Date: Mon, 06 Mar 2000 20:13:55 GMT From: Tel R O'Tales Subject: Rich Kid part 19 WARNING: This story contains descriptions of sexual acts between boys of similar ages. If this is not to your tastes or is not legal in your locality, please leave now! The story and its associated characters are entirely fictional and any resemblance to people, living or otherwise, is purely coincidental. Some parts of the story have been idealised. The author has copyrighted this story. A single copy had been placed in the Nifty Archive. Do not distribute it to any newsgroups and/or other web-sites without permission from the author. The Rich Kid Part 19 Everyone slept well that night including the "homesickies" and after breakfast we made our farewells. It had been a hard few days for us, but very rewarding too. Both Mike and I were looking forward to a rest over the weekend. What remained of the week went quietly and by the time Saturday morning came round we were both itching to get stuck in to our new activities. Mike went of to Basketball and I went to the climbing wall. It doesn't matter how hard you try, if someone is showing off his or her equipment you just have to check it out. Well, that's how it was after we put our climbing harnesses on. With tight waists and leg loops, you couldn't help but display your package and boy did some of them look well filled! We spent best part of the morning learning to belay and of course the basics of climbing. As a sport it is great! It even teaches you to depend on others, which for a loner like me was very hard at first. But after falling off a few times it was almost second nature. Lunchtime came around too quickly for me. I managed to see Mike for a whole 10 minutes whilst we ate before dashing off to change and grab our spare clothes for canoeing. We spent most of our first session learning not only how to stay in the kayak, but also how to get out of it. Mike had more experience than I, so was with another group doing more advanced techniques further up the river. That water was cold! Mind you though, we had a laugh when we were changing. One of the older guys whipped the towel off of a younger lad and he had to go chasing after it dressed in nothing but his wet trainers. Mike and I finally managed to get some quiet time after dinner. It was great to be able to just sit and talk and not have to worry about who might be listening. We talked about all sorts topics including Mike's art classes. It was now that he asked me to pose for him again. I had no problem with that and almost eagerly undressed for him. Unlike last time though, where I was reclining on the bed, I had to pose standing up this time and it wasn't so easy. We were about half an hour into the session when there was a knock on the door. Mike tossed me my bathrobe and let in Williams. Williams was also in Mike's art classes and was quick to spot what Mike was doing. Well, the question was soon asked and I reluctantly agreed that he too could draw me. I did impose one condition though and that was all of us had to be naked! He agreed and returned two or three minutes later with his pad and paints. Mike was only a talented beginner, but Williams was much more advanced. He was reputed to be one of the best water colour artists in the school. The only trouble was that at 16 he also had one hell of a body and it didn't take too long for things to start happening. "Do you want me to paint that too?" Williams asked. "What?" I replied and glanced down to see what he was now pointing at. Bloody hell! I was displaying one hell of an erection! I had been so busy concentrating on standing still that I hadn't realised what had happened. It was too late. I was now the colour of a ripe cherry. "I can get rid of that for you if you like?" Williams asked. "How?" Mike asked eagerly. Before I could react the end of William's paintbrush had hit the end of my erection and instant pain shot through me. It did however solve the problem. I must admit, I was expecting something else to happen. It was only now that I realised that erections are actually contagious. Yes, that's what I said. Both Mike and Williams were now sporting two of the best erections I had ever seen. Well, I saw an opportunity to retaliate against Williams, but Mike stopped me as he wrapped his hand around Williams's and started to work it. Judging by his reaction this boy was not only naive, but also totally inexperienced too. Within a few strokes, Williams had made a mess on the carpet and was laid back breathing deeply struggling to recover his composure. Mike had regained his self-control by now and wilted. Never mind, I would have the chance later to restore him to his full glory later before draining him of all the love he had been storing up for me of late. All Williams could say was "WOW!" It transpired that this was the first time he had ever masturbated let alone be masturbated by another boy. Mixed emotion crept across his face. "What's up?" I enquired. "Well.it's.er.That was dirty, wasn't it?" Williams asked. "No, not really. If anything, it was quite natural." I replied. "My parents always