Working Boy

Chapter 7

[A/N: I think I'm going to start writing in first person and changing the point-of-view for different characters. So read and review! And please, don't be afraid to give me some constructive criticism along with some suggestions. Let me know how I'm doing, okay? -Nomz]

"So Chase! How's that science project going?" Samuel questioned.

I was slumped over my desk, tired. Two days had gone by since the whole blackmail incident and he was already getting on my nerves. We, well he, agreed to exchange numbers just so he can keep an eye on my whereabouts. What or why he would need to know what I'm doing is beyond me.

"Fine. Would be nice if I can get a little help," I grumbled, shuffling through the papers. We had an introduction paper due today and I stayed up all last night doing it. Not to mention, I still had work. I was definitely spent.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk! No can do," he pat my head, shaking his head. "I have to keep my energy up for the game this Saturday!"

"Everything's not all about you, y'know. I need my rest, too," I mumbled.

"You can always just sit out this one and let me take over-"

"That's not an option, Samuel. I'm the quarterback. I need to be there."

"Yeah okay," he chuckled before leaning in. "You won't be anymore if your little secret gets out. So take my advice and sit out," he said with more force. "Just because you're the star player, it doesn't mean shit."

"What would Mr. Barr think? Are you willing to jeopardize the entire team over this?" My voice grew soft. I had to choose my words carefully now. It must've worked because he instantly averted his gaze. He appeared to be deep in thought. I c****d my head to the side before speaking again.

"Samuel?"

"Fine. I'll let it slide. ONLY because I hate losing. Give me the prompt sheet," he held out his hand for me to give it to him.

Upon me giving it to him, he snatched it away and made some marks. He pulled out his own notebook and wrote some stuff down.

"Here," he gave it back. "The ones marked with 'S' you don't do."

I stared at him in disbelief before a small smile crept on my face. I can finally catch a break!

"Thank you-"

"Shut up and go get me one of those Cokes from the vending machine," he pulled out a dollar bill.

My smile disappeared. Of course. I excused myself from the class to go.

**Samuel's POV**

What a little piece of s**t he is. I can't believe I let him swindle me into giving him a break. He's lucky he's actually important; otherwise I wouldn't have cared.

When he spoke to me, I couldn't help but feel a little weird. Was it his eyes? His facial expression? And his smile... I dunno if he's doing some voodoo s**t with my feelings, but it better not happen again. I should punch him everytime he does it- but I can't thanks to "peer mediation".

"Samuel," I heard a voice coming near me. I turned my head and saw Chase... with no Coke.

"Where the hell is my drink?" I questioned.

"The vending machine's down today," he gave me back my money.

"The f**k you mean it's down!?"

"Mr. Champion! Quiet down!" The teacher yelled out, earning a dirty look from me.

"Down? As in doesn't work?" He responded with sarcasm. Was he getting smart with me?

"Then why didn't you just high-tail your ass to the corner store?"

"Samuel I'm not walking down that steep-ass hill to no corner store," he scowled.

"Do you want everyone to know your secret?"

"No," he sighed.

"Then I would suggest you walk down that 'steep-ass' hill to the corner store first thing after we're dismissed."

I smirked upon his silence, giving him back my dollar bill. That oughta shut him up.

**Chase's POV**

I left as soon after the bell rang, making my way out the door and down the hill. Peer mediation starts in about 15 minutes so that should be enough time to get it.

I sighed. I'm practically Samuel's b***h now. I cringed at the thought of it. I just wished he didn't have so much damn power over me. Well at least I have a break now, and more time to myself.

Upon reaching the store, I spotted a familiar face.

"Rodeo?" I rose an eyebrow. He was hanging around some people, one in which I recognized as Chief/Lionel.

The male turned towards me and smiled, coming and putting an arm around me.

"What's up, kid? Oh, and by the way-" He leaned in, "It's Zayn outside the club."

"I see," I smiled. So that was his real name, huh?

"Hey guys! This is my friend, uh, what is it again?" He turned to me.

"Chase," Lionel rolled his eyes.

