I Woke Up 336 by M.P. Arsent
Copyright to this story remains strictly that of the author. No other publication or use of this story is allowed without the author's consent. This story contains male-on-male sexual content both implied and explicit. If this offends you please do not continue. All characters and implied situations are strictly those of the author and are not based on real-life events or characters. If you are under 18 years of age please exit this story now. I welcome all responses to my stories. Please ensure you list the story's name in the email line. If your email is to alert me of misspelled words or improper punctuation or grammar save your time because it will be deleted. I hope you enjoy my vivid imagination. Please let me know what you think at mparsent@gmail.com and remember to donate to Nifty as they do an amazing job.
I quickly went over to speak to them.
"Why didn't you guys tell me you were going to be here this year?"
"Well, for one we didn't find out until well after the all-state, and even at that we heard that you were done last year."
"Yeah, well the Dean of Men convinced me that as long as I was here for Karl, I might just as well get my Associate in Business and stay eligible for the team."
"We get on the team and I foresee a hell of a season with the three of us."
"Here's hoping Eddie. I don't know how the Coach is going to do it this year. There weren't any holdovers last year and everybody had to try out."
"Besides you, who is our toughest competition?"
"I'd have to say, Josh and Greg. They both did well at the All-State."
Coach Warren and Coach Connors both came out into the room at that point.
"Greg, Josh, Jack, Dennis, and Gary to the sidelines."
Coach walked over to us and spoke in a low voice.
"This is a meet and you guys are the judges. I'm not saying what you guys score will decide who is in or not, but I do want the input. Write it all down for later and make notes for the deductions if you can."
Coach handed us pads and we went to where we could watch everything. For the next three hours, I watched and recorded everything I could spot. I damn near used up the whole pad as I devoted a page to each person on each apparatus.
When Coach came by and collected the pads, he raised an eyebrow when he skimmed mine.
"Alright, gentlemen. The team will be posted tomorrow by 4 pm. First mandatory practice will be Thursday."
Before he left I got Coach aside.
"Please tell me that you aren't going to call a mandatory for Saturday."
"I hadn't intended on it. Why, there a problem?"
"I have a meeting at home. I'm closing on a building."
"A building? Not a house?"
"Correct. I'm taking over an old "Y" building and turning it into a membership gym and gymnastics training center."
"Sounds pretty damned ambitious Dennis."
"It is Coach, but there isn't a decent gym in town and the nearest facility is over an hour away. This is definitely my last year to compete and this will at least keep my hand in the sport."
"Well, good luck with that Dennis. I expect we'll be seeing some fine gymnasts come out of that facility."
"I hope so Coach."
Seeing as I didn't actually do anything today, I spent an extra long time in the pool. By the time I got back to the apartment, it was already dark out.
"I was beginning to wonder if you were coming home tonight lover."
"Coach had the tryouts do a whole damn meet. Us holdovers and Gary scored it. But you'll never guess who was in the mix."
Karl thought about it for a few moments.
"For that kind of reaction, it had to be Eddie and Steve."
"Got it in one. They make the team and the season is damn near a lock along with the All-State."
"I'll admit, it would be a damn hard combination to beat, but we both know it could be done."
"Yeah possibly but highly unlikely."
"Well get your ass to the table and let me get supper on the table."
We ate and then I took the time to complete my assignments for Wednesday. By the time that was done, it was time to crash out.
Tuesday morning was bright and clear and we made it over to Cochran hall and picked up Paul and Cam and moved on down a got Aiden and Gordon and got our laps done. Back to the apartment wash fed and dressed and then off to classes once again.
I could have waited at the apartment seeing as my first class wasn't until 11:30, I wanted to just hang around campus for a bit.
I ran into a few people I knew from the last 2 years, including Carlton and Devon.
"Dennis! I thought you were done?"
"Dean Evans convinced me to take classes and get my Associate of Business while I'm up here with Karl."
