Date: Tue, 20 Dec 2005 06:53:55 -0500
From: Tyler Peel <tylerpeel@hotmail.com>
Subject: The Road Home Part Nine

DISCLAIMER: WARNING!! This is a work of homoerotic fiction written by an
adult for the purpose of entertaining other adults. If you are not eighteen
years of age or you have any problem with this type of literature then this
is a warning to read no further. The author will not be held responsible for
any reason if you choose to disregard this disclaimer. If it is not legal to
read the following fictional story in your country then please stop now.


The Road Home: Part Nine  (My Greatest Hero is.)

Tyler had been out for a run, coffee, cinnamon buns for the morning security
guards, and even finished a shower before Derek woke up.  Tyler was drying
off when Sponge Bob disappeared as Derek slid the curtain back to the
window.

"Where's my cinnamon bun?"  Derek asked with a smile.

"I didn't get you one, or myself."  Tyler replied dryly.

"Damn, I am so stiff and sore from football practice."  He said stretching
in bed.

"Maybe you need to get a girl friend to give you massages?"  Tyler said
hurrying to get dressed and away from Derek.

"Umm Ty, could I possibly borrow your MP3 player today?  We're in the
Athletes complex for practice at 1 p.m. and it really sucks not having any
music.  Seems that everyone has an MP3 player but me."

Tyler tossed his MP3 player and headphones over the back of his head hoping
Derek would catch it.  Tyler grabbed his backpack and as he hurried out the
door he told Derek to take a freshly charged battery from the charger in the
wall and put the old in its place.

"No problem, and thanks!  Have a good day."  Derek said playing with mp3
player but the only response he heard was the door shutting.

It was to become a habit that every Wednesday and Friday Tyler and Danny
would walk to the two hour business math class they shared.  Everyday they
would stop at the water fountain by the Science hall to have a drink.

"So how are things with you and Cody?"  Tyler asked quietly as they walked
in public.

"Meh!  We can't get any time alone.  Did I tell you about my room mate?"
Danny asked.

Tyler shook his head no.  "The guys name is Tony and he's really nice but
he's HUGE!  Like 300 lbs.  He's a defensive linebacker on the football team.
  We can't even pass each other in the hall way in our room.  The guy's a
slob too!  Last night he ate three Heros!!!" (Submarine sandwich).

"Wow!"  Tyler said laughing.

"That was after eating dinner Ty!"

"Whoa!"  Tyler laughed.

"He's seems really nice and kind of shy.  I think he knows I'm scared of him
and he wants to be friends but I'm afraid he might hug me and I'll be dead!"
  Danny said with the look of fear in his eyes.

"Hahahaha" Tyler laughed.  "Sooooo, Daniel.  you and Cody?  Or do you not
want to talk about it?"

"Yeah. Something's wrong with him Ty!  His butt is always hurting him."

"Ahahaahahaha." Tyler roared laughing.  "TOO MUCH INFO DANNY!"

"TY! Seriously, it's not me!  I wish I was the problem but you've seen me.
You know I couldn't hurt anyone."  Danny laughed a little ashamed.

"Danny, you've got nothing to be ashamed of!  Some are showers, and some are
growers!  You're a grower. and a damn fine one at that!"

"Thanks Tyler, I know you're just being nice, and thanks, but something
really isn't right with Cody.  He's nervous all the time.  When I do see him
he doesn't want anyone to see him talking to me and if the teams around I
don't even exist.  Yet when we're alone he's a different person.  So warm
and loving, so in need of being loved.  You're right though, something isn't
right." Danny said walking with his head down.

"Don't give up on him Daniel!  He's probably in the closet like the rest of
us and since you know me, which probably doesn't fare too well with Dakota
and his posse, he probably has to keep his distance!  Speaking of. I think
you should avoid me around the team!"

"Why?"  Danny asked.

"Something's going to happen Danny. I've warned you before and I don't want
you getting hurt.  Just being associated with me could damage your hockey
career and I don't want to be responsible for that.  Besides, it really
sounds like Cody needs you."

"Fuck'em!  Tyler, we're friends for life!  You're stuck with me!  I really
like Cody, I might even love him but you come before Cody or anyone else!
If anyone wants to try something I will be there right beside you!"

"I know you would be Danny, but use your head.  Cody needs you right now and
you have to remember your hockey career.  Besides, you might hear something
I'm not supposed to know."  Tyler winked and Danny smiled.

"Danny, just lay low around me if the team is nearby.  C'mon, let's get into
class."  Tyler said as the entered the room.

After class was over Danny wanted to know if Tyler wanted to do something
but he couldn't.  He had boxing from 3:00 until 5:00 pm.  When Tyler
returned to his room he was sweaty and tired.  All he could think of was
having a shower and lying down.  When he opened the door and walked down the
hallway he could see a naked brunette with rather large breasts swaying back
and forth as her head bobbed up and down on top of Derek's bed.  Neither
noticed Tyler until they heard the door shut.

'Tiffany', as Tyler was to learn later, was giving his sore, tired muscles a
back rub.  Tyler figured Derek must have been a contortionist if she was
rubbing his back and giving him a blowjob at the same time.

"WHAT THE FUCK!"  Yelled Derek as he sat up and twisted his head around at
Tyler.

"Hi, nice to see you too!"  Tyler responded rounding the loveseat.  He heard
Sponge Bob slide open to the front of the bed.

"What the Hell are you doing here?"  Derek yelled.

"I live here, but you probably forgot like you forgot you're not speaking to
me."  Tyler said dropping his backpack and stripping down to his boxers.
Derek began cursing at and to everyone in the room.

"I better go Dylan!"  Tiffany said to Derek.

"???"  Thought Tyler.  "Don't worry!" Tyler said, "I'm going to have a
shower.  I'll be gone at least 20 minutes so you can finish your personal
massage."  Tyler walked out letting the door slam.

