Max and Josh - 8. New student, old friend

Disclaimer: This story includes sexual and romantic situations between consenting individuals. Any allusion to illicit or illegal activity, sexual or otherwise, is used only for enhancement of the story line and not promotion thereof. Remember AIDS, HIV and other STDs are a very real threat, please always practice safe sex.

I can prove copyright on this story so please don't copy or remove this story for personal use without my permission.
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Max and Josh 08: New Student, Old Friend.

'I'm an idiot, a pure and simple idiot.' Frank thought to himself as he stood in the early morning chill waiting, along with a few other students, for the bus to pick them up.

It had been nearly two weeks since he had left the note in Max's locker and that was what was bothering him. He couldn't believe that it had taken him that long to realize that he didn’t care what Max was and would deal with Josh if his suspicions turned out to be true.

'God I hope they forgive me but if they don't it’s my own fault.' He thought as the bus finally arrived.

* * *

Max awoke Friday morning with his arms still wrapped around Josh's waist. He smiled as he remembered the night before; the feel of their bodies pressed against one another, the taste of Josh's lips and the sound of their voices the first time they said they loved each other. He rose up a little to look over Josh's head at the clock. It was six-thirty and in fifteen minutes the alarm would go off. He kissed Josh lightly on the temple as he slowly slipped out of bed. He went to the closet and got some clothes and was on his way back to bed to wake Josh, but as he passed his prayer altar something caught his eye.

He stopped for a moment and looked over the symbols and objects that had been placed on it.

Josh had given him the small amethyst geode for his birthday and Frank gave him the statue of the Goddess seated on a throne and the wooden friendship symbol he had carved shortly after he had met them sat between the two gifts.

Whenever he looked at the three symbols he couldn't help but feel grateful for having met them when he did.

After what had happened to him in Chicago he didn't think that he would ever be able to trust anyone for a long time, but they made him feel at home, like he had found a new start.

"What are you doing?"

Max jumped slightly at the sound of Josh's voice, he had been so caught up in his thoughts he had nearly forgotten Josh was in bed.

"I was just thinking about how lucky I was to have met you guys when I did. I wasn't in the best shape of mind when I first came here but you guys helped me feel at home." Max said as he crawled back into bed and curled up against Josh.

"The first time I saw you you were trying to open your locker. I figured you had to be new, because everyone in school knew how much of a bitch it was to get that lock to take the combination. And even though you freaked me out when you lost your temper and punched the lock so hard that it actually popped open, I knew that I had to talk to you for the simple fact that I was not only impressed but you seemed really alone." Josh said thoughtfully as he remembered the day they had met.

"Frank was really distant with me at first though. I don't think he trusted me and to be honest, as fucked up in the head as I was when we first met I was having a hard time trusting people as well." Max replied quietly as he thought about Chicago.

Josh saw the distant look in Max's eyes and knew what he was thinking about; it was the same look he always got when he talked about Chicago. Josh noticed the tears leaking from the corners of Max's eye and pulled him close against him. Max had never told him the details of what had happened, but that was when they were just friends, maybe now that they were more he would open up to him about it. He knew deep down that he shouldn't ask but he couldn't help wanting to know.

"Will you tell me what happened in Chicago?" He asked quietly, he couldn't help but wanting to share in Max's secret.

Max pressed his face against Josh's chest as he fought to stop his tears. He hated thinking about Chicago because every time he did he was unable to stop the flow of images and emotions. He didn't want Josh to know what happened, he knew he only wanted to know because he wanted him to be closer; he would have wanted the same from Josh if the situation was reversed but he couldn't do it. He wasn't ready to share that with him yet.

"I can't, I'm sorry. I'm not ready for you to know that. Its not that I don't want you to know or that I don't trust you; I just can't do it." Max said as he raised his head to meet Josh's eyes.

"I understand, but you will tell me one day when your ready, won't you?" Josh said doing his best not to feel hurt. He wanted to know but he wouldn't force Max to tell him.

Max was relived that Josh wasn't going to push him to tell him, but he knew that he would have to do it eventually.

"We have other things to worry about today though." Max said in an attempt to put things back on more comfortable territory.

"Like what?" Josh asked in slight alarm.

"We have to talk to Frank today and let him know what’s going on so he can make his decision .And we should talk to you parents about us to, unless you think we should wait. And what we are going to do about school, being open about it or not." Max said methodically. He always took into account every aspect of a situation.

Josh put his hand over Max's and with a huge smile let Max know what he was thinking.

"I'm not worried about Frank, if he can't handle this then us being friends wasn't meant to be, I can handle that. Also my mom has known that I'm gay for about a week now and I told her and dad about us last night, they're cool with it. And I don't care about school, everyone knows about you and I doubt anyone will bat an eye at me, so fuck'em, let’s go full throttle." Josh's smile never wavered as he spoke and only got bigger at Max’s stunned face.

Josh's answers came as a little bit of a surprise to Max so it took him a second to absorb it all, but when it finally sank in he was elated.

“I’m happy you have already talked to your parents and I am glad you're not worried about Frank, but I don't want you fucking anyone but me." Max said with a sly smile.

