Life of Phoenix - 5. A Fair Trade

Current Time: Lakota's POV

The past few days have been weird. I mean when you blow your sister's boyfriend, when is it not weird to look at them? Seriously though Theo has been giving me these looks like he wants to say something to me or something.

I was outside minding my own business playing some basketball by myself. Just seeing what I can do with the ball. I just made a three pointer when I heard a voice. “That's wicked bro!” Theo came up the driveway.

“Thanks... You here for Lyric?” I grabbed the ball and held it against my hip. “She's inside doing her makeup last time I saw here. Mind you that was half an hour ago, so she's probably done that by now.”

“Cool cool. Before I go in, we're okay right?” He smiled and popped his eyebrows twice.

I blushed and turned away. “Ya, I'm not going to tell my sister anything.”

“That's good.” He grabbed my ass as he passed by. “Sometime we should do that again, but make it a bit more special.” Theo winked at me as he went inside.

Did he just tell me that he wants my ass? Holy crap, Theo has a thing for me!? No that's not it. He's probably not getting enough sex from my sister. Ew change in subject, please! He's not getting off enough (slightly better), so he's using me. He's not into you Lakota.

I went back to shooting baskets. Only a few missed, rather impressed with myself by that actually. My mind would wander back to Theo all the time. I'd just shake it off and shoot another.

Right as I went to shook Lyric scared me by pinching my sides. “AHHH!” I threw the ball against the house.

Mom was out of a window like a bullet. “Lakota watch the ball throwing!”

“It was Lyric! She scared the... she scared me!” Let's not say 'shit' in front of my mother.

She gave me a glance; she caught my poor recovery, and then went to Lyric. “Don't scare your brother. Where are you two going?”

“To the mall. I'm taking Theo shopping; he needs some new pants.” She probably decided this for him, no doubt in my mind.

“Take your brother. I want some quiet time as I clean the house.” Great, I'm being kicked out of the house.

I looked up at mom. “What if I don't want to go?”

“I'll give you fifty bucks.” DEAL!

I went in and grabbed fifty from my mom and got into Theo's car. It was a quick ten minute drive to the mall. To hell with staying with my sister I'm going my own way! I waved them off as I went off exploring.

First thing first, I need food. I decided I wanted some food from a new cafe that opened up in the mall. I've heard it has some great food, so why not try?

I waited in line, looking up at the menu. When it came to my turn, the guy spoke. “Hey, Lakota.” The English accent caught my attention, Oliver! He works here!? “My neighbors own the place; they offered me a job since they just opened. How can I help you today?”

“How's the butter chicken?”

Oliver smiled. “Super good. It's not too spicy but not bland either. It makes me happy it's our Saturday special. I get to be here every day we serve it!”

“Then I will have a bowl of it, and a coke.”

“Okay, I'll get that for you. Be back in just a moment.” He jumped off towards the kitchen area. When he returned, he had a bowl of butter chicken in hand. “And cokes are just in that cooler.” He pointed right behind me. Sweet, they have glass bottles!!

I gave him some of my money, not the money that mom gave me. That's for buying stuff! While he was grabbing my change, I asked, “Do you get a break anytime soon?”

Oliver handed me my change, “Two dollars and thirty-five cents. I'm actually off in like twenty minutes; want to hang out a bit afterward?”

“I'd like that.”

“Sweet. I'll get out of here as fast as I can!” Oliver is doing that for me? Really? WHY!? He's new, we've barely talked. He's British, I'm Canadian... Okay, I'm thinking about this to hard!

Oliver was right, this butter chicken was perfect! I sat down close to the counter so I could watch and listen to him. He was super nice to everyone who came up. Even an asshole who demanded a refund after finishing his food.

When Oliver's manager took that over he escaped and rushed me out of the store. Luckily I was done eating my food. Once we were a good distance away we stopped running, Oliver laughed, “Wow, what an exit!”

I giggled too. “Exit stage right much.” We're both theater okay, deal with it!

Oliver's face seemed to gleam when I said that. “That's right you're in my theater class. What are you doing in it? I haven't seen you on stage.”

