Yeah, Right...
Chapter 12: Tylenol
It was a constant pounding, almost like that of a small padded hammer, that woke JC from an already fitful sleep. He shot straight up out of bed, grabbing his aching head, attempting to lessen the pain. Instead, the abrupt movement caused a wave nausea to sweep over him. JC moved his hands to cover his mouth, threw the covers off of himself and sprinted into the bathroom.
He flushed the toilet and stood up slowly, now with the nausea gone he was reminded of the steady ache in his head. He brought his thumbs up to his temples and gently rubbed, eliciting a small groan from himself. He felt like shit. I’m never going to drink again. He swore to himself. He walked slowly towards the door, lingering in front of the mirror. His hair that he had worked so hard to perfect, now, parted in many different directions and lay flat against his head, aside from the few rebellious strands that stuck straight up. His eyes were still red and bags had formed underneath them. The only clothing he had managed to remove last night before practically passing out in Lance’s bed had been his shoes, his green turtle neck now was twisted awkwardly around his body, crinkled, and stunk of alcohol and sweat. I look like shit too. He sighed and exited the bathroom. The clock in the hall read six a.m. Outside the first signs of morning were beginning to appear with a pinkish glow that dimly lit the still house. JC decided that he needed Tylenol, well, morphine would’ve been better, but he doubted the Bass’ had that in stock. He paused in front of the glass French doors that led to the living room, a low mumble and a gentle blue glow came from the room. JC entered, wondering who was up so goddamn early. JC sighed when he saw Lance asleep on the couch, curled up underneath a blanket, gripping a pillow firmly to his body. He walked slowly over towards him, bent down to retrieve the remote off the coffee table and turned off the television. The room darkened a little. JC looked down at the sleeping Lance. He noticed a part of the blanket had fallen off of his leg, he reached down and adjusted the quilt so it covered his leg, he let his hand rest gently on his thigh, then move cautiously up his side, until he stopped on his arm. Lance was so angry last night, especially after he had kissed him, he hadn't known why he had done that, it just happened. Now he regretted it more than anything. He ruined what was possibly the best friendship he had ever had. No, he corrected himself, what I thought was the best friendship. A friendship isn’t really a friendship at all if its based on lies. Lance looks so different from how he had looked last night; he looks peaceful and...almost, beautiful. Beautiful? Where the fuck did that come from? JC removed his hand from Lance’s arm as though he had been suddenly shocked with electricity. He turned away from Lance, Justin’s words burned a whole in his mind. ‘See, you didn't let that fag get to you.’ He hadn't. He hadn't. He hadn't. He was fine. He didn't need Lance. Now he had Justin and Hannah, he knew he could fit in with them. It was easy, just like back in Maryland.
JC headed out of living room and towards the kitchen, he still needed that Tylenol, maybe it would help clear his mind. He was startled to see the shadowy form of a person hunched over a cup of coffee sitting at the table.
“Mom?” JC’s voice asked in a whisper. Karen looked up from the coffee she had been studying.
“Joshua,” her voice was calm and low, “Here.” She pushed a small cup of water and two pills towards her son. “I figured you’d be needing those.” JC could barely make out a small smile flickering across her face.
“Thanks.” he mumbled, popping the pills in his mouth and washing them down with a large gulp of water.
“Sit down, Joshua.” She said. JC knew what was coming. He also knew that he deserved it.
“...I know,” She began, “ That I haven't been the best mother lately-”
“Mom, that's not true.” JC protested quickly.
“Yes, Josh, it is. I know that. But I don't know how it has affected you. I’m sure that all this mess has been incredibly hard on you. As a teenager, your changing so much, you need something stable, and I have been anything but. A part of me regrets coming here, and thinks that maybe we should just go back to Maryland.”
No. Lance. Lance? “No, Mom. I don't want to.” JC spoke his thoughts out loud.
Karen looked up sharply at him. “I don't know, after last night, JC, I’m not sure if Austin has been that good for you.”
He stared firmly into his mothers eyes. “Mom, that was once, I swear it will never happen again. I don't know what I was thinking. I wasn't thinking. I am so sorry, Mom.” He didn't want to go back there. Now that he had broken it off with Bobbie, he didn't really have anything there anyway. Nothing that he wanted to go back to.
“Josh, I don't even know what I’m going to say to Diane when she wakes up. I have never been so humiliated in my entire life.”
“Its not your responsibility to say anything, Mom. Its mine.” Karen nodded in agreement.
“I don't know how you managed to grow up into such a wonderful person, Josh.”
“I’m not all that wonderful.” JC looked down at his hands, remembering how he had tormented Lance last night.
“You are, Joshua.” Karen used her hand to lift JC’s face up to look at her. “You know, we all make mistakes. But we have to learn from them. Sometimes, it will be a simple apology, others make take more time, others a life time.” Karen got a distant look in her eyes as she spoke.
JC felt the need to say something to comfort his mom. “You did the right thing, Mom. Taking me here. I don't think you've been a bad mother at all. I..I love you.”
Tears were stinging Karen’s eyes. “Thank you, Joshua. I love you, too.” Karen stood up and wrapped her son in a warm embrace. She giggled. “You smell, Joshua, you should go take a shower.”
