WARNING: SLASH FICTION/DO NOT READ IF YOU ARE OFFENDED BY M/M STORIES!!!




Chapter 6:

    I opened my eyes, not knowing where I was. It was hard to focus with an aching feeling in my back, like it stiffened into a board. My body needed to stretch. As I opened my eyes wider and focused, I saw myself in an orchid colored room with coral print along the white ceiling. . . at least I think it was. I was in a bed, an uncomfortable one at that, with steel railings along the sides. I felt loose clothing upon me; I was dressed in a patient gown and saw bandages along my arms. I took deeper breaths, trying to get more circulation into my body. I began to lift my back up, trying to position myself to sit up.

    “Johnny!” I heard. I still couldn’t focus properly yet. “You’re awake!” I knew the voice, it was Trish’s. I looked to my right and got a better look at her, forcing my eyes to catch her and display her properly. I yawned while Trish began to get more excited.

    “We were so worried about you! Oh my god are you feeling okay? Anything I can get you?” Trish said. At the moment I didn’t respond to her questions, but rather replied with my own.

    “What the hell happened. . .?” I asked, rubbing my eyes. As I rubbed out the crust in my eyelids, I felt a weight on my forehead. I felt something sticking to my head, and I reached to feel what it was. I felt a cotton bandage going from one side of my temple to the other.

    “Holy shit, I don’t know where to start.” Trish said.

    “Start with where I am. . .” I replied.

    "You're in the hospital..." She said softly.

     Hospital? I thought in a muddled way. I reluctantly asked: "...How did I get here. . .?"

     "Scott bashed you with a car door..." Trish's eyes weren't full of vigor like they normally were. She seemed humbled in a way that I have rarely seen.
     I recalled the last moments of it. The fear and shock of Scott jumping me came back to me in a flash. I had to take a few more deep breaths to relax again. I wasn't prepared for what he did; physically or emotionally. The last thing I remembered was...

     "Stacy. . .!" I weakly spat. "She ok?"

     “Oh yeah, she's ok."

     "What happened after I was knocked out?"

      "Uh, let’s see. Me and Randy were about to leave on the buses when we heard Stacy scream at the top of her lungs. We looked in the parking lot and we saw Stacy and Scott. He was slamming her car door and we couldn’t figure out why so I got a teacher and Randy ran over there. When I brought Coach Austin to the parking lot Scott was gone and we found you lying on the ground next to Stacy’s car completely bloody. Stacy was crying and freaking out, and Randy was trying to get you to wake up and then he freaked out. Everyone was just completely scared. A ambulance had to take you here,” She took a deep breath and looked like she was about to burst out tears. “I’m so glad you’re alright.”

     “Hey, hey, hey, it’s okay. I can take a car door no prob.” I said. Trish started to compose herself, rubbing her eye, trying not to smear her make-up.

     “Yeah, that’s our Johnny. Built Ford tough.” She laughed. I was so happy that Stacy wasn't hurt by that bastard.

     “So what time is it?” I asked.

     “It’s 7:30 at night, Saturday.”

     “Saturday? I was out that long?” I wasn’t so much surprised as how much time went by, as much as how short the dream I had been. It did not feel like I was out for that long, more like I slipped into a moment in time.

     “Yep, about 28 hours or so.”

     “Damn, what happened to Scott?” I asked. Trish looked away for a split second.

     “Scott, yeah um, Scott is in Intensive Care.”

     “ICU?” Now that was something I did not expect to hear. “Did Randy beat the shit out of him or something?”

     “Nope. The cops couldn’t find him at first. But later on when his parents came home, they found out that someone had broken into their house, and when his mom went up to Scott’s room, she found him in a worse condition than you were. Someone did a real number on him.” That made me feel sympathy for Scott, not that I liked him or anything, but I guess karma has a strange way of working.

      “So someone didn’t like him too much.” I said.

      “Guess not. The police know it wasn’t any one of us because we were all here at the hospital.”

      “Who was?” I was eager to know who cared about me so much.

      “Stacy, me, Randy, your parents, Cena, and I think Mrs. Moolah was up here today too, but I didn’t see her here, Randy said she was.”

