chapter 5

The next day at school PB wasn't too sure he'd be bothered at lunch, so he didn't dare waste his money on extra food. He sat at his usual table and watched Joseph from across the cafeteria. He was cramming some of his many sandwiches into his mouth. PB questioned how he could find someone so unconcerned with the fact they were gaining so much weight attractive. PB also wondered why he would like a homophobe--a homophobe who went around kissing guys. Joseph was definitely not someone he should have feelings for.

Joseph wore a pair of jeans that accentuated his thighs and ass. His t-shirt showcased his large chest and belly, but what PB found himself watching were his arms. Joseph had massive forearms and biceps to match.

PB looked down at his serving of lasagna and wished Joe was at the table scarfing it down. He didn't want to lose their lunches. He had grown too accustomed to them. PB felt himself doing something rash. His eyes met Joseph's and he waved him over to his table. Joseph grimaced and shoved a handful of potato chips into his mouth.

Joseph made his way to where PB sat and looked down at the plate of lasagna. "Go ahead," PB said sincerely. "We need to talk." Joseph sat down and dug into the pasta.

"About yesterday," Joseph began. "That never happened. And don't worry about your lunches. I'm done with that. I mean, uh, aside from today." PB felt panicked. He wanted to make sure Joseph kept eating.

"I want you to keep eating my lunches," PB said. "So you--so you can keep bulking up. We need you at your fighting weight during the season. Go Whales!" Melville High School was home to the Fighting Whales.

"That's really--nice of you? But I've had my fun. I'm getting to be a real hog." PB could only think about the Diana Ross album and dancing and hearing the new Grateful Dead album and being pinned against the floor.

"You're going to come eat my lunches every day or I'm telling everyone you kissed me."

"What the *** is wrong with you?"

"Do we have a deal?" PB asked.

"Of course we don't have a deal," Joseph said angrily. "Why on earth would I do that?"

"I'll just have to tell Vick and Johnny all about how gay you are." Joseph looked appalled and PB felt his stomach tighten. He was treading in dangerous waters. He was being an extortionist. He was being a weirdo.

"Fine, dude. You want to waste your lunch money fine by me." Joseph stood up and took PB's chocolate milk and Twinkies with him as he walked out of the lunch room.

Joseph found himself thinking about what had just occurred. If PB wanted to extort him, he'd bleed him dry. He'd just request more and more food. He wasn't anybody's lap dog. He shoved the twinkie into his mouth and closed his eyes for a moment. He saw PB and his bell bottoms. He wore Converse sneakers and a sweater over a collared shirt.

Joseph found himself thinking about how PB had such a thin waist, but it was well-developed and not just skinniness. He felt how sturdy the smaller boy was yesterday when he was on top of him. Joseph couldn't believe he wanted to *** a man. He thought about it long after PB had gone. Joseph recalled PB telling him that he wasn't ugly.

He opened his eyes and found himself back in reality. PB was not someone he should have a crush on. PB was not going to have control over him. PB was going to regret inviting him over for lunch.