told me it was dirty and that something nasty would happen if I did it." "What bollocks!" Mike exclaimed. "Some religions believe that wasting sperm is a sin, but on the whole there is nothing wrong with doing that." "But." "But nothing! I bet your parents are much older than you are. Say 55 - 60 and may be a little older." "Well yes. Mother's 55 and father's nearly 60. How did you know?" "It's usually the older parents that think 'children' like us are too young to know or understand anything about sex. They try and fob us off by saying 'you're too young to know about such things'. They were brought up when moral standards were considerably different than today and weren't taught about sex and stuff until they were 21 or even later." Williams sat there thinking about what Mike had said. There wasn't much drawing or painting going on, so I sat down beside them. Without thinking I draped my arm across Mike's shoulders. Williams glanced at us and grinned. "So the rumours are true then. You two are.um.together." "If you mean are we lovers then yes. The rumours are at least partly true. What else have you heard?" I asked. "That you two go at it like rabbits when ever you get the chance." Williams added. "Now that bit's a lie! We may sleep together during the week, but we only have sex at the weekends because we don't have to get up so early." Mike said. "Is there a difference?" "Yes. Sleeping is sleeping, but sex, well that's something else." Mike grinned at me. "So what about the ring?" Williams asked. Mike slipped his ring off of his finger and passed it to Williams. "Wow! I hope my lover or wife or whoever gives me one like this." "Why? What's so special about it?" Mike asked. Williams explained the hall marks on the inside of the ring. I had tried to play down the cost of it because of how Mike felt about me buying expensive present for him. Williams was now about to blow the only secret that there was between Mike and I. "Let's not go into that now." I said, as Williams was about to start talking. "Yes let's." Mike stated as he glared at me. He knew me well enough to know when I was trying to hide something. "Well, for starters it was made by one of the most prestigious jewellers in London and is made from 24 carat gold. I bet it cost a packet!" That was it. My secret was out! "You little sod!" Mike shouted at me. "You listened to me saying about expensive presents and how I felt about them, convinced me to accept one last present and never told me it was worth more than I could ever imagine!" Mike tossed his drawing block across the room and onto his bed as he stood up dressed and stormed out slamming the door behind him. "Thanks Williams! That was all I needed! Now get dressed and PISS OFF!" I could feel my emotions starting to boil up inside me. I was determined not to cry. Williams dressed silently. As he was about to leave he asked one last question. "How much was it?" "90 quid." I said as my emotions broke the surface and the tears started to flow. I didn't see him leave, but I remember hearing him mumbling '90 pounds' and the door closing with a click. I just lay there on my bed crying into my pillow. God how I hated upsetting Mike. My trouble was that I was shown love when I was younger by the presents and things people bought me. Mike obviously didn't understand this. I felt so miserable now that I really didn't care what people thought of me, only what Mike thought and that wasn't much at the moment. I must have gone to sleep because someone banging on my door woke me up. "Come in." I yelled and a couple of the guys from my form came in. I must have looked a real mess judging by their expressions as they walked towards me. "What's up Ed'? What's going on?" One asked. "Mike is angry with me." I replied. "We figured that much. He asked us to give this too you." The other said as he handed me Mike's ring. "NOOOOOOO!" I yelled at the top of my voice. "I'll stay here with Ed'. You get the others and find Mike." Said the first lad. The other ran out of the room. I was crying again by this time and felt a warm hand stroking my bare shoulders. Instinctively I sat up and hugged the lad. He was a little surprised, but returned my hug any way. Mark walked passed the open door and saw me naked hugging another lad. "What the hell is going on?" He shouted as he grabbed the other lad's wrist. "Mike and Ed' have had an argument. I was sent to bring Mike's ring back to Ed'." "Oh shit!" Mark said under his breath. "Stay here with Ed'. I'm gonna find Mike. "The lads are already looking for him." "Just stay with him and for heaven sake get some clothes on him." Mark left closing the door behind him. Twenty minutes later I was dressed and there was a knock on the door. It was the second lad. "You've got to bring Ed' down to the sitting room." "Ok. Is Mike there?" The other lad simply nodded yes. We made our way down to the sitting room and were met by Mark and our form. All of the borders were there. The room hushed as we entered. Mark took me by the arm and sat me down at the small coffee table opposite Mike. I felt so ashamed of not telling him the