Haze Bois

Chapter 11

Katie knew the walk to the train station was a seven-minute walk, so googled a timetable to find the next train into Sheffield. If they kept pace, they should just make the next one.

Jamie walked fast, taking long strides. Katie sensed he was anxious to get whatever he needed in Sheffield. 

“So… what are you guys really doing with this stuff?” Katie asked, partly to have something to say and partly because she did want to know. The whole thing was weird. Jade working with Cal was just beyond weird.

“Well, it’s a prototype for a new kind of virtual reality console,” Jamie said. “It probably won’t work.”

“Oh, not a doomsday device then?” Katie asked and laughed.

Jamie cast a sideways glance. “Could it not be both?”

“How?” Katie asked. She didn’t see any way the two things could be connected.

“Well, you could say that of everything man has created television is his greatest weapon. The human brain is more powerful than any computer, and most people are happy to let their television program their thoughts,” Jamie said.

It wasn’t a concept Katie had considered before. She didn’t watch a lot of TV, but when decision making it was fair to say she would television shows as a reference point. Everything she knew about prison, for example, was a direct result of what she had seen on the screen. There was no way to tell if any of it was accurate without going and seeing for herself.

“I understand,” Katie said. “If there was something that could alter your perception of reality more drastically, like virtual reality, it could control the population and make them act against their own best interest.” 

She was doing her best to sound smart, but most of what she said was paraphrased from her mother and Mr. Simmons. 

“It’s already happening,” Jamie went on. “Capitalism. Slavery. Oppression. Deforestation. Global Warming. None of these things benefit humanity yet we are all so complacent in a system that allows them.”

“Wow, you sound just like my mum,” Katie told him. “She’s very much a leftie.”

“Your mum sounds cool,” Jamie said, looking down at her and smiling. “I’d like to meet her.”

‘He wants to meet my mum, he wants to meet my mum,’ alarm bells rang in Katie's head. It had to be a good sign.

The train arrived just as they did, chugging up into the end of the platform. It was one of the small ones, so they had to run to catch up. 

Jamie stood back to let Katie on first, leaving her to lead him up the train and pick a suitable seat – never an easy task at the best of times.

“Do you just want to sit on the floor between the carriages,” Katie asked not seeing many other options.

“Eww, no,” Jamie gasped. He approached a woman who sat alone at the four-seater table, her bags strewn over the other seats.

“Could you move your bags, please?” Jamie asked her loud enough for other passengers to turn and stare. “There is a luggage area at the end of the carriage.”

The woman frowned, shuffled from her seat and gathered her bags. 

“Young people these days,” she tutted on her retreat.

Jamie surprised her by shouting, “Yes, we are clearly the rude ones in this situation.”

“f*****g old people,” he huffed as he took her seat. 

‘Maybe he is more like Caleb and the others than I originally thought.’

“So why did you want to come?” Jamie asked out of nowhere. The question took her by surprise, so much so that her cheeks turned an uncomfortable shade of scarlet. What could she say to that? And why was he asking? To be mean? Make her uncomfortable?

His eyes, despite being a cold shade of blue regarded her with warmth 

‘He is just making conversation,’ Katie sighed with relief. ‘Or could it be that he wants me to confess my feelings?' 

‘Should I just be honest with him?’

“Do you want the honest truth?” Katie asked. Thinking up a plausible lie was not exactly easy. No ideas were jumping out at her.

“Always,” Jamie smiled encouragement.

“I want to get to know you,” Katie said. She didn’t add the reason she wanted to get to know him; the fact he was undeniably the most beautiful human being she had ever laid her eyes on.

“Plus, we couldn’t have you getting lost and messing up Caleb’s plans for world domination,” Katie added playfully. 

The joke coaxed a bigger laugh out of him than she expected.

“You aren’t worried about leaving him alone with your other friend?” Jamie asked.

“Haley? No, she wants to ask him about something.”

“No,” Jamie corrected. “The petite girl with the big mouth.”

