The Cameron Hotel Chapter 17
The Cameron Hotel Chapter 17 -- No One Else
Riddick walked out across the lunchroom of his brand new school, wishing again that he and Luke had ended up with the same lunch. But, as he'd learned on Tuesday, two days earlier, he had no such luck. Alex & Luke were in first lunch, and he was in second...
...but he wasn't alone. Whether they really talked much, or not, Jasyn had the same lunch with him. Of course, that wasn't all he found out on their first day of school, Tuesday, either. That had been the last time he'd spoken to Luke...and it was a conversation that mirrored one that the panthion later learned Alex had had with the raccoon, as well.
Luke was coming out.
The potential outcome of that worried him. He, himself, had faced rather harsh ramifications from a similar, though less voluntary, situation, and he didn't want to see it repeated with Luke. Alex had been less worried, but Riddick just couldn't let it go.
If Luke wouldn't talk with either of them, Riddick knew who he WOULD talk to. And the panthion had just now got up the nerve to say something to that exact wolf. Though, he wasn't too sure exactly how it would go.
He looked down over his clothes, which were much drabber than his clubbing clothes, since he figured school wasn't the best place to show himself off like that. Satisfied that he wouldn't embarrass the wolf, he padded over to Jasyn's table, where he stopped back a ways and silently waited for an opportunity to speak.
Jasyn just sat there, talking with a few of his jock friends, joking and laughing until they...one at a time...began to grow quieter and started looking over his shoulder.
The wolf cocked an eyebrow and turned around, before jumping and nearly falling out of his chair, "Shit, Riddick! Don't sneak up like that!" He panted slightly, one arm over the chair next to his, barely able to hold himself in the chair.
The sophomore jumped a bit, himself, not expecting his friend to be surprised, "Sorry, Jasyn. I didn't want to interrupt, so I was just waiting for you to be able to talk."
Jasyn flicked his ears a bit and straightened up, looking around his table, "Uhm...guys, I'll be back in a minute, okay?"
One of the cats at the table raised his eyebrow and flashed an odd look at his girlfriend, who was leaning on his shoulder. Most of other jocks, and Jasyn's assorted acquaintances & friends, looked back and forth between the wolf and the openly gay sophomore, sizing up the scene. This wasn't the biggest school, and a new student -- especially one so unapologetic about his proclivities -- didn't go unnoticed.
One of the furs at the table, though, was unfazed. Sitting directly across from Jasyn, was a German shepherd who sat a head above the rest and may as well have been bursting out of his shirt with muscle. He just smiled, ignoring their other friends, "We'll save your seat Jay! You'll be back before lunch is over, yeah?"
Jasyn nodded, stood up, and smiled at the big dog, "Probably. Thanks, Duncan." He dusted off his pants as if they were somehow dirty, and walked over to Riddick.
Duncan waved as he called back, "No problem, Woof!"
Jasyn put his hands in his pockets and looked up what little bit he needed to, to look at the younger but taller cat, "So what's up?"
Riddick smiled at him, "I like Duncan! He seems a bit more mature than your other friends. Either that or he's just oblivious!" He chuckled.
The wolf laughed and nodded, "Yeah, he's not the smartest of all my friends...but he's probably one of the nicest people at the school." He began to walk down the length of the lunchroom with Riddick at his side, "But, no: he's not oblivious. He knows about you." He shook his head with a chuckle, "Very few kids around here missed the bulletin."
Riddick smiled proudly, "Doesn't bother me any! I kinda' like the attention." He looked over at Jasyn while they walked, "What about you, though? Seems like you wouldn't want to be seen with me. That's...uhm...kind of why I've been trying not to bother you, at lunch..."
"Heh..." Jasyn shrugged nervously, "No...I don't mind. It's just a little new to me I guess. But, really, if I ever want to get Alex back, it's something I should get used to, right?"
"Uhm..." The panthion blinked, "Does anyone know about Alex, that you know of?"
