by Matt Shaw
They looked at each other, unsure whether they should or not. A quick glance at Piers, who was barely conscious from the last pistol whipping he received, and the two of them stood up; neither of them wanting to be on the receiving end of that kind of brutality. I wonder, had they known what was coming their way...I wonder whether they’d still have chosen to stand up. I smiled. Slowly they came forward. Both of them were tall individuals. Both with dark hair. Both with dark brown eyes. Same size, width-wise, too. You’d be forgiven for thinking they were brothers.
“Do you remember when David told you about Ben and Daniel?” I asked Mrs Price. She didn’t answer. How rude. “Do you remember he reported that they kept calling him names? I remember. He told you how it upset him and how he didn’t like it. He asked for your help and you told him not to be so silly. It was, after all, just name-calling. Which, by the way, is still bullying. Do you remember?”
“Yes,” she nodded.
“We were just playing around,” said Ben.
“Oh, well, that’s okay then...Please, take a seat...” I said. My sarcasm slipping out again. Ben, foolishly, went to move back to his seat at the back of the class, “Don’t you fucking move,” I hissed. He froze on the spot. Good lad. Not as stupid as he appears. “Tell me, what did you call David when you were playing around?” I asked. Neither of them answered. Maybe they’ve forgotten. “Faggot. Queer. Beaver-leaver. Homo. Gay. Gayboy. Rimmer...Just a few of the names...”
“We were just playing...”
“You knew it upset him. You knew he didn’t see it as playing.”
“We’re sorry,” said Daniel.
“Too late.” I tried not to show glee as they both looked as though they were about to cry. “Well...I suppose...We could kiss and make up...” They didn’t say anything. They just looked at one another hoping one of them would understand what I was talking about. They turned back to me with blank expressions on their faces. There was a pause. “Come on then, kiss and make up...”
After the video that Piers took on his mobile phone, was emailed to - as it turned out - everyone who subscribed to the school’s digital magazine, which was run by the students, it was Daniel and Ben who started the rumour that I was a peodophile. It was them who stated the whole video couldn’t be shown because it showed Rebecca’s younger sister dancing for me in her underwear. They admitted that was a lie when the police were involved but not so everyone could hear - only the officers, my mum and Rebecca’s parents. Rebecca denied being in the room at the time; her denial helped by the fact that the sound was muted with dodgy ‘porn’ music edited over it. Ben and Daniel never did apologise for the trouble it landed me in. It didn’t help that David was sulking with me too. He had warned me not to go and felt that I should have trusted what he said.
“I don’t understand,” said Daniel.
“Let me spell it out to you,” I said. “I want you to kiss Ben.”
Daniel looked down to the gun, in my hand, and then over to Piers at the back of the room. He turned to Ben and leant forward. After he closed his eyes he gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.
“Well,” I said, “that was very sweet but...I think you can do better than that. Kiss him like you mean it. I want to see tongues. You know...Because I’m such a faggot.”
“We didn’t mean it!” said Ben; a look of panic on his face and his voice shaking. “Please...We didn’t mean it. Okay?”
“Okay. Thanks. Means a lot to me. Now...Kiss. And look as though you’re enjoying it.”
* * * * *
The fallout from the leaked video footage was more or less over by the third week. At least, it was at school. At home mum still wouldn’t let me go out and she still wasn’t entirely happy with what had happened. I kept telling her it wasn’t my fault but she just kept saying how embarrassing it was for the family. For the family? What about me? I didn’t ask to have the video shown everywhere. I didn’t want people seeing it. I’m the one who has to go out and see the people who have seen the video. It’s not like mum bumps into the people who watched it. It’s not as though mum bumps into anyone.
“Your father is going to be so disappointed when he gets home,” mum kept reminding me.
“Who cares what he thinks? Who cares what anyone thinks? It’s not like we’ll be here for very long! We never are!”
“And then what did she say?” asked David. I was sat with him in the cafeteria. It was the first time we had spoken properly since the video leaked.
“She said I was ungrateful. Apparently dad does all this for me...Moving around...The working...Apparently it’s all for me but that’s rubbish.”
“How so?”
“If they wanted the best for me, they’d have left me in the same school. They wouldn’t move me around. They’d want me to meet new people, make new friends and, more importantly, keep them!”
“Dad works because it’s what he wants. He doesn’t give a shit about me or mum. Pretends he does but...He doesn’t.”
David didn’t say anything. I guess he realised I just needed to vent.
“Well, I’m sorry for everything you went through,” he said eventually.
“Thank you.”
“But...”
“Don’t say it.”
“I told you so...”
I gave him a look which said ‘thanks for that’. He simply smiled.
