Chapter Eight: New Friends

That night was the second greatest night ever. Scott and I made love for the second time. This time, he was on top. It felt indescribable. Both of our bodies writhing with excitement. Him on top of me, sliding in and out of his most private place. Reaching orgasm slowly. But when it happened, the world exploded with his orgasm into streaks of colors and pleasures. Then, just as the world lit up, it died. We fell asleep shortly after.

I called Brett the next day. I told him what was up with Scott and I and asked him for his help. Overall, Brett was very helpful. He told me that, even though he hadn't met us yet, he wanted to help. While we were talking on the phone, he got my address from the school directory. I didn't know that he was planning on coming over and meeting us right there and then. But he did.

Scott and I had just finished eating lunch when there was a knock on the door. I opened it and there was Brett. He was dressed in green cargo pants and a Structure shirt and a blue plaid shirt above it. He was about 5' 8" with spiky black hair and beautiful hazel eyes; he probably weighed about 190, but there was a lot of muscle there, enough to see a six-pack someing in. Beautiful.

"Hey Gabriel!" He said, leaning against the frame of the door, panting.

"Hi Brett. I wasn't expecting you to be here." I replied.

"I know. I just didn't want to have to wait until school began to finally see you two." He changed the subject. "Brought you guys somethin', flowers." He pulled out a colorful bouquet from no where. "Courtesy of my garden."

I was surprised, I didn't see him hiding that; there was no place to hide it.

"Damn dude, like you haven't seen a magic trick before. Well anywayz, aren't you going to invite me in?" He smiled, his eyes glinted from the sunlight.

Be careful Gabe. This guy is a total stud. Be carful! I thought to myself.

"Oh, yeah, sure. Come in Brett." I opened the door wider, inviting him in.

I led Brett to where Scott and I were watching TV. Scott looked up and then stood up as he saw Brett enter.

"And this is Scott." Brett said, holding his hand out. "Hey Scott, I'm Brett. Gabriel called me and I decided to run over. I know this may not be the best time to come and all. But today and tomorrow are the only chances I had to come over."

Scott, shook his hand. He held on a little too long to Brett's hand. I think Brett got the point. He looked a little uneasy by what Scott had done. Brett knew that Scott was mine. He saw it and respected it. I later found out that Brett was not the person to steal people away from others. Brett had had a couple of boyfriends himself. But not at that time.

"So," He let go, "You two are an item?"

"Yep." Scott walked over to me and planted a kiss on my lips. I wasn't going to stop him either, I just kissed back. This was the time that I was to stop hiding from other people.

A smile crossed Brett's face, "Good. Devoted? Any chance of you two splitting up in the near future? That would be a bummer if you guys worked so hard to come out and then split up. Besides that, I don't want to be in the middle of two ex-lovers' quarrels. It's not very fun."

"Don't worry," I said, "We're probably over devoted. And I've been out for a while."

Brett chuckled. He wasn't new to two guys showing their love openly. Two girls for that fact also.

"Oh yeah, I've heard of you before." He asked, "How long have you two been together?"

"Since the end of the last school year." Scott replied.

"Oh yeah . . . I thought you two were a definate blip on my 'gaydar'." Another smile. "I'm glad you two got together. You guys were absolutely miserable without each other. I saw it. You should be thankful that no one else did."

He was right. I did feel miserable. Scott did cry. Neither of us were happy knowing each other the last school year. We wanted more than friendship. We were meant for each other from the day that we were born.

"I'm right again." Brett said. " Let's go sit down somewhere so you guys can give me the 411. I can tell you all the people I know and all the connections I have. You already have my friendship. To me, a gay person is my brother and a lesbian is my sister. I'll protect you only if you don't turn into assholes. I don't think that'll happen anytime soon."

I blushed and Scott and I took Brett into the kitchen to sit down at the breakfast bar and get a soda. We told him everything. How we met, how we got together, about our families and Scott's parents. When we finished telling the story of Scott's parents, Scott was crying, I was going to soon.

"God," Brett was touched. "I'm sorry dude. I sort of know how you're feeling though. My boyfriend died."