"Right," he brought me closer to the group. "Chase, this is Lionel, Gino, Benny, Shinoh, and Kal."

They looked like a rag tag sort of group- they all appeared to be a part of completely different social circles, yet they were hanging together.

This was the first time I saw Rodeo outside the club, let alone actually wearing clothes. Despite his stage name, I noticed he likes to wear a lot of leather- black leather jacket, leather gloves, and leather boots.

I was so busy observing everyone that I hadn't realize Zayn slowly scanning my uniform.

"You go to that little prep school up there?" He asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Huh?" I took a look down at my uniform. "Oh yeah! I've been going there since freshman year!"

"Really now? You know Ken graduated from that school."

"Really? Wow, I had no idea. But it makes sense," I replied, scratching my head.

"I heard it costs around a grand a semester."

"Yeah...," I looked down.

"That's where most of that money's going to, isn't it?"

"Well...that and the rent," I shuffled my feet, nervously. It felt more like an interrogation than an actual conversation.

"So, they treat you well up there?" He paced around me.

"Yeah, of course! There's just this-" I caught myself before I said too much. "Nevermind."

"They don't let you wear your hair out?" He rose an eyebrow, messing around with my low, bushy ponytail.

"No...They said it's a distraction," I bit my lip.

"A distraction?" He pulled away from me with a quizzical look. "How the hell is it a distraction? Just because your hair is huge, curly, and gorgeous?"

"Eh," I looked away, a blush creeping on my face. He just called my hair gorgeous! It's not everyday I get a compliment like that.

"Here, let me help you," he reached back to unleash my curly locks.

"Much better," he smiled. "Don't you think so?" He turned to his friends for confirmation in which they all agreed.

"Thanks," I looked down, bashful. This guy certainly has the gift to charm the pants off of someone.

"So, what brings you down here?"

"Well I-"

Just then my phone began to ring. I pulled it out of my pocket and checked it. It was Samuel.

Shit.

"Uh, let me take this call really quick," I rushed off around the corner and answered. "Hello?" I whispered.

"Where the hell are you?" I heard his booming voice, making me wince. I literally had to hold the phone away from my ear.

"I'm at the store-"

"Peer meditation begins in two minutes and I still haven't gotten my damn Coke. It doesn't take you THAT long to go and come back. What's the hold up?"

"Look I was just hanging with some friends, okay?" I accidentally locked eyes with Zayn, who in turn rose an eyebrow. "I'll be there in about five minutes."

"Who the hell-?!"

"I gotta go, bye!" I hung up quickly, taking a deep breath. He's so demanding.

I came back from around the corner and flashed them a smile.

"Hey, I gotta jet okay? I'll see you later," I smiled again before getting the Coke and leaving. In the distance, I could see Zayn tilt his head in curiosity.

**Samuel's POV**

I furrowed my eyebrows as Chase hung up on me. How dare he?! Does he not realize how much trouble I can put him in? And what 'friends' does he have? Last time I checked, the only friend he had was that little albino boy.

Heh, probably some bullshit excuse to be late.

Whatever.

I put my phone away upon seeing Mr. Barr come down the hallway. He flashed me a small smile and a nod before opening the classroom door with his keys.

"Chase is coming today, right?"

"Yeah, he's just running late," I walked inside the small classroom and took my seat.

Shit, he better come today.

"I see. Well we could just wait until then."

I pulled out my cellphone and scrolled through my f*******:. A few minutes later, I see Chase jogging in out of breath. His hair was a wild curly mess- it's not often that I see his hair like that.

I eyed him as he came around to my table and gave me my Coke. My eyes shifted over to Mr. Barr who in turn, flashed me and him a quizzical look.

"Well then. I see you two have been, uh, communicating?" He spoke, his voice laced in confusion.

"Yes sir. We're working on a science project together," I boasted, proudly.

"And that involves him... getting you a Coke?" He tilted head with a raised eyebrow.

"It was a favor. And Chase was nice enough to do it, isn't that right Chase?" I put a hand on hold shoulder with a wide grin.

"Uh, yeah! It's not a big deal," he responded weakly.

