Disclaimer:
All other content or otherwise are works of my own
imagination. All events are fictitious in nature.
Any
similarities to persons living, dead, or otherwise are purely
coincidental.
This story contains strong themes of homosexual
content, if this offends you in any way, please refrain from reading
further. If you are not of legal age to read this, please leave
now.
A/N:
I'd like to thank TalonRider for editing this chapter. His
unparalleled brilliance and tireless effort applied to my work is
greatly appreciated. Thank you.
American
Differences
-By Emulated
Chapter 17: Unwelcome
“Happy
Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to Connor!
Happy Birthday to you!” We all called out loudly.
Connor
held his hands up to his ears, “Stop it! Make it stop!”
He cried, causing us all to laugh.
Yesterday after school, we
all decided that we’d get up earlier and go over to Connor’s
house before school, so he can open his cards and presents. I was
already there, of course, but I waited until Max and Jamie turned up
before we all started the Happy Birthday chant in his lounge. Much to
the dismay of the poor neighbours!
Connor picked up the
present that Jamie wrapped yesterday, “To Connor, Happy
Birthday, love Matt & Jamie.” He said, reading the tag.
I
turned to Jamie, surprised, “You wrote ‘Love Matt &
Jamie’?”
He nodded, “Yep.”
Connor
laughed at that, before he ripped open the wrapper, looking at the
game inside, “Oh thanks guys. This is great.”
“No
problem, mate.” I said.
“Yeah, you’re
welcome.” Added Jamie.
Connor placed that to one side,
before he picked up a slightly smaller box, one without a tag on it.
Connor looked up at Max, “I guess I’ll know who this one
is from once I’ve opened it.”
Max looked at him,
glancing at Connor’s parents, “Yeah, but I’m sure
you’ll like it. I thought I’d get you something that
you’d actually use.”
Connor looked at us, “Sounds
interesting.” He remarked.
I shared a look with Jamie, I
think we both knew what was inside.
Connor ripped open the
wrapping paper, stared at the small box for a few seconds, before he
blushed deeply, and hid the packet behind him. But I managed to read
the words ‘Durex’
on the package. While Connor didn’t believe that Max wouldn’t
have brought them for him, he did indeed get him some condoms. A nice
large pack at that!
“What?” Asked Adam, unsure of
the gift, “What did he get you?” He asked, much to the
angst of Terry and Amanda, who were also stunned at the
present.
“Sweets.” Replied Max, “Some
Strawberry flavoured sweets.”
Connor blushed even more
at that.
Jamie leaned close to me, “I told you he’d
get the flavoured ones.”
I just shook my head at
him.
We stayed at Connors for a little while longer, as he
opened his other presents, before we set off for school. None of us
were in that much of a serious mood all day, as we’d be going
out later on, but hell, it was all fun.
It actually felt good
to be at school again. Don’t get me wrong, I know I went the
day before, but after everything that happened after school, I really
needed to get back into the swing of things. Sure things were
different in an odd kinda way, now that quite a few people knew about
Jamie and I, but…I dunno…It felt…good. It felt
good that they knew.
What wasn’t so good about school
was the constant reminder that we had our exams in a few months.
Seriously, after everything that Jamie and I had gone through in the
past week, the last thing we wanted to worry about was exam revision.
Still, we knew it was there, so we had enough time to get ready for
them. But more importantly, perhaps things at home would have sorted
themselves out by then.
It also felt good to have Max hanging
around with us again. After our little chat around Connor’s
house the day before, he seemed to be coming around to accepting us.
Perhaps it’d be better to use the word ‘tolerate’.
He was beginning to ‘tolerate’ us, but we still had a way
to go before he began to accept us. It was a sad fact, but at least
we were moving forward.
It was lunchtime at school, and thanks
to it being quite cold and wet outside, we were inside the somewhat
crowded dining hall. Connor had gone off to get some of the ‘nasty’
food from the canteen for Max and himself, while the rest of us,
Jamie, Max, Ayo, and myself, sat down at a table.
“Bloody
weather.” I commented, watching as the rain hit against the
large window.
Jamie smirked at me.
“What?”
He
shook his head, “You’re right, you English are always
talking about the weather.”
“Not always, but it’s
a good conversation opener.” I turned to him, “Why, how
do you American’s do it? ‘Hey,
Dude, wanna go get a cheese burger?’”
I joked.
He shoved me, “Shut up.”
I giggled
as I reached down and pulled my lunch out of my bag, lunch that
Connor’s mum had so kindly made for me earlier that morning,
“Sorry.” I said, before I looked up at them, “I
think tonight’s gonna be awesome.”
