyes , awesome tan , sexy broad chest with few chest hairs on it and a demeanour that screamed sex machine.
"You seriously want David for a call boy?", She asked seriously this time.
"Is there a problem? That's why I came to you , you know everyone in this town , can't you acquire him for me. You know I reward you handsomely ."
"It's not that," Monica said as she stopped chewing the gum in her mouth , Silver was her biggest client in her side business and it would be impolitic to lose him. "It's just ,... well , he's not your usual type of demand?"
"Its fun to have new experiences," Don Silver exclaimed as he eyed the black boy walking with friends. The vehicle had tinted walls , hence only they could see them . What crime lords didn't own a tinted vehicle? In addition to it been bullet proof.
"You have developed a weird taste then , because he is just average - no muscle too. And he's also a virgin ." Don Silver's turned so fast to look at her in disbelief , the teenager just remained poker face. She couldn't believe he wanted a black boy to sleep with - and it had to be David Murray.
"Am not kidding Donnie , he is still a fucking virgin. And you don't do them remember? You said you hate how virgins can't take your cock we they whine about it's size?"
Don Silver thought about it and shrugged.
"Well , new experiences. I want him , no matter what. I will pay you a deposit , then I will give you some cash and gifts you will use to impress him on my behalf. And then , I will pay you the remainder of your fees. Then I will fuck him untill his ass is sore and his little virgin hole wants more ."
Don Silver knew very well the boy would obviously agree once he saw the presents and cash . In this neighborhood , whether the boys or girls were straight or not , as long as they were washed in cash and pampered well , they immediately agreed . He didn't have sex with virgins after the whole whining experience of never having sex before .But the thought of the boy being one just turned him on that he would take his virginity.
The fantastic trio were approaching the Murray house when they saw a crowd gathered a few blocks from David's house. The three boys looked at one another and exchanged a look.
As they got closer , they could hear a woman crying out loud - a deep cry filled with pain .
"My daughter! They killed her! Those bastards killed my daughter!", The woman - Mrs Tanner shouted as her husband tried to comfort her , he too in tears.
David , Gerald and Winfrey looked at the body covered in a trash bag , they heard one of the ladies saying the body was dropped at the Tanner household in the early mornings in the same trash bag.
The three stared in shock as they looked at the lifeless body of thirteen year old Abigail Tanner.
The fantastic trio remembered her as one of the few good students the school ever heard , she was very good and debates and other areas of academics.
Winfrey shook his head in sympathy , Abigail had potential to become someone important in life and now death snatched her. David felt his heart break as he watched the inconsolable Mrs Tanner as she mourned her daughter.
Unlike his friends , Gerald stared at the girl very carefully , he studied her features. He noticed she wasn't attending school today these past few days , and she was one to be ever present and now he knew why. Abigail's brown hair contained pink highlights , her ears were pierced , two earrings on each and he immediately drew up the conclusion the girl had joined a gang.
"I don't know why they are crying , they should have kept a watchful eye on her ," someone said from the crowd and Gerald felt like cussing at them , he couldn't believe they had the audacity to make such a remark causing both parents to mourn and sob louder . Gerald looked at the corpse of girl , he vivdly recalled how the young girl wrote him a childish ' do you like me ' note , he played it nice and had told her he did but she was too young for him just to spare Abigail's feelings. It wasn't fair she got entangled with gang activities. It was most likely she was killed by her gang or a rival one.
David then saw his mother and Miriam's grandmother , Ms Marion amongst the crowd. The two were good friends and attended church service together , so it didn't faze him they were both here together; they were birds of the se feather as they shared similar core values. Elsa gave her son a look and David understood the message in her eyes: Go Home Now.
He took one last glance at Abigail's body somberly, it was times like this , David remembered how his mother this world was a cruel place .
"I can't believe Abigail passed away," David said as he put on a shirt and a sleeveless hoodie while Winfrey put on his pajamas - having decided to sleep at the Murray's .
"Me too , but can we not talk about it?", Winfrey asked as he put on a shirt; the topic was still depressing for him. He had seen how the girl's parents shed tears over her loss and it made him wonder who would mourn for him like that . Sure he had his friends , and Elsa who was a mother to him would be affected , but he highly doubted his dad would shed a single tear for him .
He knew not all parents were open with expressing their affection , Elsa was a good example, she was strict but she had her vulnerable moments when she softned. But his Dad- Winfrey wasn't sure he loved him nor did he even try, he didn't know what he did to patent his father's negligence. He always wished he moved in with the Murrays , he always felt at home here , but he knew Elsa had alot on her plate and even though she graciously offered him to stay , he couldn't agree ; it was his pride and self respect that won and the end.
"Sure." David replied with a nod. He understood why his friend didn't want to talk about it - death was indeed an uncomfortable topic. It could snatch anyone at any day any time , every human had a ticking clock waiting to go off so they expire.
