Date: Wed, 29 Oct 2003 19:55:09 -0800 (PST)
From: Silven Fox <silvenfox@yahoo.com>
Subject: Love is Universal - 1

This story is pure fictional. The characters involved are not based upon
any real life people. If you are offended by homosexual acts that involve
male individuals then this is not the story for you. I borrowed the basic
plot line and story idea from the movie Man of the House. So if the basic
plot seems familiar to you then there you go. This is not a fanfic of the
movie however just a different take on the idea.


I've wanted to do a story like this for a while but never had the chance.
Since, the idea has been floating around my head for so long I decided to
just go ahead and do it. I hope you all like this.

Now if you have any comments, feedback or you just want to drop a word.
Send them to SilvenFox@yahoo.com


Chapter 1


As you grow older one tends to forget past memories. However, it's always
the most painful memories that have a habit of sticking around and never
letting go. It grips you and doesn't let you forget its significance. Six
years ago, an eight-year-old Alex Summers watched as his father left him
and his mother to be with his secretary. He moved away to another city and
they hadn't heard from him since. From then on it was just Alex and his
mother. Personally, Alex thought they were better off with just the two of
them. His mother was devastated for a time but she got over it and they
moved on. He did too. Eventually she started dating. There would be a
period where Alex would have to share his mother, but they were all jerks
and they never lasted long. Eventually they would go back to the way things
were, just the two of them. Alex was fine with it. He liked it that way. He
looked after her and she looked after him.

Six years passed and Alex grew up. He was fourteen and enjoying his life to
the fullest. Alex grew into a fine teenager. He stood at five foot seven
with brownish blond hair and green eyes. He was liked at school but by no
means the most popular kid on campus. Alex's life seemed almost perfect.
That was until two weeks ago. His mother told him that she wanted to get
married again. Alex didn't get it. He didn't understand why she wanted to
put herself through that pain again. Ken, the new guy she was dating, was
alright but Alex thought he was a total goofball. It was a Monday morning
when Alex got the some of the worst news of his life...

"WHAT!"

Elizabeth, Alex's mother, regarded her son with a raised eyebrow. "Are you
done?"

Alex shook his head, not believing what he just heard. "Not even close.
What do you mean Ken's moving in with us?"

Elizabeth swept her blonde hair away from her face before taking her son's
hand within her own. "Now honey don't be like that--"

"What brought this own anyway?" questioned Ryan, interrupting her sentence.

"Alexander," she began. Alex rolled his eyes. She always said his whole
name when she wanted to tell him something serious. "You need a positive
adult male figure in your life. And I think having Ken around will be good
for you."

Alex gave her cheeky smile. "Mom if this is about sex I already know. We
have cable. I don't need Ken to give me 'the talk'."

Elizabeth rolled her eyes good-naturedly before her face suddenly turned
sad. "Alexander, I love Ken. But I love you more no matter what. And I
won't take Ken's and I relationship any further if it doesn't work for
you. OK."

"Ok," said Alex, sighing. "He can move in. But it doesn't mean that I have
to like him."

Elizabeth's whole face brightened. "Tonight is when he'll start moving his
stuff in."

Alex was about to protest, but he didn't want to ruin his mother's good
mood. She seemed really excited about Ken moving in. "Whatever," he said,
glancing at his watch. "I need to go ahead and walk to school." He stood up
and kissed her cheek. "See you later."

He put on his backpack and walked out of the house. Alex felt himself slip
into what his best friend, Cash, liked to call 'brooding mode'. He
practically stomped down the sidewalk to the familiar building that stood a
couple of blocks away.

"Uh oh. I see someone is upset. You've gone and went into brooding mode,"
said a voice next to him.

Alex turned around in surprise. "Holy shit, Cash!" he yelled, clutching his
rapid beating heart. "You scared the shit out of me."

Cash Ransom gave Alex a toothy grin. Cash was a tall kid with brown hair
and dark blue eyes. He was what the girls called a 'fine ass boy'.
Personally, Alex really didn't see it.

"That was the point genius," laughed Cash. "Now, what's wrong with you. You
look like someone just shot your favorite monkey."

Alex shook his head. "It's my mom, man. She's letting her new boyfriend
move in," he said, bitterly.

Cash made a pained sound. "Ouch. I know this one. I went through the same
thing," said Cash, sagely. It was only a couple years ago that his mother
had remarried. "Be careful the first thing they do is try to be your
friend. Then the next thing you know he'll be bossing you around like
you're his personal assistant."

They walked into the school building, avoiding the other hundred kids
walking through the hallways. "So, what should I do?" asked Alex.

The sound of the first tardy bell rung through the air, cutting off what
Cash was about to say. "I can't be late anymore this semester. One more
tardy and I'll get suspended. I'll tell you at lunch," Cash said, before
sprinting off to get to his first period class.

Alex went through the day just like he normally did. First period was
English so he fell asleep. For some reason he was exceptionally good at all
his classes that didn't require using problem solving using numbers. His
Algebra I class was the only class he actually had to pay attention in or
he would be lost indefinitely. All his other classes he could pass without
even putting effort into it. All too soon third period came and it was time
for lunch. Cash met up with Alex as he walked out of the lunch line with
his food.