“Good idea.” He smiled pulling away from her arms. He got up from the table and walked back towards the bedroom.
JC fumbled threw his suitcase, grabbing a pair of jeans and a white button down shirt and some boxer-briefs. He went into the bathroom, stripped and turned on the shower, checking the temperature of the water with his fingers , making sure it was steaming hot. He looked in the mirror at his naked body. His hand traveled up his torso and grasped his Leo necklace that Lance had gotten for him. He had almost forgotten about it. He left it on as he stepped into the now hot shower. Lance got me a present, for no reason. JC had been so wound up with the whole aspect of Lance lying to him, that he never really thought about the fact that Lance was gay. That completely changed things in itself. Maybe that's why Lance had been so nice to him. Because he found him attractive. JC shuddered. Somehow, he couldn't imagine Lance being so shallow. Lance had wanted to help him because he cared. JC massaged the shampoo into his hair. JC had appreciated Lance’s comfort. Well, he more than appreciated it. He had craved it . Needed it. Now its gone. JC told himself. Shit. If Lance had told him he was gay from the beginning he wouldn't have let himself get so close to him, he wouldn't have let Lance know him so well. Exactly. JC told himself. JC turned off the shower, and grabbed a towel, drying himself off then getting dressed. Steam rolled out of the bathroom when he opened the door. It was just seven o’clock. JC plopped himself down on the unmade bed. He noticed the first Harry Potter book lying on the floor next to the bed. He reached down and picked it up, examining the illustration on the cover. He let a light laugh escape his lips. What is so great about these books, Lance? JC thought. Maybe they would help to get his mind off of things. It was worth a shot. He opened to the first chapter and began to read.
Two hours later, JC lay in the same spot, completely engrossed with Harry Potter and his adventures at Hogwarts. Lance awoke slowly, rubbing his eyes. He didn't remember turning the television off, but someone had. The room was lit with sunlight. He could hear muffled voices coming from the kitchen. He groaned. He didn't want to wake up yet. Waking up meant facing JC, and he just didn't want to do that yet. He looked up at the clock at the wall, 9:15. Lance threw the blanket over his head. He flung one leg over the edge of the couch and slowly stood up. He stumbled into the bathroom.
JC heard the toilet flush and looked up from the book. Was Lance up? Shit. JC didn't move. He kept reading. Lance walked casually into his bedroom, letting his gaze fall on JC who had his nose buried in his book. Lance managed to control a smile the threatened to spread across his lips. Both said nothing. Lance walked directly over to his dresser, retrieved an outfit for the day, and exited the bedroom, both never even making eye contact with each other.
He was so pissed at JC, he didn't want to say anything just yet. He was afraid he would say something that he didn't mean. Or did mean. He was just confused, and that meant it was better not to speak. Lance took a quick shower, got dressed and headed into the kitchen where his parents and Karen were eating breakfast.
“Lance.” Jim said sternly.
“Dad.” Lance answered back. Lance had forgotten about his parents. This was not what he needed.
“I hope you realise you're grounded for the rest of this weekend. I don't want to waste my time discussing this with you. You know we do not use that kind of language in our house, never mind to our guests. That's all.” Jim stated, Diane nodded her head in agreement.
Lance wanted to protest. But how? JC mockingly kissed me, taking advantage of my sexuality. Oh by the way, I’m gay. He would rather be grounded. Lance grabbed a small bowl of cereal and headed back towards the living room. The next few hours passed slowly. Their parents decided to go out, so Lance and JC were home alone, each in separate rooms. Lance watching MTV, JC reading. Neither talking to each other, afraid of what they would say. Around noon a phone call interrupted the stale silence.
“Hello?” Lance’s low voice answered the phone.
“Hi. This is Justin. Is JC available?”
Lance had to physically bite his cheek to keep from screaming and cursing into the phone.
“Just a minute.” Was all he could manage to say. “JC! Justin’s on the telephone for you.” He called, hoping JC could hear him. He had, because there was a click and JC answered.
“Justin?” Lance hung up, feeling sick.
“JC, how ya feelin’, man?” Justin asked.
“I’m..okay.” JC answered.
“Well, I got something that might make you feel better. I talked to Coach Kirkpatrick and he’s very interested. In fact, he wants to see you today.”
JC sat up when he heard the news. “Really?” He asked anxiously, not only interested at the idea of playing with the team, but also getting out of the house.
“Well, today, he would just try ya out. See what ya got. But if he likes you enough, then you're gonna start practicing with us on Monday.”
“Wow.” JC mouth hung open, Justin really did know how to pull his strings, “What time?” JC asked.
“At one o’clock. Do you need me to pick you up?”
“Yeah.” He definitely did not want to be alone in a car with Lance.
“Great. I’ll be there in about 45 minutes, okay?”
“’Kay, see you then.” JC hung up the telephone. He went over to the closet to change into more appropriate basketball attire.
At 12:40 JC walked towards the front door, he didn't want to take the chance of Lance answering the door and having some sort of confrontation with Justin. JC walked pasted the living room, then stopped. He decided he should at least tell Lance where he was going.
