RuneScape Forum Archive | ~~English's Forgotten Tales~~

Englishkid62

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In my opinion, Mondays should be cancelled. Mind you, I was actually worried as hell this morning before I went to college; there was no escape and I dreaded the inevitable encounter of either David or Sarah at some point during the day – of which I admit I had no particular desire or intention to converse with neither of them. As usual, I missed my bus on the first day of the week and arrived late for my lessons.
Great.

This was the last place I wanted to go. Often, I wished the repugnance of life was but a nightmare and that dreams, fantasies and legends were reality. I desired somewhere exotically beautiful, somewhere – far away from this cruel, rotten world. I just needed my own personal space … you know? Who doesn’t? The modern society was elaborately over-sophisticated, and the thought that ‘RuneScape’ was the only place for someone like me wasn’t at all comforting.

It was the first time I had ever attempted to make sausage rolls this morning, and this batch contained three sausage rolls: one of them had an ill-favoured look and it vanished down my guts as soon as I opened the oven; the second was taken by my teacher, who complimented its richness in flavours and gave much praise about my success; as for the third and final – the best and the biggest sausage roll of the batch – I left it untouched on the tray, for it was reserved for a very special person indeed.

During the lunch hour, I spent quite a few minutes staring intently at the sausage roll, admiring my own efforts. Would he like it? I think he would. He would like anything that I cooked. I should tempt him as he did tempt me.

This was when a small, unwanted figure of a girl stepped through the kitchen door and interrupted my precious moment of food quality assurance.
“Hiiiiii, Danny.”
Oh God, I tried…
“Hiiiiii, Sarah.” I replied monotonously, not looking at her.
“Oooooooooh! What did you make today?”
“Just some sausage rolls.”

12-Feb-2011 16:57:11 - Last edited on 02-Apr-2011 10:18:55 by Englishkid62

Englishkid62

Posts: 9,782 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

“I LOVE sausage rolls!” Sarah exclaimed hysterically. “Can I try it?” Before I could say: "it was made for someone else,” she lifted the last sausage roll from the tray and pulled a series of suggestive gestures and strange faces at me before finally swallowing the last of my hard work of the morning.

“This tastes fantastic!” She screamed. There was no time to mourn. By now I wasn’t paying attention to her, for another figure now emerged outside the door behind Sarah. “There you are!” the shaded figure boomed. Recognizing the deep, loud voice, Sarah turned and smiled. “Come, Beth. This is Danny.”

Ah. Beth was the new black girl in the college who joined us last week. I hadn’t bothered to introduce myself to her yet, which now proved disadvantageous.

“Hi,” I greeted reluctantly.

“Hiya,” her voice was now soft and shy like a doll when she returned my greeting. She blushed slightly, and I wondered why. Many times a minute she altered her posture to what she thought was optimum and most appealing.

Rather than feeling embarrassed I was actually rather displeased about my taintless paradise – the kitchen – being rudely invaded by some sick, ill-mannered aliens.

“Aww … he is nice.” To my horror I felt Sarah’s arms flung around me. My body shuddered where we met. I froze, for I was in a state of panic – I felt dumb, “isn’t he?”

Beth smiled and nodded in silence.

At this point I was hardly amused by my situation and I stood there like a woman’s play toy, unable to decide my response to such an obvious intrusion of personal space. After all I had never experienced anything like this. My initial reaction was to find an excuse and get out of here. Quick.

12-Feb-2011 16:57:11 - Last edited on 02-Apr-2011 11:07:07 by Englishkid62

Englishkid62

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“Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight…” Thank goodness for the interruption of the awful silence now existed between us in the kitchen – I had now an excuse to part myself from Sarah’s arms. The burden was lifted. Looking outside the window I investigated the source of this barbaric chanting, echoing piercingly across the campus.

In the midst of chaos I saw a few familiar figures: I saw Jenna, looking frightened behind a strong, bulking lad, Jake, from the year above and … I saw the back of David, cautiously stepping backwards whilst trying to escape the scene, away from the other’s sight. His retreat was deemed unsuccessful as he was trapped inside by the growing crowd, and was thrust violently back into the middle of the circle once he was at the edge. I saw the crowd, blood-thirsty, continued to chant wildly like an assembly of uncivilized goblins. There were scents of horror and panic in the air – death, was never beyond the reach of our arms. A voice in me yelled: “Get him out of there! What year is this, 148AD?” Poor David, he was hardly a fighter – but neither was I. What could I do?

