Dodger

Alex is very self-centered but not entirely. There are exceptions, for example, the way that he takes care of his younger brother, which is more parental than brotherly. Robbie knows that Alex will take whatever he can get because that's the way he's been brought up, but he also knows that Alex has a soft spot for him and will look after him. It is a dangerous game to play but necessary as far as Robbie is concerned. Thanks for the comment.

Thanks, @Magicstate There seems to be almost an even split of people who like or dislike Alex, which is interesting because I didn't expect him to poll very well in the popularity stakes. He is a rogue of course, but obviously, one who Robbie believes he can trust to a certain extent, and he may be right. "Odd bedfellows" would be, I think, a very good description.

Thanks, @paul.b Glad you spotted the clue in the story description. The 'nine extraordinary months' though started with the death of his mother in England, so technically we are more like 3/4 the way through as far as the nine months is concerned. There are a few chapters remaining but the story has to finish at some point and I've already extended it in places. When I read a book I always like to know how far I am through the story and that's one of the reasons why I wrote yesterday that it's approaching the end, but it won't end all of a sudden without notice. Everyone will know the penultimate chapter, last chapter etc. Thanks for following as always Paul. Your support has been fantastic and I'll try not to post future chapters too late in the day, bearing in mind the time difference.

I don't think that there's much chance of Alex ever admitting to anyone (even himself) that he is also attracted to boys. His dad would probably throw him out, maybe his older brother too. It wouldn't go down well with his so-called friends either. Probably the only person that Alex can truly let his guard down with and be himself in front of is Robbie and they both know this. It puts Robbie in a unique position and allows him to get away with things that Alex simply wouldn't put up with from any of his 'real' friends. Robbie knows that Alex would never hurt him, except in fun of course, but as for becoming a decent person. He will probably need to get away from his family for that to happen.

Yes, it is a bit of a soap opera, which I find quite appealing. It makes it easy to jump in and out of. I've not read them all in the right order, but it didn't seem to matter and it didn't ruin the experience. I like the way that you've done this as well @MrM with 'Brandon Smiling'. I know that it's supposed to be a journal but it's cleverly done. I've had more time recently to catch up on the story and I have been reading it again from the beginning.

Thanks, @Timothy M.. You may have just written the first line of the next chapter. Only kidding, it's already done but I'm not going to tell you if you're close or not. Most people were able to guess where Robbie was heading as he didn't really have a lot of choice in the end with Nathan away. Alex makes a pretty good villain, although he redeems himself at times his friendship always comes at a cost. At least Robbie is aware of this now and is cautious around him. Except for one mistake as you point out. Drugs are never good, but Robbie should have learned from his previous visit, not to do them with Alex. Not being able to remember going to bed the night before is a little worrying with a guy like that in the next room. Walter is a good man who seemed to enjoy coming out of retirement for a few hours to help Robbie. We all know that the world needs more Walters in it and fewer Dons.

Thanks, JP @BlindAmbition This comment really made me laugh. Absolutely though, nothing more guaranteed to put you off your breakfast than listening to that first thing in the morning!

Well spotted @Benji Yes, Sue knows about Alex and she made Robbie write down Alex's address and phone number before allowing him to stay over at his house. Nicola also knows that they are friends and he stayed over at Alex's house. That was a couple of months before, but Sue would probably have kept this information and if you're looking for your son/nephew who's run away, you would try everything. Robbie will be aware of this but he also knows that Alex won't give him up to anyone who comes knocking on the door and wouldn't worry about lying to Don, Sue, or the police even.

Thanks, Dahawk. Sue's trying to hold the family together (of course, we have no idea what has been happening back at the house, only a brief glimpse from Robbie's texts). We don't know how it will work out for him at Alex's house, but it may not be the best place to stay for any more than a couple of days. Glad to see that you're backing Daniel.

Actually, I must admit that Alex is one of my favourite characters in the story which probably guaranteed him a return somewhere along the line. We get to learn a bit more about him in this chapter. Although I'm not trying to make excuses for some of the things that he's done, at least we can understand why he's like he is and he does have a good side. As Robbie says, 'he just doesn't show it that often'. We know that he's a rascal and a user, and no matter what he says he's clearly bi-sexual, but when Robbie needed help, he didn't hesitate and that's generally a good sign.

Who would've thought that we would be backing the girls, but Nicola, Sue, and even Amy have all handled Robbie's situation better than Don and Daniel and the oldest person in the house has been the most immature. Don, in particular, needs to have a major rethink very quickly before it's too late. He's not just driving Robbie away!

Yeah, this one wasn't difficult to figure out, as most people expected Alex was the obvious choice although we don't know yet if it was the right one. We don't know enough about him yet as you point out. It's odd!

Getting there Emi. I like the way that you've done this.

I didn’t just hate Don, I hated everything that he stood for. All the twisted logic of a society, which could be so shallow and two faced. He had made me feel like I had let the family down and brought shame upon them. It wasn’t as if we were robbing banks or plotting a terrorist attack. We were having sex, an act of love practised by almost everybody in the world at some point in their lives. We were underage, sure, but we weren’t twelve, we were fifteen and it didn’t seem to bother him too muc

Both stories are well worth reading! I would recommend.

So now the library rendezvous begin. I liked the interaction between Brandon and Jimmy, but as someone said above, he worries a lot. I think I did too though.

I agree with everything that our late friend Skinny has said here. This chapter was short but enjoyable. Brandon's sums up teen angst pretty well.

Yes, I remember this chapter first time around. Really nice, but stay away from AJ. I know he will but Brandon is smitten.

Great chapter. In case you're wondering, this is the second time around for me. I think that I got up to chapter 10 or something the first time before getting bogged down with other stuff and work. That was a while ago now so rather than continuing from where I left off, I've decided to start again from the beginning. I like the story, style of writing and characters, especially, of course, Brandon, who you have really brought to life. I will comment on every chapter this time as I make my way through it. Thanks for your good work.

I've nothing against warm beer, but poor Brandon really went through the wars in this chapter. Not quite ready for the likes of Joe yet though.

No those hormones won't go away Brandon, but there's nothing wrong with you either. Nice chapter.

Wait'll get a load of me!

I imagine that Don would also be trying to placate Sue who wasn't best pleased by her husband's performance and will feel as if she has let Robbie down by leading him into the lion's cage and telling him that everything would be okay. Also, Don is a control freak and would prefer to have Robbie at home where he can handle him better and as you point out it wouldn't do his reputation much good. Robbie knows that the longer he stays away, the more damage it's likely to do to Don and the more he's going to regret his words.

I don't mind.

Alex is probably Robbie's best chance of evading Don, assuming that is that Don is actually out there looking for him. Robbie seems to think so at the moment.