Date: Sat, 5 Feb 2005 07:28:21 -0800 (PST)
From: Fup Duck <fupduckmd@yahoo.com>
Subject: Life Goes On - David and Chad #29

STANDARD DISCLAIMER: This is the continuation of David's story.  One of two
boys loving each other.  So the same disclaimer applies.  If you can't
handle that, or it's illegal to read this in your area, or you're underage,
then now is the time to leave.  If you continue reading after that
admonishment, Nifty and I aren't responsible.

There could also be incidents of unprotected sex.  As always, I don't
condone this practice - especially in this day and age.

Well, it's back to the grind for David.  But this time, he has something to
look forward to.

Fup

******************************************************************************
FROM CHAPTER 28

He awoke the next morning about seven-thirty.  Morning duties complete,
apartment scoured for anything he might have forgotten, he placed the key
on the kitchen table per Mrs. Bowman's instructions, and closed the door on
his summer.  He climbed into the car, stopped at McDonald's for breakfast,
then started heading south.


LIFE GOES ON - DAVID AND CHAD #29 - Back To School

It was almost two in the afternoon before he pulled to a stop outside the
dorm.  He got out of the car and stretched, looking around the almost empty
campus with mixed emotions.  In a way, he was glad to be back.  Here, he
knew where he stood.  But then, there was what he left behind.  David
smiled sadly and headed for the dorm entrance.  Digging in his pocket for
his mailbox combination, he pushed through the door and walked toward the
lobby area.  Finding the mailbox, he dialed the combination and retrieved
one of the two keys there.  At least he was on the first floor, it would
definitely be easier to get the big stuff into his room since he didn't
have any help this year.  He snagged the handcart from the storage room and
pulled it out to the car.  Stacking as much as he could on top of his
footlocker, he re-entered the dorm and found his room.  After another trip
to the car, he had everything piled in the center of the room.  He returned
the hand cart and drove to the student parking lot, which was almost
directly across campus from his dorm.

Should be interesting in the winter, David thought as he locked the doors
and started walking back across campus.  He stopped by the RA's room before
heading back to his and marked off one of the boxes next to his room
number, letting the advisor know he was on campus.  Then he set about
getting his half of the room in order, taking the bottom bunk and the work
area next to the window.  He grinned, arriving early had its advantages.
His roommate for the year was a sophomore named Greg.  They had talked
briefly on the phone earlier in the summer, introducing themselves and
chatting briefly about the school year.  He seemed like a nice guy, which
was a definite bonus.

It was almost five before he had the room squared away to his satisfaction.
David laid Chad's envelope on the desk, he'd read it after he came back
from eating.  Passing through the lobby, he stopped at the phone and made a
collect call to his mother, informing her that he had arrived safely.  He
walked the short distance into town and ate at the local Burger Elvis -
grinning at Vic's term for the joint.  Intestinal needs satisfied, he spent
the next hour or so walking around campus, refamiliarizing himself.  Even
though he was a few days early, the rec hall, dining hall, and library were
open - another good thing.  Back in his room, he toed off his sneakers and
socks, grabbed the envelope off the desk and reclined on the bed.  Opening
the envelope, he began to read.

"Dear Dave, I know this is stupid, but I'm going to miss you.  I had a good
time this summer (except for when I split your head open at the falls).  I
can't wait until you come home for your birthday and stay here.  Mom and
Dad said that maybe sometime I could come down to see you this year, which
is cool.  School starts in two weeks.  Cindy says hi.  This sounds dumb
too, but I like being your boyfriend.  (David could imagine the blush and
grinned.)  I don't know if I'd like being anyone else's.  I hope I'm being
a good one.  Don't find another one in college - haha.  I don't know what
else to write right now.  Love, Chad"

David was smiling widely as he refolded the paper and slipped it back into
the envelope.  He had discovered over the last year that Chad wrote like he
talked, in a rush and flip- flopping back and forth between subjects.  He
slipped the letter back into his footlocker with the others and sat at the
desk, thinking.  "No time like the present," he mumbled out loud and pulled
out a piece of paper and pen.