truth I couldn't look him in the eye. Mark banged the table in between us and we looked up at him. "Sort it out here and now." He ordered as he placed Mike's ring down on the table in between us. Both Mike and I stared at the ring oblivious to what was going on around us. "Why didn't you tell me? Why?" Mike said. His voice trembled as he spoke. "I wanted to, but when you said how you felt about the presents I couldn't. Not straight away." "You could have told me anytime after that, but you didn't. You let me believe it was a cheaper ring." "Sorry Mike, I wanted too, but I was afraid of how you would react." "What's so special about the ring?" Mark asked. "It's only a plain gold ring." "Williams told me about the hall marks inside it. I should have known that Edward wouldn't have got a cheap one. It's 24-carat gold for heaven's sake. How can I match a present like that?" "Ah so that's what's at the bottom of all this. Ed' is giving you presents and you can't afford to match the cost." Mark said calmly. "Yes! Damn it! Why not tell the world that my dad works for Edward's dad as a house and estate manager. Christ! His dad is paying for everything!" Mike reached into his pocket and slammed a fine gold chain and pendant on the table. "There! That's the best I can do!" Mike said. Tears welled up in Mike's eyes and fell making small puddles on the table. I reached forward and tried to pull Mike closer to me. He shrugged and twisted free of my grip until Mark pushed him towards me and my arms locked around him. We both cried unashamedly now. I felt Mike's arms move and then they were wrapped around me, hugging me tight. The room was in total silence now. One of the lads picked the ring and pendant up and looked at them closely before they were handed round the room. Each boy looked in awe at Mike's ring and the pendant. It wasn't so much what they were looking at, but what they stood for. Our reassuring embrace developed in to something more as Mike turned his head and kissed me on the cheek. I returned his kiss on his lips. Things could have so easily got out of hand if Mark hadn't cleared his throat and a boy from another form been told to get out as he entered the sitting room. Mark suggested we move to the small settee before all of us sort this thing out once and for all. The settee was now in front of the television and we were facing almost all of the guys in our form. We stayed there nervously holding hands as first one lad then another asked us questions. Questions about how we felt about each other and other boys. We answered them as truthfully as we could as did they our questions. The lad that was sent away had complained to the senior prefect and when he entered he knew what was going on as Mark had spoken to him earlier. He stayed by the door and dealt with any further intrusions. We talked for ages and many people realised things that they had often wondered about. One or two even realised that their feelings for other boys were also quite natural and didn't necessarily mean they were gay too. The Master joined our discussion a bit later on when he had completed bed check and even participated as well as explaining the more complex emotions. The discussion was brought to a close when Mark handed me Mike's ring. I knew what he expected me to do with it. I asked Mike to hold out his hand and he let me slip it back on his engagement finger. In return he hung the pendant around my neck. The senior prefect distracted the Master so that Mike and I could kiss and make up, so to speak. Although no one there really expected us to stop there. We all eventually headed off to bed at one in the morning, extremely tired and a lot more enlightened. In the days that followed no one in our form tolerated any homophobic jokes and even tried to change the attitudes of the other boys in the school. When we got to our room, Mike and I made up for all the pain we had suffered. Mike slowly undressed me as I stood in the middle of the room, then I him. It was so erotic that our young manhood's were straining hard almost painfully as they rubbed together as we kissed so passionately. Gently I lay Mike on his back on the carpeted floor. Gently I started kissing him round to his ears and down his neck to his chest. When I reached his nipples, he gasped as I gently sucked and nibbled on them. His hands were stroking the back of my head and neck. I continued on further down his body resisting the temptation to blow a raspberry in his navel and bypassed the object of my desire concentrating more on his inner thighs. This sent him wild as he started to buck and thrash, but still I continued on down his legs and gently teased his feet. I started to work my way back up again and after teasing his thighs again made directly for the centre of our universe. With a slow and deliberate lapping action on his soft and pleasantly full scrotum I teased him to within moment of climaxing. I moved closer to the pinnacle of his youth licking and sucking as I went until his foreskin slid back and I was greeted with all the flavours he could give me, bar one; the one I really wanted, but