Date: Wed, 5 Feb 2003 21:25:14 -0800 (PST) From: Jeff B Subject: Why oh Why Chapter 3 Disclaimer: This story is intended for people of age 18 (or 21 depending on where you live.) This story is about love between two gay male teenagers if this isnt your cup of tea dont read it :) Legal stuff: If you want to copy this story and/or put it on your page please email me first, because if i find it someplace without my permission, I'll sick Mandy on you :) Why oh Why Chapter three "Alright now I'm going to take my hands away, try to keep your balance this time, you've almost got it." Josh looked down at Jeremy with a grin. Jeremy didn't say anything. He stood next to Jeremy who was standing on his head. Josh removed his hands and Jeremy nervously remained upright. He had been teaching Jeremy after school for almost a week the dancing he had demonstrated at school. Jeremy wanted to learn the flips but first had to learn how to keep his body balanced otherwise he would injure himself. The first few attempts at standing on his head had been, well funny. But this time he concentrated and continued to `stand' unassisted. "Okay, now what?" Jeremy asked as he wobbled a little. Josh maneuvered in front of him got on his hands and knees and with one swift move stood on his head, facing Jeremy. "First, push with your hands and lean back, remember your feet have to make contact first. Allow your weight to carry you on to your feet, but be sure to push off with force otherwise you will fall over." Josh demonstrated by giving a hard quick push with his arms, his legs bent back His body followed smoothly. His feet touched the floor and his weight settled. "Now you do it." He said as he straightened out and pulled down his shirt. Jeremy grimaced for a few seconds then closed his eyes. They had been working on this exercise for a couple of hours now and so far had met with mixed results. The only difference now was the fact that he was able to stand on his head unassisted which amazed him. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath and pushed with his arms, and angled his legs back. Jeremy's weight carried over just as Josh's had and with a thump his feet hit the floor along with the rest of his body. "Good job! looks like you've got it. Now can you do this?" Josh stepped a few paces forward then pushed with his legs and did a back flip. Both boys were glad that Josh's house had an oversized living room, when you moved the coffee table, and a couple of foot stools, there was ample space to practice. "I don't think so." Jeremy admitted. He didn't exactly trust himself when he bent his body back like that and was scared of hitting something. "It's easy." Josh said as he repeated the flip. Jeremy looked at him with a perplexed look and frowned. Josh motioned for him to come to the center of the floor and he reluctantly followed. "Alright, you know what's involved in doing it, ill help support you as long as you don't kick me in the head." Josh said as he centered Jeremy. "If you're sure..." "I'm sure. Now I'm going to put my hands on your chest and back and help you carry over." Jeremy didn't doubt what Josh said, he did have some strength in him, even though it didn't show. Josh moved into position placing his hands on Jeremy's chest and back. "Now push with your feet, like your going to jump and follow through like you just did." Jeremy just nodded and closed his eyes, trusting Josh not to let him hurt himself. He wasn't totally sure why he trusted Josh like that, but he felt himself getting closer to the older boy the more time they spent together. Sometimes he felt deep down as if something compelled him to trust him even though he couldn't put his finger on it. He replayed what Josh had said in his mind and nodded giving Josh a signal that he was ready. Jeremy closed his eyes again and pushed with his feet and leaned back, Josh used his strength to help him carry backwards. Jeremy landed on his palms, using the momentum he acquired `bounced' back and landed on his feet. "You did it!" Josh exclaimed as Jeremy opened his eyes and grinned. "Thank the teacher." Jeremy shyly replied, Josh looked away for a moment and giggled. They continued practicing back flips until Josh was sure Jeremy was ready to do one on his own. He assured Jeremy that he was ready and Jeremy smiled and took his position. Josh stood by and watched, Jeremy pushed with his legs but ended up using too much force, so by the time he was on his feet, the momentum continued to push him back and not knowing what to do, Jeremy completed a second flip. Josh stood there with his mouth hanging open, in astonishment. Jeremy did a few more flips to make sure it wasn't a fluke and by evening he was doing them almost as well as Josh. "You've done very well today little grasshopper." Josh smirked as he handed Jeremy a bottle of water and a towel. Jeremy took the water and gulped it down and dried his forehead. His muscles wanted him to stop, but his body wanted to keep going. He ignored his muscles, and after drying himself off he looked at Josh. "Can we try the dance routine with the flips?" Josh looked at him and studied his face. "Are you sure? I don't want to do anything that would strain your muscles." Josh took a sip from his water bottle as Jeremy nodded. Josh set the bottle down and walked over to the entertainment center. Another thing that made this room perfect was the fact his parents had invested well