Date: Fri, 15 Jul 2011 18:09:20 -0700 (PDT) From: Joey Young Subject: Untitled Love Story, Chapter 16 The Usual Disclaimers Apply Author's Note: Again, I'll make this note quick. I'd like to thank Lisa Blackburn, who it so amazing at what she does. She is still my ninja editor and will always be a close friend. I'd also like to say thank you to my readers for their continued support and words of wisdom. Again thank you, you guys are what make my stories entertaining and fresh. Lastly I would like to announce the completed story of, "Rare Beauty." I know such a tacky title, but it was there and I took it. Anywhoo, its up so you can read it along with the latest update of the Untitled Love Story. You can find it in the High School section. -Joey Young Untitled Love Story Chapter 16 I awoke with a start. Blindingly bright light streamed in through an open window. I squinted my eyes as I took in my surroundings. Where am i? And why did I have a pounding headache? My mouth was dry and felt scratchy with thirst. I could literally feel my head pounding with each heartbeat. Lamely I looked around the room and slowly started to remember where I was at. An empty bottle of champagne was lying near the coffee table where a half eaten pizza sat. I groaned as my vision blurred dizzily. I needed a drink and fast. I inched forward a bit, but suddenly stopped as I felt someone's arm wrapped around my waist beneath the shirt I wore. I lifted the shirt and peered down at a thin muscular arm attached to a beautiful sleeping Drew. Immediately I gasped and covered my mouth from yelling. Quickly I scoured around for my clothes or something to tell me we didn't have sex last night. But my clothes were strewn around the fire place like I had flung them off in the night. Casually I began to move Drew's arm from my waist, which he had latched onto with his whole hand. I stared at his handsome face, while I tried to pry his fingers from my hip. Softly he stirred beneath me and his nose scrunched cutely. My heart slammed into my ribcage as his lips parted delicately and he nestled back into sleep. His nose cast a sharp shadow across his right cheek, leaving his face glowing like a morning angel. His golden curls were glossy in the morning light, but this didn't stop me from trying to free my waist. Ever so gently I pulled his long arm from beneath my shirt and tried to rest it against his sculpted chest, which rose and fell in rhythmic movements. I had managed to set myself free, when abruptly he bolted from his deep slumber and sat up. I flinched as he slowly moved his arm to rub his eyes. He turned then and noticed me. "Good morning," he said with a breathtaking smile. "Hi," I whispered as I pulled what little blankets we had around me. "What's wrong?" he asked noticing my distressed expression. "Umm. . . . Did we. . . .?" I couldn't even finish the sentence as he stared at me confusedly. I gestured with my fingers to a sexual position, which immediately had him blushing with chagrin. He shook his head before even speaking, "No we didn't. See?" He moved the blanket then and revealed that he still had his pants on. He tugged on the lip just below his hairy naval. A perfect V tapered down to his waist and disappeared below his pants. I swallowed despite the obvious coolness in the room. His hand moved up his chest then and rested against his upper pec. "Oh," I said with a gulp as I forced myself to look away. "Well where's my underwear?" I scuttled to my knees then and crawled to the fireplace. "I think their behind the couch," Drew suggested as I continued to look for my underwear. Quickly I moved to the couch and bent over the side, searching for my underwear. I was however wearing some, but I felt out of place. Unfamiliar in someone else's clothes. "Where?" I asked as I moved the rug away from the wall. "I don't see them. . . . Drew?" I turned around and immediately frowned. In his hands were my boxers which he held up with an amused grin. "I was just admiring the view," he teased as I awkwardly stood up and stormed to his side. "Very funny," I replied haughtily. "But I need to get home. My mom's probably worried about me." He sighed and I knew the amusement was gone. "You mean Dante's worried," he replied a little stiffly. "He is my boyfriend, Drew," I answered as I slipped my shirt on. "Besides, what were you expecting, a romantic reunion?" "I just need to quit you," he replied icily, but there was a hint of pain beneath his fa‡ade. "Quit you cold turkey, before you kill me, like you'll kill him." I didn't respond. Instead