resisted tasting too soon. In order to devour him completely, I moved round so we were now in the classic 69 position. Something Mike made full use of as he engulfed my scrotum and contents and toyed with them using his tongue. With one final effort, I felt his smooth belly brushing my lips. How I loved that feeling! With a sudden swelling and a deep groan, Mike gave me all the love he could manage as I eagerly swallowed it all. A few moments later it was my turn to give him my love. Unlike before, he kept sucking and swallowing denying me any chance of a respite and keeping me painfully hard in the process. With a gentle slap on my behind from Mike, I eased off of him and he shuffled round. We kissed letting our tongues taste the flavours in each other's mouths as Mike eased my knees up either side of my chest. With a well-practised action he entered me and skilfully started massaging my prostate driving me wild in the process. Unusually he withdrew and lifted my legs so that they were pointing up in the air and standing astride between them he lowered himself down re-entering me in the process. This time though, he also aimed my love-toy so that I also entered him. As he gently bobbed up and down we were both now massaging each other's prostates and very soon my cataclysmic orgasm triggered his. Neither of us knew how Mike managed to stay standing up, but we were both very glad that he did. With a minimal position change, Mike curled up behind me on the floor and we slept with him still firmly planted inside me. His arms were wrapped around my chest and my arms were wrapped around Mike's arms. This was how Mark found us several hours later and after covering us with a quilt left us to sleep. Tom wasn't surprised to see how we were when he woke us at mid-day. Neither him nor Mark had much sleep the previous night. In Mark's case that was due to the noise we were making and in Tom's it was mainly due to his fantasising about what we were doing. Tom opened the windows before leaving us to shower and after some lunch we spent some time cleaning and tidying the room. No one said anything about what we had been doing all night, but many of our friends in our form patted us on the back and gave us a knowing smile. As we found out later, we weren't the only boys making the best use of the darkness. Almost all of our form was too. Some by hand and one or two others decided to use their mouths to pleasure a friend. We never heard about any of them going all the way though. Mid-afternoon saw almost the entire form down at the school swimming pool. It was great! With Mark and Tom as lifeguards we could do almost anything we liked which included skinny-dipping. It was tremendous fun as either Mark or Tom joined us. There was a time when Tom was holding the side of the pool as if his life depended on it. It probably did as we discovered one of the lads getting to grips with the monster Tom tried to keep hidden. Mark didn't get his come-upance until afterwards when we were all showering and four of the lads pinned him to the wall as "Handy Andy" as he became known tamed Mark's favourite toy much to the amusement of the rest of us. Mike pulled a sneaky one on me while Mark was being done. He was stood behind me and unknown to the others slipped it in me as he used his hand to make me feel good. Sure, almost all of our friends saw the results of Mike's hands on me, but none of them realised the true cause of my euphoric state came from behind. The thrill of being so open, but yet so secretive gave us both a buzz that neither of us would forget it for a long time. Mark and Tom were also firm favourites with our form too. The trouble was Mark would have to leave school after his exams after his bad behaviour earlier in the year. It was beyond all doubt that this was reversible, but at least Mike and I would see him sometimes. Dinner that night was routine until Mike and I tried to leave the dinning room. I was hustled to the now clear area in the middle and my school birthday celebrations started. Being tossed in a blanket by your friends is quite an experience believe me. All I wanted though was a nice quiet night. It was much later, around 10 before this was realised and with class the following morning meant we really needed to get some sleep. Never mind though. The end of term was rapidly approaching and with it our end of year exams! That meant lots of hard work and some free time to study in rather than the usual routine of classes. We were told about the program of exams in chapel on the Monday morning. What a way to start the week! The older years started theirs this week and certain areas were placed out of bounds. This didn't really affect Mike and I too much, but it did mean that we had to be much quieter at night for Tom and Mark's benefit. After the exams were over for them, we wouldn't see much of them, as they would basically be going home. Our exams followed theirs and we knew there was only four weeks of school left, which unfortunately meant we would see very little of our friends until the new term in September. Well, that's what I