Date: Tue, 23 Nov 1999 01:39:03 +0000
From: Pete Cathcart <petros@petros-world.co.uk>
Subject: Young Love (Chapter 7)

Young Love
Chapter 7
by Petros <younglove@petros-world.co.uk>

I walked down the long dark corridor with Jenni on my arm. We could see a
light not far ahead of us. We reached the source of the light, the doorway
into the school's main gymnasium which, for tonight, would serve as a disco
hall to about two hundred teenagers. The men at the door collected our
tickets and took our coats, exchanging them for numbered, raffle like,
tickets. I stepped into the hall with Jenni right behind me. The lights
danced across the floor. Red, green, blue and yellow beams swept across the
huge hall, illuminating its occupants. I looked back at Jenni. She looked
absolutely stunning tonight. She took my hand again and led me off to
mingle with friends. Before I realised what was happening I was stood in
the midst of a crown containing my arch enemies Steven, Neil and
Gary. Oddly they were all dressed in white: white shirts and white
denims. They looked almost angelic. To my astonishment they all approached
me and spoke.

"Hey Petros, you look great tonight!" Steven began.

"Hi Pete, you look wonderful. How've you been?" Gary asked cheerily.

"Yeah man, where've you been hiding?" Neil demanded.

This was getting a little too weird for me. I grabbed Jenni's hand and made
my excuses before dragging her off. The night seemed to fly past. We danced
most of the night away to various songs, they all seemed very nondescript
as they blended into each other. By the end of the night I was all danced
out so I collapsed into one of the seats that surrounded the hall. I sat
out for the next few songs, I think. The end of the night must have been
approaching. I heard the voice of the DJ call out that the last dance was
approaching. The dance floor began to fill up with couples, hand in hand. I
looked across the hall and saw Derek sitting, quite alone, on the opposite
side. The first few unmistakable bars or my favorite song began to waft
out. Derek made eye contact with me as Ben E. King's gorgeous baritone
voice began to mesmerize the young lovers on the dance floor. There was a
come-on look in Derek's eye as he stood up and walked out into the middle
of the floor. I hesitated and scanned the hall for his partner. When I
could see no-one else moving to join him I stood up and picked my way
uncertainly through the sea of intertwined bodies to meet him. I reached
him just as the first chorus began.

	"No I won't be afraid,

	"Just as long,

	"As you stand,

	"Stand by Me,"

I took Derek in my arms and held him tightly as we began to sway with the
music. I closed my eyes as he began to sing along, quietly in my ear.

	"So Darlin', Darlin', Stand by me,

	"Oh, Stand by me,

	"Oh, Stand now,

	"Stand by me, Stand by me."

The music and the singing slowly faded away. I could hear Derek whispering
my name in my ear. "Peter, Peter..."

I could feel my body shaking gently. I opened my eyes again to see my
mother leaning over me.

"Peter, you drifted off. Hurry up, you'll be late for your party..."

Damn. It was all a dream. I'd sat down on my bed to get my shoes off and I
must have fallen asleep.

If I thought I went over the top getting ready for the disco then I'm not
sure how to describe the effort the Derek put in. Derek arrived home at
about the same time as me but didn't stay long. After dropping his school
things in he hurried to the town centre for his appointment with the
hairdresser. About three quarters of an hour later he was back home just in
time for dinner. He rushed his food down before heading to the shower where
he spend the next half hour scrubbing every inch of his body from head to
toe, ensuring that no speck of dirt, drop of sweat or snippet of hair
remained. Only once he was sure that no impurities or blemishes remained
did he leave the cubicle and begin towelling himself. With his smooth baby
soft skin restored to it's natural state of dryness he wrapped the towel
round his waist and wandered through to his mother's room to use her hair
dryer. Having lightly dried his silky brown hair he returned to his room to
begin dressing. After much deliberation he chose a pair of white trunk
style boxers by CK. They hugged his athletic form beautifully and showed
off his large, well-formed package nicely. That must have played some part
in his decision. Once his shorts were on he covered his torso and sparsely
populated underarms in a fine mist of Lynx's Oriental deodorant.

By this point I had long since finished my hour long soak in the bath and
was sitting, completely ready, impatiently waiting for the time to pass so
I could get on my way.