I started to put my clothes on, while his back was faced toward me. I was thankful, because if I saw his face I was sure it would break my heart. His words cut deep, but were true and I couldn't dispute him. Silently I got dressed as the tension in the room became heavy. As I was putting my pants on I heard the clatter of the stairs as if three people were charging down the stairs. I looked up in surprise as his two siblings burst in with a man I didn't know. They froze as they took the view of me zipping my pants up. "Oh, hey," Drew's sister breathed as she pulled on the man's arm. He didn't respond though and stared at me as I finally put my pants on. Drew however was a picture of ease, his arms moved behind his head and he looked at his family with a look of pure serenity. His sister's hair was a glossy shade like Drew's and tumbled loosely around her shoulders. Finn, Drew's brother, on the other hand was startlingly handsome, even though it was the late morning. He resembled Drew uncannily, but still had his boyish features, where Drew was all muscle and striking features. "Good morning," Drew said with a huge grin, which didn't reach his eyes. He didn't look at me and just ignored me as his family fidgeted in the doorway. Finn stared at me too, but more in a manner of disappointment and contempt. I didn't know why though. Slowly I moved to the fireplace where my sweater laid against the bricks. "Caleb, right?" I heard Drew's sister, Claire ask as I barely made it to my sweater. I turned and smiled uneasily at her, "Uhh. . . Yeah. Hi." I waved dismally, which made the man smile apologetically and Finn grimace in return. "Actually I was just leaving," I said with a bow of my head. "Or you were," I heard Drew ask sarcastically, before he turned his head to stare at me. "Well thanks for last night." Immediately I blushed and stood frozen in place. I smile meekly and faced his family, who were all watching our encounter with interest. "He's joking," I answered with a shaky laugh. "Hahaha, I have a boyfriend. . . . Nothing happened. . . . . Just spent the night." I could see Drew's bare back tighten with fury, but I tried to ignore it as I started for the exit. "Hey!! Where's my goodbye kiss, sweetie?" I heard Drew yell after me, making me stop. He was hurt that much I could tell, but did we have to do this in front of his family? His family was quiet as he continued with his horrible degradations. "Just another emotionless night, then?" he asked with a sneer as each word lashed at my heart. "Well?!?" "Drew, stop," I whispered, which momentarily quieted him. Only momentarily. "Well you got your money's worth, baby, your welcome," he said casually. Immediately I turned around and threw my sweater to the floor in frustration. "JUST STOP WILL YOU!!" I screamed as I stormed to where he laid. "I GET IT. YOU'RE MAD. YOU'RE HURT. BUT FIND YOUR DIGINITY AND STOP!!! JUST STOP!!" My voice abruptly left me and my head felt foggy with dizziness. Suddenly I heard Drew call my name in alarm. "Cale!!" he yelled as my legs buckled beneath me. With a cough I fell onto all fours and felt a little blood leak from my lips and nose. "What's wrong with him?!?" I heard Finn ask fearfully as Drew eased me onto his lap. "I'm fine, it's nothing," I whispered weakly as I tried to break out of Drew's hold. "Is he alright?" Claire asked as I felt her cool hand on the inside of my wrist. I flinched at the touch, but Drew quelled my fears. "Don't worry, she's pre med," he said as his hands held my arm in place. "What do you think, Claire?" "I don't know," she responded as the blood leaked onto my lips and chin. "Honey, get me some napkins and warm water please." "Okay," I heard a deep masculine voice reply, which was followed by footsteps. Slowly I started to sit up, which was a bad idea. My head swarmed with dizziness, but still I persisted. "Seriously, I'm fine, guys," I said softly and pushed myself up. "Look. See. I need to get home." Gradually Drew helped me up and wrapped an arm around my waist. "Not in this condition," he growled as I tried to stand on my own two feet. "Claire, tell him." But there was no response. Claire was silent in thought, while Drew helped me to the arm of a couch. Within a few moments, the guy arrived with a roll of napkins and a bowl of warm water. Gently Claire began to dab a few handfuls of napkins into the water and wring them off. However, before she even began to wipe away the blood, Drew took the napkins from her and did it himself. Softly he titled my head to face him as he towered over