Date: Fri, 25 Apr 2003 04:39:14 EDT
From: Gryffindor6698@aol.com
Subject: City Of Dreams Chapter Three

The following is a complete work of fiction.
Any resemblance between the characters and any real life person is
completely coincidental.  Please do not copy or distribute the story
without the author's permission.

This is my first attempt at writing.  I would appreciate feedback on what
you think of the story, but please keep it constructive.   I have a fragile
ego. LOL  Please try to ignore any spelling or grammar problems. If people
like it then I will continue, so if it seems a bit slow to start, I am
sorry. 

Disclaimer:
The following story may contain erotic situations between consenting
adults.  If it is illegal for you to read this please leave now. 

I want to thank Sara, Juliet, Nick, Larry, and Pepsicoool for their
feedback.  I greatly appreciated it! 

Previously:

"I need to tell you how sorry I am Miah." He continued on when he realized
I wasn't going to correct him for saying my nickname, "I was so worried
when you never turned back up at school all those years ago.  I was so
afraid that something happened.  That maybe your dad finally went too far
and I...."

"Please just stop Bailey.  I have to say that I am sorry too.  I'm sorry
that I just can't do this with you. Not now, maybe not ever.  I can't sit
here and listen to how hard it was for you because you'll never know how
hard it was for me...."

I had to pause for a second and catch my breath before I had some type of
breakdown right here on the sidewalk.  I stood up as well and tried to
clean myself up somewhat.

"I am sorry that I can't stand here with you and rehash old times.  Because
if I do that then I will lose my mind.  I can't honestly believe that you
think that I would want to listen to anything you had to say.  I want you
to leave me alone.  If I remember correctly that is something you are
pretty good at.  Just forget that you saw me and go about your life like
you always have.  I don't need you anymore.  Good bye Bailey."

And with that I turned and started to cross the street to the subway.  I
could hear Bailey yelling out my name, but I ignored him and continued to
walk and wipe the tears from my face.  If I wasn't being such an evil bitch
I would have stopped and maybe tried to listen.  If I did that then I would
have seen the taxi that came flying around the corner.  But I didn't stop
walking.  Suddenly my whole world went black.


Chapter Three

My first conscious thought was 'What the fuck was that?!?'  The last thing
I remember was crossing that damn street and then everything just seemed to
disappear right out in front me.  My next conscious thought was "Damn is
this sidewalk soft!'  Ok Miah get a fucking grip.  Obviously you are lying
in a bed ya shit.  Yes, I do talk to myself.  I tried to open my eyes a bit
and groaned.  All I could see was this extremely bright light.  Oh no!
There is no way this is happening.  I then heard a soft voice.

"Miah.....walk towards the light Miah.  Please Miah.......walk towards the
light."

Just as I opened my eyes a bit more to see what was going on the light
suddenly vanished and I was in darkness.  I then heard the same voice
again.

"We're sorry, but the light at the end of the tunnel is currently closed
for renovations.  Please check back at a later time."

What???  I head a voice giggle and then suddenly the room was bathed in
light and I saw that bitch Gina sitting next to me.  She flipped on the
lamp that is on my bedside table.

"You are such a total bitch!  You had me thinking that I was dead there for
a second."  I paused and then realized that I was in my own bed.  "How the
hell did I get here?  What is going on Gina??"

"Slow down there Miah."  Gina was trying to calm me down.  "I wanted you to
realize what death could be like because you almost did die you ass!" She
slapped me on the shoulder. "Gen and I were on our way to the after hours
club and we saw you fighting with Bailey on the sidewalk, so we pulled over
to make sure you were ok.  The next thing we know, you go stomping off into
the street and are almost hit by a fucking taxi cab."

"Wait a second.  What do you mean almost Gina?"

"Miah, you are very lucky that Bailey can move that quick.  Right before
the taxi clipped you he dove forward and knocked you out the way."

I was in shock to say the least.  First not only did I have a near death
experience, well if you count almost being hit by a taxi then this would be
my 52nd near death experience.  Trust me, the cars in the city fly down the
streets.  Secondly Bailey saved me.  Which above anything else is what had
me in shock the most.  There was one thing I just couldn't understand
though.  Why did he do it?  I mean after us not being friends for so long
why would be care?  Especially after the major bitch routine I was pulling
on him.

