Date: Wed, 29 Jan 2014 00:16:38 -0500
From: Zarek <zarek@roadrunner.com>
Subject: Another Chance: Chapter 2

Disclaimer: This story is totally fiction.  All characters were made up and
any similarities are just coincidental.  This is gay erotica between teenage
boys so if that offends you, please discontinue reading.  Also, if it is
illegal for you to read such material, you have been warned.  Continual
reading could cause a knock at your door.  If you like this story, I also
have the series "Josh: sex slave" continuing to run.  And you can always
contact me at  <mailto:zarek@roadrunner.com> zarek@roadrunner.com with
suggestions or concerns.  Suggestion are always welcomed and may or may not
be implemented.  Concerns will be considered and addressed as much as
possible.

This chapter second part of an introduction and the main character doesn't
have anyone 'special" in his life yet.  That might or might not happen in
the next chapter, but it will happen.  I know, but you'll have to continue
reading to find out.  My original draft was 8 pages.  I took the next 2
pages of that and fluffed it out a bit.


Also, if you enjoy the stories on Nifty.org, please give a donation to help
cover their expenses.  Any amount will help.



Another Chance

Chapter 2


Summer had ended and school was starting.  Mrs. Bolt knew Jim would at least
meet kids in his class, but she was worried.  Jim had always been so
outgoing; now he just seemed so withdrawn and depressed.  They both had been
to counselling after the death of her husband, and that helped at first.
But with this move, Jim seems to be pulling further and further away.

What Mrs. Bolt wasn't aware of was Jim wasn't putting his best effort in
school.  This was the fourth week of school and on Tuesday they had a test
in algebra.  The paper was handed back on Wednesday.  Math always seemed to
come easy to him, but when Jim got his paper back, he had gotten the first F
he had ever seen.  Dusty Bear came over to Jim's desk.  Jim could tell from
his complexion that Dusty was a Native American, probably from a local
tribe. Dusty had long black hair that reached halfway down his back.  His
eyes were dark but kind.  "That grade sucks.  If you would like, I got a
perfect score and would be happy to help you?"

"Appreciate the offer, but I don't care." Jim said.

"Fine, dude, but if you ever change your mind, all you have to do is ask.
My name is Dusty, by the way."

"Thanks, it's not like I don't know this stuff, I just don't care," Jim
said.

Dusty looked at Jim, sadness was in his eyes, "Whatever, dude. You keep
pushing everyone away, you'll be all alone.  I don't know what happened to
cause this, and if you don't want to tell me, it's none of my business.  But
when you're ready for a friend, several of us are here waiting."

"You're right, it is none of your business, but fact is, I lost my dad and
had to move away from my friends.  I don't want to make new friends and end
up having to leave them, too." Jim said.

"That's so sad, dude.  I can understand your feelings.  Plan to have lunch
with me tomorrow and we can talk." Dusty offered.  "Even if something
happens where you do move away, there's this new technology called the
internet and we can stay in touch."

Jim actually smiled a little.  "Alright, we can do lunch.  Maybe it'll help
the pain start going away."

"Now, about that test?" Dusty smiled.

"I should have gotten an A, but I didn't even try.  I don't need help with
math, but it couldn't hurt."

Every night since school started, she would ask about his classmates.  That
night was no different but again Jim didn't seem interested in talking about
any of them.  "There's not a pretty girl or a cute guy in your class?" she
asked.

"Why do you keep asking me that?" Jim asked.  "I'm not interested in anybody
in that school like that.  There is one guy who wants to talk about my
problems and we're having lunch together tomorrow.  Aside from that,
everyone treats me like I'm a freak."

"I'm sure they don't think that.  You just need to get to know them.  You
are a very handsome young man.  If anything, they are in awe of your
beauty."  Jim was handsome, too.  He stood five foot nine inches and weighed
around 140 pounds.  He had dark brown hair and the prettiest blue eyes.
When Jim smiled, he lit up the room.

"You're just saying that because you're my mom.  Back in Montana I was
practically a celebrity.  I could be with anybody, but here, I'm nobody."

"Because you're not allowing anybody in.  Jim, I wish you'd just give this
place a chance.  I have to take off work for a meeting with your principal
tomorrow.  Any idea why?"

"What?  I swear, I didn't do anything?  Why would he want to see you and not
even talk to me?"  Jim was surprised.  Jim thought it might have been about
the F, but didn't want to say anything.

"He didn't say why, but I could hear concern in his voice when he called me.
Maybe it's because you're not socializing?"

"Honest Mom, I haven't a clue.  Maybe that is it, but it's not entirely my
fault."

"Well, I guess I'll find out tomorrow."

The next day, Mrs. Bolt went to her meeting with Principal Duncan.  "Is
everything alright at home?" he asked.

"That depends on your definition of 'alright'." Mrs. Bolt started, "We moved
to a new home and Jim lost his father about ten months ago.  When we moved,
we had to put Jim's dog down and he left all his friends.  Under the
circumstances, our home is about as right as it can be.  I wish I could
change what has happened, but we have to deal with what we can."

