Date: Wed, 14 Sep 2011 02:20:38 -0700
From: Jeffrey Venzuela <jtvenz72@gmail.com>
Subject: I Shall Believe - Chapter 12

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Warning:  If you don't tolerate or approve of the gay lifestyle please
leave now.

This is pure fiction. No one in this story is a real person, living or
deceased. Any similarities is just a coincidence.
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After a few minutes of talking, it became quiet inside the car as
Jesse concentrated on driving and Max observed the places they were
passing.  Having switched from Ivan's CDs to the radio, they were now
listening to a station playing the Top 40 with the volume down low.
However, the quietness in the car was making Jesse impatient. He wanted
to talk to Max and get to know him better.

Jesse tried to think of a subject. "So are you excited about the game?" He
asked with his eyes never leaving the road. He thought it was an appropriate
question. However, Max didn't answer.

"So, how did you like your first week on our school?" He asked again. There
was still no answer from Max so Jesse took his eyes off the road and stole a
glance at his new friend on his right. Max was asleep with his head on the
headrest and his mouth slightly open.

The sight made Jesse smile. "Pretty exhausting, I guess." Jesse answered
for Max. He decided he would just wake up the boy later when they arrived
at the school. In the meantime, he took the opportunity to take quick glances
at Max's face and especially his body.

Jesse was drinking in the whole sight of him when he noticed an
unmistakable bulge on Max's crotch. "Damn," Jesse thought as he felt
himself get hard. Jesse shook his head and swallowed as he tried to
concentrate on the road. He breathed deeply as he tried to calm his heart
which was beating fast. He took few glances again at Max and saw his head
wobbling slightly from side to side as he slept.

Jesse took one last look on Max's crotch before adjusting himself. He decided
to just concentrate on driving. When he was again fully committed, he was
surprised to feel a weight on his right shoulder. He turned his head slightly
and his eyes were met by jet black hair while his nose was stimulated by a
musky scent. Max's head must have slipped from the headrest. It was now
resting on Jesse's shoulder.

Jesse shuddered as he inhaled more of Max's scent and felt himself
becoming intoxicated with Max's dark manly smell touched with a hint
of the sweetness of vanilla. Suddenly, he felt the car jump slightly.


Meanwhile, Ivan had already found a seat on the bleachers. The game
was about to start when he saw Randy with a big smile on his face approaching
him with some of the members of the Gay-Straight Alliance.

"Hey guys." Ivan greeted them.

"Are these seats taken?" Randy asked gesturing to the empty bleachers next
to Ivan.

"No." Ivan replied. Randy sat down beside Ivan and the rest of the group
followed suit.

"Where's Jesse?" Ivan inquired upon noticing that almost the entire group
was with Randy.

 "He's with Max. They decided to drive your car over here. They should
be here by now." Randy explained. Ivan just nodded.

Ivan felt his cell phone vibrating on his pocket. He dug it out and saw Jesse's
name on the screen. "Speaking of." He said as he showed Randy that Jesse
was calling him.

"Hey. Where are you?" Ivan asked.

"I have a surprise for you." Jesse said, not answering the question.

"Okay." Ivan spoke with caution in his voice.

"Max and I will watch the game with you!" Jesse said enthusiastically.

"Actually, Randy already told me that. Where are you guys anyway?" He
asked again. Randy looked at Ivan after he heard his name.

"Wait. That's not my surprise yet."

Ivan rolled his eyes. "Then what is it?" He tried to hide the impatience in his
voice.

"Your car got a flat tire." Jesse said in a monotonous voice.

"What? But the car doesn't even have a spare tire in the trunk."

"I know. And whose fault is that?" Ivan could hear the smirk in Jesse's voice.

"And whose fault is it that the tire got flat?" Ivan fired back.

"It is not my fault! A fucking wooden spike just came out of nowhere."
Jesse defended himself.

"And you didn't see it on the road?" Ivan asked. He heard beeping from the
other end of the line before it went dead. "Jesse?" He asked before deciding
that Jesse's battery must have died.


"Damn it. My battery died." Jesse swore under his breath. He looked at
Ivan's car which was now on the side of the road.

Jesse really hadn't seen the wooden spike that was in the middle of
the road. At that moment, his senses had been preoccupied with Max
who had his head on Jesse's shoulder. After Jesse felt the car run over
something, he immediately stepped on the brake, stopping the car and
waking up Max. After telling Max that the spike just came out of nowhere,
he decided to call Ivan and give him the same story.

