The usual disclaimers apply: don't read if you are prohibited by location, are under legal age, or if you are likely to be offended by explicit descriptions of gay sex. The story is pure fiction and is not based on any actual events.
This is completely imaginary story and features Calvin Goldspink from the group SClub. The story is in no way intended to reflect or imply anything about the personality or the sexuality of Calvin or of any other real life person. The story will be complete in four chapters.
Gymnopedies gym@softhome.net
Calvin - Too Cool For School ----------------------------
Part 2 of 4
By the following morning the pain in Calvin's groin had eased to a slight twinge and as long as he was careful how he sat down, it wasn't a problem. His ribs, however, were another matter entirely. It seemed that the bruised muscles had tightened overnight to the extent that even getting out of bed was an ordeal. Though he put on a brave face, it wasn't possible to completely hide his discomfort from his parents. He got around this by explaining that he was a bit stiff after overdoing things in the gym the previous day. His mother was only partially satisfied with this and as Calvin left the house for school she was still telling him he should be more careful and even making hints about him seeing a doctor.
As he approached the school gates the teenager gave a groan of dismay. Crossing the road towards him was Tom Mallory. The bully was alone, but that didn't make Calvin feel any better. He'd already discovered the previous day that he was no match for the bigger boy, even one to one, and in his current bruised and battered condition he stood no chance at all. He tensed himself, hoping to escape with just a verbal battering and not a physical one. However, to Calvin's surprise, Tom walked straight passed him without even a word, his head down and a scowl on his face. Calvin was sure he'd seen a dark bruise on the bully's cheek as he passed by. It looked like Tom had taken some punishment of his own and the young singer suppressed a smile as he wondered whether the boy had at last met someone who could stand up to him.
The bell for the start of the day sounded just as he entered the classroom and his smile was still on his face as he slid into his seat beside Dan Murphy.
"What's put you in such a good mood?" asked Dan, pushing his glasses up onto the bridge of his nose with his forefinger.
"Nothing much," Calvin replied. "Though I just saw Tom Mallory and it looked like someone had given him a thump."
"Really? About time." Dan gave a smile of his own. He too had been an occasional victim of Tom's attentions. "What happened?"
"No idea, but he had a real nasty bruise under one eye. Wish I could have been there to see it happen."
"Me too," Dan agreed. "What's happening between you and Tom? Is he still giving you a hard time?"
"Nothing I can't handle," Calvin lied, his arm supporting his sore chest.
A few minutes later the bell sounded again marking the end of the registration period. Mrs. Taylor, their form tutor, sent the class off to their first lesson of the day, but asked Calvin to stay behind.
"Is something wrong," Calvin asked, sitting on one of the desks in front of the teacher's. All sorts of things were going through his mind. Had someone seen his fight and with Tom yesterday and reported it? Had Rob said something to one of the teachers?
"No, there's nothing wrong. Stop looking so worried," said the teacher. "Unless of course you've got something to feel guilty about?" Her eyes narrowed in mock seriousness. Mrs. Taylor was one of Calvin's favourite teachers. She was always understanding about the special problems he faced due to being away from school for extended periods. "I asked you to stay behind because I have something to tell you."
"Oh, that's ok then. I thought it might be something I'd done," said Calvin, feeling relieved.
Mrs. Taylor gave him a considering look. "Why do I get the impression that you've been up to something?" She gave a sigh. "I suppose what I don't know about I don't have to worry about. What I wanted you for was to tell you about the school's knew mentoring scheme."
"Mentoring scheme? What's that?"
"It's one of these new ideas that comes down from above every so often. Students who could do better in certain core subjects will be assigned a 'mentor' from amongst the older, more capable students. It will be the mentor's job to get together with his or her charge for a couple of hours each week and help them with any problem areas in their schoolwork."
"What's that got to do with me?" Calvin asked, with a growing feeling of unease.