me and wiped the drying blood from my nose and mouth. I hissed whenever he pulled the dry skin too hard. "Sorry, sweetie," he whispered tenderly, which made me feel bad. How could I ever be mad at him, when all he did was try to love me? I sighed heavily at the thought, which made Drew pull back in alarm. "Did I hurt you?" he asked fearfully, his blue eyes hard with tension. "No, I'm fine." He nodded and began again, but stopped soon after. "Shit, the waters red," he commented as he grabbed the bowl from the guy. "I got it. Why don't you wake mom and dad, Steve. They're probably hanging." The guy nodded and signaled Finn to follow him. Finn briefly squeezed my shoulder before bounding after the guy named Steve. And I was left alone with the most beautiful member of the family, Claire. She was slender and tall, which I attributed to family genes as she stared at me with those intelligent grey eyes. Her face was smooth and creamy, while her lips were a dark shade of pink that contrasted with her ivory complexion. She watched me as I fidgeted with my sleeves, trying to make the situation less awkward. Finally I just broke the silence myself, "It's not what it looks like." She thawed then and uncrossed her arms. She eyed me peculiarly. "Oh, really? So I didn't just see you yell at my brother, who by the way is in love with you, despite having previous reservations with the emotion. . . . . Oh or the fact that you have a cancer that I'm not familiar with and just experienced an episode right in my living room." I gazed at her in desolation. "You don't understand." "Honestly," she said with a look of anxiety. "I don't." I sighed and gently wiped at the fresh blood I could feel running down my lip. "It's too complicated to understand," I replied with dismay. This gentle girl couldn't handle my secrets and problems. It was best she never even knew what was wrong with me. Softly I sniffed and rubbed the red liquid onto my pants, leaving a red streak behind. I tried to avoid her gaze and presence altogether, but eventually she spoke. "You're wrong you know," she whispered, as I kept my gaze from hers. "He is more than just a love- struck teenager. . . . He's very compassionate for someone who, how did you say it? Lost his dignity?" I looked up in guilt and stared into her brilliant grey eyes. "You have to understand where he comes from, Caleb, before you judge him," she continued as she took a step closer. "Drew is. . . .is a devoted, caring person, who always gets a bad wrap for his short temperate. His values are absolute, to say the least. . . . . To be a moment in his life is a great experience, but to actually be an influence. . . . Well it will forever change him. . . . . And Caleb. . . . You are his greatest influence." Her grey eyes softened as her declaration sunk in. Suddenly we heard Drew enter, which made us both jump in surprise. He walked in staring at the pieces of napkins he held. His attention momentarily occupied. "I brought some gauze, I don't know if that will help," he said as he placed the bowl of water onto the floor next to me. "But there's no harm in trying." He looked up and smiled faintly, which was outlined in concern. "No harm," I replied with a warm smile. ~*~ "Where were you last night?" he asked quietly as I positioned myself against his car's hood. We were outside my house talking on the street. He had just arrived after Drew had dropped me off. His silver car glinted in the morning sun as the snow provided the perfect back drop for his cold mood. He leaned against the side of his car on, his arms resting atop the shiny vehicle. Every now and then he would awkwardly kick the car's tire in an attempt to relieve his frustration. I watched as he lowered his head in complete silence, before he lifted it again to stare at me with his golden-green eyes. "Were you with him?" he asked again, this time between clenched teeth. I didn't know what to say, so I just nodded. He sighed and kicked the tire again. "A phone call would have been nice, Caleb," he said with controlled anger. "I know, I'm sorry," I replied lamely as he flinched at the sound of my voice. I didn't like this side of him. After the last time we had a small argument, this side scared me more than Drew's blind fury. It was unpredictable with Dante. The outcome of any situation couldn't be foreseen. You just entered blindly hoping to not be stung or worse left behind. "What were you thinking?" he asked quietly, but it sounded like he was asking himself the question not me. "I don't know," I replied not knowing what else