Date: Sat, 04 Feb 2006 15:56:30 -0700
From: Samuel Forte' III <fallenangel595@hotmail.com>
Subject: finding andrew-chapter 16

** This story is a true story, telling of people and events that have taken
place in the last three to four years. I have the consent of the others who
are involved to use them, but no last names will be used for privacy
reasons. This story will focus around two people as they stumble upon each
during high school and find themselves falling for one another. They are
able to survive the trials, tribulations, and difficulties that are thrown
at them and from each other until everything comes to an abrupt end...All
rights to this story are mine (lol well it is based on MY experiences) so
no copying or publishing without my consent!**


			      Finding Andrew
		   Chapter 16 - Shaun, Andrew, and Luke


     I had taken PE (Team Life 2) again in my senior year since MJ
convinced me.  Besides, we never had a class together all throughout high
school. Odd thinking about it, but we shared a class nonetheless. I really
didn't want to figuring that a lot of the football players would be in the
class (sighs). The first semester of it was the best. MJ was in that one, I
met a good friend in Luke (I'll get to him a little later), two of my other
good friends were in it as well (Natasha and Richard). Most of my other
classes were with friends since seniors got the first pick of
classes. Honestly, my senior year wasn't all that exciting so I'm going to
sum it all up in this chapter.

     PE was interesting to say the least. There was a sophomore in the
class that I got along with pretty well. I can't remember his name for the
life of me, but he told me at some point that he was gay. Nice to have
another friend I could talk to. Then there was also this other guy named
Luke (I said I'd get back to him). I'd heard of him throughout the earlier
years, but never actually met him. He was a junior and we got along pretty
good. We shared the same hobbies and we always joked around. I don't how
many times we ended up running laps in that class because of us goofing
off. Maybe that's where I grew my likeness for running lol.  Anyway, I
guess I could give a description of those two. Luke was a half foot shorter
than me, had dark blue eyes, short buzzed hair and had a slim build. The
other guy was a little taller than me and had a skater build, with spiky
hair and green eyes.

     As for MJ, I honestly never looked at him while changing. I try, and
really do, try to not let myself get interested in any of my friends. I've
seen it happen in straight relationships and see what could come out of
it. Besides, what would the odds be that they would be gay and interested?
Not high, plus I was already with someone anyway. And speaking of that
someone, we really didn't get to hang out other than at wrestling. Add in
work and school, and I was pretty occupied. Andrew did go out for the swim
team that year and I managed to go to almost all of his meets. For his best
interest, I made sure to be out of sight until after the meet...more like
after he changed. I didn't want to cause any "issues" for him while he was
swimming lol. My birthday ended up being lots of fun. There was a laser tag
place (Laser Quest) across from Albertsons and I usually spent my nights
over there on the weekends. I decided to have my party there. Made a lot of
good friends there...probably should have worked harder to keep them (a big
regret). By far the best party I've had!

     Christmas wasn't really all that exciting. I didn't get to spend
anytime with Andrew (extended family in town) or my friends over the
break. So when second semester rolled around it figured that the bad would
continue. A new class for PE and it was the WHOLE football team...very
annoyed. Also, something I really failed to mention was that most of my
lunches were spent off campus with Andrew...getting food! Most of the time,
the only 40 minutes we'd get to hang out the whole day. Also, I should
mention Shaun somewhere in here since he was in the title. This took little
event took place in the middle of February. I was leaving to go to the mall
for lunch when I saw him walking towards his house. I honked the horn which
caused him to look back and then broke out into a full run to his house. I
followed in my car and parked as he was getting his key out.

"Shaun, what wrong's man?"

