The Bonding Chronicles Ch. 01

With only eight minutes left, Andrew pushed himself into a run. Thirty seconds later and his pulse was pounding in his temples and the muscles in his left leg were cramping.

Thirty seconds after that and he was again struggling for breath, his vision pulsing with every beat of his heart.

A minute later. Andrew was wheezing. He could barely feel his legs, but he was still maintaining the same running pace.

Fifteen seconds later and Andrew felt like he was looking down a narrowing tunnel. The only sound he heard was the pounding of his heart when everything went black.

As his vision slowly returned, Andrew was lying on his back, with Mr. Spencer kneeling beside him. Zack's two friends were looking down at him as sweat poured down their concerned faces. "Welcome back, boy," Mr. Spencer said as Andrew looked over at the clock.

They all watched as he struggled to sit up. Eventually Mr. Spencer helped him stand. Swallowing his thick saliva, Andrew managed to whisper, "Three minutes," before setting off at a light, clumsy jog.

Mr. Spencer watched the small boy slowly progressing around the track. The other two boys watched Andrew with shocked admiration as Mr. Spencer yelled, "You heard the boy. It's time to run!" They set off at a slow but steady pace.

As they passed Andrew, the first boy whispered, "Great job, Andrew." The second said, "You got this, man."

Meanwhile, Zack was watching Andrew. He couldn't help but admire the small man. Despite himself, he smirked at Andrew's struggle.

"I said I wanted sit-ups, princess, so you will continue to give me sit-ups. That is unless you are too damned tired. Are you too tired, princess? You can quit any time!" Mr. Spencer yelled at Zack.

Andrew settled into a desperate rhythm focusing purely on staying conscious and keeping his feet under him. His vision pulsed and his body ached. He could no longer feel his legs, but somehow he managed to keep moving. Just as he was starting to think he could not take another step Mr. Spencer blew his whistle and yelled, "Everyone dismissed. Hit the showers."

As everyone moved towards the lockers, Andrew collapsed to the floor.

Everyone stopped. A few students moved to help Andrew when Mr. Spencer yelled, "I said dismissed!" The students quickly filed out of the gym.

Andrew raised his head from the floor. Mr. Spencer was walking towards him. The outside door at the far end of the room flew open and a flood of sunlight streaked across the floor as a silhouetted figure ran directly to Andrew.

Andrew knew this must be some new form of his bizarre fantasy as Sara sat with him, resting his head in her lap, wiping the sweat from his forehead. Fear and concern were written across her face, her light brown eyes shining with happiness as he smiled at her, unable to speak.

She whispered, "Ohh, Andrew, what happened to you?"

Mr. Spencer reached them and said, "Excuse me, Miss. Shouldn't you be in class?"

She carefully rested Andrew's head on the floor. Andrew gripped her arm weakly trying to stop her from leaving as she suddenly stood and turned on the teacher. Her face was a frightening mask of rage and contempt as she jabbed her finger into the much larger man's chest.

"Listen to me carefully, you arrogant piece of shit-" And in that moment they heard Andrew trying to say something from the floor.

Sara knelt down and Andrew whispered in her ear, "It's not his fault."

She looked back at the teacher with suspicion and barely masked anger. Mr. Spencer crossed his arms trying to figure out exactly what was going on as Sara helped Andrew to his feet. Andrew stood on shaky legs as Sara carefully let him go. Once fully stable, Andrew popped a shaky but respectful salute to the teacher.

Mr. Spencer looked from the strange boy to the attractive and oddly frightening young woman before returning a perfect military salute. As Andrew threw his arm out to finish his salute, he again started to collapse to the floor. Mr. Spencer caught him just before Sara could reach him. Looking up, the teacher saw Sara watching Andrew with concern. She looked at Mr. Spencer, anger and distrust flashing across her face.

Andrew looked towards the hallway to the locker rooms. Zack and a few other students were watching them through the doorway. Most of the students had puzzled and fascinated looks on their faces, but Zack was a picture of jealousy and rage. As Mr. Spencer started leading Andrew towards the lockers. Sara said, "Andrew?"

They turned. Andrew looked at her with an appreciative smile which melted the last bits of worry from her face.

"Do you have lunch next period?"

Andrew couldn't speak loud enough to respond, but he was able to nod.