"We both know that you aren't doing as well as you are able," said the teacher. "I know it's not your fault that you miss so much schooling, but it is a problem that we need to address."
"I have tutor when I'm away from school," Calvin pointed out.
"Yes, I know, and I'm sure that helps, but it doesn't change the fact that you are not doing as well as you ought to be, especially in English and Maths."
"Give me a chance and I promise to try harder."
Mrs. Taylor gave a smile. "This isn't a punishment, Calvin. We're just trying to do what is best for you. Let's give the scheme a go for a few weeks and if you feel it's not helping we can rethink the situation." She opened a folder on her desk. "The mentor you've been assigned is called Robert Dixon."
Calvin groaned aloud. Of all the students in the school, why did it have to be him? Calvin remembered the lecture that Rob had given him the previous evening about being 'pigheaded' and the memory caused his face to heat up.
"Is there a problem?" the teacher asked, seeing the boy's reaction.
"Can't I have someone else? Does it have to be him?"
"Do you know Rob?"
"Not really well," said Calvin. "I'd just rather it be someone else."
"Rob's one of the top students in the school," said the teacher. "He's also one of the nicest people you're likely to meet." She looked thoughtful for a second. "This doesn't have anything to do with those rumours that have been going around recently, does it?"
"What rumours?"
Mrs. Taylor frowned. "If you haven't heard them, then it doesn't matter. Calvin, I'll be honest with you. In most cases this scheme will probably turn out to be a waste of time for all concerned. Most of the underachieving students on the scheme are beyond hope, they don't want to learn and there is nothing we can do to change that. You though are different. You have a willingness to learn, but your circumstances have been preventing you doing as well as you could. In my opinion, Rob is the best mentor on the list, which is why I've put the two of you together. Unless you can give me a very good reason why you shouldn't be partnered with Rob then my decision is final."
Calvin slowly shook his head. He couldn't explain his reasons for not wanting to be put with the older boy without going into his problems with Tom. If he did that, his parents would probably get to know and he could say goodbye to this school and all of his friends. He would just have to make the best of a bad job.
"That's settled then," said the teacher. "I'll have a word with Rob and he'll probably search you out later to arrange you first mentoring session. As I said, we'll give it a few weeks to see how it goes and then look at things again. Now you'd better get yourself off to your next lesson."
Rob approached Calvin during the lunch break. "Look's like the powers that be have decided we should spend some more time together," said the older teen.
"Yeah, looks that way," Calvin replied, sulkily.
"You don't look especially pleased at the prospect."
"Should I be?"
Rob frowned. "I didn't think you'd be too keen. When Mrs. Taylor told me she'd put us together I tried to get her to assign you to someone else, but she wouldn't have it. I told her that you were stubborn, independent and not good at accepting help or advice."
"You said that about me? What did she say."
"She just smiled and said she knew that all to well." Rob gave a grin. "She also said she would use those very same words to describe me and so the two of us should be perfectly matched."
In spite of himself, Calvin smiled. "Mrs. Taylor's cool. She didn't tell me you were stubborn though, she said you were one of the nicest people I'm likely to meet."
"She got that bit right then," laughed Rob. "How's the injuries today?"
"A bit sore, especially my ribs. I'll live though." He opened his schoolbag and pulled out a polythene bag. "Can you give this to Leo for me, it's the shirt he lent me. I've been looking for him but can't see him anywhere. Tell him thanks a lot for lending it to me and I'm sorry I haven't been able to get it washed."
"I don't think he'll mind that it isn't washed," said Rob. "In fact he'll be delighted. Knowing Leo he'll fasten it straight up on his bedroom wall or something and show it off to all his friends."
This didn't especially surprise Calvin. He knew that fans collected all sorts of strange things; in fact anything at all that had been used by any member of the group was collected and treasured as if it had enormous value. Most of the fan mail he received had been carefully vetted before it reached him, but occasionally a strange one would slip through. The previous week when he'd got a letter asking him for a pair of his dirty socks, the smellier the better. He really couldn't understand why anyone would want a smelly pair of socks. He knew for a fact that all the members of the group received frequent requests for used underwear.