"Leave me alone, Sam! Just leave!" He yelled with tears in his eyes. I
really was used to him doing that to me, so I made my way to the door
anyway. I was surprised when he shoved me forcefully away. That was
definitely unlike him, so I decided to give him his space.  And with my
luck, Andrew just happened to see everything from a distance so I'm sure
you could imagine what he thought was going on. It took awhile...a few
weeks to be exact, but once I got Shaun to explain what was going on, he
was cool. I ended up catching up with Shaun a few days after that little
incident and forced him to explain what was going on. He was hiding a
secret...and yes, you know what it was. Someone on the football team found
out and the news started to spread. He was feeling bad about the whole
situation (I was asked not to tell what happened so I won't) and I can
imagine why if I was in his shoes. I ended up telling him about myself
which caught him off guard. I knew what it was like to have to keep
"things" to yourself so I could share his pain and struggles to an
extent. In an act of kindness, I told him I would be his bodyguard. That
ended up being a big prize to pay.

     At the end of the month I was headed to the locker room to get dressed
out when I heard arguing. I just walked by at first since it had nothing to
do with me, but I looked back before heading into the locker room. Shaun
was being harassed by members of the football team. I wasn't in the
greatest of moods (had to work and that was still at the point when Andrew
wasn't talking to me) so it didn't take me too long to get involved.

"HEY! Back off and leave him alone!" I yelled getting their
attention. Shaun snuck out with the distraction. The usual crew (can't
mention their names) was messing with him. I had enough of them picking on
him and shoved the "leader" down to the ground. Before I could even process
the next action... Actually let me explain something before this so you can
fully understand why this hurt so much. Every entrance into the gym had
double doors. In between the doors, there was a solid steel beam... Soooo,
I was grabbed from behind and rammed into that very beam shoulder first. I
yelled in pain as I could hear and literally feel the bone crunch and snap
out.  They of course tucked their tails and ran before they could get
busted. I, on the other hand, was in excruciating pain. I ended up having
to go the hospital to find that I had a separated shoulder and would be
without the use of my right arm for 6-8 weeks. I'll spare you my thoughts
on the matter. Let's just say that I'm happy that they left Shaun alone
after that.  Andrew started talking to me again (figures it would take
that, but oh well) and I got a much needed break from wrestling and
Albertsons. I was advised not to go to school for the next few days (it
happened on a Tuesday), but of course I wouldn't give those guys the
benefit of that. I happily drove myself to school with my arm in a sling
and useless. I taught myself how to write with my left hamd so I did fine
when it came to written work. In a way, I almost was happy about that
because now I can use my left hand for everything just like my
right. Ambidextrous is the word I'm looking for I think.  Shaun did
apologize, but I told him not to worry. Not like he was the one who did it.

     Graduation slowly came (for those wondering...for all the problems I
had, I managed to end school with a 3.21 GPA). I was free of the sling two
weeks before. Our senior class ('04 by the way) had the usual group
gatherings that are typical before everybody separates. I wasn't so much
worried about my friends at the moment. There was another situation that
really needed my attention: college.

     I had the idea of going out-of-state for that, but there was a
particular individual that I wasn't really to just leave. For all the crap
that we went through between the first two years, I was beginning to
realize exactly how much I cared for him. If it was maybe a one grade
difference, I might have made a different decision. I ended up making my
mind when I was talking on the phone with Natasha about it.

"Sam, have you brought it up with him yet?

"Not yet. I don't really know how to. He knows that I really want to get
out of this state...but I also don't want to give up what we have either. I
don't think it would work long distance. It will be too hard on both of
us."

"Ok, this is the question you need to ask yourself. Do you love him?"

"I don't know. I really like him..."

"Yes or no?"

"I don't know."

"Sometimes you are so difficult. Fine then. I want you to think about that
and you talk to him by tonight or else I'll do it."

