Manic Mike

Mike froze as he felt the heat of Jack’s hand envelope his shaft, and then retract his foreskin. “What the hell are you doing?” he said and smacked Jack’s hand away. “I’m sorry, please don’t hate me,” Jack said through sobs. “I don’t care. You had no right to touch me like that. Stay away from me,” Mike said and got into bed. Jack continued sobbing as he climbed into bed next to Mike who rolled away from him and placed a barrier of pillows between them. For the longest time they lay awake, neither daring to speak or look at the other until sleep finally over took them. In the morning Mike was the first one up and rushed through his morning routine before he had to deal with the blonde. As he was putting on a new pair of boxers Jack walked into the bathroom, his piss hard on leading the way. They exchanged glares and Mike finished getting dressed, though when he caught a glimpse of Jack’s penis his gaze lingered. He tried ignoring it but Mike’s eyes kept finding their way back to the pink flesh. Jack shook off then turned to Mike. “Look about last night, don’t tell anyone,” Jack said his ears turning red. “Last night never happened and come Monday you stay as far from me as possible or the whole school will know,” Mike said as he made his way to breakfast. Jack clinched his fist then hit the wall. How could he have been so stupid, he thought to himself as he rubbed his sore hand and went to breakfast. “I see the love birds had a little tiff,” James said and burst into laughter. “Honestly James grow up and leave the boys alone,” Shelia said smacking James’ head. “What, it’s true. They haven’t so much as even looked at each other this whole time.” “James let it go. Mike dear what’s wrong with you and Jack?” Shelia said. “Nothing we’re fine, “Mike and Jack said at the same time. “Mmhhm, I wasn’t born yesterday you know mister. Well you can tell me when you’re ready. Now Jack when do you want to go home?” Shelia said while she got James another helping of biscuits with gravy. “If it’s not too much trouble after breakfast Ms Smith,” Jack said as he played with the eggs on his plate. “No problem dear James will take you home.” “What why me?” “Because it’s your week to do the grocery shopping and Jack’s house is on the way,” Shelia said with her hands akimbo as she glared down at James. “But last week…” James’ sentence was cut off when Shelia locked eyes with him and he nodded. Jack gathered his things and the boys gave the other a forced smile as they waved goodbye. “Alright mister spill, what’s going on between you guys,” Shelia said once they were alone. “Nothing OK, just drop it,” Mike said as he got up from the table to do the dish. “Right, then care to tell me why last night you were curled up on the couch with him, and this morning you looked ‘bout ready to rip his head off.” “I don’t want to talk about it Mom.” “Look baby you can talk to me about anything, and I do mean anything. You’re at that age when you discover sex and…” “Eww Mom. We are not having the talk,” Mike said pulling a sour face. “Yeas we are, or would you rather I have your father give you it?” she said and laughed at the terror stricken look on Mike’s face before continuing, “Thought not. Now, as I was saying it’s quite common for boys to experiment together. It doesn’t mean you’re weird or gay, not that I’d love ya any less if you were. Just remember to be safe and don’t let anyone talk you into doing something you’re not comfortable with.” “God do you know how embarrassing this is, and I’m so not gay!” Mike said sticking his nose in the air and puffing out his chest. “Well I’d rather you are embarrassed then me being a grandmother before I’m 35. I don’t even want you thinking about having sex till at least college, but I know that’s not going to happen. So come to me when you do and I’ll buy you condoms.” “Ok,” Mike said rather stunned at his mother’s frankness and went back to doing the dishes. Shelia walked behind Mike and wrapped him in her arms holding him close to her chest. “God Mom let go you’re smothering me,” Mike said through a fit of giggles. “Never! No matter what you’ll always be my baby boy, ya hear,” Shelia said as she tickled Mike. Monday morning when Jack went to sit next him Mike put his book bag on the seat and refused to move it until Loraine intervened. Mike put in his ears buds and ignored Jack for the rest of the ride. “Hey I’m sorry can we just forget what happened?” Jack begged the other boy. It was the end of the day and Mike had done everything in his power to avoid jack all day. He turned the volume on his MP3 player up and turned away from the blonde boy. On the ride home Jack tried to apologize again, but Mike blew him off and so this pattern continued as the weeks went by until jack had enough. As soon as he sat down he yanked the ear buds from Mike’s ear and started in before he could be cut off. “Look I’m sorry can we just go back to how things were before. I know you liked hanging out with me. Come on you know ya did admit it. The water fight, wrestling around on your bed, me pwning ya in Modern Warfare 2; good times dude so let’s do it again,” Jack said in his squeaky voice. Mike turned him looked directly into his eyes when he spoke. “No you violated my space and I told you what would happen if you kept bugging me, so by the end of today everyone will know what a freak you are.” “No you can’t do that my life will be over. Please I promise to never bug you again if you just don’t tell,” Jack said on the verge of tears. Mike nodded his head and the pair never spoke again. When Jack saw Mike in the halls he tried not to let the other boy get him down, but the scorn in the other boy’s eyes always made his heart break. Time marched on and soon it was the last day of school. Jack was busy cleaning out his locker when he bumped into Mike by the trash cans. They exchanged hesitant looks then Jack broke the ice, “Hey can you believe we’re finally seniors now and all the 6th graders will be our bitches.” “Yeah but we go back to being nothings come 9th grade,” Mike said as he tossed his trash bag into the can. “Yeah that sucks, but anyways I’m sorry about what happened that night I slept over. Friends?” Jack said extending his hand. Mike looked down at pale appendage then said, “No thanks.” “Oh come, on you can’t still be mad about that. Besides you know you miss me,” Jack said flashing mike his goofy grin. “And you think that why exactly?” “Because I miss you,” Jack said and offered his hand again. “OK but no funny business or I’m going to kick your skinny white ass,” Mike said shaking Jack’s hand. “Hey and when did you see my ass? I’ll have you know it’s fabulous,” Jack said with mock indignation. “Right,” Mike said as he walked back to his locker. “Screw you man!” Jack said and swatted Mike on the butt when he returned. “Hey that’ll be five dollars and you know you’d be the one riding my jock,” Mike said smirking at Jack. “Didn’t know you were a hooker, and you know you want all of this,” Jack said running his hand down his chest. “Who’s your dealer ‘cuz you must be on one,” Mike said and flipped him off. “Whatever. Like I’d let you fuck anyways,” Jack said flashing his cocky grin. “Bitch please, like you could handle my anaconda,” Mike said as he smacked Jack’s butt. “Looks like the fags have kissed and made up,” David Anderson said. “Take that back right now, or I swear to God I’ll beat your ass,” Mike said after he charged the larger boy and pinned him against the locker. “Jesus Christ Mike, I was just kidding. Now back up off me,” The brown haired boy said as he struggled against Mike’s grip before he released David. “You’re lucky I’m going to High school next year, or your ass would be dead. Ouch!” David said and doubled over after Mike drove his elbow into the boy’s stomach. “What the hell was that about?” Jack said as they walked to the bus. Mike turned to him and shrugged his shoulders. “Bullshit you don’t just manhandle a dude like David and shrug it off, spill.” “If you must know Dad made me take Karate and jujitsu since I was 7.” “Remind me not to piss you off,” Jack said as they walked to their seat. “If I wanted to hurt you I would have,” Mike said ruffled Jack’s hair. “Hey not the hair,” he said fussing over his hair. “Ha, you’re such a girl,” Mike said earning him a noogie from Jack. “You two cut it out back there,“ Loraine said through a fit of giggles. “See you later man, have a nice summer,” Mike said to Jack as he left the bus. “You’re not getting rid of me that easy, I’m coming over first thing tomorrow morning you hear,” Jack shouted out the window as the bus pulled away. Mike shook his head and went inside. “Wakey wakey sleepy head,” Jack said and pounced on Mike. “Ugh get off me you spaz. What time is it anyways?” Mike said through a yawn. “Eight in the morning,” Jack said. “Fuck no. It’s too early to deal with you. Don’t ya know it’s like against the law to be up before noon during Summer Vacation,” Mike said as he pulled the covers over his head and then shoved the blonde off him. “Oh no you don’t,” Jack said and began tickling Mike’s feet. “You little shit this means war,” Mike said then pulled Jack on top of him and wrapped his legs around the boy’s stomach. “Hey what the…“ Jack tried to say but was cutoff when Mike put him in a side headlock. “I rule you bitch and don’t you forget it,” Mike said then released Jack. The boys pulled apart huffing then sat catching their breath. “So what are we gonna do today?” Jack said stretching out on the bed next to Mike. “Same thing we do everyday Pinky, try to take over the world,” Mike said tossing a pillow at Jack. The other boy groaned and soon an all out pillow fight ensued. “Truce,” Mike said and took a hit from his inhaler. The pair sprawled out on Mike’s bed and fell into a comfortable silence. Then Jack’s hand brushed against Mike and he freaked out. “Relax accidents happen, no biggie,” Mike said and ruffled Jack’s hair. “So are you gonna spend all day in just your boxers?” Jack said smirking. “Like you aren’t enjoying the free show,” Mike shot back and kicked Jack’s leg. “Hey watch it Bigfoot,” Jack said swatting Mike on his knee. “Well you know what they say about guys with big feet.” “Ha, you’re not that big.” “Bigger than yours,” Mike said arching his eyebrow. “And when the hell did you see my cock, huh?” “In the bathroom the morning after you groped me.” “Oh,” Jack said lowering his head before continuing, “About that, look let’s just forget it ever happen, OK?” “That’s gonna hard seeing how I was scarred for life,” Mike said “Please you drama queen it wasn’t that bad,” Jack said tossing a pillow Mike’s way. “I’m not talking about that numb nut. My mom gave me the sex talk after you left. You have no idea how awkward that was.” “God I would have just died if that was me. So Like what she say.” “Just to kept it in my pants until college and if not go to her and she’ll get me condoms. She also said all the weird stuff about guys messing around together and basically asked if I was gay. I corrected her right then 'cuz my ass is exit only. Speaking of which why’d you cop a feel on my Johnson?” “I was just curious, OK? Never saw a guy with all that skin, plus you’re like the first black guy I ever seen. I’m not gay I swear, I mean don’t you ever wonder how you compare to other guys?” Jack said hoping Mike would believe him. “I mean yeah I was curious when I saw yours, but that’s because it’s so weird looking.” “How is it weird looking huh?” Jack said as his face began to flush. “Duh it’s freaking hot pink.” “No it’s not you shit head. I’ll whip it out and prove it to you,” Jack said unbuttoning his pants. “No thanks maybe later, now come on. I’m so gonna kick your ass in Call of Duty today,” Mike said firing up his PS3. “In your dreams dude I’m so pwning your ass,” Jack said grabbing a controller and they spent the rest of the day trying to blow the other’s head off and when it was time for Jack to leave Mike pulled him into a one armed hug. Jack left that day grinning from ear to ear. Over the following weeks the boys became inseparable: every day at 8AM sharp the blonde bounded into Mike’s room and woke him by tickling his feet then the pair wrestled around until Mike put him into a submission hold and the rest of the day was spent with video games and TV. On the days Mike had Martial Arts Jack would be there waiting for him on the couch when he got home. Jack never gave up on his quest to win Mike’s heart and so when they were alone he’d do things to get the boy’s attention. He’d streak around the room, moon the other boy, or flash his cock. To which Mike would tell him to cover his skinny ass and stop acting so gay. Jack would turn it around on him and ask why Mike always looked if he didn’t like the view. Once he even woke Mike up by rubbing his bare ass on the boy’s morning wood—Jack couldn’t sit for a week after the spanking Mike gave him and never tried that again. The blonde was losing all hope he’d ever make any progress with Mike then his luck changed. “You’re late,” Jacked pouted then tackled Mike and began tickling him. “OK, OK I missed you too now stop it,” Mike said pinning Jack under him then rubbing the blonde’s face in his sweaty pits. “Dude that’s rank, let me go,” Jack said trying to fight Mike off him. “Not ‘til you say it.” “I’m your bitch and you own me,” Jack sputtered out in between gagging. Mike released him and tossed him a coke. “To answer your question we had a belt ranking test in Karate and I made black belt, woot!” Mike said fists pumping in the air as he did a victory dance. “Congrats how ‘bout we celebrate with a sleepover?” “How’s about a blow job instead?” Mike said causing Jack’s jaw to drop. “Seriously?” “Ha, no I’m joking. You should know that by now. As much time as your ass is over here we should be charging ya rent,” Mike said then turned the TV to Sports Center. “Yeah, ha ha,” Jack said playing along, “So tell me can you cum yet?” “I’ve been shooting since I was 11.” “Bullshit I didn’t start making cum ‘til I was your age. No way you could cum before me,” Jack said getting in Mike’s face. “Oh yeah motherfucker I’ll prove it, come on,” he said dragging Jack to his room and locking the door. “Why so serious? Dude I was just breaking your balls a bit.” “Shut up and watch,” Mike said as he pulled down his shorts and began jacking off. Jack looked on mesmerized as the boy’s fist worked over the bulbous head and shaft, eyes closed. Jack hesitated then joined the black boy on the bed, taking his 3.5 inches in hand. Mike turned and they locked eyes, then both smiled and continued stroking, their thighs rubbing against each other. The only sounds in the room were their husky breaths and skin slapping against skin. Mike felt the familiar tingling sensation begin in his toes and work its way to his balls. His breath hitched then his orgasm was upon him. “Oh fuck!” he said arching his back and firing off two massive spurts of cum. The sight was too much for Jack to handle and he erupted, sending three impressive spurts on to his pale stomach. Jack and Mike turned to each other, nodded and the race was on again. Jack reached over and grabbed Mike’s five inches. Mike pulled the blonde into his lap then wrapped his hands around their erections and began pumping. Soon sweat rolled down their faces as Mike brought them closer to the point of no return. Jack tried to hold back his orgasm, but the combined sensations were too much and he fired his second load of the day. Mike’s wad joined Jack’s not long after and they retreated to opposite sides of the bed. “That was fucking awesome,” Jack said panting. “Yeah and if you tell anyone, I’ll break your neck,” Mike said then they drifted off. Their slumber was interrupted by Shelia pounding on the door. “Fuck,” Mike whispered and the boys scrambled to get presentable. “I’ve been knocking for the past ten minutes, go wash up dinner’s ready and Jack’s mother will be here to get him shortly.” “Sorry Mom we were wrestling and then kind of fell asleep,” Mike said rubbing the back of his head. “OK now get cleaned up and after dinner you air out this room. It smells like a locker room in here,” Shelia said wrinkling her nose. The next day they were sitting on the couch watching TV when Jack began squirming in his seat. “What’s your malfunction Pinky?”Mike said looking at the boy from the corner of his eye. “Nothing it’s just about yesterday, umm do you wanna do it again?” Jack said with a hopeful smile splay across his face. “No, it was a onetime thing,” Mike said coldly and turned back to the TV. “Come on, you liked it and want to do it again. I won’t tell nobody, honest. On my honor I swear to God. Cross