Despite Sarah’s attempt to hold me back, I struggled free and rushed out of the kitchen into the yard where the crowd was beginning to gather to witness a contest of masculinity. I was worried. I didn't even know what I was planning to do. For whatever reason I felt as if my heart was about to break. A voice in me said: “Please hold, David,” and my instinct drew me deeper and deeper into the middle of the crowd. I trusted my instinct. I wanted to do the right thing.

12-Feb-2011 16:57:11 - Last edited on 02-Apr-2011 11:07:43 by Englishkid62

Englishkid62

Posts: 9,782 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

It was a nightmare: David was hit squarely on his chest and was knocked off his feet in one, brutal strike. The deadly fist. I wasn’t even sure if he had any intention of fighting back at all. As far as I could recall, he had never engaged in a fight before. Poor thing. It happened just as I reached the front of the crowd and I knew instantly I was too late to prevent anything. I turned to David and saw fear and pain on his pitiful face while lying on the yard, helpless. I turned to the victor of the round, horrified, because I had never before seen anyone so vicious in my life. If he wasn’t stopped soon, this would get gruesomely bloody – which was the last thing I wanted.
Cursing his hormone level, I stepped out of the crowd and stood between my David and the bully. Well, more closely to David than to Jake. It was a surprise for many. There were gasps and excited chatters amongst the crowd. Was I feeling brave? Far from it.
“Get out of my way!” I was commanded, and I knew if I refused to remove myself from his sight in the next second, he would make me think ten times before ever sticking up for someone again. Despite my heart told me I should stay, my head was telling me otherwise: it wasn’t too late to back down and leave this place unscratched.
But I would be a fool forever.
A fool for life.
Do your best, no regret.
“Jake, just calm down,” I said gently and firmly. “What has he ever done to you?”
I must have sounded much calmer than I actually was, and I believed it was why Jake felt ‘challenged’ by me.
“He is an abomination. He likes guys!” Jake declared loudly, followed by murmurs of agreement from the crowd.
“Ah … but WHAT has he ever done to you?” I questioned again.
“I’m teaching him a lesson.” Jake said, turning to Jenna and nodded. “For upsetting my girlfriend.”
“Right, so you’re telling me he hasn’t done anything?”
“Just go away. Who are you, his boyfriend?”
I froze.

12-Feb-2011 16:58:55 - Last edited on 02-Apr-2011 10:21:24 by Englishkid62

Englishkid62

Posts: 9,782 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

The crowd was eager for an answer, and I was sure, to some degree, David too. It was a terrible decision. I was in turmoil and David was in agony. No answer would’ve been the right one to choose – there was no right answer.
“I am a friend of his.”
Jake raised an eyebrow.
“Look, I don’t care. Just move out of the way, will ya? Just back off.”
I didn't.
To my relief, the bell rung triumphantly across the site indicating the end of the lunch hour and the start of lessons, there was a tense silence between the crowd, Jake and I. We all stood motionless for minutes while the summer wind brushed soothingly against our skin. Then the murmur started again and there were sounds of disappointment as the crowd began to break off slowly for their lessons. There was still silence between me and Jake. However, I began to gain in confidence as our spectators left in groups of twos and threes.
“Just leave him alone now, okay?” I said quietly.
He was neither angry nor convinced now. While he seemed much less enthusiastic and Jenna had previously given him a few prods or hints to leave, he was still reluctant to give in.
“I’ll get you another time,” He pointed challengingly at David, who was still lying on his back behind me. “You filth!”
“Alright, honey, let’s leave him,” Jenna held Jake’s hand and kissed him. She turned his head to her direction and led him away from the battlefield. The victor of the round. As they walked away, she turned and winked as if she expected just a little more than gratification from me, and there was something I owed her and had to repay in the near future. What did she want from me? Ever since David came out to Jenna (and consequently the whole college knew, without his consent, and me, who found out recently) all the girls began throwing strange glances, winks and random connotations at me.
Oh…
I decided to drop the subject. It didn't take long before I realized there were only the two of us now, left on the scene.