to say. "Nothing happened." Roughly he growled and flung himself from his car. "Damn it, Caleb!!" he growled so loudly it scared me. "Why do you always assume I'm jealous? It's not about him, it's about your safety. Don't you understand?" I flinched as his words stung me with the pure honesty. "I'm sorry," I whispered brokenly. "I really am." "I know, I know, you're always sorry, Caleb. That's always your go to line. How bout taking some responsibility for once?" Again that stung me. "Umm, okay," I said thoroughly hurt. Silently I got up from the hood of the car and moved to the sidewalk. He was busy staring at the ground to notice as I slipped away. I needed time to clear my head and it was evident he needed time to calm his frustrations. The snow crunched underneath my feet as I walked up my walkway, but not before I felt his firm hand on my shoulder. "Hey," he breathed heavily, like he had been running. "What was that?" I shrugged out of his grip and stared up at him, the bright sun partially blinding me. "I just need some time to clear my head," I replied a little heatedly. "You know, take some responsibility." He noted my reference of his words and frowned in further frustration. "You know what I meant, Cale," he said with a slight growl. "Do I?" I asked a little shrilly. "Cuz, you've been dropping some deeply thought hints since Jenny's death. And right now, it seems like there's more on your mind then my health." My chest heaved as I tried to control my growing anger. "What is that supposed to mean?" he asked, as his eyebrows furrowed in anger. "'This cancer is changing everything,' Take some responsibility? Ring any bells?" I asked as I poorly attempted to mimic his voice. "Its seems like you've been thinking hard about my mistakes, and the future of this relationship." His face blanched in fury. "You think that low of me? Of how much I care about you? Then you don't know how I feel about you at all." "Oh, right, because Caleb is the victim. Just let him make his own mistakes. His own assumptions, cuz he's always wrong." "God, you're impossible," he grumbled as he kicked at the snow on the lawn. "Listen," I replied defeated. "Let's just take a break and think things over. I don't want to fight anymore. Okay?" He sighed and grabbed the back of his neck, before staring at me for one long moment. "Fine," he answered as he huffed in frustration. "Talk later?" I just nodded and turned back to my house. I waited until I heard the purr of his engine disappear around the corner before I went inside. I felt mentally and physically exhausted. ~*~ "Why won't you believe me?" I said as I sat with my back towards her. She had left the table to make me a plate upon my return. Her manner had suggested that my night with Drew hadn't gone unnoticed. "Dante was worried sick, Caleb," she chastised as she loudly scrapped the pan with a metal spoon. "You could have at least had the decency to visit him first." I sighed loudly and dropped my head into my hands. "You're right mom, I'm sorry. I acted rashly and didn't give a second thought to my family." Silence followed, but the tension in the room was too much. Abruptly I pushed away from the table and got up stiffly. "Caleb, I just want you to stop being childish and tell those boys the truth. . . . Before it gets any more complicated." Silently I bowed my head and pushed my chair in. "Thanks, mom, but I'm not hungry. . . . Have fun on your date. . . . Tell William I said hi." The door flipped close behind me as I went to my room. The familiarity of my room was what I need right now, along with isolation. My life was simply too complicated to evaluate at the moment, so I just basked in the silence. Slowly I shed my dirty clothes and slipped into a pair of old sweats and a t-shirt, before moving to the middle of the room beneath a ray of sun coming from my window. I laid on the floor, where the area rug fit nicely. Quietly I placed my hands on my stomach and stared at my bare ceiling. The sun soaked the skin beneath my shirt to a warm touch, and my bare flesh sizzled to a blistering heat. But I welcomed it. I welcomed the hard uncomfortable floor underneath me. I welcomed the cold relenting guilt I felt in the pit of my stomach when I thought of Drew. I welcomed the harsh whip of pain when I thought of Dante and his unrequited love for me. But most of all I welcomed the pure hatred I felt for my self pity. I hated the sharp sting of its blade as it attacked my pride, my courage, and my heart. So I laid there. Laid there willing myself to become stronger. Willing