An Apple For Teacher

"Hey ya, Davey," Jack called out jovially, hurrying across the street.

David paused, squinted in the early morning sun as he waiting for him to catch up. "I thought you were going to go sell today."

Jack lifted a shoulder. "I am. Gonna get double of the afternoon edition. Figure you can help get them off my hands."

"I don't know," David hedged. It was the first day of school and there was sure to be an assignment or two that he would have to turn in tomorrow. David didn't want to make Jack any promises he wouldn't be able to keep.

"Ah, come on," Jack wheedled, "It'll only take an hour. Two tops. And I'll help you with your studies after."

Dave gave him an appraising look. "Help me with my studies?" he repeated.

"Sure. I'm good at figuring things out." He gave David a cocky grin and then tipped his hat at a fussy looking lady. She snorted, but her eyes were twinkling and David had to smile.

David shook his head ruefully, knowing it was useless to try and argue. Better to just let Jack think that he was going to comply and then do what he wanted before Jack knew what was up. Everyone knows it's easier to beg for forgiveness than to ask for permission. He glanced at Jack out of the corner of his eye and saw that the other boy was already looking at him.

With a flush, David averted his gaze. He shoved his hand into his book bag and pulled out the apple his mother had given him that morning. David stared at the glossy red surface and wondered what it would be like going back to school. Things had changed so much since he had left. He had changed. David glanced at Jack from the corner of his eye and saw him studying the apple with an amused look.

"Is that what I think it is?" Jack asked with a scoff.

David looked up at Jack and then back down at the apple. "What's wrong with having an apple?"

"One: it was in your bag, not your pail, and two: it's the first day of school." Jack ticked off on his fingers. "Ain't bringing an apple for teacher something that babies do?"

"No." David made a face. "Plenty of fellas bring apples on the first day; it's a sign of respect."

"I think it's sweet," Jack answered with a teasing gleam in his eye. "Li'l David is just ticked pink to be going back to school."

"It isn't sweet," David groused, glowering at Jack. "It's traditional. I do it every year."

Jack raised his brows mockingly. "Is that so?"

Deciding to ignore him, David sped up, half skipping as he rounded the corner. He saw a group of boys about his age ahead and began to hurry towards them but was detoured when Jack snatched the apple out of his hand.

"Hey! That's mine."

"Mine now," Jack jeered as he began to run.

David muttered under his breath as he shot after Jack, his lunch pail slamming into his leg as he darted around a drunk sleeping off last night's excess. "You're going to make me late," he shouted at Jack's retreating back.

Jack laughed and slipped into an alley with a cheeky glance over his shoulder. David dashed after him, running pell-mell and then pulled up short when he found Jack sitting on a stack of crates, his mouth full of apple and an unrepentant grin on his face.

"That was for my teacher," David accused, kicking at a loose cobblestone and scowling.

"I know," Jack replied unfazed. He took another bite with an exaggerated roll of the eyes. "Tastes good too."

David snorted. "A fine friend you are."

"Want to share?" Jack offered. David made a rude hand gesture as he watched Jack's teeth crunch down on the juice white flesh. Jack swallowed and then said, "Ah, come on, have a taste."

"I wasn't planning on eating that, you know," David pointed out and Jack gave him an amused look.

"Don't be such a spoil sport." Jack licked his lips. "Might as well have a bite."

David sighed and then reached for the apple. "Might as well, seeing as how you've gone and ruined my tradition." Jack nimbly caught his wrist and then pulled him near. "What the--" David's words were cut off as Jack's lips brushed clumsily against his.

His mind stuttered to a halt as he felt Jack's mouth move. He pulled back, eyes locked with Jack's, startled by the longing and fear he saw in them. David licked his lips nervously, stepped closer and leaned in, taking charge by pressing his mouth firmly against Jack's. Jack moaned, the apple dropping to the ground as he clutched David's shoulders, snaking his tongue along David's lips.

Jack bit down on David's lower lip and David opened his mouth, his whole body tingling, as his brain slammed back into action, telling him to stop, to step back and pretend like this had never happened. But David ignored it, focusing instead on the warm feel of Jack's hand on his back and the tangy sweetness of the apple on Jack's tongue.

"So," Jack said a bit breathlessly, ending the kiss, "you'll come then?"

"What?" David asked in confusion.

"Selling. You'll join me after you get out, right?" Jack explained as if David was being slow on purpose.

"Selling?" David repeated. Was that what this had all been about? Absconding with the apple, rushing down an alley and kissing him had all been Jack's way of convincing David to go sell with him this afternoon?

"Yeah, selling." Jack gave him an irritated look.

"After you stole my apple?" David returned the look.

Jack flashed a grin. "You think of a better use for it?"

David pictured handing the apple to his teacher and compared the happiness that image produced to the torrent of emotion that kissing Jack had sent racing through him. His lips twitched up. "No."

"Then I'll met you at the gate when you get out." Jack moved forward, brushing his lips against David's.

David pulled back. "Only if you promise not to make off with my apples in the future."

Jack rolled his eyes. "Fine, I won't snag your apples, seeing as how you are so fond of them."

With a smile, David closed the space between them and nipped at Jack's lower lip. "You'd better not. Next time I might not accept your apology."

"What apology?" Jack demanded and David just grinned in reply.

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