“I haven't even done you yet so you don't have to worry about it." Josh said as he pulled Max closer to kiss him deeply.

"We'll have time for that this weekend.” Max said he and Josh pulled apart.

"Too bad it can't be tonight; I've got dinner with my grandparents." Josh said as he wondered if he could ever tell them about him and Max.

"Come on we need to get up and get going." Max said taking Josh by the hands and pulling him out of the bed.

Josh had a hard time taking his eyes off Max as he got dressed. He shucked his sleeveless shirt and the shorts he had slept in and pulled on a pair of dark blue jeans and a sky blue t-shirt. Josh had never seen him in this shirt before and he could understand why.

On the back there were two sliver dragons, their claws clutching each others and their wings raised above their heads so that they ran across the shoulders and down the sleeves, rose up from the hem and it had a silver star about the size of a silver dollar stitched into the chest just below the neckline.

Max wasn't a wall flower by any definition but he never went out of his way to get noticed and that shirt would gain him quite a bit.

"I've never seen that shirt before.” Josh said as he finally managed to pull off the pajama bottoms he had slept in.

"You like it?" Max asked nervously as he pulled at the sleeve around his bicep.

"I love it." Josh said taking in the way the shirt form fit Max. It pulled tightly across his chest and shoulders and the sleeves bulged around his biceps and he was nearly drooling at how snuggly it fit around his waist.

Max smiled at Josh as he put on his socks and shoes. He knew Josh was more interested in watching him then he was in getting dressed. He decided the best way to get him dressed was to remove the distraction.

"You need to get dressed, I am going to go down stairs and make some breakfast so hurry up." Max said with a smile as he walked to the door.

Max went down stairs and found his mom leaning against the kitchen counter with two plates of bacon, eggs, toast and two glasses of orange juice.

"Where's Josh at?" she asked with a smile as he sat down on the stool across from her.

"He's upstairs getting dressed, how did you know he was here?" Max asked slightly confused.

"I came upstairs after work last night to get a light bulb out of the closet and saw your door was open so when I went to close it and saw you two all snuggled up together." She said with a wry smile.

Max blushed beet red and smiled shyly; he wasn’t sure what to say.

“I want you guys to have a good day and I'll talk to you this evening." She said leaning across the counter and giving him a peck on the forehead.

"You don't want to say hello?" Max asked as he picked up a pill his mom had lay next to his eggs and taking it with a swig of orange juice.

"No, I'll get to say hello another time but I am tired and going back to bed.” She said sleepily.

"OK I'll talk to you later then, love you." He said as she walked away to her room.

As she shut her door he saw Josh coming down the stairs looking great in a pair of black jeans and a matching black t-shirt.

"Are you going to a funeral?" Max asked with a laugh but enjoying Josh's dark look.

"I wanted to get back quickly last night so I wasn’t paying attention to what I grabbed. I thought this was a blue shirt." Josh said pulling at the hem of the shirt as it seemed to be a bit too small for him.

"It doesn’t matter; you look good in whatever color you wear." Max said truthfully as he had seen Josh in ever color except pink.

"You're my boyfriend so you're biased." Josh said taking the stool next to Max.

"I may be your boyfriend but I will still be brutally truthful with you just so you know." Max was trying to sound serious but by the amused look on Josh's face he figured he was failing.

"Good", Josh leaned over to kiss Max before turning to the food, "How did you make all this in the space of about five minutes?" He asked taking a large bite of toast.

"I didn't. My mom did, she saw us together last night when she came home and decided to get up and make breakfast." Max said happily.

"I'll have to thank her next time I talk to her." Josh said starting on his eggs. He was glad that Ms. Calvin was cool with them being together.

"I'll be right back I want to get something out of my room." Max said laying down his fork.

"OK I'll be waiting on you." Josh said as he watched Max make his way upstairs.

Josh had finished his food by the time Max had returned from upstairs. He looked Max over trying to figure out what he had gotten when he noticed he was wearing a silver captive-bead hoop in each ear.

"I didn't know you had both ears pierced.” Josh said taking in the way the earrings seemed to fit with Max's looks.

"My mom took me to get them done when I was fourteen after I came out but I stopped wearing the right one when I moved here." Max said as he quickly finished off his cold eggs.

"Why did you stop wearing it?" Josh asked curiously.

"I didn't want to act nor do anything that would make anyone think that I was gay so I decided to just wear the left one." Max said as he dropped his and Josh's plates into the sink.

"So now that you are out you are going to start again." Josh said picking up his bag.

"Yea I am, are you OK with it?" Max asked wondering if Josh thought is was too much.

"Of course I am. I think you look cool.” Josh said as Max came back around the counter.

"I'm glad you like them. Let’s get going." Max followed Josh out of the house and turned and locked the deadbolt. When he turned around he thought Josh had already left without him but he realized that Josh was sitting in his truck.

"Where’s your car?" Max asked as he climbed into the truck.

"My mom borrowed it. Why? Do you mind me riding with you?” Josh asked as he wiped his eyes.

"Of course I don't. There’s no need to cry." Max said looking concerned.

