Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 21:51:18 -0200 From: JT Ogden Subject: Living On the Atlantic: Chapter 1 (Beginnings Section) "How in the Fuck could you keep something like that from me?" This is all that I could come up with in the heat in the moment. I was pissed. I don't think I have ever been this pissed in my life. The thoughts in my head weren't making any sense. Nothing seemed to be making any sense. "You knew about it too didn't you... why wouldn't you tell me. You're my best friend. What the fuck guys!!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!" CRASH Yes, that was a crash as I threw the picture of the three of us together against the far wall in the living room, shattering the glass into tiny pieces. There was more in the room shattering at that very moment, and the both of us knew it. It had now become more complicated... This was not the way it was supposed to happen. Things were perfect, and now everything has changed, leaving me to figure out how I proceed next. But I guess, I should let you all into the details that have lead to this night. Anyway, my name is Tim, I am a 25 year old Canadian male living in the beautiful city of Halifax, Nova Scotia. I am your average guy, nothing bad but nothing spectacular either. As I said, I am 23, 6 foot 4, 195 lb build, brown hair and eyes, average, not athletic, but not overweight either, just average. Oh yeah, I am also gay, but I assumed you figured that out since your are reading this on this website. I moved to Halifax directly after graduating University. I was fortunate to find a job as an accounting clerk for one of major accounting firms in the city, while trying to work on obtaining my professional designation. I knew once I arrived, Halifax would be the perfect place for me. For those of you, who don't know Halifax, it's a small city, but right on the coast of the Atlantic. Being from Toronto, it is a change of pace, that you would not believe. It is so beautiful, that words can not do it justice. After getting there, I found a place pretty close to work, it was only a 30 minute walk, not bad... so not only did it give me the opportunity to walk, it allowed me to save money or gas, and pay off those pesky student loans. As time went on, I got down to a decent routine. It centered around my love for sleep. I would hit the snooze button about 4-5 times, waking up in enough time, to shower, eat, dress, get a cup of coffee at the local Tim Horton's and make it to work 2 minutes before work. A month or two had passed, and I was starting to think of Halifax as Home. I had yet to meet many new people, as I tend to be shy, but I was liking my surroundings, and the people were very nice. I was that guy that would be in the room, that no one would notice, so I was used to it. I was pretty confident that it was not intentional. I didn't think that people avoided me on purpose. I just did not stand out, and I like to blend in, that all. So work was doing great, and I seemed to be catching on quickly. As much as I loved my University days, I realized that university really doesn't teach you enough about the "real" world . I mean, I had all the knowledge from my classes, but the computer programs and actual work etiquette was something that I was totally shocked about. However, the people at work were amazing getting me going. There was this one guy in the IS department, who spent a lot of time catching me up to speed. His name was Derek, extremely funny, and smart. Man, if I was in the government I would want this guy's brain, because I would be afraid of it going into the wrong hands. It also didn't hurt that this guy was buff. Oh man, he was a wet dream on legs. However, we has so nice and taught me everything I needed to know. The only downfall of Derek was he was hopelessly straight. Which made my life easier as I would not try to make a move anyway, I knew any attraction towards Derek would be futile. Then once I left work, the people were just as friendly. If you bumped into someone on the street, there would be a sincere apology whether it was their fault or not. However, the funniest of these incidents happened on a morning in early July, where believe it or not I couldn`t sleep that night, and was half an hour earlier on my routine. So instead of sitting in the apartment, I thought I would enjoy the beautiful July morning, and get a coffee and sit in the park and drink my coffee and read the paper. I went on my way, oblivious to everything except the beautiful morning that I was basking in and as I stepped into the Tim Horton's, I walked right into a guy and spilled his coffee all over me. It was fucking HOT!!!! I must have cursed several times, until I looked into his face. Then for some reason, it didn't seem to matter anymore. This man had to most beautiful emerald eyes, I had ever saw in my life. It almost took my breathe away, or was it the coffee... Who knows? Here standing before me was this guy, around 6'1" or 6"2, runner build, bald head, with a killer smile and those Emerald eyes. Most time I would them green, but these weren't regular green eyes. " I am so sorry buddy? I wasn't watching where I was going." "Neither was I. It's OK! But fuck!" remembering that I was on my way to work, and the