Date: Fri, 11 Sep 2009 20:45:53 EDT
From: HnstSkr4@aol.com
Subject: The Mirror and Nothing More - 37 - 40

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 gotten such a great response to the story and I would love to hear
from everyone who reads it.

Copyright 2009


The Mirror and Nothing More
Chapter 10

Section 37 - Grant Has AIDS

Pete's P.O.V.

	In the restroom, my new ally and I are in separate stalls...

	"You've got to make sure that you tell as many kids as you can.  I
want the whole school to know that the kid from Utah has AIDS."

	I sent the note to my new assistant in the other stall.  I could
hear him writing with his pencil and then the note got shoved underneath
the stall again.

	"Wow... you are really going to ruin this kid."

	I took out a marker and wrote "Grant Smith has AIDS" on the stall
wall, and then slipped the marker underneath to my new friend.  I walked
out of the stall, washed my hands and left the bathroom.  Quietly, I walked
to my next hour class, gym.

	Gym class was fun!  I made sure to write a little message in the
gym restroom.  Another guy went into the stall after me, and when he came
out, I heard him talking to another guy about it.  I butted into the
conversation and added my two cents into it, "Yeah I heard he got it while
in Utah from another guy."

	One of the guys kind of blew me off, while the other one said,
"What a queer, he best stay away from me!"

	He left the guys locker-room and told his friends about Grant's
fake illness.  Wonder how long it will take before this rumor strikes out
at its target.

	All day long, there were kids talking about the kid with AIDS.
Some of them were nice about it.  I heard just as many kids who were upset
about a kid with AIDS going to school with them.  Talk about being happy, I
am rather pleased with myself.  By the time school is out, this little
boy's disease will be on the lips of everyone in school.  Oh it's such a
great feeling!  One way or another, this guy is going to get burned.

	The very thought of Jeff and what's his name catching wind of the
rumor makes me happy.  I know once they hear about it that my work is done.
Not only will my aide get the blame but I like to bet that our lovely
school staff will also get involved.  I wonder if he'll deny it.  What
happens then?  Will he have to have an AIDS test?  Oh and I wonder what his
parents will think of my little fabrication.

	I hear his people don't smile upon their kids being gay.  How
perfect is my plan.  Things are better than I ever imagined.  I wonder what
his parents will say when they hear the news.  Whatever happens, it's going
to be a good day for me.

Section 38 - Grant's Rumor Spreads

Pete's POV

	I couldn't have asked for better results.  Grant will be ruined.
Victory is already in the air.  In just two days the rumor has circulated
pretty much throughout the school.  I have heard it myself from three kids
in just the last 15 minutes.  While in the office, I heard it being
discussed between York and her secretary.  Sounds like they plan on
contacting the parents.  Oh, this is great!

	Talk about too good to be true, one phone call will feed his
parent's suspicions.  All takes is one little question in his parents minds
and his world will begin to cave in.  How nice it would be to see Jeff's
world turned upside down as well.  How perfect it will be to see them
suffering.  Wonder if things are working?  I already know there is a buzz
in the air.

	It's lunchtime and the lunchroom went dead when Grant walked into
the cafeteria.  Not every head turned, but enough did to make it
worthwhile.  I didn't see anyone saying anything to the faggot, which kind
of made me sad.  Maybe no one needs to say anything.  It's funny how
silence can hurt just as much as a cut down.  I wonder how the boys are
handling my little fib.

	I don't want to draw attention to myself by glancing at them, but I
can't really help myself though.  As I turn my head towards them, I realize
their table is empty.  Those faggots are hiding on me.  Wonder what those
lowlifes are doing?  Even my little worm is in hiding, he better not have
spilled his guts.  Now I'm worried, but only slightly.

	If he said something then I could be in trouble.  He had better not
do anything stupid.  I can just as easily fix him the same way that I fixed
Parker and James.  They wanted out but I told them that Jeff had said that
he had been in bed with both of them.  They must not have liked that
because Jeff ended up in a fight and they ended up in lock down.  I can
make sure my puppet gets implicated in this little game of mine.  I'm
thinking a suspension or something fun like that.  I won't be denied my
revenge.  So far, things are going exactly as planned.

Section 39 - Talking With Shane

Part 1 & 2 combined

Grant's POV

	It's the first weekend since the AIDS mess started.  I figured it's
only a matter of time before my parents find out about the rumor.  I'm
hoping they don't blow up over it.  Dad and Mom have issues when it comes
to overreacting.  How they react could either be good or bad for me.  I
would hope they see it for what it is, a big, fat lie.

	I'm afraid they will over react and put me through 50 questions.
How do I prepare myself for their assault?  Only thing to do, I've got to
get Shane on my side, which means coming out to him.  I could just try
calling, but I prefer email.  Still, this situation calls for a face to
face or voice to voice exchange.  I quickly grabbed my cell phone and
called my 22-year-old brother.

	Shane is still single and if you ask me, he acts a tad bit gay.
The ringing stops and Shane's deep voice comes over the phone.