in a sound system for the living room, with full surround at the right volume music would pounding your chest. Jeremy had also studied the dance moves that Josh demonstrated at school that day and had seen it enough times to be able to follow along, now that he had the back flips down he was hoping he would be able to do the whole routine. Josh set the c.d. player and Jeremy waited for the cue that Josh used. The timing between the two was almost perfect. Jeremy had almost been able to mirror everything that Josh did even the back flips. He did make a few missteps but those could be dealt with, with more practice. Both boys allowed themselves to flow with the music and both dealt with the emotion perfectly. Josh and Jeremy had become so entranced by the music and each other's movements, they didn't notice Josh's mother standing at the door holding two bags of groceries. She had entered just as the routine started, but didn't get noticed thanks to the design of the house and the front doors position in relation with the living room. She was surprised at what she saw, she had known that Josh had been working with Jeremy but didn't know that this kind of progress could be achieved so quickly. Mrs. Viehman had been a drama major herself and was very pleased that Josh had gotten interested in it. When the music ended Josh and Jeremy turned to notice Mrs. Viehman standing there smiling. They both looked at each other then at her and giggled. "Nice work boys. You're a fast learner Jeremy. How about giving me a hand with these bags guys." Josh turned off the c.d. player and grabbed a bag, as Jeremy grabbed another allowing Josh's mom to put down her purse. "Thanks Mrs. V." Jeremy replied as he headed for the kitchen. Mrs. Viehman had told Jeremy before to call her Mandy but he just couldn't do it.. So they compromised. "Is that the routine you're going to use Josh?" She queried. "Yeah, we just need to get Cathleen over here so she can fit her piece into it." "I wish I could be there to see you guys perform. But duty calls." Mandy worked odd shifts at the hospital. She was one of the doctors that worked in the emergency room so she was basically on call all the time whenever she was needed. Same with Daren being a cop, there where times when Josh didn't see either of his parents much but he understood, and his parents trusted him enough to not burn down the house or anything like that. "Mom, its home coming, I wouldn't let you in the building anyway." Josh groaned. "I know but still, to see my little baby perform like that." Jeremy giggled as Mrs. V batted her eyelashes at her son, Josh faked a look of revoltion and she chuckled. "Don't worry mom, Mrs. Fuller will be taping it and I`ll be sure to get you a copy." Josh and his mother exchanged a loving look. "Well I better get going." Jeremy said as he stretched. "You want to stay for dinner Jeremy?" Mrs. V asked looking at her watch. "You're mother is on shift for another 2 hours." Jeremy's mother, a nurse, happened to work at the hospital as well. The two families seemed to be growing closer as the two moms got to know each other better. "Thanks for the offer Mrs. V, but I'm going to soak in a hot bath for a while, and make dinner for mom so she'll have something when she comes home." Josh made a mental note to see if Jeremy could really cook or not. If so then this boy had more talents than anyone could shake a stick at. "Awe, well okay. Give us a call or a yell if you need anything dear." Josh's mom replied as she started putting away groceries. Josh walked outside with Jeremy, both stood in the front yard for a moment, Josh mainly did this to make sure Jeremy's dad Jake didn't show up when Jeremy was going home. After that incident a week ago, he was sure he really didn't want Jake anywhere around him. "Thanks for the lesson." Jeremy said as he paused. Josh smiled, "Anytime dude," he looked at Jeremy thoughtfully for a moment. "Do you think your ready enough to give Mrs. Fuller a little demo tomorrow?" Jeremy looked a little nervous for a moment. "Jeremy your ready, trust me." Still a little hesitant Jeremy smiled and nodded. Both boys said goodnight on the deserted street. The next morning Josh woke up with knots crawling up and down his spine. He spent extra time soaking in the shower allowing the hot water to pulse down his back. That gave him some relief. As he showered he thought about the last few weeks, and how things had changed. Well nothing major changed. The routine was the same, but somehow with Jeremy nearby, and mixed in with it, the routine wasn't the same old cycle it used to be. Josh had danced more in the last two weeks than he had in the last 2 months. And Jeremy was a very quick learner. His steps followed and fell with Josh's almost as if, they had made the perfect couple. Sometimes when they had been fooling around with new steps Jeremy was able to keep up with him without thinking, and sometimes was one step ahead of him. That caused Josh to think for a moment, but his thoughts were interrupted when the hot water ran out and a stream of icy cold water hit his bare skin. He let out a yelp as he turned off the faucet and began to dry himself. He continued to think as he got dressed, gathered his stuff together and headed out the door, but again his thoughts were interrupted when Jeremy started walking with him and began voicing worried opinions about performing for the drama arts teacher. Josh