"After what happened this summer...no." Jasyn shook his head, "No one really has anything to know about. But the thing is...he's come out with his parents, and I get the feeling he wants to be out in general." He smiled contentedly with the thought, "I won't deny him that, even if it means outing myself, too."
"That's...wow." Riddick let out a breath, thinking that over, and then shook his head before changing the subject, "Well, what DO you hear about me? I mean, do they just know and think I'm weird or do they like..." He paused, searching for the right words, "Am I badmouthed? Do they hate me?"
"Not...really...?" The wolf blinked and rubbed his arm, "I mean, I won't deny that there are a few...but most just ignore it, or don't care."
"That's a relief..." Riddick smiled at the wolf again.
"You're telling me!" Jasyn laughed aloud, "You're the only litmus test I have to judge how they'll react if Alex takes me back, and I have to come out!"
The panthion tilted his head, postponing what he actually needed to talk about, "So...not that I know a whole lot about the situation...just what I hear from Luke...but how are you and Alex doing?"
Jasyn sighed and leaned against the wall, the two having reached the far end of the cafeteria, "Honestly? I don't know. It's up to him, now, really."
"It is? It can't quite be that simple can it? I mean, I don't know the whole situation..." Riddick rubbed his neck, "I DO know Luke's on your side..."
The wolf rolled his eyes with a huff, "And fuck, I wish he wasn't. After what I did to the two of them, I don't deserve it."
"He says it's more important what you've done SINCE." Riddick shrugged, "But don't get me wrong: I'm not taking anyone's side. I showed up in the middle. I'm just wondering...I mean...you do WANT him back, right?"
Jasyn smiled softly, arms crossed and looking down at the ground, "He's my best friend. I want him to be happy...and I'll do anything to make sure of it."
"Even if that means he's not with you?"
"Without a doubt."
"Maybe I just shouldn't pry." The panthion stepped over, leaning against the wall as well, "I don't know enough about it, and probably wouldn't really understand it, anyway. I've only been in the one relationship, anyway...and it could definitely have ended better."
Jasyn perked his ears up and shook his head, "No, it's alright." He looked up, "And who was this with, by the way?"
"Uhm..." Riddick met his friend's eyes, "A guy named Kevin: a Red Panda. We were together for like three years...or just one, depending on how you want to count it." He looked at the ground solemnly, "Then we were...quite forcibly parted before I moved here in the spring. I...I try not to, but I still hold a torch for him."
"I'm sorry you two had to split up," the wolf put a paw on his friend's shoulder, "Moving is such a bitch..."
"Yeah...except he's actually kind of why I had to move." Riddick glanced at the paw with an appreciative smile, "My mom's a horrible bitch! Be glad you've never had to meet her. Thanks to her, my dad and I were apart for twelve years and the price I paid to get him back was losing my first boyfriend. I think dad calls her 'Satan's little whore' or something like that..."
Jasyn blinked, wanting to ask more, but not wanting to intrude, "I'm sorry to hear that..." He smiled as he looked on the bright side, "But at least you have your dad! And he seems like a really good guy. I haven't really had a chance to talk to him one-on-one, but it's not hard to tell that he's nice."
"He really is. We've had a fight a month or two back..." The panthion cocked his head with a contented smile, "...but it worked out really nice in the end."
Jasyn smiled, "I'm glad." Then he blinked as he remembered that Riddick had come to him for a reason, "But, hey! I'm sure that you didn't want to just talk about family..."
"Yeah...I didn't." Riddick shook his head, "Remember how I was asking about how people reacted to me? What they said, how they acted, and such..."
"Oh, was that it?" The wolf smiled and nodded, "Well, I'm glad I could help a bit."
"Well...actually, you haven't helped yet."
"Oh?"
"Yeah, see...I wasn't really wondering for my sake. I was wondering, because I'm worried..." Riddick looked up at Jasyn again, "...about Luke."
"Luke?" Jasyn stood up straight again, "What about Luke? What's wrong?"