my heart and hope to die. If I lie stick a needle in my eye,” Jack said pantomiming each verse. “What are you like 5 and the answer’s still no doofus,” Mike said in between fits of laughter. “Ha ha very funny, I’ll be 14 in November mister smart ass. Come on don’t make me have to bust out the pinky swear on your ass.” “You’re too cute, but forget about it,” Mike said in his best mobster impersonation. Jack sighed and grabbed the remote from Mike and flipped the channel off ESPN. The pair fell into silence as they watched a Buffy rerun, but Jack began concocting a devilish plan. The next day when Jack came over he brought his lap top and “accidentally” clicked on a porn movie while showing Mike some of his games. On the screen came a busty blonde being gang banged by three hung black guys. Mike licked his lips as he watched cock after cock violate her holes. Jack played along throwing in an occasional, “Oh yeah, take that dick.” all the while his hand had been inching up Mike’s leg, until it rested on the boy’s thigh. The blonde took a deep breath then placed it on Mike’s erection and waited. The boy’s eyes remained glued to screen so he began massaging Mike’s crotch. Jack face broke out into a huge grin when the other boy spread his legs, and seconds later he had the chocolate member in hand. Mike moaned as Jack worked his shaft and played with his foreskin then pushed his hands away. “What’s wrong?” Jack said preparing for the worst. Mike didn’t respond right away, but Jack could see him struggling to catch his breath and retrieved his inhaler. “You OK?” “Yeah, just didn’t expect it to feel so good,” Mike said placing his inhaler back on the dresser. “So you want me to continue?” “Fuck yeah let’s get naked,” Mike said and their clothes were on the floor. The porno lay long forgotten as they ground their members into each other. Mike rolled on top of Jack and yanked the boy’s rosy butt into him as he mashed their crotches together. Jack’s fingers dug deep into Mike back trying to increase the glorious friction. Mike gasped and was the first to shoot, but neither boy stopped their ferocious humping until they came a second, then third time. “That was the best dude,” Jack said then promptly fell asleep, using Mike’s chest as a pillow. Once his post coital bless wore off Mike looked down at the blonde slumbering peacefully and couldn’t help but think, Oh my God what have I done! As distressed as the boy was it didn’t stop him and Jack from repeating this ritual every chance they got. Of course Mike always made Jack swear to a million oaths of secrecy upon penalty of death before hand. Jack was a good sport and went through with it for the first week or so then had enough. “Mike this is ridiculous, are you seriously gonna make me do this every time? I, Jack Moses Johnson do here by swear under penalty of the most brutal death never to reveal what happens between us,” he said with his pinky intertwined with Mike’s. From then on when Mike was feeling horny he’d turn to Jack and say, “Are you pondering, what I’m pondering Pinky?” and they’d exchange a smile and dash to the bedroom. As with all good things Summer Vacation came to an end. “Hey Mike you ready for school on Monday?” “Does a fat bitch love salads?” “Ha ha fucker, anyways I was thinking and it struck me we’ve been hanging all summer and ya never been to my house. Want to sleepover this weekend?” “Well Dad would be happy to have you out of the house plus I get to raid your porn collection—hey how come you waited so long to ask?” “Kind of hard to think with all the blood in my other head,” Jack said wiggling his pinky. “Not my fault you’re a sex fiend,” Mike said and nudged Jack’s shoulder. “Cut the crap and get your shit, cunt face.” “Well aren’t you feisty today, did you clear this rendezvous with the parents?” “Yeah your mom said something about Marvin Gaye and Berry White, whatever that means. Now get your stuff my mom will be here in like ten minutes,” Jack said agitation creeping into his voice. “Oh God that’s parent speak for they’re going to screw—ew!” Mike groaned and hauled ass to his room. “That was fast,” Jack said when Mike returned three minutes later. “That’s what she said to you,” Mike shot back, dodging Jack’s fist. “Aw did I hurt your feelings Pinky?” “Not funny ass swipe,” Jack said as he dove on top of Mike and they wrestled on the couch. Just then Ms. Johnson honked her horn and the boys pulled apart. “So you finally decided to grace us with your presence. Jack here has been talking nonstop about Mike this and that, when he’s home that is.” “Mom knock it off Mike’s a great guy. And I go where I’m loved, right dude?” Jack said flashing his smile. “Right, I love ya like a bullet to the brain.” “Hey!” Jack said shoving Mike. “Ha-ha, well dear don’t ask a question if you’re not prepared for the answer,” Ms Johnson said. The rest of the ride was spent with the boys shoving each other while Samantha laughed at their antics. Shortly after they arrived at Jack’s house Mr. Johnson called with urgent news and after a brief conversation Samantha turned to the boys with a pensive expression on her face. Jack’s mother explained she and Mr. Johnson had to leave immediately on a business and would be gone until Monday morning. “What about my parents they’re going to freak when they found you’re not going to be here,” Mike moaned. “Nonsense they’ll be happy to have you out the house a bit longer, and besides Jack can use the help with the twins. Lord knows Kaden and Jaden would burn down the house if given half a chance. Well off you go boys, and it was a pleasure to meet you Michael.” “The pleasure was mine Ma’am,” Mike said as he took Ms Johnson’s hand and kissed it. “Oh my, aren’t you a little gentleman, maybe you’ll rub off on ole Jack here. Well inside, Jim’s waiting for you to take over twin duty.” “Laying it on a bit thick back there, don’t you think?” Jack said glaring at Mike. “You’re just jealous she likes me better than you,” Mike said then stuck out his tongue. “Let’s see how you feel about my mom after a weekend with Satan’s spawn.” “They can’t be that bad.” “They’re evil I tell you, evil,” Jack said as they entered the living room. Mr. Johnson greeted the boys and then high tailed it out to the car, and then the twins came barreling around the corner. “Jack we misseded you bunches,“ the seven-year-olds said then proceeded to smother him in kisses. “Ok squirts, off,” he said prying the boys off him while Mike looked on and laughed. “Oh they’re evil alright.” “Don’t let their looks fools you, right now they’re plotting our demise,” Jack said dead seriously. “I’m scared—not!” “You will be, you will be,” Jack said prying Kaden off him leg again. And it was at that point the twins noticed Mike. “Hey what’s he doing here?” Jaden said glowering at Mike. “Yeah! Why didn’t you bring over someone white like Mitchell Alan’s brother—yeah Mitch says all black people are crooks—and have big thingies,” the twins said breaking off into a fit of giggles. Jack was about to chastise them when he saw Mike tense up and clinch his fists. “Hey calm down dude they don’t know any better,” he said rubbing Mike’s back. The twin noticed and giggled again. “Are you guys gay?” Jaden said then Kaden continued, “Mitch says guys who touch each other are gay, so are ya boyfriends?” “No!” the older boys said. “Listen here you little shits go to your room until I call you for dinner. And if you come out before then I will beat your asses raw. Now march,” Jack said through gritted teeth. The twins stared at Jack then complied, but not before they huddled together. The boys retreated to Jack’s room and lounged on his bed where they talked about school on Monday, life and random things until Jack brought what the twins said: “Look Kaden and Jaden don’t know what they’re talking about. We’re just two dudes helping each other out. Nothing gay about that, right?” “I mean yeah I guess so. My mom said guys mess around together even when they’re not gay, but like I just don’t want anyone to know and think I’m a fag,” Mike said turning towards Jack. “Yeah I get that, but would you ever let a guy blow you?” Jack said whispering the last part. “What?” “Would you ever let a guy blow you,” he said louder and began blushing. “I don’t know that’s too gay for me. Hypothetically speaking, it would have to be someone I knew wouldn’t tell and there’d have to be no risk of getting caught. Then maybe I’d consider it.” “Can I blow you?” The question hung in the air as the pair locked eyes. Mike was conflicted, sure he could rationalize away their humping sessions as the byproduct of porn and hormones, but this was 100 percent gay sex. He stared at Jack’s pouty red lips and wondered why the blonde wanted to do such a thing. However he couldn’t but also wonder what those lips would feel like wrapped around his cock. “Ok but on two conditions: first you stop if I don’t like it and second you tell me why you want to do it?” “You’re my friend and I want to make you feel good.” “OK,” Mike said grinning from ear to ear. There was a stagnant pause as they waited for the other to make the first move, Jack waddle to the door and locked it tight while Mike shucked off his jeans and T shirt and sprawled on the bed clad in only his Hanes and socks. Jack approached the bed with a million thoughts racing through his head: what if Mike didn’t like it; what if he didn’t like Jack after; what if Jack messed up and what if he thought Jack was gay and told everyone? With his heart about to burst through his chest Jack lay down next to Mike and said, “Can we just hump instead?” “Sure dude,” Mike said and they both breathed a sigh of relief. Later that night after the boys dined on Jimmy John’s subs and put the twin to bed with further threats of bodily harm should they disturb the older boys, Mike and Jack whiled the hours away playing Halo until Jack got bored. “What do you want to do now?” “I don’t know. Um, look Mike would you ever tell anybody if I did blow you?” “Of course not man, why? You still want to do it?” “Maybe, but I have a condition of my own.” “Shoot.” “You’d have to blow me too,” Jack said looking the other boy directly in the eye. “No way!” “Think about it this way, neither of us could tell on the other.” “Fine but I’ll only do it for like thirty seconds, deal?” “Deal, but you go first.” “Why do I have to go first?” “So you don’t back out on me after ya cum, that’s why smart ass,” Jack said shoving Mike in the ribs. Damn it, Mike thought as he’d planned to do exactly that. Mike’s hands shook as he pulled Jack’s Fruit of the Looms down and grasped the pink tube. He hesitated and gave the shaft a few licks of his tongue, eliciting moans from the blonde. Mike closed his eyes as his lips made contact with the head then stopped. He took a deep then engulfed half of the boy’s hard shaft. Jack issued a sharp cry when Mike’s teeth grazed his head. After five slow bobs of his head Mike stopped and announced it was Jack’s turn. “Oh come on it was just getting good.” “That was more than 30 seconds and you know it, my turn bitch,” Mike said reclining on the bed with his arms behind his head. Jack complained about having a major case of blue balls as he crawled between the brown boy’s splayed legs and took hold of the hard member. He retracted the foreskin then dove down on the shaft, gagging as the head hit the back of his mouth. He pulled back, sucking on only the first two inches or so and worked the rest with his hand. It took a while to get a rhythm going. Mike had gone soft twice and was about to tell Jack to stop when finally he got the hang of it and sent Mike over the edge in under a minute. “Fuck, why didn’t you warn me, that shit tastes nasty,” Jack said after he spat Mike’s load out and then brushed his teeth. “Sorry there wasn’t time,” The black boy said then laughed. “You’re not funny shit head, and at least I’m not a minute man like you.” “Hey it was my first time, I couldn’t help it. Bet I last way longer next time ass wipe,” Mike said and shoved Jack in the chest. “Oh really and who says they’ll be a next time?” “Please you know you want this dick,” Mike said flicking his semi hard on. “Wanna go again then?” Jack said smirking. “Do I have to blow ya too?” “Naw, consider this a freebie dude.” “Sweet!” Jack repositioned himself between Mike’s legs making sure to grabbed a dirty T shirt from the floor to spit into. Instantly The other boy began a steady chant of, “Oh my God,” as Jack sucked him ever so slowly. Mike’s hand found the blonde’s head and he drove his cock deep into Jack’s throat. Jack tried pulling back but Mike’s grip was too tight. Just when Jack thought he might have to bite the boy’s penis to breathe again the bedroom door burst open. There standing in the doorway giggling were the twins. Mike and Jack pulled apart and tried to cover up, but it was clear they’d been caught when Jaden said, “Gross, Jack had his mouth on Mike’s thingy. I’m telling Mom.” At those words Mike began hyperventilating. “Get the fuck out of here!” Jack said then went to comfort Mike. Ten minutes later the four were gathered in living room. Mike though calmer was still visible shaken up as he paced the room, with his fists clasped behind his back. The twin meanwhile had been running around the couch while jack tried to make them sit still. Mike had enough and grabbed each of them by the scruff of their necks and placed them on the couch. “Thanks,” Jack said to Mike before he rounded on the twins, “You two are grounded for the rest of the weekend and if I so much as hear a peep from you before Monday morning I’m going to beat you within an inch of death!” “Nu huh, you aint doing nothing to us—yeah or we telling Mom what we seen,” Kaden finished for Jaden. “What you saw was private. You shits had no right barging into my room like that. Go ahead tell we’ll just deny it and say you’re lying,” Jack said folding his arms across his chest. “We have proofs,” Jaden said flashing them his digital camera. Mike dashed towards him but he’d already passed it off to Kaden who was heading downstairs. Mike gave chase but by the time he caught with him the camera was nowhere in sight. Jack and Mike spent the rest of the night tearing the twin’s room a part but there was sign it anywhere. The boys were awoken the next day by the twins dousing them with good water. “What the fuck?” Mike said as he took of his soaked shirt. “Time for the slaves to get up,”Jaden replied in his sing song voice. “Slaves?” the boys said together staring at each other. Kaden then came in and explained how if they wanted the camera Mike And jack had to do whatever they said for rest of the weekend, along with allowing them to go naked whenever their parents weren’t home. Mike agreed but soon regretted it when Kaden asked to see his penis. After Jack convinced him things would go smoother if they just complied Mike flashed them his member. “Hey!” Mike said as the boys grabbed his penis and began playing with the foreskin. Against his will he hardened causing the twins to giggle. Mike closed his eyed and wished this were all a nightmare, but as they batted his erection back and forth laughing, he knew this hell had just begun. For the rest of the weekend the twins made Mike and Jack stay naked and perform ever increasing humiliating acts. The Johnsons arrived home late Sunday night ending the twins’ reign of terror, for the moment. “You get the camera?” “Yeah, deleted the picture, erased the memory card and made sure to search their computer for copies, so no chance of anyone seeing it again,” Jack said to Mike as they lay in bed. “Good.” “You’re taking this better than I thought. I told you they were the spawn of Satan.” “More like eldritch abominations and don’t be fooled. I’m plotting their torture and your death.” “You’re joking right? It wasn’t that bad,” Jack said trying to lighten the mood. “Only partially, haven’t decided which part yet—and not that bad!? This weekend never happened, you don’t even think about it. We take it to our graves, understood?” “OK, but don’t hurt them. They’re just kids.” “After what they did, I’m going to break them,” Mike said and the pair drifted off to sleep. “What the hell are you doing here?” Mike said when Jack sat down next to him in home room. Jacked glared back at him and shoved his schedule before Mike. The other boy checked his and groaned when he realized not only did they have room together, but all their classes too. “Hey it's not my fault they stuck us together all day, not that I’m complaining mind ya. So are you OK?”Jack said as he leaned into Mike. “No man, I’m pretty fucking far from OK,” he said shoving Jack off him. Jack grabbed Mike