The Gus Diaries

Part 135

Prom Season
 

“Gus, what the hell are you doing?”

Marci can be such a drama queen, although it was hard to take her current queen out seriously when she was dressed in her cheerleading uniform.

“Are you listening to me?”

“It’s kind of hard to avoid it, since you’re standing over me while I’m eating my lunch, and yelling in my face.”

“I’m sure Justin didn’t put that cute little pill in your lunch bag.”

“Pop hasn’t packed my lunch in two years; not since he threw a motivational note in my bag that was spotted by one of the guys on the team.”

“I don’t care who’s packing your lunch. What I care about is the crap you’re consuming. You’re an athlete; you should know better than putting something in your body that isn’t healthy.”

“How do you know it isn’t a vitamin?” I couldn’t help rolling my eyes.

“Is it a vitamin?” Marci continued to stand over me with her hands on her hips. Between the yelling and the stance, she was doing a great imitation of Grandma Debbie.

I ignored her question, unwilling to give her the satisfaction of an honest answer and not completely sure I wanted to admit to myself the wisdom, or lack thereof, of my current actions.

Marci’s bold, accusatory words were the beginning of a wake-up call I wish I hadn’t had to deal with.

*~*~*

 

Everything started to get out of hand a couple of weeks after the March trip to New York City.

Jeff and I had grown closer than ever, and all I wanted was to spend as much time with him as possible. Unfortunately, he was so buried in work and basketball practice that the only way we could be together was for me to visit him.

At the same time, my classes were going into the last drive toward graduation. The closing issues of the school paper were being assembled at the same time, and the local paper was so pleased with my little submissions that they were asking for more and more pieces, several of which required my attendance at local events in and around Pittsburgh for research and background.

Time was at a premium, and I also had to maintain a certain GPA to keep my spot at CMU secure.

Jeremy had been taking a few extra classes at St. James during the year. After his graduation he had taken a year off to work full time at the local paper before going to college. He figured with a few additional “A’s” and some prime articles in the newspaper, he’d be able to get into Princeton, and get a scholarship.

“Hey, Mr. Editor, how’s the world of the all-around perfect kid?”

“What are you doing here? You don’t work on the school paper anymore.” I had been trying to read through my editorial. I was building a series to lead to the final paper of the school year, and my editorial career in high school.

“Just visiting. Someone said the office was empty. I’m surprised to find you here.” Jeremy moved around the room picking up the final proof of the upcoming edition and glancing at the front page. “Looking good.”

“It is. I make sure every edition is worth the efforts the writers put into their work.”

“I hear you put in more time than anyone, and still have time to visit CMU every weekend.”

Jeremy seemed to have his sources all in order. “So? That’s not newsworthy. It’s not even worth noting.”

“It is if you start falling asleep in class and don’t graduate, or worse, graduate and lose your place at CMU because your grades have plummeted.”

That asshole makes me so mad, especially when he’s right! I was beginning to get the feeling he’d known I was in the St. Jamesian’s office and had shown up when he knew I’d be working solo.

“You’re just jealous because I was editor of the paper for two years and you never got the opportunity.”

“Which is why I’m using this year to show Princeton how serious I am about journalism. By the time June rolls around, I should have an acceptance letter in hand, along with an offer of a significant scholarship.”

“Bravo for you,” I deadpanned, although I did admire his dedication to achieving his goals.

“I can’t help wondering if perhaps you might need a little help to make everything happen for you too.”

“Help? What the fuck are you talking about? I have no intention of cheating.”

“Who said anything about cheating?” Jeremy raised his hands in protest and took a step back. “With all the shit you have to accomplish, and your ongoing visits to the husband--”

“We’re not married.” My jaw stiffened. I hated his tone of voice.

“Excuse me, the boyfriend.”

The fact that everything he was saying was accurate didn’t help.

“Have you thought about taking some of your weekends to actually work on your own shit and leave Jeff to do his own thing?”

“We do school work when we’re together.”

“Not nearly as much as I bet you need to do.”