12-Feb-2011 16:58:56 - Last edited on 02-Apr-2011 11:08:12 by Englishkid62

Englishkid62

Posts: 9,782 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

It felt silly not to talk to David.
“Are you alright?” I tried not to show too much concern but my voice had betrayed my thoughts. How could I not care about him? I offered my hand to pull him up to get back on his feet.
David didn't say a word. As he reached for my hand he wailed in pain. He let go of my hand and dropped lifelessly on to the stony ground.
“Oh, no!” I muttered sotto voce, as I touched his chest he showed signs of distress and an excruciating pain. “Your rib is broken…” it was as I feared. David’ eyes were now full of water.
“I’ll call for the ambulance.” I said, beginning to call. Why was I doing this, and not the teachers? I wondered where the teachers were. Perhaps they were too busy to notice these things…? But then again, why would the authorities do anything about this? We were after all, rebels of the natural way of life.
“Thanks Danny,” David said weakly. “Thanks for everything.”
“It’s okay, the ambulance will be here soon,” I crouched down beside him, and stroked his cheek: it felt smooth and much nicer to touch than I anticipated. He returned my gaze longingly – and for a moment I was relieved of all my anxieties and fears. I never held his gaze so intensely before, and when our eyes met my heart was in no hurry to beat. I examined his face in detail, like I had never studied it before: his eyes, what adorable eyes he had! His hair was soft, and airy – his scent intoxicating. His breath was heavy – I could feel his breath against my face – and every second of that moment I was breathing him and only him. I had the sweet, fresh pleasure lying on the tip of my fingers – happiness was within my reach.
No ... this couldn’t be. This was wrong. As if a sharp sting of electricity had passed from my finger into my hand and into my entire body, I was reminded of what I was not meant to do, who I was not meant to love, and why I must forever hide my feelings.
Kipplin…
I couldn’t help it. He was there first.

12-Feb-2011 16:58:56 - Last edited on 02-Apr-2011 11:08:48 by Englishkid62

Englishkid62

Posts: 9,782 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

“Danny, stay with me … at least until the ambulance arrives.” David pleaded as I leapt up and began to walk away without a word spoken. “Please don’t break my heart too.”

I ignored his request and left him lying on the ground. The ambulance could take care of him from now on.

Back in the heat of the kitchen, I resumed my cooking practices. From time to time I spied on David from behind the window where he couldn’t quite notice me – to make sure that Jake wouldn’t return and double-back on him, of course.

“Oh! Danny, that was soooo brave of you! You’re my hero!” Sarah exclaimed as she stormed into the kitchen again. This time, she gave me a rather powerful embrace, as if she was glad that I was still in one piece – for her to hold, perhaps, and certainly not for my own benefit.
I guess I finally understood why the tongueless man got his land took.
***
Usually, my Mum would do the cooking alone in the evening but I had decided to give her a hand today, not because I felt I was so energetic and youthful and had too much time to spare – on the contrary, I was quite knackered by the end of today – I just felt that cooking would distract me from my worries for the time being.
As usual, we gathered around the long, teak table with candles and roses in our ancient dining room for an evening meal. I wouldn’t consider ourselves being particularly rich – but we had plenty of what we needed, I’d say. Mum made a lobster today and we were all very excited to taste it. Between me and my parents we could talk about almost anything, and we’d sit, listen to each other and laugh at our experiences for a good few hours every evening before we would finally go to sleep.
For some reason I felt I wasn’t up for any of this today. I felt diseased and ill - so very ill that it would be mistaken by anybody for an ordinary malnourishment. It was my mother who first spotted my unexplained quietness: “How was college today?” She asked softly.

12-Feb-2011 17:03:08 - Last edited on 02-Apr-2011 11:10:00 by Englishkid62

Englishkid62

Posts: 9,782 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

“It was alright – I made my first sausage rolls,” I replied shortly. “Didn't bring any home though.”

“Why is that?”

“Because … I ate them all,” I lied.

“Oh, really?” Dad looked at me, mischievously. “Sarah told us the sausage rolls tasted fantastic, and so I assumed you spared her a couple … I hope you have left some for us tonight, as well? Who’s she to you? We’d love to try it too, you know.”

“Wait, how did you know that?” I pursued, trying very hard not to show a hint of resentment. “Did she call us here to tell you or something?”

“No..." Dad mumbled to himself. “Her parents did. In fact they were curious of you and your intentions. You know, walking around offering sausage rolls to innocent girls is quite inappropriate.”

Oh, dang.

We devoured the lobster greedily for a few minutes in silence before my Mum came up with a rather seemingly random suggestion. “How about Bahamas?” Mum looked suggestively at Dad. “Honey?”

