The Delinquents:

 

Thursday:

(Between classes in the hallway)

 

“Christ, Heero. You look sick, man,” Wufei says as he places a hand upon my forehead. “Have you been sleeping at all?”

 

“It’s the look of a lonesome lover,” Dorothy replies in a dreamy voice as she gives a dramatic sigh and places a hand upon her chest. “You miss, Duo, don’t you?”

 

“Give him a break, will you?” Trowa says a bit curtly as he eyes me in concern. “He did say that Duo was sick, didn’t he?”

 

Quatre looks solemn. “We should have all gone to pay him a visit. I say we all go today after school.”

 

This seems to sit well with the others as they all nod and murmur in agreement. But I find myself shaking my head and saying quickly. “No…no need to do that.”

 

Relena eyes me warily. “What do you mean by that? Just because he’s your boyfriend, doesn’t mean you have to hog him all to yourself. We’re his friends too, you know.”

 

“He just doesn’t want visitors around, okay? He said he’ll be back to school tomorrow, so why don’t we just wait for him to show up then.”

 

Relena opens up her mouth to argue with me again, but Dorothy pacifies her with a gentle nod. “Let’s go, Relena. I’m sure Heero’s right.” She turns to give me a small wink and for once I think I’m actually grateful to her for rescuing me. “We’ll catch you boys later.” And dragging along a very reluctant Hilde and Relena, the girls make their way to their next class and I’m left with the guys.

 

“So, do you want to tell us what’s really going on, Heero?” Trowa asks firmly as we continue to make our way towards the gardens. Our History teacher isn’t going to show up today and so we have a free period to do whatever we wanted.

 

What’s going on? I’m really not sure I want to say anything right now to them. I’m still a bit confused about my selfish motives in wanting to keep Duo away from all of them and yet wanting to let them know the whole truth. And so instead of saying anything, I stubbornly remain silent and lead them towards the exits.

 

It’s a breathtaking day outside and many students besides us are also taking advantage of it. Some are studying, others playing a game of touch football, some just relaxing and enjoying the cool breeze. The tennis and outdoor basketball courts are packed with members and interested onlookers alike and for a short while we stand amongst the crowd to watch the match between two upperclassmen. Our favorite wins, of course, and we walk on with inner satisfaction…at least I hope it’s a sense of satisfaction.

 

There’s no doubt that the absence of Duo is so much more evident now. It’s not as if he hung out with us a lot, but at least he was becoming a ‘member’ in some way. I didn’t sleep much last night. I kept tossing and turning restlessly, wondering if Duo was doing okay or if he had eaten some more of the soup that was left over or something. I would have loved to have stopped over to check his condition this morning but I had woken up late and had almost missed the bus.

 

I wish he were out here with me…us…enjoying this beautiful weather. He would have been out there on the basketball courts in that familiar black shorts and red t-shirt that would probably be drenched in sweat. That is the image of the Duo that I know not the one of his shivering, weak form lying in bed all alone and hungry and…

 

That’s it. I’m cutting class and going to see him now! I rise to my feet quickly (we were about ready to make ourselves comfy on the grass) and naturally this raises a few eyebrows.

 

“What’s up, Heero?” Wufei asks while trying to pull out his Chemistry notebook from his bag. “Going to take a leak?”

 

“No,” I reply shortly. “I’m going home actually.”

 

“What?!”

 

They had all said that at the same time by the way.

 

I shrug lightly and give them a small smile. “I just need to take care of a few things…”

 

“You’re going to see Duo, aren’t you?” Quatre says knowingly as he chews thoughtfully on the end of his pen. “The Heero Yuy I know would never cut class for any other mundane reason. Can we come with you?”

 

“We can’t all skip class at the same time…” I begin to protest, but they are already laughing at me.

 

“Have you forgotten the time we played hooky in our very first year?” Trowa reminisces with a small smile. “We were so tired of having classes that day that we all snuck into the early riders’ bus and lit out!”

 

A reluctant smile comes to my lips at the memory but we were much younger then and had nothing to lose. There’s no way we could get away with it now! “No, you guys…you should stay here and…”

 

“There’s something you aren’t telling us, Heero,” Wufei says firmly but calmly as he stares intently at me. I did say that look of his always unnerves me for some reason. I lick my lips slowly and try to stall for time again.

 

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I say quietly.

 

Quatre smiles and raises his knees to his chest. He wraps his arms around his legs and says softly. “We’ve known you for this long, Heero. We can tell when something’s wrong with you or not and you’ve been acting a bit weird lately and I’m sure it’s not just about Duo’s illness.”