“Oh. You mean Jade.” Katie thought for a moment. “Caleb wouldn’t hurt her. He isn’t like that.”

“Not violent?” Jamie asked, eyebrows raised.

“Not towards women, at least.”

“You know him better than I do,” Jamie shrugged.

‘Poor Jade, I never even thought about her.’

“Maybe they will get close. Develop an office romance,” Jamie joked.

“Yeah, I can just see it now, falling in love as they share a tea break, exchanging meaningful glances over their rich tea biscuits.”

They laughed at the idea of Jade and Caleb, but it was almost plausible. Jade’s had taken an immediate dislike to her cousin and made it known. Could her bitchy comments be a sign of attraction? Like the little boys who bully the focus of their affections on the playground.

“You aren’t like the others,” Katie blurted. “Why do you like hanging out with those guys?”

“What makes you think I’m not like them?” Jamie asked. He looked genuinely confused.

“You… just aren’t. At all,” Katie asserted.

“You sound so sure,” Jamie laughed. “Or could it be that you don’t want me to be like them?” 

His pale blue eyes stared into hers, crushing her with the weight of his gaze. Everything about him was so perfect. The thick, dark lashes. His way his long silky hair fell across his face. Flawless bronze skin. 

The idea that she might never get to kiss him took her breath away. It sucked all the purpose out of life. If she couldn’t be with him, what was the point in being at all? 

“I’m sure,” Katie replied and attempted a cute yet mysterious smile.

He continued to stare for just long enough that Katie thought he might make a move to kiss her. Then dashed her hopes by turning away. 

“My teacher said that Caleb’s grades are getting better,” Katie said to fill the silence. He was one of the few things they had in common, so seemed a safe bet for a talking point.

“Better?” Jamie laughed. “They should be perfect.”

‘That’s a weird thing to say about the school’s biggest delinquent.’

“They should?” Katie asked.

“He’s way smarter than he lets on,” Jamie explained. “I mean, his money-making schemes alone are pretty genius.”  

“Anyway, tell me about you. We are supposed to be getting to know each other, right?”

“Right, what do you want to know?” Katie asked.

“Tell me something interesting about yourself,” Jamie said. It sounded like a challenge and felt like the first day of college; that horrible moment when the sadistic prick of a teaching aid makes you stand up and introduce yourself with an interesting fact. 

Jamie had a smug look on his face. He raised his eyebrows as if to say, ‘spit it out, then.’

‘What is interesting about me?’ Katie panicked. ‘There should be at least one damn thing, surely?’ 

As Katie racked her brain, she noticed his face soften into a kind smile.

“I’m just f*****g with you,” he admitted. “I’m sorry, was that mean?”

Relief flooded every corner of Katie’s being. The sheer gratitude of being let off the hook hit her like a drug, making her giggle like a lunatic.

He joined in with the laughter.

“You don’t hate me now?” Jamie asked.

‘I love you,’ Katie thought.

Katie said nothing, just shook her head slightly as they exchanged another long glance.

“This is frustrating, right?” Jamie said. 

Katie nodded. It was more than frustrating. It was infuriating. Who was Caleb to decide who she could and couldn’t date? With the way his reputation of developing, pretty soon no sane person would want to come near her for fear of her violent cousin.

“Tickets,” the inspector shouted as he made his way through the train.

“s**t, we didn’t even get tickets,” Katie remembered. 

Jamie pulled out his laptop and plugged it in. He set about tapping away and looked up, smiling, as the woman approached.

“Tickets,” she repeated, face fixed in a grimace.

‘Oh no, it’s the bitchy one,’ Katie groaned inwardly. 

“I didn’t have time to get one, can we purchase one from you?” Jamie asked politely.

“No, you can get off at the next station and meet the police,” the woman huffed and went to walk away.

“Okay, Emily Walters of 33 Harriot Drive. It would be a shame if someone set your house on fire while your little grandson is sleeping on the top floor though, wouldn’t it?”

