Shawn quickly gets up. Once standing upright, Shawn smiles. "Eric, when did you get here?. I just came for some food." Shawn proclaims as he holds up the bag that contained his now cold food. " I didn't know you were gonna be here. Ain't that funny, we run into each other." Eric was now standing up aswell, and he was facing Shawn. A half smirk on his face. "I've been here for awhile, so what were you doing on the floor. Did Chubbie throw your food down there, and you had to get on your knees to get it?." Eric asks. Shawn places his bag down by his side and runs his free hand through his hair. "No, I dropped my change. I was just trying to get it, but it fell underneath the booth. And I can't reach it." Shawn had to tell himself that that was a pretty good lie. Quite believable. Maybe Eric would buy it, or maybe he wouldn't. Maybe, Eric saw right through that bogus answer. Either way, Eric didn't let Shawn know. He just smiled. And waved over the girl that he had been chatting it up with a few moments ago. Shawn turned to stare her way, while she walked over to stand by Eric. Eric grabbed her hand. And looked at Shawn. "I was just being tutored by Samantha, here. She's helping me get my grades up, for next year." Eric replies. But Shawn didn't buy it. Why would he be holding her hand for. Was it just to make Shawn jealous. Just then Samantha slipped her hand from Eric's grasp. "I've gotta go, Eric. I'll see you at your house, tomorrow. Is that okay?." Eric was staring over at Shawn. A smirk still on his face. "Eric!." The girl raises her voice, and pushes Eric's arm lightly to gather his attention. Eric turns his head to look towards her. "Oh, yeah. That will be fine. Sorry. See ya then." Shawn and Eric stand there until the girl was gone, heading up the stairs. "So..." - "Look." - Eric smiles, and Shawn looks down, slightly blushing. "Sorry, Shawn. You go ahead. What were you gonna say?." Shawn looks at Eric. "Maybe, we should sit down somewhere, or go outside. I think we're in the way." - "Yeah, let's go outside. It's getting more crowded in here then before, if that's even possible." Eric laughs. And Shawn smiles.

They both walk outside. And down the street some before beginning their conversation. "So, your getting tutored by someone?." Shawn asks. Eric nods. "Yeah, my parents want me to be ready for the SATS." - "Yeah. Well, how's Cory?. I haven't seen him, and he won't talk to me." Eric stops and begins fiddling with is shirt. "Well, it's funny that you should say that. About Cory not wanting to talk to you." Shawn raises his eyebrows. And stares up at Eric. He was chewing on his bottom lip. "Why do you say that for?." Shawn asks. Eric looks at Shawn. "Because he won't talk to me either. At-least, not when we're alone, in our bedroom. He won't barely say a thing to me. Other-then the occasional insult." Eric whispers while looking down at the sidewalk. Shawn looks down too. "I'm sorry. That must be hard for you." - Eric shrugs his shoulders. "He'll get over it. After-all, you two have known each other since y'all were little. I don't see how Cory could be that mad at us. It would be pretty stupid if he threw all that away. All those years of friendship. He won't beable too. And I'm his brother. He still has to have some kind of relationship with me." Eric stats. - "Well, I'm at-least glad that one of us thinks that. Me, I'm not so certain. I mean, it's been two weeks since he's talked too me. That's the longest he's ever stayed mad at me before." - "Two weeks ain't nothing, Shawn. He'll be calling you up, soon. Just you wait and see." - Shawn smiles. "Thanks. So.. what about us two?. What's gonna happen with us, now?. After what happened. Do we just forget about it?. Or what?." Shawn wanted to know if Eric still liked him. He was just too scared to come out and ask him. After all, he was holding that girl's hand. And he did it so that Shawn would see. Maybe, that's his way of saying that it was a mistake, what happened. And that he just wanted to forget about it. And move on, with girls. Lots and lots of girls. Like he used too. Be the old Eric. Not the one that has crushes on his younger brother's best friend/s. Not the Eric that was practically begging to be with another boy. Shawn stopped himself.

