Date: Sun, 24 Nov 2002 08:50:33 +0000
From: fellhere@hotmail.com
Subject: a story part 10

wow. the latest instalment in this series. but feedback's kinda waning. so 
there. do give me some feedback, and will be starting a new story completely 
different from this one, but it's got a twang to it i can't hold right now. 
yeah. anyways, enjoy.

a story part 10

Copyright. All rights reserved.
Disclaimer: If you're 18 and below, ignore this whole chapter.
+This chapter has no sexual content+

===

I woke up in the morning and found something warm beside me. I snuggled into 
it, then suddenly coming into contact with something hard and cold on my 
left side.

A railing.

I suddenly realized I was in a hospital bed, and the person I was snuggling 
into was James. And he seemed to enjoy it, as his arms were pinning me 
firmly down to the bed. I quickly got rid of his hands and went to the 
bathroom to clean up, yet the constant feeling of guilt was overflowing in 
me. I had to call Mike to tell him about this, and hoped he forgave me for 
it. He was always jealous of James, and this was just going to be bad.

As I went out of the bathroom, I saw that James was still sleeping, so I 
decided to go outside to buy breakfast for myself, before heading down to 
Mike's house. As I stepped outside the door, I think I stopped my time.

Mike was there. Sleeping. He looked like he'd been crying.

I composed myself before I tried to rouse him to wake up. When he finally 
did, he looked sleepy. When he saw me, he just looked at me and the tears 
suddenly came out. It didn't take an idiot to realize that he saw me and 
James sleeping like that.
'Mike, it wasn't what it looked like.'
'Then tell me what it looked like then.' His tone was calm and controlled, 
but the floodgate that was about to be unleashed was right behind the steely 
demeanor.
'He was scared, and in my sleep-riddled brain, I went over to his bed to 
sleep in. That's about all! Trust me, I thought he was you, which was why I 
looked so peaceful. I love you Mike, I'll never betray you in that manner!' 
I was desperate for him to not mistake me.
'Right. Whatever you say Seth. Forget it. Whatever. Bye Seth. Bye.'
Then he left, leaving me behind crouching on the chair which initially 
contained him.

I contemplated chasing him down the corridor, but a nurse coming in the 
direction of James's room was enough to squash that thought. I proceeded to 
enter James's room once again, with no appetite at all for breakfast. He was 
still sleeping.

I changed into something more comfortable, then messaged Mike (I'm sorry. 
But nothing happened. Believe me.) and started to revise geography on an 
extremely plush cushion chair at the side of James's bed. He looked peaceful 
in his sleep and I brushed away some strands of hair from his forehead.

I was deeply engrossed by the notes in front of me that I didn't see James 
stir and only noticed his wakeful state when he greeted me.

'Morning.'
'Oh! You woke up! Morning! Feeling better?'
'Yeah I guess, though my leg's still kinda pain, but there's nothing valium 
can't do.'
'That's quite true. You want food or somethin? Will call the doctor for ya.'
'No need to. They come with it on schedule. And it's kinda early for my 
breakfast. But could you help me to the bathroom? I need to wash up. I feel 
all icky.'
I stood up and went over to his bed, where I slowly lifted him up and helped 
him to the bathroom. He had tore his left hamstring, so I had to be on his 
right and when he reached there, he wanted his privacy, which I gave. But 
when his leg gave way when he tried to brush his teeth, I decided that his 
life was more important than privacy, so I helped him out.

I helped him to the toilet seat where he brushed and washed his teeth and 
stood there until everything was done. It was perfectly normal until he said 
he had to pee. And guys pee standing up. And he wasn't in any state to pee 
standing up. The railing was on his right, not his left hand side.

'Ok. This is going to be embarrassing, but I've gotta hold you while you 
pee. I promise I won't look. Hey, I'm serious here!'
I admonished as he started giggling.
Therefore, he had his left arm held over my shoulder while I turned my head 
away and shut my eyes as he finished his business. When he was done, I put 
him back on the bed and went back to my work.

'How embarrassing...'
'I heard that.'

I knew I had to talk to Mike. But he hadn't replied my sms and James needed 
me here, at least until Anna came.

