Chapter 2. Arrogant

2.

"Noah… What’s the matter"? Finn asked him as they all settled in the bar. It was still Monday night so they were not planning to get wasted, but considering how tense Noah was, Max suggested them to have a relaxing time.

"Nothing Finn". Noah responded. But anyone could see the distress in his eyes.

"We all can see Noah. You are being extra hard on Conrad". Finn said as a matter of fact.

"That’s because he is rude and misbehaves. Have you seen his eyes? Screaming rudeness. And every time he talks to me with gritted teeth and clenched fists". Noah said in an irritated and annoyed tone.

"Noah you have met ruder and misbehaving s. Much more than Conrad. What’s this time"? This time Park spoke. Noah turned to him to snap out but this was the first time he felt short of words.

Park was right, he had tamed much more disobedient into perfect students, why was he inconsiderate with Conrad. He tried to justify but got even angrier. He smacked the bottle on the table. Pulled out cash and left the bar.

He had yet not calmed down when he entered the dorm lobby. There he saw two boys standing by the wall. One was standing with his back on the wall while the other was leaning on him, supporting himself with an arm placed above the other boy's head. The one standing by the wall had his arm around the other's waist. Clearly intimate.

Noah felt irritated but then a smile crept on his face. It was cute. He shook his head to hide his chuckle. Not intending to disturb the two he walked passed them silently but he couldn’t avoid it because his room was in front of the door they were standing beside. But the boys were paying no attention to the surroundings. The young love, always careless. Noah thought to himself. Just when he was about to click his room open, he caught two boys who seemed familiar figures. A new wave of anger passed down him and even he didnt know why.

"Shameless. Isn’t it better to open the door and go inside or are you both that desperate to give a free show to everyone. And Conrad last time i saw you couldn’t even breathe properly and now.... Tsk.". Noah entered his room and slammed the door shut.

"What the fuckkkkk". Conrad and Eric were confused.

/*A Few Minutes Ago*/

"Conrad".

"Hmmm"?

"Why don’t you sleep with me tonight? You would be alone. And i will be worried". Eric said. Conrad pulled the key out of the key hole and leaned by the wall. Eric stood beside him and it could be assumed that he was hovering him.

"I am good Eric. I have taken medicines. Besides sleeping with you is a good idea? What if i wanted to do something else"? Conrad winked. Eric smacked his chest laughing out.

"I won’t mind a handsome man, but Benjamin gonna kill you". He said and this time Conrad laughed. That was true indeed. Benjamin was possessive of Eric more than him.

"When will you guys talk to mom dad"? Conrad held his waist to balance himself.

"This weekend. I have planned everything. But you can’t say him anything okay"? Eric raised his finger. Conrad bit his lip. A clear sign that he had something in his mind.

"What? Why are you smiling like this? Connnnn. What is itttttt? Tell me no, tell me". Eric was getting hyper like a kid over candies.

"Boy, i am not only your friend". Conrad chuckled teasing him more. And this time Eric huffed. But that was more than a pout. "I can only tell you that Benjamin loves you as crazy as you are". Conrad winked. Eric was shy at once.

And just then they heard Noah getting angry over god knows what issue.

"Shameless". He heard Noah snarling. Conrad was about to blow his jaw square but Eric held his hand and it wasn’t hidden from Noah. Conrad flinched as Noah slammed the door shut.

/*ends*/

"What the fuck with him"? Eric was shocked at his outcome too.

"I don’t know. Anyway sleep now. We have to face the devil again in the morning. Go". Conrad patted his shoulder before opening the door to his dorm.

Eric went back to his room but before opening his dorm he knocked at the door in front of him.

"Eric. What happened"? Benjamin opened the door in his shorts and tank tops. He was about to slip in the bed.

"Ah. Nothing. Just wanted to restore my energy". Eric smiled teasingly. Benjamin smiled too.

