Trouble Plus Trouble. - 34. Chapter 34

Double The Trouble.

Chapter 34.

"What are we going to do?"

The whole team was gathered after Wednesday training and Michael, one of the Year Ten guys, was looking quite worried.

"Don't take any notice Michael. They'll forget about it by next week."

"No they won't Andy. My whole class was talking about it this afternoon and they didn't believe me when I said it was a kind of joke."

"What did they say?"

"One of the guys in my class has a cousin on the Hillston team. He had the whole story about us wearing pink flags and he knew it was something to do with Matthew, and he knows Matthew's gay."

Everyone looked at Matthew, standing quietly with a calm which Peter knew was totally fake. Peter's heart sunk. Everything suddenly seemed scary again.

"He told everyone?"

"Yes Andy. He's got a group of mates who are always yakking on about people."

"Shit! You're right Michael. It’ll spread round the whole school like wildfire."

"We'll tell him to shut up. If Marty and a couple of us year Twelves front him, he'll crap himself."

Now everyone looked at Brad and there were a few nods.

"No, it's too late for that. Michael's class already knows and there's no law against people talking anyhow."

There was a murmur of agreement. Andy was right.

"So, what’ll we do?"

It was right back to Michael's first question and everyone went quiet. Andy looked round, he’d taken over right from the start, and singled out Colin.

"What d’you reckon Colin? You showed us what to do when this all started. Any ideas?"

Colin looked embarrassed and shook his head.

"Um, not really, just be game to stick up for them when people ask us stuff."

Andy's face lit up as if to say he'd asked the right person.

"What if we pretend we're all gay again? Then it wouldn't be just Bluey and Big D. against the rest of the school."

"Good idea Kenny, but it wouldn't work this time because they know us too well. David’s practically married, so’s Marty, and the whole school knows about Brad’s porno magazines. He shared them round enough before the teachers caught him."

Justin spoke up.

"I reckon we should just say what a pack of pricks some of those Hillston guys were, trying to make us lose by picking on Matthew ’cause he’s our best swimmer. Andy’s right about the gay stuff. It'll be a big deal for a few days then they'll get onto something else. Most of them couldn't care less and we’ll keep a lookout for anyone else."

There was more talk, and despite his worries Peter couldn't help laughing at some of the ideas. Andy was crazy. That's all you could say, and he dragged everyone along with him. Matthew's calm front mustn't have fooled anyone either, because different guys kept doing things, a nudge on the arm, a comment telling him not to worry, or a friendly whack. David draped an arm over his shoulder, held him for a moment, then looked at Justin.

"Come on Justin. Give him a boost."

In a couple of seconds, Matthew was on their shoulders, embarrassed, as a spontaneous cheer sounded out.

"Who's our Champion?"

" Bluey! Bluey! Bluey!"

"Who's our gay boy?"

"Bluey! Bluey! Bluey!"

"And Peter!" came a yell from Kenny.

There was a general laugh and Peter was boosted onto Andy and Brent's shoulders. He looked down at all the smiling faces than across at Matthew. What was going to happen now? To his amazement, apart from a few cheers and a couple of rude but friendly comments, they were lowered to the floor and there was a general rush for the showers. Peter finished quickly and while Matthew was still in the shower, he spoke to Andy.

"Matthew’s still worried Andy, I can tell. Do you mind if I miss out on coaching and go to his place tonight?"

"No way, mum would have a fit. Tell him to come and help, and then you can go with him after."

On the way to the cars, Matthew protested because he and Brent had planned some time on the guitar, but when Andy made Brent come along as well, Peter could sense Matthew’s relief.

"Marty, you go with Brent in his rust bucket and I'll be the royal chauffeur."

"What?"

"Well, I'll have two queens in the back won't I?"

Peter was impressed that Andy was thoughtful enough not to leave Brent as the hanger on and then spent most of the trip laughing.

"Dork! What were you doing? Driving so slow all the way? And why’d we go past the shops? You didn't even stop to get anything."

"I told you Marty. I was the chauffeur."

In fact he'd made Peter and Matthew give elegant waves, as if they were indeed royalty, to anyone they passed, and after a few startled looks and puzzled return waves he’d decided on a detour where there'd be more of an audience.

"Wait here while I tell Mum we've got a couple of extras and then we'll go for a drive."

That only took a couple of minutes, and they all bundled into the wagon.

"Where are we going?"

"Who knows Peter? It's a drive, so it could be anywhere."

