A New Friend and a New Enemy
by David Heulfryn

 

Max entered the school refectory and picked up a sandwich and bottle of cola. He looked around for somewhere to sit and noticed some lads from his class. He would have gone over to them, but there wasn’t a spare space. He gave up and decided to go outside. The din of kids chatting and playing seemed louder than usual to Max. As he scanned the grounds, Max couldn’t find an unoccupied bench. He noticed a tree before the sports field. Max sauntered to sit under it, his back leaning against the trunk. He slowly ate his lunch alone.

“Fucking queer.” Max heard someone say but didn’t think it was directed at him. “He fucking kept begging to suck my cock.”

Max looked up and noticed Neil and his mates walking his way. He ignored him.

“Just look at those lips,” Neil laughed, “who knows how many dirty cocks he had in there. As if I’d want that sucking me. Then the fucker got me punished because I wouldn’t let him blow me.”

His mates all laughed, and one tossed a football in front of him and ran after it. The lads jogged onto the sports field and started kicking a ball around. Max was grateful they found something else to do.

Max rummaged in his school bag and pulled out his mobile phone. It was switched off, as was the school rules, but they could use them during breaks. Max switched it on and waited for it to boot up. The wait was interminable. The screen burst into life quickly, but he had to be patient for it to connect to the network. He secretly hoped there was a message waiting for him from James.

No message was waiting.

Max decided to text James, hoping he was free to text back.

<<Hi, I miss you. Can you come over this weekend?>> Max waited to see if any dots appeared, indicating James was texting back. None appeared.

<<Or I could come to you. I really need to be with you.>>

Max regretted that second message. He sounded desperate. He returned his phone to his bag, hoping James would respond before the lunch break ended.

“H… Hi.” Max heard a nervous voice and looked up. He saw a boy looking at him. He was dressed in his uniform, but it looked slightly too small. His trousers were half an inch shorter than they should have been, and his blazer looked a little tight on his shoulders. He looked older than Max, but he wasn’t in his class.

“Hi,” Max said flatly.

“Ma.. May I sit with you?” The boy stuttered.

“Sure.”

The boy sat next to Max, mirroring his position against the tree. They didn’t look at each other.

“I heard what those boys said. It was horrible.” The boy stated.

Max didn’t know how to respond.

“I saw you punished last week. You didn’t deserve it.” The boy said.

Max took in a deep breath. He didn’t want to think about what happened last week in case it caused another panic attack. He concentrated on his breathing.

“He didn’t want to be paired up with me, so he’s taking it out on me.” Max found his voice.

“Mr Lawrence is his uncle. So he was probably forced into it.”

“Makes sense,” Max said flatly.

“It must be horrible being the new boy.”

“It is.” Max wasn’t enthusiastic about having this conversation.

“A new boy was very kind to me. I thought I could be kind to you.” The boy blushed, but Max didn’t notice.

After a long pause, Max filled in the silence. “How long have you lived here?”

“All my life.” The boy said. “There’s been a lot of new boys recently. Last year there were loads. I think Cockaigne Pharma was having a recruitment drive. My Dad works for pharma.” The boy added.

The boys carried on their polite and stilted conversation.

“Mine works for the town council. He’s a cyber security expert.”

“That sounds interesting.” The boy commented after a long pause. For a moment, Max wondered what was interesting, and then he remembered what he’d said some moments ago.

Max didn’t know what else to say. They sat quietly for a few minutes. Max listened to the sounds of people enjoying themselves. He wished he was one of them.

The bell rang, indicating the students to go to their form room for afternoon registration.

Max got up and brushed the grass and dry soil from his backside.

“Look at that fucking queer, can’t stop fingering his arse. He’s probably spent all break finger fucking himself.” Neil said, making sure Max heard.

Max ignored him and started walking to the school entrance.

Suddenly, he felt something hit the back of his head. Neil had thrown the football at him, it bounced off the back of Max’s head, and Neil caught it on the rebound.

Max stopped and took a deep breath. Neil and his friends laughed and brushed passed him.

Behind Max, the boy he was speaking to got up. “Sorry about that.” He said as he stopped next to him.

The boy looked at Max, who was now taking deep breaths. He wasn’t moving, and his eyes were closed. The boy looked worried. Max felt his anxiety building. “Are you alright?” He asked.

“Please leave me,” Max said solemnly.

The boy walked off, looking back at Max.

 

Max sat alone during afternoon registration and sat alone during his Maths lesson. He didn’t mind being alone in class; he could concentrate on the work and not worry about having no one to talk to.

The sound of beeping disturbed the class as they worked on the problems Mr Johnson had written on the whiteboard for the students to solve.