"Come on Eric. You always have the same excuse to hug me". He pulled Eric inside his room before pushing him behind the closed door...

"And you always fall for the same excuse". Eric bent down to peck his lips softly before pulling him into his arms. It was their solace.

************

The next morning was going to be a living hell. Well somehow Conrad had guessed the mood at night. 

He Eric and Benjamin decided to have some porridge at the cafe outside their dorm. Conrad was still teasing Eric and Benjamin, who apparently slept together at Benjamin.

They didnt notice the people around because when they were together, they would care less about what’s going around.

"I wonder when people will learn to respect". Conrad closed his eyes listening to the voice that had been a headache for him.

"Good morning. I didnt see you all". He turned around to face the five hazers taking a table. Eric and Benjamin followed too.

"Duh". ... Noah scoffed getting back to his breakfast.

"Aunty three porridge with chicken please and three ice coffee". Conrad went to the counter. He was waiting for his order to get ready when an idea struk his mind.

"Aunty". He whispered at the aunty. She turned to him keeping his secrecy. "Order five coffees for the table too. Don’t tell them okay"? He winked before taking his order back to his table.

Max looked at the aunty when she served five ice coffee at their table.

"Uhmm. Did we order these"? He asked her politely but she smiled and left. They were looking at each other. Noah held his cup of coffee and sipped it. It was awesome and refreshing. He always loved ice coffee from this shop. But what amused him was the thought of who ordered for him.

He leaned back into his chair a bit just to peek on the other table where the three freshmen were laughing and teasing each other. Not being much noisy yet their cheerful laughter made him smile too. May be he was really strict with Conrad out of no reason. Finn looked at Harry and Park in a meaningful glance.

They finished their breakfast and only then Noah realized Conrad had left with his friends. It was 5.45am fifteen minutes to start the hazing.

The freshmen didnt know the reason of why their head hazer was not mad at them like yesterday, but whatever the reason, they were happy. Completing the tasks was not the issue, but working with a scared heart and messed up mind adds to the burden. So the hazers were relaxed too that the freshmen were doing well so far.

"Someone liked the ice coffee so much. Right Max"? Harry turned to Max pointing at Noah.

"Well i always like iced coffee by aunty". Noah tried to wave off.

"Yeah. Whatever you say Mr. Head Hazer". This time Harry said in mocking tone.

"Guys 30 minutes for lunch get back as soon as you finish". The freshmen who were trying chain push-ups straightened themself. Some ran to the washrooms to relieve themself. Some laying on the ground waiting for their friends to bring in their lunch too. 

Noah was heading to their table too with his hazers. Park and Finn left to get food. He was discussing some strategy with his generals after the lunch break when he saw Conrad and Eric again. Benjamin was standing there too. But seems like he wasn’t concerned with what they were talking.

But what caught Noah's attention was the way Conrad was blushing.

The fuckkkkk. He thought to himself. Last night Eric was smiling silently and now Conrad. What the hell is going on? Are they lovers or what? Boy friends?

He stood up abruptly approaching them. Eric straightened himself followed by Benjamin and Conrad.

“A082, isn’t it better if you focus on your hazing activities rather than romance in the broad light"? Noah spoke in his signature cold tone. Conrad sighed in defeat.

"Phi. We are not doing any romantic stuff. Besides i completed all the tasks in the morning". Conrad stood in front of him. And for once Noah couldn’t retort because he was right.

"We will see after the lunch is over". Noah pointed at him signaling that he would be keeping an eye on him.

"Yes Phi we will see". This time Conrad spoke in his cold behavior too. He had enough of Noah's mocking and taunting.

He was just happy that may be he can take a step to be in the good books of Noah Vaughn.  The coffee was a token of friendship. He saw Noah looking at their table in the morning while having coffee. And Benjamin had already his share of teasing him while coming to the field. And now it was Eric. The reason he was blushing...