Fortunately Max's cell phone was still working and the emergency auto
center was still open so Max called them and reported to Jesse that a
mechanic was on his way with a new tire.

"So what do we do now?" Jesse asked.

"I guess we'll just have to wait." Max went back inside the car and made
himself comfortable on the seat. Jesse followed him and sat on the driver's
seat.

"You're one deep sleeper, aren't you?" Jesse asked Max.

Max smiled sheepishly. "Yeah. My mom would always yell at me in the
morning just to wake me up."

Jesse looked away and concentrated on the horizon. "At least she cares
enough for you that she doesn't want you to be late for class."

Max wasn't expecting Jesse's serious response. "Yeah. I guess you're right."
He paused, wondering whether the next question was appropriate but
decided to ask anyway. "Where's your mom anyway?"

Jesse shook his head and sneered. "I don't know. Not here that's for sure."

"How about your dad?" Max asked thinking that it might lighten Jesse's
sudden change of mood.

"Somewhere out there." Jesse said and laughed softly.

"I'm sure they call you everyday to make sure you're okay."

"Actually, neither one of them has called for the last two weeks and
three days. And I'm still counting." Jesse chuckled, trying to ignore
the look of pity from Max.

"I'm sorry." Max said sincerely.

Jesse smiled. "It's not that bad once you get used to it. I mean, with them
always at least a couple of miles away, I can always throw a party at our
house whenever I want. Or I can bring anyone at my house anytime I want."
He bumped Max's shoulder lightly.

Max chuckled. "Then I guess you're lucky after all."

Jesse nodded. "Yeah, I guess I am." Despite his words, Jesse believed
otherwise, and Max knew that too.

Max looked at his watch. "The game must be starting by now."


Max was right. The game started and people we're cheering loudly around
Ivan. He wasn't really the loud type so he just sat there as he usually did,
dividing his attention between the game and watching the crowd. He didn't
really understand football. Even with all the years he had hung out with
Michael and supported his games, he still couldn't get the whole game.
All he knew was he was there to support Michael and cheer if he scored.

Every time Michael got the ball, Ivan was mesmerized as he watched him
dodge through the defense. Ivan was in awe with Michael's graceful
movements.


Meanwhile, Max and Jesse we're still inside the car with the doors open
listening to the radio. To Jesse, it already seemed like a day had passed
while they waited. As he was about to suggest calling the auto shop again,
he saw a truck stop nearby. He exhaled deeply. "Finally, it took them long enough."
He came out of the car and was followed by Max.

When the man emerged, Jesse's eyes widened. The man had to be in his late
thirties or his late forties. His body covered by a white wife beater was in
really good shape with all the muscles bulging in the right places. The man went
behind the truck and reappeared with a tire in his hands. There was a
particular bulge that really caught Jesse's attention— the one in the
crotch of the man's faded jeans.

Jesse could feel his mouth water as his eyes roamed all over the man's
body. Then he noticed another thing, Max was looking at the man's crotch
too. Jesse could feel himself grin as he got another clue about Max's true
sexuality.

Jesse cleared his throat which got Max's attention. "I think we should help
him."

Max nodded and said, "Yeah."

They put the punctured tire on the car's trunk for Ivan to use as a spare
once it had been fixed and then proceeded to watch the man put on
the new tire. Jesse casually observed Max and how he interacted with
the attractive man but he saw nothing. No lingering stares, no quick glances,
not even a small sign of desire for the man. That got Jesse to thinking
Max was either very good at covering himself or he was just really
straight. However, Jesse was still convinced that the latter was very
unlikely.

"You boys good?" The man asked in a deep voice.

"Yeah, thanks." Jesse said looking discretely at his bulge for one last
time.

"Thanks man." Max nodded at him.

After Jesse paid him, the man left and Jesse enjoyed watching his ass
from behind. "Totally a Dad I'd love to f—" He stopped himself when
he realized he was saying it out loud. He saw Max looking at him.

Jesse smiled and tried to look sincere. "Totally a Dad I'd love to have."