and whispered into his ear so no one could overhear him: “Look asshole I’m mad too, they made me drink their piss so quit acting like a douche and let’s try to get along.” “Fine ,but keep your hands to your fucking self,” Mike said and turned away from him. Jack glared back at Mike and for the rest of home room they didn’t speak until Jack broke the silence half way through first period. “I’m sorry didn't I mean for us to get caught.” “But we did because you Jedi mind tricked me into it even after I told you I didn’t want to do it!” Mike said unintentionally raising his voice. “Boys, is there something you want to share with the class?” Ms. Kelly said. “No Ma’am. I was just telling that since we have the same schedule I’ll help him out with his homework,” Mike said after he stood up and clasped his hands behind his back. “Very well dear, but keep it down next time and no need to be so formal. You’re making me feel old,” she said smiling. “Sorry Ma’am, force of habit Ma’am,” Mike said as he sat down. Jack turned him and whispered, “Nice cover soldier boy,” “Put a sock in it Pinky or the only thing you’ll be sucking on is my fist,” Mike said through gritted teeth as he continued to smile at Ms Kelly. Jack clinched his fist and turned away as a tear trailed down his face. The boys didn’t speak for the rest of rest of the day so it came quite a shock to Jack when Mike departed the bus with him. “What the fuck?” “I’m a man of my words and will help you with your homework, plus I get to spend time with the twin.” “You want to spend time with them?” Jack said dumbstruck. “Oh yes they have no idea what’s in store for them,” Mike said his face twisted into menacing grin. “You’re starting to scare me dude, you said you wouldn’t hurt them,” Jack said staring down Mike. “I’m not, just giving them a bit of tough love,” Mike said and walked into the house. Jim Johnson was just about to have a nervous breakdown when the boys showed up. He briefly explained that he and Ms Johnson had been called to another business meeting and wouldn’t home until late that night and rushed out the door as he was already twenty minutes late. The twins bounded into the living room and pounced on Jack again. After he pried them off him they stripped naked. “What the hell do you think you’re doing? Put your clothes back on right now!” Mike said drawing their attention. “Nuh huh you can't tell us what to do,” Jaden said stick out his tongue. “Yeah and what’s he doing here again, Kaden said as he gave mike a dirty look. “My name is Mike and while I’m here you will do what I say or you will be punished, is that clear?” “Shut up or we’ll have Mitch’s brother beat you up—yeah he knows Karate,” the twins said. “Go right ahead. Tell Ryan, Mike says hi and prepare to get his ass kicked on Wednesday. Tell me who’s older?” “I am by 3 minutes,” Jaden said and did a little dance. Mike smirked and put the next phase of his plan into action. “Listen up from now on Jaden you’re Thing 2 and Kaden you’re Thing 1, T2 and T1 for short. Is that understood?” Mike said getting in their faces. The twins backed away and hid behind Jack. As Mike approached them Jack blocked his way. “Explain yourself right now!” “Stand down,” Mike said an inch from his face. Jack dropped his crutches and tackled mike to the grounds and the pair rolled around on the ground then Mike put Jack in a rear naked choke hold. “Don’t fight me on this Pinky. I’m going to let you go now, but if you interfere again it’s lights out,” Mike said then walked over to the twins. Jaden and Kaden had been huddled together crying their eyes out as they watched Jack’s face go red then his eyes close. They calmed down once they saw his eyes open and get back on his feet. “Don’t touch me!” Jack said as Mike tried to steady him. “When you calm down I’ll explain, but right now I have more important things to deal with,” Mike said then rounded on the twins, "As for you two, when I ask you a question you will respond: yes or no sir. Is that clear?” “Yes sir,” they said crying even more. “Good, now sit down and be quiet while Jack and I do our homework. Is that understood?” “Yes sir,” they said and plopped down in front of the TV where Mike pointed. Without a word Jack and Mike got their text books and sat on the couch. Twenty minutes went by when Kaden got up and started running around the couch. “T1 sit down now!” Mike said as he stood up. Kaden stopped for a second then continued running around. Not fazed by this Mike went over to Jaden. “Hey Jaden do you like wrestling?” “Yeah!” he said smiling big. “That’s yes sir T2.” “Yes sir,” he said beginning to cry. “Since you’ve been following orders like a good solider I’ll show you a few moves, but stop that crying.” “Yes sir,” Jaden said and wiped away his tears. “Not so fast, you have to promise not to use them on anyone but me and continue to be good, understand?” Mike said getting down on his knees. “Yes sir,” he said nodding his head and grinning from ear to ear. “ This is a move my dad taught me,” Mike said putting Jaden’s arm behind his back then pressing him face down to the ground with his other hand. The boy tensed up at first but relaxed when he realized he was I danger. Mike let him go then had him try the move. Jack looked on the scene and laughed as tiny Jaden tried to get his hands around Mike’s arm. Kaden meanwhile had stopped running around and watched as Mike showed Jaden how to do an arm bar. “Hey I wanna play too!” he said walking towards them, hands on his hips and pouting his lips. Mike stopped playing with Jaden and barked at Kaden to go stand in the corner for disobeying him, but he refused. Mike turned to Jaden and told him they couldn’t wrestle anymore because Kaden was being bad. “But why am I being punished?” he whined. “That’s why am I being punished, sir. A unit is only as strong as its weakest member and if one of you fails to follow orders, all of you will be punished. Is that clear?” Mike said shooting Jack a piercing look. “But that’s not fair!” “T2 did I ask what you thought? No! And if you don’t want to be punished tell T1 to get with the program.” Jaden scrunched up his face then marched over to his brother and pulled him into a huddle. The boys whispered back and forth then Jaden pulled out of the huddle and fixed his brother with a death glare. Kaden returned the look then pouted and said, “You doo-doo head.” then went to the corner, stomping his felt the whole way. He turned and gave Jack a pleading looking, but Mike told him couldn’t help him. “I’m telling my mommy on you,” Kaden said narrowing his blue eyes at Mike. “Shut up and stop being bad!” Jaden said as he stared down his brother. Kaden gave his him a hurt look then faced wall. Mike congratulated Jaden and then taught him new move. He grappled with the boy until they were out of breath. “That’s all for today squirt, now come seat with me while I finish my homework,” Mike said picking up Jaden. “Aw man I still wanna play,” he whined. “If you continue to follow orders like a good soldier I’ll show you a new move tomorrow, but you can’t show T1 the ones I already showed you. And if you’re bad while I’m gone then no more wrestling, ever. Is that understood?” Mike said smiling down the boy in his arms. “Yes sir,” Jaden said and hugged him. The pair settled on the couch next to Jack. Little Jaden’s naked butt wiggled in Mike’s lap as he cuddled with the boy in between doing problem sets. Jack looked on the scene with mixed emotions. He hadn’t forgiven Mike for choking him out and being an ass to the twins, though he couldn’t argue with the results. Jaden had always been the more reserved twin letting Kaden do the talking for them since he had a speech problem. He’d freeze up mid sentence struggling get the right words out and Kaden would a jump in and talk for him. So when the docile boy not only stood up to Kaden, but told him to be quiet Jack was shocked. As he watched his brother hug closer into Mike he felt a rage like nothing he could remember. That should be him in Mike’s lap. He should be the one laughing while Mike tickled his feet and messes up his hair. Jack felt a knot in the pit of his stomach form and the longer he watched them the more sick he felt. Mike caught his eye after a prolonged glace and said, “You OK Pinky?” “No this algebra shit is confusing. Can’t we go back to last year when letters were just letters and were just numbers?” he said trying to hold back the tears he felt coming. “Bullshit, what’s really wrong?” “Nothing. Just help me with this problem OK?” Jack said pointing at a random question on the page. “You just have to follow PEMDAS, collect like terms and solve for x.” “Huh,” Jack said. “You know the order of operation.” “Oh I always remember as please excuse my dear aunt sally. And what was that stuff about like terms?” “Just put everything with an x on one side and everything else on the other side of the equation,” Mike said. “Thanks,” Jack said and turned his head discreetly wiping away his tears. Mike returned to his work and twenty minutes later both boys announced they were finished. Mike suggested they go play Halo together. Jaden shouted yay, drawing Kaden’s attention. “Hey can I play too?” he said turning around. “That’s may I play too, sir. And no you may not! You will stand there facing the wall until I come get you. Is that clear T1?” “But that’s not fair!” “T1 shut up and turn around right now!” “But..” “Right now is that understood?” “Yes sir,” Kaden said bursting into tears and turning around. “And stop it, soldiers don’t cry. They tough it out and get the job done no matter what.” “That’s enough Mike. You’re acting like a complete asshole right now!” Jack said as he walked towards him. “Stand down soldier, or I will put you down!” Mike said getting so close to Jack their noses pressed together. Jack made to hit him with one of his crutches, but Mike grabbed his arm then turned his head and whispered into Jack's ear. “Everything will make sense later I promise, but right now I need you to go to your room. Please Pinky." Jack resisted at first but yielded when he saw Mike’s eyes tear up. Once he was alone with the twins Mike sat Kaden on his lap. “Listen to me squirt: Do you know why I yelled at Jack? I did it because he disobeyed a direct order from me and had to be punished, understand?” “Yes sir. Do you hate him?” Jaden said drying his eyes on Mike's shirt. “No I don’t hate him, or any of you. I’m just mad at him for not getting with the program. Now come on, let’s go play.” “OK, but what about him,” he said pointing to Kaden. “We’ve covered this. He’s been bad and can’t play, now scoot," Mike said and tapped Jaden on his butt. “Hey!” “Well if you weren’t naked that wouldn’t have hurt,” Mike said then ruffled Jaden‘s hair then said, “Ha ha now you have butt hair.” The boy began rubbing his hair until Mike told him he was just joking. They walked hand in hand to Jack’s room and the trio spent the next hour trying to slaughter each other until Mike hit the pause button on his controller and said he was going to check on Kaden. “T1 eyes front and ears open! Have you been facing the wall like I told you?” Mike barked at the trembling boy. Kaden hesitated a bit then shook his head yes. “Are you sure about that?” The boy looked down at his feet then shook his head and began to cry. “Kaden look at me, you told the truth and I’m proud of you. Come on we need to have a talk,OK?” Mike said dropping down to Kaden’s level and extending his hand. The boy was confused by the sudden change in behavior and cautiously accepted the hand. “OK squirt, park it on my lap. You don’t like being left out do you?” Mike said, to which Kaden shook his head. “Well every time you act up you’re going in the corner and when you follow orders you’ll be rewarded, is that understood?” “Yes sir,” he said sniffling. “Since you’ve been behaving, when I come over tomorrow I’ll show you three wrestling moves. But you have to be good when I go home. And you can’t use them on anyone except me, is that clear?” “Yes sir,” Kaden said. Mike picked him up and tossed him up in the air then tickled him until he was crying tears of laughter. “Having fun?” “Yeah!” “OK let’s go kick Jaden and Jack’s butt,” Mike said and carried the giggling boy into Jack’s room. Two hours later Jack sent the twins to go play so he and Mike could talk. “What the hell is your problem?” “My problem is you don’t know how to follow orders, but more importantly you undermined my authority and I will not stand for it. Is that clear?” Mike said standing to his feet and getting right in Jack’s face. “Back up off me right now, Jack said and shoved him. Mike didn’t hold back and before Jack knew what hit him he was slammed to the ground. “When I ask you a question you will answer yes or no sir. And when I give you a direct order you will follow it or end up like this. Is that clear?” “Let me fucking go you psycho!” Jack said as he thrashed around. “I said is that clear?” Mike said and pressed Jack’s face into the ground. The blonde began a steady stream of death threats. “Leave our brother alone,” the twins said after storming into the room. “Go back in the living now!” Mike said causing them to burst into tears. Kaden complied immediately but, Jaden remain rooted to the spot. He wiped his eyes then stepped forward and said, “Please don’t hurt Jack.” “T2,” Mike began but then faltered. Every instinct told him to chew out the boy for disobeying him, but Jaden’s words shook him up. “I don’t want to hurt Jack but he has to be punished for insubordination, understand? “ “No sir,” Jaden said with a puzzled look on his face. “It means he failed to follow orders. I’m proud you squirt. A soldier defends country and family until his last breath. Now go into the living room and I promise to let Jack go.” “Nuh huh you’re lying.” “Jaden, have I lied to you since I’ve been here?” Mike said pausing for the boy to think, and when Jaden shook his head he continued, “So why would I now? A soldier keeps his promises and finishes what he starts.” “Ok but let Jack go first.” Mike released himand the moment Jaden left Jack exploded. “Leave right now and never come back. I don’t know what the fuck your problem is but you’re not our dad so stop acting like you are. And what the hell is all that soldier crap about?” “I’ll tell you, but you have to calm down first, is that clear?” “Calm down? What part of leave don’t you get,” Jack said and got in Mike’s face. “I’m not going anywhere and you’re going to learn your place starting now.” Mike grabbed Jack’s shoulders and shoved him backwards, but Jack grabbed him and the two squared off forehead to forehead. Neither would back down and Mike was surprised when Jack began pushing back. He redoubled his effort, sweat beginning to run down into his eyes. With a final shove Jack’s ankles buckled and he was flung backwards on to his bed. Before he had a chance to recover Mike straddled Jack's waist and placed his hand on the boy’s chest. He was gasping for breath by this time and struggled to reach the inhaler in his pocket while keeping Jack pinned under him with his other hand. “Let me go. I fucking hate you!” Jack said trying to get up but failing. Mike managed to get his inhaler and took two puffs from it and waited to catch his breath. He rolled Jack onto his stomach then wrapped his arms around him. “Calm down Pinky,” Mike said and pulled him up against his chest hugging him tight. Jack fought him and screamed at the top of his lungs for Mike to release him but he just sat there. The twins came back in and upon seeing Jack panicked. “Liar! You said you’d let Jack go,” Jaden said glaring at Mike. “I didn’t lie and I’m not hurting him. Both of you sit down and watch.” The twins looked at each other then sat on the floor. Jack continued trying to free himself and vowed Mike a slow death. Mike continued rocking him in his arms until Jack began sobbing. “Shh, Pinky. I know you’re confused right now, but I need you to stop crying,” Mike said stroking Jack’s hair. “Why ‘cuz soldiers don’t cry right?” Jack said getting agitated. Mike sighed and turned Jack so he was facing him. Jack turned his head away and tried to pullback from him. Mike maintained a one handed hug on the boy and with the other he titled Jack’s chin so their eyes were level. Jack immediately averted his gaze and pulled back again. “Look at me Pinky,” Mike said and waited for their eyes to meet. Jack raised his gaze, but instead of the cold hatred he expected to see, Mike’s brown eyes looked back at him radiating joy. “You’re scaring the twins so stop it shit head,” Mike said then kissed Jack’s forehead. They locked eyes again and Jack felt himself torn in two. One