Derek returned to his wardrobe and carefully removed the new outfit he'd
bought specially for tonight. When I say bought, he'd chosen it at least -
his parents had supplied the readies. He climbed into his pale cream
coloured Levi's and buttoned them with ease. They were a perfect fit,
hugging his gorgeous bubble butt tightly while flowing loosely down his
muscular legs, leaving them unrestricted and free to dance the night
away. Once satisfied that the waistband of his underwear was showing be
donned his shiney new Ralph Lauren shirt. He checked himself out in the
mirror as if to make sure that the vibrant red really did complimented his
mousey brown hair. Finally, once he was finished dressing he returned to
the bathroom to begin the lengthy process of styling his hair. He'd only
had his hair cut that afternoon (it was early evening now) so it should
have been painless, but Derek was looking for perfection that night. Twenty
minutes and a whole lot of moose later he emerged satisfied. He barely had
time to return to his room and spray on some after-shave before the
doorbell rang. He opened the door and ushered me in. Derek looked
pleasantly surprised at my appearance; I scrubbed up well. I stood before
him, every hair carefully waxed into position, my carefully pressed deep
blue YSL shirt hugging every contour of my shapely chest and my black
Versace jeans tightly adhering to my long legs, grinning broadly.

I was astonished by his appearance. I knew he was good looking, drop dead
gorgeous more like, but I'd never seen anyone looking this hot before. I'd
put a lot of time into picking out clothes for tonight and took long enough
to get ready, but my efforts had been greatly surpassed. I didn't recognise
his outfit and I noticed his hair had become shorter and much tidier. I was
suitably impressed. No, I was stunned. No doubt about it, Derek was out to
pull tonight and looking like that no one was going to stop him.

"Wow! You look stunning man," I said, totally awe-struck.

"Thanks man. You're looking good yourself. Out to impress someone tonight?"
he asked, blushing slightly. He was so cute when he blushed, shame he
didn't do it often.

"Yeah, well, not really. It doesn't matter." I started to feel quite
silly. Why had I made this much effort? I knew who I was trying to impress
but I knew it to be pointless.

"Well, whoever you want, I'm sure you'll get them. I don't think anyone's
out of your reach... Not looking that hot anyway," he said smiling
sweetly. Now it was my turn to blush. If only he knew, perhaps he did? Was
that what he was hinting at, did I only have to ask? No. No, No and no. I'm
not asking anything, that was a stupid though.  No chance I'm gonna ruin
everything because I can't keep my hormones in check.

I dropped my overnight stuff, including a half bottle of scotch, in Derek's
room before we set off to the school. My dad had driven me to Derek's
apartment but returned home once I'd left the car. The school was only five
minutes away so I wasn't bothered.

We reached the school gate where Jenni was to meet me. She didn't seem to
have arrived yet so we stood patiently and waited.

"I'm starting to wish I had found a date for tonight," Derek said. Date's
weren't required at these affairs, they were quite casual and apparently
they were considered a good place for picking up partners. I wasn't in the
market for one, so I'd brought Jenni for 'protection' from unwanted
advances. Derek, however, was quite single at this time and had no
intention of staying that way.

"Why?" I asked.

"Because. I'll feel stupid going in alone, when you two are together," he
said. He sounded just like a little boy. I suppose he was just a boy
really, he never gave the impression of it though.

"Don't be stupid, mate. Loads of people go by themselves, you won't feel
out of place once you're inside. You're gonna pull for sure
tonight. Anyway, if you go in with a girl, you're kinda stuck with her for
the whole night, this way you can get round as many as you like!" I laughed
to myself, and was rewarded with a puzzled look from Derek.

"It's going to be hard enough pulling anyone tonight, never mind more than
one!" He really didn't seem to have any self-confidence. I couldn't help
wondering what might have happened to him to make him so shy. It was
strange, because he wasn't shy with other guys, he was one of the loudest,
most extroverted guys in our group but he seemed to lack all faith in
himself. I didn't understand him at all.

"Don't bet on it, you'll be beating them off you." I said, trying to raise
his spirits.

"Yeah, well. I'm quite choosy; I've got a few prospective pulls but I don't
fancy my chances."

The conversation would have continued like that for sometime had Jenni's
father's car not pulled up. My date looked absolutely stunning, for a
girl. Her dark brown hair, which normally flowed freely around her head and
across her shoulders, was neatly tied back in a long pony tail. Her dress
was a very sexy black number, not too short and not too long. It was made
from some kind of glittery, shiney material which made it sparkle in the
evening sun.

