The Barrier

By Wes Leigh

 

This is a work of fiction intended solely for the entertainment of my readers; any resemblance to any real people or places is purely coincidental. Readers who would like to chat are encouraged to contact me at weston.leigh@protonmail.com.

This story is the property of the author and is protected by copyright laws. The author retains all rights. No reproductions are allowed without the author's consent.

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Chapter Four

 

Micah it was the most humiliating experience I've ever had!

Oh, man. Jack, I wish I was there with you right now, giving you a loving hug and telling you everything's going to be alright.

I wish you were too I need a hug right now.

I'm sorry, Jack. Really sorry. I would love nothing more than to hold you tight and rub your back and tell you to hang in there.

You could do that you know?

Do what?

Hug me and rub my back. You live just across town from us. You could drive over here and I could sit in your car and you could hug me and talk to me.

I'm not sure your parents would understand.

Probably not. They don't understand anything.

They just need time, Jack. So do you. This will all blow over soon.

I wish I could believe that Micah. It's probably gonna be all over school tomorrow. About how Ian and I were making out in the hall. Grabbing each other and practically pulling our cocks out to stroke each other. You know how kids exaggerate.

Yeah. I can well imagine. Have you talked to any of your friends about it yet?

No. GOD I'm so STUPID! Why did I even try talking to Ian in the first place?

You're not stupid, Jack. You're a normal fifteen-year-old kid who wanted to experience what other fifteen-year-olds are getting to try. You didn't do anything wrong here. Ian is the one who stepped way over the line. Several times!

That's not what everyone is going to say.

No, it isn't. But it is what YOU are going to say when your friends ask you about it. And they will, so you will tell them you talked to Ian to see if he would be interested in becoming friends. Ian took it too far and grabbed you in the hall. You told him no. That's all that happened. Your friends will believe you. They know how you are. They know how Ian is. Soon the true story will get around school and the rumors will stop.

You really think that's how it will go down?

Yes, I do. How long have your friends known you are gay?

About a year now.

And have they ever seen you do anything wild or extreme?

NO! That's not how I am.

Right. And they know that. They've known you for years, even before you told them you were gay. True?

Yeah okay I see your point Micah.

Then believe me when I say it will be okay. Jack, everyone who knows you, even your parents, knows that you're a down-to-earth, sensible, sweet kid who would never give in to wild behavior like this. They're surprised and shocked right now, because they're asking themselves how such a thing could happen to the Jack they know and love. It won't take them long to realize it WASN'T your fault. You DIDN'T do anything wrong! They'll figure that out and come back around and support you.

I hope so.

Trust me, Jack. It may take a day or two, but it will happen just like I said.

Why does it have to take a day or two? Why can't they be like you? Why can't they just believe me and be on my side?

I have an advantage over them all.

You do?

Yep. I can't see you. All I can go on are these words you and I type out on our screens. I have to read between the lines and see my buddy Jack as he truly is. They're distracted by your cute smile and those dazzling blue eyes of yours. They see the incredibly cute teenager and forget that inside that handsome kid is a heart that hurts the same as everyone else. I'm not distracted. I see your words. I feel your heart.

Jack swallowed hard when he read Micah's response. He went back and reread it, thinking about Micah sitting in his house, reaching out through the chat conversation with understanding and compassion. The screen updated as Micah typed another entry.

Jack? Are you okay?

Umm yeah just thinking.

Alright. Take as long as you need.

Jack stared at the laptop screen, trying to picture Micah. It was late at night, so Micah's eyes were probably red and tired. He was probably dressed for bed, maybe wearing a robe, sitting at his desk and waiting patiently for Jack's next entry. Jack typed: Why can't my parents be like you? But what he really wanted to ask was, `Why can't you be my dad, Micah?'

Then Jack read Micah's reply.

I don't have any control over how other people are. Just myself. And I want to be the guy you can turn to anytime, for anything.

That made Jack smile. Was Micah reading his mind?

I wish you were my dad.

Oh, wow, Jack. That's probably the best compliment you've ever given me.

It's true I wish I lived with you and could come to you when shit happens like this. You would understand and tell me it will be okay. Not threaten me and yell at me.

Did they?

Did they what?

Did your parents threaten you and yell at you?

Not that much. Mostly it was just a lot of raised voices and them saying they don't understand how I could do such a stupid thing. My dad sorta threatened to lock me in my room for a month but I know he wasn't serious. But that's just it, Micah. Why couldn't they talk to me like you do? Why can't they take my side for once?

It may take them a day, but they'll come around.

They shouldn't have to come around Micah. They should believe me now. You do. I wish you were my dad.

Your mom might not like having a gay man for a husband.

LOL Micah. No I want you to be both my dad AND my mom.

I don't know if I could be both, Jack. I don't have boobies!

ROFLMAO give me a minute gotta pee.

A minute later ...

Back. That was a close one. You made me almost wet myself!

You know me. I do whatever I can to help.