Okay, maybe he wasn't the only one begging for something to take place, that night. Maybe we both were hungry. Lusting for one another's flesh. But Eric did have more of the lead. He was older, and he knew more. - Eric told him he wanted him, whispered in Shawn's ear all the things he envisioned doing to Shawn's body. Shawn had to remember that even-though all that was said, and all the things they both probably imagined doing, that they only really kissed. Only kissing was really what happened. Kissing and touching. Maybe, some rubbing, too. If Shawn was to be honest. But that was all. Neither one of them was naked. They were just fooling around, making out. So, maybe to Eric, it was nothing more then that. He's done it too alot of girls, Shawn was sure of. Hell, Shawn's done it himself, with girls. Buttering them up with compliments, just so he could kiss them, and then he'd drop them like a bad-habit. Never wanting to see them again. Just brushing them off at school until they got the picture and moved on. Maybe, that's what Eric did. - This is the first time that he's seen Eric, since it happened. And that only happened because they ran into each other. Not because Eric really went looking for him. But he couldn't do that, could he. Why would he. After all the years of knowing him. Why would he want to hurt him like that. Was he that confused about his own sexuality. That he just wanted to experiment with Shawn. Too see if he liked it. And now knowing that he does or doesn't, he's over him. Just like that. The easiest answer to all of Shawn's questions. Would be too just ask him, directly as possible. But how does he ask him. "Eric, do you still like me. Like that. Like before?." Shawn blurts out, totally cutting off Eric from answering his first question. Shawn could feel his cheeks turning red, the hotness on his skin. "Sorry." Shawn whispers. Eric stood, his mouth open. But then he smiles. And whispers back. "It's okay, Shawn." Shawn and Eric stood there, on the sidewalk. Facing one another. They waited for the other to say something. But neither of them said anything. Finally, after a few seconds. Eric moved. Started walking around Shawn. Shawn turned around to watch Eric. A puzzled look on his face. Was he leaving?. He's just gonna up and leave without saying anything. Did I upset him?. Shawn thinks. But just then Eric turns around, smiles. And replies. "I do STILL like you, Shawn. I do." Shawn wanted to reply back with, well then, why were you with that girl. Why were you holding her hand, right infront of me for. Do you like playing games. But he didn't say any of those things. He was actually happy to hear that Eric still liked him. And that was good enough for him. At-least, for right now, anyways. - He did have one thing to say, though. Something important. "What are we gonna do about, Cory?. I mean, I know you think he's just gonna forget it and all that. But what if he doesn't. Because, I've done something that's really bad. I betrayed him. You just don't understand how painful this is for him. It's not just his best friend doing something with his brother. It's much more then that. Me and Cory, we're really close." - "I know this, Shawn. We've talked about it. You and Me. That night." - Shawn shakes his head. "You don't know. He loves me, Eric. He truly loves me. Like, how your parents love each other." - Eric stands there, not knowing what to say, how too respond to that. " He told you that. That he loves you?." - Shawn nods. "Yeah, he has. And he never goes a birthday card or a Christmas card or a phone-call or a letter without ending it with, love Cory. Ever-since, he first told me that. Do you understand?." - Well, you'll just have to talk to him about it, explain it too him." - "But, how?. When he won't talk to me, or see me." - Eric shrugged. "Maybe, I can get him to listen." - "Perhaps. You can try. But I tell you something, Eric. This is something that won't be easy. Talking too him. And for Cory to get over this, that won't be easy. I've cheated on him, with you, Eric. Your his brother. That's as bad as it can get." - Eric walked up to Shawn. Put his arm around Shawn's shoulder. "Do you still want to be with Cory, Shawn." He whispers. Shawn looked up, he licked his lips. But before Shawn could answer. "Or do you wanna be with me?." Eric continues, still in a whisper. Shawn could feel Eric's breath on his neck. It made him quiver. "I don't know, Eric. I don't know... I would like to be with Cory, still. Because I'm so fond of him. But since what happened. I can't stop thinking... about you, Eric." - "Can't I just be with you, both." Shawn laughs as does Eric, but he wasn't joking. He really did feel conflicted. He loved Cory. After-all they've been together since they were thirteen. That's when they had their first kiss. And that's when it all began for them. But, now. He's kissed Eric. And he likes it. Likes it alot. He can't stop thinking about wanting to do more, with Eric. More and more. Eric's so much more experienced in this area, and that excites Shawn. He wants Eric to teach him.

Wants him to do those adult things to him. Things that Shawn and Cory aren't even close to learning about. Things that even if they did know, Cory would never feel uncomfortable doing. Things like sex. Shawn and Cory were still virgins. Eric, Shawn wasn't sure about. But he could imagine that perhaps, he wasn't. Cory didn't ever wanna go all the way, not with anyone. Not with Topanga, not even with Shawn. But Shawn, he wanted too. He just didn't want to force Cory into something that he wasn't ready for. Eric, though. Eric seemed like to Shawn, that he would and could be ready for anything, sex wise. Maybe, that's one of the elements that Eric has that attracts Shawn. His age. His grown-up nature. He wasn't a kid, or a boy. He was a man. Shawn thought that's maybe why so many girls end up dating their teachers or professors. That age cape. They make you feel so different. So much more alive. But it's weird, that all this happened so suddenly.

"How come you just started liking me now for. I mean, I believe you like me, Eric. But I find it weird that all this has just suddenly happened. You liking me. And everything." - "Well, did you ever feel anything for me, before I told you that I did like you?." Eric asks. Shawn didn't know the answer to that. "I don't know." - "Well, the same pretty much goes for me, too. I don't know if I liked you. Maybe, I did. But I just didn't allow myself too. All I know, is now. I like you. And I wanna further this thing that's between us. I wanna be with you."