"So when are we going to get together?" asked Rob. "We're supposed to have at least a couple of one hour sessions a week where I help you with homework and stuff. Tonight would be good for me."
Calvin shrugged. "I suppose tonight will be ok. Though it will have to be a bit later, I can't do it straight after school. How about around six'ish?"
"Suits me. You want to come to my house or should I come to yours?"
"I'll come to you," said Calvin. "I don't want my parents to know anything about this."
"No problem. I'll see you later then."
As the day wore on, Calvin managed to gradually come to terms with the idea of the extra tuition. Having it imposed on him still rankled a little, but he had to admit that sometimes he tended to struggle a little in some subjects. Also, he decided that maybe Rob wasn't quite so bad; the older boy was pleasant and friendly, even if he did have a tendency to be too free with the truth. Calvin grinned to himself. Rob had been spot on; stubborn, independent and poor at accepting advice summed him up pretty well.
At the sound of the final bell, he grabbed his bag and headed for exit. Today, again, Dan had some after school activity, so Calvin had once more to walk home on his own. His mind was very much on the upcoming session with Rob and so he wasn't really paying much attention to his surroundings. It therefore came as a shock when his path was suddenly blocked by Fat William, one of Tom's cohorts.
"Look who it is, boys," William sneered, his piggy eyes narrowing. "Guess we're going to have some fun."
Calvin felt sick as he looked around. Two more of Tom's friends were behind him, blocking his escape and the bully himself had stepped up next to William. The young singer wondered what they had in store for him. His ribs still hurt badly from yesterday and he knew he couldn't take any more physical punishment. It wondered whether he should plead with boys to leave him alone, but knew that such talk would only encourage them to torment him further. He clenched his lips shut and hoped he didn't appear too terrified. The gang's leader had a face like thunder and if anything looked even meaner than Calvin had ever seen him before, his bruised faced adding to his threatening appearance.
"Let him pass." Tom spoke through clenched teeth as if the words were being forced out of him.
"But..." William's face contained a mixture of surprise and disappointment.
"I said let him pass," Tom repeated, viciously yanking at the fat boy's arm to pull him out of the way. "Get out of my sight, 'Too Cool for School' before I change my mind."
Calvin didn't need telling twice. He was just as amazed as William by Tom's actions but he wasn't about to stand around and argue. He quickly stepped around William and hurried on his way, glancing back frequently to make sure this wasn't some sort of trick. He couldn't understand Tom's sudden change in attitude; the bully had never missed opportunity to have a least a verbal dig at the fourteen year old. Calvin wondered if maybe the purple swelling under Tom's left eye had something to do with it. Whatever was going on, Tom obviously hadn't told his gang about it judging by the baffled looks they were still giving each other as the teen went around a corner and lost sight of them.
It was just after six by the time Calvin rang the doorbell at Rob's house. The fourteen year old had changed out of his school uniform and into a much more casual, baggy, pale blue sweatshirt and a pair of worn denims. As he waited at the door he lightly rubbed his chest through the soft material of the sweatshirt. His ribs had eased a little as the day had gone on, but they still grumbled every time he moved and had made changing his clothes very hard work.
It was Leo who answered the door.
"Oh, hi Calvin," the youngster grinned, shyly dipping his head and looking up at the singer through his long, brown eyelashes.
"Hi Leo. How's things?"
"Great. Come on in. Rob's upstairs, he'll be down in a minute." The younger boy lowered his voice to just above a whisper. "I think he's in the bathroom."
"That's ok," said Calvin. He held out a large envelope he was carrying. "Here, these are for you. It's a thank you for the loan of the shirt."