"I'm not crying. I hit my head as I got in and it made my eyes water." Josh said as Max started the truck.

"Are you OK?" he asked as they pulled out of the drive way.

"Yea, it just hurt like hell. I'll get some pain pills from the nurse when we get to school.” He said rubbing his head.

"Let me see." Max said reaching over to pull Josh closer.

Josh laid his head on Max's shoulder for him to investigate and smiled as he felt Max gently kiss the sore spot.

"Does that make it feel better?" Max asked wrapping his arm around Josh's waist to keep him next him.

"A little bit." Josh replied making himself comfortable next to Max.

"Good but you should still get some stuff from the office. I get the feeling Fleet is going to have fun with the classes today." Max said frowning.

Josh kept his head on Max's shoulder with Max's arm around his waist all the way to school. They earned a few reproving looks from an old couple that pulled up next to them at a stop light but it didn't matter they just laughed at it as they drove to school.

* * *

Frank was so engrossed in his thoughts that he didn’t pay attention to where he was going. Maneuvering haphazardly through the students around he didn’t take stock of his surroundings until he bumped into a girl carrying a large stack of books.

"I am so sorry; I wasn’t watching where I was going." Frank said apologetically as he knelt down to help her pick up the books.

"Its OK, I shouldn't have been standing in front of the doors anyway. I was just trying to remember where the office was." She said reaching for another book.

As they picked up the last few books and stood Frank realized that he didn't recognize her. She was at least six-feet tall with long black hair and glowing ebony skin, even her eyes looked black.

'She’s beautiful.' Frank thought to himself.

"You're new here right?" Frank asked as he finally found his voice.

"Yea, first day, I'm Kylie Manasta." She said extending a hand awkwardly from under the books.

"I'm Frank Thomas. I could show you to the office if you like; I have to go there anyway." Frank said shaking her hand.

"Thanks that would be great." she replied smiling.

"Cool but let me take a few of these for you till we find out about your locker", Frank said taking more then half the books she had stacked in her arms, "It's this way." Frank said leading the way.

* * *

"I think we should keep it kind of low key today like no hand holding or kissing or anything." Max said tentatively as they climbed out of the truck.

"Why? I told you this morning that I didn't care what people think." Josh said sounding slightly angry as they met in front of the truck.

"No, no, it’s not that, I just meant till we talk to Frank. I would rather he find out about us from us then from someone who saw us walking down the hall hand in hand, it's just for today, I promise." Max said taking Josh’s hand and pulling him closer.

"OK, but just for today. I just don't want to hide. There’s no point in it." Josh said before he leaned over to give Max a quick kiss on the cheek.

Max smiled at Josh's defiant attitude, then squeezed his hand tightly before reluctantly letting go.

"Let’s go find Frank." He said smiling.

They walked toward the school looking around for Frank but they didn't see him anywhere outside.

"Come on, I need to get some stuff for my head before we go to class.” Josh said when they got inside.

They walked down the hall toward the center of the school till they reached the office. when they walked in the first thing they saw was the receptionist Mrs. Mc'Cayhe, Coach Mc'Cayhe's wife, next to her desk stood the Principal, Mr. Stomps, talking to Frank and a tall African American girl they didn't recognize.

"Ah, Mr. Calvin, Mr. Mathews what can I do for you?" Mrs. Mc’Cayhe asked looking up from her papers.

* * *

Frank turned around quickly when he heard Mrs. Mc’Cayhe addressing Max and Josh.

"I don't need anything,” Max said looking quickly at Frank then back at the receptionist, "But Josh needs to get something for a headache from the nurse." He said as he motioned vaguely to Josh.

"Well Mr. Mathews I think Mrs. Tyson can help you and you know where to find her,” She said to Josh who started down the hall past the desk to the nurses office before addressing Max," you should stick around Mr. Calvin I think Mr. Stomps needs to have a word with you after he is done with Mr. Thomas and Miss. Manasta."

Frank turned back to Mr. Stomps as Max sat down near the door.

"Like I was saying Miss. Manasta I have your classes all set up and your locker is ready. I was just in the process of finding you a walker but it seems that there is no one person that shares all your classes.” Mr. Stomps said with a puzzled expression.

"May I see her schedule?"

Frank turned around again to see Max standing next to Josh who had just came back from the nurses’ office.

"Well I suppose if it's alright with Miss. Manasta." Mr. Stomps said looking to Kylie.

"It is OK with me.” She said taking her schedule from Stomps and handing it to Max.

Max quickly scanned the column of classes before talking to Kylie.

"Well if they would agree to do it, Josh, Frank and I could show you where these classes are considering you share each of them with one us. The only one we can't do is this Advanced Creative Writing." Max said handing back her schedule.

"Actually I can show her to that one. I have the same class at the same time.” A slight blush crept up around Frank’s ears as he spoke.

Max and Josh exchanged quick looks of understanding before turning back to Frank and Kylie.

"Well if you three know each other then I guess it will be OK. I'm Kylie Manasta." She extended her hand to Max and Josh in turn as they introduced themselves.

