Hi, I'm Nick Shafer, and you might have seen this story before, but I'm re-releasing this ammended version, cause basically it fits in with the whole story better. I hope to release as much of the story that I have on Nifty pretty soon (Upto about Chapters 11-12).
CHECK OUT THE WEBSITE
http://nickshafer.tripod.com for the full story so far, Links, Cast Pics and more...
ALL I've left to say is that I hope you enjoy it, oh and this...
DISCLAIMER: This story is complete fiction and these events only took place in my head, NOT in real life. Officially and as far as I know Paul Cattermole and S Club 7 are real live heterosexuals. This story contains adult material. So if you're not 18. get out of here!!!
Later days...Nick
Never Had A Dream Come True By Nick Shafer Copyright 2001
CHAPTER 7
The day of the barbeque began with rain. And, as Paul was later to remark, this only cleared the air for the most beautiful of afternoons. But without the gift of foresight, this made Lee even more agitated than he should have been as the morning drew on. This was his day, a day with his friends - 20 of whom he had invited - and with the band together under one roof, all celebrating his joining of S Club. The Big Party. It was also the day he planned to tell Justin of his love for Paul, and that frightened and excited him more than anything. He was therefore understandably nervous. How would Justin react, what would he think. Justin was gay too, more openly than himself its true, but Lee had always had a special bond with him that transcended sexuality. If Justin was upset, or didn't approve, then he would have to make the toughest decision of his life. His best friend, or the one he loved. He knew instinctively which he would choose, but shook the thought from his mind. 'Like him Just, please like him...because he's important to me, and if it means loosing our friendship...No stop, this is stupid this isn't the way to think. I know everything will be ok.' Lee dismissed his negative thoughts and pressed on with the more important business of the day, stressing about the bbq.
Across the room, the unfortunate cause of Lees anxiety carried on reading, totally unaware of the impending events, and in fact, blissfully unaware of anything happening around him. Currently Justin was engrossed in 'Captain Corelli's Mandolin'. Not, I hasten to add, because he had seen the film and rushed out to buy a copy in order to seem literate - which of course no one does - but had bought it a long time before, and was idling through its pages for the third time. Lee once asked him why he read books again and again. He gave Lee a somewhat cryptic reply. 'A book evolves like a person. We grow in our loves, our hates, and become passionate as we grow. So do books. Read it once and it is a story, twice and it is feeling, a third time, you live it. So, lost in living his book, Justin totally failed to hear Lee calling to him for help - selective hearing.
'Justin, a little help here...Justin...JUSTIN!'
'Ww..wwhat' groaned Justin, prematurely awoken from his dreams of Cephallonian gardens and forbidden romance.
'Come and give me a hand with these plates of drumsticks before I drop them please.' pleaded Lee, giving Justin a puppy-dog look.
Justin sighed, marked the page of his book, and pushed himself upward from the chair. In the kitchen Lee was desperately balancing 3 plates of drumsticks, whilst running from worktop, to hob, to sink, making sure that all the preparations were going as planned. He skidded, there was a brief hiatus, and then the whole pile that Lee had balanced strategically in his arms toppled to the floor. "DAMN"
Justin walked into the kitchen just in time to see Lee drop to the floor, his head in his hands. Justin ran over to Lee, and busied himself with gathering up the fallen food. Having placed it back on the plate, strategically brushing away the dust, he turned his attention to lee. He squatted down in front of him, so the two were eye to eye. Gently he lifted lee's chin up. There were tears in Lee's eyes, and the burning flame in them had reduced to a cold flicker.
"Now, there's more to this barbeque than meets the eye, isn't there" Justin said slowly. "Tell me, you know you can."Justin then took on his 'goo-goo' voice that he usually adopted with babies. " You can u know ", he pouted, "cause you're my best friend and I love you." Lee grinned through his tears. " Come here, " sighed Justin. Placing his arms around Lee, so their foreheads were against each other's.
"I've met him Just, I've met the one," whispered Lee.
Justin gasped, " You mean it, the real one!"
"Yeah - the ONE."
Justin appeared to consider this for a minute, he scowled briefly, then he grinned, then he started laughing.
" Wow Lee, that's great, that's fantastic, I'm so proud of you!"
Lee looked at him in disbelief. "You mean you're not upset, or angry."
Justin frowned at Lee, "Why should I be, It's great you've found someone, now you can be happy."
Lee hugged Justin even tighter; his voice was barely audible now. "But...what about...what happened?"
