Chapter 3: The Next Day

The doorbell rang, and I rushed to it after spending an hour and a half getting ready for school. I opened the door and there stood Ryan, smiling, just like always, at me. "Hey.You ready to go?" he asked."Yeah, let's go." and when I closed the door behind me, Ryan stuck out his hand, and I took it, and we walked to school hand in hand and didn't let go until we got to the front door of the school building. I don't think we even acknowledged the fact that we were holding hands.

At the door, we separated and waved good-bye as he went to his locker and I went to mine. When I got there, Chad was waiting for me. "Hey dude, how's it goin'?" he asked. "Alright" I said lazily. Chad looked worried and confused. "What's wrong, man?" "Uh, nothing." I said, staring blankly at my locker. "K...whatever. So, ready for practice today? Coach said we'll be sweatin' buckets."

Chad went on about basketball, but I wasn't listening. The truth is, I didn't really care. I was still thinking about Ryan. I stood there, picturing Ryan-gorgeous smile, big sexy blue eyes, and every other part of his amazing face. I started smiling and Chad stopped talking right in mid-sentence and said "Dude, what are you smiling about?" Still smiling, I said "...Nothing..." Chad raised an eyebrow at me. "Ok, whatever dude. You're freaking me out today. Something's wrong."

He walked off. I closed my locker and turned around, only to see Ryan. A huge grin was suddenly slapped across my face. But, the smile was soon erased, because I realized what's going on. Ryan is changing me--turning me gay! And I'm falling in love with him!

"Hey Troy" he said with a smile as he took my hand. I looked around to make sure no one wasthere...no onecould see us. Ryan noticed the questioning look on my face. "What's the matter?" he asked, concerned. "Nothing, I'm fine. Promise." I lied. "Ok. Well, I was just wondering if you wanted to ditch during lunch and take the rest of the day off with me." he said. I don't know why, but time with Ryan seemed like a good idea, and I suddenly felt better, and forgot what was even wrong. So I smiled and squeezed his hand and said "Sounds good. But for now, let's get to class."

The time crept by slowly as I watched the clock, waiting for the first half of the day to end. I couldn't wait to ditch and be with Ryan. There was something about him--I couldn't pin point it, but I was sure it was there, somewhere beneath that glowing surface. And that something-whatever it was-made me feel that, for once, it's all okay. Life is okay. I'm okay. And when he wraps his arm around my shoulder, it's like a blanket of protection, and I'm safe from harm.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity wrapped up in only a few hours, the lunch bell rang, and it was time for me to be with Ryan. I hurry to my locker as fast as I can, throw my books in, and try to find Ryan. I see him, walk over to him, and we sneak out the back door, and I've never felt more careless or free in my entire life.

As soon as we wereoutside, we shouted "YESS! FREE!" We laughed and started walking in whatever direction towards whatever came our way. We both knew we needed to talk, but neither of us wanted to ruin a fun day away from school. We slowed down and began walking a little closer to each other, and I took Ryan's hand, and once again, it all seemed so right.

"Okay.." Ryan said. "We both know that we need to talk about this." With a sigh, I replied "Right...yeah, I know." Ryan stopped and stood in front of me, still holding my hand. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, swallowed hard, and said "Troy, I'm gay. I've known since middle school. Please tell me you haven't been messin' with my mind...please tell me you're okay with it." I wanted to say "Yes, I'm okay with it, because I'm gay too. You turned me gay..." But I just couldn't do it...I wasn't 100sure yet. "I...I'm not sure...I'm not sure about anything yet, except that I really love spending time with you." is what I could manage to say. "...Same here..." he said back to me.

At that point we were at the park, sitting on a small piece of wood beside the basketball court. Of course, I had my basketball with me, and I was more than desperate to break the mood.

I spun the ball on one finger and said "How about a little one-on-one?" with an evil grin sperad across my face. "Oh no" Ryan said. "I'm not multi-talented like you...I can't do theater and basketball." "It's okay" I said. "..I'll show you."

