Date: Thu, 26 Apr 2007 15:46:49 -0400
From: ronyx <ronyx@woh.rr.com>
Subject: Taking Off the Mask  Chapter 10

The following is a work of fiction. Any similarities to anyone are purely
coincidental. The story is intended for a mature audience. It may contain
profanity and references to gay sex. If this offends you, please leave
and find something more suitable to read. The author maintains all rights
to the story. Do not copy or use without written permission. Write Ron at
ronyx@woh.rr.com with your comments.  Ronyx is a Nifty prolific writer.



Taking Off the Mask       Chapter 10



Love takes off the masks that we fear we cannot live without and know we
cannot live within. James Baldwin



I tossed and turned all night. Donovan's ominous email upset me. I knew
he wasn't the kind of guy who was going to let this go. He'd been used
to having his way his whole life, and now I had embarrassed him in front
of his friends. I was afraid he was going to get even with me just to
save face.

As I was eating breakfast, someone knocked on the door. "James, get that
will you?" My mother hollered from her office. She had gotten up early
and started working. By now she had probably visited every gay website on
the internet. When she put herself into a project, she became consumed by
it. Janet and I probably wouldn't see her for several weeks.

I opened the door and almost didn't recognize Jackie. She had completely
changed her appearance. She was wearing a tight pair of jeans and a low
cut blouse, revealing a very large cleavage. Her hair was curled and
highlighted with a blond tint. She wasn't wearing her glasses! In all
the years I had known her, she never took them off. She had also applied
some makeup- without overdoing it and looking clownish.

She looked hot! All these years she had covered up the natural beauty
that she possessed. I guess all she needed was a reason to look good. I
started grinning, knowing that Roy was the reason for her sudden
transformation.

"What?" she asked.

"Look at you!" I walked out onto the porch and circled her. "Wow,
Jackie. You clean up really nice."

"Do I look good?" she asked hopefully.

"You look like a model." She looked at me and a wide grin appeared on
her face.

"So what's the occasion?" I figured I might as well tease her since
she seemed to be in a really good mood.

"No, reason." Her face began to redden. "Mom just thought it was time
I dressed more like a girl."

"Your mother has been away on a business trip all week," I reminded
her. This made her blush even more. "Could a boy named Roy have
something to do with this?"

"Don't be silly, James," she said embarrassedly. "Can't I just want
to look good?" She pushed passed me and hurried into the kitchen. My
mother had come out of her office and was drinking a cup of coffee.

"My God, Jackie," my mother appeared stunned by Jackie's new
appearance. "Look at you. You look beautiful."

"Thank you, Mrs. Hoskins," she replied.

"She's in love." I laughed. Jackie hit me on my arm.

"You don't have to tell me that, James," my mother answered. "A girl
doesn't change her appearance unless she`s trying to impress a boy."
She grabbed Jackie's hand and led her from the kitchen. "Come with me.
I think I have a necklace that will go perfect with that blouse."

When they emerged from my mother's bedroom ten minutes later, Jackie not
only had on a necklace, but she was wearing one of my mother's favorite
blouses. It was black silk, and tighter than the one she was previously
wearing. Poor Roy was going to be caught- hook, line and sinker.

I couldn't believe it when we arrived at school. As we walked down the
hallway, guys, who yesterday wouldn't have given Jackie the time of day,
turned and stared as we walked by. I looked over at her and could tell
that she was really enjoying her newfound attention. I giggled when
she'd toss her head back and push her hair away from her eyes.

We were standing at her locker when Roy walked up. He stopped and his
mouth dropped as Jackie turned and coyly said, "Why hello, Roy. How are
you this morning?"

I couldn't contain my laughter as he tried to say something. Finally, he
just let out a low whistle and said, "Damn Jackie. You look hot."

"Who me?" she said sexily. "I just threw this together this morning.
Nothing special."

She shut her locker and started to walk away. Roy ran up beside her and
grabbed her books and then put his arm around her waist. Students turned
and stared as they walked together down the hallway. I guess they would
be the topic of conversation the rest of the day.

After second period I stopped by the boys' restroom to relieve myself.
As I was standing at the urinal, Dion stepped up beside me. The urinals
have no partition between them, so I glanced down as he pulled out his
cock and started pissing. It was a nice uncut cock with bushy black pubic
hairs. It was larger than mine. When I looked up, his eyes were fixed on
my cock. He raised his head and our eyes met.

We stared at each other for a few seconds, and then he looked away. I
watched him shake his thickening cock and place it back inside his pants.
He quickly left the room without saying anything. I couldn't believe
what had just happened. We had just checked each other out! It wasn't
unusual for me because I was gay; but why had Dion stared at me? Was he
just curious or was more involved than just an inquisitive look? We had
only stared into each other's eyes for just a few seconds, but I seemed
to feel that there was some connection. Maybe I was just hoping there
was. He probably thought I was some kind of a pervert for staring at him.

