Date: Sat, 20 Aug 2022 07:27:19 -0500
From: Keith Yates <keith.96@att.net>
Subject: Devyn's Struggle V2 53

This is a fictional story involving sexual acts between two or more men.
If this offends you, why are you here?  If you are under the legal age to
read sexually explicit material then do not read any further.  This story
in no way represents any person living or dead.  Any resemblance to any
real person is purely coincidental. This story is the property of the
author and no copying or posting to any other website is permitted without
the author's written consent.

Please help keep Nifty going by making a donation to the awesome service.
http://donate.nifty.org/donate.html

To argue with a man who has renounced the use and authority of reason, and
whose philosophy consists in holding humanity in contempt, is like
administering medicine to the dead, or endeavoring to convert an atheist by
scripture. Thomas Paine

Thanks for reading and for the feedback. I'll be looking forward to more
feedback. Please send the comments to me at keith.96@att.net.

Readers Note: The events in this chapter of Devyn's Struggle are roughly
taking place at the same time as the events in chapter 33 of Brent's
Struggle. If you have not been following that series, you can find it here:

https://www.nifty.org/nifty/gay/highschool/brents-struggle/

As you know Devyn's adoption is almost final. If anyone would like to make
a suggestion as to what Devyn's new last name would be, send it to me at
devyn.96@protonmail.com.

Devyn's Struggle V2
Chapter 53

Devyn was once again feeling things were going well. Joe had completely
understood about the fight. Having Joe's support meant more to Devyn than
just about anything else. It gave him a sense of safety that he had not
felt for an exceptionally long time.

The adoption was also on track. All the documents had been signed and they
were just waiting on the attorney to get a court date. Devyn still was not
sure how he should feel about his parents not fighting the adoption. On
some level it hurt that they would give up on him completely like that. Joe
had pointed out that they might be doing what they think would be best for
him. "It could be that they believe being here with me is the right thing
for you." Maybe Joe was right, maybe he should look at it as a sign that
they cared enough to let him go.

As Devyn entered the school and headed towards his locker, he saw Sam
waiting for him. Sam seemed to be almost bouncing as Devyn approached.

"You are not going to believe this," Sam said, his voice pitched with his
excitement.

Sam's face looked worse this morning than yesterday. It was more discolored
and swollen. "Does your face hurt much?" Devyn's voice was laced with his
concern for his friend. He felt bad that Sam had been injured because of
him.

"Like a bitch, but that isn't important."

Julie, Stacy, and Charlie were also watching Sam almost bouncing off the
lockers. Devyn wondered what had the guy so excited.

"He's been practically bouncing for the last fifteen minutes," Julie said.

"He could not wait for you to get here," Charlie said. "He filled us in on
the fight. It looks like Sam took the worst of that."

"He did," Devyn said. "They barely touched me. I'm sorry Sam. It looks like
you will be the talk of the school today."

"STOP TALKING!" Sam was going crazy with all the distractions.

"I think you better let him talk before he explodes and makes a mess all
over the hall," Stacy said.

"Sorry, what is up?" Devyn looked at Sam's battered face with the black
eye, busted lip, and swollen jaw. It did look painful. It even looked like
Sam's nose was swollen. Devyn hoped it was not broken.

"It is so cool," Sam said. "I'd have called you last night but it was late
by the time Steve got home."

"Steve?" Devyn knew Sam's dad was not in the picture so he was not sure who
Steve was.

"Steve's my mom's boyfriend. They have been dating for a while. Well, last
night he brought home tickets. Two tickets to a concert this weekend!"

Devyn was getting pulled into Sam's excitement as the guy was
explaining. Steve was offering to take Sam and one of Sam's friends to the
concert. "Mom thought I should ask you after yesterday. So, can you go this
weekend? It's a three-day weekend and we will be spending a couple of
nights in a hotel. Steve is trying to make it like a romantic thing for him
and Mom."

Devyn glanced at Charlie. He wondered why Sam was not asking Charlie. The
two were best friends. "Um, it sounds like it would be a blast."

"It will be, we both love that group. We talked about them last year when
you were helping me with that history shit." Sam was obviously pumped about
being able to go. "Cool shit like this never happens to me. You, my bud,
are putting off excellent karma for me."