“Everything sorted now though?” he asked. “I mean, with regards to the police and Head?”
I nodded, “I nearly got expelled for it.”
“I saw the film...” he smiled, “...impressive.”
“Oh, fuck you.”
David laughed.
“Look out...a new film in the making,” said Daniel.
I span around and saw Daniel and Ben on the table behind us. They were laughing, like they usually were when they were mocking someone or something. A real life version of Tweedle-Dee and Tweedle-Dum. David rolled his eyes.
“Who do you think will be the giver and who will be the taker?” asked Ben.
I didn’t say anything. There was so much I could say but...There was no point. I had already learnt that smart arse comments don’t make them go away. Today was all about trying something new; ignoring them. I looked at David and hoped he’d stay quiet too.
“Look...Look at the way they’re looking at each other...They’re going to kiss...”
* * * * *
“Look...” I said to my fellow classmates, “...Look, they’re going to kiss...”
“Please,” said Ben. “We’ve said we’re sorry.”
“And I appreciate it. Now kiss.” I raised the gun up to his face. “I won’t be asking again...”
Ben and Daniel looked at each other. A slight pause as they both processed what they were going to have to do.
“Wait!” I suddenly yelled. They pulled away from each other. “Wait...” There was relief on their faces. I took up a mobile phone, from the table on the teacher’s table, and loaded up the camera. “Okay, now you can kiss.” They knew I wasn’t joking. “And...Action...”
There was a long pause as they just looked at each other. They turned to the camera. Off shot I waved the gun in the air. They looked back to one another. They knew what they had to do. The funny thing is, though, they don’t know the half of what they have to do. Today, they are my performing monkeys and I’m going to make the most of it.
“Kiss him, faggot,” I hissed.
Mrs Jones shifted uneasily in her chair. Probably remembering her little show and tell for the class. I shot her a glance to keep her quiet. By the time I looked back to Ben and Daniel they were standing nose to nose. Be interesting to see who makes the first move. My money is on Ben. ‘Bender Ben’ has a certain ring to it. Daniel leaned forward and kissed Ben on the mouth. I’m glad I didn’t put any real money on it. They stopped and turned to me. I hadn’t moved. I was still pointing the camera at them. That wasn’t a kiss. Not a proper one. Not like lovers. I peered out from behind the phone’s screen and ga
ve them a stern look...A stern look they both understood. They turned back to each other. This time it was Ben to make the move. He stepped forward and tilted his head to the side with his mouth slightly opened. Daniel moved closer too, his mouth also open slightly. Soon their lips were interlocked in a passionate embrace. I could be wrong but...They look as though they’re enjoying it. Certainly making for interesting footage. Wonder what the rest of the school will think of it when I email it to the same people Piers emailed when he made his little video?
8.
“Let’s go,” I said to David. I did my best to ignore the comments from Ben and Daniel; did my best to rise above it but they were starting to annoy me and I knew David would have been feeling the same.
“Aw, where are you going?” Daniel asked.
“Toilets, I expect,” said Ben. “Probably want to have a little sausage for their pudding.” They laughed. Other people, who were sat around them listening, also laughed. Very funny.
* * * * *
Ben and Daniel pulled away from their kiss. A little string of saliva was the last to snap away from their embrace.
“So how was that?” I asked. “I have to say, and I’m sure I’m not alone in saying this, it looked as though you both enjoyed it. Did you?” They didn’t answer. First time ever they’ve both been silenced. Should have done this ages ago. “Remove your trousers.” They both looked startled. No doubt they had hoped I was going to let them sit back down. They’re wrong. I’m not done with them. I’m a way off being done. Daniel undid his trousers and dropped them to the floor. “Well, looks as though your efforts weren’t up to his standard,” I said to Ben. Ben didn’t budge. “Your turn.” Again, he didn’t move. “Help him, Dan...You’re his friend, aren’t you? You’d hate for him to be hurt, right?”
Daniel turned to Ben, “Please...Just do as he says...Don’t make me...”
Ben reluctantly lowered his trousers and I couldn’t help but laugh when I noticed he was hard. “I guess Dan’s the better kisser, huh?” Ben went bright red, as did Daniel. We’re still not done yet, though. “I bet you could murder a little sausage right about now, huh? Some nice pudding...”
I stepped forward and pulled Ben’s shorts down. His erection popped up, standing to attention for the whole class to see and be disgusted by. I don’t want to look too closely but I bet it’s covered in pre-cum.
“You talk about it all the time,” I said to Daniel, “because I reckon it’s what you want...YOU want to have a little sausage for pudding...”
“What? No. No...”
“I think you protest too much. Here’s your chance...Put him in your mouth.”