"Miah, listen to me.  You know that you are my best friend, and I am always
on your side, but this fighting with Bailey.  I think you may be handling
this situation wrong.  I was talking to him and if you would just
listen....."

"Wait a second there Nancy Drew," I interrupted her. "When have you had the
time to try and dig to the bottom of this mystery?  When did you find the
time to even hold a conversation with him?"

I could see that Gina took a calming breath before answering.

"Miah, you've been out of a little over an hour.  Once we saw Bailey save
you we rushed over to see if there was anything we could do to help.  He
picked you up and brought you over to the car so we could bring you home
dipshit.  How else do you think you go here?"

"Ok so you mean to tell me that you had this long meaningful discussion in
the five minute car ride from the club to the apartment?"

Gina licked her lips nervously and our eyes locked.  She mumbled something,
but I couldn't quite hear her.

"What did you say G?"

"Bailey," She began "He's here.  He was really concerned about you since
you passed out and I....I offered him to come upstairs so he could make
sure you were ok."

My mouth flapped up and down furiously, but again I was speechless.  I
really needed to contact that world record book because I think I have to
be setting some kind of record with not being able to talk today.

"Close your mouth and listen to me Miah" Gina moved over and sat on the bed
next to me. "I know that you think that he doesn't care, but there a few
things I want to share with you.  He was a mess Miah when that car almost
hit you.  And I really mean a fucking mess.  His body was shaking, and he
could barely talk.  And like I said before, he helped carry you all by
himself to the car.  Damn that boy is strong!  And ya know what else he did
Miah?"

"What?" My voice coming out in a whisper.

"He didn't just sit you up in the back seat Miah.  Once he got into the car
he pulled your body against his and held you the whole way to make sure you
didn't get hurt again.  He rocked you back and forth muttering 'you're ok
now.  I got ya buddy.  I'm here'"

I could barely breath at this point.  My thoughts were a complete jumble.
I didn't even know what to think.  I sat up in bed and just stared at Gina.

"Why would he do that?  After everything that's happened and after what an
asshole I was tonight, why would he do that?"

"You might want to ask him that yourself stud.  He's out in the living room
talking to Genesis."

My eyes locked with hers.  This was a thing that all of our friends were
used to by now.  Gina and I had a way of communicating without even saying
a word to each other.

"Miah, you know this is something you have to do Hun.  Even if he walks out
of here tonight and you never see him again, you have to talk to him.  I
know that so much shit has happened, but you need to clear the air."

"I know Gina.  You want to send him in?"

"Sure babe."  She leaned over and gave me a hug.  She went over to the
bedroom door and gave me once last look and a wink before stepping into the
hallway. God I hope I am doing the right thing here.

*     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *    *    *     *     *    *

Gina walked down the hallway towards the living room and stopped right
before she entered.  Bailey was pacing the floor.  Gen was sitting on the
couch, and from the looks of her she was ready to tie his ass down to a
chair just to get him to calm down.  Gen sighed and rolled her eyes and
glanced at the doorway Gina was standing in.  She immediately stood up when
she saw her.  Bailey's head snapped towards the doorway as well.

"Gina, is he awake yet?"  Gina could still hear the concern and worry in
his voice.

"He's awake.  He seems to be ok."

You could practically see the stress melt away from Bailey.  His eyes
closed and he took a deep breath.

"I guess you were right in bringing him here instead of going to the
hospital Gina."  Bailey said to her.

"You know how much of a klutz Miah is.  So I figured since he wasn't
bleeding he should be ok.  Besides you are the one that hit the sidewalk.
You practically turned in mid-air to make sure he didn't hit the ground
first.  Where the hell did you learn a move like that?"

"Just reflex from playing football I guess.  It was almost like he was the
ball and I had to keep him from hitting the ground." Bailey said with a
shrug.  "Is he coming out here?"

You could practically hear the hope in his voice.

"No.  He's not coming out."

