Date: Tue, 4 Mar 2008 23:54:45 -0800 (PST)
From: Jo Jo <crossingboi2004@yahoo.com>
Subject: The Living Years Chapter 19 "Wherever the Heart Lies"

Disclaimer: The following story contains activity that would be
considered of homosexual nature between consenting college students.
While none of it crosses into a gratuitous nature, if such material is
offensive to you or you are not of the legal age to read such material in
your area, please do not. Other than that, please enjoy the story!



The Living Years


Chapter19 "Wherever the Heart Lies"



"Howbad?" Shawn asked nervously as Trey entered their dorm room looking
utterlydefeated.

Treyrested his back against the door and let out a long sigh before
starting togive Shawn the news.

"Well,thanks to Nick and Jesse, no one's pressing any charges and I'm not
expelled,"he started.

"That'sgood. That is good right?"

"Ofcourse it's good," Trey continued, stalling his next statement as he
pushed offof the door and walked over to his bed, peeling off his coat.

"Wellthen...what's wrong?"

Treyfinished taking off his coat and sat down. He couldn't bring himself to
look atShawn. He was too embarrassed with himself. He was supposed to be
the model ofperfection in Shawn's eyes. The clean roommate. The smart
roommate. The perfectguy. And he'd gotten arrested. It was probably the
worst thing he could havedone for himself in the eyes of Shawn and there
was no way he could undo it.

"Trey...what'swrong?"

"I'msuspended," Trey replied. "I can stay here at the school but I can't go
toclass the next two weeks. I can't take my finals until winter break."

"Don't we all have to leave the campus during winter break?" Shawn
asked,feeling slightly confused.

"Theresidence halls are closed and so are most of the classes but they
still havethat short winter semester. I'll have to attend remedial classes
every dayduring the break before I can take my finals before the Spring
semesterstarts."

Shawnfelt for Trey. The winter term classes only lasted three weeks but
that wasbecause they were to be attended daily, including Saturdays, and
for four hourseach day. Per class. Which meant that Trey would have to stay
somewhere nearbythe campus to go to the classes and would miss out on
nearly his entire winterbreak taking classes he didn't need just to take
his finals.

"Well,it's bad, but you're lucky that's all they're doing. If Nick hadn't
told themyou weren't playing lookout and if Jesse hadn't paid your bail..."

"I know," Trey replied. "I know all that and it still sucks. I have all
A's. Iknow I do. If I don't take those finals, my entire semester-"

"But you are taking finals remember? Just not with the rest of us."

"Yeah but those make up exams are always harder than the originals because
theprofessors have to make a whole separate exam just for those few extra
people."

Treyknew he didn't really have a right to complain. Even with the story
that Nickhad managed to convincingly tell the Dean and the authorities,
things stillcould have turned out much worse for him had they not believed
him.

"Sowhat are you gonna do the next two weeks then?" Shawn asked.

Treylet out a sigh as he shrugged.

"Idon't know, study, I guess?" he said, not sounding like he had the first
clueabout what he was going to do.

"Well,I'm just glad that's pretty much done," Shawn said. "I mean, I don't
know whatI would've done if you had to stay in jail..."

Thatwas when things got silent between them. They both knew why and were
bothwondering whether or not the other was going to acknowledge the reason
why.Trey didn't want anymore drama in his life. He knew that if he was
going to tryto start any of that up again that he'd have to be sure of who
he wanted first.The last thing he wanted was for both Shawn and Noah to
accuse him of stringingthem along again.

"WellI guess this means I need to get your gift early then," Shawn decided
to start.

Treylooked over at him with a smile.

"You'regetting me a gift?"

"Yeah,for Christmas. I was gonna send it to you over break but since you're
stayinghere now, I have to get creative and pick something early."

Treywasn't really sure what to say. He'd never gotten a Christmas gift from
someonebefore that wasn't directly related to him. He had no idea that
Shawn was eventhe gift giving type.

"Idon't even know all the things you like," Shawn said, sounding more like
he wasthinking about the words as he said them. "I guess I need to start
studying youtoo."


"Ido that enough for myself," Trey joked. "But if you really can't think
ofanything just don't get me something. I won't be mad."

"Trey,I can't not get you a gift. You're my roommate and my friend. What
about thatChristmas giving spirit?"

"Iwish someone would give some giving spirit to the Dean." Trey mumbled.

"Yeah,that'd probably be nice too."

Treywasn't sure how Shawn had done it but he'd single-handedly managed to
make himfeel a whole lot better about his grim situation.

*******************************************************************************

Jessesat at the mini bar he'd had installed in his apartment not really
doinganything in particular. There was a magazine with him in it in front
of him andthe television was on BBC discussing his father's publishing
company reachingan earnings total finally amassing a billion dollars US but
he wasn't payingattention to either thing.

Hewas however thinking about his father in general.


He'dbeen at the university for nearly an entire semester and yet his father
hadn'tonce called him, not even to check in to see if he'd made it to
America safely.Granted, he knew his father was an extremely busy person and
that he wasn'treally one to ever pay much attention to his children but
part of him wished hewas a bit more concerned with his life. The only
reason he'd even come to theuniversity in the first place was to get his
attention, and after nearly fivemonths, that hadn't even worked.

Heoriginally felt like Americawould never be home to him. There were too
many backwards customs and backwardspeople for him to have to deal with on
a constant basis. But he'd started tosettle in and he'd at least tolerated
his surroundings. He'd sat up the nightbefore thinking about how
comfortable he was starting to feel in America andabout how he wanted to
know where his father stood before he allowed himself toeven think about
staying permanently.

After all, he wasn't one to just give into someone when he was trying to
make apoint, even if the person he was trying to make a point to was half
responsiblefor bringing him into the world.

"Oh,I'm sorry senor Yorkshire. I had no idea youwould be home," Jesse
startled back to reality as he heard his house keeper sayas she entered his
apartment.

"Yes,I've been doing a bit of reflective thinking Elsa," Jesse replied.

"Wouldyou like me to come back later?"

"No...you'refine," Jesse replied.

Hewatched while thinking as Elsa nodded and took off her jacket. She'd
brought afew cleaning supplies and had a bag of what he presumed were
groceries. Hewasn't really sure what he was thinking as he watched her
quietly get to workin the kitchen.

Healso wasn't really sure what has prompted him to start speaking to her
abouthis problems.

"Elsa," he started.

"Yessenor Yorkshire?"

"Haveyou ever had a problem with someone you just had to have fixed your
way?" Jesseasked, not really sure where he was going.

