Date: Fri, 1 Jan 2010 21:25:27 -0700
From: Jacob Miller <jacobmillertex@aol.com>
Subject: Jacob Finding His Way: Chapter 9

{Jacob Finding His Way is based on true events in my life. As I am writing
this story, I am above the age of 21. Any similarity to any other events,
names, or life events is pure accidental. If you are a under age,
(according to your state laws as a minor), if this literature is offensive
to you or to anyone around your viewing area, or it is illegal for you to
view such content where you are reading it, stop reading the story.  This
story can not be distributed in any way, shape or form without my expressed
consent. Written by J.P.G.}


				 Chapter 9


As Joey and I were talking, I heard someone yelling my name, it sounded
like it was David, I turned, and yes it was David. He was walking towards
us from the other side of the side walk. Just my luck too have the two of
them in the same spot. I really wasn't cheating on Joey, but it feels like
it.

David finally reached us, which seemed to be eternity to me as he was
walking towards us. He looked Joey up and down; I was ready to protect
Joey. David looked like he wanted to go to blows with Joey.

"Hey Jake, is this guy bothering you? If so, I will take care of him for
you?"

"No David he is not, let me introduce you two. David this is Joey and Joey
this is David."

At that moment David's jaw fell to the ground, like the carpet was pulled
from beneath him. Joey at first extended his hand, but pulled it back, when
David didn't shake it.

Joey looked at me, the look almost killed me. The look was like, who is he
Jake? I felt so bad when Joey was looking at me, and I knew I had to
explain.

Finally David reached out his hand to shake Joey's, Joey returned the hand
shake. They didn't say a thing to each other, nor me for that matter. We
stood there for several minute in uncomfortable silence. I finally spoke
up.

"Joey, David was volunteering at the hospital when I went in and had
surgery. I met him there, and when we moved, we met again here at school."

"Oh, now I understand who David is."

"Can we walk and talk about a couple of things Joey?"

"Yes I don't see why not."

"David I will see you on the bus home."

"Sure thing Jake, meet you at the buses after school."

When David walked away, I saw hurt in his eyes. I didn't want to hurt him,
nor do I want to hurt Joey. In my defense I did tell David about me and
Joey and I was waiting for him. When David asked me earlier to go out with
him, I didn't answer the question. Although I told him I was leaning to
yes, I can kick myself for that.

Joey and I started to walk into the houses across from the street. When we
found a park, we decided the park was as good a place as any to talk. We
sat down on the swings.

"Joey I need to tell you this from the start, I never stopped loving you,
and wishing you would come back, never."

"Either did I Jake, I have always loved you."

"Joey, David is gay. He told me when I was in the hospital."

"Has anything happen between the two of you?"

"No Joey nothing happen between me and David. When I came out of surgery,
and needed a sponge bath, David came in one day. All the woman nurses were
busy on another case. He gave me a sponge bath, and I got hard while he was
doing it. He actually jerked me off, and that's was it."

"What do you mean that is it? He was able to touch you, where only I have
done."

"I know Joey, I know. Please don't be mad with me. It was only that, we
never went further then that."

"How many times did he do that to you?"

"He sponged bathed me at least twice a week. Maybe once a week when he
bathed me he jerk me off."

"Come on Jacob, I am not supposed to be mad with you for this?"

"You haft to remember Joey, you broke up with me, and then left my house
when I was sitting there crying for you."

"I had no choice at the time. Remember I had to move with my parents. We
couldn't have succeeded on a long distance relationship."

"You made that decision for the both of us. You didn't even give me a
chance to weigh into the decision at all."

"What about you? You decided not to tell me that you were sick again. You
knew about being sick at least a week before I left."

"I know and I was wrong on not telling you. I never wanted to put you
through it again. Plus, I had a really bad feeling this time, before this
surgery."

We stopped talking for a few minutes. We just sat there on the swings
looking forward. Then Joey broke the silence.

"So can I ask you, are you and David going out?"

"No Joey we are not. When I got out of the hospital this time, David came
down to see me. I told him that day about you, and that I love you to
much. He understood my feeling about you, and we just left it as friends.

When I moved on this side of town, and started going to Newman, I ran into
him my first day in second period. We became even closer friends, but not
boyfriends. He introduced me to his friends, which they know that David is
gay; I hit it off with his friends. To tell you the truth, if I didn't meet
David, and David took me under his wing, school here would be hell on earth
for me."

"So you guy's are just friends? Its hard for me to believe that. When you
introduced me, you could see his world went tumbling down around him. He
thinks there is more between you two."

"This afternoon at lunch, David took me aside and asked me to be his
boyfriend."

"What did you tell him Jake?"

"I told him that I need to think about it, that's all."

"He seems to think he has you. Did you give him any indication other wise?"

"When I told him I needed to think about, he asked me where I was leaning
to. I told him more to yes then no."

"You see, he thinks he already has you as his boyfriend. That's why he was
protecting you when he saw you and me talking."

"I know Joey, and now I need to clean this mess up."

"What about us then?"

"As well, I don't know Joey about us. You ended things with me, and just
left me in my room crying out for you, and hurt like all hell, still
does. All you said was you were moving, that's it. It would have been
better if you would have a least said we could try to work this out."

"You know as well as I do, we couldn't have had a long distance
relationship. We wouldn't be able to even call each other."

"I know Joey, but the hurt would have been maybe a little less that day
then it was."

Once again we sat there in silence. We got up to head back to school. It
was almost time to catch the busses home. As we reached the busses, the
bell rang. I looked over at Joey as he looked at me. I pulled out a sheet
of paper, wrote my number on it, and handed the paper to Joey. We hit fist,
and he headed out.

