Date: Wed, 26 Feb 2003 00:31:07 -0500
From: Dave H. <streyn@hotmail.com>
Subject: Problems with Romance Chapter 6 (section-college)

Author's Note:

Ok. So this is my first try at writing a story. Hopefully some of you out
there will read this and hopefully like it some bit. This story is not one
of those "Oh hello Doctor. I think I need a prostate exam. -- Well ok then,
let me get out my lube and dildo" stories. It's just about a college guy
trying to find the right person. So if that disinterests you, you should
stop reading. Otherwise, read on. The story may be a little slow, but it
will eventually pick up around the following parts to come. If you have any
comments, e-mail me at Streyn@hotmail.com

Thanks to all the people who have been e-mailing me. I'm really happy to see
that people actually like this story.

This story is completely fictional. So any similarities you may see are
purely coincidental. In other words, don't bite my ass off if it just so
happens that you're life just happens to be exactly like the one in this
story.

Also, if you are under age or it is illegal for you to be reading this, then
go away now. Don't want you reading something you shouldn't now. Also, if
these kinds of stories are not to your liking, you should leave as well

--------------
CHAPTER 6

Anxiety. But what was I anxious about? Oh yeah, I still hadn't resolved the
thing with Xavier. I really hadn't thought about him the whole week. But one
thing was for sure, I wasn't going to leave for Christmas break without
straightening out of few things with him.

After touching down in Boston, and getting to the terminal, I found Diane.

"Dave! Dave! Over here!"

"Hey Diane!" I gave her a big hug. "You look very happy. Did something good
happen over the week break?"

"Yes. Lots. Must Tell. But first, let's get a taxi."

So we got a taxi. Once we got in, she just spurted out everything.

"Matt finally broke up with her. I guess the silent treatment does work. We
both got back her to Boston around the same day. He just popped in my room
and he told he everything that happened. I'm so glad. Now we can finally be
together. So enough about me! What happened with you in Washington? Did we
have any "visits" from certain "people?"

"Well, if by people, you mean "Will", then yes. You'll never guess what
happened."

"What?"

"Turns out that he has a brother. And he is dating my sister. How bizarre is
that? I think it was Friday night, I was going with my sis to what appeared
to be a blind date, so I was expecting some girl. And it was Will. Then
after that, we spent the day together on Saturday. Had a nice little chat
there. I guess we've pretty much decided that we are together. A couple. Has
a nice ring to it."

"Oh that's so amusing. So when do you think you'll see him again?"

"Well, he's coming back to Boston tomorrow. So hopefully I will see him
then. But I just don't know. Damn these stupid teachers. What are they
thinking giving me all the work they did? Don't they know I'm in a
relationship now?"

"Dave, I don't really think they care. Besides, we're all in the same boat
with you. So stop your complaining."

"I'm just kidding." We finally made it back the back to the campus, my
second home. I knew Xavier would be there. He said he stayed for
Thanksgiving break. I just wondered what it'll be like. I really didn't feel
like living in the room for the rest of the year, not talking to him.
Silence usually kills me. Whenever I'm nervous, I just ramble on. And now? I
was just hoping our bad friendship wouldn't take a toll on my academics.
"So, have you seen Xavier yet?"

"Yah. Pretty much the same person as when you left. And I am guessing that's
a bad thing."

"Yah. It's like he just doesn't want to talk to me anymore. I have no clue
why. I didn't think that me being gay would have such an effect on him.
Why?"

"I guess that he, like many other people in this world, is just not ready to
accept homosexuality. Dave, some people are really close-minded. I hope
you're not that naïve."

"Well, I don't think I am. But I just thought, `hey, we've been good friends
for almost two months already. We had really gotten used to each other as
roommates. He was like a best friend. I thought he wouldn't care if I were
gay or not."

"Oh well. I hope things change. At least you have Will and me to turn to."

"Yah." We walked through the doors, past the porters office, down the
hallway. My room. The familiar door, decorated by Xavier and me. Just open
it already. As much as I tried, I just stood right there. I didn't actually
open the door myself; Diane came out a minute later, saw me standing there,
and basically shoved me in there.

Here it goes. "Hey Xavier."

"Oh, hey Dave."

Ok, things aren't going that bad. Just keep asking him questions and you'll
be fine. "How was your Thanksgiving?"

