Date: Sun, 19 Dec 2004 13:26:49 -0800 (PST)
From: Jo Jo <crossingboi2004@yahoo.com>
Subject: Angst Episode 16 "The Ex-Factor"

Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. I do not write about frank sexual
situations, nor do I have any desire to.

This is a story about teen love and discovery. Still though, it is a gay
work of fiction.

If such work offends you or you are not old enough to read in your area,
then do not continue reading.

Please do not copy and paste onto another website without emailing me
first. In most cases I'd be glad to let you post on another site, as long
as you ask first!


Angst Episode 16 "The Ex-Factor"

My life. I'm sorry but the last time I checked, I wasn't on some trashy
reality t.v. show. Why? WHY?

Consider what's happened to me this year already.

I was publicly embarrassed more than once. I became the object of my
affections best friend, and then boyfriend. But my best and my boyfriends
ex best friend had a plan that eventually got his leg broken. Then at a
party, I was slightly beat up and then had to defend my other best friend
from near rape. And don't even get me started on the tension between
Adam, Gino, and Michelle.

The near-rape. I could've prevented it if I had just shucked those good
for nothings out way back when. At least though, they got put in jail
overnight. And are on probation for two years with 40 hours community
service.

I still felt bad though. Jade, she keeps saying it wasn't my fault and
there was nothing I could do. I still couldn't look her in the eyes and
it had been a couple of weeks. Now it was the first week of April. Spring
was upon us and I was ready for the end of the school year to get here.

"So if two guys slap each others asses after a football game, its not gay
but if I slapped someone...anyone's ass any other time and suddenly I
turn gay," Gino started.

"Well, are you?" Adam asked, nonchalantly.

Gino grew nervous and tried to change the subject.

"I'm just saying if you're gonna be gay, be gay," Gino replied.

"This all coming from someone who scores more chicks on a daily basis
than Alex," I said.

"Hey, I get way more chicks than Gino over here," Alex replied.

"Hey guys," Jade greeted.

I turned towards my locker. I didn't want to look her in the eyes.

"So I was thinking. We should all get together and go like camping. After
all it has been like 80 degrees out all week," Jade suggested.

"Camping? As in outside with all the poisonous spiders, snakes,
mosquitoes, and-

"Gino we all get that you're the poor little rich boy with a sheltered
little life," Adam started.

"Sheltered?!" Gino started, shocked.

"You don't have to go," Adam replied. "It wouldn't be the end of the
world."

Gino chuckled with a light insanity in his voice.

"You know Adam-"

"Guys come on. Not here, not now," Jade said.

What was it with those two? I thought things were cool between them. I
wanted it to be okay between them. My boyfriend and my friend. But in
fact things had never been cool between them. Why? I mean, Adam couldn't
think that Gino was some kind of threat. After all, he wasn't gay. And
there was no way Gino was interested in me.....he wasn't gay.

"Okay well we can talk about it at lunch. Bells about to ring anyway,"
Jade said.

Gino and Adam exchanged final glares.

"Ah, Brandon, could you walk me to class please?" Jade asked.

Well, I guess I wanted things to go back to how they were between us.

"Ah sure," I replied , finally looking her in the eyes.

"Come on Adam," Krystal said wrapping her arm between Adam's.

Alex patted Gino's back.

"Some things never change huh?" he said following Adam and Krystal.

Gino sighed angrily and slammed his locker shut, attracting the attention
of a few people around him, including Ryan.

"Trouble with Adam huh?" he asked.

Gino turned around.

"What the fuck do you want?" Gino asked upset.

"Whoa, I see I hit the right nerve," Ryan said.

Gino sighed.

"Maybe. What do you want?" he asked more calmly.

"Actually, I should ask you the same thing," Ryan replied.

Okay, so now Ryan had Gino hooked.

"What are you talking about?" he asked.

Ryan moved to Gino's right side and leaned against the locker next to
him.

"Look, I may not be in your little circle anymore, but I see things," he
started.

"Really?" Gino asked, not exactly with feeling.

"Yeah. And my guess is, you hate Adam's guts."

"You can see that much huh?" Gino asked.

Ryan crossed his arms.

"It's cool cause after what happened with us, I hat him too."

Gino shut his locker and stared at Ryan.

"Okay. Look, I have somewhere to be and you're talking in circles so-"

"I wanna help you to help me," Ryan replied.

Gino pushed past Ryan and started walking.

"There you go with the circles again," Gino said.

Ryan caught up with Gino.

"Look, I don't know why you hate Adam. But if you hate him, then you
wouldn't mind seeing him suffer," Ryan replied.