"Well I guess that takes care of that. Miss. Manasta your locker number is 22b," Mr. Stomps said before turning to Max, “Mr. Calvin I just want to tell you that I have spoken with the school board and they would like to set up a meeting for you and your mother to meet with a representative to discuss further action. When would be good for the two of you?"

"I don't know Mr. Stomps you'll have call my mother at the hospital and ask her. I don't know when she'll have the chance." Max said with a hint of excitement. Finally the asshole was going to get what he deserved.

"Well, I will do that now then, but you four should get going, your classes will begin soon.” Mr. Stomps said as he went to his office.

Max, Josh, Frank and Kylie filed out of the office. They stood silently in the hall for a few minutes before Frank spoke up.

"I need to talk to you guys as soon as we get the chance."

"Well, we all four have lunch together we could talk then or you and Josh could come over to my place after school.” Max suggested.

"While you two talk this out I’ll show Kylie where her locker is since it is next to mine." Josh said politely as he stepped next to Kylie and took a few of her books for her.

"OK I'll meet you two at my locker since I have math class with Kylie first thing today.” Max said embarrassed over his rudeness.

"So, what is that all about, if you don't mind me asking?" Kylie asked when they got out of earshot of Max and Frank.

“I don't mind you asking but I can't tell you without Max's approval at least, it concerns the three of us but Max most of all so if you want to know you'll have to ask him. Here you are." Josh said as they reached her locker.

"Thanks for carrying those." Kylie said working the combination to the locker.

"No problem." Josh said handing her the books after she opened the locker.

"You’ll want to take your chemistry book too. There won't be time for us to come back to the lockers to exchange between Math and Chemistry classes." Josh said as Kylie stowed her chemistry book.

"OK, so I have Chem. with you then?" She asked closing her locker.

"Yea, you have Math with Max, Chem. with me and Gym class with me and Max and then you have that Advanced Creative writing class with Frank." Josh said reviewing the schedules in his mind.

“How long have you guys known each other?" Kylie asked as they started for Max's Locker.

"Well I've known Frank since we were kids and Max moved here from Chicago a few years ago and the three of us have been friends since then, up until a few weeks ago that is." Josh said then fell silent.

Max had already picked up his books and was waiting by his locker when Josh and Kylie got there.

"Hey did you two get it settled?" Josh asked as they came closer.

"Yea he's coming over to my place after school. It's going to be a short talk since you have your Friday night plans but it should be long enough for us to talk about what we need to." Max avoided saying exactly what they were talking about in front of Kylie.

"This is important so Mom will just have to wait till we're done but you two need to get to class and so do I. I'm lucky enough to have history for my first class today." Josh had a sour look at the mention of Fleets class.

"Yea, you're right so Miss. Manasta if you will follow me I shall escort you to class." Max offered his arm to Kylie as if he were escorting her to a ball.

"Why thank you Mr. Calvin." Kylie said as she looped her arm through Max's.

"I will see you in Chem.,” Josh said to Kylie before deciding to have a quick bit of fun with Max, "Just don't get to comfortable he's taken." Josh said with a smile to her and a wink at Max.

"See you Later Josh." Max said as he steered Kylie away from Josh before he went too far.

"So I take it that he is the one you're taken by." Kylie said in a low voice.

"Shh, keep it down", Max said even though he knew no one but him could have had heard her, "And yes he is the one I'm taken by, but keep it quiet please."

"Why, your not one of those couples who are going to sneak around behind peoples backs are you?" Kylie asked as they paused outside a class room to let a few people go in front of them.

"No, we're not, but there is someone we need to talk to first." Max said as he and Kylie made for the back of the classroom.

"Frank right?" Kylie asked quietly when they had taken their seats.

"You ask a lot of questions." Max said to avoid answering.

"Well if I am going to be friends with you three I need to know what I'm getting in the middle of." Kylie said sounding very amused.

“You want to be our friend, you hardly even know us." Max said slightly surprised.

"Yea I do. You three seem nice enough; I wouldn't mind being friends with you guys." Kylie was thinking of how good it would be to make new friends the first day of school, not to mention it would be an easy way to get to know Frank better. There was something about him that just drew her thoughts to him, something she couldn't put a word to.

"OK, Josh and I will fill you in on the way to gym class. The walk down to the gym should be long enough to tell you what’s going on." Max said as the teacher walked in.

"OK sounds good to me." Kylie said satisfied.

* * *

Frank was still a little dazed from his encounter with Kylie; he couldn't stop thinking about her. The way she moved, the sound of her voice, the softness of her skin when they shook hands, all of that coupled with the trepidation he felt about talking with Josh and Max after school was more than enough to keep him from realizing that he was supposed to be answering Fleets question about the Alamo.

"Sorry sir can you repeat the question?" Frank asked trying to ignore the fact that almost every student in the room was laughing at him.

"Never mind Mr. Thomas. Instead of answering my question you will write me a one-thousand five hundred word essay about the battle of the Alamo." Fleet replied with a twisted smile.

"Yes sir, to be handed in next class I suppose?” Frank replied coldly.

"Yes indeed Mr. Thomas." Fleet answered with the same twisted smile.

