Andy Marsden

I am tired of being alone. It's like everywhere I look there are couples. All of my friends are always dating someone new. But the gay kid can't seem to find anyone. What kind of justice is that? It would be so nice if one day I met another guy who was gay and interested in me. With my luck though, I don't it will happen.

Oh well. I can always hope.

CHAPTER

1

The New Guy

Jessica Wakefield stared at her reflection in her full length mirror. She looked absolutely stunning in a fitted ribbed yellow tube top, a short jean skirt designed to look dirty with a built in leather belt and the hem frayed, and wicker thong and backstrap platform sandals with little light blue beads on the straps. Her sun streaked blond hair danced around her tanned shoulders loosely like a halo and the sky blue eye shadow brought out her eyes, which were compared to the color of the Pacific. A long gold chain went down to her chest and a gold heart hung in her cleavage. Her nails were perfectly manicured and colored lavender and a charm bracelet decorated her arm. She did one more quick look over and grabbed her bag as she headed out of her room.

She met her twin sister, Elizabeth, on the stairs and they walked down in silence. At the bottom, Jessica turned to face her.

"Liz? You're not going to eat, are you?" she asked, searching her face. "Because I need to get to school and talk with the cheerleaders about a new routine."

"You mean you want me to skip breakfast just so you can go over a routine with the cheerleaders?" Elizabeth demanded lightly. "Why can't you just go over it at practice?"

"It's fresh in my head now, Liz," Jessica explained in a whining tone. "Please? I'll never ask for anything again, I promise!"

"Okay, okay," Elizabeth relented. "Let's go then."

Jessica led the way out to the twins' Jeep and hopped in the driver's seat. She started up the car and soon enough they were on their way to Sweet Valley High. Jessica, being like she was, had the radio up loud so neither talked. Elizabeth watched the scenery out the window. Once they were in the parking lot and the Jeep stopped, Jessica bounced out and almost ran to into the building. She was busy throwing books into her locker when she spotted a cute boy she'd never seen before.

She pretended to pay attention to what she was doing, but secretly she watched him. He was hot, with blond hair and green eyes, his skin was beautifully tanned, and a little short for a boy, probably around five seven. He wore an outfit of the likes that Jessica had never seen on a guy. His shirt was a tight purple tank top heavily ribbed that showed off his pecks and six pac and short enough to rest above his black leather belt holes plugged with metal, and a pair of skin tight black leather pants that bulged at the crotch and on his feet were black thong sandals. His ears were pierced three times, an earring up in the cartilage on the left, his blond hair was gelled in lazy spikes, he had a necklace made of purple tinted coral, and a rainbow bracelet. Jessica abandoned all together her locker and openly stared. This boy was so fine!

He caught her staring at him and smiled. His smile lit up his whole face and was absolutely dazzling. "Hi," he said in a high but silky voice. "I'm new here and kind of lost. I was wondering if you could help me find room one thirty seven?"

It took Jessica a moment to collect herself. "Sure, it's right this way."

"I'm Alexander Shimmer by the way," he said and they started off.

"Jessica Wakefield," she said and they turned a corner. "So where are you from?"

"Berkeley," he replied and put the right strap of his backpack on his shoulder. Jessica noticed the bag was small and blue leather. It was very cute. For a second she wanted it for herself. It struck her as odd a guy would have such a bag.

"Well, this is the room," she announced when the reached a door with the number marked above. "I'd love to stay and chat, but I have a cheerleading stuff to take care of."

"Really? You're a cheerleader?" Alexander asked, his eyes shining with interest.

"Yeah," she replied, a little confused.

"Way cool," he remarked. "What time is practice?"

"After school in the gym," she answered.

"Okay, Jessica," he said. "Thanks for everything." And with that he disappeared into the room.

Jessica stood there for a moment and then shook her head. What a weird conversation, she thought as she headed down the hall.

Andy sat at the usual table surrounded by Elizabeth, Tia, Maria, Megan, Evan, and Connner. His lunch wasn't really holding his attention, nor were his friends. He wondered where Jessica was. She could always bring life to anything it seemed. Just as he was thinking about her she came rushing across the cafeteria, tray in hands and plopped into an empty seat beside him. Her face was a little flushed and she was a bit out of breath.