I got onto the bus and sat down in what has be come my normal seat with
David. A few minutes later David showed up, it looked like he ran to the
bus. He sat next to me not saying I word. I was tearing up; I didn't know
what to do.

I never wanted to break up with Joey, and I know he never wanted to break
up with me. I love Joey with all my heart, so this should be an easy answer
to me. I just don't want to open up to him again, and his parents demands
him to move back to Arizona. I couldn't deal with that pain again.

On the bus ride home, David and I sat in silence, and for us, that was
unusual. We arrived at the corner of Mesa Street and the street my
apartment was on. Several other kids including myself got off at this
stop. Always on Fridays David got off with me, he was spending Friday and
Saturday night with me at the apartment.

We walked up the street to my apartment.  I unlocked the door and went
in. David helped me with my choirs as always, but today we did them in
silence, we didn't even play music. Once we were done, we went into my and
my brother's room. We sat down on opposite beds. David broke the silence:

"I figure things have changed since Joey is back in town."

"Yes David things surely has changed."

"Can I ask what is going to happen?"

"Of course, and I do owe you an answer. I never lied to you about Joey and
me. On how much I love him, and we would probably be together today if he
didn't move away. But he did move, and I had to decide what I was going to
do, move on or stay in the same spot.

We became good friends, and through our friendship, we gotten closer. Of
all days for Joey to come back into my life, is today. Why not a week ago
or even a day ago? It didn't work out that way.

I told him today about us, I figure you are out, so it didn't matter that I
told Joey or not. I told him ever thing, I didn't want to lie to him. I
know I would get caught in the lie anyways. As well, I told him as of now,
he and I are not together either. He broke it off with me when he moved
away.

David I need to answer the question you asked me this afternoon. Joey is
back and going to the same school as us. My heart belongs to him, but I
will not give my heart back to him, because I am afraid he will break it
again. But I can't go out with you either David, no matter how much I have
grown fond of you. I am falling for you, but I can't have two guys holding
my heart at the same time."

"Do you think there would be even a chance of us getting together?"

"Right now David, I need to work out a whole lot of stuff in my head, I say
either way. I just don't want to hurt you nor Joey. I do know I haft to
choose, and that I will."

"I will take that for now. I can't ask for anything else."

"Thank you David for understanding."

The weekend went by fast.  Nothing else was mentioned about the situation
of Friday. Sunday around mid-morning my mom took David home. All in all I
did have fun this weekend, the weekend before exams.

On Monday morning, I was sitting in the cafeteria eating breakfast with
David and his friends. When I felt someone tap me on my shoulder, I turned
and there was Joey standing with his trey of food.

I moved over to make room for Joey to sit down. I introduced him to the
rest of the guys at the table. They seem to hit it off wide away, I was
happy. The bell rang for our first exams. So we all headed off to our
classes.

During the week of semester exams, instead of having all six periods in one
day, we only had two in the morning, and two in the afternoon, two hour
classes. The first three days, was review, then Thursday and Friday was
exam days.

The morning dragged on, it was boring as hell. Finally it was lunch, so I
headed down to the cafeteria to grab me something to eat. While I was
heading for the elevator, Joey caught up with me. We both got on the
elevator, and the door shut.

"So Jake, how are you feeling now?"

"I still have a lot of pain in my legs, but more in my back, along the
spine."

"You still can't take the stairs?"

"I probably can, I just figured to take advantage of having the key to the
elevator."

"I heard they put in metal screws in your back, in order to support it."

"That's true; now I can not walk through metal detectors without them going
off."

We both laughed as the door to the elevator opened. Joey turned to me, and
whispered in my ear.

"Jake, I would like to talk with you some time today if we can?"

"Yes of course, just find me."

"Thanks, I will find you."

The rest of the day, same as the morning, it was very boring. As I headed
to the bus, David caught up to me. As we sat down, David was going on about
something.  I really wasn't paying any attention. Joey never talked to me
as he wanted to.

(DAVID'S POINT OF VIEW)

To say the least, I was hurt and angry at the same time about what happened
on Friday. I finally got up the nerve to ask Jake out, and Joey comes back
into his life. I really wanted to go out with Jake, but I know I lost him
to Joey. He will give Joey another chance, that's the kind of person Jake
is.

When we were sitting in the lunch room eating breakfast, and Joey had the
guts to shit at the same table with me, I was pissed. I held myself back,
if I ever had a chance to be with Jake, I can't piss him off with
Joey. Jake will defend Joey to the end, and I knew that.

As the day went on, I decided in second period class to speak with Joey,
one on one. I might have lost now, but I will do anything and everything to
get Jake.

After lunch, I saw Joey walking into the restroom, I followed him. When I
walked in, I saw there was no one in there with us. I walked up to Joey and
asked him if we could talk. We headed to the side of the building where no
one hung out at.

"Joey I know you and Jake spoke a lot on Friday. I never tried to move in
with Jake. We never had sex or anything close to that.

From the first day I met Jake, I knew he was hurting, not because of the
surgery, but in his heart. When he finally got home, he told me about you
guys. We stayed friends.

When Jake and I spoke over the weekend, he told me about your talk. As well
answered the question I asked him that Friday before. He said no, he just
wants to stay friends.

Joey he loves you so much, but he is afraid of opening up to you again. He
thinks you are not here to stay, and you can't blame him for that. You have
him Joey, take care of him, because if you don't, there is several others
lined up to take your place."

"Thank you David for telling me this. I never wanted to break his heart; I
love him to much as well."