Haha well talking about your boobies isn't helpful.

It got you out of your funk, didn't it?

I guess so.

Then it helped.

Maybe. I'm glad I can talk to you like this.

Anytime, buddy.

You know what really pissed me off the most?

What?

The way Ian kept pushing himself on me. Not at school. That was bad too. But tonight when he texted me and started sexting me and sending me dick pics and shit. He just wouldn't listen when I told him to stop.

Some guys get that way. They let their dick do the thinking for them, and most dicks have very small brains.

HAHAHA yeah my dick has a very small brain too. I guess I can see that.

He probably thought your dick would like to see his dick. Most gay guys would be thrilled to get a picture like that.

I guess it was kinda exciting. My cock did get a little hard. But mostly I was angry because he wasn't listening to me. If he had talked to me first and been cool about just chatting for a while, I probably would have liked the pics he sent and I might have sent him one of me too. But he just jumped right to the sex, the same as he did at school. That's all I was for him. Sex.

Then he's not the guy you need, Jack.

I sorta figured that out tonight. I want someone I can spend time with and talk to. He wants to get naked and have sex. We want different things.

Do you want what he wants? The getting naked and having sex part?

Yeah but not yet. I think all that stuff would be great. I guess all guys do. But I want the other stuff too.

Then he's not the guy you need, Jack. I say it again because it's true. You need more than sex, and you shouldn't settle for someone who can't give you everything you need.

Then I'll never get what I need. He's the only gay guy in school.

I'm sure he's not the only one. There must be others.

Maybe. But if they're not out yet, that doesn't help me either.

What do you mean?

I know I'm not explaining this very good, so I'll try again. If they're not openly gay, that means they might be okay with talking to me and getting to know me and all the stuff I want when it comes to being my friend. But that may be as far as they will go. They might not be able to do the other stuff I wanna do. The sex stuff. And that means they won't give me what I need either. Just like Ian, only the opposite.

Hmmm. Good point, Jack.

I wish I could date you. Well someone like you.

Haha, Jack. Which is it? You want to be my son or my date?

You know what I mean Micah.

Sorry, Jack. Yes, I do know what you mean. But I think you may have hit on a solution to your problem. You need to date someone who is a little older, more mature, and who knows what he wants from life.

But I don't know what I want from life. It's like I'm trying to write a story with one hand.

That would be quite a handicap. Might take me years to finish a novel if I could only use one hand. But I see what you're saying. It's a beautiful and poetic way to describe what you're going through. Writing with one hand. Trying to find love from others who aren't your equal.

I don't know about it being poetic. It's just the way I feel.

It's poetic to me. I love the imagery. But Jack, in a way, you're the one writing with both hands, while the rest of us are trying to use only one. Ian is your age but he's still childish. Older guys will be less childish, but they might be too old to make you happy. You have both a virile, young body and a wise, old soul. We're all struggling along while you're using both hands!

Maybe. But sometimes it feels like using both hands is just as hard. Haha I just realized something.

What's that?

Think about it, Micah. If you're writing one of your stories and you get to the romantic part where they guys are starting to get naked and stuff ...

Okay. What's your point?

Do you get it Micah? If you're writing with one hand, that means you can use the other hand to do OTHER things!

Oh, my God, Jack!

That's why it's so HARD for me. Get it? HAHAHAHHAHAA.

What am I going to do with you? I can't drown you. I can't spank you.

No one spanks me! I bite!!

I'll remember that. I'll also have to remember that one-handed writing thing. My publisher will get a kick out of it.

You should put it in your next story.

Actually, that's not a bad idea. A gay romance novel about a one-handed man who ends up with a sticky keyboard. That could work.

OMG HAHAHAHAHA. I'd read it.

I'm not sure you should be reading what I write.

Ha I've already read all your stories.

Really? I didn't know that.

Yep. Used my Kindle account to download them.

Do your parents know?

Nope. And I'm not telling them. Your stories are what made me decide to let everyone know I'm gay.

I'm flattered. I think.

It's okay Micah. You don't have to worry. Your stories helped me to see that there's nothing wrong with being gay and that two guys can love each other just like a guy and a girl can.

Then I am flattered. You've read them all?

Yep. All five. And I can't wait until you write the next one. When will it be done?

It's almost finished now. I'm looking for beta readers to tell me what they think.

I'LL DO IT!

LOL, okay. How could I say no to you?

You can't. You love me too much.

Yes, I do.

Micah?

Yes, Jack.

Do you really?

Do I really what?

Love me.

Yes, Jack. I do love you.

Good cause I love you too. Thank you Micah. You're the best friend I could ever hope to have.

You're welcome, Jack. But you should know that it takes a good friend to be a good friend. You're my best friend too.

Thanks Micah. Gonna call it a night. Had a rough day and just wanna sleep now.

Good night, Jack. Sleep good, buddy.

Night Micah.

 

The end of THE BARRIER, Chapter Four