book two snippet

The next morning, Marshal, who had woken up much earlier, started swearing to himself. He was loud enough that Arthur stirred awake from the noise. Marshal sat at the desk still in his pajamas, looking like he was reading. It was apparent that that very book he held in his hands was the reason for his cursing.

“What’s wrong?” Arthur asked.

“I forgot to finish reading this book,” Marshal said. “It was the summer holiday coursework.”

“Ah,” Arthur said, cuddling up to Ciaran who was still asleep.

“I’m going to fail and class hasn’t even started,” Marshal groaned.

“Ciaran has a Morning Glory,” Arthur said, stating something humorous in order to lighten the mood.

Marshal looked up from his book, snickering. “Are you serious?”

“You want me to pull off his covers and show you?” Arthur asked, chuckling.

“I’ll pass,” Marshal said, snorting. “I wonder what he is dreaming about. He looks too peaceful to be aroused.”

“I bet its wild sex and he is just a really calm sleeper,” Arthur said. “Kenneth seems to be a sound sleeper too.”

“Yeah he looks knocked out,” Marshal said, looking at Kenneth.

“I’m going to wake Ciaran,” Arthur said, smirking.

He sat up slightly, looking devious and grabbed Ciaran’s bottom. Ciaran jerked awake and looked at Arthur with bewilderment.

“You have a Morning Glory, love,” Arthur said, as he smirk grew wider.

“Grabbing my arse wouldn’t fix that,” Ciaran said, pushing Arthur.

Arthur and Marshal laughed together.

“I have the piss,” Ciaran said, getting out of bed.

“Good luck with that!” Arthur said, roaring with laughter.

Ciaran mumbled a few harsh words and went into the restroom. He came out after a few minutes and grabbed his toothbrush that he left in the dorm room.

“I don’t know why you lot are making fun of me because of it,” Ciaran said, putting toothpaste on his toothbrush.

“Because it’s funny,” Arthur said.

“You’re how old now?” Ciaran asked. “It’s not like you haven’t woken up a million times with an erection too.”

“Not today,” Arthur stated, smirking.

“I did,” Marshal said. “I just didn't announce it.”

“I bet Kenneth has one right now,” Ciaran said, pointing at Kenneth.

“Ciaran, love, relax,” Arthur said. “It was a joke.”

“You know what it means when you don’t wake up with one?” Ciaran asked. “It means your testosterone level is low.”

“What are you insinuating?” Arthur asked, glaring slightly.

“Maybe I am insinuating that you’re less of a man?” Ciaran shrugged, brushing his teeth.

“You’re a real arsehole sometimes you know that?” Arthur said, going to the restroom.

“That wasn’t very nice, Ciaran,” Marshal said.

“It wasn’t very nice to poke fun at me,” Ciaran said, spitting in the rubbish bin.

Marshal snickered. “Poke fun…”

“Don’t start,” Ciaran spat.

“Oh, bloody hell, Ciaran,” Marshal said. “All we really did was laugh.”

“I don’t like to be laughed at,” Ciaran said, sitting on his bed.

“Dually noted,” Marshal said. “Let’s change the subject. Do you know anything about Of Mice and Men?”