"Dear Chad, Hey, well I made it back safe and sound.  It's nice to think I
have my own car down here now and can go wherever I want.  Right now I'm
the only one in the room.  My roommate isn't getting here until Friday
sometime, so I've got the whole room to myself for now.  I've got a meeting
with the job people tomorrow to see if there's anything here I'd like to
do.  If not, then I guess I'll head in town to see.

It's not stupid to miss someone.  Because if it is, then I'm stupid too -
of course you know that (ha).  I had a blast too, you're..."

David stopped writing.  He didn't want to get too personal.  After all, the
way Chad let things lay around, he didn't want to cause any suspicion in
case someone else read the letter.  He started again.

"...a great guy and good company.  I'm glad we got to spend so much time
together over the summer - you're a good friend.  I'm looking forward to
coming back, too.  It's going to be a long couple of weeks.  It would be
cool if you came down, but don't pester your mom and dad about it, you
goof.  And don't worry about me finding another friend down here, I'll
probably be too busy with classes and work to even think about it.  (David
guessed that was vague enough.)  Anyway, thanks for the note.  Tell your
parents and Cindy I said hi.  I imagine that I'll hear from you before
school starts, so I'll wish you luck then.  I'm going to head over to the
rec hall now and maybe shoot some pool.

Love ya kiddo, Dave"

He reread the letter, trying to look at it from an outside viewpoint to
make sure it didn't say anything that could be misconstrued.  Hopefully,
Chad would get the meaning and realize what David was doing.  Satisfied, he
folded the paper and stuck it in an envelope, addressing and stamping it.
On his way to the rec hall, he dropped it in a mailbox and enjoyed the rest
of the evening playing pool with a few fellow students who had the same
idea.

The next day he met with the campus employment advisor and received a list
of job possibilities and number of openings available on campus.  To his
surprise, also included was a list of local businesses that hired college
students as well.  He immediately discounted any job having to do with
food.  No way, no how.  Unfortunately, it didn't leave too many choices.
Only one on-campus position interested him.  The advisor informed him to
"get on the stick, those jobs fill up fast," so he headed off to the
library.  Luckily, within an hour, he had filled the last position
available there.  It was only three nights a week, two weeknights and a
Sunday night reshelving returned books, but it would do.  And it wasn't
ANYTHING to do with food.  David spent the next hour or so wandering
through the library, getting somewhat used to the layout.  On his way out,
he shot a wry grin at the librarian and made his way to the dining hall for
lunch.

He woke up early on Friday morning and managed to get a quick shower in
before all hell broke loose as the remainder of the students and their
families began to arrive.  What a zoo, he thought, sitting in the window
and watching the activity and drama as it unfolded.  Still in the window
almost an hour later, his attention divided by what was going on outside
and the book he was reading, he was a little startled when he heard his
room door open.

Raising his eyes from the book, he looked to the door as his new roommate
entered, juggling a duffel bag in one hand and a cardboard box under the
other arm.  "You must be Greg," he observed, walking over to give him a
hand.

"Yeah, thanks," Greg replied with a grin.  "What a pain."

"Yeah, glad I was here early.  I can remember what moving in was like.
What else ya got?"

"Some clothes and my footlocker," his roomie answered, tossing his duffel
bag on the top bunk.

"C'mon, then, I'll give you a hand.  Might need someone to run interference
through this mess," David laughed gesturing toward the crowded hallway.

On their way out of the dorm, David made a quick appraisal of his roommate.
Greg was about 5' 9", wavy light brown hair, green eyes, about 160 pounds,
and tan.  David grinned, he was pretty cute too.  Greg turned to say
something to him and caught the grin.  "What?"

David laughed and shook his head.  "I was just zoning out there a little.
How the heck did you get a tan like that?"

"Worked as a lifeguard at a public pool back home over the summer."

"So you're a swimmer?"