Elsaturned around to face Jesse as she started taking the groceries out of
the bag.

"Whatdo you mean?"

"I'mhaving a bit of a long term row with my father. He doesn't notice me
and Ithink for the first time in my life, that's a problem for me."

"Yourfather shows no emotion for you?"

"Morelike he shows no signs of believing he even has children. I come all
the way toanother country to a school he'd never want me to go to just to
tarnish hisgood name, he wants me to take over the company soon you know?
But that'sbeside the point. The point is, I'm here, he's there and he still
doesn't seemto care."

Elsatook a bag of tomatoes from out of the bag and put them in the
refrigeratorbefore stopping what she was doing to walk around from the
kitchen over the barwhere Jesse was sitting, taking a seat next to him.

"What is it you want from your father?" she asked, sincerely.

Jesselooked down. That was the problem, he wasn't sure what he wanted
exactly. Hewanted to say attention but he felt it was deeper than that. His
father had lethim do whatever he wanted since he was born. He let him have
whatever hewanted. He got away with any and everything because he knew that
he could. Buthe still managed to stay out of jail and had gotten straight
A's in schoolevery year he'd been in school. He was smart and sensible and
knew that verywell about himself and yet his father didn't seem to care. It
made him wonderwhy'd he'd even decided to have children.

"Myparents are divorced. I guess I've been wondering lately if maybe my
fatherregrets his decision to have children with my mother. Like my brother
and I areconstant reminders of the mistakes he made in marrying her. She
did walk awaywith 150 million in the divorce settlement, you know?"

Elsaseemed to be processing the information as she thought about how to
respond toJesse.

"Youhave a lot of thoughts about your father's opinion of you but have you
actuallytalked to him about these thoughts?"

Jessesat up sharply.

"Myfather and I don't speak. That's his fault, not mine."

"Well,if you want him to talk with you how do expect him to want to if you
don't talkto him?"

"He's my father so he should be more on the money. I definitely shouldn't
haveto inform him of my feelings."

"Howwould he ever know about them?"


Jessewasn't liking how Elsa was trying to insinuate that his father's
treatment ofhim was somehow partially his fault. Jesse wasn't anyone's
father, he didn'thave anyone to take care of but himself and had never had
to either. And heknew that even with that he'd still be a better father
than his own.

"Wellthank you for this nothingness-filled chat Elsa, you've shown me all
you'regood for," Jesse replied, standing up. "I think I'll go for a
run. That shouldgive you enough time to fix a nice meal, yes?"

Elsasighed.

"Yes senor Yorkshire."

*******************************************************************************

"So,you know how to dance right?"

Thatwasn't exactly the first thing Noah wanted to hear from his roommate as
heprepared for another day of school that he was completely ready to end
for thesemester.

"What?" he asked, slightly annoyed as he struggled to wake himself
upcompletely.

"I'mnot exactly a dancin' fool you know but I'm willing to put on my
dancing shoesto go to this winter formal thing."

"Formal?"Noah asked, suddenly finding himself a little more awake.

"Yeah,it's this thing the Resident Halls are throwing. A formal in the Ark
Hallcafeteria since that place is the size of a small third world country."

"Whenis it?" Noah asked, standing up.

"I don't know, next week I guess," Jeremy replied. "Show me your moves. I
havea photographic memory. I'll store em for later use."

"Ornot," Noah replied, starting to put on some clean clothes from his
closet."Besides, did you even ask to go with someone yet?"

"Idon't wanna tip my hand too early. I need to scout em out first, figure
outwho'd be the better date."

"Andby the time you made up your mind, everyone would already have a
date. Is thathow things worked for you in high school Jeremy?"

Jeremyfrowned as he turned towards his computer.

"Pretty much, yeah."

Noahzipped up his jacket.

"Ithought that was a high school thing. I never heard of a college having
aformal."

"It'snot the college, it's the resident halls, there's a
difference. Studentsponsored. Besides, sororities and frats have em all the
time."

"Theydo?"

"I think they do, yeah," Jeremy replied. "And who cares, all I know is I
wantin."

"Didn'tyou tell me that game you play is gonna be down for a couple of days
next weekfor maintenance."

"Yeah?Why?"

"That explains it then," Noah chuckled as he grabbed his backpack.

He'dgone from having just woken up, late, to being wide awake and dressed,
teethnot brushed and hair not straightened, in less than five minutes.

Theidea of the formal excited him and worried him at the same time. All he
couldthink about when he heard about it was asking Trey to go with him and
finallygetting back to what they'd started. But another part of him didn't
want to gethurt again in the process. He wasn't even sure he was ready to
start anotherrelationship with Trey but the idea of a formal certainly
helped to make hisdecision a lot more complicated.

Hismind was almost completely elsewhere before he realized that Jeremy had
startedspeaking again.

"What?Noah asked, joining reality.

"Isaid are you gonna take Trey?" Jeremy asked. I mean, I know you guys like
brokeup and everything but it's definitely not cool to go stag to a
dance. I shouldknow."

Noahthought about it. He wanted to, he knew that much. But whether or not
he wasgoing to was another story.

"Idon't know," he replied.

Ofcourse just saying it was staring to convince him that he actually did
knowthat he wanted to go with Trey. He wanted it to happen the more he
thoughtabout it and the more he thought about it, the better his mood got.

"Idon't know," he repeated. "But I'll figure it out. It's not like this
kind ofthing happens all the time right?"

"Right,"Jeremy replied suspiciously, noting Noah's sudden great mood.

*******************************************************************************

"Everybody'sacting like a bunch of damn fools." Grace spoke, frowning as
yet another couplepassed by her as Trey walked her to class. "Why?"

"Idon't know but isn't the next holiday Christmas not Valentine's Day?"

Treyhad noticed the increase of couples around campus as much as Grace had
buthadn't really thought to think about it much. He had his own, bigger
problemsto worry about but now that it seemed to be full-blown in his face.

"Youknow, this is probably the longest I've gone without a man," Grace said
after afew moments of silence between them.

"Really?" Trey asked.

"Is it bad if none of em are memorable?"

"Probably.But at least you get to say you've had them."

"Youhad Noah...oh, sorry."

"No,it's okay. That was my fault, I fully admit to that. I just wish I
didn't feel soawkward about the whole thing."

"Yeah, if you didn't maybe we could find you another boyfriend."

"Oryou," Trey laughed, nudging Grace.

"Whosay's I'm looking?" Grace replied.

Thetwo of them continued walking at their slow pace before Grace suddenly
grabbedTrey's arm tightly, looking over at something to her right.

