Chapter 25

Art gently pushed open the dorm door. It was friday, and a few weeks after the dresses incident, which most of the guys had tried (somewhat unsuccessfully) to forget. He crept into the dorm, trying not to wake anyone. "GOOD MORNING PEOPLE!" he yelled, making everyone wake up with a jump. Art laughed.

"God," Seiji muttered, "Do you have to be so damned enthusiastic."

Art grinned, "It's the last day before half term. I have every right to be cheerful."

"Yeah," Alex looked up, trying to ignore the fact that Raven had her arms around him, "What is with half term at this school, I mean, we don't go home do we?"

"No, it's just really a break from lessons."

"So, we just hang around school for a week."

"Hell no!" Art grinned, "I'm taking you on a camping trip."

Silence

"You're doing say what?" Said a stunned Seiji.

"We're gonna go camp out on the moors for a few days."

"Is Eagle coming?" Raven asked.

"Uh," Art frowned slightly, "Probably." he paused, "Wait there." he stuck his head out of the door, and yelled across to Andi who was waking up the upper sixth,

"Andi...can Eagle come on my half term?"

"Don't yell." said Andi appearing at his side. "We're not actually doing much," she turned to Eagle, "You can either just hang around here, seeing as the rest of the year don't want to do the lovely activities I planned, or." she grinned, "You can go with the lower sixth."

Eagle grinned, "I'll stay with these guys," he turned to Art, "If that's ok."

"Sure," Art grinned, "How could I ever say no to you."

"Huh hmm" Seiji coughed, "Excuse me. I am here you know."

Art turned and grinned at him, "Also joining us is my sister."

"Amber?"

Art nodded, "She's coming sometime tomorrow."

Ash looked up from the clothes strewn across his bed, he was deciding what to wear for the day, "Won't we have to pack?"

"Yeah," Art grinned, "I'll find you bags and stuff after school today, we won't leave until tomorrow."

"So thats it." Nienna rolled her eyes, "You want to go camping, and so we're going camping, just like that."

Art laughed, "Life is never that simple, unfortunately I had to have this planned before the start of term, and there's health and saftey stuff and all."

Andi snorted, "Like you've ever cared about anyones health or saftey."

Art walked over and absentmindedly ran his fingers through Seiji's hair, "Actually," he muttered, "I did do a risk assesment this time."

Andi shook her head, "Must have been the first time ever."

Art turned and grinned at her, his hand still resting on Seiji's head, "Yup." he rolled his eyes, "They're so boring."

"I think," Mara began, and then, "Fuck off Tor!" she squealed

Tor grinned

"I think," continued Mara, "That you have to be the least responsible adult I have ever met."

"Well," Art shrugged, "At least that's something to be proud of."

At lunch time, Matt was in the common room sitting with the upper sixth.

"What are you lot up to for half term?" Ariadne smiled, running her fingers through his hair.

"Oh God," Matt muttered, "The freak is taking us camping."

Phillip laughed, "Have fun."

Matt rolled his eyes, "I wish I could stay with you lot."

Ariadne gently kissed the top of his head, "I'm sure it won't be that bad."

"Bad?" Matt twisted around to face her, "We have to take Eagle, it's going to be fucking awful."

Slowly, silently, Eagle got up from where he was sat, just across the room. He shut his sketch book, and silently climbed the stairs, ignoring the laughter from his peers.

Becuase it was the last day of term, there was no prep, and because it was a nice day, (for once, English octobers are NEVER nice) , they were all sat outside. The lower sixth sat under the trees, just metres away from where Matt, as usual was sat with the upper sixth, letting their conversation flow around him.

"Where are we going tonight then?" Phillip asked,

"Are we not going to the city centre?" Thomas looked to Ariadne for confirmation.

"I thought so, I'm fed up with that tiny little village pub." she snorted, "Full of commoners."

Becky glanced at her watch, "Well why are we still here then, Andi said we could go anytime."

Ariadne smiled, "We're waiting for Jason, I told him to meet us here, that way we have an extra car."

Matt looked up, "Who's Jason?" he asked innocently,

Ariadne grinned, looking up into the sky, unable to hide the joy in her eyes, "My boyfriend."

