Date: Fri, 25 Nov 2005 23:30:24 -0700 From: Samuel Forte' III Subject: finding andrew-chapter 1 ** This story is a true story, telling of people and events that have taken place in the last three to four years. I have the consent of the others who are involved to use them, but no last names will be used for privacy reasons. This story will focus around two people as they stumble upon each during high school and find themselves falling for one another. They are able to survive the trials, tribulations, and difficulties that are thrown at them and from each other until everything comes to an abrupt end...All rights to this story are mine (lol well it is based on MY experiences) so no copying or publishing without my consent! ** Finding Andrew Chapter 1 - A Chance Encounter Today was Thanksgiving morning and I still woke to the same haunting nightmare that has plagued me the last ten months. I lifted my shirt to wipe the sweat from my brow as my breathing returned to normal. I took a look at the clock to see I'd only been asleep for close to thirty minutes from the last time I woke up. I sighed knowing that the day would be long and hard just like the last three hundred had been. I reached under my queen sized bed to find the object I was looking for: an orange notebook. It was a journal I had kept from the beginning of my high school years. All of my feelings and emotions were in my ever so trusty notebook. I opened to the section of my junior year and began to read to find some level of comfort. I flipped through the pages remembering the best times of my life: Andrew At the start of my junior year in high school I was sixteen. I was just the average guy to everyone...on the surface at least. I had known for quite some time that I was very different. My family moved around a lot with the fact that my dad was in the military. I've gotten to know all kinds of people throughout my now twenty years of living. Things always seemed different though. Back in my early teen years I was stationed overseas, but I just couldn't put a finger on what it was. When we moved to Colorado everything changed. I began to notice that I was more attracted to guys in eighth grade. At first, I was very scared as I didn't quite know what was going on. Over that year, I learned the truth of the matter: I was gay. I tried to suppress these feelings, but they only grew stronger after time. I wasn't ready to except it then, but I learned to deal with it. I hid those feeling for as long as possible trying to fit in with everyone else. Things would change once my junior year at Sierra High School came around. Let me set the stage for you. I had a good set of friends, a job I liked (it will be explained later), and I was dating a girl. The last part wasn't so great for me, but at least it kept people from being suspicious of me. I was (and still kind of) a closet case so only two people knew (unfortunate and you can trust me on that). Really three knew with the last to know being the most important since he was my best friend at the time - Mario. At that time, he was the only other gay person that I knew. The way we found out about each other was surprising, but its for another time and another story. The only thing that really needs to be said is that he liked me...and yes, like that. I never messed around with him because I didn't believe in doing those types of things with best friends, male or female. So let's get this thing rolling on the first day of school... I was fresh from a much needed vacation and walking into a big problem. Mario and I had a conversation the day before school explaining our "status". I didn't want to become anything more than we already were in best friends. No relationship or being fuck buddies. I didn't want to jeopardize our friendship. He took it hard as I expected and I knew I would be getting the silent treatment for awhile. He still give me an evil glare the next morning as I plopped down next to him on the bus (I forgot to mention that we were next-door neighbors). I greeted him and was rewarded with his complete silence. When we got off, I headed to the gym to grab my new schedule. As I passed the locker room area, I felt someone grab me by the back of my shirt pulling me towards the boys locker room. I heard the door open as I was then flung around into the room as I fell to the floor. I dusted off my long sleeve polo and looked up to see a very upset Mario. "Geez, top of the morning to you too." I said sarcastically as I rose to my feet. Honestly he was a pretty good looking guy. Slim body with the muscle beginning to set into his 150 pound frame. He stood a few inches shorter than me at 5'10". He had a cute face with penetrating dark green eyes. I guess I should describe myself too, eh? The name is Sam, I stand 6'1", and weigh 162 pounds. I have an athletic build from playing multiple sports. I have a buzz cut hairstyle and I have to shave my moustache and chin weekly to keep that, uh youthful look lol. Personality-wise, the best way to describe myself would be weird/goofy. You can always expect the unexpected with me. Weird jokes, sudden giggles, you just never know with me. I'm not the most outgoing person in the world, but once you get to know me, my personality is pretty entertaining. Now with that out