myself to fight. Fight for something I had ignored and pushed away since I had that first episode so many months ago. Fight for something so many had already fought for. Especially the two boys I would always love. The two boys who would do anything to help me. The way I would have for Jenny. The way I willingly donated my organs to replace her cancer ridden one. Donated. Abruptly my eyes flew open and I twitched with the sudden revelation. "MOM!" I yelled as I ran down the stairs. "MOM!" No answer. Immediately I felt lonelier than ever, but couldn't do anything about it now. She was on a date with Dr. Peters, the man I so desperately needed to talk too and I had no car. Impatiently I began to pace, trying to figure out what I could remember about my illness and its effects. I also tried to remember treatments that pertained to donor organs and replacing the effected area. The idea swirled around in my head as I thought longer about it. I so desperately wanted to discuss the possibility with Dr. Peters, but knew I had to wait all night or distract myself till then. I decided on the latter. ~*~ "Thanks for doing this," I said in gratitude as he pulled up to the ice cream shop. "I really needed a distraction. Besides ice-cream is always best during the winter since it doesn't melt." He chuckled at my sense of logic and turned the engine off. He rested his right arm across the seat and turned to me. "I'm surprised actually," he replied as he half-smiled. "I didn't think you'd want to talk to me after, well you know." I nodded, and looked out the window, hoping to hide my emotions. "Dante and I got into a fight. . . . Sort of." "Ahhh," he whispered with a slight chuckle. "I see. Just needed your second boyfriend, then?" My head swiveled back to him with a frown. "No. I just didn't want to be alone." That made him grimace in pain. Instantly I thought through my last few words and knew what I said. "What I mean is that, you're my best friend Drew. And I needed your company more than, well lets just say I needed it more than I should." He nodded tightly but didn't push the issue further. "So what do you wanna get?" he asked as we stepped out into the cold evening. I pulled my maroon sweater around me as we walked into the small ice cream shop. The cold wind bit at my cheeks, but the rest of my head was covered in my signature beanie. The door dinged as we entered, signaling our interest to purchase some Ice cream. Immediately a teenager emerged from the back room wearing a striped shirt and matching hat. He smiled openly at us, before greeting Drew with warmth. "Hello, how can I help you?" Drew smiled and ordered the biggest ice cream sundae, which took 10 minutes to make. While we waited Drew found a small booth that looked out to the street, where people walked by in the whipping wind of frozen flurries. Christmas had passed and New Year's was just in a couple of days. Soon school would be starting again and my vacation would be over. This was my last year and school already started to become and ordeal. "You ready for the New Year?" Drew asked interrupting my thoughts. I turned from the window and smiled at him. "New Year, new outlook, right?" I replied vaguely, he noticed. He laughed and started to fiddle with a piece of napkin, with a little too much concentration. "I guess you're right about the new outlook thing," he replied tonelessly. "Cuz I've been wanting to tell you something since Christmas. . . . . ." Suddenly the teenage worker appeared with our huge sundae and a couple of spoons. "Thank you," Drew replied as the sundae was placed in front of us. "Enjoy," was all the boy said as he disappeared. I stared at Drew as he began to shovel into our ice cream with enthusiasm. "You must love ice cream," I commented with an uneasy smile. "Or you really have something bad to tell me." "It's not necessarily bad," he replied as he spooned a globe of ice cream into his mouth. "Its more like what we already talked about before. . . . . Kind of like closure or whatever." "Closure?" I asked my mouth full of ice cream. "What do you mean, closure?" He sighed softly before putting his spoon down. "Remember when I told you about that opportunity I had?" "Ummm?" He smiled warmly, his blue eyes sparkling. "The whole Navy thing, silly." "Ohh," I breathed finally remembering, before it hit me. "Oh." He saw the look of understanding on my face. "Yeah," he replied and stared out the window at a girl running through the snow. "I have to make a decision soon, so I can sign up for training camps, before school is