Shawn smiles. "Me too." - "And as for the girl, earlier. I hope I didn't upset you. Grabbing her hand. That was stupid. A impulse, really. I really don't think of her as my type. And we really were just studying." Shawn frowned, slightly. He wanted to ask Eric why they were laughing so much for then. But he would believe Eric. Because Eric usually wasn't someone to lie. "I don't care. Your not with her, now. Are you?." - "No, I am not. I'm with you, now." - "Well, then. I don't care. Because your with me, now." Shawn placed a arm around Eric. "You wanna walk me home?." - "I would like that. It's getting dark. And a cute thing like you, shouldn't be wandering outside in the dark by yourself." Eric chuckles. Shawn throws his head back and fake laughs. "Don't be calling me a cute thing, Eric. If I'm anything, it wouldn't be cute!." - "Okay. Your not cute. So what are you, then?." - "If you don't know, then I'll just have to show you." Shawn replies. "And what does that mean, Hunter?." Eric licks his lips. Shawn stopped Eric and pushed him off and into a alleyway. He pushed Eric up against a brick wall. "If I'm anything, Matthews. It's dangerous. Got it?." Shawn growled. And Shawn smacks Eric's lips, hard. Eric thought that this was a different side of Shawn, then he had seen previously. Before, he was timid. Almost scared. Wanting to ask Eric if this was alright or if he did this, if that was okay. But here, he's taking charge. Eric kind of liked it. Just slightly. Eric pulls Shawn away. "I'll have to remember that, Hunter. Now I believe it's my turn."

Cory was at home at this time, getting ready to watch a movie. His parents were picking up Morgan from soccer practice. And so Cory was home alone. He had a bag of chips and a soda sitting on the coffee table. And he was about to prop his feet up on that particular table when the doorbell rang. Cory grabs his soda, pops it open and goes to the door. He opens it, takes a sip from his soda and greets the person at the door. "Hey, Topanga." Cory leaves the door wide open, and proceeds to walk back to the couch. Not even noticing Topanga's state. "Cory, aren't you even gonna look at me." - "Yeah, of course. I'm just wanting to catch this movie. It just came on. Oh, and could you close the door for me, please. Thanks." Cory answers while staring at the television screen. Topanga grabs the remote and quickly turns it off. "Hey." Cory yells, standing up and looking towards Topanga. He then noticed the tears slowly falling down his ex-girlfriend, present friend's face. He then walked up to her, concerned. "What's wrong, why are you crying?." - "My parents had a big fight, Cory. A real big one. My mom wants me and her to go to my grandparents. I am supposed to be packing, right now. I don't wanna go, Cory." Cory wrapped his arms around her. "Sit-down, Topanga. Do you want something to drink?." Topanga shook her head. "Cory, what am I gonna do?." - Cory didn't know what to say. So he just held her tighter. "I am sorry your parents aren't getting along. I wish I could change it for you. I'd do anything to make you happy, Topanga. You know how much I care for you." Cory stats, just trying to make her feel better, so that she would stop the water works. He hated seeing anyone cry. - Topanga wipes at her face. "I know you would, Cory. That's why I love you so much. You really care whole-heartily. Thank you, Cory." Cory thought that she was gonna get up and leave, and he would beable to get back to the movie. But he was wrong. Because, she only leaned into his body. Placing her head on his shoulder. Cory wanted to ask her what she was doing, but he didn't. She was finally getting over the crying spell, and he didn't want her think that he was being selfish by not allowing her this comfort. "It'll be alright, Topagna. Your parents will work it out. You just need to give them time." Topanga momentarily lifts her head up off of his shoulder. And just then, their eyes lock. Cory was about to say something when all of a sudden, Topanga's mouth ends up touching his. She's kissing him. And Cory was at first ready to pull away. But she grabs his lower back. Pulling him to her. Cory began kissing her back. He grabs her neck. He slowly brushes her hair from her face. He kisses her more until she softly moans. They stop to catch their breaths. "Cory, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have kissed you. We're not even dating, anymore. We broke up." Cory licked his lips. "Yeah, your right." Topanga goes to get up. But Cory grabs her wrist.

"Topanga, wait. Please." - "What, Cory." She asks. Until he stands up, facing her. He grabs her other wrist. Holding both her wrists, gently. He whispers. "Can I kiss you again, I'd like too?." - Topanga quickly nods. She tilts her head to one side. And Cory kisses her. This time he didn't feel like what he was doing was wrong. After-all, Shawn did cheat on him with his brother. Why should he worry if he ends up kissing Topanga. Hell, he was dating Shawn before, and during his relationship with Topanga. So this was really nothing to worry about.

Cory forgot how nice being with her was like. And how soft her lips and skin were. How her hair smelled. He forgot how nice it was to kiss her, like this. And he didn't want to stop. If it wasn't for his parents coming in the door. He probably wouldn't have stopped.

TBC