It was only around 12 that anna came, which by then I rushed down to Mike's 
house, where his mom greeted me worryingly.
'Seth, you better check on Mike. He's upset. You guys quarrel or something?'
I hung my head down. 'Something like that Aunt, I really don't know what to 
do.'
She gave me a hug. 'You need that. Now go and comfort your loverboy.'

I entered Mike's room, where he was curled up on his bed, with his comforter 
up to his chin. Quietly, I tugged myself into the bed. If he noticed my 
presence, he didn't make any comment. I then hugged him from behind, and 
smelt his smell deeply.
'I'm so sorry Mike. I love you.'
He suddenly turned me and grabbed me in a bear hug. I broke down in 
complete, utter relief.
'When I saw you on James's bed, I just couldn't help feeling jealous. I know 
it, but I just can't. I love you too much Seth. I can't bear to see you 
receive any physical affectation from anyone else besides me.' He said as he 
buried his face into mine.

I hurriedly rushed kisses all over his neck, eliciting a soft moan from the 
received.
'And I promise I'll try to be the good boyfriend. Love you Mike.'
'Love you too Seth.'

Did I ever tell you, make up sex is only half baked? The orgasm's the one 
man.

'Stay with me tonight. Tomorrow's Sunday.'
Mike said as he lazily drew circles on my abdomen. I sighed in content.
'Yeah, sure. Why not? But you've got to let me call James first to ensure 
he's alright. I'll get Anna to stay over instead.'
He smiled a biggest smile and kissed me.
'Watch it babe, I don't need to burn any more calories.'

To my surprise, James kept his whining to a minimum (Perhaps due to the fact 
that I told him I had a test to study for on Monday, which was a 
half-truth.) and said he had made plans with Anna and she would stay over. I 
was relieved and when I had put down the phone, I went back up to Mike's 
room, where he was already busy poring over the literature texts and 
criticisms that we were given. I went and sat beside him.

'Other people's idea of a date is to go out for dinner and then make out. 
Ours is to make out and then study. Are we sad or what?'
I mused as I sat down and started studying too.
'We aren't sad. The former more than makes up for it.' Mike said even 
without looking up from his criticism and I laughed.
Boy, are we demented and normal at the same time.

As usual, we studied all the way until seven when his mother called us down 
for dinner. Uncle wasn't at home, so it was a relatively quiet affair, with 
Aunt questioning casually what my university options were. It was a cosy 
little chat and she was very nice and warm, but not to the extent that it 
was strained or anything. Mike had constantly reassured me that his parents 
liked me, but sometimes, there is this thing in the boyfriend's mind that 
constantly warns against any signs of antagonism and mine was always working 
on overload.

We helped clear up the dishes then went back up to his room to watch some 
television and the fact that he had borrowed ecks vs. sever totally excited 
me. You see, I absolutely adore Lucy Liu. She's the epitome of Asian cool. 
And she's hot. And she speaks good English. You can't ask for more.

And this time, we did watch the movie properly, though Mike did try to 
coerce me into doing some, ahem, more exciting things.

'Wake up hon.'
'Ugh... em....mmmmmm....' I whined wordlessly as I searched for Mike to hide 
into while preventing me from waking up. He wasn't there. I shot up. Instead 
he was sitting on the side of the bed, smiling at me grasping at 
nothingness. Still, sleep overpowered me instead of his nice smelling body.
'Hey! Wake up hon.'
'mmmmmmmmmmmmm...' I refused to as I plunged my head into the pillow. He 
laughed and the next thing I felt was a warm body next to mine. Immediately, 
I turned and hugged him like a bolster and started sleeping again.
'Hey... You are not to use my body as a sleeping tool again! Wake up! Let's 
go and visit James!'
That last statement made me wake up and raise an eyebrow.
'Don't look so shocked. Now go and wash up and drink your obligatory water. 
God, you are literally dumb in the morning.
I just pointed the third finger.

When I was done with it, (and the kiss) I asked him why he wanted to visit 
James.
'Oh,' he shrugged, 'I felt kinda guilty, and I wanna see him, and you know, 
finally get to know him as a friend.'
'Really?' I wasn't sure.
'Yeah.'
I still was suspicious.
'Serious Seth. I love you. And I've got to stop questioning James's 
intentions on you. Trust me. I love you hon. Now let's scoot over to the 
hospital. You think he'd want some bagels?'

