Chapter Three – Back to Reality

I wake to the sound of our doorbell with a start. The bathroom is rather dark, yet the sun is still shining outside. My bath water has long run frigid. So I clamber out of the tub, wrap a towel around my waist, and answer the door. I almost loose my footing as I head downstairs; I guess I'm still weak from the fever.

As I reach for the deadbolt, I hear someone on the other side insert a key. The door opens and there stands Ryan, apparently grateful that I'm still alive. "Oh, you're okay! Gabby and I've been calling since lunch period!" He gave me the largest bear hug of my life, and I melt in his arms.

He feels my weakness and swiftly carries me to the living room sofa, loosing my towel in the process. He lays me back and notices my nakedness. He quickly retrieves my towel and attempts to cover me. I push him away lightly and sit upright, grab my towel, and dress myself. There was no anger or malice felt between us. That's why I'm so glad that I told him how I feel.

But wait, didn't he say that he called me during lunch? I'm seriously freaked out by this revelation. "Ryan, we ate lunch together. What do you mean you were calling me?" He gives me an incredulous look and his eyes fill with sorrow.

"Troy, you've been home since the beginning of Free Period. Gabby gave me her key so I could check on you since I don't have a last period class. Why didn't you answer your phone?" Ryan asked with tear-filled eyes that threaten to fall. That's when it hit me. It was all a dream. I never kissed him; we never caught Chris and Eddie on the roof. I hallucinated the entire thing. Suddenly I feel sick, and I tell him so.

He goes upstairs to get me some clothes. I'm on the couch with cold chills, so I thank him upon his return. I stand to put on my underwear and fall flat on my face. He helps me up and braces himself to be my crutch. I cannot bend over to pull up the boxers that he picked for me, so he does it. If I had not been so weak, it would be a much stickier situation at this point in time. He doesn't even offer to help me with the rest of my clothes; he just does it and I let him.

So here I lie in my living room with Ryan sitting on the floor in front of my torso. He's stroking my shoulder and pulling back the hair that gets into my eyes. Is there any wonder why I love him so? If only I weren't such a coward. I would pull him to me and kiss him with all the depleted strength I could muster. But I don't.

I must've passed out because suddenly I awake and Ryan is now on the couch, with my head in his lap. He's turned on the television, but I cannot see what he's watching due to the endless stream of commercials. I feel quite a bit better, so I sit up and rest against his chest. His gloriously built yet perpetually covered chest. That Tai-Chi must do wonders for him.

"Ryan, you're my best friend in the entire world. I love you." It was out before I even had a chance to stop myself. I feel him stiffen as well.

"I love ya too, Troy. We're best buds and that's a love in and of itself. I shall always love you, Mon ami." He responds. I wonder if he knows how it affects me when he speaks French. I'm so enraptured in my own thoughts that I almost don't hear him continue. "So, since Ms. Darbus has to have her surgery ASAP, they've asked me to direct the fall play. I offered suggestions to the Drama Club, and they came to the consensus that instead of having a production, we should get together during Free Period and work on bettering ourselves and each other." One breath. He said all of that in one breath. It wasn't even rushed. Wow.

"So then, if all the rehearsals are during Free Period, then I can still go out for a sport!" I stated a little to excitedly. He frowns for only a second but he covers it up with his normal million watt smile.

"Exactly! I was hoping that we could go out for a sport together. You know, that's what the new Ryan Evans should be… Actor-slash-Singer turned Jock. With his best buddy Troy "the basketball boy" Bolton… Jock turned Singer-slash-Actor!" I giggled at him for using the most obnoxious nickname that has ever been unwanted placed with my moniker. "So, would you rather play tennis or golf? I'm pretty decent in both, so, I figure we could do JV together." He was a little too excited.

"Ry, dude, don't have a heart attack! I was actually thinking about wrestling. I figure if I'm in a really aggressive sport during the fall season, I won't foul as often during basketball. What do you think about that?" I was genuinely excited to be a wrestler. I hope he'll want to go out with me. WAIT! I hope he'll go out FOR WRESTLING with me. It would be fun.

His face falls and this time he doesn't attempt to cover it. I lean closer to hear him. He's whispering now. "Troy, it's no secret that I'm gay. How do you think the team will feel having a flaming queer on the team?"

How can he break my heart like that? "Ryan. Look at me. Screw them all. If they can't see you for the loving, caring, brilliant individual that you are, screw them." I have never attempted to counsel anyone. I hope that was the right kind of motivation.

He starts cracking up and I can't figure out why. After he calms down, I give him a quizzical look and he smiles. "I think they'd have a problem with that." I still don't understand. "If they don't like me for being gay, I'm pretty sure they won't let me screw them." He bursts out laughing again. This time I join in.

My eyes start to droop and he notices. "Shush. Go ahead and sleep. You need your strength so we can try-out for the wrestling team. I'm not going anywhere." He's so compassionate. But I obey. The last thing that I remember is him humming Bram's Lullaby to me and stroking the side of my head.

AN: SO?? What do y'all think??!? Please review. I need ideas. I need compliments. I need someone who's not happy with the story to tell me so. Okay, maybe not the last one, but if you're out there, review anyway!!