Tyler wanted to punch something, mostly himself for allowing him to fall in
love with Derek.  He had a strong feeling that Derek might be straight.  He
already knew he was an asshole.  He was just surprised that he didn't play
hockey!  Maybe all sports superstars are like that he thought?  When he got
to the showers there was only one shower stall open.  It was the last one on
the right.  The shower stall straight ahead was extra large and built for
anyone with special disabilities.  The guy in it didn't have any
disabilities but it was likely the only one he could fit into.

Tyler turned on the shower and waited for it to warm out.  He could only
stand there and stare at this guy's huge ass.  Tyler wondered how hung, or
desperate for that matter, you might have to be to ride this broncing bull!
When Tyler got into his shower he turned around, letting the warm water run
the sweat off his back.  As he opened his eyes he noticed the bull was
watching him but turned away as soon as Tyler opened his eyes.  When he
looked back to see if it was clear, it wasn't!  Tyler met him head on.

"Hey, I'm Tyler!"  Extending his right hand out.

"Hi. I'm Tony," He said in a squeaky shy voice.   Tyler almost showed his
grin at hearing his voice.

"Tony?  You're Danny's room mate?"

"Yeah. why?"  Tony asked surprised at the connection Tyler made.

"Cause any friend of Danny's is a friend of mine!"  Tyler smiled.

Tony smiled but said nothing.

"Can I ask you a question Tony?"  Tony nodded.  "Why are you using the
shower over here when you have showers in your dorm hall?"

"They don't have a big one like this."  He said lowering his head in shame.

"Cool!"  Tyler said.  "If it weren't for this shower then I wouldn't have
met you for awhile!"

Tony smiled.

"Danny said his room mate was this really nice guy who's shy. guess he was
right?"  Tyler winked.

"How do you know Danny?"  Tony asked.  The showers began to empty out.

"We're on the same hockey team.  So do you like Danny?  He's a really nice
guy once you get to know him."

"Cool.  Umm we don't really talk much, but yeah. he seems nice."  Tony
thought as he tried to reach his back with his scrub brush.

"He really is Tony.  Get to know him. I've only known him a month but we're
practically best friends.  Here!  Give me that brush and turn around."  Tony
handed him the brush.

"You'll have to back up closer to the partition Tony." Tyler asked.  Tony
did and Tyler began giving his back a scrub with this little brush.  He
figured that a paint scraper or sand blaster would actually speed the job up
but thought he'd better keep that idea to himself.  They were now alone in
the shower and Tyler handed back the brush but told him not to move.  Tyler
placed both hands on his back and began massaging his sore muscles.

"You've got a lot of tension in there Tony.  You must be stressed out about
something?"  Tyler said continuing to massage his back.  Tony just moaned.

"I've never had a back massage before Tyler.  This is soooo good!"  Tony
said with his eyes closed.

"Well my room mate is getting one from some slut named Tiffany right now but
between you and me. I can do it much better!"  Tyler said patting his back.

Tony laughed a hearty bear laugh.  "You're funny Tyler!"  Tony said in his
natural gruff voice.

"Wow, what a deep voice you have Tony.  That would scare the shit out of me
if I didn't already know you as a friend."  Tyler said continuing the
massage.

"You think of me as a friend?"  Tony asked.

"I already told you Tony!  Danny thinks of you as a friend, and any friend
of Danny's is a friend of mine!"  Tyler slowed down his rubbing and became
more sensual.

Tyler looked behind him to see that the shower room was empty and pressed on
Tony's shoulders to force him to lower himself down slightly.  Tyler began
massaging his massive muscles and fat.

"Feeling better?"  Tyler asked speaking quietly into his ear.

"Oh yeah!  Many feelings. all good!"  Tony smiled with his eyes closed.

Tyler was sprouting a nice chunk of wood at this point and leaned over
kissed Tony's cheek!  "Good, I want all of my friends to always feel good!"
Tyler peered over as much of Tony as was possible.  He could see that Tony
was jacking himself slowly.

"You know there's a much more fun way to do that in the shower!"  He
whispered in Tony's ear.  Tony's eyes popped open at being caught.  "Stand
up and turn around." Tyler said.  Tony squatted until he was blocked by the
partition and then stood up.  Tyler leaned back against his shower partition
away from Tony.  Tony's eyes focused on Tyler's now hard cock.  His mouth
just hung open.

Tyler leaned back and grabbed his erection in his right hand and started
plucking his right nipple with his left hand.  He closed his eyes and threw
his head back so Tony would feel free to enjoy the show.  Tyler moaned as he
stroked his foreskin back and forth.  He peeked out one eye and saw that
Tony's face was red and his arm was moving at a pace to beat the four-minute
mile!

Tyler groaned a few more times for Tony.  Tyler was getting off on this
strange new experience of having someone get this excited over him.  Tyler
grabbed his balls and rolled them back and forth.  He pulled his protruding
manhood up towards his chest and pushed the showerhead away.  Tyler turned
to take one last look to make sure the room was empty said, "Here she cums!"
  And it did!  Tyler shot his first rope of cum up the left side of his body
hitting the side of his cheek.

Tony screamed, "Oh God!" and began having his own orgasm.

Tyler's second shot landed in the centre of his chest just as some of his
first shot dripped on his check and landed on his left nipple.  The third
and fourth shots hit the upper abs and rolled down the hills towards their
watery grave.  Tyler pulled his foreskin up to be level with the tip of his
head, allowing the pool to fill within.  He turned his cock towards the
water flow and let go as the pool of cum dripped off his erection, slamming
the watery tiles below.

Tony just stared at Tyler's erection.  Watching it slowly deflate towards
earth while not losing its size.  Tyler walked into the water and closed his
eyes rubbing his cum all over his body as he washed it away.  Tyler turned
the water off and walked over to Tony at the partition.  "That was fun,
thanks for all your inspiration Tony!"  Tyler said kissing his cheek.  Tony
just held his blank stare with his mouth hanging open.

"Tony!  Tony?"  Tyler snapped his fingers bring Tony back to the real world.

"What?"  Tony said with eyes glazed over.

"You okay?"

"Oh yeah!  Never better Tyler!  Thanks for being. you know. a friend and all
that."