"Is that boy following us?" she asked, sounding a bit paranoid to Trey.

"What?"

Gracepointed over in the direction of a Hispanic guy walking alone and
didn't seemto be following anyone in Trey's opinion.

"Grace-"

"I coulda sworn I saw his ass getting on the elevator with us. And then in
thecafeteria near us at breakfast."

"Whywould you notice something like-"

"Youdon't get to call me crazy boy. I know what I'm saying."

"Andyou think that kid is following us?"

Treywas skeptical. The guy didn't look familiar at all to him, but then
again, hehad a lot on his mind and probably wouldn't have remembered seeing
his own momhad she served him breakfast in the cafeteria this morning.

"See,I can't take you nowhere-"

"Boy be quiet and put your arm around my waist," Grace said, semi panicked
asshe half glanced in the direction of her supposed stalker.

"What?"Trey asked, also feeling panicked all of a sudden.

"Don'tstart. You should be glad you get to even see a female since yo ass
didn't goto jail."

"Yeah, I keep trying not to think about that," Trey replied. "So thanks
forbringing it up."

Treysighed as Grace flashed him a look that sent chills up and down his
spinebefore doing as she so graciously had commanded of him.

"Nowact like you love me," she spoke, still sounding a bit panicked.

"Forcrying out loud! Grace!"

Treyfrowned, annoyed and confused when Grace started laughing loudly as if
someonehad just told her something funny.

"Grace-"

"Boy,you so crazy-"

"Okay, I'm going back to my room."

"Idone told you, yo ass is walking me to class. Stop messing around and
just gowith it."

Inthe four months that Trey had known Grace he'd never seen her behave as
hystericallyas he was seeing her act now. It actually was starting to worry
him a little.

"Ishe still following us?" Grace asked after a few moments of silence
betweenthem.

Treylooked over his shoulder.

"Isthere a random guy who just happens to be headed in the same direction
as us?Sure."

"Don'tplay with me. You know how I feel about that shit."

"Grace, you're being REALLY paranoid right now, it's creepy."

Treycontinued talking as Grace started up the stairs into the building of
herclass.

"Comewith me," she spoke.

"What?" Trey asked. "I can't. I'm suspended."

"Theydon't know that and probably wouldn't care if they did," Grace
replied.

Treywas tempted to give into his friend but knew her well enough by now to
knowthat he needed to stick to his guns when it came to her or she'd feel
justcomfortable enough to have him doing any and everything for her.

"SorryGrace, I can't," Trey replied, somewhat sadly as Grace frowned at him
and thenlooked past him.

"Therehe is," she spoke, as the guy she thought had been following her
entered thebuilding without giving her so much as a side glance.

"Didn't look like he was interested in you to me-"

"Didn'tyou say you were leaving?"

"Fine.Call me when you get done for today. We'll have lunch."

"Wehave lunch together every day, duh."

"Justgo inside girl," Trey laughed before placing his hands in his pockets
to shieldthem from the cold air as he turned around and started back
towards his dorm.

Hehad two weeks worth of free time and had no idea how to spend it. The
idea ofhaving two weeks of no class made him feel bored of the thought. He
likedhaving class because it worked into his well planned schedule that
seemed tokeep him busy everyday. He'd settled into a routine. So suddenly
having so muchfree time was a bit jarring for him.

He'dbarely made it halfway back to his room before he noticed a semi lonely
lookingJesse heading down a path that would eventually lead into the one he
waswalking down and decided to slow down in order to join him at his side.

Jessedidn't seem to notice this happen at first, however, as Trey had to
make hispresence known.

"Everythingalright Jesse?" Trey asked apprehensively, wondering whether or
not he'd regrethis decision to do so.

"Oh,made the transition from jailbird to freebird have we?" Jesse asked.

"Thanksto you," Trey replied, sincerely.

"Well,no thanks necessary. You did me a favor in finally getting rid of my
irksomeolder brother. You've left me with plenty of time to focus on the
more importantmatters at hand."

"Which are?" Trey asked.

Jessewas about to respond without even thinking before he realized that
he'd longsince come to the conclusion that having friends only ended up
being moreproblematic than they were worth. The last thing he wanted to do
was involvehimself in any more drama.

"Let'snot do this thing where we pretend we're fond of each other," Jesse
repliedflatly. "I'd rather not indulge myself in wishes on a whim."


Treywasn't even going to pretend that he knew what Jesse was talking about
anddecided to change subjects.

"Sofinals, you're all set right?"

"Ofcourse. I've always found education to be rather elementary in its
difficulty."

"Idon't get to take mine. Not with you all anyway. But it's better taking
them laterthan not at all."

"Spokenlike a true man who's seen the other side of those iron bars," Jesse
repliednoticing a happy couple pass him.

Hewas sick of happy. More specifically he was sick of everyone else being
happywhile he'd had to endure crazy roommates, temporarily befriending a
homosexual,his lover and their friends and of course his latest
misadventures with hisbrother. All of that had left him feeling very much
on the jaded side of life.

"Correctme if I'm wrong, but I believe Valentine's Day is universally on
the 14thof February, not two weeks before Christmas. Right?"


"Younoticed all the couples too, huh?" Trey asked.

"Hard not to notice when you finally discover the walls in your
apartmentaren't quite as sound proof as you'd like them to be."

Treydecided not to touch that particular comment as he and Jesse turned a
corner,obviously headed in the same direction.

"Don'tyou have class or anything?" he asked.

"Idon't know," Jesse replied, a bit agitatedly.

"Whatdo you mean you don't know?"

"Imean there are much more important things going on in my life than this
silly littleuniversity and all of its annoying oddities."

"Didyou wanna talk about-"

"I believe I've spent enough I'm time with you. Attachments won't be good
forme if this doesn't end well."


Onceagain Trey didn't know how to respond to another of Jesse's comments
but itwasn't like he even had the chance to as Jesse started away from him
on acompletely separate path leaving him to himself and all his free
time. Freetime that he absolutely didn't want but would rather have
considering thealternative.

*******************************************************************************

Noahhad barely managed to get himself situated and comfortable before
Sierra startedtrying to get his attention by blatantly staring at him as he
took off hiscoat.

"Letme guess, you've actually turned into a psycho," he said.

"SoJesse's not here and you decide to replace him? You're lucky you're cute
or I'dthink you were an asshole," Sierra replied.

Healmost wished she did think of him that way. He could only stand so many
peopleand she was definitely not one of those people.

"Sowhat then?" he asked when Sierra continued starting at him a whole two
minuteslater.

