Chapter Two:

I Remember but…

I hope you guys enjoy this chapter.

It has been a week since Chance and Jake kissed that night. Chance surely hadn't forgotten and had tried to confront Jake on the subject. But, every time Jake managed a smile to him, Chance felt sick. Almost like he regretted ever doing what he did. So, Chance acted like he did his best friend a favor that night and it meant nothing. Life went on and kept his feelings to himself. But-

Jake made it to his regular pre-cal class and sat face down on the desk. He sensed that someone had come up to him, "What do you want?" The desk muffled his tone a bit.

"Sheesh, I come over for a chat and you already want me gone." Jake's ears fell flat and groan knowing who the tom was. Who knew Brent would be in his new class so early in the morning. Brent chuckles at the tom's dismay and sits at the desk in front of him.

"I know, you don't want me here, but hey, I'm a lucky guy." Brent gleefully said to the flat faced Jake. "I get to sit next to the smartest, and hottest, student in this entire classroom." And again, Brent is awarded by another groan.

"You're just saying that to get on my good side." Jake retorts bringing his head up when the bell rang. "Just so you know you've been on my bad side for a long time." Brent raised his arms in mocking defense. Brent turned around as soon as the teacher began to speak. Jake didn't have an interest in paying attention since he had to cut back to regular classes for his family's sake.

Since he has a lot of free time now, the only thing in his mind was Chance. He remembered every single touch of his broad body, the gentle touches he received in return and the amazing kiss from his long time friend. So much emotion Chance had put into the kiss only to make Jake stop from his anxiety attack. Without thinking, he softly whispered his name. Brent's ears perk up from his note taking. Jealousy quickly ran through him.

"Come on, you can do it!" A well build tom cheered Chance on. Chance struggled a bit from finishing his last set of weights. The tabby arched his back to put in that last bit of power to reach the peak. Then he slowly put the bar back on the rack and sat up from the bench. The tom handed him a bottle of water and Chance chugged it in a couple gulps.

"Wow, three sets of two fifties on each side, that's amazing! You're one strong kat."

"That's nothing." Chance said as he wiped the sweat off his face with his towel. There was a little bit of bragging swagger in him, but the look he got from the tom made him feel uncomfortable. "Hey, how about you give it a shot?"

The tom flinched at the question and averted his eyes. "No, I can't do that much weight." Chance could sense the tom's embarrassment. Then again, this is the first time this tom had ever approached him.

"What did you say your name was again?"

"Jason Hendricks," the tom said shyly. By Jason's tone and behavior, Chance had figured him out. Sighing, he played it cool and patted him on the shoulder. Chance walked away, but he could feel the tom's stare on him. The tabby headed into showers before the bell to end his morning gym routine. Jason reminded him of Jake when he first came out. Not to Chance, but to his brother. It also brought up the memory from a week ago. The one memory he decided to suppress, but it kept coming back.

The thought of touching and holding Jake close to him made him feel complete. But, he knew that kind of thing would never happen. Chance believes that Jake will only love his brother more than anyone. He just hoped that Jake got the message on how he really feels about him. So, he decided to avoid Jake and to avoid that particular subject. Chance's rage started to build at his very cowardice behavior. Why try so hard to letting Jake know how he felt only to avoid it?

Chance turns off the shower and wrapped his towel around his waist. Once at his locker, he checks his phone and sees that he has two minutes before the bell…for his next class. "Crud, I didn't realize I was in there for that long." He quickly dried and changed to a white tee and blue jeans, grabbed his book bag and ran towards government class.

Luckily, he made it before the bell rang. He sat down in his desk and sighed in relief. The tom in front of him scoffed and Chance glared at the back of his head. "Got a problem with me again Brent?"

"Not really, only that you're just in the way."

"What are you talking about?"

"Why don't you ask Jake yourself?" Brent scoffed again and focused on the manga in front of him. Chance raised an eyebrow at Brent, but stopped himself from asking anymore questions. He knew Jake was friends with Brent, but that didn't mean Chance had to be his too. Chance hated every little thing about Brent. It made him feel angry whenever he spoke to Jake in such a lustful tone.

Brent turns around and sees a look he never thought he would see on the tabby's face and laughs. "Are you actually getting jealous of me? Don't worry; I won't steal Jake from you." He turns around and mentally glares at Chance, "Besides, he clearly doesn't want me. All he ever thinks about is-"

"My brother, I know." Chance interrupted the tom in front of him. Brent shook his head as to how slow Chance really is. Brent was talking about how much Jake thought about Chance; not Chance's brother. The door opened and in entered the one teacher Brent didn't like.