Bailey's face instantly crumbled.  Gina hated to do that to him, but she
had to make sure he wasn't going to hurt Miah again.  No matter how big of
an ass Miah was being she had to protect her friend.  She let Bailey off
the hook.

"But he said that you could go back if you want."

It was almost like plugging in the cord on your Christmas tree.  Bailey's
whole face lit up.  He took off around the couch and started towards Gina
to head down the hallway.  Right as he started to pass her though Gina
grabbed him and pushed him back against the wall.  She had her hands
wrapped into the front of his shirt right below his neck.  His eyes were as
big as saucers and she looked like a lioness defending her cub.

"Just one word of warning Bailey.  You know as well as I do that Miah has
been through a shit load of crap for his whole life.  I am not blaming you
for all of that, but you have to admit some of it is your fault.  And I
will admit that Miah has been a Class A bitch tonight, but I think you and
I both understand where that's coming from.  Right?"  Bailey nodded his
head "I just want to let you know that Miah means a great deal to me and
his friends.  And if you do anything, " Her hands gripped the shirt a bit
tighter and she pushed him against the wall a bit more "and I mean
anything, to ever hurt him again then you are going to have to deal with
me.  You got that?"

Bailey shook his head quickly in agreement with her.  He was scared as hell
right now.  He had never seen anyone this intense before except for earlier
that night when Miah told him off in front of the club.

"I.  I got it Gina."

Gina let go and moved her hands and gently placed them on Bailey's face.

"Bailey I know that you are a good guy.  I can see that in you.  Just from
talking to you tonight I think we all could be good friends.  You need to
understand that when you go in there to talk to Miah that it's going to be
tough.  Extremely tough.  You need to remember that Miah is only this upset
because he cares for you so much.  You need to get through to him.  I know
he is in a lot of pain and I bet you are too.  Don't let him push you away.
Ok?"  Gina gave Bailey a million dollar smile and he finally relaxed.

"Thank you Gina.  You are definitely a good friend.  Miah is lucky to have
you in his life"

"Don't you let him forget it either!" She said with a laugh.

She watched Bailey turn and walk down the hall towards Miah's room.  She
hoped that things would turn out right, but she still couldn't help
thinking 'Dead Man Walking'.

*     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *    *    *     *     *    *

I was sitting up against the headboard of my bed smoking a cigarette.  I
can't believe that I am about to do this.  Can I really rehash all of this
with him?  I realized at that moment I had to.  As much pain and anger I
felt inside of me, I still missed him.  I still wanted him back in my life,
but how could I let him back in after everything that had happened?  Would
he even want to be my friend again?  Come on now Miah.  Don't be so damn
stupid. I mean the man did save your life didn't he?  He did save my life,
but is my life really even worth him saving?  I could feel myself slipping
back into my shell.  It almost like I was back living with my father.  I
was so unsure of everything, and wasn't even sure if anything was worth all
this pain.  Just as I was about to escape to the bathroom to hide my
bedroom door eased open and Bailey's head peaked in.

"Hey"

"Hi"

Oh great!  If the rest of the conversation was going to go like this, then
it was going to be a long, long talk.  Bailey stepped into the room and
closed the door.  He didn't move, and I don't think he was even breathing.
I took a deep breath and figured I better start things out.

"You can sit down Bailey."  I pointed to the chair sitting by the bed that
Gina had dragged over earlier.

"Thanks"

He moved quickly and seemed almost happy for a second that there was
something for him to do.

"So..."

"So..."

"Bailey..."

"Jeremiah..."

We both tried to start the conversation at the same time.  Our eyes locked
together, and the unthinkable happened.  I giggled.  I have no clue why I
have this knack for laughing at inappropriate times, but damn it why this
time?  I tried to smother the sound, but of course we all know that will
just make it worse.  The next thing I know we are both laughing our asses
off like someone just told the funniest joke in the world.  After we both
calmed down Bailey was the one to start speaking again.

"I'm so glad that you are ok.  I was really scared that you might have been
hurt."

"Well I am ok, thanks to you.  Thank you for that.  To be honest though I
don't know why you did it."  Our eyes locked together again.

