This is a work of fiction. The characters are fictional, this series is fictional, and so I don't need to worry about trampling on anybody's feet. However this story in no way implies anything about the sexuality of the characters on the show or the respective actors. I don't own these characters. I'm just borrowing them for a little adventure into my world. The WB Network and the creators of the series 'Popular' own them. This story revolves around the relationship of Harrison John, (My Favorite! Yum Yum!!!) And Josh Ford, (Also very yummy nummy if you know what I mean!) and I hope I don't do too much damage to them. If you are under the age of 18, or this type of material is illegal in your state/country, please desist now and head for Disney.com. So read on. I don't know how much longer I can keep this up! ***********************************************************************
NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR
This has been quite a little journey. I didn't intend to continue on with this but I just keep getting more and more responses telling me they're waiting for the next chapter. :) Shame on all of you. This wasn't supposed to be my start in the slash universe. Since I'm still trying to bridge the gap from my first one-shot into a continuing story idea I've decided for, again, a different approach to this chapter. The events depicted here start off before 'All About Adam' and are intertwined with that story and afterwards. There are a few NOTICEABLE changes from the actual episode but I hope you guys get the idea I'm trying to do. This should be the last or second to last reinterpretation of events before I establish my storyline so please just bare with me. Thanks again to all the readers with their comments. As usual send your stuff my way at toriboy@rocketmail.com. I love to hear from my readers. Thanks again to Mizz Pembroke, M the Slash Mistress, Brian, Bubbles, Destiny, Mr. Apathie, and the clan of Boy-Band writers with their exquisite works here at Nifty. And last to JM who inspired me to write. I will have my other story out within the next month.
A NIGHT IN THE NOVAK -- Chapter 3
-DISTRACTION Part I- By Darren LeVanelle
Do I stress you out? My sweaters on backwards and inside out and you say 'How appropriate.' I don't dissect everything to death. I don't mean to pick you apart you see but I can't help it.
The words of Alanis Morissette blurted throughout the room as Harrison started to dress himself for school. It would be another day. But it was to be a day like none that had happened before cause today was the one-week anniversary of his secret relationship with Josh. Ok so it wasn't a total secret since Sam knew about it but that was the extent of the gossip. Or so it was thought. But that would be explained later. At the moment Harrison was busy trying to wear something appropriate for his mood today. There was an excitement in the air this morning and the words sang through his CD player matched his thoughts closely.
And there I go jumping before the gunshot has gone off. Slap me with a splintered ruler. And it would knock me to the floor if I wasn't there already. If only I could hunt the hunter.
He picked out a nicer looking outfit than usual. Not that he had a lot of really nice clothes. Harrison tended to buy stuff that he thought was different, unusual, unique. This shirt in particular stood out from the others he saw. It was ribbed, black on the chest and torso, with dark green ribbed sleeves that ran down to his hands. He put on his necklace and combed his hair...just a little so that it was kind of spiky. He knew Josh liked that style.
And all I really want is some patience. A way to calm the angry voice. And all I really want is deliverance.
He walked down the stairs and picked up his backpack. Right on schedule, a car horn blew outside the front door. 'That must be Sam.' He thought. 'Right on time.' He was going to school early today and meeting Josh in the cafeteria. He said he had something planned. Harrison took one last look in the mirror and decided it was time.
"Yeah yeah Sam. I'm coming." He said as the horn sounded a second time. He threw his backpack over his shoulder and headed out the door.
MEANWHILE ACROSS TOWN
Do I wear you out? You must wonder why I'm relentless and all strung out. I'm consumed by the chill of solitary. I'm like Estella. I like to reel it in and then spit it out. I'm frustrated by your apathy.
Those words were often thought by his inner voice. Was he a user who took in someone just to suit his own ends? Did he toss them aside when they no longer served his purpose? Certainly he was frustrated by the lack of emotion he normally received. How could some people be so harsh and emotionless? Still he thought better of himself than that. What he was currently experiencing was not on that list. He felt inside that he wasn't using Harrison to his own ends. There was something there he couldn't touch or see but it told him this was the real thing. But the doubts remained inside. 'I guess you just can't erase fear can you Josh?' he asked himself in his room.
