Date: Fri, 24 Apr 2015 10:48:19 -0500
From: Kit Darling <kittykatdarling989@gmail.com>
Subject: A Rose Among Thorns Part 8

*DISCLAIMER* This story contains depictions of male on male, graphic sexual
interactions. The characters are high school aged and sometimes have unsafe
sex. ALWAYS USE A CONDOM! This is a complete work of fiction and any
similarities to persons or events is purely coincidental. All Rights
Reserved to the Author. Please do not post this story on any other domain
without specific permission from the author.  Enjoy the story and any
feedback is welcome.

Remember that Nifty needs your generous donations to continue on, Dears. So
make sure to toss a few dollars their way so they can keep tossing great
stories your way. Love ya!


CHAPTER 8


Sunday is always such a cruel day. Most people say it's Monday and others
say Wednesday is the worst, but my opinion has always been that Sunday is a
sick joke. For starters, you have to go to church in the morning before its
even noon. You have to go and listen to the pastor retell a story from the
Bible that you've heard a trillion times.

Only a handful of stores are even open on Sundays in Moon Valley.  So
there's almost nothing to do. And it bears the sick reality that the next
day you have school. I thought Sunday was supposed to be a day of rest but
instead it's the day of wake up early and be bored.

Today, in particular, I didn't want to be in church, as it was the day
before my birthday.  Of course, I looked on point and I took satisfaction
in the fact that Blake couldn't keep his lusty eyes off of me. I just would
have much rather been doing something else.

Finally we were dismissed and Mom grabbed my hand, "So what kind of cake do
you want tomorrow?"

"Mom, you know what I like," I said rolling my eyes and smiling at
her. Yellow cake with chocolate frosting had always been my all-time
favorite cake. I asked for it every year but Mom always asked to make sure
my mind hadn't changed.

"I can't wait to give you your present," she said, giving my hand a squeeze
before letting go of it and going over to chat with Dianne. I stood and
waited for my parents to be ready to go, Tommy was out on the swing set
playing with Julie, Blake's younger sister, and Dad was talking to Pastor
Smith and Mr. Donaldson about fishing.

"You look so tasty in that outfit," Blake whispered before nonchalantly
pinching my butt. I yelped a little and then giggled. My face was red.

"Can't you do something more productive like start an avalanche or
something?" I joked back at him.

"Why do you have to be dating that tool bag? We would be perfect.  You're
pretty; I'm cute. We'd make a pretty cute couple, don't ya think?" Blake
wondered trying to caress my forearm inconspicuously.

"Because... what Logan and I have is... complicated," I replied
vaguely. Honestly it was. I never knew where we really stood. One minute
he'd be kissing me and making me feel stuff and the next he was cold as
ice, making me think he didn't like me at all.

Blake smiled sadly at the ground.  "I just wish I'd gotten to you sooner,
Corrigan. You deserve the moon and he's only giving you a pebble," I
sometimes wished that circumstances were different too. I wished I never
had a doubt in my mind. Why did I have to have so much in common with
Blake? Why couldn't he just remain the dirt bag loser he was in my mind
before he came along and proved himself?

My life was turning into some run of the mill young adult fiction with a
few R rated scenes. I walked outside into one of the last pretty days
before the chill of winter set in. Blake followed me.

"What would it take to convince you to leave Logan and be with me?" he
asked as we walked under the huge oak trees in the courtyard of the
church. I reached up and ran my fingers through some Spanish moss and
looked at him.  The sun was hitting Blake's face just right. He had such a
handsome face. His chin was perfectly chiseled, his features were so
symmetrical. His eyes would shame the bluest parts of the ocean. I wanted
him as much as he wanted me, but I also wanted Logan and I know it's
stupid, but I still wanted Nolan above all.

I put my palm on his chest when we were out of view from the church. His
hand came to rest on mine and he put it on his cheek.  His face was so warm
and soft under my fingertips. I looked up, tilting my chin so I could see
him this close. He was so damn tall. His eyes were closed. He placed his
other hand on my waist and pulled me closer.

I wanted to pull away. I wanted so badly to just walk away and never have
this problem again. He made me feel so special. On tip toes, I kissed
him. He kissed me back but it was something so different than ever
before. It was so gentle. So warm. My knees were weak. I was breathless.

"Run away with me," He whispered when he pulled back.

