Date: Fri, 29 Jul 2005 11:07:44 -0700 (PDT)
From: Justin S <kchsstucosilver@yahoo.com>
Subject: Being a Good Friend - Part 3

	I was startled back to reality by a knock on my window. I looked
over to see Rick, one of Cam's friends. He and I had talked occasionally,
but never really sat down and got to know each other. Probably because of
Cam's fear of people finding out he's friends with me. But he motioned for
me to roll down the window and I did.

	"Hey Just. Are you alright?" He always made it a habit to call me
Just, either out of laziness or just because he wanted to. I never though
too much of it. But the look on his face told me he cared -- I could see it
in his eyes. These past few weeks gave a new meaning to "the eyes are the
window to the soul."

	"It's nothing Rick. I'm fine, I promise." I couldn't bear to look
at him for he might see the tears in my eyes.

	"Justin, if you are fine, why aren't you leaving school?" Oh,
probably because the man I love hates me and if I drive, I'll probably
drive into oncoming traffic to kill the pain. What I really said was:

	"Just letting the car warm up. It's cold outside and my car is
freezing!" Lame excuse because it wasn't that cold outside.

	"Uh huh. Why don't you follow me home and we'll talk. I won't take
no for an answer." I just shrugged my shoulders and watched as he got into
his car and I followed him out of the parking lot.

	He didn't live far from the school and we got to his house in less
than seven minutes. I park and hesitated to get out. I was just so
heartbroken from Cameron, I was afraid of what I would say to Rick. But I
sucked it up and got out, following him into the house. We sat down on his
living room couch and he looked over at me.

	"Talk. Now. I know something happened between you and Cameron in
his car and I want to know what!"  That's when anything stopping the tears
broke apart. I couldn't help it and I burst into tears.

	"Cameron and I have been going out since Kristy's party. I found
him in her bathroom drunk and throwing up. I took him home and the next
thing I knew, we were in his bed and he was spooning with me. Then we
kissed and we jacked each other off in his bed as we made out. Its been
going on for two weeks now, but we haven't had sex. He told me he loved me
and then denied that he was even friends with me. I love him with all my
heart, soul, and mind and he's too worried about his reputation to even
admit we're friends. He hates me and he lied to me." I poured out my guts
to Rick in three breaths and tears. I couldn't believe it, but now he knew.

	He looked at me and his face showed sympathy and almost hurt. He
was speechless, probably the idea of Cameron and I in love scared him. And
then out of the blue, he grabbed me and held me close. I cried into his
chest, sobbing and pulling at his shirt. He held me close, one hand rubbing
my back and the other running his hands through my hair. I cried for
probably ten minutes saying things like "Cameron!" and "I love him so
much!" and "How could he betray me?" and even "He told me loved me! Why
does God hate me?" He kept telling me not to worry, that it would be okay
and God didn't hate me.

	After the ten minutes of crying, I pulled away from him and looked
at him. He looked as sad as I did and it broke my heart even more. He put
his hand on my cheek and used his thumb to wipe the tears from my cheek. I
smiled and he smiled as well. His smiled was as beautiful as Cam's. I laid
my head back against his chest and he held me close.

	"Rick, thank you so much. I feel so much better." He kept rubbing
my back.

	"Just, anytime. I'm so sorry Cam hurt you. I had no idea he was
such a jerk." I leaned closer into him and he held me tighter. I felt so
safe, so secure, like nobody could hurt me right now. It seemed like he
held me forever when all of a sudden my phone rang. I picked it up and
looked away.

	Rick took the phone from me and got up. He walked into the other
room but I could still hear him.

	Rick: Hello?
	Cam: Hello? Rick?! Why are you answering Justin's phone?  Rick:
Because right now, he is sitting on my couch crying his eyes out because of
you.  Cam: Wait, what?  Rick: Yeah, I know all about you and Justin,
Cameron. How could you do that to him? Are you that heartless and that
worried about your reputation you'd break someone's heart?  Cam: Rick, it
isn't like you think.  Rick: I think it is. You told Justin you loved him
countless times and then denied you were even friends with him. You're a
jerk Cam. I doubt Justin wants to talk to you and I'm not going to let
you. Goodbye Cam.  Cam: Wait, Rick! Don't --

        Rick hung up the phone and walked back into the room. He sat down
next to me and I just looked at him.

        "Why did you do that for me?" I really didn't think Rick would ever
do something like that for me. He hardly knew me and he just chewed out Cam
for breaking my heart.

        He put his hand on my cheek again. "Justin, what Cam did was
terrible. I'm not going to let him get away with it. You are a great guy
and don't deserve someone like Cam at all."

        I was in shock. I had no idea what to say. Maybe it was what Rick
said, maybe it was how I felt near him, or maybe it was how broken hearted
I was, but I leaned in and our lips touched. We met in a passionate and
beautiful kiss, unlike anything Cam or I ever had. For that moment, I think
I actually forgot who Cameron was. All I could think about was Rick...

To Be Continued!

	Comments: e-mail kchsstucosilver@yahoo.com