half wanted to strangle Mike, but the other wanted to hold him tight and never let go. Mike’s gaze never left Jack’s until the boy cuddled into his chest. Mike lay back on the bed carrying Jack with him then went back to stroking his hair. “Can we lie down with you?” the twins said. “No right now I’m with Jack, but later we’ll all watch TV together,” Mike said. “OK,” the twins said and sat back down. “You see Pinky the moment you calmed down so did they because you’re the man of the house when your dad’s not around, and they take their cues from you. The problem is you’re beta so they walk all over you. And you want to know why, because your father is in dereliction of his duty not as a man. He’s soft and never showed you how to be alpha but more importantly he never established dominance. Today was all about me coming in breaking your program and establishing myself as the alpha male of this pack.” “Alpha male, establishing dominance, pack, what the hell are you on,” Jack said getting more confused by the second. “Look this is already hard enough as it is without you interrupting me so let me get through this part then you can ask me all the questions you want, OK?” Mike said and began rubbing Jack’s back. “OK but you got some explaining to do,” Jack said as he cuddled closer into Mike. “Within any group a leader always emerges, the alpha male, and he will only remain the leader if two conditions are met. First he sets up a clear system of punishments and rewards for following him and always follows through. He also must take on any threats to the pack, or his status as the alpha male and crush them,” Mike said. He paused and asked Kaden to get him a glass of water. “That’s bull shit,” Jack said as he continued cuddling Mike. “Thanks Kaden,” Mike said and ruffled the boy’s hair before continuing. “You think that, because you’re not one of us. You don’t know what it’s like to be told you have to fight your best friends, what it’s like to know how to kill a man with your bare hands before you’re old enough to shave. You don’t know what it’s like to be left in the woods for days on end with nothing but a utility knife and a canteen. You don’t know what it’s like to be told you have to find your way back to civilization using nothing but the stars and terrain as your guide, but I do,” Mike said then paused to take a sip of water. “Whoa I had no idea, but who is this us you mentioned?” Jack said. Mike sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. “That’s twice now you interrupted me and by all rights I should have choked you out five times today, but for some reason I don’t like seeing you upset or hurt. Standard protocol dictates I should have kept pushing you until you broke, but I’m treating you like the twins. I’ll only push so far then back off. As for acting like your dad, damn right I am because this weekend would never have happened if it weren’t him. You see the twins are like puppies. They’ll follow anyone they think will protect them until they’re old enough fend for their self. From the moment I came here they’ve been watching me to see if I’m friend or foe and once I showed them I’m the alpha male they began to behave. When you contradicted me you challenged that status and called their loyalty into question. And you don’t hate me. You resent me for coming in and doing what your dad failed to do and for taking your place,” Mike said and paused to take a drink then continued, “That other thing you’re feeling isn’t love I just made you imprint on me as your alpha male. Trust me I’ve done it enough to kids at boot camp to know.” From there Mike explained how changing the twins’ name was all about psychological warfare and turning them against each and how he used wrestling as a reward when they complied. After a few more interruptions from Jack, which he responded to by tickling the boy until he agreed to be quiet, Mike told him about his training. Beginning at age three James took him into woods and made Mike find his way back to their camp. At first it was only few yards and James left markings on trees to show the way. As Mike got older he was left miles from base camp and expected to find his way in a limited time or he got beat and had do the whole thing over the next day twice as far. Following this James showed him how to track and hunt game and expected him to survive on his own for days and then weeks at a time. When he was six James introduced Mike to firearms by making him clean his guns then when was a little older showed him how to fire a .22 then progressed up to a .30-06. The first time he fire a riffled Mike wet himself he was so scared, but James kept pushing until finally he could hit the bulls eyes at 100 yards with 90% accuracy. Mike was a poor shoot at mid range and could only hit the target at close range consistently if he concentrated. Seeing this James put the boy into martial arts. “Man that’s brutal, but why’d you stop?” Jack said looking up at Mike. “I’m not supposed to tell outsiders about us, but I’ve broken protocol enough as it is. Before I get into the soldier stuff I have to tell you something so don’t interrupt. What the twins did to me this weekend is far out of line that, had I told my dad, sure he’d beat me but then you know what would have happened? He’d call up the guys and they’d make up a plan of action and then you’d go away and stay gone, because you don’t fuck with us. Now contrary to what you believe I do care about you and the twins. That’s why I’m doing this, but before I go into it you have to promise two things. You tell no one what I’m about to tell you and right here and now you agree to join us or I tell my dad,” Mike paused waiting for Jack to speak. “I don’t know, what if this group of yours is a cult or something?" “ Ha ha! Jack we’re not a cult and when you become one of us you’ll never be alone. No matter where you are just call one of us and we’ll drop everything to come help, because that’s who we are. When one of us hurts, we all hurt. If one of us jumps in, we all jump in. Do or die, Soldier Boys never try, we always fly high and get a piece of the pie,” Mike said grinning ear to ear. “OK I guess if it’s not bad then yeah why not,” Jack said and Mike rubbed his head. When he was 7 James introduced Mike to the sons of his Marine buddies and every year since then they’d meet up and have competitions to see whose son was the strongest. They would make the boys hunt, fish, wrestle around with their dogs, and then with each other. Their fathers called them the alpha elite, bred to be stronger faster and smarter than anyone else. Jack let this information soak in but couldn’t believe half of what he heard. “Hey how come you didn’t go to this competition this summer?” Jack said. “Because my mom said I needed regular friends. In exchange for me spending the summer hanging with you my dad made me cram two years of math. So how about we get dinner started I’m starving,” Mike said letting go of Jack. From then on whenever Mike didn’t have martial arts practice he was over at Jack’s house giving them soldier lessons. He showed then the proper way to stand at attention, how to make their beds and fold their clothes. Jack’s parents noticed the change in the twins from day one and were ecstatic. Jack did contradict him from time to time and Mike had to take him down, but afterwards they always made up by cuddling. It was during these times they’d engage in sex play, with Jack always wanting to go further than Mike was comfortable with, but it became an unspoken rule that neither talked about it. This pattern continued until half way through the first semester when all the eighth grade boys were called to a special assembly in the gym. “Listen up boys, today we will be covering a very important and sensitive topic, but I expect you to be on your best behavior. Is that understood?” Mr. Michaels the gym coach said then began his lecture on human reproduction. Over the next two hours he covered puberty, STDs, safe sex and sexuality. “Now boys who you have sex with doesn’t determine your sexuality, who you fall in love with does. Now Franklin Middle School has a zero tolerance when it comes to bullying so if someone is picking on you because you’re gay or they think you’re gay go to the principal. Don’t listen to that bull about snitching being wrong, understood?” “Yes sir,” they all responded. “I don’t care what coach says, anyone who does anything with another guy is a fag. Isn’t that right Mike?” Ryan Allen said. “Fuck you,” Mike said glaring at the red head. “Oh come on everyone knows you and Jack are butt buddies and I’m exit only dude,” Ryan said smirking. “And I’m going to kick your ass if you don’t shut up,” Mike said getting in his face. “Jesus I was just kidding,” Ryan said backing away. For the rest of the day Ryan’s words ran through Mike’s head and he kept his distance from Jack. The other boy noticed, but didn’t say anything until they arrived at his house. “What’s your problem? You’ve been acting weird since that assembly.” “Nothing’s wrong. I just don’t think we should be all touchy feely.” “Whatever man,” Jack said his hurt feeling creeping into his voice. Jack’s parents had to go on another business trip so when the boys got home the twins stripped naked the moment their parents left. Kaden sat in Mike’s lap while Jaden was in Jack’s. The boys settled in to do their homework and all was going good until Kaden grabbed at Mike’s penis. Mike lost it and pinned the boy face down on the couch and said: “If you ever touch me there again I’ll break every bone in your body, now go get dressed and if you’re not back here in five minutes I’m coming to get you. And the same goes for you Jaden. Now move!” “Don’t you ever put your fucking hands on my brothers again,” Jack said getting right in Mike’s face. The two squared off about to fight when the twins returned. Mike calmed down a bit then turned his attention to the boys. “Kaden do you know why I got mad at you?” Mike said then paused for the boy to answer. When he shook his head Mike continued,”You touched me in a private place without my permission. No one is to touch you there unless you give them permission, understood?” Mike said shooting Jack a dirty look. “Yes sir, I’m sorry,” Kaden said then hugged Mike. “It’s OK, just don’t do it again and I’m sorry I snapped at you earlier. Now Jack and I need to have a talk so you two stay put and watch TV,” Mike said then headed to Jack’s room. “What the fuck was that?” Jack said after he closed and locked his door. “If your brother had tried that on anyone else they would have kicked his ass, so I had to make him know that is not appropriate behavior. Did I go a little overboard, maybe, but I got the message across. Now the other thing I wanted to talk to you about is us messing around. That stops today.” “What? Why? I know you like it,” Jack said. “Because it’s gay. You heard what Ryan said, people are already talking about us.” “I’m sick of you always saying this is gay and that is gay. Well news flash: I’m gay,” Jack said getting in Mike’s face. “Then we’re through I don’t want to know you exist, is that clear,” Mike said and called his mom to pick him up. “I thought you didn’t want anything to do with me since I’m gay?" Jack said when Mike got off the bus with him the next day. “I made a promise to you and I intend to keep it, but after homework is done you don’t talk to me, and as for the twins their soldier lessons will continue as will yours. But as for us being friends that’s over,” Mike said then headed into Jack’s house. As the weeks rolled on Jack became more and more pissed off at Mike for showing the twins affection while shunning him. Everything came to a head one day before first period. “You stay the hell away from the twins they’re my brothers not yours. Go back to your family. Oh that’s right your dad’s a complete psycho and your mom’s never home,” Jack said and pushed Mike into his locker. “The twins are my brothers too and if you ever say anything about my parents again you’re dead,” Mike said then punched Jack in the nose. Blood gushed out and Jack tackled Mike. The two rolled around until a teacher pulled them apart and sent them to the principal’s office. Both boys were suspended for a week and banned from seeing each other. At the twins’ insistence they were allowed over to Mike’s, provided they behave. The first time they saw Mike’s room they flipped over how neat it was and proceed to, as Jaden said, normal it up by messing up his bed and putting dirty clothes on the floor. Mike allowed this to a point then made the twins practice making his bed and folding his clothes. Thing carried on without a hitch until October rolled around. Mike was sitting on his bed waiting for his dad to get home so they go out to dinner to celebrate his thirteenth birthday. There was a knock on his door then Jack walked in. “What are you doing here?” Mike said getting up. “Chill. Your mom let me in after I told her I had something important to tell you,” Jack said moving closer to Mike, before continuing, “you were right friends don’t keep secrets from each other, but me being gay wasn’t the biggest secret I was keeping. It was this,” Jack said and kissed Mike. “What the fuck,” Mike said pushing Jack away. “Don’t you get it shit head? Mike, I love you and couldn’t leave without telling you how I felt.” “What do you mean, you’re leaving?” “Yeah remember all those business trips my parents were going on, well they’ve been offered cushy jobs on Wall Street making like a gazillion dollars. So me and the twins are getting shipped off to this prep school in Connecticut. We leave tomorrow.” “I have to go see them,” Mike said getting agitated. “No. My parents are having a hard enough time as it is dealing with them and they explicitly said you were not to come over,” Jack said blocking the door from Mike. “So this is really goodbye then?” “Yeah but there’s facebook, skype, IM and text. We’ll keep in touch,” Jack said smiling. “No we won’t you know it and I know it. Next year’s high school. We’ll have all new friends and you’ll be running in a completely different circle. You’ll forget all about me and Podunk Michigan when you’re living up in the Hamptons with the other rich bitches,” Mike said as he wiped his eyes. “No I won’t you’re too weird, and hey I thought soldiers didn’t cry,” jack said playfully shoving Mike. “Mitigating circumstance ass wipe. And since this goodbye I better give you a goodbye present,” Mike said unzipping Jack’s pants. “Mike you don’t have to do this,” Jack said. “I know but consider this payback for all those freebies,” he said taking Jack’s cock in his mouth. The only sounds in the room were slurping and the sobs of the boys. When was finished Mike stood up and spat out Jack’s load. “Man you were right that crap is nasty. I love you Jack. No homo,” Mike said smirking “And I Love you Mike. No hetero,” Jack said and the pair busted a gut laughing. “Don’t ever change Pinky. The world needs more people like you,” Mike said pulling him into a hug. “I promise I won’t if you promise to stand up to your dad more now that I won’t be around. Deal?” “Deal,” Mike said and intertwined his pinky with Jack’s who seal the promise with a kiss. Mike let him this time because he knew this was the end. The two pulled apart and Jack was gone.

Working on my latest story brought back all these memories from when I was a kid and got me thinking. What does it means to be a man? the following is my attempt to answer that question. A man does not turn his back on his friends or break his word. He finishes what he starts. A man does not run when things get difficult. He stands and faces what lies in his path, steadfast in the knowledge that no matter what, he gave it his all. He does not let pride stop him from asking for help when he needs it. He sees a problem and fixes it. He knows when to lead and when to follow. He knows respect must be earned before it can be given. He admits when he is wrong and does not gloat when he is right. He humbles himself before his god, country and family and defends them until his last breath. He analyzes his weaknesses, improving them where he can, and accepts where he cannot. A man knows that true strength isn’t measured by muscles, but comes from within. He knows when to be strict and when to be lenient. He does not confess with his mouth, what his heart knows to be untrue. Blessed is he, who in the name of charity and good will shepherds the weak through the valley of darkness. For he is truly his brother’s keeper and the finder of lost children. But most importantly a man speaks up when the situation calls for it and remains silent when it does not.

