Date: Mon, 23 Sep 2002 23:53:17 -0700
From: Joshua B Weston <writemeastory@juno.com>
Subject: Learning Curve (Learning Curve Chapter 1)

Howdy All, my name is Blake. Nice to see all of you again, and anyone who I
don't know, nice to meet you. First let me get the standard out of the
way. Don't know Nsync. I don't know if any of them are gay (But I do
suspect one of them. ;) ) So please don't sue me. If you do, you'll learn I
am a poor college student with like no money except what I mooch from my
parents. Moving along.

I do need feedback. I require it actually. It's my Crack. I need it to
live. Please mail to me. Pretty please with JC on top? (MMMM... JC
Sunday. I want some.) If I never receive any mail, I'll think you all hate
me and cry. So send. This story is pretty old, so deal. It's based about
way back when, you'll see. Go read it, why are you even still reading this?
Go. Now. Read. Bellow. Not here. GO!

Oh yeah, if you're not 18 (21 in some places) Go away. If you don't like
gay relationships or people, you're nuts. We're so nice.


Learning Curve
Chapter 1:


~Seeing the road, and walking it, are two different things.~

	San Jose California alone is not very well known. What is well
known is The Silicon Valley. It just so happens that San Jose is in the
heart of that valley. This area, like all other areas in the US, is being
hit hard by the recession that was starting with the declaration of war on
Terrorism. Most forms of business are being hit by this recession,
resulting in layoffs, corporate bankruptcy, and families becoming homeless.

	All walks of life are being affected at the people level. This can
be seen very well by Jacob Alexander. He sees the children whose parents
are loosing money. He sees children whose father, or mother, uncles, aunts,
grandparents are being laid off. The fact that another teacher has a
student who just became homeless doesn't ease the worry that he feels for
his own students.

	When he got to school he set about his usual routine. He went to
his classroom, set the chalk board up with the morning lessons, put the
warm-up sheets on the desks, and straightened the room. This was no
different a morning than usual. He left the room, crossed the library since
his room was in the main building and it was set up so the library was in
the center and all classrooms in the main building were connected to it,
and headed for the teachers lounge for a cup of what they call coffee
there.

	"Hey! Jacob!" Elizabeth Crenshaw, the school librarian. "What's
up?"

	"Nothing. How `bout you Liz?" He throws on his most charming smile,
but when you're 25 and have great looks every smile is charming.

	"Nothing much. Principal is breathing down my neck again. She
doesn't like the way I have the sections arranged. But she doesn't remember
that it's my realm, and I know what I'm doing." Liz pulls her hair out of
her face, letting her brown puppy dog eye's show.

	"Give and take, Liz. Give and take. Carol has been at this for a
long time, you need to be a little more understanding. Now, we still on for
the horror movie tonight? And did you get your whiney little wanna be
protector to agree to go?" Jacob grabbed a mug and the coffee and proceeded
to spill coffee all over the counter. "Damn it!"

	"No, he said he refuses to go to any movie where the main
characters are slaughtered by people who have already been slaughtered."
She hands him some paper towels. "He says that it is `an overly redundant
plot, and should not be in modern cinema. Plus it's scary.'" Both begin
laughing.

	"Ok, we'll meet at Mongo's at 6:00 for dinner, and then head out."
He grabs his coffee and heads out the door. "And tell your Boy-toy that the
fairy will protect you."

	"K, but I'm not going to tell him exactly what you said."

	"Oh come on. It'll be funny." He begins to pout.

	"No, I don't want to lie. Everyone knows you're a queen." She says
as she shuts the door and holds it closed so that he can't retaliate.

	Liz is only a year older then Jacob, and was hired at the same
time. They became great friends quickly, which is strange since Jacob has
next to no friends. He's sort of a loner, while Liz is a very rambunctious
person with friends everywhere. She and he are best friends, and she even
jokes that if he were straight they'd make a great couple.

	He got to his room 20 minutes before the beginning of school, and
unlocked the door so that early arrivers wouldn't have to wait in the
cold. He went to his desk, logged on the net, and opened his e-mail account
to check his inbox.

	It wasn't long until he was no longer alone. Students slowly began
to file in, packing into groups to chat and play games. He looked over the
crowd of young faces and smiled, knowing that this is where he
belonged. Working with children. He always knew he wanted to teach; it got
him laughed at in school. He also always found it ironic that he was
leaving school to go right back to classes every day for the rest of his
life.

	He sent out a few e-mails just as the bell rang. He closed down the
internet explorer and started class.


	Smooth sailing for class up to just before lunch recess. Jacob was
at his desk, allowing the kids some free time to play... until he over
heard something really not right.

	"Shut up Queer." And that came from the sweet innocent mouth of a 7
year old.

	"DAVID GRISSOM!" this was not a usual thing in Jacobs Classroom. He
only yelled at his students once before, and that was because they had
decided to bring about a recreation of the LA riots in his room. "You will
come with me to the principal's office right now!" The room became
completely silent as Davy just looked at his teacher in shock. But Jacob
looked at him in un-wavering anger.