"Tony, no one will ever know what a nice guy you are if you don't let them
get to know you."

"I know what you're saying Ty."  Tony replied.

"Just cause you're big doesn't mean you're mean or scary. off the field at
least!" Tyler winked at him and Tony smiled back.  "Danny and I are going to
go for pizza on Sunday night.  Want to come along?"

"Really?"  Tony's eyes opened wide.

"Really!  Tony, I'm not asking you to come along because I feel sorry for
you.  I'm asking you to come along because I like you and we are friends!
Besides, I'm a 'sucker' for a shower buddy!"  Tyler winked.  Tony roared
with laughter over the pun.

"Thanks Ty!  Danny's lucky to have you for a friend!"

"So are you and don't forget it!" Tyler smiled, winked, and grabbed his
towel and left the room.

When Tyler got back to his room he realized that he didn't have his key.  He
knocked and Derek had to open the door.  When he found out it was Tyler he
just turned and let the door fly into Tyler's face.

"You could have fucking told me when you were coming back and you could
remember to carry your fucking key with you!"  Derek said walking away.

"If you would have read my schedule, the one I told you I posted on the
corkboard you would have known when I was due back, and the reason I didn't
have my key was because I wanted to get the hell out of here while you were
fucking your hoe!  Tyler yelled back!

"Tiffany's not a HOE!"  Derek responded.

"Tiffany thinks your name is Dylan and if you think she's not a hoe then
that says more about you than it does about her!"

"You could have fucking called!"  Was Derek's desperate response!

"Call who?  Call you?  I don't know your phone number, remember?  I'm not to
touch it, remember?  YOU could have left a note on the door!  YOU could have
phoned my cell phone!  Don't fucking lay this shit on me and remember it's
MY FUCKING ROOM TOO!  Tyler yelled punching the side of his bed.

Derek grabbed his football jacket and left without saying a word.

Tyler sat down in front of his computer and turned it on.  While waiting for
it to load he grabbed Sponge Bob and pulled him into view.  He turned on his
MSN and both Kyle and Danny were online.  A request for authorization came
from 'theredheadedstepchild'.  Tyler laughed aloud at the name and
authorized Kelly to his list.  Kelly wasn't online at the time.

Hey Puckhead!  You busy?

Hey Ty.  But I was just going to contact you.  Something weird is
happening..

What's wrong Danny? : (

I think you know.

What?

Tony came into the room from his shower.  He hasn't shut up since he got
here talking about how great you are and how nice I am and how great you
think I am.

Hehehe. yeah.  Sorry, I should have warned you.  I sort of loosened him up
in the shower.

"HAHAHAHAAH.  You 'loosened' him up?  ROTFLMAO!  OH MY GOD!  I know you're
hung like one of our horses but damn!  Damn!
Hehehe.shut the fuck up Puckhead.  I didn't mean it that way.

>From now on, I'm calling you Clyde!  As in Clydesdale! LOL

LOL. the beats for you Danny boi!

Hehehe. I hear we're having our 'weekly' pizza night on Sunday huh?

Lol. sorry. again.  He seemed lonely and . you know.

Yeah, I know you!  That's why I love you so much Tyler.  You really are the
best thing that's ever happened to me!  But since you have the job, you're
buying!  I couldn't afford to feed him! ;)

G2G Puckhead.  I love you Danny, don't ever forget that.

HEY!  Don't go!  Something's up!  What's wrong?  Talk to me Tyler Peel!

Had a blow up with Derek when I walked into MY room and some hoe was giving
him a b/j.

HAHAHA. saaaaaaaweet!  Doesn't he know that only guys know how to truly
drain the main vein? ;)

You're such a pig!  Lol   Talk with you laterz!  Love ya

Love you too Ty!  Stay in touch!

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

Hey not so little dude!  You there?

TYLER!  U bet 4 U!

Kyle clicked on the webcam icon.  'Strange' he thought.  It usually sends a
request for authorization..  'Holy fuck' he said to himself seeing the
shirtless, wet head on his screen.

How are things Kyle?

Okay. cept for missing u!

I know the feeling pal : (

How's Derek doing?

Ummm. hard to tell?  I could really learn to love him if I didn't hate him
so much ;)

Sorry 2 hear that!  It's really quiet around the house.  All the tension is
gone since he left.  Mom seems more relaxed and Dad is spending more time at
home, which isn't necessarily a good thing.

LOL I understand what you're saying Kyle!   Off the record, we had a big
fight this afternoon.  He brought some girl to the room and didn't tell me.
He went off the deep end when I walked in on them.

Hahaha.  Sounds like my brother!  He's done this before.   When he is upset
over something he starts dating all these girls.  Rarely longer than a week
at a time.  I got in shit from him for mentioning the previous g/f's name in
front of his current g/f once! Lol Watch and see if he goes through girls
like he goes through tissues ;)

Too much info not so little dude!

Did you get to see the pics I sent?

Yeah! Thanks Ty!  Derek emailed them to both Dad and me.  Mom was gushing
over them.

How's pukey Lukey?

You have to ask?  Guess what he's doing right now?

Eating?  Lol

Fuckin' right!

Peanut Butter?

Not sure and I don't want to know!

I'm going to do some homework. apparently that's what I'm here for?  ;)

Love you Ty!

Love you too Kyle!

123

123, bye!

Derek returned with a pile of mail.  All of it for Tyler!  Before opening
the door to the room he looked through it all.   There was a cell phone
bill, multiple stuff from the law offices of Peel and Thatcher, a letter
from a P. Johnson, and what looked like a music CD.  Derek reached into his
coat pocket to retrieve his key but it wasn't there.

"Oh Fuck. I'm never going to hear the end of this!" He said to the door.

knock knock

Tyler got up from his computer and went to open the door.  As he pulled the
door open he stopped and held the door waving Derek on past him.  He didn't
want to give Derek the opportunity to accuse him of doing the same thing.
Tyler was about to push the door closed when Tony appeared.

"Hey Tony!"  Tyler smiled.