"Uh huh," Mr. Barr frowned before shrugging. "If you say so. Now, let's get started! Today I'm assigning you a project of your own."

"Another one?" Chase whined.

"Mmhmm. And it requires BOTH of you to study each other," he emphasized. "I want you guys to piece together a storybook of your lives- except not of your own."

We both groaned. That's nice. Real f*****g nice.

"Do you really think we're interested in learning about each other's lives?" I grumbled.

"Nope! But you guys will start today. This will be your ongoing project until the very last day when it's due. If you don't complete it, you will have extra days added into you peer mediation class. Now, I'm gonna leave the room so you guys can talk," he rose out of his seat to leave, leaving me alone with Chase.

It was a very awkward silence. None of us knew what to say or what to do. So I decided to initiate the conversation.

"So, what really took you so long to get back?"

He groaned and rolled his eyes. "I was talking to my friends, Samuel."

"Pffft! Friends? What friends? You don't have any friends-"

"Aren't we supposed to be getting to know each other?" He spoke with an underlying bass in his voice.

"You really think I want to get to know you?" I mused. The fact that he really expected us to do this was beyond ridiculous.

"Look, I don't want to do this either, but unless you want to spend more time in this classroom, we should at least work together," he responded.

I thought about it. Personally, I dislike peer mediation. I thought back to what Domi told me about pretending. It didn't sound like a bad idea.

"Alright," I turned to him and put my feet up on the desk as he pulled out a notebook and pencil. "What do you wanna know about me?"

"Anything really. Let's just start with the basics. Where and when were you born?" He asked.

"Hmm...I was actually born in Brooklyn, New York. September 21, 1997," I began. "It was in the Brooklyn hospital," I chuckled, watching him scribble away. "Go figure, right?"

"Yeah, that is quite amusing," he smiled a nervous smile.

"My mother actually took a trip out to New York City for her business. She's like this big-time businesswoman, so literally right after I popped out, she went back to work." I looked up at the ceiling as I spoke.

"Sounds to me like she's a busy woman. Was she always that busy?" He asked me. I hadn't realize he was staring right at me until I locked eyes with him.

"Well...," I averted my gaze.

To tell the truth, she always was. I had an older sister who would always look out for us growing up. However, she's overseas now. She's a marine.

"Sorta. I mean, she was there for the important things like my middle school graduation and stuff."

"What about the football games? Or those little cheesy school plays those teachers would force kids to be in during elementary school?"

"Those weren't really important. She can't always make it to everything-"

"But it is important!" his eyes widened. "I mean, my uncle had to work, but he would always find time for me."

This was getting a little heavy for me. I don't need to leak that type of information to someone who isn't close to me. So I took this opportunity to change the subject.

"Well what about you? Tell me about yourself," I put my feet down and pulled out my own materials to write with.

"Me? Oh, well... as you know, I wasn't born here. I'm from Trinidad," he responded. I jotted down some notes as he kept speaking.

"I was born on January 8th, 1998 in my mother's house. It was a water birth," he twiddled his fingers as he looked down. "I migrated here when I was four. It was pretty scary though, because I had to take a boat with some people I didn't even know."

"Trinidad, huh? Is that where they eat bugs and s**t?" I snickered earning a light punch.

"No- well in certain parts. We mainly fished in my area."

"Mm," I wrote it down. This was surprisingly not as bad as I thought. No matter- it's all just pretend.

"What do you guys usually eat?"

"Well, they have a bunch of good food like roti and curry-"

"What and what?" I interjected.

"Oh, roti is like flat bread but better," he informed me. "It's the stuff I sometimes bring to school for lunch."

"Mm."

"There's also my personal favorite food, which is currents roll. It's a pastry with currents, which are kinda like raisins. They're really good."

"Currents roll, huh?" I thought. "Bring that tomorrow- I wanna try some."

"Wait...really?" He furrowed his eyebrows.

"Yeah, bring them."

I was dead serious. I love pastries and I like raisins. But nobody really knew that.

"Uh...okay," he stammered, confused. "But don't have me bring them and then have it turn out that you were only kidding-"

"BRING. THE SHIT."