And I am frightened by the corrupted way of this land. If only I could meet the maker. And I am fascinated by the spiritual man. I'm humbled by his humble nature. Yeah.
Josh Ford hadn't listened to this album in quite some time. He bought it at the time cause it was considered cool. But he ended up loving so many of the songs on it. Today this song felt like a necessity. He needed the reminders like a slap in the face. He dried his hair as he looked over at his clothes laid out on the bed. Hopefully Harrison would like what he would be wearing. Not his usual style but he thought it would be a nice change of pace. A pair of baggy black slacks, Converse sneakers, and a dark blue t-shirt. The ensemble was so lest 'preppy' and a lot more casual and, dare he think it, alternative.
And what I wouldn't give to find a soul mate. Someone else to catch this drift. And what I wouldn't give to meet a kindred.
The lyrics snapped his head to attention as he stared at his reflection in the bathroom mirror. He hadn't paid attention to that chorus like this before. Was Harrison becoming a soul-mate or something very close? 'No time to think about it right now. We'll have all day.' With that thought he smiled at his 'plans' and started to get dressed.
IN THE CAR ON THE WAY TO SCHOOL WITH SAM
Enough about me, let's talk about you for a minute. Enough about you, let's talk about life for a while. The conflicts, the craziness and the sound of pretenses falling all around. All around.
"So how are things going with you two newlyweds?" Sam had started the conversation off rather bluntly this morning.
"Things are going fine." Harrison responded in his usual blank tone of voice. Deciding that he wasn't going to be having this conversation with Sam today he quickly changed the subject. "How are things working out in Journalism class? Still the same old daily grind stuff you're use to writing nowadays?"
Sam took the hint. "Well well. Could you be any less subtle when trying to change the subject Harrison? Journalism is just fine but I am dying to actually write something with substance for a change."
Why are you petrified of silence? Here can you handle this?
The silence dragged on in the car for the remainder of the trip to school. Sam sat there wondering to herself. 'He's gonna have to come out and talk about this sometime. He can't keep it bottled up forever.' The drive continued without another word being spoken.
IN MIKE MCQUEEN'S CAR TO SCHOOL 15 MINUTES LATER Did you think about your bills, your ex, your deadlines or when you think you're gonna die or do you long for the next distraction?
Brooke stared out the window like she had done every day for the past week on the drive to school. What was happening? First the madness of breaking up with Josh, then hearing about Carmen and Josh dating, and now they don't seem to even be talking all that much. Instead Harrison is always hanging around him with no apparent end in sight. Something was up, but she didn't know what.
"Something wrong Brooke?" her dad stated as he noticed the silence from her this morning.
"Nothing dad." She replied half-heartedly.
"You wanna talk about it?"
"I'm fine dad." She spoke again more firmly. "Really!"
"Ok then." With that final response from her dad she stared out the window again enraptured by her own dilemma.
'How do I close this gap between Josh and I?' The rest of the trip ensued quietly.
BACK AT KENNEDY HIGH SCHOOL And all I need now is intellectual intercourse. A soul to make the hole much deeper. And I have no concept of time other than it is flying. If only I could kill the killer. "So why exactly am I dropping you off so early?" Sam beggared the question. "Non of your business." Harrison replied with a smile ear to ear. "Gotcha!" "I'm meeting Josh here. That's all." He looked about the campus for any signs of his boyfriend outside. "I don't even know why he wanted to meet me here." Sam peered over his shoulder to the desolate campus and saw a familiar figure making it's way to the vehicle. The figure made a gesture, telling her not to let Harrison know of the approach. "Well it's not like I'd know. I have absolutely zero information when it comes to your man." "That has to be the first time you've ever referred to Josh as 'My man' Sam. What's the occasion?" There was a light tap on his shoulder before he could receive the answer. He turned around and looked at the figure. "Sorry but I'm waiting for..." His words ended quickly at the sight of Josh, holding a bouquet of Red Roses with a bright smile plastered on his face. Josh handed the bouquet into Harrison's astonishing hands before he finally spoke up. "Happy Anniversary Harrison." He said before pulling him into a quick kiss and hug.
And all I really want is some peace man. A place to find a common ground. And all I really want is the wavelength.
"Sam!" he stuttered out as he caught her looking at the two of them. He motioned his head away from Josh and him.