"Just be careful with him, he can't take another hit."

"I will take care of him, and that's why I am leaving it up to him if he
wants to get back together with me."

"Not only he wants to get back together with you, he can't wait. I saw it
in his eyes on Friday; just give him a couple of days, that's all."

"Thanks again David for being there for him. I know this is too much to ask
for at this time, but I hope we could be friends as well."

"With Jake being in both of our lives, we will haft to be friends, at least
for Jake."

"I agree on that, and maybe one day we could become real friends."

With that said, Joey headed his own way, and I returned to my friends. I
didn't see Jake any where, and I wondered where he might have gone. As I
was sitting there with my friends; I was making plans on how I could win
Jake over. One thing is for sure, it will take time, so I must be patient.

(JACOB'S POINT OF VIEW)

 I got home, and did my normal choirs, and headed to my room. I sat down
and turned on the television. Andy walked in and soon after him was my
sister. Right on time, my mom walked through doors, she changed, and we all
sat down for dinner.

The next day at school, nothing really happened. Joey joined us for
breakfast and lunch. Then I headed out to JROTC, this was the only class I
had with Joey this semester. We studied for the first hour, and the second
hour we turned in our uniform. As well Major Moore, the senior army
instructor, did the promotions. I was promoted to sergeant, which means I
was in charge of a squad of men in a platoon. Joey as well got a promotion
to carpal, I was happy for him.

He seemed to be happier living with his aunt and uncle. At least I could
sleep at night now, knowing that he was safe and wasn't being beaten on
anymore. I so wanted to go up to Joey and kiss him, just tear off his
clothes, but I couldn't. I was just afraid of letting myself fall for Joey
again. I know I was going to loose this battle, but I just wanted him to
know, I was serious about him hurting me.

Class ended and we walked out. Joey walked along side me as we made our way
to the main building.

"Jake sorry for not finding you yesterday in order for us to talk, I just
got tied up with something else."

"That's not a problem, when ever you want to talk, I am here to listen."

"Thanks Jake, maybe over the weekend I could go down to your place like old
times."

"Let's plan on that. I will ask my mom if you can, and you ask your aunt
and uncle when I get the answer from my mom."

"Cool, I will wait for your answer then."

As always, I did the bus ride home with David, talking about what ever was
on our minds. But today, my mind was wondering all over the place. I really
wasn't listening to a word he was saying. At this moment, I was thinking
about the two great guys that want to go out with me. I do know this much,
my heart and soul belongs to Joey.

David was the kind of guy that I was first looking for, he had everything I
wanted in a guy. He was just so beautiful in his own way. When I finally
seen him out of his scrubs, I saw a body to kill for. I haven't seen him
naked yet, but if it is anything that I have imagined, he would have a
great body that goes with that bubble butt. Plus he doesn't come with a lot
of baggage, as Joey does, family wise.

Joey is my first love. I fell head over heals the first time I saw him
those many months ago. Plus he was there when I needed someone the most,
and I know he would have been there the last time if I had told him. He as
well is a very handsome guy.  Ladies and guys will kill to go out with
him. Just he left, I know it wasn't his decision to leave, but he did. If I
would give us another chance, I will always be wondering if his parents
will try to take him bake to Arizona.

Before I knew it, I heard the bus driver yelling for me, I was in such a
deep thought, I almost skipped my stop. David must have gotten off at his
stop already.  I didn't know he had left. I go up, thanked the bus driver,
and got off the bus.

The rest of final week went by in a blink of an eye. I think I did pretty
well considering we changed schools. After school on Friday, I met Joey at
the buses, and David was there as well. As I got closer to them, I still
was wondering what I was going to do.

"Hey Joey and David, what is happening"

"Nothing much on my part, just waiting for you!"

"Same here, just waiting with Joey."

"Cool, I figure since Joey doesn't have a bus pass, we would haft to hike
on the way to my place."

"Jake I know that I don't have a bus pass, but would you be able to do a
walk like that right now?"

"I figure we will find out, once we start walking to my place."

"Hold on Jake and Joey, I know the bus driver good enough, let me see if he
will allow Joey to ride with us on the bus to your place."

David walked over to the bus, got on, and talked to the driver for a few
minutes. He step halfway out of the bus, and waived his hands for us to
come over. The driver had no problem on allowing Joey to ride the bus.

We talked about a lot of stuff on the way home. I was waiting for one of
them to bring up the question that has been weighing down on my mind. But
neither of them did, and I was thankful for that.

When we got to my place we walked in. David made his way to the kitchen.
He always made himself at home, when he was at my house. Joey on the other
hand, stood at the front door. I forgot he hasn't been to my new apartment.

"Joey my man, come on in, make yourself at home."

"Thanks Jake, this place is a lot nicer then the ones we lived at on the
central part of town."

"Yeah, my mom liked them when she was looking for an apartments for us to
live in. All we did was follow along."

"So what are we going to do this afternoon Jake?"

David asked coming back with a soda in one hand and a bag of chips in the
other. He could eat us out of house and home, if given a chance.

"It's up to you all, I will do what ever you guys want to do."

"Lets then go and play Sega Saturn in your room."

"Sounds good to me. How about you Joey?"

"Its fine with me lets do it."

We took turns playing several different games. I of course was the one out
most of the time. I just didn't play any of the games to good, except
Street Fighter. My mom ordered pizza for dinner that night, so we played
the games up until the pizza arrived. We grabbed our pizza and soda, ate
it, and went back to the room.

