The following is a work of fiction. Any similarities are entirely fortuitous. The story may contain profanity and references to gay sex. If such content offends you please leave now. The author retains all rights to the story. Do not copy or use without written authority from the author. Write Bobby at this address with your comments.

"You only have days before you graduate people!" my economics teacher reminded everyone. "The only person in here with an A is Tanner. There are ten F's in here and seven D's! You have to have a sixty-eight percent in this class to walk."

The students grimaced and made faces at me. I just sunk my head and closed my eyes. The thought of Brett entered my mind bringing with it a quick smile to my face. When we hung out earlier in the week, it felt so incredible. In fact, when I went home and had to sneak through my window that night, I didn't feel bad about anything because I knew in my heart that I would be seeing Brett again soon.

The rest of the school day went by great. Sure, I was physically alone the entire time, but in my mind I have Brett. God, I cannot wait to see him again. He said we can see each other again tonight. When I walked inside my house, I noticed that things were messier than when I left this morning. Mom must've entertained while I was out. Thank God she at least didn't do it when I was here.

Around five o'clock Brett knocked on my front door. Mom still wasn't home so I didn't have a problem with it, but I made a mental note to warn him later about knocking. Brett looked magnificent as always. I on the other hand looked like I just came off a shrimp boat.

"Our activity tonight," Brett began, "can consist of dinner and a movie, dinner and a theme park, dinner and mini golf, a picnic dinner, or just dinner."

I started laughing. "Wow, such a variety of choices."

"Yup," Brett grinned.

"Hmm, what do you want to do?" I asked him.

"Uh uh, I asked you what you want to do."

"Well, I really don't mind what we do."

"Okay, let's have dinner and then decide, okay?"

"Sounds like a plan."

Brett had Niles drive us to the steak house where we first hung out. I'd like to call it our first date, but we didn't even know each other really at all. That night was the beginning of my relationship with Brett. To be honest, I want to be his boyfriend more than anything in the world right now. Something in my mind is stopping me from saying yes, though.

Brett is really a great guy. He's smart and funny and hot. Oh, boy is he hot! Even when he's in his undercover clothes in public he still just radiates hot. Those maroon eyes stare deep into my soul whenever he glances at me. His silky, black hair that drops down into his eyes just makes me want to scream "I want you!" But Brett is a lot more than just looks. The way he saved me from those creeps at the theme park made my heart melt. It was like my Prince Charming came to my rescue. Now that I think about it, though, he came to my rescue the night he paid for that bag of chips at the liquor store. Then earlier in this week when I was crying, putting my heart out on a limb, he was holding me. That act of kindness showed me that maybe Brett is the person I've been waiting for. Brett could just be my Prince Charming.

We arrived at Bob's Barbeque after a short fifteen-minute drive. I was super excited to be here with Brett again. It feels like we're already boyfriends to be honest. I know in my heart that that time will be soon. Once we got to our table and ordered our drinks, the conversation began to easily flow.

"So, how was school today?" Brett asked me.

"It was okay," I replied. "I got in trouble a few times though."

"Why?"

"Well, you were on my mind all day." I said embarrassingly. My cheeks were burning bright red.

"Aww," Brett gushed. "I've been thinking about you every day. It's hard to even concentrate on going to the bathroom."

I laughed, "Wow," As we continued talking, the waiter brought out our drinks. We ordered our food and then went about our business.

"I mean it, Tanner. You're becoming so special to me."

I held back the tears in my eyes from falling. Brett's words were getting sweeter and more sincere every time I saw him. My feelings for him are definitely growing, but I just don't know what's holding me back from saying yes.

"Thanks, B-Brett..." I mumbled, trying my damndest to not start crying.

"Aww, Tanner, please don't cry." Brett said nicely. "It'll make me cry."

"I'm sorry, it's just... You're just so nice to me."

"I mean every word, though,"

"Oh, I know you do, Brett. That's what makes me feel so special around you."

Brett got up from his side of the booth and sat next to me on my side. He gently put an arm across my shoulder and pulled me into him. I was still trying not to cry, but he wasn't making it any easier by holding me. The feeling of security was overwhelming being in his arms. Suddenly, the dam burst and the tears started to flow. Luckily, I kept my sobbing to myself. I don't know how long it was before our waiter came back with our food.

"I'm sorry, but can you box our food and bring the check, please?" Brett asked the waiter.

"Of course," he replied. "Is everything all right?"