“I don't know... I'm kind of stage shy but want to be in the play somewhere.” Seriously, every time I go into the theater I get super nervous and don't go up on stage.

“You gotta try out for someone.” Easy for you to say. Oliver could make an excellent Oliver. “I hope I get Peter Pan, but I have a feeling I'm going to get John or Michael.”

“That would be cool if you got Peter.”

“Ya, but I'll end up as one of the other two. You could be the Micheal, and I could be John!” Oliver was needlessly excited about that idea. “Michael doesn't say much, just kid stuff.’CANDY!'” He quotes the best line Michael has.

He said it so well I burst into laughter. Oliver is really a good actor; every once in a while he just bursts into a character and just goes with it! He's super good at improv. Honestly, Oliver is a super cool guy just to be around.

We were sitting in the food court just hanging out, talking. “Lakota, other than theater what kind of stuff are you into? I mean all we've talked about is theatre.”

He actually made me think. “Ummm... I like video games and computer stuff.”

“Tell me about it. Theatre is my life; my mom has acted on Broadway more than a few times. So acting is all I really know, so I want to know about other stuff.” He rested his hands on his wrists and looked directly at me.

“Well... I really like a style of games called JRPGs. They are a style of game that comes from Japan, hence the 'J' in the style name. The 'RPG' part stands for Roll Playing Game.” Oliver actually still looked interested in all my mumbo jumbo.

“Wouldn't every game be a 'Roll Playing Game'? Since you're playing a role of a character and all that.” Honest question, weird question but nonetheless.

“Typically yes but at the same time no. Roll Playing Games usually have a level and/or a perk system. So as you defeat enemies you gain EXP, experience, towards your level. Those levels may give you skill points and give you more powers.” Honestly how is a non-gamer paying attention to all this?

Oliver's eyes twinkled with excitement. “So how good are the stories in these games? Are they simple like Peter Pan, or more complex like Into The Woods?” God this kid really does like theatre.

I giggled. “Well some are as simple as Peter Pan, others are more complex.” Seriously how is this conversation still going on? “So my favorite game is called Tales of Vesperia. So each of the main characters has their own story that they go through. Each faces their own challenges, and some even hate other party members. As the story goes on you find out more about the party members and they 'evolve'.”

“Sounds like a well written story. You also sound very into that game. I'd like to see it, is the game multiplayer and easy to play?” He had a bit of blush on his face, and he avoided eye contact. This is too much!!

“Yes and yes. Do you want to play it sometime?” It was my turn to be a little nervous. I tried to offer a smile, but I'm pretty sure I screwed it up.

“Honestly, ya. I'm not much for video games, but you make it sound really good.” Oliver is super cute, but honestly how is this happening to me? “Give me your cell, I'll put my number in it, and we can set up a hangout sometime.”

So I handed him my phone, and he put his number in. Once he handed my phone back, and it went off. A message from my sister.

Lyric – We're heading home, meet by the food court.

Me – Already there XP

“It looks like I have to go home now.” I could see my sister and Theo come into view.

Oliver looked saddened by this news. “Make sure you send me a text to tell me it's you. I look forward to seeing the plot of the story.” We waved to each other, and I was off on my way.

When I reached Lyric, I turned around to see Oliver still looking at me. When I turned back, Lyric had a shit eating grin. “Did someone make a new friend?”

“Shut up!” She rolled her eyes as we started our way towards Theo's car. I have got to say I'm a little sad about leaving Oliver. It's okay though, we'll be hanging out sometime in the near future!

Current Time: Phoenix's POV

The other day at Max's was actually pretty great. We made it to the middle point of Gurren Lagann, and it was pretty awesome! I want to watch MORE!! Gurren Lagann is my jam!!

I was walking into school on a good ol' Monday morning. Well, it was good until I saw Keon standing near the office doors. He can be found near there quite often since his mom is the principle.

He put on his smile and walked over. “Hey, Nix.”

“It's Phoenix...” I replied.

