Ethan

Jordan has room to grow, as you point out, but he does largely understand Noah's concerns, which is why he has not brought up the conversation of coming out again. He believes though that they can still do things as a couple, even without telling all of their friends about their relationship status. As for Noah, his concerns with his family stem from his fear that they will no longer love him - not because they'd cut him off financially. I hope it hasn't come across that way, that he only cares for them because they financially support him. As for his parents finding out even though they live thousands of kilometres away - it is so much easier now because of social media for news to spread rapidly. Thanks! Makes spending so many hours to update this story worth it 😃

That is the million dollar question. And soon(ish) you'll find out except ... (see below comment) There may be some drama first. If anyone is angry -- blame @JBR1977 -- he totally asked for drama! You know me, I'm drama-free. I'd never end a chapter on a dramatic moment and leave my readers guessing what happens next.

I have no idea what spelling error you're talking about ... 😏 This is why I love that I can go back and edit! If you see a spelling error always let me know! Thank you 😎

Honestly, you are too kind. Thank you so much for your thoughtful and amazing comment. Way to make a guy blush! 😊

*** JORDAN *** I’ve never really been a reserved person. I’m outgoing, energetic, and loud. I’d also like to think I’m approachable and open to new possibilities. But never in my life have I felt this free. I didn’t realize just how much my secret was weighing me down. I know I’m still not out to the world, but even just telling Aiden was enough to lift my spirits. I can’t imagine how I will feel when I can finally share to the world my love for Noah. I’m ready to tell the world

You're right - and that is something they will have to deal with in the upcoming chapters. Having Aiden and Jenn's support will help. Unless, it wasn't Aiden at all, but his evil twin Fraiden? 🤔 (If only this was a daytime soap opera ...)

Paint and read at the same time. I'm sure it'll all work out just fine 🙃

*** JORDAN *** One by one they all fall, each lie, like a domino, knocking over the next. What’s left, in the pile of discarded broken blocks, is the trail of my deception. And all it took was one simple phrase, a rather ordinary introduction, to set it all in motion. “Of course, I know who she is! It’s such a pleasure to finally meet your girlfriend! Hi, Samantha, my name is Aiden,” he says extending his hand out. And the first block falls. It all comes back t

🤔 If this was a soap opera she probably would be her twin!

*** JORDAN *** The eager anticipation, the burning desire, the lustful glances. The soft caresses, the devious smile, those mischievous eyes. He torments me. With each calculated move he plays with my soul. He knows how to push my buttons. And oh, how he pushes them. Again, and again, and again. I have to restrain myself from pouncing on him as we stand in the doorway. My body yearns for him. He is the antidote that I so desperately need. And he is not making this any e

Thanks. I'm really trying to add more context to this version, which was missing in some parts of the previous version. Aiden is doing a co-op placement, you could also call it an internship. Several university programs here offer them, where as part of your program you work to gain experience. Some programs do one co-op placement usually lasting 4 months. Some do multiple. That's why Aiden is back and working. He'll go back to school in Australia after he is done (I have no idea if Australian university programs offer internship placements, I just assumed they might like Canadian schools).

Originally, I started to type out Noah's conversation with his mother, but I ended up cutting it out, and summarizing their conversation in a line or two, for a few reasons (length, flow), though maybe I should have kept it in. Another is because I will reflect a bit of it later when Jordan asks what was going on that night, and Noah will explain his conversation (my idea here is so that Jordan understands just exactly what Noah has to deal with). So, as for your point about Noah not sticking up for himself with his mom, you're right to feel that way because I just wrote two lines in this chapter, but I should have given more context, and explained what he said. I'll try to flesh it out a bit more in Chap 22 instead. Thanks. That's the downside of only reading a novel, one chapter at a time, you can't keep going right away to see if you're concerns are addressed. To that, I'll say, I don't plan on making this a months long process. I'm hoping to post soon and regularly to complete this story.

Wow! I don't know where to even begin. I was not expecting this response (clearly, I am oblivious!). I'll try my best to address some of the comments. Some of you fall into the 'concerns' category, others 'excuses'. Each side has its merits. Without a doubt, Jordan could have handled this much better. He should have been clear with Noah, and picked a better time to talk. As for the issues around money, all I can say, as someone who grew up in a family that had financial challenges, it is something that stays with you. I know how hard my parents worked, I worked, to make it through some really bad years. And while there is nothing wrong in taking help, you don't want to become a burden on those you love either. There is a balance there, and it is not always easy to achieve. At least in my own experience. A couple of things I do want to clarify about Noah. I think this is where I have failed as a writer. I don't think I have explained well why Noah's family matters to him as much as it does. They really do love him, including his mother, and they do help him a lot more than just with money. Yes, they can come across as awful a times, but that is not the whole of their existence. Noah's brother is one of his main pillars of support, and we will see how much a bit later in the story. Noah does have the right to be angry, with Jordan, his family. But I do want to say, again I think this is where I could have done better, he is a lot stronger than I think people give him credit for, including his own family. He is the type of guy who will go out of his way to help others, to compromise, to be supportive, even if that doesn't let to his own happiness always. That doesn't mean people are trampling on him. And it shouldn't be taken as his weakness. It is his strength. That he can live beyond just himself. It doesn't always serve him well, and at times people do take advantage, and that is his challenge. But he is not a helpless victim. I don't think the fight/disagreement was all for nothing. Sometimes you need that to happen to get a better understanding of what the other person needs. It will help them become stronger as a couple. At least, that's one way to look at it. As for the next chapter, it is coming along. Though, I do want to point out I did just post two almost back-to-back! Because as a Canadian I feel a strong need to say this: I do apologize if the chapter or the characters did not live up to anyone's expectations. I do feel like I may have let some people down, and that was never my intention. I hope you all will stick around and see what crazy adventures these two crazy guys get up to next. And @Parker Owens I really do love how you summed everything up.

