Chapter Two

Kyle

Life at Princeton was exciting and bittersweet at first. To be honest, it still seemed like that sometimes.

Here Kyle was, surrounded by students and friends, some of the brightest minds in the country. He excelled in all his classes. What more could he ask for?

They weren't Jason though. None of them were his boyfriend. Kyle missed Jason like crazy, his smile, being held in those strong arms, his lips.

He missed Nelson too. Nelson had called him almost half an hour ago, telling him Manny had cheated. Kyle had worried something like that would happen.

He would never forget the conflict and heartache of leaving Nelson behind on their road trip. He had acted cool with it, but as soon as he and Jason were back in the car he was crying. He was nearly inconsolable the entire trip home.

"My best friend's gone Jason. He's really gone, with someone he hardly even knows... "

That had been his words.

Jason and Nelson were both gone now. Not that Kyle couldn't talk to Nelson via phone or internet, and not that Jason didn't come visit him. He came every other weekend. That wasn't it at all...

A handsome student with olive skin and short-cropped raven hair fell in next to Kyle.

"Thinking about him aren't you?"

Kyle looked at the Italian boy next to him, his new friend and dorm mate Mario. He managed a small smile.

"Oh its not just that," Kyle replied. "My best friend told me his boyfriend cheated on him."

"The one in LA?" Mario asked.

"You got it."

Kyle had told Mario about Nelson and Jason. He was gay of course. It hadn't taken them long to decide they should dorm together. Mario was cool, but he had feelings that Kyle didn't return. He hit on him almost constantly.

"I'm sorry to hear it," Mario said, sounding genuinely understanding. "Cheating sucks."

"Yeah tell me about it," Kyle mumbled, thinking of Jason again.

Kyle couldn't help worrying about Jason being back home without him. He knew his boyfriend too well. Jason had quite the sexual drive. Not that Kyle wasn't sexual, but he had his standards. Faithfulness was essential to a relationship.

He hadn't asked too many times, but when he had Jason had gotten defensive, sounding hurt. He'd insisted he wasn't cheating. Kyle didn't even ask anymore.

He knew this wasn't the way a relationship was supposed to be, but he couldn't get Jason and that Texas girl lip-locked out of his head. Jason had cheated, thinking that Kyle would never find out. He wanted to trust Jason.

"Is your friend staying in LA?" Mario asked.

"No. He says he's coming home. I'll be happy to see him again."

Kyle actually smiled a little. He would get to see Nelson again soon.

"I'm glad," Mario told him with a little smile.

Kyle glanced sidelong at him, unable to deny to himself that Mario's smile and chocolate eyes were gorgeous. Mario's grin deepened as though he got that look. Kyle reached into his pocket for his phone, deciding they'd better stop this.

"I need to call Nelson back. Catch you later?"

"Yeah sure," Mario smiled.

Kyle hesistated, looking at those inviting lips, before forcing himself to turn and walk away. Damn it! This wouldn't be happening of Jason was actually here. He was lonely and he had needs.

He'd better call Nelson. Should he confide in his best friend about his suspicions, and his own doubts?

"Hello," Nelson sang into the reciever.

"You don't sound too upset," Kyle pointed out.

"I'm trying to keep it together. I feel okay."

Nelson sniffled a little.

"Are you sure?" Kyle asked gently.

"I'm sure," Nelson managed with a forced laugh. "I can't let him keep me down right?"

It sounded a little bitter as he said it. Kyle was worried.

"Nelson will you come see me this weekend? I'd love to see you."

"Sure," Nelson replied. "I'd like that. Can't wait to see you either."

Kyle was glad to hear some of the life return to Nelson's voice as he said it.

"I wanted to ask you something," Nelson said suddenly. "I almost forgot. I know its been awhile, but remember when I stayed behind in LA?"

"How could I forget?" Kyle asked.

"I know you acted all fine with it, but I think now you probably weren't. Were you? Because I'm sorry Kyle. That was a shitty thing for a friend to do."

"Nelson listen," Kyle began. "Its true. I wasn't very happy. I felt lost without you. I was used to having you around, and then suddenly you were gone. No I don't blame you. I did at first. I was a little angry, but I figured I was being selfish."

"You weren't being selfish Kyle, I was. I never thought about how you might feel. That was rash to stay behind in LA with someone I'd only just met. I didn't even think... "

"Really its alright Nelson," Kyle assured him in a kind voice. "Just come visit me okay?"

"Sure thing."

Kyle felt a secret rush of happiness at the thought of seeing Nelson again.

"Well I gotta board the plane," Nelson told him. "They're calling for tickets. Ttyl... "

"Talk to you later too," Kyle replied with a laugh.

He hung up and thought about Nelson. How was it that the prospect of seeing his best friend could just suddenly brighten up his day? He really did miss him.

Nelson was someone who would listen, who would give advice without judgment, and be his shoulder to cry on. Kyle missed that closeness and that trust.