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This story is a work of fiction copyrighted by Lastimer. Do not publish or reproduce on another site without author's permission.

Okay, time for the regular disclaimer: This is a story of mature themes (at some points at least). This may include some sexual acts. Be advised that if you're not 18 or older, (or whatever it is where you live), you shouldn't be reading. But if you defy this, it ain't my fault.

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Well, welcome to my first attempt at internet fiction. This is the main branch of this story, following Kel. There are future plans to expand this story to talk about other characters, but for now Kel is the narrator. This story really isn't designed to be an literary orgy, more a story of relationships, friends, and dreams. The chapters may seem a bit on the short side as of yet, but that's because I'm still new to actually writing down my story ideas. I'm open to any comments.

The place this story takes place is a fictional town in Central New Jersey. There will be references to other areas that happen to be real places.

If you are offended by the opinions expressed in this story, just remember they are those of the characters, and do not necessarily reflect those of their creator (ME).

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August 22

I've had an interesting two days now. Its just something thats best told the long way.

I started the day getting a phone call from Evan.

"Ahoy hoy." Always felt like answering a phone like Mr. Burns.

"Hey stud. So after you get off work, wanna go get something to eat? Maybe a movie?"

"Nah. I don't think I'm ready for that."

"Come on! Wheres youre sense of romance?"

"Romance? Didnt you hear? It was bought in a hostile takeover by Hallmark and Disney, homogenized, and sold off piece by piece." I just couldnt stop laughing at my incredible use of a Simpsons quote. Greatest show on TV, IMO!

"Lets get back to my damn question, Kel!"

"I don't have a sense of romance."

"Uhh. If this was an anime, Id have a zillion of those sweat drops right now! No the first question. Lets make some after work plans!"

"I really can't anyway." I spent a second trying to figure out what to make an excuse about. "I have to come out to another friend!" That reminds me, I should tell Billie.

"Okay. Well, when youre ready, you know where to call."

"Dammit! Dammit! Dammit! I just damn hope that blow it."

Sarah peeked in the door. She was already dressed. "Whats wrong Kel? And why arent you dressed?"

"Shit!" My clock read 7:40! Twenty minutes to get to work! "I think I blew my chances with Evan."

"Whys that?" She sat on my bed in a comforting, big sister way, with her hand on my shoulder.

"Well, he seemed pretty mad about me not wanting to go out after I go to work. But I'm just not ready!"

"If you don't feel ready, don't rush it!"

"I'm feeling on the needy side right now."

"Okay its getting desperate. I'm going to need to unlock the video collection. Call up Drew and get him over here for a Simpsons watching marathon."

"Come on sis! I'm being serious"

"So am I! This is desperate!"

"Good to see that the Hutchinson gift of embellishment hasnt escape you too."

"Ha. Now get ready for work, or I'm going to have to make you work overtime!"

All I could have hope is Evan could show up. Time kept going by. 3 oclock showed, Evan wasnt there.

"Sarah, hes not here."

"Its only been two minutes Kel. Give him fifteen minutes."

But fifteen minutes came, and fifteen minutes left. I perked up when the bell rang once, only to find a six year old toting a mom, not the other way around. The only action in the half hour I waited for Evan.

"That asshole!" Sarah said. "If that lowlife doesnt have the common decency to show up, he should have called!"

"I wanted to take things too slowly."

She smacked upside my head. Not hard, but in such a way that woke me out of my stupor. "Kelley Brian Hutchinson! Get your fucking head together. Hes a loser, and he wanted more than you willing to give."

"So?"

"So, I'm calling Drew and your new friend, Billie isn't it?"

"Yeah."

"Were having a sleep over. DVDs, junk food, the whole nine yards."

"isn't that a little girly?"

"What the hell do you think I am?"

"An alien creature that has replaced my real sister with a phony considerate clone!"

She pointed at me. "Youd better watch it! Or Ill make you work with Keith! He wont go so easy on you!"

"Ouch. I'm so scared."

"You heard me. So it is my idea okay with you?"

"Yes. By the way, can we leave now? I did kinda come in early so I could sneak out with Mr. Too Forward."

"Yeah, yeah. Keep your top on! We just have to wait for Keith!"

Everything was set for the mini party. It took a while to get Billie to stay over, so we had to promise that the girls and boys would sleep in different rooms. If only he knew he didnt have to worry about me. But then again, Drew should give him enough concern to place his daughter in a chastity belt, and be behind the couch with a shotgun.

The real concern for me, however, is Drew. This is his first time that hell be in my room in this situation since I came out. I don't know how hell react, but I'm pretty sure that I'm just being neurotic. Hes so cool with just about everything. Hell probably even make a joke about jumping into the bed with me.

Drew came over pretty soon after we got home. He came equipped: Playstation 2, big case of soda, and a gigantic sense of humor.

"So whats on the slate for the movies?" Drew asked.

Sarah responded, "All the Simpsons videos ever released. Even the Season 1 DVD."

"Hmm. Season 1 DVD," which Drew followed with Homers trademark tongue sticking out.

