Date: Thu, 7 Jan 2010 01:13:10 -0700
From: Jacob Miller <jacobmillertex@aol.com>
Subject: Jacob Finding His Way: Chapter 10

{Jacob Finding His Way is based on true events in my life. As I am writing
this story, I am above the age of 21. Any similarity to any other events,
names, or life events is pure accidental. If you are a underage, (according
to your state laws as a minor), if this literature is offensive to you or
to anyone around your viewing area, or it is illegal for you to view such
content where you are reading it, stop reading the story.  This story
cannot be distributed in any way, shape or form without my expressed
consent. Written by: J.P.G.}

		Chapter 10

After hanging up with David, I knew I had to get a hold of Jake. I couldn't
believe one of David's friends had beaten up Jake. Even more I cannot
believe that David allowed it to get as far as it did. Nobody really
freezes like that, and for that long, unless, deep inside them, they really
wanted this to happen.

I kept calling Jake every half hour, but no answer. I kept calling through
the day until after nine in the evening. Now I was really getting nervous
about the whole thing.

First David had no look of urgency on getting a hold of Jake. There isn't a
surprise there.  I, myself, wouldn't want to talk with the person who just
stood there while I was getting the shit knocked out of me.

Second, the way David described the beating, it wasn't good. Jake could be
hurt, and hurt badly. Knowing Jake, he has a hard head.  He won't tell
anyone he is hurt. Even if he is in the hospital, he won't call me up and
tell me.

Finally, this just renewed the anger inside of Jake. When I saw him at the
school that day, it looked like he was getting over it. Jake was moving
past the anger and hurt, and was ready to forgive us. Then David had to go
and pull this stunt. I know it wasn't David that beat up Jake, but he took
awhile to pull off Brandon off Jake and stop the assault. Now this just
makes the whole situation worse, maybe not even fixable anymore.

(JACOB'S POINT OF VIEW)

I got home from my doctor's appointment and I saw the red light blinking on
the caller ID. I looked to see who called the house. Most of the calls were
mine. It was either Joey or David calling. What surprised me was Joey
calling.  He hasn't called my house for awhile now. That tells me that he
and David are still together.

As the days of summer wore on, the calls from Joey and David finally quit
again. My family was happy the phone calls stopped. They never asked me why
I didn't want to speak to them, but I knew they were wondering.

Every summer before school started, my mom took off two weeks of work. We
all crawled into the car and went back home for vacation. What I dreaded
the most about the vacations was the drive. It is almost a sixteen hour
drive, and I have to sit in the back seat. Look at me!  I stand six foot
tall, sitting in the back seat of a Camaro that wasn't designed for comfort
for a long trip.

When we arrived back home in Wyoming, my grandpa was happy to see us. We
never rented a hotel room while we were there.  We just stayed at my
grandpa's house. This time it was different, my grandpa remarried, and we
were going to be there and meet her for the first time.

As we arrived at my grandpa's new house, it was only a block away from the
house he owned when he got married to his last wife. I thought that was
funny. We drove up and as we were getting out of the car, my grandpa and a
little Hispanic lady walked out of the front door.

My grandpa's new wife maybe stood five feet if she was lucky. She wasn't
neither heavy nor skinny, Hispanic, black curly hair, some wrinkles, but
not many. As we approached, my grandpa came down and hugged us. Then he
introduced his new wife to us.

As we did to all my grandpa's wives, we called her grandma and their first
name. My new grandma was Grandma Doris, and a very nice lady she was.

We unloaded the car, took then luggage into my grandparents two bedroom
house. It was a nice little house, just right for them.

My grandma made dinner for us, we all sat at the table eating and talking
about this and that. My grandpa got up, playing; tip toed over to the
cabinet and pulled out a cake.

"It's time for me to deal with my sweet attack. I have cake for us."
Grandpa chortled.

My grandpa laughed as he put the cake on the table. My grandma just looked:

"Al you and you cake's. You should see the freezer in the garage, it's full
of sweets." Grandma Doris commented with mild disapproval

"No way, is that true grandpa?" I asked.

"Yes Jake it is true. I better not see you sneaking away to take my
sweets."

My grandpa laughing as he was talking to me. He set out a plate for each of
us except my grandma.

"Grandma Doris you don't want any cake?"

"No Jake I cannot eat anything with egg. I am allergic to eggs."

We sat there eating desert talking still about really nothing. Finally we
got up and headed to bed. My mom and sister shared the extra bedroom in the
house. My brother and I took a couch in the living room. It was cool, I
didn't mind, it was good to see my grandpa.

The reason we always picked this time of the year to go back home, it was
the only time of the year there was something to do. It was The Frontier
Days of Wyoming.

It was entire week of celebration when the state joined the union. They had
parades (three of them), free chili cook off's, free pancake breakfast,
night shows with country singers, bull fighting, carnival's, even the local
Indians did their thing. This was called the Daddy of Them All.

We decided to go to the pancake breakfast the next morning. It was free to
all. The only thing was we had to get up at the crack of dawn. It was fun
though. It is in the town square, and, yes, this town still has its town
square.

When we woke up in the morning we all got ready and jumped into my
grandpa's car. We drove downtown trying to find a parking spot. Finally we
found one, but we had to walk a little.

When we arrived the line already stretched around the square down Main
Street. It was moving at a pretty good pace. My grandpa looked over to me.

"Jake are you ok standing this long and walking this much?"

"Yes grandpa, I am getting used to it. By the end of the day I'll be tried,
but all of this is worth it!"

"Ok then. If you need any help, let me know."

We reached the town square, it never changes. For seats they had bales of
hay set out, a weird band playing the entertainment, a cement truck was
used to stir the batter, and as we got to the front of the line, huge
grills were in a row. Pancake after pancake was being cooked on these
grills.