"Oh, wow! Thanks." Leo's eyes widened as he pulled out of the envelope a selection of Calvin's autographed publicity photographs and a CD of SClub's 'Sundown' album, also autographed.
"Rob mentioned that you were a bit of fan so I thought you might like them," said Calvin.
"They're are amazing," beamed Leo. "Mum, look at these pictures Calvin has given me," he grinned as his mother appeared from the kitchen.
"Hello, Calvin. Pleased to meet you," smiled the woman. She put her arm around Leo's shoulders and glanced down at the pictures. "Very nice. Can I get you a drink or anything, Calvin?"
"No, I'm fine thanks," the singer replied.
"Are you sure?"
"Maybe later."
Mrs. Dixon nodded. "I'll send Leo up with some drinks in a little while."
"Hi Calvin. Come on up." Rob had appeared at the top of the stairs. He beckoned to the younger boy and waited for him to catch up before leading the way into his bedroom, pushing the door closed behind them. "It'll be quieter in here. If we'd stayed downstairs Leo would be wanting to watch TV and Mum would be interrupting all the time asking if you wanted anything."
"In here will be fine," Calvin shrugged. There was a desk in the room big enough that both boys could sit at it quite comfortably. He dropped his bag containing some of his school books on Rob's bed. "I didn't know what I should bring."
"Is there anything you're really having trouble with at the moment?" Rob asked.
"Well I suppose I'm struggling a bit with my maths. I don't have a clue how to start the homework Eddington has given us." He opened the bag and pulled out some books.
"Ok then," said Rob. "Let's start with that."
The two boys sat down side by side at the desk and Calvin opened his books to the relevant pages.
"This isn't really difficult once you know what you're doing" said Rob. He pulled across some scrap paper and began explaining the calculations. A couple of minutes in, he suddenly threw down his pencil and rubbed his forehead. "Calvin, there's something I should tell you." His face had taken on a sort of worried frown and his fingers nervously tapped on the desktop.
"What's the matter?" Calvin asked, disturbed by the sudden and dramatic change in the older teen's manner.
Rob was quiet for a few seconds as if about to make a big announcement and trying to decide on the right words. "I suppose you've heard the rumours about me?"
Calvin shook his head. He remembered his form teacher's words from their talk that morning. "Mrs. Taylor said something about some rumours, but she didn't say what they were about."
Rob groaned. "Oh, terrific. Even the teachers have heard them." He gave a sigh. "I don't suppose it really matters anyway since they'll know the truth pretty soon."
"The truth about what? What are people saying?" Calvin's curiosity was aroused.
After a slight pause, Rob gave the younger boy his answer. "There is a rumour going around that I'm gay."
"You're gay?" Calvin blinked in surprise. He gave a short laugh as if the was most the most ridiculous thing he'd ever heard, but the laughter died on his lips as he saw Rob's deadly serious expression. "Are you really gay?"
Rob gave an almost imperceptible nod. "Yep. My family knows and my close friends know. Now you know. Since it appears that most of the school has heard about it anyway, I've decided not to hide it anymore. If anyone asks me outright I'll tell them the truth."
"I see." Calvin suddenly realised how close the too of them were sitting. In fact, his knee was actually touching Rob's. He automatically moved his leg, breaking the contact.
"It's not catching you know," said Rob, with a shake of his head.
Instantly, Calvin felt guilty about his reaction. "I'm sorry. It's just a bit of a shock. I've never known anyone who was gay before."
"What you mean is you've never known anyone who admitted they were gay before. I'm still the same person I was a few minutes ago. I thought I'd better tell you so that you could decide whether you wanted to do these tutoring sessions with me. I know what with you being who you are it could make things difficult for you when everyone finds out the truth about me. If you'd rather switch to someone else I'll go see Mrs. Taylor in the morning, explain it all to her and get her to reassign you."