"What do you mean why did I do it?"

"Well.  After everything that's happened, and what a fucking bitch I was
being.  I just....I didn't think I would have been worth it."

Bailey's eyes got wide with shock.

"I don't want to ever hear you say that again.  Ever.  You are not
worthless!"

"But Bailey..."

"No buts damn it.  You are not worthless.  You never have been and you
never will be.  Just because your father didn't realize what a wonderful
person you, doesn't mean that other people don't see it.  Don't ever put
yourself down."

My eyes welled up with tears.  I had a question on the tip of my tongue,
but was afraid to ask it.  I asked it anyways though.

"If I am not worthless then why did we stop being friends?"

I could see a whole range of emotions flash across his face.  I almost felt
bad for asking it, but I just had to know.

"We didn't stop being friends.  I was the one that stopped being friends
with you.  You were always there for me.  And the one thing I will always
regret is not fighting to keep your friendship.  I...."  I could honestly
see how difficult this was for him, and it made me realize that obviously
there were things going on that I didn't know about.  I didn't make a
sound.  I didn't even move.  I just sat there and waited for him to
continue.

"I was just scared.  Everything was so different once we got to high
school.  I tried out for the football team and ended up making the team.
All the guys seemed really nice and I had a good time.  I guess that is
when we really started drifting apart.  The practices and games started
taking time away. Then some of the guys on team noticed that you and I hung
out a lot and...well...for whatever reason they didn't like you.  They
started to make fun of you at school and I tried to get them stop.  I need
you to believe that.  I really did try to stop them.  Well they then got
pissed at me.  They said if I didn't start going along with them then they
would harass you even more.  And after that they would get me kicked off
the team and then would make my life a living hell.  I didn't know what to
do.  Either way they were going to be picking on you.  So instead of trying
to stop them I just went along with it.

My stupid thinking was that if they are going to harass you either way I
choose the option that would cause the least harassment.  Obviously looking
back I made the wrong decision.  I should have gone against them, and then
I could have defended you.  I could have been there to help protect you
more, but I fucked up so bad.  It just seemed like everyone was up against
me, pushing me in so many directions and I just didn't know what to do.
Once I started going along with them they all kept telling me I was doing
the right thing and shit like that.  After awhile I just started thinking I
was doing the best I could for you.  And I know now that I didn't.  And
once I found out you were gone, I realized how fucking wrong I was.  By
then there was nothing I could do.  I fucked up so bad.  From the bottom of
my heart I am so sorry.  If I could take it all back I would.  I swear to
God I would.  Please believe me."

By this time Bailey was leaning forward in his chair and I could see the
pain etched all over his face.  I should have known better.  I should have
realized that he wouldn't have abandoned me, and in his own way he didn't.
God, I've been so stupid.  We were only 13 years old for God's sake.  I'd
been so worried this whole time about how I felt and worried about what was
happening to me, that I never stopped to think what he was going through.
I had been holding a grudge against him for so long, and now I don't think
I had any right to.  And seeing the tears starting to fall down his face I
realized that he was in just as much pain as I was.

"Bailey, I am sorry."  " You don't have anything to be sorry for. You..." I
put my hand up to stop him.

"Bail, just let me finish please."  When I used that nickname I gave him
when we were kids he gave me one of those city block smiles.  "This whole
time I've been stuck thinking poor me.  And I never once realized that you
might be going through as much pain and confusion as I was.  I've been
pretty selfish.  And even when I was being a major asshole to you tonight
you still helped me.  If you wouldn't have knocked me out of the way, who
knows what may have happened.  I think what we need to look at now is that
what happened before happened to two young and confused kids.  I looked up
to you so much and you had really become my hero.  What I wasn't prepared
for though was that you weren't as perfect as I made you out to be.  You
had flaws and problems just like I did.  And I am sorry that I've had to
put you through any of this shit.  You don't need to apologize Bailey.  I'm
the one that's sorry.  If we only knew then what we know now eh?"

Just then there was a knock on my door and Gina peaked her head in.

"You boys ok in here?"

We both smiled and nodded our heads.  She smiled and closed the door.

