Date: Wed, 3 May 2000 4:40:10 -0600
From: Ryan <ryan@cuteandcuddly.com>
Subject: The New Things Chapter 2

Legal things...

	If you are not 18 years old and above, you are advised to leave but
if you don't want to leave, don't say anything to others. If you are
offended by the story of gay people in love doing "things", why on earth
are you here?


Disclaimer...

	Everything here is FICTION. Similarities to real situations, real
people, or real events are merely COINCIDENTAL.


Author's note...

	I would like to thank the ones who emailed me, especially to Jordan
West (author of "I Only Wanted Aaron") who gave me loads of things to
improve my story. I would still appreciate you giving comments, suggestions
etc. Email me at ryan@cuteandcuddly.com


The New Things - Chapter 2
_________________________


Steve and I had been in the shack for 2 hours.  We were part of the group
of kids that built it -- (actually, the shack had almost been finished when
I arrived on the scene, so I all I had done was help with the finishing
touches), and we both liked the place.

Everything in the shack was special for us. The blue color of the walls and
ceiling, the brown carpet that Rick brought, the little TV that I brought,
and even the dirty old couch that Steve brought, gave us a comfortable,
cool feeling, and it seemed to make it a part of us. The shack was like a
second home.

Steve was FINALLY going to tell me why he was so upset -- my one reward
after hours of nursing and cajoling him through his suffering.

I was anxious to find out what was plaguing him that was so painful. He had
suffered for three days, and finally, he was on the brink of telling me
why.

        "Rick, the reason I'm so fucked up for the past few days because I
am different. It's like something just hit me and changed me. I am falling
for this guy, now, and I realize that... I... am...gay." He said the words
with deep conviction, yet it was enveloped with fear and uncertainty.

I was filled with conflicting thoughts -- shocked because we are talking
about Steve here -- masculinity personified, but I was happy because the
person I've been dreaming about for the past two weeks, is GAY! The word
"gay" echoed in my head.

My head and heart were filled with emotion, but I was stunned with that
numb feeling that told me my face was as devoid of emotion as my mind, at
that moment.  I just stared.

Steve saw my dead expression and wailed louder cries. How can I be so
insensitive? We were best friends!

Steve didn't know it, but he is my love. Most times, lately, my head was
filled with thoughts about him.

        "So?" Even *I* got sick of myself when I said that. Damn, all I
could manage to say was "So?"  I didn't relish revealing my insensitive
side.

Steve stared at me with such gravity, that my tears came in a downpour.

I knew he was confused when he saw me there, sobbing.  I had a reason to
cry. I had to tell him. Steve had to know.  NOW.

        "I'm gay too, Steve. I've been wanting to tell you that since we
first met. I just can't destroy the friendship that I longed for because of
this fuckin' moving from Florida. I just..."

Steve didn't let me finish.  He just grabbed me, and embraced me tightly --
and cried.  I don't think Steve cried about his pain now, but because
sharing our secrets took the tension out of him, tension that had tormented
Steve for so long. And the sudden release had its effect.  Maybe these are
tears of joy?

I just held him, there in the shack, not thinking of the rest of the world,
but the new world that I had, in that moment -- a world with Steve.

        "Thank you, Rich. You turned this into a happy day, just now." He
said these words with no pain, but with conviction. I could see, he was
happier. We broke our embrace and looked in each other's eyes, which were
now swollen with tears.

        "Rich, your eyes are fuckin' red and swollen." We stared at each
other and laughed.

Now we knew a secret -- we both knew we were gay. I still have a secret, my
love for this guy, but I couldn't bring myself to tell him. I don't know
why, but...........

        "Who is the lucky person, anyway?" I asked him.

        He just stared at my hazel eyes, piercing my soul. His face was
painted red as he looked down to the ground to hide his blushing from
me. He just mumbled, "Today is not the right day, Rich. Soon, you'll be the
first to know."

        "How soon? Tomorrow, maybe?" I asked. What can I do, I am dead
curious over 'that guy,' that Steve keeps mumbling about.

        "Maybe. Thanks for everything Rich."

With that, he gave me a tight embrace, which for me was one hot
embrace. The polar ice caps could melt, with that hug.

        "Don't mention it, dude." As we broke our embrace, I saw a tear in
his eye, and his killer smile that always boosted my spirits.

