I Woke Up 343 by M.P. Arsent
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"You should know better than to ask me that Paul, but to my knowledge, they are not."
"Easy Den, I was just asking."
We pretty much just sat there and ate after that. Karl and I made our way back to the apartment.
"Den, why does that always get you going?"
"One, because it's nobody's damn business. Two, it isn't up to me to out anybody as I hope people wouldn't have outed me before we went public."
"Yeah, I get it."
I still had a bit of reading to do for Psych, so I settled down and got to it. We eventually sacked out.
Tuesday morning and the routine took over. Once we got to campus and the whole group was gathered I put it to the squad.
"Ok, guys. There's a rumor going around that the whole squad is gay. How do you want to handle it? Ignore it, refute it, or what?"
Eddie stepped up as I thought he would.
"Actively ignore it, though those of you with girlfriends should be a little more obvious about it. We go objecting to the rumor and it only calls attention to it."
There was a general murmur of agreement.
"Ok, guys. There is a student on campus named Bob Watkins. He's a journalism student. If he should stop you I recommend giving him either a 'no comment' or an 'I can only speak for myself' kind of answer. Remember, he's just doing his job for the school paper. Let's get these laps done."
Laps were done and Karl and I went and got ourselves ready for the day. He was off to class but I still had time to kill. Eventually, it was time for me to head into Creative Writing.
Stories were read and critiqued and another assignment was given. This time we had to write the basis for a tabletop role-playing game. All of that hanging out with Aaron was going to come in handy.
The break between classes would find me at my usual bench. Sure as death and taxes, I saw Bob headed my way.
"Dennis."
"Hey Bob, what up?"
"Heard a rumor about the gymnastics team, that they're all gay."
"Well, it's no secret that I'm gay, but as for the rest of the squad, you'll have to ask them yourself."
"Yeah well, a lot of folks have noticed them all out jogging with your group in the morning."
"I'll do you one better Bob. They have all taken to swimming after their workouts as well. All I can think of is that they see what success I'm having on the mats and the group think is that whatever it is I'm doing seems to work so they're right there doing it too."
"What's good for the goose?"
"Yeah."
"Going to be worth my time to go and ask the guys individually?"
"I doubt it. It's really not a story Bob."
"I didn't think so either, but my editor asked me to check it out. Later Den."
"Later."
Shortly thereafter, I headed over to the Psych class. After class was over and I was on my way out, Mr Quinn motioned me over.
"Mr Sawyer, I've been hearing some rather disturbing things about you."
"Mr Quinn, I don't even want to know. I suspect that if you traced those stories to their origins you would find a certain professor at their base. Before you ask, no I will not name that individual as I have no proof."
"It seems Mrs Flaherty well made her point."
"Indeed. However, if you should happen to be speaking to Dean Evans, you might mention that you have heard these stories."
"I think I begin to understand Mr Sawyer. Have yourself a good afternoon."
"You too sir."
It being Tuesday, I headed over to the rec center for a bit of a workout. Those of the team that were there I did advise that Bob Watkins was indeed chasing the rumor.
It wasn't a mandatory practice, so the room was open. I worked my rings, only throwing the double, and my floor exercise, along with the pommel horse. As usual, I hit the pool for a few laps and then the whirlpool. Eddie and Steve joined me a few minutes later.
"Dennis, any idea who is planting these rumors about the team?"
"It could be anybody, Eddie. Someone from the other teams, somebody who is into betting on the meets, or somebody who is just plain jealous of the team's success these last couple of years. We're the all-state champs and we have to expect that people are going to take cheap shots at us. Like was said to us last year, be a duck."
"Easier said than done Den."
"Yeah I know, but we've got the whole year to practice."
I was out of the tub shortly after that. I showered up and gave Karl his call. When I got back to the apartment all it took for Karl was one look.
"Let me guess, the rumor about the squad is gaining traction?"
"No, I think that one is pretty well squashed. According to Mr Quinn, there are some stories floating around that do not reflect favorably on me."
"Yeah, one guess where those are coming from."
"I have to admit, Adams is the logical choice, but with his position here at the school in the balance, would even he go that far?"
"He has tenure, so he probably thinks he is untouchable."
"Nobody is untouchable if somebody wants him bad enough, or if he makes a big enough mistake."
"So, are we going on the offensive?"
"Not this time lover, at least not actively. I hinted that Mr Quinn might mention these stories that he has heard to Dean Evans should he happen to run into him."
"So what? You're thinking not to give Adams a larger target so to speak?"
"Yeah, if I start to defend myself, well it might just lend credence to some of the stories, which I haven't actually heard."
"Are you going to go digging for them?"
"Nope, I'm going to leave that to Dean Evans, if he gets involved. He's the only one who can act on them in the long run."
"Yeah, I suppose so. Anyway, supper is up in 5."
I got the table set and after supper, I started to outline the story for the Creative Writing assignment. I kept in mind a few of the things that Aaron had told me while he was developing his games for the computer, as well as a few things from some of the fantasy books I had read.
At some point, Karl must have read over my shoulder.
"Damn Den, you should turn that over to Aaron once you're done."
"Maybe, but I'm willing to bet he isn't allowed to accept ideas from outside sources. It would be too easy for somebody to build a plagiarism case. I might let him see it just to see what he thinks of it though."
I worked on it for another hour and then Karl and I ended up crashing for the night.
Hump day and we started all over again. Our laps were run along with the whole group once again and without any hassles. Karl and I were back to the apartment the routine taken care of and off to classes.
When I walked into the English class, Mr Alcott gave me a bit of a look. I could only assume that he had heard the stories about me. Unless he called me aside later, I wasn't going to react to it.
The class went along without much of a problem and as I was on my way out Mr Alcott called me aside.
"Mr Sawyer, I have recently heard a story which seriously calls your integrity into question. What have you to say in your defense?"
"Without specifics sir, I really can't comment. What I will say is that perhaps you should speak to some of my past instructors. I'm sure the majority of them can put your concerns to rest."
"The majority?"
"Yes sir, there is perhaps at least one who will not have favorable things to say about me."
"And whom might that be?"
"I prefer not to say, but I'm sure you heard the story last year."
"I'm afraid not. This is my first year at the college."
"Ah, then I might suggest you get the story from Dean Evans as he was party to all of the facts. If I tell it, I'm sure it would sound rather one-sided."
"I see. Then I suppose I had better block out some time to speak with Dean Evans. Well, get on your way, Mr Sawyer."
So, it was a quick trip down the hall to Public Speaking. Luckily I wasn't scheduled to speak today. Though I tried to pay attention, my mind was on these stories that had been spread. What did Adams, I assumed, think he was going to accomplish? 5 minutes with Dean Evans would have convinced any sane person that the stories were bullshit. I had little doubt that my instructors would certainly have words with the Dean about it all.
Soon enough Public Speaking was done with for the day and I was over to the student union for my lunch and bench time.
Aiden and Gordon stopped by today and they could easily tell that something was bothering me.
"What is it now Den?"
"That obvious is it? There seem to be some stories circulating among the teaching staff that my integrity is somewhat in question."
"Adams?"
"That would be the logical choice, but those that have mentioned these stories to me haven't mentioned who they heard them from."
"So you can't really go to the Dean and complain."
"Right. The best I've been able to do is for them to mention them to the Dean when the opportunity arises."
"This all sounds too blatant for someone who is supposed to be as shrewd as Adams is rumored to be."
"Maybe, but I can't think of anyone else who would be coming after me, especially here at school."
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