As we stood in the line, I noticed a pancake flying through the air. The
pancake landed on my sister's head. We all started to laugh as my sister
threw the pancake to the ground. Another pancake came flying at us.  My
brother caught it, and ate it. The cooks that were cooking the pancakes
threw pancakes to those in the line.

As we got to the entrance, there was a table set out with plates, forks,
spoons, and knifes. We grabbed what we thought we needed, went through the
line, and got three pancakes, ham, and bacon. You either had a choice of
coffee or juices. Then they poured on as much syrup you wanted on your
pancakes.

We sat down on bales of hay and just ate breakfast. It was fun, to some it
may seem square or stupid, but to us, we were having a blast.

As we finished, we headed back to the house to rest for a while. We wanted
to go and see the bull fighting later that day.

The week went by faster than normal. When you are having fun, time does fly
by. We went to the chili cook off, it was free. We also went to the
carnival on arm band day. That day you were able to ride all the rides for
one price. You just had to buy the arm band for the day. I got sick on The
Zipper. I figured out that I won't ride that ride again.

The night when we went to the concert to go see George Straight, was the
funniest night of them all. It was just me, my grandparents and mom since
my brother and sister don't like country music. George Straight is a very
good singer, plus he is from my home state of Texas.

We bought tickets that pretty much put us on the ground floor. Although
George Straight doesn't go running all over the stage like other artists,
he makes it worth your ticket price. His talent alone is the show. I just
had fun, hanging with my grandpa.

Some would say that is weird hearing a grandson think it is cool hanging
with their grandpa, but for me it is true. He doesn't act like my grandpa!
He doesn't even act his age! He sits there and plays and tells jokes with
the best of them. He doesn't give lectures when I do something wrong or
curse. As long as the wrong isn't breaking the law he's cool.

The night was fun!  We enjoyed the concert and food. The rest the week was
a blur for me. The following Monday we decided to go and visit my older
brother. He is in the state school, about an hour out of Cheyenne.

When we got there, we spoke with the care takers. Then we went to my
brother's room. Once we walked in, my older brother didn't even know us
from Adam and Eve. But to tell you the truth, he looks almost like me, just
a little older. If you looked at him, you wouldn't even know he has any
problems.

We took him out to a local dinner and ate. He loved French fries, so my
grandpa got him several plates of French fries. Afterwards we went to a
local store, like a mom and pop store, and bought things for my
brother. Like clothes, fishing pool, and candy. Boy does my older brother
like his candy.

Once we were done, we took him back to where he lived, and spent several
more hours with him. We started to see he was getting moody and tried, so
we headed off.

The next morning we said our good-byes to my grandparents and hit the
road. At first I never want to go up and visit my family back home, and
then when we leave, I just don't want to. For the first several hours, I
just sit there being quiet.

We did the trip back in a day, as we did going up. We got home late in the
evening, unpacked the car, and headed to our rooms. I hit my bed, and I was
out the minute my head hit the pillow.

My mother had the next couple of days off, so we had to make sure we got up
early. She didn't stand for us sleeping in late, even if it was summer
break.

I was sitting watching television, when the phone rang. I looked at the
caller id, and saw it was David. I didn't answer the phone. Maybe about
fifteen minutes later, the phone rang again. Once again I looked at the
caller id, but this time it was Joey. My mother answered the phone.

"Jacob, phone!"

"Tell whoever it is, I am busy please."

My mom came up front, holding her hand over the receiver.

"Jacob you need to get on the phone and speak with this guy. If you don't
want to be friends with him anymore, you need to let him know. He doesn't
deserve not knowing what you want."

My mom handed me the phone. I took it from her hand and headed to my
room. When I got to my room, closed door, and sat on my bed.

"Hello, this is Jacob."

"J-J-Jaaacoob, this is Joey. How are you? I have been very worried about
you."

"Not a thing to worry about Joey. I have been doing just fine."

"I heard what happen at school during registration. I don't agree with it,
nor did David."

"That is hard to believe David doesn't agree with it. He stood there while
it was going down, and then after a few minutes of the beat down, he pulled
the guy off. Anyways I'm fine and there isn't anything to worry about."

"David really didn't mean..."

I interrupted Joey.

"If you called me to defend your boyfriend, don't bother. We said our peace
earlier this summer."

"He isn't my boyfriend Jacob. He never was my boyfriend. I made a mistake,
a mistake I cannot take back."

"Joey, I never once disrespected you, never. More so in your own home like
you did to me. And here you are calling me, and defending David for what
his friends did. How am I expected to believe he isn't your boyfriend?"

"Jake he isn't my boyfriend. He called me when all this went down. He was
scared for you, as well as worried. I was angry..."

I interrupted Joey again.

"Look, you were not there, so don't call me and defend his actions. He
stood there for several minutes before he did anything. Deep down inside
him, he wanted it to happen. No matter what the story is, don't call me and
defend him to me."

I that point I hung up the phone on Joey. I just sat there on my bed,
stunned really. Why would he even have the balls to call me? Then one of
the first things out of his mouth was in defense of David.

(JOEY'S POINT OF VIEW)

I was about to respond, when I heard the dial tone. I hung up my receiver
and just stood there. I didn't mean to call Jacob and defend David. I just
wanted to talk with Jacob. I really didn't know what to talk about. I
thought by starting out with what happen at the school, we would start
talking about other things.

I screwed up, and I have been kicking myself in the butt for it ever
since. Now Jake really thinks David and I are going out. I just can't catch
a break here!  I keep screwing things up when I try to fix them.

I wanted to call Jake again, but I decided to let him cool down. If I knew
Jake, it wasn't going to get any better if I called him back right away. So
I decided to call David instead, and see if he heard any other news.