"What does that mean?" I turned away from him and frowned. I hope he wasn't
asking me to marry him or something. I was only seventeen. Eighteen
tomorrow. I wasn't ready for that kind of commitment.

"Let's run away for a while. I never took you to my special spot that one
day. It's perfect weather today. Besides, I have a birthday present for
you," his eyes glittered into mine and there was no way I could refuse his
offer. I forgot about Logan entirely and took Blake's outstretched hand.


"I have to tell my Daddy," I said through excited giggles.

"I'll call my dad and tell him to tell your parents," Blake said as we
neared his car. I agreed and climbed in.



Blake drove us to the edge of a giant oak tree grove. Spanish moss swayed
carelessly in the wind.  "Take off your shoes," Blake commanded as he
kicked off his dress shoes and cuffed his khaki slacks.

"Why?" I asked confused.

"You can never truly experience the earth until you run on it barefoot,"
Blake said as he knelt before me and started untying my brown and white
saddle shoes. He carefully removed my shoes and put them in his car. The
grass was cool beneath my feet.

Blake grabbed my hand and we started walking toward the woods.  Rays of
afternoon sun sparkled through the branches of the trees. The late autumn
plants were still bright and strong. We walked until we came to a tiny
clearing blanketed in lush green grass and delicate flowers. Blake led me
to the middle and he sat. I sat down too, careful not to smash the final
precious blooms of the season.

I picked a few of the flowers around me and started making a flower crown.

"Isn't it majestic out here?" Blake asked. Song birds serenaded us in the
distance. The light breeze tickled my back.

"It is," I said quietly as I concentrated on weaving together the grass and
flora I'd harvested. Blake lay there, head perched on his hand. He watched
me silently. I hadn't noticed until I glanced up. His face got red and he
smiled. I leaned toward him and pecked his lips. I went to pull back but
felt his hand on my cheek.

He caressed my face and kissed me again. When he let go, I sat up straight
and placed the flower crown on his head.

"A crown fit for a King," I sang before putting my hand on his cheek and
caressing it softly.

"Ah but what is a King if he has no one to share his kingdom with?" Blake
asked standing up abruptly, "May I have this dance?"  He bowed and held out
his hand. I put mine in his and stood.

When I was seven I took ballroom dancing lessons. I was one of the better
dancers in my class, but at some point I just lost interest and didn't want
to go back. I was expecting Blake to just stand there and sway, but he
assumed a perfect dancing stance.

His left hand rested on my waist and his other gripped my left hand. With
elbows out, he took the first step. Gracefully, he guided me in a flawless
waltz around the green meadow. I had never been happier in my life. This
moment was perfect and I wanted to pause the world and live in it forever.

"A man of many talents," I said as we spun around and around.

"Only when I have someone to share them with," Blake winked and we danced
and danced to the songs of the birds.

Eventually we stopped and lay down on the cool ground, "Blake that was so
much fun."

"It could be like this all the time, you know," Blake replied.

I frowned as Logan came back into my mind. Shame and guilt gripped my chest
and I felt horrible for what I was doing. I was leading Blake on, cheating
on Logan, and worst of all, confusing myself more than I thought possible.

"No it can't, Blake. I'm sorry," I said standing up and starting the walk
back to his truck. He got up and followed me.

"Why not?" he asked grabbing my arm and turning me around.

"It's not that easy," I responded trying to free myself from his grip.

"Give me one good reason. If you tell me you feel absolutely nothing for
me, I'll leave you alone and you'll never have to worry about me again," he
promised looking deep into my eyes.

"Blake... I... I can't, I'm sorry," I pulled away and ran back to his
truck. Tears rolled down my face. I had dug a hole, climbed in, buried
myself, and was beginning to realize the damage I'd truly done.



Blake drove me home in silence. It was awkward as hell. When he pulled up
to my house he reached in the back seat and grabbed a little box wrapped in
Little Mermaid birthday paper.

"Happy Birthday, Corrigan," he said gruffly. I took the box and looked at
him sadly before whispering thank you and getting out.  I sat down on the
porch and unwrapped the gift. Inside was a little cat figurine. A note was
attached that read: "I'm like cat here. A no name slob. We belong to
nobody, and nobody belongs to us." I smiled as I read the line from
"Breakfast at Tiffany's" again.