"So, how do I get rid of this guy?" asked Alex, once they sat down at a
half empty table.

Cash ran a hand through his brown hair, considering the question. "If you
want this guy out, you have to do it now. I know for a fact the longer the
guy stays, the longer it is to get rid of him. So I suggest you start
trying to get rid of him as soon as you can. Like today."

Alex swallowed his mouthful of pizza. "You're right. I need to start quick.
Make him think twice about trying to marry my mom."

Alex shivered slightly as the hair on the back of his neck stood on end. He
looked up and swore inwardly at the person that he saw heading toward them.
"Oh, shit," he whispered to Cash. "Don't look behind you but here comes
Morgan White."

"Damn it!" Cash swore, softly. He discreetly looked behind him. Sure enough
a pale raven-haired girl was heading toward them. Cash spun his head back
around a scared look coming over his face. "Damn! How does that girl always
manage to find me? I swear she's like a pro stalker."

"Maybe she has you on lowjack?" Alex said, grinning. He grinned wider at
the glare that Cash shot him.

"Hi, guys," Morgan chirped, sliding into the empty seat beside Cash.

"Hi, Morgan," the boys said together in a dreary monotone.

Morgan didn't even seem to hear the tone of their voice. She never did.
Alex didn't know how to start describing Morgan. The words crazy, skitzo,
psycho, stalker came to his mind instantly, but that was just nice things
about her. It was common knowledge that Morgan White had a huge crush on
Cash since the fifth grade. It began with been making moon eyes at him then
eventually over the years turned into full blown stalking. Morgan was so
into him that she threatened away any girl that was remotely interested in
hooking up with Cash. Morgan was no lightweight. She may have looked dainty
but Alex had seen her fight two girls at the same time... and win.

Morgan looped her right arm through Cash's. "Cash, guess what," she said
smiling, while tracing circles on his hand with her finger.

Alex bit his lip to keep from smiling at the scene. Cash looked like he was
trying his hardest just to not find the nearest exit and run like hell.
"What?" asked Cash, fighting not to shudder at having the girl rubbing his
hand.

Morgan smiled brightly. "I'm visiting Washington this weekend with my
folks, so I won't be able to see you this weekend."

"Morgan, I've told you this before," began Cash, slowly as if talking to a
child. "I don't like you like that. And what plans are you talking about?
We don't see each other on weekends."

Morgan shook her head, as if what Cash was telling her was pure madness.
She placed her finger against his lips to keep him from further talking.
"Hush, baby. You're talking nonsense. Now, I'll be gone for a few days, so
don't be sad. I'll call you at least once a day."

Alex hurriedly turned his outright laugh into a hurried cough. With a kiss
to Cash's cheek, Morgan walked away to rejoin her friends at the table on
the other side of the cafeteria. Alex couldn't hold it in anymore. He
laughed long and hard as Cash wiped frantically at the cheek Morgan had
kissed. Cash cracked his knuckles like he always did when he was either
frustrated or annoyed. "Can you believe that skitzo! Does she not
understand I. DO. NOT. LIKE. HER."

"Well, we all know that she likes you," laughed Alex. "You remember that
time in the seventh grade when she made that collage with just pictures of
you and presented it to our entire art class."

"Don't remind me," replied Cash, darkly.

Alex glanced at the digital clock that was mounted high on the cafeteria
wall. "We better head to class."

They dumped their food and put their trays in the automatic wash line. A
bright flash from their side made them turn around. Morgan waved at them
from the table she sat at with her friends. In her hand was a digital
camera. Cash groaned loudly, "Lets just hurry up and leave before she takes
more."

Alex teased Cash about Morgan as they walked through the hall. It was one
of his favorite pastimes. Cash always got so red in the face when he heard
any joke that put him and Morgan White together.

"Help!"

They stopped in mid stride. "You hear that?" asked Alex, glancing around
the empty hallway. It was completely deserted except for he and Cash. The
plea of help came again. This time they pinpointed it as coming from one of
the lockers that lined the wall next to them. Alex put his ear to the
locker door. "Uh. Hello?" He called unsure.

"Help me! I'm stuck in here," said a muffled male voice from inside the
locker.

"What's the combination?" asked Alex, putting his hand to the combination
lock.

"24. 13. 02." replied the voice.

Alex turned the lock three times successfully and clicked the handle up
opening the metal door. His breath caught in his throat at the sight before
him. The word beautiful instantly came to his mind as he looked at the boy
inside the locker.

"Hi," said the boy, as if it were no big deal that he was standing inside a
locker.

Alex barely managed to remember to breathe as he stared at the boy that
climbed out of the locker. He was shorter than Alex maybe around five foot
five. He had light brown hair with amazing blue eyes. Usually, people with
blue eyes had other colors mixed in. There was either light blue mixed in
or there were flecks of yellow. This boy's eyes were completely
blue. Almost like sapphires.

"Hi," said Cash, giving Alex a weird look.

