Terry and Sarah quickly headed back towards Jessie’s apartment after their date in the park. Terry realized he needed to to find a way to get older and fast, they were quickly forgetting what it felt like being an adult. As they now knocked on Jessie’s door, they waited anxiously for someone to answer. Slowly it opened as a blond girl now poked her head out into the hallway.
“Jessie,” Terry said quickly. “Where’s Duke? We got to find out where the lots came from.”
Jessie narrowed her eyes as she now looked over Sarah and Terry. “I thought you were Duke,” she grumbled. “That doofus ran off Tony’s gym. He wouldn’t listen when I told him to wait and not go.” Terry cursed under his breath, throwing his hand over it and groaning in embarrassment. Tony’s was notorious for steroids, something the old Terry and Duke avoided at all costs. Terry had cursed that his friend would even consider that before blushing. He didn’t want to get in trouble for saying bad words. This childish idea only made Terry that much more concerned about their current predicament. “Okay,” he sighed. “I’ll go get him. Why don’t you two start trying to find out where the lots came from.”
Jessie nodded as Sarah now anxiously looked at her boyfriend. “Be careful Terry,” she said quietly. Terry nodded as the two 12 year olds blushed fiercely. With out another word Terry now began running as fast as he could towards Tony’s.
Terry was shocked at how much energy he had. Never much of a runner, the boy was surprised not only at his energy but his endurance. He felt like he could run forever as he sped towards the gym. Thankfully it didn’t take him long before he ran headlong into Duke. The two boys nearly colliding as Duke turned down an alleyway.
“Hey watch were your going,” the 12 year old blond boy grumbled. Standing and dusting himself off Duke gasped at his friend, feeling like he had been caught doing something wrong. Terry frowned at his friend, watching as the smaller boy now shifted nervously under his gaze. “What the hell are you doing Duke,” Terry growled, his voice cracking.
“Nothing,” Duke whined. “What I wanted to get a workout in. Who knows how long it’s gonna be before we grow up again. I’m not gonna be a weakling forever.”
Terry frowned, Duke wasn’t much smaller than him. He certainly didn’t think of himself as a weakling, Dukes insecurity’s were just overwhelming at this point. As he was about to say something he noticed a small bottle of cream at Dukes feet. Snatching it up quickly he now felt his cheeks flush with anger. “What are you thinking man,” Terry roared. “You can’t possibly think this is a good idea.”
“Give those back their mine,” Duke whined as he now lept towards Terry. Terry held them over his head as the smaller boy now jumped in place. Now matter how much Duke jumped he just couldn’t reach the tubes over Terry’s head. “Give them back,” he whined. “Your being an asshole. I don’t wanna be like this. I DONT WANNA!” Dukes bottom lip began to quiver as tears welled up in his hazel eyes.
“Duke,” Terry whispered as he looked at the poor kid. Dukes skinny appearance couple with his crying made him look even younger than 12 at this point. Terry could understand what he was going through, he felt the same way. The two men had had their bodies restored to the prime of their lives, only to watch it vanish in a matter of moments. Knowing the work they would need to do to rebuild themselves if they couldn’t grow up again was soul crushing. Placing an arm around his friend Terry now squeezed his shoulders tightly.
“I get it man,” Terry said quietly. “But you know this ain’t right.” Duke sighed, nodding his head as he wiped his eyes. “Come on man let’s head back to Jessie’s. We gotta figure out how to fix this.” Duke said nothing as the two boys began to trip back. Hopefully Terry could figure out how to fix this and soon.