Mike Smith had just turned 12 and was in hell. For two weeks now Jack Johnson had been his seatmate and never missed an opportunity to invade his space. It started off with Jack rubbing his knee against Mike then progressed to him laying his blonde head on Mike’s shoulder. Mike responded by shoving the other boy off him, only to have Jack cuddle him like nothing happened. This infuriated Mike who loathed being touched and made a habit to avoid physical contact as much as possible. After what felt like an eternity the bus arrived at school and Mike breathed a sigh of relief as Jack grabbed his crutches then exited. As they were waiting for first period to start Jack made his way over to Mike, he had had enough and shoved Jack. the boy hit the ground hard and gave Mike a look of betrayal. “I’m telling the principal,” Jack said and picked himself up. “Wait I’m sorry, don’t tell on me please,” Mike said then had to take a few puffs from his inhaler. “OK I won’t tell, but only if you let me lay on you on the way home,” Jack said with a smirk plastered across his face. “Fine but just for today and then you cut out all this touchy feely crap,” Mike said. The rest of the day flew past in a blur and before Mike knew it the moment he’d been dreading arrived: Jack plopped down and rested his head on Mike’s shoulder. Through gritted teeth Mike tried to ignore the other boy’s presence, and thought he’d succeeded until he felt wetness on his back. His brown eyes met Jack’s hazel and saw they were filled with tears. “Why are you crying? You got what you wanted." “Cuz you hate me, that’s why!” Jack said. “Hate you? I don’t even know you.” “That's even worse,” Jack said shedding more tears. “You OK back there boys?” The bus driver said after Jack’s last outburst. “Yes,” the boys said in unison. Satisfied Loraine turned back to the road. “Why are you so mean to me when I just tried to be nice to ya?” Jack whispered into Mike’s ear. “Me? You’re the one who’s always laying on me even after I told you to stop it.” “I’m sorry, I can’t help it if I like ya, Ok? I want to be your friend,” Jack said and regretted it the moment it left his mouth. He didn’t know why he liked the chubby black kid so much, he just did and now he’d gone and ruined everything. Defeated Jack removed his head from the other boy’s shoulder and slumped down in the seat. Puzzled by the blonde’s words Mike turned to him and said, “Look it’s nice you want to be friends but I’m not interested. Besides like my parents would let us hang out anyways.” “Oh so if I convince your parents to let us hang out we can be friends then?”Jack said with a cock grin. “This I have to see,” Mike said with heavy sarcasm as he exchanged numbers with Jack. The rest of the week passed without incident until Friday morning when Jack came on the bus carrying an overnight bag and a huge smile. “You excited for our sleepover tonight?” Jack said to a shocked Mike. “What?” “Yeah our moms talked it over last night and I’m staying the night. Aint that awesome,” Jack said with a toothy grin. Mike looked at the boy and gave him a look that said, fuck my life. Jack sat down glancing at the Mike out the corner of his eyes. He ached to pull the boy close and get lost in his scent. He closed his eyes and fought back the urge until he was certain he wouldn’t lose control. Jack let out a deep sigh and settled in for the ride. He fidgeted the entire way and after what like an eternity to him they arrived at school. While they waited for first period to start Mike was confused by Jack’s behavior. He thought for sure the other boy would have been all over him this morning. While he was happy Jack hadn’t invaded his space, he couldn’t understand why he felt sad. The day passed without incident until lunch time. Mike entered the restroom and unzipped his fly when in walked Jack. They locked eyes and froze. Jack broke the tension with his cocky grin and took the urinal next to him. Mike pulled out his penis and let his stream flow after 30 of the most awkward seconds of his life. Jack stood transfixed at the foreskin of the other boy and felt himself harden. He panicked, stopped his flow midstream and left, hoping he hadn’t been found out. “Hey aren’t you going to wash your hands?” Mike said to the boy’s back. Getting no response he finished peeing then returned to the cafeteria. As the last period approached the boys’ apprehension mounted. Why didn’t he tell Jack to screw off this morning, Mike thought to himself. He wished Jack had told on him, at least then they’d probably never have to ride on the same bus. Sure he’d get into trouble with the ‘rents, but it’d be worth it to be rid of the blonde. Then why did that make him sad, he wondered. Jack sat in class bobbing his knee and drumming his finger on his desk unable to concentrate on anything but the image seared into his mind. His insides felt like they were in a pretzel as his emotions warred. He couldn’t wait to finally be alone with Mike, but worried he’d mess up and they would never be friends. Above all else though he feared the boy would learn his secret and hate him. The final bell rang and the two made their way to their lockers then waited for the bus. “So tell me about your family,” Jack said with his biggest grin. “Well there’s not much to tell. Mom’s a public defender and works long shifts while Dad works at an auto body shop downtown. I’m alone most of the time,” Mike said turning towards Jack. “Oh,” Jack said and looked down before continuing, “that must suck, but I bet it’s better than sharing a house with hyperactive seven year olds.” “It’s not that bad, besides I’m used to being alone. Don’t really know any other way.” “Aw come on dude everybody needs friends. Hey if you want you can barrow me and the twins for a day,” Jack said and shoved Mike. “Well some company might be nice,” Mike said and shoved him back. “Score!” Jack said and pumped his fists in the air. “I said might silly,” Mike said through a fit of laughter. “Hey you didn’t say no,” Jack said then smirked and wiggled his eyebrows. “Doesn’t take much to excite you I see. Ha, what are you half Chihuahua?” “Hey take that back you meanie!”Jack said as he swatted Mike on his knee. The pair was so engrossed they didn’t notice their bus had arrived until the driver honked the horn. As the pair exited the school Mike smacked jack on his butt. “What the hell man?” Jack said after he regained his balance. “Don’t start something if you can’t finish it,” Mike said and walked off smirking at the blonde. Jack watched him walk onto bus and flashed a devilish grin. Mike had just gotten comfortable when Jack sat down on his lap. “Pay back’s a bitch aint it?” Jack said then hopped off Mike before he could react. “Oh it’s so on motherfucker,” Mike said and they got into a shoving match for the rest of the ride home. The other students took note of the pair and snickered, but they were oblivious to this and continued their game and in no time they arrived at Mike’s house. “You boys have fun,” said Loraine with a knowing smile. They smiled in return and exited the bus. Jack’s worries mounted when he saw the stairs leading up to the front porch. Normally they wouldn’t have been an issue but with the combined weight of his book bag and overnight bag it would be difficult. Mike reached down for the overnight bag, but Jack smacked his had away. “I don’t need your help, I’m not weak you know,” Jack said glaring at Mike. “OK no need to get your panties in a bunch,” Mike said and walked away. Jack hoisted both bags on his shoulders and grabbed his crutches. He made it off the bus and up two steps before he lost his balance and fell backwards. “You OK?” “Ugh, yeah my back’s a bit sore though.” “Well what do you have in that thing anyways?” Mike said lifting the bag over his shoulder despite Jack’s protests. “The standard sleepover gear: clothes, DVDS and my laptop,” Jack said and continued up the steps. “Lucky you, the parental units only let me use the desktop in the den. Said they’re afraid I might meet some pedo without their supervision,” Mike said and pouted. “Where’s your room?” Jack said and set his book bag down by the couch then sat down. “First door on the right down the hall,” Mike said pointing over his shoulder before continuing, “So what do you want to do?” “We might as well get homework out the way. I have algebra and social studies, what about you?” said Jack as he got his text books. “I just have math, who’s your teacher?” Mike said flipping the HD TV to ESPN. “Ms. Adams, and eww you like this crud?” Jack said curling his lips. “I heard she’s easy, have Mr. Davis and he always gives us homework on the weekend—and what’s wrong with Sports Center?” Mike said and kicked Jack’s foot. “Naw she’s not easy, people just say that ‘cuz she gives multiple choice tests. And Sports Center is boring as fuck,” Jack said launching a pillow at the brunette. “Wa! My kung fu is better than yours,” Mike said as he knocked the pillow aside. Jack groaned and launched another pillow, this time hitting his mark. Mike glared at Jack and moved to the other end of the couch. The pair fell into silence, punctuated by outbursts from Mike when there was a good play. Jack tried to concentrate on the assignment but he couldn’t stop thinking how he screwed things up. Sighing he plowed ahead and finished an hour later. “Here, I thought you’d never get done,” Mike said handing him the remote. “Whatever,” Jack said and channel surfed until he came to an old UFC bout. Mike turned and said, “You like this stuff?” “Yeah, watching those buff guys go at it is so cool,” he said with an indignant look on his face. Mike rolled his eyes and ignored the blonde’s attitude. He kicked off his air force ones and stretched out on the couch. “Do you mind your feet are in my lap,” Jack said and pushed them off him. “Nope,” he deadpanned and placed his size tens back in the boy’s lap. “This means war, roar,” Jack said and tickled Mike’s feet. “Stop it you asshole,” he said through laughter and reached for his inhaler. “Well I see you two are getting along fine,” Ms. Smith said as she closed the door and put her briefcase down. Seeing his mother Mike immediately stood up and placed his hands behind his back. “Good afternoon Mother, when shall Father be joining us this evening?” “Honey relax, you know you only have to do that when your dad’s around and he won’t be home until seven. Have you done your homework yet?” “Yes Ma’am, we did it as soon as we got home,” Mike said causing Jack to burst out laughing at his choice of words. “And has the TV been on all this time?” “Yes Ma’am, we’ve been here about an hour now,” Mike said checking the clock on the wall. “Well you know the rules dear. You boys go play in your room until dinner’s ready and you can watch a movie before bed.” “Yes Ma’am,” Mike said as he picked up his book bag and Jack’s overnight bag. “What the hell was that all about?” Jack said as they entered Mike’s room. “My dad used to be in the Marines and expects me to be his good little soldier,” Mike said and reclined on the king size bed. “Oh. That explains why your room looks so freakishly clean. So what do you want to do now?” “Xbox?” “Sweet,” Jack said and they played Modern Warfare 2 until Ms. Smith called them to dinner. Mike set the table and five minutes later his father came home. 6’5 and 250 pounds of pure intimidation stared down at Jack and then lumbered forward at him. James Smith crushed the boy’s hand in his meaty claw. “What’s your name, son?” he barked out. “Jack Johnson, sir. Nice to meet you, sir,” he stuttered. “Tell me what do your parents do?” “They’re investment bankers, I think, sir.” “Oh really and what is it they do exactly?” “Um I don’t know invest in banks?” the blonde said as he tremored. “Ha!” James’ voice boomed and he continued badgering Jack until Mike had enough. “Stop it!” “Oh you think ‘cuz you have company over you can show your ass? I don’t think so,” James said reaching for his belt. “James Eli Smith if you don’t sit down this instant and leave those boys alone I will kick your ass from here to Timbuktu,” Shelia Smith said and James slowly made his way to the head of the table. Dinner passed without much conversation and the boys were left to do the dishes while Mike’s parents retreated to their bedroom upstairs. “Now I see why you didn’t want to be friends. Is he always like that?” Jack said passing Mike a plate. “No. That was nice for him.” “Shit, thanks for sticking up for me. I was so ‘bout to piss my pants back there. Oh man, I didn’t get you in trouble did I?” Jack said and handed Mike another plate. “No it’ll all blow over my morning. Right about now they’re getting it on,” Mike said. “Eww TMI, I did not need to know that,” Jack said and wiped some suds on Mike and a water fight broke out. They retreated to Mike’s room after cleaning the kitchen and got ready for bed. Jack reached for his pajamas but stopped not wanting to look like a baby. “Umm what do you normally wear to bed?” he said looking at the floor. “Just my boxers and maybe a shirt, you?” Mike said while pulling off his jeans. “Same here,” Jack squeaked and took off his khaki shorts with trembling hands, hoping Mike didn’t notice. The other boy did however notice Jack’s tighty-whities and laughed his head off. Jack pounced on top of Mike and they wrestled around. Mike was surprised by how strong the smaller boy was as they jostled each other. Mike started wheezing but resisted the urge to reach for his inhaler and the match continued with Jack on the bottom. Mike made to put jack in a head lock when their erection rubbed against each other. Instantly they separated and Mike retrieved his inhaler from the bedside dresser. Jack looked down and noticed Mike’s hard on hanging out his fly. Jack couldn’t resist his urges any longer and wrapped his hand around the four inch shaft, sending Mike’s inhaler falling to the floor.

So it's been awhile since I last wrote a blog and in the time a lot has happened. For starters I've been crazy busy trying to get my screen printing business up and running and let me tell it can be such a pain in mien hinny. Like the bulk of the problems I'm having is getting the designs to transfer from the transparencies to the screens and getting them printed with out smudging the ink. I've been experimenting with ways to cut down prep time like "baking the screens in the oven to dry them faster and also using cotton swabs to make sure the lettering and images are highly detailed. yeah it takes forever this way but I think my customers will appreciate the hard work that I put into them. So I did up one that said: "TEAM EDWARD? TEAM JACOB? HOW'S ABOUT TEAM WHO-GIVES-A-FUCK?" Took me like 2 hours and a ton of Q-tips to get the lettering right and by the time I was done it's like 7pm so I put it into the drying machine then went to get ready to go out. I was all geeked and went about my routine and as I was about to put my shirt on my $300 pair of D&G glasses fell into the heating vent by the shower. So naturally I was PISSED so I texted my friend Chad and he was like, "Lol, maybe it's a sign you shouldn't go out tonight." So we spent the rest of the night catching it up. Now I met Chad a few months back on this hook up site called adam4adam, anyways we talked like once and didn't really click so a few months went by and I signed into yahoo and Chad IMed me and was like, "Hey there stranger long time no chat." Now I had no idea who he was and confused him with like 3 or 4 other guys I'd talked to. He was a good sport about it and because of this the ice was broken and we kinda just clicked. It turned out he was also into writing and was an education major at WMU. Without intending to I opened up to him about being being sick as a kid and how I was suicidal for the longest time. And he was cool as shit about it and way sweet too. So we exchanged cell numbers and started texting like crazy. Memorial Weekend came and I went to my parents' house in Inkster. so as I rode in the front seat with Dad when Chad texted me and said,"I so wanna blow you." I busted out laughing and showed my mom the text and she started laughing too. So later he texted me again and was like, "There's something I have to tell you and please don't get mad." I thought: OK dude is about to say he's just not that into me. It turned out he wanted to tell me his real name because up until that point he said his name was Chris. So I was a bit taken back by this and asked him why he lied to me. He said it was because he was scared I might be some psycho killer or something. Which I totally understood where he was coming from since the whole Craig's List Killer thing went down. So I told him, "Now sweat man it's all good." So we continued texting and it turned out he stayed not that far from my parents' house and we scheduled to meet up Memorial Day at a local park 3 miles away. So the day finally came (just like your mom) and I told my parents what was up and they were cool with it. At like 11am or so the weather took a turn for the worst and Chad texted me and was like, " Sorry dude we're gonna have to reschedule our date :-( " So I was way bummed out and did what I normally did in these situations: pigged out. Like the roles are kinda reversed in my family. Dad is usually the one stuck doing the cooking for holidays and special events, while Mom may step into the kitchen to make deviled eggs or her double baked Lasagna if she's feeling particularly generous. Seriously growing up she like only knew two basic recipes: spaghetti with meat sauce and lasagna (I swear she has to be part Italian; wouldn't surprise me at all tho considering she has German, Polish, Dutch, and Cherokee in her.) so dad made his homemade baked Mac'n Chesse as well as the standard honey glazed ham, hot dogs, potato salad(with Miracle Whip, not mayo you sick freaks ), and brat wursts. Now I'm normally not that big a fan of meat(get your heads out of the gutter) and normally eat one or two hot dogs and just fill up on sides, but I decided what hell and tried a brat. I tentatively bit into it and my first thought was: damn this is good, like a giant sausage(duh which it was. Again get your minds out the gutter.). so I had two more brats a second helping of potato salad and macaroni and I was stuffed and the "itis" took full effect so I went upstairs and mucked around face book for awhile (I'm Tyerone Mike Johnson on there for those of you so inclined to add me ) and got some work done on the Phoenix Diaries (for those of you wondering I rewrote the first and second chapters and am up to chapter six and could really use a new editor. I sent chapters 1-4 to the guy who agreed to be my editor but he only commented on the revised first chapter and I haven't heard back from him in weeks now.). And then I googled some stuff about my old home town back in German (Bindlach aka the rock, called so because it's up in the Bavarian mountains ). This led me to do a mini interview with Dad about his military police unit over there and what not for the autobiography I'm also working on. Anyways the next day my parents took me to my old high school to try and locate some of my old teachers. Turned out they had all retired and the people at the office were no help at all. So later my dad took me back to my apartment at WSU and I later realized I misplaced my flash drive and checkbook so I was scrambled between campus and my house in Pontiac and tried to track it down. Eventually I came to the conclusion I must have lost it somewhere as it was nowhere to be found at either of my places or my parents' place. So I went to the bank and had them place a hold on the account and opened a new one and placed most of the funds from the old into it just to be on the safe side. The last time I had checks stolen/misplaced someone took me for over $23,000 us and my bank refused to reimburse me so I had charges pressed against the person in question and she was ordered to pay restitution