Twisted - 2. Chapter 2

Michael’s shoulder was killing him the next morning. It had tightened up in his sleep, and he’d slept on it funny. He took another two painkillers but didn’t want to deal with an icepack at school. Will had already left for work, so Michael retraced the walk they had taken the night before after dinner.

‘Go towards the house with the corner yard, then the oddly pink house, stop sign, electrical box… bus stop. And there’s the bus already.’

Michael jogged across the street and climbed onto the bus, scoring a front seat as his stop was the first. The bus had filled up to nearly three to a seat by the time it arrived at school, and Michael was cursing suburbia all over again. Apparently people liked to breed like rabbits.

He managed to find Katy in the commons, mixed in with a small group of some other outcasts. It seemed those who dressed in black were fewer than even the nerds. “I think this school was created off some Hollywood clique show set.” Michael said as he walked up to Katy.

“I know, right?” She snorted distastefully. “Bitchy little children. Oh, you should give me your cell number.”

Michael didn’t know his number, so just gave his phone to Katy. She input her number and so on before handing the phone back. “And… listen, I’m sorry if I said something wrong yesterday.” Katy added meekly.

“Nothing you said.” Michael shrugged—ow, shoulder. “Just…” Michael paused again. “My mom died two months ago, and I didn’t know I had a dad until then.”

“Oh.” Katy gasped. She didn’t say the typical “I’m sorry,” and Michael was thankful for that. He just shrugged again—which caused more pain. “Fuckin’ hell.” Michael complained and rubbed his shoulder with his other hand.

Katy decided to add to it and knocked him in the shoulder, smiling playfully. Michael shoved her a little rougher and they left it at that when the bell rang. They both walked to class together, where Michael felt in a little better of a mood.

The teacher did some name game, so he and Katy stayed in the back of the room and faked all the answers on the paper between each other rather than the rest of the class.

Second period didn’t go so well. Michael had a glaring contest with the teacher for the last two minutes of passing period before class started, but nothing happened with the Nazi. Michael wouldn’t bother learning his name; granted that meant he was screwed if he actually had to address the teacher. He couldn’t just call him the Nazi, could he? Well, he could, but that wasn’t the point.

Michael was more prepared on his way out of class that time, and braced himself for the push that came. This time he put a foot up on the wall to push back even stronger against the dick-head, who did in fact look surprised.

So he fisted his hand into Michael’s hair, dragged him across the hall, and pinned him up against a locker. Michael fought back a yelp when a strong fist collided into his ribs a few times before disappearing. He struggled to stay up, a little dazed and his side shooting pain.

Well, that hadn’t worked. Most people ignored what happened or just plain out didn’t see it, since the guy had blocked the scene using his body. That crushed any beginnings of a good mood that Michael had had from first period.

He sulked the rest of the day, texting Katy and telling her what happened. He wasn’t so sure if it was a good thing to have pushed back—it saved his shoulder from getting even more screwed up, but now his side hurt.

Michael sulked on the bus ride home, leaning his head on the rickety window and hitting his head every time the bus went over a bump. He got off at the second stop and followed the reverse path—electrical box, stop sign, pink house, corner yard, his house.

Will was already home, which was just wonderful. “Good, so you figured out the bus okay?”

Michael grunted in reply and dropped his backpack at the door. He went through the freezer, where his icepack from last night had magically returned itself and was ready to be used. He refused to acknowledge Will for it as he debated between what needed the ice more—shoulder or side?

Oh, second ice pack. Score. Michael grabbed that out and put it over his shoulder, and stuffed the other one up under his shirt to his side.

“What happened?” Will frowned, watching from the living room.

“The lockers beat me up.” Michael answered and started to look for some painkillers with his free hand.

“Anything I need to be concerned about?” Will continued.

“Nope.” Michael swallowed the two pills with water.

“You sure?” Will pressed, now suddenly closer; he came from the living room into the kitchen.

“I’m sure. I’ll just watch my shoulder so I can paint my room this weekend.” Michael resisted the habit to shrug. He had been hoping to paint his room yesterday—fling paint at the wall with a paintbrush and all, but he’d wait for his shoulder to get better now.

Will sighed and didn’t look happy, but he let the conversation drop. Michael retreated to his room and started up some MCR on his iPod, hooking it up to his ihome with “I’m Not Okay (I promise)” on repeat. He turned it up loud and watched the music video on the square screen of his iPod.

Michael climbed up on his bed and started to bounce lightly, avoiding hitting his head on the low angled ceiling and singing with the words.

Will happened to stop in and give a questioning look before ordering Michael off the bed. Michael stuck his tongue out and let his legs go out so that he landed on his ass. Will rolled his eyes, smiling though, and left.

***

“Do you know a guy with brown hair?” Michael asked. Katy shot him a look. “Do you realize how vague that is?”

“Uh, taller than me?” Michael expanded. “Half the school.” Katy snickered. Michael chuckled and sat back in his seat. “Trying to figure out the name of the dick face who shoved me into the wall.”

“And beat you up?” Katy pointed out. Michael groaned. “You heard about that?”