Scott took a break from crying, "Really? How?"

It was his turn to tell us a painful memory. "Well," He began, "His name was Shawn. We met on the beach when I was surfing. I had just caught a wave and he caught the same one. I didn't pay much attention to him because I had to clear the wave. When I got out I kneeled on my board and looked around for him. But all I saw was his board. Now this totally freaked me out."

"I un strapped my board and attached to the other dude's. I saw that his board had a velcro line. I dove down and followed it. Thankfully, he was attached to it. But his eyes were closed. I was starting to panic a little. I mean, I know CPR and I have rescued a lot of people at the beach. But this was different. This was the cutest guy in the world underwater and not trying to get back up! So I grabbed him and pulled him up on his board.

"I checked his breathe and he still wasn't breathing. I didn't want to perform CPR right there because he might slip off the board and I would have to get him all over again. So attached the strap to fit around my waist and pulled him the boards all the way to shore. We were about 23 yards out.

"I spread him out on the sand and started giving him CPR. After about five compressions he puked on me. I didn't mind. He was alive, that was all that mattered. He said, 'Thanks'. And asked how long he was under. I told him about five minutes. I finally got to see him in color, not all white and dead.

"He was the most beautiful person that I had ever laid my eyes upon. He was about as high as Scott with Brown hair, green eyes and he was beautifully built. He probably weighed 150 pounds. I looked at the water to keep my mind from thinking thoughts that could get me in trouble. He introduced himself as Shawn and stuck out his hand. I lifted him up and told him my name.

"That was how we first met. I found out that he had just moved down from San Diego . He only had his mother to count on because his dad had kicked him out. I asked him why and totally tried to avoid the subject. I pressed him harder for the reason that he was kicked out and he still wouldn't tell. Finally, I got frustrated enough to start walking away from him. I only got a few feet when Shawn ran up to me and gave in.

"He asked me not to be mad at him if he told me why he had gotten kicked out of his home. I promised him I wouldn't. I was already hoping for the best. He told me that he was kicked out because he admitted that he was gay to his family. That's when he said that he thought I was really cute and hoped that I wasn't mad at him. I ran up to him and totally freaked out. I was totally psyched that he was gay.

"I was sooo lucky to have him come out to me. At the end of the day, I found out his phone number and where he lived. All we did that day was surf if I know what you're thinking."

Scott chuckled a bit.

"We started dating and spending a lot of time with each other. I think that in the second month of our relation ship that we had sex for the very first time. It was both of our first times, I know for sure because Shawn was a little clumsy. Well, so was I. One day, January third of last school year. Shawn and I were walking through Lincoln park . We were cracking jokes about the Wizard Of Oz when five guys come up to us and pinned us down. Three of them went after Shawn and dropped him. The third guy started kicking him in the head while the others held him down. They made me watch my only true love being beaten nearly to death! It tore me apart. I tried my best to get away from the two and I all I got was a fuckin' black eye!

"After they were finished with Shawn, they came over to me. They kicked me so many times that I didn't feel it anymore. Finally, I feigned a loss of consciousness to get them to stop kicking me. After they left me, I crawled over to Shawn to check to see if he was alive. He was. I couldn't move anymore. I started to cough up blood. Finally, someone found us and put us in the back of their truck and drove us down to the emergency room.

"Both Shawn and I spent about a month in the hospital. When we got back we found all of the people that beat us and we beat them. We only showed mercy when the weakest one screamed. The rest of them were found on a street corner unconscious. We were never suspected.

"It had been another month and Shawn and I were still together and going strong. But on March twenty-first, something bad happened. Shawn and I were watching TV when Shawn, all of a sudden got a bloody nose. He got up to get a tissue, but fell down before he got even three steps. I freaked out and screamed for my mom. She came and told me we should get him to the hospital. I picked up Shawn and we ran to the car and drove off to the hospital.