I interjected "You know, Drew? If we didnt have the Simpsons, would we as big of dorks as we are now?"

"Would still be dorks boys," my sister interrupted, "but youd probably be blind from all the Playboy." Then she made the "jerk off" gesture.

"One problem Sarah," Drew corrected her. "Kel would go blind to Playgirl." Then I hit them each with one of the pillows on the couch.

"Thats it! Its WAR now!" She starts hitting me, starting a pillow war. Yes a war, not a fight. Its just a Hutchinson thing. EVERYTHING gets exaggerated.

One problem for my sister: Two of us, one of her. Even if the gruesome twosome got into this, wed still win. They can't hit for shit!

"HERE COMES THE CALVARY!" I hear from the top of the stairs. Its Dave, and hes got a pillow in his hand." Bad thing is, he joins the dark side (thats Sarah, in case you couldnt follow). Well, General George Patton I aint. Didnt figure that in the recon report.

So all out hell breaks loose. About five minutes in and the war is ended by Mom, worried about us destroying the living room. A few minutes short of the shortest war in history (I think its about 50 minutes, but please check the Guinness Book for me), but no doubt a good start.

"So Dave, why did you join her side? I thought I was your friend. If you want me to introduce you to any girls..."

"You mean your shopping buddies? Why would I want them?"

"All right. Thats enough!"

"She needed help. You don't hit girls after all."

"True. But shes not a girl. Shes my sister. That nullifies the don't Hit Girls rule."

Soon after the war, Billie shows up. This is the first time her and Drew were in the same room, so it was my job to introduce.

"Billie this is Drew." Then I looked to Drew. "Drew, Billie."

"Hi everyone!" Billie said. "So what are we going to do?"

"I came down to ask if I could play Madden with you guys," Dave said. "So can I?"

"Sure." I said. "Drew and I are the Eagles."

Billie said, "All right. David, wanna be on my team."

"Sure. But just call me Dave. How about the Jets. Theyre my favorite team."

"Me too. Dad used to take me to games" Billie then looked at Sarah. "So are you going to play?"

"No. The only participation I have in football games is butt watching. I'm just going to get the food ready."

For two experts like Drew and myself, this was a tough game. Normally we have no problem beating opponents with our Eagles, whose playbook we know and execute perfectly, but this game was a slim 24-21 victory.

"How the hell did we just barely win?" Drew asked.

"don't worry boys," Billie answered, "I'm just a Madden master. With two brothers, a dad, and an uncle in the house, I learned to be good. I'm the house expert. If I had one of you on my team instead of this kid, wed have won hands down. No offense, Dave, but youre not that good."

"None taken."

"Pizza!" My sister came out with two of those frozen pizzas. But they really didnt come out all that well. "How do they look?"

"To be honest Sarah," Drew said, "You cooking is like Kel getting a girlfriend. They just don't go together. We should have called Dominos."

I picked up a piece. "don't care. Too damn hungry. Just as long as theres no tin foil on the bottom." Everyone, even our resident cooking critic, started to dig in.

"Kel?"

"Yes Billie?"

"Why do you have problems getting a girlfriend. You seem perfect for one."

I almost choked on the hot cheese. Have to respond. Should I go around the topic of being gay, or go out with guns a flaming?

"Its a riddle wrapped in an enigma wrapped-"

"In a vest." Billie knew the quote. "Is this just something you don't talk about?"

"Can I be honest with you?"

"Yeah. You can tell me anything."

"Theres a certain reason why I don't pick up girls. I'm gay."

"Okay. Thats a good reason." She looked uncomfortable. "Im getting tired. Sarah, will you help me get settled in your room?"

"Sure."

After they left, I talked to Drew and Dave.

"I have to say it Kelly boy," Drew told me, "That wasnt great timing."

"Drew. Theres no such thing as good timing."

"You think shell be okay?" Dave asked. "She seems so nice that it would be a shame that you lose a friend over this."

"I think she was just a bit disappointed." I thought.

Drew added, "She probably liked you Kel, but wanted to be friends first. Good policy if you ask me. Not the way I took with Karrie, but whatever floats your boat..."

"You may be right. But I want to talk to her in the morning. Lets get up to my room. Dave, if you want, you can stay with us."

"Okay."

"After all," Drew joked, "I may need someone to guard my ass in the night."

"Fuck you Drew."

"Only in your dreams Kelly Boy!"

The three of us didnt sleep. We just went to my room, put on my DVD player, and watched some stuff. We just talked, not really having much focus to our conversation. Sometime around 3 A.M. Sarah came into the room.

"Hey guys."

"So hows she doing?" I asked.

"Well, shes over the initial shock."

"Anything else?"

"Not really. She didnt want to open up. GIVE her some time. Shell be better soon enough."

"Do you think I used bad judgement?"

"Kel. You remember how you came out to me? You were a fucking nervous wreck. You stammered every four seconds. You were shaking. It was torture for you; I saw it in your eyes. The fact you were able to so openly admit to it in the middle of a conversation shows a lot of progress."