thought. Mike had been scheming behind my back. The remainder of term passed quickly and we said good bye to Tom and Mark and very soon it was our turn to be packing for home. Both Mike and I were very excited about going home, but we were also very eager to find out how we had done in our exams. We would have to wait until late August for the results. Mike's father collected us from school and we all sang merrily as we headed for home and our new flat that still needed a warming party to christen it. We stopped by the back door and Mike dashed off to see his mother and I to see father. What a welcome! We hugged and actually kissed. I guess he was as happy to see me as I was to see him. As I passed the laundry I could hear the machines working hard and guessed our things were already unpacked. My guess was right, but I hadn't counted on the welcome when I entered our flat! I was absolutely gob-smacked as Handy-Andy would have said. There lounging on our sofa was Tom as though he owned the place and Mark beside him! "What the bloody hell is going on here?" I said trying to sound stern, but failing miserably as the giggles broke out half way through. "Oh. So you aren't pleased to see us then." Mark replied. "Of course I am. It was just a surprise, that's all." We hugged each other for a little longer than was appropriate, but what the hell? "House rules." I said in an official voice. "No school talk!" There was a general air of agreement as we all sat around and chatted and drank coffee. I was so happy to be home and to see my friends. Mike came in a few minutes later and sat on my lap. He was grinning like a Cheshire cat. Until I pointed out he had lipstick smears all over his cheeks. We had a good laugh at that and were all very soon settled and having a darn good chat. That is until the phone rang. It was father. "Formal dinner tonight. 7 for 7:30." He said. That put panic into all of us. As we fought for the shower and to find our clothes. What I hadn't realised as that Mike had told the other two about our flat and that they were to have moved in ready for when we got home from school. They had arrived earlier that morning and knew all about the evening that Mike had planned which included the formal dinner. We arrived in the library at precisely 7 PM and made an entrance. My chin hit the floor when I saw who was there besides our families, Mark and Mike. There sat in the corner was Grandfather and by him stood James, Freckles brother and another man. Mark introduced him as his father. My mind was instantly filled with the stories I had heard about how badly he had treated his son and my father. I couldn't understand how this apparently mild mannered man could be so cruel. But that had to wait for another occasion. We were called to dinner and I immediately upset the seating arrangements. I had decided Mike was sitting on one side of me and Grandfather on the other. The lads didn't mind, but I think father was a little put out though. The dinner went terrifically well and even Grandfather slurping his soup went unmentioned, although we did have a laugh about it later. Unlike Mike, I knew about speech time and launched into it like a real pro. Father proposed the toast and Mark replied on my behalf. What a night! We sat around the table and chatted for ages. I hadn't realised the effect the wine and port had had until it was time to retire to the sitting room. My knees crumpled and all I could do was giggle like a schoolgirl. Father wasn't best pleased, but Grandfather took my arm and helped me through. What a turn up for the books! Me being helped to walk by a man of his age and with a stick too! Needless to say, I wasn't allowed to drink any more. But that didn't bother me. I was very happy to have celebrated my birthday with my families, Mike's and my own, and my friends. Yet again, Grandfather came up trumps with a new mess game. I wasn't fit to play, but I had just as much fun watching. Mark and Mike virtually carried me to bed. My head just wouldn't stop spinning. I even threw up as we crossed from the kitchen to our flat and after that, I was assigned to the sofa for the night. Mike was disgusted with me. I slept soundly all night exactly as I was dumped on the sofa with a blanket thrown over me. When I awoke the next morning I was surprised to find James's head on the sofa next to mine. Well I think it was mine next to his. I had this infernal throbbing and a horrible taste in my mouth. It was vile. Mark and Tom came through from the guestroom and all they could do was laugh at me. I guess I made a real ass of myself last night. With a bit of a struggle I made it through to the kitchenette and had a drink of water before heading off to bed. Mike was still fast asleep with a broad smile on his face. After undressing I slipped in to bed beside him only to discover that he was cuddling my pillow. I slept until well after lunch. My head was now much better, but still not fully with it. I slipped into the shower and as I was drying off afterwards had the fright of my life! "What the fuck!" I yelled at the top of my voice. All I heard was raucous