chapter 4

~One Week Later~

"Percy, it's just awful," Ashton said in-between sobs. "I--I can't take it here. Why do I have to go to Hensley?" he asked, not expecting an answer. "I mean, Donny is already father's heir. I don't need the prepping Donny did." Ashton had been pushed from behind in front of James. He left his books and ran straight to call Percy.

"Oh Ashton, you know you mustn't feel down. It may seem hellish now, but the Hensley name will get you into a phenomenal college and you won't ever have to put up with those scoundrels again." Ashton felt his worries subside a bit. Percy truly was his best friend.

"But it was in front of James," he said glumly. He knew it would start sooner or later, the teasing, shoving, and name-calling. He had just gotten so used to having a friend--an attractive friend--that was brawny and gorgeous. He felt his face redden. "I don't think I can take it Percy. I SHARE a room with him."

James had really been the best thing to happen to Ashton in a long time. In the one week they had before classes began Ashton found himself noticing every little ounce James managed to pack onto himself. Ashton was counting James' calories and even encouraging him to snack more frequently. He wondered how much he managed to gain in one week and whether James even noticed.

He noticed he liked the color blue. Most of James' shirts were blue. James was very liberal in his dress. He often only wore boxer briefs in the dorm room and Ashton nearly drooled looking at his big, powerfully built thighs and butt. He had an incredibly wide back and thick neck. Ashton liked how confident James was. It wasn't like the confidence of the other boys at Hensley; it was confidence without bragging and boasting.

"Maybe, Sir, he won't mind. Maybe he isn't an imbecile like the other Hensley boys and you have truly made a friend." Ashton thought about how naïve Percy was being, but would never have the heart to say it to him directly. And maybe he was right. Maybe James was a decent human being who didn't treat people like shit based on sexual orientation.

"Percy!" Ashton heard in the background. Don was at the house. Ashton groaned and wished Percy enough energy to deal with his selfish, egotistical, jerkwad of a brother. They said goodbye and Ashton stepped out of one of the school's phone booths and into James.

He was at eye level with a large--very large--blood stain on his cream colored sweater vest. He looked up at James and turned to leave. Percy was wrong. "I have your books," James said as he grabbed onto Ashton's wrist. Ashton took the books and felt his chest tighten.

"Are--are you all right?" he asked, not looking at James, but at the large patches of blood on his vest. "I mean, do you need to go to the nurse or maybe you might ne--need an icepack?" He swallowed and wiped his eyes. He forgot he had been crying while he had been talking to Percy.

"It's not my blood," he said, with a sort of pride in his voice. "What was that all about anyway? I mean, have they always messed with you like that?" James didn't think bullying existed in fancy boarding schools. He never had been bullied ever. He was always a big, intimidating type of guy.

"It's nothing," Ashton said, wishing to have run away before the conversation started. He didn't want to have this discussion. He knew James heard them calling him Ashley. "I don't want to talk about it."

"You're gay, so what. It doesn't matter to me, trust me," he said with a cheery smile. "I'm pretty sure we might have that in common."

Ashton felt light-headed and looked closely at James. He couldn't see any signs of a lie. Percy couldn't be right. It was even better than what Percy said. James was gay too.