Date: Sat, 03 Dec 2005 18:31:14 -0700
From: Samuel Forte' III <fallenangel595@hotmail.com>
Subject: finding andrew-chapter 4

** 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 4: Finding Each Other Out


     The rest of the week was pure torture. Andrew was out of school and
when I called over, only his mom would answer. She always thanked me for
checking on him and gave me updates on how he was doing. He never wanted to
talk to me though. A few times I remember hearing him yell in the
background some hurtful things as she tried to drown it out.  Something I'd
have to deal with until he gave me the chance to talk. Now some of you are
probably thinking that he might have blown this thing up, but I can see
where he was upset. This guy was willing to trust me with so much and in
one of his times of need, I wasn't there. He had a legitimate gripe.
Unfortunately the me not being there led to lots of things down the road
that I still regret to this day.

     Riding on the bus was at least a little relief. Mario wasn't on all
week so I only had to see him when it came to wrestling. His attitude
towards me seemed to worsen as time went on. Mike told me that their mom
decided it was in Mario's best interest to transfer to another school to
avoid as many problems between the two of us as possible. For the record,
he had told his whole family he was gay and they had no problems with
it. They knew I was too, so everything was cool on that end. I wouldn't
find out actually what happened between him and Andrew until my buddy was
back in school. On top of all this stress, I had to deal with the Lizzy
situation. I was starting to feel worse about basically lying to her and I
knew I had to find some way out of this without hurting her feelings along
with most of my friends. I closed up through the rest of the week just
hoping to keep myself together. I don't wear my emotions on my sleeve and
have a tendency to have some pretty bad emotional outbursts. When the
weekend finally came, I slept through it hoping that Andrew would be back
in class.

     I would get my wish. We didn't have PE until Tuesday, but I saw him
with a group of friends Monday morning while I was at my locker. He met my
gaze and I still could see the anger burning in his eyes. His swelling was
gone and he had a band-aid over the gash. I was happy to at least see for
myself that he was ok. I kept quiet through the first two periods wondering
how I would go about approaching him. At lunch, I got lots of questions
about my lack of...uh, energy I guess. I just told them I was stressed out
and needed to work some things out in my head. At that moment, Lizzy
decided to make a scene in front of everyone about how horrible of a
boyfriend I was.

"Sam, what the hell is your problem? You never want to do anything, you
blow me off this weekend, and you don't have the decency to talk to me
while we're in school!  What is your problem?" I was surprised by this as
I'm sure everyone else was as well. I already saw that the group looked at
me totally different. Even though I knew everyone before she did, I was
being pushed out at her bidding. She isn't a bad person, but she can be
very manipulative when she chose to be.

"Calm down, Lizzy. Can't we talk about this in private?"

"NO! I want some answers right NOW!" This got the attention of others
sitting outside as well. I picked up my backpack and left the table headed
for home. I had enough stuff on my mind and she wasn't helping the matter.
I didn't even know what I would say when we talked anyway. She continued to
yell as I walked to the other end of school contemplating skipping the rest
of the day. MJ caught up to me as he tried to comfort me. Finally all the
pressures on my shoulder caused me to break down and cry. I slumped to the
ground in a heap as I let it all flow out.  Andrew hated my guts because of
Mario, Mario hated my guts because he was going to a new school, and Lizzy
and my friends we're starting to turn their backs on me. I had other
friends, but these were my main ones. I ended up going home sick that day
as MJ explained to the nurse that I had a stomach virus. My mom picked me
up and we rode home in silence.  I got many phone calls that night and
ignored them all as sleep quickly took me and Tuesday morning came all too
fast.