*** JORDAN *** If only I could hit the rewind button. Undo. Control Z. I would do anything. I just want to erase this night, pretend like it never happened. Maybe then I won't feel like a gigantic moron. I honestly feel like taking my head and banging it against the wall. How could such a simple day turn into a nightmare? I was just supposed to meet up with Aiden, go to a party, then go home. Then, like any other night, talk to Noah on the phone for a bit, and go to bed. Instead here I

Well, @JBR1977 @jaysalmn I knew people would react, but again, not like this. I guess that's because I know what happens next, and you don't 😜 But you will soon. The next chapter is almost done. I'll be very curious to see if you still feel the same way (part of me wants to write a spoof chapter where Jordan comes off as the hero, and Noah the one everyone hates, but that would distract from my goal of actually updating this story!)

I have to say I'm a bit surprised by the negative reaction towards Jordan ... I honestly didn't expect that at all. @jaysalmn @wenmale64 I'm sorry you feel that way; it's not my intention at all, as you can imagine, to annoy readers to the point where the feel they need to walk away temporarily. Moving forward, all I can say without giving anything away, is that there will be points where things are settled, but there will also be some rocky points (as you'd expect in any relationship). I hope I can keep you engaged along the way. @FanLit Happy New Year to you as well ... and everyone at GA.

@JBR1977 I'm sorry! I know cliffhangers are mean. But I can't help myself. I got to find a way to make sure you all come back for the next chapter 🤓 Noah's mom, in some ways, is the exact opposite of Jordan's dad, she cares too much. She is the helicopter parent who it too involved and just can't let go. @NimirRaj I don't want to give anything away about what happened between Jordan and Aiden but I will agree with @Geoffrey257, that would be out of character for Jordan. @Tonyr I wouldn't say there was no progress. It may seem like they are where they left off before the holidays, but I think that discounts how much they have grown to understand their own surroundings, and that will be important once they're back at school and how they interact with one another. @Timothy M. @Parker OwensThere are always two sides to a story. Jordan may have a valid reason. And Noah's reaction will be important.

*** NOAH *** Nostalgia. It can induce a pleasant, yet at times deceiving, state of mind. We yearn to go back to a time when everything was simple, when we were happy. Or, at least we thought we were happy. When we thought all was well. It can manifest itself in many forms, perhaps, a nostalgic feeling to return home. To return to the place where we grew up, surrounded by family and love. Without a doubt in my heart, I know I love my family. My parents and siblings mean the world

@JBR1977 I totally agree with you! I just wrote the most convoluted sentence ever. The point I was trying to make was that Jordan won't look back and say 'I regret not trying', because he did try. I'm clearly not great at writing coherent sentences 😶 I thought that should be obvious by now ☺️

If I had a Noah or Jordan type in my life, do you think I'd be spending so much time writing? 😉 So, I decided against saying a specific location for now, but if you really want to know:

I think it would have been tempting for Jordan to tell his father about his sexuality, just to see his reaction, but I think this is one of those cases where Jordan felt his father doesn't have a right to that information. He doesn't deserve to know anything about his son, because he hasn't made an honest effort. Unfortunately, that's exactly how some people think; nothing is really their fault. And you see that with Jordan's dad. @JBR1977 Exactly! This will allow Jordan to move on and not regret that he didn't try to repair his relationship with his father. @Bft I'm sorry it is something you can relate too. But I'm glad you have a good man (that's the part of your comment I liked!)

Thanks, I was really trying to highlight the different types of relationships in Jordan's life. And next chapter with Noah, you'll see an even different type of family dynamic. We are all responsible for our own actions, and not what others do to us. And for Jordan, it was important for him to make an effort, even if it ended in failure. He knows he tried, and that is important to him.

While this is an entirely fictional story, I have used events, experiences and elements from my own life in this novel. I've split some of my own characteristics into both Noah and Jordan. And very loosely mirrored some characters on people I have met in my life. My parents are not divorced. But I've taken bits and pieces of people I have known, and some of my own experiences with my own parents and put them into this novel.

*** JORDAN *** Ever since childhood, I remember being taught in school about the importance of family. That nothing is stronger than a bond between a child and their parents. That friends aren’t always forever, but family is. Both of my parents would love me unconditionally. They would be there to lift me up when I fell, hold my hand and guide me through obstacles, and help mark the major milestones in my life. Even those cheesy television shows from my childhood reinforced the notion o

I'm sorry, I can't imagine that was easy to hear as a 13 year old. For as much as a family can bring us joy, it can also be extremely disappointing. For the past few days I've been trying to deal with my own family related issue. It's by no means as serious as what you had to deal with. And in the end everything will be fine. But still, it has really weighed heavily on my mind. And so @Tonyr I'm sorry to say that I'm not going to be posting something today. I haven't even looked at Chapter 19. It will likely take me a few days. And for this I honestly, sincerely apologize. The last few days have been very rough, and my mind has been scattered. Plus, I'm working 12+ hour days right now. By the time I'm done work, I'm just mentally and physically exhausted. I truly am sorry.