With Love We Can Be Human By James
Disclaimer
This story deals with sexual as well as romantic situations between teenaged males. Should you not be of the legal age to read such material and if you're offended by this type of story, then please find something else to read.
This is a work of fiction. Any similarities of people either living or dead as well as names of people in the story which are used in real life are purely coincidental.
Finally, please remember to donate to Nifty so that these stories can remain free to the public.
I can be reached at vector18@msn.com. I'm willing to talk to anyone, and flames will be ignored.
Chapter 2
Torey
I got out of the car after hugging Michael and I walked to the front doors of the music store and went in. The guy behind the counter looked towards the door and when he saw me, he smiled. He waited until I got up to the counter and he introduced himself.
"Hey," he said. "I'm Alex. How's it going?"
"It's going good," I replied. "I'm Torey and I was wondering if I could check out a couple of things."
"Yeah," he said. "What would you like to look at?"
"When I walked up to the front of this place, I saw that you have a couple of adds in the windows facing the outside and it looked like they were adds for new guitars."
"Yeah," he began. "We just got a couple of new ones. We got a new electric guitar and a new base. They're both really good brands, and we have a practice room where you can try them out."
"Cool!" I said happily. "I'd love that!"
"Good," he replied. "I'll get one of them for you. Actually, I'll bring them both in and you can try one out, then the other."
"Sounds good," I answered.
0000
Brandon
My friends and I arrived at the music store and Alex smiled as he saw us walk in. He came from behind the counter and shook my hand.
"Hey Brandon," he said and smiled wider. He said hi to Dana and Austyn as well and then went back behind the counter.
"So what did you guys want to look at today?" Alex asked.
Dana was in to keyboards and she had been looking for a new one for quite some time. Austyn was in to various flutes and other similar instruments, so after he and Dana went off to look at their respective instruments, I thought for a moment as to what I wanted to check out.
"We have a new base that you might be able to check out that we just got a couple of days ago," Alex said. "There is someone already in the practice room, but he might let you do some stuff with him."
"Okay," I replied and headed towards the room. I didn't hear much and I figured that whoever was in there was thinking over whatever they wanted to do, or they were looking over the instrument they had with them.
I went in and as I shut the door, some notes from an electric guitar started up. I saw the base leaning up in its stand and I turned to the person who was holding the guitar and waited to see what would happen next and when I looked up, I saw in front of me the source of the now fading notes and it was a small boy who held the guitar. I motioned at the base and he nodded and smiled at me. I picked it up and then looked at him.
It was a boy, but he was much smaller than I was and though he was standing with the guitar in the playing position, I could still see that his body was extremely small, but he still looked either 15 or 16. He had auburn hair that shined in the lights. His eyes were light-blue like the sky with no clouds and he looked to be around only 5 FT and I wasn't sure about his weight at the time. What I was sure of, was that I was instantly struck with a want, no, actually a need to get to know him.
My thoughts were interrupted when he started playing once again. I immediately recognized it as the opening notes of the song Aras by the group Skalmold which is a Metal group from Iceland. I began doing the baseline parts which began the song as he played. As we began playing, the boy began singing the opening lines which were the clean vocal parts. Clean vocals in Metal are what they call singing or vocals which aren't the usual growling or screaming. Once he finished the opening lines, I began the harsh vocals.
We went through the song without seemingly any errors. I finished my parts, he finished the lead parts as well as us finishing our respective vocal lines, and it was over. I turned to him and set the base in its stand and walked over to him.
"Well, since we introduced our musical talents to one another, we should probably introduce ourselves to one another in the typical way," I said smiling.
"I'''I'''I'm T'''T'''T'''Torey," he stuttered out and held out his hand.
"I'm Brandon," I replied and we shook hands then held it longer than most people would.
His hand was small, but soft and really silky. I was falling for him instantly and I didn't even know him. I thought about that fact as we stood there looking deep in to one another's eyes. He then broke the silence and that got me out of my thoughts.
"Did you want to switch off?" he asked. "I mean, I can try the base while you try something on the electric."
"Yeah," I replied happily. "Electric guitar isn't my strength, but I'll check it out."
