Opposing Forces

Chapter 5

By Jeff

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Author's note: Having some spare time so I'm tying some of you over with the last installment of the year. Again, thanks for writing ...because of your reading, I am able to keep writing. Happy Holidays and enjoy! ~Jeff

Chapter 5 - The Prophecy of Friendship

Ryan gave me a look...a look of anger, betrayal...hurt. He turned around and began to walk away, down the street.

"Ry--" I began to call.

I turned helplessly to Tyler and he said, "Go after him, Dwayne, I'll be right here when you get back."

I gave him a quick kiss on his cheek and dashed after Ryan, who was halfway down my block.

"Ryan!" I cried. "Stop!"

"Go away," he growled.

"No," I replied. "I won't go away."

"Leave me alone!" Ryan screamed.

"Fuck that," I retorted.

He kept walking...

"What the fuck is your problem?" I cried after him.

"Nothing," he mumbled.

"You kissed me, then you go off and ignore me for days and then you just show up at my door with roses, that's not NOTHING."

He remained silent.

"Well," I demanded. "Spit it out."

"Isn't it obvious?" he said suddenly.

Then it hit me, that kiss wasn't a mistake. He meant it...drunk or sober. My best friend, Ryan, kissed me and wanted me.

"It is," I said, my smile vanishing. "But...I have someone."

"Tyler, right?" he said.

"Yes, Tyler." I replied.

"Guess he beat me to it," he said, somewhat bitterly.

"Beat you to what?" I said, raising my voice. "This isn't a race or a competition. Real feelings are involved here, this isn't some game you win or lose."

"Don't preach to me," he said. "I don't need a prophet to guide me to the light."

"I'm not trying to be a prophet," I said. "I'm only trying to be a best friend."

"Well, I don't need your friendship at this point," he said.

"You don't mean that," I said. "Have you been---"

"Drinking?" he finished. "I'm sober, thank you. And I'm going to go home if you will just leave me alone."

"I'm not going to leave you alone," I said persistently. "I'm going to keep pestering you until you explain to me about all this."

"What is there TO explain?" he shouted angrily.

"Like when did you start having these feelings? Why didn't you tell me earlier?" I questioned. "Like that."

"I had these feelings since we were younger, and why didn't I tell you? I was scared, that's why."

"You didn't think I was scared to tell you when I came out to you?"

"I just didn't know how to tell you," he said. "I figured if I just don't think about it.. it'll just go away."

"What'll go away?" I asked. "Being gay?"

"Yeah..." he replied quietly.

Here comes the waterworks...

"Have a tissue," I said, handing him the packet of tissue I dug up from my pants pocket.

He took the tissue and blew his nose.

"Being gay isn't like the flu," I started to explain. "It doesn't just come and go like that, it's part of you."

"I don't want IT to be a part of me," he said violently.

"You think I wanted to be gay?" I asked.

"Not like you and I have much of a choice," he said sadly.

"In a way, you're right," I said. "But you do have choices."

"What kind of choices?" he asked.

"Well, what are you going to do about your sexuality?" I asked.

"What CAN I do?" he counterquestioned. "I'm not going to go march in a Gay Pride Parade anytime soon..."

"Now you're just stereotyping.."

"Who died and crowned you Guru of the Homosexual World?" he asked. "Besides, I still dig chicks. So I'm...what do you call it...bisexual."

"Fine," I said. "You're bisexual."

"I am," he declared.

"Alright," I said. "I agree, you're bisexual."

"Ok!" he yelled.

"OK!" I yelled back.

He gave me this look and we started to laugh, he said, "I didn't mean it."

"About?"

"About your friendship," he replied, between sniffles. "I need your friendship now more than ever."

"Even if I'm with Tyler?" I asked inquisitively.

"Yes," he replied. "Even with Tyler."

"I want you guys to get along, even Clarissa and Jacob."

"I'll talk to the guys when they get back from vacation," he replied. "Here, have the roses, Merry Christmas."

"Thanks," I said, sniffing the roses. "Smells great."

"They better," he said, jokingly. "They cost a fortune."

I punched him playfully.

"Ow," he said, rubbing his bicep. "Well, I'm really going to go home now."

"You want to stop by for some chip and dip?" I asked.