"Hey Ty!"  Tony replied.

Derek knew the voice and turned around to see one of his linebackers at the
door.  He walked up to the door and said 'Hey' to Tony.  Tony just raised
his hand to a wave.

"Tyler, Tony's here to see me."  Derek said gently shoving Tyler behind him.

"Actually Derek, I'm here to see Tyler."   Tyler had begun to walk back down
the hall when he stopped in his tracks.  He was grinning so wide he didn't
want to turn around and let Derek see his face, but he did.  Derek let go of
the door on Tony and walked back to his computer, tossing Tyler's mail on
the loveseat, he glared at Tyler as they passed each other in the hall.
Derek listened closely.

"Hey Tony, how's she hanging?"  He winked.

"It's rarely 'hanging'" Tony smiled.  "Anyway, I just wanted to tell you
that Danny and I are all cool for dinner on Sunday night.  I really
appreciate you both inviting me.  You're right about Danny.  He's a really
great guy!"

"I wouldn't lie to you Tony!  He's the nicest friend I've made here at
Drexel!"

"Anyway I got to go and eat." He smiled.

"Take care Tony, thanks for dropping by.  Night!" Tyler said and shut the
door behind him.

Tyler walked back to his computer and saw the mail on the loveseat.  He
picked it up and sat down at his computer.  Tyler was busy tearing open
packages and letters.  He briefly looked through the latest package from
Uncle David.  He was going to request that Uncle David send him a box of
pens with the next package.  Tyler took the legal package and went into his
walk-in closest.  He took a key out of the pocket of a shirt hanging up and
opened a lock box.  He deposited the legal stuff to read later and resealed
the box.  As he began reading the letter from Mrs. Johnson, Derek could hear
him sigh and chuckle a few times.

"You could say thanks for me bringing up your mail!"  Tyler heard from
Sponge Bob.

"I could but I'm not supposed to say anything.  You know. things like 'oh,
did you forget your key Derek?'  Nope, I'm not allowed to speak so I'm not
going to!  Tyler said.

"Fuck you asshole!"  Derek said giving Sponge Bob the finger.  Tyler didn't
bite at the opportunity to argue with him.

Tyler stared at the package from a Kelly Durrell.  He knew what it was, but
he didn't.  Tyler knew that it involved his brother David on video for a
school project.  When he opened the package a CD fell out with a short note.

"Hi Tyler,  I got some help from my Dad and we included everything from
before and after he made the video that was still on the camera.  Dad cried
and so did I.  I need to talk with you about the other thing.  Thanks,
Kelly.

Tyler went looking for his headphones but couldn't find them.  He remembered
that he loaned Derek his mp3 player so he was going to have to ask him for
it back.

"I need my headphones if you are done with the mp3 player?"  Tyler asked as
calmly as was possible.

One hand came around the front of Sponge Bob holding the headphones and mp3
player.  Tyler placed his open palm underneath and the player and headphones
were dropped into his hand.  No physical contact was made between Tyler and
Derek.

"Thanks!"  No response came from Derek.

Tyler plugged the headphones into the front of his laptop and inserted the
CD into the side drive.

The CD movie that Kelly sent began with this cute redheaded 14-year-old
standing in front of a blank wall.  The camera moved around a bit and Tyler
could hear his brother's voice.

"Kelly!  Hold still!  Don't move around, I'm trying to set the camera up."
David's voice sent a quiver up Tyler's spine.

"Okay, take over!"  He heard David say and Kelly disappeared from the screen
and then David appeared.  Tyler blinked as his eyes watered up.  David was
wearing his school uniform but the average viewer would just think he was
wearing a navy blue v-neck sweater with a pale blue shirt and red tie tucked
underneath.  Tyler remembered David's hair being short last fall from the
summer holidays.   A rich, deep brown, shiny colour of hair that was almost
shaved completely on the sides and parted off-centre to the left.  Some of
his bangs hung down almost to his eyes.  David would regularly toss his hair
out of his eyes.  David grinned and smiled at the camera and then at Kelly.

"Stop it!  You're making me laugh!"  He said to Kelly.  You could hear
Kelly's laughter, as he was closer to the microphone attached to his dad's
digital video camera than David.

"Okay, Go on three!  One.  Two. Three."  Kelly said.  "Action!"

David busted out laughing and turned down and around from the camera.  He
then reappeared to give Kelly shit!  "KELLY!  You're not supposed to laugh!
Or say ACTION!"

"Take Two!"  Said Kelly.  "On three!  One. Two. Three."

"Good Morning, Mrs. Hartley, fellow students!  I'm David Peel and I want to
answer that age-old question, "My Greatest Hero is." David said appearing to
be reading from notes he had written.

"Look at the camera!"  Could be heard from Kelly whispering to David.

"I gave a great deal of thought to whom I would chose!  Since we were
required to follow a preset criteria based on three things I was able to
narrow it down to one person.  The three criteria are as follows.  One!  I
had to know the person.  Two!  This person would have to have made a
long-term influence on my life.  And Three!  This person needed to do
something that was extra special or above and beyond what was normal.  The
first two parts were easy and there were many people who fit into these
categories.  The third part was more difficult.  I realized that I didn't
know that many people who could qualify for a hero.  I looked up the
definition of a hero but that didn't make it any easier.  I narrowed my
choice down to two people and it wasn't really me that made the decision,
but rather most of my friends.  Many of you are in the room watching me
today."  David said looking seriously into the camera.

"When I made my choice,  I thought that everyone in the class would probably
start laughing at me, but I also knew that anyone who knew me, and knew me
well, would certainly agree.  My Dad taught me that while some people will
laugh at you for anything you say, if it comes from the heart, even those
who disagree with you will still respect you in the end, or it went
something like that.  This left me with only one choice.  I thought about it
and I was kind of embarrassed about it at first.  The person I chose said to
me once, whatever you do in life you need to always be able to wake up in
the morning and face yourself in the mirror.  He taught me that there is
more satisfaction from giving than receiving. No, it's not my Dad! That
person is my brother Tyler."

