this is the alternative version of chapter 12. so therefore, there's a different road that you guys will choose, in order for this story to go anywhere else. so i need replies on which one you prefer, so at least I know how to write the story proper. yeah. besides that, enjoy yourself.
a story chapter 13: josh-joga
Copyright. All rights reserved. Disclaimer: If you're 18 and below, ignore this whole chapter. +this story has no sexual content+
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[Tonight was the night he dreamt. He dreamt of many good things. If only he could see what he had to bring for him. As he tossed around his king-sized bed, he longed for Seth to be beside him, to feel his strong arms circle him and tell him that everything was alright, that his parents' neglect was temporary and transient, that his love for him was the only thing that withstood time. He held close to the beliefs of what he had read, and what he read only proved what he felt was real, was not sick, twisted, perverted.
He felt a hardness stirring, but he willed that down, only wanting to sense love and passion for him. Seth deserved the best, and he wanted to make sure that he knew that. He prepared it long beforehand. He had planned a dinner at his house, catered by dome, seth's favorite, and he wanted him to come down, to say yes. But no. Mike was more important. The football jock, his friend on the pitch, was more important than him.
He sensed that right from the start. When he saw Seth in his house, he knew what Mike wanted. He wanted to take Seth away from him. And days after that he did it everytime he wanted Seth to come and join him. But Mike stopped that from happening.
He wanted to kill Mike, on the pitch, make it look like an accident, but he didn't want to do it, since he knew that Seth liked him, and if he had killed him, it would only make Seth sad. And he wanted Seth to be happy. But happy on the terms that he was with him, not Mike. So he inflicted the pain on himself, and was glad to see that Seth responded in kind.
ANd for the first time, he fell even deeper. Cuz what he saw in Seth's eyes weren't pity; he cared for him truly. He turned on the light and stared at the sea of pictures.
Of Seth Sjorn. His soon-to-be lover. He would make him see that he loved him. Only he did. Everything was going to work as planned. As soon as the clock struck 9, he would leave.
To pick Seth up to the eden, the eden where only he and Seth would be.]
I woke up at around 8, and Mike was still asleep, so I simply entangled myself away from him, and went about washing around. I was about to wash my face when I felt his arms around my waist and his warm breath on my neck. 'You weren't there in bed when I woke up.' he said in a throaty voice. 'That's because I woke up earlier first babe. Morning.' I gave him a quick kiss and he went about doing his business. As he dressed up, I told him I had to leave since I was due to meet Sarah. He obliged, and I trotted back out of the house.
I finally managed to get to Dome at around 9, and Sarah was already there, waiting, and funnily, Brad was the one who sent me to the table that Sarah was sitting. She was smiling, so obviously, she wasn't pissed off at my tardiness. 'Hey, sorry for being late?' 'No worries stud. A busy night eh?' I whacked her. 'Yeah, we were having hot wet monkey sex.' She imitated a woman in bliss, which to that, I simply gawked at. 'Alright then, just order.'
We got Brad to take our order, and I simply got a peach pie and a cup of chai tea. She ordered a fruit juice and a slice of cheesecake. Just as I was about to ask her stuff, my phone rang. 'Hello?' 'Hey, Josh here.' 'Oh hey! Yeah?' 'I was just calling, to ask if u wanted to go climb the new wall near my neighborhood...' 'Hmmm. Wait, lemme check it out first.' I thought it over- I was only supposed to meet Mike later on at night, and he had to spend the day with his parents, and my parents were also busy with their work, and sarah had something on later, so I decided to go along with him.
'Alright then. What time?' 'Cool! Be outside borders by 11? Will give ya a lift from there.' 'Ok. See ya there then.' I told Sarah about my latest outing, and she simply shrugged, and continued to gossip with me about the latest news all around the small town here.
