Date: Thu, 6 Jan 2005 01:55:04 EST
From: XMightbeWrongx@aol.com
Subject: New Zealand: The First Step chapter 4

USUAL DISCLAIMER:  While this story is based on actual people the plot and
story is fictional.  It contains descriptions of sexual activities between
teenage boys.  If you are not over 18 years of age, or if you find this type of
story offensive or morally wrong (why you would be here if it is, I do not know),
or viewing this material is illegal where you are, then please DO NOT READ
IT!  Blah Blah Blah.  You know the deal.  I'm sure this isn't the first story
you have read here at Nifty.  I hope you enjoy this.  Comments and Questions
are greatly appreciated.  Feel Free to e-mail me at xmightbewrongx@aol.com

New Zealand: The First Step chapter 4

            Damnit.  I'm already running late and now I can't find my class.
 If I had thought a head I would have looked for my classes when I was giving
my schedule...
            Bingo. 214. First class of my first day at school in New Zealand.
 As I opened the door, every head in the room turned to look at me.
            "Ah, Mr. Andrews I presume," said the overweight balding man in
front of me who I assumed was my teacher, Mr. Huffer. "How nice of you to
finally decide to join us.  Take a seat and report to me after school is over.
Tardiness in my classroom is never accepted..."
            "Yeah," quipped a guy. who looked to be a jock type, in the back
row. "Unless you bring food.  And lots of it.  Also remember to bring some
for the class."
            The class broke out in laughter.  I joined in.  I was no longer
the nervous wreck I was a minute ago.
            Class went on and Mr. Huffer droned on about who know what.  My
mind was elsewhere.  My mind was on James.  I ordered that sign language book
last night, so I'm sure it will take a few days... So what will I do when I run
into him today?  My next period was an off period.  Maybe I'll go see if there
is one in the library I can look at and use to get started.
            Class finally ended and as I headed out the door I felt a tap on
my shoulder.
            "Hey, you're the exchange student, right?" as I turned around I
saw it was the jock guy.
            "Yep, I'm Jon."
            "Tom here, I heard you play football, thinking about trying out
for our team?  We need some good players since most of them left last year."
            "Well, I've never been much of a football player; I'm more of a
socc-"It then dawned on me that he was talking about soccer. "I mean, yea I
play football."
            I could tell by the cheeky grin on his face he enjoyed hearing me
make a fool out of myself.
            "Well I'll be hoping to see you at try outs.  Oh and ignore
Huffer.  He's just grumpy cause he hasn't gotten any in years."
            We talked some more and then parted in different directions.  I
headed off in the direction of the library.  I decided to get my homework from
Huffer's class done before looking for a sign language book.
            I got down to work.  The assignment was easy enough.  It was just
so he could see our writing abilities.

I sometimes wonder where the sky meets the Earth. When can I see this horizon
which seems endless? I wait for someone at this narrow bridge, Someone whose
hand I can hold and cross the ridge. Safely to the other side; we can just
walk far into the distance -- I can see the horizon look, it may be beyond those
hills; Someone holds me back...

            I felt someone watching me, standing over me.  It was ruining my
concentration.  I turned to see who it was.  Low and behold it was James.
Still the most beautiful boy in the school.  He was just standing there smiling.
God, what a beautiful smile it was.
"Hey, Whats Up?" as soon as I spoke I wanted to slap myself.  James got a
kick out of my exasperation and sat down in front of me still laughing.  I couldn
't help but look into his gorgeous eyes...  I got lost in them, thinking about
how this is the person I want to be with.  This is the person I want to get
to know more.
            I was brought out of my daydream by something hitting my
forehead.  I looked down at what it was and saw a crumpled piece of paper.  As I
unfolded it I read what it said.
            "Enjoying life at Kelston Boys School?"
            "Oh yeah," I replied "I received a warm welcoming from Mr.
Huffer."  James gave a shy smile and handed back the note.
            "Do you want to come back to my house after school? I can also
show you the easiest way to get to and from school using public transportation
so you won't be late."
            "Sounds like a good idea to me, I mean as much fun as it is to be
told off by Huffer, I think I would rather watch it happen to some other
bloke."