Tyler couldn't believe what he just heard?  Water didn't run, it poured from
his eyes.  He had to pause the video.  He got up and went to the washroom
and came back with a towel.  Thankfully Derek was avoiding looking at him
anyway.  Tyler stared at the smile on David's face where he paused the
video.  He looked like he had just announced that the award he was giving
out had gone to his favourite band.

"Many of you watching this video right now know my brother Tyler!  He's
taken most of us to Canada's Wonderland, been there for camping, chauffeured
us around, taught several of you how to skate, been there for a few of you
when you had problems at home, helped several of us with homework and
projects more than any of us want Mrs. Hartley to know about!  (David
laughed) and never asked for anything in return!  When I am sick he has
always been there for me.  He would read me stories, play board or video
games, or just spend time with me when I knew he would rather be doing
something else.

It took all of you, my classmates and friends to make the final selection,
because you all complain about your brothers and sisters but no one
complains about Tyler!  You all have brothers and sisters that hit you, pick
on you, or simply lie to you or about you.  There's only one person I know
who doesn't have several reasons to complain about their siblings?  The only
one I know is me!  All of the things Tyler does for me; and all of the
things I hear from you guys about your siblings, Tyler doesn't do to me! It
made me realize that he isn't like others his age and that is what qualifies
him for part three!

This brought up a new question about heroes!  If you stop and help someone
in a car accident does that make you a hero?   Not according to my brother.
He would say that doing what is right doesn't make you a hero even if you
are the only one to do it!  He thinks standards are so low today that what
was considered normal before has become so rare it has moved to hero status.

When I was eight, I didn't want to have this kid over to my birthday party
because he was mean.  Tyler told me he was lonely, and if I tried to make
friends with him then he might not be so mean, and even if he was still mean
I would know that I did the right thing.  Tyler was right as usual and to
this day we are still friends.  No, he doesn't go to this school so stop
looking around at each other.  (David laughed)

I could talk for an hour about how great he is and all the great things he's
done but what's most important is that everyone knows that he is my hero and
always has been.  He loves me and I'm not ashamed to say right here that I
love him too!  I'm gonna miss him so much when he goes to University next
year, (David wiped his eyes) but I also know that he will always be there
for me.  I know that I am the luckiest person in this class for having Tyler
as my brother and anyone who knows him also knows how lucky they are to have
him as a friend.  Thanks Tyler for everything 'cause without you in my life
it would be really empty."  David ran off from the camera's view.

Tyler hit stop on the video and unplugged his headphones from his laptop.
He broke down sobbing.  Derek immediately pulled the Sponge Bob back when he
heard him.  Tyler turned away towards his closet.  Derek didn't know what
was wrong and just put a hand on his back and rubbed it.  Tyler shook his
hand off and said, "Leave me alone!"

Derek wasn't about to listen and slid his chair over to him, trying to pull
him into a hug.  Tyler jumped up and started yelling.  "Get your fucking
hands off me!  Leave me the hell alone!"  He said between tears and gasps of
breath.  "I don't like you!  You don't like me!  I wished to HELL I lived
somewhere far away from YOU!"

Derek backed his chair away and said.  "Tyler!  Calm down.  I don't know
what's got you upset.  I'm here if you want to talk to me."

"I'm not supposed to talk to you remember?  YOUR RULES!  It might as well be
all your rules as this is ALL your room right?"  Tyler yelled!

"Ty." Derek said calmly

"DON'T TYLER ME!  You're nice for one minute and mean for the next 24 hours!
  You're mean to your family!  It seems you're rude to everyone who comes in
contact with you.  So just don't fucking talk to me!  Don't go near me!
Don't ask for anything and stay the hell out of my life! And remember those
are YOUR RULES" Tyler grabbed his coat and keys and ran out of the dorm
room.

Derek stared at the wall chewing on the back of his thumb.  He slowly pushed
himself around in circles sitting on his desk chair.  He knew Tyler was
right.  He's always known that and he hated himself for it.  As he thought
more about Tyler tonight he remembered hearing Tyler crying softly.

Derek slid over to Tyler's desk and picked up the CD cover and read it.
"David Peel: My Greatest Hero is." He said aloud.  Then he picked up the
note from Kelly and read it.  Derek clicked the play button on Tyler's
window media player and a redheaded kid appeared on the screen.  Derek
turned up the volume and watched the video.

Tyler got into his Jeep and took off leaving the campus grounds.  He picked
up a coffee at a drive-thru and drove down to the Delaware River.  He parked
and sat on his Jeep staring out into the warm evening waters.

Derek thought he might cry after watching the video.  He knew his brothers
would never give a speech like that about him.  David certainly is a cutie
thought Derek!  If his hair were lighter he would be the younger duplicate
of Tyler.  Derek opened up Tyler's MSN and saw that Kyle was on his MSN.  He
closed the MSN but didn't turn it off.  He didn't want Tyler to know he had
watched the video.  Derek looked through Tyler's garbage pail for clues but
there wasn't anything.  He turned in Tyler's chair and his foot hit the
recycling bucket.  He looked down and saw the card and torn envelope from
Mrs. Johnson and pulled it out.

"Dearest Tyler,

Thank you for the emails your Uncle David forwarded to me.  I hope hockey
and school are going well for you.  The house is fine and I'm keeping a
close eye on it.  David dropped over for coffee and had me sign some papers
last week for the house.  There have been a lot of cards come for you and
I've been collecting them up and will give them all to your Uncle to forward
to you.  Most of everything has been picked up.  A friend of your brother's
named Kelly was over.  I took him over to the house and I let him pick a few
things out.  He seemed to be really interested in the computer but I said I
would have to talk to you about it, but he told me not to worry, as he would
talk to you about something on the computer?

I miss you so much.  It really is lonely here.  The cats even miss you,
though I know you never liked them!  I was wondering if you are coming home
for Thanksgiving Day?  You know that you are more than welcome.  I think
this will be the first birthday of yours in 7 years that I will have missed.
  Please stay in touch,

Love, your Mrs. J."