	He walked to the edge of his room where it met in a small opening
with the library and motioned Liz over. "I have to take Davy to see the
principal; would you please watch my room until Lunch? Shelly is the lunch
line monitor for the week, she'll lead everyone there."

	"Sure. Are you ok?" She leaned in close so the students wouldn't
hear. "You seem really pissed. What did he do?"

	He leaned in to her ear. "He just called another student queer."

	"Uh oh, that's commandment number one in this room. No slurs or
words of hate." That is very true. On his list of rules, number one is
specifically that. Jacob doesn't tolerate that. He led Davy to the
principal and waited to talk to her.

	The principal took Davy into her office, and Jacob went back to his
room. The class having been released to lunch already was not there. He sat
behind his desk, lost in memories. A tear began to fall down his face as he
relived his school years.



	"Damn it JC, you need to TELL THEM!" With that last outburst, Josh
pulled the phone about a foot from his ear and flinched. He looked to the
passenger seated across the isle from him on the plane, and smirked before
setting his computer in the empty seat next to him and putting up the tray.

	"Justin, last time I checked it was my decision, and I'm just not
ready. Are you ok with that or not?" he whispered sternly. Then thought to
himself, `can one whisper sternly?'

	"Yes Joshua," `Uh oh, he pulled out the full first name. Lecture
time' Josh pulled on a smile as Justin took a deep breath from where he
was. "but we all love you. You're our brother. And as much as we're
concerned you can date sheep. We just want to know. Well, I
know... but... you know what I mean. The other guy's won't really
care. They love you, and when you finally tell them their most likely going
to be more hurt by the fact that you waited so long to tell them then
anything. They have a right to know as your friends, and your family."

	"Wow, I never considered them being hurt because I waited to tell
them. You're right." Josh took a deep breath. "I'll tell them the next time
we're all together." The fasten seatbelt sign lit up as the plane
approached the airport and final descent. "Justin, I have to go. I'll call
you tonight."

	"Ok, be good. Remember, do nothing I wouldn't." Justin waited for
the appropriate response.

	"But my momma raised me to be a good boy. Bye." Josh laughed into
the phone.

	"Bye." And they both hung up.

	Josh sat back in his seat, trying not to fall asleep. Coming from
London to San Jose California is a bit bad on the Jet Lag. After the plane
touched down he got off, collected his baggage, and headed for the
rent-a-car place.

	After debating weather or not to get the insurance, he opted to. I
mean, it's not like he can't afford the extra charge. He climbed in, and
headed towards downtown and the hotel. On his way, he noticed a Mongolian
Stir-Fri restaurant. He went to pull into its parking lot after this other
car, but was suddenly stopped when the other car stopped causing him to
rear-end it. He looked up and saw a kid ride away very quickly on his
bike. "This is soooo not happening." The other car continued to pull into
the parking lot and he followed. The other car stopped, and Jacob got out
and immediately walked to the rear end of his car to check for damage. Josh
pulled on a pair of sunglasses and a base ball cap, and got out to check
his rental. The other guy strode towards it, and Josh couldn't help but
take him in. A clingy black T-shirt to show off a very well defined
swimmers build. Short hair died blond with black roots. A light tan over
his arms. And the most piercing emerald green eye's, deeper then
lances. Josh had to force himself to look back to the cars.

	"Damn it!" Jacob said kicking his bumper.

	"I'm so so so sorry. I didn't have enough time to react to you
stopping." Josh became very nervous.

	"It's not that," Jacob began smiling. "It's just I wanted my car
that exact color and I had to be rear ended to get it on it." He said
motioning to the paint scrapes.

	"Ah, uh, ok." After that oh so witty remark, Josh decided it was
just about time to go find a hole to hide in for the rest of the decade. "I
was about to go try that place out, if you'd like to go in, have a drink,
and swap insurance info."

	"Yeah, I was actually on my way to meet a friend there" Jacob
reached into his car and grabbed his back pack, then locked it. He looked
up at Josh and extended his hand. "Jacob."

	Josh took it amazed at how soft it was. "Josh."

	"This is gonna sound weird, but have we met before? You seem
familiar." Jacob started for the restaurant entrance.

	"Doubt it." Josh wasn't sure if he wanted to tell this guy who he
was in the middle of public, not that a restaurant was gonna be that much
better.

	They walked in and Jacob started for the rear of the room, and
stopped to startle Liz. Josh looked on confused.

	"Hey hun. Sorry I'm late. This is Josh, we sorta ran into each
other in the parking lot." Liz kissed Jacob on the cheek, turned to look at
Josh and scanned his face for a second. Then it hit her who he was, she
fell in her seat, and he jaw fell open. "Are you ok? What's wrong?"

	"Oh my fucking god, you're JC Chasez." She said it so levelly it
was startling. Like she was saying, `By the way, the sky is blue.'

	Josh quickly sat down. "Listen, I'm trying to keep a low
profile. I'm only here for a few weeks to help with this scholarship, and
then I'm leaving. I don't really want an uproar."