out." "Oh, wow. Before school's out?" "Yeah," he repeated with a quick breathe. "Soon," I said as I twirled my spoon in my hand. "Will you come back again? Before . . . ?" He laughed a hard laugh and smiled thinly at me. "I'm not going to hang around and watch you choose another guy, Cale. Or worse watch you die." I flinched, "You're right, you're right. You should go." He grabbed my hand as it started to shake. Why was I always saying goodbye to Drew, never welcoming him? "I'm not doing any good here, Cale. And you know that." "Is this why you came today?" He smiled and shook his head in frustration. "I don't belong here. Not when we both have different needs for each other." His golden hair was slightly damp from the snow and lightly grazed his furrowed forehead. I could see this little date was becoming more of a farewell than a break from reality. The ice cream was forgotten for the moment as we both stared outside. "Will you at least say goodbye?" I asked feigning indifference. I could see his golden curls tilt in my direction, but I didn't turn to look. I was afraid of what I would see in his crisp blue eyes. I already knew the answer, but to hear it from his mouth was the confirmation I needed. The closure he spoke of. "I don't think so, Cale. Not this time." I nodded quietly and turned to stare at him. I was right. His eyes were blue flames of festering passion. Silently I watched as his handsome face held my gaze, before I stood up from the booth and walked to his side. He regarded my movements with close speculation, but I didn't have anything but compassion on my mind. Fluidly I slipped into the seat next to him and I pulled him to me. My breath was shaky and hitched but I held onto him as the snow fell outside like the inside of a snow globe. He was my perpetual sunshine and all we had were these few stolen seconds. ~*~ "Shit," I whispered as we neared my house. "Shit." "What?" Drew asked as he drove down my familiar street. "Just promise me two things, okay?" "Caleb, seriously, what?" "Promise." "Okay, okay. Now what?" "First promise me you won't get mad okay?" "Okay," he agreed hesitantly. "Second promise me you'll stay in the car until you leave, okay?" Suddenly he saw Dante's silver car parked in front of my house. Dante was hidden behind my mailbox, but I could clearly see his hazel eyes in the setting sun. "Ahhh," he growled in the back of his throat. "Oh, look he has gifts." I looked again and saw that he did in fact have gifts. A small bouquet of roses and a tiny brown teddy bear. Immediately my heart melted and I wanted to spring from Drew's truck, just to be in Dante's arms again. But by the look on Dante's face, I could see that he didn't have that in mind. I waited patiently as Drew eased his large truck against the curb, before I instantly sprang from the cab. I plopped onto the sidewalk and smiled apologetically in Dante's direction. Dante wasn't even looking at me though, instead he was glaring at Drew, who of course was emerging from his truck. I turned then to glower at him. "I thought you promised to stay in the truck," I hissed as I stood on the sidewalk, between both boys. "Good thing I didn't promise," he replied with a slight grin, which was marred by blinding anger. I looked back to Dante, who was still glaring at Drew. The gifts he held were forgotten as his faced seethed with anger. "Dante, it was just a social call," I said as I raised a hand in a comforting gesture. "Nothing happened, so let's go inside, okay?" But Drew had to open his big sarcastic mouth. "Awwwh, boyfriend brought gifts, which one is mine, the teddy bear or flowers?" "Drew, shut up," I hissed while still watching Dante. Dante's arms shook with built up anger and he dropped the gifts. Instantly I sprinted to him and held him back with my hand. "Dante, he's just teasing, don't let it get to you," I said as I tried to qualm his anger. Lividly he turned and stared at me. "He's constantly showing up in our lives and yet you tell me he's just teasing? Caleb, don't you see he wants you for himself." "It's not like that," I whispered urgently as I placed my hand on his hard abdomen. "Please let's just go inside." Angrily he grunted and pushed away from me. "You go inside. I have something to say to Drew." Instantly I heard Drew laugh hard as he unzipped his jacket. The sound reverberated throughout the cold street. Dante was already taking off his jacket and stretching his neck in anticipation. "I've been waiting for a re-match," I heard Drew say, while my back faced him. "Guys," I said a little