“Yeah. I don’t know his name, but I think he’s a sophomore too.” Katy was able to give him a little bit of information. Michael frowned.

“Seriously? He can’t be a senior so I don’t have to deal with him for another two years?”

“I guess. Do all of your names involving him have the word dick in it?” Katy teased. Michael bared his teeth at her but didn’t deny it. Yes, the guy was a dick so he deserved to be called something related to a dick.

“Yes.” Michael stated flatly.

Katy’s grin only widened. “So doesn’t that mean you like him, if he’s a dick?” Michael gawped at her for a moment before breaking out in laughter. “Good god, no!”

Katy made a pout face. “Aw.”

Michael noticed the teacher was sending him a look for the mid-class disruption and he was forced to pay attention. After the class was dismissed he gave Katy a playful shrug on the way out and headed down the hall to his next class. Said dickhead was already there.

Michael took his seat but sat faced to the guy, who just ignored him. Once class started, the Nazi began to call out the attendance and Michael listened and watched. Finally the guy answered to his name from the list. Jason. Michael had the evil idea of putting a Jason mask on and chainsaw the guy’s locker, but figured a chainsaw wouldn’t go over well with the school’s code of conduct. But the mask, on the other hand…

Halloween stores would be opening soon. He would definitely be doing that. Or chase him down the hall with a Jason mask! Michael zoned out the rest of the class, plotting in his head a way to extract revenge on Jason.

Michael was careful to leave the class—he made sure that he was behind Jason, but in the end it didn’t work. In the hall Jason turned around and grabbed the back of Michael’s shirt, plowing him face first into a wall. Michael let out a cry of pain and his hands went to cover his nose as Jason took off down the hall.

Pulling one hand back, he saw blood. Abso-fucking-lutely wonderful.

Some other teacher in the hall—not the Nazi—rushed over to make sure he was okay. She guided the newbie student to the nurse’s office, where a mass of paper towels was used to slow the bleeding. And they called Will. Just to add more to an awesome day!

Not even thirty minutes later Michael got the word that Will was at the front office to pick him up. Some administrators asked what had happened, but he relayed an expert excuse—“You guys really shouldn’t have poles in the middle of the hallways.”

“We don’t have poles in the middle of the hall ways.” The secretary seemed quite offended.

“Well, not in the middle, but you know you have them along the side? Walking and talking plus a pole does not end well, you know?” Michael smiled sweetly at her, though his nose ached like a bitch. Maybe Jason would be getting a chainsaw.

Will walked with Michael to the car without a word, but inside was when the interrogation started. “What happened?”

“I told you it was a pole.” Michael brushed it off. Like fuck he would rat out the dick do the administration. “Do you have a chainsaw, by chance?”

“Excuse me?”

“Never mind.” Michael mumbled.

“What really happened, Michael? Your nose almost got broken.” Will pressed.

“Well it didn’t.” Michael pointed out.

“Michael.” Will seemed to gun it fast out of the parking lot.

“I lost to the lockers? I really would like to think I left a dent.” Michael continued to avoid the question. Sighing, Will grudgingly gave up on trying and drove the rest of the way home in silence.

Michael took another two ice packs and put them on his still hurting shoulder and side before holing up in his room and playing more MCR loud and proud; mostly Teenagers on repeat. Damn, three injuries to match three days of school. Peachy.

After a while of just listening to music, Michael braved the bathroom across the hall and admired the damage in the mirror. It was swollen, but all in place—not broken, like Will had said. Still, it wasn’t pretty. Michael couldn’t help but feel a little self-conscious of it. Maybe he should try to cover it up with make-up? Though he didn’t have any.

He tried to tell himself that it really didn’t matter. Not like he was getting a boyfriend any time soon. Still… Michael glanced at the time on his phone. Katy should be getting home soon. Michael descended the stairs timidly, finding Will watching TV in the living room.

Michael almost apologized for the hassle of having to be picked up early, but he refused to. “Can you take me to Katy’s?” He asked, startling Will.

“How’s your nose?” Will asked over the back of the couch. Michael shrugged, stopping halfway from the tight pain in his shoulder. Jason had done a good number on him so far. This year was going to be hell.

“…I guess.” Will sighed and turned off the TV. He gathered up his car keys and slipped his shoes on while Michael put the icepacks back in the freezer.

The first few minutes of the drive over were untouched, but of course Will had to go and act all fatherly. “You know, maybe if you tell me who it is I can talk to him or his parents…”

“I’m pretty sure lockers are made in factories.” Michael kept his gaze fixed out the window, but could hear Will let out another sigh of frustration.

“I’m not stupid.”

“And I’m not a kid.” Michael snapped. “I can take care of myself.”

They pulled up in front of Katy’s house, and Will took off by the time Michael reached the door. Ringing the doorbell provided lots of dog barks and whimpers on the other side of the door, but no Katy. Michael planted himself on a lawn chair situated on her front porch and waited instead.