"I know it pretty well," he said as we switched sides. I was now on his right holding the electric guitar and waiting for him to continue. "I can teach you some of it."
"Thanks," I said.
So he went over some of the basics with me and I was at least able to play some notes of the guitar lead from a song by Therion. It was the closing solo which closed out the Therion Song called "Three Treasures" and while I played the notes, Torey played the closing base lines.
Once it was over, he put down the base and I put the electric guitar back on its stand.
"Too bad I can't afford the base," I said. "I might see if my dad and mom can get it for me for Christmas or something like that. I need a new base anyway."
I did too. The one I had that I had been given from a cousin back when I was 12 was getting old really fast, but I was using it for all it was worth. Torey looked up and smiled at me.
"Here's something funny that I can tell you," he said. "I wouldn't be able to afford the electric guitar right now either."
We burst out laughing and I put a hand on his shoulder.
"Glad to see we have that in common as well," I answered. "So how much of an incurable Metal head are you?"
"Beyond saving," he said smiling. "What about you?"
"The same," I said. I told him that unless it was National Socialist Metal, then I listened to it all. He said that he felt the same way and then a silence began.
I moved closer to him and our hands connected and I was holding his hand once again. I knew that it probably wouldn't be a good idea, but no one was in there with us and unless he pulled away or told me to stop, I didn't see any reason to keep physical contact of that friendly nature out of it. As I stepped closer to him, he began talking again.
"It's nice to know that I'm not alone in my Metal obsession," he said looking directly at me and looking in to my eyes.
"Me too," I replied. "I definitely feel the same way. I'm sure we have other things in common as well."
"You mean aside from both of us not being able to afford these guitars?" he asked which got us going with laughter again.
"Seriously though," I began. "I'd enjoy talking with you more."
"I feel the same way," he answered.
"I do have to find my friends since they came with me," I went on. "Would you like to come along with me while I look for them?"
"Really?" he asked smiling hugely.
"Yeah," I said.
"Thanks!" he said happily and we exited the practice room and went in search of Dana and Austyn.
We found Dana and she was walking away from a keyboard which looked more futuristic than anything I had seen in a while. She walked towards me, then looked at Torey.
"Did you like what you saw?" I asked her and pointed towards the keyboard.
"Yeah," she replied.
"I wanted to introduce you to Torey," I went on and moved so that they were facing one another.
"Hi Torey," she said and smiled at him. "I'm Dana."
"Hi Dana," he replied. "It's nice to meet you."
"It's nice to meet you too," she answered and shook hands with him.
"We should go and find Austyn," I said.
We went and found him. He set down a silver flute on a velvet padded stand and turned to us. I introduced him to Torey and they smiled at one another and shook hands and said hi to one another.
Once introductions were made, I faced all three of them and looked mainly at Torey.
"So do you guys have anything else you want to look at?" I asked. "I'm getting pretty hungry."
"So am I actually," Austyn responded.
"I can definitely eat something," Dana added.
"Would you like to come with us Torey?" I asked. "I'd love having you join us."
"I'd like that too," Dana interjected.
"So would I," Austyn added.
"I'd enjoy that!" Torey said smiling hugely once again. "I just have to call Michael and let him know where I'll be since he has to pick me up. He's the guy I'm living with right now. I'll call him quickly and let him know where he needs to pick me up since I won't be here after all."
He made the call and it went quick. He finished up and put the phone back on his belt and smiled.
"Are you guys ready to go?" he asked.
"Yeah," we all three said simultaneously, then we were off to get food.
After we talked to Torey about the restaurant we were thinking about going to, he agreed happily and after he called Michael again while we walked and told him the name of the restaurant and that that's where we'd be, he hung up with him and he fell in to step beside me. Dana and Austyn were walking in front of us and I noticed Dana giving looks back at Torey and I. I knew what she was thinking and I was glad that she wasn't saying anything.
I had been thinking more and more about finding a boyfriend, but I was definitely set against the idea when I was 14, since I was still psychologically and emotionally getting comfortable with being gay. Dana would ask me about any guys I liked back then and I let her know that I wasn't ready yet, and though she'd drop it and she wouldn't be pushy about it, I knew that if she had it her way then she'd be setting me up with a nice guy. I knew she cared and I loved her for it. Now though since I had told her a few months ago that I figured that I might start dating, she was talking a little more about it and would tease me about cute guys who'd walk past us if we would be sitting outside restaurants eating. Now since I was walking beside Torey and if we got a strong friendship going between us from which to build a romantic relationship, I knew she'd really be pushing the point.