I remained silent. Jeremy was right again. Hell, Dad and Pop had been urging me to skip a few weekends away from home and pace myself. I just couldn’t stand the thought of missing time I could spend with Jeff.

“I think I may have something to make your life easier.”

“You?” My eyes widened. What the fuck could, or would, Jeremy do to help me.

“Even though, thanks to your cousin, Hunter, I haven’t been back on the streets in ages, I still maintain a few key friendships.”

Now I was really confused and my facial expression must have spoken volumes.

“Don’t panic. One of my former acquaintances still runs a lucrative business helping kids -- guys like us, overachievers, keep our energy levels at a premium.”

Thinking back, I wish Jeremy hadn’t caught my attention, but he had.

“There are drugs for adults with ADHD. They’re great stimulants and it’s easy to fake the symptoms.”

“I have no intention of lying to a doctor to get meds I don’t need.”

“That’s the beautiful part of this, Gus. My old buddy and his friends go to different clinics. They fake the symptoms and get tons of stimulants for their so-called ADHD. Then, when they return to the real world, they share the wealth.”

“For a price.” I wasn’t a complete idiot.

“Someone has to pay for their time and trouble.”

“Have you used this stuff?”

“On a rare occasion, but I don’t divide myself up into a thousand pieces like you do. I’m only taking a few classes and working at a local paper.” Jeremy gestured as he scanned the school paper’s work room. “I’m not trying to do it all, and maintain a relationship at the same time.”

Jeremy tucked his hand in his pocket, pulled out a very small envelope, and handed it to me.

I turned it around in my hand over and over again. Eventually, lifting the flap, I pulled out a tiny, self-sealing plastic bag with five pills inside.

“Just take one a day, when needed. These babies are time-release. The first package is on the house. After that there’ll be a fee.”

“Who says I’ll even bother using these?” I tried to sound bold and determined, but I wasn’t even convincing myself anymore.

“If you want to keep up your grades, your newspaper work in and out of school, and your relationship, you’ll try them.”

I kept staring at the pills, but I made no attempt to give them back. I knew I was playing with fire, but since they were prescription drugs how bad could they be? I knew Pop and Dad used recreational drugs when they were younger. That’s one choice I steered clear of.

“Just don’t take them at home. Get the best bang for your buck.” Jeremy continued. “In case you have a sensitive stomach, I’d suggest taking them with your lunch. That way you’ll have all the energy in the world for your afternoon and evening activities.”

Jeremy started walking away.

“What if I want to contact you?” Shit! It was like making a deal with the goddamned devil.

“You have five babies there. I’ll be back in four days, but you’ll need to have cash.”

“Cash isn’t a problem... if I want more.”

“I didn’t think cash would be a problem for the son of Brian Kinney and Justin Taylor... and you will want more.”

“Are you sure these won’t make me sick?”

“Only if you’re on heart meds, but I’d imagine your ticker is in fine shape. This will give the rest of you a good boost in the ass.”

“My ass is fine.” I wasn’t sure why I thought about cracking jokes.

“I know. It’s always been one of my great disappointments -- never getting a piece of it.”

“Sorry, taken.”

“Jeff’s a lucky guy.” Jeremy walked back and tapped the envelope. “Now he’ll be even luckier because you’ll have all this added energy for everything.”

“I have to get back to my editorial.”

“Write away, Gus Taylor Kinney. I’ll be back.” Jeremy quickly left the room.

I’d lost good solid writing time and still had two classes when this period ended. The hour before had been lunch time, so I knew my stomach was still full. Grabbing my water bottle, I quickly downed one of the pills with a swig of water. One couldn’t hurt. Besides, it would give me another life experience to write about someday.

I had no idea just how invigorated I’d feel. I got more work done that day than I had in weeks, and the best part was the phone sex with Jeff right before I went to sleep. The real thing, when I visited him the next night, would be amazing with a little help from one of my new magic pills.

It took a while for me to fall asleep, but it was worth it. I even got a little extra study time in and aced an exam in math the next day.

Dad and Pop were so proud of me.

I thought I’d found the perfect solution, or rather, Jeremy had found it for me.

[TBC] 

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