Of course that wasn’t fun. All black, tight jeans and a regular band t-shirt plus late summer and early fall heat? Even though it was maybe ten minutes, Michael was sweating by the time Katy was in sight. She hustled up the walk to her house when she saw Michael. “What the hell happened to you?” She demanded and started to unlock the door. “Let me put the dogs away first.” She pushed her way inside and dragged the dogs away.

Michael followed inside carefully so he wouldn’t get jumped on and shut the door. Katy came back out and inspected his face. “Jeez, I heard some kid almost broke your nose. I figured they were exaggerating.”

“Yeah. Dickhead’s name is Jason.” Michael paused. “I was thinking of maybe chasing him through the school wearing a Jason mask and wielding a chainsaw?”

“Sure way to get yourself shot by the school sheriff guys.” Katy grumbled and led him into the kitchen.

“We have sheriffs?” Michael asked.

“Yes, if you haven’t noticed we’re like five miles from where a school shooting happened a few years ago?” Katy sighed. “Stop trying to change the subject anyways. Jeez. You want some ice?”

Michael just nodded. Katy filled a Ziploc bag with ice, wrapped it in a paper towel and pressed it carefully to Michael’s noise. Michael held it in place with his right hand, as his left arm wasn’t so mobile without pain. “You have any cover-up or anything for the bruising?” Michael asked. He might be gay, but he didn’t wear drag, so it was still awkward to ask. But he cared just a little bit about looking attractive. Who didn’t, right? No one wants a bruised nose.

“Not in your shade.” Katy frowned. “Once my dad gets home I’ll see if we can get a ride to Walgreens or something, okay?”

Michael only nodded again. “X-Men?”

Katy chuckled and they curled up on the couch for a few hours. Katy’s father didn’t get home until five, and it was always a wonderful first impression to have a bruised nose. Introductions were a little awkward, but he agreed to drive them out to the mall instead.

The first shop was a make-up store, where Katy spent a good ten minutes fretting over getting the right shade. Michael just waited until she bought the cover-up before asking her to help put it on. That only ended up hurting even more, so Michael took it away from her and tried it himself.

It didn’t look to noticeable with the cover-up on; just a little swollen but not so colorful. He was instead glad they bought a separate thing for him, considering he might need it again. He pocketed the make-up and they started to wander around the mall.

“So his name is Jason?” Katy asked on their way up an escalator. “Jason Farnsworth?”

“Hell if I know. I only knew his name for an hour before my face met the wall.” Michael grumbled bitterly.

“The wall? Shit, those things have all the little bumpy texture on ‘em.” Katy tried to explain the image with her hands, too, but it didn’t help any.

“Yeah, I’ve noticed. Who the hell puts brick walls inside a school, you know? This might not have been so bad if I put a hole in some drywall with nothing behind it.” Michael almost tripped over the top of the elevator. This week was just not his week. “And I was going to paint my room, but now my shoulder hurts too much to do that.”

“What have you told your uh…” Katy trailed off, careful not to address Will as Michael’s father again.

“I’ve told him it’s the lockers.” Michael answered.

“The lockers? Really?” Katy was trying not to laugh.

“Hey, that answer is stupid enough to piss him off so that he stops asking me. Today he was a little more adamant about it though.” Michael explained.

“Well duh, the school called him because they thought your nose was broken at first!” Katy threw her hands up in the air. “Maybe I need to talk to this guy? I mean, he wouldn’t hit a girl, and I have some brass knuckles—“

“You do?” Michael interrupted. “Awesome. Where’d you get them?”

Katy stuck her tongue out at him. “Here in the mall at Spencer’s.”

“Oh, nice. Maybe I should get some money.” Michael murmured.

“I rather liked the creativity of your Jason horror movie idea better.” Katy led them into some other store, all dark lit with loud music. She started to look through t-shirts and complained that there wasn’t anything new.

Michael aimed for the body piercing racks, intent on maybe some new snakebites. One of the workers approached and asked if he needed anything. Michael mentally noted the guy was hot—maybe six feet tall, with shoulder length black hair and brown eyes.

Michael smiled awkwardly, seriously cursing his luck. “I’m fine.” He tried to brush the guy away. “You get hit in the nose?” The guy asked, squinting. Michael couldn’t help but blush deeply. “Something like that.” He snarled. ‘Way to ruin it, guy.’

“You’re still cute.” The guy quickly corrected himself. Well, maybe he got a little redemption. “What’s your name?”

“Michael,” He answered, concentrating very hard not to stutter or gape. Was he seriously getting hit on with a busted nose?

“I’m Joey.” The guy offered up his hand. Michael took it briefly only to get a tight squeeze from the guy. Katy came bounding over and holding up some new wallet. “Michael—“ She stopped when she saw Joey. “Actually I’m going to go…” She waved somewhere else in the store and backed off.

“Girlfriend?” Joey asked.

“You think my girlfriend would leave a hot guy with me?” Michael tried a meek attempt at flirting. Joey just smiled.

“You’re right, she wouldn’t.” Joey checked over his shoulder for a moment before giving Michael his number. “Send me a text later okay? I might not reply right away if I’m still working.”

Michael nodded mutely before returning to Katy’s side. Katy bought her wallet and waited until they were outside of the store to start asking questions.