By 11, I was there. Not a minute later, his car, a cool looking mustang came up and I hopped in. It was quite cool, and I told him that, to which he only smiled. 'Hey.' 'Cool car.' 'Heh. Anyways, I bought a change of clothes for you, just in case you didn't bring it.' 'Oh yeah! Damn. Oh ok, thanks for it. I'll wash it later-' I opened the bag that contained the clothes, and it came with a nike towel, nike wristband, and his change of clothes was a complete nike apparel for sportswear, casual and accessories. I was quite shocked. 'Whoa Josh. That's a lil too much for a change of clothes, aint it? And it aint my birthday or anything...' 'Nah. Keep it. I got it with a voucher, and I didn't get to thank you anyways.' 'Thank me for what?' He just looked at me from behind his oakley shades, and then back to the road. I shrugged and instinctively looked at his wrist, and thankfully, there weren't any cuts this time.
We reached the place by 11.20, and it was a cool new wall. There was a challenging overhanging escarpment and a speed wall, so it was quite cool for me to first try out on the training walls, then proceed to the 20 degree wall. It was fun, and Josh was enjoying himself too. We climbed the walls together, and when we finally had enough, it was around 1.00pm.
'That was really fun man!' I said as I was about to proceed to the public bathroom to wash up. 'Oh, yeah it was. Anyways, hop in. We'll bathe at my house.' 'Nah, won't want to be a bother to you and stink up your car.' 'No worries. Please? I haven't had friends up there yet...' He did look look quite sad, so I caved in.
When I finally reached the house, I was impressed by it. It was quite grand and magnificent, and his room was very large. He had a nice king-sized bed and a rose-wood bedstead, and he had a photograph on it, though he had covered it up. Trying not to invade his privacy, I ignored it. His room overlooked his pool, so it was a good view. He had a regal couch with his own tv and hifi, and an attached bathroom. Which was where I bathed in, and when I came out, he was already done.
'Thanks a lot for letting me use the bathroom man!' 'No mention. You want lunch?' 'Well, nah. I don't wanna disturb you, and you seem to be expecting someone-' 'No I'm not. Couldn't you stay for lunch?' 'Oh well, I'm kinda hungry anyways.' I smiled. He smiled back. 'Wait here.'
As I walked around his room, I admired the portraits that he did. They were all of a similar vein, drawn with someone in mind, but I couldn't place my mind on it. Just as I was about to go to the balcony, he came back with a trolley of food. Which seemed to be catered from the favorite thai restaurant, Chap thai.
'Whoa. Cool! That's my favorite food!' 'Yeah, I know- It's my favorite food too! Tuck in!' I definitely ate the tomyam soup and the rest of the food, which was great. We talked a lot during the lunch, and he really was a very nice person. He was pensive and reflective and he looked at me in the eye when we were talking, making it look as if he was giving me all the attention. Which was good.
I stood up when I was done and offered to clear up. He refused and told me he would be right back. I shrugged and stretched, and went near to the bedstead. THinking that he wouldn't mind, I sat on his bed, flailing my arms relaxingly as I did it. Unfortunately, it swiped off the photo frame, and it crashed down on the floor. Worryingly, I picked it up. As I put it back on the stand, I found out that it had already cracked.
And it contained a picture of me. And him.
That picture was taken obviously when I was in one of the class parties, cuz I remembered the shirt I wore for it. The photo seemed torn away, and Josh had put his own picture beside it, and his arm was made to seem like it was on my shoulder.
'Hey.' I turned around. Josh was there. 'I'm sorry for this but-' 'So you know it then.' 'Why me Josh? I'm not exactly the kinda guy you would-' But then, he had strode towards me and kissed me full on the lips.
I was about to push him away, when he automatically pushed himself away and apologized for his irrational behaviour. I simply shrugged and said the obvious. 'So you like me.' He looked away, suddenly extremely interested in my nike slingbag. 'Sigh. Why?' He was about to answer me when I spoke up. 'Wait, don't even answer that question. It usually leads to some guilt tripping and unnecessary ego boosting.' 'But I want to tell you everything Seth. Everything I like about you. Let me tell you, please?' 'Whoa. This isn't tell all and get me bedded kinda shit you know?' 'I don't want your body Seth. I want you. Your love. I want you to love me. Like you love Mike.' I casually looked up at him, though in my brain, I could simply have whipped my head at him like a roller coaster does when it is about to crash. 'What makes you think I love Mike? We're not even a couple.' 'Oh please. Who are you kidding? You may kid Don and the rest of the school, but I see how you and Mike react and respond to each other. Cuz I know the looks and talks. That's what I've been giving you all semester. But all you do is to go and look at Mike, not me.' He said bitterly, and coming closer to me on the bed.
