Date: Wed, 11 Feb 2004 19:47:35 -0600
From: GhostWriter@si.rr.com
Subject: All American Chapters 7 8 and 9

This story contains homosexual themes.  If you are offended by such topics
or you are not of legal age to read such stories, please read no further.
All the characters in the story are fictitious, any resemblance to actual
individuals are purely coincidental.  Comments are welcome at
ghostwriter@si.rr.com

Thanks SO MUCH for all the emails....talk about inspiration!



The All American


Chapter 7

"We did it Hunter. We actually did it. This report is done a day before it's
due and its really good."

Hunter could not help but smile at Jerric's enthusiasm. "It's very good,
but you did all the work. Your research was really in depth. I just helped
you organize your notes."

"Thanks Hunter. I really appreciate it, and with your help I might actually
pass some classes this semester."

Hunter knew all too well that his staying at Duke was a long shot. "Jerric,
there is no guarantee I'm gonna be here after try-outs. If I don't make the
team, I can't stay. There is no way I can afford the tuition."

"Then I guess we have to make sure you make the team. I don't want you to
leave. I need you.

"Jerric, I'm not that good of a tutor. I'm sure the Student Counseling
Center has a list of plenty of people on campus that are more experienced
than I am. It's just a matter of finding someone that's willing to work
around your schedule."

"I'm not talking about needing a tutor. I'm talking about needing you.

Hunter found himself having a hard time breathing. He could feel each beat
of his heart as though it were trying to escape his chest.

"Jerric, what are you saying?"

"I'm saying I'd like you to go out with me. I haven't been able to take my
mind off of you since the other night. I want you to be more than just a
friend."

Hunter buried his face in his hands totally taken aback by Jerric's
revelation.

"I wasn't expecting this" Hunter finally confessed.

"Neither was I, but it happened."

"Look Jerric, I'm very flattered. The kiss the other night was fantastic,
but I just don't see it working out. We're totally different."

"In what way?"

"I've been here a week now Jerric. I've heard all the talk. I know you're a
player, and that's fine if that's what you're into, but it's not me. I'm 18
years old and have never been on a date in my life. When I finally do go
out, I need to be with someone that's as serious about the relationship as
I am. I'm not ready for a one night stand and I doubt I ever will be."

"That's not fair!" Jerric yelled.  "You haven't even given me a chance.
You can't tell me you didn't feel anything when we kissed the other night."

"No I can't" Hunter admitted.

"Then why?" Jerric pleaded.

It took all of Hunter's strength to fight his true feelings.  At this
moment he wanted nothing more that for Jerric to take him in his arms and
feel what he has so thoroughly enjoyed the other night. "Because I can't
give you what they can."

"I don't want that from you Hunter, I swear."

"You're lying Jerric, if not to me, then to yourself."

"No Hunter, you're the liar!  You can't even admit that there is something
between us. You think I don't see the way you look at me?  You're just
scared.  You're so afraid of getting hurt that you aren't even willing to
try."

"You're wrong Jerric, I am willing to try, but I'm not gonna try with
someone whose values are totally different than mine.  I'm not gonna set
myself up to get hurt."

Tears were now flowing from Jerric's eyes.

"Fuck you, Hunter.  You think you're the only one who's risking something
here.  You think it's easy for me?  I've never had anyone give a shit about
me.  That's all I've ever wanted, but all I get are people that want a
piece of Jerric Donovan, either on the court or in bed.  I'm some fucking
prize that they can brag about.  You think I like who I am?  I don't, but
its all I have and evidently, that's not gonna change."

He stormed out of their room, leaving Hunter alone and confused.


Chapter 8

Hunter struggled to wake as his alarm sounded loudly.  He not slept well.
He wanted to talk to Jerric after he had cooled off, but when he hadn't
returned to the room by 2:00 am, Hunter did his best to get some sleep.  It
was futile, and now at 6:00 am he was dreading the day.  He was exhausted
and knew that the 6 hours of practice and weight training were going to be
close to impossible.

He looked over to Jerric's empty bed.  A bed that had obviously had not
been slept in and the realization caused his empty stomach to churn
violently.

He showered quickly, grabbed a Power Bar from the nightstand and headed to
practice.

"Hunter I've seen more energy out of my grandmother" Coach Jackson yelled.
"You either put some effort into this practice or get the hell off the
court!"

Hunter could only nod. The Power Bar that he had gulped down for breakfast
provided little nourishment considering the workout he'd had in the past
three hours.  That, combined with his lack of sleep the night before had
left Hunter drained.  His legs felt as though there were weights strapped
to them and he knew getting through the next half-hour of practice before
their break was going to be close to impossible.

The coach's loud voice echoed through the arena.  "Okay gentlemen, since
some of you evidently aren't in the mood for practice, I'm gonna cut it
short.  As soon as you are done doing the stairs of this arena, you're free
to go.  Those of you who don't finish can pack your bags."

Jerric was furious.  "Are you nuts? Do you know how many fucking stairs
there are in this place?  We just finished practicing for three
hours. There is no way we have the energy left to do this."

"Then maybe you should be more careful about how you expend your energy
Jerric.  Now quit complaining and get started.  I'll see you guys back here
at two."

"Asshole!" Jerric remarked as he kicked over the stand holding the twenty
or so basketballs used for free-throw practice.

"I heard that Jerric, and we can discuss that in my office this evening.
How does 7:00 pm sound?"

Jerric hung his head, knowing that he had once again overstepped the
limits.  "Sound great coach" he said sarcastically.  "I can hardly wait."

Hunter was nearly half way around the arena.  He tried to focus on each
step knowing that if he looked at what was left of his task he would never
make it.

