Burning Embers

Chapter Six

I gave a disapproving look at CC, who told a tasteless story about a drunken night, when I heard a screech from the bathroom. Then there was a loud commotion and a crash. I looked down surprised to see a very tall, naked, boy lying on top of a slightly shorter, clothed, boy. Andy got to his feet slowly and I couldn't help but stare at his nakedness. He asked me if I liked what I saw which of course p***** me off and I breezed past him into my room. I knew that if I stayed he would just stand there and make ego boosting jokes about himself.

I rummaged through my art bag and found my shading pencil and my sketch pad. I was told when I was in high school that I was a 'well-rounded artist.' I didn't believe that my drawing skills were all that great, but it has always helped me sort my thoughts. I lay down on the bed, stomach down, and flipped open the pad to begin drawing. I frowned at the paper, biting my lip when I realized I had drawn Jake and written his name in bloody letters.

It was really good; it was mildly disturbing that I had just drawn someone I had only had one conversation with. So I loosened my grip of the pad and pencil and they landed together on the floor. I sat up and scooted to the edge of the bed and rummaged through another bag, finding a box of Oreos. And my needle. My needle was a necessity if I wanted to indulge in something as sweet as this, or be healthy for that matter. I pulled up my shirt and jabbed the needle into the side of my stomach, injecting myself with much needed insulin before I dove into my favorite treat.

I pretty much hated having diabetes. It really sucked butt, but I've been a diabetic for as long as I can remember. I don't even think Gina knew because I usually didn't broadcast it either. Not since this one kid asked me if they could 'catch' diabetes if my blood touched them. I seriously wanted to punch that kid in the face for being so stupid.

I heard a knock on my door causing me to quickly scramble to hide my insulin needle before yelling, "If you're Andy I don't want to deal with you right now!"

"It's Jake," he called his voice slightly muffled by the thin door.

"C'me in," I invited as I pulled apart another Oreo and ate the end with the least amount of white stuff on it.

Jake creaked the door open slowly, "You're not naked are you?" he asked walking in flailing his arms about blindly.

I laughed at his foolishness. "Nope, I'm just eatin' Oreos, want one?"

"Heck yeah!" he exclaimed plopping down on the bed beside me, causing the weight on the matters to shift too sudden and pop me up a little.

I laughed and handed him an Oreo. "I take it you like them?"

"Yeah, I always have to steal them from Andy because he's so stingy with them," he said drawing out the 'o' and wrinkling up his nose before biting into the cookie.

"Hmm, Andy stingy? I would have never guessed," I replied in mock thoughtfulness.

Jake laughed, "He's not that bad once he quits hitting on you. I pinky swear."

I looked at him trying to keep a straight face, "You say that like you know from experience."

"Oh yeah, let me tell you," he proclaimed rolling his eyes and snatching another Oreo.

I pretended to be mad, but I had only given myself enough insulin for two Oreos so I couldn't eat any more for now. "Seriously, how can you stand Mister Enormous Ego?"

He looked at me surprised, "You think it's enormous?"

"Well yeah, isn't it obvious?"

"Well, you did just see it.." he trailed off.

It took me about two point two seconds to get what he meant. "Good lord, I meant his cockiness not that!"

"Oh, not much difference" he said and I shot him a look. “Awkward,” he said dragging the whole word out.

I rolled my eyes at him and handed him another cookie. "You're a mess, boy!"

"And you're trying to make me fat!" He fake pouted, but happily devoured the cookie anyway.

I laughed at his childish ways. He definitely was the entertainer of the group, well in my opinion anyway. And that’s the one that really mattered.

Notes