Hello everyone! I'm having so much fun writing this story, you have no idea. I hope you like what you have read so far and are excited to find out what happens next. Also, I hope you fall in love with these characters during this series as much as I. Most are based on actual people who are the most extraordinary human beings that have walked this earth. Well, then I leave you to my story. Enjoy and comment!
Love, Joey ----------
Joey's Tale
Chapter 3
"Weird question: If I like someone I totally shouldn't but I can't help it, should I tell that person?"
Alex' question had thrown me off base. For a moment I thought that he was picking this random moment to profess his hidden feelings for me. In that small space of time my mind worked on double time to try and think back on our scarce time together and try to remember any hidden signs that would have revealed his crush. A wink or a light touch here and there, but there was nothing that would make me consider that Alex, my cute new friend, with those dreamy green eyes.
As I unfolded the note that he passed at the end of that class I felt my heart skip a beat when I read what was inside.
"It's a little more complicated than that, but thank you for your advice, and I will let you know how it goes. You truly are something special, Joey."
I must have read that note a thousand times and more. At first I was disappointed, assuming that by letting me know how it went, he meant that I was not a part of whatever he was planning on doing, but as I showed it to Sarah on our History class, she said that it was totally meant for me.
"I think he's trying to see how you would react to his feelings if he were ever to expose them to you." She said simply but then she tilted her head in doubt and asked what I was dreading to hear.
"How would you react, anyway?" She was always so blunt with things I could've almost laughed.
"I don't know, Sarah. I'm really confused, I mean, I like him and already think of him as a best friend but I'm not sure I'm physically attracted to him. But I must say, now that I think of it, he would make the cutest boyfriend." I said almost without thinking.
Sarah's eyes widened as a smile crept to her freckled face. "OMG I knew it! You do LIKE him!" She said a little too loudly for my comfort.
We went on and on discussing whether or not the note meant anything and whether I should say something to him when everyone around us started gathering their things as the teacher was letting us leave early. We had lunch period next so we just gravitated towards the cafeteria to our usual table and found that Dylan was already there.
He greeted me cheerfully and motioned for me to sit next to him. Now that Sarah had mentioned that he might have a crush on me I started to pay extra attention to how he acted around me.
He always seemed to take in every word I said with patience, yet eagerness to know what was on my mind. I liked the way his eyes looked a very light grey color today that could easily pass as blue and I found that I loved the way they made me feel like I was the center of attention.
"... do you like them, Joey?" I heard him say.
"Yes, I love them" I said dreamily. Oh my God, was I crushing on Dylan? "Wait, no, I mean, I do, but... what are you asking about exactly?" I asked nervously.
"Ferry boats." He said with a smile. "I was saying that I love ferry boats and haven't been on one in quite a while."
"Oh, yeah, I've never really been on one, but they seem kind of cool..." I said in low voice. I was kind of disappointed and embarrassed that I would think he was flirting with me when he was just talking about a stupid boat.
"Hello you guys!" Said the ever-cheerful Lacey. She was probably one of the cutest girls on the school. She had beautiful blond hair and blue eyes that would make any American proud of his or her country. She had been dating Chris for just a couple of months but we could see that they were going to last long. Chris is a year older than us, like Dylan, and is on the football team.
Lacey seemed more cheerful than usual and was just beaming at us, waiting for someone to ask about her obvious good news. I decided to help her out and asked,
"Is there any particular reason for your enthusiasm? Besides today being taco Friday I mean."
"Tacos are not the only exciting thing about today! Guess who is officially a new member of our high school's cheerleading squad!" She screamed in joy as everyone on the table applauded her and said their congratulations. We all swore to attend to all of her games we could and just then Alex walked in and sat beside me.
"What's all the fuss about?" he asked as we told him about Lacey's good news and he joined the congratulations.
"We should celebrate this!" Chris said suddenly, making everyone look at him.
"Tonight you are all invited to come to my house to celebrate Lacey's accomplishment and your survival of your first week in High School."
We all agreed excitedly and made plans as to what we were going to do that night. I remember thinking how easy it was to have friends and just be happy. Why couldn't I have met them some years ago? But still, I didn't know how they would react if they found out I was gay. Sarah was totally ok with it, but I still am not sure if Chris and Lacey would accept me. Alex had sent me that mysterious note, but it is just as likely that he is or is not talking about me. Dylan was somewhat flirty towards me, but maybe I was just misinterpreting this whole thing and starting to crush on a boy that would never return my feelings. Another boy that would just use me, my body, my soul and then just leave me out in the cold to cry myself to sleep every night for countless days. I felt a sudden urge to cry, run and stay away from everyone. I got up and said something about needing some air and practically bolted out of the cafeteria to the shocked faces of my friends and some other adjoining tables.
I ran outside the school and sat under one of the huge oak trees with my arms wrapped around my knees and just shut my eyes to the world. I was really trying to pull myself together but the urge to just lose myself in the dark embrace of self pity seemed too strong to fight off. I was on the verge of tears when I felt a warm hand place itself on my arm. I shook the contact away in surprise and look up to see who it was.
Dylan was sitting right in front of me. His sweet grey eyes reflected how nervous he was and how much he wanted to make things better. I tried to look away but he just seemed to hold on to me with his mere gaze. It was as if his eyes and mine had created an intangible bond that forced us to look at each other exclusively.