“Um, Lance.” JC spoke quickly, anxious for this to end. “I’m going to play basketball with Justin. I shouldn't be out late.”
Fuck Justin. Fuck you. Those were the only comprehensive sentences Lance could make. So he just nodded, never looking away from the TV.
Lance wont even look at me. JC thought. Fuck that. What do I care? JC pivoted and without another word left the house. He didn't want Justin to have to come to the door, so he decided to wait outside. His wait wasn't long, Justin arrived promptly at 12:45.
JC smiled and let himself into the passenger side of Justin’s Beamer.
“Hey, man.” Justin smiled back.
“Hey.” JC greeted.
Justin revved the engine and took off from Lance’s driveway.
After a few minutes of silence Justin spoke. “So, what did you do about Lance?” Justin inquired.
“I told never to fuck with me again.” And I kissed him. JC laughed uneasily.
“Well, sometimes doing that's just kinda called for, ya know.” Justin laughed along with him.
The ride to the basketball court was short. Justin’s tires squealed as made a quick right turn into the park. He stopped the car and they both got out.
JC spotted a shorter, dark haired man at the courts, already dribbling the ball.
“There he is.” Justin pointed. Coach Kirkpatrick wasn't exactly how JC expected him to be. He was shorter. Justin reached him and gave him a pat on the shoulder.
“Hey, Justin.” And his voice was higher. “This must be JC.” Kirkpatrick stuck out his hand and JC shook it nervously. Butterflies were beginning to twitter in his stomach. He hadn't had to try-out for anyone in a while, and it was nerve-wracking. Coach Kirkpatrick seemed nice enough though, and he was young. Maybe 27 or 28.
“Well..” He clasped his hands together. “Ready to get started, ladies?”
Justin and JC both nodded. Kirkpatrick passed the basketball to Justin and let him run with it, before JC interceded, quickly making a perfect basket.
Kirkpatrick gave out a low whistle. The kid was good.
Lance felt like his brain was sufficiently fried before he decided to mute the TV and pick up the phone to call Beth. She deserved to know she had been right, after all.
“Hello?” Beth answered the other line.
“Beth.” Lance’s voice was almost inaudible.
“Lance?” She sounded worried. “What's wrong?”
“JC, that fucking bastard. Don't you dare say I told you so. Because I didn't tell him. Justin Timberlake did. And, it was bad, Beth, real bad.” Lance retold her exactly what happened last night.
“Well, I guess maybe you should just try to forget about it Lance. Live with him. And that's all. Sounds like he can really be an asshole. But I don't think he’ll do anything drastic.”
“No, Beth, I cant just live with him. Jesus, you make it sound so easy. I...I love him, Beth. Even after last night. He kissed me. No real straight guy would've done that, even if was just mocking. I think mostly he was just hurt that I lied. That's what he kept on saying, that I was liar too.”
“Lance, you're kidding right? You cant actually still have feelings for that homophobe. God, you have really gotten desperate these days.”
Lance thought this time. Last time he had a disagreement with her, he had been wrong. Really wrong. Maybe she was right again. “You're right, Beth. I’m just desperate. In fact, tonight, I want to go out. And meet a real hot gay boy. How ‘bout it? Up for a night at The Forum?”
“Didn't you say you were grounded?” Beth chided.
“When has that ever stopped me before.” Lance laughed.
“I cant tonight, Lance. I have a date with Collin.”
“What? You're ditching me for him, when I need you most.”
“Lance, you don't need me, you need a good lay.” She chuckled.
“I’ll ask Joey then. He likes lesbians.” Lance pouted.
“Fine.” Beth giggled. “Have fun.”
“Oh, I will.” Lance retorted before hanging up his line and dialing Joey’s phone number.
JC was drenched in sweat. He had been playing a one on one game with Justin, under the close scrutiny of Coach Kirkpatrick, for the past hour. Finally, Kirkpatrick put his hands up, stopping them, and walked onto the court.
“Well, JC...” He looked stern and disappointed. JC started to brace himself for a let down. “...You're one of the best fuckin’ players I’ve ever seen.”
J raised his eyebrows. Had he heard right? He must've. Justin hooted and patted him one the back.
“Told ya so, man.” Justin smiled at the both of them. His blue eyes were sparkling. He looked genuinely happy for him. Or for the team and getting the state cup. JC couldn't help but think. He smiled back at the both of them. Now, at least he would have something to occupy his time.
“Thanks,” He shook Coach Kirkpatrick's hand vigorously, “I wont let you down, man. This is gonna be great.” JC beamed. Kirkpatrick pulled his hand away from JC’s and wiped the sweat he had left on his hand off on his t-shirt.
“No problem.” He spoke calmly. “Okay, well I have to get back to my lady.” He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively. “Me and Dani have, uh, big plans for tonight.” Justin and JC both laughed as he walked away towards his car. Kirkpatrick turned around quickly, still walking.
“ I expect to see you at practice on Monday, Chasez.”
“Yes, sir.” JC called back.
“And don’t call me ‘sir’, I’m not that old.” He turned around, got into his red PT Cruiser and pulled away.