** This story is a true story, telling of people and events that have taken place in the last three to four years. I have the consent of the others who are involved to use them, but no last names will be used for privacy reasons. This story will focus around two people as they stumble upon each during high school and find themselves falling for one another. They are able to survive the trials, tribulations, and difficulties that are thrown at them and from each other until everything comes to an abrupt end...All rights to this story are mine (lol well it is based on MY experiences) so no copying or publishing without my consent!**
Finding Andrew
Chapter 16 - Shaun, Andrew, and Luke
I had taken PE (Team Life 2) again in my senior year since MJ convinced me. Besides, we never had a class together all throughout high school. Odd thinking about it, but we shared a class nonetheless. I really didn't want to figuring that a lot of the football players would be in the class (sighs). The first semester of it was the best. MJ was in that one, I met a good friend in Luke (I'll get to him a little later), two of my other good friends were in it as well (Natasha and Richard). Most of my other classes were with friends since seniors got the first pick of classes. Honestly, my senior year wasn't all that exciting so I'm going to sum it all up in this chapter.
PE was interesting to say the least. There was a sophomore in the class that I got along with pretty well. I can't remember his name for the life of me, but he told me at some point that he was gay. Nice to have another friend I could talk to. Then there was also this other guy named Luke (I said I'd get back to him). I'd heard of him throughout the earlier years, but never actually met him. He was a junior and we got along pretty good. We shared the same hobbies and we always joked around. I don't how many times we ended up running laps in that class because of us goofing off. Maybe that's where I grew my likeness for running lol. Anyway, I guess I could give a description of those two. Luke was a half foot shorter than me, had dark blue eyes, short buzzed hair and had a slim build. The other guy was a little taller than me and had a skater build, with spiky hair and green eyes.
As for MJ, I honestly never looked at him while changing. I try, and really do, try to not let myself get interested in any of my friends. I've seen it happen in straight relationships and see what could come out of it. Besides, what would the odds be that they would be gay and interested? Not high, plus I was already with someone anyway. And speaking of that someone, we really didn't get to hang out other than at wrestling. Add in work and school, and I was pretty occupied. Andrew did go out for the swim team that year and I managed to go to almost all of his meets. For his best interest, I made sure to be out of sight until after the meet...more like after he changed. I didn't want to cause any "issues" for him while he was swimming lol. My birthday ended up being lots of fun. There was a laser tag place (Laser Quest) across from Albertsons and I usually spent my nights over there on the weekends. I decided to have my party there. Made a lot of good friends there...probably should have worked harder to keep them (a big regret). By far the best party I've had!
Christmas wasn't really all that exciting. I didn't get to spend anytime with Andrew (extended family in town) or my friends over the break. So when second semester rolled around it figured that the bad would continue. A new class for PE and it was the WHOLE football team...very annoyed. Also, something I really failed to mention was that most of my lunches were spent off campus with Andrew...getting food! Most of the time, the only 40 minutes we'd get to hang out the whole day. Also, I should mention Shaun somewhere in here since he was in the title. This took little event took place in the middle of February. I was leaving to go to the mall for lunch when I saw him walking towards his house. I honked the horn which caused him to look back and then broke out into a full run to his house. I followed in my car and parked as he was getting his key out.
"Shaun, what wrong's man?"
"Leave me alone, Sam! Just leave!" He yelled with tears in his eyes. I really was used to him doing that to me, so I made my way to the door anyway. I was surprised when he shoved me forcefully away. That was definitely unlike him, so I decided to give him his space. And with my luck, Andrew just happened to see everything from a distance so I'm sure you could imagine what he thought was going on. It took awhile...a few weeks to be exact, but once I got Shaun to explain what was going on, he was cool. I ended up catching up with Shaun a few days after that little incident and forced him to explain what was going on. He was hiding a secret...and yes, you know what it was. Someone on the football team found out and the news started to spread. He was feeling bad about the whole situation (I was asked not to tell what happened so I won't) and I can imagine why if I was in his shoes. I ended up telling him about myself which caught him off guard. I knew what it was like to have to keep "things" to yourself so I could share his pain and struggles to an extent. In an act of kindness, I told him I would be his bodyguard. That ended up being a big prize to pay.
At the end of the month I was headed to the locker room to get dressed out when I heard arguing. I just walked by at first since it had nothing to do with me, but I looked back before heading into the locker room. Shaun was being harassed by members of the football team. I wasn't in the greatest of moods (had to work and that was still at the point when Andrew wasn't talking to me) so it didn't take me too long to get involved.