I said, putting on my appalling American accent at the end.
Ayo
nodded, “Yeah, a good bit of fun.”
I looked at
him, “You don’t drink, do you?”
He shook his
head, “No, my parents would kill
me if I drank at my
age!”
“What if they didn’t know?”
Asked Max, “Would you drink with mates?”
“No.”
He scrunched up his face, “I’m not really into that kinda
stuff.”
I glanced over at my American beauty, “I
bet you’ve been a bit sneaky every now and again.” I
remarked.
“I don’t drink. You know that.” He
replied.
I nodded, “I know, but I still reckon you’ve
had some, a few bottles at least.”
“Nope. I’ve
had a bit.” He turned to me, “Never a whole bottle
though, and I’ve never been drunk.”
Ayo looked at
Max, “I bet you have though.”
“Been
drunk?”
He nodded.
“Once.” He
replied, grimacing, “I felt like shit.”
I turned
to Ayo and Jamie, “And there’s a good story behind it
too.” I said, before Jamie tapped me on the shoulder, pointing
across the dining hall.
“That’s the kid.” He
said.
I glanced across the room and looked at the boy Jamie
was pointing at. I turned to Jamie, “He’s the one dating
Sam?”
He nodded, not talking his eyes off the boy,
“Yeah.”
Max seemed to take an interest and looked
over too. “Who you guys looking at?” He asked.
“Some
idiot dating my sister.” Replied Jamie.
“Which
one?” Asked Ayo.
Jamie faced forwards again, “The
one in the black coat talking to Sam.”
I glanced over at
the kid. Seeing as he was in Sam’s year, he was probably
fourteen-years-old too. After watching him interact with his mates
for a second, he didn’t seem like a bad kid, I mean, Jamie made
him sound like he was some real rough guy, always in fights and
stuff, but he didn’t seem like that. Still, he did have that
all too familiar ‘I’m untouchable’ aspect to him,
perhaps that’s what irked Jamie.
Max turned around, “Oh,
you mean Eddie? Yeah, he’s a bit of a prick.”
Jamie
looked at him, surprised, “What? You know him?”
Max
shook his head, “He just likes to piss people off. He’s a
real lippy kid. ” He looked at Jamie, “Keep Sam away from
him.” He warned, “He’s trouble.”
“Who’s
trouble?” Asked Connor, as he came over, carrying his lunch,
and some stuff he picked up for Max.
I flicked my head in the
direction, “That kid who’s dating Sam.”
“Dean
almost punched him a few months back.” Said Ayo.
“Really?”
Asked Connor, as he sat down.
He nodded.
“What
happened?”
“He just started mouthing off, but you
know Dean, he won’t take that from anyone.” He replied,
“Let alone someone two-years younger.” Replied Ayo.
“I
don’t blame him.” I said, looking at Jamie, “I
guess you have a real piece of work on your hands.”
“Oh,
please don’t remind me.” He said, “I can’t
wait to talk to Sam later.” He replied sarcastically. Clearly
he wasn’t too sure on how to approach the topic with his
sister.
I leaned closer, “We have our next period
together, we’ll sort something out.”
He smiled at
that, “Ok. If you don’t mind sorting out my family
issues.”
“Not at all.” I replied, before I
looked over at Connor, “So how’s it feel to be
sixteen.”
He grinned, “Really cool, now I’m
just like you guys.”
“Hey, I’m not sixteen
yet!” Replied Ayo.
I nodded, “Yeah, he’s
just a kid.” I said, causing him to give me the evil eye. I
giggled, “What? When’s your birthday
anyway?”
“June.”
“That’s
not too far away.” I replied, looking at him, “Anyway,
how come you haven’t got a girlfriend?”
He rolled
his eyes, “You asked me that yesterday!”
“Well,
any luck?”
He raised an eyebrow, “I’m
working on it.”
Jamie turned to me, “Who’s
he working on?” He asked, causing Ayo to blush.
Connor
and Max laughed at that before I turned to them, “What about
you guys?”
They both quietened down at that, “What
about us?” Asked Max.
“Girls, you’re both
single. What gives?” I replied jokingly.
“Well he,
“Began Connor, pointing to Max, “Says that he’s on
a break, and me, well I’m looking. It’s just not very
important at the moment.”
Ayo nodded, “Yeah,
that’s what it’s like for me.”
Connor looked
at me, “Anyway, what’s with the questions?” He
asked, “You after someone?” He asked with a grin.