"Unlike you Ryan, I'm not all about stabbing someone in the back the
second it seems okay to me," Gino replied. "Besides, I may not like Adam,
but Brandon is my best friend and Adam's boyfriend. So hurting Adam, is
out of the question."

Gino walked off leaving Ryan by himself.

Well, Ryan thought. I'll find out what your deal is, and then you're
really gonna need my help.

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

"So camping. I've never been," Jade started, sipping some of her soda.

"Camping is like living like a wolf. Get up, sniff around for food, cook
it, eat it and sleep," Adam replied.

"That sounds like any guy I've ever known," Krystal replied.

"Hey guys," Michelle said, taking a seat next to me.

Everybody looked up at her.

"What? Oh my god, do I have something in my teeth?" she asked.

"So Michelle tell me, have you ever been camping?" Jade asked.

"Oh god no. I'm not an outdoorsy type of person," Michelle replied.

"Ain't that the truth," Adam mumbled.

Michelle pretended not to hear that.

"So is someone going camping then?" Michelle asked.

"Were thinking this Saturday. I would ask you to come but-"

"Oh, so all of you are going then?" Michelle asked.

"Yeah," Jade replied.

Michelle thought for a moment.

"Would it be alright if I brought Kevin then?" Michelle asked.

"Kevin? Is he your-"

"Boyfriend? As of last week, yep," Michelle replied.

I couldn't confirm it, but I could swear I saw Adam's expression grow a
little sad.

"Kevin? You mean Kevin Richardson, that hottie in our English class?"
Krystal asked.

"Yep that's the same hottie. Oh my gosh I have to tell you, we were
having sex right and he-"

"Hey guys," Ryan said.

He just showed up out of nowhere. What's more we couldn't move or get rid
of him because he was with.......

"Kevin?" Michelle said, quizzically.

..........Of all people.

"Hey guy's what's up?" Ryan asked sitting next to Jade.

All of us looked at them.

Michelle side kissed Kevin while glancing at Ryan.

Adam's sad expression changed into one of anger.

He crossed his arms and I could feel him breathing deeper.

"Ryan, if you don't get up-" Adam started.

"Adam please, not while guest are at the table," Ryan said coolly.

I watched as he took and apple off my tray and took a big chunk out of
it.

"So what's been going on? Did all of you miss me?" Ryan asked.

Oh god. What the fuck was he up to? Big jack-ass.

"Kevin, what are you doing with Ryan?" Michelle asked.

Kevin grew a goofy laugh on his face.

"Ryan's my bud sweetie. Come on, you knew that," Kevin replied.

Michelle looked a little pissed off.

But the way she looked was nothing compared to the way Adam looked at
present. I could tell that the only reason he wasn't up about to kick
Ryan's ass was because he didn't want me to see it happen.

"Just relax people," Ryan said.

No one spoke.

"So let me tell you about my day," Ryan started.

"These brats were trashing my car right? And I was seriously about to
tear their little heads off. Then the parking lot security guard comes up
to me.He's all "you're gonna have to pay 250 dollar ticket for tearing up
this persons car."And i seriously considered beating his ass right then
and there.Then one of the little bitches is gonna come up and be like
"yeah, he egged my car" when it was MY FUCKING CAR! I ran like only a
white guy could. Almost broke my leg running. Been a fucked up day you
guys. Fucked up," Ryan sighed.

"Nice story. You done yet?" Adam asked, controlling his temper.

Ryan crossed his arms.

"No. I left out the part where the loser jock turns fag overnight," Ryan
replied.

Adam lunged up but I pulled him down.

"That's right. Having the new boy toy to protect you," Ryan said.

"Hey, leave B alone man," Gino said.

Ryan looked over at Gino. That was it, he thought. The reason why Gino
was always so mad at Adam.

We were spared having to hear anything else come out of that fools mouth
when the bell rang.

"Well, hasn't this been fun," Ryan said.

First Michelle then Ryan. The dreaded ex's all around.

"Ah, Gino," Ryan called out.

Gino turned around to see Ryan motioning for him to come over.

"Why do you keep hanging around man?" Gino asked.

"The same reason you keep hanging around Adam and Brandon. Well not
really" Ryan replied.

"Circles Ryan. Remember?" Gino said starting to walk.

Ryan didn't follow.

"You're in love with Brandon," he called out.

Gino froze and turned around, swallowing hard.

"What?" he asked in an almost inaudible tone.

Ryan knew he was right after seeing the way Gino acted.