      “Whose here right now? Just you?”

      “No. Your parents are here. They are outside having a smoke. Randy and Stacy were just here not that long ago, but Stacy had to take Randy home. Boy did he look bushed.”

      “I guess this wasn’t the way to start spring break.” I joked.

      “No it sure wasn’t... Well, I’m going to go fetch your folks and let them know you’re up ok?”

      “Alright.” As I watched Trish leave, I began to wonder what did she mean by ‘Randy looked bushed’? Did he stay here for a long time? Maybe he was bored of sitting around here. It was probably stress and shock of seeing me in blood. I know that hospitals don’t always make you feel alive and happy. I shouldn't have worried about it so much, my head was still throbbing and my body felt crushed. Fatigue let me know my place at that moment. Dehydration and a dry throat didn't help either...
      Eventually my parents came in and just about broke down to pieces. They stayed for about a couple hours before they left, giving Trish a ride home. The next morning I was released. When I came home I received the full five star treatment from my parents. I didn’t have to do any chores; I got to lounge around for about the next week before they felt safe enough to let me leave the house. They were so nice. They canceled their vacation plans just to stay home for me. I felt a little heartbroken that week that I stayed home. I could have done so much with my parents gone. I could have thrown a few parties. I could have gone shopping with Stacy and Trish. I could have gone and done something recreational.
      I still had one more week left of the two week break until school started and I didn’t want to mope around the house any longer. I needed to get out, just for a day. Stacy and I planned on going out for dinner to put our troubles at ease. I was in my room; I just finished a shower and getting dressed when I saw a blue car pull into my driveway. I recognized the car, it was Randy’s. He came over a few times during the past week I stayed home. I heard my mom let him in the door and he made is way up to my room.

(Knock, knock)

     “Come on in.” I said. He opened my door and slowly walked in. I don’t think he ever came into my room, or even get past the living room for that matter.

     “Cool room.” He said.

     “Thanks.” I said. I realized while I was stuck at home I changed a few things around again; I had plenty of time to tidy up.

     “So how are you feeling?” He asked. “You’re parents let you off the leash?”

     “Yeah, I’m fine. I still have to wear a few bandages here and there, but I'm good. Me and Stacy were going out to dinner, would you like to join us?” I was hoping he would say yes. I liked it when he spent time with me, or any time seeing him for that matter.

      “Actually, I just got off my cell phone with Stacy, and she told me that she needed to talk with you alone at dinner. Oh, and uh I don’t think I was supposed to tell you that. Sorry.” He said. I noticed something in his right hand as he began to frown slightly.

      “No worries, It’ll be our secret. What’s that in your hand?” I asked. He looked at the contents in his hand, not realizing what it was at first. It was a brown, crumpled up paper bag.

     “Oh yeah! I forgot I brought you something.” He presented me the bag and taking it from his hand, began to open it up. Judging by the size of the bag, I thought it might have been food. I would have to put it in the fridge so I didn’t spoil my appetite for dinner. As I looked into the bag, I saw a small brown box and removed it from the bag, upon opening the box I saw a necklace. It wasn’t one of those gold or silver ones that Cena would wear. It had a thick black wire string and six different beads; red, orange, yellow, green, blue and indigo. I quickly understood what the colors meant.

      “I know you’re all ‘We’re here, we’re queer’ now so I figure you would appreciate this.” Randy said. I couldn’t help but feel the joy swell up inside me. I quickly placed it along my neck and hooked the ends together. I turned around to look at my mirror next to me to observe myself. It looked great on me; it fit in well with the shirts I would wear.

     “I love this. Thank you so much.” I said.

      “You’re welcome. I didn’t know any other get well presents that would fit you so. . .” He shrugged his shoulders and grinned.

      “Well it was very thoughtful. Where on earth did you get it? I haven’t seen a pride store or anything around here.”

     “I had my mom make it.” He laughed. “She loves arts and crafts.”

     “Tell her I said thanks too.”

      “I will.” He said. “Well if you’re going off to dinner I better move my car out of the way so-“

      “Randy?” I interrupted. I thought it would be the perfect time to tell him, tell him what I thought about him finally.