Calvin's mind raced to think this through. Rob was gay. He knew what the kids at school were like; if he spent time with someone who was gay then he must be gay himself. Not that there was anything new there. He'd already heard plenty of rumours that himself and Aaron, one of his fellow band members, were an item. Did he really care what people who hardly knew him might think? And in spite of certain reservations, he had to admit to himself that he did like Rob. The older teen was caring in a big brother sort of way, but also very down to earth,. There was something about Rob that made him nice to be around. "It's not a problem," he said. "So you're gay, why should that make a difference?"
"You sure? Rob asked. "I'd understand if you decided it would be better if you had nothing else to do with me."
"I'm sure," Calvin nodded. A slightly uncomfortable silence descended as he tried to think of something to say to lighten the atmosphere after the bombshell. "So, you got a boyfriend?" He cringed with embarrassment the moment the question had left his lips and cursed himself for not having his brain connected to his mouth.
Rob, however, just laughed. "Not at the moment. Why? You offering?"
"Erm, no, I don't think so," Calvin said quickly, feeling his cheeks flush. "I just wondered."
"I don't have a boyfriend," Rob repeated, his eyes twinkling. "So if you get any fan mail from any gay guys you think might be suitable, you can send them my way."
"Ok, I'll do that," said Calvin, now grinning himself.
"Now that we've cleared that up, perhaps we should get some work done," said Rob, returning his attention to the books on the table.
Over the next half hour or so the two boys worked their way through a variety of problems similar to the ones that Calvin had been set as homework. The youngster was starting to understand the calculations better, but in truth his mind wasn't really on what they were doing. Bending forwards over the desk was causing his sore ribs to ache and he kept shifting around in an effort to ease the discomfort.
"You ok?" asked Rob, eventually. "You want the loo?"
"No nothing like that," Calvin replied. "It's just that sitting like this is making my ribs hurt."
Rob looked concerned. "You should have said something sooner. We'll take a break for a while if you like, give you chance to move about a bit. You're bound to be stiff for a few days, that was a hell of a kick Tom gave you." He looked thoughtful for a second. "I've just had an idea. Don't go away." The older boy hurried out of the room.
Calvin got up and walked around, very cautiously stretching out his cramped muscles and grimacing each time they told him he'd stretched far enough. In spite of the aches and the pains he knew that he had been quite lucky. If Tom had decided to hit him in the face, Calvin knew that he would have been sunk, there would have been no hiding that from his parents.
"Found it," Rob reappeared. In his hand he was carrying a small plastic bottle. "This is something the doctor gave me when I sprained my shoulder a while back. It's for sports injuries, it relaxes the muscles and eases the aching." He unscrewed the cap of the bottle. "It's a bit like sun oil, you just gently rub it in. It works really fast, you'll feel better almost straight away. Lift your shirt up and sit back on the bed and I'll put some on for you."
"You'll put it on for me?" Calvin eyes widened at the suggestion. "Can't I put it on myself?"
"I suppose you could, but it would be easier if I did it for you. I promise I won't hurt you, I'll rub it in very gently."
"No, it's not that," said Calvin, uncomfortably.
"Well, what is it then?" Rob looked puzzled, then his eyes narrowed. "Is it because of what I told you earlier about me being gay?"
Calvin shrugged. This was exactly what was on his mind. He could feel his face starting to heat up.
"If you really don't want me to touch you then fine," said Rob. "You can put it on yourself or if you prefer I'll give Leo a shout, I'm sure he'd be happy to do it for you. I wasn't trying to take advantage of you if that's what you think. I'm not about to rip your clothes off and rape you."
Rob's tone was mild, but Calvin's face was now flaming at the rebuke. He told himself to stop being so stupid. "I'm sorry," he said. "Go ahead and put it on for me." He sat on the edge of the bed and lifted his sweatshirt up to his chin before laying back, his head on the pillow. He tried to force himself to relax as Rob poured some of the oil onto his palm and approached the bed.
"Just lie still," said Rob. He rubbed his hands together to coat both his palms then gently placed his hands on the sides of Calvin's chest.