"I can take a hint Harrison. I'll see you later." She pulled her head back into the car.
"Don't count on it." Josh uttered to Harrison's amazement. "We have plans."
"Oh really?" Sam stuck her head back out the window to hear what kind of 'plans' they had.
"Sam!" Harrison barked out.
"Alright. I'm going." She let out a heavy sigh before putting the car in drive. "You boys don't get in any trouble."
Sam finally drove off and the two boys walked over towards Josh's car. "So what kind of plans did you have in mind today huh?"
"You'll see." Josh flashed a bright smile towards his boyfriend. "It wouldn't be a surprise if I spoiled it now." Josh unlocked the door and opened it, acting every bit the gentleman to Harrison. After he got in he closed it and walked over to the other side. At that instant Mike McQueen pulled into the parking lot just as Josh closed his door. Brooke stared over to the car parked near the faculty area and instantly recognized it.
'Oh my god. What is Josh doing here so early?' She noticed the smoke coming out of the tailpipe and gasped. 'And where is he going?' She looked on as the car pulled out of its space and drove through the parking lot. Then she saw that he had a passenger. It was Harrison. She gritted her teeth.
"Isn't that Josh?" he father asked. Brooke just nodded in reply. "I wonder where he's going?" Since his daughter was not likely to give an answer he just pulled up to the front of the school to drop her off. Brooke opened the door slowly and stepped onto the sidewalk. "I'll see you later Brooke. Have a good day at school." His only response was the same solemn nod that he had been receiving from her for the past few days. She was upset about something but his daughter never seemed to open up to her about the things that bothered her. He drove out of the school lot and headed to work.
And all I really want is some comfort. A way to get my hands untied. And all I really want is some justice.
The CD stopped playing.
DURING LUNCHTIME
Mary Cherry suddenly cocked her head to the side. "Girls. Am I the only one who notices the lack of presence here at this table?" She looked over at Nicole and Poppy. "There's something missing here."
Nicole looked side to side. "I think you're right." A perturbed look crossed her face. "Where's Josh?"
Mary Cherry, Nicole and Poppy all looked over to Brooke. "What? I'm not his girlfriend. I don't keep track of him anymore. Go ask Carmen!" Brooke stuttered out at the rest of the Glamazons.
"Where's Joe?" Mary Cherry asked again looking distraught.
"Yeah. I don't see the zit-faced homo anywhere today." Nicole's head snapped over to Mary Cherry. "Don't you have 5th period with him?"
Mary Cherry pulled out her appointment book and flipped through its pages quickly. "Why yes I do Nicole."
"Check up on it will you. This doesn't sound to good."
"Yes sir!" Mary Cherry stated elatedly as she tossed her planner back in her purse. "What the hell?" She pulled out a tazer from the trenches of her carrying bag. "I've been looking for this!" Nicole and Poppy turned towards each other.
"So Poppy how's Jennifer Lopez doing?" Nicole asked
"Oh great!" Poppy replied.
"Where's Harrison?" Carmen said as she sat down next to Sam at the lunch table.
"Nobody seems to know." Lily answered as she picked at her 'lunch', whatever the hell it was today.
"And from the gossip going around school today it seems like Josh is missing in action too." Sam added in. Even though she knew that neither of them were in school today she had to give the illusion that she was in the same predicament as the rest of the crew.
"So they're both, like AWOL?" Carmen questioned.
"Sure looks that way." Lily said back. It was kind of strange. "Y'know those two have been really good friends ever since..."
"The Novak..." Carmen started to get out in a whisper. "The Novak. Hasn't it been like exactly a week since they were both locked in there?" The other two heads at the table kind of moved from side to side in response.
"I think it has Carmen? Why do you ask?" Sam answered.
"Nothing. No reason in particular. It's just kinda...I don't know...odd. Don't you think?" Lily and Sam, who was just playing along to keep her nose out of Josh and Harrison's business, looked at her with a 'What?' look on their faces. "Think of it this way. They're both locked in there for six hours, get rescued by Sam and Brooke, and wake up the next morning all...friendly towards one another. Like they've been friends for years. And today they're skipping school together. It just doesn't make any sense!"