For the next half hour, I was teaching Ryan the basics of basketball--dribbling, shooting, passing, etc. We were really having fun, but we had to stop because we were both out of breath. We stood there in front of each other, panting on each other's faces. Then, I noticed Ryan moving closer to me. I carelessly dropped the basketball and let it bounce and roll away. The next thing I knew, Ryan's hands were cupping my chin, and he leaned in and kissed me. He wet my lips with his tongue, begging for entrance. I opened my mouth and let his tongue dart in, and thought to myself, "Entrance Accepted..." The kiss was long and hard, and practically bruised my lips. He was blunt, but at the same time, gentle, and when he pulled away slowly, the kiss left me weak with a mad wanting of more. In my heart, I was enjoying it all, but my brain told me different. My brain wouldn't let me accept the fact that I was, from there on, gay, and it was all Ryan's fault. My heart told me it was a good thing. My mind said it to be a bad thing. A part of me told me to let go of Ryan, but another part told me to embrace him forever. I didn't know what to do, and luckily, Ryan eased his lips slowly away from mine, and leaned his forehead on mine.

I had to say something. "I'm having a lot of fun. This is really great...you're great, and I love spending time with you. But, I dont know if it's good or bad." "You don't know if what is good or bad!" Ryan asked. "This! You!" I said kind of angrily. "You're turning me gay, and I don't know whether or not to accept it!"

Ryan looked sad. "It's not the question of whether to accept it or not. You've got to accept it! The question is how you're going to accept it." I felt like he completely understood me. "Look, Troy. I've been there. I know what it's like." he said. "Yeah, I know." I said. I looked up at Ryan and the layer of tears welled up in his eyes made those bright blue puddles appear more beautiful than ever before. "Will you help me?" I asked. A single tear trickled down his face as he said "Of course...I'm here for you...always."

In the heat of the moment, we kissed again. This kiss was much softer and lighter, like I was a fragile piece of glass and he didn't want to break me. After the kiss, we hugged, then Ryan took my hand and we left. I saw the basketball, but just left it there. I didn't care--basketball was the furthest thing from my mind at that particular moment. Ryan walked me home, gave me a kiss at the door, and promised to call me later.

Troy's P.O.V.

I know I shouldn't be so happy and excited about what just happend, but I'm so glad about how close Ryan and I are becoming. He is such a genuine person, and he makes me happy. I never thought I'd go through this in any point in my life. But, now that I am, it's good to know that I've got someone to help me and guide me. Ryan is absolutely, wonderfully amazing. I've never met anyone like him. I can definitely see myself with him forever.

But, thinking about him now just makes me feel guilty about the way I treated him before all this happened. I used to murder him emotionally, and now it seems like I'm bringing him back to life. I want to save Ryan from all the pain...I want to just take it all away, so he can be with me, and be safe, and we'll be happy.

Whenever Ryan smiles, he glows, and I feel like there's another part of him showing--a part that only I can see. It's like his spirit is shining through and all because I finally treated him the way he deserved to be treated. He really is a dream come true for me, and I wish there was some way I could let him know that...

Ryan's P.O.V.

Today has to be the most fun I've ever had! No one has ever made me feel like this before. Troy is so special to me. I used to think that basketball was his life, but now I can definitely tell that there's so much more to him. He's so beautiful in a raw, unknown, secret way, like he tries to hide himself, and only shows his true being with me. I can see beneath the single layer of which has made him popular and what has made peers worship him. I know what's below that surface.

I've never skipped school before, but I couldn't wait to be alone with Troy. I couldn't wait to touch him, to feel him, and for him to feel me. I've been in love with him for years, and my chance finally came. I kissed Troy, and I don't know about him, but I certainly enjoyed it. I just couldn't control myself any longer! I had to kiss him! We were catching our breath after playing basketball, and he was just looking down at the concrete below us. I saw this as 'the chance', so I slowly moved closer to him, until we were breathing all over each other, then I cupped his chin in my hand, forcing him to look up at me. I felt his smooth, soft skin--it was so perfect. Then, I did what I've been waiting for so long to do...I leaned in slowly, and kissed him. At first, I thought he wasn't going to kiss me back, so I moved my tongue over his lips, as if to ask 'May I please come in?' And he parted his lips, and my tongue shot in his mouth, and he pushed it back with his own tongue. It was a crazy, insane tongue wrestling match. I moved my hands so my fingers were tangling in his cute, messy hair. He let his hands sit on my waist, then roam all over my back. It was the most romantic moment of my life, shared with the love of my life, and I thought I could've died right then and there. But, luckily, I didn't, and Troy walked me home. And now I've got to call him.