Date: Wed, 11 Mar 2015 10:29:57 -0500 From: Kit Darling Subject: A Rose Among Thorns Chapter 2 *DISCLAIMER* This story contains depictions of male on male, graphic sexual interactions. The characters are high school aged and sometimes have unsafe sex. ALWAYS USE A CONDOM! This is a complete work of fiction and any similarities to persons or events is purely coincidental. Enjoy the story and any feedback is welcome. Remember that Nifty needs your generous donations to continue on, Dears. So make sure to toss a few dollars their way so they can keep tossing great stories your way. Love ya! CHAPTER 2 So here we are back at the beginning of the story. As Logan pulled away from me, I could see that everyone was looking right at us. My face turned red as a tomato. "Why so red? Are you embarrassed? Are you nervous?" he got a cocky grin on his face. "I'm just not used to everyone staring at me like you are," I rolled my eyes and turned back around to grab my books for French. "We should probably get our story straight about when and how we got together," I whispered. "I needed a tutor for French, we started hanging out, I gave you your first kiss, we've been dating ever since. We just now decided to go public. We started last week," he said it like it was all common knowledge. "You gave me my first kiss? That's not true," my first kiss was with Nolan, but did that really count? Because technically I stole the kiss and he didn't kiss me back. And I don't think I can really count any of the kisses I've shared with Logan because they are all for show. "They don't need to know that," Logan responded as he ran a hand through his thick, black hair. "I gave you your first kiss," I hissed. "Now no one would ever believe that," He gave me a look that said 'that was a dumb statement'. I nodded in agreement. "Fine, your story is more plausible." I zipped up my back pack and Logan grabbed my small hand with his big, rough one. He leaned down and kissed my cheek and then escorted me to my first class. "See you in algebra, Babe," Logan called after me. I shook my head and made a face that said "Don't call me that". I smiled at the floor and took my seat. "What's with you and Black?" Dawson Jones asked as we waited for class to start. A few of the girls stopped their conversations to listen to my answer. No doubt, so they could gossip about it later. "What do you mean?" I wondered aloud, trying to act confused. "Aside from the fact that the two of you are hanging all over each other and tasting each others tonsils," Jenna James inserted, looking up from her notebook. "We are dating..." I trailed off quietly knowing that the whole thing sounded like a big joke. "Like dating, dating?" Dawson quizzed. I didn't really think about the fact that this would cause me to get the third degree. Furthermore, most people would ask me about it and not Logan because I'm the more approachable one. "Yes, like dating, dating," I nodded. "Logan Black doesn't date..." Jenna again. I took a breath and shrugged my shoulders. "I suppose he was waiting for the right person to come along and not just someone to spread his legs for him." There was so much venom in my voice that I hardly recognized it as it spilled from my lips. I'm not sure where that venom stemmed from but I felt the need to defend Logan. Dawson and his goons started hooping and hollering and a few of the girls in the room laughed at the burn I just gave Jenna. Her face was deep red. I wasn't sure if it was from embarrassment or anger. She and Logan had a very on-again off-again relationship. Mostly just her wanting to call him boyfriend and him not letting her tie him down. The teacher entered the classroom and began his lecture. Throughout class I could feel Jenna's eyes on me, like daggers twisting into my back. I'm serious, if looks could kill, I'd be dead. As soon as the bell rang, I snatched up my backpack and bolted for the door. I was standing at my locker when Nolan approached me. "Hey, Corrigan, what's up?" he was being awkward. He couldn't keep eye contact and he had a hand on the back of his neck. That's the thing he does when he's nervous. "Not too much, you okay?" I asked raising my brows at him. "Huh? Yeah, why?" he scratched his head. What made this guy think he was good at lying? I'd known him forever. I knew when he wasn't telling the truth. I put my hand on my hip and pursed my lips, "Nolan, you're my best friend. What's under your skin?" "I still can't believe... You and Logan? Why didn't you tell me sooner, you always tell me everything?" "I guess I wasn't sure if it was going to go anywhere so I didn't want to say anything before it was official," I hated lying to him. I went to grab my history book and a note from Logan fell out of my locker. He was sticking to our contract. Nolan bent down and picked it up. I took it from him and looked at it. It was a crudely drawn picture of two daisies, under them Logan scribbled "I got you some flowers." I rolled my eyes but smiled. "What's it say?" Nolan asked and I suddenly remembered he was there. "Oh nothing, It's an inside joke with Logan." "So uh... You wanna watch some movies tonight or something?" He finally decided to look me in the eyes this time. I was kind of surprised he even wanted to hang out alone with me again after the last time we hung out and I kissed him. "I really need to study French," I could see Nolan get a disappointed look on his face as I said it, "but I suppose when Logan and I are done studying, I can have him drop me off at your place?" "Yeah sure, I'll order a pizza," Nolan grinned and his eyes sparkled. There was the Nolan