"There'sa dance. Well, a formal anyway," she started.

"SoI heard," Noah replied flatly, doing his best to sound as if he could
care lessone way or the other.

"Wannago?" she asked.

"Withyou?"

Sierradidn't respond and Noah didn't respond. The two stared at each other,
Sierradoing her best to look innocent while Noah decided to be the adult of
the twoand speak up.

"Aren't you into Nick?" Noah tried.

Heknew Nick was gone but it was all he could think to come up as he felt
himselfpanicking. He'd only barely just admitted to himself that he was
gay. He hadbeen willing to lay everything on the line for Trey but
considering they wereno longer together, things had changed considerably.

Nowhe wasn't so sure of himself or how comfortable he would be having to
admit toSierra he wasn't interested in her or any girls.

"Ihaven't seen him around," Sierra replied, somewhat disappointedly
beforecontinuing. "Besides, that slut Amber got her hooks into him. What
was Isupposed to do? I'm not a big fan of sloppy seconds, you know?"

"Sure,"Noah replied, trying to get across his unease with the conversation.

Heturned somewhat in his seat as if doing that would make Sierra leave him
aloneand decide to go elsewhere. But he knew Sierra well enough by now to
know thatshe was a person of conviction who didn't let things go easily.

"Ididn't get an answer," Sierra spoke, hopefully.

Noahturned back to Sierra, ready to make her regret even asking him out.

"LookSierra-"


"Okay,time for you to talk to someone important," Jesse spoke, taking Noah
completelyoff guard as he stood next to Noah on the outside aisle.

Sierralooked up and over, glaring at Jesse.

"I'm important, you're not. Go away little boy!"


"Haven'twe had a talk similar to this in which I informed you that there
isn't a thingabout me that's little?"

"Wedidn't talk about the size of your brain, but now that you remind me-"

"Ihaven't any time for you," Jesse spoke, grabbing Noah and dragging him
towardsthe door.

"Jesse, what the hell-"

"If you're going to be my go-to guy you need to make yourself available at
alltimes," Jesse said as he continued to lead Noah towards the door. "And I
justso happen to have a problem that needs fixing."

"When are you not having problems?"


"I'llleave that alone for now," Jesse spoke, turning to face Noah once they
wereoutside. "So you seem like a person whose father doesn't love him
enough. Whatdo I do to remedy that situation?"


Noahstared at Jesse, dumbfounded by his nerve. He wasn't sure why Jesse
still managedto shock him at this point but he seemed to find new ways
every day.

"You know you should really make up your mind," Noah started, crossing his
armsand taking a step back.

"About?"Jesse asked.

"This whole friend thing. You say no but yet here we are."

"I told you, I don't need friends. They'll just screw me over in the long
run.And we aren't friends. Consider yourself my glorified shrink."

"Your free shrink."

"If you must. Can we talk about my problem of the week now?"

Noahsighed and rolled his eyes as Jesse started.

"I don't know why it's taken me 18 years to figure out why my father
doesn'tpay me any attention but I've decided it rather bothers me and I
want to dosomething about it."

"Sowhat do you need me for then?"

"Advice.What do you do to get your father's attention?"


Noahfelt a bit uncomfortable all of a sudden. Even though Jesse was talking
abouthimself and his situation with his father, he couldn't help but to
feel like hewas being forced to address his issues with his own father.


"Uhh..."he started, not really sure how to tackle the question.

Jesselooked behind him and took a seat in one of the hall benches while
Noah movedover slightly to face him.

"Iwas in the hospital," Jesse started. "And I didn't get so much as a phone
call.I've been here almost an entire semester and he hasn't..."

"Andthat's a problem or something?" Noah asked, slightly jaded when it came
topeople and their parents showing them any attention.

Jessestopped and looked over at Noah with a frown.

"You'veabsolutely no sense of perception, have you?" Jesse asked as Noah
just staredblankly at him. "At any rate, your sheer ineptitude astounds me,
no doubt, butI should probably continue before I lose the nerve I've worked
up."

Noahfrowned at Jesse, who didn't see this as he sat back thinking for a
moment.When he didn't speak up, Noah decided to speak up, in an effort to
end theirconversation as quickly as possible.

"Whydo you think your dad pays more attention to your brother than you?" he
asked.

Jesselooked up at him, thinking about the question.

"Idon't know. I'd always just assumed that he'd been dropped on his head as
aninfant and required that extra pinch of attention."

"Didn't he just get arrested last week?" Noah asked.

Jessenodded in a `yeah. So what?' like fashion before Noah sighed and
continued.

"Nickis always doing things to get attention because he knows what kind of
fatheryou guys have, obviously," Noah replied. "You're the good one...more
or less.I mean, you go to school. You get into college. Why would he pay
attention toyou when you're doing exactly what you're supposed to be
doing?"

"You're logic is slanted but it actually makes sense in my case," Jesse
said,standing up. "I mean, my father has a billion dollar company to
run. An ex wifeconstantly hitting him up for a new divorce check of the
month. And a son whoseface we'll all probably see on a World's Most Wanted
list soon. Why would hespare any attention for the things that are actually
going right in his life? Namely,me."

"No, no that's not exactly what I-"

"I understand completely what you're implying," Jesee continued, cutting
Noahoff. "I have to be worse than my brother. I have to make my father
notice me atall costs."

"Don't go crazy, Jesse," Noah cut in.

Jesseabruptly stopped talking and looked over at Noah.

"Whatare you talking about?"

"Well, I wasn't really...I mean don't go trying to burn down the school
oranything."

"Arethere laws against that here?" Jesse asked, completely serious.

Noahhad been joking but was now completely and utterly afraid of what he'd
down inhelping Jesse, or what Jesse decided to do in helping himself.

"You'dbe bloody brilliant if you were even worth it free," Jesse
replied. "But fornow, I believe we have class to attend."

Thiswas one of those times Noah was rendered speechless.

"Betterbring along some carrots for that horse in there. She does have
quite the mouthon her."

Noahtried to regain his composure as Jesse walked past him, headed for
their classfilled with a new resolve.

******************************************************************************

"Ooh,or him," Grace said pointing to another guy in the yearbook she'd
brought withher to the cafeteria as Trey and Zoey each leaned over to get a
better look."I'll ask him."

"You'retoo cute to beg," Zoey replied.

"Iknow huh?" Grace replied, turning the page.

Treychuckled as he sat back in his seat and looked over his tray of food.

"Where'dyou get a yearbook from anyway?" he asked.

