Mistress Honeycomb And The Bad Gentlemen's Club

L // Fun Is The Worst Payment

It was getting later and later into the evening as time went on.

“Dammit! I shouldn't have stayed this long!” I thought to myself while walking in the hallway. While walking, I stopped in my tracks and turned to see one of the classroom lights still on.

It really threw me off, mainly because it wasn't the G.E.N.T.L.E.M.E.N’s Club class, but a regular classroom. I peeked through the window and gasped a bit as to who it was: Leander Mosstree. Just what the hell was he doing, and sleeping there in that class of all places!

I opened the door, walking inside with ease as I took notice of him on the desk. I turned on one of the lights from the side and headed over to see him. “Psst, Leander!”

“No, don't talk to me.. man…” Great, so he was talking in his sleep.

“Leander,” I gently shook his body side to side to wake him up. He managed to open his eyes and I looked right at him.

“JESUS!” He slipped off from the chair and fell onto the ground. “What the actual f-”

“I'm so so so so sorry!” I began to repeatedly apologize to Leander, walked on over to see him and hoisted him up by grabbing into his arm.

“Thanks, I guess.” Leander brushed himself off and pointed over to the lightswitch located by the door, mouthing to me “turn it on?”. I nodded my head in agreement as he walked on over to the light and turned it on. Now we can see everything in this brightly lit classroom.

I looked out the window and took notice of the sky. “Wow, it's getting late!”

“It's 6:35 PM after all.” Leander walked in over and pulled out a chair, sitting in it. I did the same, but I moved myself a bit closer in my chair so I could see Leander.

I looked at him, a frown falling onto my face. “You're not going to have fun? You're not going to hang out with the other Gentlemen's Club members?”

“Nope, not at all.” Leander huffed as he placed his legs onto the desk in front of him and leaned a bit, as if he was making himself comfortable with where he was sitting. “I don't like fun.”

“You don't?”

He smirked back at me. “I don't.” Leander just sat there in the chair and made a shooing gesture with his hand. “Now if you'll excuse me, I have to get some slee-”

I scrambled out of my chair and walked on over to Leander, standing above him. “I swear I just don't get you Leander! How you don't want to have fun, huh?! Is there a reason as to why?”

Leander froze. His eyes were wide and he didn't say anything. He placed his legs from the desk and back onto the floor. He covered his face and muffled some sort of noise.

I moved closer. “Um, Leand-”

“PFF!” He started to stifle. And soon that stifle turned into a laughter. “I'm so sorry! I just can't!”

I went silent, waiting until Leander’s for of laughter were finally done. Thankfully, he finished.

“So,” I questioned, “how come you don't like fun?”

Leander heaved out a sigh as he looked at me. “I'll explain to you as to why I don't like it.”

“Okay, go ahead.” I rolled my eyes a bit. I felt like a cliche sob story as to how he didn't like fun was going to come spewing out of his mouth.

“Well, it was around the time the G.E.N.T.L.E.M.E.N’s Club formed,” Leander explained, “We were all getting to know each other around that time too and-”

“Maybe you can explain it to me tomorrow? It's getting really late right now.” I pointed at the clock and nighttime sky.

“You're right!” Leander chuckled as I got up from my chair and walked on over to the door. He did the same, following me from behind.

We were out in the hallway as we continued talking. “I'm still wondering though,” My head turned towards Leander, “why are you guys called the Bad Gentlemen's Club? And how come you don't like fun?”

“No comment.” He bit his lip and suddenly walked past me and opened the door to exit out of the school.

“Hey, wait up!” I ran to catch up to him when the door was closing. But by the time I got outside and to the stairs, he was gone. “Must've ran off.” I thought as I walked down the stairs and began heading my way home.

※※※

Leander

"Hey,” I asked, “where's Eliezer?”

“Not here in case you're wondering.” Gravsny retorted them sighed. “He got suspended.”

“Again?” Nivelton chimed in. “This is like, what, the fifth fight he's got into this year?”

“It's the fourth actually,” Titus was reading as he shut his book and looked at us. “he He got into two fights during 9th, one during 10th and now here he is again, doing another fight during 11th grade.”