we all know and love. "Sounds great, see you tonight, Nolan." "See you tonight, Corrigan." I gave him a reassuring smile and then went to my next class. At lunch time I sat with Logan instead of my regular table with Nolan. Nolan looked a little hurt but in retrospect it was him who left the other football players to come sit with me. I felt really out of place sitting with all the manly, burly jocks. They sat quietly watching Logan and I like we were about to spawn the baby of Satan. "Look, you guys, if you're uncomfortable with me being here I can move-" I started to say, but Logan cut me off. "No, you'll stay right there. You guys got a problem?" he asked, glaring at his teammates. "It's just weird to see Ladies Man Logan has been shackin up with a dude is all," Gabriel Morris offered. "Yeah dude, we ain't got nothin against it, it's just unusual. It'll take us all a little bit to get adjusted," Carl Davis added. "Well you guys had better get your shit together soon, you're makin my boy uncomfortable," Logan put a protective arm around me, leaned down, and kissed the top of my head. "So... I heard that fashion week is going on..." Gabriel looked at me. "Oh brother, you guys don't have to talk about fashion, or pride parades, or baking. How about those Saints?" I said as casually as possible. I had no clue about those Saints, in fact, I was surprised I even knew the name of one football team. The guys quickly loosened up and started talking about sports. I smiled and nodded, adding what little knowledge I had on the subject. Lunch seemed to go by a lot smoother after that. "I'm throwin a party tonight at my place, Logan. Bring, Corrigan, he's a cool guy," Blake Smith smiled at me as he got up to dump his tray. "What'ya say?" Logan asked. "Sure, that sounds fun." After class, Logan and I sat in the library together. "Voilà, ma mére. Elle est très gentille. Now translate," I demanded, looking at Logan's handsome face. "Uh... Behold... My horse? She is three gentle?" He responded slowly. "Here is, my mother. She is very nice," I corrected him gently. "I'm never going to pass French," Logan's shoulders slumped in defeat. "Not with that attitude," I put a hand on his arm. He looked at it and I retracted it quickly, wondering if I'd crossed a line. "C'mon, I'm trash at this," he continued beating himself up. "Well just because you are trash doesn't mean you can't succeed. It's called a garbage CAN not a garbage CANNOT." Logan laughed hysterically at my joke. He wiped a tear from his eye and then put on a serious face. "Seriously though, Igan-" Logan said as he looked up at me. "Ew, Igan?" I stopped him right there. I was gonna need to shut that down pretty quickly. "I need a cute nickname for you and you didn't like `Babe' so I decided to call you `Igan'." I rolled my eyes and waited for him to finish his thought from before I had cut him off. "I can't remember anything," he confessed. "Can you remember the main subjects? I, you(formal and informal), he, she, it, we, you(plural), they, and one?" "Yeah, I think so... Je, tu/vous, il, elle, nous, vous, ils/elles, and on?" His accent was awful but at least he remembered that much. "Oui," I nodded at his success with remembering those. "We what?" "Yes," I said with a grin. We studied for another hour and then Logan took me home to change for the party. "Come in?" I asked. "Nah, I'm gonna head home and get dressed too and then I'll come back and get you," Logan responded. "Ew, don't do that. It's a waste of gas and it's bad for the environment," I turned off the truck and pulled the keys from the ignition. Logan groaned and then reluctantly got out of the vehicle and followed me inside. "No shoes on in the house," I said as we went through the door. "Hi, Sweetie," my mom called from the kitchen. Logan and I went in to join her. "Voilà, ma mère." "Here is... my.... mom?" Logan translated choppily, I smiled excitedly and clapped. "Très bien, very good," I said. "Who's this, Corrigan?" Mom asked as she wiped her hands on her apron. "This is my boyfriend, Logan," I said as I looked at the floor. Mom always knew when I was lying. I needed to learn how to get better at it. "Boyfriend? Well it's very nice to meet you, Logan. I'm Jinel, but I'm sure he kept me a secret like he did with you," she reached out and he grabbed her hand and shook it. "I asked him not to tell anyone until I knew if I was ready to come out yet. I decided your son was worth the risk," Logan said politely. He was such a good liar. Even I almost believed him. I'll need to start taking lessons from him. "I'm glad you think so, will you be staying for dinner?" she asked him. "Actually, Mom, Logan and I are heading to a party tonight," I basically whispered, knowing her answer would be no. "Where?" she demanded. "Blake Smith's house," I responded. "Pastor Smith's son? Be home at midnight," that was extraordinarily easy. I expected to have to battle her. "Really?" I was still so astounded. "Yes, really." I looked at Logan and gestured toward the stairs before she could change her mind. He followed me to my room. Just through the door into my room, there's this little half hallway that I have decorated tastefully with my favorite pictures of Grace Kelly. The half hallway opens into my fairly large bedroom. To be honest, from a visitor's viewpoint, one might think they'd just entered into a girl's room due to the fact that I have a shabby chic(complete with ruffles, flowers, and little antique knick-knacks) theme. "You're room is incredibly clean," Logan observed as he came in and took a seat on the overstuffed wing back chair that