"Yeah. I mean, this school has like what, a couple dozen of thousands
ofstudents? Kinda hard to fit that many people into one book," Zoey spoke
up.

"Also,when was picture day? Did I miss that or something?"

"Ya'llask too many damn questions, shit," Grace replied.

"We love you?" Trey tried.

"Try, nosy," Grace replied. "Besides, this thing ain't got every damn body
init. Just the important people like the Class Presidents and R.A.'s and
shit."

"My R.A's in that thing? She's a bitch," Zoey commented.

"We have class presidents?" Trey asked, curious.

"Anyway,"Grace started. "Ya'll gotta figure out who you're gonna take to
the formal. IfI ain't going stag, ya'll ain't either."

"Don'tforget Grace dearest that I'm the only one among us that actually has
a man,"Zoey spoke, rather proud of her statement.

"Yeah, that we've never seen," Grace mumbled.

Trey chuckled.

"What?"Zoey asked.

"Huh? What?"

Zoeyeyed Grace suspiciously for a few moments as Grace pretended as if she
were theperfect little angel before Zoey decided she was over the moment
and let it go.

"Too bad neither one of us has a stable of men just waiting at our
feetpractically dying with anticipation over-"

"Okay,okay okay," Trey chuckled, nervously. "And I don't have a stable of
guys."

"No, just those two," Zoey replied.

"What two?" Trey asked, actually sounding panicked.

Zoeypointed behind Trey, who turned around not shocked to see Shawn and
Noah butshocked to not only see them together, but laughing as if they were
the best offriends.

Itwas the strangest thing for Trey to behold really, seeing his two best
friendswho had actually admitted to him and each other that they didn't
like the otheryet the way they were strolling into the cafeteria, you
wouldn't be able totell that.

Treysat looking confused while Grace and Zoey each exchanged knowing looks
as Shawnand Noah approached.

"What'sup my peeps?" Shawn spoke, flipping his seat backwards and taking a
seat nextto Trey, Noah taking a seat at the head of the table.

"Hey guys," Trey replied, trying as best as he could not to let on how
confusedhe felt.

"Hey,"Noah replied, with a wide smile in Trey's direction.

Treytried returning it, but all of sudden felt so strange, he looked away,
actuallyletting the confusion show on his face.

"Thata high school yearbook or something, Grace?" Shawn asked while
twisting the capoff of his Sprite bottle.

"People,college's have yearbooks, alright?" Grace replied.

"We have a yearbook?" Shawn asked. "Am I in it?"

"Why would you be? What do you do?" Zoey asked.

Which, as Trey thought about it, seemed like something that Noah would
normallysay, who didn't really seem like saying anything at the moment.

"Grace is trying to find herself a temporary husband for the formal,"
Zoeyreplied. "Or glorified play thing, whichever one you think fits."

"Seethis is what happens when people don't mind they business," Grace
sighed,rolling her eyes.

Shawnchuckled before stretching over the table in a comfortable pose.

"I heard about that stupid dance thing. I thought you only did that shit
inhigh school?"

"Theway some of these people up here act, we might as well be. Damn if
thoseweren't the worst days of my short life thus far," Zoey shuddered.

"You two...have dates yet?" Grace asked, which completely shifted the mood
atthe table.

Grace was trying to help Trey and knew exactly what she was doing before
sheasked the question, not even faltering when Trey flashed her a look to
kill.

"Gottaweigh my options really," Shawn replied. "It's not everyday a guy
gets to go toa shindig like this."

"Uh,try seven months ago, prom," Grace replied. "I know ya'll asses went."

"ActuallyI didn't," Shawn replied. "Ben got in trouble so I snuck him out
to blow thething off. I think we went and saw Kill Bill 2 or something."

"Lame,"Zoey commented.

"Like you went, Miss Queen of All That is Sarcastic and Plain," Noah
teased.

"Well I'm not as young as you four. Prom for me was a year and a half
ago. ButI remember the thing like it was yesterday. The blood. The
screams-"

"The so totally Carrie and shut up now," Noah cut Zoey off.

"Like your prom was any better," Zoey shot back.

"Iwouldn't know. I didn't go," Noah replied.

Grace gasped.

"No, not you too."

"My friends were boycotting the thing. We went to a bar instead. Never
caredone way or the other," Noah replied, simply.

"Imight as well join the club," Trey decided to add in once he'd finally
regainedhimself. "But I just didn't go because I didn't have anyone to go
with. I'venever been to any dance, let alone prom."


Thingsgrew silent for a moment and everyone looked serious in that moment,
as ifremembering the old Trey and how he'd been so afraid of people and
socializingin general. He'd come such a long way in their eyes, it was
almost like theywere remembering him from years ago, not months.

"So,none of ya'll went to prom?" Grace asked, being the first one bold
enough tobreak the silence.

Shawn,Noah and Trey all exchanged equally serious looks.

"That'sweird," Zoey replied. "And I thought I was the one against pointless
socialfunctions. Like this formal that none of you have dates for."

"Yeah,I'm probably gonna skip this thing," Shawn spoke up, looking over at
Noah whosuddenly spoke up as well, breaking the stare he had fixated on
Trey.

"Yeah, yeah I don't know if I'm going either. Got a lot of finals to study
for,you know?" he said, making sure to add what he thought was a confident
butreally was a nervous grin at the end.

"Youhave the least amount of classes out of all of us," Zoey noted.

"Yeahand you never miss a good party, Shawn," Grace also noted.

Shawnshrugged.

"Guessthere's a first time for everything."

"Yeah," Noah replied.

Onceagain Trey was confused but had decided against trying to attach any
meaningbehind their behavior for fear of further complicating his already
complicatedlife.

Graceand Zoey exchanged looks again before Grace rolled her eyes and
sighed, lookingback down at her yearbook.

"Well ya'll can help me pick out a date then," Grace replied. "Some
peopleAIN'T living in Dramaland."

******************************************************************************

Jesseknew exactly what he was doing as he marched down the sidewalk leading
into thesorority mansion he once called home. In fact, he was enjoying the
looks ofshock, wonder and amazement he was sure he was being flashed as he
did. Peoplepaying him attention was exactly what he wanted, as he wanted to
make sure thathis efforts didn't go unnoticed.

"Jesse?"Heather, one of the sorority sisters who he remembered and who in
turn seemedto remember him quite well, started, as she followed Jesse into
the buildingand towards the stairs, practically rushing along at his steady
paced side."Jesse what are you doing here? You know you're not supposed
to-"

"Tobe here? Yes I'm quite aware of that," he finished for her. "I should
probablytell you right now that I've undergone a bit of a transformation
and I honestlydon't really care where I'm NOT supposed to be."