"Yes ma'am." We both laughed as we said our goodbyes. I mulled the question
over for a few hours before I made my way to Andrew's house. I knocked on
the door and was greeted by Jason. He was back from school already
(University of Colorado if you don't remember) so we had a little chat. He
even brought up my school decision. Obviously, it was really bothering
Andrew as well. I told him of my intentions and he let me know that he knew
Andrew would stand by me in my decision. I slowly ascended the stairs and
softly knocked on his door. He didn't answer so I slowly pushed it open. He
had been watching a movie as he was fast asleep on his bed.  He was only
clothed in boxers and it was a good thing his brother was home, otherwise I
might have had something else in mind. I just sat at his computer desk and
watched him sleep. He looked so cute and also very safe. It was also one of
the few times I saw him without his hair being all fixed up. I didn't mind
it either way since it looked great even when it was messy. Him, on the
other hand, would have a nervous breakdown if he had to school to school
without being able to fix it. After sitting there for close to half an hour
he started to stir.

"Hey little man. You look so cute when you sleep." He quickly popped up
when he heard my voice. He slid under the covers to hide his near nakedness
which caused me to laugh. Don't really know why that was just a big deal
since it wasn't like...nevermind that.

"You perv. What were you doing? Getting off watching me sleep?" He said it
with a smile so I knew he was joking.

"Hmm, maybe I was." I said as I gave him a joking elbow to the ribs. He
patted the other side of the bed and I quickly accepted the invitation as I
plopped down beside him.  He got up to lock his door and grabbed a shirt to
throw on.

"So, why are you here?"

"I can't just come here to see how you're doing?"

"You would have called. It's about school isn't it?" Talk about being read
like an open book. We sat there in silence for a few minutes. I didn't
really give any thought of how to start the subject and I still was at a
loss of words. He hopped out of bed and began to pace in the middle of the
room. The gears were turning in his brain.

"Andrew. I don't really know how to say this..."

"You don't have to. I already know what your decision is. I know how bad
you want to go to school out-of-state. I'm not going to lie though. I
really want you to stay.  We've been going out on and for pretty much two
years and I feel like I've invested so much in you. It's going to hurt to
see you go, but I believe we can make it work. I don't want to throw it
away and I'll do whatever I can to keep "us" together. Even if it means I
pack up and go with you."

"Well that's a nice speech you put together, bud."

"I support you going away. You have to do what's best for you and it took
me awhile to accept that."

"Well it's nice to know you feel that way...only thing is I'm staying
here."

"YOU ARE? I mean, you are?" He tried to keep from letting out his
excitement, but he failed miserably.

"Yea." See, I thought about this two ways and I came to the same conclusion
on both. Both for him and me, I thought it was best. If I wanted to go
out-of-state that bad, I could wait for him.  Two years seemed like an
eternity at the time. He hugged me as he started to cry (I'm going to go
with happy tears). We cuddled and watched a movie in silence. He fell
asleep in my arms and I thought again to the decision. Looking down at his
sleeping face, there was no way I could just up and leave him. It was
starting to get dark and I realized I should get back home. I slowly laid
his head down and gave him a little peck on the forehead. "Andrew, I love
you man. If only you knew how much." I whispered as I stood over him. My
first confession of the l-word. I made my way home and fell asleep knowing
deep down inside, that I made the right decision. Summer wasn't going to be
a nice and smooth one though. Andrew was finally ready to come out to his
parents.

     The first week of June, I remember sitting in his room as he was going
over his planned speech. I was more nervous than he was...and he was a
wreck! When it finally happened, everything turned to shit. As soon as he
uttered that phrase, "I'm gay", his life changed. Jason stood looking at
his parents just as Andrew and I were. His dad left the room yelling words
that I don't want to repeat. It was a very ugly incident. His mom blamed me
for making him that way which led to me getting choked until Jason could
pull her off. I left the house to try and loosen the damage, but it was no
use. Andrew was right behind me as his dad basically kicked him out.  I
ended up driving us to an empty road so I could comfort in private. I felt
really bad for him.  Towards the end of the last school year, he really
wanted to just get the "coming out" over with.  I advised him to at least
wait until the summer so if it went bad, he wouldn't have to be around too
many people. I didn't know what to tell him to boost his spirits so I just
held him until he cried himself to sleep on my shoulder. While he slept, I
had to think about a place for him to stay...at the very worst he would
have to go back to live with his parents since he wasn't 18 yet. I ended up
driving home and told my dad a shortened version of what happened.  I
begged and pleaded, and I'm sure it was because of my constant annoyance
that he gave in. The deal was that he had to sleep in the basement and
share my bathroom. Not a problem at all...really. Also, that Andrew had to
have a talk with both my parents. I agreed on his behalf on that, and gave
Jason a call to get some of his clothes and belongings. It took two trips,
but we managed it quickly.