Derek reread the letter.  There weren't any more answers there but there
were certainly a lot more questions about who Tyler Peel is!  As he tossed
the card and envelope back in the recycling bin, an MSN message box pop-up
on Tyler's screen.  It was Kyle.

Hey Ty!  What's up?

(pause)

Yo Tyler!  Are you there?  It says you're online?

(pause)

Well, I guess you are busy?  123 Kyle : )

Derek debated on whether to pretend he was Tyler and talk to Kyle but he
thought that was crossing the line. for most people but not for him!  He
hadn't put his fingers to the keys when he heard the door being unlocked.
Derek slid back to his computer and continued typing like he had been doing
it since Tyler left.  Derek didn't look up and Tyler didn't look down.

Tyler sat down at his computer and turned it off without even looking at his
MSN message from Kyle.  He unplugged his computer from all of its wires.  He
opened his backpack and slid his computer inside.

Knock knock knock

Tyler headed off to open the door and he let Danny in.

"Got everything?"  Danny asked.

"Almost." Tyler said hurrying around his side of the room.  He handed Danny
his backpack and sleeping bag from the closet.  Derek was watching while
pretending to be working on his computer.  Tyler stopped and stared at the
wall for a second.  He grabbed his colour-framed picture of his family and
had Danny turn around while he put it in back of his pack.  He grabbed his
lock box from the floor of his closet and some clean clothes on hangers.  He
took some boxers from the second drawer of his dresser and stuffed them in
the pack on Danny's back.  He looked around the room grabbing his keys, cell
phone, the pillow off his bed and told Danny, "GO!"  As he followed Danny
down the hallway he reached up and grabbed his schedule off the corkboard
wall without even turning his head.  As quickly as he arrived, he was gone.

ring ring,  ring ring

Derek reached over and picked up the phone.  "Hi sweetheart, how are things
going?"

"Hi Mom. Okay.  How are you?"  Derek asked.

"Fine.  The house is a lot quieter though." She laughed.

"Yeah it seems that people are a lot happier when I'm not around."  He said
glumly.

"Is something wrong Derek?"

"No Mom, everything's fine."

"Okay Derek. It doesn't sound like it is but I didn't call to argue with
you.  I called because I missed you and wanted to make sure you're okay?"
Linda said.

Knock knock knock

"Hang on Mom, someone's at the door."  Derek got up and opened the door.
Danny stood there.

"Tyler forgot his hockey sticks for the game and needs his cup."  Danny said
emotionlessly and pushed his way passed Derek.

"Sure c'mon in." Derek said snidely

"I would have." Danny said dangling the key in the air, "I have his key!  I
was just trying to be polite. not that you would understand that.  Tyler
won't be in your way until just before he goes to work tomorrow night."
Danny said on his way out and slamming the door.

Derek spun around and saw the phone sitting there.  'SHIT' he said to
himself.

"Ummm Hi Mom, sorry about that.  Just a friend of Tyler's dropping by to
pick some stuff up."  He said trying to cover up what she had probably
heard.

"Uh huh!  Derek, what's going on?"  Linda said.

"Nothing Mom.  I just miss being at home."

"How are you and Tyler getting along?"

"Fine. He's not the easiest guy to live with, but neither am I."  Derek said
slowly.

"What's happening honey?"  She asked.

"Nothing Mom, everything's fine!"

"No it isn't Derek.  I can hear it in your voice, but you're not a little
boy anymore Derek.  I'm here if you need me and I will try my best to
respect your privacy.  If you've done something to Tyler I strongly suggest
you fix it.  It will only get worse as each day goes by."  Linda said.

"I haven't done anything Mom!  All is fine.  He's gone to his hockey game."

"Okay Derek.  I will get out of your way and let you do some homework. I
love you!"  Linda said.

"Love you too Mom, and I miss you all."  Derek said.

"That's nice to hear honey.  Your brothers really do miss you already.  Take
care, bye." She said.

"Bye Mom."  Derek said hanging up the phone.

Tyler sat in the dressing room suited up with all the other players waiting
to go out and warm up for their first official game of the season.

"Now boys." Coach Conners began, "I've made a few changes in the line ups."
Everyone looked at each other wondering what he was talking about?  He went
through several position changes but the one that caused the stir was moving
Ryan on to Tyler's line.  Danny was happy because he was getting to play
second period and Adam was just happy to have the A on his jersey!  The
announcer began his introduction of the Drexel Dragons and everyone headed
out in numerical order with exception of the two goalies that would be
introduced last.

Tyler noticed that when the Captain was introduced he heard some people
booing.  Tyler figured it had to do with last year's loss.  There was almost
no clapping for the team's lone Canadian player when he was introduced.  As
Tyler passed each of the players lined up on the blue line they fisted each
other except Dakota who ignored him.  Dakota smiled when Tyler passed by him
and he looked over and saw the Coach looking at him shaking his head.

Tyler had only learned earlier in the evening that they were playing the
Cooperstown Cougar's who had beaten them in the playoffs last year.  This
was supposed to be the grudge match!  Dakota scored the first goal at the
halfway point of the first period and the Cougars came right back at the
drop of the puck to score on Adam.  With less than two minutes remaining in
the first period Tyler scored the go ahead goal, unassisted. Then Tyler got
the puck on the face off and was on a breakaway with Ryan beside him.  Tyler
could have taken the puck in for the goal but he passed it to Ryan and Ryan
scored.  The crowd went crazy when the buzzer blew for the end of the
period.

Back in the dressing room Dakota quietly tore a strip off Ryan for scoring
the goal telling him 'you want to make him look good?  I knew you were a
traitor.' In the second period Tyler passed the puck at the 15-minute mark
to Ryan.  It was another breakaway from a pass by Danny.  Ryan simply skated
around behind the net and shot it back to the defenseman.  Tyler just looked
at him as to say, 'what the fuck?'  They had three more full strength shifts
that period together and each time Tyler passed the puck to Ryan he either
avoided his chance to score or the shot was so out of range that someone in
the cheap seats could have caught it.