When I went to lunch, Jackie and Roy were sitting together at our table.
Their bodies were pressed closely together and they were deep into a
conversation. They both looked up and smiled when I sat down.

"Hey guys," I said, opening the dry ham sandwich from its wrapper. I
looked over and they had both returned to their conversation without even
acknowledging me. It was going to be a long lunch. I sat and nibbled at
my food and watched them talking to one another. They seemed to really be
enjoying each other's company. I guess the adage, love at first sight,
really did apply in this situation. They were talking comfortably, like
they had known each other for years.

I was beginning to get jealous. Jackie and I had practically been sewn at
the hips since first grade. Now she apparently had a boyfriend, and I was
afraid there would no longer be a place for me in her life.

"So, would you like to go with us?" I looked up and realized that Roy
had asked me a question, but I had been lost in my own thoughts.

"What?" I said.

"Do you want to go to the movies with us this Saturday night?" Jackie
gave me a pleading look. I didn't know if she wanted me to say yes or
no.

"Um, sure, I guess." I replied. Jackie sighed and mouthed, `thank
you.' I looked at her and shrugged my shoulders. Girls. I figured she
would have died for the opportunity to be alone on a date with Roy;
instead of having me tag along and being in the way.

The lunch period was almost over, when Donovan walked over and sat down.
He stared angrily at me and then at Roy.

"So you've decided to eat at the losers' table," he said to Roy. Then
he turned to me, "Did you get my message, Bitch?"

"Leave him alone, Donovan." Roy leaned across the table and looked
threateningly into Donovan's eyes. "Why don't you just crawl under the
rock you came from?"

"So it's like this, huh?" He continued to stare angrily at Roy. "You
fucking him now?"

Roy rose and slammed his hand against the table. Everyone around us
stopped and looked. "I'm warning you Donovan. Leave James alone."

"Fuck you, Roy." Donovan stood and stared down at Roy. I think he was
expecting him to get up and fight him. Realizing he wasn't, he stormed
away and returned to his table.

"He's got some serious issues," Roy spat. "I don't know why I was
his friend for so long."

"Do you think he'll do anything more to James?" asked Jackie. Roy
looked questioningly at me. I assumed he didn't know if I had talked to
Jackie about what happened.

"She knows," I said, "Everything." I added.

"I'm not sure what Donovan is capable of doing anymore," he replied.
"Since he's become so popular, he's changed. He thinks the world
should bow down and kiss his feet."

"I guess he took his mask off and showed what is really underneath." I
said out loud, not realizing the words had slipped from my mouth.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Jackie asked. "What mask?"

"Nothing," I said. "Forget it. It's just something a wise man
explained to me recently. I didn't understand then, but I do now." They
looked at each other, and Roy just shrugged his shoulders.

Chemistry was boring. I like it when we have labs; but to sit through an
hour lecture on how solutions are homogeneous mixtures of two or more
substances is not my idea of interesting. As hard as I tried to stay
awake, I found myself falling asleep. The student behind me even kicked
my desk and whispered that I'd been snoring. Not only did I have to
worry about Mrs. Horner's class, now I'd have to put in an extra effort
in chemistry to make up for insulting Mr. Silvers by snoring in class.

As I tried to wake up from fifth period, I made my way lazily to the last
period of the day. Suddenly, someone pushed me from behind and slammed me
into the lockers. I felt a stabbing pain shoot up my back and into my
shoulders. I spun around and Donovan had his hands balled up, prepared to
hit me again. Students came running from all directions to watch what
they thought was going to be a fight.

"I told you that no one talks to me the way you did." His eyes were
dark and menacing, like they had been on Saturday night when he had me
pinned in bed. I covered my face when he raised his hand to strike me
again.

"Mr. Michaels!" I heard a loud shout from outside the circle of
spectators. I uncovered my face and saw a very angry Mr. Marshall pushing
his way through the crowd.

"Everyone get to class." He yelled. When students hesitated to move, he
shouted at the top of his voice. "NOW!" Everyone began to scatter and
head off to class.

Even though Donovan was about four inches taller than Mr. Marshall, he
stood before him and looked up, shouting, "Go to my office."

"But, Mr. Marshall," Donovan said innocently.

"If you are not in my office within the next 20 seconds, you'll not be
playing basketball ever again at Anderson," he screamed into his face.
Donovan stepped aside and walked angrily down the hall.

"Are you alright?" Mr. Marshall asked. I nodded my head.

"Yes, Sir," I said. I moved my shoulders around to see if my back had
been injured. "I think I'll be alright. Are you going to suspend him?"

"Yes," he replied angrily.

"Please don't suspend him," I pleaded. "It will only make things
worse for me if you do. Everyone will hate me."