"Nah, built wrong for that, but got a chance to gawk at all the hot chicks
in bikinis," Greg laughed.  As they approached the car, Greg gestured.
"The parental contingent."  He introduced David to his parents and
handshakes were passed around.  David grabbed one end of the footlocker and
helped Greg carry it to their room, their progress slowed by the crowd of
people in the hall.  Greg's parents followed them with the remainder of his
stuff.  Finally back in the room, David laughed a little.  "Man, dunno what
you have in there, but I'm glad we're on the first floor.  I need a drink,
want anything?"

At Greg's negative reply, David exited the room, heading toward the soda
machine.  He figured his roomie would appreciate some time with his parents
before they left.  He had just punched the Pepsi button when an arm wrapped
around his neck from behind and a low voice murmured, "Give me all your
money, punk."

"You'll have to beat it out of me," David answered, recognizing Mark's
voice.

"Didn't know you were into that," Mark laughed, releasing David's neck.

"Only someone who is would make that statement," David laughed, turning to
face his neighbors.  "So how are you guys?"

"Tired, cranky, pissed off....," Vic grinned.

"Well, glad to see y'all haven't changed, then."

"Yeah, yeah, funny guy, he's funny, ain't he Vic?"

"Yeah, but looks aren't everything," Vic answered, punching David lightly
on the shoulder.

"So, you need any help?  At least not psychologically speaking."

"Not at the moment, we just stacked our stuff around the corner.  Gonna
wait til the madness dies down before we even attempt to get to our room,"
Mark answered.  Then he turned serious.  "How ya doin', Dave?"

"Better, man, lots."

"Good, can't have you all down in the mouth and stuff," Mark smiled.  "Got
your roomie yet?"

David nodded.  "Yeah, seems pretty cool."

"Well, then, at least we have one cool neighbor," Vic laughed.

"Here I was going to say it was good to see you guys again.  Maybe I need
to change my mind."

David laughed as matching expressions of mock sadness broke out onto their
faces.  Vic turned to Mark, "He doesn't love us anymore."

"You guys are a mess," David chuckled.  For the next few minutes, they
filled each other in on their respective summers.  As the activity died
down in the hallway, they began carrying their gear to their room, slipping
back into the comfortable camaraderie they shared the year before.  "Well,
I hate to break up this reunion, but I should check to see if Greg needs
any help."

"Sure, just leave us," Mark griped, hanging his clothes in the closet.

"Awww, don't worry, I'm just next door," David answered.

Mark broke into a smile, walked over to David and put a hand on his
shoulder.  "Good to see ya, man."

"Same here, ya weenies, catch ya later."  David walked next door, almost
running into Greg's parents as they left the room.  "See ya later, Mr. and
Mrs. Simmons."

"Bye, David," Mr. Simmons answered.  Mrs. Simmons smiled at him, then they
were gone.

"So, parental obligations satisfied?" asked David as he entered the room.
Greg nodded, and resumed hanging his shirts in the closet.  "You know, it's
better if we stick your bureau in the closet," David suggested.  "Gives us
more room."

"Okay, sounds good to me," Greg said as he turned around.  "This place is
sorta small."

Together, they rearranged the room to their satisfaction, then sat down
facing each other on their desk chairs.  David glanced around.  "Home away
from home."

Greg laughed, "I guess.  So what's it like?  I mean it's awful crowded in
here."

David remembered that Greg had told him he transferred from a community
college and this was his first time actually in a dorm.  "We'll be okay if
you remember not to wear my underwear," David laughed.  "And hope you're
not shy.  It gets a little personal sometimes."

Greg blushed slightly.  "Guess I'll get used to it."

"Yeah, it's a little different.  I felt the same way when I came here the
first time.  Quite the...."  He was interrupted by a pounding on the door.
He grinned at Greg, who was getting up to answer the door.  "Ready to meet
the neighbors?"

David almost fell off his chair when Greg opened the door and was
immediately wrapped in Mark's arms.  Before realizing it wasn't David, he
had moaned, "Oh, Dave, I've missed you so much."  When he did, he turned
beet red, let go of Greg, and backed away, apologizing profusely.  Vic was
laughing just as hard, sliding down to the floor holding his stomach.