            Classes went along well for the rest of the day.  No real
problems.  Tom was in 2 more of classes with me and so was James.  I stood out in
front of the school, waiting for James to join me so we could head back to his
house.  He approached me with that huge smile of his.  He started signing to me
as he approached.  He must have seen my face because the then took my arm and
lead me to the bus stop.
            As we waited for the bus, James reached into his bag and pulled
out a book and handed it to me. "A Beginner's Guide to New Zealand Sign
Language." I was totally engrossed in it.  The next thing I knew we were at his
house.
            "You like the book?" he said a little too loudly which caught me
off guard.  I didn't realize he could speak.  I guess he sensed my confusion
because he explained that while he can speak a little he is much more
proficient in sign language.  Hearing him speak you could yell he was deaf, not all
the letters and syllables were pronounced and said clearly.  But that didn't
matter to me.  The more I got to know and spend time with him the more I fell in
love.
            "Come" James said simply.  So I followed him up to his room.  We
sat on his bed and started going through the book.  I was so engrossed with
what he was showing me.  We were interrupted when James' stomach growled
loudly.  I started laughing.
            "What?" signed James, with uncertainty and confusion showing on
his face.
            "Your hungry, aren't you?" I replied, realizing then that I was
really hungry as well.
            "Yeah, how did you know?"
            "Your stomach gave it away when it growled."
            "You mean, you can hear it when it does that?"
            Instead of replying I grabbed James' arm and dragged him
downstairs, outside and next door to my house.  As we walked in Joanna was in the
kitchen.
            "Oh there you are," she said, looking away from what she was
cooking long enough to notice that it was me that walked in the door. "I was just
about to send Luke to look for you."
            "Is it okay if James stays for dinner?"
            Joanna looked over and seemed to only then realize that James was
standing behind me.
            "Sure," se replied.  `Why don't you two got get the table set?
Supper will be ready soon."

            Dinner was fun, the food was good.  I couldn't help but look and
watch James.  God, I really do like him. I think he felt the same way, because
whenever he caught me watching him he would give me one of his amazing
smiles.  I could have melted right there.  After dinner we went back to James' house
and he continued to teach me sign language.  We started to move closer and
closer to each other while sitting on the bed. He looked up at me giving me one
of his smiles.  I melted even more.  We started to move even closer, our noses
almost touching each other as our lips got closer...Then Mrs. Flagg burst in
and started frantically signing to James.  She looked mad.
            The only signs I recognized were disappoint, warn, dad, no,
tonight.  While she was talking to James, his whole facial expressions and demeanor
changed.  All the color had drained out of him.  He was white as a sheet.  He
looked nervous and scared.  I was about to ask him if he is okay and see what
I could do to help, but before I could he grabbed my arm lead me out of his
room.
            "Go now." He signed, not really making eye contact.
            I stood there confused, not sure what was happening.  I headed
down the stairs and out the door, all while my mind was racing.  Did Mrs. Flagg
see how close we were sitting together?  Did she notice we were about to kiss?
 I was confused and nervous.  What was going to happen?  I made my way
upstairs to my room, ignoring the calls of my name by Joanna and Graham.  I grabbed
my journal off my desk, sat in my bed and started to write.
            The next thing I knew, I was being woken up by sirens and
flashing lights.  I slowly got up, unsure of what was happening.  I made my way over
to the window and saw the flashing lights and sirens were coming from in front
of James' house.  There were three police cars and two ambulances.  I watched
as someone was being loaded into an ambulance and then I watched as they
brought someone else out on a stretcher but covered in a white sheet.  Oh god I
thought.  What the hell is going on.   I already lost one person I loved.  I
couldn't loose another.  I was about to run next door to see what was going on,
to find out what happened, but before I could I felt a hand on my shoulder.  I
turned around and was face to face with Graham.
            "We need to talk," he said solemnly with a pained look on his
face.  I knew then something was terribly wrong



Author's Note:  Yeah, Yeah, Yeah I know it has been forever since my last
chapter and I am sorry it took so long.  So much has been happening with school,
work (yes, I have a job now) and other personal issues...(if you want to know
more, feel free to e-mail me privately).  I hope you like this chapter.  Sorry
it is kinda short.  Well I guess all my chapters are kinda short.  I may
rewrite this chapter because I wasn't in the writing groove while writing this.  I
may also rewrite this because it hasn't gotten James' approval.  He is busy
off in Australia at the Deaf Olympic Games.  Lucky duck, lol.  I decided just to
put this up so you all wouldn't have to wait any longer.  Just want to take
some time and thank some people.  Thanks to James of course. Thanks to Ed,
Green, and Sam Lakes who are all great writers and reading their stuff has
encouraged me to keep writing this story.  Thanks to Brandon, Geoff, Mike, and anyone
else who has read this and anyone else I am forgetting.  Last but not least,
Jake.  My prayers are with you and really hope you get well soon!  COMMENTS
AND FEEDBACK ALWAYS APPRECIATED!!! Don't be a stranger!  E-maile me at
xmightbewrongx@aol.com.  You can messaged me on AIM at xmightbewrongx and on Yahoo! at
xemoartsx.