"HEY! Back off and leave him alone!" I yelled getting their attention. Shaun snuck out with the distraction. The usual crew (can't mention their names) was messing with him. I had enough of them picking on him and shoved the "leader" down to the ground. Before I could even process the next action... Actually let me explain something before this so you can fully understand why this hurt so much. Every entrance into the gym had double doors. In between the doors, there was a solid steel beam... Soooo, I was grabbed from behind and rammed into that very beam shoulder first. I yelled in pain as I could hear and literally feel the bone crunch and snap out. They of course tucked their tails and ran before they could get busted. I, on the other hand, was in excruciating pain. I ended up having to go the hospital to find that I had a separated shoulder and would be without the use of my right arm for 6-8 weeks. I'll spare you my thoughts on the matter. Let's just say that I'm happy that they left Shaun alone after that. Andrew started talking to me again (figures it would take that, but oh well) and I got a much needed break from wrestling and Albertsons. I was advised not to go to school for the next few days (it happened on a Tuesday), but of course I wouldn't give those guys the benefit of that. I happily drove myself to school with my arm in a sling and useless. I taught myself how to write with my left hamd so I did fine when it came to written work. In a way, I almost was happy about that because now I can use my left hand for everything just like my right. Ambidextrous is the word I'm looking for I think. Shaun did apologize, but I told him not to worry. Not like he was the one who did it.
Graduation slowly came (for those wondering...for all the problems I had, I managed to end school with a 3.21 GPA). I was free of the sling two weeks before. Our senior class ('04 by the way) had the usual group gatherings that are typical before everybody separates. I wasn't so much worried about my friends at the moment. There was another situation that really needed my attention: college.
I had the idea of going out-of-state for that, but there was a particular individual that I wasn't really to just leave. For all the crap that we went through between the first two years, I was beginning to realize exactly how much I cared for him. If it was maybe a one grade difference, I might have made a different decision. I ended up making my mind when I was talking on the phone with Natasha about it.
"Sam, have you brought it up with him yet?
"Not yet. I don't really know how to. He knows that I really want to get out of this state...but I also don't want to give up what we have either. I don't think it would work long distance. It will be too hard on both of us."
"Ok, this is the question you need to ask yourself. Do you love him?"
"I don't know. I really like him..."
"Yes or no?"
"I don't know."
"Sometimes you are so difficult. Fine then. I want you to think about that and you talk to him by tonight or else I'll do it."
"Yes ma'am." We both laughed as we said our goodbyes. I mulled the question over for a few hours before I made my way to Andrew's house. I knocked on the door and was greeted by Jason. He was back from school already (University of Colorado if you don't remember) so we had a little chat. He even brought up my school decision. Obviously, it was really bothering Andrew as well. I told him of my intentions and he let me know that he knew Andrew would stand by me in my decision. I slowly ascended the stairs and softly knocked on his door. He didn't answer so I slowly pushed it open. He had been watching a movie as he was fast asleep on his bed. He was only clothed in boxers and it was a good thing his brother was home, otherwise I might have had something else in mind. I just sat at his computer desk and watched him sleep. He looked so cute and also very safe. It was also one of the few times I saw him without his hair being all fixed up. I didn't mind it either way since it looked great even when it was messy. Him, on the other hand, would have a nervous breakdown if he had to school to school without being able to fix it. After sitting there for close to half an hour he started to stir.
"Hey little man. You look so cute when you sleep." He quickly popped up when he heard my voice. He slid under the covers to hide his near nakedness which caused me to laugh. Don't really know why that was just a big deal since it wasn't like...nevermind that.
"You perv. What were you doing? Getting off watching me sleep?" He said it with a smile so I knew he was joking.
"Hmm, maybe I was." I said as I gave him a joking elbow to the ribs. He patted the other side of the bed and I quickly accepted the invitation as I plopped down beside him. He got up to lock his door and grabbed a shirt to throw on.
"So, why are you here?"
"I can't just come here to see how you're doing?"
"You would have called. It's about school isn't it?" Talk about being read like an open book. We sat there in silence for a few minutes. I didn't really give any thought of how to start the subject and I still was at a loss of words. He hopped out of bed and began to pace in the middle of the room. The gears were turning in his brain.
"Andrew. I don't really know how to say this..."
"You don't have to. I already know what your decision is. I know how bad you want to go to school out-of-state. I'm not going to lie though. I really want you to stay. We've been going out on and for pretty much two years and I feel like I've invested so much in you. It's going to hurt to see you go, but I believe we can make it work. I don't want to throw it away and I'll do whatever I can to keep "us" together. Even if it means I pack up and go with you."
"Well that's a nice speech you put together, bud."
"I support you going away. You have to do what's best for you and it took me awhile to accept that."
"Well it's nice to know you feel that way...only thing is I'm staying here."
"YOU ARE? I mean, you are?" He tried to keep from letting out his excitement, but he failed miserably.
"Yea." See, I thought about this two ways and I came to the same conclusion on both. Both for him and me, I thought it was best. If I wanted to go out-of-state that bad, I could wait for him. Two years seemed like an eternity at the time. He hugged me as he started to cry (I'm going to go with happy tears). We cuddled and watched a movie in silence. He fell asleep in my arms and I thought again to the decision. Looking down at his sleeping face, there was no way I could just up and leave him. It was starting to get dark and I realized I should get back home. I slowly laid his head down and gave him a little peck on the forehead. "Andrew, I love you man. If only you knew how much." I whispered as I stood over him. My first confession of the l-word. I made my way home and fell asleep knowing deep down inside, that I made the right decision. Summer wasn't going to be a nice and smooth one though. Andrew was finally ready to come out to his parents.