Between bouts of laughter, David managed, "Greg meet Mark.  Mark, this is
Greg."

"Uh, nice to meet you, I think," Greg answered, just as red as Mark.

"Oh shit," Vic gasped, and held out his hand from the floor.  "I'm Vic."

"Hello."

David's stomach hurt and tears were rolling down his face as he got up and
put his hand on Greg's shoulder.  He took notice as Greg tensed at the
friendly gesture, but ignored it.  "Don't let them bother you, man.  They
were just released from the looney bin."

Vic, now recovered, stood up and smacked the back of Mark's head.  "Nice
first impression, dweeb."

"Man, I'm so sorry," Mark said.

Greg shook his head, then sat back down, allowing their neighbors to enter
the room.  "I take it you all know each other?"

"We've been neighbors since we started here," David explained, a little
concerned at Greg's seriousness.  "They've been goofballs the whole time."

Greg nodded, then got up again.  "I think I'll get a soda.  Let you all
talk."

"Hey man, you don't have to go.  I'm real sorry about that," Mark said.

"It's okay, you probably have a lot of catching up to do," Greg answered as
he walked by Mark and Vic and down the hallway.

Vic socked Mark on the arm.  "Way to go, idiot.  You've done pissed him off
and we've only been here like two hours."

"I said I was sorry," Mark responded.  Then he turned to David.  "What's up
with him?  Did we interrupt a serious roomie moment?"

Vic closed the door as Mark sat on the chair Greg had vacated, then leaned
against the wall.  "Shut up, Mark.  Sometimes you can be a royal pain.  The
poor guy isn't used to your antics like we are."

"Well, jeeez, I was just carrying on.  Shit.  Sorry, Dave."

David chuckled, "Maybe he's already got a boyfriend, Mark."

"That's just wrong, Dave," Mark smiled, his good humor returning.  "Guess
I'll have to watch myself next time."

David smiled in return and nodded.  Greg's reaction worried him a little.
It could cause some problems down the road.  He'd have to defuse the
situation somehow.  The three chatted for a few minutes, then the door
opened again.  "Oh, you're still here," Greg observed, starting to close
the door again.

"We were just leaving," Vic answered, nodding at Mark.

"Yeah, no sweat," Mark said.  "Need to get some more stuff done."  He stood
up and followed Vic out the door.  "I'm really sorry about that, man," he
apologized again to Greg, getting a curt nod in return.

After they left, Greg sat down in his chair and popped open his soda.
David remained quiet as he watched Greg look around the room, studiously
avoiding eye contact.  Greg sighed and asked quietly, "Ummm, are you one of
those people?"

"Huh?"

"You know, a...ummmm..."

Catching his roomie's drift, David answered, "Greg, Mark was just being
Mark.  He's got a girlfriend back home and had one or two last year.  What
do you think?"

"Well, ummm, I guess not then.  I just heard that college is full of them."

"Where did you hear that line of bullshit?"

"Well, that's what mom and dad said, and my older brother."

"Jeeez, Greg, you believe what everyone tells you?"

"No, but the way he came in here, I thought that maybe you guys were like,
well...."

"That's the way Mark is, Greg.  Those two helped me through a pretty rough
year last year.  They're probably some of the best friends I have.  I was
hoping we could all be friends."

"What happened?"

"Maybe I'll tell you sometime," David answered, not willing to discuss it
at the moment.  "But they were there for me, man.  And they will be for you
too, if ya let 'em."

"It was just weird.  Surprised the heck out of me."

"Welcome to the zoo, roomie.  Get used to it."  Greg was slowly loosening
up as David talked.  "And I thought you were gonna hit me when I put my
hand on your shoulder, now I sorta understand why."

Greg smiled, finally.  "Okay, Dave, sorry about that, but I thought..."

David grinned, "Yeah, you were jealous."