The phone rang a couple of times, and then David answered the phone.

"Hey David this is Joey!"

"What's up Joey? What are you doing?"

"Nothing much. I just figured to call you up and see if you were able to
get a hold of Jake yet!"

"No, I have tried, just as recent as about an hour ago. No luck, he won't
answer the phone."

"I just finished talking to Jake couple of minutes ago."

"Oh yeah, cool! What did he say?"

"Nothing much! He hung up on me before I was able to talk with him."

"Why did he hang up with you? He must have wanted to talk with you if he
answered the phone when you called."

"He didn't answer the phone, his mother did. I really think his mother made
him get on the phone to talk with me.

Anyways, we started to talk, and right away I asked him how he was
doing. That I heard what had happen at the school. I don't know how it
happened, but I started to defend your actions. By the way, I still don't
agree with what you did, or better yet, DIDN'T do."

"Joey you shouldn't have defended me. I know I didn't do anything wrong,
but still. Come on man, you're smarter than that."

"I know that David. I was just nervous.  He actually got on the phone with
me. When I defended you, it opened the wound back up. He thinks we are a
couple. I really don't know how I am going to get him to believe we
aren't."

"You know Jacob more than I do. When I met him, he was and still is the
coolest person I know. He is smart, he talks it as well, but that's no
reason to beat him up. I should have never called him over when I was with
my friends. They never liked him from day one.'

"Well, we could keep crying about what we should have or would have done,
but we have to live with what we've already done. I screwed this up, and
now I have to fix it. The good news is that he was angry enough to hang up
with me, so he must be fine from the fight."

"That's true man, didn't think of it that way. Joey I've got to jet; catch
you later."

"Thanks David, catch you later!'

We hung up.  I decided to right there and then to let Jacob settle down for
the rest of the summer. School is only two weeks away anyways. I won't call
him anymore. Once school starts, I will try to talk with Jake then.

(JACOB'S POINT OF VIEW)

The rest of the summer went off without a problem. The last two weeks, I
went to my mom's friend's house to paint it. Damn, that thing was big, and
it was only me. I painted the entire inside of the home. It took me pretty
much what was left of my summer. When I was done, she paid me one hundred
dollars for the work.

I used the money to buy me school clothes and supplies. Nothing fancy, just
clothes from Wal-Mart. The good thing was that this year, I was able to
start out the school year with four sets of new clothes.

When the first day of school finally came around, I was nervous. I stood at
the bus stop waiting for the bus for school. When it arrived, I boarded,
and off to school. When we approached the stop where David normally gets
picked up at, he wasn't there. I was grateful for that.

As usual when the bus pulled up to Newman, I headed down to the cafeteria
to eat breakfast. When I got through the meal line, I sat down and began to
eat my breakfast, when David and his friends came in.

They ignored me, which made me happy. Then Joey walked in, my heart just
skipped a beat. He is as handsome as ever. Even as he gets older, he gets
cuter. He was wearing his normal, polo shirt, not to tight as well not too
loose and his jeans were snug in all the right places. They weren't tight,
not like the rockers wear, but they fit Joey just right. I can never say
Joey didn't have a good body, he was natural built, and he never had to
work hard to keep it up.

He went directly over and sat with David and his gang of friends. He didn't
even look my way. It didn't surprise me at all.  I am the one that ended it
all anyway. He sat right next to David, and started to talk.

All of a sudden I felt someone pat me on the shoulder. I turned to see who
it was, to my surprise it was the principal.

"I understand you are Jacob, and you have one of our elevator keys. Is that
correct sir?"

"Yes sir, I am Jacob and I have a key to your elevator."

"I see you are not walking with a cane anymore. Do you need to use the
elevator this year young man?"

"I am still taking pain medicine for my injuries."

"What I understand you will be taking those for the rest of your life. What
my concern is, do you still need to use the elevator?"

"No sir, I figure I don't need to,"

I got my key chain out of my pocket, and took off the key to the
elevator. I handed the key over the principal, and he took it. He patted me
on the back, and walked off.

I figure now I will need to use the stairs to get to class, that sucks. I
got up from the table, took one more look over to where Joey and David were
sitting, they were just chatting up a storm. I headed out to find my
locker, then my first period.

Right when I got to my first period class, the bell rang, so I decided to
go ahead and head on in. As the warning bell rang, not only Joey walked in
but David as well. They sat on the opposite side of the room from me. This
time they did see me there, but really didn't even show any kind of
emotions.

The class went slow, always does the first day. As the teacher was
explaining the rules, I kept stealing glances of Joey throughout the
period. When the bell rang, Joey and David headed out first. I then
followed suit. As I got to second period, there they were, in the same
class. This year is going to suck for sure.

The lunch bell rang, already had three periods, and in all three periods I
had Joey and David in them. I thought what a cruel world this is. I grabbed
my lunch as I did my breakfast and sat down. There again was Joey, David
and the gang, just sitting there, chatting up a storm.

I ate quickly, and then headed out to the front of the building where I sat
for the rest of the lunch period. When fourth period began, my day wasn't
getting any better.  Once again I had Joey and David in class.

It would have been cool if I still was going out with Joey and David was a
friend. But seeing them in all my classes is just pouring salt on a wound
that just won't heal. The bell rang, and I headed to fifth period, ROTC.

It felt different when I went in this year. This time I had an open mind to
the class; a mind that wants to enjoy it this year. Shortly after I went
in, Joey arrived, not with David. I sat in the back of the class. Major
Moore came out explained what to do for the new students.

As he was heading back to his office, he looked my direction and waved me
over. We walked into his office:

"Jacob, it's good to see you back this year and, without the cane. How are
you feeling this year?"

"I feel great, Sir!  I got a lot under control."