"And to no doubt keep you on the gymnastics team."
"That too."
"So what have you got today?"
"Creative Writing and Psych."
"Who did you get for Psych?"
"Mr Quinn."
"Well then, you've already got one of the assignments taken care of."
"Come again?"
One of the assignments is to get into one of several situations that aren't the usual thing. One of the choices is to find someone of the same gender and go shopping for engagement rings. He let us use our real life experience."
"And get the reactions of the salespeople. That's a story I can easily relate."
"Well, we've got to haul ass Den. See you around."
"Later!"
Shortly after I headed for my class, which should prove to be interesting if nothing else.
"Good morning ladies and gentlemen, I'm Mr McCalister and this is Creative Writing. In this course, you will, obviously, be writing. Each exercise will focus on a particular type of story. How well you develop each story will determine your final grade. There will be no final test. With each assignment, I will randomly choose among you to read your story to us. let me also say that I will not tolerate any shenanigans while someone is reading, and very little otherwise."
What followed for the next hour and some, was how a story should be structured. It was a little more involved than just a beginning a middle and an end.
After this I headed over to the student union for my usual sandwich and time on the bench.
Gordon and Aiden managed to find me.
"How's it going so far, Denny?"
"Piece of cake. It's the next class that has me wondering."
"What class?"
"Psych."
"I wouldn't worry too much. Even if you only read the book you should do fine."
"Who did you have for the course?"
"Mr Abernathy."
"I've got a Mr Quinn. So they may well differ in how they teach the class."
"Always a possibility Den. We'll catch you in the morning."
I headed to the class and found the room to be fairly full when I got there. Right at 2, a distinguished-looking gentleman came in.
"Good afternoon ladies and Gentlemen. I'm Mr Quinn and this is psych 101. If you are in the wrong place now is the time to vacate the premises."
Nobody moved.
"Very well then. Let's get into this."
The next 80 minutes were filled with the basic jargon of psychology.
When we were finally dismissed, it was 3:30. I headed on over to the rec center. I was fairly certain I was on the team, but I wanted to find out who else had made it.
When I got there, the list hadn't been posted yet. Eddie and Steve showed up a few minutes after I did.
"Your coach like to keep people in suspense?"
"It appears so."
Just a few minutes before 4 Coach Warren came out and posted the team list. Jack, Josh, Greg, and I were right at the top of the list. Much as I suspected Eddie and Steve had made the team as well as 2 other guys. Bob Clements and Irwin Baxter. Two names I wasn't really familiar with, but I thought they had done pretty well yesterday.
Coach was there to pass out schedules and team bags and whatnot.
"Dennis, about your scoring. You were pretty damn hard on everybody."
"And will the real judges be any less severe?"
"I doubt it like hell. Something I want you to think about before Thursday. We're going to need a new team captain."
"I don't have to think about it Coach, I'm not interested if that's where you're heading. With the project I told you about yesterday, I'm more than going to have my hands full."
"Yes, I appreciate that Dennis. I just wanted you to give consideration to who it should be."
"Well, Jack and I will both graduate this year, so I'm thinking it should probably go to either Josh or Greg seeing as they have been here."
"Why do you discount the freshmen?"
"Because that first year here is bad enough for most freshmen. Add in the gymnastics by itself, that's quite a load for those guys that are probably away from home for the first time. Even that little added responsibility might be that little bit too much."
"Sound reasoning Dennis, but the position will be open to anybody who wants to throw their hat into the ring."
"As it should be, but I'm not going to be endorsing anyone."
"Didn't expect you to Dennis, just wanted your opinion. See you Thursday."
I made my way back to the apartment and got some supper going. Karl was pretty close behind me.
"So, day two down. Any problems?"
"Not for me."
"Did Eddie and Steve make the team?"
"Oh yeah. It's going to be a hell of a season."
We soon sat down to supper. Once everything was cleaned up I hit the email before getting to class work.