Date: Sun, 14 Sep 2008 12:23:51 EDT
From: HnstSkr4@aol.com
Subject: Chapters 17-20

Warning: This story doesn't contain any sex.  It's the story of gay teens.
None of the characters are based on real people nor are they meant to
resemble any living or dead people.

Let me know what you think of the story by emailing me at
_Hnstskr4@aol.com_

I want to thank everyone who has emailed.  I also want to thank those who
have read the story.  It means a lot hearing from you.  Please continue
reading!  There is a lot more to come.  I own all rights to this story.
Chuck B.

I've got such a great reponse to the story and would love to hear from
everyone who reads it.

Chapter 17 -- On My Hand

I had gazed into the eyes of love personified. On my right hand, I wear his
ring and around my neck, a shark tooth necklace, a symbol of his strength.
My life this day has changed. I don't ever want a day to pass without
seeing his eyes and feeling his spirit. Together, we will face whatever
will come our way. No matter what happens, our lives are now joined in a
sense. Our souls are joined until our days together are over.

Our last class is Ms. Wells, current events. She set us up in one large
circle to discuss gun violence. At the end of class, I stayed after along
with Doug. "Ms. Wells!" I said to get her attention. "Yes, Alex!" I stood
there hand in hand with my boyfriend. We were glowing inside and out. A big
smile came across her face as the words "So I take it that the two of you
are boyfriends?" came out of her mouth. "Yupe!" Doug chimed in as he
squeezed a little harder on my hand. "Congrats to the two of you! I hate to
do this but I need to run!" We walked out and headed to our lockers and
pretty much went our separate ways.

When I reached home, I quickly made my way to my mom. I spread out my right
hand proudly displaying my silver band. "Oh, I can tell by your expression
that this ring must be a good sign. Who's the lucky guy?" I didn't expect
her to show this much interest. "You remember Doug?" Her eyes grew large as
I said his name. "Wow, he's a real cutie." She exclaimed. "Yeah I know!"
and with those words out of my mouth, I retreated to my room. I was anxious
to write in my journal.

"Dear Me,

Today is April 17, 2008; Doug who I wrote about earlier had lunch with me
today. He asked me to be his boyfriend. I didn't refuse him either and
neither would you if you could see him. He makes every part of me feel
alive. Even though I'm about his size, I feel more secure when I'm with
him. He isn't just a great looking guy. Doug is very smart and I love it
because I can actually have a conversation with him. Doug, I love you!

Sincerely,
Me"

I have gone from having no one, to having a crush on my best friend, and
now Doug is in my life. He lifts me up with just by being in the room. I am
beyond blessed. If walking on air is what love feels like, then I always
want to be in love. I don't know if me and Doug will always be together,
but I think I'll let Doug decide when it's going to be over.

Chapter 18 -- My Friend's New Friend -- From Doug's Point of View

When I saw the new kid staring at Alex's backside, I knew he was trouble. I
never saw Jeff or Alex as threats to me. Doug on the other hand now stands
between me and the best thing in my life. Now I can only watch as someone
else takes the heart that could have been in my hands. I don't know where
these feelings are coming because I'm not gay and I don't even consider
myself bi. To put it simply, I love that boy.

I do love Alex. I've loved Alex ever since I've known him. Just didn't know
what to say to him, I wish that I knew what to say. You see, I cannot
express those feelings. How would if look if I opened my mouth? Alex would
never talk to me again, if I caused any drama between him and Doug. I will
never ever forgive Doug if he hurts my boy. I admit that I'm jealous of
Doug.

Oh yeah, this big guy is jealous of the new guy. He is right now in the
place where I want to be. The day, I saw Alex walk past me in the lunch
room and sit with Doug, my heart sank. He showed the ring and the necklace,
and I was forced to show real emotion. Alex would know if I was faking. I
don't like keeping things from him, but this can't get out. The green-eyed
monster inside of me needs to take a hike. For now, I'll just have to find
a way past it. Some people actually questioned my friendship with Alex
after the attacks.

I heard from a couple different people that they thought I had something to
do with them. They said that I should have been arrested too since I
planned the assault and helped plant the notes. I can't believe that people
thought I could do such a thing. I wouldn't take part in something like
that, against anyone. As I sat with Jeff in the nurse's office, I realized
just how dangerous being gay can be and the dangers that Alex's
faces. Believe me; I wanted to hurt someone that day.

I'm against hate period. To purposely attack someone in the name of hate is
childish and stupid; it's down and out evil. I was as shocked as everyone
to see who got arrested following the attack. Rumor had it those two guys
had college scouts watching them. Alex appeared to be taking the hate in
stride; even the sight of Jeff's injuries didn't seem to impact him too
much. Alex has always had a way of hiding his fears and emotions, and that
is what he's been able to do through the torture of hate, that he and Jeff
have both passed through. So now what do I do?

Good question, I don't exactly know what to do. I'm not ditching our
friendship. Alex knows that I care too much to just stop being his
friend. Things might get a bit crazy for because I need to adjust to Dough
being around. Who knows Doug might make an awesome addition to our little
group. Dough might also end up being just what Alex needs.