'But I don't love you the way I do with Mike Josh.' 'But you could try...' 'I can't. Cuz I know I just think you aren't my type and...' 'You aren't married to him yet. Hell, even if you are, I aint caring. I'm gonna chase you Seth, the typical way, until you see the way I could treat you.' 'Why are you doing this Josh?' 'Because I love you.' 'You don't even know it Josh. You don't. It's just a crush. A teenage crush that will get over.' 'Precisely. That's what you and Mike have. And when it's over, you're gonna see that I'll be the one lasting.' 'Go on dreaming Josh. But I'm sorry, I aint the one for you. Bye!' I grabbed my bags, and left the house. Surprisingly, he didn't chase after me. Though he did leave a message on my phone.
[I'm gonna get you to love me. This i promise you. Love you.]
I just groaned. I was frustrated. This was going nowhere. Now I had three guys who liked me, and I only liked one back. ANd to think that a few years ago I was sobbing that I had no one to love and no one loving me. Sigh. The circle of self pity came right back at me, and the sight wasn't pretty.
Though the sight of running into Mike at home and kissing him fully on the lips was a good one, and did make me forget about Josh for a while. 'Let's sleep. I'm kinda tired.' 'Don't you need to change or something?' 'Whatever made you think I'm sleeping in my clothes?' 'Naughty boy.' 'Naughty for you, hon.' 'Whatever. Love you.' I gave him a peck on the cheek, and then we proceeded to strip down to our boxers, then crept into bed, and I cuddled him as he slept. I wasn't really tired, so I let him sleep and watched him dream sweets dreams on my chest, and feel his breath tickle my chest. He held closely to my waist, and his hair tickled my nose. I breathed in deeply, completely at ease with the scent.
And all I thought for that moment was, 'God. What did I do for deserving Mike?' Cheesy as it sounded, it came straight from a realist's heart, which was what made it solid and real.
'Where were you?' 'I went rock-climbing with Josh, why?' 'Oh, nevermind. Just asking. C'here...' 'I'm exercising Mike, if you're awake, go and wash up or something, you stink. 'Like you don't. And damn, why can't you let me wake up in your arms or something, fulfil the fairytale wish...' 'Quit dreaming. Go.' I smiled as he stumbled into my bathroom. I continued to exercise on my treadmill, and when he finally came out, he sat on my bed and started to fold his dirty clothes back into his bag, and he was humming along to the song that I was playing, rather loudly I might add, in the background, which happened to be Bjork's Human Behaviour. He saw me looking at him, and simply smiled back at me and went on doing his stuff.
I was all done ten minutes later and collapsed on my bed, beside Mike, who simply hovered on top of me, smirking. 'Look who's sweaty and dirty now?' 'One more word and I'll swear you'll have to bathe again.' 'Heh-' I playfully pulled him down on me and kissed him full on the lips; he reciprocated before pushing me away, and holding his nose in mock disgust, 'Ewww... now look what you've done, spoilt my shirt and all...' 'Shut up. I'm gonna bathe.' I walked to the bathroom, hearing him hum along to the tune. I came out ten minutes later, and was wearing a long sleeve t shirt which said 'right' in front and a pair of clothes pants. I tumbled right into Mike's arms, and he cradled me softly and breathed in my scent.
'So where do you wanna go today?' He whispered softly, stroking my wet, tousled hair. 'I wanna stay in your arms like that.' 'As much as that is an interesting proposition, my stomach will disagree with you on that.' I laughed. He poked my nose. 'Fine. Wherever you want babe.' 'Are your rents gonna be home soon?' 'Their flight's gonna be coming in at around 3 in the morning, so they told me not to go fetch them or something, so it should be fine, I guess. Why?' 'We could order in pizza you know, and have our own little two person time.' 'Sounds fine with me. The phone's there.' 'Do I have to carry you with me to order the pizza hon?' I giggled, and then pulled away from him reluctantly, to go and switch on the TV.