"I was worried how he'd be treated here at school." The panthion took a breath, "He says he's coming out to his family tomorrow. And I'm sure everyone else'll know soon enough after that...but the way you describe the kids here, I guess-"
"Whoa!" Jasyn cut him off, "He's coming out?" He shook his head hurriedly, "Riddick, they don't say anything about you, because they can tell that you're the kind of person who wouldn't care! They wouldn't get anything out of it to mess with you...b-but Luke..."
"Honestly...I'm not sure they'd get much out of it with him, right now, either." Riddick shrugged, "I don't know if it's just that he had to get used to me...but he seemed so timid when I met him, and..." He stood back up as well, "And he's not like that now. He's so much different than at the beginning of the summer. I mean...am I the only one that noticed that?"
"No. He's definitely changed a lot, no question there. You should have heard what a chatterbox he was in the spring..." The wolf shook his head with a huff, "But, still...he's such a kind hearted kid...even if he has changed. I'm not sure he'll be able to handle the kind of attention he's asking for..."
Riddick took a deep breath, "Have you met the Trammels? His parents?"
Jasyn leaned back onto the wall again, taking everything in, "No. I can't say that I have. But I seem to remember that you went over to his house...I take it you met them?"
"Oh yeah!" The panthion nodded wide eyed, "They're...they're sweet?" He paused and rubbed his neck, "His dad's quiet, but personably and friendly when he does speak...and his mom's almost bubbly! And a really good cook...it's just...like...you've seen 50s sitcoms, right?"
"You're saying it's..." Jasyn scratched the top of his muzzle, "...too perfect?"
"Fake even." Riddick nodded, "And the cracks are showing a bit too. Like how they seem...weird lately when I'm over. Y'know: since I dyed my tail and everything. And they really don't want me over, anymore." He laughed, "I mean...it might be just be me! I know I'm a little out there with it...but if it's just because they've figured out that I'm gay..." He huffed, "I don't know if he should say anything to them, Jasyn."
The wolf rubbed his chin thoughtfully and then sighed, "I honestly don't know what to say. Like I said, I've never met them, but from what it sounds like...I mean, maybe..." He paused, "Maybe they'd be okay with it if it was him..."
"How...how do I put this without sounding like I'm just being...anti-religious?" Riddick winced, "There's more than one cross and bible readily visible over there."
Jasyn raised an eyebrow, "Not all Christians are anti-gay, Riddick. My family's not."
"Maybe. Sorry...I just don't know." The panthion rubbed his neck, "I mean, it's just...I was worried about coming out to my dad, right? And even to Luke, and I'd fooled around with him! Hell, I was even worried about how I'd broach the subject with you and Alex if we hung out and I knew both of you were g..." The cat choked back to stop himself, knowing Jasyn wouldn't want anyone to hear that. He shook his head and got back on track, "P-point is: my dad blew up at me over it, even though his best friend was gay and he...well, you know." He sighed, "It...I mean, it turned out okay in the end...but it still hurt so bad, and I...I dunno. I'm just worried. I mean, if it went bad for me...what's the chance it'll go well for Luke?"
"I honestly don't know, Riddick..." Jasyn sighed, "I just don't know."
"I just...I'm too worried about him to not say anything." Riddick motioned at the wolf, "...and I figured it was best to talk to you."
"Maybe...?" The wolf tapped the toe of his shoe lightly against the ground, "But I'm not entirely sure what I could do."
"Well, no one else can. Luke won't listen to me about it at all for some reason." Riddick let out a long sigh at that, "I...I think he's a little upset with me about something. And I'm not sure about Alex, but..." He looked Jasyn in the eye, "Luke looks up to you! He talks about you all the time."
Jasyn's ears perked up, "He does?"
"Well yeah. He's friends with me and Alex, but you're different. He...I think you're like a big brother to him or something. I just think if anyone can talk to him about it, you can." The panthion looked down at his shuffling feet.
Jasyn frowned and blinked, "What's wrong?"
"I just don't want to see him hurt, y'know? I want..." Riddick grimaced, "He won't listen to me, Jasyn. Just please help."