Good Night Journal!

Chapter 19 -- Parent's Away

After a hard winter, the trials of the last couple months, and the thought
of freedom from school, the seniors have gotten kind of crazy. We can feel
the last day in our bones. While most of the senior class is planning open
houses, I'm trying to come to terms with a new boyfriend. One of the
problems, I'm having is with Pete. Pete's attitude towards me has changed
and I just don't get it. Since Jeff's hospitalization, Pete's changed for
the worse. I can't explain it, exactly but I know he has. Of course it
might just be usual jealously over new friends entering our circle. It
usually just take a few times of hanging out to get the edge removed from
Pete, so hopefully after spending time with Doug, he'll be lose some of
that attitude. Right now, I'm not going to worry about it because in about
ten minutes Doug will be over to visit.

It's going to be nice to have Doug over for a little while. We are going to
work on one of his classes. He has to watch a movie from any genre and
write down any and all symbolism within the movie. He decided to watch the
1930's Dracula with Bela Lugosia. First though, we are going to pop some
popcorn. My parents will be out the entire evening so the house will belong
to Doug and me. I'm not sure when he's coming over just that he is and I
can't wait to spend with him. "Ring!" the phone announces the call coming
in. "Hello!" "Hey, I'll be over in about five minutes." Doug says catching
me off guard. "Cool!"

Mom and dad are gone and in five minutes Doug will be here. Tonight is
going to be sweet! I've already got the pan, the oil, and the popcorn out
on the table. There is someone knocking on the front door, and my feet
quickly respond to the sound. Opening the door, I find Doug. "Come on in!"
"Thanks, did I tell you that my parents want to have you over for dinner?"
Doug asks knowing that he didn't offer the invite before. "When am I
expected?" "How about coming this weekend, mom and dad are cooking out. It
will be perfect. We can shot some hops or play some volleyball out in the
back." He was excited about the idea of me coming out and spending time
with him. Let's get the popcorn going!" Together, we headed into the
kitchen and got the corn popped and then headed to the living room.

We popped the dvd into the player and turned on the television. As the
credit rolled, we sat on the couch and got comfortable. I was very
impressed with Doug. He stayed focused on the movie. Occasionally, he would
lean in and give me a peck on the cheek. I was completely and utterly
relaxed with him. In fact only the first peck made me feel nervous. At the
end of the night, we cleaned up and sad our goodbyes. I am totally in love
with this man.

Chapter 20 -- The Pool -- Doug's Point Of View

Outside, it's sunny and in the mid 80's. Pete, Jeff, Alex, and I have
gathered at Alex's to take advantage of the pool. It's the perfect weather
for swimming or just plain goofing off in water. The sun is shining and
there isn't a cloud in the sky. Everyone put on sunscreen and we partnered
up and applied sun to our backs. I have to admit that I got goose bumps as
I put the lotion on Alex's back. I wanted to go a bit further but since we
had company, why push it. Plus, I want Alex to be ready. I'm willing to
wait for him.

We got into the pool and Pete immediately came up behind me splashed water
all over me. Wanting to pay him for his good deed, I swam behind him as he
was ready to pull him under, when Alex caught me "Let it go!" Every fiber
of my body wanted to drench Pete. "Hey man, I'm sorry! It was a joke." Pete
must have seen the annoyance on my face because he came to me right after
Alex intervened. A part of me still wanted to dunk the joker, but I'm not
going to risk offending my guy. I love him with all my heart.

After an hour of goofing off in the pool, we started mellowing out for a
little bit. Jeff got out and applied some instant suntan lotion. Alex came
up and gave me a kiss and it wasn't just a peck either. I caught a very
disappointed Pete watching the entire lip lock. Pete didn't seem to like
the fact, that Alex planted a kiss on my lips. I expected him to turn away
from us after I busted his little voyeuristic stare. Man, Pete aside that
was a nice kiss. Alex broke our lock and mentioned something about going in
to get lunch.

Alex went inside to get the pulled pork sandwiches that his mom made and I
went to have a chat with Pete. He was still hanging out by the pool when I
came up to him. Alex may not said anything if he knew about his friend
watching us but on the other hand, I'm a little mad about it.

"Pete, can I talk to you for a second?"

"Sure!"

Pete seemed a bit upset at me. Maybe, he knows what I'm going to say to
him.

"Why were you watching us kiss?"

"I don't know, I've never seen two guys kissing before and I got kind of
curious."

"Next time, you get curious try looking at a picture or get yourself a
boyfriend. I'm not mad, but that kiss was a private moment and I didn't
want an audience."

"Doug thanks for not being mad!"

I wouldn't say that I'm not mad, but I was less outraged that's for sure.
All I can say is Pete better not hurt Alex. Heck, I'm not even sure that
somehow he wasn't involved in Jeff's attack and in the threats against my
boyfriend. No one is going to hit him again, threaten me, or in any way
hurt him, ever again.