"Do you still have the pain in the legs and back?"

"Yes, I will always have the pain, but the pain medicine sir, is taking
care of it."

"Good, good! The reason I called you back, I like what I was seeing last
year in you. I know we promoted to sergeant last year. I like something
about you Mr. Hernandez, your voice. You have a deep commanding voice that
echoes over the field."

"Thank you, Sir."

"Last year during our inspections, we lost a lot of points due to
drill. Mainly the commands were not given correctly to execute and that's
my fault. I am doing something a little different this year than the years
before. I am creating drill sergeant positions in each company. I selected
you to be the drill sergeant to E Company. Do you accept the promotion
Mr. Hernandez?"

"It would be my honor to accept the promotion, Sir!"

"Great, it will take effect immediately. You will sit with the NCO'S in the
back of the room. When we form in formation, you will be in the rear in the
middle. I will show you when we start forming the company."

"Thank you again Sir, I won't let you down!"

"I know you won't Mr. Hernandez"

I walked out of the office happier then I have been in a while. The class I
hated at first, I am starting to enjoy. I might take more than this
semester of this class.

As I walked out, the class was introducing themselves one at a
time. Sergeant Haney, the Asst. Army Instructor, shook my hand, then the
Cadet Company Commander. I walked over and took my seat.

Towards the middle of the class, I needed to use the restroom. So I got up,
told Sergeant Haney, and then headed out side. The restrooms are connected
to the building, but you have to go outside, around the building, to the
males' restroom.

As I was using the restroom, the door opened. I glanced over the dividers,
and there was Joey standing there.

"Jacob, can we please talk, PLEASE!"

"Yes, go ahead Joey! Don't know how much time we've got though."

"Will you please stand still and look me in the eyes when we talk?"

I was moving around, I didn't want to stand still. I knew if I looked Joey
in the eyes, I would just fall to pieces. I love him so much, I couldn't
stand it. All I wanted was him, and he didn't want me. So I went over to
the door, locked it, and stood there.

Joey came up to me, and stood there. He then started to speak;

"Jacob what I did at the beginning of the summer was wrong. Not only I
destroyed your trust, but did it in your room. I have no excuse for what I
did that night, and I won't make one up!"

At that point I was holding back my tears. It was taking a lot of will
power to do so.

"Jacob, when I first saw you, over a year ago, I told myself I need to meet
that guy. I never thought I had a chance with you. Just as you thought
about me, I thought you were straight. The only good thing my mother has
done for me, was to make me tell you about what had happen to me that
summer.

When you told me you were the same as me, gay, my heart just skipped
several beats. I loved you from that moment on. Then we took a chance on
one another, I was the happiest guy out there. I got the guy I wanted, and
that is you."

At that point, I couldn't hold it in any longer, my tears started to roll
down my face. I couldn't stop it. I loved Joey so much, it hurt to just be
around him, to hear him talk, smell, just him, it hurt so bad.

"Joey, I have said this to you before..."

I was stumbling around, trembling as I was trying to get the words out.

"When I first saw you outside my kitchen window, I fell for you right there
and then. I wanted you, and we got together. You are my strength, will
power. When I got sick, both times believe it or not, your face in my mind,
thinking of you, our love is what got me through it. You gave me more will
power then I ever had on my own.

I made a mistake when were broken up. When you went to Arizona, I allowed
another to touch me like you, but when he did it to me, I had my eyes
closed. I was thinking of you the whole time. I know it doesn't excuse it,
I felt bad about it. So I told David I wasn't ready to move on.

You had my heart, my heart belongs to you. The night, I was woken up, I
couldn't believe what..."

I was really crying at this point. I didn't want to remember that night,
that was when I lost my Joey and a good friend in David.

"...I was hearing, and I knew it was you doing it. We made loved to one
another so many times, I know your likes, dislikes, and moans by
heart. Those were not your moans.

I love you Joey with all my heart and I will always. I just..."

"Before you say that Jacob, let me say this; I can't not explain or make
any excuse for what I did that night. As far as what you and David did, we
were broken up at the time, there's no need for you to feel bad for
that. What I did, yes we were still not together, but more so, I did it in
your room with you there. That is where I did wrong; doubly wrong.

I took your trust and threw it away. David came to me weeks before hand and
told me, you picked me. There should have been no question in my mind who
you would have picked. I won't make any excuse, I fucked up..."

At that point Joey was crying, trembling as he was talking. He could barely
get the words out of his mouth.

"I love you Jacob so damn much. I go to bed thinking of you, waking up
thinking of you. I breathe, eat, thinking of you. I want this to end.  I
want to be with you as we were before.

PLEASE, PLEASE JACOB GIVE ME ONE MORE CHANCE..."

At this point Joey was on his knees asking me. My heart just fell for him.
I knew I wouldn't be able to say no to him.

"If you would give me one more chance, I will treasure this relationship,
and never again take it for granted."

We just sat there for a few moments before I spoke up. I had to get enough
courage to speak, clear my throat, and wipe my eyes of tears.

"Joey I love you so damn much as well. It hurts me not being with
you. Let's just forget the past, and start new; here and now."

"That's all I am asking for, that's all!"

Joey stood up. We hugged one another, crying into each other's arms. We
both stopped crying, and kissed. I never thought I would ever get a chance
to kiss Joeys sweat lips again. I just loved the way he kissed me. I just
melt right into him as we kiss.

We cleaned ourselves up, splashed water on our faces, and walked back to
class. When we walked in, the class was in the shooting range. Joey went in
before me, and then I followed. Sergeant Haney saw us, and pulled us to the
side.

"Gentleman, where have you two been for the last fifteen minutes?"