As they were coming out on to the ice for their last shift before the end of
the second period Tyler saw Dakota say something to Ryan.  Tyler's line came
up again with less than one minute to play.  Ryan immediately crosschecked a
Cougar and got a penalty.  Playing short handed, Tyler knew he only had one
chance to break the Cougar's spirit.  He easily broke away from the pack and
lined up to take his shot but didn't.  He went around the net and stopped.
The Cougar goalie thought he went all the way around his net and Tyler
slipped the puck in for the goal on his left side.  The goalie never saw it
coming.  At the end of the second period the score was Dragons 4, Cougars 1.
  Danny had a one period shut out.

As Ryan skated out of the penalty box to head off the ice Tyler approached
him.  "What are you doing?" Tyler asked?

"What are you talking about?"  Ryan snarled.

"I don't know what Dakota said to you but you might as well be wearing a
Cougar's jersey!"  Tyler said and skated away from him.  Tyler's line
returned short-handed going into the third period as Ryan returned to the
penalty box to serve out his time left.  Tyler lost control of the puck and
Cougars scored.  With less than 5 minutes left in the second period Ryan got
another penalty.  This time it was for tripping.  Tyler's line was barely
able to hold off the Cougar's.  The game finished with a 4-2 win for the
Dragon's!

Coach Conner's pulled Ryan aside before going into the dressing room.  "I
don't know what you're doing but I know something's up!  You're staying on
that line with Tyler or you simply won't be playing.  That score should a
lot higher and you could have been the top scorer for the game.  I don't
know what you're thinking but you better straighten up! I suppose you didn't
notice Dean Thompson sitting with a Scout for the Mighty Ducks either. You
must be proud of yourself?  I'm sure you just impressed the shit out of
him!"  Coach Conners walked into the dressing room and the celebration
quieted down.

"Adam and Danny!  Good game!  I hope everyone watched Tyler hauling ass out
there.  That's what we call giving 110%!  You can't win a game in the
penalty box, he said looking directly at Ryan.  Can anyone tell me how badly
you lost this game?"  The coach waited for an answer he knew wasn't coming.

"Ten percent of your shots on goal should go in!  The score should be 7 to
3!  If you think of this as anything other than a loss then you really don't
have a clue about how to play hockey!   You will get lucky a few times, but
for the most part, those tiny little errors are the ones that kill you.  You
failed to play as a team!  I want you to ask yourselves a question!  How
lucky do I feel?  Think about what's going to happen when you play a team
that's better than you!  Go get showered." The Coach walked out of the
dressing room and the arguing began.  Tyler's line started in on Ryan.
Tyler wouldn't defend Ryan or say anything.  He didn't back down from
staring at a grinning Dakota.

As Tyler walked by Dakota going to the shower he bent down and said into his
ear.  "It's your team, Captain, are you going to let them beat up on Ryan?"
Tyler walked away not awaiting a response.  Dakota just quietly enjoyed the
abuse Ryan was taking from his line.

Danny, Cody, and Tyler waited until all had left the arena and walked back
to Danny's dorm room together.  "What the fuck is going on with Ryan?"
Danny asked to no one in particular.

"I have an idea but I don't know for sure."  Tyler said.  Cody just stared
at the ground saying nothing.

"Well?  What then?"  Danny asked.

"Ryan played a great first period, but when we came out second period I saw
Dakota talking to him and his play changed after that.  I figured if I kept
putting the puck in stick he would either have to score or at least the
Coach would say something, but nothing happened."  Tyler replied.

"Hey Cody, you're friends with Dakota!  Maybe you can find out what's going
on?"  Danny asked.

"You're friends with Dakota?"  Tyler asked staring at him in disbelief.

"We're NOT friends!"  Cody said defensively.

"Well, what about the team meeting you went to the other night?  Danny asked

"What team meeting?"  Tyler asked.  Cody just lowered his head.
"Never mind!  You're part of Dakota's posse aren't you?"  Tyler said.

Cody didn't answer.

"You don't hang out with those assholes do you Cody?"  Danny pleaded.

"Shut up Danny!"  Tyler said.  "I've got to go and get something from my
Jeep.  See you guys later."  Tyler said walking away from them.

"K. Ty.  See you up in my room later?"  Danny said, but with no response
from Tyler.

"He's going to your room?"  Cody asked.

"Don't change the subject Cody!  What the fuck are you doing with those
assholes?  You're a great guy and you know I love you, but there are some
things I don't understand about you.  Talk to you tomorrow if you're not
tied up with another team meeting!"  Danny stormed off ahead of Cody leaving
him there.

Cody stood for a moment alone.  Not wanting to go back to his room.  Not
wanting to be alone, he went for a walk carrying his hockey bag.  When he
approached the parking lot he saw the Tyler's red Jeep and a hockey bag
sitting on top of the hood.  The dashboard lights illuminated Tyler's face
and he sat in the driver's seat with his head resting back against the
headrest.  Cody approached the front of the Jeep and stopped.  Tyler didn't
notice him and Cody could hear music playing.  Cody tapped on the hood and
Tyler sat up.  Cody pointed to the passenger seat but didn't get a response
from Tyler.  Cody set his hockey bag down in front of the Jeep and walked
over to the passenger door.  Tyler reached over and unlocked the door.

After a couple minutes of silence except for the CD player, Cody said.
"Nice Jeep!"

Tyler just stared forward mouthing the words to the song in silence.  Cody
looked over at Tyler staring straightforward and said.  "I love this song
too!"

"The Counting Crows video for it is even better!"  Tyler said still not
looking at Cody.

"The Shrek video?"  Cody asked.

"No!  The one with the guy and girl in bed!  That guy is so hot, I've blown
more loads thinking about him than anyone else!"  Tyler said.  Cody's mouth
dropped open.

"Cody!  I know it was you spying on Danny and me in the shower.  I've never
said anything to Danny about it.  Danny loves you more than hockey or maybe
even life itself?  If you or any of your thugs do anything to hurt him I
will personally tear you apart!  I swear on my life that your body or anyone
else's won't be recognizable.  Do you understand me?"  Tyler said looking
out his driver's side window.  Cody just nodded with his head hung down.