 

Damn my friends for knowing way too much about me. I thought I was able to keep things away from them, but I guess being together all these years can reveal sides to one that he never wishes for others to see.

 

My vulnerability for one thing.

 

I have always taken pride in being able to mask my inner emotions from others. My focus on duty and discipline has earned me respect and trust amongst my peers and elders alike. The very idea of being ‘weak’ or ‘too soft’ is something I do not wish to associate with myself. My father had instilled the virtue of being strong in adversity and has always had a ‘take the bull by the horns’ mentality. If I set my eyes on something, I was going to have to work hard to get it. Hard work and dedication are my mottos and nothing is going to change that.

 

Ever since I can remember, I have not made it a point of duty to seek for companionship or friendship from anyone. I worked alone and did not have the need for anyone else to accompany me in my goals for the future. But that had all changed with my entrance to this school.

 

Fujisaki High is a rather prestigious school. One can consider it a private facility but not quite. Why? Because anyone can be admitted into this school…as long as you have an outstanding grade point average or entrance exam scores. I was already a shoo-in for admission. In fact, they had come to me in the hopes that I would attend. I don’t like to brag, but I felt really good and smug about that at the time – Heh, to think that schools would grovel to get me to attend.

 

Anyway, back to my story about the guys. I had made up my mind to come to Fujisaki High and to dedicate the next four years of my life to being the best that I could possibly be. I would have no time for extra curricular affairs (although joining several clubs and of course the Student Council are an extra bonus on your ‘resume’ when leaving the school) and I would dedicate myself to becoming the best student ever recorded in the history of Fujisaki. But all my plans had come to a crashing halt when Wufei Chang had been paired up with me in a Chemistry lab experiment. His no-nonsense attitude and belief that I was nothing more than a small fry enabled me to respect him…a little. I had thought he was a cold-hearted bastard but after spending several days in his company (having to go through notes and all of that) we became reluctant friends.

 

Through Wufei, I met Trowa, who was already a member of the Drama and Music club. Trowa was a pretty quiet guy at the time and didn’t talk much unless you really engaged him in a topic that was his forte – namely…eh…drama and music. The boy could play the flute like a professional and he would regale Wufei and me for hours with his pantomime acts.

 

Quatre came to the school a bit late – he had been on a whirlwind trip around the world with his father and so his entry to the school was delayed by a month or so. But that didn’t stop him from seeking us out one day after classes and talking with us. It turns out that he and Trowa had a lot in common and before long, but guys would play their instruments (Quatre is a whiz at the violin) and act out mini-plays for us.

 

And so there I was, with three new friends that I could talk to and not feel too awkward when I hung around them. I was reluctant to admit that it was fun to know that I could come to school everyday and have someone to share my thoughts with. I didn’t want to admit that seeing the three of them waiting by the gate each morning was a major thrill for my rather lonesome existence. These were three guys I could trust and I could want nothing better.

 

We’ve laughed and cried together over the years. We’ve argued like spoiled brats sometimes but it had only done more to bring us closer to one another. It might sound corny but these guys were the brothers I’ve always wanted. Each has their own unique personality but despite it all, we end up working well together.

 

And now we have one more to complete the picture.

 

It’s a bit strange now that I think of it. There have been guys over the years and even now, who we talk to and hang out with, but they aren’t…right, if you know what I mean. So just what is it about Duo that stands out? What makes him so different from all the others? His personality isn’t exactly distinct. I have met other guys with similar quirks and nuance to annoy the hell out of me. So why? Why is he…?

 

Maybe because he’s the only person who’s dared to kiss and touch you so intimately?

 

I swallow tightly and shake my head rapidly trying not to allow a hot blush to fill my cheeks. No, forget the physical aspect of the situation. It has to be more than that. I cannot put my finger on it, but I’ll find out soon enough. I’ll eventually find out just why Duo’s so…special.

 

“So? Are we going to do this or what?” Trowa interrupts my thoughts with a small yawn. “I’m starving by the way.”

 

“You just finished a club sandwich, you glutton,” Quatre says around a snicker. “What are you? A garbage disposal?”

 

“It was half a sandwich for your information,” the taller boy protests although he looks a bit flushed at the observation.

 

“All right,” I finally interrupt as I get to my feet. I frown in thought as I try to figure out a way to get us all out of school without causing a commotion. “We could always get a pass…”

 

Wufei snorts. Trowa eyes me as if I’ve gotten an extra head and Quatre’s doing his best not to laugh out loud. Okay, was my idea that bad?

 

“What?” I snap impatiently. “What’s wrong with getting a pass…?”