So at 10, Mike and I were at the hospital, with Mike looking questioningly 
at me bringing James along and chewing on the bagel at the same time. Start 
to think of it, it looked as if they were sizing each other up. To top the 
whopper, the funny thing was that these were two jocks who seemed to fall in 
love with this aloof, devil may care kinda sloppy guy. Funny, but true. (If 
only that happened in reality. But the author is allowed to fantasize, ain't 
he. After all, this is FICTION.)

'Hey Seth, could you get me a drink from the cafe? I'm kinda thirsty. I want 
a coke light.'
'Eh?'
'You heard me Seth. Please?'
I shrugged, 'Whatever. James, you want anything?' He shook his head. I left 
the room to the cafe.

[Mike's point of view. Now]

I finally got rid of Seth. Now if only my masterplan could work out 
properly. I felt awkward around James, and though I knew he meant me no ill 
harm, I still wanted to reach out to the bed and strangle him just for 
sharing the same bed with Seth, and for sharing all his secrets with him.

Time for the plan.

'I know about you liking Seth.' I whispered, as I saw him stop the bagel 
from entering his mouth in mid air. He looked at me immediately. 'What do 
you mean?' he asked innocently, but I knew he was shaking.

'You like Seth.' I meant it as a statement, and I think he got it. But he 
looked steely though.

'So what? I'm a faggot, so what can you do about it? Seth still sees me as a 
friend, and you've got nothing against me.' He said, determined. I smiled. 
'I never had anything to do about it James. I just need to ask you: Do you 
love, love him?'

'I do. More than you ever know.'

'Now it's my turn to let you in on a secret. But it's gonna change a lot of 
things.' Honestly, I was trembling. I was revealing my feelings for Seth to 
his friend who also liked him, but if the plan really worked, then James 
would eventually stop being an obstacle to us.

'What secret?'
'I like Seth too.' I whispered, and for the second time, I noticed the bagel 
in mid air.
'What? You've got to be joking, you? you??? The jock? What?'
'Hey. You're a hockey player!'
'Hey! Wait. Yeah. Heh. So you like him too? Too bad, he's straight. You're 
gonna have to pine for me the same way I'm do-'
'The thing is he's my boyfriend James.'
Now the bagel dropped.
'Right. You've got to be joking me this time, ha!' He laughed, but it 
sounded uncomfortable, forced as he saw my serious face.
'I'm not. He really is my boyfriend James.'
'You've got to be lying. Get Seth here. REctify it for me. REctify it, 
you're lying... you're lying. You have got to be FUCKING lying!!!!!!'
He shouted and for a moment I thought Seth would come barging in.
'I'm not. He came to my house last night. I'm the guy who's been giving him 
hickeys all the time. Not another girl. I'm serious James.'
'No you're lying.'
'I'm not. And you better believe it.'

I didn't like what I was doing to James; part of me wanted to tell him that 
it was all a joke, but a bigger part of me wanted to tell him that it was 
true and wanted him to stay out of our way forever. It was a very simplistic 
and childish move upon retrospect, but then all I thought was was to 
preserve the relationship between me and Seth. I looked up again and saw 
what was possibly hatred in his eyes.

Then quietly, silently, he said, 'Get out of the room now.'
'I just want you to-'
'GET THE FUCK OUT OF MY SIGHT!'
'But this-'
'If not for this cast, I will kill you right now.'
'What's the matter here?'
Seth had come back. Big mistake.

In a softened tone, James asked Seth to ask him to leave, though still 
angered. He questioned me why James had blew up, but before I could say 
anything, he blew up at me again and I had to leave the room. But Mike 
stayed on in the room.

[Seth's point of view. Now]

'Ok what the fuck is going on?'
'Well, you could tell me perhaps, Seth Wright.'
'What's that supposed to mean?'
'Oh, nothing, just a double standard holder I called my best friend. Get out 
of here.'
'You know what,' I pulled a chair over and sat beside him. 'I'll not move 
until you explain yourself.'
'Why not get your boyfriend to explain it for you?'
I gaped at him. 'What... WHat?'
'Don't what me. Mike told me everything. You took him as your boyfriend. Not 
me. Why?'