Devyn could not help but laugh at Sam. He wanted to go with Sam but he also
had weekend plans with Joe. They were going to visit Matt and Brent. "I,
um, don't know."

"Oh, come on man," Sam pleaded. "It's going to be awesome!"

"He's going to bust a blood vessel if you don't go," Charlie said. "I'd
jump on it."

"Do you want to go?" Devyn did not want to come between Sam and Charlie's
friendship.

"No, I can't. I've got this stupid reunion thing, and I'm not into that
group like you and Sam."

Devyn guessed he could postpone the trip with Joe. He wondered if Joe would
be all right with it. "I'll have to talk to Joe."

"AWESOME!" Sam punched Devyn's arm. "It is going to be fun."

"So let me get this right," Stacy said. "You get into a fight; your mom is
called and now you get rewarded with a trip and concert tickets."

"YES!" Sam almost shouted.

"Boys," Stacy said with disgust.

"She's so jealous." Sam was grinning although it made his face hurt.

"It isn't right," Stacy said. "You should be in trouble for, for fighting."

"We didn't start it," Devyn said.

"He's right," Julie said. "He deserves a reward. Sam doesn't but Devyn
does."

"HEY!" The outrage was clear in Sam's voice.

The bell started ringing then so they had to break up and go their separate
directions for their first period classes.

# # #

"Are you sure you are alright with this trip with Sam?" Devyn was watching
Charlie closely. Their third period class had not started yet and Devyn was
glad to have this chance to make sure Charlie was not hurt by the trip with
Sam.

"No, you and Sam go, have fun. Just remember I'm going to be at this family
thing and will be bored out of my mind."

"I'm sorry about that. I kind of wish we could all go. We need to start
doing more stuff together. I mean the three of us."

"That would have been cool but it is fine. You and Sam are friends. We can
all do stuff together this fall. If the weather stays nice, we can go
camping again."

"That would be fun. We need to do that."

"Wasn't your trip to see, um, Brent this weekend?"

"It was. I'm hoping Joe will be alright changing those plans. We can go
later and maybe you can go with me...I might need the support."

Charlie was a little relieved that Devyn would not be seeing Brent. He was
worried that with Brent back in the picture that he, Charlie, might be out
of the picture. "You've got that." Charlie meant it. He would give Devyn as
much support as he could when working through his feelings for Brent. He
just hoped that it meant they would be even closer afterwards

The class started then and they could not talk more. Devyn was glad that
Charlie was cool with everything. It did seem like they were starting on a
long relationship together. Once Devyn saw Brent again, then he was going
to have to fill Charlie in a little more on his past. He did not want there
to be secrets between them.

# # #

On their way to Gym Sam was still excited about the concert. "I think it is
going to be a blast," he told Devyn. "I hope Joe will let you go."

Devyn kind of hoped that too. He hoped Joe would not be too mad about
changing their plans. "We did have something to do this weekend but
hopefully Joe will be able to put it off for a couple weeks."

"I hope so man. I'm not sure who else I would ask."

"You could ask a girl."

"Mom would never go for that."

As they were walking, they passed Ted going the other direction. "Fags," he
said.

Devyn gripped Sam's arm to keep him from going after Ted. "It is alright,"
Sam said. "I'm not going to fuck him up...at least not now."

They headed into the locker room and Devyn opened his locker. The lockers
were like metal cages to allow air circulation. He picked up his gym shirt
and realized it was wet. He then noticed the odor.

"Fuck," Sam said noticing Devyn's clothes.

"Piss," Devyn said. "Someone pissed on my clothes. In my locker."

"Oh fuck," Sam said.

Devyn clenched his jaw as he threw the wet shirt back into the
locker. "Ted," Devyn muttered.

"He was walking away from the gym when we were on the way here," Sam said.

Devyn left the locker room and headed to Coach Albert's office. He
explained to the coach about his clothes. "It was Ted," Sam said when Coach
came to see the state of Devyn's locker.

"Do you have proof?" Coach asked.

"No but," Sam began but was cut off.

"No proof then don't accuse someone," Coach said. "It could have been any
number of boys that were in the gym today."

"But Ted had a motive," Sam insisted.

"Yes," Coach said. "And so do a few other kids, I'm sure."

"Devyn only has a few guys that always give him a tough time," Sam
said. "It had to be one of them."