worriedly. "This isn't necessary. Come on." But they didn't listen. Instead they circled each other in the glittering snow. Both very muscular and handsome, like two angels brought to earth to fight. Dante the dark and brooding angel of destruction with his powerful torso and well defined arms. Drew the golden angel of a broken heart, his lean swift arms swung gently at his sides. They both stared each other down, before Drew lunged at Dante, knocking him to the ground. I watched as they threw punches, which connected with something vital and hard. They yelled and growled as their fists flew. I tried to make them stop but my efforts were for not. They rolled across the ground, staining the snow with blotches of blood. They were senseless, anger-driven boys who didn't know the first thing about treating someone with dignity. "Dante!" I yelled as his fist connected with the side of Drew's face, making him slam into his truck. "That's enough!" But of course he didn't listen. He continued to go after Drew as he slumped against the hood of his truck. Drew's eye was red where Dante had hit him, but he just grinned wickedly at spat blood onto the floor. Dante moved to punch him again, but Drew was faster. He ducked and elbowed Dante in the ribs, making him huff in pain. I waited in anticipation for them to begin again, but suddenly a large figure blocked my view and grabbed the two boys, separating them. It was Dr. Peters. Roughly he pushed the boys apart and held them back with his hands. "Caleb!" I heard my mom's voice as she came running down the sidewalk. "It's fine mom," I replied as I continued to stare at the two boys I loved. They both cussed at each other and rubbed the blood off of their faces. Dante was hardly scathed and had a blooming bruise just under his left eye. His teeth were bright red with blood, which he continually spat out. He had a minor cut above his eyebrow, but nothing too noticeable. Drew on the other hand, looked slightly worse. The red mark over his right eye was beginning to turn purple and swell. He clutched his ribs in pain, but tried to play it off. He hissed loudly, but stood tall, his dignity still important to him. His bottom lip was plump and red, with a dark cut above it, but he wiped away the excess blood. He had a small cut on his left cheek, which looked horrible, and made me want to get him to the hospital, but Dr. Peters silently began to talk to them. They periodically wiped blood away from their lips and stole furtive glances at me, near my mom. I smiled at both of them, but didn't get one in return. Every few minutes they nodded like they were agreeing to something, but I couldn't hear. My mom was silent at my side as we watched the boys talk to William. "What's he saying?" I asked my mom as the minutes began to drag on. "I don't know, but I'm pretty sure it's words of advice." I sighed in agreement. Eventually Dr. Peters slapped both boys on the back and grabbed Dante, pulling him to the house. My mom and I watched as they ascended the steps and disappeared inside the house. Immediately my mom followed, but not before she gave me a meaningful nod to Drew. I sighed sadly, knowing what I had to do. I walked to Drew, where he rested against the hood of his truck, holding a bit of snow to his cheek. "Are you okay?" I asked quietly as I reached for the snow he was holding. He let me grab it for him as he stared into my eyes. "I told you I could take him," he said as his beautiful blue eyes watched me. I smiled faintly, "Whatever you say, silly." He chuckled lightly before grabbing his side, with a wince. "Drew. . . ." "Let me guess, you want me to go home, where you'll probably stop talking to me and eventually just forget about me until you get in another fight with Dante, right?" "That's not fair," I whispered as the snow began to melt in my palm. "The only reason I ever come to see you, is because. . . . . Because I miss you." Instantly his eyes softened and he sighed in frustration. I looked away before he could see the tears in my eyes. "Do you know how much you affect me, by saying that?" he asked as he slowly grabbed my waist. "Yes," I breathed shakily as he pulled me close. "And I'm saying that now, because I've made my decision. . . . ." "Oh?" he whispered as his bruised face leaned down. Silently I began to weep as I tried to utter the next few words out to him. "It's him," I replied as I rested my forehead onto his chest, avoiding his lips. "It's always been him, Drew." I could feel his body relax, as I set him free. He sighed heavily and rested his chin