     Really all he needed was his clothes. I had video games, movies, and a
computer so it would almost be like being at home. Jason promised to try
and work on their parents and that he would do anything to help. He helped
set his stuff up and was off for the night. Andrew talked to my parents
while I cooked dinner (I'm not a bad cook, but I don't do it much):
lasagna, his favorite dish. By the time the food was done, they were
done. I fixed our plates and brought them into my room. We ate in silence,
as I'm sure the day's events were still bothering him.  Somehow he managed
to explain the story to my parents without mentioning the fact that he was
gay...I have no idea how he pulled that off. The only problem that I saw
with him staying was the sleeping arrangement. I don't think either of us
would have complained about sharing a bed, but there were two things to
worry about. I didn't have a lock on my door and with air conditioning
running through the house, there was no way to hear anyone come downstairs.
I came up with a pretty good solution for that and it ended up being the
plan for the duration of his stay. After we both took showers...separate,
we would lay down with him wrapped up in front of me. I know that he was
happy to have me there, but I also wanted to convey the message that I was
there to stand by him. Once he fell asleep, I would grab a spare pillow and
comforter and fall asleep on the couch.

     He ended up staying for about a month. Most of the time he was in my
room, but he did manage to become friendly with my sister and mom. Lol,
picked up quite a few brownie points.  Eventually he did go back home. He
wasn't happy with it, but he also knew that he couldn't stay over there
forever...especially not after the computer incident with my dad (he got
caught looking at some stuff and my dad flipped out...being a major
homophobe of course; it took my mom to step in to let him stay...also a big
factor in me taking so long to come out to mine). Anyway, his dad became
more comfortable with it. His mom, on the other hand, was still at the
stage of hating my guts and Andrew's. She just didn't know how to handle
it. Andrew wasn't thrilled with going back there as I would find out when
the end of July came. I was in the middle of switching jobs (from
Albertsons to EB Games) when I got a call from his mom. I happened to be on
break at work when I answered.

"Hello?"

"Is this, Sam?" She asked hysterically.

"Yes, ma'am." I said in a dejected tone. It's hard to sound happy when
someone calls and you know they hate your guts.

"You need to come over now! Andrew is in an ambulance!" My mood soured even
more as I started to worry the worst instantly. Human nature really sucks
at times. I talked with my boss and took off from work. My mind raced with
thoughts as I flew down the streets. I didn't know what to expect or if I
even should go there with his parents there.  Eventually I got there and
quickly made my way inside. The ambulance was headed out as I stepped
inside...

*****************************************************************************

So, its been awhile hasn't it? I don't really want to talk about my last
couple of weeks. I ended up having to handwrite this out and give it to a
friend to get sent in (thanks a bunch, Justin) since I have really limited
internet availability at the moment. My goal is to get this story done
before the end of this month (wishful thinking, but at least at the end of
March) so my work is cut out.  This chapter is a little more of a telling
than the previous ones since its going to link to some more meaty sections.
The next couple of months were really interesting to say the least. The
whole chapter was an annoying time in general. For those that will wonder,
Natasha is my best female friend and I talk to her all the time even though
she goes to school in New York City. As for Shaun, he is doing good since
the last time I talked to him and he is going to school in Arizona. He
asked me to leave most of our conversations out in this chapter (would have
been a lot longer) so I'll honor his wishes.

Chapter 17: Another Trip to the Hospital