	"Hey Bro, what's up?"

	Shane reminds me of a leaner, Nick Carter.  He's blonde, loves to
sing, and is kind of crazy.

	"Shane, I need to tell you something that has to stay between us."

	Did I mention that Shane isn't active in my church?  He hasn't been
active since he returned from his mission last year.

	"Okay spill it, what's going on?"  His voice suddenly took on an
alarmed tone to it.

	I had no intentions of coming out to him, but this situation
demands it.  I've determined not to hide, at least not from him.

	"Shane, I... I... I'm gay!"

	There was silence, but not for as long as I thought there would be.

	"Wait, you called me to tell me something that I've known since I
saw you at the airport in Salt Lake City.  You never could hide anything
from me."

	"Shane, I've got a boyfriend but we haven't had sex, but I'm
calling you because someone is spreading a rumor that I've got AIDS.  I
don't want Mom and Dad to freak out."

	Again there was silence.

	"Look Grant, don't tell Mom and Dad about the whole gay thing and
talk to someone at school, a teacher or a guidance counselor.  As far as
the rumor goes with Mom and Dad, just be careful."

	Shane and I have always had this connection.  Mom use to call us
her twins.  We've always been tight.  He let me tag along with him and
friends.  I've always gone to him when I didn't want Mom and Dad to know
something, or when I just needed brotherly advice.

	"Thanks Shane, I'll be careful!"  I was ready to click the "end"
button when Shane started to talk again.

	"Promise me that when you have sex that you'll use a rubber."

	"I promise!"

	I was now committed to this whole rubber thing.  It's a promise
that I intend to keep.

	"Hey bro, I need to go.  Stay safe!" he said and then he was gone.
At least, I know that I'm not alone in this fight.

	I know that if something happened where my house was no longer my
home that I could depend on Shane and my friends.  They've been there since
day one of this new start in my life.  A miracle of sorts, I had prayed for
friends and friends were provided.  Talk about thankful, there is no way
that I would want to go through this alone.  I know that this hardship will
pass.  It will take some adjusting to, but I will move past it.  I have my
friends and family that along with prayer will get me through this mess.

	I think Jeff would want to know what Shane said to me.  I grabbed
my phone and called him.

	"Hey Jeff, Grant here."

	"Hey bro, what's up?

	I can't believe it, he stole my word.

	"I called my brother, Shane, for advice on this rumor.  He thinks
that I should talk to someone at school about it."

	"Go for it, we'll all be there for you!"

	Jeff and the crew will be there; I have no doubt about that at all.

	"How are you holding up?"  Jeff's tone of voice changed to a softer
one as he asked me the question.

	"Well, if I wasn't worrying about how my parent's will react to it,
I would be doing okay."

	"You'll be just fine!"

	With that we hung up, I know that no matter what, I'll be okay.
I'm not so sure that I want to go through it, but what can I do?

Section 40

The Guys, Part 1

Alex's POV

	Apparently, Grant called his brother for some advice.  Today we are
gathering at my house to just hang out and plan what to do next.  I'm
pretty sure that somehow there is someone behind this rumor.  I know who
that someone is; it's Pete.  I can't prove anything, but I know it's him.
I just know and so does the rest of the crew.  Jeff called everyone
together to plan as best we can for whatever may come.  Better to know
ahead of time than to not know what we are going to do.  I've been really
impressed with Grant; he seems to be handling things really well.

	We gathered in the living room to discuss what to do.  Even my Mom
decided to sit and plan with us.  Grant refreshed us on what was going on
and then he told us what Shane said.  Immediately, my Mom spoke up.

	"Grant, I haven't known you a long time, but if you ever need a
place to stay, my house is your house."

	Wow... you go Mom.  No one had suggested anything to her about what
we might do if Grant lost his home.  Even Grant seemed to be in shock.  I
wonder if he had this kind of support in Utah.

	"Thanks Mrs. Cook!  I hope it doesn't come to that.  Anyway, I
wanted to ask you guys if you would be willing to come with me to the
guidance office."

What kind of people does Grant think we are?  We are his friends; of course
we'll be there.  Doug spoke up for the group.

	"Hey Grant, I know you're new here but we hang tight.  If you want
us there, we'll be there."

	"Thanks guys!  I've never had friends like you guys before."

It really made me feel good to be able to hear that from Grant.  He went on
to tell us what he planned to tell the guidance counselor.  He didn't want
any speculation only the facts.

	The truth can only help his case.  After all, if a lie started this
problem, then the truth can end it.  I'm sure we can stomp out this rumor,
but I'm worried about what else might be lurking in the shadows.  Am I
justified in worrying about this?  Yes, I am totally justified.  As long as
Pete is up to no good, these problems will keep popping up.  Maybe the best
thing to do is to make peace with him, that may not even work.  Pete has
become totally untrustworthy.  Even when he's playing nice, I have problems
trusting him.  Just before my college announcement he seemed to have turned
over a new leaf, but I can't bring myself to trust him.  Maybe I'm wrong.
At any rate, I would love to be able to trust him again.