onto my head. With a quick intake of his breathe he hugged me to him, while he smelt my hair. "So, go to the Navy," I said blubbering behind my tears. "Get away from me. I'm no good for you, because if you stay--if you remain here, I'll just keep dragging you along. . . ." My tears stained his shirt and suddenly I could feel the cold wind bit at me. "Cuz, I do love you. . . . . Drew, I love you, but just not the way you want me too." He sniffed then, but when I tried to look at him, he held me in place. "Caleb," he breathed before he sniffed again. "You were never nothing but good for me. Without you, I wouldn't be the man I am today. And for that. . . . . For that I will always love you." So quickly it wasn't even humanly possible he kissed me on the head and whispered, "Goodbye." And then he was gone. He started his truck with a loud rev of his engine, making me step out of the way. His bright headlights flashed as he pulled away from the curb. Silent tears ran down my face as I said goodbye to Drew. My first love. ~*~ Dante was sitting on the small sofa when I entered the house. The Drew door was all but forgotten, locked away in the recesses of my heart. He was breathing slowly and had a bag of peas creased around his eye. I almost laughed at the idea of frozen peas on his beautiful face, but I resisted the urge. Quietly I moved to the couch, momentarily wondering where my mom and William were. Probably in the kitchen or room, I thought absently as I walked around the arm of the couch. Dante noticed me and immediately stiffened as if he had been electrified. I flinched too, but his expression was more guilty than scared or surprised. He eyed me softly as I sat on the farthest couch cushion from him. He didn't move to sit next to me, but just sighed and stared down at his hands. "Dante-Caleb," we both said each other's names at the same time. "Oh, you go head," I whispered as I watched him smile sheepishly. "No, what were you going to say?" he asked, before wincing because he moved his arm to quick. "Are you okay?" I asked fearfully. "Has William taken a look at you?" Dante smiled and waved away my concerns. "Don't worry about me," he replied somberly before turning his gold-green eyes on me. "Are YOU okay?" "I'm fine," I replied a little too quickly, which he noticed. "Cale-" he said but stopped. "What?" "If you could just understand where my anger came from, then -then it would all make sense." I sighed and scooted a little down the couch. "I do understand, Dante, truly I do. It's just that I don't think it will no longer be necessary." He cocked an eyebrow at me, "How so?" Abruptly I looked away and stared at the ceiling, trying to count the warps in the wooden beams. "Cale?" I didn't know I was crying until I felt him wipe a tear from my cheek. "You're crying. Are you hurt?" Loudly I growled and wiped angrily at my tears. He was gone, so stop crying over him. Slowly I turned to Dante and saw the pain on his face. The same pain that mirrored mine. "He's gone," I whispered softly. "Drew is leaving soon for the Navy, and we thought it best to just say our goodbyes now." My voice broke on the last word. His eyes melted with tenderness, once I uttered this. Quickly with blinding speed he grabbed me and pulled me to my lap. Gently he cradled my body against his chest and held me as the tears started again. "I'm so sorry, love," he whispered as he buried his nose into the crook of my neck. "But if there was any other way. If this was any other life, it would be different. And for that I'm sorry." I quietly sobbed as he said this, feeling like a useless emotional creature. "I hat seeing you hurt like this, especially when you have so much good things coming your way." I looked up then and stopped crying momentarily. "How do you know?" "I just know, because who could give up on a selfless, wonderful boy like you. The boy I love." I sighed and brought my palm up to his face. "I love you too." And as I spoke these words, they rang true. I have chosen my future and now I had to start living it. The doorway to Drew was tightly closed and didn't make a sound as I leaned up to kiss Dante. His lips were like a dose of drug that I needed whenever I was sad. It triggered my heart to start beating at a rapid pace and my palms to get slick. His tongue was warm and wet in my mouth. He blew his heady scent into my face, momentarily leaving me breathless. I chose him. Please, send comments to untitledlovestory23@yahoo.com and read the newest story I have put up: Rare Beauty in the High School section. -Joey Young