Young Love

Chapter 9

By Petros younglove@petros-world.co.uk

Later that day, around lunchtime, Derek came over and apologised. I was sitting in my room, playing around on my computer doing nothing in particular. My dreams were lying in tatters on the floor around my feet. Luckily my mum was down stairs, she'd likely make me tidy them up - she's got a thing about cleaning; besides she probably wouldn't like them anyway. I'm sure she's got her own dreams for me that wouldn't really fit in with mine. I was idly spinning the pointer around the screen when the doorbell rang. My mum was still downstairs so I left it for her to answer. Besides, I didn't feel like seeing anyone. I could hear her walk to and open the door. Next I heard her call out to me, "Peter, Jenni's here!" Perhaps I did feel like seeing Jenni. Maybe I wouldn't like what she had to say, but I had to know.

"OK, send her up please!" I yelled back. I continued doing nothing with my computer. I heard clomping on the stairs and then my door open. A few paces more and I felt Jenni place her hand on my shoulder. Then she started nibbling on my ear.

Then, using Derek's voice, she spoke, "Sorry, I asked your mum to say that. Didn't know if you'd want to see me yet." Oh, how could I not want to see him! I spun round in an instant and leapt to my feet. Derek mumbled, "I'm sorry. I love you. I'm so sorry," as I smothered him in an enormous hug.

We collapsed onto the bed and lay there until Jenni arrived. That wasn't for a while, so we had plenty of time for making out and for Derek to repeatedly tell me how sorry he was and how he promised he'd never think about leaving again. When Jenni did arrive, I congratulated her on the fine job she'd done brainwashing Derek. We went downstairs to eat. I offered to cook us some pizza, but Jenni wasn't having any of it, so she cooked. I can't say I blamed her.

Over lunch Derek and Jenni filled me in on their meeting that morning. Jenni had, without too much effort, convinced Derek that I was special. Derek had no difficulty in agreeing with her. She then reassured him that I was worth any hassle our relationship could cause. Derek wasn't so easily swayed on that one, but his love for me shone through and he came round.

"I'm really sorry about this morning," Derek said, "I guess I kinda dumped you, so I get the honour this time. Pedro, will you go out with me?"

I laughed out loud, then quickly agreed "Yes, Derek. I'd love to." Thankfully my mother was in the garden during this conversation. I don't think she'd have taken too kindly to all that was said.

Happily, Derek and Jenni seemed to be getting on really well. They'd never really spoken much before now, so I was glad that my two 'circles' of friends had started overlapping. Shame really, that I wasn't part of one of those circles any more.

"I saw Steven this morning," Jenni said. Not really what I wanted to talk about, but I wasn't going to get depressed about anything else today.

"Oh, that's nice. How is he?"

"He's cool. He was asking about you..."

"What exactly is the deal with you guys?" Derek asked, "If you don't mind me asking..."

"No, it's OK. I sort of neglected them while I was trying to get closer to you. They don't know anything, so they didn't take kindly to it. Now we hardly even speak."

"I think they miss you," Jenni offered.

"Yeah man, why don't you go talk to them?"

"Argh. What's going on here? Have you two appointed yourselves my moral guardians or something?"

"Moral guardians?" Derek looked puzzled.

"I'll explain later," Jenni said, patting Derek's hand. It would have seemed like a patronising gesture from anyone but Jenni.

"Later?" I asked, a little puzzled by the bond that seemed to be forming between my two best friends. Or, best friend and lover now.

"Yeah, later," Jenni answered, "I think you should talk to them too."

"Derek, you do realise that if I talk to them I'm going to have to find a pretty good reason for dumping them. That might mean telling them about us." Derek didn't look quite so keen on the idea all of a sudden.

"Umm. D'you think that's a good idea? I mean would they be cool? Can you, err we, trust them?"

"Fucked if I know. Jenni?"

"You owe them an explanation. Whether it's the truth or not is your call. I think they'd probably be sound. Steven and Neil should be at least. Gary's a bit immature sometimes; I'd be careful with him."

"Jenni, how old are you? No offence, I mean, you don't look old, but you're way too smart for your own good like," Derek said, flashing his cutest grin at her. I was smiling too, more because they were getting on so well than at Derek's joke.

"All at once, or one at a time?" I asked.

"What?" Derek and Jenni demanded in unison.

"Sorry, just thinking out loud and stuff. Well, should I speak to them one by one or all together and how should I go about it, alone or with Derek and when? And where?" Derek seemed to descend into deep thought over my shower of questions.