I was removed from my thoughts when I heard Torey speak.
"Food! I can't wait!" he yelled and made as if he hadn't eaten food in years.
I looked up and saw that we were closing the distance and soon, we were walking up on the doors of the restaurant. We walked in and while Austyn, Dana and Torey looked at the menus on the walls in front of us, I checked my wallet and made sure I had enough money so I could pay. Dana and Austyn didn't know it, but I was going to surprise them and pay for all of us, and that now included Torey and I was happy with that. I then put my wallet back in my pocket and looked at the menu. Soon though, a waiter came and we were all seated. Torey sat beside me on my left and Dana sat to Austyn's right across from us.
I looked over the menu and saw some of the specials they had listed at the door on this menu as well. I decided on the crab plate which had a serving of soft-shell crab, a side of coleslaw, a side of fried clam strips and spicy seasoned fries. Austyn got some clam strips as well as soft-shell crab along with some buffalo shrimp and potato salad. Dana ordered the same as Austyn and after Torey looked at the menu, he ordered the same as what I got.
We talked while we ate and Torey explained that he was living with a guy named Michael at a home for kids who had nowhere to go. He said that he had been living there since he was 13-and-a-half and he was doing well now that he was in a safe place.
"So what about your parents?" I asked. "Do you see them at all?"
"No," he said and I saw from the look on his face and in his eyes that this wasn't a subject he wanted to discuss, so I let him redirect the topic.
After saying that he was glad that Michael and Josh took him in, he asked us about our families and I let Austyn and Dana tell him about their families.
Dana's family had been in Sangger for decades and her parents had hard times, given that they were African-American and she herself had hard times, and though they didn't seem like much, they were hard in that people would be hateful towards her because of her skin color, but they were abusive verbally in ways that were hard to prove which made it all the more difficult for her. It was also hard on Austyn and I to have to see her go through it and to know that there was little we could do.
Mostly it was at school where she'd be bullied and we would write down what happened and at that point, we just hoped that it wouldn't get any worse.
I told Torey about my family and he seemed happy that I was in a family who treated me well.
We talked about Heavy Metal and which types we all enjoyed, then I mentioned my love of reading. Austyn and Dana were readers as well and I was always extremely happy about that, given the lack of reading among today's people regardless of them being young or old. Torey said that he loved to read and he and I talked about what we enjoyed reading. Like me, he enjoyed the deep moral thinkers and he as well as Dana and Austyn discussed what the two of them enjoyed reading. They liked most of what I enjoyed reading as well, but they also enjoyed some of the contemporary authors in Horror, Suspense and Fantasy.
After we talked and were close to finishing up, I got out money and paid the waiter. Dana looked at me and pretended to be offended.
"You really shouldn't have," she said with a mock sneer.
"Yeah yeah yeah," I said and waved my hand in a dismissive fashion.
"Maybe I was planning on paying," she shot back.
"I'm sure," I said smirking.
"Seriously though, thanks," she said.
"That was really nice of you," Austyn added. "Thank you Brandon."
"Thanks," Torey said.
"You're welcome," I said. "It's no problem and I was happy to do it for all of you."
Just then, Austyn got a call and so did Dana. They moved so that they wouldn't be talking over one another, then came back.
"I have to go and get some stuff cleaned up around the house," Dana said. "We're having my Aunt Tammy and Uncle Ron over, and the dining room as well as the living room need a little cleaning so they look good."
"I have to go as well," Austyn added. "I have to help my dad with some yard work since he's starting a new garden for the summer."
"Okay," I said and stood to hug them. "It was really good seeing you guys today and spending time together."
"Definitely," Austyn said.
"I enjoyed it too," Dana added.
Torey stood and they hugged him, though him allowing it took some effort on his part. He looked nervous at first, but then relaxed and hugged both of them back, then they separated.
"It was nice meeting you Torey," Dana said.