laughter from the sitting room. There in front of me in the mirror was a familiar body, my body, but the bastards had shaved me. Not only that, but I was missing an eyebrow too! The door opened and father looked in. "Mind your language young man. You have guests out here." Father said suppressing a laugh. "Oh. Who's come?" I said looking round the door without thinking. There right in front of me was Mike's mother. She looked away quickly, but not as quickly as I shut the door. I was now red faced an eyelash missing and the bush of pubic hair that I was so proud of was missing too. I don't think I'll forget this birthday part in a hurry. I emerged from the bathroom a couple of minutes later and after making my apologies went into the bedroom and dressed. I returned to our sitting room and joined the throng. All Mike and the lads could do was giggle like schoolgirls. The trouble was I knew what they were giggling about and kept going red. It was then that I noticed a new picture hanging on the wall above the fireplace. It was me! What's more, it was one of the pictures Mike had drawn at school. Fortunately, he had added a light covering draped across me hiding the bits I didn't really want others to see. It was damn good! I turned and faced him, a broad grin spread right across my face as I moved toward him and hugged him tight. This one gift meant more to me that all the rest put together. "Look." Mike said pointing at the picture. "What at?" I asked. "Look at your neck. You're wearing something." I looked and sure enough there hanging around my neck was a pendant. I put my hand to my neck to feel the one Mike had given me. "Shit!" I said aloud without meaning too. Everyone turned and looked at me. As soon as I realised I wasn't wearing the pendant; I went into panic mode. The others thought this was funny. I immediately became angry. "What are you laughing at?" I yelled. "You. Dipstick!" Mark replied. Something snapped inside me and I lunged at Mark. He moved quickly and parried me. I hit the floor with a thud. This didn't help my mood either and before I realised what was going on father had grabbed me by the collar and belt and dragged me into Mike's and my bedroom slamming the door behind us. "I don't see what is so funny." Mike's mother said. "Well." Mark said starting to laugh again. "It's simple really, Mike asked us to take it off of Ed' last night and give it to him." Mark lost it totally now. "Well son? What's going on?" "I have been saving my allowance all term to get Ed a present that I thought was right for him. The pendant was only a try out to see what he looked like and I bought him this." Mike told his mother as he opened a small box that was in his pocket. Smiling he held up a small gold ingot. The hallmarks were clearly visible on the front. She held it in her hand. "How ever did you afford this?" She asked as she weighted it. It flipped over in her hand and Mike immediately went deep red. "Please mum. Don't read it, not until Ed' has. Please." "Ok son, but how can you afford to give presents like this?" Mike's father coughed slightly making it obvious he had been involved too. "Oh. I see." Said Mike's mother. "I'll speak to you later." She added turning to his father. Mike put the ingot back into the box and returned the box to his pocket. I came out of the bedroom looking very ashamed of myself. Father had given me a "good talking to" as he would say. "I'm sorry everyone. My behaviour wasn't very good and I apologise." I said in a clearly ashamed voice. "Come here love and sit by me." Mike's mother said calmly. I sat down and she hugged me. "Mike has an apology to make too." She continued as she glared at Mike. "I'm sorry Ed'. I had Mark remove your pendant last night when you were drunk. I should have told you, but it would have ruined my surprise." I looked at Mike in shock. He hung his head, turned and walked outside. I tried to get up and follow him, but Mrs Jones held me back. "Let him stew for a while love. He deserves it." "Please. I need to see him, to be with him. I know how much he is hurting at the moment. I can feel it here." I said clutching at my heart. Mrs Jones released me and I ran after Mike. I found him sitting in the quad garage looking very sad. I sat beside him and wrapped my arm over his shoulder. He tried to shrug me off, but I had got wise to that move and wrapped my other arm around him too hugging him close to me. "You didn't realise just how much that pendant meant to me did you?" I asked. "It was only a piece of cheap junk. That's all." Mike replied. "What it is, is immaterial. It is what it stands for that is important. It is a symbol of your love for me." I paused for a moment as I realised Mike said "was", not is. "What do you mean, 'was only a piece of cheap junk'?" "I went down to the jewellers this morning with my dad and sold it." Mike was on the verge of tears now. He really hadn't realised what it meant to me. "What did you do that for?" I asked trying hard to hide the fact that I was horrified! I didn't do a very good job I'm sorry to say. "I needed the money.the money to get you