 

“We don need no stinkin’ pass,” Wufei says in his best gangster impersonation as he rises to his feet and reaches for his bag. “Just follow me, my friend. I’ll get us out of here in no time.”

 

And with no chance to ask just what he has in mind, I reluctantly follow with a feeling of worry growing within me.

 

Somehow, I am beginning to think my resume is going to get a whole lot bleaker when I graduate from this school.

 

 

__

 

 

Fifteen Minutes Later

(In the School’s Underground Parking Lot/Faculty Section):

 

“You’re…you’re kidding me right?”

 

“No.”

 

“You can’t be serious about this! We’re so going to be caught!”

 

Wufei continues his hotwiring of the car – a Mercedes Convertible for that matter – ignoring me completely. I turn to the others for help but they are busy watching out for incoming staff or students.

 

Oh fuck. I’m doing something illegal again!

 

“Guys…” I try almost pleading now. “Let’s just get a pass and…”

 

“Where’s the fun in that?” Quatre replies as he begins to tap a light staccato against a stone pillar. “You worry too much, Heero.”

 

“He’s just worried that he’ll get written up and his bid for Senior President will be moot,” Trowa responds and I feel my cheeks heating up again. “Don’t worry, Heero. We’ll be your witnesses at the trial. You did nothing but whine and bitch like a girl, so you’re clear.”

 

I growl softly and clench my hands into tight fists. I begin to pace up and down in thought, wondering just how I can explain this to anyone who happens to get a wind of me down here with these guys. I could always pretend I’ve never known or seen them before. Or I could feign illness and convulse or…

 

“Done,” Wufei announces proudly as the undeniable whirl of the engine starting up has us staring in surprise. “We’ll be gone for only a while right and we’ll return it right back.”

 

“Classes end in about two hours…”

 

“So, we’ll come back in two hours time,” Wufei cuts in with a wink. “Duo’s house can’t be that far from here.” He tosses his bag into the passenger’s side and motions for the guys to hop in. “Let’s go, people! We haven’t got much time.”

 

My feet move as if on auto pilot and before I know it, Wufei’s peeling out of the parking space and we are clinging to the door handles like lifelines.

 

“Watch the fucking gate, Wufei!” I bellow as my Chinese friend seems to want to ram the car right through it. We notice one of the guards approaching and he seems to be yelling for us to stop. Thankfully, Wufei does manage to stop long enough for the narrow strip to rise slowly (so damn slowly) but now the guard…no…guards! Are chasing after us!

 

Oh hell no!

 

“Step on it, Wufei!” I yell again.

 

“You don’t need to ask me that twice,” he says with a smirk and before I can catch my breath, he’s speeding right through the school grounds to cheers from some students who had stopped to watch the commotion. I slink a bit lower down my seat and it seems like the other guys are doing the same thing. I do feel a bit sorry for Wufei though, but I guess I shouldn’t feel that way, for he slides lower on his seat but still (amazingly) has complete control of the wheel.

 

We have one more obstacle to cross and that’s the main school gate. It’s usually closed during school hours, but as luck would have it, another car is coming into the school and it is the perfect opportunity for us.

 

“Hurry, hurry…” I mutter desperately as I notice the guards at the gate beginning to approach us as well. There’s no doubt that they’ve been briefed on what’s going on and we are about to be mince meat.

 

“Hold on to your pants, guys,” Wufei yells as he pushes the brakes and presses down hard on the accelerator. “This is going to be a tricky one!”

 

The car is coming in, the gate is about to close, the guards are approaching us from all sides and we are effectively toast.

 

But Wufei, by some major miracle that I still cannot explain, maneuvers his way right through the traffic at break neck speed. For a moment it feels as if we are floating on air and for one heart stopping minute, I realize that the car really is a few feet in the air! Apparently, trying to get over the speed bump had sent Wufei bouncing a bit too high. But with a definitive screech of tires on the road and a rather wild spin that he quickly controls by jerking the steering wheel quickly, we are finally outside the grounds of the school and now heroes of the school as students (those in the classrooms had peered out to see the fuss) were all cheering for us.

 

I wonder if they’ll send police cars to chase after us. And damn…all I had wanted to do was visit Duo…alone.

 

“Whew…that was awesome, Wufei!” Quatre gushes in excitement as they begin to pound his back in congratulations. I think my insides have turned to mush as I sag back limply in my seat to stare morosely out of the window.

 

My resume is really going to look horrible. I am now officially a juvenile delinquent with a criminal record!