"He'll be fine," Brett replied.

"Okay, I'll be right back." minutes later the waiter came back with our boxed food and the check. "I threw in a couple desserts in there for you two, on the house of course."

"Thank you so much."

Brett paid the bill, then we left the restaurant. I asked where we were going, but he wouldn't answer me. Niles eventually pulled up to a small park. Brett grabbed the food and led me to a table in the outer skirts of the park. He set out our food boxes and we began to eat in silence. After we ate, Brett was resting with his back against the table staring up at the sky.

"Sorry I screwed tonight up," I mumbled.

"Hey, you didn't screw anything up tonight! I had a great time with you at the place where we had our first date." Brett smiled.

"Our first date?" I asked.

"Yeah, didn't you think of that too?"

I blushed and nodded. "Yeah,"

"Cool," Brett giggled.

"I just... I'm just so touched by everything you've done for me. I don't know how I'll ever be able to repay you. Plus, I'm still lost as to how you think I am anything worthy enough to..."

"Tanner," Brett shouted, jumping up from the bench, "shut up!"

"H-huh?" I stuttered nervously. His sudden attitude change struck my fear mode.

"Don't put yourself down like that. You are becoming everything to me! Fuck!" Brett said louder than normal. "Why can't you see that I don't care what you can buy me or not buy me? Do you think I even care about that crap? Well, I have some news for you! I don't! The only thing I care about is you! Just being around you makes me feel so...so...so fucking good inside! Tanner, I'm falling in love with you, not what you have or don't have. I'm falling in love with Tanner."

"Y-you're falling in love with me?" I tearfully questioned, unable to believe what I thought I heard.

"Yes, I am. God, we're not even going out and I'm sounding like we are. Fuck." Brett turned away from me, staring back out into space.

"Yeah, we are." I softly spoke.

"We are what?"

"We are boyfriends," I barely smiled.

"What?"

"You just made my mind up. I want to be your boyfriend."

Brett's face instantly lit up. "Really!? Are you sure?"

"After the things you just said I am absolutely sure, but there are something's you'll need to help me with."

"Anything, Tanner, anything for you!" Brett walked up to me and wrapped me in his arms. I did the same to him.

The two of us, now official, sat in the park holding each other for what must've been two hours before either of us wanted to leave. Brett said we should go out for ice cream and then check out what's playing at the movies. But after eating our ice cream, I honestly didn't feel up to seeing a movie, especially considering it was nearing ten o'clock. My energy had completely depleted for the night.

"Brett, I'm sorry, but can you take me home now? I feel so...exhausted." I complained childishly.

Brett chuckled, "Yeah, I'll have Niles drive us to your house."

"Thanks a bunch,"

"No problem," Brett replied. "Did you have a nice time tonight?"

"I had a great time!"

"Good,"

Niles drove us back to my house. Unfortunately for me, my mom's car was in the driveway along with one I didn't recognize. That could only mean one thing: she has another "friend" over. If I walk in that house and she sees me at all, then I will be so dead. I could sneak through my window, but as luck would have it my window creaks something fierce. Sneaking in could prove more difficult than I had previously thought.

"You have company over?" Brett questioned, looking out the window.

"Yeah, company..." I somberly said, also staring at the front door.

Brett must've picked up on my sadness. "Tanner, this might be too forward, you can say no if you want to, but would you like to stay with me tonight?"

"Huh?"

"Well, I remember you telling me what your mom is like and I can't stand the thought of you being hurt in any way." said a very sincere Brett.

"I guess I could since it is Friday and all."

"See, it's a win-win situation." A huge smile was spread across Brett's face.

I chuckled, "Yeah, I guess it is." My mood still hadn't improved, though. I was still depressed about my mother.

"Niles, can you drive us home now?"

"Yes, sir,"

The same routine happened when we arrived at The White House. I got searched more times than necessary while Brett stood back laughing his ass off. After the security check was over, Brett took me to his room and offered some pajamas to me. I, however, rejected his offer saying that I slept in my boxers. His mouth almost dropped open.

"Brett, would it be okay if I take a shower?" I asked him.

"Uh, sure," he replied. "The shower is in here." He led me into his bathroom and handed me a towel.

I took a nice hot shower. The water felt so damn good forcing against my skin from every direction possible I started to fall asleep. Realizing it's already been at least ten minutes I finished up, then shut the water off and stepped out. On the sink was a pair of boxers. I smiled at the thought of Brett sneaking in here and leaving a pair of his boxers for me.

