A Shift in the Universe Christian Mitchell Copyright 2004
CHAPTER FIFTEEN:
Life pretty much returned to normal. People at school stopped staring and talking about us as much as they did the first week Kyle and I became a couple. We didn't have any altercations with Brandon because he basically avoided us at all costs. The only thing that seemed to change was that we didn't hang out with our group of friends as much as we used to.
In the past Kyle and I would hang out with Tyler, Paul and others at least two or three times a week. Often during the weekend we'd gather at some one's house and talk, play games or sports, go see movies or shop and eat as if we hadn't eaten in days. But those activities occurred with less frequency as the weeks passed. Soon Kyle and I started to feel somewhat alienated.
We were hanging out at Tyler's house on a Saturday afternoon when I decided to bring up the subject. "You know, we used to do this a lot more often."
Everyone agreed by nodding heads or saying "yeah." It was Tyler that finally responded. "Well, since you and Kyle are a couple we didn't really want to take away from your time together."
"That sounds silly," Kyle replied.
"You know what I mean," Tyler muttered. "We know you guys wanna spend time together without us always being around. It wouldn't be very romantic, you know?"
"I know what you're trying to say, but it's stupid. We're buddies, man.
We've always been there for each other. That's not going to change because Kyle and I are dating."
"Okay, so we're jerks," Paul grinned. "You've always known that."
"Speak for yourself," Jordan stated. "I'm not a jerk. And sometimes I forget that you and Kyle are a couple anyway."
"Me, too," Tyler said. "You guys have always hung out together. It's basically the same as it's always been."
"Except your having sex," Paul added.
"If it's basically the same then you shouldn't feel strange about us all getting together like we always did," Kyle replied. "Don't feel like you're taking personal time away from us. We want to hang out with you guys."
"Fine, things change right now. Everything will return to normal!" Tyler shouted with enthusiasm. "From this point on, we are going to be the exact same group of guys that we've always been. Getting together. Bullshitting."
"Beating on each other," Paul interjected.
"Just being there for each other," Jordan said.
Kyle and I agreed. Then the five us jumped on each other for a group hug, grunting and yelling, as guys tend to do when they're together.
"On to the next subject," Tyler announced. "Our summer getaway."
"Hell, yeah!" Paul shouted. "Where are we going?"
"I think we pretty much narrowed it down to Las Vegas or New York City," Kyle replied.
"We can go to Vegas any time," Jordan complained.
"You're right," I replied. "So we should go to New York City?"
"For how long?" Paul asked.
"Well, it depends on how much it will cost," I replied.
"How much it will cost our parents," Jordan corrected.
"Yeah, that's true," Kyle said. "We need to plan it soon before it costs too much or none of us will be going."
"But I think four or five days would be cool," Paul replied.
"Well, we graduate in two weeks," I said. "Maybe we can go a month after that. Then we'll have a good six weeks time before we go. It shouldn't be too expensive then."
"Ticket-wise, yeah. What about the hotel room?" Jordan questioned.
"If it's just the five of us, we can get two rooms." I responded.
"Double beds," Tyler said. "We'll each have our own bed and the two of you can share a bed."
"Hey, that's right," Paul smiled. "That makes things easier. But I'm not going to sleep in the room if you guys are going to be fucking all night long."
"Shut up, dude," Kyle laughed.
"Oh, I'll share a room with them," Tyler grinned. "They won't keep me up `cause I'll be kicking some serious ass. I need my beauty sleep."
"That's the damned truth," Paul laughed.
"Then it's settled?" I asked.
Once again we all agreed by jumping on each other for a group hug, grunting and yelling, as guys tend to do when they're together.
Because graduation was quickly approaching it was time to make some decisions regarding college. Kyle and I had both applied to many schools. We decided to stay in Los Angeles since we had both been accepted at UCLA. I was going to study law while Kyle opted for management.