"Sergeant Haney, I am sorry, it was my fault. When I pulled up my pants, my
pill bottled fell out sir, the lid flew off, and all my pills were on the
ground. Joey helped me picked them up, and I had to find every one of
them. These are hard pain medicine, and I didn't want anyone else to pick a
pill up."

"Oh, I understand. Cadet Sergeant Hernandez, thank you for thinking about
the others. Do you have all your pills counted for?"

"Yes sir I do, thank you for understanding!"

"Not a problem. We are forming the Company, let's go ahead and get into our
positions."

Sergeant Haney showed where Joey and I would be in formation. I wasn't in
the main Platoon formations, I wasn't a Platoon Sergeant, and I was the
Company Drill Sergeant. I was thankful Sergeant Haney believed me and the
lie I told. The look in his face, I knew he did. I never lied before and
that's why I think he believed me now.

Classes ended faster than before, really don't know why. I figure I am on
cloud number nine rights now, I can even see clearly. One thing left
though, I have got to figure out a way to make peace with David.

I was leaving class Joey caught up to me. He patted me on the shoulder, I
looked over to him:

"What's up Joey my man?"

"I just want to know how we are going to handle the falling out with
David." Joey mused.

"For right now, until I get a chance to sit down and speak with David in
private, you stick by his side. Your friendship with him isn't messed up,
and I don't want it to be."

"I don't care about his friendship. I care about us. I want to be with you
Jacob!" Joey stated flatly.

"I want to be with you as well Joey!"

I squeezed his hand, as I did before when we first got together.

"Just I don't want to lose out on a friendship with David. Besides the most
recent things between him and me, he is a great person to have in your
corner as a friend."

"Ok then Jacob I will follow your lead on this." Joey said with commitment.

"That's all I ask Joey, thank you!"

As we entered in the main building, we went our different
directions. Shortly down the hall, Joey met up with David. I headed to my
final class of the day. When I entered there was no surprise to find Joey
and David sitting in the back desks.

The first day of school was over, and I headed to get the bus. I already
had a lot of homework to do. I figure as you get higher in grade, the more
work you have to do. As I got off the bus, I was surprised to see several
of David's friends standing there on the corner of my street and Mesa
Street. I just ignored them being there, and started to walk to my
apartment. I all of a sudden felt something hit me on my back. Once again I
ignored it and kept walking.

Then several more hits on my back, and that's when I realized they were
throwing rocks at me. All of a sudden several more rocks hit my back and
head. I wasn't about to show they were hurting me. They got even madder,
started throwing more rocks and yelling:

"You stupid faggot!  What do you think you're better than us? Better than
David that you don't even speak to him? You're just scum, scum that
shouldn't be walking on this earth."

More rocks came flying at me. This time they actually hit hard. I didn't
even hear them walk up to me until it was too late. All of a sudden, they
were in front of me. Giving me a push back:

"Didn't you hear us you scum faggot? Or do you think you don't even need to
speak to us?"

"Hey guys, I don't want any trouble. I have stayed out of your way, and I
will continue to do so. I won't bother David either."

"You will do more than that..."

They pushed me again. At the same time through a punch at me. Hit me
squarely on my nose. It started bleeding!

"You will walk away from David no matter where he is. If he walks into the
lunch room, you will leave. If he is walking down the hall, you will go all
the way to the other side. Plus, and this is the most important thing, you
will stay away from our friend Joey! If you know what's good for you!"

With that, they punched me once again, but this time in my gut. I doubled
over in pain. As I was doubled over, a couple of them spit on
me. Afterwards they walked away.

I got up, held my nose closed, and headed home. When I went in, I went
straight to the restroom. Cleaned myself up, and then started my chores. I
wasn't about to let this get me down; not with the great day I had. I like
to see them keep me and Joey apart! They can't do so!

On my way to school the next day, I decided to not say a word to Joey on
what had happen the day before. I got my breakfast, as I was sitting down
to eat, Joey, David and their friends walked in. As they walked by me, they
looked at me with an ugly look. I didn't even get up.  I sat there and kept
eating.

The day was going without anything out of the ordinary. As before during
breakfast, same thing happened at lunch. This time though, one of them hit
me on my back. I didn't budge at all. I stood my ground. I made a decision
right there and then, the next time they came up wanting to fight, and a
fight they will get. There may be more of them, but I won't go down without
a fight.

During ROTC the Captain of the Rifle Team came up to me.

"Hey Hernandez, I have a favor to ask you."

"Shoot!"

"We need more Cadets to try out for the Rifle Team. Sergeant Haney
suggested you and Joey to try out. What do you think?"

"For me I have no problem. As far as Joey, you would need to ask him.'

"I know I need to ask him, you fool. I wanted to know about you. Thank you
though. Tryouts after school today, see you there."

"I will see you there!"

As I walked to sixth period class, I saw the Captain talking to
Joey. That's when it dawned on me I didn't have a ride home. That if I stay
for practice and miss the bus. Plus I know my mom won't go for it, she is
kind of against us staying for anything after school.

I figured what the hell, I will take the hit. After school I headed back to
the ROTC building for try outs. I figure I wasn't good at shooting a rifle,
so I won't make the team. When I walked into the building, I was pointed to
the range.

The door to the rifle vault was open, and the rifle team was in there,
including Joey. I walked in, they handed me a vest, a brown ugly thing, and
heavy; then a pair of glasses and ear plugs. The last thing that we grabbed
was a rifle.

They explained on how we were to carry the rifle at all times. We walked
out to the range, placed the rifle in the lane that was assigned to
us. Then I heard the sergeant Haney yell: "All rifles down, clear on the
shooting range."

I walked over and placed my target sheet in all three positions; the prone,
kneeing, and standing positions and then walked back to the beginning of
the lane.

The cadet captain showed us all the positions we would be shooting in, and
how we were to be in them. Once he finished showing us, he got off the
range. We got into the first position, the prone position, and started
shooting. We went through all the positions.