He approached me again, slowly, carefully. He gently put his lean but muscled arm across my shoulders and oh so softly pressed my head into his chest. I panicked inside at first, but then I let myself ease into the gentle contact and feel the warmth of his embrace. As I felt myself relax and enjoy his hug I felt how countless tears ran down my face and quiet sobs abandoned my body. Dylan just sat there, not asking any questions, just holding me and calmly repeating to me that everything was going to be just fine.
I gathered myself up and gently reincorporated to my original sitting position. I suddenly felt embarrassed by my display of weakness but Dylan's comforting smile made me feel warm inside. I wanted to trust this beautiful boy in front of me but I was just so afraid of being hurt again that I didn't know how to behave around him.
"Are you ok, Joey?" He asked softly. He really had a sexy voice, I hadn't noticed.
"I am now." I answered with my best attempt in a smile.
"Well I think I know exactly what you need." He said confidently. "I'm going to take you for your very first ferry ride today. We can go this afternoon and then meet up with everyone at Chris house. What do you think?" He asked excitedly. I could tell he was as nervous as I felt but his eyes looked at me with such a strong emotion that I would have to name as hope, that there was no way I could turn him down.
"I think it sounds like a great idea." I said with a more enthusiastic smile now. I could see an internal sigh of relief and excitement in Dylan's eyes before he gave me another quick hug. I blushed at his sudden contact which seemed to please Dylan as he got up and offered me a hand. He had such strong, manly hands, with skin so soft I could just imagine how good they must feel as they caress my face, my arms, my chest, my thighs, my butt. Oh my God, I was totally tenting my jeans!
I don't think Dylan noticed, or if he did he didn't show it, as we walked happily back into the school. As we entered we heard the bell and said goodbye to each other I found myself almost skipping to my next class. I sat on my usual seat and was the first one on the classroom. The other students took their seats and I saw Alex come in and look at me before talking his seat besides mine.
"Hey man, are you ok?" he asked with a concerned look on his face.
"Yeah, don't worry. I'm sorry that I went off like that, I just needed some air and time to think." I said calmly. He seemed to relax but there was something that was clearly bothering him.
"So what was the note all about?" I asked all of the sudden. He wasn't expecting me to ask about it.
"Oh! Well, I assumed you would... but no why would you, I mean... mmm, ok, look, why don't we talk after school? We could grab a burger or something, whatever you like." He said.
"Yeah I would like that! Oh! But I can't today; I told Dylan that I would go with him on a ferry ride before the small party at Chris' house." I said apologetically. I saw his face turn from smile to a weird blank suddenly. He seemed to be confused and I would dare say angry about what I had just said.
He was about to say something when the bell rang, indicating the start of the class. He just closed his mouth and looked forward for the entire duration of the class. He never pays that much attention to literature class, so what I said about going out with Dylan must have bothered him so much he wouldn't even look at me. As the class ended he said something about a project he had to do and walked out of the room quickly. It was the last class of the day, so I walked over to where Mary usually parks her car.
I saw her talking excitedly to a bunch of younger girls I assume to be the new cheerleaders, Lacey being one of them.
"Hey little bro!" She hugged me when she saw me. "You didn't tell me one of your friends was trying out for the team!" She said.
"Well, I'm sure it wouldn't have made any difference, as Lacey will be a great addition to your squad" I said and smile towards a very eager Lacey. We said goodbye to the girls and headed for her car. Once we were in she asked about my day and I told her pretty much everything. Maybe I might have tuned down my little anxiety attack, but I didn't want Mary to have to worry about me at school anymore. I know she had also been through a lot and really wanted her to live her life and not worry about protecting her little brother.
"So, this Dylan boy asked you out on an actual date?" She asked smiling broadly. Oh God, I hadn't realized! This would be my first High School date! I suddenly got super nervous.
"Wow I really hadn't thought about it that much. I don't know what I'm going to wear! I don't suppose there is a dress code for ferry boat riding, but still what if he's expecting me to go formal and I don't or he thinks I'm weird for dressing too formally!" I said with increasing speed as I felt the nervousness grow inside me.
My sister just laughed and said "Don't worry kiddo, we'll find you the perfect outfit for your hot date. You'll make his jaw drop!" She said enthusiastically.
When we got home I called Sarah from my cell to let her know of my date and she immediately asked her mom to drive her to my house and help me get ready.
Between Mary, Sarah and me, we selected the perfect outfit and helped me fix my hair so it showed off especially nice today. I don't think I've been this excited about anything ever before!
=) I hope you enjoyed reading this chapter and are anxious to know how the next events are going to unfold. As each chapter passes you get more clues as to what happened in Joey's past, but yet meet new puzzles as every character has his/her own story behind. I would love for you guys to comment on what you have read so far and specifically about this chapter. I really hope you liked it and can't wait to receive your feedback. By the way, I think it'll be hard for me to upload new material these upcoming days as I have a trip planned, but I'll try my best to sneak in some computer time to continue writing Joey's Tale. In the meanwhile I would love for you guys to send guesses or suggestions as to how you think the story will unfold from this point on. Anyway, I hope to hear from you soon and thank you for your support.
Love,
Joey