(To Be Named) Chapter 3
Chapter 3 - The Market
Ben awoke to complete silence. A soft ray of sunlight was pouring into his room from the cracks in his blinds...he checked the time, 10:30 AM. His mom had already left for work. He got up slowly; his body ached from the extraneous running he did yesterday. Shuffling from his room to the bathroom, he yawned and got ready for the day.
Ben was dressed in a fairly stylish outfit; a blue, white, and gray v-neck rugby shirt, white skinny jeans, and some small but warm boots. He grabbed his essentials and walked out of the apartment and locked it. Up a flight of stairs he went and knocked on a door a little ways down the corridor; a giant gull opened the door. It was Rico's father, Mr. Juarez, who greeted Ben, "Ben! Come in, come in! You're here for Rico ah?"
Ben loved his accent; it was exotic and the deepness in the large morph's voice sent shivers down his spine. "Yes I am. Is he up?" Ben said; not sure if he was going to rudely awaken his friend.
"Ehhh...I don't know. Maybe. RICO! GET OUT HERE!" Mr. Juarez shouted.
"Alright, alright, geez," Rico said as he came from his room; feathers ruffled and looking rather groggy, "Hey Ben," he said as went straight for the fridge.
"Ai yi yi yi yi! Eating me out of house and home this boy!" Rico's father joked, Rico rolled his eyes as he grabbed something. Ben giggled, "Well, I'm gone Rico. Be good," and with that, his father left off for work.
"Aaaaah, dad's a character alright," Rico said as he munched on a mixing bowl full of cereal.
"ugh...I don't understand how you can eat that much," Ben commented.
"I don't understand how you can eat so little. Growing boys gotta eat," he smiled as he smacked his paunch of which was gaining in size rather rapidly.
"Well I'm not the one to gorge endlessly on food, gain weight, then work it all off again. I'd rather stay one weight," Ben said as took an apple of the counter and ate it, "Takes much less effort."
"Well twinkle-toes, I have to wrestle with guys who weigh near 350 pounds - maybe more. Gotta keep my strength up," and with this, he flexed. Ben chuckled and marveled at his friend, "So...whatcha want?"
"Well I was wondering if you wanted to go somewhere with me and Sheila."
"Have you asked her? You know how much she hates impromptu plans."
"Whatever, we can drag her along," Ben replied. Rico finished his breakfast and dumped the bowl and spoon into the sink.
"Where were ya planning on going?" Rico asked as he stretched; his beater rode up the curve of belly, Ben's eyes flickered down and back.
"Mall and maybe we can walk around the city. I don't know; I just want to get out," he replied as he followed Rico back to his room; Ben took note of round and perfect his friend's ass was. Ben shook his head hard, "Why am I ogling him like this?! I've never done this before. Besides he's my friend! I can't be doing this."
"Sounds good to me. Let me get ready," Rico grabbed a pair of acid washed jeans, a thermal shirt, and a graphic tee and went off to the bathroom. Ben sat down his bed and looked around the dimly lit room; it was sort of messy, but he didn't mind. Ben looked over the clothes strewn about the floor; his eyes landed on a jock...Ben got the impulse to take it but he firmly resisted it.
"I'm gonna run by Sheila's, mmkay?" Ben called, he got a muffled "alright" and then left the apartment - his genitals were beginning to get the best of him.
...
He walked back down to his floor and walked a couple of doors down. He knocked and waited...then knocked again - the door opened to Sheila doing a rather awkward dance as she listened to her Ipod. "Hey Ben!" She greeted him cheerfully - she was dressed in lounge clothes, her fur was shiny and looked damp.
"Heya....I was wondering, you wanna come along with me and Rico?"
"Ummmmm...I wasn't planning on going...."
"Oh sure you were! C'mon, hurry up and get dressed!" Ben said, trying to rush his stubborn friend.
"Oh alright, if I must..." she rolled her eyes and smiled. She got ready faster than Ben had anticipated; dressed in black leggings, a pair of warm looking boots, a cute multi-color knit wool sweater, and lens-less glasses.
"You look so hipster today," Ben joked.
"At least it's better than what most people wear," and they were off to meet Rico in the lobby.
...
The city had a festive buzz to it as the trio exited the subway; major holidays were fast approaching. Everyone was making plans and buying whatever they could. "I love this time of year!" Sheila shouted as she jumped into the air joyfully.
"Me too, everyone's so happy," Rico commented. Ben noticed how his leather jacket was tight on his torso.
"Let's stop by the market before we head to the mall. They always have something nice," Ben suggested - they whisked through the crowds walking the sidewalks down to a bustling market. Vendors were shouting their prices, children were running and playing about, and adults were busy buying things and talking.
As they were walking through the marketplace, Ben saw a familiar feline in the distance. His large frame; pitch-black fur, and blue eyes that seemed to glow even while the sun was out. They approached and Jamal recognized Ben.
"Hey Ben!"
"Hey Jamal," he replied, Ben never noticed Jamal's blue eyes...they were entrancing, "What're you doing here?"
"My mom is running a booth here; I'm helping promote her," and began shouting advertisements to people passing by.
"That's cool, what's she selling/" Sheila asked as she accepted a candy cane from a little rabbit. Rico and Ben took one as well - the minty candy was one of Ben's favorites.
"Knick-knacks and trinkets. You should come by. Might find something you like," he offered with a bright smile. Ben began feel a tension arise; Rico shot Jamal a glare and Jamal looked back with a sort of intensity. He didn't like it, not one bit - but for now he wouldn't worry about as they were escorted through the marketplace to Jamal's mother's booth.