He rolled his eyes. “Ya, ya. Anyways, what are you up to this weekend?”

“Babysitting and/or rehearsing for the play.” Unlucky for me Keon would be there for half of that.

“Fair enough, so then I guess you're way too busy to hang out then.” He sighed dramatically. “I was going to invite you over to hang out. It's been too long.”

I popped my hip and placed my hand on it. “In case you forgot, you're the one who broke up with me.”

He rolled his eyes. “Ya, ya, ya. Ancient history now.”

Keon looked as if he was going to say something else, but I interrupted him. “I should go though, I'll see you later Keon.” I turned away from him and walked away. Luckily Max came around the corner, and I quickly joined him. “Hey, Max!”

He seemed confused about it. “Hey, Nix... what's up?”

I quickly whispered to him. “Save me from Keon.” I turned him around, and we started walking down the hallway in which he came. “Sorry, you were an easy out.”

He shook his head. “You really don't like Keon, do you?”

“NOOOOOPE!” We stopped at the end of the hallway. “Kay thanks, bye!”

“You owe me, Nix.”

“Deal!”

“Come over after school, and your debt will be paid.” I just smiled and walked away. That would be an easy debt to pay, I hope.

The day was long and honestly, super boring. Once it ended, I was in heaven! No more school work just homework. Sad face. Homework suuuucks!

“Phoenix Jeremy Russell!!” Oh god no! I turned to see a slightly angry Lyric heading my way. “Why didn't you tell me Keon and you spoke this morning?”

I didn't know what to say. “It wasn't that much...”

She honestly grabbed me by the ear and dragged me outside. “'Wasn't that much'!? What happened?”

“He wanted to hang out... I told him I was too busy; then Max came around the corner, and I escaped. Like I said it wasn't much.” I don't know what her big deal is. Keon, even after he broke up with me, is a nice guy. She's just over protective of me or something.

She rolled her eyes. “What you see as nothing, I see as Keon wanting to get back with you.”

I couldn't help but laugh. “In case you forgot, Keon broke up with me. Plus I don't want to get back together with him.” Again her eyes rolled. “Anyways, I got to get going; I'll talk to you later!”

I was off on my way home, walking as usual when a familiar truck pulled up beside me. “Hope in!” Max called from the driver's seat. I quickly jumped in, and Max continued driving. “You walk home?”

“Every day. It let me unwind from the stress that is school. How come you drive?”

“Lazy.” Of course, what else would it be. “Walking home takes an hour and a half for me, compared to your twenty minute walk.”

We drove passed the turn that you need to take to get to my street. “You went past my turn...”

“I know, I was thinking of watching more Gurren Lagann with you.” He looked over for a brief moment before returning his gaze to the road. “If you wanted to at least.”

I couldn't help but smile a bit. “I would love to, but I have a shit ton of homework I need to do. This weekend we can finish it, okay?”

Max frowned and turned into anther street to turn around. “Is this about what happened the other day?”

“No! Well not completely...” I'm not going to lie; I do have homework. But there is also the fact that Max wants to get back to how we were before... I don't think I want that. “Max, I know you enjoyed it as much as I did... It's just been too long to just start up again.”

Of course, I was talking about sexual activities. Max and I used to be... well active before he got into a new crowd of friends. Since then we have gone our separate ways and haven't really spoken.

The car ride went quiet until we got to my place. “Thanks for the ride Max.”

“Ya, no problem.” He sounded so distant. “We'll hang out this weekend.”

I smiled and closed the truck's door. He drove off, I watched before going inside. Let's be honest here, I still have feelings for the guy... I always will, but now is not the time to suddenly jump back into things.

Past Time: Sixth Grade

A young Phoenix had just gotten home from a school field trip. He had gone and seen a play up at the high school's theater. Having greatly enjoyed himself he told his mother about his experience.

“So the guy went off to the right, and the next time we saw him he came in on the left! It was like magic mom!” Phoenix explained to his mother.

She offered her son a smile. “Behind the curtains the actors can move from one side of the stage to the other.” Phoenix grinned in amazement.