"Sit down seniors." Out of a joke, most of the class stood up and laughed. Brent rolled his eyes and continued to read. Chance was mostly lost in his thoughts and didn't care for what was going on; jealousy of his brother burned his mind yet again.

Lunch time; Jake got his tray filled with the latest concoctions of the school cafeteria. Today was their new entrée of chicken wings and sweet and sour chicken. Since both were new to the student body, Jake decided it would be 'safe' to try both. Not that it mattered since he was in a good mood.

He sat at his usual spot in the corner of the cafeteria just as Brent sat with him. Jake's ears fell flat at his presence yet again. "Look, you don't have to get upset every time I get near you."

"It's hard to do that when you're you." Jake hissed. Brent took offence to the comment and rolled his eyes. He took out his own sack lunch since the school lunches were a 'hazard' to his body.

"Can I ask you a question?"

"I said no then and I will say no now." Jake said with a gruff tone.

"I just want to know why you hate me so much." Brent said while taking a bite of his chopped carrots. Jake looked at the tom, slammed his paws on the table and got in his face.

"You have to be the most self centered kat I have ever met! Every little thing you do makes me wonder why I even became friends with you in the first place! Oh, I know how we became friends; you used me and Chance to protect yourself from everyone's abuse and torment! If you have a problem with everyone talking bad about your sexuality, then I suggest that you stay in the closet." Jake sat back down and stabbed his chicken with the fork and stuffed it in his mouth. Brent just sat there staring at his lunch.

"I…"

"Not. A. Word." Jake growled lowly so that he didn't have to yell again. Brent grabbed his lunch sack and left without looking back. Jake felt better after he was finally able to tell Brent off. But it wasn't over. Someone placed a paw on his shoulder and smiles at the tom that made his day brighten from this very morning.

-0-0-0-0-

"$2.43 please," Chance handed his money to the cashier and took his tray. His day started to get better now that he was finally able to clear everything from his head. The tabby started to head towards the table of his other friends; the ones that he hung out with his brother. Chance sat down between two slim toms, "Hey guys how are the wings?"

"Not bad." The tom to his left said. "I'll tell what is bad. That." The slim tom points towards the table at the corner of the cafeteria. Chance saw the tom he met this morning sitting with Jake. "It's a real shame to have another of our best players turn to that side."

"What was that?" Chance glares at the tom and was startled that he had forgotten for a moment that Chance's brother was the other player. Chance looked back at the table and saw them laughing at who knows what.

"Chance, you okay?" The tabby was brought back from his stare to them. He felt his face heating up and looks towards his lunch while putting a paw on his forehead.

"Yeah, I'm alright." He took a bite of his lunch and his mind wondered to Jake again. As much as he wants that thought out of his mind, it always came back. His anger was visibly growing and slammed his fist on the table. The whole table jumped from their startle and looked at the tabby.

"I…I have to go." Chance grabbed his tray and book bag, dumped the rest of his lunch into the trash can and placed the tray back, walked towards the doors and trying really hard not to look at the table that approached. Jake called his name and ignored him. Chance stormed by and left the cafeteria making the doors slam when he exited.

Chance rushed to his locker while huffing out his anger. He tried to open his locker but the he kept messing up the code until he finally punched it while yelling out. Forehead on the locker, he quietly sulks to himself. The tabby breaths heavily and slammed the locker again. A paw gets his attention and sees Jake beside him.

"Is something wrong buddy?" Jake asked stepping back a bit. Chance glares at him lean tom and grabbed him by his shoulders. Jake and Chance just stare into each other's eyes, but Jake is the only one who is shocked right now. Chance let go of him after a good a long minute and tried to open his locker again.

"Sorry, I'm just having a bad day."

"I'll say." Jake said lowly to himself. The look he got from Chance made his react fast. "I've been trying to talk to you all week. Are you busy or something?"

"Yeah," Chance said. He finally opened his locker and exchanged his morning class school books for his evening classes. "You can say that." Jake noticed the bat in his locker.

"So you are joining the baseball team." Chance shut his locker and nodded. He then started to walk away and head for his next class which, by the way, starts in half an hour. Chance didn't want to hear what Jake had to say so he tried to get out of there fast.

"I just wanted you to know that, I'm over Erik. If he didn't like me then why should I?" Jake tone was calm, but Chance could tell he was fighting back emotions. "I want you to have this." Jake stuck his paw out and showed Chance the class ring that belonged to Erik. Chance turned around surprised that Jake had moved on, but also, is going to see someone else. The tabby took the ring and began to leave again.