Marty suggested the mall, but Andy vetoed that. His mum was cooking one of the roasts he loved so much and he wanted to leave plenty of room for the spuds.

"I know. We'll go to Johnstone Reserve."

"Hey, yeah, good one!"

Marty laughed and looked around at Peter and Matthew who then wondered why Brent was grinning as well.

"What is it?"

"You'll like it Peter. It'll suit you and Matthew."

Brent laughed and pushed Matthew against Peter.

"It's got another name at school Peter. They call it the passion pit ’cause everyone goes there to make out."

This meant Peter and Matthew were stirred about what they’d do when they arrived, and when they did, Andy made a kind of tour to check out the best spots.

"Idiots!"

"What's wrong with a park bench?"

"Splinters."

The commentary continued about the suitability or otherwise of the picnic shelter, a small area of tended lawn, a picnic table, and the secluded parking areas scattered along the banks of the small creek which was the reserve's main feature. They parked the car and walked to a suspension bridge which crossed the creek. It really was neat, held up by cables, and narrow so they had to walk single file. Halfway across Marty started jumping to make the whole thing rock and that set Andy laughing.

"Hey, this is perfect. Go on Peter, lie down."

"In the middle of the bridge? What for?"

"To try it out of course. We’re finding the best pashing spot for you."

Peter’s protests meant nothing and Marty quickly dumped him on the double planked walkway. Nut cases! Matthew was shaking his head, but his smile showed what he was really thinking and with the urging from the others he was soon lying on top of Peter.

"Come on, start pashing!"

Their lips touched, but only for an instant because the bridge was jouncing up and down so much. With three maniacs jumping and yelling, all they could do was hang on tight. Across the bridge the track swung right to follow the creek, and where two large tree-ferns arched across, Andy decided was another romantic spot that had to be tested. It was much easier this time because they were allowed to stand up, Matthew with his back against the thick, furry bark of one of the ferns and Peter leaning in against him. Except they couldn't help laughing again from all the advice about what they were meant to do. A little further along Brent spied the trunk of a fallen gum tree and whispered in Andy's ear.

"Hey Peter, go and sit on it."

This done, Matthew was placed behind him, hugging close with his arms round Peter's waist. This felt nice and for a moment he wondered what they were laughing about. The King Dick comments clued him in.

God they were rude.

He went to move but Matthew held him in place, his legs astride the thick trunk which stretched twenty metres before ending in a tangle and mangle of broken branches and flattened tree ferns. At any rate it got Matthew laughing, and when he joined in and started calling the log Peter’s woody, Peter felt happy. He knew, as well as Matthew, why the others were carrying on so much.

"Hey, look. Let's cross over!"

And of course they did. Andy led off, because it was his idea, and because he liked being first to try things anyway. Brent followed, and then, close behind him, Matthew.

There was no danger, the tree trunk being only half a metre above the water pooled in the creek bed, but it was a real balancing act with nothing to hold for support along the way, and Peter was enjoying the challenge of it when there was a sudden hold-up. Grinning, Andy had started a return trip. Of course he’d waited till everyone else was on the log and when Peter looked round Marty was grinning just as much. Brent yelled at Andy to get out of the way but stopped as soon as he saw the grin.

"Don't you push us in! I've got good runners on."

The direction of Andy's look meant one thing only. Peter and Matthew were the focus. What else?

"What? Are you going to push us in?"

"Peter, I wouldn't dream of it. This is the next spot to try out."

"Here? You're crazy!"

That just got an enthusiastic nod. Matthew carefully turned, and after a few comments from both of them about the state of Andy's brain, they cautiously moved together, Matthew resting his hands on Peter's shoulders and Peter holding Matthew's hips. The soft touch of Matthew's lips always seemed like magic to Peter and despite the intense concentration needed to keep steady, this time was no exception. In fact, if anything, it heightened the moment. Their heads parted, but they were quickly informed by the delighted onlookers that they had to do it properly.

Properly? They kissed again but that wasn't enough for Marty who said they weren't hugging.

Hugging was a no-no. Already battling to keep their balance, they both knew it wouldn't work. Marty decided it would and pushed at Peter's back. The delicate play of forces between Peter and Matthew was broken. Matthew lost it first and Peter had just enough time to register the startled look of his receding features before he was teetering himself. Instinctively he grabbed for the only available support, but all that achieved was to take Marty with him. The instant he felt himself going, Peter changed his fall to a jump and landed feet first. Marty's reflexes weren't as quick, and as he landed he fell against Peter, knocking him sideways, so they both sprawled flat in the water.