Although we could have continued to live at home Kyle and I were eager to get an apartment together, as we had always planned. My mother insisted that she be involved during the apartment search. "I know the two of you want to be mature and do it on your own, but I want to make sure you're not taken advantage of. And I don't want you to snap up the first apartment that you like. You need to make sure that it's in a good neighborhood. What kind of condition is it in? Can you depend on the landlord or superintendent? There are a lot of things to consider," she informed me.
"I know," I replied. "I'm glad you want to help us. It'll probably save us a lot of headache. Ultimately, I want it to be up to us though. Okay?"
"I'm not going to pressure you into taking an apartment you don't want. I just want to guide you," she smiled. "Guide," she repeated with emphasis.
"Fine," I laughed. "We'd be happy to let you guide us."
"We can start to look a bit here and there. But, for the most part, we n eed to get started as soon as you graduate. We can probably secure a place and you'll probably be able to move in at the beginning of August."
"That would be nice," I said.
"Graduation. Then you have your summer vacation. You'll be starting college before you even know it."
"I know. It's kind of weird, huh?"
My mother patted my hand. "No, it's not weird. I'm very proud of you. You've had so many accomplishments in your lifetime. Many more are waiting for you to discover and seize. I know you will continue to work hard and be a successful young man."
"Thanks," I smiled.
"You know that, don't you?"
"Well, I hope I'm successful."
"Oh, you will be," she said with a wave of her hand. "And your father and I are here to encourage and support you whenever you need us." She paused for a moment. I thought she was about to start crying but she continued to talk. "I'm sorry. It's silly of me to get sentimental. I'm a sensitive woman," she laughed.
"Yeah, I know," I grinned.
"When you're young time doesn't seem to pass by so quickly. But when you get older there will be days that seem like mere hours. Time speeds by. I can't believe you are about to graduate high school and start a new chapter in your life with college."
"Seems like I was a baby just yesterday, right?" I teased.
"Actually, it pretty much does seem that way," she replied. "But you're a man now. I'm proud of how you've matured into a young adult."
"Thank you," I smiled. "I'm really happy with how things are right now, too."
"I'm glad. Happiness is more important than anything," she said. "And good health."
"Yes," I agreed. "Health and happiness."
"Are you nervous about college and moving in with Kyle?"
"No, not really. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little scared. But I feel pretty good about the future."
"If you maintain your desire to study and learn, then you will do well in school. And I'm confident that you will be successful with school."
"I know it's going to be hard," I admitted.
"Yes, but life can be hard. If things become too easy then we start to take them for granted. Or sometimes we become selfish."
"And if things were too easy then we probably wouldn't learn anything. Or we might forget what we learned in the first place."
"Exactly," she smiled. "How do you feel about the move with Kyle?"
"I'm excited," I replied. "But I'm a little nervous about it. I don't want anything bad to happen. I want us to be happy."
"Well, I'm going to be completely honest with you, Marcus." She looked me directly in the eye and said," you're very lucky that you have each other. It's nice to be in a relationship with someone that you consider a friend rather than just a lover. Perhaps you found true love."
"I hope so," I responded.
"I don't want to scare you or make you worry, but the two of you are still very young and maturing. You are still discovering things about yourself. Who you truly are and who you want to be. Sometimes people grow apart as they mature into adulthood. Other times it brings people together."
"Yeah, I've thought about that," I replied. "I do believe that Kyle and I are in a very good position right now. I'm grateful that we have each other. I hope that it stays that way. I don't know how I could survive without him being a part of my life."
"Well, I hope that your love continues to grow stronger. If, for some reason, it doesn't then I sincerely hope that you remain the best of friends."
"So do I," I smiled.
"If you continue to love and respect each other you'll be together a very long time."
"And we do love and respect each other," I beamed. "We really do."
Kyle and I didn't see much of each other during the week of final exams. Our final day of school was a Thursday. On Saturday a lot of the seniors got together in the park for a picnic that many of our parents had organized.