“Who’s mobile device is on.” Mr Johnson boomed.

Max suddenly realised he hadn’t switched his phone off. He rummaged in his school back. “It’s mine, Sir. I’m very sorry, Sir.” Max noticed it was a text from James. He was desperate to know what he had said, but Mr Johnson made him hand over the phone.”

Neil and his friends were laughing. Others in the class looked at the laughing boys disapprovingly.

“He’s going to get whacked again. But then he’ll enjoy that. Showing his bare arse to the school, inviting anyone to enter.”

“Quiet!” Mr Johnson shouted at the rowdy boys. He turned to Max, “See me after class.”

Max returned to his seat. He was scared and nervous. He could kick himself for leaving his mobile switched on. It was that boy who sat with him at lunch; he distracted him. But he couldn’t blame him. That wouldn’t be fair.

Max struggled to concentrate for the rest of the lesson. The thought of being stripped naked and caned in front of the school played on his mind, but it didn’t affect him as bad as the first time. Max supposed it was because, this time, it was his fault. He’d broken the rules and deserved the consequences.

As the class filled out the room, Max stayed in his seat. Alone with Mr Johnson, he sighed. “I really am sorry, Sir. I simply forgot to turn it off again after lunch.”

“You know the rules, Max. This time you have no excuse. Please be careful next time. I felt that your punishment last week was undeserved….” Mr Johnson was disturbed by his next class bursting into the room. “Wait outside until I’m ready for you.” He shouted at them. “By rights, you should get caned again, but I will consider what happened last week as your punishment, so there will be no further action.”

“Thank you, Sir. I really appreciate it.”

Mr Johnson perched on the end of Max’s desk in a friendly manner. “How are things between you and Neil?” He asked Max, “He seems to have some animosity towards you.”

“He blames me for getting caned last week.”

“Is he bullying you, Max?”

“I can handle Neil.” Max’s voice faltered. Max was fifteen, surely too old to be bullied, but he didn’t understand why Neil behaved like he was.

“We can help, Max. If it becomes too much. If I see anything, I will punish him.”

“I don’t want to make things worse, Sir. He’s just upset with me. He’ll get over it soon.”

“I hope so, Max.”

“May I go, Sir?” Max wanted to leave. He didn’t want to have this conversation.

“Okay, Max. You can go. See me at the end of the day to get your mobile phone back.”

“Thank you, Sir.” Max left and made his way to his next class.

 

Max was one of the last students to leave school. He had to see Mr Johnson again to get his mobile phone back. Before getting it back, the teacher tried to talk to Max about Neil again, but Max wasn’t forthcoming. Mr Johnson suggested he go see the counsellor again. Max told him that he had an appointment with him on Wednesday.

Realising he wouldn’t get anywhere with Max, Mr Johnson let him go.

A few students were milling around, still chatting with friends before they had to go home. Max walked past them and started to make his way home.

He senses someone behind him. Max became nervous again. He picked up the pace. The steps behind him quickened.

“I forgot to tell you my name.” Max heard a voice behind him. It was the voice of the boy he spoke to at lunch.

Max stopped and waited for him to catch up.

“My name is Eddie.” The boy said nervously. They started walking again, this time side by side. “What’s your name?” He asked.

“Max.”

“How old are you?”

“Fifteen.”

“I’m fourteen.”

Max looked at the boy in disbelief. “Really?”

“Really. I look older, I know. And I know I look ridiculous in this uniform. My Mum bought it before the start of term, and then I had a growth spurt. She says I have to wear this one out before she buys me a new one.”

“The school might have something to say about that. I thought they were very strict on how we looked.”

“They are. I’ve had a few looks from teachers. I think it’s borderline. But I wouldn’t be surprised if they send me home or make me go to school naked until I get a uniform that fits.”

“Would that bother you?” Max asked, “Going to school naked?”

“Not really. I’m used to being naked. We go on nudist holidays.”

“Good for you,” Max said flatly.

“Don’t you like being naked?” Eddie asked.

“I’m still getting used to it. We’ve only lived here a few months. I’m okay being naked at home, but still a little embarrassed being naked outside.”

“I could help you get used to it!” Eddie said excitedly.

“I have someone helping me.” Max smiled as he thought about his brother.

The boys stopped as they reached a junction. They looked in different directions.

“I go this way.” Eddie pointed left.

“I go straight on,” Max said.

“I’ll see you at school tomorrow?” Eddie hoped.

“Yes, see you tomorrow.” Max walked on, leaving Eddie behind.

Max was glad he had found someone to talk to, or rather someone had found him. But he wished it could have been someone in his class. Although the boy looked older, he was in the year below Max. He may be able to talk to Eddie during breaks, but he would still be alone during class.