as part of her parole but only $7,00 was recovered from her accounts. I've yet to receive full restitution. While I dealt with that mini-crisis Chad stopped texting me are returning my texts. I got totally bummed because I thought he was so into me and I was into him tons too. I texted him one last time: "Dude WTF? I thought you liked me? If you don't respond back I'll assume you weren't that into me and move on." A few days went by and I decided I'd given him ample time so I moved on and started talking to a ton of other guys and hooked with some of them in the process. I met a way cool guy named Patrick who is a civil engineer so we had Physics in common and we started flirting back and forth online. I asked him out one night and he said he was "just into chatting right now," so we did the friends thing for two weeks til I replied that's what your mom said when I effed her in the a. He was not happy (Gee, I wonder why? ). And I haven't heard from him since. Three days after the blow up with Pat (the 17th) I got a text from someone in the 734 area code. At first I replied back, "Who's this?" I later recognized the area code because my parents' number also used 734. I replied, " sup?" to see what he'd reply back with, so we talked a bit and I replied, "So what you been up to ?" " NM just dealing with a shitty phone, u ?" It turned out his phone had been on the fritz for the past few weeks and he only just now got it to work. Now my BS detector went off like crazy so I then regaled him with tales of my sexual exploits to see what his reaction would be. He basically called me a man-hoe and I told him," Hey lets get something straight, I aint a whore. The guys I hooked up with were the hoes. I was just getting my dick wet. I'd be nice to find someone who could handle my anaconda though." "yeah :-)" "Lol and you think you can handle it, hmm Chad?" "Probably." "Like joining the marines, many have tired(sic) few have sessceeded(sic)." " :-) " "Lol well you're more than welcome to try dude." "Thats (sic) not my objective. But you dont (sic) want something deeper?" "Yeah I ultimately want something long term. It be nice to have someone to cuddle up with and kiss after a long day." "Thats (sic) what i(sic) would want you to be." "K well like I totally thought you bailed on me abd (sic) sorta moved on but if you want something more than a hook up then I'm all for it but like not right off the bat. I don't want to make the same mistakes I made with my first bf by rushing things. That ok?" "there is no mistake but if you wanna do it right we can but you need to stop hoeing yourself no offense i(sic) know you like sex but thats(sic) risky." "Yeah I know but I always use protection and yeah if you want something serious then I'm done being a man-hoe ok, " I replied back and then told him about Patrick and asked him if he wanted to meet in the park like we originally planned and he said yes So the next day he asked me what I was doing and I told him I was dealing with some drama from my fraternity. Due to a massive failure in communications the current VP and president were pissed at me for organizing a fraternity event tho technically I'm not a pledge (long story short I de-pledged at the end of the Winter term). One of my bros hit me up on face book the night before and said he'd been hyping the Movie Night idea I had suggested on the wiki page I made for them(another reason they were mad at me it turned out.) and they planned the first one for Friday and he asked me where we were going to show it; what we were going to watch, etc. And I replied, "Well this is all news to me, I had planned for it after I re-pledged and could get things set up in advance instead of at the last minute." "Oh," was his reply. So as to not make him look like a complete fool to the others I went ahead and was like well let's see about holding it in the student center and we could use my PS3, flat screen TV and watch my copy of Avatar on Blue-ray disc. So I contacted a few guys to see what they were doing and thought to save time by just posting it as an event and sent invites to all the guys I didn't talk to yet. Imagine my surprise at 4am the next morning when I got a message from the Brotherhood Chairman(A guy I don't even know all that well) in which he chewed me out. So I put him in his place and told him straight what the deal was and how he was being used as a messenger boy. Then he replied back saying how he was just tryied to save the event from being canceled and that there was no need to make this personal. He laid into me for assuming he was a "younging when he was about my my age. Now in my defense he is shorter than my 5'10 and looks younger and even though I saw him drinking alcohol under age drinking is something that does go on in our group all the time. So I apologized to him and pointed out this would never had blown up if (A) I knew him better and (B) had the VP and President, guys I know personally and in the case of the VP I see all the time in the gym, just posted something on my wall, called or texted me. So I shoot them off messages telling them in the future if they had issues with me then come to ME personally. So they replied back to me and were like, "You're lucky Mroz messaged you because we were going to shut it(Movie Night) down ASAP if he hadn't stepped in on your behalf," Then they went on these tangents abou thow I hadn't respected them, that they were very busy and that I hadn't changed etc. So I replied back to their emails and kept things cordial but made my points. Firstly they weren't the only ones who were busy, yet I found time in my schedule to try and squash this problem in the bud when it came to my attention. Secondly the whole incident could have been avoided had they just took thirty seconds to IM or text me. And finally I laid into them for the continued lack of organization. Now as a non-pledge I didn't "expect to be kept in the loop on every little thing that went on in the group," as the VP accused me of in his reply. But by the same token I had to find out they were planning an event I suggested at the last minute and then when I tried to do my friend a favor they then wanted to ban me from said event? I don't think so. So I told them point blank you guys aren't the only fraternity on campus and if you're going to waste my time with BS then I'll join up with your rivals Pi Kappa Alpha(Pike) because, say what you will about them they have their stuff together and actually care about their guys. Because before I decided to pledge Alpha Sigma Phi I went to several of the Pikes' events but ultimately decided on Alpha Sig because of their motto: to better the man and because they seemed like good guys even though we really didn't know each other all the well because the colony had just started up that term. But in hindsight maybe I should have stuck with the Pikes because at the first event I went to ( a toga party were I rocked this sweet blue bed spread as a toga), you know what? They actually took the time to ask me how I got the breathing tube and where I was from and they even had a guy walk me back to my motel room after the party wound down. Not like the alpha sigs who are so cliqued up it's not funny. Some of them think I'm like this gang banger and that's why I have the breathing tube, which completely not the case at all. The last straw for me was when we were at this event for Greek Week and no one there knew my last name! It's only the most common one ever. Yes I know communication is a two way street and I've tried hanging out with some of the guys I'm not that close with in an attempt to get to know them better but you know what? A lot of the time they blew me to hang with their other friends. Throughout my bitch-fest Chad was a freaking super star and replied back after my epic long text, "That sucks see you need a man :-) not a group." So I vented a bit more and he was good natured about it then like there was a pause on his end of the conversation. I replied back again then got scared thinking he'd pulled another vanishing act on me again so I'm replied back, "but w/e sorry to bore you with my drama." Five hours later he replied back with, "fell asleep sorry what you up too(sic)?" thinking that he was playing games with me told him I was getting ready to hit the club and he said he was chilling watching a horror movie (Child's play 3). I told him how when I was younger I basically was raised by horror movies. I was always stuck home ,or at hospital sick and was such an antisocial little creep who didn't have anyone to hang with. "Aww," he replied. "Hey it's all good bro what doesn't kill ya, aint trying hard enough ;)" "True :-)" So we chatted back and forth as I finished getting ready to go and then I dropped my glasses down what I know now was a heating vent. Yeah I was pissed . several fbombs later I texted Chad and that was when he replied,"Maybe its(sic) a sign not to go out tonight?" "Her ya think :)" "I do :-) " So we spent the rest of the night texting away. And at one point because he kept replying back with one or two word replies I texted him,"Lol you're a right shakespere (sic) :p" "I am lol" "Oh wow THREE words :-P I kind your(sic) one of the good ones" " :-) " Then I sent him a pic of me in my other pair of glasses (shades). Then we started started talking about movies and I mentioned how funny I thought The Hangover was and he replied back with his standard, "ya :-)" "And I'd give up forever to touch you cuz I know that you feel me somehow" "What Lol" "What you never heard iris by the goo goo dolls?" "I have :-)" " :-) and I don't want the world to see me cuz I just don't think they'd understand when everything's made to be broken I just want you to know who I am" "Lol :-)" "Lol yeah I kinda have it memorized" "Aww :-)" "Lol what can I say deep down inside I'm just a hopeless romantic and if ya tell anybody I'll break ya knee caps :-)" And this exchange led to the discuss of our sexual histories and like I told Chad since I was about 18 I've only been with 15 partners(12 guys,but only 3 girls. Not for lack of trying mind you) And the majority of those it was either just mutual masturbation or oral and the few times I have had intercourse with both sexes I've always used protection. So then he mentioned how "We're going to have to change the bare part." "Lol what?" "The Bare back" " Oh lol nope dude safe only unless youre(sic) serious about us staying together long term then yeah I would bare back with you if we both came back clean" "Yup" "Good :)" ":-)" "Ok(sic) so now that that's settled um like are you a top bottom verse?" "Verse" "Good me too. Tho I never bottomed before and just recently topped a guy.' "Ah," was his reply and so I told about my first boyfriend how after 8 months together he barely wanted to touch me yet wanted me to perform oral favors on him shall we say. Like I wanted him to top me but he was so sexually repressed what with being Italian-Catholic that he didn't even masturbate before we meet. Chad and I texted late into the night. Saturday rolled around and he ignored my texts again. I decided to go out instead of waiting on him to make up his mind. So I went back to the Liberty Bar for a bit then hit Tonic down the street and let me tell you the girls and some of the guys in there were hot as hell. So I had a dilemma here: on the one hand Chad had ignored me again and I was knee deep in sexy ladies ripe for the taking. On the other hand I liked him and was falling for him hard and didn't want to jeopardize us having something meaningful for a half hour of pleasure with someone I'd probably never seen again. So I decided OK I'll dance with them but no grinding or making out. Let me tell ya that was utter torture. There where times I had to hold myself back from strong arming a few girls and this hot ass emo-looking guy. I got home around 1:30am , ate a turkey and cheese sub and a protein bar and texted Chad again I basically told him I needed some clarification and we needed to set ground rules because I told him what happened at the club. He replied back Sunday Afternoon and It turned out he'd used up all his minutes texting me this month and had to buy more, so I was like, "Well I don't want you going broke cuz of me so do you have facebook or yahoo? We could talk on there instead." "Yeah," hereplied and we began another round of texts. Eventually I asked if it was cool if I called him sometime and he was said,"Sure though it still charges per minute but it's cheaper than texting." There came another lull in our conversation but this time I didn't freak out so when he texted me in the middle of my work out session I got a hold of him and just discussed some concerns I had about us. How we haven't met yet but were already talking about getting serious and like how it reminded me all too much about what happened with me and the ex. And how I didn't want the same things to happened with us. Then I told about my plans for grad school and a bit about the books I'm working on. His reply to my massive text was this: "We will be fine:-) ya your body is mine now :-) so no more playing [the] field :-)" "Lol aren't you getting a little a head of yourself what if when we meet I think yur(sic) fugly? Lol just kiding(sic) im(sic) not THAT shallow hell if anything you prolly be like that to me not that it matters mind ya cuz i got hoes in different area codes(seriously there was this one dude from clevland... (sic) that was like willing to drive 90 minutes just to blow me). But my days of man going(sic. should be hoeing) is over I guess. Well that goes double for you too mister. God I had(sic. should be hate) auto-correct typing on my iPhone like no I did not mean to spell he'll but hell." ":-) not at all getting ahead will(sic) be close bfs doing it as much as possible :-)" And so we texted more through out the day then went into another lull that ended right around the time my mom, younger brother(7), sister(23) and her son(4) came to help me make up some shirts. Now my sister ripped on me for now having things already set up. Guilty, was so wrapped up in texting then working out that I lost track of time. So they stayed there from like 3 then about six and I told them I'd call or text next time I wanted them to come. So I popped online and checked my Wayne State Webmail and saw I had a few messages from the various hook up sites I used to use so I updated my profiles and said I was just looking for friends. Then I went over to facebook and updated my status to read: I swear like the shadow beside you I'll be there for better of worse till death do us part I'll love you with every beat of heart. Now my sister commented: "& remind me Y u Stopped writing poetry again?" Now I told her those were, "lyrics from I swear by all4one a boy band from back in the day," and that, "I stopped writing poetry the same reason I stopped writing together. cuz I thought everything I wrote was crap." So I then went over the essay questions (4 of them, 500 words each) due this Thursday for my Introduction to Anthropology class and then looked up the required texts and put them on hold at the campus library; I am currently awaiting their reply. Chad texted me again and asked what Iwas doing. I said I was, "just watching TV and planned to do a bit of writing" then if it was cool with him if I called him later. His reply was, "that cool," and, "when do plan on calling?" I told him, "I could call now if you aren't busy?" " Lol I'm just one handed :-)" (note: I sent him a picture of mien cock at his request and he likey Mikey.) "Lol you pervert. Master of your own domain eh" ":-)" " So u want me to leave ya alone with yur(sic) thoughts for awhile hmmm :)" "Or join in :-)" "I would if I had some inspiration hint hint" "My voice should be inspiration be inspiration enough lol" "Oh no mister you owe me some pics that was the deal" "Yeah I do when it decides to send" "Right me thinks someone's a scardie(sic) cat :p " ":-) no" "Mmhhmm" ":-)" so I was about this point I decided what the hell and called Chad. All bravado aside I was a little shy about talking on the phone with him and yeah there were times he couldn't understand me and I had to repeat myself but like he was even funnier in person and while we stumbled a bit we still had the same chemistry as we did texting so I asked when he was free and he said any time after say Tuesday so I asked him to meet me in the park this Saturday( The one we originally intended to meet at on Memorial Day.). And he said yes. So I told him I'd call later and we hung up. And that's how I now have a kinda sorta boyfriend.

Thanks Cole and the physics-English combination isn't that odd. In fact there's Dr. Michio Kaku who in addition to being a brilliant theoretical physicist is an author whose books explain the physics behind time travel , parallel universes as well as analyze the physics required for things like The Death Star or light Sabre's to actually function. I recommend all you science buff out there to check out Physics of the Impossible by him.

What a difference just a few weeks can make had you told that I'd be where I am now I wouldn't have believed you. For those of you who've read my Blog Fear know that me getting up there and singing Stand by Me at the local gay bar in Pontiac,Mi was a life changing event, but how much I had no idea. See following that night ever since things have just kinda fell into place. For starters I'm currently in the process of getting rid of the breathing tube I've had since I was 6. basically the first chapter of The Phoenix Diaries was autobiographical( sans the dream sequence). Anyways like after I got back from liberty bar (on n Saginaw St if any of you guys are in the north Oakland county area of Michigan). And like I just felt literally on fire. So the next day I decided to try capping off the tube(blocking off the opening so I'm forced to breath through my nose and mouth). Anyways at first I was kind of difficult and I only lasted about an hour, but I kept at everyday and now it's been almost two weeks that I've been breathing without the tube. And you know what it feels nice and kind of weird(using a whole lot of muscles I have used in ages) . So while this was going on I also discovered I could actually talk and not the clicking type thing I used to do, but real vocalizations and everything :D. so I've already been to my doctor's and ENT(eyes,ears, nose and throat) and am in the process of scheduling reconstructive surgery to reverse it. With any lucky I'll be free of this thing after almost 20 years. So yeah I'm loving being me right now and have noticed the effect it had on me. Like before when I wrote it was always this chore because I didn't think what I wrote was good enough, right? So I was in Ferndale, one of the major LGBT hot spots in Michigan, for an appointment with the optometrist so I could get my license reinstated(had one too many points on it and it got suspended). So afterward I'm walking around just exploring a bit and come to this used book and decide to get a few on writing and the one book in particular that has really helped to get in touch with my inner writer is If You Want To Write by Brenda Ueland. It's like she so gets what it's like to be a new writer and I've taken her advice to write for the sake of your own enjoyment to heart. and because of this book and the changes I've kinda been through lately I decided to write an autobiography and have been hella busy lining up interviews with my old doctors, nurses, teachers, etc and in the process I'm finding out about myself you know. Because of the impact that writing has had on me recently I decided to alter my degree so I can combine my love of physics with creative writing and then go to graduate school and become a physics teacher on either the middle school or high school level. Well a big thanks to all you guys who have given me warm words of welcome and criticism where need be (mark ).

