Sam sat tensley perched at the edge of his couch, his mother positioned similarly at the other end. It was always like this lately, his mother criticizing or worrying and Sam sitting in silent resentment. He knew he wasn't the only one with parent issues, but he couldn't help but feel sorry for himself. Not everyone had a mother as freakishly controlling as his.

"Samuel," she began, anxiety ever-present in her voice. "I want to talk to you about this friend of yours... David."

Sam tried to refrain from blushing by digging his nails into his palm.

"I know you're new and making friends is hard... but I'm not sure that you're hanging out with the right crowd. I've heard some things about this boy, Sam, and I really don't know if I want you hanging out with someone as troubled as-"

"Dave," Sam interjected, "is not troubled. Sure, he has some issues. Who doesn't?" He could feel himself becoming angrier, and he knew that he would have to calm down or risk making her suspicious. "It's not fair for you to judge him, Mom. you don't even know him."

"You're right, I don't. Maybe if you brought him over sometime then I wouldn't have to judge him based on rumors."

Sam just stared at her.

"So, are you saying you want me to bring him here?"

"Yes, I don't see why not. I've met all of your other friends."

This is different.

"We're having casserole tomorrow night, why don't you invite him over for that?"

"Uh... Okay."

Sam practically sprung off of the couch and retreated to his room. He pulled his cellphone out of his pocket and dialed Daves number.

"Hello?'

"Dave? We have a problem."


Dave was so pale, he almost blended in with the pristing table cloth his mother managed to keep stainless. Everyone was seated at the dinner table now, Sam and Dave picking at the tuna casserole on their plate.

"So David, what are you planning on doing in college?" Sam's mother reached forward to fix the flower arrangement for the hundreth time.

"Well," Dave said to his food, "I'm hoping for a fottball scholarship and I might major in math."

"I hate math!" Kayla squeeked from the far end of the table where she sat next to Tyler. "I'm going to be a fashion designer."

"If you don't stop leaving your toys in front of my door, you might not live long enough to be anything." Sam grinned and slipped his hand under the table to squeeze Dave's.

His mother gave him a look for teasing his sister, before she turned her attention bacck to Dave.

"I think math is a wonderful idea! I wish Sam would put more focus on his core classes instead of that Glee club of his. Now have you given any thought to..."

Dinner went well for the most part. Dave answered Mrs. Evans questions politely and the kids managed to act almost civil (except for the time Tyler flung his potatoes across the table). Afterwards the two decided to get away from the family so they could talk, and as soon as Sam's mother had her back turned they fled to his room.

"Your room is so neat!" Sam watched as Dave's eyes swept over his spotless room.

"Yeah, when you have a mom as anal as mine you have to keep it clean." Sam sighed. "was tonight all that bad? I know my family is a little crazy but-"

"It was fine. I actually liked dodging food, it was the most interesting part of my day." Dave laughed softly, and Sam couldn't help but notice how his heart leaped at the sound. He watched Dave in silence for a few seconds, watching the both turn scarlet under his gaze.

"What?"

"Nothing. I just love you."

Dave smiled nervously. He looked around Sam's room again, as if he just realize he was alone with him in his bedroom. He walked over to Sam's collection of DVD's began searching the titles.

"You know I've never seen Star Wars? Maybe we can watch it together someday. I could bring some of my action movies and we could have a marathon. We can do it at my place too if you want."

Dave was rambling, a sure sign that he was unsure of what to do. He started going off on a tangent about the food in his pantry when Sam interupted.

"Shh."

Sam stepped forward and kissed him roughly. He let his fingers curl into Dave's hair, pulling slightly- causing a soft moan to escape Dave's lips. Sam took this as encouragement and let his hand explore underneath Dave's shirt while Dave's tounge explored his mouth. He found Dave's nipple and began teasing it with his thumb and forfinger.

"Sam?'

"Hmm?"

"Your parents are downstairs."

A wicked smile creeped across Sam's lips.

"I guess you'll just have to be quiet then."

Dave tried to protest but Sam stopped him by pressing him against the nearest wall. He let his lips explore every inch of Dave's exposed neck and before long he found himself presseing his teeth into one of Dave's known tender spots. A deep animalistic sound came from deep in Dave's throat, and almost automatically Sam felt something pressing against his leg.

Sam grinned and made a mental note about biting Dave more often. Feeling his own pants begin to tighten, he slid his hands down Dave's chest and began working at his belt buckle.

"Sam I don't think we should-"

At that moment Sam's door swung open. Immediately he threw himself backwards and turned to face the intruder.

His mother.

"What in the world-"

"Nothing! I swear, mom!"

"We're you two having-"

"N- no!" Dave stuttered from the wall.

"Mom, no! Come on..."

She crossed her arms ovfer her chest.

"David, I think it's time you went home. My son and I need to have a discussion."

Dave nodded silently and practically ran from the room, only stopping to mouth "call me" in Sam's direction.

MRs. Evans shut the door behind him and sat herself down on the edge of Sam's bed, motioning for him to do the same.

"I thought that you would tell me before having sex, son."

"We weren't having sex!"

She sighed.

"Alright! So it's true then, he's gay? You're gay?"

"I'm bisexual, mom."

She nodded and brushed her chestnut brown hair out of her face, the exact color of Sam's before he dyed it. Sam expected her to be angry, to shout. He didn't expect her to be as calm as she was, and he definitely didn't forsee her leaning over to hug him.

"I love you, Sam. Gay, straight, bisexual, martian, whatever. I'm still your mother, and you're still my son. Nothing can change that."

Sam shook his head and willed the tears not to come.

"I know I'm unfair sometimes, but it's only because I worry. I hope you feel like you can tell me things now... I'll support you no matter what."

She tightened her grip and he let himself relax into her embrace.

"I love you too, mom."


"I can't believe I let you talk me into that."

Stephen stepped out of the community theatre audtiorium and into the main hall, Dan on his heels.

"Oh hush, you did awesome. I bet you got a lead."

Dan smiled at him for reassurance, but all it did was make Stephen more nervous. Just a week ago he'd been freaked out by this guy, and now he was getting butterflies? stephen didn't know why, but Dan made him feel safe. That's probably why he'd been able to convince Stephen to try out for the local spring musical, Annie.

"Whatever you say." Dan was watcing him intently and Stephen had to turn away. "So, what now?"

"It's Sunday. Don't you have homework?"

"No, there's only two weeks left in school. I think the teachers have given up."

"Oh." Dan crossed the hall to where Stephen stood. It was almost too close; Stephen could feel the warmth of his breath on his neck. "Maybe we could hang out? Or go to dinner?"

Stephen turned to face him.

"I thought you weren't interested?" Stephen threw back.

He couldn't believe he was actually flirting with this boy, but there he was. It was at times like this that he almost forgot about food. Almost.

"I'm not." Dan inched closer so that his lips were inches from Stephen's. Stephen wanted to give in, to kiss him back and let himself have this fleeting moment of hapiness. But he couldn't.

He took a step backwards and cleared his throat. "You know actually, I think I do have some homework to catch up on. I should just go."

He turned to leave, but Dan caught him by the wrist.

"What are you so scared of?"

Stephen froze and thought about telling him the truth; that he was afraid of letting another person in. He was afraid of getting hurt, but also of hurting someone else. He wasn't exactly in the best mental health.

He turned and faced Dan with a fake smirk platered across his face.

"I'm not scared, just uninterested."