"I will deal with it," Coach said. "You leave it to me."

"I guess it is okay if I don't dress for gym today," Devyn said.

"Yes, you are excused," Coach said. "I'll write you a pass for study hall."

Luckily, Mrs. Jones had the study hall for this period. Devyn gave her the
note and then headed to a seat. He passed Danny on the way to an empty
desk. "Hey Devyn," Danny said. "What you doing in here?"

"Long story but I got out of gym today," Devyn said.

"Hey, can you help us out?" Danny asked. Danny had been trying to help one
of his friends with Algebra. Devyn got permission from Mrs. Jones and the
three moved desks together in the corner. Devyn went through it like he had
with Danny and by the end of the study hall Danny's buddy was doing better.

"Thanks man," Kevin said. "I appreciate the help. Maybe you should give
Mr. Parker some pointers on teaching this stuff."

"Um, thanks," Devyn said. "Glad I can help."

The bell rang and they started to leave. "Devyn," Mrs. Jones said. Devyn
stopped and waited at her desk.

"You did a very good job of tutoring Kevin and Danny," she said.

"Thanks," Devyn said.

"I think we should use your talents," she continued. "I would like to talk
to Mr. Parker about you helping some of his other struggling students. That
is if you are interested in doing that?"

"Um, I guess," Devyn said.

"Then I will talk to him," she said. "I think we will be doing you and them
some good. Plus, it can't hurt to add that to those college applications."

"Um, yeah, I guess." Devyn could not help but wonder if Joe had been
talking to Mrs. Jones. They were both pushing him down the road to
college. He had not decided about that yet. He guessed it would be good to
keep his options open.

"Would next week be too soon for you to start tutoring?" she asked.

"That will be okay," Devyn said.

"I will get back with you on Tuesday," she said.

The bell rang signaling the start of the next class. "I'll write you a pass
for your next class. Who is it with?"

"Um, I actually have study hall but I was supposed to help Mr. Hanks with
an F.F.A. project."

"I'm sure he will understand you being a little late. Here is a pass to
keep you out of trouble with," she paused briefly, "anyone."

Devyn believed she had been about to say Tanner. He could see in her eyes
that she knew Tanner had it in for him. Devyn was right Mrs. Jones,
Mr. Hanks, and a few others were trying to run interference for
him. "Thanks. I appreciate the help."

She handed him the pass and Devyn hurried on his way. He was at his locker
exchanging books when he felt someone glaring at him. He looked up and saw
Mr. Tanner headed towards him.

"Cutting class again?" Tanner asked.

"No sir," Devyn answered respectfully. "I have a pass from Mrs. Jones."
Devyn held out his pass to Mr. Tanner who took it and studied it like it
might be a forgery.

"So, you sweet talked her into giving you an excused tardy from class," he
said

"Um, No, she wanted to talk to me and it made me late," Devyn said
honestly.

"I doubt that," Mr. Tanner said. "I'm sure you were acting up again."

"Honestly, sir," Devyn said, his voice a little more forceful than he
intended. "I did nothing wrong."

"Don't take that tone with me," Mr. Tanner said. "You are a punk. You think
you are special."

"No sir," Devyn said.

Tanner glanced up and down the deserted hall and then stepped closer to
Devyn. "I know what you are. I know what kind of fucking pervert you
are. You should just drop out. You should drop out now and go farm with
that old fucking homo."

"Thank you for your advice," Devyn said. "Please don't be disappointed when
I don't take it."

"Don't fucking talk to me like that boy," Tanner said and slammed Devyn
back against the locker. "If you think things have been bad so far, well
they are going to get worse."

Devyn was stunned and tried pushing Tanner off him but the man was stronger
than he looked. Devyn had assumed that under the dress shirts and suit
jackets the man was fat but it was solid muscle. The large man pressed
harder against Devyn. The teenager could feel the protruding handle of the
locker digging painfully into his back.

"I know exactly what kind of worthless trash you are. You do not deserve to
be in this school or this town. You are worthless and will never amount to
anything."

Devyn had heard those words before. Tom had told him that. Tom had told him
he was worthless except for one thing.

"You are nothing but a slacker. You will be nothing. I've seen one of those
rehearsals. You are pathetic. You have no talent. I told Mrs. Rogers to cut
you from drama, so don't be surprised when she kicks you out of that play."

