Date: Sun, 11 May 2008 09:20:16 -0700 (PDT) From: DB Subject: Nowhere but up-16 Warning: The usual disclaimers apply here. If you don't like any of the following, leave now: gay sex, vulgar or harsh language or underage wherever you are reading this. This is pure one hundred percent fiction. No one in this story is a real person, living or deceased. Please do not copy without my consent. I hope you enjoy!!! Main characters: Jeff (author)-19, roommate Lance-18 Friends Bryan- 18, Caleb-18, Trey-19 With the front door opening, Trey and I sat up straight. Evan, Trey's roommate, came in and slammed the door behind him. I just looked at Trey. "Evan, what's the deal, dude?" Trey asked. "Fucking Stephen is the deal," Evan said in anger. "I take you two are fighting again," Trey said. "No shit Trey. I just thought girls were bitches. I think gay guys are worse. He wants to argue with me over the least little thing now. That's all we did this afternoon and I'm sick of it," Evan grabbed a beer. "Hey, don't mind me. I'll head to my room if ya'll want to continue." "Trey, I probably need to jet," I said. "That's cool. Let me grab my keys and hit the bathroom right quick," Trey said and got up. I put back on my shirt while Trey sat in a chair near me. "Jeff, he's nuts about you. I've never seen him so happy. He is all you talk about now," Evan said. "I'm pretty crazy about him, too," I replied. "Stay over any time you like. I don't mind at all and I know Trey sure won't," Evan stated. "I probably will Wednesday night for sure since we'll be studying for a test in the class we have together. Sorry about you and Stephen," I said. "Oh its cool I guess. The dude is so sex crazed right now. I just can't handle it all the time. I never thought I would ever say that but its true," Evan laughed while Trey came out. Trey took me back to the dorm. I thanked him endlessly and hated leaving him especially after what Evan told me. Lance, Caleb and Bryan were all huddled up in my room when I got back. "Lance told us your ass is set now," Bryan said. I tossed my backpack & bag of underwear on my desk area, "Let's just say I'm not broke any more." "What's in the bag?" Lance asked. "Oh just some cool underwear," I replied. "You gay guys and your underwear. Hell I just wear some old Hanes boxers and boxer briefs," Caleb commented. "Caleb, the right underwear is sexy as hell to us gay guys or it is to me. It's what you see before pulling out his dick," Lance laughed. "Nasty dude," Caleb said. "I guess its like girls wearing hot thongs and seeing em right before I get some fine pussy," Bryan laughed. "Exactly, dude," I punched Bryan. We all just kidded each other with no hard feelings. Caleb was farting left and right near Bryan and left a nasty odor in my room. Caleb now was adjusted to his life here at college after a rough start since he had buddied up with us. He was now the jokester among us four friends and always was telling stupid stuff on him or his friend back home in Missouri. Bryan and Caleb left about 10:30 or so. Lance and I talked for a little while. He was full of ideas of what to spend my money on but I wanted to be conservative with it. The next day, Tuesday in mid October of my sophomore year, I was thrilled as usual to see Trey after my accounting class. We both had to hold back our affection but it was great to have him next to me during Econ lecture, so we could keep each other awake. After eating lunch together at the Union, which Trey didn't mind even though he had to pay, we parted ways for the time being. When I got back to my room after stopping by the post office, Lance and Dylan were in the room. I discretely changed in front of them since I wanted to go work out after missing Monday and could see that Lance was busy. Caleb was coming down the hall when I was about to head over to Bryan's room to catch a ride. "Jeff, he's over at Brandy's room," Caleb said upon seeing me knock on Bryan's door. "Caleb, is there anyway you could take me to the rec center?" I asked. "Sure, no problem. I'll hit the bike or something," Caleb replied. We headed to his room for him to change. His roommate was there and didn't say a word while Caleb changed. "Your roommate is real personable," I commented. "Jeff I can't wait for this semester to end. Bryan and I are rooming together somewhere on this hall even if Trevor the ghost still has his shit there," Caleb commented about Bryan's roommate. "I have feeling he'll be long gone by then," I said, heading down the hall to Caleb's car. We now knew most of the guys living there and were always greeted by most. Reed stopped me in the stairwell, "Hey Jeff, I really need a favor." "Can it wait? Caleb and I are going to workout." "Sure just check with me when you get back." "Will do," I said and caught