     I got off the bus and headed to the library to avoid facing any of my
friends. I still was bothered by what happened at lunch and I didn't know
how to deal with it just yet. This wasn't the first time that Lizzy had did
that kind of thing in front of people. It would have served her right if I
would have just told her I was gay in front of half the damn school...but I
thought better of it. The bell rang for 1st period as I headed down to the
gym. Some of my friends saw me and said nothing. MJ patted me on the back
and Lizzy shot him an evil glare. At least I still had one friend through
this. I was one of the last ones to make it to class. This would be the 2nd
week of the swim block so I headed to the locker room to change into my
trunks. When I got there, Andrew was the only person there as he had just
finished changing. He walked by me headed out towards the pool without a
word. I took a deep breath and began to change.  Things were not getting
better.

     The whole class he went out of his way to avoid me. I did a good job
of hiding my emotions as his new found coldness was damaging. Still I knew
that at some point we would have to talk about what happened. Near the end
of class, one of the other guys asked Andrew why he was being so quiet. To
everyone's surprise, Andrew blew up on the guy. The teacher got control of
the situation and told Andrew to stay after class so she could have a word
with him.  He looked at me with an angry face as if saying this is your
fault. I again took a deep breath trying to hold my emotions in check.

     After class ended we all headed for the showers except for Andrew of
course. I was the last to shower (on purpose for many reasons) as I was
trying to keep my thoughts together. As I finished dressing, Andrew made
his way in.

"Andrew."

"..." He opened his locker to grab his towel. The silent treatment was
really starting to get to me.

"We really need to talk. I know I've only known you for about a week, but I
want for us to get off on the right foot." He was already in the shower at
that point and was rushing to hurry and leave. I calmly waited for him to
finish as I made my way over to him after he had his pants on.  "Look man.
I really am sorry about what happened. If it happened all over again I
would gladly switch places with you."

"Oh, is that so?" He asked with a hint of anger.

"Yes, Andrew. I would do anything to protect you." Even I had to pause as
that came out of my mouth. He gave me a funny look and I just stood there
puzzled that I could say that to someone that I hardly knew. "I should have
never left you alone with Mario and I regret doing it. We have some really
bad history (trust me, things go back wayyy before this story too...we
haven't always gotten along whether we were best friends or not) so he is
just doing stuff to get back at me.  When he saw that you came with me, he
became jealous."

"Jealous? Why would he be jealous?" Hard question to answer without giving
myself away. Ok Sam. Think of a smart answer...

"W-well we used to b-be...best buddies...friends." Wow, talk about nervous!
It did get him to laugh though.

"Hmm, I see. Well you said I would owe you for taking me along for
wrestling right?"

"Yea, but I was just kidding."

"Well...I've been doing some thinking and I do have two things to give you
in return."

"So that means we're cool right?"

"Of course. I couldn't stay mad at you forever now could I, Sam?" We both
laughed and bumped fists as he finished dressing. I felt like a major
weight was lifted off my shoulders as a breathed a sigh of relief. I waited
for him to close his locker as he walked up to me and looked me eye to
eye. "So are you ready?"

"F-for what?"

"What I have to give you?" He asked quietly with a sexy grin. It took every
horrible image I could imagine to keep myself from getting hard instantly.

"Uh, sure."

"First, I wanted to let you know that Mike is letting me join your fed. And
you're my trainer."

"Well thanks for asking me." We both laughed because we knew I would have
volunteered for it anyway.

"Well that still leaves one thing." He had a very serious look and moved
even closer causing me to back into the wall. He still moved closer with
our noses touching.

"What's that?" I asked in a whisper as I closed my eyes. Something I just
tend to do when I get really nervous. A million things popped in my head at
that time...but I wasn't ready for what he had planned.

"This." I felt his hands grab at my face as I could feel his lips brush
across mine. I've been a late bloomer in many things by most teen's
standards and this would be one of them. Two months away from my 17th
birthday and my first real kiss! We fell on the floor as he lay on top of
me, as our tongues explored each other's mouth. I was tense at first, but
gave way to the pleasure that both of us were feeling. After what seemed
like ages he pulled away.

"WOW! Andrew I don't know what to say!" I was still coming down from the
high of the kiss trying to regain my composure. Andrew started to giggle.