Justin kissed Lee gently on the forehead, stroking his hair with one hand, the other still keeping him locked in a tight embrace. "The past is the past Lee, and nothing can change it, but we shouldn't dwell on it. You know I'm your friend, no matter what. Now let me see you smile. Plweassseee"
A coy smile broke out on Lee's face, and he blushed. "Thanks Just, you know I love ya really."
"I know...I know"
Justin sat back, then staggered to get up. Finally standing, he extended a hand to Lee to help him up.
"So..." said Justin "tell me about Paul"
"WHAT...BUT...WHAA"
Justin sauntered, hands in pockets, out of the room, stopping to wink at Lee when he reached the door. Lee stood agog for several seconds before running after him.
"Oh my god, what are we going to wear?"
"I've got nothing to wear, I hate all my clothes."
"At least your clothes don't make you lo fat"
"Yeah, well at least your clothes don't look like your mum picked them up at a jumble sale."
This kind of conversation always goes on in girls' bedrooms all over the western world before the 'big party'. This is exactly true of our group of 'girls' preparing for the big bbq party that afternoon.
" Jon! What do I wear!"
"I don't know Paul, I don't know, just grab something. Anything!"
Paul had been stressing too that day. As Lee had warned him, this was the big day! The day when he would tell Justin, and Dan, and the rest of the band. What were they thinking! This was lunacy. He was sure Jon knew something. He was sure it would all be a big disaster. He was sure. He didn't know what he was sure of.
"Jon, just, I don't know, arrgggggghhhhh"
"Whoh, just chill there Paul, this party is getting you way to worked up. Lee's a great guy, and I'm sure he won't mind what you wear."
Paul's heart jumped. " Whh Why should it matter what L..L Lee thinks?"
"Well Paul, it is his party, and his apartment!"
Paul sighed. If Jon knew anything, then he was dumbing it down.
Justin, on the other hand, was quite relaxed and outright with the fact he knew, well EVERYTHING!
"How did you know" begged Lee, his eyes were wide with shock.
" Well, I did pick up a few subtle hints. Like when you were telling me about the band for example. There was Hannah, and Paul, and Jon, and Rach, and Paul, and Tina and Paul, and did I mention Paul. And then the meal, that was with Paul, and sharing a bedroom, with Paul also. Then let me see, oh yes, your favorite thing about singing..doing it with Paul. Talking of which, have you?"
"Have I what?" asked Lee eventually.
"Well, done it with Paul"
Justin didn't have a chance to move before Lee tackled him to the ground. The pair were laughing. Lee grabbed Justin's hair and gave him a noogie.
Justin panted, and through the giggling he shouted "I'll take that as a yes."
The morning passed, and the rain with it. The sun was beating down on the roof-garden of Lee and Justin's' apartment when Lee lit the coals, and the first guests arrived. In dribs and drabs old friends arrived, and new ones too. Lee and Justin ran around greeting old schoolmates, pouring drinks and generally entertaining. Paul and the band mixed discreetly, and were soon enjoying themselves. Eventually Lee found Justin and introduced him to Paul. Justin saw it then, the spark between the two of them. It was love. You could see it in their eyes. The were so happy in each others company.
"Paul" said Justin " I've heard so much about you"
Paul flicked his eyes to Lee.
Lee nodded "It's ok, he knows"
Paul shuffled his feet, and stared at the floor, feeling exposed and embarrassed.
"It's ok, really, I'm really glad for Lee, and for you, you look like a great guy Paul" continued Justin, "I'm glad Lee's finally found someone, and you better take care of him ok!"
Paul nodded and smiled at Justin. Justin reached out and embraced the pair.
"Now you two lovebirds be careful, and discreet ok, you know how much rides on your careers. Now go have fun"
The crowds parted to let Lee and Paul through, then closed again in front of Justin. His shoulders sagged. He stayed staring for a few moments, before turning on his heel and going in search of a drink. Preferably a very strong one.
CHAPTER 8
Justin snuck away from the barbeque at the earliest opportunity presented to him and, finding no peace elsewhere in the apartment, retired to the quiet seclusion of his bedroom. Littered with clothing, souvenirs, and junk - quite unlike the rest of the house - it was the only place that Justin felt truly relaxed and at home. He threw on a random CD, some musical he loved. The tunes of Les Mis played calmingly in the background. He picked up his book again and began to read; now this he thought was bliss. He liked Paul well enough, and was glad that Lee had found him, and yet, and he wasn't keen on all the noise and talking, he just didn't feel like it today. His peace was maintained for quite some time - he found that over an hour had passed when he looked up at the clock - until he was disturbed. Surprisingly it wasn't Lee come to find out where his best friend was as he had thought, as he had hoped, but a total stranger that walked through his door. Justin looked up at the figure; he was a young man, almost a boy, of about 18. His hair was dirty blond like Justin's, and roughly tousled on his head. His eyes were what attracted Justin however; they were the most vibrant green he had ever seen. Dressed in cut off jeans and a white t-shirt he was a sight for sore eyes Justin admitted to himself.