back up with Caleb. Caleb did cardio at the rec center while I hit the weights. Now my body was beginning to show little signs here and there with my regular workouts. Seeing the improvements gave me reason to keep going and made me rather proud. After working out, Caleb and I joined a pick up game of basketball with a few guys from the dorm. Basketball wasn't really my game but still enjoyed it. Since neither of us brought clean clothes, Caleb and I had to endure each other's nasty smelly stench on the ride back. Once back at the dorm, we did hit the shower after seeing that Lance and Dylan were gone. I complimented Caleb's body now in the shower since he was like me when we started and now was starting to show signs of our workouts. On the way back to the room, it hit me that Reed wanted to see me for a favor. He didn't say why so I was now curious. I threw on some shorts and headed to his room. I knocked on his door and was leaving when he opened it. "Jeff!" Reed shouted. I turned around and headed back to his room. It was pretty evident he was sleeping. "Sorry I woke up," I apologized. "No problem. Like I said early, I need a favor from you," Reed said. "Sure," I replied. "The RA on the first floor needs some assistance and asked me if I knew a gay guy that might help him. One of the guys on his floor is really struggling with it and I think needs a gay guy to talk to more than anything. He said it wasn't a biggie and asked me for advice, so I volunteered you. I hope you don't mind," Reed said. "I'll talk to him but I'm not sure I can help that much," I said. "Neither of us expect a miracle. He said the guy was just having a few problems," Reed said. "Okay but I won't be here tomorrow night," I said. "You got a new boyfriend, Jeff? I heard you and Lance tried but it just didn't work," Reed smiled. "Yeah, I do. We have a class together and will be studying for a test on Thursday," I said. "How did you know about me and Lance?" "Lance told me in the bathroom about 3 weeks ago," Reed said. "I bet you'll be doing more than studying with your boyfriend." I just laughed, "Probably. You got my cell so just call before coming in case Bryan or Caleb are around. You care if Lance stays? He has way more experience with gay shit than I do really." "No, just tell him to keep it private," Reed said. I headed back to the room a little mystified about the situation. I guess Reed trusts me now plus I'm getting a little money for being the assistant. I talked to Trey for a little while on my cell. Then heard a knock at my door. "You are here. I tried calling your cell," Reed said. "I wondered what that beeping was while I was talking. I'm here for a while," I said. "I'll send him up," Reed said. I sat and waited until a small knock came at my door. I opened the door with a nice smile to see an ordinary looking brown headed guy at the door. "Are you Jeff?" he asked. "Yeah, and you are?" "Adam," he replied but was very nervous. "Have a seat on my bed or in the chair, Adam. So what's giving you a problem?" "A few things here and there." "Look Adam, I was in your shoes about a year ago." We talked for a good 20 minutes or so. I reasoned the main jest of his problem was that he was from a religious family and petrified with the ramifications of coming out. I did the best I could and understood the religious aspect a little. Honestly Adam just wanted to talk to a gay guy about being gay and get a few things off his chest. At the end, he was very open to me and quite relaxed after our talk. After Adam left, I told Reed about it without many details but thought he would be just fine though I told Adam it was his call on his parents. I was able to study a little despite a few interruptions here and there. About 9 or so, I gave Mom a call for there were still some questions I had and barely remember my younger days. She was excited that I called. I asked the questions and waited for her response. She told that at the time my grandmother set aside the money from her savings or an insurance policy, Mom was beginning her time with drugs. Mom said she begged grandmother for the money but grandmother was smart enough to do what she did thankfully. Mom had no idea where or how the stocks were obtained and surprised that they were included as well. I tossed around the idea of coming out to her but let it be for the time being. After we talked about the money, then we just talked for a little while until Lance came home for the night. "Hey Lance, wassup?" I asked. "Not much. Who was that?" he asked. "Just mom. I gave her a quiz about the money and such just to get some things clarified. Things seem to be going pretty well with Dylan, huh?" "I guess so for now. You and Trey really seem to be hitting it off well?" "Yeah we are. His roommate told me he