Date: Sat, 6 Nov 2004 16:14:03 EST
From: Madasonaysha@aol.com
Subject: "Around My Way"  chapte four  Gay /High School  and Gay/ Interracial

Disclaimer: Okay so if your on chapter four than you already know that this
is a love story between two teenage boys, one Black and one Latino. This is not
a sex story although eventually scenes of that nature will occur.  If that
bothers you than don't read.  This is my first story on Nifty and comments and
criticism are helpful.  You can send any responses to Madasonaysha@aol.com Or
Madisonaysha@yahoo.com But use the AOL account first.

Authors Note: This chapter is dedicated to a wonderful man by the name of
KhaymanRice.  He is the man who inspired me to submit this story and has taken
the strenuous time to be my editor ( THAT'S RIGHT I FINALLY HAVE ONE ).  I
highly recommend all of you read his story "What's Happening To Me", In the high
school section last updated October 23.  He can be reached at
Khaymanrice@aol.com  Again thank you all for the wonderful responses and expect chapter five to
be out in a few days.  Chapter four is my favorite chapter so far.  Enjoy!



CHAPTER FOUR

The weeks flew by and the next thing I knew I had been living in Newark for
almost two months.  My Aunt Mickey's job became permanent so we would be
staying there.  It was now late August and my friendship with Amanda was still
growing stronger.  We were together almost everyday.  I never questioned her about
her attitude changes around her friends manly because I could never find the
right time to bring it up.  The mystery boy was still on my mind and I wanted
to find out anything I could about him.  During a horror movie of the eighties
marathon Amanda and I were having I took a chance.  We were laughing at "Prom
Night" when I brought him up.

"So I've met all your friends". I asked, trying to make light of the question.

"Yeah for the most part.  I'll introduce you to the rest when school starts
up. Why do you ask?  Are you nervous about not knowing anybody?"

"No, it's not that, I just wondered why I never met that Spanish guy from the
bodega."

"Huh? What guy are you talking about?"  She asked.

"You know, the first day that we met. The guy that I knocked down." .

"Oh that's Joey.  If I tell you something you CAN NOT repeat it." Amanda
whispered

"Okay but you don't have to whisper it's just the two of us." My humor was
lost on her and her seriousness remained.

"That's Joey.  I am not suppose to talk to him, so I don't see much of him
anymore."

"Why?" I asked.

"Well, I grew up with him.  My dad and his dad were best friends and when my
dad died, Joey's dad kind of took over in looking after me.  Joey was like a
brother to me and we told each other everything .  He was my best friend but
when he turned twelve, he began to change and become distant.  He joined a gang
and started acting like this hard core gangster. I thought I knew him but now
that I think about it, I don't think I ever really did.  I hated the new
person he was becoming.  We drifted apart and when I was thirteen I met Nate.
Please don`t get mad that I never told you but Nate...is in a gang. He is
Westside.  Joey's is Eastside.  The two gangs are rivals and they hate each other.
Nate doesn't let me talk to anyone who is from Eastside." This explained the
argument between Nate and Joey in the store that day.

"AMANDA! NATE'S IN A GANG!?" I yelled.

"Please don't be mad.  He wasn't always in it." she cringed as she answered.

"I don't understand how you can date a guy like that.  He not right for you.
You can do so much better."

"Nate use to be this sweet nice guy.  He use to be so much fun to be around
but gang life has hardened him.  He's not the same guy I fell in love with."

"So why don't you just dump him?"

"I can't. Because you don't just dump a West Sider.  I can't , you don't
know what they would do to me."  She began to tremble and softly cry.  I brought
her body close to mine and held her.

"Amanda you shouldn't stay with someone if you don't love them." I said to
her softly.