"You know, I can't say I'm surprised. Just weirded out, I mean is every
guy in the school gay now?" Ryan asked.

Gino rushed over to Ryan and grabbed him by the collar of his shirt.

"Look you can't tell anyone. Especially Brandon," he said.

Ryan shook loose.

"So you're willing to just let Adam have Brandon then?" Ryan asked.

"What am I supposed to do?" Gino asked, quietly.

"Like I said, help me help you," Ryan replied, a grin on his face.

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

"Okay, who brought the two ton suitcase?" I asked, struggling to lift
someone's unnecessary suitcase.

"That would be me. I want to come out of those woods with all my body
parts," Michelle replied.

"So you need a plunger for what then?" I asked, staring at the weapon
looking object she'd brought.

"Hey I've seen Wrong Turn okay," Michelle replied.

Damn this girl watches too many movies.

I was still struggling to lift her heavy bag.

"Here, let me help you with that," Kevin offered.

"Oh, thanks," I replied, watching him lift it with ease.

He sure was sexy......what? Oh yeah.

Anyways, I was excited about this camping trip. Fresh air away from the
school and all my worries.

Nothing could spoil this for me.

"What is up peoples?" Ryan shouted.

I looked over to see him coming up with...... Gino!

"Can't say camping is really my thing but hey, it is an outing with
friends," Ryan said.

"So go find some, cause you're not coming with us," Adam said while
putting some bags in the car, not even looking at him.

"Am I sensing some hostility here Adam?" Ryan asked sarcastically.

"What don't you fucking get man?!" Adam asked starting towards Ryan.

Gino stopped Ryan and I stopped Adam.

"What're you doing here anyway?" Adam asked.

"I was invited," Ryan replied, a grin on his face.

"By who?" Adam asked.

"Me," Gino sighed, sadly.

All of us stared at Gino in shock.

"Well, it figures," Adam said, anger in his voice.

Well, this was going to be an interesting weekend.

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

Ryan had told Gino his plan in full. He wanted Adam to find being gay and
Brandon so revolting that he'd beg to have Michelle back, who Ryan
figured would take Adam back in a heartbeat. The stress of being Adam's
girlfriend would come back, and so would Michelle's urge to be with Ryan
too.

Gino thought this was a ridiculous and pathetic plan, but he had to keep
in mind that it was coming from Ryan's head.

"Hey," Adam motioned me over to him while still keeping an eye on Ryan.

"What's up?" I asked.

"You need to tell your friend over there that it ain't cool to have Ryan
here. Or Michelle for that matter," Adam added.

"Look I don't like it either. But Gino's our friend-"

"No he's your friend. But hey, if you wanna have a suck ass weekend, then
let's do it," Adam said walking away from me.

No actually I would have preferred a nice quiet, and relaxing weekend.

I turned around to stare at Michelle and Ryan.

Let's see that happen now.

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

Ryan was feeling pretty good. Pretty soon he'd have Brandon and Adam
broken up. And Michelle would be his again.

"So, I guess I'm sharing a tent with you huh?" Ryan said walking up to
Gino, who was at work trying to pitch a tent.

"Hey listen, your plan, it doesn't involve anyone getting hurt does it?"
Gino whispered.

"It didn't before. But hey, what's a little bloodshed here and there eh?"
Ryan asked.

"I just don't understand what you want me to do?" Gino asked.

"Simple. Take your gay pick: Brandon or Adam. It doesn't matter to me.
Just try to get the other one to see them with you. That'll start
something," Ryan replied.

"See them with me? Doing what?" Gino asked.

Ryan grew a little tense.

"Doing, you know," he replied.

"No, no Ryan I can't" Gino objected.

Ryan moved up close to Gino so that he was in his face.

"You want your business the talk of the Angst on Monday? Cross me and
your nightmare becomes a reality," Ryan said angrily.

And with that he walked off to start a little mayhem.

"So does anybody know like any campfire songs?" Krystal asked.

"Oh you know what? There was the one we used to sing at summer camp.
How'd it go? Oh yeah "Whistle whistle little whistle. Move it working in
the sun. Singing happy moving working all of this while having fun,"
Kevin sung, badly.

"What kind of camp did you go do? Slave camp?" I asked.

"Actually it was water polo. You'd be surprised what the work did. I mean
all of us guys got these tight bodies. And we'd be in the shower-"

Kevin stopped when Michelle kicked his leg.

Water polo? Unless this boy went to California for summer camp, he was
lying. Weren't any water polo teams anywhere in Texas.

"So Ryan, how come you don't have a girlfriend yet?" Michelle asked.