He was always so sweet and thoughtful. Light flooded the porch when Mom
opened the front door.

"What's the problem, Bambino?" Mom used to call me that when I was
little. It means baby in Italian.

"Nothing," she'd never understand. She was so judgmental. It was hard
enough to tell her I was gay but to now tell her that I have feelings for
someone other than my boyfriend? I mean, for all intents and purposes, Mom
thought that I was in love with Logan.  Honestly, she'd rejoice if she knew
I was falling for the preacher's son. She'd beg me to dump my sinful Wiccan
and date the saintly Baptist.

"It doesn't seem like nothing," Mom said putting a kind hand on my knee.

"I promise, I'm fine," I smiled at her and stood up, "I'm gonna go to
bed. Love you Mommy."

"Love you too, Corrigan. Sleep well. My little baby is gonna be eighteen
tomorrow. You are growing up so fast and I could honestly not be any more
proud of you," she ruffled my hair and hugged me and I went upstairs. I
laid down on my bed and thought myself to sleep.



Tommy woke me the next morning by jumping up and down on my bed, singing
Happy Birthday. Mom and Dad entered carrying a tray with an obnoxiously
large pile of pancakes smothered in whipped cream, brown sugar, pecans, and
banana slices. Banana's Foster Pancakes. My FAVORITE. My eyes turned into
hearts and I inhaled the pancakes before the song was even over.

"Happy Birthday, Cori," Mom said sitting down next to me, "Do you want your
presents tonight or this morning?"

"Hmm, let me think," I had a chin on my hand, "this morning!"

"Oh goody!" Mom said before clapping her hands. Dad left the room and
brought back three boxes.

"The biggest one is from me," Tommy said proudly. I took the smallest one
and opened it. Inside were a pair of combat boots with floral lining. They
were cute as heck!

"I love them!" I said excitedly.

"Oh thank God, I tried to channel my inner Corrigan when I went looking for
shoes," Dad said with a sigh of relief. I opened Mom's gift next. It was
the big comfy sweater I'd been coveting from polyvore.com. It had a pretty
fox on it and three buttons on the left shoulder. It was the reason I'd
made my own fox sweater.  You know, the one I told you about in chapter
one?

In that moment I became an anime character and slithered into the sweater
excitedly.

"I love it, Mom!" I basically screamed. I hugged her tight and snuggled
deeper into my new sweater.

"Now open my gift!" Tommy said, losing his patience.

"Okay, okay, don't get your undies in a twist," I said before grabbing the
gift and tearing it open. Inside the package was a ton of classic movies;
"Paris When It Sizzles", "Strangers on a Train", "Hush, Hush Sweet
Charlotte". All of my favorite actors and actresses; Audrey Hepburn, Grace
Kelly, Bette Davis, Jimmy Stewart, Cary Grant.

"Thank you so much, Tommy!" I winked at Mom and Dad when Tommy gave me a
satisfied nod.

"I have to get dressed for school!" I said when I looked at the clock and
realized how late it was. My parents and brother left and I shut the door
behind them. I pulled my nightshirt off and put the sweater back on. I
stepped into a pair of skinny jeans and the new boots from Dad. I combed my
hair quickly and grabbed my backpack just as I heard Logan honk from the
driveway.

"Thanks for everything, you guys!" I shouted as I raced out the door. Logan
was standing in front of his truck. He was leaning against it and when I
left the house, he stood up straight and ran a nervous hand through his
hair. It was slicked back. He kind of looked like a really well dressed
James Dean. He had on a plaid button up tucked into a nice pair of jeans
and a dark-blue, fitted blazer. In his left hand he held a bouquet of
African Daisies. My favorites.


"Happy Birthday," Logan said nervously. He leaned down and kissed me. His
mouth quivered. I put a hand on his shoulder and threw my opposite arm
around his neck, pulling him closer. He seemed to loosen up and the kiss
became more natural. I pulled away and took the flowers. I inhaled their
sweet scent, "They are gorgeous," I said.

I ran them up to the house and put them on the entry way table telling mom
to put them in a vase for me. I came back out and Logan was at my side of
the truck. He opened the door and I climbed in. He went to his door and got
in.

"So what's up with all the chivalry?" I asked running a hand through his
styled hair.