We decided to go and see if any of the neighborhood kids were out
hanging. They were all at the pool. I forgot to tell the guys the pools
here at the apartments were already open. The complex in which we lived in
was so large, it actually had four pools. They were not big pools, but
enough to have fun in.

Offered David and Joey a pair of shorts to go swimming in. We were
teenagers, good friends, so we started changing in front of one
another. David and Joey were quicker then me. As I pulled off my shirt, my
back was turned to them. I heard them both say wow, and I looked to see
what they were wowing about.

"What's up guys? Let me in on the joke!"

"No nothing really, just your back Jake, the scar looks still very fresh
and big."

"I forgot you haven't seen that scar yet Joey."

Then their mouths opened again, but nothing came out. I looked down to
where their eye were looking at.

My chest and stomach which had several scars on them. I felt very
uncomfortable with them staring at me like some kind of science project
gone bad. I went and grabbed a t-shirt, and put it on in a hurry.

They realized they were staring at me, and it wasn't right. We finished
changing, and headed to the pool. We didn't say a word, just got there, and
David and Joey jumped in wide away.

I just sat on a lawn chair on the side of the pool. My mom reminded me as
we left the apartment that Dr. Whitmore still hasn't given the all clear
yet. So I better not get into the pool. Who knows if the pool is clean or
not, or what kind of chemicals they use to keep it clean.

David and Joey were getting a long pretty good, they were becoming good
friends. It really made me feel good they are becoming friends. I just
wonder if the friendship will be there after I tell them, when I decide,
who I like to be with. This has never happened to me, and I don't like it
at all. Neither of the two deserve to be kept waiting, but one of them will
get hurt.

We staid at the pool for several hours, when finally Joey and David got
tried. We headed back to the apartment, taking turns, rinsed off in the
shower. We sat up watching television till two or so in the morning.

Saturday we just hung out at the pool most of the day. Once again I
couldn't swim until I get the all clear. This time I didn't even bother to
change into swim trunks. When we were there, David and Joey were swimming
and playing in the pool. I was noticing more and more Joey and David are
getting closer.

In the last week of school, I found out that Joey and David were getting
chummy. It really didn't faze me much.  I really wanted them to be friends.

Now that I see them playing in the pool, fooling around, I was getting
scared that maybe they were getting to close. If that happens, I have only
myself to blame, I couldn't make up my mind between the two.

As they were swimming my neighbor came up and sat with me. His name was
Felipe, cute, but not in high school yet. He still has a lot of growing up
to do.

"Hey Jake what's up? How's it hanging?"

"Nothing much here Felipe, I am doing pretty well. How about yourself my
friend?"

"Same oh same oh, that's all. What more can you ask for, right?"

"You got that right, cant ask for much more."

"So I see your friends are having fun swimming out there."

"Yeah they are, enjoying the pool."

"Why are you not swimming with them?"

"It's a long story, maybe one day I will tell you."

"That's cool, when ever you are up to it, I am here."

We tapped fist and Felipe headed off. As I sat there watching the guys in
the pool dunking each other over and over again, I was getting a weird
feeling in my gut.

We headed back to my apartment, after spending the entire day at the
pool. I didn't need to shower, but David and Joey did. They took turns
showering.  We ate dinner, and played video games till three in the
morning.

Sunday went pretty fast! By mid afternoon, David and Joey were picked up by
there family. I spent the rest of the evening watching television, but
couldn't get off my mind if I made the right move on trying to get David
and Joey to be friends.

(JOEY'S POINT OF VIEW)

As me and David were playing in the pool, I could swear each time I got
close up to David, I felt his dick getting harder and harder each time I
rubbed it. Don't get me wrong, I like it that I can turn on another
guys. So I decided to get a little more bode with David, so each time he
dunked me or came closer to me, I tried to fill him up.

One time I turned and looked at Jake, I could see he was looking at me and
David. He had a concern look on his face. As if he knew something was going
on with me and David. At first, I wanted to make Jake jealous. So I decided
to play around with David even More. Maybe by doing this, Jake will finally
make up his mind and give as another chance.

What I didn't think of was me starting to fall for David. I didn't want
that to happen. We finished swimming late in the afternoon, and headed back
to Jakes apartment. David and I took turns showering, and then we played
video games the rest of the evening.

David started to sit closer and closer to me as the night wore on. I didn't
try to push him away, I allowed it, and I wanted it. By the time we decided
to go to sleep, I was so turned by David. I was surprised my dick didn't
rip a hole in my shorts.

I already knew that Jake was a sound sleeper, and with his pain medicine,
he was out like a log when he went to sleep. When I heard the heavy
breathing coming from his bed, I decided to talk with David.

"David are you awake man? Hey David, are you awake?"

"Yes Joey I am awake, please keep it down, we don't want to wake up Jake."

"Oh, we won't wake him up. He is out, a marching band could be coming
through here, and he won't even move."

"Still let's keep it to a whisper.  I don't want to wake him."

"Ok David, I understand. I was wondering something, I don't know if was my
imagination or it was really happening, but do you like me?"

"Joey it wasn't your imagination, I do like you. I can see why Jake is in
love with you so badly."

"I know, but we are the ones being kept at a distance, while he is trying
to decide who he wants to go out with. To me, that is not fare. How about
you David?"

"I agree with you on that. I already know he wants you, so it's just
time. Soon he will let both of us know, and we just got to wait."

"What if I say I don't want to wait any longer?"

"I would say you are a fool, you won't find anyone like him again."

"How about you? Don't you think you as equal as he is?"

"Don't be asking me a question like that."