      “Yeah?” He quickly replied. My heart began to pick up speed. I felt my jaw lock into place and my lips staying glued into a nervous smile. I looked into his gorgeous face and swallowed the lump in my throat.

      “You’ve done a lot for me so far y’know?  I mean, between what happened in the library a while back, and you coming to see me in the hospital and now this. . .” I held up the beads from the necklace in my hand. “You make me feel really good about myself. You’re not intimidated by my homosexuality at all. You come to visit me; I don’t know what to say to tell you what it’s like having you around.” He put his hands into his pockets and smiled, trying to hide his face from blushing.

      “Thanks, you’re a great guy too.” He said.

      “No, don’t get me wrong. I think you’re the best friend I ever had, ever since Stacy and Trish. I don’t let people into my life just by a snap of the fingers. I’m not some kind of social whore that likes attention or popularity. And I don’t ever have moments where I feel close to someone either, friendship or not. Randy, what I’m trying to say is, I. . .I lo-“

(Snap, Crash!)

     We heard something break from somewhere, and it was loud. REAL loud. It didn’t sound like it came from inside the house. Randy and I looked at each other puzzled for a second and then we looked towards my window. It sounded like it came from the front yard. I went over to the window and Randy followed me. I looked outside, up and down the street, and nothing was amiss. I looked directly in front of me and something felt missing. There was a part of the tree in front of my window gone. One of the branches disappeared. I looked down, directly into the front yard. I saw the long branch lying there, freshly broken.

      “Shit!” I heard someone say. I looked around the yard from my window a little more and saw a tall figure running away, limping almost, into the next door neighbor’s yard and into the shadows of the evening.

     “What was that?” My mother yelled from downstairs.

     “A branch from the tree fell off mom.” I yelled back. I couldn’t really tell if someone was spying on me or not. I didn’t see anyone with the curtains closed. And it meant that if the branch broke, they would not be doing it again soon. It was a little too much to handle at first, telling Randy that I love him, and then finding out that I may have a stalker.

     “Whoa that was sudden.” Randy said.

     “Yeah.” I gave a sigh. “That scarred the crap out of me.”

      Soon after, Randy thanked me for the compliments and he said his goodbyes. I thanked him again for the gift. Stacy was going to be here any minute now; I couldn’t wait to show her what Randy gave me. I was still a little shaken about what had just happened. Eventually Stacy pulled into the spot where Randy had made it vacant and honked her horn. I went downstairs and got in her car, not wasting a minute telling her what just happened.

For dinner we went to a steakhouse, just the two of us. It was a quiet atmosphere. We had a small side table with a window overlooking the lit up city. It was quite beautiful at night. All the lights reminded me of a rock concert where the crowd holds up their lighters.  Stacy ordered a grilled fish with lemon and spinach. She loved vegetables; she said that it made her skin firm. I ordered a medium rare steak with potatoes. I loved a good steak. The smell made my mouth water. I quickly dug into my food, forgetting that Randy told me that she had something she wanted to tell me.

     “Johnny, there’s a reason why I wanted to take you out tonight, just the two of us.” I looked up at her with my mouth full of beef.

     “What’s up?”

     “I just wanted to say . . . I’m sorry.” I quickly looked up at her confused. I didn’t understand what she meant.

     “Sorry for what?” I said. She put her hands on her lap and looked at me guilt ridden.

     “If I never dated that asshole Stiener, than none of this bullshit would have happened. You would never have-“

      “Ok stop right there Stacy Kiebler.” I quickly swallowed my food and put my steak knife and fork down. “It is not your fault ok? You didn’t slam my head into a car door, he did. You didn’t treat your friends and significant others like shit, he did. And most importantly, you have people who love you now matter what, he doesn’t.” She smiled and made that little cute puppy face she always did.

     “I know, and thank you...” She said. “But it's just that, after what happened . . .” She started to play with her fingernails; she always did that when she was trying to say something, but didn’t know what. “. . . After what happened, it was like a big reality check for me. Some things could have happened differently if I just cut the cord on him a little earlier. Y’know?”