"Are you sure about this?" he questioned. I nodded again. "Fine. Then
I'll handle it my way." He turned and stormed off to his office. I had
no idea what he planned to do, but I was glad it was not me now sitting
in his office.

I didn't feel sorry for Donovan. Actually, he got whatever he deserved.
But I was thinking about myself when I asked Mr. Marshall not to suspend
him. We were heading into the final games of our basketball season, and
we were going to face two very difficult opponents. Even though I didn't
care about sports, the school lived and breathed football and basketball.
If I was the reason for Donovan not being able to play, thus ruining our
hopes for a state title, then others would blame me. My life would be
hell for the remainder of my high school years.

I looked around for Jackie at the end of the school day. I wasn't
looking forward to a replay of every word that she and Roy had said to
each other all day, but I knew it was something I was probably going to
have to do- at least for a while.

When I didn't see them, then I figured he had given her a ride home in
his car. I got upset because they could have included me. I would have
gone inside the house before he gave her a goodbye kiss. It really
wasn't something I cared to see anyway.

Just as I was exiting the door, I saw Roy running my way. When he got to
me, he bent over to catch his breath before speaking.

"I'm glad I caught you," he gasped. He grabbed my arm and pulled me
down the hall. "You have just got to see this." He led me to a second
floor boys' restroom where a large crowd had gathered and was looking
inside laughing.

"What's going on?" I asked. Roy started laughing.

"Mr. Marshall ripped Donovan a new asshole for what he did to you in the
hall this afternoon." He pushed students aside as he made his way to the
entrance of the restroom. I looked inside and my mouth fell open. "See,
I told you."

Donovan was on his knees, scrubbing a urinal with a blue toothbrush! I
grabbed my mouth and started laughing. Donovan looked at me and scowled,
and then he continued rubbing the piss-stained urinal. Mr. Marshall was
standing off to the side with his arms crossed. He looked over and gave
me a wink.

As we turned to leave, a journalism student ran in with a camera and
quickly took a picture of the Donovan on his knees with toothbrush in
hand. He had appeared in the school paper numerous times making a
spectacular basketball shot. This was certainly going to be a different
angle never seen before.

On the way to the exit, Roy explained what had happened after Donovan
went to Marshall's office. According to another student who was in a
counselor's office across the hall, Donovan started getting cocky and
threatened Marshall that there was nothing he could do to him because the
school depended on him for a state title.

Marshall immediately suspended him for ten days, and then threatened him
with an expulsion for violating the school's harassment policy for
hitting me in the back.

Donovan then broke down and started crying. He pleaded with Marshall to
let him continue to play, and that he would do anything so that he would
not get expelled. Marshall pulled out a piece of paper and made him write
out a statement that he would leave me alone for the remainder of our
high school years. He was warned that if he violated the agreement, then
he would be immediately expelled. Marshall had the principal witness
Donovan's signature to the paper.

After that was completed, he handed Donovan the toothbrush and led him to
the second floor restroom where he was told to scour the urinals for the
next three days after school.

Roy threw his arm over my shoulder. "I guess you don't have to worry
about him anymore. He got what he deserved. This will bring him down a
notch or two."

"Yeah," I replied. "Maybe he'll think twice before he tries to take
advantage of someone else." I felt satisfied knowing that I may have
just helped another boy from being another victim.

"You need a ride home?" Roy asked as we walked out of the school.

"Won't Jackie get mad?" I figured they wouldn't want me hanging with
them all the time.

"No," he said. "She told me to ask you if you wanted a ride. She's
outside waiting in the car."

"You don't mind, then?"

"Why should I?"

"Look, James." He threw his arm around my shoulder. "You're Jackie's
best friend, which makes you my best friend. Jackie and I have just met,
and I really like her; but I'm not going to come between the two of you.
You were there long before I came into the picture."

I looked over and smiled. I was beginning to really like Roy. He was one
of the nicest guys I had ever met. He befriended me at Sylvia's party,
and then saved me from being hurt by his best friend. He knew I was gay
and didn't judge me. It's too bad he was straight, because I could
certainly fall for him. Jackie was a lucky girl. I was determined to kill
her if she messed this up.

"Thanks, Roy," I put my arm around his waist and gave it a tight
squeeze. "I'm glad you're my friend."

"Me, too," he responded as he gently squeezed my shoulder. Jackie was
sitting on the hood of the car, watching us approaching arm in arm.

"Hey, Mister," she pretended to give me an angry look, but she
couldn`t suppress a grin. "Get your hands off him."

"Sorry, Jackie," I faced Roy and he turned his cheek and we pretended
to kiss. Afterwards, I looked over and grinned. "We've got something
important to tell you."

"Oh, James," she shrieked, "You've finally found a boyfriend, I'm so
happy for you." She walked over and gave me a hug and whispered in my
ear, "You'd better be playing or I'll cut your balls off with a dull
kitchen knife."