“That's cool! I want to do that!” He bounced around in his excitement. “Can I act?”

“Of course you can whatever you want to be in life I'll support you 100 percent.” She looked at her son, age 11 and in her eyes handsome beyond her wildest imagination. “Phoenix, how do you feel about Maxwell?”

“He prefers Max now.” Phoenix grabbed a drink from the fridge. “Ummm he's my best guy friend, so he's really cool.”

“Is that all you feel about Max?”

The boy sat there thinking, wondering. Phoenix was a clever boy, he knew when his parents were hiding something or trying to dig for information. Aware that his mother was trying to imply something he spoke what he had on his mind. “It kind of feels like he's more than just my best friend sometimes.”

“Why do you say that?” Trisha watched as her son thought to himself. She could see the wheels turning in Phoenix's head as he tried to figure out what to say next.

Phoenix shrugged. “I don't know, sometimes it just feels like we're brothers.”

“That's good to hear.” Trisha smiled as Phoenix ran off to play. Confident that her son was gay, she felt that the 'brothers' was more than likely love he felt. She remained quiet though, wanting Phoenix to discover this on his own.

Past Time: Seventh Grade

It was one of those nights where Phoenix and Max spent the night together at one or the others house. Tonight it was Phoenix’s house, and they had taken over the living room. Blankets spread across the floor to form a bed of some sort. Each could be found laying on their stomach, over a pillow, eyes glued to the TV.

Over the past while, the two had spent less time together. Max had entered high school, made more friends and had somewhat left Phoenix behind. Having celebrated his birthday a little over a month ago, Phoenix was now 13 and in the early stages of puberty.

Rather than ask his father questions, he found more confidence in himself to ask his best friend. “Do you sometimes get hard down there?” He asked his friend.

Max looked over at him. “Ya, all the time. Do you?” Nix could barely nod. “Its okay, my dad says it's natural for boys to do that. Nothing to worry about Nix.”

“Really?”

“Ya, soon you'll get hair down there too.” That thought horrified Nix. “There's nothing to be scared of Nix. I promise you, it'll be fine.”

“And my voice will change like yours did?” It's true; Max's voice had entered a point where it's higher than before. Sometimes it breaks, and it sounds quite high pitch.

Max nodded. “For every boy it's different but the result is always the same. Manhood!” Nix rolled his eyes. “The kiss on your birthday, and that thing you did...”

“What about it?” Nix remembered his actions that night. He wasn't fully aware of what prompted him to do it. He had heard conversations between older boys about getting sucked off, but that was by their girlfriends, not best friend.

“Have you thought about doing it again?”

“No... I haven't.” Nix lied.

“Neither have I... Kids in the high school say that when you date someone you have to kiss them. But if I've kissed you, so does that mean that I should date you?” Max pondered, hoping his friend would catch the hint.

Phoenix tore his eyes from the television to look at his friend. Max was still looking at the screen; his cheeks had reddened since he asked the question. After a moment, Max's eyes quickly shot a glance over to his friend. “Ummm, can boys even date?” Nix pondered.

Before there was a reply, Max pressed his lips to his friends. Both boys felt a jolt go through their bodies. They both stared at each other in shock; neither dared to blink. Max hand touched Nix's cheek just before they separated.

Embarrassed the younger turned away. “Nix...” Max looked at his friend.

Before they could continue, Mr. Russell came in the room. “Okay boys, we're going to bed. Don't stay up too late, try and get a reasonable sleep. I'll see you in the morning.”

“Night.” The boys said in unison. Mr. Russel left the room with a confused look. He could sense a bit of tension but couldn't pinpoint it.

Once his father had left, Phoenix turned to his friend. “Why did you kiss me!?” He wasn't angry, just very confused. “I thought boys kiss girls.”

Max shrugged. “You had a pair of lips?” Phoenix raised an eyebrow. “Okay fine, I wanted to try kissing you again... but it didn't really work out.”

“How didn't it work out? We kissed didn't we?”

“Well kind of... you're supposed to move your lips when you kiss a person. French kissing is when your tongues have a wrestling match basically.” The image of two tongues wrestling put Phoenix into a fit of laughter.