      “I know what you mean. You regret not dumping him sooner.” I said.

     “Yeah. . .” I knew how she felt. She thought that she wasted a lot of time on him and now its coming back to haunt her. That if she ended it sooner, there would have been no need for this chaos.

     “But you should take blame for one thing.” I said.

     “What?” She asked.

     “My coming out. If you didn’t have such a possessive, dick-headed ex than I would have never had anyone to stand up to. And for that Stacy Kiebler, I thank you.” I said with a proud smile. She looked back up at me and had made the same puppy look again.

     “Ok I can take credit for that then.” She giggled.

     “Alright, I’m glad that’s settled.” I picked up utensils and continued to work on my food. I took another piece of the dead animal into my mouth. I hadn’t eaten steak in so long; it was like a delicacy to me.

     “I’ve never seen you wear that necklace before.” Stacy said. “I like it.”

     “Thank you. Randy gave it to me before you picked me up.” I looked at it briefly; admiring it for all that it was worth to me.

     “Randy is a good guy.” She said.

     “Yeah he is. . .” I began to ponder all of the nice and caring things he did for me. It was only the beginning of the school year I met him in English, and now we were almost like brothers.

     “We’re lucky to have him.” Stacy said.

     “Yeah, I like him.” I said.

     “He likes you too. I mean, you could tell he thought a lot about you when he broke down in the parking lot. . .”

     I stopped eating a portion of steak that was in my mouth. “Broke down?” I asked, with some steak still un-chewed in my mouth.

     “Yeah, after he chased Scott off, he took one look at you and started to panic. He didn’t know what to do at first so he started to shake you. He screamed for you to wake up and you didn’t. When Trish came with Coach Austin he was practically unwound. I never saw him ball his eyes out before. . .”

     “He cried?” I was taken aback by what she said.

     “Yeah, he tried to hold your head up to put his coat underneath your head. He thought you were going to die or become a vegetable. Well then again, I cried too. We were all upset. He didn’t look any better at the hospital. He was about as drained looking as you were. I had to take him home or else he would have been glued to the chair. Damn, that was some scary stuff. . .” The more she told me, the more I felt hurt, yet it was a bonding hurt. Randy brought me a sense of comfort that made me feel like I belonged in the here and now. I knew I had to tell Stacy first about my feelings for Randy before I did anything, with her support I knew I could try to tell Randy one more time.

     “I love him.” I blurted out. I couldn’t orchestrate any other sentence that would express my feelings better.

     “Yeah he’s a great friend. I love him too.” Obviously Stacy and her super sense of blonde intuition did not catch on to my meaning.

     “No Stacy. . .” I leaned forward a little more to make sure she understood me. “. . . I love him.” Stacy gave a long pause to piece together what I had just said. But when she did, a look of glee went over her face like a paintbrush on a canvas.

     “You love him?” She said with excitement and surprise. “W-well that’s great but-“

     “Yeah I know, he’s straight.”

     “No, no I mean, what are you going to do? I mean I’m sure he won’t be mad but, what if he doesn’t feel the same way?”

     “That’s ok. I just want him to know. After everything he’s done, he has a right to know.”

     “He’ll be shocked that you love him.” She giggled.

     “I know, I just want him to know I care. I’m not like, going to be depressed if he says; ‘Sorry I don’t have the same feelings’.”

     “Aww, that’s so sweet. You love him so much that you’ll let him go. . . I wish you were my boyfriend.”

     “If I was straight, then I would take you to an exotic place in the Bahamas, throw you on a white bed with red rose pedals in an expensive resort, and then fuck your brains out silly.” We both laughed at that thought. We both finished our meals and Stacy drove me home. We talked more about Randy on the way home, about how nice and sweet he was, and about the exact words I should use to tell him I love him. I had to make sure I didn’t bombard him with over-dramatics and let him know it’s just something I feel, and it won’t ruin the world if he is even the slightest bit freaked out. We also had to figure out a good time and place to tell him. Stacy decided that she was going to tell Trish so we could lure him into going somewhere with us, and then the girls could skip off someplace leaving us alone. We decided we would invite him to the mall before spring break ended. That would be easier.