Heatherswitched to rushing along Jesse's left as he continued proudly
along.

"Jesseit's after hours. They already know you used to live here. You're
probably thelast guy on Earth allowed to ever be here."

"Did you not hear my new stance on what I am and am not allowed to do?"

Heathergasped, lost for words as Jesse made his way down the hallway
towards his oldroom.

Severaltimes Heather tried to say something but continued to stay at a loss
for words asJesse stood outside Amber's partially open door, ready to barge
right in.

"Yeah,some guy's dad shot him at a barbeque or something," he could hear
Amber'sfriend Stacy saying. "The funny part is the guy looks almost exactly
like someguy I used to date. Who, turned gay."

"Ihate to say it biotch but maybe it really IS you," he could hear Amber
saying."Maybe you do turn straight guys gay. Maybe it's that funky cologne
you wear."


"Amber,guys wear cologne."

"What?No they don't silly..."

"Thenwhat's perfume?" Stacy asked, sounding just as confused as her
confused friend.

Decidinghe'd heard enough of a pointless conversation for now, Jesse walked
into theroom, Heather trailing behind him.

"Hate to break up this meeting of the half minds," He started. "But I'm
here onofficial business."

"Ugh!Jesse! What the hell are you doing in here?" Amber asked, sounding
flustered.

Previously, Amber had been doing her yoga exercises, which she liked to do
withas little clothing as possible. She jumped up and rushed into her
closet tograb her bathrobe, covering the lingerie-like get up she had on
and glared atJesse.

"Itried to stop him," Heather spoke, finally managing to find her words, a
littletoo late.

Amber shook her head as she let out an annoyed sigh.

Jessegrinned, obviously quite amused with himself and the entire situation.

"Girls, I'll be fine," Amber spoke.

"But-"

"Heather,just go. Please," Amber spoke.

Ittook Heather a moment but she finally started towards the door.

"Come on Stacy," she spoke.

Stacy turned towards Jesse.

"You aren't gay are you Jesse?" she asked.

"Of course not," Jesse replied.

"Thinking about turning?"

"What?"

"Stacy!"Heather bellowed.

"Call me," Stacy spoke rushing towards and out of the door leaving Amber
andJesse alone.

Amberturned around and walked over to her mirror to put her hair up.

"Why are you here Jesse?" she asked.

"See that's the thing, I don't know," Jesse replied. "But what I do know
isthat I'm in the mood to create all sorts of unabashed trouble and
conspiracyand getting revenge on you seemed to be the perfect place to
start."

Amber chuckled to herself as she turned to face Jesse.

"See,I don't think so," she started. "You tried this before and it didn't
work.Plus, it's a little late don't you think? Ever heard the phrase
`moving on'?"

"Ever heard the phrase crazy psychotic bitch!" Jesse snapped.

Amberstared at Jesse as he regained his composure before walking past him
and overto her dresser, picking up a bottle of lotion.

"Iknow you like to think I'm some stupid, clueless sorority princess,"
Amberstarted.

"Why Amber, I'd never insult princesses the world over by comparing you to
oneof them."

"But this is so old, I'm over it. You tried to play with fire and you just
gotburned. Go home little boy."

Jessewasn't quite sure what he was going to do coming to the sorority house
otherthan trying to rattle Amber enough to get her in trouble and look like
a totalbad boy. That was after all what he was going for now, since
apparently onlythe bad people in life were paid attention. Bad people and
celebrities. And inAmerica, he was neither apparently.

Buthe was starting to remember exactly why Amber had been able to get to
himbefore. She may have been right about people mistaking her for a
clueless ditz,but at the end of the day, if she wanted to, she could
outsmart anyone. And thefact that she could outsmart him pissed him off
beyond belief.

Something was going to have to be done about her.

"Youknow, it's funny that you mention playing with fire," Jesse started.

Amber,who was rubbing lotion around her neck and shoulders, stopped and
turned aroundto face a devious looking Jesse as he started into the
hallway. Amber let herlotion fall to the ground as she rushed after Jesse.

"Jesse,what are you doing?" she asked, panicked as she followed him.

"Haveyou ever felt what it's like to be homeless, Amber? Because I
certainly haveand let me tell you, slumming it with the unwashed of the
nation is definitelyNOT the way to go."

"You think you can do something to me just because you're here when you're
notsupposed to be? They know who you are Jesse. They know you lived her
when youweren't supposed to."

"Yes and it's a wonder you survived that revelation," Jesse replied. "What
doyou think they'll do to you if you happen to fall out again?"

Jessehad reached the end of the hall, standing before the very fire alarm
that Amberhad pulled on him to get him into trouble months earlier.

He looked over at a worried Amber's hands before shaving some of the
sparelotion she still hand in them off and rubbing on the fire alarm
handle, afterpulling it.

"Thanks. I always knew there could be more practical uses for that stuff."

Amberlooked around in horror as the lights in the house flashed, loud
buzzingsounded and girls came rushing out of their rooms as if the place
really wereon fire.

Itdidn't take long for one of the sorority heads, Farrah, to come rushing
over toAmber and Jesse. Farrah didn't even seem to notice Jesse as she
punched in somekind of code next to the fire alarm that shut if off.

"Youpull the fire alarm again, Amber?" she asked.

"What...but...I..."

"It'sokay love, I'm sure they'll go easy on you-"

"What the fuck are you doing here?"

"Oh," Jesse frowned, wrinkling his nose. "I'd forgotten you were the
pottymouth of the group."

"Amber..."

"Justification with due cause, I assure you, but I actually made Amber
pullthat alarm."

Farrahlooked over at Jesse as Heather and Stacy made their way through the
crowd ofgirls to come to Amber's side.

"Why yes, I believe I'm what you'd call a `bad boy'."

"You? A bad boy?"

"Yesyes. Aren't you going to call the cops? Have me arrested?"

Farrahnarrowed her eyes at Jesse for a moment before crossing her arms and
sighing.

"Actually, we were supposed to do a fire drill before everyone left for
breakanyway. I guess nows as good a time as any."

"I'm sorry what?" Jesse asked, taken aback.

"She basically said she's not calling the cops on you, spaz," Heather spoke
up.

"Heather,go shave your legs or something," Farrah sighed before announcing
to all thegirls that they were to make their way outside to the front lawn.