I got up and got into the bed with David. At first David was hesitant of me
getting in, and then he let me under the covers. Its summer here in Texas,
we really don't sleep under the covers during this time of the year.

"David I am really starting to like you more then I friend."

"Joey please don't do this, we shouldn't go there."

"Why shouldn't we? We can not fight what we are feeling. Who knows, maybe
this is what we both need in order to get over Jake."

"Maybe you are right, but I don't want to hurt Jake."

"Neither do I, but I can not help the way I am feeling in my heart about
you."

I leaned over and pressed my lips to David's. At first David didn't want to
kiss back, and then he opened up. He is a great kisser, not as good as
Jake, but I good kisser. I started to go up and down his chest, just
feeling his smooth wash board stomach. I was feeling around his six pack he
had, then started to feel down his V. I made it to his shorts, my hands
moved on top of his shorts until I felt his dick pulsing through the fabric
of his shorts, throbbing as I held onto his dick.

I started to squeeze his dick through his shorts, he was leaking so much
pre-cum, that it went through his shorts. I went under the covers, pulled
down his shorts, then his underwear, and out came at least an eight inch
dick. I just couldn't help myself.  I went down on him, bobbing up and
down. David kept his hands on my head, pushing me down on to his dick. He
legs started to tense, I knew then he was going to cum.

David grabbed his pillow, put over his face, as he screamed, he started
Cumming into my mouth, I sucked and swallowed ever drop he shot. He tasted
so sweat, I couldn't get enough of him. Even when he was spent, I kept
sucking on him. He moved his hands down to his dick, and grabbed it out of
my mouth.

I got back up to the head of the bed, and just laid there, spent
myself. Without evening touching myself, I cummed all over myself when I
was sucking off David. That never happened to me before, never. Finally we
both caught our breath, and turned to face one another. We started to kiss,
so involved in kissing David; we didn't even hear the noise coming from the
Jakes bed.

(JACOB'S POINT OF VIEW)

I was sound asleep, when I heard talking going on. At first I thought I was
dreaming, but it was getting clearer and clearer. I couldn't believe what I
was hearing.  My worse nightmare was coming true. I wanted Joey and David
to be comfortable with one another, before I asked Joey out again. Instead,
they have fallen for each other.

I never thought my heart could be broken again, but this time it hurt even
worse then the first time. Tears were feeling my eyes.  I was using all my
power to keep the tears from falling. Then I heard the noise coming from
the bed where David was sleeping.

They were kissing one another! I couldn't believe they were kissing each
other while I was in the bed next to them, in the same room. I couldn't
hold it in any longer, I started crying. My true love, the one I thought we
would grow old together, was making out with another guy in my room of all
places.

Then it got worse, I first I didn't know who it was, but I knew one of them
went down on the other. When I was hearing the moaning sounds, I knew it
wasn't Joey, I knew his moans. I just laid there in shock, crying, knowing
this was my entire fault.

They finished, David got off, and they started kissing again. Finally about
a half hour later, Joey got out of the bed, and went to the ground. They
went to sleep.

I couldn't sleep at all the rest of the night. I laid there looking at the
roof, wanting to cry still, but I had no more tears to cry. Kicking myself,
this is my entire fault! I should have never cared about other people
feelings. They don't care about mine at all.

Around eleven Joey woke up.  I was already up, just sitting on my bed. He
looked at me, winked, and then sat next to me.

"How are you doing this morning Jake? You don't look so swell this morning,
look like you want to throw up or something."

"I am ok, just had a restless night, that's all."

"Are you sure nothing else is bothering you?"

"Yes I am sure, everything is fine."

Then David woke up, looked over, and you could see the look on his face. He
knew I knew what happen last night. He didn't say a word.  He got up, and
went to the restroom. After he was done, Joey followed. David walked in the
room.  I was still sitting in the same spot on my bed. My arms wrapped
around my knees up to my chest.

"Jake are you ok this morning?"

"Yeah I am fine.  I just had a restless night, that's all."

Joey walked in at that moment. Looked over at me, then it dawned on him, he
saw in my face that I knew what had happen. Joey realized at that moment,
they were caught.

"Jake you really don't look well.  Maybe you should get out of your bed and
splash some water on your face."

"I really don't think that will help. I had a bad night of sleep that's
all. I was woken up by a lot of noise.  Afterwards I couldn't get back to
sleep."

They both looked at each other, and then looked at me. There faces were in
shock, and they couldn't say much.

"You know the weird part of all this is, I wanted you two to be friends,
and I succeeded on that, and then some."

"Wait a minute Jake, I don't know..." I stopped Joey right there.

"Don't sat another word right now, I am using every ounce of power to stay
cool. Look this might be my fault, I didn't want to hurt neither of you
two. I was truthful to you David from the beginning. I told you I had a
boyfriend that I loved with all my heart. Even when you asked me out, I
didn't say yes, I wanted to think about it. I wanted to make sure I did you
justice, I could be with you, and to be thinking about Joey at the same
time.

Then Joey you came back, and I was put on the spot. You broke up with me,
and I know it wasn't your fault. I love you Joey so dam much it hurts. It
really, really hurts the love I have for you.

So I wanted you two to be friends before I ask you out Joey. That way I
could have David and his guys as friends and you back as my boyfriend. We
all could hang together, no one feeling awkward about anything.

Through it all, I am the one that got hurt."

At this point I was crying. Tears were rolling down my face at a steady
pace.

"I lost my one I truly loved and a very good friend in the same night. I
did this to myself, I should have been selfish, and just took what I
wanted. Just like you all did last night."

"Jake I am so sorry.  I didn't want this to happen."