"Yeah," Austyn added. "I'm glad I was able to meet you today and I look forward to getting to know you a little more."
"I feel the same as Austyn," Dana responded.
"I'd really enjoy that also," Torey said and smiled at both of them.
After they left, it was just Torey and I. I decided to get some pie and Torey looked at the menu and ordered what I was getting which was some chocolate pie.
"That's my favorite," I said, then with a smirk added: "Of course they don't have the "Pie" I usually like, so I'll have to settle for my first favorite."
"Torey looked at me for a moment, then laughed. Apparently he needed a moment to think about my double meaning.
"Yeah, they don't have my most favorite here either," he replied and we both cracked up. "Chocolate Pie is my favorite though."
"I wonder what it is we don't have in common?" I asked half joking.
"I'm sure we can figure out one thing," he said smiling. "For now though, let's not ruin the mood."
"Agreed," I replied.
"So what do you have planned for when you get home?" he asked and looked closer at me as if making sure my image would stay in his mind forever.
"I don't have much planned aside from doing a little working out down in the basement," I answered. "We have a treadmill along with a set of weights in our basement so I use those to keep in shape."
"Cool," he said. "I mainly use the treadmill at Michael's house, and that helps me stay in shape, though I need to build more muscle since I don't have much weight on me."
"I could help you with that," I suggested. "I mean, if you want me to."
"Yeah," he answered. "I'd like that. Thanks."
"You're welcome and I'm happy to do it," I responded.
"When I get back to the house, I'll probably read for a bit then after that I'm not sure," he said.
"I've really enjoyed our time together," I said looking at him and then looking in to his eyes. "I kind of wish it didn't have to end."
"I feel the same," he answered putting down his fork. "Would you like to exchange numbers with me?"
"Yeah!" I said and I saw the deep understanding that flashed in his eyes as I figured that he saw that my face lit up and a large smile spread over my face. I figured that I had given myself away without realizing it.
0000
Torey
I saw the smile that lit Brandon's face up and joy, the depth of which I had never seen in a boy's eyes was now showing in his. I saw it for what it was. He was crushing on me and bad. I felt the same way and wondered if I was giving myself away to him during the course of our time together.
0000
Brandon
When Torey asked if we could exchange numbers, I saw the hope and the infinite joy on his face and in his eyes as well. He was definitely falling for me and I hoped that we could be together at some point as more than friends. Right now though, I was happy that we were becoming friends.
I put his number in my phone and when I gave him mine, he did the same and once we put away our phones, I saw someone walking towards our table. He was tall and had brown hair and blue eyes. He was definitely cute, and I at first thought he might be around my age or a little older, then Torey turned and smiled at him.
"Hi Michael," he said and got up running towards him and hugging him.
"Hey Torey," the guy named Michael said. "How are you?"
"I'm fine," he answered. "I wanted you to meet my new friend Brandon."
Michael and I introduced ourselves to one another and shook hands, then we all three walked out to the car that Michael had apparently driven here.
"I had a nice time today," I said as Torey reached out and we shared a hug.
"So did I," he answered as his cheek was pressed against mine and I felt for the first time how small he was. He was delicate, or at least that's how I perceived him at the time. We eventually let go, but reluctantly then looked in to one another's eyes for a moment.
"If you want," I began. "I can see if we can have you over this up-coming Monday if I'm not doing anything. Also, if you're not doing anything either?"
I looked at Michael when saying this last part and he smiled.
"I don't see any reason why he can't come and visit you on Monday," Michael said. "You have your appointment with me in the morning, but I'm sure you can go see him sometime in the afternoon."
"That sounds good," Torey said.
"Yeah definitely," I added. "I'll call you and let you know what's going on."
"Thanks," Torey said and got in the car.
"No problem," I replied.
I said goodbye to him and then to Michael and I watched them pull out and drive away. I called my mom and let her know that I was coming home, then I walked along and all that time, I couldn't stop thinking of Torey. He was beautiful and I was learning quickly what it was like to fall in love.
Author's Notes
I hope you guys enjoy this chapter and that you continue to enjoy the story. I also have plans for Austyn, but that'll come later and no, I'm not telling. LOL.
So everyone have a good evening and I'll see you all in Chapter Three.