Sara smiled brightly. "OK, go get ready and I will meet you in the cafeteria. Lunch is on me."

Looking the teacher in the eyes, her face again flashed with suspicion which he just returned with a wary nod. Sara seemed to weigh the man for a second before smiling and gracefully walking towards the main building.

Continuing to the lockers Mr. Spencer thought to himself *god damn that girl is protective.*

Andrew, obviously dehydrated looked at Mr. Spencer and said weakly, "I do have lunch next. Right, Mr. Spencer?"

The man studied him for a second before responding, "I think so, boy. I think so."

Andrew laughed, which caused him to cough, and then he whispered wryly, "It's, Andrew, sir."

In the boy's locker room Mr. Spencer guided Andrew to the water fountain and explained, "Don't drink too fast, Andrew."

The teacher turned around and was confronted by Zack who was spoiling for a fight. Quickly sizing the boy up, he was thankful that he would be able to end the fight without hurting him. After a moment he realized that Zack was focusing his deadly intention on Andrew who was leaning against the water fountain carefully sipping water.

"What's your name?" Mr. Spencer asked, but Zack was too busy fuming at Andrew to hear him.

Mr. Spencer loudly clapped his hands together, causing Zack and Andrew to look directly at their teacher who repeated, "What's your name?"

Zack's nostrils flared. "Zack Taylor."

As Zack looked at Andrew again, Mr. Spencer said, "Well, Zack, I can't risk the star quarterback's leg. Report to the nurse and get that iced."

Zack glowered at Andrew for a second before storming away.

Mr. Spencer returned his attention to Andrew who was still looking at him, water dripping off of his chin, as he said, "Thanks," before he started drinking again.

The large man studied him before leaning against the wall. After a minute Andrew slowly stood and started to hobble towards the showers. As they neared the room Andrew stopped and once again looked at his teacher.

"If you knew he was Zack Taylor the entire time why did you mess with him so hard?"

Mr. Spencer studied the small boy before responding, "Because he needs it." With that, the teacher walked to his office and closed the door.

Andrew's shower was brief and uneventful. The warm water quickly worked the knots out of his muscles and joints. By the time he found his way back to his locker he was walking almost normally again. While he dressed he estimated that Mr. Spencer had only bought him about an hour and that Zack, for whatever reason, was going to find him.

Andrew struggled to understand why Zack seemed to hate him soo much. Thinking back over his day he failed to put the pieces together. Tying his shoes, he decided he just didn't care anymore.

***** Welcome Relief *****

The cafeteria was pretty small. Andrew had no problem spotting Sara across the room at an empty table. She was looking out the window. As Andrew sat down, he admired how good she looked in her button-up shirt and loose fitting pants. He followed her gaze. She was watching two lower classmen eating lunch outside and laughing. Sara looked at him questioningly as he settled onto the bench, a hint of worry evident as she seemed to assess how he was doing. Andrew smiled at her and her face lit up.

She pushed a tray of food towards Andrew, whose stomach grumbled in anticipation. He looked down and saw a carton of milk, a cup of pudding, and some kind of fried rectangle in the vague shape of a sandwich.

"OK, what the hell happened in there?" Andrew asked before grabbing the fried rectangle and taking a deep sniff.

Sara grabbed his pudding and started to tear the top open. Looking at him she could see he was planning on eating the pudding she was holding, so with a playful smile she shook the edge of the cup toward him. "Hey, if you wanted this you should have eaten it first." He smiled as she took her first spoonful of pudding.

Andrew bit into what he had figured out was a pizza pocket.

"Honestly, Andrew, I have no idea what happened. I was laying out in a field reading a book when I knew something was wrong." She took another spoonful of pudding before continuing. "The next thing I knew I was in 'The Rocket' and just kind of followed that sense of... I don't know, I guess it was dread."

Andrew opened his milk and looked at Sara asking, "The Rocket?" before taking a large drink from the carton.

Sara smiled. "I forget how little we know about each other. I feel like I have known you forever. 'The Rocket' is a stupid name a friend gave my car, and it just kind of stuck."

Andrew thought about what she said, and realized that he felt the same way about her. When he thought of her he had the same sense of permanence as when he thought of his parents. As if she has always been there, and always will be.

Sara took another spoonful of pudding. "So, anyways, there I am in the 'The Rocket' and as I get closer to the school I start to realize that my Andrew is in trouble."