‘WHAT THE f**k?’ Katie's mind reeled. 

The woman stopped dead in her tracks and turned slowly. Her mouth hung open as though she was trying to talk, but no words were coming out. It was strange to see this behemoth of a woman turn pale with fear. 

Jamie gave her the same polite smile. “Are you sure we can’t buy tickets on the train? I have done so in the past.”

The badge on the ticket inspectors badge read nothing but ‘Emily.’ How had Jamie been able to find out her name and address?

The woman’s hand shook as she fiddled with the printer, almost dropping the clunky bit of machinery onto the train floor. 

“Where to?” She asked in a small voice. 

“Two to Sheffield please,” Jamie smiled and thanked her as she placed the tickets on the table and went to walk away.

“Erm, excuse me, we didn’t pay…” Jamie called after her, but she didn’t slow or turn around again.

Jumping up out of his seat, Jamie followed her and cornered her at the end of the train carriage. Katie wished she could overhear their exchange, but they were too far away and the sound of the train ticking along the tracks was too loud. 

“What happened?” Katie asked when he slid back into the seat beside her.

“I paid for the tickets. It would be wrong not to,” Jamie explained.

“And… erm… how did you know—” 

“Her address and everything? Facial recognition technology. People put far too much personal information on social media. They never think it will bite them in the ass,” Jamie shrugged.

“What if she calls the police?” Katie worried.

“I’ll kill her entire family while they sleep,” Jamie smiled.

“Just kidding,” he added after a momentary pause.

It had never occurred to Katie that this boy could be dangerous. And the thought he might be was more exhilarating than scary.

“She deserves it,” Jamie explained. “When I took the train with my parents, I saw her having a go at a disabled man. She basically said she had the right to treat him like crap because her taxes paid for his discount card.”

“She is always picking on young people too. She is happy to let adults buy tickets on the train but it’s a different story for anyone under the age of 20,” Katie joined in.

The woman really was a b***h but threatening to set her house on fire was a bit harsh. It was something Caleb would do.

“Any drinks or snacks,” an attendant called as she tugged her trolled down the aisle. The glass bottles rattled against the side of the metal cart as she pulled up at the table.

“Two black coffees and chocolate chip muffins please,” Jamie ordered.

The attendant stared at Jamie, taking a deep breath when he touched her hand during the exchange of cash and goods. She smiled and tucked a stray hair as she thanked Jamie, looking back up at him numerous times as she continued to serve other customers.

“Does that happen to you a lot?” Katie asked, tucking into the muffin. She tried her best not to get crumbs all over the place, but it was impossible, apparently. She did her best to sweep the 

“Does what happen a lot?” Jamie frowned.

“Girls… women…” Katie spotted a smartly dressed young man in the adjacent seat eyeing Jamie, “… people… flirting with you?”

“What on Earth are you talking about?” Jamie asked. 

Was he genuinely oblivious or just trying to downplay his obvious allure, Katie wondered?

“You should know. About seven guys have checked you out in a less than subtle fashion since we got onto the train,” Jamie pointed out.

Katie had noticed one or two blokes eyeing her chest and legs but was so accustomed to such behaviour it barely registered.

“Yeah, but men are pigs,” Katie replied. For a brief second, she’d forgotten this wasn’t a conversation with one of her girlfriends.

“Ouch,” Jamie let out an indignant cry.

“Oh, not you! You’re perfect,” Katie blurted. The word was out of her mouth before she could grab it back in. 

‘Why don’t you just drop to your knees and kiss his feet,’ Katie scolded herself.

“Bloody heck… I wouldn’t go that far!” 

“Yeah? Name one thing about you that isn’t perfect?” Katie challenged; very well aware she was digging her hole deeper.

It was a fair question. Not a single blemish or mark marred his skin, not so much as a freckle or open pore. His long black hair formed neat waves about his face, not a single hair out of place. And his features, though feminine, were striking. Pale blue eyes with the slightest hint of green sat beneath heavy dark lashes and full and he had full, downturned lips similar to a young Johnny Depp.

