Yeah, Right...
Chapter 7: Two Princes
Lance put an old Sarah Vaughan CD in his player, and turned the volume down low.
“Hey, Lance, come up here and talk to me.” JC said softly from the top bunk.
Lance wasn't about to protest. He climbed steadily up the ladder to the top bunk, and joined JC who was sitting, leaning against the wall in his boxers and a wife beater.
“I had a really good time tonight, Lance.” JC said, his voice low.
“You said that already.” Lance laughed nervously.
“Hey, three girls gave me their numbers at the club.” JC grinned.
“Goddamn.” Lance whistled.
“I’m not gonna call any of them.” JC waved his hand. “They were..gropey..I dunno..I didn't really like them..”
“Well, since you have so many to choose from I guess it doesn't really matter.” Lance mocked.
“Yeah..I guess.” JC smirked.
“God, what's it like being so perfect? Everyone sees it, you know. Its like people are drawn to you.” Lance sighed. JC wasn't saying anything, so they both just sat there, in silence. Finally JC spoke, quietly breaking the silence.
“I’m not, you know....perfect...like everyone thinks I am. And I hate having to feel that way. Like, I'm expected to be certain way. I want to do what I want to do. Not what's expected of me, and just be miserable.” JC looked up at Lance, visible tears were forming at the corners of his blue eyes.
“I’m sorry.” Lance felt like an asshole, and he was really upset at the sight of JC crying, he cared, a lot.
“No..Don’t be. Not you. You're one of the only people I feel like I can really be myself around. Like it doesn't matter. I don't have to be perfect. You're a great friend, Lance.” Tears began to gently roll down JC’s cheeks as he spoke. “I..I..” he sniffled,, “I feel like a..wimp..crying and shit..I’m sorry.” He turned away so he wasn't looking at Lance.
“No,” Lance spoke lowly, touching JC’s shoulder gently, “Don’t be. Everybody cries. Its necessary sometimes, and it feels good just to let it out.”
Lance kept his hand soothingly on JC’s shoulder, and began tenderly caressing his strained muscles. After what seemed like several minutes of silence, JC turned around suddenly, threw himself into Lance’s lap, sobs racking his body.
Lance was somewhat surprised at JC’s sudden movement, but acted quickly, bringing a comforting hand to JC’s back, and kneading his flesh through his thin wife-beater.
“It’s ok. It’s ok.” Lance’s deep voice soothed the shaking JC. JC took a deep breath in and began to speak raggedly through sobs.
“You know. I miss him. Crazy, huh? I miss him. He was miserable. My dad. He drank so much. I mean, he didn't ever beat me and my ma, or nothin’. He was just never there. Well, physically, he was always there. Watching TV. Going to work. Drinkin’. Reading the Sports Page. Then going to bed. That was it. He was just miserable.”
Lance listened attentively, taking in every word JC was saying.
“And..and..my mom, she’s a whole different story...well, she took care of her disappointment in life by living vicariously through me. I felt like I had to be perfect, for her sake. I didn't want to disappoint her. I am her last hope.” JC sniffled loudly, and raised his head out of Lance’s lap, his eyes were stained red from tears, his hair disheveled from laying in Lance’s lap. But to Lance, he was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. Shit. He was in love. He knew it then.
“Are..are..you crying?” JC whispered to Lance, who hadn't even noticed that his own eyes had filled with tears as he listened to JC. He wiped at his eyes with the back of his hand.
“Yeah..huh, I guess it just kills me to see a friend cry..ya know..” Lance smiled sheepishly.
JC did another thing Lance hadn't expected. He pulled him fiercely into a tight hug.
“I’m so scared, Lance..” JC began crying again, as he clung to Lance. “I don't want to become them. I want something different for my life.” He pulled away, and stared into Lance’s green eyes.
“You’ll have it, JC. You can have whatever you want. You’re smart and talented and..good looking...” There’s an understatement for you. “And you can do whatever the hell you want to, you have to know that. And not because you're ‘perfect’, but because you're JC. ” And I love you. Lance thought, of course he couldn't add that on.
JC let a few last tears run carelessly down his cheeks, before he smiled brightly. Lance is amazing. He thought. God, how does he know just what to say?
“Thank you.” JC mumbled, as he pulled Lance into another tight embrace.
Lance thought for sure he was taking his last breath as a live human being. He was sure that his heart would stop at that exact moment. But somehow, it didn't. Somehow, it kept on beating, furiously, in his chest. He was certain JC could feel the rapid palpitations.
JC pulled away, and tried, unsuccessfully to stifle a yawn. Lance was reminded of how late it was.
“Three a.m. I don't blame you.” Lance said, glancing at the clock on his wall.
“I guess we should go to bed.” JC stated simply. Lance began to scoot towards the ladder at the edge of the bed, before JC’s voice stopped him. Lance’s third surprise.
“Stay...I mean..do you mind?” JC asked, his voice pleading, but trying to sound casual. He didn't really know where that came from. But it was what he wanted. Lance was a comfort to him. And he needed to be comforted.
Lance forgot to speak. He couldn't speak. He opened his mouth but no words came out. He wasn't sure if he trusted himself. He was gonna have to. He nodded rapidly. Hopefully, not too rapidly.
He crawled back over towards JC, and they both shifted awkwardly until they were snuggled under the toasty covers of the small twin size bunk.
Lance wasn't really sure how he fell asleep with JC warm body pressed so closely against his own, and his hot breath tickling his neck, and a loose friendly arm draped carelessly over his waist.
But he did.
Maybe it was the soft melodious voice of Sarah Vaughan singing the smooth jazz version of My Funny Valentine that eventually lulled him into the best night’s sleep he’d ever had.