Thus, throughout the night, we ate pizza, drank coke, and watched tv. A rather boring and mundane cycle. But it was the company that made the most exciting orgasm look boring. Well, the comparison is weird, but then again. We were weird. So there. He went back home at around 11, and then I slept peacefully.
The next day, Mike was there waiting for me with Sarah, with my obligatory hot lemon tea. I wordlessly waved to them, and thankfully swallowed down my lifesaver. The first lesson of the day was boring literature, and I went down to my locker to get my stuff for the day.
The thing about lockers in my school is that there is a rather big ventilation hole on top, so therefore, any kind of letters or objects which were below 30cm in width and 20cm in length could pass through it. Which is why when I opened it up, I saw a letter addressed to me in my locker. Not wanting Mike to see it, I quickly hid it in one of my literature notebooks and went off with him to the lecture theatre.
Once there, I excused myself to go to the toilet, and I opened the letter, which I had managed to conceal in one of the many pockets in my jacket. It was from Josh, and it was a short and simple letter, albeit it being sweet and nice:
Dear Seth, How are you today? Hope everything's fine. I'm sorry if yesterday traumatized you. I'll try to be more tactful next time. Have a nice day, and remember, there's always someone around the corner looking out for you, taking care of you. I do love you. Love, Josh. P.S. Hope you find the voucher useful. grin.
I looked at the so-called voucher. It was a 50 dollar voucher to eat in Dome. I simply couldn't accept this gift of sorts. As I walked back to the theatre, I tried to think of various ways of giving it back to him, then an idea struck me. Use the very same method that he used to give me his letter.
Literature was a bore, and Mike kinda fell asleep during the lesson, though his hand was firmly in mine, beneath my jacket. Sarah as usual, with Donen, was furiously taking notes and nodding at every single thing that Mr. Gloucester said, and all I did was to occasionally scribble notes down.
I was spinning my pen around when it fell to the floor, and I bent down to pick it up. As I returned to my original position, I caught a glimpse of Josh. He was looking straight at me. I turned away from his line of vision, embarrassed and admittedly, a little frightened. The lesson ended 30 minutes later, and I rushed out of the theatre relieved. Mike and I had separate classes after this, and we would meet each other only at around 5, since he had his soccer training. I discreetly walked up to Josh's locker, and seeing no one there, put in the letter quickly back into the locker, and saying, I'm sorry.
Allow me to speed the events up all the way to around 4.45, when I was already in the mood to pack my bags, take my things and meet mike outside at the school gate to go to his house. I was kinda used to this arrangement, and people were starting to get used to seeing both of us travelling home together. The reaction wasn't what I expected it would be, and that could also had been Sarah's doing, since the whole school thought that Sarah was Mike's new target, since they always met each other before school started, but none gave a thought to me, since perhaps, I was the mutual best friend, and thank god the stupid minion didn't rat on any of us, but then again, there was nothing he could rat about.
I went outside to wait for him, and found a beautiful red sun rising. It was a good sight, and I just sat there, waiting, and listening to the tunes of bjork through my headsets. Suddenly, I felt a vibration in my pocket. I answered the phone. 'Hello?' 'Seth, this is Sarah!' 'Yeah?' 'Come quick to the bleachers, there's been an acc-' The line was cut off, most likely due to the low battery sign that my phone had emanated. But I didn't need any clue to what she was saying. Thus, immediately, I let my legs carry me as fast down to the bleachers, where Mike usually was after soccer training. When I reached there, there was a huge crowd of jocks, and I did see Jake, who did acknowledge my presence. I managed to find Sarah, but when I found her, I found Mike.
Lying down on the bench, and with his chest having a huge bruise near the left rib cage. I think I almost broke down on the spot. I rushed forward towards him, and Sarah, upon seeing me, gave a huge sob and hugged me. I hugged her back furiously, and prevented the tears from falling, afraid to give our relationship away. Mike looked kinda unconscious. I tried to look at him and just choked back. Sarah, upon seeing this, simply hugged me and pushed my face against her neck, and I heard her whisper, 'get yourself together or they'll suspect.'