        "I better split. Call you later, Rich."

He left me there in the shack, alone, contemplating what happened in this
very spot earlier. He is gay. He loves someone, but who?

I just laid there, in the shack, calming myself and running through the
conversation I just had, with Steve. I stayed until around 4:30, when I
decided that I should go home.

The ride home was a long one because the thoughts about the special guy in
Steve's life was confusing me more.

Rick Collins (or Ricky, most of the time) was there in my porch waiting for
me. What on earth is he doing here?

        "Where have you been? I've been waiting for you here till
eternity."  Rick said with a little annoyance. He did wait for me.

'Waiting?  Why was he waiting?'  I didn't remember saying I'd meet
him. Rick was a cool guy.  He was in some of my classes. He was an
easy-going, understanding guy -- and he was good at football.  Sometimes it
got confusing, that his name was so close to mine, but I sorta got off on
that, most times.

        "Sorry, someone just needed company and a sympathetic ear.  So,
wazzup?" I asked him, quizzically.

        "Nothin', Rich, just letting time pass by. What do you say about
game or two in playstation."

Even though I wasn't in the mood for a game, I nodded in agreement, and
smiled. We played until 5:30 PM, with Ricky winning most of the games,
which was very unnatural, because I always beat him in these games. Maybe,
it's just that my mind was too busy, wondering who the lucky guy was.

        "What's wrong with you, Ricky? You seemed bothered by something,"
Ricky asked me, maybe sensing that my soul was not in the game.

        "Nothin', Ricky, I just need to think about something important." I
told him. I really hoped he bought it, and was ready to take off.

        "I better leave, call you later." I could tell, by Ricky's tone, he
was quite disappointed. My mind was still away, thinking about Steve and
the lucky guy.

He left me there in my house, all alone with thoughts of 'that guy.' I
couldn't stop thinking about this. Whoever 'that guy' happens to be, he was
too important in Steve's life, and in my life, now.

Mom arrived, a few minutes later, and started to prepare dinner. I had
planned to help her, but if she saw me in this mood, she would ask
questions, no doubt, and more questions would push me over the edge, right
now.

As soon as Dad arrived, we ate our dinner. During dinner, I was silent,
which was unusual.

Feeling self-conscious about my odd mood, I was avoiding eye contact with
my parents.  I suspected that I had aroused their curiosity -- that they
could read me.

        "What's wrong, Richard?" Mom asked in her usual caring and warm
tone.

She's always been very affectionate, even with my friend Pete and other
friends in Florida -- which makes her the best.

        "Nothing. Just thinking of school stuff, mom, nothing serious." I
said it in my most convincing manner. I didn't think they believed me, but
they let it pass.

After dinner, I placed the dishes in the dishwasher and went to my room.
In the quiet of my little sanctuary -- my 12 x 14 foot bedroom -- I was
full of thoughts. I couldn't stand it. Steve's GOT to tell me who 'that
guy' is!

I dialed Steve's phone number, but there was no answer. Maybe they're still
having dinner, I thought. After ten minutes, I called him again.

        "Hello?" Even on the phone, his voice was sexy.

        "Hey, Steve." I greeted him in the most cheerful way. I couldn't
let him sense the down mood I was in because of 'that guy'.

        "Hey Rich! So wazzup?"

        "Just wondering if you're ready to spill. The suspense is fuckin'
KILLING me here, dude.  I'm gonna DIE any minute, now."

        "Let me think about it," Steve said. "I let you die, or tell you
about my love, is that it?  Hmmm, tough decision.... I think I'll let you
die." He said jokingly, and laughed.

His laugh was so engaging.  It was one of the things I liked most about
Steve.  He had a laugh that seemed to come from the soul.  When Steve
laughs, I can't help laughing myself, sometimes.

        "C'mon, Steve. Tell me, please."

        "Tomorrow, let's meet in the mall around 1 PM."

That was good enough for me.  I convinced myself that it was better than
nothing.

        "Okay. See you tomorrow, then."

_________________________
End of Chapter 2

What will happen next? What NEW THINGS will come to the lives of Richard
and Steve?

Thanks again to my new friend, Jordan West who really helped me with the
editing and stuff and those who email me. The responses are really
heartwarming.

Comments and suggestion are always welcome. Flames will be ignored!

Please do email me... ryan@cuteandcuddly.com