Water? This wasn’t water.

It was mud, soft black mud, underneath a shallow layer of water. Yuk! Peter’s initial landing had punched his legs halfway up to his knees in it, and now his elbows were pressing down as well. He struggled upright to get the water from its face, turned and saw Matthew with the funniest look on his face, in a kind of sitting position, looking like some sort of slimy monster, then watched Marty floundering in his efforts to stand up. He managed, then looking at the black goo dribbling from his arms and hands, let fly with a choice selection of expletives.

"Holy shit! Look at this stuff!"

That's exactly what everyone was doing. The immediate concern for everyone being okay disappeared, and Andy scrambled for the far bank while Brent crouched and then knelt on the log. Peter went to help Matthew to his feet and promptly lost one of his runners when it stuck in the mud, and his foot went squelching through the soft top layer them down through the gradually thickening muck. What a sensation! And at the same time a stream of bubbles ran up the bare skin of his legs, like little creatures scuttling for air. Matthew was standing now, and there were more choice words when Marty took a step towards them, which turned to laughter at the ridiculous situation.

"Peter, what do you think you're doing?"

"My runner came off. I'm looking for it."

Their questioning looks were warranted. Peter was balanced on one leg while the other was searching for the indentation where his runner had come off.

Squelch! Squelch! And Marty was there helping him.

Squelch! Squelch! Matthew joined, but the good intentions worsened the situation, as with every step they stirred more ooze and made new indentations to confuse things. Peter couldn't understand why they couldn't find it. He'd only taken one step.

Matthew came up with the best idea and with Marty in the middle, holding their waists, the three of them stomped and probed with their feet in a course which he called a search pattern.

Stomp, squelch.

Stomp, squelch.

They moved together, the little creatures scurrying with each step, the surface roiling with the black muck which stuck to their legs and shorts, and Andy and Brent staring with glee at the bizarre sight till Marty suddenly stopped.

"I can feel it! Right here!"

"Well get it then!"

"Are you kidding? Put my hands in that stuff? It's your runner Peter! I've got my foot right on top of it."

That was fair enough but Peter couldn't help thinking it was kind of funny when they were already covered.

"Which leg?"

"My right one!"

Peter felt his way down Marty's leg, pushing his hand through the thicker slime near his foot, then grabbed at the runner. It wouldn't move so he tugged Marty’s foot up to get it out of the way. There was a double screech and a splash as Marty, dragging Matthew with him, fell over. When Peter reached to help them up a sharp yank from Marty had him joining them. Marty cracked. The situation got to him and he forgot his discomfort and revulsion. Oh my God! Peter took one look at the black gunk dribbling from the double handful Marty was holding and tried to escape. Hindered and thwarted by the clinging mud, his dodging was to no avail and he felt the goo plaster on the side of his neck and shoulder. He started to wipe it off, but realised that was a bad decision when another helping of the same arrived.

War! Slime war!

And Marty, making the most of it turned his attention to Matthew. A bad move, because it gave Peter the perfect opportunity to dump his own double handful on the broad back and neck now presented to him. With a yell Marty turned back to Peter, but caught in the crossfire, he got twice as much as he gave. Changing to tactics that always worked for him he lunged at Matthew and grabbed him close. Matthew struggled, knowing he was in a disastrous situation, but of course, against Marty that was hopeless. Without releasing his hold Marty somehow managed to reach down for another handful of muck.

"Yuk! How disgusting!"

Peter couldn't help laughing though, as he watched the muck spread on Matthew's neck and then down inside his t-shirt. With a look that said he couldn't believe this was happening, Matthew struggled again, but this time instead of trying to get away, he pushed as hard against Marty as he could. The combination of surprise and restricted foot movement in the mud was enough and Marty fell backwards with Matthew sitting on top of him. There were great yells then the two of them struggled to their feet, laughing.

"What?"

Peter's question was in response to the incredulous look that had appeared on Matthew’s face.

"Guess what? I pushed so hard one of my runners came off."