The paramedics came around 4 minutes later, and they carried him to the ambulance. Sarah, knowing that I wanted to go along, ordered me to take care of 'my boy', and said that she had to go home to tell her rents first. The crowd seemed to agree with this, and Coach had told me to take care of Mike. In the ambulance, I finally heard what happened.
He was having soccer practice, and came back first to the bleachers, and the boys always thought because he was horny and wanted to get it on with Sarah. They were telling the half truth, actually, but I didn't put that in. And supposedly, when Donen came in, he saw Mike lying there like that, and he didn't need second thoughts to call the paramedics to come over to the school. So obviously, it wasn't an accident. Someone wanted him to be like this.
So the sun was red not because it wanted to be. Because blood was spilt. (ala Lord of the Rings.)
I waited in pure anxiousness the whole time, and the doctor told me (his parents were rushing down) that he suffered from internal bleeding, but luckily, none of his ribs were broken, but just that his lungs were kinda in bad shape. I was relieved, but worried at the same time.
It was eight when I finally managed to see Mike. My rents knew where I was, and they sent their regards to Mike. His rents were there too by then, and they hugged me when they found out what had happened. They requested to see Mike, and the nurse relented but said that only family could visit. Which meant that I would be left out. But then, his father immediately cut in and said, 'He's part of the family. He can come in.' I was touched, shocked and pleased at the same time. Aunt just simply squeezed my shoulder tightly.
When I went into the room, and saw Mike, I just broke down. I excused myself and went into the bathroom, where I started to sob. He looked so injured, so damaged, and part of me knew it was my fault that landed him where he was. I suspected that Josh did it, but could he have done that? I didn't believe it. I came out 15 minutes later, and went besides Mike, who had bandage across his chest and had a drip. He looked perfectly normal, save for the bandage. He was still sedated; his oxygen supply was traced with a sedative, but supposedly, it would have to taken out 3 hours later. We stayed that way, me looking at him, his parents quietly choking back sobs, and on the other side.
'You really love him, don't you? Without looking away from him, I nodded. 'Mike should be so pleased.' 'I don't want him to be pleased. I want him to be alright.'
When it was around 1, his rents decided to leave him in the care of me, and I had already decided that I'd skip school. My rents were understanding in that, and let me be. After all, tomorrow only had a geography lecture and gym lessons, which I was not particularly interested in.
Thus, it was beside him that I slept unfitfully, but always with his hand in mine, underneath the blankets that covered him.
I think it was a beep that woke me up, but when I woke up, I was extremely disoriented. It took me a while to realize that I was still beside Mike, had a blanket over my crouching body, and that I was still wearing the uniform. And of course, Mike awake and staring at me. When he saw me wake up, he smiled.
That smile made me feel so relieved, and I think if not for the fact that my breath stank and that he wasn't feeling too well, I would have kissed him right on the spot. But wait, this was a public place. Not good...
'Hey... Don't answer me k? You're still not in really good condition.' He simply nodded. 'You want breakfast or anything?' I squeezed his hand. He nodded again. 'I'll get the nurse.' I was about to stand up when he squeezed my hand again. 'Don't worry, I won't leave you. I just need to get the phone babe.' And then, I looked at him, and risked a peck on his cheek. 'I love you.'
By the afternoon, he was better, and the oxygen line was taken out. He looked perfectly normal, though his chest still hurt. Which was why when he wanted me to share the bed with him, I was kinda skeptical. Oh, and he was talking too. Seemed that the attack hadn't destroyed his vocal cords.
'Share the bed with me...' 'Nah... I don't wanna hurt you, which I most probably will.' He had then tried to sit up, but winced at the pain. I immediately stood up, and let him go down slowly. 'Please???' 'But I stink.' He smiled. 'I don't really care. Please? I need to feel you.'
The arrangement was no doubt weird. Since the bed was a double single, it gave me space to sit and Mike still having his back on the bed. I sidled up to him, and his right arm held me close to him. So in a way, while Mike was facing towards the ceiling, I was facing him, and allowed myself to nuzzle into his neck, and playfully nibbled his neck. He moaned.