In spite of himself, Calvin sighed at the touch. Rob was as gentle as he'd promised and the singer soon forgot all his reservations. He closed his eyes and let the older teen massage the oil into his chest. Slowly Rob's hands moved across the boy's entire upper torso and Calvin began to feel a warm glow on his skin. He was surprised at how nice it felt, not just the affects of the oil but also the gentle touch of Rob's hands. He couldn't remember anyone touching him like this before. Gradually the warmth moved deeper and he felt his tightened muscles begin to loosen and the nagging ache begin to subside. He closed his eyes and let out another sigh.
"Feel good?" asked Rob, his voice soft.
"Uh huh," Calvin murmured.
"Told you it works quickly."
The teenager forced his eyes open, half afraid that if he kept them closed he might drift off to sleep. "Tom Mallory was really strange today."
"How so?"
"He completely ignored me this morning, then later on he forced his gang to leave me alone."
"Maybe he's got bored with tormenting you and has turned on someone else," said Rob, his eyes following the movement of his hands across the smooth skin of Calvin's chest.
"Could be, though it's not likely. I think the bruise on one side of his face might have something to do with it." Calvin stared straight at Rob's face but the older boy refused to make eye contact.
"Could be," said Rob. "I suppose that it's possible that someone might have warned him off."
"I wish I knew who it was," said Calvin, now feeling certain that he knew exactly who had thumped Tom.
"Why?" asked Rob, at last raising his eyes and giving a half grin. "You looking to shout at them and throw a sulk because they've interfered without being asked?" His hands had stopped moving and now lay flat on the younger boy's chest.
"Maybe." Calvin said, trying to look serious and being only partially successful. "I expect it was someone who is always interfering and always thinks they know best. Probably someone as 'stubborn and independent' as me."
"That narrows things down a bit. There aren't many of us like that."
Before Calvin could respond, there was a light tap on the bedroom door and Leo came in carrying a tray containing two steaming mugs and a plate of biscuits.
"Mum sent you up some hot chocolate. She said..." The words tailed off as the youngster took in the sight of his older brother with his hands on Calvin's bare chest. "Erm, what are you guys doing?" he asked, his tone uncertain and his eyes wide.
"Studying," said Rob, with a perfectly straight face.
Leo ignored the flippant answer. "Why has Calvin got his shirt up? Oh, God! You weren't..." The boy looked horrified as his brain put two and two together and came up with something approaching sixty-nine. He looked around in a panic for somewhere to put the tray down, gave up and turned to leave, the tray still in his hand.
Laughing, Rob leapt off the bed and pulled Leo back, relieving him of the tray before pushing the door closed with his foot. At the same time Calvin pulled his shirt down, covering himself up.
"No we weren't," Rob told his brother, still laughing. "Not what you were thinking anyway. Calvin's chest hurt from where he was kicked and I was just rubbing some of that oil on it that the doctor gave me for my shoulder."
Leo looked sceptical. "You sure?"
"Yes, I'm sure. Look." Rob put the tray down on the desk and held up the bottle as evidence. "Here, smell my hands if you don't believe me."
"No, it's ok. I thought you were... well, you know... what with you being..." Leo's face turned scarlet.
"I know what you thought," Rob smiled. "But it wasn't anything like that. Calvin did ask if he could be my boyfriend but I turned him down."
"I didn't ask anything of the sort," said Calvin, getting off the bed and coming over to the desk for his hot chocolate. "Take no notice of him, Leo. He's winding you up."
"He does that all the time," said Leo, giving his big brother a reproachful look.
"Maybe we should get together some time and find a way of getting him back," Calvin suggested.
"Hey that's not fair," grinned Rob, "the two of you ganging up on me."
Calvin sipped his chocolate. It had been an interesting sort of evening. Perhaps having Rob as his 'mentor' wouldn't be so bad after all.
End of part 2.
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