The activities begin again at 1 after lunch. And it seems like the hazers were preparing the freshmen for the wrath they had to face. Even the four generals had no idea of Noah's outburst.

Freshmen were running, fainting. Splashed with water. Sprained ankles. Conrad was watching it all with his friends. Distressed and upset. Even he felt his body was losing all its energy.

It was a long fifteen minutes drill. The freshmen were running around the lap since some were not able to get the ids of their fellows in 2 days. And as per Noah had said, every freshman had to suffer the punishment.

Conrad almost slumped on the ground as the last lap finished. Eric looked at him with worried eyes. He knew Engineering gonna be tough for them. But he didnt estimate it would drain Conrad just in two days. There was not even a single shade in the field. No trees. Benjamin pulled off his extra tee from the bag and ran to get it wet. He came back as soon as possible only to find a fuming Noah, a stubborn Conrad and a helpless Eric.

"Conrad...” He tried to hand over the shirt to Conrad to wrap on his head only to be thrown away by Noah.

"You and you". He pointed between Benjamin and Eric *Leave. Now".

"But "!!! Benjamin tried to tell about Conrad but Noah pushed him back angrily. Only if Eric had not held him.

". Enough. Don’t involve them. You are angry at me. Channel it on me". Conrad spitted in anger. Today was almost over anyway. The freshmen were leaving for their dorms. He signaled his friends but they were equally stubborn...

"Eric, please take him. Go. I will meet you at night. Go". He said and Eric was helpless. He couldn’t do anything. He almost slapped a greeting at Noah's face before leaving with Benjamin, though Benjamin didnt want to leave Conrad.

"Wow wow wow. What a bonding eh? I have never seen lovers so understanding these days huh"? Noah said tilting his head a bit. He saw Conrad's eyes flicker with anger. But he was too tired to spit back on Noah.

"Yes Sir. Love has the power to tame the wildest animal". He replied in his utter calm tone.

"Love huh. You love him"? Noah held his collar shaking him. Conrad felt a wave of dizziness pass through him but he didnt want to give any satisfaction to Noah.

He softly pulled out his collar from his grip. And looked direct into his eyes.

"Yes Sir. I do love him. In fact i love them both. And it should not be your concern. At all. Not inside the field and definitely not outside. Because after 7pm in the evening, i am not bound to listen to your orders or answer you. I hope you know the difference between personal and professional behavior. For you i am your direct in line junior and what must matter to you is that you give me instructions and i fulfill your orders. My personal space is none of your business. Because i have not given you any right to invade my personal life. Good bye". He clasped his hands before leaving the field.

"I am gonna get back to you and then i will see if you would be able to say even a single word. I will be watching you". Noah screamed at him.

Conrad stopped in his tracks. He let a tired breath out and left the grounds with slumped shoulders.

He didnt know and he couldn’t understand why Noah was doing all this.

"Why it should be you"???? He spoke to no one.

*************

The first week passed with the same routine. Everyday Noah would be angry. Everyday freshmen would be passing out. The doctor's tent was busy all the time. But what disturbed Conrad was that Noah wasn’t picking up at him. He should be relieved, right? But he was getting more anxious. He could smell the storm brewing.

His friends were kind of relaxed but even Eric and Benjamin had their senses all sharpened.

They had to leave for home on Friday night. It was going to be a fantastic get together of the family. Eric and Benjamin were going to openly confess their relationship though everyone in the family already knew. But it was the time to announce it now. They had planned for the close family celebration so far and they would hold a press conference in a while.

The boys were lucky enough that the head hazer had set them free at 5 in the evening due to a meeting. So they spent good time in the mall, shopping for gifts and other things.

"Okay guys meet outside in the parking in one hour okay"? Benjamin walked to his room while Eric was trailing behind him. Conrad waved his hand too going inside.

They had a good habit of keeping a spare bag packed with their basics all the time. That would ease their time burden. Just like now. Conrad took fifteen minutes and his luggage was pack for the weekend.