“Please, no...I’m not gay.”
“Me neither but you two insisted on saying I was just because I was friends with someone who happened to choose that particular path in life. And that wasn’t the worst that you said, let us not forget that...Now, put him in your fucking mouth and keep him there...” Daniel didn’t move. I stormed over to him and swung the gun down to his knee-cap, catching him on the side. He let out a squeal and dropped to his knees. “I said, put him in your fucking mouth...”
“Just do it,” said Ben.
“See, he’s begging for it. He wants you to...This little faggot here...Put him in your mouth.”
Someone fidgeted in their seat behind me so I swung around with the gun and aimed it at them. They froze. I turned back to Daniel and pressed the gun against his temple.
“The lesson is almost over. You can nearly walk away from this...If you don’t do this...If you refuse...You won’t walk away.”
Slowly he edged closer and closer to Ben’s penis. He opened his mouth and let the shaft slide to the back of his throat. Ben moaned. Not sure if that was a groan of pleasure or one born from being uncomfortable.
“Doesn’t that taste good?” I asked. “Now move back and forwards...You’ve seen how the ladies do it in the movies you have undoubtedly watched...Do it. Do it.”
Daniel started to move back and forwards, just as I had told him to, and Ben’s moans became more frequent. Every time Ben’s penis hit the back of Daniel’s mouth, Daniel couldn’t help but gag.
“You like that?” I asked Ben. His eyes were shut. I’m not sure if he was picturing Daniel sucking him off or picturing, perhaps, Rebecca or Mrs Price. Either way, this wasn’t for him to be enjoying. With no warning, I turned to Daniel and kicked up, as hard as I could, between his legs. The sudden rush of pain caused his mouth to clamp shut...I was surprised at how far the blood spurted, from Ben, when Daniel moved away. Both of them dropped to the floor in agony.
“Who’s next?” I asked the class.
John, one of the quieter members of the group, jumped up and made a dash for the door. I was unsure of his intentions. Maybe he wanted to get help for Ben. Maybe he wanted to escape his own lesson. Either way...Silly move considering I wasn’t exactly so far away I wouldn’t get to the door first. I thrust the gun in his face.
“Sit the fuck down.”
I’m still amazed at how easy it is to control a small group with one handgun. Surely they must realise I don’t have enough bullets for all of them? I guess none of them are willing to sacrifice themselves in order to save their friends. The cowards. All they need to do is rush me. I probably wouldn’t even be able to empty the entire clip. It is, indeed, a selfish world we live in.
* * * * *
“I hate this place!” David exclaimed when we were away from Ben and Daniel’s earshot. “There are all these anti-bullying posters around making it look as though the school actually gives a damn but they don’t. They don’t give a flying fuck about their pupils getting bullied.” I didn’t say anything. I just let him have his little rant. “I’ve been to the teachers before but they don’t care. They don’t want to know. If they do say anything to the people involved...It’s half-hearted. It’s not meant and certainly isn’t enough to deter them. It makes me sick. Just shows you really are alone.” He started to cry. Should I put my arm around him? Not sure. Would he get the wrong idea? “All that talk about sticks and stones breaking bones but words never hurting...Broken bones heal. Bruises heal. Harsh words can have a long, lasting effect.” I couldn’t argue with him. He had a point. He looked to me, “You’re not doing a very good job of making me feel any better.”
“I’m sorry,” I stammered. “Not really sure what to say.”
“Anything!” he said.
After a slight pause, “There, there...Everything will be okay...” He couldn’t help but laugh at how useless I was. Comforting people never really was my strong point. I guess I don’t really have the family background to afford me that little life skill. Dad was always working and mum would always over compensate which I found annoying. “So what do you want to do?”
“I just wish I could make them all suffer.”
“Well, I’m sure that would be great but...I don’t think it’s very practical. Besides, I meant what do you want to do now?”
“I’m not going to class. Fancy going to the cinema or something?”
I nodded. Hopefully he’ll be paying.
* * * * *
Daniel was on the floor, at the front of the class, crying with blood smeared around his mouth. I’m not sure if he is crying because he’s just bitten his friend’s penis off or crying because of the pain from being kicked. Maybe a little bit of both? Ben, on the other hand, is deathly quiet in his unconscious state. He looks pale. I wonder whether he’ll eventually end up bleeding to death from his injury? Maybe. If he does, he brought it upon himself.
“Go back to your seat,” I said to Daniel.
Slowly he stood up and walked down the middle aisle back to his seat - all of his classmates staring at him. I liked how everyone was looking at him. All staring...All judging for what he has just done. He won’t be able to forget their looks. They’ll be with him forever...Just as the taste of human flesh will haunt him.