"Wow babe, you look gorgeous!" I said to Jenni as I took her arm.

"So does he," she whispered in my ear. I gave her a pretend hurt look using
my best puppy-dog eyes. "Aww, you look smashing too," she added in the most
patronising tone I've ever heard. I knew she meant it though, and I smiled
to myself as Derek led us into the school. There were two teachers guarding
the entrance to the PE department where the disco would be held. I handed
over tickets for Jenni and I and Derek presented his. The teachers scanned
the attendance blacklist for our names before admitting us. I led the way
down the long, well lit, corridor. We stopped at the first changing room
which was being used as a cloak room. My brother Andy, and another sixth
year pupil were manning the cloakroom. They took coats from Derek and I and
presented us with tickets, without levying the 50p charge. I grinned at him
before heading off towards the main hall. I hoped someone was coming to
collect Jenni, it'd be cold without a jacket by the time we were done
tonight. She could always borrow mine, hopefully I'd be warmly snuggled up
on Derek's floor or sofa tonight.

I walked through one of the double doors into the main gym hall, hand in
hand with Jenni. I felt strangely comforted by her touch. It was warm and
gentle, almost sensuous yet somehow not. She touched me like only a best
friend could. I looked around the vast expanse that now surrounded
us. There were bodies everywhere already. We weren't late, doors had only
opened twenty minutes earlier, it was a popular event. Jenni tugged gently
on my arm as she spotted her friends: Steven, Neil and Gary. She waved at
them across the hall. They waved back in acknowledgement.  I knew their
gesture was directed at my partner yet I returned the wave all the same. I
was determined to have a good night, and no-one was going to stop me. Derek
tapped my shoulder and pointed across the room to where, in the opposite
corner, some of our friends had assembled. I looked back at Jenni, then at
Derek. I was torn. Where to go? Drag Jenni with me and let her sit with my
friends feeling uncomfortable, or do the right thing by her and sit
miserably all night amongst shadows from my past.  Perhaps this hadn't been
such a good idea. Just before I was forced into submission either way, a
voice spoke to me and resolved the dilema.

"For goodness sake!" I knew that voice well. It could mean only one
thing. I looked over to where the DJ had set up and, sure enough, there
stood Mr Morrison; the computing teacher whose taste had been left behind
in the sixties.

"I've got the hippie hippie shakes!" The Swinging Blue Jeans sang out.

"Oh Jenni, I love this song!" I said dragging her off into the middle of
the sparsely populated dance floor, not before telling Derek I'd join him
soon. Jenni gave him a look of desperation, he shrugged and walked off.

Jenni and I gave Rock 'n' roll dancing our best shot, which wasn't that
great. We lasted a few songs before giving up for a rest, and to be a
little less anti-social.

"Jenni, I'm off to talk to Derek and the gang. Don't come if you feel
awkward, you go and talk to Stevie - I might join you in a bit."

"You sure? We're meant to be together tonight?" She asked, sounding
unnecessarily concerned.

"Yeah babe. Go for it," I said practically shoving her in her friend's
direction. I watched her until she reached them before turning away to join
my friends.

"Yo Pedro, you're back. Nice Dancin' man!" Derek greeted me upon my return.

"Fuck off, I'd like to see you do better!" I shot back at him.

"Oh. I meant it," he muttered softly looking really hurt. I looked round at
him and touched his shoulder discreetly and mouthed 'Sorry' at him, before
returning all the other greetings I'd received.

I sat down and motioned for Derek to sit beside me. That seemed to bring
him back to his normal, cheery self. Good, I hate upsetting people -
especially my closest friends.  We sat around chatting for a while, the
music wasn't really anyone's cup of tea.  Hopefully the DJ was just having
his fun while we got into the mood before putting some real music on. After
a while I left to get some drinks for the guys.

I was just leaving the drinks stand, laden with cans of some cheap Cola,
when I bumped into Gary. Not literally, luckily, or I'd have dropped
everything.

"Hi Petros. You and Jenni don't seem to be very close tonight," Gary said
sharply. I was ready to get stuck into him, but I bit my tongue.

"We're not going out. We're just here together. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to
step on anyone's toes when I asked her," I replied calmly, not rising to
his bait.