"It's wasn't that bad I guess. A few of us went out for dinner. It was
pretty good. Anyways, I need to go. Talk to you later. Bye." And he just
went out the door.

Dammit. Guess that didn't go as planned. The same thing again. I talk, he
talks, I talk, he talks, he leaves. I couldn't do this. I guess he still
needed some space, some time to figure things out. I wanted this friendship
to work, so I guess I had no other choice. Wasn't as much fun in class
anymore of course. He would come to class at the very last second, then find
a seat far away from me. Of course he was trying to avoid me. This made Mr.
Connel's class even more unbearable. Well, at least it would be over in a
two weeks. Finals. I don't even want to start thinking about it.

Monday. Oh yeah, Will is coming by today. I guess I might just swing by his
room today. Hopefully he'll be in. After class, I ran as fast as I could
over to his dorm. I knocked on the door. "Hello? Anybody here?" It was
James. Will's roommate. I didn't really ever talk to him. I'd only seen him
a few times before. In fact, I think this was only my second time meeting
him. "Oh James. Is Will here?"

"No. He just stepped out."

"Do you know when he'll be back?" No response. James already put his
headphones back on, droning me out. Oh well. I could wait a little more. So
I just went back to my room. Around 9 p.m., I tried calling his room. No
response. Ok then. I guess I'll just start working on papers.

Procrastination. It's like masturbation. At first, it's really good, but in
the end, you're really just screwing yourself. Yah. I procrastinate just as
much as any student in this world. Maybe even more. I have it down to an
art. Anyways, for two of my classes, I had to write long ass papers. Counted
for 70% of my grade. Yah, it sucks. Better get started on it. So Tuesday. No
classes. I stopped by Will's and I called him too. No response. Wednesday,
after my French class, I did the same thing. Where the fuck was he?

It was no Sunday and this was seriously pissing me off. I missed him so
much. I wanted to feel him, to at least just hug him and touch his face or
anything. But I couldn't. I could try asking Xavier but he was pretty
unresponsive as well. He was avoiding me. Diane, Matt and I would still go
out, but we sort of stopped due to all the work. Instead of parties, we
opted for studying in the student center. Of course, being with Matt and
Diane was being the third man. So I sort of felt left out whenever they were
being all lovey dovey and stuff. I wish Will was here. I had two weeks now
before I would leave back for D.C. Exams were next week, as well as all hand
ins. So I knew I would be really busy then. And I would be really busy this
week studying. I guess I could also try to leave a note with James, but that
was useless. That idiot would probably just ignore me too. So, now, with two
weeks left in the fall term, Xavier was avoiding me, James is an idiot, Matt
and Diane made me insanely jealous with the fact that they were together,
and Will. Was he avoiding me too? Why would he? We left that day completely
happy. And now? Now what?

With all the exams, paper writing, and studying, every other chance to find
Will I took. I checked his room, I called him. It was no use. I felt like it
was hopeless. He had abandoned me. And I liked him so much. No. I can't let
this get to me. Not when my grades are on the line here. This was making me
depressed. I needed to study and I just couldn't, trying to think of any
reason why I still hadn't seen him for almost two weeks now. Exam week was
just around the corner. Finally, I saw him one day walking out of his dorm.
As he was rounding the corner, I grabbed him behind a tree and confronted
him. "Why have you been avoiding me?"

"Dave. Let go of me. I need to get somewhere."

"No, not before you answer my question. Why have you been avoiding me?"

"I haven't."

"That's bullshit and you know it. I called you, I checked your room. Where
were you?"

"Look, I just can't do this right now. Ok? Now let me go."

I still hadn't release my grip. I was pinning him against the tree. I was
just so amazingly mad at him. I liked him so much and now he was trying to
get away from me. "No! I thought you liked me! What is wrong with you? Don't
you like me anymore? Did you find someone else that you like? What? Answer
me."

"Dave. Let me go right now or else."

"Or else what."

I shouldn't have said that. Out of the blue, he punched me. Right on my
face. I was so stunned, I staggered back a few steps, releasing my grip of
his jacket. The pain. But it wasn't only the physical pain. He hurt me. He
hurt me emotionally. "I told you to let me go. I'm sorry Dave. Really." He
just started to walk away.