Devyn had never wanted to be in the play but hearing Tanner's words made
his stomach sink. They had only had a couple of rehearsals but he had
thought he had been doing fine. He might never be capable of an Emmy
winning performance but he did not think he was that bad. Both Stacy and
Mrs. Rogers had told him he was doing good. Would both of them be lying to
him? Simon said he was the best person for the part. Was Simon also just
saying that to be nice?

"If I find you doing anything inappropriate with another student or
anyone," Tanner said his face was only inches from Devyn's. "I'll have your
ass. I'll have you expelled. Do you understand?"

Tanner's fingers were digging painfully into Devyn's arm. They seemed to
grow tighter with each passing moment.  Devyn tried not to wince in pain as
the grip tightened.

"Do you understand me?"

"Perfectly," Devyn said.

"I'll be checking with Mrs. Jones to see what exactly happened in study
hall to make you late. If she tells me, you were being your usual
disruptive self, then I'll be seeing you for a couple of weeks' worth of
detentions. I'll be making it more painful than the last time. Do you
understand?"

"Yes." Devyn wanted the man to let go. He was sure there were going to be
bruises on his arm. The verbal abuse was worse than the physical. Devyn
winced as the man's grip tightened even harder.

"Remember that you aren't even a second-class student here. You are a
worthless piece of trash. Never forget that. Now get to class," Tanner
ordered.

Devyn headed off and only when he reached the door realized that Tanner had
his pass. "Fuck," he thought as he went into the Ag. Room.

After Devyn explained the situation to Mr. Hanks and how Tanner had wanted
to see his pass and forgotten to give it back to him, Mr. Hanks had no
problems.

Devyn was glad to make it to the end of the school day. He was ready to
just go home. After having his gym clothes ruined and then the incident
with Tanner, he was ready to be done with school.

"You alright Devyn?" Sam asked as they were going towards the buses.

"Yeah, it was just a shitty day."

"Don't let that shit with the clothes get you down. Coach is making the
whole team pay for that. He's also going to make every class prior to ours
pay tomorrow. There are going to be some pissed off guys for the next few
days."

"Great, they will blame me for it."

"Hopefully not. Hey, how about you spend the night tomorrow night? We can
get an early start. I know Steve will want to leave at dawn. He's a morning
person."

"Um, I guess so," Devyn said. "I'll have to check with Joe about all of
it."

"I'm sure he will be fine with it," Sam said. "He is so cool. I wish I had
a Joe."

"You have a cool mom," Devyn pointed out. "And it sounds like Steve is
pretty cool."

"I do," Sam agreed. "But still Joe is awesome."

"He is," Devyn agreed.

# # #

Devyn explained to Joe about Sam's offer to go to the concert. Joe had no
problems altering their plans for the weekend. He wanted Devyn to have the
chance to do fun stuff with his friends. He wanted him to have the chance
to be a teenager.

"Are you sure it isn't a problem changing our plans?" Devyn hated to cause
Joe any trouble.

"Not at all. I'll just cancel the reservations at the hotel. I can check
the calendar and see when our next chance is to go."

"Thanks Joe."

"How is Charlie with you and Sam going to this concert together?"

"I think he was a little hurt that Sam asked me," Devyn said honestly. "I
tried to back out and let Charlie go with Sam but he told me to go. He
can't because of a family get-together."

"Then you should have fun," Joe said. "You need to do teenage things like
this."

"It is going to be odd," Devyn said. "I have never really slept apart from
you."

"We have spent a lot of time together," Joe said. "I cannot really remember
how it was without you here."

"Me either," Devyn said. "I had a house before but this, but this feels
like home."

"Home is in here," Joe said, tapping Devyn's chest over his heart. "Or in
here," he said, tapping Devyn's temple. "We really need to get you a
haircut." Joe pushed Devyn's soft hair back out of his eyes. "I don't know
how you keep from running into stuff."

"I like it like this," Devyn said.

"But it hides your eyes," Joe said looking into the soft brown eyes that
looked like melted chocolate with gold flecks. "You should be a model or
something. You are so attractive."

"Are you hitting on me?" Devyn said grinning.

"No," Joe said smiling. "But you have a sexy look these days. I sometimes
forget how good looking you are."