 

 

__

 

 

We finally pull up to Duo’s apartment complex and eye the silent building as Wufei kills the engine of the car. We had to make two pit stops – one for gas (the owner of the car hadn’t bothered to refill his tank. Cheap bastard.) and one for food. We had gotten some for Duo, just in case he’s hungry.

 

“Hmm…fun place, huh?” Trowa comments as he chews on a biscuit slowly.

 

Quatre nods as he flanks me on the way up the stairs. “Lonely…and too quiet.”

 

I fight the urge to tell them that it’s always this way but I am feeling worried too. Duo had said that he wouldn’t leave but it still didn’t stop me from thinking that he might have changed his mind and decided to take a hike overnight. I walk by Andre’s place and his words of yesterday come back to haunt me for a moment.

 

/He’s posed for me a few times…/

 

I shake my head rapidly and take a deep breath, while wiping my now sweaty palms on my pants.

 

“It’s here,” I say quietly as I lift my hand to knock on the door. As expected, I get no answer and I have to knock louder while convincing myself that Duo is home and that he’s just probably sleeping again.

 

But a low click and the slow turn of the doorknob has my heart racing faster in anticipation. I place a ready smile on my face only to have it turn to one of consternation and then disapproval as I see the face before me.

 

“Oh hey…you’re the guy from yesterday,” Andre says with a small nod and a quirk of his lips. I can feel the other guys watching our exchange with interest as I try to muster up some moisture in my mouth to reply.

 

“Ah…hi…Andre…”

 

“Duo’s just taking a shower,” he explains as he opens up the door a bit wider to let us in. “I came by to see how he was doing this morning and helped to clean up some…”

 

The apartment is considerably brighter than it was yesterday. Andre had helped to clean and make up Duo’s bed and the windows were wide open allowing the cool afternoon breeze to circulate the small room. There’s the undeniable sound of a shower running and although Andre is talking to the others, I can see and hear nothing but the fierce pounding of my heart and head as I try to make sense of the situation.

 

Andre and Duo. Duo and Andre.

 

/He’s posed for me a few times./

 

Just what…what the fuck did it all mean?! Just how close were these neighbors?!

 

“Oi…Heero, stop standing there with that murderous look on your face,” Wufei says around a smirk. They have all made themselves comfortable on the floor and are beginning to spread out the food we have gotten. I try to catch Andre’s gaze, but he seems to be genuinely interested in something that Quatre’s telling him. How can they be so friendly to some guy they’ve just met? What the hell is wrong with everyone?

 

“Whoa. I wasn’t expecting a party…”

 

Even without turning around, I can feel the heat and moisture that radiates off Duo’s body as he leans close to me. I blush…hard as he wraps his arms around my waist and rests his chin upon my shoulder. He is clearly draped in only a towel and his hair lies in thick, wet strands upon my back and shoulders. I’m not sure if that low sound is a moan from me, but knowing that only a towel separates Duo’s cock from my (unfortunately) clothed ass is enough to send my own organ throbbing in growing arousal.

 

Oh great. Now, everyone’s going to know I have an erection. I just hope ‘Andre’ is watching this. I hope he sees how Duo’s attention is focused on me and only me. I hope he’s jealous as hell and as I dare to take a peek at what Andre’s doing, I give a small smirk of triumph as I notice him give us a quick but dark look before focusing his attention back on my friends.

 

Hn. You got that right. Duo’s mine and…

 

“What…what’s that noise?” Duo suddenly asks as his arm tightens around my waist a little harder. “Hey, guys…do you hear something?”

 

I strain my ears as well as all of us stop what we are doing to listen carefully. Sure enough, it’s the sound of sirens.

 

Police sirens!

 

The five of us exchange panicked glances as we begin to head towards the window to peer out in growing worry. We see them…one…two…no, three police cars making their way into the yard where we had parked the stolen car. I grip the window-sill tightly and try hard to gather moisture into my mouth. Duo’s beside me, looking confused and yet pale as well. I’m sure he’s wondering why we suddenly have so many visitors. The poor guy must think he’s finally been caught.

 

“Oh shit…” Wufei mutters as the officers begin to step out of their cars. “We are so dead.”

 

“You think?!” I all but scream at him in agitation, frustration and downright aggravation. “We stole a car for fuck’s sake! And not just any car, but the VICE-PRINCIPAL’S car! What the hell do you expect?!”

 

Yes, my dear friends. I think I am going straight to hell or jail, whichever comes first and any shot of me having a clean resume is completely out of the window.

 

I think it’s safe to say that Duo and I are now comrades…in the worst way possible.

 

 

~End Period Ten~