Once he had settled down, he looked at his friend again. “I wouldn't mind trying the whole move your lips thing...” Max couldn't help but smile as they crept closer to each other.

Their lips met again, and they both closed their eyes. Max and Phoenix started to make out. Their lips moving in unison with one another.

Phoenix, though extremely nervous, did not wish for the kiss to stop. He'd never experienced anything like this before. As their lips moved, more jolts went through Phoenix's body. He felt weak and venerable and yet also safe and secure beside Max.

Max was ecstatic about the situation. For months, he had daydreams of kissing his best friend, and it was finally happening. The jolts fed his growing member in his pajamas. His left hand grabbed Phoenix's thigh and pulled him closer.

With a reposition, Phoenix found Max's larger frame over him. His hands moved to around Max's neck as he pulled them closer together. Both boys could feel the growth in each other’s PJs, but neither one cared.

Phoenix felt something poke his lips. Opening his mouth, he felt Max's tongue push inside. Their tongues did just as Max described, wrestled. Max couldn't resist anymore and began grinding his crotch against his friend's hard member.

Both boys couldn't find it in them to stop. They felt too natural in their positions. Little moans escaped as they continued their experiment.

Max lifted his face slightly away from Phoenix's. “Are you okay?” He spoke out of breath.

Phoenix could only nod. The pleasure he was feeling with the grinding was overwhelming. Max took his right hand and pushed it up his friend's shirt. Phoenix gasped in surprise. “Max... what are we doing?” He did not want to stop whatever it was they were doing, only wondered how Max would describe it.

“I guess you could say we're having sex...”

Phoenix looked at the friend. “I'm not a girl.”

“I know I can feel it.” Max leaned down and kissed Phoenix's neck. “That's okay though, boys can have sex together too.”

Out of breath Phoenix spoke. “How so?”

Max giggled. “Well Nix, I don't know but I know they can. I know one thing that boys and girls can do to another boy.” He looked down to see nervous but curious eyes. Max moved his left hand up to the top of Phoenix's pajamas.

“What can they both do?” Phoenix found himself shaking with anticipation.

Max smiled and kissed Nix as his hand went deep into his underwear. With a sharp inhale, Nix shakily exhaled. “They can make boys climax.”

Phoenix could barely handle what we was feeling. His hands went to grab the blankets around him as his friend massaged his bits. As Max continued, he grew closer and closer to the inevitable climax.

“Oh god what is this?” Phoenix grabbed Max's shirt and pulled himself towards his friend. Then it came, the release of pleasure Max was aiding his friend to achieve. “MAAAAX!” Max covered his friend's mouth as his hips bucked.

As Nix settled down, Max pulled his hand out of Nix’s pants. “Nothing came out... oh well.”

Panting and sweaty Phoenix laid back as Max pulled his pants down and pleasured himself. He was leaning against the couch allowing Nix to have a clear view. Phoenix couldn't take his eyes off the larger tool. The sack bounced as Max pumped his meat.

Max leaned his head back as he pulled up his shirt. Seemingly, out of nowhere a liquid shot up landing on Max's chest. Phoenix stared in astonishment at the sight he had seen.

“What was that?” He asked his friend.

Max grinned from ear to ear. “That’s what is called sperm!” Max grabbed the box of tissues from the end table and wiped himself clean. “Liked the show?”

Phoenix nodded. “Ya... Can we go back to watching the TV now?”

Max giggled shaking his head. “Yes Nix, we can go back to watching TV.” The boys enjoyed the rest of their night together.

When Trisha Russell woke up in the morning, she wondered into the living room quietly. The boys were cuddled up together like always. This time though, Max's arm rested over Phoenix. Trisha smiled as she crept pass to the kitchen.

On her way back with coffee in hand she took another look. The peaceful look on both boy's faces, the way they cuddled... to her it all meant one thing, they were meant to be together. She did not know if she was right or wrong but waited for the day where Phoenix would tell her he's gay.

Chapter End.