TomE

HI I hope this doesn't add even more confusion, but I attended a private (Catholic) school in Kansas growing up. Grade school (elementary) went from Kindergarten through 8th grade (no middle school) Then Private (Catholic) High School 9-12 (Freshman, Sophomore, Junior and Senior). In the private school system there is usually a "school uniform" that need to be worn. This is not the case in the Public school system. When I started school, the age was 5 for Kindergarten and the cutoff was Jan 1st. Our Homecoming usually took place about mid season (October). We had the parade Friday afternoon, and football game Friday night. During 1/2 time, they announced the Homecoming Queen and her court (All seniors). Saturday night was the homecoming dance. Anyone from High school could attend the dance. Prom was held in May. Usually about a week or 2 before graduation. Our only allowed Junior and Senior classmen to attend. An exception was made for a Sophomore to attend if they were dating a Junior or Senior. We had other dances also. Some schools in the area had a "Sadie Hawkins" dance (girl ask boy and the girl foots the bill for everything) Our school had a formal Christmas Dance that was girl ask boy. This was during Christmas or "Winter" Break. Only Sophomores and above were able to attend. During basketball season we had a "sweetheart dance" Yes it was in February on the Friday prior to Valentines. The queen and her court were announced during 1/2 time of the basketball game. The queen was a senior, and then there was a "princess" from each of the other classes. Anyone from high school could attend that dance. Hope you find this a little helpful and I am looking forward to your story. Take Care, Tom

Dom, you did it again. A great chapter to begin another story. Thank You for sharing your talent!!!!!! Have a good one. Tom

Seth also does not know that Aaron has told Rory that Aaron, 1)likes Seth more, 2)still likes him, and 3) will wait till Rory is gone and get Seth back. Rory hasn't shared that info with Seth yet, so Seth has no clue on how Aaron feels about him or what Aaron is filling Rory's head with. Since Seth doesn't know what Aaron has said to Rory, I can see why Seth may get annoyed with Rory's "jealous" behavior about Aaron and why he doesn't seem to understand where Rory is coming from. (the way Rory was when he saw Aaron at the pretzel -place Seth works at in the mall, and now needing a ride). Seth probably feels like Rory's behavior as not trusting Seth (I would feel that way) especially since he (Seth) has not been brought up to date on Aaron's comments to Rory about how Aaron feels about Seth. Rory needs to share Aaron's comments with Seth this way they can be on the same page knowing the same info. It could make a difference on Seth's future dealings to Aaron. He needs to open up and trust Seth, especially since Seth that afternoon stated he wanted to be "exclusive" with Rory, seeing noone else and Rory agrees. Another great chapter Dom... Tom

Awesome Dom..Just Awesome. Your skill and style..I'll admit it..I also had tears Thanks for sharing your gift Tom

I think the same reasons could be used to show that Luke likes Seth: First: being in a crappy mood after seeing Seth and Rory flirting wildly. Second: the comment about the same crappy mood: "There's some stuff I haven't really been dealing with and it sort of crept up and bit me in the ass today." The bad mood came after seeing Rory and Seth in the pool, so that's probably what's biting him in the ass. Third: The "there's a lot to like about you" comment True, this is said to Rory, "most of the time" being added by Luke. This may not mean as much as it sounds however, futher responses to the Ultimeatly answer may cancel this reason. Fourth: The disappointment in his voice when Rory was going to go bowling Rory tells Luke that "Seth asked me to go bowling" that may be the reason for the disappointment in Luke's voice. Seth was going to be there with Rory. Fifth: The "third wheel" comment. Okay, I admit this could mean nothing, but then again, it could mean something. Aw, crap, never mind this one. And ultimately: When Rory says he wanted Seth to kiss him so that he could say that he kissed someone else than Aaron, Luke kissed Rory, thus eliminating THAT reason to kiss Seth. Would he have done that if he didn't mind Rory being with Seth? Top that up with the comment "In my experience, when someone wants to kiss you, they usually kiss you", followed a while later by Luke kissing Rory. Before Rory tells Luke about wanting Seth to kiss him, he asks Luke how to tell if someone was going to Kiss you. Luke tells Rory and then goes on to state that if Rory wants Seth to kiss him, Rory would have to make the first move, because Seth was too shy to make the first move. How does Luke know this about Seth? Has Luke been in the situation where he had to make the first move on Seth sometime before? When Luke kisses Rory, it may be to remove THAT reason from Rory to kiss Seth. Luke could have done that to keep Rory from kissing the person that Luke likes, namely Seth. At this point, there is no way to tell exactly who it is Luke "likes". The great and Awesome Dom, is reeling us in with all the twists and turns in this story. Have a good one everybody Tom