The two heard a rapping sound on David's windows , causing the two to exchange a look. Could it be a thief? . It wouldn't be the first time someone tried to break in the house.
The rapping contuined and Winfrey rose an elegant brow , why would a thief contuine rapping on the window.
David noticed Winfrey looked like he was about to go into protect mode and the former wanted to scoff. He loved Winfrey liked a big brother , but that didn't mean David couldn't himself. He grabbed a pen from his table and composed himself to face what perilous opponent was outside.
He launched the pen in a stab attack but halted when he saw it was Ryan outside his bedroom window.
"Wow , calm down it's me," Ryan raised his hands in surrender , leaving the other two boys flabbergasted by his presence.
"What the hell are you doing here?", Winfrey asked , more like interrogated the other hazel eyed boy.
"Exactly , why are you lurking like some creep?".
"Am here for our date.", Ryan replied with a dopey grin that made David soften , of all the boys he ever had a crush on , Ryan definitely topped them and it was because of how charming and deadly his smile was.
"You are seriously still on that ?" David asked and Ryan nodded a little bit too eagerly. "I didn't say yes."
"But you didn't say no either." Ryan countered as he leaned on the window frame , "come on , let's go."
"David do not even think about it," Winfrey glared at his friend upon seeing the smitten look once Ryan flashed puppy dog eyes . Ryan was still a stranger to them , so obviously didn't trust David alone with him.
"Winfrey is right, it's a school night and my mom wouldn't approve, I could get in trouble."
"It won't be too long , twenty minutes at most and I will bring you back , my bike is outside your gate." David could hear the conviction in Ryan's voice and the obstinacy was evident in his eyes as well; he wasn't going to leave unless he followed suit. David turned to look at Winfrey with an apologetic look before he climbed outside the window and joined Ryan.
Winfrey's jaw dropped as he watched David sneak off with Ryan. He made a slient prayer in his heart that his friend would be safe with the new boy in town. He had never seen David this excited over someone, but yet again , no guy ever felt the same as his friend like Ryan apparently did, he only hoped he wasn't using his friend.
David and Ryan had managed to sneak out , they were almost caught when Trisha , who had returned from the restaurant , opened her window. Currently the two were on Ryan's bicycle with David sitting in the basket carrier. He gazed at the stars above and the bright moon that acted as a withness to the stunt he just pulled. David couldn't believe he snuck out of the house all because of Ryan.
"Here we are," Ryan exclaimed as they reached their destination; lovers' bridge . It was basically a truss bridge , but it was a famous spot for those who wanted to make out. But so far , it was only the two of them here.
"Did you chose this place concidentally or did you hear about it?" David rose a brow at him , there was no way Ryan just picked this spot put of the blue and the mischevious smile only answered his suscipions.
" A friend told me about this area , so I thought it was a good idea. Plus , it doesn't scream romantic that's just the bonus. By the way , you look cuter out of your uniform." David rolled his eyes and looked up at the night sky , he was a fun of stargazing , unbeknownst to him , Ryan was watching him with a small smile.
"When did you move here?", David asked breaking the silence that seemed to last for eternity.
"Two months ago , my parents were divorced so I lived with my mom untill she passed away and I came here."
"Am sor-," but David was interupted when Ryan raised a hand .
"Don't I don't like sympathy and I don't want the mood to get sour. I told you because you asked , not to be pited."
"Understood," David said as he nodded. He noticed Ryan come closer to him and the black boy felt his breath hitch when he felt Ryan's breath on his lips.
"Please," Ryan said in a low voice , his eyes closed , "please. Can ...I kiss you? It's all I have been thinking about. I can't control myself much longer. Please."
David's eyes were also closed , he loved the way Ryan was saying please , he felt very fluttered that the other boy was seeking his consent and not just kissing him there and then.
"You may," he responded and Ryan opened his eyes , he looked at David for confirmation again and the latter nodded.
David felt Ryan lick his lips with his tongue which made the former shiver. Ryan then kissed him too eagerly , have s lips brushing against David. David began to reciprocate the kiss. Their lips began to move simultaneously , dancing in rythyme , playing each other like an instrument. David sucked Ryan's lip which gave him access to his mouth permitting him to let his tongue in.
David gasped softly when Ryan placed his hands on his hips and Ryan's tongue explored David's mouth as well. David couldn't believe how good his first kiss felt ; he never expected the experience to feel like fire works going off. He then squeezed Ryan's arms enjoying the muscle in them , he was gladly , the other boy was not wearing sleeves as this allowed him to appreciate how well builit he was.
David felt an erection in his pants and pulled away from the kiss once he felt Ryan's boner trying to brush against his.
"That was ....," David sighed , he felt out of breath and a little embrassed by the bulge in his pants that was noticable.
"It was amazing." Ryan smiled at David sincerely and David smiled back. They both moved in and kissed each other again.
They were unaware , that this night would be the beginning of the trials life was so waiting for them.