As he neared the top of the aisle the inevitable happened.  Shear willpower
had gotten him this far, but his body was no longer willing to cooperate.
He blinked his eyes hard trying to recover his vision, but the darkness was
not to be denied.  He remembered reaching for the railing, trying to stop
his fall, then everything went black.


Chapter 9

"Back up you guys!" Jerric yelled.  "Give him some air."

Hunter was cradled in his arms and Jerric could feel his own body shake.
He had seen guys pass out before, but never be out this long.

After what seemed like an eternity, the team trainer arrived.  "Okay
Jerric, lay him down and let me have a look at him.

"No!" Jerric said in an abrupt tone, never taking his eyes off of Hunter.
"He's fine where he is."

"Jerric, I don't need this shit right now.  He's better off lying on the
concrete.  Its cool and he's obviously overheated."

Reluctantly, Jerric laid Hunter on the floor of the arena gently placing
his head on his folded jersey.  The trainer took several ice-cold towels
and draped them over Hunter's body and within a few short seconds he was
beginning to regain consciousness.

His vision was far from clear, but he could make out Jerric's concerned
face staring at his.

"I'm sorry" Jerric mouthed.

Hunter managed a weak smile.

The trainer lifted Hunter's head so he could slowly sip some Gatoraid.
"What did you eat for breakfast, son?"

"Power Bar" Hunter replied weakly.

"No wonder you passed out.  I'd tried to tell you guys that you need to get
up a bit earlier and get yourself something decent for breakfast, or this
is gonna be an everyday occurrence."

"Sorry, I just got up later today than usual." Hunter tried to explain.  "I
didn't sleep real well last night."

"Well, you have the rest of the day to catch up.  No more practice for
you."

Hunter sat up fast, too fast and nearly passed out again.  "I have to go to
practice," he argued "the coach is gonna kill me if I'm not there.  He's
already pissed at me."

"I'll take care of Coach Jackson."  Then turning to Jerric, "How about you
get your roomie back to the dorm and see that he takes a cool shower and
gets something to eat."

Jerric nodded.  "Sure, no problem."

Jerric helped Hunter to the front door of the arena, then left him with the
trainer while he pulled the car to the curb.  Once back at the doom, he
helped Hunter out of his clothes and stayed in the bathroom while he was
showering in case the dizziness returned.

Still feeling a little shaky, Hunter laid down on his bed while trying to
finish up his third bottle of water.  Jerric sat down on the bed next to
him and gently pushed Hunter's still damp hair off of his forehead.

"I ordered Chinese.  They said it would be here in about half an hour.  Do
you want me to get you something out the machine to hold you over?"

"No thanks, I'm fine."  The conversation was strained and Hunter was
anxious to put it behind him.  "You know I waited for you to come back last
night.  I wanted to talk to you."

"I'm sorry." Jerric said hanging his head.  "I really didn't think there
was anything to discuss."

 "I'm guessing you stayed with Adam?" Hunter asked.

Jerric was faced with a gut-wrenching decision. Be honest and face Hunter's
reaction, or lie and take the safe route.  He could say he stayed with
Jeff.  Hunter would easily buy that story.

He took a deep breath.  "That's not where I wanted to be, but yeah, I was
with Adam."

"Where did you want to be?"

"I wanted to be with you.  Laying in bed, with you sleeping in my arms, but
I was foolish to think that was ever gonna happen."

Hunter sat up slowly.  "You weren't foolish; you were right.  I'm scared.

Jerric nodded.  "I know, and I wish I could promise you that everything
would be perfect, but I can't.  All I can do is tell you that I want to be
with you and that the Jerric you've heard about isn't the real me."

"What if I don't make the team?"

"Hunter, there are only 5 guys left.  You know Eric is as dumb as dirt.
Coach Jackson will never take him.  Mark won't qualify academically, and
Steven couldn't shoot an outside jumper to save his life.  That leaves you
and Greg.  The team needs a point guard.  Greg is 6'8".  A guy that big
isn't quick enough to be a point guard."

"So you really think I have a chance?"

"Yeah, I really do."  He paused and looked directly into Hunter's eyes,
"and I think we have a chance too.  I'll do everything I can to make it
work."

Hunter smiled.  "Then I think you better kiss me again."

Jerric leaned in slowly anticipating the touch of Hunter's soft lips on his
wanting to savor the moment.  He could feel the heat of Hunter's body, when
the ring of his cell phone interrupted them.

"Dammit!" Jerric cursed as he reached for the annoyance.

He looked at display and then quickly at his watch.

"Shit, I'm dead!"

Reluctantly he answered.  "Hello?"

"Jerric it's Coach Jackson. Practice started 15 minutes ago."

Jerric had been right.  Coach Jackson was furious.

"I don't know where the hell you are Jerric, but you've got about 2 minutes
to get your ass to practice.  And I hope you've allotted plenty of time for
our little chat tonight, because the list of things we need to discuss is
getting longer by the minute."

"I'm on my way Coach, and I have an explanation." Jerric said in his most
apologetic voice.

"I don't want any god damn excuses. I want your ass here at practice."

The phone went dead before Jerric could respond.

He kissed Hunter quickly on the forehead.  "We'll have to continue this
later, if I'm still alive.  Get some rest and I'll be back as soon as
practice is over."

As Jerric rushed out the door, Hunter laid back on his bed, drained not
only physically, but now emotionally as well.  What had he just gotten
himself into?  His heart told him this right, but his head argued loudly.
The only thing he knew for sure was that he was falling.....and falling
hard.


To be continued......