I was shocked. Why did Mike tell James about it? Why would he?
'No, it's not what you think it is James it-'
'Why did you lie to me? What's not in me to like? Why him? I wait for you 
for more than six years and he comes over in less than six weeks and you're 
his boyfriend. Fuck you Seth!'
'I'm sorry James... I never wanted to keep it from you, but I really like 
Mike. I love him Mike. It's different from you James it's-'
'Is it really huh Seth? Is it really? Please get out Seth. I love you too 
much. Get out of here please. It hurts so much...' And then he completely 
broke out.

'I'm sorry James...' I said as I left the room.

Mike was there, looking up expectantly at me when I came out.
'Why did you do that Mike?' I was pissed, and I wanted him to know it.
'I'd thought-'
'What'd you think Mike? By telling him you love me doesn't make him stop 
being my best friend. Get it in your head Mike! God, you're causing so much 
shit...'
'I'm sorry Seth, but I just wanted to clarify-'
'Haven't you done enough damage? Could you go back please, I can't see you 
now. Please.'
'Please Seth, please...' He cried as he looked pleadingly at me.

But he had crossed the line when he tried to mess with James. Yeah, he could 
have had been my boyfriend, but James was my best friend. And that wasn't 
the way to tell your best friend that you were gay and that you weren't 
reciprocating his love for him because you loved another guy. He had to 
learn.

I turned away and went back into the room. Through the window, I saw him 
turn dejectedly and leave the area. James was a wreck, crying and making 
weak attempts in trying to get me out of the room. Knowing him, I forced 
myself onto the bed and hugged him tightly, trying to undo the damage that 
Mike had done. After initial attempts in trying to get rid of me, he caved 
in and hugged me too, constantly telling me that he hated himself for loving 
me. I was truly sorry that I couldn't reciprocate. I stroked his hair 
lightly as he hung to me for hope that I couldn't give at all.

He cried himself to sleep after a while and I was left in a position where 
he lied on my left and hugged me across my chest, so when the nurse came in 
to check on James and saw me there lying in a compromising position, she 
simply mouthed the words 'cute', and smiled, to which I vehemently desisted. 
To which she simply mouthed 'You're lying.' Then left the ward to my care. 
Oh this is bad.

He only woke up when I was asleep, ironically, and let me sleep there, in 
the comfort of his arms, not Mike.

It was late in the evening when I woke up, and was rather shocked to find 
that James was enjoying himself holding me tightly to my side, so I woke up 
on a rather hard body which was James, nevermind that his leg was still in a 
cast. I rubbed my eyes off the sleep and attempted to get out of the bed, of 
which James simply pushed me down and pinned me to him and started to 
snuggle in.

'Hey, what's with this?'
He snuggled further in.
'Now I know you're bent, I could possibly make you see what I could give.'
I sighed.
'James, I could have seen it long ago, it's not about my orientation.'
'I don't care! It's more about how you could lie to me about Mike and not 
tell me? And what's it with him that I don't have?'
I was expecting this, and all the while he had his chin on my shoulder and 
still holding me. Thank god for the fact that this hospital had single faced 
windows.
'I didn't like him because of the fact that he's gay or he turned me. I just 
think he's got something that, something that triggers me off positively, 
but I don't really know what? But still, I can't like you James, I'm sorry; 
I've known you for too long to actually like you.'

To my astonishment, he simply smiled.
'No worries man. Now at least I know you could possibly like me. I'll get ya 
from Mike. You wait and see. I've waited so long for you, I could wait 
longer.'
I sighed for the second time. Boy was I exasperated.
'You could do whatever you want man, but seriously, let me go. I need to go 
pee and then go home.'
'Sure.'

That night, I was honest and went back home to sleep, where my parents asked 
me how James was, and they knew about his sleeping habits in the hospital, 
which is why they never questioned about me staying overnight. However, 
supposedly, Mike had called me thrice in the afternoon and evening, to which 
my mother thought was something I should take care of, which in my opinion, 
was rather true, though like the good boy I simply said later.

The typical archetype male response.

When morning came, I received two messages, one from mike and the other from 
James. The former carried more importance, so I simply got him to meet me in 
my house, which he replied positively. James simply crapped up this weird 
sms that didn't make sense, but it was mainly about the fact that he was 
fine and would be discharged tomorrow. Oh well, nothing there to take care 
of really.