"Mrs. Bolt, I'm sure under the circumstances, you are right and this may
seem trivial, but I'm a little concerned about Jim.  I've seen Jim's
transcripts from Montana. Jim was a straight A student.  Now, I don't think
we're any tougher than Montana, and like I said, this may seem trivial, but
in algebra, Jim's only getting a B.  Any other student and I would think
that was great, but for a student who always got straight A's, that sends
off a warning bell."

"Math was always Jim's favorite subject and he's getting a B?  How are the
rest of his classes?"

"Well, it was his algebra teacher that brought this to my attention, so I
talked with his other teachers.  Most of them say he's just barely doing
enough work to maintain an A.  They also said that he's quiet and withdrawn.
Whenever another student approaches him, he seems to either shut down or
push them away.  Jim seems like a good kid, but he's definitely still
troubled over his losses."

"He's been to counselling after he lost his father and that seemed to help.
We've been discussing that maybe we should see another counsellor.  I just
don't know where to begin." Mrs. Bolt offered.

"Perhaps that would help, but unless Jim is willing to open up, I don't
know.  I do have a list of a few that you may be interested in trying.
There's still time for him to maintain his straight A status, but that's not
as important as Jim himself."

"Please, I would love that list.  Any suggestions that would help are also
appreciated."

"Well, I'm sure you're doing what you can.  We all need some help sometimes.
I'll have my secretary get the list for you and if there is anything that I
can do to help, just let me know.  You are a lovely lady, Mrs. Bolt. Thank
you for caring enough about your son."

That night at supper, they were having chicken breast served over rice with
broccoli on the side.  Jim was picking at his food.  "How was lunch today?"

"It was alright.  Dusty and I talked about what happened to Dad.  I told him
about Shadow, and told me that he lost his Mom when he was born."  Jim
stated.  "He wants to have lunch with me every day for a while.  He thinks
it'll help."

"It couldn't hurt.  How are you doing in algebra?" Mrs. Bolt asked out of
the blue.

"I think I'm doing alright.  I know I'm not failing." Jim said.  Then he
thought for a second.  "Is that why Mr. Duncan wanted to see you?  I swear
I'm not failing algebra, Mom."

"No, you're not failing any of your classes, but from what Mr. Duncan tells
me, you're not putting your best effort in, either."

"I got an F on one test, otherwise I'm getting mainly A's and a few B's."
Jim said defensively.

"He didn't even tell me about the F.  What happened?  Math has always been
your best subject."

"I don't want to talk about it.  I just hate this school and other than
Dusty, no one there likes me."

"Maybe that's because you keep pushing them away.  I know that other
students have tried being your friend, but Mr. Duncan says that you just
shut down or push them away.  I'm glad that you finally opened to Dusty,
maybe you can others?  Mr. Duncan gave me a list of counsellors.  Would you
like to talk to one of them?  I know you're hurting, and that hurts me.  If
you want to go back, we can live on the street so you can be with your old
friends, I'll do that.  Problem is, I don't know how we would eat and winter
isn't that far away."

Jim bowed his head and started to cry.  Amongst his sobs, he said "I'm
sorry, Mom.  I never wanted to hurt you." She got up and walked over to him
and placed her arms around him pulling him close.

"I know Jim, so want to look and see if there is a counsellor you might be
interested in?"

"If it'll help.  I'm tired of feeling this pain all the time. And I'm tired
of hurting you." Jim said.  "I literally feel like my hearts been ripped
from my chest."

"I know you do.  I miss Shadow, too.  She wouldn't want you to keep hurting.
Let her go and just remember the good times she brought into your life.  On
the plus side, I got a promotion at work.  This Saturday I'll be looking at
houses to buy.  If you want to help me pick out the perfect house for us,
you're more than welcome to join me."

"Can I think about it?" Jim asked.

"Sure, honey, you don't have to decide until I pull out of the driveway.  I
would like for you to go, though."

Friday at lunch Jim and Dusty talked.  He told Dusty about the conversation
with his Mom.  "I think my dad might be on the list of counsellors the
school has.  He's a great counsellor."

"Well, that explains you." Jim said and actually laughed.

"What's THAT supposed to mean?" Dusty asked.

"Look what you've done for me already.  What's your dad's name?  I'll tell
Mom that I'd like to see him.  I'd also like for you to go with me as a
friend."

"Dad may want to see you by yourself the first time.  If he does, I'll wait
in the lobby for you, otherwise, I'd be happy to sit with you."

A girl from Jim's science class walked over.  "You're the new guy, aren't
you?  You name is Jim, right?"

"Yeah, that's me." Jim said.

"This is Cheyenne.  She's my girlfriend." Dusty offered.

"Jim and I have science together." She said looking at Dusty.  She turned to
Jim, "Some of the kids say that you're standoffish.  You don't seem that way
to me."

"Thank Dusty for that.  I was pushing people away and he wouldn't have any
of that.  We've been talking and I'm starting to feel better."

"Feel better about what?" Cheyenne asked.

"Lunch is almost over so we don't have time to talk about it now, but Dusty
has my permission to tell you everything.  Not sure I'm really ready, but
maybe I should start getting to know my class mates."