I agree with your observation. There is more to the Luke -Seth story than we may know. I mean, how else would Luke know Seth is too shy to make the first move and kiss Rory, that if Rory wants a kiss from Seth Rory would have to make the first move. That certainly sounds like something someone would say who's "been there-done that". Even if Seth is generally known as being a shy person, shy people often initiate a kiss on one-on-one situations if the attraction is there. I thought Luke was jealous of Rory because Seth liked Rory, and Luke liked Seth, but this chapter makes me wonder if that is the case. Yes Luke was in a really crappy mood at the beginning of the chapter, but he agrees to go to the bowling alley, he must have seen Rory's flirting with Seth and vice-versa, yet he is in a much better mood at the end of the evening. Another great chapter Dom. Thanks Have a good one everybody Tom

I also agree that Luke was jealous. But I think he was jealous not of Seth being with Rory, but of Rory being with Seth! I know Luke stated to Rory a couple of chapters ago that he was not interested in Seth, but I think he may be. (remember Luke also told Rory in Chapter 10, I believe, that he was not interested in Rory also). Two thing make me think Luke may like Seth is: 1) the comment Seth made to Rory when they were playing video games before going swimming. Seth was telling Rory about his life and school pre-Kesslin and after, and then about being out but not having it too bad because Luke suddenly came out at the same time, and that Lukes announcement surprised almost everyone and was the topic of conversation. My understanding of Luke-Aaron is that they dated first and sometime AFTER their final break-up Aaron and Seth hooked up. Did Luke out himself to pull the pressure/attention away from what Seth was going through? 2) Luke states that the person he likes isn't interested Some other reasons why it's possible Luke may like Seth is: -Seth loses most of his friends, he tells Rory. when he started seeing Aaron (wonder if Aaron was telling Luke about Seth just like he was telling Seth about Rory?) -Luke knows who Seth is, but his group of friends do not, they're just getting to know him -Seth is the same age as Rory. This makes him younger than Luke and his crowd. This would also mean Seth is an "underclassmen" to Luke and his crowds being "upper classemen", no wonder Luke's friends do not know if Seth is gay or not as an underclassmen it wouldn't be in their realm other than possible harrassment, and also Luke came out at the same time, getting the attention because of the shock of his announcement. This also may be why Luke is sure the person is "not interested". Anyway, another great chapter Dom in another great story you've written...Thank you!!! Have a great day everyone!! Tom