Both kats walked their separate ways and didn't look back. Jake had accepted to move on while Chance fought against his feelings. The tabby didn't want to loose Jake as a friend, but also doesn't know if he wants it to be something more. He stared at the ring and glared at it. Chance stuffed it deep in his pocket and continued towards his next class.

Jason swung and made contact with the baseball. It launched away and got out of the park. Everyone looked at the baseball as best as they can as it fell back to the ground about a half mile away. Everyone cheered and hollered at Jason's strength and power. The only one who didn't cheer was Chance. He just sat in the bench and averted his gaze away from it.

"Hey," Chance turned around and saw Katie by the fence. "Why aren't you cheering along with them? You are a part of the team, right?" Chance scoffed and looked away from her too.

"Not like you care." Katie's ears fell flat and eyed Chance. Then her attention was interrupted by the sight of what is happening by the bleachers. She smirked and leaned on the fence.

"You're jealous of the new guy." Chance immediately reacted to her snicker. He got up and stormed away from her. Katie followed him anyways. Since it was only try-outs, Chance had the choice to leave. He took his bat and it was snatched way too fast by Katie. She stuck her tongue at him, and Chance burned up even more.

"You know," Katie began placing the tip of the bat on Chances forehead. "You'll never get a home run if you don't swing the bat."

"Of course I won't." Chance said while taking back his bat. "It's basic stuff."

"That's not what I meant."

"Then what did you mean?" Chance yelled. Katie only smiled and walked back to the baseball field. Chance eyed her and thought that she was absolutely crazy. Then his gaze moved to what is happening behind the bleachers. Jason and Jake are already shoulder to shoulder. His eyes widened when Jake rested his head on Jason's shoulder. Chance forced a growl from escaping his mouth and started to walk home.

Jealousy was the only thing he felt all the way home. He ignored his father's greeting and stormed to his room. The tabby sat at the edge of his bed and sunk his face in his paws. The realization of how he was acting finally set in. The feelings he harbored for Jake started to catch up to him. No, it had already passed him and is waiting for Chance to catch on.

"What kind of mess am I putting myself in?" Chance laid on his back with arms stretched out. He sighed and looks out his window. The last time he watched the sun set from his room was actually with Jake.

"Chance," his father called from down stairs. "You have a phone call!" The tabby got up and went to the phone in the living room. Before he picked up the phone, he saw his father was still writing an article for his gossip magazine. He shook his head and answered.

"Hello?"

"Hey Chance," Jake said through the phone. "Where are you? I thought you were trying out for the baseball team?"

"I was." Chance said gruffly and biting his tongue to hold back a yell. "But, I changed my mind."

"Oh," That was all Jake could muster after Chance's response. They didn't say a thing for thirty seconds until Chance picked up the familiar voice of the other tom. He narrowed his eyes and glared at the mirror in front of him. He looked at himself and saw that Jake would never fall for him. Not ever.

-0-0-0-0-

"I see that you're busy. Talk to ya later." The sound of the phone being hung up was last thing Jake heard. He held out the cell phone in front of him and started to feel worried about Chance. Jake walked back to Jason, sat beside him, and handed him his phone back. The river was the only sound that surrounded them.

"What happened? Is Chance okay?" Jason could see that Jake was worried and put his arm around his shoulder; bringing him closer. Jake inhaled deeply and breathed out.

"I don't know. He's been acting weird and different lately." Jake said leaning his head on Jason's shoulder. "If I had to guess, something must be bothering him." From Jake's tone, Jason could tell that Jake cares for Chance a lot. He wanted to ask Jake something hear and now, but he felt it might be too personal. Instead, he worked on trying to make Jake feel better.

"Well, maybe he'll feel better tomorrow." An idea came to him. "How about we invite Chance to the movies? That way, we can still hang out."

"I thought we were going to the movies for a date?" Jake pouted. Jason smiled and stood up.

"I know I asked you out to go to the movies, but, like you said, something is bothering Chance and I want to help him feel better."

Jake smiled and liked the idea of trying to help Chance. "You're right. We can have our date another day."

"Chance, is the fresh batch of bread out?" Chance's grandfather asked as he continued to knead the dough in his paws. Chance unenthusiastically sighed; shook his head and went to the oven. The bread was perfect. Chance used a thick rag to pull the tray full of golden bread out and put it on the racks to cool.

"That's the fifth one." Chance said. His tone was ennui and his posture was depressed shoulders with dead sad eyes. "Should I set them up?"

The door to the shop opened; ringing a bell letting them know that a costumer as arrived. Chance's grandfather gave him a look to go. The tabby sluggishly walked to the counter and was surprised to see Jason, alone. Chance slightly glared at him upon sight.