“And at the first few months to this new school year too! He seriously needs help.” Marquis was looking out the window, sighing.

“Oh come on guys,” Enclark had a rather rude tone in his voice, “He doesn't need help, I personally think you guys need help.”

“Oh, so WE need help?” Gravsny walked over to Enclark, moving closer to his face.

“Says the all high and mighty leader of The Gentlemen's Club.” Enclark walked around him in circles. What the hell was he even doing?

“Hurt me, I dare you.” Gravsny was challenging Enclark. Enclark smirked. “I f*****g dare you to-”

What I thought was going to come out as a punch turned into something completely different: Enclark walked out of the club and into the busy hallway, shutting the door from behind.

“Wait Enclark!” I opened the door and walked out as the others followed from behind.

“Enclark what the bloody f**k are you doing?!” Marquis snapped as I was catching up to Enclark in the halls.

I took notice of Enclark through the crowd as I grabbed his arm, only to be swatted down onto the ground.

“What the hell was that for?” I asked.

Enclark looked at me, grinned and then walked off. Something fell out of his pocket and I grabbed the paper and read it:

BLUE SQUARE CLUB.

THURSDAY, 10:25 PM

“Why would he be going there and later on tonight?” My thoughts were curious as to why Enclark was going there of all places. I folded the note and placed it into my pocket.

“You coming?”

I got startled for a moment as I turned to see Gravsny looking towards me. “Yeah,” I got up, “I'm coming.”

◎◎◎

NIGHT FELL AS I was driving in my car. The paper that fell out of Enclark’s pocket was sitting beside me, tucked into the window. It was 10 pm right now. The stoplight turned red and I pressed the brakes.

“This is wrong,” I thought, “this is very wrong. But I want to know as to why he's going here of all places. Just why? I should've just stayed home and continued my homework.”

The stoplight turned green and I stepped on the gas pedal once more. My eyes looked towards the building, one was labeled in all blue: BLUE SQUARE CLUB.

“This must be the place.” I turned my car over to one of the empty parking spaces and parked there. I turned off the ignition, got out of the car and locked the door with my keys.

I went inside the Blue Square Club and I couldn't help but notice the surroundings. There was a bar for people to drink at and some televisions, loud music, and tables where people were getting food served to them. I looked around and I finally saw Enclark sitting at one of the round tables. The couch was stretched out and he was chatting it up with some girl and had a few guys there.

I gasped a bit and immediately recognized who was there beside Enclark and the girl: Eliezer. What was he even doing here?

“HEY!” I covered my mouth quickly, realizing that I yelled a bit too loud.

“Leander,” Eliezer got up from where he was sitting and walked on over to me, “what the actual f**k are you doing here?”

“No,” I retorted, “what are you doing here Eliezer? You're suspended remember?”

“Yeah, from the academy, not from any activities.” He replied. “Anyway, I'm thinking you should leave, how did you even get in here?”

My voice went silent for a moment. Then I sighed as I took out the note from my pocket and gave it to him.

“What's this?”

“Enclark dropped it in the hallway and I picked it up.” My voice was at a low tone. I looked up at Eliezer a bit who looked at Enclark, mouthed something, then looked back at me. Before I knew it, Eliezer traded places with Enclark and Enclark went up towards me.

“Come with me.” Enclark wrapped his arm around my neck and we walked out of the club and away to a dark alley.

“What the hel-” I didn't finish my sentence because Enclark hit me across the face.

“Why?”

He hit me in the stomach and I fell to the ground.

“WHY!”

He kicked me in the legs and I screamed out in pain. He ducked down and placed his hand behind my head and grabbed a tuft of my hair.

“WHY?!”

Enclark slammed my head onto the garbage dumpster and I fell back onto my cheek. Blood came out from my mouth. “Enclark what the hell?!”

“You weren't invited here, so leave!” Enclark pointed towards the way back to the parking lot as I got up from where I was and wiped the blood off of my mouth.

“Okay, okay! I'll go!” I rolled my eyes and kept walking over to the parking lot. But my head couldn't help but turn back towards Enclark. I walked over to him and chuckled.

“Leander, what the f**k?”