"I have a surprise for you at lunch time," Logan said happily.  His hand
crept over and grabbed mine and he started the vehicle.  I scooted into the
middle, closing the space between us, and buckled up.

"I can't wait," I said as he pulled out of the driveway and took us to
school.


"Happy Birthday, Cori," Nolan said behind me at my locker.

"Thanks, Nolan!" I said hugging him quickly. Logan hovered near by as Nolan
handed me what looked like a bracelet box. Inside was a really good quality
inking marker. So that I could ink my drawings.

"I needed a new one!" I exclaimed gratefully. I hugged him again and he
pulled back and grinned.

"Now you can finally ink all those drawings of me," Nolan winked and my
face burned red.

"I have no clue what you're talking about," I lied. I grabbed my books and
Logan's hand. All three of us walked down the hall. There was so much
tension between the two of them, they really didn't like each other.  "Are
you coming over tonight for cake?" I asked Nolan.

"I wouldn't miss it for anything. I'll see you later, pal," Nolan patted my
arm and took off in the opposite direction.

"I still don't know what you see in that goon," Logan snarled.

"Funny, he said the same thing about you," I teased, poking him in the
ribs.

"Well I'm charming, and brooding, and sexy," Logan said confidently, "Nolan
has the personality of a deflated balloon."

"Oh hush up," I said, getting a little too defensive. I lightened my tone
before I continued, "You are both very charming men. I do wonder, however,
what's with the get up today?"

"What ever do you mean?" Logan asked trying to sound innocent.

"I mean why are you dressed so... un-you?" I gestured to the blazer.

"I was..." he trailed off, looking away nervously.

"C'mon, spit it out," I pressed.

"I was trying to impress you. I know how much you like classic movies and
the only guy who was cool enough to impersonate was James Dean. I saw him
in a picture wearing something like this and I wore it for you."

"You don't have to be anyone but you," I responded, "I like you just the
way you are. But for the record you look really sexy today," I grinned.

"Thank you," he smiled and kissed my cheek, "See you at lunch."



The day seemed to be flying by. When lunch time came around I was jumping
with anticipation for my surprise from Logan.

"Ready?" He asked walking up to me and grabbing me around the waist. I said
goodbye to the people I was chatting with and we went to his truck.

"So where is this surprise?" I asked casually as he helped me into the
truck.

"Now it wouldn't be a surprise if you knew," Logan replied before shutting
the door. He climbed in and we set off. We chatted about how our day was
going so far. He pulled up to a park and grabbed my hand. He smelled so
good today.

"The park?" I asked suspicious of the surprise he had in store.

"I have a plan, just you wait," Logan winked. He got out and went to my
door to help me out too. We walked down a little path toward a gazebo
covered in ivy. Charlotte stood in front of a table that was covered in
fruits and cheeses and bread.

"Oh it's beautiful!" I exclaimed as Logan pulled out my seat.

"Thank you," he said before taking his own seat.

"Joyeux anniversaire, Happy Birthday," Charlotte said. She stepped off the
gazebo and took a seat in front of a harp that I hadn't noticed until just
then. Wow, Logan had really gone all out for this.

"I love this, Logan, you really are the best fake boyfriend a boy could ask
for," I whispered `fake' so his mother wouldn't hear.

"Couldn't have people thinking I was a cheap ass on my boyfriend's
birthday. I got you a gift too."

"You shouldn't have," I said as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a
little Tiffany's box. It almost looked like a ring box. My face got red. He
opened it and inside was a sterling silver telephone dialer.

"I watched that Audrey Hepburn movie you love and tried to find something
from it that you'd like," he admitted. Logan watched one of my favorite
movies just to find the perfect gift? What a sweet gesture. God, was I the
biggest dick in the world? While he was out trying to find what to get me
for today I was out mackin on Blake. How could anyone like me?

"Thank you so much, for everything, Logan," I smiled, trying to hide the
shame I felt inside.

"Of course, anything for you," he sliced a piece of cheddar and held it out
for me to eat.



*AUTHOR'S NOTE* Hello all! I realize that in my last story I forgot to
thank Robbie. He has been a gracious editor and I appreciate everything!
Seriously you guys, without him, you might as well toss this story into the
nearest garbage can. I love the kind words from everyone who has emailed
me. I hope to keep you all entertained until the very end! Email me if you
like my story, Darlings! Kisses! –Kit =^.^=