Andrew's heart stopped when he heard her refer to him in the same possessive way he had struggled to avoid all day. Andrew saw tears welling up in her eyes. Reaching across the table to caress her cheek, she surprised him by resting the side of her face in his open palm. She closed her eyes. Sara was obviously comforted by the contact, but Andrew was reminded of his dream and began to grow hard.

Caressing her cheek a couple of times with his thumb, she moaned briefly before he pulled his hand away and took another drink from his milk. The milk did little to distract him from his arousal, but he figured it was worth a try.

Both of their cheeks flushed as she continued. "When I got to the gym and saw you on the floor, I don't know what came over me. All I could think of was making sure you were safe. I am soo happy you are OK." Her eyes were still brimming with tears as she looked at Andrew with relief.

Andrew wore his appreciation for her openly as he said, "I wish we had a better idea what is going on, why you were drawn to help me, or why I have been unable to think of anything but you all day."

She smiled broadly and blushed as she looked down at the empty cup of pudding. "You were thinking about me all day?"

Andrew decided he might as well try brutal honesty, and then amended that to censored, brutal honesty.

"To be honest, I have been thinking about you every day since we met."

Looking around the room Andrew noticed that almost every student was watching them from the corner of their eyes. Shifting glances and subdued conversations made him feel somehow exposed. Looking at the clock he said, "I would love to continue this conversation. You available tonight?"

Sara looked around the room. "How about the pond where we first met, like tonight at nine?"

Andrew grew hard, lust starting to cloud his vision. Sara gently nibbled on her lower lip as Andrew said, "It would probably be better if we weren't alone together just yet."

Sara looked hurt and reached out, running her fingers through his hair. "Why not?"

She meant for the gesture to be comforting, fearing that he was afraid of her after the outburst in the gym, but as she ran her hand through his hair they both became extremely aroused.

Andrew took a slow breath before stating, "I don't know exactly how you feel about me, but I know that if I am alone with you I won't be interested in talking." The lust dripped from his quiet voice. Sara licked her lips as he continued. "Do you understand my meaning?"

Her beautiful brown eyes watched his lips as he spoke and a gentle moan escaped her before she responded. "Yes."

They both took a minute to calm themselves before Andrew said, "How about you come over for dinner tonight?"

Sara smiled playfully. "Dinner with the parents for a first date? You know how to show a girl a good time."

They both laughed. "Fuck, I am soo sorry. You're right."

She put her finger to his lips and stopped him before he continued. "Dinner with your parents sounds wonderful. Let's say six?"

Andrew thought about it for a minute before nodding and reaching for his bag. Sara quickly took care of the tray and returned just in time to watch Andrew struggle to get off of the bench. He was obviously sore and his legs refused to straighten all the way. Andrew noticed that Sara was staring at his crotch. Looking down, he saw another large wet spot.

He was completely embarrassed as he looked back at her, but Sara laughed it off as she put her arm around his shoulder and whispered in his ear, "I would offer to take care of that for you, but we agreed to be good little boys and girls."

Andrew looked at her in shock, and then they both broke out laughing. Everyone in the cafeteria was openly watching them now. Sara kissed him on the cheek before she walked towards the door to the parking lot.

"Don't you have a class to attend?" he asked in surprise.

She looked at him, with an eyebrow raised. "Today? Who goes to class on the first day of school?"

Smiling, she disappeared through the door and Andrew chuckled to himself. She was more amazing than he had even dreamed possible.

***** Abduction *****

Andrew wiped his hands over his freshly cleaned jeans as he exited the restroom. He slowly walked down the hallway, his tired legs taking him towards his next class. Nearing the offices, he saw one of Zack's friends leaving the Nurse's office. The tall muscular black kid was shaking his head as he closed the door. Thinking back to English class, Andrew remembered that Karen had called this boy Bruce. Andrew walked casually towards a small group of kids in the hopes of blending in, when Bruce spotted him.

Bruce walked directly to Andrew, grabbing his shoulder and dragging him into a nearby boy's restroom. "Come with me."

Andrew tried to resist, but Bruce was too strong. The young man locked the door and then proceeded to check all of the stalls, leaving Andrew standing in the corner. Andrews heart raced as he felt fear, knowing he was at Bruce's mercy. Satisfied they were alone, Bruce saw the look on Andrew's face and walked over, kneeling down beside him.

