Joshua Miles - 22. Exams

The following week, final year exams commenced and none of the boys had time for anything other than final cramming and attending exams. This was the culmination of thirteen years of school and the final scores would determine their eligibility for university entrance.

The boys passed each other in the corridors, but the conversations were limited to “Good luck, how do you think you went in that one and I’m glad that’s over”

Two weeks later, after the last exam the boys relaxed and decided to have a day at the beach. This time they limited their swimming to the rock pool and kept out of the surf. They were so happy to be able to spend the day together, plashing around in the pool, having mock races and even embracing underwater for a quick kiss.

After their swim they lay on the sand to soak up some rays, after applying sun protection on each other. Life could not get much better they thought.

“We’ve finished our exams, we’ve finished school forever, we have each other and next year we start new lives at uni.” Malcolm stated “What more could one wish for?”

“You’re right, I just feel I could burst out of my skin with excitement” Joshua added.

“So what are we going to do for the holidays?”

“Anything we like”

“Yeah but that’s not much of a plan” Malcolm lamented.

Their question was soon to be answered, from an unlikely source.

There was a lull in the conversation, during which they dozed in the warm sun, until they felt the coolness of a shadow over their bodies. As they looked up they saw a pair of long strong legs leading up to a pair of red and yellow shorts then a matching shirt. Above that, a stern looking face topped by a familiar red and yellow cap.

“Are you the two guys involved in a rescue here about a month ago?”

“Oh…um…yes, that was me” replied Malcolm “But why do you ask?”

“Because, young man you were asked to attend a talk on beach and surf safety. I don’t remember seeing you there”

“Yeah, about that” said Joshua “We’ve been doing our HSC exams and were too busy to do anything else. Sorry about that, and besides we only went in the rock pool today, kept right away from the surf”

“That’s good, but you still should attend the safety talk as soon as you can. Why don’t you go via the clubhouse before you leave and book in”

“Yes, we will and thanks for reminding us”

“Ok, don’t forget now and have a safe day”

As the lifesaver walked away, Malcolm said “Fuck, I forgot all about that”

“Yeah we should do as he asks”

They lay down again and Joshua said “Let’s have another half hour in the sun and then go get some lunch”

Again they became drowsy in the sun until disturbed by another shadow blocking out the warmth of the sun. They didn’t get up, but Malcolm looked sideways at Joshua and whispered “Is it him again?”

“Who?” asked a familiar voice.

“That pesky lifesaver, I thought you were him. What are you doing here?”

“Same as you, enjoying total freedom” replied Scott

He then kneeled between the other two and said “Move over a bit” as he lay down between them.

“Make yourself at home” said Joshua indignantly.

‘That’s what I’m doing, like I said, doing the same as you, enjoying a day at the beach with my boyfriends”

“Yeah right, boys yes, though technically I’m now a man” asserted Joshua “Friends maybe, but putting the two together has an entirely different meaning”

“I know, but anyway, I’ve got some exciting news to tell you”

Neither boy answered, they just stared blankly at Scott, who continued “Remember I told you last year that my parents said I could stay at home on my own this year when they go on holidays. Well they’re going earlier than usual. They want to go to Europe in search of a white Christmas, so I’ll have the house to myself for two whole weeks. Not only that, but I’ll be eighteen next week so I can buy grog for all the parties we can have”

“We?” asked Malcolm

“Yes, you guys are invited to stay at my place while my ols are away. They’re cool with me having friends stay, they said so. Exciting isn’t it?”

“That does sound like a cool idea, whatcha think Josh?” asked Malcolm

“Two weeks, you say”

“Yeah, lots of time to get to know each other better, intimately even”

“Oh I see, we’ll have to discuss it, but I’m leaning towards yes at this stage”

“Are you having a party for your birthday?” asked Malcolm

“Well, that’s the rest of the exciting news. Mum and dad said I can have a small party at home and if I get good results in my exams they’ll pay for me to have a holiday in Bali in January. When I said it wouldn’t be much fun alone, they agreed to pay for a friend to go as well”

“Mmm…very generous of your parents”

“Yeah, I guess they were hoping I’d have a girlfriend to take”

“But you don’t, Melanie told me”

“Yeah, that’s old news”

“So what would your parents say if you asked to take a boyfriend to Bali?”

“I guess they’d be ok with a mate, maybe even a boyfriend, but I’ve got to figure out how to tell them I have two boyfriends. That’s a double whammy for them”

“You seem very relaxed about this idea of having two boyfriends”

“It’s not what I planned, but it just happened and here we are, all in this together”

“Wait up” said Joshua “We’re not all in this together, as you so matter-of-factly put it”

“I know it’s early days, but you’ll come round. What about you Mal?”

“Um…ah…me, what? I’m happy to spend some time at your place for the holidays but I’m not sold on the boyfriend thing”

“Ok, how about we stop putting labels on our relationship and just be friends”

“Alright with me”

“And me” added Joshua

“So we’re all agreed two weeks at my place from late December and a maybe for Bali in January”

“I like the idea of a holiday in Bali, but I don’t think your family should pay for us. I’ve got some savings and I’ll talk to my parents about topping up the difference.”

“Me too” added Malcolm

“Great, now who’s hungry? Lunch is my treat” offered Scott

“You’re on”

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They packed up their gear and walked off the beach, Scott in the middle with his arms over the others’ shoulders.

“Oh bugger!” exclaimed Malcolm “Forgot to check in at the clubhouse for the safety talk”

“What’s this about?” asked Scott

“Long story, will explain over lunch”

“Can’t wait”

While they were waiting for Malcolm, Joshua asked Scott “Where’s your gear, did you leave it on the beach?”

“What gear?”

“Your towel and clothes”

“I don’t need any of that. The sun dries me and just wearing speedos is all I need. I mean, at school I wear my uniform, I sleep naked and the rest of my life is swim training” As he pointed to himself he added “This is me”

“Ok, I suppose if I had a body like yours I might be able to pull off that look also. But what about the restaurant, will they let you in like that?”

“Of course, I go there all the time and we are on the beachfront, I won’t be the only one”

“Whatever, oh here comes Malcolm”

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As they approached the restaurant Joshua said “Wait guys. Scott you said you were going to treat us to lunch, not that you have to, we are happy to pay our own way, but where is your wallet?”

Scott then put two fingers in the front of his speedos and pulled out a plastic card attached to a thin chain.

“You have your own credit card” Joshua observed.

“A debit card actually, I can’t get a credit card until I’m eighteen”

Malcolm then entered the conversation “Dare I ask what the other end of the chain is attached to?”

“My cockring”

“Of course, why didn’t I think of that” he answered as he gave Joshua a sidewards glance.

Then Scott added “Of course, when I get my scrotum pierced I won’t need to wear the cockring.

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They chose a café with outdoor dining and Malcolm picked a table with a view of the beach.

“No, too close to other tables” objected Scott “Over there behind the palm trees is more private”

“Anything’s fine with me, just here for the food, I’m starving” stated Joshua

“What’s with the privacy thing?” asked Malcolm “Are you still afraid to be seen in public with us, because we’re openly gay?”

“No, it’s not that, but I want to talk personal stuff”

“Ok, we’re here to listen. Are you conflicted about coming out?”

“Partly that, but I want to say stuff to you guys that I don’t want to share with other people”

“Go ahead, you can talk to us about anything”

“Thanks guys, you are really good friends”