Jessewas completely dumbfounded. He'd wanted to terrify Amber before taking
the falland getting arrested, refusing council so that his father would
have no choicebut to contact him. He knew his father well enough to know
that he definitelyknew there really was such a thing as bad publicity. He'd
never let one of hischildren go to prison especially for something as silly
as pulling a firealarm.

"Wait,tall mouthy one. Maybe you should at least alert campus security-"

"Um, this is a fire drill random British boy. That means you too,"
Farrahreplied.

"But..."

"Youtoo, Jesse," Amber spoke with a devious grin before starting towards
thestairs.

Jessewatched as everyone passed him, not really sure what to do.

"So...about calling me," Stacy started.

******************************************************************************

Noahhad gone from feeling in a good mood about life to seeing it
differently aftera talk with Shawn to feeling nervous about his life all
within the span oftwenty four hours.

Whenhe'd heard about the formal, his first thoughts would be to get back in
therewith Trey. Ask him if he wanted to go and try to re start a
relationship withhim.

Thenhe talked with Shawn and the two of them decided that they were a
couple ofcollege students who didn't really need all the drama they were
puttingthemselves through. They'd agreed to call a truce when it came to
Trey and thatthey were going to strive for simple lives.

Thenhe'd found out that Trey never got to go to his prom. Back when he was
popularin high school, the dances were big things to him. He was always
Mr. SchoolSpirit and always went to those school events. Then he went
through dealing withhis brother changing and all that added extra stuff
that basically made iteasier for him to decide that he just didn't care
anymore and that he'd be asbig a loser as he could possibly be, just so
that he could be left to deal withall the negativity he'd developed.

Hechose not to go to his prom by choice, and it hadn't affected him one way
orthe other.

ButTrey didn't get to choose. No one invited Trey and he knew Trey well
enough bynow to know that he hadn't been the kind of person to ask anyone
on his own.Trey was a good person, who as far as he was concerned, deserved
to go to hisprom.

Andnot that this formal had popped up, he had the perfect opportunity to
give Treyas best a prom experience as he could possible give him. He really
wanted to doit.

Sohe had to go against the truce he made with Shawn to ask him about the
thing.He just wouldn't be telling Shawn about it. What he didn't know
wouldn't hurthim.

Itwas the reason why he'd made sure he got up early enough to walk Trey to
class.He was gonna ask him then. Or now rather, as he'd knocked on his door
and waswaiting for him to answer.

"Noah?What...are you doing here?" Shawn asked, looking slightly annoyed to
see Noah.

"Icame to walk Trey to class. He's here right?" Noah asked.

Shawn,who'd only barely opened the door, made no efforts to move away from
it to letNoah in.

"Yeah but he's in the shower. I'll tell him you stopped by. See ya-"

"Actually,"Noah started, after kicking the door open when Shawn started to
shut it. "I thinkI'll wait."

Theyboth knew exactly what was going on but knew better than to actually
speak ofit for admitting succumbing to weakness first.

Noahwalked in and took a seat on Trey's neatly made bed, noticing the
shower waterrunning.

Shawnwalked over to his computer chair and sat down.

"Not going to class today?" Noah asked.

"Yes actually," Shawn replied, suddenly deciding that he would be going
toclass as long as Noah was here to do what he thought he came for.

Thevery thing he was already too late for.

Beforethey'd gotten along so great after admitting neither one of them
would begetting involved with Trey. Now that they both knew all bets were
off, thingswere back to being just as awkward between them as they usually
were.

Fortunatelyfor the both of them, they didn't have to wait long before they
heard theshower water stop and saw Trey emerge from the bathroom a few
minutes later,fully dressed.

"Trey," Noah spoke standing up.

Hewasn't sure what it was, but seeing Trey just then almost took his breath
away.It was like he was seeing him in a different light, even though he was
the sameTrey who'd managed to steal his heart away from him.

"Noah,"Trey smiled, surprised to see him. "What are you doing here?"

"Walking you to class," Noah replied. "If that's okay?"

Treylooked briefly over at Shawn before shaking his head.

"Yeah, yeah it's fine," Trey replied.

"Good,we'll all go," Shawn spoke standing up.

"We?" Noah asked.

"You'regoing to class, Shawn?" Trey asked.

"Yeah well, finals in two weeks. Gotta get some last minute learning in."

"Idon't think it'd help you much," Noah mumbled.

Even though they'd both heard him say it, both Trey and Shawn pretended not
tohave heard Noah.

"Come on, I wanted to talk to you about something and he's not even
dressed,"Noah started, leading Trey towards the door.

"Oh...okay," Trey started, grabbing his backpack and coat.

"No..nowait, gimme a sec," Shawn started, near panicking as he rushed
around lookingfor something to wear.

"Comeon," Noah whispered, not even really giving Trey a chance to say
anythingotherwise as he led him out the door.

They stopped for a second before Noah decided something.

"You know what? Let's take the stairs," he spoke, wanting to make sure
Shawnwouldn't be coming along for their walk.

******************************************************************************

Jessehad done it. He'd picked up the phone to ring his father and then hung
up. He'dgona back and forward doing it so many times in his head, thinking
about whathe wanted to say and how he wanted to say it.

He'deven practiced it over and over in the mirror for the past half hour,
trying toget it just right.

Nowthat he was actually before his phone, in the moment, all he could do
was pickup his phone and hang it up, over and over and over.

Washe afraid? That was what he kept wondering as he waited in between each
failedattempt to contact his father. Something was holding him back and he
wasn'tsure what it was. He'd never realized before that he'd never actually
talkedwith his father. He'd talked to him before and his father had
certainly talkedto him but he'd never talked WITH him.

Hewondered why it always seemed like his father had time for everyone
else. Hehad time to talk to his mother's stable of lawyers each week. He
had time totalk to his brother's bankers when they informed him that he was
maxing out hiscredit cards. He had time to yell at his so called friends
for overstayingtheir welcome in his home. And yet, nothing for him.

The more he thought about it, the more it upset him and the more he
reallywanted to do something about it.

Hewas just upset enough to pick up the phone, quickly dial his father's
privatenumber and wait with anticipation.

"ThomasYorkshire and this better be important whoever this is that has
managed to geta hold of my private number," was his father's customary
rough greeting.

"It's...it'sme father. Jesse."

Nowall of a sudden he was nervous but he didn't want to look weak to his
father bysuddenly hanging up on him. He couldn't show any signs of weakness
or hisfather wouldn't take him seriously. Or, he'd take him even less
seriously thanhe already did.

"Jesse...whatis it? Have you impregnated some cheeky American barfly and
want me to pay forthe child support?"

"What?"