"Look. Don't string me along here. I thought you liked me. I really like
you, well at least I thought I did. What was this all for anyway? An ego
boost or something? Figured, `Oh, I'll get this idiot to like me and dump
him the moment he cares'. What the hell do you take me for? Stop running
away! Face me like a man!"

He just kept on walking. I just couldn't take it. I just sat down by the
tree, crying. The tears dropped down the side of my face. I didn't need
this. I didn't need him. I didn't need this school. Eventually, I got up,
walked back to my dorm, and went to the only place where I could find
solace.

"What the hell happened to you!?!" Diane saw my face. I'm sure it took a
little red or purple. I still felt a little pain lingering on the side.

"Will punched me."

"That asshole. That's it. Do you want me to go over and talk to him? I'll
set him the right way."

"No, it's ok. I guess it's futile. He just doesn't like me."

"After all you told me? What is this guy's problem? If some person was
absolutely in love with me, I would certainly return the feelings."

"I guess Will just really didn't like me. I don't know. After the things we
went through, the talks we had, the time we spent together. It was all for
nothing."

"Don't say that. I'm sure something is wrong. I guess it'll just take time
to heal things. Here, put this one your face? Does it hurt?"

"Only my pride. Anyways, I'm gonna go back to my room. I need to think over
a few things."

"I understand. Come back here if you want to talk some more, ok Dave?"

"Sure." I walked back to my room. I hoped Xavier wouldn't be there. No doubt
he would ask questions about my face. Shit. He was there. Sitting at his
desk. Maybe he would just leave like he normally does.

Suddenly Xavier got up. Good. I really didn't need any more confrontation.
But then:

"Holy shit Dave! What happened to your face? It's all red and shit."

"Nothing really."

"What the hell. Who do this to you?"

"Nobody. Besides, what do you care? You haven't really been talking to me
for the past month anyways."

"Look, that's different."

"No it's not. What, do talk to me when you feel it is best for you?" I was
getting angrier by the second. He doesn't talk to me for a month. And now
he's asking me all these questions like he actually cares.

"Tell me who did this to you."

"Just let it go, ok? I deserved it anyway, I guess."

"It was Will, wasn't it?"

I didn't want to say anything. How did he know?

"I'm not stupid. I can put two and two together too you know. I'm sure you
and Will have been seeing each other a lot more lately. But he's the only
person I can think of who would punch you. So, I'll ask again, was it Will?
If you want, I can have a little chat with him."

He didn't have a right to ask. But why did he seem so concerned? This bugged
me so much. "Yah. But don't do anything. I really did deserve it. I pushed
him up against a tree. I guess I was being a little rough with him. But like
I said, what do you care?"

"Dave. I'm sorry for the way I've been acting. It's just when you told you
were gay, it sort of took me by surprise. And then I thought about that time
in the bar when we were together with Diane, Will and Matt, and I remembered
how you and Will looked at each other. Then you left together. I guess I
just felt left out. And then I got mad at you. I thought you were getting
close to Will, and I thought we were really close. So I just figured that
you wanted Will anyways. I mean, I kind of knew he might be gay. I just
didn't really know about you. And the thing is, Dave, I...um...."

"What?"

"Nevermind."

"So what are you saying?"

"I want to be friends. Really. I guess I just needed to get that out. I do
care for you as a friend. I really do. I got jealous I suppose. Right now
I'm not thinking so well. And I'm so mad that Will would do something like
this to you."

"Yah, well, me too. I just don't understand why."

"So, can we be friends? I know I've sort of treated you like shit lately.
But I'm really sorry for doing that to you. You didn't deserve it."

"Yah, I guess so. Just, no more of this jealous crap. You're still one of my
best friends."

"Cool."

And things were good between us. But that still didn't make me entirely
happy. Will was just on my mind too much. Anyways, I guess getting over
things will Xavier made me survive through Hell week. Exam week of course.
At least, now I could study in my room with out feeling nervous the whole
time. Finally, everyone was leaving to back home. I stopped by everybody's
room before they left, giving them their Christmas gifts too.

First I stopped by Matt's room. "Hey Matt."

"Oh hey Dave. What's happenin bro?"

"Nothing. Just saying happy holidays to everyone and giving them Christmas
gifts."

"Oh! Thanks man. Here, I got you one too. Hope you have a good holiday."

"You too. How are things with you and Diane by the way."

