Date: Mon, 28 Aug 2006 18:18:51 -0700 (PDT) From: Zare Scott Subject: Rip Tide chapter 6 Disclaimer: This story is a work of fiction. It depicts a romance between two consenting adult males and may contain some descriptions of sexual act between two consenting adult males. If you are not of legal age to read this kind of story, please leave now. If you reside in area where reading stories that include sexual situations between two consenting adult males are illegal, please leave now. This story is for entertainment purposes only. Any similarity to any person(s) living or dead is simply a coincidence. The author retains all rights to this story. It cannot be reproduced in any form without expressed written permission from the author (me). Please contact the author for any requests at raspucin70@yahoo.com. Copyright 2006 RIP TIDE Chapter Six: Contemplations (From Hayden's point of view) I stepped out of the shower and started to dry myself. I had had a nice workout and my muscles were pleasantly sore. I still didn't like the morning routine, but at least I wasn't having the problem of getting up early in the morning like I had in the beginning of the semester. I finished up and went to the kitchen where the coffee maker was making it's familiar burping noises. It was filling the kitchen with a pleasant aroma. I admit that I like to indulge myself in little pleasures. One of them is to sit in the morning in front of my large kitchen window, sip my coffee, read the newspaper or a magazine and just plain enjoy the peace and quiet for a while. This is usually the time when I contemplate the things that I need to do and how to organize my day. I had class in the afternoon, and then I had to go to the post office to mail some correspondence to my lawyer. My divorce was still not officially over yet, and there were still some papers to be filled. I sighed. "Who knew that splitting up could be such a hassle." I though. "Crap, when I was dating other girls splitting up was just a matter of 'We need to talk' and that was it. Now it requires a lawyer to get me out." My thoughts shifted towards Courtney. She was definitively opposite from Melissa, not complicated, easy-going and spontaneous. And good-looking, too. I actually liked her. "Yes, but how come I'm not attracted to her?" I mused. I couldn't find the answer to that question, so I continued sipping my coffee. Then an image came to my head. An image of Matt basking in the sun while he was sitting in front of the Cuban restaurant. I sighed, looking through the window onto the street. It happened yesterday, while I was downtown. I stopped to get an espresso at the "La Cubanita". I parked across the street from it. Then I saw him, leaning back in his chair, soaking up the sun. I actually stopped on the sidewalk, enjoying the view. His eyes were closed, but the rest of his face was still eye catching. High cheekbones, nice, firm lips with that aristocratic down slope, and the gentle line of his jaw framing his neck. He looked so peaceful and so beautiful, with his hands crossed on his chest, a bunch of papers and books splayed on the table before him. One of his legs was stretched out, and the leg of his faded jeans was outlining his lean and muscular thigh. He was not overly muscular, but he was definitely wiry. I could see that his pecs were nicely formed. And that outstanding combination of pale tan and dark hair with those blue eyes! I almost approached him to wake him up so I could see those eyes again. Realizing that I was standing on the sidewalk for a bit too long, I entered the restaurant in three long steps. "La Cubanita" was a little place. You could order a drink next to a bar, or you could go and have a seat and have a sandwich or quick lunch. This time I was in a hurry, so I decided to take my espresso on the run. As I exited, I stopped for a second to let my eyes adjust to the bright sunset that was filling this side of the street with light. That, and to take another look at Matt. To my surprise, he was up, half-turned in his chair, and looking straight at me! Without even thinking, I moved towards his table. It was almost comical. He had the look of a kid caught doing something wrong. When I got to his table, he shuffled in his seat, and instantly buried his eyes in the concrete underneath him. He was obviously embarrassed with me catching him looking. Well, at least this time he didn't jumped like the last time, I thought. "Hi Matt." I started carefully. I didn't know what exactly to say. It would be kinda stupid to start a conversation with: "Hey, I noticed that you were looking at me so I came over". Besides, who said that he was looking at me in the first place? Maybe he was looking inside at the moment when I walked out? "Stop being so self-centered, Hayden" I snapped to myself. "Hi, Hayden" he replied, rather quietly. It seems like he is shy. Oh well, I had already started this stupid conversation so I better try to continue it. I asked him about all those papers that he had before him. He answered, but his answer was completely washed away from my brain. He lifted his head and looked me straight in the eyes. Oh my God. It was like he zapped me with a laser beam. His eyes were illuminated with sunset, giving them a stunning appearance of depth and clarity. I could stare at his eyes forever! Luckily, he looked away, so I that could comprehend what he was telling me. There was an odd annoyance and nervousness in his voice. I couldn't quite make it out. Why is he nervous? Is it because me? Or maybe he was just not used to having strangers ask him weird questions. I leaned over to see what he was talking about, since my brain was still trying to process his words. It was beginning of Biology I. Stuff that I had last year. Then I realized that that was why he was annoyed with. He was having problems with the lecture material. I stood up. All of the sudden a strange emotion came upon me. I couldn't quite put my finger on it. It was a vague feeling of something unfamiliar; something not yet experienced coming my way. It was like I felt faint vibrations of a train, yet too far away to be seen or heard. Not wanting to muse over that too long, I turned to Matt. He was looking at me with strange expression on his face. Like he was confused and curious at the same time, but there was something else behind that. It was at that moment that I made my decision. "If you want, you can stop by my place tomorrow night and I can try to explain this to you. Ok?" I said. I wanted to help him. I know how it is when you don't understand the class material. Plus, Biology was easy for me. I always had good grades in it. Besides, It will give me a chance to get to know this shy, blue-eyed boy some more. Matt's reaction was pure confusion, almost disbelief. He clearly did not expect something like this from me. Then he turned ecstatic. This shy boy did not seem shy anymore. He was positively beaming with joy. I had to smile at him. He instantly turned from being introverted and bashful to this delighted, wide - smile teenager. His whole face lit up with enjoyment, making his eye sparkle. I gave him directions for getting to my place and then I split. That was yesterday. So he should be here tonight. I sighed again. "Why is this so complicated all of the sudden? One student helping another one, nothing strange or unusual about that. I had tutored other people before. Why is this such a big deal that it is making me nervous? I need to get a grip on life. Go do something. Vacuum. Tinker in the garage. Do something instead of just sitting here and thinking about Matt." I scolded myself. But something was wrong in that cold-hard logic. I realized that I was loosing touch with common sense. It felt like it was slipping away, despite how much I was trying to get a grip on it. It was that vague feeling of restlessness, uneasiness and anxiety. It was bothering me that I couldn't analyze the feeling that was gripping my chest. I took a deep breath and then I looked at the clock. I realized that I had been daydreaming for far too long. It was time for me to get ready for my afternoon class. End of chapter six Big THANK YOU to everybody who wrote to me. I really appreciate the feedback from all of you guys! It means a lot to me that my writing is appreciated. Hayden