"Shawn was admitted and was diagnosed with an acute case of brain cancer, caused by a hemorrhage as a result of us being beaten. On the day that he died, he woke and told me that he loved me. I told him that I loved him too. That was when he 'flat-lined'. I spent weeks crying for Shawn. I didn't even eat. I was so depressed that I even contemplated committing suicide. But then I though, 'Brett, why are you doing this to yourself? It's not your fault that he died. It's the people who mis-diagnosed him and the guys that beat you two down.' My mind was right too. Something flipped off in my brain and I was Brett again.

"But I wasn't the same. I am still not the same. Shawn gave me something I hadn't had before. Self-esteem. I didn't need anyone to tell me that I was cool if I was gay or not. I didn't need anyone to tell me to stop worrying about how I looked. When I came back in April, everyone noticed how much I had changed. That's my story."

Brett looked like he was about ready to cry. But he held it in. Scott was crying again. Tears were rolling down my eyes. I stepped over and hugged Brett.

"You can cry if you want." I said.

"No thanks. I usually cry when no one else is around. I like being alone when I cry." He smiled at me. Once again, something caught his eyes that attracted me. His eyes were so beautiful. Scott brought me back into reality by giving is us both a hug also.

Brett coughed, "You know, you two can let go of me now. I promise not to run away."

We all had a good laugh at that. Brett, Scott and I talked for the rest of the day. We went out of the house to go over to Bay Farm Isle. To talk at the waterway. I love going to Bay Farm and sitting by the water. It is such a beautiful place. You can talk there and not be heard by anyone. When the sun started setting, we walked back across the bridge and went our separate ways. Scott and I, going to the beach to watch the sunset and Brett, going home to call his friend in Colorado .

I sometimes have to question my religious outlook. I don't believe in a creator of any kind. But when I saw that sunset then. I had to question if there was one. The sunset was just so magnificent. There were streaks of red, orange, yellow and purple in the sky. Everything was just placed so perfectly. Like someone knew we were coming to the beach that day. There we were, sitting on the beach in the middle of the most beautiful sunset. We were the happiest people on earth.

That night we were even happier. We made love for the third time. It was even better than the first and the second. There was no one on top this time.

When I woke up, Scott was already downstairs at the breakfast bar sipping coffee. Next to him was a place set for me, I guessed.

"Morning!" Scott said cheerfully.

"Morning Scott." I replied.

The whole house smelt of bacon. I knew he had something planned. A romantic dinner just didn't go unpaid!

"Sit down," he said, "I've made you breakfast."

From out of no where he produced a plate with bacon, eggs and hash browns. It had been 12 and already I had witnessed three events of pure magic. Scott set the plate down and I began to pick at the eggs. Scott sat down at the side opposite to me.

"I forgot to ask you Scott," I said, "What did you think of Brett?"

"Ummm . . . I think he's nice. And uhhh . . . kinda . . ."

"I think I know what you mean. He is really . . . you know."

We laughed at that and began to chow down and Scott's creation. Nothing could ever separate Scott and I. So I wasn't worried about either of us getting too attached to Brett. Right before we left Brett, he asked us to come over to his house. We said that we would do it this day. I wondered what he wanted as I finished my orange juice.

"We'd better get dressed Scott. Remember Brett invited us to his house." I said, putting a sock on and stuff my foot into my shoe.

"Oh yeah! I almost forgot!" Scott exclaimed.

Scott and I got dressed as fast as we could and followed Brett's instructions to his house. It wasn't that hard to find really. He actually live on the same street as me. He lived in a big house which was painted white, with a trimming some shade of grey. It was a really nice house. I could tell that his family had a lot of money. Later, I found out that his dad is a lawyer and his mom is the recreation division manager of Concord .

We went up the stairs to his porch. Scott was just about to ring the doorbell when the door opened. There was Brett, in a towel. He was even more beautiful with most of his clothes. He was pretty built for a 14 year old. There was a slight definition of a six pac. 'This is dangerous. Stop looking at him Gabe!! Look at Scott! Out of the corner of your eye!! He's gawking!!' My mind told me. I looked at Scott through the corner of my eye and sure enough, Scott was gawking!

