Chapter 17 (1/2)

Gibbs was still grinning when he opened the door to his room.

Until he saw his three friends sitting down with grim faces. It seemed like a big problem had occurred.

”What's up?” Gibbs asked while getting closer.

”Ray got beaten up by Sofil,” explained troll.

”Hah?! When?”

”Yesterday. This friend of ours intelligently sat alone in the auditorium at night after everyone went back from rehearsal. He's really asking for a beating,” KJ quipped.

Ray was silent. Too lazy to bother. Besides, he really didn't need to say anything, Gibbs understood perfectly his habit of staying at that place.

”The guy sure is bold,” commented Gibbs.

Sofil was a tough gay who had long since had feelings towards Ray. He confessed to Ray once, but Ray ignored him. After that, he started threatening Ray, saying that if Ray told anyone his s.e.xual orientation, he'd beat the light out of Ray. Ray never did reveal it other than to his three friends, but the story of Sofil being gay had long been suspected but n.o.body cared. Maybe the rumour spread again and Sofil though Ray was the origin.

”Of course. He knew that you weren't here, and I went to a game,” said Troll.

”How about you? Where did you go?” Gibbs' tone turned a pitch higher when questioning KJ.

”Eh, don't blame me for no reason! How would I know this would happen, you idiot!” KJ defended himself.

”Sorry, sorry. I'm not blaming you,” said Gibbs. It's just that Gibbs naturally a bit too overprotective when it came to Ray. During their second year, when listening to a group of their seniors planning to attack Ray after lights-off time, Gibbs switched place with Ray - so that the one getting beaten up was not Ray. He felt that it was unfair that Ray got bullied just because he was a man of art.

”It's fortunate that it was just a beating. What if he was sodomised?” KJ slit in a joke but with a slightly serious tone.

”Was it bad?” Gibbs asked Ray who was still quiet.

”He's alone, but he took me by surprise. He had kicked my stomach when I realised it. By the, I was already down, giving him time to kick 2-3 times more,” Ray replied.

”At least he's smart enough to hit just the stomach,” commented Troll.

”Teach him a bit, Troll. Give 4-5 kicks back at him,” ordered Gibbs.

”Don't bother,” Ray sounded.

”Why not?! He thinks he can just freely beat people up?” Gibbs yelled.

”I don't want him to cause trouble during my show,” replied Ray.

Gibbs really wanted to retort but he knew how much importance Ray placed on his show. This was the problem with Ray. He treated his show like his life, but because Gibbs understood him, he stayed quiet.

”How's your brother?” Troll asked.

”Oh… he's fine,” replied Gibbs. He almost forgot that he was supposed to be at home during the weekend.

”You guys… didn't taste KJ's cougar chick?” Gibbs asked, trying to divert the attention from him.

Troll snorted. ”When I came back, she had already left. Ray did though.”

”Aik? In getting beaten by a closet gay, he still had the time?” Gibbs joked.

Ray just smiled.  ”Just my luck.” He simply replied.

”Troll said he found one during the game,” KJ started.