"Okay then," he flashed me a bright smile after a pause.

Dear God, he had a gorgeous f*****g smile. I felt my heart skip a beat. I mentally slapped myself back into reality. What the hell is wrong with me? First I get a weird feeling when he spoke to me and now I get this giddy feeling in my chest. I'm not gay. I was never gay nor will I ever be. I felt my face get all hot the more I thought of it. It made me angry.

"Uh...Samuel? You alright-?"

"f**k you," I grumbled, grabbing my things.

"Where are you going? Peer mediation isn't done yet!"

"I don't give a s**t. I've been here long enough," I rose out of my seat.

"What? Samuel where is all of this hostility coming from?" He questioned, understandably confused.

This feeling was too overwhelming for me. If it was a chick, it would've been fine, but this is a goddamn dude. p***s, balls, everything.

I can't even. I have to leave.

"Shut up. I'm leaving," I stormed towards the door.

"Samuel, stop," Mr. Barr appeared in front of the door, blocking my way.

The hell? Was he watching the whole time?

"What for?!"

"Just relax. You guys were doing so well! I almost wept real Jesus tears because you two were getting along so good!" Mr. Barr grinned.

Ew.

"Well I don't care. I'm ready to go."

"Alright, alright, let me check the time," he pulled out his phone and made a face. "Eh, there's only five minutes left. You guys are dismissed."

I jetted out the door as soon as he said this, making my way home. I couldn't be in the room anymore.

**Chase's POV**

Mr. Barr and I exchanged glances upon Samuel's sudden disappearance. That was weird. Really weird.

I was so confused. I could've sworn we were actually starting to get along. Well how stupid was I for thinking that we would actually touch bases for once. I sighed. He told me he wanted currents rolls. I don't know how honest he was being, but I guess I'll still bring it to him anyway. I'd hate to be the receiving end of his tongue-lashing, especially since I can't do anything about it.

"You alright, Chase?" Mr. Barr's voice snagged me from my thoughts.

"Huh? Oh yeah! I'm fine," I lied, watching him come take a seat near me.

"How are things going with you and Samuel?"

"It's fine. A little rocky, but fine."

"Is he giving you any trouble?" He stared at me with utmost concern.

"No," I lied once again. There was just no way I can tell him what's going on. My life would come crumbling down if he knew I was a stripper. "I mean, nothing that I couldn't handle on my own." I gave a weak smile.

"I see," his eyes shifted to the window behind me before shifting back to me. "Well if you need anything, I'm here."

"Thank you," I nodded before getting my stuff together. "Well...gotta go to work."

"Alright, see you tomorrow."

I went into the Dancer's Room to get changed. Today's theme was Sexy Nurses, so there were plenty of hospital-themed outfits to choose from. As I was swiping through the clothes on the rack, I felt a pair of arms wrapped around my waist, his head resting on my shoulder.

"Hey Mamba," I heard Rodeo's familiar rugged voice whisper.

"Hey you," I looked back with a smile. "What's up?"

"Can I steal you for a minute?"

"Uh, s-sure!" I stuttered, my eyes widening.

He sat on the velvet-and-black loveseat and patted the seat next to him, motioning me to sit down.

"So...What's up?" I asked weakly.

"Is everything okay with you?" He questioned, his voice soft.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Why you ask?"

"Well I overheard your conversation and it sounds like you have a bit of a problem."

"Oh no, no. The person on the other line was a friend. He's usually very loud," I made up an excuse. Though it didn't look like he was buying it.

"Mm. I spoke to Ken about the school. He told me about the zero-tolerance policy. You know how much trouble you'll get into if someone was to find out about where you work, right?"

"...Yeah. But it's the only way I can support me and my uncle," I lamented.

"He doesn't work?"

"He lost his job recently. He's just been so unmotivated to do anything," I sighed.

"I see. Well be careful, okay?" He warned.

"I will," I flashed him a smile in which he returned it.

We both stood up and stretched, I letting out a loud yawn.

"See you on stage, sexy," he gave me a slap on the ass before leaving.

I held my backside with a smile, though I could see Ken scowling in the distance. Uh oh.