Jamie paused, thinking deeply. 

“I have ugly feet,” he revealed at last.

Katie laughed. “I bet you don’t. But nobody ever sees them anyway.”

“Well that’s because I have to hide them, so people don’t run away in disgust,” Jamie said.

Katie laughed.

“Lemme see. I’ll tell you if they are ugly,” Katie insisted.

“No way!”

Katie pestered a little more. She wanted to prove her theory right and see if they were as perfect as the rest of him.

“Great,” Jamie sighed. “You have a foot fetish, don’t you? Now, this is never going to work.”

The burst of laughter that escaped Katie's chest earned her aggravated looks from the other customers.

“Bloody kids,” she overheard a girl whisper to her male companion. The couple looked to be on an equally romantic date.

After another round of teasing Jamie finally gave in. “Fine, I’ll make you a deal. I’ll only show you if you promise to suck my big toe.”

Katie’s laughter earned her more tuts from the girl, but she wasn’t bothered. The thought of putting any of Jamie’s body parts in her mouth was appealing, even though she definitely did not have a foot fetish… to the best of her knowledge.

He slipped off the black Italian loafer and placed his foot on the table, wiggling his toes at her. Of course, his feet were perfectly ordinary. Not too big, or too small. No weird long toes. They even smelled like mint and cucumber lotion.

Katie kept eye contact as she slipped his toe into her mouth, hoping he was imaging her sucking on a certain other part of his anatomy.

He shocked her by laughing wildly and squealing, “Ahh, it tickles!”

“Oh, will you two just get a room already?” the angry passenger snapped, standing up from her seat and turning to face them.

“Do you want to join us?” Jamie asked her, giving a sly wink. “We could make it double date s***h orgy?”

The girl looked as though she was considering it as a serious offer for a moment before returning to her seat. Katie realised the couple were discussing her and Jamie, as they kept sneaking peeks through the slit between the chairs. 

Even if she had to share Jamie with this random couple, it was still a win. 

“The train will shortly be arriving at Sheffield train station,” a breathy announcer informed over the tannoy system. 

Jamie and Katie both waved bye and blew kisses to the nosy couple as they exited the train. Katie half expected the nasty ticket inspector to be waiting with an army of police officers, her angry frown twisted in spite. An eerily quiet train station meant her fears were unfounded. Only two other people shuffled about, slow and without purpose, like extras in a zombie movie.

The air felt colder than back home, and Katie wished she had thought to wear a jumper or jacket of some description. 

“You’re shivering,” Jamie noticed. “Here, take my shirt.”

“What will you wear?” Katie asked.

“I have a shirt underneath. It’s fine.”

He removed the pale green shirt and handed it to Katie, revealing a white T-shirt below. 

“Thank you,” Katie put on the shirt, savoring the residual heat of his body that lingered in the fibres.

It was too large, but it made Katie feel like one of those girls wearing a boyfriends letter jacket. That sort of thing only happened in American teen romance movies. Katie had never put much stock in them… until now. Now she knew how it felt to be wrapped up safely inside a boyfriends clothing.

‘He’s not your boyfriend yet,’ her inner voice reminded.

Using google maps, Jamie navigated the pair to a factory. With boarded windows, ageing graffiti and a blast zone of crumbling debris, it was safe to assume the place was abandoned.

A young woman appeared from the opening that was once a door, signaling for the pair to come closer. 

“AM 343?” she asked.

Jamie nodded.

The girl looked Jamie up and down before handing him a plain black rucksack. “You look nothing like I expected.”

Jamie just smiled and thanked her before leading Katie back into town.

“I think we have time for a bit of lunch,” he declared, pointing at the café opposite the station. “If you fancy it?”

“It’s a date,” Katie declared boldly.

“Well,” Jamie frowned, “Not officially. We wouldn’t want your cousin to cut off my balls with a rusty pair of garden shears!”