While Jase did tell that to Rory, as a psychologist Jase seems to really be missing the boat with Rory. Other than pulling out stickers from his foot, asking him if he wanted to go to the mall with him, and then the "sex" talk, Jase has not had any real interaction with Rory. A psychologist should realize what the emotional ramifications are on a child losing the only parent they ever knew, being forced to leave their surroundings/home, (the only one they ever had) to travel to a new location/home, and new people (at the time a permanent move) and a "new" parent they never knew existed. He should remember what it was like for Luke when he lost his mother. Luke already knew Jase, didn't leave the area he grew up in or his friends, and per Luke, it took him a long time and a lot of trouble before he got over it, and then only was able to deal because of Jase and Eddie. If I remember Luke was talking to Rory at the pool and claims Jase was like a big brother and Eddie was the dad. So where is Jase now with Rory? Jase doesn't have to play parent, he could play "therapist" or "Big Brother" again. His comment to Rory about "where he (Rory) fits in" is added stress to the poor kid. He doesn't know. Before this summer Rory knew where he fit in, he was son and grandson and friend. Then his world is shattered and turned upside down and he is in a new place and a new situation and he's supposed to, on his own, find out how he will fit in. No real guidance from any adult figure. EVERYONE at his new home lied and kept secrets from him when he got there (I guess if you want to say Rory did the same, then at least he found how he fits in and Jase should be proud). Jase doesn't have to play the dad role, but if he can't pick up on the hurt and confusion Rory is in it make me wonder how effective of a pyschologist he really is.

I agree with you, Conner. It's a great forum Here are a couple of thoughts I have about what may happen: I think Aiden is going to be angry and puzzled at what Nikky just did. I feel Aiden has something to do with Nikky being at the apartment. If I remember correctly, he knows Owens story and all about Nikky. I can see him trying to do something nice and special to surprise Owen, so took it upon himself to get in touch with Nikky. Through-out this chapter it was Owen who was tired, cold, wet, etc and then suddenly Aiden is so tired he can't keep up in climbing the stairs to home and bed? Dennis' call is still a puzzle. After Owen read him the "riot act" earlier in the day I find it difficut to believe he called him about his dog. Yes Dennis loves this dog and doesn't want it given away, or gotten rid of, but why call Owen? Reilly's house is much closer, and Dennis has spent time not only with Reilly, but also his mom and his dad, Paul. Dennis has been there before, stopping in while he was out walking the dog. The only reason I can come up with to call Owen is that Dennis trusts him, especially with all Owen knows about Dennis' family life. I also think with the repeated references about Owen being wet, cold, tired, un-dry clothes, and the sneezes, that Owen is going to get sick. I'm thinking very seriously ill. Maybe even so serious that Tony and Chris contact their parents about it and their reaction to this news bring closure to Owen, one way or another. (just a theory) Tom

Eddie deserves a break too. He's having a hard enough time trying to get his son to like him. Now he has to come out to Rory? If I were Eddie, I'd be afraid my own son would reject me and call me a fag. That would not be something I would look forward too. Rory has so many reasons why he wants to leave after the end of the summer, if he were also straight, that would probably seal the deal for him leaving (what straight 16yo would want to live with 3 homo's?). Yes, Eddie is an adult, but adults fear rejection too. Also, think about Rory's history. Eddie is probably a little scared as to how Rory will react to finding out that Luke, Eddie, and Jase are all gay. He'll probably take off running again and might end up sitting on something worse than a cactus. Vic P.S. - I think Rory deserves a break too. The only one that needs to be crucified is Aaron. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I'm undecided about Aaron, still I feel he deserves a break. Yes what he did in the past was wrong and he admits that. he also states he has changed, maybe maybe not. I know I have changed in my attitude and thing I did from when I was younger to now, so I'll keep an eye on him to see if he really is changed. Was he wrong to "out" Eddie, Jase, and Luke? From his reaction, it honestly seems like he had no idea he had done that. The facts seem to indicate that Jase and Eddie were out and like a married couple. Luke was out (whether by force or his own decision) at school, and since Aaron was no longer welcome by them he had no idea thay all went back into the closet. Seriously, I'm surprised none of Lukes friend hadn't already made a comment about Luke's sexuality yet. Not in a negative way, but a positive way. /ie glad you can accept him, he's hot, too bad he's gay; etc// Especially since they will be having a birthday party soon. If Luke was still "closeted" I could understand not saying anything, but he did come out at school (at least according to Aaron) so there was no need to keep it from Rory. especially since so many people knew about it.