“We should do something. Like, get involved in fights for fun.” I stated.

“F-fights? For fun?” Enclark moved closer and I couldn't help but grin.

“Yeah, get into some bloody fights, get cash out of it, and get Eliezer back into Crossburrow Academy.”

“I like the sound of that.”

Enclark and I took notice of Eliezer looking at us with a smile on his face. He liked the deal, a lot.

“Good,” I walked over and put my arm around Eliezer. “it'll be quite fun! You sure you don't want to join in Enclark?”

Enclark was silent for a moment, but then he grinned and agreed to join us.

So that was our plan: Getting into fights, making money out of it, and get Eliezer back into Crossburrow Academy.

◎◎◎

“DUDE, you look terrible!” Gravsny took notice of my appearance. My hair was in a f*****g mess, going everywhere. I had bruises on my knees, arms, and some smeared blood was across my lips. I couldn't help but grin.

“Hey, don't worry,” I walked over to see him, “it's fi-f**k!” My knees were in serious pain. Gravsny walked on over to me and placed me down into the chair across from him.

“I'll go find some rubbing alcohol and causes, you stay put.” Gravsny stated as he walked out into the school hallway, shutting the door from behind.

At that moment, I felt tears starting to come down my face a little bit. “Why am I bloody f*****g crying right now?”

“Probably because it isn't fun for you.”

I wiped my eyes across my sleeve, startled as I saw Marquis walking into the room. “Hey. I heard about what happened.”

My face went tense in anger. “How do you know about that?”

“....Enclark told me.” His voice went low as he walked up to me, he looked pissed. “I cannot bloody believe that YOU of all people got into fights for money?! And for what? Getting Eliezer back into Crossburrow Academy of all places?!”

“Look, I-”

“How much money did you even make from it?”

I bit my lip, then sighed. “I got into fights and got cash for it. Eliezer was still suspended at the time, and so we all-I mean, Enclark and I, pitched in to do so. We made $500 cash in terms of fights so far.”

Marquis stood there, his mouth agape in shock. I looked up at him and the tears fell from my eyes once more. He moved closer and hugged me, comforting me from what I've done.

“Its okay,” He repeats, “its okay.”

I felt like pushing him away from me and getting up to get out of the room, but I didn't. I winced a bit and pointed to where Marquis was close to my leg, causing it to sting. I made a hand motion and thankfully he got of my leg, and Gravsny opened the door with some first aid stuff in his hand.

“I'm back! Now let's get you patched up!” Gravsny walked over to me as Marquis stepped to the side. Gravsny leaned down and began to patch up my foot.

“Say, Gravsny,” I questioned, “have you ever thought about working in the medical field?”

“No,” He glanced up towards me, “not really. How come?”

“You've helped out some people here at the academy and stuff, from patching up people's legs to giving medical advice too. Remember when you were selected to teach a group of fifth graders a few weeks ago on medicine?” I exclaimed.

“Yeah, I remember. I may want to pursue a career in the medical field, but probably not at this moment.”

“Well,” Marquis grinned, “it looks like Leander wants to pursue a career in fighting because-”

“Marquis!” The words gritted through my teeth as I glanced back at him.

“What?” Gravsny put my foot down gently. He then got up to look at Marquis, then back at me. “Is there something I don't know about that you guys haven't been telling me?”

I had to fess up, or else the problem was going to get worse. “You see Gravsny,” I began to explain, “I have been getting into fights as a hobby, for cash, and for enjoyment. So far I've made $500 out of it in cash and-”

“And why are you doing this?” He was pissed. “Who's it even for?”

My voice lowered in a soft awkward tone. “Eliezer to get him out of suspension. I mean, thankfully he's out now so be glad for that and-”

“You want me to be happy just because he's now out of suspension?! Admit it Leander, you came up with the idea, correct?” Gravsny glared at me, and I choked up a bit.

Fear. I was feeling fear directly from him.

“Sh-s**t!” I swallowed. I felt like wanting to burst out yelling and crying, but I didn't. Rather, I swallowed, got up from where I was at looked at him. “Yes, it was me.” That was all I said as I got up from where I was sitting and walked out the club's door, not turning back.