"I know.  Its just that he would kill me if I left him.  I mean he would
REALLY  kill me.  You know those bruises that I always have?  He gives them to me.
 Sometimes all I have to do is look at him and he'll hit me.  If I don't
want to have sex ,he'll hit me until I give in.  It's horrible.  I try to
remember how good things use to be but its not enough.  I wish I could leave him but
I'm to afraid of what will happen if I try." I never seen Amanda like this
before. It bothered me to see her upset like that.  I think understood her more
in that moment than I ever did before.

"He hits you?" I asked softly. "What kind of guy would ever want to hurt you.
 You are the sweetest girl that I know and if he can't treat you the way that
you deserve than he is not worthy of you. What and ASSHOLE!" She smiled at me.

"God, Chris...thank you.  You are the best friend that I have."

"Girl you know I love you".  We smiled at each other and watched the rest of
the movie.  Despite my sadness over Amanda's situation I couldn't help but
wonder about Joey.  My mystery guy now had a name.

                                                       * * * * * * * * * * *

It was now the end of August and school started in less than a week away.
Aunt Mickey took me to school to register.  East High was a far cry form my high
schools in Montclair and Seaside.  Although the school wasn't half as bad as
I imagined, it didn't have the technical advantages as my previous schools.
Even my middle school had better facilities.  But I was surprised to find that
they had very impressive Mathematics programs.  That weekend Amanda asked me
to go with her to New York for the Puerto Rican day parade.  After endless
moments of me calling her a "poser" for being Cuban we went.  The train to New
York was crowded with excited parade goers.  The excitement of it all rubbed of
on me and I was more excited than Amanda.  When we got there, it was so
crowded.  There was at leas a million people flooding the streets of the city.  One
minute I was walking with Amanda holding onto her hand as I tried to lead us,
and the next thing I knew she was gone.  I turned to look for her but it was
impossible to find her in the crowd . I made my way into a pizza shop that wouldn
't let me stay until I agreed to buy something.  I called her cell phone from
mine but the signals were busy.  I repeated this for close to twenty minutes,
growing anxious as the time passed.  I had never been to the city alone
before and was a little afraid to be there with out any one.  I didn't even know
what train to take home.  I left to look for her.

I couldn't help but to admire the magnificence of the floats as they passed.
One float was covered with beautiful Spanish women wearing flamingo attire
and dancing to salsa music.  I thought I heard someone scream my name but I
thought I imagined it so I kept walking.  I walked for about ten minutes and I
kept hearing my name being called.  Every time I looked, I didn't see anyone.
Someone grabbed me from behind roughly.  I turned around pissed.  The guy who
grabbed me was a short Hispanic guy with short jet black hair, spiked with some
gel.  He was average looking but looked a little off in the head.  You know how
you can just look at someone and see that something isn't completely all
together with them. Well that's how he looked.  He wore a baggy red t-shirt and
khaki shorts.  I took notice to a red bandana wrapped around his wrist.

"Damn, Nigga! We been chasing you for like an hour and shit."

"Do I know you?" I asked, trying to pull away from him.

"Oh Yeah , I 'm Loco. Amanda sent me to get you."

"Where is she?"

"She with Tearz in the pizza place.  She had to pee."  Loco was nice but he
was extra hyper.

"So, who's Tearz"?

"Oh that's my boy. He and Amanda go way back. Been friends since like ever."
I was not interested in seeing Amanda act funny the way she always does when
her friends are around. Loco couldn't  complete  a full sentence.  He would
jump from one topic to another with out finishing the first. When we walked into
the restaurant I saw Amanda sitting down looking exhausted.  Her face
brightened when she saw me.  She rushed over to give me a hug.

"I am so sorry Chris.  I turned around for like TWO SECONDS and you were
gone."

"It's okay, lets go back to the parade."

"Yeah, we can after my friend comes out the bathroom."  She told me that I
should go too because there weren't that many places to "go" once we got back
out in the parade. There was a guy at one of the urinals with his back turned to
me.  I couldn't see his face but he seemed familiar.  After I handled my
business I went to wash my hands.  I looked up at him as he stood next to me.  My
heart immediately began to race as I realized it was Joey.  He looked at me
like he knew me from somewhere but couldn't place where.  He smiled at me and
left.  After I calmed down I went back to join Amanda and Loco only Joey was
with them. His light brown wavy hair was pulled back with a red sweat band and
his crystal blue eyes stood out against his baggy white t-shirt.  His baggy
light blue jean shorts hung seductively off his hips.  As I walked over our eyes
met and stayed locked until Amanda introduced us.

