Dodger

This is a wonderful story; made even better by the numerous comments that follow. There are a lot of good points made and theories which often send me scrambling back to the story. I like the way you've written this, Tim. It's very clever and compulsive reading. There's a lot of information in every chapter and clues that are easy to miss. I like the gradual changes I'm seeing in Keter and Stravor. The boy is becoming more assertive and testing Stravor's conscience, but how can Hemothracene know what is being said? I think Stravor will have to silence the sword.

This is very true and we've seen how this attraction has influenced his decisions in the past. Getting into a relationship with Daniel's best friend, fooling around and flirting with Alex. Messing around with his cousin was risky. Even Tom had an element of danger attached. He enjoys pushing his luck and seems to be unaware of his boundaries, which has often been his downfall, most notably with Alex.

Everyone can see the possible pitfalls here and Robbie's well-documented history of falling into them doesn't bode well. Nathan's interest seems to have coincided with the rise of Robbie's mojo and provide a stiff test of his resolve. On paper, of course, Conner is the sensible choice who even Robbie knows will be good for him, but will that be enough in the end? We don't know yet what Nathan's intentions are. It's possible he just wants to remain friends, but it doesn't usually work that way so we have to assume he's making a play to get back with Robbie. The notable absence of his supposed boyfriend may also give us a clue.

Thank you @chris191070 for being a loyal follower of the story.

While it's likely Don's large frame would have stuck out like a sore thumb among the students on the stairs that day, it's not implausible that he may have hired someone less visible to do his dirty work for him.

Nathan is a feisty character with a devilish streak in him which Robbie finds attractive. It's a weakness in him which has been prevalent from the start and the reason why he was drawn to Alex. Nathan, of course, is aware of this and he's smart. Using the Christmas play to belittle Robbie's enemy was a masterstroke that no one else could have pulled off and it very nearly did the trick. It's not clear yet if this was a deliberate attempt to win Robbie over, or if Nathan even wants to win Robbie over. He already has a boyfriend who Nathan didn't mention and didn't seem to be around after the play. There's a lot of questions that still need to be answered, but as you point out, Robbie needs to be wary of Don. Those locker room numbskulls seem to find their way into every school in the western world. It's odd how they all seem to have exactly the same personalities and deficiencies. Robbie is definitely not alone there.

Probably because he's done such a good job of sabotaging himself in the past. The fact that he was able to make a decision without dwelling on it for too long may be a good sign, but he needs to back it up now and show some commitment to the boy who waited patiently for him all this time. Nathan will be a temptation but Robbie can't afford to slip up this time.

Thank you @croyde for reading and commenting on the story. I'm glad you're enjoying the ride.

Conner seems like a sensible guy and I think even Robbie can see that he needs someone like that in his life. A calming influence who can keep him out of trouble and help him to conquer his demons. Nathan is the temptation he knows he should resist, but it's not going to be easy.

Let's hope he's made the right choice. Nathan has always been a thorn in the side for Don.

It was nearly four weeks since Alex left and nowhere was his absence felt more than in the boy’s locker room at Stephenson Collegiate. Showers were mandatory following team sports, but for the only known gay guy in class, they were generally an awkward and unpleasant experience. You don’t know what you got till it’s gone, was something my mom always used to say and this was true with Alex. Up until his recent disappearance, our unlikely friendship had worked in my favour at school, particula

Thank you, @daveymars, for some wonderful comments and for sharing your job and personal experiences with us. I'm sure you mentioned to me in the past that you were involved in counselling but I was fascinated to hear that you are similar to Jo. It's a huge relief to discover that her character is believable, especially when it comes from someone who does the job for real. My experience of counselling is limited to half-a-dozen or so visits as a patient. I was a little older than Robbie and not nearly as messed up, so my situation didn't help much when it came to writing about Jo. I did a fair amount of research, but it was still a risk trying to portray an unconventional character working in a specialist job I knew very little about. I'm always worried that I'm going to get it fundamentally wrong and be called out by a professional. After posting the chapter where Robbie is rushed to the hospital with a head injury, I remember reading a comment from a neurologist. Just my luck, I thought. Why did he have to read it? I was expecting him to explain where I went wrong, but instead, he thought I described the symptoms quite well. This was a surprise because what I knew about neurology I could write on the back of a postage stamp. Needless to say I'm not going to push my luck and start writing a story about a nuclear physicist.

Hey Page. How are you?

Haha. Oops. Hey Gary

Five Guys make the best burgers and fires around here and with bottomless drinks!

Good for you, Thorn. You make some excellent points, and your work is certainly good enough. You're one of many authors on GA and similar sites who, if marketed correctly, deserve to be able to publish their stories and make money. I think that's a fairly reasonable statement to make, and I doubt if many would disagree, but the last two words, for some stupid reason won't sit well with some. As you point out, anyone who dares to talk about 'making money' is immediately regarded with suspicion. It's very odd, but this is especially true when it comes to the arts, where the presumption seems to be that it's somehow wrong to ask to be paid. Isn't that what everybody does anyway. Most of us get paid for something. Nothing stifles creativity better than a lack of funds, and although this may sound a little extreme, I often wonder how much we've been denied through the ages. How many budding artists, writers, and musicians have had their talents suppressed because of their circumstances? I'm not saying you're going to starve to death in pursuit of your dreams, but money is useful, and it sure helps to have some laying around. You may not make enough to retire with, but you certainly deserve some recompense for your art. There's nothing wrong in promoting yourself, and your talents to potential readers outside of the GA community and I'm sure everyone here would applaud you for it. Cream doesn't always float to the top on its own. Well, it does, but you know what I mean.

You totally nailed it @droughtquake Kids can relate to her and will listen to her because she so obviously represents them. Robbie wants to be seen in her company because she's cool and even Ginny talks to her more as a friend than someone who works for the school district. She would be quick to point out that it's just the way she is and not an act designed to win their trust but it certainly helps. She's also quite good at her job of course.

I think we're all grateful for a little less wind, Albert.

Are you OK Albert?

Great chapter Tim. The more I read of this the more impressed I am with this world you've created. There's a lot of feeling in this chapter. As I read I cannot decide if I love Stravor or hate him. I think both at the moment. I wonder if Keter will trust him. Like @droughtquake I'm also interested in Shade.

Not sure it would suit me, Albert. Plus I get terrible hay fever... but I've probably worn worse outfits.

I might need to brush up a little. It's been a while. YouTube should have something.

Count me in! I love hula dancing

I'm good, Gary. Just enjoying the last of the summer or is it fall now?

Who is this guy?