When the last shot was fired, Sergeant Haney once again yelled the same
comment. We stood and got our target sheets and handed them to Sergeant
Haney to grade them.

In each position your highest score is one hundred, and you could go all
the way to zero by of course missing the target all together. The two
middle circles were not graded, they were practice targets. The other ten
on the sheet though were graded, ten points a target.

As he finished he handed back our target sheets. In prone position I got a
ninety two, kneeling position I got a ninety six, and the standing position
I got an eighty nine. Joey looked very happy by the looks on his face.

Sergeant Haney talked to each of us as we were leaving the range.

"Jacob I would like to offer to a position on the rifle team. Would you
like to shoot on the team, Sir?"

"I would love to shoot on the team, Sir! I need to get my mother's
permission first, but yes of course. Yes, Sir!"

"Let me know tomorrow during class if your mother gives you permission to
shoot."

"I will, Sir and thank you again!"

I walked out of the building, and Joey was heading off with David. I was
hurt a little, but I knew I had a long walk ahead of me. I started my walk
home, with a lot on my mind!

(JOEY'S POINT OF VIEW)

I have been so happy all week long. Everyone around me noticed and said
so. Jacob and I are back together again, that's all I wanted.

Still though, we haven't had a chance to talk since Monday during fifth
period. Every time I see him in class or in the lunch room, all I want to
do is go over to him. I just want to be with Jacob. I understand Jacob
doesn't want to hurt David's feelings, but we are suffering in the long
run. Jacob has a big heart and at times it hurts him.

I decided I needed to tell David, all I want is to be with Jacob. Thursday
after school I decided to tell David on our way to my house. He and his
friends have been giving me a ride home since Tuesday.

As we drove up my driveway of my aunt and uncle's house, I asked David if
we could speak for a few minutes. We got out of the car, and walked to the
side of the house. I spoke up first:

"David you have been a good friend to me this last couple of months..."

David interrupted me as I was beginning to tell him what was bothering me.

"Joey we have been through this already. I lost a good friend and you lost
your boyfriend the last time. I just want to be your friend, that's
all. Don't get me wrong, you are very cute, but I want to be just friends."

I laughed a little, didn't mean too. David looked at me when I did that to
what he said.

"David I didn't mean to laugh at what you said. I wanted to tell you that
you are a good friend and I don't want to lose that. Jacob and I spoke for
the first time on Monday during fifth period. We were able to talk through
a lot of the problems that caused our break up."

"So Jacob is cool with us now?"

"Yes Jacob is cool. He is no longer even mad with us anymore. We got back
together on Monday. David I love him so much, I can't breathe anymore
without being with him!"

"That is cool Joey, I'm happy for you two!"

David hugged me and patted me on the back. It felt like a big weight has
been lifted off of my shoulders.

"So what about Jacob and me, Joey? Is there any way we could start our
friendship again?"

"He is the one that suggested that you and I stayed friends. Jacob said you
are a great friend to have in your corner, don't lose that friendship. He
didn't want to come out to you until we knew all was fine with you."

"Oh yeah, all is fine with me without a question."

"Good, David. You don't know how much this means to me; how much I want to
be around Jacob. I will call him up tonight and let him know what's up."

"Thank Joey for letting me know. Please try to see if Jacob and I could be
friends as well. I do really miss that guy."

"You got it David I will pass along the message."

We shook hands and David headed off back to Ralph's car. I was really
excited, I couldn't believe it was a done deal, Jacob and I can be together
again with no worries.

(JACOB'S POINT OF VIEW)

The phone rang!  I looked over and saw it was Joey calling. My heart jumped
a beat. I answered the phone.

"Hey what's up Joey?"

"Nothing much Jacob, nothing much. Can I come over right now Jake?" Joey
asked with a near giggle in his voice.

"Yeah sure, come on over. I will wait for you."

We hung up the phone. Within fifteen minutes I heard a knock on the front
door. I thought to myself, boy was that fast of Joey. I headed over to
answer the door, and yeah it was him.

He was standing there, cuter than ever. He's wearing a tight t-shirt,
tucked in his blue jeans, to his normal high tops. I just love the way the
pants Joey wore fit on him. I often wondered if he wore his clothes that
way on purpose to give every gay guy a boner and to get every woman wet. I
invited him in and we headed to my room for privacy.

"What's up Joey, to what do I owe..."

Before I could finish my sentence Joey pushed me on the bed at the same
time shutting the door. He leaned into me and we started to kiss. I was so
horny for him!  I was hard the moment I saw him standing at my door. Now my
dick just wanted to rip through my pants.

I couldn't keep my hands off of him. I wanted to feel every inch of his
body. As my hands reached Joey's butt, I started to squeeze his nice bubble
butt. I really missed his bubble butt. We kept kissing, and then Joey
started to move his way down my chest.

Lifting my shirt up, and then pulling it off, he started kissing each of my
nipples, getting me even hornier. I was moaning in so much pleasure, I
could have creamed my shorts right there. Then, he moved even further down
to my belly button, putting his tongue inside. I couldn't believe the
feeling it was giving me. I grabbed onto his hair.

He then unbuttoned my jeans, pulled them along with my boxer briefs, all in
one smooth motion. He started going up and down on my cock, playing with my
balls. I wanted to scream out in pleasure, like you wouldn't believe. He
kept going down on me I didn't even notice as he made his way down my butt
crack.

He started to rim me!  I never felt this kind of pleasure before. As he was
rimming my pucker, the pleasure was so immense I cummed right there. All
Joey was doing with my dick was holding it. I just kept cumming, I didn't
even know if I was going to stop. I shot over my head several times it hit
the wall, then my face and chest. I finally started coming down from my
high, when Joey started to kiss me.