"Nah," he responded. "You should be with Tyler, he's waiting for you."

Then suddenly...the realization of Susie popped into my head.

"Oh crap," I said.

"What?" Ryan asked.

"I'm babysitting," I replied. "And I left Tyler alone with Susie. I'll see you later?"

"Yeah, I'll call you," he said.

"Promise?" I said.

"Scout's honor," he said.

"Ryan..." I began.

"I know...it doesn't work if we're not in the scouts," he said.

"Wow, you weren't as drunk as I thought you were," I commented.

"Yeah," he chuckled.

"I'll see you later," I said and turned around to jog back home.

"I wasn't drunk at all," he screamed after me.

I opened the door to my house and dashed inside...I ran into Tyler.

"Oomph," I said, when I smacked into him.

"Shh," he said, closing my lips. "She's asleep right now, I tucked her in with the blanket in her bag."

"Thanks," I said as I leaned over for a kiss.

He kissed me back and said, "I'm famished, I didn't get a chance to eat anything at the party."

"I have chips and guacamole," I offered. "Which was what I was going to get before you showed up."

He pouted and bit him lip, "I guess I can...leave..."

"Don't be a bitch," I said. "Want some chips and dip?"

"I want YOU," he said.

"You always save the best for last," I said and whispered, "for dessert."

I could hear Tyler swallowing hard and I chuckled.

"You want a soda or anything?" I asked quietly.

"I could...uh...use some...uh...water," he said, nervously.

"Ok," I said, giving him an odd look.

I got some ice and water for Tyler and he gulped down the liquid.

"Slow down," I said. "You might choke on it."

Tyler responded by spitting out the liquid everywhere.

"Tyler!" I yelled, then lowered my voice. "What the hell was that?"

"I'm so sorry," he said, grabbing a cloth and wiping the water off the counter.

"It's ok," I said. "Are you alright?"

"No...no...I'm uh...fine," he stammered.

"You don't sound fine," I commented.

"Oh I feel uh...great..." he continued.

"You want to go up to my room?" I asked.

"Now?" his voice squeaking.

"Well, yeah...seeing how Susie's asleep in the living room."

"Uh..." he began nervously. "Sure...."

"Alright," I said, still finding his behavior rather strange. "You sure you're ok?"

"Yeah," he said, swallowing hard.

What's his problem? He's been nervous in the last five minutes or so...

We entered my room...he was hesitant to enter.

"Will you just get in here?" I asked. "It's not going to hurt you."

I swore he got weak in the knee...

"You sure?" his voice croaked.

"Just get in here," I said, impatiently. "What's your problem? You're acting funny."

"Me? Funny?" he echoed, bracing himself with a chair.

"Why are you trembling?" I asked, touching his shoulder.

"No....no...reason," he responded shakily.

"Cut this bullshit and tell me," I demanded.

"I'm not ready to have sex," he blurted out.

"What made you get an idea like that from?" I asked.

Then I recalled my comments...when he spit and got trembly...the sexual innuendos...crap.

"I was kidding, Tyler," I said. "I'm not ready to have sex either, not for a while anyways."

"Haha..." he chuckled nervously. "Now I feel stupid."

"Don't feel stupid," I said, stifling my laughter. "It's just a mis...under...standing."

I started to laugh at Tyler's stupidity and his bewildered expression.

"Hey!" he said. "You're not supposed to laugh."

He tackled me onto the bed...and pursued in tickling me.

"Ah ha!" he said. "Still ticklish."

"Leave me alone!" I managed to choke out those words while squirming and laughing.

"You give up?" he asked.

"Never," I said.

He leaned over and kissed me...passionately on the lips.

"I think this is the best thing I can ask for Christmas," I said.

"Good, then I don't have to get you a present," he said.

I laughed and gave him another long kiss.

"Ewwwwwwwww...." a voice said.

I looked up to see Susie standing outside my door.

"Susie!" I cried, jumping off my bed.

Tyler leapt off of me.

"What were you doing, Dwayne?" she asked innocently.

"I...uh...um..." I stammered for words.

I looked pleadingly at Tyler....I had a lot of explaining to do.

That's it for Chapter 5, I will write more in the incoming year. Keep those comments coming and happy New Years everyone! ~Jeff E-mail me (you know the e-addy)

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