"May I help you?"

"Well, since I am in a bakery shop, how about some of those muffins there." Jason pointed to the batch of light brown muffins, topped with a pinch of lime flavored custard and bits of pecans. Chance gave the tom about seven or ten muffins, thinking that he might share them with…he shook his head and continued to work.

"Is that all?" Chance tone became irate, but was hoping that Jason didn't catch his gruff tone.

"Actually, not yet," Jason chuckled when Chance depressed his shoulders. "No, I don't want more bread. I was going to ask if you want to go see a movie with-"

"Not interested." Chance glared at Jason with slit eyes. He couldn't believe that this guy, who was flirting with Jake, was now coming on to him. Jason sighed seeing the look on his face.

"I'm not asking you out, I'm inviting you to see a movie with me and Jake." Chance face rapidly changed to apology. "If you're still not interested to go with us; we can go another time than." Jason paid for his services and began to walk out the shop.

"Wait," Chance said before Jason could make it fully out the door. "I'll go. I don't want to make Jake worry for why I didn't go." Jason smiled and can see that he too cares for Jake. Jason nodded and headed to his truck.

"Those two really need to talk to each other." Jason said to himself.

"Hey Chance!" Katie waltzed into Chance's room right were he was putting on his blue jeans. "You'll never guess what happened yesterday at the baseball field." Chance gave her a look like he doesn't want to talk about it. "I made the team!" The tabby's ears perk up and his face turned to a horrified 'how' look.

"That's…how did they even let you try out for the team?" Chance quickly regretted ever asking when Katie gave him a wicked smile. A drop of sweat runs down the side of his forehead as Katie gets closer. Chance fell onto his bed as Katie slowly climbed on top on him and were mere inches from each other's face.

"I did the Couch a favor." She whispered into Chance's ear. "I gave him the time of his life. He said I was the best he ever had." Chance was mortified by what he was told. Then he heard her snickering softly in the back of her throat. Katie couldn't contain her laughter and got off Chance. She laughed harder when she saw how red Chance's face had gotten.

"That…that wasn't cool; you can't mess with me like that." Chance tried to hide his face from her view. He was having enough problems today and with her around, who knows what could happen.

"I was just having some fun." Katie sat beside Chance. "So, where are you going? You look a little more than casual. I have to say, formal casual looks good on ya."

"I'm going to see a movie with Jake-"

"So you're going on a date with him?" Katie is shocked and mockingly gasps at the news. "I thought I saw Jake with a different tom yesterday? I know, Jake is the open guy who wants to have multiple-"

"No," Chance places a paw on her mouth to keep her from talking anymore. "Jason invited me to go with them."

"Oh," Katie stood up and started to head out the door. "If you need anything, just let me know. See ya!" Chance didn't know what just happened. Did she really have anything to say or is she just messing with him. That was the very reason why he ended his relationship with her and became friends. Too close of a friend maybe.

He checked his clock and saw that he had about two hours before Jason comes to pick him up. The thought of being in the same vehicle with those two made him feel weird. What if he does something that he will regret later?

"Just for tonight; go along with it and everything will be fine."

Chance headed to go down to the living room, until his father called him. "Chance, you have a minute?" The tabby stopped and turned to his dad. "It's about Katie. She has been frequently visiting you here for a week now. Are you sure you're not dating her again?"

"I'm sure." His father gave him an off look before smiling and patting Chance of his forehead. They heard the sound of Jason's truck honking his horn to call on the tabby.

"Okay, have fun tonight."

"So, I was thinking that we go watch a horror movie." Jake suggested. "That new movie that everyone is talking about, what was it…"

"Shredder Wolf…?"

"Yeah that's the one." Jake jumped in excitement. Chance put on a fake smile and tried his best to not look like this was the worst night he is going to have. He saw how happy Jake was with Jason. Chance told himself that maybe it was for the best that Jake never knows how he really feels.

"Chance," The tabby ears perked up and looked at Jake. "Are you okay; you've been awfully quiet?"

"Yeah, I'm fine." Chance looked back out of the window again to hide his sadness. "I'm just…fine."

Chance walked right behind the two toms as they talk. He didn't buy anything from the concession stands and just wanted to get through the movie as fast as possible. They found a place to seat and Chance sat behind them. He could have sat in front, but something made him sit there. In the back of his mind he knew this was wrong and his feelings are taking over again. He heard them talking about how excited they are to watch the movie, discussing the up coming movies and the ridiculous ads that show up before the movie starts.