Even when I was in the hallway, I couldn't help but think about what I did and done. It was, if anything, regretful.

“Fun is the worst payment. The worst payment I've had to deal with.” My mind felt like nerves of fear came out from my head and into my mouth. If anything, my mouth sounded oddly different when I said those words.

It was the worst memory I had in 11th grade, and since then, I've stopped and relaxed. I always decided to relax, no matter how it was in my surroundings and how I acted.

Somehow though, around that 11th year, our club, The Gentlemen's Club, changed into becoming The Bad Gentlemen's Club.

And I think it's my fault for doing so.

●●●

BARTLEBY

IT WAS EARLY in the morning before school began. I walked over to the Bad Gentlemen's Club front entrance and knocked on the door.

“Come in!”

That voice. It was Leander. I opened the door and gave a wave, Leander chuckled as he waved back with a smile.

“Hey,” I stated, “I need to talk to you. You know, about the other day.”

“What do you mean by-oh, you mean the conversation we had last week?” Leander pulled up a chair and sat in it.

“Yeah, that.” I did the same and scooted so I could move closer to him. “How come you don't like fun?”

Leander didn't say anything, rather, he got up, walked over to the club's door, shut it and locked it. “Let me explain.”

“Okay.” I nodded my head as he walked back on over to his chair and sat down once more.

“You see,” He began, “This was when I was in 11th grade. Just last year. It was before the Gentlemen's Club became what you now know as The Bad Gentlemen's Club, and your purpose is to help us out becoming better people and-”

I c****d an eyebrow. “Do this even involve your story? Cause it seems to be mine.”

“My apologies. Anyway,” Leander continued, “Eliezer was suspended back in 11th grade for getting into a fight, and so I encouraged the Dean to let him back in. I told Eliezer one day that he should apologize and write a letter to Dean about what he had done and-s**t!”

Leander was looking at something. Or rather, someone. I turned to see as to who Leander was looking at but I didn't see anyone.

“Huh,” I stated, “I don't see anyone,” I looked at Leander, “you were saying?”

“Right, sorry.” Leander fixed himself and continued, “So what happened was that Eliezer wrote the apology letter to the Dean Crossburrow and thankfully he accepted it and got back into the academy. That's it.”

“Oh, okay. Wait,” There had to be more to this story, “how did you guys turn into the Bad Gentlemen's Clu-”

“No comment. You can go now!” Leander spoke in a rather fast tone as he got up from where he was sitting, walked on over to the door, and opened it. He motioned me over.

I rolled my eyes a bit then chuckled as I grabbed my stuff and walked over to the door, waving goodbye back.

I closed the door from behind only to see Eliezer right beside me. “Hey, what were you guys talking about in there?”

“Oh, nothing really.” I grinned. “Just the fact that you probably won't get laid anytime soon.”

Eliezer was smirking, but I noticed that his cheeks went red with embarrassment. “Hahaha very funny.” I just continued walking into the hallway, letting Eliezer do his “chilling out cause he's cool”, or something like that.

But I couldn't help but wonder, How did they change into the Bad Gentlemen's Club?

●●●

Leander

“DID YOU TELL HER?” Eliezer popped into the club, opening the door then shutting it from behind.

“No, I didn't. I lied.” I replied.

Eliezer had his hands in his face and gave an exasperated sigh. “You were the one who gave us The Bad Gentlemen's Club name anyway?”

I scoffed. “How long were you suspended for? It wasn't even me of all people. It happened within 11th grade but the fight thing never spreaded out within the entire school!”

“I know. And by the way, I was suspended for a few days around the time too.” Leander shrugged. “Do you even know who gave us The Bad Gentlemen's Club name anyway?”

“Not that I know of, but it's definitely someone.” I replied.

“Yeah,” He laughed, “as far as I know, I recall that-” Eliezer immediately covered his mouth and got up. “I should get going, bye.”

I was shocked. Eliezer knew something, he just didn't want to admit it. Eliezer got up from where he was and went out the door, closing it from behind.

Even as the door closed, I couldn't help but wonder: Just what was Eliezer hiding from me?