?Damn remind me not to piss you off in the immediate future. Seriously kid, way to take a level in bad ass. Of course it was all my doing and don?t ya forget it,? said Shadow. Travis sent his alter ego flying with a blast of flames. ?You talk too much.? He smirked at Shadow and then the next instant they were standing atop the desert plateau. They stared down each other until Shadow called a truce. They shook on it and as Travis is just getting accustomed to the awkward situation he sensed something above him and grabbed at the air where he thought it was. ?God, leggo my arm already would ya. The bus driver just wanted me to wake you up. No reason for you to go psycho on me,? groused Joshua Giovanni. The ginger freshman was a brash and cocky midget, who commanded respect where ever he went, but he began fidgeting the moment Travis grabbed his arm. He never noticed how dirty the floor was until this morning. He knew he should have protested or made up an excuse not to wake the brunette, but that would have drawn undue questions from his friends, and that was the last thing he wanted right now. He schooled his nerves and put on the mask of bravado he wore so well. He nodded to his friends David and Jason as they exited the bus and laughed at his current predicament all the way inside school. He guffawed at himself as people streamed pass and stared at the pair. He glanced at the boy, wondering if he was ever going to budge. And once the others left his hazel eyes feasted on Travis. He studied the wild tangles of black, and to his surprise, the faintest traces of red hair. Satisfied it?s just a trick of the light his eyes honed in on the boy?s gapping mouth and thick, kissable lips. Kissable lips; he can?t think like that about Johnston. Not here, not now, it?s too dangerous. OK yeah so Travis was not an Abercrombie boy like Josh. And maybe he was a year and a half younger than him and kind of chunky, but damn it Josh liked him. He had to stop perving on him before someone noticed. Why was this so hard, why couldn?t he just talk to Travis like the other guys. It sucked, he couldn?t stop thinking about him but, but he doesn?t even know Josh exists. He kept saying today was the day he?d finally go up to him and say hi, but he just can?t do it. Josh was such a pussy. He lived ten minutes from the boy and he?d been there a lot of times just to watch him read or watch TV from his hiding spot in the bushes. He was totally messed up in the head, but he can?t help himself. He loved him. He didn?t even know if the brunette batted for the same team, and even if he did it wasn?t even like he?d be into the ginger. Hell Travis probably took shits bigger than him. Ugh, he couldn?t keep doing this to himself. If Josh don?t talk to him today he was going to go insane. Josh was pulled out of his self deprecation by the warning chime. However Johnston snoozed away with a kung fu action grip on Josh?s poor wrist. Josh was torn between waking him and ending this, or prolonging this lovely scene. The dilemma came to an end when Travis let out a huge yawn and finally woke up and released him. He marched off the bus without sparing the shorter boy one glance. Josh flexed his arm trying to get the circulation going again then watched Johnston head inside. Something seemed different to the ginger; he felt a weird vibe radiating from the brunette. He followed behind the other boy and whispered, ?Every single day I find it hard to say I could be yours alone.? Travis turned and stared at Josh. Improvising the fifteen- year-old mumbled, ?Um, you know if we don?t hurry we?re gonna be late to home room and you know what an ass Mr. Rosh is. So, um yeah let?s hoof it, bye.? Well that was weird, and cute in a stray puppy way. Oh come on you know ya wanna kiss him. Yeah huh, I?m too tired talk with you, silence. Travis put up his mental barriers and Shadow was subjugated. He sleep walked to home room, took his usual seat near the front of the room and snoozed through morning announcements. Josh hesitated when homeroom ended then saw his chance, gathered up his courage and woke the brunette up. Still half asleep Johnston walked right past him again, but Josh?s resolve strengthened. Dodging the sea of students Travis made his way to his locker and as he was about to open it a hand slammed it shut. Exactly whom Johnston didn?t need today stood in front of him. Jordan Maxwell: 6?3, 220 pounds of brain dead jock. The self proclaimed god?s gift to women made it his mission to torment the brunette at every turn. But things didn?t go quite as planned for dear old Maxwell. ?How?s my favorite freak today? Oh, can?t wait to blow me you say. OK, just this once since I?m such a nice guy,? the blond taunted. ?Move it.? ?It speaks, I?m shocked.? ?It can talk, just not very well. Ergo it doesn?t that often, especially not to meatheads like you. Now move it.? ?Make me queer bait.? Poor Jordan really should have listened this time. Any other day Travis would have sat through Jordan?s crap until he got bored and left him alone. Instead he shoved Jordan away. The sophomore went flying a yard down the hallway, much to everyone?s surprise. A small crowd gathered to watch a potential fight, but before things had a chance to escalate the chime for first period sounded and everyone rushed off. Seeing his opening Johnston got his English notebook and math text and then raced off to Art with one thing on his mind, What the hell just happened? As usual Travis was the first one in the room and was all set to head back to sleep. He loved free period art class; perfect for napping or doing homework he should have done earlier (even borderline geniuses have their slacker moments). He had almost nodded off when the commotion of other students roused him. The rumor mill had worked overtime and the minor incident in the hall had morphed into him putting Jordan in hospital. Resigning all hope of getting some sleep, he began to doodle. Ms. Molly walked through the room surveying her students, offering a complement here, constructive criticism there, but always with a positive attitude. She?d been had never seen him produce anything above crude contour line drawings and so she was quite surprise with the level of detail in his current sketch. While no Rembrandt, it was above par for Travis. ?Travis dear, this is an interesting piece. I suggest you use a larger medium to capture more of the fine details. Curious, I didn?t know you were ambidextrous?? Joy, I get to use the canvas like a big boys, is his thought as he dismissed her questions with a nod. He?s half done sketching the outline when a familiar scene began to take shape: the land of fire and flesh. He didn?t know what freaked him out more, that he drew this picture or that he drew it with his left hand without realizing it until just then. The boy felt a head ache coming on as he packed up. He was halfway down the hall when someone called to him: ?Hey guy wait up, Ms. Molly wanted me to ask you where you thought up that painting. Oh, and Mr. Martin?s subbing for Ms. Campbell?s English class today. Um and like that fight you had with Jordan was so sweet. The look on his face when you pushed him was fucking priceless. I?m so glad someone finally put that d-bag in his place,? Josh rambles out in his squeaky voice. ?Um, OK. It was a dream; there was no fight and thanks.? ?What?? ?Ugh,? he replies and hastily scrawls his message. ?Oh ok, um you?re welcome and see you in gym.? ?Huh?? ?I have Campbell for English too.? ?Oh.? Travis was ready to detonate. Class with Mr. Martin meant a one way ticket to the bleachers for him. Stupid Asthma, he thinks to himself. And knowing his luck Maxwell and his cronies would also be there. Fuck me sideways with a foot long dildo, he seethes in his head. As he and Josh sprinted to the athletic block, he?s surprised he hasn?t started wheezing yet. ?Ha, now I?d pay to see that,? Josh replied to brunette?s unspoken comment. Yep, it?s official. Travis was losing his mind. There?s no way Josh could hear his thoughts. He felt a full blown migraine coming on and they were nowhere near the gym yet. They broke into a full run, but it?s Josh who struggled to keep up. They made it into the gym ten seconds apart, right as the tardy signal chimed. Josh glared daggers at the other boy when Mr. Martin ordered him to run laps. Once he?s done, Mr. Martin told the class they were to work in pairs and write a twenty page report on Mary Shelly?s Frankenstein due at the end of the month. He then passed out the assignment packet and dismissed them to play dodge ball and went to his office. There was much groaning all around, but what did they expect from AP English. They?d already covered Of Mice and Men, Romeo & Juliet, and a module on Greek Mythology this year. Since he had no social life, Johnston had read most of the book over Christmas break and figured it wouldn?t take long to finish the last hundred odd pages. The only problem was the partner part of the equation. He pulled his post-it leaden book out and dug right in where he left off. A few minutes passed when Josh plopped down beside him. ?Hey, you?re Travis Johnston right? Umm, I meant to introduce myself earlier. Joshua Giovanni, resident smartass and the dude you had a death grip on this morning. Uh, um you wanna do the Shelly paper together or what?? He couldn?t believe he had the guts to finally introduce himself to his number one biggest crush. Josh felt the smile tugging at the corners of his lips, fighting to get out. And his pale cheeks flushed crimson when he finally let it cement itself on his cherubic face. The blushing spread across his face and ears, and brought out the freckles on his button nose. He can?t remember ever feeling this ecstatic or alive. His heart raced a thousand miles a second and sweat was trickled down his palms. His breath quickened as he felt the familiar tingling in his toes. It spiraled up to forbidden territory and he now felt the hardness pressed into his athletic shorts and panicked. And then the boy beside him spoke. ?No, nein, yet, iie. You weird me out, now leave. Shoo.? ?What?? Josh whispers. ?Leave!? Travis? raspy voice shouted, drawing several people?s attention. ?But I was just trying to be friendly, I just thought maybe?? ?You just thought maybe you?d say a few kind words to the freak and he?d be duped into doing your work for you? That you?d come work that cocky little smile of yours on me and I?d bow down to you like everyone else does?? ?Why are you so mad at me, I just thought you could use someone to talk to. You?re not the person I thought you were.? ?FUCK YOU. Don?t you ever try to assume you know me! You don?t even know the first damn thing about me. You don?t have the right to speak on me, so hold your tongue.? ?What did I ever do to make you hate me so much huh? All I did was treat you nice and try to talk to you. You don?t know how hard it was just to say hi to you. You don?t even know the first damn thing about me!? Josh?s fist slammed into Travis? jaw underneath his right eye. The red-head pulled back his fist to deliver another blow, but doubled over from the brunette?s gut shoot. Travis followed up with a vicious upper cut. Blood gushed from Josh?s nose as the fist made contact. Then all hell broke loose as several of Josh?s friends piled onto Travis. And then there is only pain. He felt a tingling sensation run up his spine and his vision blured. And then the screaming began. He felt the presence of something pull him deeper and deeper under its influence. Travis? body was no longer his. He watched as the force now controlling him laid waste to everything in striking range. As though underwater he watched himself bash Josh?s face in then take a blow to back of the head from Jordan. Travis stumbled but caught himself and then charged forward. The two collide and he was pushed backwards by the force of the impact. He fell but executed a back flip to right himself. Travis charged Jordan again and drilled his knee into the blonde?s chest. He went down hard and was out. A brown haired sophomore caught him from behind. David Mitchell crashed his massive frame into Travis sending him head first into the bleacher, splitting Johnston?s forehead open. The presence that controlled his body compelled him to get up. Johnston smiled then wiped the blood out of his eyes. David made to strike but Travis caught his wrist and tossed the muscle bound teen over his shoulders effortlessly. He straddled David?s hips and rained down blow after on the boy?s lanky frame until muscular arms forced him face down. His eyes closed and everything fades to black.

Thanks for the critique. I took what you said into consideration and re-edited the first chapter putting everything in past tense, also I edited the hospital scene way down. as for the transitions I made them a bit clear but they are suppose be jarring. Well once again thanks for the advice Mark.

Thanks the idea for this story has kinda been stuck in my head since I was like 16. Well once again thanks for the feed back.

I write for everyone who has ever felt stepped on, left out, isolated and unloved. I write so people will know that I have a voice; that I am still here, standing proud despite everything I've been through. But most importantly I write to tell that lonely kid out there who's thinking about killing himself: YOU MATTER, NEVER SURRENDER! The path each of us must walk is seldom clear or easy. And though we may lose our way we must continue forward, using the knowledge and gifts given to us to light the way.

So what did you guys think? Did it suck, should I reedit it?

Thank you everyone for your words of support and welcome. I hope that I can live up to the high standards you have set here :)

So I went out tonight on a whim to the gay bar near my house. They were doing karaoke so I decided what the tell and put my name in the cue and waited my turn. Now I've been there plenty of times but always chickened out because I can't talk all that well. So as my turn approached I started panicking. What if they laugh at me? What if I mess up the words, etc. So when the DJ called my name I took a deep breath and started to sing Stand by Me. At first no one could hear because my voice was so weak, but after the DJ restarted the song I did better. Now my performance wouldn't have won any awards, but you know I had fun and took a major step in conquering my fear of talking in public. As I was leaving I got to thinking, What was I so afraid of? I have no more control of how people react than I do over the fact I'm black or that I'm bisexual. So my question to you is this: Why let fear rule us? How many times have you not done something because you were afraid of what might happen. How many times have we not gone after that special someone; how many times have we not wrote that story because we were afraid we weren't good enough to pull it off? FDR was right, the only thing we have to fear, is fear itself: living meaningless lives because we don't go after what we want.