Tomorrow, Max had Double Science. Last week he had Neil do the experiments with him. This week he would have nobody. They had to be in pairs and help each. Max wondered what the teacher would do. He hoped he didn’t force Neil to pair up with him again.

Max needed something to bring him out of himself. He was becoming depressed, fed up, and blaming it on Cockaigne.

As he reached home, he paused. He didn’t want the questions and fuss from his Mum. But it was inevitable.

“Hi, Max.” A naked Lily greeted her eldest son as he closed the door, “How was your day. Did you manage alright?”

“Fine, Mum,” Max said.

“Come here.” Lily held her arms open and gave Max a hug. “Did you have a good day?”

“It was fine, Mum.” Max pulled away from his mother. “I want to make a start on my homework.”

“Alright, Love. I’ll call you when dinner is ready.”

Max climbed the stairs quickly. He wanted to be alone.

Max shut the bedroom door and collapsed on his bed, not bothering to take his blazer off. He thought how ironic it was that he wanted to be alone, but at school, he was alone and didn’t like it. He wanted James. But he was too far away. He wanted Finn, but he was undoubtedly enjoying himself with Adam. He had no one. Max didn’t want to cry, but a single tear escaped. That tear made him hate himself for letting it fall. Surely he was stronger than this. It had only been a week in a new school. He couldn’t expect to make a bunch of new friends in a week. Well, he seemed to have made one. Eddie. But Eddie was awkward and shy and not in his class. Max knew he needed to make friends in his class.

After spending a few minutes wallowing in self-pity, Max got up and took off his blazer. He hung it up and remembered the text he’d received from James. He scrambled to get his phone.

Max pulled off his tie and unbuttoned his shirt as he waited for his phone to boot up. He sniffed the shirt and hung it up. It would be okay for another day. His trousers had to last all week, he only had two pairs, and Lily didn’t want to have to continually wash them.

Max stood in his tight, white briefs and black socks as he grabbed his phone and read the text from James.

<<Mum and Dad say it’s fine. But I’d have to be picked up and taken back.>>

Max’s heart rose at the prospect of seeing his boyfriend. He just had to persuade his father to get him.

<<Can you talk?>> Max texted back. He smiled when he saw the three dots blinking. James was replying. Then the dots stopped, and no message appeared. Instead, his phone vibrated as James was trying to video call.

Max answered, “Hi, James. I love you.” Max blurted out.

He could hear James laughing, “I love you too, Max. How’s it going.”

“All the better for seeing you.” Max smiled. Seeing James made the bulge in Max’s briefs swell.

“Are you naked?” James asked, seeing Max’s bare shoulders.

“You wish.” Max giggled. “I’m getting changed out of my uniform. I’ve still got my pants on.” Max angled the phone so James could see his crotch.

“Is that bulge for me?” James giggled.

“It’ll be here waiting for you. I can’t wait to see you.”

“Me too.”

Max lay on his bed. James and Max talked until Lily called up the stairs telling Max his dinner was ready. Max told James he had to go and went downstairs to eat.

Finn was already home and sitting at the dining table, naked as usual. Finn noticed Max in just his briefs and socks. Owen was also sitting naked, waiting for Lily to put the pasta bowls on the table.

“Nice to see you fitting in, Max. You could lose the pants, and we’d all be naked.” Finn teased.

Max looked down, his cock was fluffed up, and there was a small damp patch where the tip of his cock pushed against the fabric. He shrugged and pulled off his pants.

Finn cheered and told Max to sit next to him. He paced a gentle kiss on his cheek. He knew something was wrong, and Max would tell him when he was ready.

“Dad. James says he can come over at the weekend. Would you be able to pick him up?” Max said before eating a mouthful of pasta.

“I will be working late on Friday, but I could pick him up first thing Saturday morning,” Owen said.

“Thanks, Dad. I’ll let him know. It’s a shame there isn’t a bus he can take.”

“I’ve looked at that,” Owen explained, “And for James to get here by bus, he would need to take four buses, which would take four hours. It’s not really feasible.”

“Shame.” Max sighed.

After dinner, Max went back to his bedroom and video-called James again. Neither James nor Max managed to do any homework that night.

Finn was told to leave Max alone. They knew he was talking to James and hoped it would make him feel better. Finn sat at the dining table to do homework. When he’d finished, he went into the living room and was told to stay downstairs. As time passed, Finn became more jittery. He wanted to go upstairs. He wanted to see Max. Eventually, his parents relented and allowed him to go upstairs.

Finn brushed his teeth and went to the toilet before going into his bedroom. The curtains were closed, and Max was in bed. He listened a moment in case he was still talking to James. He heard nothing.