As usual, Jenni had all the answers. "Talk to them together, by yourself and as soon as possible. Oh, and anywhere but school. Possibly here and this afternoon would be fine. I'll take this one off your hands," she gestured towards Derek, "and you can call them up and get them over. Don't put it off, and don't do it in school, could get tricky if they don't like it though I don't think there'll be a problem."

"So what are we going to do then?" Derek asked.

"Well, what I want to do is out of the question..."

"Oi! Enough of that!" I interjected.

"...so we could go into town or something. Shopping, cinema, or anything you can think of."

"Cool, let's go shopping then," he said glancing at the clock, "there's a train in about ten minutes, we can catch that if you want," Derek said.

"No time like the present, eh Petros?" Jenni said as she got up from the table.

"Yeah, great guys. Leave me to do all the washing up! Some wife you're gonna make," I said looking at Derek. I deserved the playful smack my head received as he stood up. Before I had time to protest further, they were off down the hall and heading out of the front door.

I dumped the plates and cutlery in the sink before going upstairs to get my address book. It must have been my lucky day; all three were home and none of them had anything better to do than come over. They were, without exception, surprised to hear from me, and more surprised still that I wanted them to come over. I didn't mention that I was inviting them all so they were puzzled when they found they weren't alone on arrival. Except Steven, who arrived first - so he was alone. It was awkward, but I managed to make small talk with Steven, then Steven and Gary. After a few minutes more all three were assembled. It was now or never.

"Thanks for coming over guys. It's more than I deserve from you, with the way I've been acting. That's what I want to talk to you about, I want to explain and apologise. I'm sorry. I'm sorry for ignoring you, I had reasons for hanging out with the others, but I should have tried to stick with you. It was hard though but I'm sorry." I paused for a second to plan how to go on, but Steven wasn't going to give me such a privilege.

"So what was so important that made you stop hanging with us?"

"Umm, this is the hard bit to explain. Fuck. Well, I suppose I fell in love with someone who hangs about with the guys on the soccer team. I wanted to try and get closer to them so I tried to make friends with their friends, and in turn with them."

"So who is she that's so important that she drew you away from us? And are you going out with her now? Why are you telling us?"

"I'm telling you because I'm sorry, and I miss you. You were great friends. And yes, we are together now. I'm sorry"

"Who is she?" Gary demanded this time.

"Umm, 'she' is Derek Young."

"Whoa! Fucks sake! You're a poof? Fuck me! No, I mean, don't, no. you know what I mean!" Neil blurted out. Gary looked shocked, but struggled to find words to express his thoughts.

"Gay? Eeww. Yuk, that's sick man." He finally managed.

Steven looked as shocked as the others but after a pause for thought he spoke, "Guys... so what? He's gay. He fell in love, he can't help that. He's the same guy that used to be your best friend - Gary, your idol I believe," Gary blushed at that and stared at the floor, "I can't believe you're talking like that." He turned to me, "and Petros, I'm happy for you. I never suspected that, didn't suspect Derek either. But well done, that must have been fucking hard to tell anyone. Jenni knows, right? That's why you two stayed pals?"

"Yeah, thanks Steven. She knows. I'm sorry guys. I should never have left you, and I'm sorry that I'm freaking you out. I'm just the same though, I'm no different now and I'm not single, so I would never make a move on any of you."

"You're forgiven Pete. I'm sorry for treating you the way I have too..." Steven said, offering me his hand. I reached out and shook it. "Friends?"

"Friends," I agreed.

"But he's gay! You can't be friends with a poof..." Gary started.

"Why not? We've been friends with one since first year," Steven said. I was so surprised by Steven's response and so happy that he accepted me so readily that I wasn't really concerned by Gary or Neil's attitudes, nor did I puzzle over why Steven seemed so well versed on the topic. Still, they had been my friends so I made an effort.

"Guys, Steven's right. I know it's hard for you, but I was born this way. I didn't choose to be gay. I still find it tough to think about it too. Just because I'm going out with a guy, does it have to change everything?"

"You're gay. Yuk!" Gary said incredulously.

"No kidding," I quipped with inappropriate sarcasm.

"Yuk. You're gay!" Gary continued. He was starting to get to me now, I could feel anger building up inside me. "Yuk. No. You're gay," he continued almost disbelievingly.

"Gary, repeating yourself is the sign of a small mind," I snapped at him. As soon as I said it, I realised I shouldn't have. Gary held my gaze, looking about as pissed off as anyone could. He spoke again after a few moments.

"Fuck off poof," his tone was cold and bitter. No sooner had he spoken than he stood up and left the room, then the house - slamming the front door as he went.