I
kicked him under the table, “Bastard.”
He laughed
at that, “No, seriously, why you worrying?”
I
shook my head, “I’m not, it’s just that. Well, you
guys have always had the odd girlfriend and stuff…” I
said trailing off and glancing at Jamie, “And now I’ve
got someone…I dunno, I just…” I said, thinking of
the right words, “It feels really good. Why be single?” I
finished looking at them as they took it in. ‘Perhaps
a little too ‘gay’ Matt.’
I thought to myself when they didn’t answer for a few
seconds.
Connor smiled, “Well unlike someone,
we don’t get a hot American flown over for our pleasure!”
He retorted, causing me to blush.
I looked at him, “But
there’s girls here too. Some nice ones.”
“And
I guess there’s some…” He lowered his voice, “Nice
boys here.” He sat back, “We’re ok. Just you worry
about keeping him entertained. Wouldn’t want to see him run off
with some English
girl
now, would you?”
“Well maybe another English guy…”
Joked Jamie.
“Want me to kick you under the table?”
I asked, staring at him.
Connor looked over, “Do what
to him under the table?” He asked cheekily.
I blushed
again, “Bastard.”
*
After
lunch, and the subsequent afternoon registration, Jamie and I headed
to our last lesson of the day: English. We didn’t have much to
do, mostly go through our coursework and see where we could improve
so our teacher could mark it and send it back for a new draft.
Fortunately, both of us were quite good at English. Well, I say that,
but I was commonly messing about with Jamie, saying how his work was
in American English,
not in my ‘proper’
English.
I don’t know what it was, but the language seemed to ‘fear’
the letter ‘u’. He’d write these words; color,
humor, honor, and I’d stick these ‘U’s where they
should
have been. Sometimes he’d believe me, but others he’d
shoot up his hand and check with the teacher. Most of the time I was
right, unless I purposely wanted to confuse his pretty blond
head.
“You cannot be serious!” He retorted.
“Sure
I am, ‘vacuum’ is spelt with three ‘u’s”
I replied jokingly.
He shook his head, “Naah, I’m
not even falling for that one.”
I giggled at him, “Ok,
you win.” I replied, smiling.
He simply nodded and
scanned through his work. He looked so cute when he was
concentrating, it was like his eyebrows frowned ever so slightly as
he took everything in.
I was in quite an active and playful
mood, so I leaned close to him, “You’re so beautiful.”
I said softly.
He pretended to ignore me, but he stopped
working for a second as I spoke, listening to what I said, before he
started working again.
I quickly glanced around, noticing that
some people were talking, so I wouldn’t be heard. I leaned
close to his ear, “I want to kiss you so badly right now.”
I whispered.
He blushed slightly at that.
I pulled
back, “I mean it, Jamie.” I said, slightly louder, so
people could hear if they were trying to listen. “Sooo badly.”
I repeated.
“Stop it, Matt.” He replied.
I
giggled, “Why?”
“Cos then you’re gonna
make me start.”
I leaned closer again, “Like when
we played rounders yesterday? When you…” I lowered my
voice, “Whipped my ass?”
He blushed again.
“You
know…I was so close to making out with you back then, in front
of everyone.” I paused, “I wanted to reach out, grab your
shirt and-“
“Matthew?” Called out
someone.
I jerked back, my heart drumming madly in my chest,
blood flowing immediately to my cheeks. Jamie seemed to be equally
surprised.
Li stood next to our table, looking at us oddly,
“Oh, sorry. I didn’t mean to make you guys jump.”
She said, watching us, “Are you ok?”
I swallowed,
and quickly glanced about noticing that no one seemed to hear what I
said, “Erm, yeah.” I looked at her, “You just
caught us off guard.” I paused, “Can I help you with
something?” I asked, curious as to why she was there.
She
nodded, “I was wondering if you could look over my work.”
She said, handing me some sheets, “Don’t worry, Miss said
that you can do it.” She said, before she said hello to
Jamie.
I looked at her, “Why me?”
She
grinned, “Because you’re good at English.” She
paused, “Besides myself, of course.” She joked.
I
glanced back over to Li’s table, looking for Sarah Childs, who
was undoubtedly the smartest person in our year.
“Sarah
isn’t in today, she’s ill.” Said Li.
I
smiled at her, “So I’m the backup plan then?”
She
nodded.
I grabbed the sheets, “Ok, lets see what you
have here.”
“Erm…” She began, “It’s
a romance story, so it might be a little…girly in places.”
I
grinned, “Ok.” I replied. ‘If
only she knew how ‘girly’ I got when it came to Jamie.’