Alex seemed to find his voice. "Hi," he said, regaining control of his
composure. The boy was just mesmerizing. Alex knew he was gay since the
time he was in the sixth grade, when he fantasized about what the
basketball players looked like naked rather than the cheerleaders.

Cash introduced Alex and himself. The boy smiled introducing himself
also. "I'm Trent Arthur Garret. But my friends call me Tag."

Alex smiled dazedly, mentally storing away the information. He had to be
called Tag because of his initials. "So why were you in a locker?"
questioned Alex.

Tag's eyes turned slightly sad. "Some guys were making fun of me and they
stuffed me in there. They did it because I'm an Indian Scout," he said,
pointing to the vest he wore. Alex noticed the brown vest for the first
time. It looked like a frayed Indian vest with beads tied to the chest
area.

Alex vaguely remembered hearing about Indian Scouts. Someone had once
called them Boy Scouts gone retarded that was all he knew about them. "What
exactly are Indian Scouts?" Alex asked, curiously.

He heard Cash sigh impatiently beside him. Cash was never the good
Samaritan type. Tag smiled as he held up his hand as if swearing on
something. "The Indian Scouts are an association promoted by the YMCA
designed to foster a companionable relationship between father and son."

"Ok," said Cash, hurriedly. "Time to go. Alex?" He gave Alex a pointed look
that said this kid is weird lets get the fuck out of here. Alex saw his
look but pointedly ignored it. He was starting to get an idea.

"So, do the father's have to dress up in the Indian getup too," Alex asked,
taking great care not to stare into Tag's blue eyes. He didn't want to look
like an idiot again.

Tag nodded. "Yeah. My dad even wears the chieftain headdress."

Alex smiled inwardly. This was just too perfect. "How does one register for
the Indian Scouts anyway?"

Cash made a choking sound of disbelief with his throat. He turned to Alex
giving him an incredulous look. Alex gave him a smirk that made Cash narrow
his eyes in suspicion. Tag gave Alex a dazzling smile that made Alex weak
in the knees. He had to grab onto the locker beside him for support to keep
from falling. That's how bad Tag's smile affected him.

Tag reached into the open locker that he was once trapped in. He pulled out
his arm and in his hand was a folded pamphlet. He handed it to Alex who
accidentally brushed their hands together as he took it. Alex blushed at
the contact. To distract himself he hurriedly opened the pamphlet. Inside
was information and a cut out registration form.

"In this pamphlet is everything you need to know about the Indian Scouts,"
said Tag. "Well, I have to go. It was nice meeting you." He waved at them
then turned and walked away. Alex watched him as he walked down the
hallway. Even the boy's butt was perfect.

Cash suddenly appeared in his line of sight. "You aren't seriously thinking
about hanging with that loser are you? I'm all for donating to goodwill but
trying to befriend Molly Ringwald 2003 is a bit much."

Alex put on a disgusted face. It wouldn't do for his best friend to find
out about his sexual preference in the middle of the whole way. "Of course
not," he protested.

Cash looked into Alex's eyes then took a step back after seeing what was
there. "You have that I have a plan look. The last time you had that look
Morgan White got it into her head that I wanted to take her to the
Homecoming dance."

Alex put up his hands defensively. "Hey, its not my fault that psycho
doesn't get the point that you don't like her."

"What's your master plan anyway? Why you so interested in joining the loser
club for boys?"

Alex smirked, walking down the hall making Cash run to catch up to him. "I
know exactly how adults work. If I say I'm interested in joining the Indian
Scouts, he'll be interested in joining. Of course he'll hate it and that my
friend is where the fun begins."

Cash shook his head half-smiling. "Man your evil. How'd you come up with
this plan anyway."

"It's like I always say," shrugged Alex smiling, stopping in front of his
classroom where other kids were filing in. "My ideas are like STDs. I don't
mean to get them, they just show up."

They laughed at his joke and separated going to their separate
classes. With one more period left, school flew by for Alex. He returned
home to an empty house. His mother wasn't home so he assumed she was at
Ken's place helping him pack. Alex took advantage of his time alone by
cranking up the stereo to its loudest. Because the stereo was up so loud,
he didn't hear the lock click or the sound of the front door opening and
closing. Suddenly, his radio cut off in mid song catching him by
surprise. He spun around and came face to face to his mother and her
boyfriend. Ken was six foot with black hair and hazel eyes. His mother and
Ken had met at some type of party. From then on they had been dating. Alex
didn't like Ken from the moment he saw him. He was just too nice. And Alex
believed that no one was as nice as Ken without a reason behind it.

"So this is what you do when I'm gone," Elizabeth said, raising her
eyebrow.

Ken smiled at Alex. "Hi, Lex. I can tell you and I will get along just
great."

Alex rolled his eyes, cringing inwardly at the name 'Lex'. "Great," he
muttered to himself, sarcastically. "He's already given me a
nickname. Welcome Alex to the ninth circle of hell."

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

End Note: I hope you all like this story. Should I continue this or not? I
really want to hear from you guys, so I can know what you think.

Now if you have any comments, feedback or you just want to drop a
word. Send them to SilvenFox@yahoo.com or you can AIM me at: GundamFoxx