Frank tried to pay attention to the rest of Fleets lecture but it was difficult to ignore the whispered jokes and comments that were being made about him and the fact that Fleet didn't seem to notice just how it pissed him off all the more.

“Yes, Mr. Mathews do you have a question?" Fleets voice broke through Frank's thoughts of torture.

"Yes I do. I was wondering if you were deaf." Josh asked with a reckless gleam in his eye.

"No my hearing is quite up to standards Mr. Mathews, why do you ask." Fleet asked showing momentary surprise.

"I was just wondering why you were ignoring the fact that almost everyone in this room is whispering and making jokes. I mean surely the fact that Mr. Thomas being assigned extra work isn't enough reason to interrupt your lesson." Josh said, the gleam in his eyes growing brighter.

Fleet was quiet for a moment, apparently at a lose for words but he recovered quick enough.

"Well I am very sorry that these comments have offended you Mr. Mathews, perhaps you would like to tell the class to stop." He replied coldly.

"OK I will.” Josh said standing up and walking to the front of the class.

"Listen up jackasses. Frank isn’t the first student to be assigned extra work since this extremely gifted teacher came to us, so why don't you guys just shut the hell up and pay attention to the terrific lecture that this ingenious teacher is giving us." Josh said making every comment about Fleet sound as contemptuous as possible.

Josh took his seat after the class fell silent.

"Thank you very much Mr. Mathews, I dare say after that you should consider becoming a motivational speaker.” Fleet said coldly before returning to his lecture.

After Class Frank had every intention of thanking Josh for standing up for him but Josh left the classroom before he got the chance.

'At least I'll get the opportunity this afternoon when I go to Max's.' He thought to himself.

* * *

Josh was standing in the hall when Max and Kylie got out of class, they were walking arm in arm again and laughing uncontrollably about something. Seeing Max with her like that did something to him that he had never experienced before, like something pulling at his heart and he was seized with a desire to go up and pull Max away from her.

'I wonder if this is what jealousy feels like?' Josh asked himself. He had never been jealous of anyone before so he didn't know what it felt like. But he knew that he didn't like the way they looked together, they looked like a couple, like they were normal, like they belonged.

'You're being stupid, Max loves you, you belong with him, there’s nothing to be jealous of.' Whispered the logical part of his mind. He realized that there may not be any reason for him to be jealous but there was a reason to be angry.
He realized that the two of them could walk down the street arm in arm, laughing like lunatics, and not attract as much attention as if the two of them were to merely walk side by side while holding each others hand. It pissed him off that there were people who would judge you just because of who you loved.

"What are you two busting a gut over?" He asked when they finally managed to make their way across the hall to him.

"Kylie made an ass out of a guy in class. He kept hitting on her so she finally told him real loudly so like the whole class could hear, 'you know you look more like his type then you do mine,' and pointed at some random guy at the front of the class everyone started fucking rolling even the teacher." Max said in between reels of laughter.

Josh laughed in spite of himself, he was still a little upset but it was still funny.

"So I believe you and I have a class to get to Mr. Mathews.” Kylie said as she finally gained control of herself.

"That is correct Mrs. Manasta so if you would follow me." Josh said offering his arm like Max had done.

"It has got to be my lucky day. I get escorted to class by two of the huskiest guys in school." Kylie said loudly as she and Josh walked to class.

"Yea, it’s just too bad that you don't have a chance with either of them." Josh said quietly.

"You’re lucky to have him you know. He's a wonderful guy." Kylie said quietly as they wound the way through the halls.

"Yea I am, and I almost lost him." Josh said thoughtfully.

"How did you do that?" Kylie asked sounding slightly shocked.

"There will be time for that later, here’s the class."

* * *

Kylie was so bored during Chem. class that it was almost painful. The class itself would have been interesting had she not been paired with the geek squad. The three of them must have been regular partners as they seemed really territorial and wouldn't let her anywhere near the formula they were supposed to be composing and had assigned her to taking notes.

Without having to worry about measuring and mixing ingredients her mind started to wander, eventually landing on her new friends.

She was curious about the situation she seemed to have put herself in the middle of, but wasn't really worried about it as the three of them seemed to have things worked out. Although she wondered what had happened between the three of them, she was more intrigued by Frank. He didn't seem the type of guy to be in a creative writing class she couldn't quite put her finger on it but there was something that kept drawing her thoughts back to him, the way he smiled, the crystal blue of his eyes, and the way he spoke all seemed a little surreal to her.

"Kylie, Kylie where are you?" Josh as he snapped his fingers in front of her face.

"Oh, class is over already, OK let’s go." She said feeling slightly embarrassed.

"What world were you on back there." Josh asked suppressing a laugh.

"I was on this world I was just really zoned out. I never knew Chemistry could be so damn boring." She replied not wanting to let on exactly what she was thinking about just yet.

"What? You didn't like working with the geek patrol? All new students have to work with them their first class but now you're free to find your own partners." Josh said looking around for Max when they hit the hallway.

"I don't suppose you have a free spot?" Kylie asked hopefully.

"As a matter of fact I do. You'll make the fourth for our group." Josh said with a smile at Kylie’s squeal of delight.