" Uh, hi" he said. The boy looked startled. "Oh, I'm sorry, I was looking for the toilets and I kinda think I got lost."
Justin laughed, " Next door on the right."
"Thanks" came the reply. The boy was about to walk out, but turned back again and spoke to Justin. "It's a nice place isn't it, its my first time here, but Lees a nice guy."
"Yeah" said Justin matter-of-factly "it cost us a bit, but we did it up nicely I think."
A look of realization came over the boys face "Oh, I'm sorry, you must be Justin. I've heard so much about you." Justin raised an eyebrow "Lee was gonna introduce us, but he's so busy entertaining. I'm Dan, Paul's flatmate."
Justin stood, extending his hand to Dan. "Hi Dan, I'm Justin." Justin was captivated by this youth.
The two boys laughed, and Justin invited Dan to take a seat on his bed. They sat talking for a while about the usual things; what music they liked, what they did for fun, where the worked/studied. Then brought up the subject of the barbeque, casually asking if Lee had noticed he was missing and how the party was going. Dan said that Lee had asked where Justin was, but had been distracted by Paul's terrible cooking and had to go help. When he left he had seen them laughing over a pile of smoldering burgers - well, he assumed they were burgers.
"Oh" replied Justin nonchalantly, but Dan picked up some hurt in his voice.
"Its nice they found each other," he told Justin.
Justin's eyes bulged and he looked as if he was going to collapse. "You.. you..know!" He said. "They told you?"
"No," replied Dan "I worked that one out for myself. I can tell these things you see, I've got like this instinct. I didn't need to be told, I just picked it up straight away when I saw the two of them together. So, I gather, did you." Justin just nodded the affirmative. "Its not that hard really is it. It's the way they look at each other" Justin to continued to nod. Dan turned and looked directly into Justin's eyes " a bit like this" Justin stared back, and then Dan laughed. "I'm glad anyway, cause Paul seems so much happier now, he was so sad, so distant after Bradley.. anyway, and Lee seems happy too!"
"Yeah, he's happy, " replied Justin, but his inner voice continued ' but I'm not.'
"You care very much for Lee, don't you" asked Dan. 'What!' thought Justin, what had Lee been saying? "I can feel it," Dan continued " you feel you need to protect him. That he's vulnerable. Don't worry Paul will care for him." Justin was amazed, this boy, that he had met barely an hour ago, was reading his thoughts! "Don't think you'll loose Lee to Paul. Yes, Lee loves him but there is a bond between the two of you. You will always be the best of friends. It is a different friendship to that between him and Paul, but it is equally as strong. Lee loves you like a brother, and you will be there to support the two of them in their relationship when the hard times come. Believe me there will be hard times, anyone can see that. Be a pillar Just, for both of them. They need your friendship." Justin couldn't believe what he was hearing. Those thoughts that he buried so deep inside of him just flowed from Dan's mouth. "You have a beautiful soul Just, don't hide your fears in it. It's ok for you to love others. Paul, Lee, they need you. Never give up hope on love Just."
Dan turned to leave the room; Justin sat with his mouth open, aghast. "It was nice, no, it was great meeting you Just. I'd like...I mean I hope I see you again soon."
Dan pushed the door open and walked out. Justin sat on his haunches on his bed, drumming his fingers against his thigh. Wow, he thought, that doesn't happen every day. He slumped back on his bed, his mind racing. How did Dan know so much about his feelings? Was it obvious? Why was it obvious? When would he see Dan again? Hang on a minute, when would he see Dan again? What sort of a question was that? It was just a chance meeting; they probably wouldn't see each other for ages. Yet, Justin found himself longing to see Dan again, almost immediately. He wanted more of this boy who knew his soul so intimately. He headed for the door...
Dan walked out of Justin's room and sighed. He leant against the wall for support. He'd had this knack for reading people for some time. But only certain people, the ones he was most close to, like Paul for example. Yet occasionally, when he walked into a room, he would sense an aura - a strength in some person - that literally filled the room. If they felt so strongly about something then their feelings permeated from them. But Justin, WOW, he'd never felt emotion hit him like that before. With other people it was hazy, but Justin he could read clearly. Crisp lines of emotion, love, fear, pain. He wondered why, why was this boys emotion so strong? He'd never been that connected before. Perhaps Justin was a particularly emotional person. Yet, no, that was stupid, yet it might be possible that it was him! He had felt something else when he was with Justin, a link, the likes of which he had never felt before, even with his closest friends. The love he felt from Justin, but the fear too, the need to be protected. It entranced him. He had to speak to Justin again; he had too, just to be close to him, to feel his energy. He wanted to be the one to protect him. He turned back towards the door...