"You don't have to say anything silly. You're little buddy is doing the
talking for you." After he said, that he grabbed my dick and started to
slowly stroke it through my jeans. I let out a muffled moan trying to gain
back control of the situation.

"An-Andrew you need to stop. The bell will ring any minute." I somehow
managed to get out.

"Hmm, I guess you're right." He said rising to his feet a little annoyed.
"So what are you doing for lunch?"

"Well I know I'm not sitting with my friends. What did you have in mind?"

"Meet me out front without your backpack."

"Why no backpack?"

"We're going to take a little walk...to my house." A big grin crept across
his face.

"Your house?"

"Yea we need to talk about some things in private. I would rather not do it
at school around so many people."

"I don't know about that." I was starting to get a little nervous. I had
just let a 14-year old just take control of a very unusual situation. I
felt a little fear as I wasn't sure of what he had in mind...and even if I
did, being alone wouldn't make me anymore comfortable.  "It might be better
to just do it here."

"Oh, you don't trust me?" He asked with a curious look on his face. Now if
you were in my shoes how would you answer that question? I didn't say
anything as he read my eyes for his answer.

"Man, you're no fun! Fine, still meet me out front. I won't do anything...I
promise." Good enough for me. I nodded my head as we made our way out to
the hallway. He pinched my ass which caused me to jump and yell as the bell
rang. We headed our separate ways to class as I was left even more stressed
than before the day started. I was nervous about what would happen during
lunch. What did he have to tell me? Was the kiss just a joke? Did he really
like me? My head swarmed with possibilities as I sat down in my seat. The
class was a blur as I managed to concentrate on the lesson for once.

     When the bell rang, I flew down the hall and put my backpack in my
locker as again my ass being grabbed brought the same reaction as before.

"So I see you're still as nervous as ever." He laughed as I put my stuff
away. I'm glad no one was around to see that.

"You can't just do that you know. There are people around here and..."

"I may be younger, but I'm not as dumb as you think Sam. Actually you'll
find out pretty soon that I'm a pretty smart guy." I blushed deeply as I
turned away after he gave me a wink. He laughed as we headed downstairs and
out the front door. We walked across the patio as a few of my friends
watched me with curious looks. Lizzy of course was furious yelling at me to
sit down as we kept walking. Andrew laughed as he saw the nervousness on my
face.

"So I see the girlfriend has the cuffs on."

"Not anymore. I think we're about over."

"Why? I hope it's not because of me." The tone he said that in could have
been taken so many ways. I think I was just thinking too much.

"Huh? Why would you think that."

"I dunno. I have my reasons though." I shot up a worried look as he curled
over laughing. He said he would explain when we got to his house. I shook
my head wondering again why I agreed to do this. It took us about ten
minutes as we cut through a few ditches to cut down on time (with lunch
only being thirty-five minutes mind you). When we approached his house, he
fumbled with the key as he tried to unlock the front door.

"I guess I'm not the only one nervous around here."

"Oh, shut up." We both laughed as he finally was able to get the door open.
He yanked me in and quickly locked the door. I wouldn't get a chance to get
a tour the first time through the house as he practically dragged me up the
stairs to his room. He slowed down once we got inside it. He had a
king-sized bed in the back corner with 49ers sheets (ya know, I seem to
know a lot of San Fran fans these days...) And a computer right next to
it. I saw a few posters on the walls of wrestlers from the WWE (further
confirmation that he was a big wrestling fan). I continued to look around
as he shoved me onto his bed hopping on top of me.

"Hey! You said you wouldn't..."

"I'm not doing anything you square." Which caused both of us to laugh.

"So what was so important that you had to bring me to your room to tell
me?"  He started to blush and rolled off of me and started to pace back and
forth. I sat up watching him intently.

"You have to promise that you won't interrupt me. Just let me get it all
out first, ok?"

"Deal." He stopped and turned his back to me, gazing out the window.

