Date: Fri, 11 Sep 2020 07:50:38 -0400 From: Henry Blake Subject: Autumn These characters are fictional and any resemblance to real people is unintentional. There will eventually be homosexual relations, if that is not allowed or you are not of age to read, please do not continue. Please donate to Nifty.org This is my first story, though I've been a lifelong reader. Nifty.org- College Autumn Part 1 My arrival on campus was uneventful. Mom had a teary goodbye, Dad helped bring my stuff to the dorm and then- they were off. It was a few hours before my roommate, John arrived. He was sweet and nerdy and terrified. I'd read enough roommate stories to know there was a fair probability we could hook up. But turns out, those were just stories. He had left by morning two days later, overwhelmed by college and deciding it would be better to commute from his home. The next few days were the usual freshmen welcome things, uneventful and boring. For a shy guy like me it seemed like I'd never meet anyone. I could see people beginning to form friendships, could see my opportunities to say a friendly "hello" pass me by. I thought this is where my life would begin and yet, my anxiety had me standing in the doorway, watching other people's lives begin. I had settled into my room and not heard anything from anyone about a replacement roommate. Each evening I'd come home and watch whatever show I was binging. I enjoyed the freedom, but I had never expected the loneliness that came with it. I was the youngest of three and the only boy. The house had always had noise,there had always been some drama and people around. I had always been the quiet one. At 5'10" with black-brown hair, I took after my father. I was slender but had slight muscle definition from my two years attempting to be sporty on the cross-country team. I had come out as a sophomore in highschool and was glad for it. I wouldn't have to go through that angst now. Now I could finally meet someone and explore more. My small town had no other gays and no curious guys who wanted to experiment with the kid who was out. My college was not in the city but still was large enough that there had to be more horny and willing guys. Right? I silently prayed that I was right. I settled into my quiet routine and before I knew it a month had passed. I had made a few acquaintances, friendly enough to sit with at the dining hall or next to in class. Distant enough to not arrange to hang out with. I loved the fall, it was my favorite seasons and being in New England, it was glorious here. I studied outside as much as I could. Today was no exception. I'd brought a blanket to sit on and was cozy in a black and red flannel and a pair of jeans. I had just finished an assignment for the science elective I was taking and pulled out my book to read when a hat landed in my lap. I looked at the red sox cap confused for a moment, And then I looked up and saw someone moving towards me. He was beautiful. He arrived at my blanket and he smiled at me. My own smile quirked, as if it were being pulled out of confusion and into it's happy state. Now I'm going to say something cheesy here. There are moments in life where in the moment things get hazy and dreamlike and you're not sure why. In retrospect it's because it's a moment you'll remember forever. The moment you had been waiting for- This is my beginning, our story and it all started in Autumn.