"Like anything at this high school hell makes any sense Carmen."
"Sam I'm being serious. Do either of you think that maybe something else is going on? Like they're doing something else or plotting something against Brooke or something along those lines?"
"Well I think you have a very overactive imagination." Lily stated calmly.
"Thanks Lily." Carmen sat back quietly and folded her arms across her chest. There was something going on here. She knew it.
"Hey there Sugs. What's the rhyme with you today?" Mary Cherry perked out upon Sugar Daddy's arrival.
"This day sucks." He took a seat next to the girls at the lunch table. "Where's Josh at?"
"Déjà vu." Poppy said.
"What did I miss?" Sugar asked.
"It seems Mr. Quarterback has decided to have a little Vacation from school this fine day." Nicole responded.
"Damnit!" he screamed out.
"What's the matter SD?" Mary Cherry asked.
"Great. The one day I really need to talk to him and he goes and pulls a skip day on me. Shit." The table sat in silence for the rest of their lunch break.
"You're not going home now are you?" Harrison stood at the front door of his house after a very enjoyable day.
"We have school tomorrow and I think my parents are probably a little worried by now." Josh stated very clearly and in a concise tone of voice.
"Well you can call them and tell them that you're staying the night at a friends house." Harrison barked out at him. "And that wasn't a request."
"But Harrison..." Josh started out before he was cut off.
"No butt's." He walked slowly up to the blond haired boy so they were closer together. "I had a really great time today. From the flowers to lunch and dinner at that fancy restaurant. It was really sweet of you." Harrison took a hold of Josh's hand and led him to the door. "And I'd like to show you how much I appreciate all you did for me today." A smile crossed over his face as Harrison finished his sentence.
"Oh really? Well in that case..." Before Josh could finish his words the door swung open, obviously from inside the house, and a voice boomed out.
"Young man! It is almost 11 o'clock and I have been worried sick. Where the hell have you been all..." The woman at the front door stopped in the middle of her words as she saw the two young men holding hands affectionately on the doorstep. "Oh my."
"Hi MOM!" Harrison spoke with an accent on the word 'MOM'. He shook his head from side to side in disbelief. "Great job Harrison. Real great." He cursed at himself.
"Um. Hello Mrs. John. It's nice to meet you." Josh said to break the ice and took her hand in his own.
"Mom. Josh here is spending the night ok." Harrison spoke out slowly so that his mother would understand every word.
"Sure." The two boys walked inside and Harrison's mom turned to Josh. "Could you please wait upstairs. I need to talk to my son for a minute."
"Sure thing Mrs. John." Josh gave Harrison a glance before he headed upstairs. As soon as Josh had closed the door Harrison started right up.
"I know exactly what you're going to say." He spoke strongly.
"Oh. So I shouldn't bother saying that this must be the reason why you were so angry when your friends found out I was gay. This must explain why you've never talked to me about your relationships you've had with girls and why you never brought one of your 'girl-friends' over because you knew deep inside that there was something different about you. Damnit Harrison. Why did I have to find out that you're gay by catching you and your, your..." She struggled over the words a bit.
"Boyfriend." Harrison said softly. "He's my boyfriend."
"Thank you. You boyfriend holding hands on the front porch at 11 o'clock at night. I thought that since I was your mother, and more importantly cause I'm gay too, you would have been able to talk to me about this."
"But that's why mom." Harrison said sternly looking directly at her. "That's why I could never tell you what I was thinking. Nobody knew. I had to figure it out for myself. I had to think for myself and not have everyone around me formulating their own opinions as to why I've never had a real relationship with a girl." He walked up to her so they were closer. "I had to find out on my own. And I have."
She placed her hands on his shoulders as a smile graced her face. "As long as you're happy Harrison. And as long as you're safe."
"I know mom." The two of them walked up the stairs together. Harrison opened the door to his room and found Josh sitting down on his bed patiently waiting.
"Everything alright?" he asked at the sight of the two of them.
"Everything's fine Josh. And it was nice to meet you too. I hope you two will fit in that twin sized bed comfortably." She said as the door closed in front of her. Josh looked over at Harrison in disbelief.
"It's alright Josh. I'll probably have a long talk with her tomorrow on the way to school. You better call your dad." Josh nodded at the words and picked up the phone.