He was joking? He must be! Knowing what they were thinking Matthew held Marty for support and lifted his right foot, runnerless, out of the murky ooze. Laughter burst from the three of them and the grins and chuckles continued while they linked up and went through the whole runner searching process again. They ignored the comments Brent and Andy were directing at them from the safety of the bank, till Marty made an abrupt about-face and did his own directing with a few handfuls of mud. Brent and Andy scattered to a safe distance, especially when Peter and Matthew enthusiastically joined the barrage, then continued their suggestions from more protected vantage points. The action finished, Matthew retrieved his filthy runner and they worked their way to the edge to take stock.

What an unbelieveable mess! Brent and Andy kept their distance, wisely in the circumstances, laughing and gawping while a hopeless attempt was made to wipe away some of the black muck. Water! They needed lots of it, and they recrossed the log, retraced their trail, and squelched along the track till they reached the suspension bridge where they remembered a deeper pool. One look and Peter's heart sank. It was the same situation. How were they going to get this stuff off?

"Hey, there’s a tap at the picnic shelter. I'm sure of it, and it'll be clean."

Brent was right on both counts, but now the problem was how to transport the water from its low access point. Andy solved it. He ran to a big litter bin and in moments found a couple of empty two litre drink bottles.

"Go on, strip off. There’s no way you’re wearing those clothes in the wagon."

They were always stirring Andy about his precious wagon, but no one even considered arguing this time, and piece by piece they divested each grotty item. Peter was going to keep his jocks on, after all it was a public place, but as soon as he saw them he changed his mind, and for the next ten minutes they did the best they could to clean up. Quite considerately, they moved about ten metres from the tap. Brent manned the tap to keep filling the relay of plastic bottles, while Andy foraged in the litter bin till he came up with five or six reasonably clean plastic bags. For their clothes he said, and particularly for their socks and runners which weren't allowed in the wagon otherwise. A plastic bottle emptied in about fifteen seconds when upside down, and steadily the worst of the mud disappeared as they took it in turns pouring for each other. Once their bodies were done their clothes got some treatment as well, before being wrung out and bundled into the plastic bags. Andy came back from his wagon with an old rug, laughing that it was all they had till they reached home.

"What? You expect me to get under that with Peter and Matthew?"

"Go for it Marty! It's your big chance and we won't tell Amy, will we Brent? We know you'll love it."

"Oh yeah, it's a wonder you didn't jump in the mud so Brent could drive and you could join in."

Andy gleefully pounced on that one.

"Join in? That proves you're thinking about it. Which one are you gonna do first, Peter or Matthew?"

"I'll do you first!"

Andy crowed with delight and dodged as Marty reached for him, then started running when he kept after him.

"Did you hear that? He wants to do me!"

Andy had the advantage of runners on his feet so Marty quickly stopped the chase, grabbed a bottle of water and splashed it on his butt, then walked towards the wagon saying he was going to leave bum prints all over the bonnet. Not his precious wagon! Yelling protests, Andy made a mad rush to intercept Marty. A few wet marks didn't seem such a big deal to Peter but Andy didn't see it that way and let himself be caught. He tried the serious act, saying they'd be late for their meal and had to get going. He tried the apologetic act, but no way would that be believed. He tried struggling, uselessly.

"Take me Marty! Take me! You randy goat!"

"So? Who's got the hots for who Andy?"

His arm held up his back, and his neck muscles being given the treatment would have made Peter say anything. Not Andy.

"Peter has for Matthew, and you have for my dick!"

God! They were both insane. Peter wondered how Marty would respond but didn't get a chance to find out because a car drove in at the entrance to the park. Andy and Brent laughed their heads off as the three nudies made a mad dash to get in the car and out of sight. They must have been seen though, because the car slowed as it went past and grinning faces peered their way. Brent picked up the rug but Andy wouldn't let him bring it to the car.

Typical. They had to wait while all their stuff was collected and the bottles tossed back in the litter bin before Andy would bring the rug and they could set off. It was a curious feeling, sitting nude in the back seat between Marty and Matthew, watching people in other cars as they drove along. Andy and Brent were having a field day stirring Marty and asking Peter and Matthew what was going on underneath the rug. Matthew started tickling. He knew what effect it would have too, then sprung Peter to the others as soon as it happened. The rest of the trip was spent with Brent and Andy stirring Marty as if he was the cause.

"Go on, what's the problem?"

Andy had decided that Matthew and Peter might as well get their own fresh clothes rather than borrow his.

"How are we going to get there? You should have parked in our driveway."

Andy turned the key off with an air of finality.

"It's just across the road. You can take the rug. It's not like you're streaking."

"Hey, if they've got the rug what about me?"

The end of chapter 34.

Iarwain.