"Um, thanks," Devyn said. "But I'm not that good looking." Tanner's words
echoed in Devyn's head. He was not good looking and he was worthless. He
rubbed the place where Tanner's vice like grip had been on his arm.

"I need to check your mirror then," Joe said. "Or have your eyes
examined. You are damn attractive. I am surprised Charlie doesn't cum from
you just looking at him."

"Stop it," Devyn said. "Now you are just teasing."

"I am," Joe admitted. "But in all honesty. You are that good looking."

"You know you are too," Devyn said, meeting Joe's eyes. "Maybe we should do
a photo shoot together."

"Oh, Dad and Son?" Joe asked.

"You aren't old enough to be my dad," Devyn said. "More like big brother,
little brother or maybe lovers."

"Now who is teasing?" Joe asked, grinning.

"You know you are much more playful, since Ethan," Devyn said. "He brings
out this sexy flirty side of you. I like it."

"Thanks," Joe said and glanced away. "Ethan tells me I am so serious all
the time. Hannah used to tell me that too."

"She loved you as you are," Devyn said and gripped Joe's arm. "I love you
this way and when you are serious and no fun at all." He smiled so Joe knew
he was teasing.

"I'm trying to be a little more fun for Travis," Joe said. "And for you and
I guess myself too."

"Good," Devyn said. "Will you be alright alone here with Travis?"

"I think I can manage without you for a couple of nights," Joe said.

After talking with Joe, Devyn felt better. He had to remember that Tanner
was like Tom. He liked making people feel worthless. The thoughts were
still there in the back of his mind. He could push them away but they were
still there.

# # #

After school on Friday, Devyn went home with Sam. He had already told
Travis that he would not be on the bus. He was going to spend the weekend
with Sam and go to the concert. "I'll miss you," Travis had said.

"I'll miss you too," Devyn replied. "It is for only a couple of
nights. I'll see you Monday."

"Okay," Travis had answered.

"Mom is still at work," Sam said as they got to his house after school. "My
room is over here. You can put your stuff in here." Sam led Devyn into his
bedroom.

Devyn noticed that it only had one big bed. "Um, Sam, are we, um, sharing?"
Devyn indicated the bed. He did not mind sharing with Sam but he was not
sure how comfortable Sam would be.

"Oh, um, I, um, we, um... that is what I usually do. I mean, when someone
sleeps over. It's usually Charlie."

Devyn could tell Sam was now nervous. "I can sleep on the couch or the
floor."

"No, no, I mean unless you would be more comfortable." Sam looked down at
the floor and then back at Devyn. He honestly did not mind sharing the bed
with Devyn but he did not want to make his friend uncomfortable.

"I don't mind sharing if you don't, but I don't want you to be
uncomfortable sharing with me."

"Hell Devyn, I'm not. We have changed together for gym. I don't think of
you as gay or my gay friend Devyn. I just think of you as my friend."

Devyn swallowed down a lump. Sam really was the best. "Thanks Sam. That
means a lot."

"Um, I know I tease a bit about the gay thing but that is all it is
teasing. I don't mean anything by it. I, um, hope I never, um, hurt you by
that."

"No, I knew it was just in fun. Of course, I also figured it meant you had
a crush on me."

"Shut Up!"

Devyn laughed. "See I give as good as I get."

"So, you are, okay?" Sam asked.

"Sure. If you are, I am."

"Cool," Sam said.

They watched some television until Sam's Mom got home with pizzas. After
Devyn helped her carry in the food and other stuff from her car and then
helped her clean up. She looked at Sam. "I'm going to see if Joe will let
me trade you for Devyn. I wonder if I would have to toss in a kidney or
something."

"Mom," Sam groaned. Then he turned to Devyn. "Stop making me look bad."

"But it is so easy," Devyn said.

"Jerk," Sam said.

"Butt wipe," Devyn retorted.

Then the wrestling was on. Sam threw himself onto Devyn. They rolled around
trying to pin the other one.

"If you break him," Janet called over the ruckus, "you get to keep him."

Devyn soon had Sam pinned down. "Say it," Devyn said.

"You the man," Sam said. "You the better man."

"And don't forget it," Devyn said as he grinned down at his friend.

