Pus Junkies

—9—

Kip stood over Zak, nudging him in the ribs.

“What? W-what is it?”

“It’s time for school. I want to stop by the house before we go in, change clothes, get my books.”

Zak sat up, sanded his face with both palms as he yawned. “Shit, I completely forgot about that.”

“Yeah, well…” Kip rocked from heel to toe. “We don’t have much time. Let’s get moving. I don’t want to be late. For class.”

Zak eyed him, brow lowered. “I think maybe we should stay home today, don’t you?”

“Skip again? No. One day was bad enough. We’re not skipping again, Zak. You promised me that—”

“I know, I know. But after last night… do you think it’s smart to show up there? What if the other kids… you know…?”

“What? Suck my pus out? It’s school, Zak. Nothing like that’s going to happen, all right?” Kip flung the door open, letting in a tsunami of light.

Zak threw the sheet over his head and groaned. “Jesus. Okay, I’m up. Close the fucking door.”

“Hurry up. I just know Mrs. Snodgrass is going to pop a quiz on us today. I want to cram before class.”

Kip hoped there was a quiz that day. Anytime Mrs. Snodgrass surprised them with a pop quiz, that’s when Gwendolyn usually spoke to him the most.

God, if she was only there last night. She could have seen the new me. She could have seen me be a real man.

She could have tasted me.

But she would know soon enough. Kip didn’t know how he’d bring it up to her yet, but all he had to do was get her to try some of his pus. Just a small sample, and she’d be hooked. Just like Jade. As much as Kip enjoyed Jade, as much as he ached to feel her again, he would toss her aside in a heartbeat if Gwendolyn showed any interest.

I can have anyone I want. But I only want her.

Zak lazily slid into his clothes, already had a lit cigarette dangling from his lips.

“Do you think any of them will remember last night? Everything that happened?” Kip said.

“I don’t know. Maybe it’s like Rohypnol or something. They might not remember shit, just all woke up naked on the floor in the middle of the night, confused and lost. I hope that’s what happens.”

They were walking down the cement steps toward the parking lot, and Kip stopped midway, spun so he was facing Zak.

“Why would you say that?”

“Why? Because that shit was insane. You telling me you want all of them trying to drink the pus right out of your skin like that?”

Kip squinted. “It’s better than being called Toad all the time. Better than feeling like my only friend is my mom, that I’m so fucking disgusting that nobody even wants to hang out with me. I’ve never felt wanted before, like I belonged, until last night. Why is that such a bad thing?”

Zak flicked his cigarette. “Thought you said you don’t remember.”

“I remember enough to know it might not be such an awful thing. I’m just saying.”

Zak checked them out of their room, and when he walked back outside, Kip was already sitting in the passenger seat. Zak slid in, started driving home.

“Kip… think about this, okay? Having every kid in school addicted to… you know. Addicted to your acne I guess… fuck that sounds so crazy. It won’t be good, man. You’re just one guy. What happens when they suck it all up, when there’s nothing left? What then?”

When they finally pulled up to the house, Kip sighed. He almost showed Zak that all the pimples that had been emptied last night were already full again. They weren’t ready to pop quite yet, but nearly there. Kip didn’t think he’d ever run out, could supply the students with as much as they wanted.

But he didn’t want to argue with Zak. His cousin was only worried about him, only wanted to protect him.

He’s not jealous, Kip. No way. Not Zak. Zak’s different than all the rest. The only one to ever stand up for you.

“You’re right, Zak. My head’s all screwed up, man. I remember enough about last night to know that it felt good. I’ll admit that. Having them begging for me like that felt good. And of course… Jade.”

“Oh yeah. And normally I would be congratulating you, cousin, but she wasn’t herself. She was like a fucking junkie… they all were.”

“I know that. But either way, it was my first time kissing a girl. First time touching one, really, except for in the hallways at school, and that’s just by accident.”

Zak smiled, reached over and squeezed Kip’s shoulder. It felt good.

“God, she practically fucked you right in front of everyone. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing.”

“You? How do you think I felt? I’m still not convinced last night was real, you know?”

“Well, it was real. Let’s just hope the kids don’t remember.”

“Yeah… yeah, let’s hope so. I guess…”

They quickly got changed, Zak jumping into the shower. Kip didn’t bother. He didn’t want to wash the oil off, didn’t want to cover up his scent with soap.

His people were waiting for him, he could feel them. They remembered. And they wanted him more than ever.