"Hell, Kel." Drew added. "You wrote to your parents! You had to arrange a meeting to tell me, and Im sure you had an escape route planned. Actually, I feel a little cheated. You just told her in a casual conversation. By the way, how did the runt find out? I heard how he was cracking jokes before about your gayness."

"Im not a runt, jerkoff!"

"Sorry. But since I've got a girlfriend, havent with the same frequency."

"Yeah Drew." I replied. "You do it more, since you actually have a real person to jack off to, not some centerfold. And she doesnt put out, either. I know her too, buddy. Little Miss Bible Study Group Girl isn't going to have sex before marriage in my estimation."

"Anyway, I found out about Kel went I read his diary."

"You keep a diary! Why don't you just wear hot pants and sing show tunes?"

"Its not a diary, its a journal. And I find it pretty therapeutic. Good when I don't have Sarah around to talk, or I don't wanna tell her."

"So where is it, Kelly boy?"

"Why the hell would I tell you anyway?"

"Okay. Touchy, touchy. Youre developing into quite the little diva."

I just had to laugh at that comment. You can't be mad about anything Drew says.

Then our conversation shifted to the brief flirtation with a boyfriend.

"So how far did it go with the bag boy?" Drew wondered

"Nowhere. He kissed me, but that was it. He wanted to do shit I wasnt ready for."

David curiously asked, "Whats it like? I mean, kissing a guy?"

"Its no different then kissing any other human with lips. I didnt get any real major moment from it."

"All right boys." My mom walked in. "You can gossip in the morning. But some of us have to get some sleep. And Sarah?"

"Yeah Mom?"

"Youre doing okay with Billie in there. If you two want to go out with me to breakfast in the morning, you know, have some girl talk or anything, just tell me."

"Okay Mom. Ill ask her when she wakes up."

"Good night kids."

"Night Ruth." David said.

"Night Mom."

"Good Night John Boy!" Drew shouted. Too easy, me thinks.

"Shut up Drew!" My mom yelled. "If you wake up Brian, theres going to be hell to pay."

"Fine Mom." I said. "See you in the morning."

"Good night sweetheart."

This is quite the interesting situation. Billie wasnt supposed to know, yet. And know Operation Boycatcher is once again a two theater war. Maybe we should focus on Sarah for a while.

The next morning was pretty relaxed. All the girls were gone. Apparently, Billie accepted my moms offer. I decided to just make something for us guys to eat. We then took to the video games.

"So how do you think she took it?" I wondered.

Drew said, "Youre still on that! Lets just have some fun. Theres only two damn weeks left in the summer."

"All right."

The phone rang. "Dave!" My dad yelled for my temporary brother. "Its your mom."

"Okay. Excuse me guys."

"No problem," I said. "Tell her hi for me."

"All right."

Drew and I decided to listen in on his phone call. We were getting bored with the games anyway. We could only hear one side of the conversation, and it was quite vague.

"Hi Mom!"

"So what did you want?"

"Yeah, I remember."

"You want me to go?"

"All see if they want to go."

"Thanks for reminding me. I forgot you and Dad got it."

"Yeah I miss him too."

"When do you think youll get out?"

"Two weeks? All right. can't wait. Youll get out in time for the first day of school then. Hey mom, I think Ill come over today."

"Love you too mom. Bye!"

I asked Dave, "So where are you going to go?"

"Oh thats a good idea." He looked to my dad. "Hey Brian! My mom was just telling me about the house we rented for the week at the end of the summer. Its up in the Poconos, so it more of an outdoorsy vacation. She wanted to know if you guys wanted to use it."

"Well I can only go on the weekends because of my work. But since Ruth is off in the summer, she can take you guys. Well have to discuss it."

"Even if it's just for a weekend, can we?" I begged. "I mean, if your parents paid for it already Dave, we don't want it to go to waste."

"I guess so. But we have to give you money for using it."

"You can try Brian, but it wont work with my mom. Shes pretty stubborn. You should see some of the battles shes had with my grandparents over restaurant checks. Theyre better than wrestling! Besides, youve clothed and fed me, and shell be in the hospital for a while longer."

"I'll find a way to pay."

So my mom accepted the proposal too. My mom loves the outdoors, much like myself. The whole family will go, with my dad coming only on weekends. Moms a teacher, so shell start at the same time as us kids. Sarah isn't as excited as I am, since the only thing the outdoors is good for, in her opinion, is the sun for tanning."

There will be a Hutchinson vacation this year. And I will now have lots of time to think and reflect on stuff. I could use a Walden moment to think. Or at least get to spend some time with the folks. Mom and I can't wait to go hiking in the woods. She teaches environmental science, and she knows a lot about local plant life. She was actually a forest ranger before she had any kids.

So its set: Two days from now, we start the last hurrah of my into sophomore summer.

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A bit of disappointment for Kel with Evan, but be sure theres greener pastures ahead. Will Billie accept Kel? Keep reading to find out!

Comments and Suggestions can be sent to lastimer@hotmail.com