Date: Mon, 8 Jan 2024 02:53:44 +0000 (UTC) From: Caleb Osburn Subject: Jackson & Brett 1 The following story is fictional and does not depict any real people or events. Also, Remember That Nifty runs on donations, please consider doing so at: http://donate.nifty.org/ Prologue: Jackson Whitmore is an 18-year-old graduate of his small-town high school; he is an intelligent athlete who wrestled through school, is interested in zoology, and hopes to become a conservationist someday. He has a small group of male and female friends and even secretly dated Chad Duncan, the basketball team captain in his junior year and with whom Jackson was starting to fall in love. Still, after rumors began whirling about how close they were, Chad broke up with him, which broke his heart. He now doesn't want to open himself up again over fear of rejection. Once Jackson Graduated High School, he came out to his family; his dad, Jason, was pretty accepting, as he grew up in a pretty progressive household; his mom, Emily, on the other hand, grew up in a very religious conservative family, which sometimes caused tension with their in-laws, but shockingly, when he did come out, she was not angry and did not condemn him, but hugged him and started crying; she loved her son but was internally conflicted as she was taught homosexuality was wrong and those who "practice." it needs to be shown they are immoral and warned they would go to hell if they don't "change their ways." He also has two siblings, Daniel and Jessica, who both go by the nicknames Dan and Jessy. Daniel is older; he is 25, and is married to his wife, Julie, Jessica is younger. She is a 16-year-old Junior who loves cheerleading. When Jackson told Dan and Jessy his sexuality, they both accepted him and said to him that they knew and loved him regardless, when he asked them how they knew, they said by the way he lit up when he talked about Chad and the times when they heard gay porn coming from his room. Chapter 1: Jackson And Brett By Caleb O. Jackson POV: I entered the dorm the university assigned. It was alright; it was pretty spacious, at least for two people. My thoughts were interrupted when a tall, handsome young man approached him and said, "Hey man, I'm Brett; it's so exciting to have someone to talk to now. Sitting here alone, I was getting so bored; I like video games and wrestling." My attention is redirected from my thoughts of how gorgeous and turned on I was when Brett says, "Dude, are you OK? You're not saying anything? Was I talking about myself too much? I'm sorry if I was; I am so glad I have a roommate." I said," no, it's OK; my head was in the clouds. I am distracted right now; it's my first day at college, and it's all a little overwhelming. " Brett says, "No worries, man, it happens to all first-year students; you will get used to it. I'm sure we will become best friends," he says, smiling. I reply, "I'm sure you are right. Is there any place on campus that has any good food? I am starving, it took me 2 hours to drive here, and I haven't eaten anything since breakfast." Brett says, "Yeah, I was just about to pick up some food from the cafeteria. Why don't we head down there together? I can introduce you to some people if that's OK." I then say, "Sure." Before we leave the dorm, the door opens, and a young woman enters and says, "Babe, are you coming? My sister is expecting us soon." She looked at me and said, "Oh, hi, my name is Natalie, and you must be Brett's new roommate. I'm his girlfriend; nice to meet you." Before I say anything, Brett then says, shit nat, I'm sorry, I forgot, I was just about to grab some grub from the cafeteria with Jackson," Natalie says, "Brett, I reminded you twice this week; this is important. It's her 18th birthday, and with both of our parents dead, it's a big deal for her only sister to make it." Brett says, "I am really sorry, Nat. I forgot. You know, I am just so bad at remembering things," I said, "It's OK, I will be fine alone; you should go with your girlfriend to her sister's birthday party." He then smiles and hugs me and says, "Thanks, man, I don't want to make you spend the first day on campus all alone." I then say, "It's OK, I will probably find someone here to talk to: Natalie says, "Babe, we really got to go now, and opens the door and leaves with Brett. I am alone and hungry, so I quickly open the door before Brett and Natalie go too far and say to him, "I'm sorry, where is the cafeteria? I don't mean to make you guys late. Natalie says, "it's OK, Brett, you can show him. I will be waiting in the car, just don't take too long, I then follow Brett down some stairs into a giant room labeled Campus Cafe, and he says here it is, see you later, Jackson, but before he leaves, he leans over and kisses me on the left cheek. I am perplexed; why did he do that? He has a girlfriend, And most straight men don't show affection that way, I then enter the cafeteria and go through a line that is served buffet style, but I am still thinking about Brett. The next day. College classes have yet to officially start; they begin tomorrow. The orientation is at 1-3pm, and the rest of the day is up to us. How to spend it is up to us. I decided to wake up around 10am and go to the campus cafe for breakfast when Brett stopped me and said," Where are you going? I say, "To get some breakfast," he says, wait up, I am going to shower. It won't take more than 20 minutes, and we can go together, I say, "OK, sounds good, before he even leaves the room to go to the showers, he takes off his shirt, and wow, it is ripped, I think. Brett then walks past me close and then slowly leaves. What is he doing? It's like he wanted me to look at him, and he likes the attention, but why from another guy and not his girlfriend. Once he finishes his shower, he returns and walks with me to the cafeteria when another man stops him in the halls and says to Brett, "Hey, big bro, missed you at last night's game. Does Natalie have you on a tight leash or what?" He says, no, I was just going with her to her sister's birthday party: I start to recognize the other man, and it occurs to me it is Chad Duncan; he says nothing to me, quickly walks away, I can't believe it; Chad is Brett's younger brother; that's just crazy, I think. I then tell Brett I am not hungry anymore and head back towards the dorm, when he stops me and says, "Jackson, I'm sorry if that was weird for you." I then say, "What are you talking about?" He says, "You dated my brother Chad in high school. I then say, a little irritated. "So Chad does acknowledge I exist. Brett says, "It was hard for him, too. He really liked you but was so closeted and worried about what people would think of him. I say, "I don't know; if I am comfortable with us being roommates, it might bring back memories I don't want to relive." Brett says, " Jackson, please, I want you to continue being my roommate; I do think how he treated you was wrong. I also can understand what he saw in you. I say, "What?" he then gets closer to me, kisses me on the lips, and says Jackson Whitmore, I want to be your boyfriend. I say, you have a girlfriend, and her name is Natalie, he says, "I know; it's just the first time I met you. I just knew you were gay and wanted me, and I want you, too." To be Continued. If you have enjoyed the story so far, comments and questions are appreciated and can be sent to my email at gifghjf45@yahoo.com