Date: Tue, 24 Aug 2004 18:43:08 -0700
From: Boy Writer <boywriter@gmail.com>
Subject: Walking and Thinking (2/?, High School, m/m)

Disclaimer: This story is about teenage males in love. Or at least, it will
be eventually. If this is something you find offensive, then please do not
read it. If you are under the local legal age to read these stories, then
go somewhere else. Please do not reproduce this story without the writer's
written (or typed) permission. This story will eventually contain a
romantic relationship between two high school boys.

Note: Positive and constructive feedback is welcome and encouraged. I do
send thanks to the ones who have emailed me after the first piece. It has
encouraged me to continue. So, on with the second part!


Chapter 2

	"Jamie, this is Rand Davis. He'll teach you the ropes in here. I'm
easy to get along with as long as you can deal with my eccentricity.
Honestly, you get quite a bit of free time working in the library. Hope you
can handle it."

	Mrs. Twilo laughed and went back to work in the main library,
leaving me alone with Jamie. Once she was away, I tried to catch myself and
moved the stack of books I was working on into the 'ready' pile.

	"Ok. Right now, we're just getting these books ready for library
use. Gluing in the back pockets is easy, if you want to work on that while
I start putting them in the database."

	I moved to the computer with the first stack of books, keying them
in by ISBN and both forms of book location (Library of Congress and Dewey
Decimal, donchaknow?). I couldn't stop from looking over at Jamie every few
minutes. Perhaps it was confusion at his reaction last night that made me
think of the young man. I didn't have a clue.

	"I'm sorry."

	The voice startled my from my typing drone. I had been lost in the
monotony and my own thoughts. Blinking, I finally looked over and tilted my
head slightly. "Sorry? For what?"

	"For interrupting you last night. You looked so happy until I came
in." There was that look of pain on his face again. It was the kind of look
that could melt a diamond. I couldn't bear it.

	"Oh, it wasn't your fault. I just didn't expect anyone else to be
there." I forced a smile when I looked at him. "I really didn't mind. I
just wish you had stayed, though. I love the rain. It's always better with
company, too."

	My words must have worked. I saw some of the pain leak away. More
time passed as we each went back to our work. Finally, he spoke again.

	"What was that song?"

	I couldn't resist a smile. "Walking and Thinking. It's by a group
called Ra. I just wish my voice was as good as Sahaj's."

	"Y...your voice is beautiful."

	I don't know why, but I blushed a deep strawberry red. "Uh...
thanks." Compliments have never been a problem for me. I was used to
accepting them from my family and friends, mainly for wisecracks at the
right moment. But this one hit me in my soul. As I started to try to figure
it out, time froze again when Jamie opened his lips.

	"Over the hills, the light it flows, it shows the angels laughing.
Where is the love that we're supposed to find?"

	Each note was perfectly formed in his throat. I felt my body flush
with heat. Suddenly, my seating became quite uncomfortable for a reason I
would not discuss with my mother. Not only was his voice perfectly suited
to the song, but his face portrayed the emotions of the lyrics en toto. The
radiant voice from the sad face was simply too much for me. I felt a tear
slide down my face, unbidden.

	Jamie stopped with an apology. I caught my breath, "You have
absolutely nothing to be sorry about. That was amazing. I hope you're
planning on being in the show choir."

	He nodded meekly. My heart was still ponding from his rendition of
one of my favorite songs. That was when the mid-bell rang.

	Fourth period at my school was strange. There were several bells.
Some people went to lunch at the beginning of class, after the first bell.
Some people split their classes in two. Still others took it at the end of
class. I preferred to have mine in the middle. Working in the library
during the period made it easy for me to choose what I wanted to do.

	"Jamie, Wanna go to lunch?"

	"Don't we have to finish first?"

	"Nah. Mrs. Twilo lets us choose which lunch we want." I gave him a
winning smile. "C'mon. I'll introduce you to Rene."

	We walked through the library, letting the librarian know that we
were heading to eat. The mid-lunch was always the least crowded. When we
hit the doors, Rene was waiting.

	"Ooooh, Rand! Who's THAT hunka man?"

	Jamie had the decency to blush as I made introductions. We gathered
our food and chose a small table near the exit. Rene made a face almost
immediately when confronted with our lunches.

	"God, I feel like I'm surrounded by rabbits."

	I stuck out my tongue, only to see Jamie blushing again. I hadn't
noticed that he had chosen a vegetarian lunch, similar to my own.

	"So, Random... What was the strangeness last night that had you so
worked up?"