"Gina is really good friend to have.  She's pretty tough too." Bailey said.

I looked at him for a second and realized what must have happened earlier.

"She gave a performance of her one woman good cop/bad cop routine didn't
she?"  I said with a giggle.

"Yeah she did.  I am not going to be fucking with her anytime in the near
future."  We both laughed at this.

"There is one question I have for you though.  It's about the night you
left."

My eyes closed and I bit my lip.  I knew this topic would come up, but I
just didn't anticipate it to be coming up so soon damn it.

"What happened that night you left?  Your dad told everyone that you had
run away, but I know something must have happened."

"I just couldn't take it anymore Bail.  Things got really bad at home the
last few years and I just gave up.  I had...I had taken the bottle of pain
pills from when my dad broke my arm and I..."

My voice trailed off and I just couldn't say it.  My head fell forward and
my hair partially covered my face.  I could hear the sharp intake of breath
from Bailey and I knew he figured out what I didn't say.  I felt the bed
shift.  I looked up and saw that Bailey moved and was sitting next to me on
the bed.  His hand reached out and brushed the hair off of my face.  Our
eyes met and I could see the sadness in his eyes.

"Thank God that you didn't die.  If you would have I don't know what I
would do.  You have to promise me that you'll never do anything like that
again. Please Jeremiah promise me."

I felt his hands reach out and grab mine.

"Bailey, you can't say that."

He started to get angry.

"I can't say what damn it."

"You can't say Jeremiah."  My voice caught in my throat.  The reason why I
only let certain people call me Miah is because Bailey is the one that
started it.  When we were young he couldn't say my whole name.  So he
shortened it down to Miah.  "It will always be Miah for you."

Both of us started crying at this point.  We reached for each other for the
same time, and for the first time in eight years I felt Bailey's arms
around me again.  That hug is one of the best moments of my life.  I could
feel all the pain being washed away.  I knew that I had my best friend and
brother back.

"Miah, I tried looking for you the past few years.  I just couldn't find
you.  Just when I gave up hope I came here looking at possible job offers
and ended up that bar tonight.  It was like a miracle.  It took so long..."

"Bail all that's important is that you're here now.  Luckily you were able
to see the past the attitude I was throwing around and made me listen.  I
am so glad you did.  I missed you so much."

"Oh God I missed you to Miah.  I missed you so much.  I just wish it
wouldn't have taken me so long to get here."

"You're here now, and that is what's important."

We were both still holding on to each other and crying out years' worth of
tears.  I did the only thing I could think of to make us feel better.  I
sang to him.

You'll never know what you've done for me
What your faithfully has done for my soul
You'll never know what you, you've given me
I'll carry you with me yeah, yeah
Through the days I've had to think of days before
You made me hope for something better
You made me reach for something more
You taught me to run
You taught me to fly
You had freed me inside
And Helped me hear the music of my heart
Helped me hear the music of my heart
You opened my eyes
You opened the door
You spoke something I've never known before
And your love is the music of my heart
You were the one always on my side
Always standing by seeing me through
You were the song that always made me sing
I'm singing this for you
Everywhere I go
I think of where I've been
And although you who knew me better
Than anyone ever will again
What you taught me
Only your love could ever teach me
You got through where no one could reach me
Cause you're always showing me
All the things that I could be
It was you that set me free***

As we sat on my bed holding each other I knew that no matter what may
happen in the future I could face it now.  Bailey was back in my life, and
it had to be one of the best moments of my life.

"I'm so happy you're back Bail."

"I'm so glad that I found you Miah."

  *     *     *    *     *     *     *    *     *     *     *     *    *    *

*** Music Of My Heart - From: Movie "Music Of My Heart" - Composed by:
Diane Warren - (c) 1999

  *     *     *    *     *     *     *    *     *     *     *     *    *    *

Ok, that's it for chapter three!  I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter.
This isn't the end of the story.  There is plenty more to come!  Please
send any feedback you have through the group or to my email address
Gryffindor6698@aol.com Again, please include something in the subject so I
know it's not Spam.

Michael

Copyright - Gryffindor 2003