"I know that you're gay...and I know you know that I am." For some reason,
even though I figured it and got further proof from the locker room
incident, it still came as a shock to hear it out his mouth. Even more for
him to have picked up on me. I try so hard to keep it from being obvious.
It kind of troubled me that he saw right through me. "And I could
understand if you didn't want to be my friend..."

"An-"

"Let me finish, Sam. I know that you like me and the feeling is mutual...as
you probably figured already, but first let me explain something. It was my
fault that Mario lunged at me. While you were in the back, Mario came up to
me and we started to talk. He made no effort to hide that he was gay and
told me that the two of you had done some things so I would only be wasting
my time going after you. I don't know how he knew I was or that I was
interested in you, but I just told him to mind his own business. He than
started to hit on me which I turned him down. I told him that I would
rather take my chances with you than be with a pig like him. He got upset
and left me alone after I told him that I'd been at your house all day. I
even told him about our little wrestling match. When you had me talk to
Mike, we had discussed the plan for getting me trained and some gear so I
could start. After he walked off, Mario came out of the back and made a
b-line straight for me. He started to talk bad about you and when I came to
your defense he hit me in the jaw." At this point, Andrew put his head down
and his body began to shake. "He called me a...dirty faggot and told me
that he would make sure...I never would get what I wanted!" I could hear
the crying begin as he uttered the last few words. I rose off his bed and
walked behind him pulling him into a hug. I rested my head on his right
shoulder as I held him for a few minutes.

"There's no need to cry. He won't hurt you anymore." I said with a
comforting tone.

"That's not what I'm worried about, Sam." He pushed me away as he turned
around to face me. I could see the redness in his eyes as he looked at me
with a fearful look.  The same look after I had got to him after Mario
bruised his face. "Am I going to end up like Mario? Am I just wasting my
time?" He asked angrily. I took a minute to think about my words.

"No Andrew. I feel a very special connection with you as do I with Mario.
Mario is still special to me...but only with our relationship being friends
and that's as far as it goes. I feel totally different about you. When I
first saw you, I got that feeling and I get it every time we're around each
other. I know I haven't known you for that long, but I can't help that."
Andrew stood in silence again turning to look out the window. After a long
moment of silence he turned back to face me.

"So do you...would you want to go out me?" He blushed ferociously as he put
his head down. I lifted his head with my hand.

"Yes."

"YES!?!"

"Yes, Andrew. I would really like that (Andrew told me shortly after...that
was the corniest line he'd ever heard lol). He grinned and hopped into my
arms. His sudden burst of excitement caught me off guard, causing me to
fall to the ground with him sitting on top of me.

"So I see that you plan on being the bottom in the relationship." I blushed
and pushed him off as he rolled over in laughter.

"Shut up little man."

"I may be little in your eyes, but I promise that "Little Andrew" isn't." I
shook my head as he continued to laugh. After glancing at the clock, we
figured it would be a good time to head back so we wouldn't be late. We
shared a quick kiss before stepping outside as were on way back after he
locked the door. We were much more talkative this time. It felt weird with
him being a freshman yet so comfortable with the situation. If the roles
were reversed, I can't promise that I would have been able to do the
same. We sat and talked after we got back as I saw Lizzy spot me and walk
inside with the girls following close behind *sighs*.

"I can't believe it. We haven't been going out for an hour and you're
already cheating on me."  He whispered in my ear laughing.

"Well I need to deal with her soon enough." I replied rolling my eyes.

"I didn't mean to get your mind back on her. If you want to keep going out
with her I don't mind really."

"Well I'm a one person kind of guy anyway." He laughed at my use of person
instead of guy as a group of kids walked by in front of us.

"Can I ask you something?" He asked in a hushed voice.

"Sure."

"Uh, how gay are you?"

"Well seeing how I have a boyfriend I think that makes me pretty gay." He
laughed as I shook my head. "If you're wondering what I think you are you
have no worries. I'm not a switch hitter."