He held a paper bag in hand and looked at the contents.

"May be someday".... He murmured and placed the paper bag in his closet. He was ready after taking a refreshing bath and went out to go to Benjamin to see if he needs any help.

"Ohh.... Seeeee MaaaaXxx. My... Most favoritttte junior is...   Ouchhhh. Heeeereee". He turned to listen to what Noah was saying. And he wasn’t shocked at what he said. But more than how wasted he was.

He looked at Max with questioning eyes.

"Let’s go Noah. You need to sleep now". He turned to open the door to Noah's room but Conrad was even more surprised when Noah pulled his hand from Max's grip and moved to Conrad. He was truly wasted with no self-conscious of what he was doing. He came closed to Conrad holding his face by cheeks. Conrad wanted to vomit on the intense smell of alcohol. He was not a drinker. He would just have a beer that too only one, if his friends insist. And with Noah, he could easily say that Noah had drunk more than he could drink in his entire life.

He scrunched his nose because it was getting difficult for him to breathe. This proximity would have a different impact only if they would be in good terms.

"Connnn. I... Uh... You are so beautiful... And... I...” Noah slumped his head on Conrad's shoulder. Conrad looked at Max where Park, Finn and Harry had also joined them. They were equally surprised at Noah's behavior.

Just then Eric and Benjamin came too. Benjamin had his jaws hang open looking at the scene.

"You... Smell soo good... Hmmmm". Noah inhaled deeply in the crook of his neck, making him comfortable by hugging Conrad. It was just a reflex action that Conrad wrapped his arm around Noah.

"Sir....”

"Conrad lets go. We have to leave". Eric stepped up to hold Conrad's hand. A clear signal for his friends to take Noah. But it was the exact opposite.

Noah snapped his head up. He was looking straight into Conrad's eyes.

"Where... Are you... Goooingg"? He asked in his slurred voice.

"I am going home". Conrad replied still holding Noah for support. Noah clucked his tongue in disapproval.

"No. You are...nnn... Not going an...Where. You... Haaave to stay... Heree. I... Don’t all..ow you". Noah raised his finger as a no before putting his head back on Conrad's shoulder.

A shiver pass down Conrad's body as his warm breath tickled his skin at neck. He looked down to Noah's face. So vulnerable so weak. So honest. So soft. He turned to Max.

"Please Sir. Take him. We have to leave for home". He said in a clear voice.

"Why you have to go"? Noah said but not more in a whisper this time.

"Sir my parents are waiting at home. I have to go. You have to rest now". He said patiently and politely.

"Sir, please take your friend. Conrad can’t take the smell of alcohol". Eric stepped forward. Park shook his head in tired. Even he didnt know why Noah was behaving like this.

"Let’s go Eric". Conrad handed Noah to Max and turned to Eric pulling up his bag. He was about to go but his hand was held back. He sighed.

"Give me your bag. We will be waiting for you in the car. Mom has already called us twice". Benjamin held his bag and motioned Eric to come with him.

"Sir. Why are you making it so difficult"? Conrad turned to him with a defeated tone. Finn turned to their friends to go inside the room while Conrad and Noah can have a word. Even if Noah was still not in his senses.

"Don’t go Conrad. I don’t like him. I ... I don’t like you seeing with him...” Noah said hugging Conrad.

"Why you don’t like it Sir? He is my friend. I can’t leave him. Beside i am going home. I have to. My parents are waiting. Take rest Sir. We will talk once you are sober. Okay"? He looked at the tan man in his arms but smiled as he saw him fallen asleep. "Who can say the devil head hazer is a baby". He chuckled softly before knocking at his room.

Finn came out.

"Sir. Sir is sleeping. Take him please. I got to go. Good night". Conrad handed him to Finn and left after politely greeting them all.

"You are going to be in hell trouble Noah". He mumbled and took him inside to sleep.

----

Tabby