A strange expression flickered over Greg's face, then he laughed.  "Yeah,
right."

David breathed a sigh of relief.  Things might actually work out okay.
Another knock on the door, this time David walked over to answer it,
revealing a pathetic looking Mark.  "Umm, can I come in?"

David looked over to Greg.  "You gonna throw yourself on me again?" he
asked, the corners of his mouth twitching.

"Look, man, I'm sorry," Mark stated for the umpteenth time.  "I'm used to
David answering the door."

Mark, who was directing his gaze elsewhere didn't see Greg grin.  "Oh, so
I'm not good enough for you?"

Mark snapped his eyes to Greg, who was holding back his laughter.  "Oh, you
are so in for it," he threatened, breaking out into his own grin.  "Anyway,
the reason I'm here, besides to grovel at your feet, is to see if you two
would like to accompany my esteemed roommate and me to the rec hall?"

David rolled his eyes.  "Learned some new words over the summer, eh?"

"You know, if you didn't have such a cool roommate, I'd pound you," Mark
laughed.

David glanced at Greg, who shrugged.  Then he turned to Mark again.  "Well,
only if you grovel at my feet too."

"Gross.  I KNOW what your feet smell like.  Forget it."

"Wait til I start pushing my dirty socks into your closet."

"And how are you going to do that, Einstein?"  David crooked his finger and
led Mark to his closet.  Opening the door, he showed Mark the narrow gap
between the wall and the side of the closet space.  "Oh, wonderful," he
griped.  "Okay, point made.  Now how about some pool or something?"

"Let's rock," David answered.  They locked up the room, picked up Vic from
next door and walked to the rec hall.

On the way, Greg slowed down.  As David slowed to match his pace, his
roommate asked, "He's always like that?"  David chuckled and nodded.  "Man,
dunno if I can keep up with that."

"You're doing great," David replied, once again putting his hand on Greg's
shoulder.  "Just give what ya get.  It's all in fun."

"Thanks."

"No sweat," David answered, then grinned.  "We'd better catch up or they'll
think we're plotting."

"Aren't we?" Greg laughed.

"Good point," David answered, speeding up his pace.

The four spent a few hours playing pool, switching partners every so often
until their 'game fund' was depleted.  David was happy that Greg had
finally gotten used to Mark and Vic's quirky humor, it would have been a
definite wet blanket.  During the evening, they shared information about
themselves.  Greg had gone to some sort of religious school in Ohio, and
had completed his freshman year at the college associated with the high
school.  He decided to transfer to a public four-year college at his
parent's request that he needed to 'work on his social skills.'  The last
was imparted with an eye roll that made David proud.

On their way back to the dorm, David realized that instead of the three of
them, it was now four.  Greg, after the bad start earlier in the evening,
had loosened up and become a part of their 'motley crew,' as Mark referred
to themselves.  Saying their goodnights, each pair went to their rooms.  As
soon as the door was closed, Greg became quiet.  David smiled to himself,
kind of figuring out what was going through his roomie's mind.  "I'm gonna
hit the bathroom, don't lock the door."  He retrieved his toothbrush,
toothpaste, and gym shorts and walked down the hall.

When he returned, the room was lit only by Greg's reading lamp and the
sophomore was already ensconced in the upper bunk reading through his class
schedule.  David smiled again at his read of Greg's shyness, then stripped
down to his gym shorts.  Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed he had an
audience, shrugged and slipped under the sheet on the bottom bunk.  "Have a
good time tonight?"

"Yeah, pretty much," Greg answered from above him.

"They're not too bad once ya get to know them."

"Yeah."

"Night, roomie," David smiled.

"Is the light bothering you?"

"Nah, no big deal, Greg.  I'm used to worse."

"Okay, night."

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

The letter from Chad is verbatim (I'll let you figure that one out).
David's response is how "he" remembers it.  Guess some people don't keep
'love letters.'  lol

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or feedback.  Thanks!

email:  fupduckmd@yahoo.com
AIM and Yahoo: fupduckmd

Fup