"Chris this is Joey, Joey you remember Chris.  He's the one who tried to kill
you." She laughed and his cheeks reddened.

"Sorry about that I was kinda  already pissed and you were there so...Nice
to meet you." He raised his hand to give me the "what's up" hand shake. He also
had a red bandana wrapped around his wrist and a matching one tucked out from
his back pocket.

"That's cool. You guys ready to go?"  I said.

"You guys? Who says that?" Loco laughed.

"Steven don't be an asshole." Amanda said, coming to my defense and it was
Loco's turn to redden.

"It's Loco...Mandy." I could tell he was making her angry and before I could
step in Joey did.

"Hey guys lets go, the parade is almost over." Amanda and Joey talked like
only best friends do.  I was a little jealous.  Not about Amanda talking to some
one else but that Joey's attention was focused on something other than me.  I
know I was being dumb.  There was no way this thug was even into guys but
still... I couldn't help it.  Maybe it was just wishful thinking on my part but I
could have sworn that I caught him staring at me a couple of times.  Every
time I would turn to look at him he would quickly turn away.  We watched the
floats, making comments on them as they passed.

"Damn Kid! Look at all those fine ass Chicas on them floats.  My dick is
getting mad hard." Loco said.

"Your dick always hard." replied Joey.

"Why you looking faggot? You wanna suck it?" Loco laughed at his own joke but
Joey looked just as annoyed as I was.

"Shut up stupid." We continued to enjoy the floats and then one passed that
was for gay Puerto Ricans.  It had gorgeous guys on it dancing around and
having a good time despites some of the protests from the crowd.

"You know I can't stand how these mutha fucking faggots prance around
flaunting that nasty shit.  I hope they all go to hell." Loco said.  Amanda had a
look of disgust on her face.

"STEVEN! You keep your stupid comments to yourself.  I don't want to hear
that shit!" I could have been imagining it but Joey looked angry to.  Probably
because Amanda was.

"Amanda forget him. We all know that STEVEN talks a lot of shit." Joey said.
She calmed down while Loco pouted.

"Shit, ya'll bitches no I'm right. Ya'll too pussy to admit it.  My man
Chris agree right?"  I was afraid that if I didn't agree with him they would all
figure out that I was gay but I just couldn't bring my self to do it.  My
response was subtle.

"Whatever! To each his own." I turned my attention back to the parade.  I
occasionally would steal a glance at Joey.  I peaked at him for like the tenth
time when my hazel green eyes met crystal blues.  He gave me a half smile than
his face fell and he looked forward.  The rest of the day we barely exchanged
two words.  I scared him off I guess.  The train was crowded and Amanda and I
had to stand.  Joey was sitting in front of me and I thought I saw him check
out my package.  Amanda and I  were talking when the train stopped short causing
me to fall into Joey's lap.  Our eyes locked and he turned just as red as me.
 We exchanged nervous laughs.  I thought I felt him hardening underneath me
but I jumped up when Loco said we looked like fags.  I hide my face and Joey
rolled his eyes muttering something in Spanish.

At the train station Amanda and Joey hugged.  He left with Loco.  Amanda came
back to my house.   After an minute or so, she realized that she had Joey's
keys.  She called Loco's house but there was no answer.  She left the keys with
me.  I was so exhausted from the day that I passed out as soon as my head hit
the pillow.  Crystal blue eyes in my thoughts.  The ringing of the phone
awoke me from a deep sleep.  The clock read 11:30.  Andy and Wes wouldn't be
calling so late and I barley talked to them since my move here anyway.  Amanda said
she was suffering from big girl syndrome and needed a meal and a nap so I
knew It wouldn't be here calling.  I groggily answered.