"Hey guys," she said hurriedly. "Have you met the new guy? Alexander Shimmer?" she asked, glancing at every face.

"Oh, him," Megan said enthusiastically. "Yes I have! He's so cool! Really cute too."

"He's in my homeroom," Conner remarked. "He dresses wild."

Tia, Maria, and Evan agreed.

"I've heard buzz about him," Elizabeth remarked thoughtfully. "They say he talks a mile a minute and is bubbly. But I never believe rumors."

"What about you, Andy?" Tia asked, bringing him into the conversation. "Have you seen him?"

Andy nodded. "No, not at all."

Suddenly Jessica stood up and began waving. "Hey, Alex!" she called. "Over here!"

Andy followed her gaze and his eyes fell on the hottest guy he had ever seen. He drew closer and Andy could tell what Conner meant when he said he dressed wild.

Alexander pulled up a chair on Andy's right and planted his tray on the table. Andy noticed that there wasn't drop of meat on his tray.

"Hi all," Alexander said and smiled. "What's up?"

Everyone smiled and introduced themselves.

"Why don't you have any meat on your tray?" Andy asked, giving Alexander his full attention.

"I'm vegetarian," Alexander replied. "Meat is very bad for you. I take vitamins to give me the nutrients I lack."

"Alex, that is a very stylish outfit," Tia remarked and he looked her way. "But I've never seen any guy dress like that in Sweet Valley before."

"It only goes with a certain group," Alexander answered.

"Really?" Evan inquired. "What one?"

"Gays," Alexander said nonchalantly.

Everyone at the table blinked.

"Wait a minute," Conner said. "You're gay?"

"Sure am," he confirmed. "Is that a problem?"

"No, no," Elizabeth quickly interjected. "Andy's gay too."

"I know that," he said.

Jessica looked thoroughly shocked. "How do you know?" she demanded.

"It's my gaydar," Alexander explained. "It's something only gay people have."

"Oh," Conner said. "That's odd."

Jessica then took the conversation to finding information about Alexander.

Andy just watched the new boy. He happened to disagree with Conner. It wasn't odd, it was just perfect.

Tia stood waiting for practice to begin. She tied her hair back in a ponytail and pulled her shirt down a bit. She was just staring off into space when Alexander appeared in front of her, dressed in a tight T-shirt and a pair of loose shorts.

"Hey, Alex," she said. "What are you doing here?"

Alexander took a seat beside her and folded his hands across his chest. "I'm waiting for Jessica."

"Oh," Tia said. Then she looked over him. "If you're waiting for Jessica, why are you dressed down then?"

"I'm going to try out for the squad," he answered.

"Really? Sweet Valley's never had a male cheerleader before," Tia informed him. "Were you on your other squad?"

"Yeah," he responded. "But we were a private school and we never competed. So, who's the captain?"

"I am," Tia replied. " Does Coach know you're trying out?"

"Yeah, she does," Alexander said. "I told her at lunch."

The coach walked out onto the floor and had all the cheerleaders sit on the bench. Alexander stood at her side.

"Now," she began. "We have someone who thinks he's qualified to try out for this squad. His name is Alexander Shimmer. I've decided that it will be up to you to see if you should allow him to try out, Tia. What do you think?"

Tia glanced around her. Everyone seemed to agree, even Melissa Fox. "Why not?" she said.

Alexander hit play on a stereo he had with him and moved out onto the floor. He did a standing back tuck, a back flip, and then a hand spring. He did the splits and then jumped into a perfect toe touch. He did some excellent kicking and began to dance. His moments were like fluid, and everyone could see he wasn't even trying. By the time the routine ended, everyone agreed he was on. Tia admitted silently to herself that he was the best Sweet Valley or old El Carro had ever seen.

"Well, girls, and Alex," she announced. "Let's get to work!"

Tia Ramirez

Wow. That's all I can say about Alex's skill as a cheerleader. Totally blew all of us out of the water. I never knew a guy could be so flexible and good at dancing. I have a feeling things are going to change. For the better.

I wonder if Andy likes Alex?