Mike came by by 10, and after refusing breakfast offers from mum (I have to 
rush out this project with Seth) he came to my room, locked the door and 
eyes with me.
'I'm sorry Seth. I really really didn't know what I was doing on retrospect. 
I mean-'
'Whatever man Mike. I thought you were cool with James. Whatever made you 
come up with that crap idea?'
'I really don't know! It was more of this scheming-'
'I'm just hurt. It's like, I don't know. Anyways, James now is your 
competitor. Funny huh?'
He was confused. 'What?'
'You heard me. He still wants me. You see the shit you're putting us 
through?'
'What? What? That's crazy. But I love you, he does-'
'Love me too Seth! There was a reason why we wanted to keep this a secret, 
didn't we? But no, you had to go and blow it up and show everyone in the 
world that we're an item. God.'
I sat down and rubbed my temples. Why was this day turning out to be so 
long?
He sat down beside me and tried to hug me, but I resisted.
'I'm sorry Mike, but I just can't. Not now. I just don't like being lied to. 
Just go. I'll call you later. Bye.'
'Please don't Seth, please-'

I turned and pretended that I wanted to fall asleep. Through my tear filled 
eyes I saw him leave the house through my window.

I evaluated my stance. I was pissed at Mike for telling James about our 
relationship. The reason because I didn't want to be known as a double 
standard holder. It was a selfish reason, but it was for Mike and my own 
good that as little people knew about this. And now the shit simply 
escalated, since when James wanted to get me, I knew he meant it. That time 
when he attempted to try to get him on and by his side, boy was I 
overwhelmed by all the gifts and such. And to tell the truth, in this 
present state of mind where I was vulnerable even to Oprah, James could have 
proven to be the antidote to my sorrows.

Though in all seriousness, Mike still had me at hello. (Cheesy yes, Stupid 
very.)

I went to Mike's house in the evening and found him on the bed, asleep froom 
what was obviously crying exhaustion. I had long ago forgiven him, though I 
did receive something of a lecture from his mother about being responsible 
and forgiving. I just smiled apologetically and nodded at the right moments, 
which I was good at, and then launched into his room.

I pulled the duvet over me and slipped besides him. Instinctively, he slid 
up against me and snuggled contentedly. I hugged him tightly and smelled his 
scent. It was beautiful. Then all of a sudden, he woke up with a start and 
when he found out that I was there hugging him, he simply smiled the biggest 
smile I've had seen and then attempted to hug me in an attempt that his 
whole body touched mine. I laughed of course.

'I'm sorry Seth. I'd promise not to do such things again-'
'I love you. Now, let's go down for dinner shall we, and help your mother in 
the cooking?'
'Sure!' He said with the energy of a twelve year old and dragged me out by 
the hand towards the kitchen, where we were met by an even more ecstatic 
mother.

Love is wondrous, that's what it is. But I knew that whenever Mike promised 
me that he would never do any of what he did before things again, I had to 
take it with a pinch of salt: lies were simply washed in white in this world 
today.

I stayed over in his house that night, though I went back in the late 
morning to my house, before going to the hospital to send James home. He was 
there, and when he saw me he smiled and waved at me. I waved back too and 
said hi to anna, who was also there, helping him discharge his belongings 
and such.

'Morning Seth!'
'Morning James! Ready to go?'
I then proceeded to wheel him out of the hospital, since the doctor's orders 
were to wheel him, down to the lobby where his parents were waiting and 
smiled at me when I put him in the car. The drive back was nice and 
comfortable, though James was staring at me more than usual, and anna being 
the usual slut, making herself up.

Then suddenly, just when we passed by a record store, James asked his 
parents to stop as he wanted to buy a cd.
'You can buy it later son, why now i mean-'
'I want it now. Please. It's kinda like the last day. Please?'
'Well, alright, provided Anna or Seth comes with you.'
'Thanks dad!'
He then parked into the carpark and he got Anna instead to go to the record 
store. I was surprised, but not hurt, and simply sat in the car and chit 
chatted with his parents. He came out 15 minutes later, refused to tell us 
what he bought, and then we drove to his house.