Title: The promise
Fandom: The Faculty
Characters: Casey Connor / Zeke Tyler
Rating: PG13 (for language)
Words: 1205
Prompts: Written for Challenge 250: Promise and Extra Challenge Bingo: Drive


It was nothing new that Zeke sometimes skipped school, though he usually always was around for chemistry. „What a shit,“ Casey thought, staring at the empty chair beside him. As Zeke's lab partner he knew that the older boy had a brilliant mind, and for some reason, he felt disappointed that Zeke obviously had decided to waste his last chance to graduate. Though it was not his business, of course not; they had nothing in common, and outside of the lab they barely shared a word. So, what did he care? He huffed silently and opened his book.

Then, at lunchbreak suddenly started rumors going around at school. A horrible car accident in the early morning. A black GTO involved, the driver seriously hurt. Casey had to close his eyes for a moment, forced himself to stay calm. Not Zeke, no, this was impossible. Everyone knew that Zeke was a good driver. Even if he sometimes overstepped the lines, he would never risk too much. Casey couldn't take his eyes away from the door of the cafeteria, hoping that the boy would show up there in the next moment, the usual smug grin on his lips.

„I have heard they took Zeke to the hospital.“ Two girls, sitting at the next table, one with long, blonde hair, the other one with brown curls and glasses. „I can't believe it. That's so unfair. He promised to come to my birthday party next weekend.“

„Oh, Mary Ann, don't be stupid. I am sure, he only agreed because he didn't want to hurt your feelings. But actually he is only interested in me, that's so obvious.“

„He says, I have pretty eyes.“

The other girl threw her hair back and shrugged. „He makes compliments like that to every girl. But we did spend a night together last month. I can't believe that...“ She sniffed, but in Casey's ears, it sounded like a fake. „I can't believe that I will never see him again.“

He cringed inwardly and closed his book. Enough was enough; he wouldn't endure this shallow gossip talk any longer. What he needed was a certainty.

:::

About half an hour later he parked his bike in front of the big, white house in the Sunset Avenue. No GTO far and wide. His heart sunk deeper, though he tried to call himself an overreacting idiot. When Zeke had decided not to come to school, he would probably have something better to do. Maybe he was on one of his long road tours.

„Hey! What the heck are you doing here?“

The voice made Casey jump; with a wild pondering heart he turned around. And there he was. Zeke Tyler, a cigarette in his hand, and much too goodlooking in his tight black denim and longsleeved shirt. No injuries at all. Casey couldn't move, more shocked then relieved to see him.

„Shouldn't you be at school?“

„Shouldn't you be at school, you fucker,“ Casey yelled back.

Zeke stepped closer, grinning wide. „Woah. What's happened, geek boy?“

„This is not fun, Zeke. Everyone at school... they are talking about it, that you have had an accident. Seriously hurt. Maybe... “ It was so hard to hold back his tears for longer. „Oh shit! You... you...“

„Hey. Breath.“ Reassuring Zeke put his hand on Casey's shoulder. „I am here. Calm down, okay. No accident. No hospital. I am fine. And I can tell you, I plan that it stays like that.“

„Asshole!“ Casey sniffed. „Why the hell didn't you come to school today?“

Zeke shrugged. „My baby. Needed a check-up. Still in the garage. And I was not crazy about using the school's bus.“

Suddenly realizing the nearness between them Casey shrugged Zeke's hand off. „Great. Half of the school is running mad because they assume that you might be already dead. And you are at home, enjoying a day off? What the heck are you thinking?“

Zeke kept quiet for a moment. „I don't care much about all the rumor around me,“ he finally said, his voice more serious than before. „But I'm sorry that I did scare you.“

„I was not... why should I?“

„You are the only one who did come here to find out what's going on. You even skipped school. I guess, this means something.“

Involuntarily Casey blushed. „Don't flatter yourself,“ he murmured.

Zeke laughed slightly. „Will you come in for a moment? Looks as if you could need hot tea to relax. I don't want you faint out right here and now on my porch.“

:::

It was about three hours later when Casey's eyes fall on his watch. He jumped up. „Oh. Shit. It's already that late.“

He couldn't say how this had happened, but he had probably just had the best time of his life. He was so used to it to be alone; loved his photography, reading and working at the computer. Others called him a nerd and a deadhead for this; no one wanted to hang around with him. But here, in Zeke's kitchen, he had laughed so much; they had talked about movies and their favorite authors. Hard to believe that Zeke loved Moby Dick and Mark Twain, as he did. And they had had a serious discussion about 2001 – A Space Odyssee. Casey thought it was the most overrated science fiction movie ever, but Zeke insisted that it was a classic, one had to watch at least three or four times to get the depth of it.

Casey wished he could stay here for the rest of the day, and the next days and maybe forever, but of course, this was ridiculous. He looked for his backpack. „Guess I should go home. My mom will freak out soon; school is already over about one hour.“

„Sorry. I would give you a ride home, but you know, the GTO...“

„That's okay.“ Suddenly the so familiar awkwardness was back. „It's only five minutes by bike.“

„Will you get into trouble?“

Casey hesitated, then he shook his head. „No. Not when I am telling the truth. We are friends, and my parents will understand, that after all these rumors I was worried about you.“

Zeke kept quiet for a moment. „We are friends,“ he finally asked.

„Well.“ Casey shrugged, slightly embarrassed. Of course, for a short while, he had blend out the reality. „Maybe not. But we share a lab table. At least when you come to school.“

„Promise. I will get the GTO back this afternoon. So, no reason to skip school again tomorrow.“

„Don't make any promises you won't keep. You are only a stupid shit who obviously don't give much about his future.“

„Hm.“ Zeke eyed him thoughtfully. „I still don't get it. Why do you care for me?“

„Who says that I do?“ Casey bent down and grabbed his backpack to hide his red face.

Zeke grabbed for his shoulder to pull him up again. „You are a friend, Casey. And I will be at school tomorrow, and every other day, until graduation. Because of you.“

:::

Suddenly Casey wasn't sure anymore how he should make his way home.