I thought to myself, before I glanced over at my boyfriend. He seemed
to have calmed down some. I smiled at how I was teasing him just
moments before. I almost had him squirming. I swear, just two more
minutes and I would have had him screaming-
“You gonna
read it?” Asked Li, disrupting my thoughts, as she pulled up a
chair next to me.
I blushed and swallowed again, “Sure.”
I replied, before my eyes made their way to her printed page and
began to read.
The first paragraph went ok, it introduced us
to the main character, a young, Chinese girl who was on holiday to
America. Wait, no, she was going to a new school, in America. I read
on more. A few more paragraphs explained the country, the school, but
then came the part I was interested in. The part where the young girl
noticed the cute American boy for the first time……His
smooth, creamy skin…his gorgeous blond hair…his steely
grey eyes…
Wait!!! WHAT!!!
I glanced up at her, offering her a small
smile before I read on. An odd feeling began to appear in my stomach,
I didn’t like where this was heading…
His
unique and tranquil accent was like music to my ears. His voice so
quaint, and so soothing. I watched with interest as he drew on the
card. He liked buildings, structures, anything with straight
lines…
I
stopped reading but kept staring at the page. I glanced up again to
see Li looking at Jamie. It wasn’t some little look either, she
was watching him intently, ‘with
interest’.
I frowned at that, but I found myself drawn to her writing…
His
long, thin fingers worked on the card, roaming its surface as he made
art. He looked up to stare into my brown eyes when my voice called
his name…Jayden…
I
finished reading and looked at the page before me. My hand was
shaking slightly. With fear, with anger? I wasn’t sure. But I
didn’t feel very well after reading that. I read the last few
lines again, before I glanced up at Li, catching her look at Jamie
again.
“What d’ya think?” She asked.
I
glanced up at her, into her ‘brown
eyes’, “It’s
good.” I squeaked.
She smiled, “Really?”
I
nodded, “Mmm.”
She glanced at Jamie, and then back
to me, “Could you guess who it was?”
“Who?”
I asked.
“The guy.”
I hesitated,
“Jayden?”
“Well, who he’s supposed to
be.”
I nodded, “I think I know who.” I
replied.
She smiled, “Yeah, good.”
Jamie
looked over, “Do you want me to read it?” He asked.
Li
quickly reached down, grabbing the sheets from my hand, “Actually,
I’d better go check a few things with Miss. Maybe later.”
He
nodded.
“See you guys.” She said, before she
turned and left, “Oh, and thank you, Matt!”
I gave
her a smile, something that quickly became a scowl when she turned
her back. I sat there for a few seconds. Li fancies Jamie!?!?! MY
JAMIE?!?! I swallowed again. Not only that, but her writing was so
intense, I mean, it was like what I felt, how I felt when I first saw
him. But seeing it written there from someone else’s
perspective made me feel…well, it was quite troubling. And if
that was the kind of stuff she wrote for her English coursework, I
dread to think what else she could conjure up in her mind.
I
glanced over at her, watching as she read through her work. I had
always considered Li to be a friend. She was kind, smart and funny.
She was great. But now, after reading through that. I felt like she’d
betrayed me.
RING,
RING, RING, Sounded
the bell, signalling the end of the day.
“Ok, that’s
it class.” Called out our teacher, as she stood up and walked
to the door, “Hand me your coursework on the way out and have a
good weekend.”
We stood up, packed away our bags and
handed her our work as we left the class. We walked outside and met
up with the others before it was decided that we’d all go home
to change, and then we’d go back to Connor’s house.
Seeing as I was staying at Connor’s anyway, I decided that I’d
follow Jamie home.
Seeing as Jamie would be going out tonight,
Sam was also allowed to go over to one of her friends straight from
school. So once we’d left Connor, Adam and Josh at Connor’s
house, it was just Jamie and me. An opportunity that Jamie didn’t
pass on.
He looked at me, “Ok, so you going to tell me
what’s wrong?”
I turned to him, “What do you
mean?”
“I’m talking about you being really
quiet and walking back with me.”
I smiled, “What,
can’t I walk my boyfriend home?” I asked
quietly.
“Matt…” He said, “Talk to
me.” He paused, “Did I do something wrong, back in class
or something?”
I shook my head, “No, of course
not. It’s not you.” I said.
“Then what is
it?” He asked.
I thought for a moment before I sighed,
“It’s Li.”
He frowned, “What about
her?”