Justin walked through the door...
Dan walked through the door...
Or rather, they walked into each other. Justin, who had been walking at a slightly quicker pace after bounding off his bed achieved in sending Dan staggering backwards into the hallway clutching his head before hitting the wall. Justin, now painfully aware of the bump on his own head, rushed over to help him. Dan sat up groaning.
"You allrite? I gave you quite a bump" asked Justin.
Dan just burst out laughing. Justin frowned. "Well, I'm glad you see the funny side of this".
"Well" replied Dan, "from what I heard this is exactly how Lee and Paul met."
"Really?" answered Justin, "do tell."
The two staggered to their feet, arms about each other's shoulders, laughing as Justin guided them to the bathroom.
The two were sitting on the bathroom floor. The cold tap (that's faucet for all you Americans) was gurgling in the background as Justin gently applied the compress to Dan's bump. Dan shivered, not so much at the cold, but at the gentle feel of Justin's touch. Justin carefully dabbed at the growing lump on Dan's head, stopping occasionally to brush locks of Dan's hair from his eyes.
"Wow", sighed Dan, " you're really good at this"
Justin blushed, and focused his attention back on Dan's injury. " How does it feel? " he questioned.
"Well, its really throbbing", replied Dan, a smile cracking on his face. " Mind you, so's that bump!"
Dan giggled at Justin's obvious embarrassment. Justin, in turn, blushed a deeper shade of red. But he still risked a glance down when he thought Dan wasn't looking, and indeed there did seem to be a slight bulge in Dan's tight cut-off's.
"How about..." Justin breathed in deep, then blew gently over Dan's forehead. "....now?"
Dan shivered and goose bumps appeared all up his arms and down his legs. He moaned out loud. Through his eyes he could see the calming power of Justin falling over him , intermingling with his own aura, which he was embarrassed to find was tinted red with lust - though it didn't matter really as no one else could see it - and more surprisingly love! Justin's aura he perceived as a cool baby blue mist ( I told you everything about Justin was baby blue ) flowing and mixing around him. He inhaled deeply, breathing in the incandesant vapour and the beautiful smell of Justin's young body. It was deeply erotic for Dan and he felt slightly bad for experiencing Justin without him knowing.
" Good? " asked Justin.
Dan just nodded.
" Dan...I want to know, I want to know how you feel when you're looking at other people, what is it you see.... Why can you see me so clearly?"
"Give me your hand Justin" Dan said, almost dreamily. He'd only done this twice before...and that was with other ' gifted ' people. Even then, the vision of 2 was blurred. It was worth a try.
Justin slipped his hand into Dans, who squeezed it lightly and smiled.
" Close your eyes and concentrate Just" he continued. " Count to ten...one...two..........eight...nine...ten. Now, open them."
The pair opened their eyes together. Justin gasped, oohhhed and aawwwed at the colours he now saw. Dan was shaking. He looked down at his hand. Sheer power was arching between the bodies of the two boys. He could feel it. He could feel everything! He looked for the first time with perfect ' vision '. All his experience before had never matched this. Walls fell away at his thought, distance became nothing. Nothing was hidden. He looked at Justin. With this sight, he glowed like an angle. Cool blue surrounded a bright glowing white, almost to painful to look at. He had to...he lent forward. For Justin, this was indescribable. He saw the world as a physcadelic myriad of colour. Looking at Dan he saw him overawed by the feelings. He suddenly felt the compulsion to lean forward.
The moment was electric. The outside world disappeared for Dan and Justin. There was just them. For mere moments they knew everything about each other. Dan felt the pain deep in Justin...and broke the kiss. Their hands fell apart, and rushing in, the world reconstructed itself around them. Justin pulled back. Dan looked into those eyes, deep and intoxicating. " Justin...I'm sorry...I'm so sorry. Justin just pulled away " I know" he said, there were tears in his eyes now, " so am I ". He walked away, closing the door to the bathroom behind him as he left. " Shit" said Dan. Outside he could hear laughter; well at least someone was having fun.
A certain couple was having fun. Lee was holding Paul's hand tight and dragging him to his room.
"But won't they notice we're missing?" asked a slightly worried Paul.
"Nah, don't worry, its about midnight now, most of them are drunk or going home. Justin will look out for us. Lee didn't need to say anything else.
When they entered the room Paul grabbed him and pinned him to the bed.