Pus Junkies

by Shane McKenzie

  “Did you…you know. You and Jade. Did you skip class because you wanted to screw her?”

  “Screw her? Really, cousin?”

  Kip just shrugged, felt his zits start to move again, but he calmed himself down and just smiled.

  “The plan was to take her to school, but she was…insistent. That girl is nothing but trouble, I’ll just say that. I won’t be seeing her again.” Zak’s brow lowered a bit and he shook his head slightly.

  “You’re breaking up with Jade? But she’s so…she’s got such big—”

  “I know. Trust me, it’s not worth the trouble. And it’s not like we were a couple or anything…I just need to stay away from her. She’s bad news for me.”

  “I guess. I can’t imagine having the chance to be with her and passing up on it.” But even as the words left his lips, it wasn’t Jade’s face he was seeing in his mind, but Gwendolyn’s. That last look she had given him before walking out of the cafeteria, eyes slightly squinted, almost like she wanted to say something to him.

  “You got a thing for Jade, cousin?”

  “Doesn’t everybody? I mean…look at her!”

  “Oh I looked at her, all right. And I saw nothing but tits and crazy. You think her tits are big, you should see her crazy.”

  “But there’s someone else.” Kip smiled. “She’s the only girl who’s ever talked to me.”

  Zak punched Kip in the arm. “Oh yeah? Who is this?”

  “It’s not like you think. She talks to me because she feels sorry for me. That’s all…but I don’t care. She’s perfect.”

  “I’m still waiting, cousin. Who is she?”

  Kip almost said her name, but chewed it back down. “Just…somebody. That’s all.”

  When they got back to Kip’s house, they went straight toward Kip’s room. He stood on his tiptoes and pulled the attic door down, pulled out the stairs.

  “Nice fucking spread, man.” Zak walked straight to Kip’s bookshelf and started flipping through the comics. Every issue in a plastic sleeve with a cardboard back. Superhero and movie monster action figures stood atop the shelf, all lined up as if frozen in the middle of some epic mash up battle.

  “Holy shit,” Zak said. “You kept all your old comics from when we were kids?”

  “Yep. Every one. I’ve got all my comic cards in binders too. All still in perfect condition.”

  “I’m having a nerdgasm over here. I haven’t even thought about comic books since…well shit. Since I used to come over to your house and play.”

  The two of them spent the afternoon playing video games, going through comic books, and flipping through Kip’s binders. It felt like old times, and Kip couldn’t remember a time when he had felt happier.

  ***

  “Hey, Kip?” Zak said.

  Kip paused his game. “Yeah?”

  “I’m sorry for lying to you, man. About going to class, you know? I’ve been feeling bad about it all day.”

  Kip rolled his eyes, unpaused the game. “Don’t worry about it. You broke it off with Jade, right? So you won’t have to miss anymore class. And don’t forget…you got me if you need any help with your schoolwork. From what I hear, I’m kind of a genius.”

  Zak reached over and decked Kip in the shoulder. “Yeah yeah, rub the shit in.”

  Kip could hardly catch his breath. The controller slipped from his hand and he leaned back, let his body fall onto the carpet as the feeling spread from his shoulder all the way down his spine. There must have been a zit on the verge of bursting where Zak had hit him, and when Zak’s fist collided with it, it popped, filled him with elation.

  “Kip? What…what are you doing, man?”

  Kip forced himself back to a sitting position, gripped his knees to calm the shaking. “N-nothing. I was just…just messing around.”

  “Okay,” Zak said, one eyebrow higher than the other. “So…there’s something I want to talk to you about. It’s gonna sound bad, okay? Just…just trust me on this. And don’t get all worked up either.”

  “Um…”

  “Have you ever heard of Senior Skip Day?”

  Even through the vibrating pleasure radiating up and down Kip’s back, he was able to frown. “What are you talking about, Zak?”

  “It’s like a student holiday, man. Had the same thing back in California. Everyone does it, I’m telling you. It’s not a big deal.”

  Kip just shook his head, was hoping Zak was just messing around.

  “Come on, Kip. Everyone skips on this day. Everyone. Even the teachers know about it.”