the way, back to my conversation with Mario... "Whatever Sam. I can't believe how you treated me! You're such an ass!" He yelled out as he backed me into a wall. "I'm sorry Mario, but I can't change your thoughts of me." "Actually you can...and you should." He said with a sly grin. You could see the gears in his head working at full force. "Oh and why should I?" "Well Sam, the way I see it, you have two options..." "Do go on." I interjected as I sat down on a nearby bench. "Option A is to change your mind about us." He said with a hint of arrogance. "Why are you so determined anyway? I just can't like you like that. How many times are we going to go through this?" I questioned. I was getting frustrated as he was starting to be more of a pain in my side than a best friend. I didn't want to hurt his feelings, but I just couldn't give him what he wanted. "Fine! I guess you want to take Option B." When he said that, you see his face morph instantly to give way to his evil side. "Which...is?" I asked hesitantly. I was a little nervous as you can imagine. "I out you to the entire school and ruin you." He coldly said. I never thought he would do that, but from the past, I know how he can be...he would do it. "Whoa. Mario, you can't be serious. Isn't that a little extreme?" "Not really." He laughed. "I don't plan on sharing you with anyone, ever." He turned to walk out as I stood there in shock. When he opened the door, he turned to make one last comment. "You have a week. Don't make me force your hand. I know who your friends are and I hope you don't give me a reason to influence you." He walked out with the door slamming shut behind him. I was in total shock, but I figured I should think about it later. I still needed to get my schedule and meet up with my friends and girlfriend. I was patiently waiting in line for my schedule when one my friends (his name is Mario also, but to avoid confusion I'll refer to him as MJ), snuck up behind me and made a half-hearted choking effort. I shrugged him off as we greeted each other with our special handshake. "Hey MJ." "Hey buddy. How are things?" "Things could be better, but not too bad." That was as honest an answer you would get out of me. I hadn't "told" any of my friends. At that point, if I had to choose it would have been either MJ or Sean. MJ and I were the last ones to make it to the table in the cafeteria. As we approached, I saw everyone sitting and talking. Lisa, Jenny, Steve, Carolina, Carson, Melody, Sean, Craig, Kenny, and lastly my girlfriend Lizzy. As you could expect, she wasn't too happy that I still wasn't there. When we sat down her whole demeanor changed. I finally took a look at my schedule to see what I had for the 1st semester: 1C: PE 2C: Pre-Calculus 3: Chemistry 4C: Catering 1G: Honor's US History 2G: Honor's English III 4G: FREE PERIOD With a lot on my mind, I figured that I would get away from everyone to look at my classes and get a little think time in. Lizzy was pissed, but it would give me time to think about the Mario situation without being interrupted. As I climbed the stairs and made my way down the hall, I was deep in thought...obviously as I bumped into a guy causing both of us to fall to the floor. I took my time to get up as he was still visibly shaken. "Hey buddy, you ok?" I said extending my hand to help pull him up. With one strong yank we were standing face to face and that was when I got my first look at him. He had blond spiky hair, sparkling blue eyes, and a slim build. He was pretty casually dressed wearing a tight white t-shirt with a open blue checkered shirt over it. Loose blue jeans with his light green striped boxers peaking over the top and black sneakers finished his look. Very nice and appealing to the eyes let me tell you. "...Uh...uh...I-I'm fine." He stuttered out. There was a five to ten second moment of awkwardness as we both stared each other in the eyes until he took off and ran down the hall. I really wanted to get his name at least, but he took off so fast never looking back. I'm not a firm believer in "gaydar" and even if I did, mine hadn't worked too good up to that point. I don't know what it was, but my gut instinct told me that there was more to him than what meets the eye. I felt a little connection when we stared into each other's eyes even if it was only for a little bit. Looking in I felt both fear and hopefulness exuding out. I didn't know what it was, but something was telling me that I had to find out more about this guy. As I made my way back to the cafeteria to talk with my friends I had already made up my mind. I would do whatever it took to become friends with this mystery guy. ****************************************************************************** End of the first chapter, with many more along the way. This is the first time that I've decided to bring this story "out of the closet" since everything took place. I'm not sure how many chapters this will be...an early guess is somewhere around the 30 or maybe 40 range. I'm open to criticism, a friendly hello, or whatever comes to mind. My email is fallenangel595@hotmail.com and I promise to get a reply out to everyone who takes the time to send me a message. The next chapter should be up by the end of the weekend. Chapter 2: A More Formal Meeting