coffee didn't necessary compliment my light grey dress shirt I was wearing to the office. Then as I realized the profanity that was coming from my mouth I turned beat red. I thought I was going to die from the excessive embarrassment of the situation. "What's wrong? Are you burned seriously?" the guy asked with a sincere look of concern on his face. "No I don't think so, that's not it. It's just that I have to change my shirt and by the time I walk back to my apartment and change I will be late for work." I am one of those people who must be on time for things. I hate being late for anything. "Hey no worries, I live across the street, we look to be about the same size, come on and I will give you a shirt to wear, it's the least I can do?" Not wanting to be a bother I tried to protest, but he wouldn't hear of it. "Wow, we have only met for a couple of minutes, and you already have me coming back to your place. You work fast, so fast I don't even know your name?" as he just stared. Where the fuck did that come from? Subtle Tim... Then I started chuckling, which in turn starts him to chuckle. " The name is Jared. Come on now, I know how you don't want to be late for work." So we walked across the street and we enter his condo. He explains that he shares the building with the occupant of the other condo. We go into his condo, he grabs me a shirt, explains it might be a little small, but it should be fine. I put on the shirt, and as I do, Jared just stares into space. I swear if I didn't know better, he was checking me out. He is still staring... Its kinda getting creepy. Why is he still staring? "You okay Jared?" "Oh yeah, I was just checking to see if you were burned badly." "Nope, a little red, but its ok" I turn to the door, and as I leave, he grabs my coffee-drenched shirt. "Here, I will get it cleaned... it's the least I can do?" "You really don't have to... I don't mind." "Please, I insist." "Fine, anyway, I have to jet to go to work... Can I return this evening to exchange shirts?" "Yeah, come back around 7 and we can hang and get a bite if you don't have any plans?" "Sure, that's awfully nice. I am new to the area, and don't really have any friends, so that sounds great. See you at 7." As I left, I had a smile creep across my face. I had made myself a friend. I was walking out the door, and the guy in the other condo was coming out of his apartment. "Tim, what are you doing here?" I was surprised, as I really didn't know anyone, but as I looked up it was Derek, the IT person who was so helpful at work. "Hey Derek, its a long story and I am late for work..." "You're not late, and I am going that way... lets walk." So we left the building, just talking away. Derek was telling me about how long he has lived in Halifax, I told him about my past, then he said something that was completely shocking. "So I see you met my brother?" Being completely dense, I asked "Who?" then few seconds later, it hit me. It was Jared . They did look similar because Derek was a built more than Jared, and had short black hair and thick black-rimmed glasses. Derek must have saw the lights go on as he started to chuckle. "Jared's your brother?" "Yeah, were identical twins." This completely shocked me. "Really... I mean I see the similarities, but I would have never guess it." Then Derek took off his glasses, and it was then I could see it. "oh." "yeah it takes people a while to put two and two together. I am glad you guys have met. You seem like a decent guy and Jared needs something like that in his life after the past year." Confused again, I asked "What are you talking about Derek? Jared and I met this morning?" "You work fast, don't you?" I could sense that Derek was not that impressed. "Wait, no, I don't think you understand..." then I went on to explain the whole coffee incident of the morning. By the time I was done, I could tell that Derek was a little embarrassed, but I had to know more "Derek, I am still confused... what do you mean about I am glad you guys have met?" "fuck.. I have really done it now... I just assumed as your were coming out of his condo this morning that you guys were ... You know... Man, Jared's going to kick my ass" "No, its okay, but I now know for sure that Jared is gay. Derek, relax man, its ok, I am gay too. It doesn't bother me, but it will make this evening more interesting." "How so?" "Well, we have plans to hang out tonight, and now I know what I know, it will makes things a little less awkward." Derek still looked uncomfortable, as I tried to comfort him. "Derek, no, its all good, and trust me, I will not let Jared know anything about this conversation. Trust me, I am one of the shyest people ever. Nothing will probably happens, as I won't provoke anything... I was never very good of making the first move, and I am totally out of his league, but at least I know he won't hate me for liking dudes." "Tim, I think you sell yourself short, and Jare's lucky if he's smart enough to make a move." Then we finished our walked and made it to work. We were a few minutes late, but for once I really didn't care. I was absolutely excited about meeting the twins, making a good friend in Derek and excited about the "hang out" session tonight with Jared. Halifax was turning out to be a great place to be.