  “Are you being serious right now? You just apologized for lying to me.” Blood trickled down Kip’s back, felt like a feather tip sliding down his skin. He wanted so bad to check the ruptured pimple in the mirror, finger the pus out.

  “And that’s why I’m telling you up front. There’s a big party. From what I hear, all the…you know…cool kids will be there. I bet even your mysterious dream girl might be there.” Zak reached over as if to nudge Kip again, but Kip avoided it. “I want you to come with me. This could be your chance to lose the Toad label, man. Break out of your cocoon…become a butterfly.”

  “A butterfly?”

  “Okay, I don’t know what the fuck I’m talking about. But seriously…I want you to come with me. It’s one day. Teachers don’t teach anything important on Senior Skip Day. I bet every one of them shows a video or some shit.”

  Gwendolyn wouldn’t be caught dead at one of these parties. No way. But…but what if she was there? What if this is my big chance to talk to her? Really talk to her.

  “I don’t know. I don’t think anyone is going to want me there. It’ll ruin the party.”

  “Not if you’re with me. And besides, they don’t know you. Not like I do. They’re just a bunch of stupid kids being mean…it’s what they do. They can’t help it, man.”

  “Right. It’s basic instinct to make my life a living hell every single day. Is that what you’re saying?”

  Just then, Kip heard his mom’s car pull into the driveway.

  “I can’t. I’m sorry, Zak. You go if you want…and I won’t even get mad. I don’t care, okay? But I can’t.”

  Before Zak could say another word, Kip jumped to his feet and dashed toward the door. He always greeted his mom when she got home from work, and he meant to keep the tradition going. Well, that and he didn’t want to hear his cousin try and persuade him to skip class anymore.

  “Kip,” Zak called out from behind him. “Come on, man.”

  Kip was already halfway down the stairs. Zak followed, worry distorting his face like he had a mouthful of spoiled milk.

  “You won’t…you know. You won’t tell Aunt Jenny about any of this shit, right? Me skipping, or even the fight. She can’t know. Please.”

  “Relax. I’m not going to say anything. I’m just going to say hi and give her a hug.”

  They walked down to the first floor together, Zak becoming more nervous-looking the closer they got to the front door.

  “You’re a real good kid, Kip. Seriously.”

  “Thanks. But it’s not like I—”

  The front door exploded open and Kip’s mom stormed in. At first, Kip thought something was wrong, thought something had happened to her. His heart got to thumping and his skin got to boiling.

  Thump…thump…thumpthumpthumpthump.

  But then he saw the smile on her face. She dropped to her knees in front of Kip and immediately hugged him, squeezed him tight.

  “Mom…what’s going on?”

  “Honey,” she said, grabbing Kip by both shoulders. Her grip tightened over the wound where Zak had popped his zit, and he had to concentrate to keep his eyes from rolling. “They’re sending me to New York. Can you believe it? Me! Out of everyone in the office, they chose me!”

  She made a sound like eeeeeek and then hugged Kip again.

  “Wait…what do you mean? New York?”

  “A business trip. To meet with a big client there. This is huge, Kip. Hu
ge. This could mean bigger and better things for us, baby.”

  “You’re leaving to New York, Mom? When?” He tried to hide the shakiness from his voice, but it was loud and clear.

  His mom noticed it too, because she let go of him, stood up, straightened out her pant suit. “I leave on Monday. I’ll be gone for a week. Kip…aren’t you excited? You know how hard I’ve been working and—”

  “Mom, of course I’m excited. But what am I going to do?”

  Zak cleared his throat, and Kip shot him an ugly look.

  “Honey, you’re seventeen years old. I trust you. You are a smart boy and can take care of yourself. At least for a week you can.” Then she turned her attention to Zak, and whatever smile she had been presenting hid behind her scowl. “And I expect you to behave yourself, Zak. If I find out any funny business went on here while I was gone…”

  Zak held up both hands. “It won’t be a problem. Kip and I will have a great time together. Just like we used to when we were kids. Right, Kip?”

  Kip didn’t answer, just crossed his arms and pouted his lips. He knew he was being childish but didn’t care.