"Hello..."

"Hey Chris! Honey it's Mickey.  I won't be home tonight.  I have a lot of
work to do at the studio so I'll see you in the morning." She had been spending
a lot of nights at the studio.  Somehow I didn't believe that she was just
working.  I told her good night and I would see here in the morning. Less than a
minute later the phone rung again.

"What do you want Mickey?"

"Uh...hey, this isn't Mickey."  The voice said. I didn't recognize it."

"Who is this?"  I asked.

"Uh... Hey this is Joey." My heartbeat speed up.

"Hey man, Amanda's not here."

"Yeah I know. She said you had my keys."

"Yeah, do you want to come and get them?" I prayed that he would say yes.  I
just wanted to see his face even if it was only for a moment.

"I need them but can you bring them to me.  You live in West territory and
those Niggas would kill me if they caught me around your way."

"Well I don't really know my way around here yet?"

"Do you know where East Park is?"  That park was about a twenty minute walk
away from my house.  I knew I shouldn't go out this late alone but I wanted to
see him.

"Yeah I'll meet you by the swings in thirty minutes." I told him.

"YEAH!  I mean yeah.  See you in a few."  He excitedly replied.  I threw on
my cloths and looked in the mirror.  My hair was in need of trim.  I usually
kept my wavy hair cut close on top and faded on the sides but now it was about
six inches long. I hadn't had a hair cut in close to six months so it was in a
mop of waves. Amanda said it made me look cute like a little boy but I needed
to find a barber soon.

It was a hot August night and the streets were mostly deserted.  The
occasional drunk  or drug addict lay passed out in the street around me.  I passed a
group of guys all wearing green bandanas around their wrists.  I knew that this
was the color of Nates gang.  I hoped he wasn't with them.  The guys sized me
up as I pasted.  My body tensed.  Some one yelled out "We got smokes, we got
smokes".  I turned the corner and kept on walking.  I heard two sets of foot
steps following behind me.  I was afraid to turn around.  I speed up my pace.
I turned on a darken street and the park was within my eye sight.  A few more
minutes and I would see Joey.  As I speed up so did the footsteps.  Then I
felt a hand on my shoulder.  I turned around and was temporarily relived to see
Nate and Jay.

"Shit! You guys scared the hell out of me."  I could smell the alcohol and
weed off their breathes.  Nate slurred his words.

"Yo what the fuck you doing out here. Ain't it a little to late for corn
balls to be outside." As the two of them laughed, the anxiety grew inside me.  I
started to walk away when Jay put his hand to my shoulder to stop me.

"Why you bouncing? Me and Nasty just want to talk for a minute." Jay was
swaying back and forth. Nate was in a fucked up state but Jay's was worse.

"Wh...What do you guys want to talk about?" I stuttered.

"Why don't we go into the park and chill."  Nate replied.



"I `m meeting a friend in there already.  I'll see you tomorrow Nate." I
started to walk away but Jay stopped me again and spoke.

"Why you call him Nate.  You should call him Nasty." They looked at each
other and started to laugh.  I stood there in utter confusion. Nate put his hand
on my other shoulder and leaned down to whisper in my ear.

"Yeah, You should call me Nasty. Wanna know why"? I didn't like where this
conversation was going. My mind said run but my body wouldn't let me. My eyes
glanced from Nate and Jay then towards the park.  Somewhere in those shadows
Joey was waiting for me.

"That's okay guys I really should be going." There grip on my shoulder became
tighter.  It was obvious that they weren't about to let me go any time soon.
Spit drenched my  ear with every slurred word that Nate spoke.

"You wanna know why they call me Nasty?" he hissed. Chills ran up and down my
spine. I didn't know what he was getting at and I didn't want to find out.
They could hear the fear in my voice as I spoke.