I felt his loving lips touch mine, I got hard again instantly. I started
pulling at his shirt and got it off. I started sucking at his right nipple
then moved to his left, kissing up his right arm then his left arm. Moving
down to his belly button I started playing with it. Unbuttoning his jeans,
I took them off along with his boxers with the same deft motion he'd used
on me.

Joey's dick sprang out wide away when I took off his pants and underwear. I
missed his dick, I just went down on him, and he started to moan, getting
louder as he was getting close. I decided to give him the pleasure he gave
me.

I went down to his balls and sucked on his left ball then his right one. I
put his legs on my shoulders, and then lifted his knees to his shoulders. I
looked at his sweet pucker, pulsing and inviting me so I started eating him
out. As I was rimming Joey, he was moaning and trashing around my bed. He
grabbed onto my hair, and before I knew it, he started to cum. He shot over
and over again. He may have hit the wall in the same place I had.

I lay down beside him, as he started calming down, I leaned in, and we
started kissing. I loved Joey so much, more now than ever. We kissed as if
it was our last. We broke off the kiss, and Joey looked into my eyes with
his love in his eyes.

"That's what I came down for Jacob. I love you so much!  I wanted to be
with my boyfriend. I will never lose you again, I promise!"

We hugged, our naked body's touching, and it felt so good. Joey was so
warm.  I couldn't believe the way I felt when we held one another. I knew
without a shred of doubt, he's the one.

I heard noise at the front door. I looked at the clock, it was my mother. I
quickly grabbed my towel, cleaned up. I then threw over to Joey for him to
clean up.

"Jacob, Marie, I home!" Mom called out.

"I'm in my room mom. Be right out!"

"Where's Marie at?"

"She hasn't gotten home from school yet."

Then I heard my mom's room door shut. I quickly rushed Joey out of my room
and made it to the front door. I leaned in and kissed Joey and he left.

I was a happy camper to say the least. I quickly straightened up and
started dinner. By the time dinner was ready, Marie walked in the door.

The next morning as I was leaving the lunch room, Joey pushed me into the
restroom. We started to kiss.

"I could get used to this Joey!"

"So can I. we got busy yesterday, then your mother got home, I didn't talk
to about why I came down."

"What is up my man?"

"Please do not get mad with me? I decided to take David to the side and
talk with him about me and you."

"You did what?"

I was getting a little heated. Besides Joey deciding on his own what to do
with the David problem. He did it on his own.

"Sorry Jacob, I just can't stand not being with you!"

"Sorry Joey, I am sorry. So what happen when you did speak with David?"

"He was cool about, in fact he asked me about you two being friends. So
what do you think?"

"That is very strange to say the least."

"Why are you saying that, Jake?"

At that point, I looked over at Joey and stared at him. I wanted to see in
his eyes if he had anything invested with David that might come back to
haunt me. I couldn't tell. So I figured to throw caution to the wind.

"Because on Monday, David's friends paid me a visit after school. What I
mean paid me a visit, it wasn't a friendly talk. I got off the bus and they
were waiting for me. Right off, they started throwing rocks at me and
telling me to stay away from you and David. I plan to honor that request
here at school."

"There is no way David knows about that, no way!" Joey stated without an
ounce of hesitation.

"No matter if he does or doesn't. I do not want him to be told. I don't
want his friends to be paying me another visit their style."

"Please Jake don't shut down here at school. I want to be with you and have
David as a friend at the same time."

"I am not saying you can't. All I am saying is, here at school, we need to
stay away from one another; that's all. Again David is a good friend to
have.  I can't say the same about his friends."

"So what, we need to keep it a secret here at school. Not even hang
together?"

"I want to still be standing, and healthy Joey, so yes. You know here at
school, well most of the time.  We would only look like friends. I don't
want people to beat me up. I love you so much Joey! I just don't want to be
out like David. He has friends around him."

I looked into Joeys eyes and I knew he was hurting. I didn't mean to hurt
him, but I need to think about my well being. I was already getting beaten
up by people that don't even know I am gay. I can only imagine how bad it
would be if people knew.

"Ok then Jake, I'd better be going then!"

Joey walked out the door without even a hand shake, more less a kiss. I
knew he was hurt, but it wasn't my fault. David's friends are the ones
beating up people not me.

By lunch time I was in a fog. I couldn't stop thinking about Joey.  I miss
every moment when I am not with him. I didn't even bother to go and eat
lunch. I decided to walk around the school. I wasn't even paying much
attention to where I was going, due to being in deep thought.

I landed up on the back side of the school. I just slumped down on the side
walk wanting to think, clear my mind. Then I heard several voices coming
towards me. At first I didn't even register they were talking to me. Then I
looked up, and noticed a couple of guys that looked like were in a gang.

"Didn't you use to go Austin High School last year, homey?"

I just stared out these guys.  I knew they didn't belong at this school. At
least I have not seen them around. So I just ignored them and got up.

"Hey homey, where are you going? Why didn't you answer the question?"

I looked over at them again. Now I was getting scared. I knew I walked to
an area that there wasn't any other students around. Plus there are four of
these guys, which two of them are almost double my size.

"I said man; didn't you use to go Austin last year?"

One of the other guys jumped in:

"I know it's this voto man, I recognize him from the picture I have seen."

"It is him; he is the one that turned in our homey. He may not be walking
with a cane any more, but it is him."

"Maybe he isn't walking with a cane now, but when we get done with this
voto, he will."

Before knew it, I was shoved to the ground. One of the guys jumped on top
of me.

"So homey you thought you could drop a dime on our homey then split. You're
wrong if you thought that. Our homey will not be spending another day in
lock up for your fag ass."