  “Kip, honey…”

  “It’ll be like a weeklong sleepover, man. It’ll be fun…you know. After our homework is done and everything.” Zak shot a nervous smile at Kip’s mom.

  “I trust that the two of you will do just fine.” She had her eyes on Kip, the wrinkles on her forehead deepening by the second. “Well…I was going to order pizza for dinner to celebrate. But I guess we can just—”

  “I’m sorry, Mom. I’m happy for you, I really am. I guess I’ve just never been away from you for that long before.” Kip commanded his mouth to smile, and though it fought back, it eventually gave in. “Let’s order pizza. We should celebrate. I’m proud of you, Mom. I know you’ve been working your…a-ass off. You deserve it.”

  She chuckled, one hand on her hip. “Well okay! What kind of pizza do you boys want? I’m going to crack open a bottle of wine, and I’ll even let you boys have a glass each. A small glass.”

  “No thank you, ma’am,” Zak said. “But maybe we could get some Sprite?”

  She arched her mouth and nodded. “Okay, fine. Kip?”

  “Sprite for me too. And can we get Hawaiian pizza?”

  “Sprite and Hawaiian it is then!”

  ***

  The pizza was damn good. For the first time since he’d gotten there, Zak was finally starting to feel comfortable. Starting to feel like he was part of the family.

  He had to admit, it felt good to see his cousin. Ever since that asshole Ernie came into his and his mom’s life, Kip hadn’t even entered his mind. But being back at Aunt Jenny’s house, it felt like old times. He really did feel like the kid that used to play superheroes and read comic books.

  He felt wonderful.

  Aunt Jenny was in the best mood he’d seen her in. She was actually kind of pretty when she was smiling and laughing. Zak could tell that Kip still didn’t like the idea of her leaving out of town, but Zak couldn’t help but see opportunity there. Not to throw a party or do anything stupid, but it was his chance to show Kip a really good time. Try and break the kid out of his shell a little, maybe even get him laid.

  Though Zak had to admit that last part might be a little tricky.

  Kip wasn’t an ugly kid. Not really. Sure, his acne was awful, looked like red fungus growing all over his face and the back of his neck, but that would go away in time. It was his shyness he had to get over, and that was something Zak was sure he could help with.

  He’s coming to the Senior Skip Day party. Even if I have to club him on the head and carry him over my shoulder.

  Zak knew that Chuck and his two jock buddies would be there. And he knew that they wouldn’t let the fight go. Especially when they were fueled by alcohol. He would have to bring some protection just in case. The gun belonged to Ernie, and Zak had swiped it just before heading to Aunt Jenny’s. He didn’t take it because he thought he would need it, but he didn’t like knowing the gun was at home while he wasn’t. He didn’t trust that motherfucker with it.

  He hoped he wouldn’t have to flash it, but he would feel a lot better knowing it was there if he needed it.

  “So,” Zak said as he patted his belly and tossed the last chunk of pizza crust into the now empty box. “Kip said he’d tutor me. Isn’t that right, Kip?”

  “Yeah. Zak said he’s really trying to do better, Mom. I believe him.” Kip shot Zak a smile that would have screamed homo if it came from anyone else. Zak just smiled right back.

  “Is that right?” Aunt Jenny reached over and patted Zak on the back of the head. Her face was a little pink from the bottle of wine she had polished off on her own. “I’m so glad to hear that.”

  Zak beamed, slugged Kip on the arm. His cousin got that faraway look in his eye again, almost like he was cumming in his pants. It was weird, gave Zak the creeps a little bit.

  Is this kid some kind of closet pervert or something? When Aunt Jenny leaves, is he going to wear her underwear and lipstick and dance around the house?

  No. Zak knew that wasn’t it. The kid was probably doing his best to hide how bad it hurt him whenever Zak playfully hit him. Kip was so skinny, Zak realized his knuckles were probably hitting bone.

  After dinner, Zak and Kip headed back up to his room. Zak sat on the bed and frowned when Kip went right back to his video game.

  “Hey, man. What about that movie? Are we still going?”

  “Nah. Don’t feel like it anymore.”

  “Come on, Kip. Are you really that upset that your mom’s leaving? Most kids would be happy about that.”