With only five minutes left in the second half, Ivan had become increasingly
worried about Jesse and Max's absence, but that hadn't stopped him
from getting hoarse shouting Michael's name every time he ran the ball,
which had happened all night long. Michael had run over a hundred yards and
scored two of the teams four touchdowns, helping them to an eighteen point
lead. But tired as Ivan's throat was he gulped down some water and
started yelling again as Michael burst through the right side of the line one
more time.

Randy looked at him and said. "You sure are his number one fan."

"Nah. I'm just supporting him." Ivan realized he must be beginning to be
really obvious so he tried to restrain himself.

"I'm surprised you guys are even friends again." Randy stated.

Ivan was offended but decided to ask nicely. "What do you mean?"

Randy gestured to the field. "I mean the guy dumped you and then ignored
you for the last year. Why would you want to be friends with him again?"

He knew Randy wouldn't understand so he responded with, "No one
dumped anyone, okay?"

"Whatever you say. Just think about this, what if he finds a girl friend?
Would he choose you over her?" Randy said and went back to watching
the game.

Ivan couldn't believe Randy just said that. But moreover, he couldn't
believe the agitation he was feeling inside. Michael dated a couple of
girls since middle school but none of them really lasted that long. Some
didn't get along with Alex while some didn't get along with Ivan. Either
way, for Michael, if the girl didn't go along with his two best friends, it
was one huge turn off.

The last girl friend Michael had was a pretty one with a great personality.
She got along with Alex just fine but was always seemed to be picking on
Ivan. Michael tried to tolerate it but when she called him a closeted faggot,
he immediately broke up with her. So if Michael had a new girl friend, Ivan
knew he would be happy for his best friend. He needed to be.

Ivan was distracted from his thoughts by the buzzer that signaled the end of
the game. The visiting fans were jumping up and down and cheering wildly for
their victorious team, while the home crowd across the field grumbled about
losing in their own fort.

"Well, look at that. We won. Say congrats to your best friend for me." Randy
said. Ivan just nodded. It's not that he hated Randy or that he hated him for
saying what he said earlier. It was the words he said and how they affected
him. That's what he hated.

"Oh. I almost forgot." Randy faced Ivan. "I have a special assignment for you."
He said with smile.

"Now?" Ivan asked.

"No silly." Randy chuckled and rolled his eyes. "I'll talk to you tomorrow. See
ya." He waved goodbye and left with the rest of the Gay-Straight Alliance.

They were on their way to the bus when Jesse and Max arrived in Ivan's car.

"Dude, we missed the whole game." Jesse said to Max, trying to sound
disappointed. The truth was he really didn't care about the game. He just
wanted to spend time with Max and especially keep Max away from Randy
as much as possible.

"That's fine. There'll be plenty more of games anyway." Max replied
reassuringly. "So, where to now?"

This is it, Jesse thought. This was the perfect moment to ask Max to hang
out with him at his house.

"Actually, I was thinking—"

Randy suddenly appeared on the open window. "Well, you missed the game.
Where have you guys been anyway?" Randy looked at Jesse.

Jesse turned slightly to face Randy. "Flat tire." He said flatly.

"Man, we were stuck in the middle of the road and we had no spare."
Max seemed to be cool with the whole thing.

Randy looked at Max. "Wow, you're lucky you didn't get attacked by
anything... or anyone." He looked at Jesse who rolled his eyes.

"Max knows he's safe with me. Right, Max?" He smiled at Max before
turning back to Randy.

"You bet! And if someone came to attack us, I'm sure the two of us could
kick their asses down the road." Max said and chuckled.

Jesse smirked as he and Randy started a staring contest. "What can I say?
Max and I make a good twosome."

Randy narrowed his eyes. "Max?" He called without taking his eyes off of
Jesse.

"Yeah?" Max asked oblivious to the tension between the two.

"I'm going to treat the rest of the group to ice cream and pizza. Do you want
to come with?" Randy smiled wickedly at Jesse.

"Sure." Max grinned and started leaving the car. "But what about Jesse?" He
asked  Randy once he was beside him. "Aren't you joining us?" He asked Jesse.

"I'd love to ask Jesse but I'm sure he has other plans with Ivan." Randy explained.
Max mumbled an, "Oh."

Jesse opened the car door and exited the car. He stood in front of Randy with a
determined smile. "Actually, I was planning on inviting Max here to hang out
with me on our house. My parents are out of town and it'd be nice to have some
heterosexual bonding."