"Ok. Same here so it looks like this is for the long haul." He looked at me
with a coy grin.

"I sure hope so." MJ was headed our way as we started to make small talk
about school. Andrew said he would be busy, but would see me before school
the next day. We bumped fists as he walked off. MJ took a seat as I know I
had to have had an annoyed look on my face.

"Hey don't shoot the messenger. I don't mean to bother you, but Lizzy is
madder than she was yesterday."

"For what now?" I asked irritated.

"Well you know that Homecoming tickets went on sell...she's upset that you
haven't asked her to it yet."

"Well she knows that I hate going to dances."

"Yea, but you know how that goes with her."

"You're telling me." We both burst into laughter on that one.

"...And she gave you an ultimatum."

"Really? Now this I have to hear."

"Please don't get mad...she's upset that you don't show her any affection.
No kissing and no "other" stuff." He blushed saying that as I about busted
a gut laughing.

"What the hell is so funny?"

"Well I don't think that is changing either. I did enough changing for her
as it is. If she wanted all of this I'm sure there are a million guys in
this city that would be willing to put out for her."

"It's not just that...she is starting to spread rumors about you."

"Grrreat. About what?"

"..."

"Well you told me this much you might as well tell me the rest." The bell
rang as he sat there still afraid to tell me. "I'm not going to get mad at
you. You don't think I would actually do that do you?" He still sat there
in silence. "Just tell me man."

"...She says you're gay man." He got up and walked inside. I just sat
there.  The last thing I needed was for her to start acting like my so
called best friend Mario. One was bad enough, but two? Give a guy a break.
With a free period and no homework I walked home instead of catching the
city bus. I needed to put a few things in perspective and figure out what
exactly to do about what has happened the last few days.

     First and foremost I was in my first REAL relationship...relationship
might be a strong word at this point, but that's how I felt. I had no
experience on different things that went with that so I would just have to
do the best I could. It seemed that Andrew was in the same boat so it would
make for a bumpy ride. Secondly, there was Ms. Lizzy going around upset and
pissy spreading rumors about me. I guess I brought that one on myself, but
I wasn't really seeing a way out of that one. I keep going out with her and
eventually I feel even smaller and then its not fair to Andrew and
eventually she would find out. I breakup and deal with the rumors
intensifying and probably get shunned by my friends and probably someone
would find out the truth anyway. It had to be one though...and soon.
Lastly, I had to make sure that everything stayed hidden between Andrew and
myself at school. THAT would be the hardest to do. We were still teens so a
few slips would be expected. Just one though could ruin both of us. He
still was in the closet with his friends so we'd have to find ways to hang
out and not draw suspicion.  When I got home I took an early shower and got
comfortable in bed slipping on a t-shirt and boxers. I closed my eyes and
smiled. I couldn't believe my luck. I was going out with the one person
that I would have given anything I had to be with...even my left
testicle... well maybe not, but you get my point. I slept good that night,
happy that not only that I patched things up with Andrew, but that we were
officially a couple...

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

Chapter 4 ends with us finally getting things out in the open (thanks to
Andrew) and we see where that got us. What happens between Lizzy and
myself? What would Mario think about this? You'll find out in the next
installment. Chapter 5 is in the works...and since the snow is piling on
right now, probably will be done within the day. Thanks again to those who
have sent emails ( fallenangel595@hotmail.com ) with advice, random
comments, and/or story comments.  Again I'll address questions I had from
emails since the last chapter:

1 - Unfortunately (for me), Mario will be in the sorry to the very end. He
played a major role in how lots of things turned out throughout this whole
story.

2 - We are not friends or even in the same ballpark as of now. Unless I
have a complete 180 change of heart (could happen...I am a nice guy, but it
will take a long time), we won't be either.


3 - I am still good friends with his Andrew's brother, Jason. He was more
involved towards the end of everything.

Chapter 5: Lizzy and Mario Suffer the Aftermath