They watched a couple of movies and ate popcorn and then finally went to
bed. Devyn followed Sam's lead and stripped down to his underwear. He could
not stop his eyes from looking at Sam's almost naked body. It was not the
first time he had seen Sam in just his underwear. They did have Gym
together and had often seen each other this way but it felt different here
in Sam's bedroom. Devyn's eyes looked over Sam's chest with the reddish
areolas and eraser sized nipples. His eyes followed the blonde hair between
Sam's pecs down the treasure trail to where it disappeared into Sam's white
underwear. For a moment, Devyn wondered just how big Sam would be when
erect. The blonde hair on Sam's chest was also on his legs. Devyn bet as
Sam got older, he was going to be hairy like Lee. Devyn hoped Sam ended up
with that perfect patch of chest hair like Lee had. When Sam turned to pick
up his dirty clothes from the floor, Devyn wondered if Sam's butt was also
covered in that blonde fuzz. Sam's butt was a little flat. He would never
be considered to have a bubble butt.

"Stop it," Devyn told himself. He needed to stop checking out his best
friend. He had Charlie. He again wondered if all the stuff he had done for
Tom had turned him into some sexual pervert. Was he always going to be
looking at every guy in a sexual aspect?

Sam slid into the bed and Devyn slid in from the opposite side. He tried to
stop thinking about Sam as anything other than his friend. He did not want
to pop an erection.

"Hey, what happened to your arm?" Sam noticed the finger-like bruises on
Devyn's upper arm.

"It's nothing."

Sam grabbed Devyn's bare arm and held it so he could see it better.

"Hey, let go."

"Devyn, those look like fingers."

"It's nothing Sam."

"This didn't happen during the fight the other day. It looks newer. I know
it's too soon from our wrestling to have caused them. Plus, these are
bigger than mine and I didn't grip you that hard." Sam placed his hand over
the bruise and the fingers were longer and thicker than his own. There was
no way he could have done this.

"Really Sam, it is nothing."

"Devyn, um, Joe didn't do this did he?" Sam could not imagine Joe hurting
Devyn but if he were, Sam wanted to help Devyn. Sam was looking into
Devyn's eyes. Sam's green eyes were filled with his concern for his friend.

"No, of course not. Joe would never hurt me."

"Then how did this happen?"

Devyn let out a sigh. "You aren't going to let it go, are you?"

"No, I'm worried about you."

"It was Tanner. He found me in the hall when I was on my way to help
Mr. Hanks with an F.F.A. project.

Sam could see that Devyn was telling him the truth. He released Devyn's arm
and rested back in the bed. "He did that? Did he do anything else to you?"

"Just spouted some shit."

"Like what?"

"Sam, it doesn't matter. It is nothing."

"Devyn, he should not be doing that to you. He had to squeeze fucking hard
to leave those marks."

"Yeah, it did hurt."

"Did you tell Joe?"

"No, of course not. It isn't that bad."

Sam propped himself up on his elbow. "Devyn, it is. He can't be doing that
to you. It isn't right."

"He just squeezed a little hard. I've been hurt worse."

"What did he say to you when he was doing that?"

"Just some shit."

"Like what?" Sam was persistent. He wanted to know exactly what was going
on so he could help his friend.

"Geez Sam, you are worse than Stacy."

"Just tell me. That is what friends are for."

"Just that I'm a pervert and worthless. You know that sort of stuff. Oh,
and I am being kicked out of the school play. I'm useless as an actor."

"BULL SHIT!" Sam's voice was outraged on Devyn's behalf. "Stacy told me how
good you are. She believes you have been holding out on her. That you must
have been doing some acting before.

"Well, regardless of how good I am, I'm sure I'll be getting told at our
next rehearsal how bad I am and that I'm out."

"Stacy will flip her lid."

"She will be better off with someone else. I'm sure I'm not all that good."

Sam cursed Tanner. He wanted to kick the man right in the nuts. "I think
you should tell Joe. Tanner's been unfair to you since the start of this
year. Joe might be able to..."

"I'm not telling Joe and neither are you." There was anger in Devyn's voice
now. He just wanted Sam to drop it. "I have it under control."

"I think you should talk to Joe. Tanner is being a prick."

"Joe's got enough going on right now."

Sam turned out the lights and the two rested there in the silence.

"If it gets worse," Sam began.

"Then I'll talk to Joe."