  Kip shot Zak a side glance. “Well I’m not like most kids, remember? I’m the Toad. And I guess I’m just a fucking pussy because I don’t want her to leave.”

  Whoa. Where the hell did that come from?

  “Relax, man. It’ll be great, just the two of us. We won’t throw a party or anything, don’t worry. But maybe we can get some girls to—”

  “Nope. Nobody’s coming over to my house. Nobody. I’m not breaking a promise to my mom, okay?”

  “All right, all right.”

  Zak decided not to press the matter too much. He was just about to bring up Senior Skip Day again, but knew the timing was bad. Let the kid sulk for a little while.

  Zak lay on the floor, propped his head up on a folded pillow. He opened up a comic book, an old X-Men he remembered reading years ago. Before long, he was out.

  —4—

  The weekend went by too quickly. Kip knew he was being ridiculous, but he didn’t want his mom to leave. He also knew that Zak was right, that he should be excited about being at home without an adult, just him and his cousin. It seemed like the perfect set up too. They could invite some girls over, just like Zak had started to say the other night before Kip had cut him off. Zak didn’t bring it up again, and for that Kip was grateful.

  And even if we did invite some girls over here, they wouldn’t do anything with me. They would be here for Zak.

  His mom had left the house a couple of hours ago. She didn’t know he was awake. They had said their goodbyes the night before, and Kip did everything he could not to show how upset he was. He just smiled at her, hugged her, told her how happy he was that she was getting this opportunity.

  She just kept saying how good this was for them, how if things went right their lives would be so much better. But Kip didn’t think they had a bad life. As far as he was concerned, everything at home was just how he liked it. It was the only place he felt safe, the only place he felt he belonged.

  He couldn’t sleep. Just knowing his mom was probably on an airplane right then, leaving him, he had tossed and turned for hours before finally giving up and just getting out of bed. Zak lay on his stomach, his breaths rattling as he slept. Kip almost woke him up, just to have someone to talk to, keep him company, but decided to leave his cousin alone.

  He stood in the bathroom in front of the mirror, all of his cloth
es piled onto the floor. The acne looked like it was getting worse. Since he found out about his mom leaving for a week, his skin reacted with an explosion of new pimples, flowing over his entire torso like red lizard skin.

  Each bump looked filled to capacity with milky white pus. The whiteheads gleamed in the fluorescent light of the bathroom, coated in a thin layer of grease.

  As he stared at himself, the zits got to moving, pumping and thrusting. Waves of pulsating movement across his body like ripples. A couple of them burst from the rapid thrashing, squirting white and red gunk onto the sink and splattering across the mirror.

  It felt so good, Kip was already stroking himself before he even realized what he was doing. He scraped his nails across his chest, bursting three of the larger zits like tiny water balloons. The pus squirted into the palm of his hand, and he used it as lubricant, biting his lip as the pleasure rode his flesh in rhythmic bursts.

  It didn’t take long for him to finish. He stared at his semen floating in the water of the toilet, looking like bleached man-o-war tentacles. After he flushed that down, he took another long look at himself. The pimples had calmed again, though the ones that had burst were now spewing a good amount of blood which mixed with his sweat and seemed to coat his entire chest and stomach.

  He felt better. Turning his back to the mirror, he inspected the skin of his back and ass cheeks. The acne covered them, all sizes and stages of growth, the skin a neon red. Some of the zits were so big they looked like nipples with white tips and red areola. Kip tried to reach back and pop them, but couldn’t reach. He got a few on his shoulders, and could have reached the ones on his lower back and ass, but decided to save them for later.

  But that big bastard on his bottom lip still wasn’t quite ready. No whitehead, just a big red bump, and every time he tried to squeeze it, it only made the thing bigger, more irritated. After going at it for about ten minutes and doing nothing but making it worse, Kip gave up, ran his tongue across the oiled mountain of red flesh.

  The pills sat on the bathroom counter. A small paper box, a big picture of a pregnant lady with a red X slashed across her. There were even drawings of deformed babies, warning Kip of how powerful the drugs were, that if a pregnant woman took them, there wasn’t just a chance the fetus could have birth defects, it was a goddamn certainty.