Silence prevailed. Steven and Neil just sat, exchanging glances at each other, never allowing eye contact with me. I couldn't take it any more. I had to get out; the tension was too much. "Drinks anyone?" After a shaken head from Neil and a nod from Steven I left my guests alone in the living room. I made it to the kitchen and collapsed into a chair. Where was Derek when I needed him? I sat there for a while, trying to relax, and hoping to give them time to talk. Hopefully they would talk a bit more freely with me away, perhaps even come to some compromise. If anyone could talk sense to them, it would be Steven: Steven or Jenni actually. But I'd sent Jenni away too; or rather she'd got away while she still could. I got bored of waiting after about ten minutes, so I collected three cans from the fridge and returned to hear the verdict. I paused at the living room door. No sound came from within, so I entered. All eyes were focussed on me. I paid no attention and made my way back to my place on the sofa before handing the drinks out.

"So..." I began, but Neil interrupted before I could go any further. Lucky really, I had less than no idea what to say.

"Petros, I'm sorry man. I didn't mean to say what I did, you know, you just shocked me, us, I've never known anyone who was gay before. I'm sorry. Friends?" he said, extending his hand. I smiled and sighed with relief as I accepted his gesture of friendship.

So the old clique was united once more, minus one notable exception. The rest of the afternoon was spent catching up on the last year of our lives, which we'd spent apart. The conversation drifted towards my relationship with Derek. I made no attempt to steer the conversation either to or from Gary - the others instinctively avoided that topic. With Neil's worries and anxieties about a gay friend apparently quashed, both of them were intent on knowing everything there was to know, and then some. How long had we been going out, how did it happen, how did I know, who asked who, who else knew, who were we going to tell, did our parents know? I did my best to satisfy their curiosity, but before all the could be said was, the door bell heralded Derek and Jenni's return. Steven and Gary followed me into the hall as I went to answer the door. I opened it and greeted Jenni and Derek as they entered.

"Petros, it's probably about time we headed home," Steven said nodding towards Neil, "Thanks for inviting us over, I'm glad you did."

"Thanks for coming guys, see you later," I replied.

"Where's Gary, couldn't he make it?" Jenni asked. There was an awkward pause as myself, Steven and Neil exchanged nervous glances. Finally I spoke.

"Umm. No, he kinda left in a hurry." Then Steven took over.

"We were going to look for him now, see what we could do, you know - try and talk to him a bit." Jenni looked deeply concerned at the news, Derek looked positively worried - worried that his secret would be out. Steven noticed this and read his thoughts. "Don't worry Derek, I think you're both safe. He's probably just a bit shocked and scared even. He's not gonna go shooting his mouth off." This seemed to calm Derek somewhat.

"I think I'll come with you two," Jenni said, "I'd like to speak to him too, besides, I think this pair need some time together too." I was a bit puzzled by Jenni's remark, but content that I'd find out what she meant soon enough.

Our goodbyes were said and the trio departed. Me and Derek returned to the living room and sat down. Derek started to look really nervous again, just like he had last night before his startling revelation. "Pedro, babe, there's something I need to talk to you about..." Uh-Oh. A feeling of panic began to wash over me.

I swallowed and then, trembling, forced out, "Yeah, what's up?" Derek was fidgeting with his hands while staring at the floor.

"I got a letter this morning. At school, I applied for a football training camp this summer, in Manchester, for four weeks. The PE department told me about it, it's supposed to be really good - it's really popular and there's no many places. The letter was confirmation. I've been accepted to go on the course," he looked up at me, looking really upset, the he continued with increased pace, "It starts as soon as school finishes. I'm going to be away for half the holidays, I'm sorry. If I thought there was any chance, you know - of us, then I wouldn't have. I don't want to leave you, I don't want to go." He was almost sobbing by the end.

The news devastated me. I know we'd only been together less than a day, but already great plans for the summer together had begun to form. It was four weeks out of the seven-week holiday, I didn't want to let them go, but what right had I to try and stop him? It would be an opportunity not to be missed for him. It was going to kill me though, how would I cope? I couldn't let him know that.

"Derek, that's amazing!" I said, surprising myself with my false enthusiasm, "that'll be great for you, you've gotta go. It's what you want to do, isn't it? Footballing is your life, it's your dream job. At school, you don't care about anything except becoming a pro" I moved over to sit beside him, and took his hand in mine, "Sure, I'll miss you, but it's only half the holiday. We can talk on the phone, right? You can't miss it. I'll be fine here - especially now I'm friends with Steven and Neil again. And I've still got our other pals to hang out with. It's important for you to go."

Derek forced a smile and gently squeezed my hand. "Thanks", he said softly.