	"Nothing to worry about, Nee." My eyes slid to Jamie, who was
looking back at me. Deigning not to speak was a silent promise of sorts.
No, Jamie... last night will be kept between us.

	"Oh, you'll tell me later."

	"Wanna bet?"

	"If you don't, I'll beat it out of your little pagan hide."

	"My, she's ladylike." Jamie finally spoke up. I couldn't resist
breaking into a raucous laughter, mainly at the flummoxed expression on
Rene's face. Yes, Jamie would fit nicely into our little clique. Of that, I
was quite certain.

	"Random? Aren't you going to come to the aid of a poor, defenseless
girl?"

	I wasn't getting caught in this. "Poor? Rene, your dad is a doctor.
Your mom is a lawyer. You are as far from poor as I am from Australia. And,
you just threatened to beat my ass. I know better. You can be cattier than
a cheerleader on her period."

	Mock anger flared in her face. "I'll only let that slide because I
love you."

	Was it my imagination, or did Jamie's face fall slightly? But
rather than give him the wrong image of our relationship, I shot back.

	"You only say that because I'll never be yours. It would be like
incest."

	Rene's fists raised into the air, dramatically. "Why do you torture
me so?"

	"Because I can."

	It was the first time I had seen Jamie smile. Not just the small
grins here and there that I had seen in the library, but a genuine smile.
My own heart swelled in my chest. I still had no clue why I was so besotted
with this boy's happiness.

	Lunch ended and we went back to the library, still giggling over
Rene's wierdness.

	"So... why aren't you and Rene together? You seem close enough that
it could work."

	I couldn't help but laugh again. "We're TOO close. That's the
biggest problem in itself."

	"I don't understand."

	"Alright. Rene and I have known each other since childhood. Our
parents are close. We've always been together. Dude, I talk to her about
what I want in the perfect person. She's totally not my type, and I'm not
hers. You, on the other hand, are totally her type."

	"Oh."

	Then there was silence. The stack of books was finished when the
period ended. The rest of the day continued to drone until sixth period. My
final class... Show Choir. As class was settling, Jamie stepped in. I could
feel my smile hitting my ears.

	"Jim, Zack... wait until you hear him. That boy can belt one out."

	The tenor and the baritone next to me turned to look at the new
arrival. I already knew he'd be placed in the tenors. His voice was too
pure to fit in with my gruff bass rumble.

	Mr. Craig welcomes the class and introduced Jamie. We were a small
choir, so we each named ourselves and our range. School had only been in
session shortly, so we hadn't determined our fall show yet. Traditionally,
we grouped in twos or threes to perform, as well as one or two full-choir
songs.

	Mr. Craig asked everyone to begin warming up for a bit while he
adjusted some paperwork. He appeared to be placing people, and was thrown
by the arrival of the new student. However, he finished it anyway.

	"Alright, singers. This year's fall show is going to be done in
romantic duets. Each pair will get to choose and sing two songs from
wherever they like, as long as they are romantic. The only catch is...
we're overbalanced on the male side this year, so a couple of you guys will
be paired together."

	Some of the guys groaned. Me? I didn't care. I'll sing with
anyone. If I'm not mistaken, there's some song out there about two guys
going after the same girl. I'm sure I could research it and find out. Or,
there are always other options. The pairs began to be called out. Two by
two, the choir began seperating to discuss songs.

	"Rand Davis and Jamie Lane."

	The two of us turned to each other. Jamie breathed a sigh of
relief. I walked over to him. Some of the guys shook their heads. I even
heard a muttered, "Poor guy." I turned around and shrugged.

	"So, you and me. That ok with you?"

	"It's fine. At least I know you."

	"Yeah, and we've heard each other sing. I'm afraid you'll
overshadow me."

	Jamie gave a laugh. "No, I think we'll be fine. I even have a
couple of song ideas, if you want to hear them. If you don't like them,
we'll figure something else out."

	I shrugged. "Dude, I'm ok with almost anything. I just have a deep
voice that's hard to match in a song. It may be awkward finding the right
songs for our voices."

	As we were just getting started, the bell rang to end the school
day. I wanted to know what the songs were, but it would have to wait.

	I drove home, once again, in silence. Mom wasn't home. I guessed
she was out shopping. She did that every day. She preferred to buy things
as she needed them, keeping the basics around the house, and the choices
for family meals were picked out depending on her whim.

	I grabbed a bite to eat before heading to work. I only worked when
I was needed at a small local music store. Usually, Bern called me in on
Fridays and Wednesdays for a few hours at a time.