I stopped walking and faced him, “She’s
mad about you Jamie.” I said looking at him, “Her whole
coursework was about you. The way you look, the things you do. God,
she really, really likes you.” I cried dejectedly.
He
stepped forwards, “Hey, hey, hey, what’s wrong?”
I
looked at him, “She likes you, that’s what!”
“And?”
He asked.
I shook my head.
He smiled, “I don’t
see why you’re worrying. You don’t care when Hayley
starts her stuff.”
“But Li isn’t Hayley.
She’s a nice person.”
He looked at me, “Wait,
you don’t think that I’M going to start to like HER, do
you?” He asked with a smile.
I smiled at that, “No,
of course not.” I frowned again, “It’s just…”
I looked into his eyes, “It’s another thing to worry
about.”
“And we’ll deal with it, ok?”
I
nodded.
He reached out with his hand, but caught himself and
put it back down again. He leaned close to my ear instead, “I
love you, Matt.”
I grinned at him, “Me too.”
I replied, as we started to walk again.
“What did she
write?” He asked.
I thought for a second, “She
wrote about your blond hair…and your steely grey
eyes.”
“Steely grey?” He asked, “I
like it.”
I frowned, “I thought the same things
when I first saw you. That’s what bothered me.” I paused,
“It was weird to see it from someone else’s point of
view.”
He nodded and turned to me, “Don’t
worry about it. It was just words. And no matter how she feels about
me, she can’t have me. She never
can.”
I faced him, lowering my voice, “Can I have
you?”
“You already do.” He replied, giving
me that signature Jamie look.
I blushed and turned away.
We
walked in silence until we reached his house, where Noah was already
at home. We spoke to him for a few minutes, before we headed
upstairs, so Jamie could get dressed.
“How are you going
to tell Sam to stop seeing him?” I asked, as he pulled off his
trousers, “She’s bound to get angry with you.”
He
stopped moving and looked at me, “Yeah. She wants to be on her
own and stuff, but what else should I do when she’s going out
with an idiot?” He paused, “I dunno how I’m gonna
tell her.”
I thought for a moment, “Couldn’t
you tell your dad, and have him tell her?”
“You
kidding me? She’d never talk to me again if I went to dad!”
He replied.
“What about your Mum?” I asked,
“Perhaps Sam will listen to her more.”
He pondered
over that, “It’s an idea. And it would stop Sam from
being angry at me straight away.”
I smiled, “I
thought you guys got on pretty well anyway.” I leaned closer,
“Especially now that she knows.”
He grinned,
“Yeah, she does seem a bit closer.”
“Well
that might be a good sign.” I paused, “Whatever you do,
just let her know you’re doing it because you care about her.
Not because you wanna ruin her life.”
He shook his head,
“No, I just wanna make sure she’s safe and stuff.”
“I
know.” I looked at him, “You’re a good
brother.”
“Yeah, I don’t know if she’ll
think that though.” He said, pulling off his shirt.
I
gave him this look.
“What?”
I smiled, “I
could get used to this, having you strip off and stuff.”
“Perv!”
He retorted.
I stood up off his bed and wandered over. I
watched as his eyed flicked down to the tent in my trousers, and back
up to my face, blushing when I caught him. “See what you did?”
I asked sexily, looking down.
“See what you’re
doing?” He replied softly, as his boxers started to tent
out.
I slowly inched forwards, so our erections were pressing
against each other.
Jamie looked at me hungrily as he reached
out for me.
I slid my arms under his shoulders, running my
hands over his bare, scorching back, “Come here.” I said,
as I pulled him closer. I cocked my head to the side, parted my lips
and pressed them up against his. I exhaled deeply at the touch. My
body falling into a deep state of relaxation. I pulled my hand up to
his face, running my thumb across his cheek and burying it in his
golden locks. His tongue swept out, wetting my lips and entering my
mouth. We sampled each other for a few minutes before we pulled back.
We both knew that if we didn’t stop there, we wouldn’t
have been able to.
“You have no idea how much I need you
right now.” I panted.
He nodded his head against me,
“Yeah, I do.”
After a few moments we managed to
calm down some, and Jamie managed to get dressed, once he changed his
damp boxers. We were both still hard, still throbbing in the confines
of our trousers. He walked towards me and pressed his head against
mine, “This weekend…” He said, trailing off,
“We’ll finish what we started.” He sighed, “What
we started twice.”
He added, recalling our interruption
yesterday.
I nodded against him, “This weekend. Ok.”
He
kissed me again, “Good.”
I hope
you enjoyed reading this chapter of American Differences.
Any
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Emulated
Copyright © 2009 By Emulated