"I forget, you're not the constant disappointment. No, that would be
yourbrother. How is Nicholas these days? I heard he was staying with you."

"No,father he left."

"Off to the other side of the globe I'd imagine. He'll run me dry with
hisquesting each part of the world twice over. You know he almost was
kidnapped inBarcelona last fall when some street thug managed to get a hold
of his wallet.That one, careless as it is."

That was something Jesse had always known about his brother but the last
thinghe wanted to talk about was him.

"And of course your mother has seen fit to throw another lawsuit someone's
way.Getting a hundred million quid in a divorce settlement wasn't enough
for thewoman, now she wants everyone else's money. She hasn't put you up to
anythinghas she? The woman can be quite devious."

"No father I-"

"Good good. Of course, you're still at that shoddy little American
schoolaren't you? You were supposed to go to Cambridge. Why you'd pass up
attendingthe finest university in London-"

"Stopit!" Jesse shouted, his last nerve finally being tested.

"Well, I see you've rather decided to wake up and be a fool today. You have
tobe a fool to shout at me this way."

"Maybe that's what I should've been doing all along," Jesse
started. "Becausethat's all you do. You complain and you delegate but you
don't care. Nothingget's through to you."

"I beg your pardon?"

"You have TWO sons, father. You mention Nicholas, but you don't bring up
thefact that he just got arrested for the fourth time in his life. Or about
how healmost fathered that airhead Hilton daughters child. You don't
mention any of thosethings. But when you get to me, all you see are those
things."

For once, Jesse's father was actually listening to him when he talked.

"I didn't graduate top of my class, only second. I didn't go to
CambridgeUniversity, even though I was accepted into much better schools,
all of whichreside here in the U.S.. And what about the time I was in the
hospital and almostDIED? I bet you probably didn't even know about that
because you were too busyto care!"

"Jesse-"

"I'm not finished yet!" Jesse barked.

His father shut up.

"You see father, I've finally realized the kind of people we are. You
don'tcare for whatever reason you decide to pick as an excuse-business
being theusual. I never cared because I was always getting what I
wanted. But I actuallyfound for the first time since coming here what it
was like not to get my way.Or what it was like not to have everything in
the world. For Christ's sake I'veeven been homeless for a brief period of
time."

"Whatis it that you want from me, Jesse?"

"You'resupposed already know the answer to that, father. I mean, here I am
calling youfather when I should really be calling you provider. You gave me
money and letme run around. Only I was smart enough not to waste my life
completely like mybrother. And I'm not embarrassing you weekly with
pointless lawsuits. I'mprobably the only person in your life that doesn't
demand constant attentionfrom you and the only person in your life that
deserves it more than anyoneelse. And it's about time I get it."

Jessewaited for his father to say something and when he didn't Jesse
finally spokeup.

"Well?"

"What,did you expect I'd beg you to come home and play nice?"

Jessewas taken aback by his father's tone.

"Father...I-"

"You're right, you never demanded attention. You always did exactly what
youwere supposed to which was why you got everything you wanted. But you
neglectedto point out the fact that you were too selfish to realize that I
was groomingyou to take over. You had certain expectations to meet and you
WERE meetingthem. That is until you turned down Cambridge in favor of some
Cowboy's andIndian's school in the Wild West."

"Father-"

"You want attention from me? Do something to deserve it. Your brother may
be adelinquent with no goals in life but he's made it quite clear that he
intendsto otherwise enjoy it. I don't think even you know what you want out
of life.And until you figure it out, I don't think I want you to come back
home."

Jessewas at a loss for words. He didn't know how to even begin to soak up
his father'scomments and quite frankly, he wasn't sure he wanted to. He
knew his father hadhigh expectations of everyone, but it wasn't like he was
asking to be hisfather's number one priority. He just wanted him to show a
little concern forhis life. And the best he could come up with was that he
wasn't sure he knewwhat to do with his life? Of course he wouldn't be sure,
never having spentlonger than an hour with him in his entire life.

Whodid his father think he was?

"Well, I see," Jesse started. "Enjoy the rest of your day and forget I
called."

It wasn't until he heard the dial tone did he realize that his father
hadalready hung up.

Andit was then that he realized that he didn't want to go home. At least,
notanymore.

******************************************************************************

"Soare you ever gonna bring up what you wanted to talk to me about?" Trey
asked asNoah walked him to class.

Noahsmiled innocently at Trey.

"You think I have a hidden agenda huh?" he asked.

"No, just that you said you wanted to talk it's probably important right?"
Treyasked.

"Right," Noa replied.

Hewas a little nervous all of a sudden. Asking Trey to be his date the
formalwould essentially be asking to start their relationship again. And
even thoughhe was sure it was what he wanted, he was a little afraid to
bring it up. Buthe knew that he had to.

"Sothe formal, got a date yet?" he decided to just come right out with it.

Treylooked down. It took him a few moments but he did respond.

"Noah..."

"That fast, huh?"

"Heasked me this morning. I...told him I'd go. With him."

Noahhad a feeling Shawn had asked him already. It was exactly the reason he
didn'twant Shawn to be with them when he asked. He wasn't going to be
taking no foran answer. Not today.

"Look,Trey I know things haven't been great with us," Noah started. "But
you have tostumble first before it's smooth sailing right?"

"What?" Trey laughed.

Noah laughed at his stupid statement before getting serious again.

"I'm trying to tell you that I'm here and I want you, more than ever
before. Iknow were past all that awkwardness and unsure stuff...I'm trying
to tell youthat Shawn's not right for you. And I'm not just saying it
because I don't likehim. I'm saying it because it's true and I mean it. I
don't care what I have todo to prove to you that I'm the right guy but-"

"Yes," Trey suddenly said.

Noahstopped abruptly.

"What?" he asked, making sure he'd actually heard what he thought he'd
heard.

"I am past all that awkwardness. I do know what I want now," Trey
replied. "Ido want you Noah. Yes."

"Yes?" Noah asked, excitedly.

"Yes," Trey replied.

Noahpulled Trey into an excited hug, hugging him more tightly than he'd
ever huggedanyone in his life. He wasn't sure what it was but he'd never
felt about anyonethe way he felt about Trey. They were going to be
together. They HAD to betogether.

"Ohgod, what am I gonna tell Shawn," Trey asked, sounding a little sad at
thethought of knowing he'd be letting Shawn down.

"Moreimportantly, what am I gonna wear?" Noah asked.

"Okay, that's gay," Trey chuckled.

"It is, huh?" Noah asked, taking Trey's hand into his own as they
continuedtowards class.

******************************************************************************

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