Date: Sun, 23 Dec 2001 21:06:32 EST
From: Macncheezaroni@aol.com
Subject: Opposing Forces-4

Opposing Forces
by J (macncheezaroni@aol.com)
Chapter 4

Happy Holidays, Feliz Navidad, and all that good stuff! I want to wish
each and everyone of you who stop to take the time to read my story...my
deepest gratitude, because without you, I would have no motivation to
write! Again, read at your own risk. Enjoy ~Jeff

Previously....on Chapter 3 (dun dun dun):
"Clarissa," I said. "What are you guys doing here?""We were here to see
if you needed emotional support, ya know,during those intense moments of
hunching over the toilet bowl, but, it seems you already had backup,"
Clarissa spit out.

"Guys, wait!" I pleaded desperately. None of them stopped or turned
around, they piled into Ryan's car and drove off.

The pizza came and we ate in silence, I looked up to find Ryan walking in
towards the take out counter."Ry---" I began to call him, but Tyler told
me to shut up."Why?" I asked."Let him cool down and then go apologize,"
Tyler said."Screw that," I said and hopped off my stool that I was
sitting on.

"Were you drinking before you got here?" I asked suddenly."A few sips..."
he replied."Ryan Andrew Knickenbocker, drunk driving....have you no
shame?" Isaid."I walked smart-ass," he replied. "I'm not that stupid."

"Where's this all leading to Ryan?" I asked him, I turned to find his
eyes set upon me."This," he said, and he leaned in to give me the softest
and wettest kiss.

Chapter 4, Part 1: The Dull Realization on a Winter Morning

      After Friday night's incident, I'm going to need the full two weeks
(bless winter break) to recuperate. Ryan gave me the kiss I think I've
longed for since I realized I was gay. When I told Ryan my secret, I was
hoping for the "wow, i was hoping you would say that..." and then lean in
and kiss me...that sort of deal. However, I got this reaction: "Really?
Cool. More chicks for me." So I guess I don't live in these little
fantasies. However, that kiss...was beyond any kisses I've gotten...in
fact, it was more abrupt than I anticipated...but it was still a kiss.
      Like a normal person under the influence of alcohol, Ryan passed
out. Being the  good person that I am, I carried him back to my house and
let him sleep in my bed. He woke up on Saturday...with some urgency he
had to take care...but I know why he left. He felt awkward, he felt
guilty...and a thousand other negative feelings towards me.
      Today is Monday, the first weekday of my winter vacation, and I
have yet to hear from anybody. It's going to be a dull vacation this
year. I tried calling Clarissa...out shopping. I called Jakob...playing
basketball. I tried Ryan...he couldn't come to the phone...yeah right. So
I called Tyler. For those of you who are thinking...you are just an idiot
and want to create more of a drama in your life...rest assure, I have no
intentions of making trouble.
      "Hello?" Sharon, Tyler's sister, said answering the phone.
      "Hey Shari, is Tyler around?"
      "Hey Dway," she responded, a little suprise. "Hold on."
      Felt like a million years went by when Tyler picked up the
phone..."Hello?"
      His voice was cracking and his nose was stuffy...the tell-tale
signs of crying.
      "Ty, have you been crying?" I asked, sincerely concerned.
      "Uh...no...just getting sick..." he said hesistantly. "What do you
want?"
      That was rather harsh but I guess I deserved it.
      "Listen, on Friday night..." I began.
      "Yeah?"
      "I didn't mean it when I said we weren't friends. I want to be
friends with you, I just didn't know if Ryan and them would---"
      "---approve right?"
      "Yeah."
      "Well, thank you for calling and telling me something that I
already knew, I'll see at sch---"
      "---wait! But I don't care, who I befriend is my business, not
their's."
      "And what knock some sense into that thick head of your's?"
      "Just some thinking," I responded. (it was a half-lie, but i did
think)
      "Well, that's nice Dwayne, but YOU can't say one thing and then do
another," he said. "I believe that's call hypocrisy."
      "So I'm a hypocrete," I said. "But I'm...sorry."
      "How sorry?" he said.
      "What?"
      "How sorry are you?" he asked.
      "Sorry enough....to buy you a milkshake at Dairy Queen?"
      "That's a starter," he said. "I'll meet you there in ten?"
      I checked my clock, "Yeah, that's fine."