"Yeah well, she feels stupid. She came here with you and you dumped her to
hang out with your cool new friends," he emphasised the 'cool' in such a
way it was obvious he harboured no such belief.

"Oh really? She told you that did she?" Gary started to speak, but I cut
him off, "No. I thought not. She's sitting with you because I didn't think
she'd enjoy spending the night with my friends. The only reason I'm not
with her is because I knew this would happen. Just because you're all so
fucking childish and petty that you can't stand me having any other
friends. I didn't want to start any fucking arguments tonight, I'm not the
one trying to upset anybody." Somehow, that all came out in one breath. I
had a habit of forgetting to breathe once I get going.

"Whoa. Calm down man," Gary said sounding almost scared. He was looking
directly into my eyes. I was returning his stare and I could see the fire
burning in my eyes reflected back at me. The way he backed down, he must
have seen it too.

"Sorry," I said curtly as I walked off. I checked back over my shoulder,
making sure Gary wasn't following me. I didn't expect him to, I don't think
he anticipated me being so confrontational. Gary was, however, standing
right where I left him still looking quite dumbfounded. I turned back and
continued on my way, smiling to myself.

Before too long Mr Morrison was joined by another teacher, Mr Dolan from
the Art department, and the music started to pick up a bit. The medley of
60s and 70s hits gave way to a more warmly accepted mix of chart and dance
hits. The new DJ seemed to capture the crowd's interest, I wasn't really
that bothered either way. I kinda liked the old music, probably because my
mum always played it at home.  Anyway, the dance floor soon started to fill
up; Fraser and Richard got up to dance.

"Do you think we should join them?" Derek asked.

"Mr Young, you're trying to seduce me. Aren't you?" I said raising one
eyebrow. He managed a weak laugh, I think my feeble attempt at humour was
lost on him.

"Come on then," he said leading the way out into the middle of the hall.

"Just a minute, I'm going to get Jenni," I replied, heading off towards
where she was waiting.

"OK, don't be long," Derek said as he walked off. What was it with this
guy, had he figured me out? Did he know what all these games and throw away
lines and little games were doing to me? If he was onto me then why didn't
he say something, could there really be any pleasure to be gained from
putting me through this hell? No, he's far too nice for that -it's just my
imagination going wild again.

I didn't want to think about it anymore, after all I'd all but given up
hope of anything ever happening between Derek and I. Concentrating on the
present once again I picked my way through the crowd to meet Jenni and lead
her off to dance. Gary and Steven looked less then pleased at my
arrival. Assuming that Gary had brought Steven up to speed on our earlier
encounter this was understandable. I didn't hang around and risk further
confrontation, I simply took Jenni's hand and dragged her away with me.

I fought through the swarming masses of bodies, striving to rejoin my
friends. Jenni and I were buffeted around and collided with from all sides
but we made it through the crowd unscathed. Once reunited we began dancing
once more. I noticed Derek was moving closer to Denise. Denise was a short
blonde haired girl, quite attractive with huge breasts, who was in our
computing class and perhaps other classes of Derek's too. I remembered
Derek babbling about her, I think it was her anyway, on and off for the
past few weeks. I could see what drew him to her, her assets were unusually
prominent for a girl her age.

The next song that came on was The Pretenders' "I'll Stand by You", it's a
really slow, mushy ballad. I stepped in closer to Jenni and held her
tightly against me, wrapping my arms round her. I could feel her reaching
round and clasping her hands on my waist as we started to sway gently with
the music. As we slowly turned I could see that Derek had taken a similar
hold on Denise. I winked conspiratorially at him, but deep down it was
cutting me up to see him with a girl. I'd always known he was straight, but
I'd never seen it demonstrated so blatantly in front of me and it hurt. A
single tear formed in my eye. It grew slowly and hung there for what seemed
like an eternity before gravity took control, sending it on it's winding,
undulating path down my face before splashing onto Jenni's shoulder.

She pulled back slightly as she felt the single droplet of my sorrow strike
her bare flesh. She looked deep into my eyes knowingly. Her gaze conveyed a
feeling of true sorrow and deep sympathy. That was it, the tears began to
flow freely down my youthful face. I sobbed gently into her shoulder, to
which she now held me tight once more.

"This song always gets to me," I breathed softly in her ear. She squeezed
me tighter, as if rewarding my vain attempt at putting a brave face on.