'Enough of me?' 'I never can get enough of you.' I blushed. My right hand was on his other shoulder, and he tried to maximize contact with me. 'God, I miss your smell, you.' I smiled.
Maybe it was the soft bed that made me doze off again, and when I woke up, Sarah and his parents were there again, and the time was around 5. Sheepishly, I tried to wake up and go back to a more, ahem, conservative position. His rents simply said, 'Don't mind us, and don't disturb Mike. He's sleeping so peacefully.' I just smiled, and Sarah came over to the other side, to greet me and see Mike. She then waved her goodbye, and said, 'You take care of Mike. Love ya stud. Bye.' I said bye to her too, and then Mike's rents told me that they were going down to eat. I nodded, and saw Mike. He was still sleeping.
When I woke up, his arm was still around me, and when I tried to move away, he tightened the grip on me. Slowly, but carefully, I tried to get out of his grasp, which I did, and stuffed a pillow in my place. I then went to freshen up, and went his rents came back, told them I was going home to wash up and get new clothes and such. They complied, and I went back, but relieved that Mike was at least, ok.
'How's Mike?' 'Better now.' 'Ask him to take care of himself, that guy is nice.' My dad said from behind the newspaper. 'Alright dad. Will do. Anyways, I'm staying here tonight, but will be going back there tomorrow. That fine with you?' 'Sure. But your mum and I are going down to Brussels again, to close the deal. So there. You take care of yourself too yeah?' 'WIll do dad. Thanks.' I bound up the stairs, hearing my dad call from downstairs, 'And I've added funds into your account.'
I just smiled, and fitfully slept.
Sarah was there in school waiting for me, with the obligatory lemon tea, and I said thanks. No one knew that I had been with Mike the previous night, so all of them was asking Sarah on how Mike was. She simply gave them a general reply, but that, in my own personal view of Sarah, was simply a way to blow them off. Which she told me when we were having lunch, before I went down to the hospital.
'So sorry to hog the limelight.' 'Don't worry girl. You've got me covered, and I'm thankful for that.' 'Nah. That was nothing. I'm just feeling bad that I'm the one getting all the credit, when you've obviously been the one.' I just smiled.
When I went down to the hospital, Mike was there and so were his jock friends. Sensing conflict, I backed down. I lurked around the cafeteria and read a book while sipping tea. It was around 4 when I thought the coast was clear, and went up to see him. Thankfully, his friends were already gone, and when I went in, his eyes brightened up. 'Hey!' 'Hey yourself. Feeling better?' I said as I went forward and hugged him. 'Feeling better now, since you're now with me.' I was about to kiss him when suddenly the door opened and Donen walked in.
'Oh, Hi!' I said a little too enthusiastically. 'Hey... Why are you here?' 'He's here to visit me- Sarah couldn't come.' Donen simply shrugged and smiled, and then squeezed my shoulder, and left the room; he left his sweater behind.
'That was fucking close.' 'Yeah it was.' Then he smiled at me. 'Lock the door.' I wagged my finger at him, 'Now now, you're just healing, and you want hospital sex already??' 'Horndog. I just wanna hug you, and I don't want unwanted and surprised visitors. Only the nurses have the keys, and yesterday showed them more than they needed to know already.' My eyes bogged out. 'What???' 'Just go lock the door hon.' I pouted, and went to do exactly as he said. I crept into his bed, and hugged him, and then kissed him. He was more mobile today, and he could at least lie on his side. So I spooned him, his back against my chest, and my arms encircling him at his navel area. We stayed in that position fitfully, none of us wanting to spoil the closeness.
'The doctor says I can go back by the next day.' 'That's good babe. I can't wait to have you back proper.' I snuggled into his neck, breathing his scent. 'What exactly happened?' 'I only remember someone suddenly coming from my back, covering me with a bag, and then using a baseball bat, I think, to swing into me once, then leave.' 'That's weird. Why would anyone do that?' 'Exactly. I've got no shit with anyone.' He struggled to be closer to me. I pulled him in further. 'Yeah. This feels good. I love you Mike.' 'I love you too Seth.'