"So, I take it you're happy about that?" Josh asked trying and failing to keep from laughing.

"Yes, I am, as a matter of fact." Kylie said happily even though she looked a little embarrassed.

"There you are what took you so long?" Josh asked when Max finally met up with them.

"Mrs. Reeves, she asked for volunteers for the peer consoler’s hotline." Max said as he, Josh and Kylie started toward the gym.

"And let me guess, she made it to be if you didn't volunteer it would count against your final Social Studies grade." Josh said shrewdly.

"Yep, so two weeks from now I will be working on the hotline Tuesdays from five to seven.” Max said trying to sound miserable at the idea but he was actually happy about it. He gained a great amount of joy from helping people, so much so he was going to study Psychology in collage.

"How come you're only working for such a short time?" Kylie asked quickly wanting to know the answer but wanting to know quickly.

"Because the entire class signed up for it." Max said with a laugh.

"Why are you trying to sound so miserable” You know you like to help people so much you were probably the first to sign up." Josh said laughing.

"Yea, well anyway, I believe we promised to catch Kylie up on what’s going on here on the way to gym class and since it's right up there and we still have about five minutes till class starts lets duck in here and get it over with.” Max said gesturing to an empty class room.

Once inside Max and Josh quickly explained how things between them and Frank had been over the past few weeks. Kylie was shocked to hear how much had happened to the three of them in such a short time, she was also happy to hear how Max and Josh ended up together. The only part of the story she didn't like was the way Frank had acted to the whole situation.

"Don't hold it against Frank. He's a good guy he was just confused but I think once we talk this afternoon things will be alright between us again." Josh said when they walked into the gym.

"You three better hurry up and get changed class is about to start." Coach Mc’Cayhe yelled when they walked in.

"Yes sir." Max yelled back.

"You must be the new student. Well, the ladies locker room is right over there, your locker number is two two three. There should be a new uniform for you there." The coach said when he noticed Kylie.

"Thank you sir, see you guys later." Kylie said walking away from them.

"You two get changed and get out here in three minutes or you stay after class." Mc’Cayhe told them before turning back to the class that was already assembled.

"He is such an asshole." Josh said when they got to the nearly deserted locker room.

"Yea, he is." Max said as they changed quickly. He used to think that the coach was a good guy, he was ruff around the edges but he was a good coach if you were on one of his teams, but that was before the coach cut him for not joining the football team.

Josh was doing his best not to look at Max as they hurriedly changed. It was a real struggle for him but he couldn't afford to get excited in the loose shorts the school provided, a large tent in the front would be way to embarrassing.

"Is he still having tryouts for next years swim team at the end of the semester?" Josh asked to distract himself.

"Yea he is and I think that the school is bringing in another coach to assist him with the football and weightlifting teams." Max said as he tied up his gym shoes.

"Well lets go, our time is almost up." Josh said heading out of the locker room with Max on his heels.

"You boys are lucky. You made it with thirty seconds to spare; well we're starting with lap’s better get going."

Gym class went by quickly and without much incident. The only down part was when Tom Moure kept tripping Josh as they ran laps. He had decided that since Josh had come to Max's defense in the gym the other day that he was a fair target for bullying.

"I wish I could have kicked his ass, he is such dick." Kylie said vehemently on their way to meet Frank.

"No offense or anything Kylie but I don't think you could have done much damage to him. He's a big guy." Max said pausing at his locker to exchange books.

"Is he a black belt?" She asked with a wry smile.

"No, not that we know of.” Josh answered quietly.

"Well I am, so if he had been harassing me, I might have lost control.” Kylie said satisfied.

"Damn girl, what else should we know about you?" Josh asked as the three of them started toward his and Kylie’s locker.

"All in good time boys, all in good time." She said amused.

* * *

Frank leaned against the wall across from Josh's locker as he waited for Kylie. He knew her locker was next to his so he figured it would be the best place to wait. He slipped his hands into his pockets as he waited, he was so nervous about seeing her again that he had been picking at every stray hair or loose strand of thread he saw.

'You've never been this obsessed about your appearance when it came to a girl before and now isn't the time to start.' He thought to himself as he fought the urge to smooth the front of his shirt again.

Frank's train of thought completely stopped as he saw Kylie round the corner with Max and Josh. They were talking and laughing together and Frank, as if for the first time, took stock of her appearance.

She was at least six feet tall with long black hair and a bright smile.

"Let me swap books and we can go to class.” Kylie said to Frank while Max and Josh stood on either side of her like bodyguards.

Frank quickly considered trying to talk to Max and Josh as Kylie swapped out her books but the fact that neither of them seemed to take notice of his presence discouraged him. He knew he had a lot to apologize and make up for, he just hoped that they gave him the chance after they talked.

"OK, ready to go." Kylie said brightly as she closed her locker.

"Cool. It’s this way." He said feeling a little embarrassed that he had to look up to meet her eyes.

"I'll see you guys at lunch, later." Kylie waved to Max and Josh as her and Frank walked away.

"You're eating lunch with them?" Frank asked feeling slightly crest fallen, he had hoped he could talk to her more.

"Yea, why do you ask?" Kylie asked curiously.