"I'm holding you to that."

Sam knew he was going to start paying more attention to Devyn in gym. If he
saw more marks like that, then he would go to Joe himself.

The silence lasted a while longer before Sam broke it. "Um, Devyn," Sam
started. "Can I ask you something?"

Devyn sighed. He hoped Sam was not going to go on about telling Joe. "If it
is about Tanner or Joe..."

"No, not about that."

Devyn felt a little relief. He did not want to have hard feelings between
him and Sam. "Then sure."

"I have wondered for a while about something," Sam started. "How do you
know when someone is gay."

"Little signals," Devyn said. "There is no one sure way. I don't have a
sixth sense or anything."

"So, like me," Sam began.

"Sam, you are not gay," Devyn said.

"Right," Sam said. "Just looking at a girl gets me boned up."

"Yeah, I noticed," Devyn said, his voice amused.

"Um, you have?" Sam said, feeling his face turning red in the dark.

"Yeah, I've seen the way you move your books in front of you. Or adjust
your stance. It happens to me too. It just isn't a girl that does it for
me."

"So, um, have you picked up on any signals from any of the guys at school?"

"Why do you ask?"

"Well, I, um, just wondered if there might be someone at school for you."

Devyn did not want to lie to Sam. He wished Charlie would be out to
Sam. Devyn was sure that Sam would be fine with it but that was Charlie's
decision and not Devyn's.

"Don't worry about me. I've had a boyfriend before. It did not end all that
well."

"Right, you told us about being caught with him. I was just thinking that
if you had a boyfriend, we could like, double date. You have your license
and..."

"Are you just trying to get transportation out of me?"

"No, well not just that. I'd also like you to have a boyfriend."

"Thanks Sam. It will happen when it is right."

"I'm sorry it makes it so hard for you."

"What?" Devyn was confused by Sam's comment.

"I mean how other people just aren't that understanding. If there are other
gay kids at school, they probably won't come out because of the shit you
put up with."

"Oh, that might be true. Now that Dewayne is out of the picture, maybe it
will get better."

"Maybe someone will step up. I'm sure if they are, that they would be
interested in you."

"Um, thanks."

"We just need to make it easier for them to come out...is that the right
term."

"Yes, making it easier for them and accepting them is a good start."

"I handled yours well," Sam said. "Didn't I?"

"You did," Devyn said. "It was so not how I wanted to come out."

"It was impressive," Sam said. "Watching you break Dewayne's nose was
cool. Of course, after seeing that, I wasn't going to do anything to piss
you off."

"That is right," Devyn said. "Don't make me break your nose. You look bad
enough as you are."

They both laughed. "Um, I know you were joking but do you really find me
unattractive?"

Devyn was surprised by the question. He had just moments ago been thinking
about how Sam was attractive with his light brown hair, green eyes, full
lips, and roman nose. Devyn had just checked out Sam's body and why the guy
was not as slender as Charlie, he also was not fat. "Are you joking? You
aren't coming onto me, are you?"

"No, no," Sam said. "That would be weird on so many levels. I just mean,
I'm not ugly, am I?"

"No Sam," Devyn said and sighed. "You aren't ugly. You are kind of cute."

"Thanks," Sam said. "I knew you were into me."

"You jerk!" Devyn started tickling Sam and it progressed into a full-blown
wrestling match. Their almost naked bodies rolled around on the bed until
Devyn once again had Sam pinned.

"You are the man," Sam panted.

Devyn could not help remembering that wrestling match with Brent. That had
started them on their relationship together. It had been on that camping
trip with their almost naked bodies rubbing together that they first
realized exactly what it was they were feeling for each other.

As they slid from the bed to straighten out the sheets and blankets, Devyn
had to will down his body's reaction. Just wrestling with Sam had pumped up
his teenage equipment. He again wondered if Tom had done something to
him. Was it the drugs or the acts he had done that made him so easily
aroused?

"What the heck are you two doing in there?" Janet called. "Stop trying to
tear down the house. Now settle down and go to sleep. We are leaving
early!"

"We are!" they both shouted in unison.

# # #

Copyright 2022 by Keith yates (keith.96@att.net) all rights reserved.

Character is much easier kept than recovered. Thomas Paine

A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong gives it a superficial
appearance of being right.

Thomas Paine