"Ouch." I pushed Jackie over to Roy. "Take this crazy lady. She just
threatened to castrate me."

"Who me?" she replied innocently. "I'd never say anything like
that." We all started laughing as we got into Roy's car.

"Shotgun!" I yelled. Jackie grabbed my collar and pulled me away. I
lost my balance and fell on the ground. When I looked up, Jackie was
climbing into the front seat. She looked out the window and grinned, and
then flipped me off.

On the way home, Roy suggested stopping at a Ben and Jerry's and getting
some ice cream. I called my mother and told her that I would be late
getting home. She seemed happy that we were with Roy. I guess Jackie had
told her all about him when they were in the bedroom this morning.

When we were about two blocks away, Jackie looked out the window and
pointed, "Isn't that Dion?"

I looked over and saw Dion walking with a heavy book bag slung over his
back. He seemed tired. I was wondering if he walked this long distance
home every day.

"Pull over," Jackie told Roy.

"No, Roy," I yelled. "Don't stop." It was too late, however, because
Roy had already pulled over to the curb, just ahead of where Dion was
walking. Jackie stuck her head out the window.

"Hi, Dion." He stopped and looked over hesitantly. I could tell he was
going to walk away, until he saw me sitting in the back seat. I gave him
a timid wave.

"We're going to get some ice cream," said Jackie, still hanging out
the window. "Would you like to join us?"

"I can't," he replied. "I have to get home."

Jackie opened the door and got out. "Nonsense." I heard her say, as she
took his hand and led him over to the car. "No one can refuse Chunky
Monkey." She opened the back door and pushed Dion in. He looked over and
gave me a shy look.

He started to get out, but I grabbed his arm. "Please. Join us. My
treat." He stared into my eyes, and then sat back in the seat. Jackie
watched our exchange, and then gave me a huge grin before closing the
door.

We sat quietly on the way to the ice cream parlor. Fortunately, it was
only a couple of blocks away. When we entered, the waitress sat us at a
booth toward the back. Jackie sat beside Roy, I and sat in the seat
beside Dion. I could tell that he was uncomfortable. He had a look on his
face that he would rather be anywhere than where he presently was.

The waitress arrived and took our order. I told Dion to get anything he
wanted, but he only wanted one scoop of strawberry on a sugar cone. I
ordered a waffle cone with a scoop of Jerry Garcia and a scoop of
vanilla. Roy and Jackie ordered chocolate shakes.

We sat in awkward silence for a few minutes. I felt extremely
uncomfortable. I could tell by the glances that Jackie was giving me that
she wanted me to strike up a conversation with Dion.

"James told me that he sees you on Saturdays." Since I wouldn't talk,
then Jackie decided to break the ice.

"Yes." He said. Jackie waited for him to say more, but he didn't.

"He said your mother is the nurse there."

"Yes."

Jackie looked over at me and gave me a questioning look. I guess she was
finally realizing what I had told her about Dion. She had no one to blame
but herself for inviting him to join us.

"Do you play sports?" This time it was Roy's turn to try and get a
conversation going.

"No."

"What do you like to watch on television? Basketball or football?"

"I don't watch sports."

Just then the waitress brought our ice cream. Jackie and Roy talked
quietly while they drank their shakes, glancing occasionally at me and
Dion.

Before he finished his cone, Dion looked over at me and said, "Please
let me up, I have to go home. Thanks for the ice cream. I'll pay you
back tomorrow." He started scooting over, wanting me to get up.

I rose and let him out. He said goodbye to Jackie and Roy, and then
hurried away. I reached into my pocket and pulled out a ten dollar bill
and handed it to Roy.

"Pay for mine and Dion's ice cream. You can give me the change
tomorrow." I then hurried out the door and looked for Dion. I saw him
walking slowly down the street. I broke into a run, trying to catch up to
him.

He turned when he heard my footsteps. "Hey," I said.

"What do you want, James?" He asked with a tone of sadness to his
voice.

"What is it with me and you?" I asked. "Why can't we be friends?
There always seems to be friction between us."

"It's not you," he replied sadly. "There's nothing wrong with you."
He picked up his pace as he hurried away. I trotted up beside him and
grabbed his arm, turning him to face me.

"What is it then?" I pleaded. "I'd really like to get to know you."

"Why?" Tears started to well up in his eyes. "And leave me like
everyone else?" I stood stunned as I watched tears begin to fall down
his face.

"What are you talking about, Dion?" I had no idea what he was talking
about. All I had asked was to be his friend.

"Please leave me alone, James." He turned and walked briskly down the
street. I felt a tremendous surge of loneliness sweep over me as I
watched him walk away. All I could think of was Mr. Wilbur telling me
that Dion was so hidden behind a mask, that he'd never let anyone see
behind it.

______________________________________

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