	I pulled into the parking lot, glad to have something to take my
mind off of things. I clipped on my namebadge, waved to Turner, and clocked
in at the register. Fridays were usually rather busy. The phone rang almost
immediately.

	"Music Plus, this is Rand. How can I help you?"

	"Rand? I... I didn't know you worked there. It's Jamie. I was just
wondering if you sold the CD you sang the other day."

	I couldn't resist a light chuckle. "Well, mine was actually a mix,
but we do carry Ra's From One. We've only got one in stock. I can put it on
hold for you, if you'd like."

	"Cool. I'll drop by later to pick it up."

	"Well, I'll be here until ten if you make it by then."

	"Alright, see you in a bit."

	I didn't get to find out when 'in a bit' was, because Jamie hung
up. I placed the phone down, only to see Turner staring at me. He had an
amused grin on his face.

	"Who was that?"

	"Oh, a friend from school. Why do you ask?"

	"Because you're smiling and blushing."

	I was? Oops. I couldn't really tell. I shrugged slightly. "Don't
know what you're talking about, man."

	I went back about my work. Before I knew it, it was 8:00. Time for
my half-hour lunch break. I got frisked (work politics, don't ask) and
clocked out. As soon as I stepped out of the doors to stretch, I was
greeted by those too blue eyes that had begun to plague my waking (and
unwaking) hours.

	My eyes lit up. "Hey! You caught me on my way to eat. Wanna join
me?"

	"Uhm... sure. I can swing that."

	Music Plus was part of a strip mall. Al's Deli was two doors
down. I walked that way and smiled, seeing Charity inside. Charity was a
radiant woman, and a sister figure to me. She was a fairly plump, black
lady, in her early thirties. She seemed to have a wonderful life, due to
the ever-present smile on her face. The smile was never fake, either. She
and her husband owned the deli, named after their only son.

	"Rand! Want your usual?"

	"Of course! Jamie, what do you want?"

	He looked over the menu for a few minutes. After some deliberation,
he chose a BLT, sans B. My own garden salad arrived after we had chosen our
seats.

	"So, what brought you to Riverville?" It was an innocent question.
At least, in my mind it was. Jamie looked down suddenly.

	"My dad and I... had a fight. I left and came to live with Mom."

	I bit my lip. "Dude, I'm sorry. I didn't know that. I hope things
will work out for you here." I truly did. I couldn't imagine anything that
would cause a fight like that in my family. My heart bled for the young man
at my table.

	"It's ok. It was for the best."

	"I hope so. You've already got friends here, though. Between myself
and Rene, you're set for life." I offered a grin.

	I could see a very soft smile on his face. I ate a bit of my salad,
but couldn't stop looking at him. I think he noticed.

	"So, what songs did you have in mind?" I asked, curiosity piqued.

	The former smile returned with more force. "Well, I actually have a
few. But there are two that I really want to perform with you. With others,
I wouldn't have even thought of it. I know we don't know each other well,
but I trust you not to get offended by them."

	"It takes a LOT to offend me, dude. My dad's been a sailor most of
his life."

	"Ok, the first is a romantic duet from a musical. It's designed for
two males. As long as you don't mind that the characters in the parts
were... gay. The other one is an oldie. It's for one person, but I think
with our abilities, we can make it fit as a duet."

	"I don't mind the gay factor. People have been calling me names for
years. At least, they did until I knocked Ebony's ass out flat." I grinned
and told the story of the only time I had ever resorted to violence.
Fortunately, it wasn't on my record, because the Principal knew I had to
have been provoked.

	My lunch came to an end. We went back to the store. He purchased
the CD, along with a single piece of sheet music and a book of music. He
made sure Turner checked him out, to keep me from knowing what he was
purchasing. He apparently wanted to keep it a secret.

	There was no rain tonight. As I got off work, I realized that I
still had a few hours before my curfew. It was extended on the weekends. I
drove to the place I called home more often than the house I lived in. You
guessed it... the beach. My shoes were left behind, as usual. I took a
moment to change from my jeans into a pair of shorts for comfort. I always
carried a change of clothes in the car with me. You never know when
something might happen.

	No music tonight, just myself, the water, and my thoughts. I
strolled out towards the water itself, stepping only a bit into the river.
I knew better than to go too far at night. With a current like this one
had, it could be very dangerous. I kneeled down, brushing my hands in the
water. My eyes locked onto the other side of the river as a focus point as
I began to think.

	The only thing I could see... were those eyes. Those haunting
crystal blue eyes. I couldn't explain it for the life of me, but I knew
better than to fight anything my mind was showing me. I remained there,
crouched in the water until I chose to go back home and sleep.