"No reason, they're good guys. I wish I hadn't fucked things up between us." Frank said quietly.

"You know they said the same thing about you.” Kylie said idle.

"They did!!" Frank said happily.

"Yeah, they said you were a good guy who was a little confused, they want to be your friends again." Kylie hesitated on saying the last part she hoped she hadn't over stepped her boundaries.

"How do you know all this?" Frank asked suspiciously.

"I cornered them and made them tell me what was going on so we could all be friends." she replied as a matter-of-fact.

Frank marveled at how open and direct she was, the more time he spent around her made him like her more and more.

"Thanks for telling me all that Kylie, but I still need to hear them say that and I need to apologize for how I acted, I can't wait to talk to them this afternoon."

Kylie was amazed at Frank’s honesty and sincerity she was beginning to like him more and more and she found herself hoping desperately that he patched things up with his friends.

"Why wait till later why not talk to them at lunch?" Kylie asked wanting things to move a little faster.

"Because I don't want to do it with a thousand prying eyes and ears watching and listening. No, I will eat out in the courtyard." Frank said as they reached the classroom.

"So why are you taking this class? Max and Josh didn't know you were." Kylie asked as she took a seat next to Frank.

Frank was surprised at his good luck when Kylie sat next to him but quickly got out of his revere.

"I never told them I was taking it. They knew I filed for a class change but they didn't know it was this class." Frank said avoiding answering the first part of her question.

"But why are you taking it?" Kylie asked again.

"I...I like to write poetry. I'm decent at it but I figured this class could help me out and it has, that is when the teacher shows up." Frank said blushing a little and hopping Jen would hurry up and get to class. Jen was the teacher, she hated to be called "Mrs." so she told the students to call her by her first name, she was a real laid back lady she had long red hair and wore glasses, she was fairly young for a teacher but all the students thought she was awesome.

"Why are blushing? Surely you aren't embarrassed because of your talent.” Kylie asked failing to notice the class was teacher less.

"Its not that I'm embarrassed, I just feel weird saying it, no one knows I like to write poetry, not even Max and Josh, and my dad is a real ruff neck kind of guy. He wouldn't understand that his only son who he thinks is this big tuff guy that takes boxing lessons and is supposed to be this badass kid writes poetry, he fails to grasp sometimes that you can be both Smart and Tuff.” Frank finished as eloquently as a singer.

"Wow you just delivered the best thought out and well worded speeches I have ever heard a guy like you make." Kylie said slightly impressed.

Frank was about to ask her what she meant by "guys like him" when Jen came in and called the class to order.

"OK all today’s lesson is an easy one I want you all, even my none poets, to write me two poems, the first, I want you to write about your first girlfriend, boyfriend, or crush, you need not say who they are but if you want to, go ahead. The second, I want you to write about your favorite relative I want them by the end of the class you can either write them here or go to the library and type it out, your choice." She said walking the length of the classroom before going back to her desk and taking seat on it instead of behind it.

Frank thought hard about his first girlfriend her name was Sally they had dated the first year of Junior high, He found it a little difficult to put all the time they spent together into words but he finally managed it, he thought it read OK, the words really didn't flow together well like some of his other work but well enough.

The one about relatives was easy his cousin Dex had been his favorite relative it was easy to write a poem about him as he had already written a great one about him after he had been killed in his car accident, it was a tribute to the cousin who had been like his brother.

"OK all time is up, so who wants to go first?" Jen asked from her desk.

A quiet murmur ran through the classroom no one had expected to have to read their poems. One really scared and nervous guy had raised his hand.

"We have to read them before we turn them in?" He asked sounding very scared.

Frank looked around at him as he spoke. His name was Tucker he had gym class with him. He couldn't understand why Tucker seemed so worried, he had never acted like that before when they were asked to read their poems, in fact he seemed to enjoy showing off.

"Of course, do you have a problem with that?" Jen asked curiously.

"W...w...Well the first poem you assigned us is unconventional I...I don't really want to share it." Tucker replied with an obvious note of panic in his voice.

"What's wrong Tucker; you're not a fag are you huh? A little cock sucker?" Some guy Frank didn't know yelled from the back of the class.

"Robinson you can wait outside till we are finished then you and I will be going to see the principal, if you are not outside when class is over I will see to it that you are expelled." Jen said in a furious tone.

After Robinson had stalked out of the room she turned back to Tucker.

"Tucker I can see that you are in obvious distress over this so I am not going to force you to read your poem it is your choice, but I would like you to read your other poem first."

Tucker walked shakily to the front of the class and read his first poem, it was about the Aunt who had adopted him after his parents had died, and after he was done he hesitated for a moment then turned to Jen and said:

"I...I think I want to read my poem."

"It’s your choice Tucker." She said quietly.

Tucker took a few deep breaths and started.

"By day or night or twilight, always I will love you. You've stood beside me in bad times and good. You stayed beside me and always understood. You've been my friend my brother and lover. I care for you deeply, above any other. I knew from the start I never wanted us to part. I don't care if people think its wrong my love for you is strong, stronger then anything. These words cannot express to you fully how I feel. I just wanted you to know though my love for you is real." Tucker finished his poem he hadn't looked up from his paper once.