 Joey said coming closer to me, David just stood there with his mouth
open. I got up from my bed, and headed to the door.

"Look I am not going to be a girl about this.  I am hurting like hell right
now. I don't want my mom or sister to know anything about what's going on
here. I am going to take a shower, and we will eat breakfast, and then wait
till you all leave. After that, I don't want a thing to do with neither of
you two, not a thing.

You hurt me for the last time Joey and I cant take the hurt any more. David
I thought I could trust you, as a close friend, but you have proven that
wrong."

I walked out of the room to the restroom. I turned on the water to the
shower, and got in. I just stood there under the spray of water crying so
hard, I couldn't stop. I lost Joey and a good friend, and I can't do a
thing about it.

(JOEY'S POINT OF VIEW)

I just stood there stunned.  I couldn't believe how bad I hurt Jake. He was
hurting so bad, I wish I could take the hurt away, I wish I didn't do what
I did last night. I looked over at David.  He was standing by the
television crying.

I not only messed up something I really wanted, I as well messed up a
friendship between David and Jake. All I wanted to do at first, was make
Jake jealous, that is all. It just blew up in my face. I never wanted to do
a thing with David, but I did.

"Joey what are we going to do about this? How can we fix it?"

"I don't know David, Jake is hurting really bad. I don't think we can fix
this at this moment. We need to stand back and let Jake think."

"I don't want to leave him like this. We hurt him Joey; why in the hell did
we do that last night anyways?"

"I don't know David, I don't know. Right now I am so confused.  I don't
really know what is going on."

Right then I heard the shower water turn off, and Jake coming back. Jacob
walked back in the room with a towel rapped around his waist. I looked at
his face.  You could tell he was crying probably the entire time he was in
the shower. His eyes are puffy and red, he just looked like hell.

I love Jacob so much and now I have lost him. I couldn't believe what I
did. I knew at that moment, I really didn't feel a thing for David. All my
love is for Jacob.

(JACOB'S POINT OF VIEW)

When I walked in the room, Joey and David were already dressed and just
standing there. I looked at them.

"Why don't you two go out to the kitchen and grab you something to eat. I
need to change, and I know my scars freak you guys out."

"Jake please can we talk some more, work this through."

"No Joey not right now, give me time to think, just give me time."

They walked out, and I got dressed. I sat there on my bed until I heard the
dishes being put back into the sink. I walked out of my room. My mom was
already in the living room watching television. I waved to David and Joey
to follow me out. My mom stopped me.

"Jake are you feeling ok? Why haven't you eaten anything?"

"I am doing fine mom, I just had a ruff night. My spine is hurting a little
this morning that's all."

"Why don't you grab you something to eat Jake?"

"Mom, it's the medicine, I took a some that killed my hunger. Hopefully
later I will be hungry again."

"You better Jake; we won't go down the same road again, as we did earlier
this year. You know that is how you landed up in the hospital again."

"I know mom, it won't happen again, I promise."

With that we headed out, Joey and David following me. We went down the
stairs behind the apartment building. Nothing was said; we just sat there
in silence. No one looking at one another just sat in silence.

We were there for a couple of hours, then we heard Joey's uncle calling for
him. We walked around the corner, and there sitting in their car, was his
aunt and uncle. I slapped his fist, so did David, and Joey got into the
car.

As Joey was driving off, David's mother drove up, once again we slapped
fist, and he was gone as well.

I went up stairs to my apartment to my room. Didn't even turn on the
television or radio. I just laid there on my bed, face down, crying. Before
I knew it, I was asleep.

I woke up for dinner, just picked at the food. I know that didn't make my
mom to happy. I just didn't feel like eating, I felt for the second time in
my life as if my heart was pulled out of my chest, and stomped on. This
time it felt worse, it was in front of my eyes as it was happening.

The summer was flying by quickly. I was still not allowed to go swimming,
Dr. Whitmore said that the surgical cuts were healing, but were still to
raw to go swimming in a pool that he had no idea was used to keep it clean.

Every time when ever Joey or David called, I ignored the call. If either my
sister, mother, or brother answer the phone, I told them to tell who ever
was on the phone I was busy at the moment. I didn't know what to say to
them, I still was hurting like all hell.

It was time to go and register, my mom had to work, so I walked to Newman
High. It was a good walk, my legs by halfway were starting to tighten up,
but I had no other choice.

When I finally arrived at school, the line was already around the
building. I got into the line and waited my turn. To my surprise it was
moving pretty fast. I knew what classes I needed to take for sophomore
year. I was going to take another year of JROTC, I was surprise, and I was
starting to like this class.

As I was standing there, a couple of David's friends walked by didn't even
say a word to me. Finally I was in the cafeteria, there were tables lined
up all away around the room. It was divided in sections, freshman to
seniors. When it was my turn, I got up to the table, filled out the classes
I wanted, and handed the teacher behind the desk my schedule. She put it in
the computer, and then I got a printed copy with my teachers and rooms.

As I was walking out, I saw standing in the line, was Joey. He looked over
at me, and I looked at him. He waived at me, I returned the wave. I walked
out, as I was walking toward the ROTC building.  David was standing at the
gate with a couple of his friends.

He looked over at me, and walked to me.

"Hey Jake, what's going on? Why haven't you answered any of my calls or
returned any of my calls? I have left several messages for you to call me
back."

"I have been busy David, I been meaning to."

"I know you Jake, you are never to busy. You just seat around at your house
watching television or playing video games."

"Maybe, but I just didn't feel like talking, that's all."