"Pretty good if I don't say so myself. If you want to see how well things
are going, just see Diane. I like her so much. I'm so glad I finally got
over my old girlfriend. How are things with Will? Oh shit. Sorry. I forgot.
I promised Diane that I wouldn't say anything."

"Hehe, it's ok. I'm just glad you asked. I guess you're alright with me
being gay?"

"Of course! Why wouldn't I be!? Plus, one of my best cousins is gay, so I'm
not new to it or anything. I'm completely fine with it. So, things with Will
gotten better yet?"

"No, but at least the swelling from the punch has gone down. Anyways, I
still need to see more people so I will talk to you later. Keep in touch
over the break!"

Next I went to Diane's room. "Hey hun."

"Hey Dave. Saying your goodbyes?"

"Yah. It'll be a month. But I'll miss not being with you guys. Here is your
present. A little something that might help you with Matt." I got her
flavored condoms from a sex shop. Just my idea of amusing.

"hmm? What is it?"

"Well, don't open it now! But also, don't open it up when you're around your
parents."

"Dave...what did you get me?"

"Secret. Anyways, I hope you have a fun Christmas in Florida. No snow there
right?"

"Yah. I'm kind of sick of the snow already. Boston is too cold. I can't wait
to get to a little warmer climate."

"Alright then, call me sometime over the break, ok?"

"Of course! And tell me if anything happens between you and Will. Looks like
the swelling has gone down."

"Glad you noticed. Ok. bye!"

After her, I just went through the dorm saying goodbye to the rest of my
friends. My plane left tomorrow. As much as I wanted to talk to Will, I
couldn't get myself to. If he wants to fix things, he should come to me. Why
should I go to him? All I did was like him. That's it. So I went back to my
room. "So, Xavier, I take it you are going back to Baltimore?"

"Yah. I can't wait. I haven't seen my family for four months."

"I guess I'll just give you your x-mas present there then. Because we WILL
meet up when we are down there right?"

"Of course. So, how are things with Will? He still being an asshole?"

"Don't call him that. Only I can. No, nothing. But I'll give him some time I
suppose."

"Whatever man. I would have killed him by now."

"Anyways, my flight leaves tomorrow at 12 p.m. How about you?"

"1 p.m. Guess we could take a cab or something together. Which airport are
you going to? National or Baltimore-Washington?"

"National. You?"

"B-W airport. Oh well."

Eventually I fell asleep. The next morning, I cleaned up my room as much as
possible. Then Xavier and I took a cab to Logan Airport. It was good to be
friends again. We could share things. Talk again. I loved it. My flight left
earlier than his, so he walked me to he gate. Before I got on the plane, I
asked him, "So, you'll call me or something when we get down there?"

"Yah. Sure. I'll try calling as soon as possible. Hope you have a safe
flight!"

"You too." I couldn't help myself. I just hugged him. It didn't matter. I
guess we were more like brothers than like friends. He was the closest thing
to a brother anyway. "Ok, bye!" And I boarded the plane.

I wondered when Will would be home. Maybe I could give him a call. No. He
had to make the first move this time. Oh well. My mom and dad picked me up
at the airport. Sofia was probably hanging out with Jeff and Allison with
her boyfriend. "So, honey, how was your flight?"

"It was good, mom. Nothing exciting."

"So how is it to be back home?"

"It's great." It was already 4 in the afternoon when we got home. I'm glad
my flight was early. That night, the weather forecasts called for
snowstorms. I hate flying in inclement weather. Sofia and Allison came home
for dinner. By that the time, the snow was coming down pretty hard. My mom
had cooked a big dinner since I had come home. "Mom, you didn't need to."

"You be quiet. I'll do as I please. Who said it was for you anyway? Just
kidding. It's just nice to have you home. I'm getting tired of Sofia and
Allison anyways."

"MOM!"

"I was just kidding you two."

Ring. Ring. Hmm...that was the door. Who was that?

My dad said, "Now who could that be? It's snowing like crazy outside. Who
would want to come out in this weather."

"I'll get it." I ran to the door and opened up.

Oh my god. It was him.

"Hi Dave."

------------------------------------
Endnote: Ok. I might take be a little slow on writing some more. Besides, I
write better when I'm not so rushed. Schoolwork is getting crazy now. I
still want to hear some more comments! Thanks to those who have been
writing. Anyways, you can email me at Streyn@hotmail.com
Thanks.