I walked out of the bathroom with his boxers covering the most intimate of my parts. The only other piece of clothing I had on was my shirt. As badly as I wanted to take my shirt off to keep cool, I did not want Brett to be uncomfortable. I am after all skinnier than I should be. The sight of me might make him cringe.

"Damn, you're even hotter when you're wet!" Brett excitedly said.

"Thanks," I blushed.

"Well, which side do you want?"

"Side of what?"

"Which side of the bed?"

"Oh, um, what side do you usually sleep on?"

"Usually I sleep on the right side."

"Okay, I'll take the left then."

Lying in bed with Brett was one of the most embarrassing things that I've ever done. I mean, here I am in my...boyfriend's bed two feet away from him. Oh, yeah, we were not side-by-side. There was a good two feet between us, both of us on our backs looking up. Brett seemed either uncomfortable or nervous so at least I wasn't alone. Not only was it awkward that I was in his bed with him, but the fact that he was shirtless didn't help my situation out.

"Hey, Brett?" I began. "Thanks for the boxers."

"No problem, Tanner," he softly replied.

"Um, Brett?"

"Yeah?"

"Would it be all right if I... If I, um, lay next to you?" It was near pitch black in his room minus a glowing blue clock in a corner of his bedroom, but I could still see the faintest smile on his face.

"Of course you can, Tanner."

I scooted right next to him, our shoulders touching. The faint scent of his skin suddenly filled my nose and sent me to a place I've never been before. It egged me on to get even closer to him. I was on autopilot as I placed an arm over his abdomen and shifted slightly so that I could rest my head on his chest. Brett's breathing slowed a bit as I put my head down. He held me close to him with his left arm while his right arm held my left hand.

The position we were in was so damn warming and comfortable. The only thing keeping me awake was my raging hard-on. I tried my hardest to keep it off of Brett, but that's harder-no pun intended-said than done. There's really no reason to hide it from him, though, because Brett wasn't exactly hiding his. I mean, there's not like a huge tent underneath the covers, but I could easily tell he's mostly hard. It's the age-old question isn't? When do we actually start doing more intimate things? I'm in no hurry to start that stuff, especially considering I'm really nothing great down below my waistline. So far, Brett hasn't pushed for anything sexual. Sure, we've only known each other for a little while, but I know how some guys are and how pushy they can be. I guess luckily for me my boyfriend is not like that whatsoever.

"Tanner, can I ask you a question?" Brett asked.

"Uh, sure,"

"Are you out to anyone?"

"No,"

"Oh, okay,"

"Why?"

Brett let out a deep sigh. "I don't know when or even if I should come out to my parents."

"Well, maybe you should wait until you're on your own, you know? I mean, your parents are democrats so I'm sure they won't care that much, but still."

"I have to pee," Brett suddenly blurted out.

I laughed, "Random,"

While he was peeing, I decided to just take a look around his room. He seemed to have a pretty normal room. There was a desk with an extremely fancy computer. On the wall was a gigantic TV. Speakers were in the corners of his room. I guess those are for that surround sound stuff. Brett has two dressers which I'm guessing are full of clothes, plus a walk-in closet.

"Like my room?"

I jumped. "Jesus, don't do that to me."

"Sorry," Brett chuckled. He came up to me and kissed me. "I'm not really tired anymore."

"Me neither," I sighed.

Brett wrapped his arms around my waist. I wrapped mine around his neck and we just stood there making out for several minutes. Without any warning at all, Brett's bedroom door suddenly swung open.

The act itself never varies, but each kiss carries with it a meaning all its own. It can convey a husband's eternal devotion. Or a wife's enormous regret. It can symbolize a mother's growing concern. Or a lover's growing passion. But whatever its meaning, each kiss reflects a basic human need. The need to connect to another human being. This desire is so strong it's always amazing when some people...

"Brett, I need your help with..." His dad started, but quickly stopped when he spotted us. Brett and I jumped away from each other. "What the hell is this!?"

...don't understand it.*

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

*© by Marc Cherry, 2005

Okay everyone, I hope you all liked chapter four! As always, feel free to write me at the e-mail address given atop every single chapter. Also feel free to join my group by clicking this link: Shades of Wisteria.

Purchase A Life So Changed at one of its new locations, Amazon.com! Here's the link: Bobby's Amazon Page.

Thanks!