"Why don't you stop being such a bitch about this whole thing? So what we
did things to one another, it happens in friendships, we fight, but we make
up. It isn't worth throwing our friendship away."

"David what was done can not be fixed with a simple sorry, and we move
on. If someone would have done the same thing to you, what would you have
done?"

"I would be acting like a girl that is for sure. Fuck Jake we made a
mistake, we can't take it back, but we can try to over come it."

"David you and Joey could over come it, for me I am out. You two had to
know how I felt, but still went ahead and did it anyways."

"Come on Jake, don't act like this."

I just turned and started to walk away. All of a sudden I felt a hand on my
shoulder, twisting me around. Then a fist flew towards my face. I didn't
react fast enough; it hit me squarely on the jaw. It forced me back a
couple of steps. I looked over, it wasn't David, it was Brandon, one of
David's friends.

"I always knew your were an ass, I just never did a thing about it because
of David. Now I am going to enjoy kicking your smart ass across this
sidewalk."

He through another punch, I was able to block that one off as well. He
started moving to quickly, the next one he threw got me squarely on my
stomach. In doubled over, I couldn't believe the pain. Brandon went to town
on me, I was down on the sidewalk, and he just kept kicking me. To my back,
my side, and stomach. He was now on his knees hitting me with his fist to
the side of my head.

Finally David and the other guys pulled him off of me. I heard David
telling him to stop, leave Jake alone.

I got up, my clothes torn, bleeding, I just dusted myself off. I just
limped away.  I passed David and his friends as I walk away. I was hurting
all over, but I wasn't going to give Brandon the satisfaction to see he
hurt me more then he thinks he did.

As I was walking down Mesa Street, I heard someone honking there horn at
me. I looked over, and it was David and a couple of his friends. I just
kept walking.

"Come on Jake!  Let me at least take you home. You shouldn't be walking
like that. Especially down Mesa Street..."

I didn't even turn around to look at him, I just kept walking. Lucky for
me, the other cars started honking their horns at them to get going. So
David and his friends just speeded away.

I kept walking, thinking about how screwed up my life has become. How I had
someone I cared about, a lot, and now I don't. Afraid to be ousted at
school, at home, just plain ousted to everyone.

(DAVID'S POINT OF VIEW)

I couldn't believe my eyes; one of my good friends just went off on
Jacob. All I was doing was just standing there watching Brandon beating the
living day lights out of Jake. He didn't deserve this, no one does. I
finally came to me sense and pulled Brandon off of Jake.

I looked at Jake; he was bleeding, curled up in a ball protecting his
face. Then he just got up, and walked away. He was shaken up, bleeding, but
just walked down the street as if nothing happened.

I like this guy, in fact I have fallen for him, and this is the way I show
it to him. One of my good friends beating on him. I turned to Brandon, just
starring him down.

"What the hell did you do that for Brandon?"

"He was being a prick David. Acting all smart and better then us, it was
time someone put him in his place."

"What are you talking about? The beef is between me and him, not you and
him. He didn't deserve to get a beat down like that."

"Hell he didn't. Ever since he got here, he acts smarter and better then
us."

"Maybe because he is a lot smarter then us, he doesn't need to act it at
all."

I looked at the other guys, waved them on.

"Let's go and try to find Jake to make sure he is fine."

We jumped in Fred's car, and took off after Jake. To tell you the truth, I
was worried about Jake. He was curled in a ball on the ground as Brandon
was kicking him. That means he was getting kicked squarely on the spine,
where he had screws put in.

We finally caught up to Jake.  He already turned onto Mesa Street from
Schuster Street. He was just walking, dragging his left leg, but walking
home. I told Fred to honk his horn, and I rolled down my window.

I tried to talk Jake into getting into the car with me, but he refused. I
really don't blame him, he doesn't trust me anymore. I wouldn't either
trust the person that allowed one of his friends beat him up.

The traffic behind us was getting inpatient.  They started to honk to get
us going. I finally just gave up, and we drove off.

I was so angry with myself when Fred dropped me off at my house. I tried to
call Jake, but no one answered. I kept trying for hours, and still no
answer. I am getting worried.  I hope the beating didn't put him back into
the hospital.

(JACOB'S POINT OF VIEW)

When I got home, I went straight to the restroom. I looked in the mirror, I
was lucky Brandon didn't land any hits to my face. I lifted my shirt up,
saw several bruises and scratches up and down my chest and stomach. I
turned around, saw the same thing. I reached around to fill around my spine
where the surgery was done.  I didn't feel any bones or screws popping out.

I was in pain though.  I just hope there isn't any internal damages that
the naked eye can see. I took a quick shower, in order to wash off the dry
blood and dirt. Dried myself off, and went to my room.

I heard the phone ring several times, but I didn't bother to even look at
the caller id to see who it was. I took a couple of my pain pills, and lay
down.

The next couple of days I was very sore, but I was dreading my appointment
with Dr. Whitmore. My mom gave me bus fair to get down to Dr. Whitmore's
office for my appointment.

When I walked in, there was no one waiting. Dr. Whitmore was waiting on me
when I arrived.

"Jake my man, lets see how everything is healing. How are you feeling? How
is the pain?"

"I feel pretty good, I have my off days. The pain is there as always, but I
am learning to live with it."

"Is there anything new I need to know about?"

"Nothing I can think about right now."

"Well then let's get your weight and blood pressure out of the way. After
that I need you to go ahead and take off your shirt for me please."

I sat there, didn't really want to take off my shirt.

"Dr. Whitmore isn't there any way we could do this without me taking off my
shirt sir?"

"No Jake there isn't. I need to look at your surgical scars and make sure
they are healing correctly. We don't want them affected, and then it's a
new story."