The remainder of the day was spent lazing around the house, in each other's arms where possible, watching TV, listening to music and generally whiling away the hours. I was happy just enjoying Derek's company. My mother asked Derek to stay for dinner, or rather asked if he wanted to. He did of course, and stayed the rest of the evening too. Night was drawing in, and time came for Derek to leave. As we walked down the stairs from my room to the door, I asked Derek to stay the night. He laughed at first, but then looking at me, realised my proposal was not in jest. He sent me to ask my parents and seek a lift to and from his house to collect his toothbrush (amongst other things).

My parents weren't surprised by the request - Derek and I had, as best friends, slept over often. Within a few minutes my mother's Audi was roaring up the main road towards Derek's flat. A few minutes more saw us back at my house, in my bedroom stripping off for bed. Once we were unclothed and washed with teeth scrubbed I clambered into my bed and Derek into a sleeping bag on the camp bed. We lay there barely saying a word until we were sure my parents were safely in bed and not liable to venture out. As soon as we were sure, Derek leapt onto my bed beside me from where he'd lain below. I dragged him under the covers and held him close to me. He wrapped his arms around me and squeezed me tightly as he planted a soft, moist kiss square on my lips. I returned the kiss and gently eased my tongue inside him, exploring and probing around his mouth. It was a delightful, long, loving kiss that lasted for many minutes. It was our first real kiss since the night before. It was without equal.

When our oral embrace finally came to and end Derek spoke. "Pedro, we need to talk I think." There was a hint of anxiety in his tone, but it didn't spark the fear inside me his very same words had earlier that day.

"Sure, babe. What's on your mind?"

"Sex," his response came quickly.

"Ummm. Ok, go on..."

"Well, I mean, do you want to? Have sex I mean."

"I don't know, I hadn't thought much about it," I lied. It had been on my mind since I met him.

"Well, I was thinking I'd like to, but I don't know. I don't know much about it, I don't want to rush into anything," he said. I breathed an audible sign of relief.

"Oh, wow. That's exactly what I've been thinking too. I mean, I do want to, but I'm just fourteen, you know? Uh, I don't want to rush into stuff I... we aren't ready for. Would you mind if we just take things nice and easy for now?" I'd rolled onto my back as I was speaking, as if talking to the ceiling. Before he replied, Derek licked my ear playfully.

"Sure babe. Sounds good to me!"

With that said and out of the way, I turned my back to Derek so he could snuggle in behind me. He wrapped his arms around me and I closed my eyes ready to drift off to sleep. I lay there for half an hour or more unable to find slumber. I thought Derek was sleeping, his embrace had loosened and his left arm which had been wrapped round me had been withdrawn. His breathing had slowed to a steady, gentle rhythm. I was becoming turned on just from the feel of Derek's warm flesh making contact with my back. At first I thought it was my imagination, but after a few moments I was sure. I could feel Derek's penis slowly hardening and extending, making it's way slowly along the crack of my buttocks and up towards the small of my back. I let out a slight murmur at the exquisite feelings his now fully erect cock was delivering to me, just by rubbing against my exposed skin. I reached behind me and groped around to find Derek's hand. I located it and slowly guided round to where by aroused hardness was waiting for him. He giggled as he grasped it, "Mmmm. You too huh?"

"Yeah, me too. No sex though, too bad," I sighed. Sure, we'd agreed no sex but even still - a plan was forming in my mind. I started to slide away from him.

"Yeah, I'm sorry. I'll try and control myself," he said, sounding quite unnecessarily sorry.

I laughed out loud and, in one swift action, turned round, pushed him onto his back and straddled him sitting upright just below his cock. Then I took it in my right hand and began to slowly slide my fist up and down his long shaft. It took only a few seconds for him to reach up and return the favour. The pleasure he was giving me was ecstatic. I could only hope that my actions delivered similar sensations to him. It could only have been two minutes or thereabouts before I let out a soft cry to alert him of my imminent orgasm. "Yeah," he called out, "I'm coming toooo." I felt his cock pulsing as his come gushed out, meeting with my own in a large puddle on his belly. Once we were finished I wiped the remaining drops of his semen from my hand across his chest and reached down to the side of the bed where I had discarded my underwear. I cleaned up the produce of our adventure with my boxers and then discarded them again before returning to our sleeping position, this time with me facing into Derek's back and holding him close to me.

It was in that very position that I awoke the next morning, to the sound of my bedroom door opening.

In the mean time, please email me with your comments, criticism, priae and suggestions. younglove@petros-world.co.uk. Check out my web site http://www.petros-world.co.uk/ for background on the story or me, it's writer.

If you want to join my mailing list (for notification of new chapters) send an email to maillist@younglove.fsnet.co.uk with subject line: SUBSCRIBE.

Yours, Petros.