this." Mike said. His bottom lip was quivering now. He looked really scared. He pulled the box from his pocket and opened it. Carefully he hung the ingot around my neck. I shivered as the cold gold touched my chest. My mind darted between being angry with him for not asking me for the money, selling my pendant and being very sorry for not trusting him. I hugged him tight. I hadn't even looked at the ingot. I was more concerned about Mike and my confused feelings. "If you needed money, you should have asked. You know what 's mine is yours love. And as for selling the pendant, well, I'll have to sort that out with you later. Now we have to get to the jewellers fast before he sells it on." "How am I going to buy it back? I haven't any money." Mike replied to me. "Enough of this money crap." I answered him sharply. We walked quickly to the garage and told the driver that was there to take us to the jewellers as quickly as he could. The driver looked surprised as he had taken Mike down that morning. We arrived at the jewellers. Mike hung back and I had to almost drag him into the shop. "Hello boys. How can I help you?" The assistant asked. His attitude changed completely when he saw the pendant hanging round my neck. "My friend sold you a gold pendant on a fine chain this morning." I said hurriedly. "Can you describe it for me sir?" He asked. Mike fumbled his was through the description of it. The assistant went out to the back of the shop and the manager came rushing through. "Master Edward. It's not very often you come and visit us. How can I help you?" The manager said in a very condescending tone. Mike was forced to describe the pendant again. "One moment Master Edward and I'll go out and get it." "Well that sounds encouraging Mike. They haven't sold it yet." I said happily. "Great." Mike replied. He was still very upset. "Here it is Mater Edward. I don't understand. It's not up to your usual standard." He said looking it over with distaste. "Damn the usual standard! It's what it stands for that's important. How much do you want for it?" This snobby pratt was starting to irritate me now and I wasn't trying to disguise it either. The manager quoted a price and I gave him my bankcard and very soon Mike and I were heading back home. All the way back, Mike kept mumbling on about paying me back the money he now owed me. It got to the point where I told him to shut up about the damn money. He kept going on about it, so I looked out of the window and ignored him. When we got back I had to drag Mike back into the flat. Our parents and friend were all there. "Where the hell have you been? Your manners young man are absolutely appalling!" Father said sternly to me. "Well, if you gave me a bloody chance I would have told you. But no, you always go off with both barrels blazing without giving me or anyone else the chance to explain!" I was really wound up now. "Get to your room Edward!" Father said. He was obviously angry too now. "No. You are going to listen to me for a few moments, then I'll go!" I yelled back at him. Mike grabbed my wrist and tried to pull me off towards our room. "Why you." "Oh shut up and listen." I said angrily. "Mike and I had to act quickly before the jeweller sold this." I said holding the pendant up for him to see. His mouth opened and closed like a flytrap. "This means more to me than almost everything else. It was given in love, not as a replacement for love or even just to shut me up." Father was absolutely astounded. I turned and both Mike and I went into the bedroom closing the door behind us. "You haven't looked at your ingot love." Mike said quietly to me. "Sorry, but we had to act fast." I looked down at the ingot. It was amazingly heavy for its size, "Look at the back Ed'." Mike said softly. I turned it over and looked closely at the engraving. "To my mate, my friend, my lover. I will always love you. Mike" My tears started to build and everything went out of focus. I felt Mike draw me too him and as our wet cheeks met I knew neither of us could survive without the love of the other. We hugged and stroked each other's backs as we stood there and cried our eyes out. The door opened with a creak and father coughed lightly. We both ignored him. All we wanted was each other and at that moment no one else was important. Father coughed again, but a little louder this time. "What?" I asked rudely. "I'm sorry son. I should have given you the chance to explain just now. I should have trusted you more. I should have known that you wouldn't run out on guests without a good reason. Sorry." Father said. He really sounded sorry too. There was a creak and the door closed again. We cleaned ourselves up and returned to the other room and our guests. Mike apologised to them for our absence and explained that we had to clear up a misunderstanding. He didn't elaborate. * * * * * * * * * If you have any comments please email me at teller_of_tales@hotmail.com as usual flames will be ignored. I would like to thank Marc for his help proof reading the story and Chris, Trey and Marc for stirring my grey matter when it needs it. Thanks all of you.