"Tha...Tha...That's okay Nate.  I really have to go."  They gripped my
shoulders so tight that I winced in pain.  Something definitely was not right here.
 I needed to leave but they weren't  letting me.  As Nate spoke again and it
started to become clear just exactly what they wanted.

"You know something "C"?  You look soft. Almost like girl.  I bet you feel
soft too." He ran his hand down my cheek.  I flinched at his touch.  Jay leaned
his head into the crook of my neck and inhaled deeply.

"Umm. He smells like a girl too." Nate looked over at  Jay and they shared a
knowing smile.  Nate turned my face to look up at his as he addressed me.

"So if you feel like a bitch and you smell like a bitch, than you probably
fuck like a bitch.  "C--Can you fuck like a bitch?" Okay I had to get out of
there.  I shucked them off of me and ran as far as I could to the park.  They
laughed for a moment and ran after me.  I reached the park and saw no one in
sight.  My heart pounded in my chest as I ran deeper and deeper into the
darkened park.  This was a huge park that sat on over two acres.  All I had to do was
go into the woods a little and hide until Nate and Jay left.  As I looked for
a direction to run to someone's hand went over my mouth and I screamed.
Before I could through a punch. a familiar voice calmed me down.

"Shhhhh.  Chris it's me Joey." I was more than happy to see him.  Before I
realized what I was doing I hugged him.

"Oh thank God it's you!"  I said through struggled  breathe.

"What's wrong? You look like shit." The concern in his voice took me by
surprise.

"It...was...Nate and Joey.  They were trying to-." I stopped my self before I
said fuck me.  I didn't want him to hear me say anything about fucking and guy
's in the same sentence.  I knew he couldn't ever want to be with me
sexually but I didn't want to ruin any chances of a friendship.

"What were Nate and Joey trying to do?" Joey asked as he shot me a sideways
glance.

"Uhh...Nothing.  They were just acting like real ass holes."  Joey looked at
me for a moment analyzing my face.  He was about to say something when we
heard Nates booming voice,

"YO CHRIS!  WHERE YOU AT NIGGA?  ME AND JAY WANNA  HOLLA AT YOU FOR A
MINUTE!" Jay cut in with his own threaten statement.

"YEAH...ONLY FOR A MINUTE...OR TWO...OR THREE!"  Their laughter echoed around
us.  Joey took me by the hand and led me a few feet behind some trees.

"Okay man look those Niggas are crazy and I don't know what they want from
you but it ain't good.  We gotta make it over to the east side of the park.
They know better than to go over there."  Joey whispered.  I nodded then glanced
down to my hand that Joey still gripped.  He followed my eyes and when he saw
what I was looking at, he quickly pulled his hand away.  It was too dark to be
sure but I thought I saw his milky complexion slightly redden.  But like I
said it was to dark to be sure.  He started to walk and whispered for me to
follow.  It was dead silent in the park.  The smell of the summer night filled my
nostrils.  I could smell the faint scent of Joey in front of me.  His scent
brought a calmness over me as I inhaled.  He smelled sweet and strong at the
same time.  If it wasn't for the fact that I heard Nate yell out for me again I
could have let my self relax fully under the spell that Joey was unknowingly
casting.  We ran as fast as we could towards the other side of the park.  It was
hard to keep up with him.  Joey was so fast.  I could tell that he was
holding back for my benefit but even with that he still ran like the wind.  After
running for a few minutes we stopped to catch our breath. I spoke first.

"Oh-My-God! Where did you learn how to run like that?" A smile crept on his
face as he answered through his grin.

"I use to run track back in the day."

"Use to? You don't run anymore?" As quickly as a look of regret ran over his
face it was gone.  He answered simply with a yeah and looked away. I took that
as a hint not to press on.  "We can hang at my house till shit cool down.
The fam won't be home till tomorrow so we don't gotta worry about them being up
in our business."  As we walked towards his house I couldn't help but to let
my mind wonder.  Joey , me and an empty house.  This was going to either be a
night of opportunities or... a night of regrets...