Even from where he sat, Eagle saw the word hit Matt like a poisened arrow.

Ariadne laughed, "Oh Matthew," she giggled, "I thought you always knew," she stood up as she heard the rumble of an engine coming up the school driveway, she kissed the top of Matt's head, "You're just my little toyboy." As the car rounded the corner, she squealed, "Come on guys," she laughed, "Time to go and get pissed." She half ran, half tottered in her high heels, over to the car, "Jase! Baby!"

All the rest of the upper sixth stood up, dusting off their clothes, and ambled over to the cars, leaving Matt, sat on the grass.

Slowly, Eagle stood up, brushing the grass of his trousers, for once, looking like the rest of the year. "Art?" he grinned,

"Yeah?"

"I'm taking Matt to the pub."

"No," Art stood up, "He messes you around too much," he put a gentle hand on Eagle's cheek, "You can't take him."

Eagle grinned, "I don't think you understand, that wasn't a request, it was a statement. Matty's my best mate, I am taking him to the pub." He walked over and offered his hand to Matt, "Come on Matt, forget that bitch."

Matt grabbed Eagle's hand, and let him pull him up, "Why are you so nice to me Eagle?"

Eagle shrugged, "Someone has to be. Besides," he reached out and stroked Matt's cheek with the back of his hand "you are rather cute."

Matt rolled his eyes, "Fuck off." he said, grinning.

"Will you go out with me?" Eagle said, his face deadly serious, but laughter dancing in his eyes.

"No," Matt laughed,

"Alright then, come for a drink though?" Eagle grinned.

"Oh, if you insist." Matt grinned at his best friend.

"And actually," Eagle said as they walked off, "If you're coming to the pub with me, that means you are going out with me."

Matt rolled his eyes, "Shut up,"

"Wait," Eagle turned back, "Alex?" he called,

"Yes,"

Eagle grinned, "Don't fuck my sister while I'm gone." he said, and laughing, he and Matt ran down the drive.

"Go on then Raven," said Art as he sat down, "Enlighten us. Why is Eagle being so nice to Matt, when Matt has been such a bastard?"

Raven shrugged, "It's Matt." she said, and then realised that to most people that wasn't an answer, "Because he loves him." She grinned at Art, "You'd do the same for Seiji I'd bet."

Art glared at Seiji, "I already do," he said with a scowl,

"Oh come on," Seiji laughed, "It's not as if you're a model boyfriend."

Art leaned across and gently kissed his cheek, "Come on sexy, we have to pack." he looked at the others, "You ready for our little excursion,"

"You know," Charlie looked up from the book he was reading, "I always think that word sounds vaguely obscene."

Art grinned, "With me leading it? It probably will be."

"Wait?" said Ally as they all started to stand up, "Are you going to be the only teacher there?"

Art grinned, "Nope," he said, laughing, "Sir thought he might turn up for a day or so,"

"Oh God," Ally face was an absolute picture, "Do we have to go?"

Art evil grin widened, "Yup."

Later that evening, after everyone else had gone to bed, as Eagle, considerably more sober than Matt, helped Matt up the stairs, he caught a glimpse of Seiji, sitting on the bottom of the teacher's stairs.

"Come talk to me," Seiji mouthed.

Eagle nodded, and led Matt back into the dorm. Smiling to himself he undid the buttons on Matt's shirt, slipping it off his shoulders. He pushed Matt onto the bed and undid his shoes, sliding them off. Deftly, his nimble fingers undid Matt's belt, sliding his jeans over his hips, and taking them off. He tugged the cover from under Matt, who was now lying on it in his boxers, and pulled it over the boy. He placed a gentle kiss on his forehead, "Night Matty," he whispered, as Matt passed out. Trying to ignore the fact that Raven was, once again, in Alex bed, he crept out of the dorm to find Seiji. "What is it?" he asked,

Seiji grinned, "Matt's gay, did you know that."

Eagle sighed, "I wish."

"No really," Seiji smiled, "Deep down inside, that boy is gay, he's just trying to hide it, trust me."

"Is that what you wanted to tell me?" Eagle asked, turning away to go back to the dorm.