"Andrew, sorry if I scared you man, but you need to listen." He stopped and looked directly into Andrew's face. "I don't know what's up with you and Zack, but he is seriously gunnin' for you."

Andrew looked at him questioningly, before nervously responding, "Well, I don't know... Like, what can I do about him?"

Bruce stood and looked at the door for a moment. Then looking back down at Andrew, he said, "The Nurse is gonna let him go soon. What classes you got left?"

Controlling his breathing, Andrew managed to calm himself down. "Umm, Calculus with Dr. Blake, and then, uhhh, European History with Ms. Anderson. I think I have Mrs. Rose for Art during sixth."

Bruce exhaled. "Yeah, I think we can work this. Zack and I have European History, so if you can just hang after class while Steve and I get Zack out of there you should be clear for Art."

Looking Andrew directly in the eyes Bruce said sternly, "After sixth, you run outta this school, you understand?"

Andrew swallowed and nodded. "Why are you helping me?"

Bruce looked at Andrew and smiled. "Shit, you are one weird little kid but nobody deserves what Zach seems ready to do." As Bruce unlocked the door he tousled Andrews hair and said, "We got your back today, but tomorrow? Now that's on you."

Bruce stepped into the hall and walked towards the Nurse's office. After looking through the window, he gave a thumbs-up to Andrew and disappeared through the door.

Andrew carefully stepped into the hallway, looked in both directions, and then wove his way through the students as quickly as his shaky legs would carry him. Arriving in Dr. Blake's classroom, the teacher looked at Andrew from behind his 'Science' magazine. "Ahhh, 'Andrew', while I admire a young mind that is eager to learn, class does not start for another ten minutes."

Looking back into the hallway, Andrew said, "Ohhh, well, you see, I was hoping you might be able to answer a question."

Dr. Blake, looking annoyed, set down his magazine. "Well, what is your question 'Andrew'?"

"Well, you know how cars have accelerators, right? I was thinking, if you are supposed to be accelerating why is it that the car maintains a static velocity?"

Dr. Blake got a satisfied smile and walked to the whiteboard where he began to explain the answer. Andrew took the opportunity to move away from the door, and sat at a desk close to the wall where he could not be seen from the hallway. He took out his notebook and pretended to take notes while asking relevant and leading questions. Andrew already knew the answer to the question, and it seemed that Dr. Blake loved talking. Andrew marveled at how round about the teacher's explanation was.

Five minutes later, Andrew thanked the teacher for his time, picked up his stuff, and moved to the back of the room. Students started filling in the seats. Everyone seemed more subdued. The morning energy giving way to a post-lunch lethargy as students settled into their school routine. Many of the students were whispering to each other. Andrew noticed that the glances he was getting were no longer questioning or curious. Instead, they seemed shocked. A few students looked at him and shook their heads.

He was pretty sure that he saw one kids mouth form the words, "Yeah, right," before he turned away.

One of the cheerleaders seated near the front of the room looked back at Andrew wide eyed. He clearly heard her say, "No way!" When she realized he was watching her, she blushed and turned back to her friend. They continued talking animatedly until the bell rang.

Fourth period passed uneventfully. Again Andrew checked his book and confirmed that he already knew most of the material. He found a few chapters that looked interesting and decided that he should take the book home and study it, just in case. Andrew settled into doodling in his notebook while paying just enough attention to keep himself out of trouble.

Through most of the class he thought about his lunch with Sara, how cute she was when she worried about him and how happy she seemed to be with him. He remembered how much he envied the spoon as she pulled it out of her mouth, chocolate pudding staining her lower lip until she carefully licked it off.

Shuddering, he shook the image out of his head and looked around the room, happy that for once no one seemed to be paying any attention to him. He was thankful that he was only half hard and that his pants were still dry. Looking at the clock, he saw that the bell was about to ring. He eagerly packed his bag and then realized that he couldn't just head out into the hallway. He needed to wait and give Zack a chance to get there first.

The last thing Andrew wanted was to be cornered by that beast in the hallway. When the bell rang, Andrew grabbed his bag and waited for all other students to leave. Then he walked up to Dr. Blake's desk. "Thank you again for answering my question before class. That really means alot to me."