was crazy about me." "That's cool. You are too right?" "Yeah, I think so," I said. "Are you getting cold feet, Jeff?" "No, well maybe. I want to take it kind of slow." "Hey Jeff, just because me and you may have went for it too quickly doesn't mean that you have to back off now that things are going so well. I can tell you are really digging him." "I do like him a lot." "You're afraid of getting hurt, aren't you?" Lowering my head, "Lance, I am." "Jeff, it comes with the territory, so to speak. If you back off, you might turn him off and lose him. I've been heartbroken a few times. It's rough but you'll bounce back and keep on going. Look at society now. Divorce is rampant. It happens. Just go with your gut and have fun." "See you are good for something. I knew I kept you around for a reason," I laughed. "Thanks I just needed someone to tell me that and quit being scared." "If it happens, it happens," Lance said. He turned on the TV for us to watch. I fell asleep about an hour later but woke in the middle of the night to find it still on. I quietly turned it off. The next day, Wednesday, a slow overnight rain brought our first sign of autumn to the campus. I put on some low rise jeans that I loved wearing after taking a little bit to get used to and a long sleeve t-shirt. Lance laughed at me for overdressing but wasn't laughing when we started towards our classes. I was the one who was laughing now. After class and eating a hot meal, I headed to the financial aid office on campus to see what effect the money might have. I called Bryan to beg them to wait for him in case this ran later than expected. Thankfully I was out of there in no time but still didn't know my status. They needed to check some things out before letting me know something definite. After getting out, I called Trey to fill him in on my plans. Being the friends they were, they were there waiting on me along with Jacob, a tall slender guy down the hall that was more friends with Caleb than us. We piled into Lance's SUV for the ride over. "Cool guys, we need to get up a basketball team for our floor," Bryan said noticing the announcement posted at the front. "Yeah right dude. Think about it. Like we would have a chance," Caleb laughed. "Why not?" Bryan said. "Dude, we're all fucking white except for DeJuan and Vic and even they are short," Caleb said. "Plus we're short as hell too except for Jacob and maybe one other guy. We should try the floor hockey instead." "Yeah Caleb, like any of us know shit about that," Bryan said. "We're from Texas in case you forgot." "Dumbass, I can teach you. It's not that hard," Caleb said. "We'll talk about it later. I seriously think basketball would be the thing," Bryan said, opening the door to the weight room. It took a while to go through our routine with five of us. They were still arguing about basketball or floor hockey. Both Bryan and Caleb were strong headed and kept it going for a while. When we returned to the dorms, I called Trey to tell him anytime he was ready I was too. I threw a few things in my bag. "Where's he going?" Jacob asked with all of them in our room. "He's going to stay with his boyfriend," Lance said. "Damn, I had no idea," Jacob said in shock with his mouth half opened. "I'm gay too," Lance replied. "Whoa, are you two?" Jacob looked at Bryan and Caleb. "Fuck no!" they said at the same time. "They're cool as hell though," Bryan said in our defense. "I don't even think about it now." "Me either," Caleb said. "They just like guys instead of girls is the only difference." "Yeah, the way it should be to everyone," Lance said. "I'm down with it dude. I was just a little taken back by it at first," Jacob said. "You not fucking with me are you?" "No dude, we're not. Just chill and you might not even notice a difference after a while," Bryan said. "Jacob if they weren't so fucking cool, do you think I would even be seen near either one of those queers?" Caleb said. KNOCK! KNOCK! "That's Trey, I'll let ya'll hash this out," I said and grabbed my bag. I opened the door and Trey stepped in. "Trey, wassup?" Caleb said. Trey looked around and spotted Caleb, "Hey Caleb, not much. How's it going?" "Good," Trey said. "You ready, Jeff?" Trey said and we left quickly. "Dude, don't fucking tell me he knows about me?" Trey said with a weird look on his face. "Yeah, I told him I was going to stay with my boyfriend," I said. "FUCK! I went to high school with him and we hung around together some. Now everyone will fucking know," Trey said going down the stairs. "This royally fucks everything up." "Sorry, like I had any idea that you two knew each other," I said. Trey headed to his car with me right behind him. TO BE CONTINUED... Comments and suggestions are welcome as always. I really do enjoy hearing from my readers.