Finally, the movie began and every got quiet. Slight coughs and murmur fill the room as the opening credits start. Chance's gaze goes back to Jake and Jason and saw that Jason had an arm around Jake. He quickly turned back to the movie and watched for a good thirty minutes before he had a hard time trying to look away from them. The tabby got up and hung out by the doors, but he was still inside and able to hear the movie.

Chance breathed in and out slowly to calm himself. He heard footsteps approaching and tried to ignore the kat. "You know," Chance was surprised to see Brent here. "I don't think this is a great place to be watching a movie."

"Shut up and leave me alone."

"Don't worry; I'm not here to mess with you." Brent leaned on the wall and faced Chance. "I saw everything. You're jealous, aren't you?" Chance looked away turning slightly red. "To tell you the truth, I am too. But, Jake isn't a fan of me right now or ever will be and I'll leave him alone from now on." He noticed the tabby looking at him from the corner of his eye. "Look, what I'm trying to say is that you need to tell Jake how you feel. You'll only hurt yourself if you keep this up and loose Jake forever."

"You don't know what I'm going through." Chance growled in a low voice to keep from yelling.

"Chance," Jake saw him talking with Brent and glares at the tom.

"Looks like I'm out." Brent walked pass Jake and left the two alone. Jake got closer to Chance and saw his expression.

"Chance, I'm starting to worry about you. Are you sure you're alright?"

Brent's words still rings in his mind. He needed to tell Jake the truth. It would make him feel better and, maybe, finally have Jake for himself. He opened his mouth.

"Jake…I-" The audience gasp and scream loudly and it made Jake turned around and pouts that he missed a scene.

"Man, the movie was just getting good and I missed it. Sorry, what were you going to-" Chance pressed his lips to Jake's and the lean tom was shocked at was just happened. The tabby pulled away and whispered to Jake.

"I love you."

"No," Jake pushed himself free from Chance. "You don't love me. I was needy that one night and I got too emotional. Don't you remember?"

"I do remember but-"

"But nothing." Jake said angrily and began to walk away. Chance grabbed his paw and pulled him closer. Jake tried to get himself free again, but it only made Chance hold on to him harder. Once Jake was in distance, Chance planted another kiss. Jake's resistance began to falter and started to accept the tabby's kiss. The same sensation he got from that night returned and it felt wonderful. Chance got that complete feeling he longed for and wanted to stay that way. He slowly started to caress Jake's shoulders all the down to his hip. Chance pressed Jake against the wall making his need for him even stronger.

A vibration startled the both of them and Jake pulled out his cell phone. His ears flatten and put the phone back. "I'm sorry, I have to get back."

Chance watched Jake leave and he balled his fists. A surge of anger takes over and punched the wall really hard. He gritted his teeth and slowly breathed in and out.

"I will make you mine Jake. I promise you that."

"What did you guys think of the movie?" Jason asked on the way to Chance's house.

"It was okay." "Alright."

Jason couldn't help but feel the tension in those fast responses. He had this feeling that something went down. By the look he could see of Jake, it must have been serious. The truck slowed down in front of Chance's house and Chance opened the door on his side to step out. The door shut before Jason could say good-bye. The sound was enough to make Jason understand that something did happen between Jake and Chance.

As Jason stopped in front of Jake's house he turns off the truck and locked the doors before Jake left. "We need to talk."

"There isn't anything to talk about."

"What happened between you and Chance?"

"Nothing happened."

"You're lying!"

Jake turned away from Jason and a growl started to form in his throat. "Open the door, please."

"Not until you tell me what happened."

"Open the fucking door!" Jason noticed that he went too far and did what Jake asked. Jake stormed off and shut the door just as hard as Chance. Remorse was the only thing Jason felt.

"Nice, you blew up your only chance with Jake." He started his truck and drove off.

Jake heard the truck drive off and he began to tear up. He likes Jason, but something made him want to be with Chance. The way Chance held on to him was so passionate. It was the same feeling he got last time from that night. Jake placed his paws on his face and began to struggle on what to do.

"Why Chance? Why tell me how you feel now?"

-0-0-0-0-

The tabby's ears perked up. He slowly sat up from his bed and looked around. He thought he heard someone talk to him. The tabby sighed and went back to burry his face. His mind wondered to the kiss he gave Jake. His eyes were closed and imagined the lean tom before him. It wasn't the same, but it helped him sleep. In that moment, he didn't know why he spoke. It just happened and hoped his answer reached the asker.

"Because, I realized how much I really love you."

I would really love to read some reviews for this one. Thanks for reading. Not over yet.