"Cause nobody wants him," Adam replied.

"Really? Cause I thought it was because girls are afraid to date us guys
now that were all suddenly becoming gay," Ryan replied.

I felt Adam slowly start to rise but I stopped him again.

"Can we just cook the hot dogs in peace?" Jade asked.

Ryan and Adam glared at each other.

"Ah, Adam I need to talk to you for a sec," I said pulling Adam into the
tent farthest away from everyone.

"What?" Adam asked as soon as we were alone.

Gino noticed that nobody was paying attention to him and he stood up and
walked over to the outside of the tent to listen in.

"I understand that you're upset. I do. I mean first Michelle and now that
jack-ass Ryan? But you gotta calm down," I spoke.

Adam was walking back and fourth and then stopped.

"Calm down? My ex-girlfriend as strange as that sounds now is trying to
act all chummy with Jade like nothing even happened. And now Ryan wants
to keep bringing up the fact that were together now. It's just so fucking
retarded that's all," Adam replied.

"I know about all that," I said calmly.

"But can you believe Gino? That bastard actually invited Ryan here," Adam
replied.

"Adam, could you not talk about Gino that way?" I asked.

Adam gave me a look so uncomfortable, I had to look away from his stare.

"And now you huh? I don't believe this," Adam said storming out of the
tent.

"Adam! Adam!" I called after him.

I ran out and bumped into Gino.

"Let it go man," he said.

"He's taking everything and making it like a billion fucking times bigger
than it actually is," I said.

I didn't notice but, now I was crying.

Gino took me into his arms and rubbed my back.

"It's gonna be okay," he whispered.

Exactly the way Gino wanted it to be.

Adam stormed into another tent.

"Oh, sorry," he said.

He had walked in on Kevin changing.

"It's okay dude. It's not like you haven't seen anything on my body that
you don't have," he replied.

Adam sighed and slumped down.

"Having a hard time dealing huh?" Kevin asked.

"Like you wouldn't believe," Adam replied.

"Well, you know if you want, you can talk to me about your problems,"
Kevin replied.

Adam looked over at Kevin.

"Or, anything you need to relax. A back rub, massage, or....." Kevin
looked down at Adam's fly.

Adam looked up.

"What?" he asked, jumping up.

"You know," Kevin replied, licking his lips.

"You're Michelle's boyfriend ,"

Adam replied.

"Nobody has to know," Kevin replied moving towards Adam.

He put his hand on Adam's leg and slowly started moving it up towards
Adam's fly.

Adam threw Kevin's hands off of his leg, and stood up rushing out of the
tent.

"He's gay! He's fucking gay!" Adam exclaimed, frantically rushing towards
Brandon.

Gino panicked. The jig was up. Adam knew.

"Say what the hell is going on here huh?" Adam asked, referring to Gino
holding me in his arms.

Gino let me go and I straightened up.

"Okay, who's gay now?" Krystal asked coming over with Jade.

Ryan and Michelle ran over.

"Wait, before you start, I think you should know-"

"Ryan, shut your fucking goddamn face. I'm leaving," Adam said, pushing
past me and entering the tent.

I turned around and followed him in.

He was getting his things together.

"Adam...."

"You know, I didn't want to come in the first place. It just went
downhill from the start," Adam said, throwing his stuff into his bag.

"Hey Michelle!" Kevin called out.

Michelle ran over to Kevin and pulled him away from everybody.

"What the fuck did you do?" she asked.

"You said Adam would go for me," Kevin replied.

Gay? Ryan thought. So he wasn't talking about Gino.......then.....

"I guess we'd all better go then huh?" Krystal sighed.

Ryan walked over to Michelle and Kevin.

"Beat it ass-wipe," he said to Kevin.

Kevin walked off.

"What?" Michelle asked, sternly.

"So that's your game huh? What did you hire some local fag to tempt Adam
into having sex with him so Brandon would break up with him?" Ryan asked.

"I think you should quit while you're not ahead Ryan. It's a dangerous
league that has to be handled carefully," Michelle replied.

"So just stop. You obviously want to be back with Adam, so why not me?"
Ryan asked.

Michelle crossed her arms.

"Ryan let me ease your simple little mind. You......were a mistake. A
unfortunate error in judgment on my part. But getting back with you isn't
gonna happen so just go home and use your little fantasy whack off
sessions on some other girl, because even your fantasy of me isn't
interested in you anymore," Michelle replied walking off.

So Michelle was playing in the big leagues. Trying to break up two people
who were obviously in love? Well, Ryan thought, two can play that game.
And he was gonna do it better.

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