"One day is a bit short notice, but I'll look into it." The wolf smiled softly and put a paw on the Panthion's shoulder, "I need to be honest with you, though, okay?"
Riddick smiled at the paw and then up at his friend, quizzically, "Okay...?"
"I can't promise I'll stop him." Jasyn moved his paw, with an apologetic and uneasy smile.
"But..." The panthion narrowed his eyes, "You mean you don't know if he'll listen? Or that you don't...WANT to stop him?"
"Both?" Jasyn shrugged, "Look...it's just that this is what I've been working with him on, y'know? I've spent most of the summer trying to get him out of his shell. He used to have A LOT of trouble making friends...and him being so shy and awkward..." He held up his paws, "It was the main reason why."
"But coming out to his parents?"
"Is part of that." The wolf clarified, "He needs to be more comfortable with himself...more confident, right? And this might be a good thing for him." He put his paw on the cat's shoulder again, "Don't worry. I'll talk to him, okay? I'll make sure he's REALLY sure that this is the right idea before he does it. If not, I'll stop him...but if he really believes in it, I can't. That could be too big of a step back for him."
"I..." Riddick licked his lips and looked down, obviously uneasy with this, "Yeah...thanks."
Jasyn closed his eyes for a moment, wincing, "Not what you were hoping for?"
"No..." The panthion looked back up, "But it's okay. You're right. I just..."
Jasyn looked over his friend, and watched him clench his jaw and fidget. Maybe it WAS that he just that he really wanted to stop Luke from doing this, but... "Riddick? I know we don't know each other that well...but if there's something else you want to talk about..."
"I dunno." Riddick looked away, "I just...I guess I'm a little jealous?"
"Jealous?"
"Of you." The panthion looked back, "That he'll talk...to you."
Jasyn chuckled, "You must really care for him..."
"I do. And you have no idea how much I wish I didn't have to come to you with this." Riddick clenched his fists in frustration, "I want to help him myself, but he just won't let me. And I..."
"Don't worry about it so much." The wolf stretched and smiled, "Once you two get together, it'll change." He grinned and ruffled the cat's headfur, "You'll see!"
Riddick recoiled, "Get together?"
"Of course!" Jasyn put his hands in his pockets, turned, and took a few steps away before glancing back and smirking, "Isn't it obvious that he likes you, too? Everyone else can tell..." He chuckled and continued on, walking away.
The panthion just blinked as he watched Jasyn walk away, and opened his mouth to talk but wasn't sure what to say.
"You just relax!" Jasyn held up a paw and called back the little ways, still walking, "I'll do what I can to take care of it!"
"Yeah..." Riddick barely managed to mumble, "...Thanks."
~
There we go! The soap opera, Forbidden, continues!!
* Starring: F. R. Borealis as Riddick Dumar Eden and Duncan Joshua Porter Cecil B. North as Jasyn Aiden Fuller *
Cecil was a writer here as well, back in the Yiffstar days. If you want to check out the stuff he wrote back then, go ahead and look him up. His username on here is: Cecil_88
First of all... This was Jasyn & Riddick's first chapter together! The beach chapter doesn't really count, since they barely spoke. Isn't it nice how, even though they're so different they still manage to be friends? I'd say that's a sign of Jasyn's growth wouldn't you? But on to more important matters! The stage has been set! Riddick is worried about Luke, and has employed Jasyn's help to stop him from making what may be a mistake. Jasyn doesn't seem to agree it's a mistake, though. And in the midst of all this, Alex assured Luke and Jasyn assured Riddick that their feelings for each other weren't one sided. What comes next? Can Jasyn stop Luke, or will he decide it's the right decision? If he goes through with it, what will happen? And, before this ordeal is through, will Luke and Riddick end up finally admitting how they feel? Find out next time in Chapter 18! The FINAL CHAPTER of The Cameron Hotel!
Anyway, thanks for reading!
I welcome any feedback! Comment or PM me here, or email me at frostborealis[at]gmail.com
See you for the next 22 chapters of Forbidden! ^.^