Randy laughed. "Heterosexual? Please. Will you just stop—"

"Guys I have an idea!" Max said grinning. "Why don't we have Randy's
ice cream and pizza at Jesse's place?"

The two looked at him. "Everyone can hang out with everyone and still
enjoy the president's treat for all of us."

"Yeah. Okay." Randy said, trying to hide the disappointment in his voice.

"Great idea, dude." Jesse tried to sound as cheerful as Max was.

"C'mon. Let's go." Max entered the bus and waved for them to follow.


After Alex changed from her cheerleading uniform, she waited with Ivan
for Michael by his jeep. "Where is that guy? I am starving here." Alex said
impatiently.

Ivan looked at the group of guys coming out of the building and spotted
Michael with his arm around another boy's shoulder.

"You guys starving as I am?" Michael asked once they were within earshot.

"Well, duh." Alex replied and went inside on the back seat.

Michael and the other boy looked at each other. Michael just shrugged.

"Ivan. This is Jake Ryan. He's my boy on the team." He gestured to
the boy beside him.

"Yeah, I know him. We shared a couple of classes. We're in the same grade."
Ivan said.

Michael looked at Jake. "Oh yeah. You're the one who's talking to the
teachers all the time during class." Jake said grinning.

Michael didn't fail to notice the look of hurt that crossed Ivan's face even
though it barely stayed for a second. "Dude." Michael mumbled to Jake.

"I was joking." Jake chuckled. "I know him and besides you talk about him
all the time."

"I'm gonna go inside." Ivan excused himself. He didn't want the two boys to
see him blushing.

"I'm starving!" Alex shouted from inside the car. The two guys laughed and
climbed into the jeep. Jake sat on the passenger's seat beside Michael.

The four of them went to a nearby fast food restaurant. They ordered their
food and talked about the game while they waited. While the two guys were
vividly recalling the moments of the game, it was noticeable that Alex and Ivan
were being left out so they started their own conversation.

"So are you ready for the big secret?" Alex whispered to Ivan's ear.

Ivan nodded. "Of course. I've been waiting since we left school."

"Hey." Michael called to them. "No whispering."

"Okay. No football talk?" Alex offered.

Michael rolled his eyes with a smile. "Fine."

And so the four of them limited their conversation to school, their teachers
and their classmates. When the food arrived, Alex quickly grabbed her plate
and started eating. The three boys stared at her.

"Alex, are you okay?" Ivan asked.

Alex stopped eating and drank some iced tea. "I haven't eaten anything since
breakfast."

Jake looked at Michael and Ivan with a questioning look on his face.

"She gets nervous on game days." The two boys chorused. Jake nodded with
an amused smile and started eating his food. Michael and Ivan followed and
for a time no words were exchanged at the table.

After they were done eating, Michael started the conversation. "The reason
I brought Jake here along with us is that he's the closest guy I have on
the team and I think he deserves to know it first too."

"Uh... Okay." Jake said unsure where the conversation was going. Ivan just
nodded for Michael to continue.

"So with that said, I would like to tell you guys..." Even though Ivan had no
Idea what Michael was about to say, he held his breath.

"Wait. I want to be the one to say it." Alex interrupted.

"What? Why?" Michael asked.

"Because you told it to me first and I've been dying to tell Ivan."
Alex reasoned.

"Tell me what?" Ivan inquired.

"Alex, I think it's more appropriate if I would be the one to say it."
Michael explained.

"But I want to say it." Alex insisted.

"Can't you two just say it together?" Ivan said impatiently.

"Good idea." Jake said.

Alex and Michael looked at each other and nodded. They silently counted
to three before saying, "We're dating." The two smiled widely after their
announcement.

Ivan felt his stomach drop. His head started to feel light and no matter
what words he formulated in his mind, they just wouldn't come out of his
mouth.

The girl he loves liked the boy he loves. He should be happy, right?


______________________________________________________________________________

First of all I would like to thanks Mr. Dennis S for editing my work and I
would like to give him credit for putting in some football
action. Embarrassing as it may seem, like Ivan, I don't really know much
about football. I have seen TV shows and movies with it but I still don't
get it. Anyway, thanks for reading again and sorry that my submissions are
taking longer than usual.

As for the facebook readers' page. We have now fifteen members which is
albeit a small number, I know that those people really care for the
story. If you want to join, here's the link:
http://www.facebook.com/groups/ISBreaders/

Thanks! Keep on reading :)