I couldn't believe it, my past has come back to haunt me. These guys must
be part of the gang of the kid I picked out was the shooter last year.

"I don't know who you think I am or what I did. I can tell you, you are
wrong. I didn't do a thing, I swear."

"No homey you did. You are the one we have been looking for. Now we have
found you. You won't be testifying against our homey. I promise you that."

At that moment he pulled at a gun and put it to my head. I knew I was dead,
I could believe what was happening. Plus there wasn't anyone around to help
me.

"Homey, trust me when I say this, no one will hear the gun go off. If
anyone does, we will be long gone before they find your dead body. First we
are going to make you pay in blood and pain for the trouble you gave our
homey."

He took the gun from my head and moved it to my left leg and shot me. I
started crying out in pain, it hurt so badly. I promised I wasn't going to
cry out, and here I am screaming.

Then he shot my left leg, I couldn't believe the pain I was in. I was
bleeding and no one was there to help me.

"Come here homey, break this dudes hands."

Another guy came up to my hand right hand and stomped on it; just kept
stomping on it. I could hear my fingers break. I was crying out in pain,
trying to get away.

He then stomped on my left hand at the same time breaking my fingers. The
guy that was sitting on me, shot me in my right arm then my left. I was
screaming so loud, the guy punched me in the mouth.

"Homey if you know what's good for you, you will not scream."

I knew I was dead no matter what I did. If I stayed quite or not, I was
dead. I started screaming, yelling for help in pain. He punched me several
more times in my face and mouth. All I could do was sit there crying.

"Please don't shoot me, please. I won't say a word about your friend, I
promise. Please, please, please let me go!"

I was begging for my life, I wanted to live, I didn't want to die. Then I
heard the gun go off again, it hit my right shoulder. The guy tried to
shoot the gun again, it must have jammed on him.

He started hitting me over and over again with the butt of the gun. I was
going in and out. I lost count on how many times this guy hit me. The last
thing I heard before I was out was the gun going off again.

(JOEY'S POINT OF VIEW)

When the lunch bell rang, I saw Jacob take off. I figured I will see him in
the cafeteria and try to pull him off to the side for some alone time. I
felt bad on the way I left him standing in the restroom this morning.

I understood why he was thinking the way he was thinking. He was scared!
He didn't want to get beaten up again. That I did understand.

David and I grabbed our lunch and headed to our table. When we walked by
the table where Jake normally sat and saw he wasn't there, I got a bad
feeling. David looked over to me, giving me a look.

We sat down with the other guys. I couldn't even look at them. How could
they do what they did to Jake and then sit there with David as if nothing
has happened. We talked about sports while we ate. They ragged on me that
anything in ROTC wasn't a sport, it was a nerd class. I ignored them.

David knew I wasn't comfortable with his friends. He patted me on the
shoulder and we walked out to the hallway.

"What's up man? You don't look to happy with Ralph and the guys."

"They are your friends.  I don't want to step into a beef with them."

"Come on Joey, tell me. You know they were playing around about the whole
ROTC thing, right?"

"It isn't that David. I was able to talk to Jake this morning about what I
talked about yesterday. At first he was angry and I didn't understand
why. Then he told me."

"What was it Joey?"

"Your friends caught up with Jake last Monday after school. Threw rocks at
him and pushed him around; then threatened him to stay away from you and me
if he didn't want worse."

"No way had they done something like that, no way!" David stated in total
disbelief.

"They did David, think about it. Where were they last Monday after school?
I know you and I walked to my house, and that was the only day we walked
home so far."

"They fuckin' did not, those son of bitches are going to pay!" David spat.

David started to stomp off back into the lunch room, I couldn't hold him
back. Then kids started running out of the school. I heard several of them
yelling that someone was getting their butt kicked in the back of the
building.

I looked at David and he looked at me. Then I looked over where Jacob
normally sits and he still wasn't there. I looked over to our table, and
Ralph and the guys were running over to us.

"Man David, we heard this guy is getting his butt kicked really bad. It's
like four or five kids against one."

"Yeah and he is screaming like a little girl for help. We got to see this."

We all started to run towards the back of the school. When we were arriving
several guys were jumping into a car that was speeding off down
Schuster. As we got closer, all the kids were just staring at the kid lying
on the ground.

You couldn't even tell this person is a boy or girl. There is so much blood
everywhere even the face was bashed in really bad.

Some of the girls up front were crying!  They couldn't believe what they
were seeing. Finally the principal and guards got there. With help of
teachers, they were forming a rope line around the scene.

They started pushing us back, and at the same time asking if anyone saw or
heard anything. Of course no one spoke up. You could hear the sirens
coming, and then you saw the lights of police cars coming down the road.

Before we knew it, the cop cars drove up on the curb and top of us before
we could breathe. Then the ambulance arrived. When they got to the body
that was on the ground, they halted for a few second. All of a sudden they
scrambled to get to work when they heard a police officer say he had a
pulse.

They were doing everything they could to save the person. The even had to
shock this poor soul several times. Then I heard one them tell one of the
officers;"You need to consider this more than a fist fight gone badly. This
guy has been shot at least four times we can count."

"You got to be kidding me! Shot FOUR times?" one officer asked.

"At least four times. He is such a mess, when can't even tell who he is."

TO BE CONTINUED...


{Will Jacob get to the hospital in time? Or will Jacob die before even
getting to the hospital?  If Jacob lives, what's going to happen to Jacob
and Joey? Will their miss understanding on Friday morning be cleared up?
Will David confront his friends about what they did to Jacob or with all
the action going on he will forget all about what they did to Jacob? There
is a lot to answer in the chapters to come. Stick around and keep reading
the future chapters, and enjoy! Please email me and let me know how I am
doing at jacobmillertex@aol.com, Thanks!}