"You didn't have to do that y'know." Josh stated over to the young man curled up in his arms. There was a harshness of breath in his voice from the small encounter of intimacy they had just shared.
"Well you didn't have to either." Harrison replied comically.
"True enough. But I like to." They shared a brief kiss before he spoke again. "And I love seeing the look on your face when you cum."
"Josh!" He screeched out, although not as loud as he normally would.
"Sorry. It's the truth though." He snuggled up closer to Harrison and let out a sigh. "I can't believe we're together still though. It's almost like a dream."
"I know what you mean. The school's bound to find out sometime." Harrison looked over at the man who's arms he was nestled in. "And I know you're not ready yet."
"Yeah. I just wish the girls could somehow stay distracted for a little while. Just to give me some more breathing room."
Harrison turned to face him and held his hand firmly. "We'll figure something out." He smiled and nestled back into Josh's arms.
Brooke sat in the bleachers alone. She was wearing her Glamazons gear and looking around the football field and track. The rest of the squad was down in the field practicing without her. She just wanted to sit this one out, just to see if anyone noticed. It seemed that no one did. Well, no one noticed yet.
Her attention drifted from the Glamazons to the boys running around the track practicing their sprints. Each of them were members of the football team but one of them was someone special in Brooke's heart. Josh Ford slowed his pace as he reached the finish line, panting loudly out of breath. He turned to face another young man who was approaching. Harrison John. His smile widened as he took notice of him. The two started to talk friendly on the field and started to walk away. The Glamazons muttered and laughed with each other.
"You're the best y'know?" a male voice interrupted her thoughts. She turned and saw a tall, lanky, shaved head teenager approach her. "I mean what are The Supremes without Diana Ross, or Blondie without Deborah Harring?"
"I'm not exactly Diana Ross." Brooke replied to the stranger.
"Nope. But you're Brooke McQueen. Hi I'm Adam..."
Mary Cherry clutched her head in pain and started screaming. "AAAARRRRGGGGHHHH!!!!" She almost doubled over but Poppy and Nicole kept her almost on her feet. "No DAMNIT! Not again!" She whined out.
"What Mary Cherry?" Nicole asked at the sudden display of anguish. "What is it?"
"Damn this gaydar!" Mary Cherry looked around a bit. "Damn it all to HELL!"
Poppy stared over at Nicole and asked, "What? Gaydar?"
"I'll explain later Poppy." Nicole hoisted Mary Cherry back into a standing position. "To make a long story short though, Mary Cherry here has been having problems with her gaydar for the past week now. She keeps getting 'blips' and can't lock on to the 'homo' source. If you'll do the math I'm sure you'll understand the dilemma in her current situation even if you don't fully comprehend the severity of it all." She pulled out a package of tissues from Mary Cherry's purse and helped to wipe the beads of moisture that started to accumulate on her forehead. "Are you feeling better Mary?"
"I think so. The blipping has stopped."
"Good. And please leave the cyanide out of the purse from now on. I think it's illegal to have while on campus." She ordered.
"Ok Nic. I'll try. But I'm more worried than before." Mary Cherry slurred out.
"And why's that girl?"
"Well you see. The first time my gaydar went off last week I detected two obvious blips in the area. Well now I'm picking up three." She concentrated a bit. "Actually they're all gone now."
"How's the research going though?" Nicole asked.
"I haven't found anything yet. But I haven't given up. I'll find those faggots!" Mary Cherry screamed out in anger.
"How do you know its fag's you're chasing and not, like...dykes or lesbians or transvestites?" Poppy inquired.
"Well that's simple. Gay men give off this kind of high pitched blip and gay women give off a lower pitched one while transvestites are just silent on the screen." Mary Cherry explained in better detail.
"I think I know enough for the rest of my life. Practice is over girls. Can we go now Nic?"
"Sure thing Poppita. It's time to head on into School land."
TO BE CONTINUED...
*********************************************************************** So this one was a little shorter but I ran into writers block and decided to post what I had for the moment. :) TeeHee. So I hope you enjoy. Forgive any misspellings and anything that just doesn't sound right. I didn't beta this one. Hopefully I'll have the next chapter up in a week or so. ***********************************************************************