Naked In School

"Aw, " I giggled.

"I think that was braver than what I did earlier."

"And I think that one’s going to come back and bite me on the ass. Oh well. Needed to be said."

"Yes it did," he agreed.

"Shall we go?" I asked.

"What about them?" he asked, pointing back towards the office.

"Ah, they know where to find us."

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE JARED

What a morning.

I couldn’t believe I had done what I did. It still amazed me. I’m not a fighter. I’m in good shape, but I’m not a physical person, not that way. And I took out two football players. Yeah, it was surprise, and an amazing amount of adrenaline. But, jeez, I can’t remember the last time I threw a punch. And to connect, dead-on, with two? Amazing. And, yes, I was proud, and very happy, that I got to them before they got to Reenie. I’d be glad if I’d saved any girl from that, but I’d known Reenie since first grade. She’s a pal.

Of course, that stellar performance by my unbelievable girlfriend was pretty amazing, too.

We started out of the office, hand-in-hand. "You know," I said to her, "after that little bit, I think we can make room for you on the debate team."

She cracked up laughing. "I think I’ll stick to cheerleading."

We started down the hall. We had different classes third period, but they were only across the hall from each other, so it was in the same direction. Just as we started down the hall, the bell rang, and kids started pouring from the classrooms.

That’s when it started. First the pointing and staring. You would’ve think everybody would have been used to us being in The Program by now. But then, I realized, that wasn’t it. Because then there was the yelling, the clapping, the cheering. The chanting my name! "Yeah, Jared!" and "You get ‘em, Wicklow!" The whole way down the hall!

I was mortified. Really. I really didn’t think what I had done was any kind of big deal. I had saved a good friend from a very bad thing. That’s all. Anyone would’ve done it, I thought. I wasn’t any kind of hero.

However, a certain girlfriend of mine obviously disagreed. She was plainly enjoying all this. "You’re the school hero, love," she whispered in my ear with a big grin. I tried to wave it off. "You are. You’re my hero, too, you know."

If that didn’t get to me, what happened next did. I saw a tall blonde look in the direction of the commotion, and make a beeline towards me, vigorously pushing her way through the crowd to get to me.

It was Tina. She reached me, grabbed me in a bear hug, kissed my cheek, and then said, "You have absolutely no fucking idea how proud I am right now to call you my brother. I am so proud of you I could burst. You are the best, Jared Wicklow, the absolute best human being I will ever have the pleasure to know. And don’t you ever forget that." And she was off.

Aw, jeez. That did it. Did I say I wasn’t a crier? I was wrong-because right there, in the middle of the crowded school hallways, I started bawling. Good thing Amanda was there, because I don’t think I would’ve made it to class-and I don’t think I would’ve been able to stop crying. Amanda knew I was embarrassed about crying-so she grabbed my dick and made lewd suggestions in my ear until I started laughing instead. Thank my lucky stars for Amanda.

"Your sister is something else," she said in wonder after I had calmed down.

"That she is," I agreed. "I’m overwhelmed."

"I know. Just go with it, OK? You’ll be fine." She slipped into her class, and I crossed the hall to mine.

A standing ovation. A standing fucking ovation, that’s what I got when I stepped into class. Jesus. This was Spanish class, and even our teacher, Mrs. Sanchez, was clapping. "Aw, jeez, guys. That’s enough, OK?" I was smiling when I said it, but this really was too much.

"We’re all very proud of you, Jared," Mrs. Sanchez. "That was a wonderful thing that you did." Some of the class shouted agreement.

"Thank you," I said. "I really do appreciate it. But my damn sister just had me bawling out in the middle of the hall and I’d rather not start that again!"

"OK," Mrs. Sanchez said. "Take your seat, Jared. Class, give him some space. Just one thing, though, Jared. If I ever find myself in a bad spot, I hope you’re around."

No, I didn’t start crying again. Don’t ask me how I managed that.

My next class wasn’t much different, and then it was time for lunch.

Of course, the lunchroom was full of cheering kids congratulating me. I managed to fight my way through it, grab my lunch, and find my oasis. Amanda.

"How’s it going, BMOC?" she teased.

"Oh, jeez," I said. I told her what happened in Spanish. "You know what? The next time I go to do anything even remotely heroic, stop me!"

"I will not," she said indignantly. "And you wouldn’t want me to."

"I suppose you’re right." The next thing we knew, our table was filling up, with her friends and mine. Damn, there went my oasis. But it wasn’t that bad. These were friends, not kids I barely knew, and at least Maggie Benson hadn’t lost her sense of propriety-she teased me all through lunch. Thank goodness. And the reports of Amanda’s performance in Mr. Tilling’s office had spread, so she got some of it. "How’s it feel to be the school heroine, honey?" I teased her. She threw a french fry at me.

Suddenly, I noticed what seemed like a parade headed my way. And it was a very large parade, consisting of about a dozen of the biggest guys on the football team. The guy who seemed like the leader, Lance something-or-other, was the starting offensive left tackle-and he was 6’5" and 300 pounds if he was an inch. Oh, shit, I thought.

"Jared." Lance said. I turned. "Listen. We wanted to tell you not to worry about those two fucks."

"That’s right," another one-one of the linebackers-spoke up. "We knew those two were assholes, but we never thought they’d try anything this low-down."

"Right," Lance continued. "The police have them now, I understand, but they’ll probably get out on bail or some fucked-up thing. But don’t you worry. We got your back; we’ve got you covered. I know that you come to school the back way. Well, if you feel threatened, or even if you think you might feel threatened, don’t walk down the path. Cut through the football field. There’s always a bunch of us hanging out there and throwing the ball around before first bell. We’ll take care of you, there won’t be any shit."

The linebacker spoke up again. "And we’ll make sure that word gets to those two that if they lay so much as a hand on you, they’ll have to deal with us."

Damn. "Thanks, guys," I managed to get out around the softball-sized lump in my throat.

They left. "Wow," Amanda whispered. And Maggie, bless her, piped up with, "Hey Jared, I think the football team just made you their new mascot!"

"Yeah," Ed Bauer piped up, "but we’re going to have to change the school nickname. Jared can’t be the mascot for the Westport Falcons." He stood up and took a mock boxing pose. "From now on, we’re gonna be the Westport High Fighting Nudists!"

I laughed my head off. That felt good. And things got sillier from there. Until, about halfway through lunch, I happened to look up at the cafeteria door-and saw Reenie Ying standing there.

And, to my shock, she was still naked! She was also surrounded by well-wishers and people asking how she was, but she fought them off and made a beeline to our table. She came around and crouched down between Amanda and me.

"Reenie! How are you?" I asked.

"I’m fine. Really."

"I must say, I didn’t expect to see you like this," as I looked up and down her naked body.

"Yeah, but you know what? I heard about Amanda’s little speech in Mr. Tilling’s office. And I agreed with every word. This had nothing to do with The Program. If it hadn’t been me, it would’ve been somebody else-and if I hadn’t been naked they would’ve found another excuse. Besides, I like The Program. I’ve had a ball up until this morning. It’s gotten me out of my shell. Guys are actually looking at me! And even touching!" She giggled and lowered her voice to a whisper. "I’ve had some guys with their hands down there and I even came a couple of times and that’s a first!"