The first week of June, I remember sitting in his room as he was going over his planned speech. I was more nervous than he was...and he was a wreck! When it finally happened, everything turned to shit. As soon as he uttered that phrase, "I'm gay", his life changed. Jason stood looking at his parents just as Andrew and I were. His dad left the room yelling words that I don't want to repeat. It was a very ugly incident. His mom blamed me for making him that way which led to me getting choked until Jason could pull her off. I left the house to try and loosen the damage, but it was no use. Andrew was right behind me as his dad basically kicked him out. I ended up driving us to an empty road so I could comfort in private. I felt really bad for him. Towards the end of the last school year, he really wanted to just get the "coming out" over with. I advised him to at least wait until the summer so if it went bad, he wouldn't have to be around too many people. I didn't know what to tell him to boost his spirits so I just held him until he cried himself to sleep on my shoulder. While he slept, I had to think about a place for him to stay...at the very worst he would have to go back to live with his parents since he wasn't 18 yet. I ended up driving home and told my dad a shortened version of what happened. I begged and pleaded, and I'm sure it was because of my constant annoyance that he gave in. The deal was that he had to sleep in the basement and share my bathroom. Not a problem at all...really. Also, that Andrew had to have a talk with both my parents. I agreed on his behalf on that, and gave Jason a call to get some of his clothes and belongings. It took two trips, but we managed it quickly.
Really all he needed was his clothes. I had video games, movies, and a computer so it would almost be like being at home. Jason promised to try and work on their parents and that he would do anything to help. He helped set his stuff up and was off for the night. Andrew talked to my parents while I cooked dinner (I'm not a bad cook, but I don't do it much): lasagna, his favorite dish. By the time the food was done, they were done. I fixed our plates and brought them into my room. We ate in silence, as I'm sure the day's events were still bothering him. Somehow he managed to explain the story to my parents without mentioning the fact that he was gay...I have no idea how he pulled that off. The only problem that I saw with him staying was the sleeping arrangement. I don't think either of us would have complained about sharing a bed, but there were two things to worry about. I didn't have a lock on my door and with air conditioning running through the house, there was no way to hear anyone come downstairs. I came up with a pretty good solution for that and it ended up being the plan for the duration of his stay. After we both took showers...separate, we would lay down with him wrapped up in front of me. I know that he was happy to have me there, but I also wanted to convey the message that I was there to stand by him. Once he fell asleep, I would grab a spare pillow and comforter and fall asleep on the couch.
He ended up staying for about a month. Most of the time he was in my room, but he did manage to become friendly with my sister and mom. Lol, picked up quite a few brownie points. Eventually he did go back home. He wasn't happy with it, but he also knew that he couldn't stay over there forever...especially not after the computer incident with my dad (he got caught looking at some stuff and my dad flipped out...being a major homophobe of course; it took my mom to step in to let him stay...also a big factor in me taking so long to come out to mine). Anyway, his dad became more comfortable with it. His mom, on the other hand, was still at the stage of hating my guts and Andrew's. She just didn't know how to handle it. Andrew wasn't thrilled with going back there as I would find out when the end of July came. I was in the middle of switching jobs (from Albertsons to EB Games) when I got a call from his mom. I happened to be on break at work when I answered.
"Hello?"
"Is this, Sam?" She asked hysterically.
"Yes, ma'am." I said in a dejected tone. It's hard to sound happy when someone calls and you know they hate your guts.
"You need to come over now! Andrew is in an ambulance!" My mood soured even more as I started to worry the worst instantly. Human nature really sucks at times. I talked with my boss and took off from work. My mind raced with thoughts as I flew down the streets. I didn't know what to expect or if I even should go there with his parents there. Eventually I got there and quickly made my way inside. The ambulance was headed out as I stepped inside...
So, its been awhile hasn't it? I don't really want to talk about my last couple of weeks. I ended up having to handwrite this out and give it to a friend to get sent in (thanks a bunch, Justin) since I have really limited internet availability at the moment. My goal is to get this story done before the end of this month (wishful thinking, but at least at the end of March) so my work is cut out. This chapter is a little more of a telling than the previous ones since its going to link to some more meaty sections. The next couple of months were really interesting to say the least. The whole chapter was an annoying time in general. For those that will wonder, Natasha is my best female friend and I talk to her all the time even though she goes to school in New York City. As for Shaun, he is doing good since the last time I talked to him and he is going to school in Arizona. He asked me to leave most of our conversations out in this chapter (would have been a lot longer) so I'll honor his wishes.
Chapter 17: Another Trip to the Hospital