      Ten minutes later, I walked into Dairy Queen. It was fairly
crowded, but I managed to fine Tyler at a corner booth.
      "Hey," I said.
      "Hi...are you going to sit down?"
      Then I realized I was still standing up.
      "Yeah," I retorted and sat down.
      Then I noticed his eyes were rather red and puffy....now I know he
had to have been crying.
      "ok," I dropped my voice. "Spill it, why were you crying?"
      "I told you...i wasn't crying," he replied unconvincingly. "I had a
cold."
      "Had?" I questioned. "What ? It came and went? What is it like a 24
minute flu?"
      "Don't mock my illness."
      "If there IS anything to mock," I replied. "Just talk and I'll
listen."
      "Nothing, it's just that my dad and I got into another argument
this morning over colleges...and I needed someone to talk to...and Sharon
was there...and we talked...and we just found a few things that's been
bothering me."
      "So you DID cry?" I asked.
      "Yes, among many other things," he admitted and blushed.
      "Like?" I asked.
      "None of your business," he replied. "It's...personal."
      "Alright," I said. "No pressure."
      I guess it was time for a new conversation topic.
      "So what have you been doing for these last few years?" he asked
me.
      "Well...I'm our class president," I began.
      "I know, I voted for you."
      "You did?" I said, suprised. "But I went against a friend of yo--"
      "--he was in it for the popularity and I knew you would do a better
job. It was plainly political."
      "Alright," I said. "I'm in the musicals---"
      "---seen them," he said and added, "Extra credit."
      "...school band---"
      "---been to the concerts," he said. "FOR another friend."
      "...student government..."
      "Never been to those," he commented.
      "...and that's about it."
      "Sounds eventful," he said.
      "You went to all those functions?"
      "Hey," he said softly. "Just because we stopped being friends,
doesn't mean I stopped being there for you."
      Ok folks, that cliche line was when I realize I was falling for
Tyler...for those of you thinking 'I knew it' or 'I told you so'...shhh.
      "Wow," I said, a tear drawing near my eye.
      "Dwayne Carmichael," he said. "Are you about to cry?"
      "No..." I said. "I'm just getting sick."
      Tyler laughed. It might not be such a bad break after all.

Part 2: How to Reveal to Someone You Might Be Gay...sounds like a book
title, do
                  you know where I can locate a copy?

      Three days into the break, Clarissa was off to Tahoe...(I was told
by her mom as she were running out the door) ...Jakob was off to Clear
Lake....(I was told by HIS mom as they were running out the door)...and
Ryan...was not there. The phone rang, I dove for the phone practically...
      "Hello," I said, a little out of breath.
      "Hold on to your pants," the voice said. "It's not Ryan."
      "Tyler," I said. "Hey man, what's up?"
      "Not much, hey listen, my folks are having a holiday party...they
wanted me to invite you."
      "So YOU didn't want to invite me?" I said, with a mock tone of
resentment.
      "Of course not," he said, faking enthusiasm. "But I'm not much of a
party person for my mom's holiday eggnog..."
      "Haha, don't tell Judy," I said. "But neither am I."
      "Deal," he said. "So when are you coming?"
      "Well...when does it start?"
      "Like around seven," he answered.
      "Guess I'll be there around then," I said.
      "Alright," he said. "See ya later."