It?s two in the morning and yet again he can?t sleep. An insomniac since he was six Travis usually had difficulty falling asleep, but never more so than tonight. He?d been trying for the last three hours to nod off, but the thoughts bursting out of his head would not let him. He lay there while they mercilessly paraded behind his eyes in a nonsensical symphony of synapses. Locusts, they?ve devoured the night, leaving him with a few hours? rest before school. On nights like this his only refuge, save total exhaustion, is the rain: a precious talisman that drowns out all the voices in his head. However, its presence offered him no absolution this night. Flinging the blankets onto the floor, he throws on his favorite grey hoodie, jeans and Nikes and heads outside. Immediately the deafening roar of rain meeting concrete, metal and houses alike washes over him and he retreats to the dark depths of his mind: ?I?m such a freak and no matter how hard I try, that?s all I?ll ever be. No one knows how hard it is, how much it takes to get through the day. Everyone walks around so blissfully happy and full of life, taunting me with their stupid smiles. But what do I have to be happy about?nothing! They go about their lives so cavalier, but if any of them experienced the hell I have they?d wish they were dead, too.? His thoughts drift back to the night he died almost eight years ago. The entire staff of St Michael?s ER converged upon Travis as his father hurtled his frail, six-year-old body into the hospital. Barely conscious he was in a world pain as doctor after doctor poked and prodded and tried to stabilize him. Thinking them monsters he cried out to his parents, but no. He was too weak to utter a sound. Frantically his eyes searched until they found his parents and beseeched them to rescue him from these demons, but his pleas went unanswered. Silently Travis shed the first of many tears. Finally a diagnosis was made: Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis. This severe allergic reaction causes flu like symptoms, a red rash, spiking temperatures followed by hives, lesions, organ failure, blindness and death in extreme case. In Travis? case the allergen was penicillin he received two days prior for strep throat. Several IVs were started and the attending physician administered epinephrine to reduce the rapid swelling that had begun in the boy?s throat, but it had little effect and they had to perform an endotreacheal intubation. One crisis adverted they cut off the boy?s clothes and quickly applied heart monitor leads, a pulse oximeter and got his vital signs. The inner ear thermometer harbingered further bad news for the boy: 105 degrees Fahrenheit. In an instant they descended upon him again, packing his petite frame with mountains of ice. The cold pierced Travis to his core, setting off a violent shivering fit. It seemed to him as if every cell in his body was frozen solid. He closed his eyes and wished for an end to this nightmare. The heart monitor let off an ear splitting wail. He was finally free. Time held no meaning. He floated through an endless abyss, a perfect void uncorrupted by light or sound. Gone were the familiar beating of his heart; the rise and fall of his chest; the chattering of his mind: only silence. As he floated onwards, an overwhelming sense of peace cradled him in its embrace. Tears of joy streamed down his face as a bath of liquid warmth washed over and set him a blaze. Travis basked in the sublime majesty of the moment and never wanted it to end. ?CLEAR!? Boom. The serenity was ripped from Travis as the defibrillator poured new life into him. His eyes popped open as what felt like a sledge hammer pounded his chest. The discombobulated wailing of machines and a million conversations greeted his ears, but seconds later he flat-lined. Boom. Boom. Boom. Tired, aching and confused the boy looked up at the people that surrounded him and thought, Will someone turn off that stupid light. Had he known the hell that awaited him, he?d gladly have given anything to remain forever in that perfect abyss. In the coming months Travis lost over seventy five percent of his epidermis as it died and sloughed off. Luckily his sight was spared and after several skin grafts he began to recover was released home the week before Christmas. And for a brief while the Johnston family believed it was a Christmas miracle. Two weeks later he stopped breathing and for six months he lay comatose. The doctors said it was a lost cause, but his family persevered. His mother Elaine stayed at his bed side reading to him, only leaving long enough to wash up and check on her younger son and daughter. On his seventh birthday he regained consciousness, but whatever could go wrong usually did. Nurse Jenny Adams had just gone down the hall to check on her other patient and when she came back she found Travis slumped over and nonresponsive; upon examining him she found tachycardia and bradypnea. She issued a code blue and began performing CPR as his chest stopped rising. Otolaryngologist Max Kennedy entered the room and took over from Jenny and ordered her to get a pediatric intubation kit. The tube enters two inches into the trachea then hits a solid mass. Doctor Kennedy sensing time running out, perform an emergency tracheotomy. Although it was eventually reversed after four years, subsequent scarring of his vocal cords has left Travis all but mute. Since then life has been a series of countless surgeries, infections, and allergic reactions. While other kids were off playing tag and having sleepovers Travis spent months at a time trapped in a hospital bed. His only links to the outside world were books and DVD s from the library. More often than not his parents were busy working or taking care of Merry and Robbie. The staff of St Michael?s became his surrogate family. Nurse Jenny and the others would stop in and check in on Travis, making sure to gush over how much he grew since last they saw him. ?Yeah, pump a kid full of steroids and see if he don?t shoot up a few inches and pack on some pounds,? quips the voice in his head. This wasn?t the first time Travis? inner musings had been interrupted by the other presence in his mind. To cope with the isolation he created an imaginary friend he called Shadow. He and Shadow would spend hours having mental conversations together, until one day when he was 11, Shadow changed: ?Will you just shut up! Do you know how annoying it is listening to you all day long?? Since then Shadow has never stopped reminding travis how much he sucks. 'You know it really does suck out loud having you as an alter ego; you?re such a smartass who doesn?t know when to shut the hell up and let a guy chill with his thoughts. It?s a wonder I haven?t been fitted with a straight jacket years ago. All things considered, my mental state is quite adequate given the scope of my early childhood trauma. Granted this isn?t the optimal situation, but at least I haven?t experienced dissociative episodes or woken up covered in blood.? ?For the millionth time, if I have to listen to your bitching then speak English motherfucker. This aint no vocab lesson so cut the verbal masturbation already. And who says you aren?t pulling a Jekyll and Hyde? It aint exactly like you?re in total control of that colostomy bag you call a brain.? ?Not funny. Remind me again, why I put up with you?? ?Much better douche nozzle, and you know I?m the closest thing to a friend your antisocial ass is ever going to have.? As the forlorn youth wandered the rain soaked streets of Azure Plains, Michigan, memories of a life free of sickness came rushing back to him: when the least of his worries were getting to go out and play, and avoiding the nuns during Sunday school. Back to a time when he was just a normal kid who had friends and who was so carefree. He wonders, ?If we never moved to this pseudo suburb and stayed in Germany would I still have gotten sick. Would Marcus, Michelle and the others have stuck by me if I still did, or would they shun me like everyone else?? Try as he might, the tears wouldn?t be denied their due this time. Travis knew this would probably land him in hospital, but he just don?t care. Head tilted forward, he removed the hood and let the rain fall upon him until the tears and rain merged and fell as one. For the longest time he stood there, the entire world bearing witness to his tormented soul. ?ENOUGH.? Tossing the black curls out of his eyes Travis clinches his right fist white-knuckle tight. The tears stop flowing and then he put his hood back on. Rage surges through him, and the cold March rain is forgotten: ?I know better than this, crying solves nothing. People come and go; all attachments are pointless,? he chastises himself. Ripping the pocketknife from his pants, he hastily rolls up his left sleeve. Savagely he slashes the tan flesh. The blade bounces the pale moonlight across its surface. It travels back and forth, first the front and then back of the forearm. The metallic perfume of blood saturates the night air and the familiar warmth of inflammation overtakes Travis once more. Although a pale comparison, it reminds him of the abyss and he is at peace. He knows he should be feeling pain right now, and on some level Travis supposes he does. Yet only a dead emptiness fills him. Apathetically he calculates how gauze and Peroxide will be needed to treat the wounds. He runs his fingers along the cuts, surprised at the ferocity of his actions. The cold sensation of congealed blood intertwined with the hot searing skin intrigues him and he wonders if he should just end it all. ?Earth to shit-dick, are ya done with your period yet?? ?Self mutilation, menses: ha, I get it.? ?Thank you, thank you very much. Now if you?re done being all emo can we go home already?? ?Fine,? replied the boy and he trekked home. For once luck is on his side as his parents and siblings were nowhere to be found on the way to the bath room. He went about cleaning off the coagulated blood mechanically, only stopping occasionally to get more Q-tips and gauze. He flinches as the Peroxide fizzes in the lacerations and shooting pain races up his arm. As the crimson peroxide and water rinses down the drain, like a crack of thunder out of the blue it hammers into his ears: ?Blood shall rain from the heavens.? ?You say something?? ?No, and on that note let?s get to bed before this night gets any weirder.? Quite confused, but tired none the less Travis cleans the bathroom and hides the bloody hoodie under his bed, then crawls under the duvet. Almost instantly a dream like none before filled his head with macabre images: The sky is pitch-black, barren of any light. A sea of flames stretches out as far as the eye can see and all around islands of bone and corpses in ever manner of mutilation are piled high into the sky. The stench of rotten flesh and death hangs in the air, cloaking everything in an atmosphere of despair. ?Blood shall rain from the heavens, ash shall consume the air, death shall cover the land and none will he spare. Water shall turn to fire and the sleeper shall awaken to sire the end of?? The landscape changes and Travis is running for his life through a desert. Sweat is flowing from every pore, dripping into his eyes stinging them and continues downward into his gaping mouth. The salty taste fills his mouth, gagging him as his feet pound the rocky terrine. The harsh sun beats down upon him as he continues onward. The ground steeps upward. Travis pushes forward with every ounce of his energy his 4?11 and 130 pounds can muster. His lungs are starving for Oxygen as he takes massive gulps of air. The hammering of his heart and his aching muscles scream for Travis to stop. No, ever forward he moves, pulled by some unknown force to the rock face in the distance. So close now, just a little bit more and he has done it. Frantically he claws at the craggy cliff, his fingers reduced to bloody stumps. He finally gets a footing and hoists his onto the plateau and then: ?Travis Malik Johnston if you don?t get your high-yellow ass out of bed this instant you?re grounded for a week!? Heavily sleep deprived and soaking in sweat he checks the clock and sighs seeing that it?s 6:45 AM. No time for a shower he gives his armpits and genitals a cursory wash and discovers he?s fresh out of deodorant. Can this day get any worse? This is me we?re talking about. Of course it can get much worse, he bemoans to himself. Rolling out of bed, he checks the aftermath of last night?s ?little mishap? and stops dead in his tracks. Not a cut was found and only the faintest of scars remained. Too tired and pressed for time to delve further into this latest development now, he races around his room popping pills and pulling clothes off and on until he?s somewhat presentable in grey slacks and a charcoal hooded sweat shirt. Grabbing his backpack and keys, he?s out the door before his mom has a chance to nag at him again. Ten years previous residents from North West Detroit, Southfield, Old Redford and Oak Park joined together and the charter township of Azure Plains was founded. With a combination of philanthropic and corporate donations from the Big Three Azure Plains Preparatory Academy was established for the wealthier residents and Coldwater Community School for the lower Middle class. Robert and Merry Johnston attended Coldwater, fifteen minutes their house, while Travis was forced to attend Azure Prep. They make a huge performance about academic excellence, yet all Mummy and Daddy have to do is make a ?donation? and junior is guaranteed a passing grade. At times he doesn?t know who are worse, the teachers or the spoiled brats that walk the halls. It?s Casual Friday so they will be sure to wear their best and rub Travis? face in it as usual. Mr. & Ms. Johnston aren?t poor, but they aren?t exactly rich either; his father is an electrician at General Motors and his mother is a nurse at Botsford General Hospital in Farmington Hills. Elaine?s parents didn?t approve of her marrying an African American man; however they endowed Travis a hefty trust when they learned of his birth. But as with most things in life there was a catch. He had to attend a private school and was limited to $200 a month until his eighteenth birth day. The bus arrived and Travis took his normal seat towards the middle and drifted off to sleep for the forty five minute ride. Again the dream of running along the desert path comes, only this time it feels so much more real. Seeing the cliff in the distance he charges forward, the only sounds are the steady cracking of rocks and the murmur of blood humming in his ears. In an instant he scales the craggy ledge and then hoists himself on to the plateau above. Exhilaration drenches the boy to the core. He surveys the surroundings: the scorched earth, barren of all vegetation, drinks in the high sun?s rays and lays untouched by the hands of man. Curiosity draws Travis further to the cliff?s edge where the acrid wind swirls around him, violently whipping his hair around. Lowering his head to shut out the wind, his eyes lock onto great abyss below and he knows this is why he has been pulled here. Its depth, so vast that the mighty sun?s rays are but a ghost on the void?s outer most edges, calls to him. He has no choice but obey its siren call. Deeper and deeper he plunges into the infinite oblivion. Then the liquid warmth and supreme peacefulness wraps around him. Finally he?s back home. However, this bliss is not to last. His tranquility is broken by an intense inferno encasing him in its blue radiance. ?No. No. No--o,? he screams. Bewilderment consumes the helpless boy as he tries to free himself from this hellish nightmare. He grabs his head and shakes it helter-skelter trying to wake up. He tries to tell himself that is only a dream but is of little use. Travis feels the flames lapping at him, flamb?ing him alive. All looks lost and just when it seems he can?t take anymore the blaze recedes and realization dawns on him. He was never in danger for the inferno came from within him. Coursing through every fiber of his being he feels the flames strengthening, purifying him. The scene changes again and he is back in the ghoulish land of death, blood, and fire. A lone structure in the distance catches his eye. Edging precariously closer, it comes into view and what lies before his eyes stops him cold. Towering above him is a throne of bones and rotting flesh upon which he sits. His doppelganger?s dead eyes bore right through him, chilling him to the core. He turns away, not wanting any further part in this, but halts as the demonic him begins to speak. ?The sleeper shall awaken and sire the end of the reign of men. The dark prince shall sit on a throne of despair and all will know your pain.? ?That voice, you?re the one from before, but how? I wasn?t even asleep then.? ?Child anything is possible if I will it so. Fool, you think this but a mere dream? This is all quite real and I?ve brought you here to this end retched existence I?ve been exiled to.? ?OK you Voldemort wannabe if you?re so powerful why haven?t you destroyed the world already? Why in the hell do you need me? And that trite prophecy of yours doesn?t even rhyme that well half of the time.? The ground shudders and cracks wide open as black tendrils burst forth and pursue him. His feet piston to put distance between them, but running proves almost impossible and soon the boy succumbs to their grasp and is pinned to the ground. He struggles to get free, yet only succeeds in strengthening his imprisonment. Strolling luxuriously towards him, demon Travis? once stoic profile now exudes smugness and triumph. ?Silence insolent whelp. You speak of matters far beyond your station.? God, could he hurry up already and get this over with, thinks Travis. ?You make me sick. You?re better than this and you know it. The path we walk is paved by our hands alone. No douche bag prophecy is going to change that. Now stop being a little bitch and get up!? A cataclysmic explosion rocks the landscape as an ever expanding azure inferno obliterates everything in his wake. The tendrils retreat back to their master like scared puppies and the discombobulated look on its face brings a smile to the boy?s face. Travis lets lose a maniacal laugh and charges forward, determined to show him just how ?weak? he is. A yard separates them, and then he is flung backwards. Catching himself with his left hand he rolls forward and blasts him with a wall of fire. Stupefied it drops to one knee and erects a black shield around him. ?I chose my vessel well, perhaps too well. However, your valiant efforts are futile. Playtime is over.? Spurred on by the creature?s challenge, the boy unleashes every ounce of power he has in a torrent of fire and fists. Undaunted the shield remains intact and Travis is effortlessly tossed aside. He struggles to regain his footing; every part of him aches and just drawing breath is a herculean exercise. His knees give out and the boy collapses onto the scorched earth as convulsions rack his broken body. Sensing the eminent defeat at hand the shield lowers and he is impaled by the tendrils. Unbelievable pain floods his body. He knows this is the end. With every second he feels his life flowing out of him as this monster takes him over. The bitter taste of blood saturates his tongue and he feels the coldness in his chest spreading ever faster. I ?Ah,? he can?t help but let the scream escape his lips. ?Yield and your suffering will end. Resist: and your agony will be legendary. Either way, you will submit and be my vessel.? ?No, it can?t end like this. I won?t let it. I don?t care how long it takes or how painful it is. I don?t care if this is just a dream. I will defeat him. All my life I?ve let myself be a victim, let others dictate how I should live my life. I always did what I was told to, was always a good little solider. Never once did I stand up for myself. If I die here then it will not be on my knees.? ?Aw, is baby about to cry?? ?SHUT UP, YOU DON?T KNOW THE FIRST THING ABOUT ME. YOU THINK I WILL JUST BOW DOWN TO YOU BECAUSE YOU SAY SO? FUCK. THAT. SHIT.? Searing tears stream down the boy?s cheek as he rips himself free. The creature?s tendrils evaporate into plumes of smoke as he lumbers forward, fueled by an ever rising fury born of a lifetime of repressed emotions. Travis no longer sees the creature. He sees the face of all those who ever made him feel weak. Everyone who ever picked on him; everyone who ever made him feel left out; everyone who every made him feel like a freak. He sees them mocking him. He feels something in him fall away and then he sees them: countless faces screaming for justice, for vengeance, for him. And at long last he answers them. The creature?s domain is ripped asunder as the boy?s scream explodes from his lungs, bring with it inconceivable energy. The demon?s throne crumbles and is consumed by the boy?s golden inferno. Louder his voice cries until it changes into a primal bird?s screech. The creature attacks him again, but it is too late. The sleeper has awake and he will not be denied. The creature?s tendrils aren?t enough to satisfy the flames, they hunger for all of it. It raises the shield, but it shatters into a thousand shards. Smiling darkly, Travis laughs and his body turns into a sea of black flames that engulfs the creature. ?Fool you haven?t won anything. I am that which is ageless, the darkness which lurks in the hearts of all. The dragon who borne the eternal sea of evil. I am Oblivion.? ?If you?re quite through with your vagina monologue, it?s time to die.? ?You are mine through and through. Even now I feel your hatred growing, your soul calling out to maim and murder. We will meet again and you will yield,? he says and is consumed by the flames. ?Bring it on.?