I Woke Up 81 by M.P. Arsent
Copyright to this story remain strictly that of the author. No other publication or use of this story is allowed without the consent of the author. 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 any 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 make sure that you list the name of the story 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 don't forget to donate to Nifty as they do an amazing job.
It was finally time to head over to the gym for the practice. There were a few people hanging around the gym when I went in to get changed for the workout. When I hit the room with the rest of the guys those same people were gathered around the edges of the room. The coach called me over.
"Your doing Dennis?"
"Not intentionally coach,but can it really hurt to have a few watchers? I know the guys have been through at least one meet together,but getting them used to having some support might not be a bad idea."
"Actually I was thinking the same thing Dennis. Alright everybody let's stretch out!"
And so our, well actually my first day long workout began. After we were warmed up we all started and worked our way around the room to each different piece of equipment. Some of the moves drew an astonished gasp from some of the spectators. Once we had gone once around the room we took a short break and the coach went around to each of us with his notes.
"I noticed today that you don't have real good control of the rings on some of your more difficult moves. I want you to work on that when we get back to work."
"Ok coach,anything else?"
"No that I have seen yet. We'll do the individual work next and then another complete go around after that. How you holding up?"
"Pretty good I think. I'm ready to get back at it."
"Take the full rest period Dennis. By the way how's that other thing going?"
"I've got 154 signed up so far with a whole week and some left to run."
"I am surprised. I didn't think there was that much interest."
"I think some of the folks without cars are starting to get a touch of 'cabin fever'. For some of them this might just be a way to get off campus for a while."
"Not too many of them I hope or you'll never get permission to do it again."
"Yeah that's what I'm afriad of,but from the turn out over there I'm pretty confident that even if it is they'll be at the meet."
By this time the group had grown to at least 50 or 60 people and there was little sign that they were wandering off.
The coach left and Gary the team captain wandered on over to me.
"You stirring people up? I can't ever remember having a crowd in to watch a practice."
"Like I told the coach,not intentionally. By the way I heard you in the locker room the other day standing up for the bus trip. I didn't think you felt that strongly about it."
"Hey the more I thought about it the more I liked the idea. If we can put those clods in their place before the meet even starts well,so much the better for us. Having them here today,or hell any other time can only boost the guys confidence or their self esteem at least."
"Pretty much what I said to the coach and he agrees. Looks like coach is ready to get back to it."
We were seperated out to work on our problem areas. I was concentrating on trying to control the rings more than I was paying attention to my moves.
"Sawyer! Don't let one facet suffer for the other. Get em both together."
So I started trying to pay attention to both. By this time the moves should be routine and getting control of the rings should have been as well if I had been as good as everybody told me I was.
I picked up my routine and tried to keep both elements in mind. I started taking my swings for my dismount and threw myself up into a triple somersault with a twist. I managed to "stick" the landing which drew a round of applause from those still watching.
"Ok ladies and gentlemen. I'm sure the guys appreciate the support but can we keep the demonstrations to a minimum please."
Coach wasn't really pissed,but not everybody was getting that appreciation, so I made a point of only giving a brief wave to the folks.
"Much better Dennis. Just keep both elements in mind and work on it a bit between now and the meet. OK Everybody 15 minute break and then a complete runthrough again."
Pete and Susan were in the crowd and they came over to say hi.
"Damn Dennis. Peter told me you were good at this but I had no idea!"
"Thanks Susan. You guys coming to the meet?" I hadn't seen either of their names on the signup sheet.
"Yeah but we're going to drive over in my car. I hate buses. You never know what weirdo is going to end up next to you."
"Maybe you and Karl ought to 'caravan' on over. Gordon doesn't think he can get Aiden on the bus."
"Well I planned on following the bus but I guess either works."
"They'll probably follow the bus as well. Any idea who told all of these people what's going on?"
"Well of course. We did, well Pete did. He wants to show you his support after all of the support you've shown him in the last year."
"I really appreciate that Pete. Now you guys better clear the floor. Looks like coach is ready to put us through our paces again."
We all ran through our complete set of routines again and finally coach released us. Most everybody headed in to get their bathing suits to head for the whirlpool. I knew it was going to be crowded and I wasn't about to drive anybody out as I figured I would after the shower incident the other day. I went and swam a few laps until I figured the whirlpool would be relatively empty. When I got back there the only one there was our team captain and he was just getting into the pool. I joined him.
"That looked like a pretty good practice to me."
"I was a damn good practice. Having the people there didn't seem to hurt us either."
"Yeah guess they kind of made it more real."
Now there were just the two of us in the whirlpool and my curiosity was getting the better of me.
"Gary, you mind if I ask you something?"
"Go for it."
"Why is it so easy for you to accept me? I mean the other guys say there isn't a problem but well you saw it the other day in the showers."
"That's easy Dennis. My best friend growing up was gay. All through school and as many gym classes as we had together he never tried to hit on me. I knew he was gay,he knew I was straight. But I never had a better friend in my life. I needed something he was always there for me and it never got weird. We respected each other."
"I thought it might be someting like that,or that you weren't 'out'."
"Hey if I were gay, you'd know about it. I'm not the one to hide things. I don't know if I'd be as forthcoming as you,but I wouldn't deny it either."
We soaked for a while longer and then hit the showers. When I got back to my room Karl was waiting on me.
"Pete says you guys had a hell of a practice today."
"Yeah the guys were looking pretty good. The coach only had a couple of things for me today. I may not be on the 'A' team, but I think I'm ready to step in if necessary. So what are we doing about supper tonight?"
"Well I heard there's a new steakhouse open just off the interstate. Want to give it a try?"
"Frnachise or independent?"
"Independent from the sounds of it."
"Don't suppose it could hurt to give it a try. My treat tonight though."
"Hey I'm not going to kick about that. Get changed and let's go."
I put on a better set of clothes before we headed out. Karl got to the car and looked at me and then went to checking it out before he opened the door.
We were soon enough on our way and it wasn't hard to find the place. It was a couple of miles beyond the mall. The place wasn't very busy at this point,probably because it was new and relative unheard of yet. We went inside and were promptly seated. We had a waiter this evening.
"Welcome to Riskins. I'm Kevin and I'll be your server this evening. Would either of you care for a cocktail this evening?"
"Not me I'm in training. Are there any specials tonight?"
"I know sir but I'm required to ask. I'm in your accounting class. As for specials just our regular menu. What would you like to drink with your dinners this evening?"
"Cokes will do I think."
"Very good let me get those for you while you look at the menu."
Kevin present said menus and was off to get our cokes.
"I thought I was familiar with most of the faces from my classes. Guess I missed Kevin."
"He doesn't seem to be that forward of a guy so he might have been easy to miss."
I looked at the menu and thought the prices were a little high. I decided to go with a New York sirloin as did Karl.
"Very good choice. How would you like yours cooked please?"
"Medium if your chef actually cooks to the representation on the menu."
"He does or Mr Riskin wouldn't have him around. Dressing for your salad?
"Thousand island."
"Baked or steak fries?"
"Baked please with plenty of butter,no sour cream."
"I'll go the same way but I'd like vinegrette dressing."
"Very good. I'll have your salads in just a moment."
When our salads were brought out I was a bit surprised to see a "real" salad. Not just lettuce a cucumber and some cherry tomatoes. No there were radishes and celerey and carrots and at least two kinds of lettuce. Kevin then brought us a large carousel of different garnishes to add. Sesame seeds, onions both red and white, cheese, croutons, garbonza beans, broccoli, cauliflour and bacon bits.
"I think I'm going to like this place."