“That sounds nice … but it’s too hot for me, I’m afraid.” Dad shook his head, “I was thinking about something on the lines of – Switzerland.”

“Not talking about retirement plans again, are we?” I interjected. “That’s all you guys cared about, these days.”

“Sweetie, you know I’m getting old, and so is your father.” Mum said gently.

“You’re never too old for me,” I smiled, and as we were sat fairly close to each other, we hugged without having to get up.

“Aww,” She sighed. “But we can't stay with you here forever, sweetie. Soon we’ll have to retire to some place else.”

“But … why?”

“To take a looooooooong break.” Dad said dreamily.

“But … who am I going to talk to when you’re gone?” I asked desperately, “who is going to look after … and understand me? Who is going to welcome me home?”

“We’ll be retiring soon,” said Dad, “when we retire we’ll leave this house and everything else in your possession."

"Dad–”

12-Feb-2011 17:03:08 - Last edited on 02-Apr-2011 11:10:45 by Englishkid62

Englishkid62

Posts: 9,782 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

“You’re a smart lad, Danny,” Dad grinned. “And a good boy too.”

I said nothing. It was the most generous praise he had ever given me.

“What’s wrong, sweetie?” Mum looked concerned – she seemed to know that other matters were on my mind apart from their retirement plans. “You’re not yourself this evening. In fact you weren’t yourself for a couple of days now. You were still fine on Friday evening – is there something you’re not telling us?

“I just …” Deciding which trouble was actually on my mind, I ventured, “David got beat up in college today at lunchtime.”

“Oh, no," Mum shook her head. “Did you do anything – like calling for the teachers? He’s your friend, after all.”

“Yeah, I stood up for him.”

“That’s good. That’s what a friend is all about.”

Silence.

“Why did he get beat up?” Dad asked, rather sharply.

“…because he likes guys.” I said dully, but then I added, “Or at least he claimed to.”

The news seemed to send shock waves through the still air in the dining room like an irreversible flood of the vilest stench, fouling all that was within.

“Oh dear – that’s wrong.” Mum exclaimed, and put down her fork.

“Danny, we don’t want you to get involved with that sort of people, and you shouldn’t encourage David either by sticking up for him – even if he is your friend,” Dad said passionately, his suggestion was full of warning to me. “You know … when something like this comes up again, just leave it – ignore it. You can’t be his meat-shield forever and this certainly isn’t worth risking yourself and getting hurt by others for no apparent reason.”

I knew what they were saying. They were suggesting me to dissociate myself from David and the kind of people who were like David, completely. For some reason I knew that was coming – I just hoped it didn't.
It was a fool’s hope.

12-Feb-2011 17:03:08 - Last edited on 02-Apr-2011 11:11:06 by Englishkid62

Englishkid62

Posts: 9,782 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

“Was there was something else troubling you?” Mum asked me again some minutes later when I was polishing off the last of the green peas. It really amazed me how my Mum could read my thoughts so thoroughly, and she was right, again. I had one more worry.

“Tell me … what would you do if someone – for example – holds your hand and you’d prefer that they didn't,” I struggled. “Know what I mean? It’s a strange feeling.”

“Sarah, is she?” Dad suggested bluntly.

Embarrassed, I nodded in silence.

“Well, sweetie, I wouldn’t worry about it too much if I was you,” Mum explained. “Besides, she is a very nice girl too.”

“And plain.” Dad added, as if it meant anything of importance to my knowledge. I was brought up to believe that only plain girls would do, for they would, and could never distract you from your all too important education. Still, it was one of the few tips from my parents that I never truly believed.

“Just be yourself and don’t be shy, Danny. That’s the key. I think it’s time for you to come out of your closet.” Mum continued, in my horror, “Mummy and Daddy would love to see some grandchildren too before we retire!"
Wow, grandchildren. My parents had totally lost it.
***
I found myself in the small, peaceful town of Catherby, in the world of RuneScape that evening. I wasn’t sure what I was looking for. In this game, my character would embark on a journey, an adventure he’d never dreamed of having before – and it was here where my dreams were finally realized. Everything was normal in the game today and I fished like I always did; for some unknown reason, the same task was proving extremely challenging and tedious. My heart was bored, tired and shattered. When I thought of David or Sarah it was as if my heart would sink into a dark, bottomless pit.

12-Feb-2011 17:03:09 - Last edited on 02-Apr-2011 11:11:27 by Englishkid62

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~~English's Forgotten Tales~~

English's Forgotten Tales