reassured Jeremy that he was ready and Jeremy looked at him and nodded. That morning passed by quickly and before either one of them knew it, they were both in drama class waiting for it to begin. Cathleen arrived a few minutes before the bell rang and Josh informed her of what they were planning. "Why didn't you guys tell me?" Cat exclaimed, "about the deal that you and Jeremy came up with?" Josh pointed out repeatedly that it was better that they knew for sure Jeremy could do it first. She finally agreed and liked the idea. Drama class began and dragged on for and hour. Finally, towards the end of class; Josh, Jeremy and Cat where able to get a hold of Mrs. Fuller and explain the addition to their team. "But you aren't required to do it Jeremy. I exempted you from it because you transferred in late." Mrs. Fuller explained. "I can do it though and I want to do it." Jeremy replied as he looked at her, then back at Josh and Cat. "I can vouch for that, I taught him the moves myself." "I don't know... There isn't enough time to allow for practice and it would count for a third of your grades." Jeremy looked hurt for a moment, Josh sighed and Cat looked angry. "I'm willing to stake my grade on it." Cat hadn't even seen them dance yet, but she believed anything Josh told her. Mrs. Fuller didn't seem convinced. Josh dug into his backpack and pulled out a c.d. case and held it out for Mrs. Fuller. "Will you at least watch him? Consider it an audition." Mrs. Fuller accepted the c.d. "The stage is yours then." She cleared her throat "Class, Josh Viehman and Jeremy Astor have a little performance to give, well more like an audition. Please be silent." She put the c.d. into the player as Josh and Jeremy stood on the small raised stage the room contained. He smiled at Jeremy and patted his shoulder as they both took their positions and waited for the cue. The entire class watched, Mrs. Fuller stood at the back of the room with her arms crossed, half expecting them to fail, the music started and everyone fell silent. Josh looked at Jeremy and nodded the cue and they both began at the same time. The two worked in rhythm to the music and each other. Both became entranced and everyone else seemed to just fade away. The timing was perfect, the moves a mirror image of each other. Jeremy did better this time than the night before. Every heartbeat seemed in sync. The back flips were flawless. Josh and Jeremy moved as one. Cat glanced at Mrs. Fuller who really couldn't believe what she was seeing. She was as awe struck as the rest of the students. She knew Josh could use fast moves, that's what she liked about him. Once he got started he didn't stop and followed everything through. She hadn't expected this of Jeremy,. When the music ended she turned off the c.d. player and headed for the stage. "Jeremy who taught you how to do that?" She asked in a very serious tone. "Um... Josh did." "You didn't have any prior dance instruction before that?" "No..." Jeremy looked to the floor as if he had just been caught stealing from the cookie jar. She turned her attention to Josh. "How long have you two been working on this?" "We, uh... Started a week ago." He meekly replied. "A week?" Mrs. Fuller looked as if she had just been slapped in the face. "My god it took a year for me to teach the best dancers last year. And they had previous instruction." She thought for a moment. "Alright, Jeremy you can do the homecoming performance, if that's as good as this little demonstration, we're going to talk about competitions." Cathleen's eyes went wide and practically bulged out of her skull. Mrs. Fuller allowed the class to mingle amongst themselves for the rest of the period and gave Josh his c.d. back. Josh and Jeremy sat down, feeling a little tired and worn out. Cat joined them grinning like... Well a cat. "Cat you really need to come over to my house sometime so we can get the timing right, you still haven't shown us what your going to do." Josh said as he caught his breath. "Will do, what I've got should fit in nicely." She beamed. A few of the students in the class came over to congratulate Josh and Jeremy, and a couple of them even asked for lessons as well. "At this rate your going to have to open a dancing school Josh." Jeremy grinned and looked at him. "I know. But one thing at a time, alright? I'd like to make sure we survive the home coming performance first. The bell rang signaling the end of class and Josh walked out with an arm around Jeremy's shoulder and the other around Cat's. Both boys were still pretty tired as they headed to lunch and leaned against each other as they walked. Josh was nervous about walking like this at school, but he then realized he didn't care. Jeremy wasn't complaining, in fact Josh could have sworn that Jeremy snuggled closer as they walked down the hall. Josh began to think as the little group continued to the cafeteria since lunch was next on the schedule. He wondered if Jeremy's feelings for him were the same as his. After all the both had been working pretty closely together for the last week, and during that work it did seem that they reacted to each other and thought the same. At any rate Josh doubted he could do with anyone else, what he had done with Jeremy. He decided, as they entered the cafeteria that sometime soon he would need to tell Jeremy how he felt. That day came a lot sooner than Josh could have ever expected.... TO BE CONTINUED...