	Jacob sat down. "No problem. Well, we should go pick out what we
want." They quickly got their food, drinks, and fell into light
conversation. Josh explained the scholarship he was working on and tried to
figure out if Jacob batted for his team. He didn't notice that he was
almost ignoring Liz, and he kept starring at Jacob when he wasn't
looking. Liz of course noticed.

	"So, you're both teachers?" Josh took a bite of noodle.

	"Actually, I'm the librarian." Liz offered up, sipping what she
thought was her regular coke, but getting Jacobs Diet. "Ugh. Gross."

	"Then don't drink it freak. I'm the teacher," Jacob said turning to
Josh, who had quickly averted his eyes to a piece of baby corn. "I always
wanted to teach. I got teased a lot when I was a kid because of it. I just
love kids. I almost had a problem at school when I started there, but they
said as long as I don't have a pride flag on my desk there's no problem."
Josh started choking, literally. "Are you ok?" His head shook no, his eye's
started watering, and his face turned red. "Shit, he's choking!"

	Jacob stood up, went around to Josh, pulled him up and gave him the
Heimlich. After a big piece of chicken flew to the floor, Josh started
breathing normal again, and sagged slightly in Jacobs arms. "Thanks."

	"No problem, I didn't realized I hadn't told you. I hope there's no
problem." Jacob sat down nervously.

	"God no! Are you kidding, I'm a pop star. I deal with stuff like
that on a daily basis." Josh chuckled a bit. "I just got caught off guard a
little." `That and I realized I had a chance. Damn food, damn poultry.' "I
hope this doesn't sound bad but I need to get going. I'm running on
European time. It's way passed my bed time. But I'd love to hang out some
time, here's my cell number. I had one set up with the local area code."
Josh handed him a card. "Call me."

	"Ok and I'll go ahead and call the rental car agency tomorrow."
Jacob stood and shook his hand.

	"It was nice to meet you Liz, hope to hear from you Jacob." Josh
started for the cashier stand.

	"Liz, did JC from `Nsync just ask me out?" Jacob sat and looked as
Josh paid for his dinner and unknown to them theirs.

	"Yup, you just landed in the ocean little gold fish." Liz watched
as Josh looked over at them, smiled, and walked out.

	Jacob looked at Liz, then the card Josh gave him, then Liz, then
the card, then set it down and ran for the bathroom to throw up. Liz just
laughed, and took another bite of her noodles.



	"Ring, ring, ring." Justin woke up, leaned over, and answered the
phone.

	"If someone's not in the morgue, there will be when I kill whoever
this is." Justin turned on the lamp on the nightstand and pulled the covers
up.

	"Justin, its Josh. I need to talk to someone." Justin sat up, and
leaned against the backrest on the bed.

	"Can't it wait? It's like..." Justin tried to focus on the clock,
failed, and made up a number. "15 O' clock or something. What do you want?"

	"I just asked a guy out." That woke Justin up.

	"WHAT! I thought that you never asked any guy's out." Justin got
out of bed, and made his way to the kitchenette in the apartment he was
being provided by their Label. He grabbed a bottle of water.

	"I haven't. I just... did. I really like him. He's a teacher. And
he's way hot. And I mean H O T T T!" Justin started laughing and took a
sip.

	"And this is a wake-Justin-up level event why?" Justin sat down at
the kitchen table.

	"Because I'm nervous and needed to talk to my best friend."

	Justin sighed. "It's going to be ok. Did he say yes?"

	"I gave him my number." Justin sighed again.

	"Then you have to wait. If he doesn't call by tomorrow night, he
most likely wont." He got up and headed back to the bedroom.

	"Ok, you sound tired. Can I call you in the morning?" Josh sounded
pouty.

	"Yes, and I want the full story then. You sound really tired, so
sleep." Justin climbed back in bed. "Say goodnight Justin."

	"Goodnight Justin." With that Justin hung up and went to
sleep. Josh paced for another twenty minutes, and then went to sleep.



	"Damn it Jacob William Alexander! Calm down, go to bed. You already
have me staying over, let me sleep!" Liz threw her pillow at him, and
growled. Liz minus sleep, not good.

	"Fine. Excuse me for being nervous when a gorgeous gorgeous, really
hot guy asks me to call him." He walked over to her with the pillow.

	"Its 3 AM get some sleep and call him in the morning. He obviously
likes you, so get over it. You're a great guy; if you were straight I'd
dump Ben for you in a second." She smirked at him.

	"Yeah, well, who wouldn't?" Jacob smiled and walked to his room,
and fell asleep faster then he expected.



	"Ring, ring, ring." Justin groaned.

	"DAMN IT JOSH! He's gonna want to go out with you, now go to sleep
and call me in the morning." Justin covered his eyes and was pissed until
he heard a sob and sniffle.

	"Justin..."

	"Lance, what's wrong?!?!" Justin sprang up-right in bed.

	"I think I'm gay. Wait... did you say Josh HE'S gonna want to go
out with you?" Justin froze.

	"Oh fuck!" and with that, Justin fell back into a lying position
with his hand over his eyes.


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