"Please get out of my Jeep!"  Tyler said still not willing to look at him.

Cody put his hand on the door handle and said, "I just wanted to tell you
that Dakota is trying to get you off the team.  They're planning to do
something to you, but I don't know what it is.  I know you don't believe me,
but I'm not one of them."  He opened the door and got out.  Just before
shutting the door Cody said quietly.  "I would never hurt Danny.  I love him
more than he loves you!"  Cody shut the door and picked up his hockey bag at
the front of Tyler's Jeep and walked to the dorm.

Tyler almost walked into his dorm room when he remembered that he was going
to sleep in Danny and Tony's room.  He turned around and headed over to
Danny's wing of the fifth floor.  Danny opened the door and asked Tyler if
he was alright?  Tyler just nodded.  Tony was sitting at his desk doing
homework and Tyler came up behind him putting one arm around his shoulder
and giving him a light peck on the cheek.  "Thanks Tony for letting me stay
here tonight!"  Tyler smiled.  Tony was shocked and a little embarrassed at
Tyler kissing him in front of Danny.

"Sure. Tony gets a kiss and I get nothing.." Danny sulked, winking at Tyler.

"I warned you last time Danny about the tongue thing!"  He winked.

Tony spun around in his chair with his mouth hanging open.

Danny not wanting to miss an opportunity to one-up Tyler said, "Oh?  I only
remember you telling me to be careful with my teeth?"  He winked.  Tyler
busted out laughing and pulled Danny into a hug and kissed his cheek.  "Now
everybody's equal!"

"Tony?  Tony?  Over here!!  It's a joke!"  Tyler said smiling and Tony was
forced to relinquish his fantasy and come back to reality.  Tyler sat down
on their loveseat and opened up his laptop to do some homework.

Derek turned on his MSN and when Kyle saw he was online he sent a message.

Hey Derek, how's school?

I've seen better days Kyle.

What's a matter?

Nothing.  Just one of those days!

How's Ty?

I don't know!

?????  What do you mean?

Just what I said!  I don't fucking know!

U guys have a fight?

pause

Derek?  Are u okay?

Yeah. I'm fine but not really.

Can I help at all?

No, but thanks for asking.

I messaged hi to Tyler earlier but he just shut his computer down and didn't
answer?  I didn't know if he was mad at me?

It's not you that he's mad at Kyle

Ooooooh.  : (  I know I bug you and all..  But I do care about you and
Tyler!

I know, I care about you too Kyle.

I know : )  I'm not far away if you need me.

Kyle, I don't say it enough but just remember I will always need you.

Same here big bro!

I have to finish my homework okay Kyle?  Talk with you later.

NP!  I don't say it enough either but I love you 2 Derek.

Night Kyle : )

Night Derek : )

Derek scanned down his MSN and saw over 40 people online.  He stared at the
list for a few minutes but no one contacted him.  He looked over at Tyler's
empty desk.  He picked up the sketchpad and flipped through the pages.
Tyler had started several different sketches of his family, Kyle alone, and
Luke alone.  When he got to the last sketch he gasped.  It was an almost
completed sketch of him and more than half of Abbey was finished.  Derek
couldn't believe the amount of work put into drawing Abbey's coat.

"Wow!  That's incredible!"  Derek said aloud.

"Shit! I need my Calculus textbook!"  Tyler said.

"Want me to go over to your room and get it?"  Danny asked secretly wanting
to piss Derek off.

"No, it's okay.  I don't want him to think I'm afraid of him.  I'll go get
it."
Derek heard the key being inserted in the door and he tossed the sketchpad
back on Tyler's desk.  He wasn't sure if it would be Tyler or Danny but he
figured that Danny would still knock first.

"Hey" Derek said being the first to speak.

"Don't worry I'm only here to get a text book I forgot."  Tyler said not
looking at him.

"How did your game go?"  Derek asked.

"We won for some unknown reason." Tyler said.

"I was talking to Kyle tonight.  He said he was trying to talk to you on MSN
and you didn't respond and he thought you were mad at him.  I assured him
that you weren't mad at him."  Derek said staring at his computer but Tyler
didn't acknowledge his words.

"Tyler?"

"What?"

"Can we talk for a moment?"

"I don't think we should Derek."  Tyler said finding his textbook.

Derek came out from under his bed and cut Tyler off from walking down the
hall.  "Ummm since I'm the only one allowed to talk." He said smiling.
"Could I have a couple of minutes to apologize?  If you just let me
apologize I will go and find a new place to live and get out of here within
a week!  I promise!"

"This is your room.  You don't need to apologize.  I'm the one going to find
another place to live."  Tyler said not looking at Derek.

"Please Ty!  Just let me talk for a moment?"  Tyler didn't respond.

"Everything you said about me is right. and true I'm afraid.  I can
apologize and hope that someday you will forgive me but if I were you I
probably wouldn't!  You don't deserve to be stuck with someone like me.  No
one does.  Especially my family!  They all try to love me but I don't let
them, and you do everything possible to make me happy and I act like a
spoiled brat and to top it off, I treat you like shit!!!"  Derek started
crying.  "I don't know why I act like I do, I just do! I'm sorry!"  Derek
dropped on to the loveseat in front of them began sobbing.

Tyler kneeled down on the loveseat beside him and pulled Derek's face into
his chest.  Derek wrapped his arms around him and sobbed while mumbling,
'I'm sorry' over and over again.   Tyler just 'shushed' him and held him
tight.

Many thanks to those of you have taken the time to write and to Nifty.org
for providing a vehicle to display my first multi-chaptered story.  Everyone
has been very kind and forgiving of my mistakes.  Every email has been
appreciated and inspires me to take the time necessary to tell this story. I
hope you enjoy this as much as I am enjoying writing it.

Comments or opinions are welcome. Please EMAIL: tylerpeel@hotmail.com