It's a really deep and moving song and would have been perfect for the last
dance but as the last chorus of,

          "Won't let nobody hurt you,

          "I'll stand by you,

          "And on and on,

          "Baby on into your darkest hour I'll never desert you,

          "I'll stand by you,"

faded away it was quickly replaced by another up-beat chart tune. Jenni
slowly released her grip on me and led me, by the hand, from the dance
floor. We sat for some time. Jenni's arm around me gently stroking my
shoulder, speaking comfortingly in my ear. We drew some funny looks from
the other kids but I didn't care. I was sitting with the most beautiful
girl in my world and she was giving me everything I needed right there. A
few songs passed before Derek returned to shake up my life once more.

"Hey Pedro, I didn't see you leave," his tone changed as he sat down and
saw my bloodshot eyes and tear stained face close up, "What's wrong man?
Are you Ok?"

"Yeah," I sniffed, "I'll be fine."

"Sorry mate. I didn't notice you were gone or I'd have been straight over,"
he continued. That'd be right, I though, he was far too busy making out
with his new conquest.

"Really. It's sound. I'll talk to you about it later," I lied, "enjoy
yourself tonight." Our little talk was interrupted by the DJ's voice
booming out over the music.

"Ok folks, I hope you've all enjoyed yourselves tonight but even good
things have to come to and end. The next song after this one is going to be
the last." As he finished speaking the unique sound of another sixties tune
began to ring out from the speakers.

"Oh my god, he is not playing this," I said wiping my eyes.

"What's up, what is it?" Derek asked as we began to walk back onto the
dance floor.

"It's the Chiffons. One fine Day. Heard of them? No, didn't think so," I
said sarcastically. Actually I quite like the song but its message
reflected what I was feeling a little too much. I started dancing with
Jenni again, trying to cheer up. She smiled at me and I began to melt. Her
smile was so warm and loving, I didn't deserve her. As I cheered up I
couldn't help singing along, "One fine day, we'll meet once more, and then
you'll want the love you, threw away before. One fine day you're gonna want
me for your girl."

It's funny how a song can mirror what you're feeling so closely. Either
that or we only really listen to the words when they sound like they're
relating to us. Whichever was true the Chiffons had captured my situation
almost perfectly. The song came to and end too soon and the last dance
began. I listened carefully, hoping that things would take a twist and my
dream would come true. I listened closely for those famous first notes. But
it wasn't to be. Bryan Adams' "(Everything I do) I do it for you" was the
best we were going to get tonight. I was disappointed but I didn't let it
show. I moved in to hold Jenni again and waltzed the song away with her.

The song ended and the lights came back on. The air was filled with groans
and cries of more but their objections were in vain. The DJ spoke out over
the noise asking us all together our things and form an orderly queue to
collect our coats. Derek stopped me before I reached the door.

"Pedro, give me your ticket and I'll wait for your coat," he said.

"Thanks mate, but it's Ok," I protested.

"No, I insist," he said grinning, "anyway I think you two need time to
talk. Wait for me at the main entrance." He wasn't going to let me win so I
surrendered my ticket and left, hand in hand with Jenni. Upon arrival I
slouched against the gatepost and waited for Derek to appear. Jenni moved
in to stand in front of me, between my legs.  She placed her hands of my
face, lifting it to make eye contact.

"Are you sure this Party's a good idea?" She asked, her voice filled with
concern. I thought for a moment before replying.

"Yes, I'll be fine. Besides I think I could use a drink," I said
thoughtfully.

"A drink? You're only fifteen Pete. I can see this becoming a problem." I
smiled and half-laughed at that.

"Almost fifteen. Don't worry. When I start drinking alone, then I'll have a
problem.  Oh and Jenni..."

"Yes?"

"Thanks."

"Thanks?" She said, looking a little perplexed.

"Yeah, Thanks," I raised my hand to her face. "Thanks for being there for
me tonight, you held me together. I don't know what sort of scene I'd have
made if you weren't," I said gently stroking her cheek.

We stood there, just looking at each other, sharing a moment, until Derek
arrived.  Then we waited some more. Eventually, the entire clique and their
partners and friends were assembled and we began the trek to Derek's abode.