It was a sunny warm day. Everyone was in a good mood and excited about the graduation ceremony the following day. Despite the excitement of the day there was also an air of sadness among us. Many of us had known each other since the early days of school. We had grown up and experienced many things together. It was bittersweet to say good-bye to the youth and innocence we had embraced over the years.
Naturally, a lot of the girls did not try to conceal tears or gloom. For the most part, the guys acted as if it were any other ordinary day. We slapped each other on the back, enjoyed quick hugs and wished each other well without being overly sentimental. When the afternoon was nearly over the excitement had returned in full force.
Within twenty-four hours the Class of 2001 would be high school graduates embarking on the next phase of our lives. It was both exhilarating and frightening. We no longer had our parents to depend on to help us forge ahead in life. It was time to truly step out on our own without the constant security of mom and dad.
Still, we had one more night of youth to take advantage of.
Paul's parents had agreed to allow one last senior party at their house. It was a night that we embraced as one last ritual among friends. The party provided another opportunity to say good-bye while we enjoyed a final night of fun and craziness. It was a night of reflection and dreams of the future.
Graduating high school was a goal that I had looked forward to since I was a young child. To me, it always symbolized a turning point in life. I had always dreamed that I would be considered more of an adult than a teenager would. I expected to feel more mature and wise. Yet, as soon as the graduation ceremony had concluded I realized that I didn't feel much different. I was still the same young man in search of goals and dreams. There was no sudden change in manner or presentation. I was still the same Marcus Anderson that my family and friends knew the day before. Except I had a high school diploma in my hand.
It was my first summer without baseball practice and games. I needed to prepare myself for UCLA and search for an apartment. I also wanted it to be a season of relaxation and fun. I wanted to experience the joy of freedom without obligations and responsibilities. I craved excitement and adventure. And I was determined to come into contact with those things before school started in the fall.
Our trip to New York City was something that we became more excited about as the days passed. We were certain that it would provide us with a sense of adventure and fun.
It was Roger who introduced Kyle and me to our first adventure of the summer. He called us early on a Thursday afternoon. "You know what tonight is, don't you?"
"No," I replied.
"Eighteen and over at Mickey's in West Hollywood," he said. "And we're going."
I mentioned it to Kyle and he agreed that we should check it out. "Fine ," I responded. "When and where do we meet?"
"Meet me at the Abbey at five o'clock. We can have dinner somewhere before we go to the club."
"Okay," I replied. "We don't have to get dressed up or anything, do we?"
"No. Wear whatever you're most comfortable in."
Kyle decided that we should wear jeans and tank tops. "They like muscular bodies in West Hollywood. Let's show `em what we got."
"You don't think that will be too obvious and arrogant?"
Kyle started laughing hysterically. He was holding his stomach and trying to breathe normally.
I, on the other hand, was not aware of the great humor my question provided. Plus I could tell that he exaggerated his reaction for my benefit.
"You've seen what a lot of the guys in West Hollywood wear," he chuckled.
"Believe me, we'll fit right in."
"Yeah, but we'll blend in with everybody else," I complained.
"Yeah, right!" Kyle exclaimed. "I'm sure we'll look like amateurs. We're still fresh meat, as far as West Hollywood is concerned."
"I guess you're right."
"Hell, yeah, I'm right," he grinned. Then he grabbed me around the waist and pulled me close. "And if anyone tries to steal you away from me, there will be hell to pay."
"Don't worry about that," I said. "Why would I even consider leaving you for some stranger?"
Kyle shrugged his shoulders. "You're beautiful. Guys are going to be hitting on you all night long."
"The same applies to you," I responded. "You protect me and I'll protect you."
"Of course," he smiled then kissed me.
We continued to relax by the pool at my house until 3:30 in the afternoon. Kyle and I showered and dressed for the evening. He was wearing a dirty-looking pair of Diesel jeans and a black tank top. I put on similar Diesel jeans and an olive green tank top. Once we felt confident enough that we looked good I wrote a note to my parents explaining that I would be home late. Then we jumped in my car and headed for the Abbey in West Hollywood.