      I walked down the stairs to find my parents about to leave for a
party as well.
      "Where are you two off to?" I asked.
      "To Judy's holiday party," my mom replied.
      "Really?" I said, suprised. "Want to give me a lift then? I'm
heading over there myself."
      "Well...there's one problem," my dad said.
      "Yeah?"
      "Well...your Aunt Sandy needs someone to watch Susie...and well,
you're the only one here."
      "What about Benny or Janie?" I asked.
      "Well Benny is doing community service at the homeless shelter with
Janie...we were hoping you could watch Susie. We'll pay you IN addition
to Aunt Sandy, please?" my mom said, almost desparate.
      "Fine," I said, crankily. "Tell Tyler I won't be making it then."
      "Alright dear," my mom said. She gave me a kiss on the cheek.
      "God...mom!"
      "We're off Dwayne," my dad said. "We'll see you later."
      "Go easy on the eggnog," I said jokingly.
      My parents chuckled and left.

      Quarter past seven....DING-DONG....
      I went to answer the door....
      "DWAYNE!" my Aunt Sandy screeched...reached in for a big kiss.
"You're getting so big, what are they feeding you over here?"
      "Hey Aunt Sandy," I said. "Nothing but miracle grow."
      Corny, yes, but hey, relatives equal corniness. Am I correct when I
make that statement?
      "So you're the lucky one to watch after Susie tonight?" my aunt
asked.
      "Guess so," I said, trying to sound excited.
      "Well, Susie hasn't taken a nap yet, so she should clonk out pretty
fast," she said and added, "I hope."
      "Me too," I whispered underneath my breath.
      "What was that?" she asked.
      My mom's younger sister...must be a family of gifted listeners.
      "Nothing," I replied. "Hey Susie, ready for a nap?"
      "BARNEY!" my three year old cousin replied in glee, waving a Barney
video tape in her hand.
      "Oh boy!" I said, faking my cheeriness.
      Aunt Sandy rolled her eyes at me and said, "I'll be back around 11
to pick her up, Uncle Dave and I are really grateful that you're watching
her, I'll pay you after I stop at the bank?"
      "Sure Aunt Sandy," I said. "Don't worry about it."
      "Thanks," she said, gave me another kiss and left.
      "Wave byebye to mommy," I said, hoping Susie wouldn't cry.
      "Byebye," she responded happily. Then she turned to me and said,
"Barney!"
      "Alright," I said. "Barney it is!"

      After 20 minutes of sing-a-longs and corny plots, I went to go get
a snack.
      "Want something Susie?" I asked her.
      But she was engrossed into her Barney flick...how stupid videos
entertain the younger generation. I entered the kitchen to get some chips
and guacamole when the doorbell rang again...well who could that be? I
opened up the door and there stood Tyler.
      "Tyler," I said suprised. "Hey."
      "I saw your folks...couldn't make it cause of babysitting huh?"
      "Yeah," I said, blushing. "Did you come to taunt me?"
      "No," he said.
      He seemed nervous.
      "Something wrong Ty?" I asked. "You didn't get into another
argument with your dad, did you?"
      "Oh no," he said quickly. "Nothing like that."
      "You want to come in?" I asked.
      "Sure," he said. He paused at the threshold...standing alongside
me. He stared deeply into my eyes and leaned in to give me a small
kiss....
      The kiss stopped and I had to catch my breath..."How did you know?"
      "What? They you were gay?" he said.
      I nodded.
      "I didn't, I just took a chance..." he said and pointed up.
      Up there to where he was pointing was the mistletoe I helped my mom
hang up earlier. I beamed, finally...that damn plant has gotten me
something good.
      "Merry Christmas Dwayne Louis Carmichael," he said.
      "Merry Christmas Tyler Zachery Callihan," I replied.
      He leaned in to get another kiss when we were interuppted by an
audible cough. I looked out towards my front yard and there was Ryan with
a bouquet of white roses.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, this will be the last installment I
believe for the 2001 year...unless convinced otherwise...so write, you
know the e-addy. ~Jeff