Twenty minutes later we were all inside, crammed into Derek's modest
flat. Most people found somewhere to sit in the living room, although, as
is customary at Parties, the kitchen got its fair share of occupants. The
party was in starting to get going: the stereo was booming and the drink
flowed freely around. Before long the atmosphere was positively jumping as
everyone entered the party mood. An hour or more must have passed before
anyone was drunk enough to try to dance in the crowded living room. I was
about a third of the way through my Glen Moranangie by this point, but I
wasn't that far-gone. I remained comfortably placed on the three-seat sofa
with Jenni by my side. Fraser sat on my other side with his girlfriend,
Angela, squeezed in beside him. A half-empty bottle of Buckfast (tonic
wine) sat upright in his lap. I spent most of the night chatting away to
Jenni and Fraser, and to Richard and Scott who were squatting on the floor
in front of us. Derek, who was sitting in an armchair adjacent to my couch,
was pre-occupied by Denise and didn't really enter into the
merriment. Denise seemed to be providing all the entertainment he needed.

I couldn't help notice that I was receiving some pretty full on eye contact
from Emma (the girl from my registration class). Either she'd had a little
too much to drink, or my efforts to look good tonight weren't going
unnoticed. Well, whatever was going on I didn't feel comfortable so I left
for the kitchen, mumbling about needing some water.  Topper was in the
kitchen, along with a few other guys I half knew. They were having an
almost incoherent conversation, they way you do when you're drinking.  Not
phased by this and needing a break, I joined in their prattling.

Almost as soon as I'd left, Emma left her seat and moved to fill my
position, beside Jenni. Jenni had probably noticed Emma's behaviour so she
had a fair idea why she'd arrived beside her.

"What's up?" Jenni asked casually.

"Oh, not much," Emma said failing to sound off-hand. She hesitated before
continuing, "I didn't know you and Petros were going out, he never said
anything."  Jenni thought hard before deciding what approach to take.

"No, we're not. We're just really old friends, that's why he asked me with
him tonight," Jenni said, trying not to put me in a difficult position but
finding it hard to lie.

"Oh, good. I mean, that's cool," Emma's face lit up as she spoke.

"Yeah, he's single - but I don't think he's available really."

"What do you mean?" Emma said, her face showing her disappointment.

"I'm not sure if I should say much. I think he's got his eye on someone,
though I don't know who. He's been quite secretive lately," the lies now
flowed freely from Jenni.  Before the conversation could go much further,
Richard interrupted and began speaking to Emma.

I remained in the kitchen, talking at great length about nothing in
particular. I must have been there for quite some time, possibly an hour,
before I felt guilty about deserting Jenni. On returning to the living room
I found my position occupied, but Emma readily departed to take up a
position on the floor between Richard and Scott.  My seat now vacant, I
resumed my position beside my girlfriend for the night. A cursory glance in
Derek's direction revealed that his two-litre bottle of cheap, strong
cider's contents had been vanquished. By the time I finished my whiskey it
was about two thirty in the morning. The numbers began to thin out, slowly
at first with one or two people calling for Taxis. At around three am a
mass exodus, including Jenni, occurred. I was feeling pretty smashed by
this point, so I paid another trip to the bathroom leaving Derek, Denise,
Fraser, Angela and Richard in the living room.

I stood over the toilet, relieving my swollen bladder, whilst checking
myself out in the mirror which hung about it. Apart from slightly redder
cheeks I was still looking as good as I did when I left the house. I
noticed that the music had stopped, or at least been turned down so I
couldn't hear it from here. I finished off and left the bathroom.

I emerged into the hallway just in time to see Derek and Denise
disappearing into Derek's bedroom. I slumped sideways against the
doorframe. I felt crushed. There was something missing, I felt empty
inside. A part of me had vanished right there and then. I felt
sick. Sickened by my loss, I rushed back into the bathroom and collapsed in
front of the toilet and began to vomit fiercely. A few minutes later the
sickness subsided.

I left the bathroom, and the flat. I began to walk down the steps to the
ground floor below but stopped. I didn't have the motivation to go
anywhere, or do anything. I just sank to the ground and sat on the cold
stone steps. The anguish of my loss began to overwhelm me. I'd always known
this would happen, but I wasn't prepared for it. I started to sob, gently
at first, then more violently until I was crying uncontrollably.

I must have sat there for ten minutes before I heard the flat door open and
then close again. I didn't look round to see who was coming out. I was
surprised when I saw Denise rush past me down the stairs. I was confused
when I heard her sniffing. No, more than sniffing - crying.