was next to my electronic fireplace and bookshelf, "is this fireplace real?" I crossed my arms and looked at him to see if he was serious. I mean, I suppose it does look pretty realistic. It looks like an old brick fireplace with a hearth and everything and there is a little chain curtain in front of the pretend fire wood where the heating element is, "Logan, do you see a chimney?" "...No..." he looked around knowing how dumb he looked. "It would be dangerous to light a fire in a fireplace that had no chimney. No it is not real," I laughed at his poor deductive reasoning skills. He grabbed me and wrestled me to the ground, tickling me. I was crying and giggling hysterically. "STOP PLEASE!!!" I begged. I was sure I was going to pee my pants if he didn't. "Take back your sassy tone!" He said playfully as he continued his torture. "I take it back!" He let me go and got up, returning to the bed. "You're a monster, Logan!" I punched him lightly in the arm. I walked over to the old whitewashed wardrobe and opened it up. I pulled out a pair of tribal print shorts and a light blue button up shirt that really brought out the colors in the pattern on the shorts. Then I grabbed a cardigan and tossed them on the bed. I pulled off my sweater and the button up underneath it. I was mindlessly babbling to Logan when I started taking my pants off. His cheeks got red and he looked away. "Is my body really that disgusting?" I joked. "It's just... I don't want to... Ya know?" he responded to the wall. "Huh? You get dressed in front of the guys all the time after practice. Heck, you shower with them, don't you?" I was confused with the situation. "Yeah but that's different," Logan remarked. "Why?" "I don't know... I don't want you to think I'm ogling you," it felt more like a stab than a statement. A stabment, if you will. Okay, okay, I'll knock it off with the puns. Back to the conversation at hand. "Why would I think that?" I asked, almost offended that he said it. "I don't want you to get the wrong impression with our relationship. This is strictly business and I don't want you getting the wrong idea about us. I'm your FAKE boyfriend. I don't really like you like that," his voice sounded so cold and unfamiliar and I suddenly felt really vulnerable. I rapidly grabbed up my outfit and took it to my bathroom. When I was in the safety of the bathroom, I sat down on the toilet. I was confused out of my mind. What just happened in there? Why was he suddenly so rude? I pulled on my clothes, put on a happy face, and returned to my bedroom. Logan was thumbing through my record collection. "Dude, you have Aerosmith on vinyl? And Led Zeppelin and ACDC? I never pegged you for a guy to have music like that," Logan confessed. "They were my dad's, he gave them to me as a gift for my sixteenth birthday." "Kitty Cat, are you in here?" my nine-year old brother came racing into my bedroom, "I like that ensemble, Kitty Cat. It's very chic." "Where did you learn those words?" I raised my eye brow. "I learned them at school. I'm the best speller in my class so I get to learn words like ensemble and chic," he turned and looked at Logan, "Who's the tall guy?" "That's uh..." I began but trailed off. For some reason I couldn't lie to my little brother. "I'm his boyfriend, Logan, and you are?" he held out his big hand for my brother to shake it. "I'm Tommy but you may call me Thomas. Only my friends are allowed to call me Tommy." "Very nice to meet you Thomas." "I wish I could say the same," suddenly his voice darkened, "You hurt my brother and I will hunt you down and gut you like a fish." Hunt you down and gut you like a fish? Where does he come up with this stuff? "Tommy!" "It's okay, he's being understandably protective. He'll come around, I'm sure of it," Logan winked at Tommy. "We'll see about that," Tommy crossed his arms and turned to me, "does Daddy know about Logan?" "No they haven't met yet, but Mommy met him." "Fine. I came in here because I was wondering if you wanted to play video games or something but you are obviously preoccupied." "I'm sorry, Buddy, maybe tomorrow?" "I'll try to pencil you in," he dramatically walked out of my bedroom. I turned to Logan and shrugged. When we got to the party, the house was already packed. I snaked my way through the crowd and into the kitchen for a bottle of water. "Hey, Buddy, how's it going?" Blake wandered in holding a beer. "I'm fine, how are you, Blake?" "I'm great. You look really nice tonight." "Thanks, so do you," he was wearing jeans and a t-shirt but they fit him well. He smiled and walked around the kitchen island; the space between us vanished alarmingly fast. He put a hand on the small of my back. He leaned in really close and I could feel his breath on my neck. A shiver ran down my spine. "I've always had a thing for you, Rose." Ugh, what is it with guys and just calling everyone by their last names? "Blake, I'm with Logan," I tried to make space between us. "It seems like the two of you aren't really that into each other." "I assure you-" I was cut off by Blake's mouth on mine. His lips were tender and warm. The kiss felt so good. My head was spinning, my knees weakened. Then I came back to my senses and pushed him off just as Logan walked in. *Author's Note* Hey guys! I hope you enjoyed the second chapter! The plot is twisting very fast and it is only going to get worse. Corrigan is getting himself into a whole world of trouble. I'd like to thank Robbie for helping me edit and giving me some really great feedback on the story. I'd love to hear from all of you and see how you are liking it so far! Thanks -Kit =^.^=