I didn't like the idea that he was going to give me grief about my bruises,
but more if I didn't take off my shirt. When Dr. Whitmore turned around, I
started to take off my shirt, and then I heard.

"Jake what in the world happen here? Where did these bruises come from?"

"A couple of kids at school decided to use me as a punching bag."

"What? Jake this can not be happening to your body, look at this. Turn
around and let me see."

So I turned around, and I knew I was not going to hear the end of it.

"Jake this side is even worse. These kids were no playing with you, they
beat you up. Who are they Jake, tell me?"

"Just some kids at school I don't even know. I came out of registering for
classes and they jumped me. I curled up in a ball to protect myself."

"Does your mom know about this Jake?"

"No sir and I would like it if we could keep it away from her."

"Lets first do some x-ray's your spine, chest and stomach. Let's see if
there's any damage done."

We went into another room where the x-ray machines were at. Dr. Whitmore
took several x-rays of each area where I had the surgery.

Within a few minutes, Dr. Whitmore came back, and didn't look too pleased.

"Well Jake by the looks of the x-rays, there is bruising, and that is clear
by the color of your skin. We lucked out on the beating, it didn't do any
internal damage. It looks like you were kicked, not punched. If the force
was any harder Jake, who ever did this would have broken your spine in two.

I can't make this any clearer.  You are a very lucky guy. You not only
cheated death once, but three times. Do not let death take you over
something as stupid as a street fight. YOUR BODY IS NOT AS STRONG AS OTHERS
ARE! Do you understand Jake?"

"Yes sir I do, I will be more careful in the future."

"I didn't mean to get upset with you, but I care so deeply for you. You
worked so hard, fought so hard to live, don't let any one take that away
from you."

"Yes sir I do understand what you are saying."

"The pain in your legs, is it still there?"

"Yes sir and I get a lot of knots in my legs now!"

"I am going to prescribe some other medicine for you to take for that,
along side the medicine you are already taking. I am afraid you might haft
to take this medicine also for the rest of your life. Like your pain
medicine, but at least you will be able to walk."

"Thank you sir!"

"No problem Jake. I need to see you in two weeks to do another set of
x-rays, just to make sure this isn't any damage done. For the mean time,
use the summer, just relax, don't put and unnecessary stress on your body
then you need to."

"Yes sir, I will see you in two weeks then."

"Get on out of here, take care of yourself Jacob, I mean it!"

I walked to the bus stop and headed home. Finally my mind was at ease, no
real damage was done.

(JOEY'S POINT OF VIEW)

The phone rang, I ran to pick it up. It was David on the other end.

"Joey how are you doing man?"

"I am doing alright. I haven't heard from you all summer long."

"I know, I though it was best to let things settle down."

"I heard you were in a fight with someone at school, is that true?"

"That's why I was calling you Joey. I wanted to know if you heard from Jake
in the last couple of days."

"No I haven't heard from him all summer long. I saw him while I was in the
line registering for classes, but we just nodded to each other."

"I am worried about him Joey. When he came out of the school that day, I
tried to talk to him; he just ignored me and walked off."

"That's Jake for you. I figure he will be ok by the time school starts. I
should have gone down to his apartment. I shouldn't have allowed him to be
alone with this, as long as I have. Now to much time has passed, and
knowing Jake, he thought way too much into it."

"I know what you are saying, but we have another problem Joey."

"What is the other problem David?"

"Like I was saying, I tried to talk to Jake that day.  He was being
stubborn and turned to walk away from me. So when he turned around to walk
away from me, Brandon grabbed him. Before I knew it, he was beating Jake to
the ground. Just kicking him and hitting him, I had to pull him off of
Jake."

"What the hell are you saying David, you had someone beat up Jake?"

"No I didn't Joey; Brandon did this all on his own. I was stun that he was
doing that to Jake. I am not even talking anymore to Brandon, but I am
worried. Jake was beat up pretty bad, and when I caught up to him, he
didn't even look at me."

"David you know Jake can not take any kind of beaten, his back. What the
hell is wrong with you, more so Brandon?"

"I know Joey, I know. I have been calling Jakes house for days now, and I
am not getting any answer. I even tried in the evening, still no answer."

"David he won't answer the phone with me either, but I am going to try. I
just can not believe you allowed this to happen."

I hung up the phone will hard on David, pretty much slammed it down, I was
angry as hell with David. No matter how bad things get, no one deserves to
be beaten up. I wide away called Jakes house, and of course no answer. I
kept trying all the way till nine that evening.

Now I am worried, even if Jake didn't want to speak with me, someone would
have answered the phone. The only thing that keeps running through my mind
is Jake in a hospital bed again. I just couldn't get it out of my mind.  I
dropped to the ground crying, begging that nothing bad has happened to
Jake.

TO BE CONTINUED...


{Hey guys, I just finished up my ninth installment of the story, hope you
are enjoying the story. I am having fun writing the story, what I went
through. It is bringing back very good memories. I have been getting very
good feed back of the story so far. I will try to post one or two chapters
a weak, but if I get busy, please understand. In case if I do get busy, I
will do my best to get at least a chapter out a weak. If you want me the
send you an email when I post the next chapter, let me know, and I will
begin a list of emails, and send out a general email when I post. I hope
you keep reading the future installments. It is based on my life in high
school, just the names were changed, but the location is pretty much the
same. So remember, this story is more about finding true love, then
anything else. Keep reading the future chapters, and enjoy, please email me
and let me know how I am doing at jacobmillertex@aol.com, Thanks!}