Suddenly my self-pity was lost as a sense of fear, and concern for my
friend took control of me. I picked myself up and stumbled back up the
stairs into the flat.  Luckily the door had not closed fully, so I was able
to let myself back in. I rushed to Derek's room and slowly opened the door
and peered round it before entering.

Derek was lying stretched out on his bed, facing away from me. I could hear
him crying. I slowly sat down on the bed beside him, and placed my hand on
his shoulder.

"Derek, what's wrong? What happened?" I asked softy, in the most comforting
tone a drunk can produce. He continued sobbing for a minute or more before
replying.

"It's... It's me. We... Me and Denise were going to... You know, well... We
were going to sleep together, but I couldn't. I tried but I just couldn't."

"Hey man, don't worry about it. You've had a ton to drink, you can expect
that sort of thing. She'll understand. You'll both be fine again by
tomorrow."

"No. It's not that," he stopped for a moment choosing his words, "I
couldn't. I wasn't turned on. She didn't turn me on."

"No mate, it's just the alcohol. It does that to you, Mr Gordon told us in
science," I tried to comfort him.

"I doubt it," he said.

"Why?" I asked, quite puzzled by his behaviour. He must be really bad. He
rolled over onto his back and looked up at me.

"Look," he commanded. I was startled to see that he'd opened the fly on his
jeans and had pulled his shorts down.

There, right before me was at least six inches, possibly seven, of rock
hard cock pointing straight up. My eyes almost popped out of my head. I
lifted my jaw up from where it was resting on his bed before I started to
speak. Derek however interrupted me.

"See, you turned me on," he said almost triumphantly now that he'd proved
his point.

"Whoa man, you're steaming. I don't turn you on," I said in disbelief.

"But you do. You always have, I love you," he said softly.

"Oh Derek. I wish you meant that, but it's the drink talking. You'll have
forgotten all about this by the morning."

"What do you mean you wish I meant that?" he asked.

"Nothing. Well, I suppose you're drunk so you won't remember. What the
fuck...  Derek I'm in love with you. Have been since I first met you almost
three years ago," at that he sat bolt upright, "now go to sleep, you'll
forget all about this by morning," I continued.

"I doubt it! That cider..."

"Yeah?" I said, quite intrigued by the direction his drunken rambling had
now taken.

"Lemonade. I filled an old bottle with lemonade earlier. I was just acting
drunk in case this all went wrong. I needed back up, so I could blame it on
the drink if you didn't feel the same. I was convinced you weren't
interested, but I had to try." As he finished he leapt across the bed and
hugged me tightly. I pushed him away and pulled his mouth open to smell his
breath; not a trace of cider.

"So, you really love me?" I asked, still in a state of shock.

"Yes!"

"Well, umm, will you go out with me?" I asked, following the 'straight'
protocol.

"Yes!" he exclaimed before moving in to kiss me. His soft lips felt
electric as they touched mine. He kissed gently at first. He held me there,
with our mouths closed for a few moments before I felt his lips part
slightly allowing his tongue to push it's way gently into my mouth.

It was amazing. I'll never forget that first, powerful kiss. We sat for
what seemed like hours, our lips locked together, our tongues gently
caressing one another. We were in heaven.

After an eternity we broke the kiss. I opened my eyes, unable to believe
what was happening. He sat there, inches away staring lovingly into my
eyes.

I wanted him so badly, I'd lusted after him for so long and now he was
mine. I could have him, and hold him. We undressed each other slowly,
taking in the spectacle of each other's naked bodies. The sights weren't
new but the experience was.

We climbed into bed together, holding each other. His skin felt so right
against mine.  My whole body was tingling. I felt complete. He drew me in
close to him and kissed me again. I was so glad he wasn't drunk.

I was though, and before long sleep crept up on me and washed over my body
as I lay in my lover's arms.


To be continued?

------------------------------------------------------------------------

That's the end of Chapter 7. Hope you all enjoyed it...

This seems like quite a good place to leave the story. I'm not sure if I'll
continue it, please, please let me know if you want me to. If there's still
interest then this will mark the end of Part 1 and the rest of the story
shall be told, otherwise this is the final chapter.

Thanks for reading. Please share your thoughts and feelings with me.

Email me at mailto:younglove@petros-world.co.uk
Or look up my website http://www.petros-world.co.uk/ for more contact
information.