"No." Seiji grabbed his arm, "I wanted to ask you a question."

"What?"

"If I can get Matt to go out with you, will you stop screwing my boyfriend?"

Eagle smiled faintly, "You'd never be able to do it."

"But say I could? Would you stop screwing Art?"

Eagle shrugged, "Sure."

Seiji smiled, "You'll be going out with Matt before long, I promise."

Eagle shook his head, "Does he really mean that much to you? Art?"

Seiji smiled, looking up the stairs towards Art's room, "He means everything."

The lower sixth trudged downstairs to breakfast, thankful in the knowledge that the upper sixth had only just got back, and thus probably wouldn't be up for breakfast. Matt and Eagle also joined them for breakfast, although both were completely hungover.

"Poor Matty," Raven smiled as she poured him a coffee,

"Thanks," said Matt, grinning at her, "You're an angel."

"Who d'ya think that is?" Fergie asked, nodding to a girl stood in the corner of the room.

"Dunno," Tor answered, looking at the girl. She stood, quiet as a mouse, her long dark hair falling about her shoulders and glinting red as it caught the morning sun. Her jeans and top were both torn, and stained with paraffin. She stood, one arm hugged across her body, biting her nails, gazing at the floor, trying to be inconspicuous.

Art and Seiji wandered down the stairs, holding hands, late for breakfast, they had been somewhat, preoccupied. As they entered through the big, swinging, double doors to the canteen, the girl's face lit up.

"Seiji!" she grinned and ran across the room, throwing her arms around him, squeezing him tight. Then, just as suddnely as she had hugged him, she let go, stepping back, her face burning red with embarrasment. She went back to chewing her nails, "Hey," she muttered.

Art and Seiji grinned at each other, "Hey Amber."

Amber knocked tentativly on the door, her heart thumping so loudly she swore he'd be able to hear it.

"Uh yeah?" Seiji called from inside,

"Got your breakfast Seiji," Amber called, smiling to herself as she said his name, trying not to let her hands shake as she held the tray with his meal on. She heard a muffled "Thanks a lot," from inside the room, and heard the bed creak as he got up. A few seconds later the door swung open and Amber felt her heart stop beating for the first time in her life. She stood, wide eyed, staring at him as he stood infront of her, wearing only a pair of pajama bottoms that clung loosly to his hips, scars littering his slender body.

Seiji grinned, wandering how to tell her that actually he fancied Art. "Yeah," he muttered, his hand akwardly rubbing the back of his neck, "and I got some money for your mum," he walked over to where the envelope lay on the bed.

"Uh, thanks," said Amber, and turned away, completely flustered, she bit her bottom lip so hard she almost drew blood, screwing her eyes up tight, God he was gorgeous,

"Ummm, Amber?"

"Yes," she said, spinning around. A peice of toast flew off the tray, and she suddenly remembered what she was there for, "Oh yes, sorry," she stammered, and, picking up the discarded peice of toast she thrust the tray at him and, totally embarrased, ran. She fled down the stairs, and only when she reached the bottom did she relax, leaning against the wall, head in her hands, so flustered, she didn't hear the "Thanks Amber," he called after her.

"Ohmygosh," Ash squealed, "This is Amber?"

"Yes," said Art, rolling his eyes, "This is my little sister Amber." he turned to Amber, who looked totally scared by the whole experience, "Am, have you been to reception to sign in?"

"No?" said Amber, looking up at Art and smiling, "Was I meant to."

Art grinned, "S'ok, I'll go sign you in now, it's just a health and safety thing, incase there's a fire."

Amber laughed evilly,

"And I guess with you around thats about a million times more likely." Art laughed. "Look after her for me," he said to Seiji, before heading off to reception.

As soon as he had gone, Amber slipped her arms around Seiji's waist, "I missed you," she murmered, burying her face in his chest,

"Amber," said Seiji sternly, peeling her arms off him, "No."

She looked up at him with her huge green eyes, "But I did miss you."

"Mmm," Seiji said, being a typical guy and falling sucker to her long eyelashes, he kissed the top of her head, "I missed you too," he took her by the hand, and, grabbing her an extra chair, sat her down at the breakfast table beside him. "Guys," he introduced, "This is Amber. Uh, Amber, this is the guys?" he laughed, "I can't really be bothered to do names."