“Max.” Finn whispered, “Are you asleep?”

“No,” Max replied.

“Are you still talking to James?”

“We finished ten minutes ago. He had some homework to do for tomorrow. He always leaves it until the last minute.”

“I’m going to bed,” Finn told him.

“Okay,” Max said quietly.

Finn waited by the door, but Max didn’t say anything. He hoped he would ask him to get into his bed, but he stayed quiet. Finn reluctantly got into his own bed.

It felt weird to sleep alone. He lay on his back and waited for Max to say something, anything. He grew impatient.

Finn slipped out of his bed and slipped into Max’s bed. He wrapped his arms around Max, spooning him. He felt the dampness on Max’s pillow. He’d been crying. Finn wondered why. Was it because he had spoken to James and would see him for another four days, or was it school? Finn waited for Max to say something, but Max remained stubbornly quiet.

Finn decided to speak. “I’m worried about you, Max. You seem depressed.”

Max sighed and held Finn’s hand that rested on his chest.

“I care, Max. I think there’s something wrong at school.” Finn kissed Max’s bare shoulder.

“Just hold me, Min. Just for a few minutes so I can forget everything that’s wrong with my life.”

Finn held Max tight. He was scared. He knew Max would talk, but he had to wait. Finn placed another kiss on his bare shoulder. “Whenever you’re ready.”

Max practised his breathing. He was building the courage to open up to his younger brother.

“It’s Neil. He hates me and has started bullying me.” Max eventually spoke.

Finn grew angry, but this wasn’t what Max needed.

“I told him I was gay, and now he keeps calling me queer.”

“Has he physically hurt you?” Finn contained his anger.

“Not really, he threw a football at my head today, but that was it.”

“What are you going to do?” Finn asked.

“He’s not the problem.” Max sighed.

“What is?”

“I have no friends at school. Neil never introduced me to anyone. He just had me follow him around the school. He was no help at all. Every time I was with him, he resented my presence. I spoke to nobody last week.”

“It’s only been a week, Max.”

“Don’t tell me to give it time, Min.” Max interrupted. “This is what I was scared about all along. I don’t make friends easily. Neil thinks I’m a queer dork and is poisoning the class against me.”

“Why don’t we meet up and break times. We could have lunch together.”

“You don’t know how much I would like that. But I can’t rely on you. I’ve lost all my confidence with what happened with Neil.”

“Well, I’ll be around whenever you need me. You know I will drop everything for you.” Finn said.

“Thanks, Min.”

“You have James to look forward to. Keep thinking of that and how happy he makes you. And you have me. And Mum and Dad. We all love you, Max. We all want to see you happy.”

“I know, Min. And I love you all too. I’m just feeling very sorry for myself. I miss James, and I’m the new boy at school. Neil is being a dick, but someone did talk to me today. We met at lunch. He was a little strange, but I liked him. He was shy.”

“That’s good. I also hear that the rugby club starts training next week. Are you going to join?”

“If you asked me two weeks ago, I would have given you a definite yes. But I’ve lost all sense of myself. Lost track of what I’m good at. I know I’m good at rugby, but I feel like I would drag the team down if I joined.”

“Bullshit, Max. If you join, it will remind you of how good you are. Remember the last time you trained with them? They said you were the best kicker they’ve ever had. It could give you your confidence back.”

“You can get very forceful when you want, Min.” Max smiled to himself.

“I surprise myself sometimes.”

Max twisted until he was face to face with his brother.

“Thank you, Min.” Max gave his brother a kiss on the lips.

“Max?” Finn grinned.

“Yes, Min.”

“Your breath stinks. You haven’t cleaned your teeth yet, have you?”

Max climbed over Finn and went to brush his teeth.

Finn smelt his minty breath as he returned. When he got into bed, he went behind Finn and spooned him. “That’s better.” Max adjusted his cock, so it rested between his brother’s buttocks.

“I love it when you do that. It feels like we are connected.” Finn said.

“I love it too, Min.”

“I know it’s early, but I’m tired tonight.” Finn yawned.

Max stroked his brother’s hair, “That’s alright, you fall asleep, as long as I can hold you like I used to hold my teddy bear.”

“Didn’t you used to suck and chew his ear?”

Max laughed. “I forgot about that. I promise not to chew your ear, but I might suck it.” Max leaned forward and sucked in Finn’s earlobe.

“Eugh! Max!”

Max let Finn’s lobe slip from his lips. “You taste quite nice, Min.”

“Eat me later, Max. I’m tired. I love you.”

“I love you, Min.” Max rested his head on Finn’s shoulder.

 

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