Without Sin

Chapter 3-2

There’s a short bench outside the monsignor’s office where the nun deposits Jacob to await punishment. He thinks about running away but where would he go? Back to his room, and as this is a boarding school, it would be a no-brainer to track him down there.

So he sits on the bench with a defiant look on his face. He glares at the students passing in the hall who sneak furtive glances at him, like they’ve heard about what happened in the cafeteria and they’re afraid his wrath will fall on them next.

A few boys laugh when they walk by. The sound only fuels the fire still simmering inside him.

Suddenly Avery is there, pushing through the crowd to reach him, and despite the sudden euphoria that washes over him, Jacob continues to pout. He’s in deep s**t, he knows, and he’s afraid he’ll be sent home now. He’s not as worried about his parents’ reaction as he is about losing Avery before he even gets a chance to know the boy. If he has to go home, he’ll never get to know Avery the way he wants to.

Avery plops down on the bench beside Jacob, ignoring the whispers and open stares from the other students. He’s not supposed to be here, talking to someone waiting to see the monsignor. He can get in trouble, too.

Jacob’s almost embarrassed by the fight and doesn’t want to look at Avery so he turns away.

“You didn’t have to prove it to me,” Avery says with a grin. “I would’ve believed you were a bad boy, if you wanted me to.”

“You shouldn’t be here,” Jacob mutters, but he’s happy Avery is.

“You’re a celebrity.” Avery picks at the crease ironed into his pants and laughs. “There aren’t many fights here. Rich kids don’t know how to fight.”

Jacob watches the students hurry by him. “I feel like public enemy number one.” He always feels bad after he gets into trouble. So why can’t he stay out of trouble?

“What happened?” Avery asks.

Jacob shrugs. Defending your honor. But he just met the boy and he’s not going to say that.

“Can I tell you what I heard?”

Jacob shrugs again.

Avery takes a deep breath like he’s about to start a grand story. “They say you picked some freshman up over the table and threw him to the floor. They say you could hear his spine snap in two. They say—”

“That’s bullshit,” Jacob mutters, but he likes the shine in Avery’s eyes as he tells the story. It sounds better than what really happened. He wishes it had gone that way.

As if uninterrupted, Avery continues. “They say it took four sisters to hold you down.”

Jacob laughs. “Only one. And I went willingly enough. I know the routine.”

Around them the hall starts to clear as the students rush off to class before the bell rings. Jacob wonders if Avery is worried about being late. He doesn’t look like he’s going to leave any time soon, and Jacob doesn’t want him to go.

In a quiet voice, Avery asks, “What were you fighting about?”

You. But Jacob doesn’t say that. Instead, he shrugs and mumbles, “I don’t know.”

He’s almost relieved when the door beside them opens and a nun steps out into the hall. She frowns at Avery. “Mr. Dendritch, you’re going to be late.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Avery says, rising. He winks at Jacob and mouths, “Be good.”

Jacob laughs. It’s a little late for that.

“Get up, mister,” the nun says. Jacob pushes himself to his feet and follows her into the monsignor’s office.