Amber shrugged, "Ok." she said, pouring herself aglass of juice.

"You don't look much like Art," Raven smiled at Amber, trying to make her feel welcome.

Suddenly, Amber went all shy, she didn't really like people she didn't know talking to her, "Uh, No, not really."

"Uh, ok." Said Raven, giving up trying to be nice, and realising that she didn't really like people she didn't know talking to her

"So," Tor grinned at Amber, "You're the infamous Amber then."

"Infamous?" Amber laughed, "What have I done?"

"Nothing," Seiji grinned, putting an arm around her shoulders.

"Oi, Furu-Yama," said Art, gently hitting Seiji around the head, "Hands off my sister."

Seiji blushed, and returned to having his hands in his pockets, scowling slihgtly.

Amber smiled and gently kissed Seiji on the cheek, "You shouldn't be so nasty to him Art," she reprimanded

Art rolled his eyes and dropped a kiss on the top of his sister's head, "I'm going to have my breakfast now, make sure Seiji eats something." He leant down and whispered in Seiji's ear, "Make sure she doesn't set anything alight." he grinned, and kissed him on the cheek, and started to walk off to the teachers table, when he had gone only a few steps he paused, and turned back, "And Eagle? Make sure my boyfriend keeps his hands off my sister"

Fergie laughed, "And I thought our family was twisted."

"Your family is twisted," Seiji grinned,

"No fair," Tor looked up, "Fergie and I are actually the only twisted ones." he laughed, slipping an arm around his brother's waist, he kissed his on the cheek.

Fergie turned and scowled at him, "Oh, go screw your girlfriend," he muttered,

"Aww Caley? Are you pissed off with me?"

"Yes," Fergie scowled,

"Umm," Mara looked up from her one peice of toast, "Why d'ya call him Caley?"

Tor shrugged,"We used to call him Caley at our old school, it's his middle name."

Mara rolled her eyes, "Well please don't, I get confused enough as it is."

"Sorry," said Tor meekly, making Fergie scowl even more,

"You know, sometimes Rogan," he said, grinning evilly as he noticed Tor wince at the Rogan, "I think you don't care about your family at all."

"I do care!"

"Yeah," said Fergie as he stood up, kissing his brother's cheek as he started to leave, "That's why you're fucking an english girl."

"Uh oh," Alex looked up and grinned at Tor, "Tension ey?"

Tor rolled his eyes, "He's just a little nervous at the moment, that's all."

"What about?"

"Hmm," Tor thought about telling them, and then decided that Fergie wouldn't really care whether he did or not, "Parents coming to visit next week."

Fergie wandered outside, reaching in his pocket for his lighter and cigarrettes. He stuck one in his mouth, and sat down, leaning aginst the fence on the outdoor riding school, he inhaled, and leant his head back, gazing at the clear october sky.

Fergie shivered, and hugged his arms around the thin jumper, the only protection he had against the cold. He leant agaisnt the wall of the school block, raound the back where no-one could see him, he stood there, and waited. A few minutes later the older boy came around the corner of the building. He smiled at Fergie, and a gentle hand stroked his cheek.

"You cold Caley?"

Fergie dumbly shook his head, letting his arms stop hugging the warmth to him.

"Good," The boy smiled, "You can take off your shirt then,"

Fergie grinned and lifted the tattered old jumper over his head. The older boy smiled, and pulled him close, "Jesus Caley, I need you."

Fergie smiled faintly, and out of the corner of his eye, he saw the red gold of a leaf falling to the floor. He flet the boy's strong hands run over his battered body, trying not to wince as hands prodded his broken ribs,

"That hurt Caley?"

"No," whispered Fergie, so quietly he barely said it at all,

"Good," the boy smiled as his hands started to slide down Fergie's body, reaching for the waistband of his shorts, "You ok with this Caley?"

Fergie looked up, "Yes," he said, as he felt the warmth of the boy's breath on his bare skin,

"I love you Caley,"

"CALEY!"

Fergie looked around to see Tor running towards him, "Come on you stupid fucker, we have to pack."