"Come on in dudes. I just got out of the shower. You guys are fiive minutes early." He smiled. "Go sit down on the couch and watch some television. I have to dress and I'll be out quick."

Brett went into the first door. Scott and I looked at each other. We knew what each other were thinking. Suddenly, our little staring contests turned into fits of laughter. We're allowed to check out other guys. Just as long as the other is doing the same. Brett came out wearing a muscle shirt and some jeans. WOW!

"Umm . . . I wasn't exactly expecting you guys to get here so early. I was actually gonna set something up. But, uhh . . . since you're here." He turned around a whistled in a circle. "Come on out guys."

From out of no where, a bunch of people appeared. Maybe 13 people, a little more if any. They were all smile, like they were in on some big secret. I knew some of them : Austin Lezares and Ricky Marshalls - but the others, I did not.

"Okay, these people are most of our GLBT community in Lincoln . Austin, Matt, Alexis, Cathy, Katey, Amy, Ricky, Paul, Josh, Jamie, Max, Tasha and Jennifer. Everyone, these are Gabriel and Scott." He gestured towards us.

We all exchanged our "Hi's" and handshakes. Then we got down to business.

"We know that you want to come out." Katey said.

"We are also planning to come out." Said Max.

"We want to help you." Paul spoke.

"Maybe you can come out with us?" Offered Jennifer.

"Listen, we know that coming out is a very large step. I took that step. I am an example for you all." Brett stood up, "There are fifeteen people here that have not come out. There is strength in numbers. No one will try to mess with a group as large as us. Besides, the policies of our school protects us. Sexual harrassment and the anti-discrominatory acts help us. If thing get bad, we can rely on our school system to help us. I know. I have relied on Mr. Ed and Mrs. Graulich many times before."

Wow! Brett was smarter than I though. I mean, he was a furfer, and everyone knows the streotypes about them. Surfers are supposed to be stupid. Brett proved them wrong. He was talking sense. I was totally considering what he was saying. It sounded so reasoned and logical.

Brett took his seat and Cathy stood up.

"We have been informed by GLSEN that there will be a sensitivity workshop on the wedensday before school. Next wedensday." She stated. "We are all invited to speak to on a panel in front of our school. This would be a very important step in our coming-out process. That is, if you choose to come out with us. Will you?"

Scott furrowed his eyebrows, "I don't know. It seem kind of sudden for us to just come out. People thought we were that straightest acting people. I have had six girlfriends and Gabriel was just always thought of as straight. Until he came out."

"We know this is hard. But your parents know and you obviously have a large support system. This would be the most reasonable time." Cathy rebuted.

How were Scott and I going to do this? Even with their help? It seemed too big to even dream of. It sounds like something out of a bed-time story of the fluanty gay males and lesbians. This just seemed too good to be true, did I already mention that?.

"We realize this Cathy." I said, "But we are a little skeptical when it comes to the school accepting us. This might be too much for the student body of Lincoln Middle School . Have you people thought of that? If I had only heard about Brett last year, than the rest of you must have been ghosts. And you surley haven't heard of me. I'm Gabriel Duncan, the Gabriel Duncan that was outted last year by Ahmad."

"We have heard of you. And we have thought about what people will think and do," Brett said, "Gabriel, you just have to believe us. I know you love Scott very much, and vice-versa, but we have to do this. It would change everyone in our school for the better."

"If we do this, Brett," Scott spoke, "You will have to promise us that you will support Gabe and I. I do not know the others well enough to trust."

Brett looked right at us. And he stared. It seemed as if he was trying to read our minds. He just . . . focused on us. Looking into me eyes, and then Scott's. He was trying to creep me out. He looked from Scott, and then to me - then back to Scott again. A smile slowly formed on his face.

"Alright," His voice startled me, "We're all coming out then!"

The rest of Brett's group made sounds of agreement. This was way weird. I was in a room with about 13 people just staring at me and my love. I felt like I was being judged. Evidently, Scott felt a little nervous too, he was holding on to my hand for dear life.

We all went into the kitchen and talked about what was going to happen in the next few weeks. What to expect. How to handle problems. This and that.