Frank was stunned along with the rest of the class no one expected Tucker, tall, muscular, boyishly handsome Tucker with his brown eyes and hair and tanned complexion to be gay. The people you least expect.

Frank was the first to do anything, he started clapping and after a few seconds everyone had joined in, a few people looked stunned but most of the class was smiling and someone in back cheered.

Tucker looked, surprised, scared, and embarrassed all at once, the only thing funnier then his expression was when Jen asked loudly:

"Tucker you stud you, who’s the lucky guy?"

Tucker didn't answer but sat back down looking embarrassed but pleased.

After everyone else had finished their poems, and the rest of the class had left, many of which congratulated Tucker and told him how much they liked his poem, Frank asked Kylie to wait for a second. Frank walked over to Tucker who was still sitting at his desk and said:

"Tucker, Tucker man snap out of it class is over."

"I can't believe I did that I just outed myself to an entire room of people." He said in a disbelieving voice.

"Yea, you surprised a lot of people, you should probably tell him what you did you know, so he won’t get mad." Frank said casually.

"He won’t be, he's out and has wanted me to be for awhile, but I should, you are right, we have lunch together next. I will tell him then." Tucker said still sitting at his desk.

"I have an idea, why don't you bring him to the court yard." Frank said thinking that they might like the privacy.

"Why the court yard?” Tucker asked sound suspicious.

"Because I have been eating there for two weeks and it is always deserted, you guys can talk and I will personally see to it that no one messes with you guys." Frank said extending his hand to Tucker.

"You really mean it? Thanks man.” Tucker said taking Franks hand and as he did, Frank pulled him up out of his chair.

"Bout time you got up." Frank said with a smile.

"Yea, thanks." Tucker said sounding a bit dazed.

Kylie and him were half way up the hall before Kylie burst out;"That was so awesome of you, starting to clap like that, then offering to be lookout for Tucker and his boyfriend."

"Tuckers a good guy and I imagine his boyfriend is too, it's the least I can do." Frank said blushing at Kylies words.

They talked about the rest of class till they saw Josh and Max waiting at Max's locker for them after they exchanged greetings Frank turned to go to the courtyard when Max asked him;

"Where are you going?"

"I have to go meet some people in the court yard, Kylie will explain, talk to you guys this afternoon."

As Frank walked away the others turned to go to lunch, Kylie explained what had happened in class and about Frank’s offer, the guys seemed ecstatic.

"Max, I got a great feeling about this.” Josh said happily as they started through line.

"Yea, me too. I can't wait." Max replied sounding as happy as Josh.

"So what’s next on the list for us?” Kylie asked after they had sat down.

"You have history with me." Max said disdainfully.

"I've heard some things about this teacher. Is it true that he outed you and that he has a thing against Wicca’s?" Kylie asked in disbelief.

"Yea he outed me and he has a thing about anyone who’s not Catholic." Max said nonchalantly.

"Well he'll have a problem with me; I'm a practicing Wicca.” Kylie said taking a drink of soda.

Upon finding out that they shared a common belief, Kylie and Max settled into a conversation dominated by anything Pagan, esoteric or supernatural. This again made Josh feel awkward. His knowledge of Wicca was limited and Max never made a big deal of it so he wasn't sure what it was all about what he had heard he thought was cool and was interested in learning more but at the moment that wasn't his main thought.

He was feeling the same pulling sensation in his chest as he had earlier; he had to keep reminding himself that there wasn't any reason for him to get upset.

It was easier said then done.

* * *

Frank was sitting next to a fern bush in the courtyard, eating a slice of cold pizza when Curtis came up to him.

Curtis was the quarter back on the school football team and was built like a statue of a Greek god. Frank looked him over, trying to figure out why he was there.

"Are you Frank?" He asked nervously as he wiped his dark hand across his equally dark forehead.

"Yea, I'm Frank, why do you ask?" Frank asked still trying to figure out why Curtis was there.

"Tucker told me to meet him here. He said if I got here before he did to make sure you were here." He said and Frank could hear a note of shyness slipping into Curtis' deep baritone voice.

"Cool, well have seat. Where is Tucker anyway?” Frank asked as Curtis sat down. That’s when it hit, this was Tuckers man.

"He's grabbing us something to eat in the cafeteria. Do you know why he wanted to meet me here?" He asked curiously.

"He'll tell yea when he gets here.” Frank said going back to his pizza.

It wasn’t long before Tucker showed up carrying a tray full of food.

"The lunch lady wouldn't let me out with two trays so we'll have to share." He said taking a seat next to Curtis.

"Why did you want to meet here and why is Frank here?" Curtis asked placing his hand on Tuckers leg.

Tucker tapped his thumb nervously against his knee for a second before he answered.

"I outed myself during class today Curtis. In creative writing we had to write two poems and I wrote one about you. I wasn't going to read it at first but, I don't know, I just did. I love you Curtis, I don't really care who knows." Tucker said his last sentence softly and frank could tell at the look on his face that he was fighting back tears.

Curtis on the other hand wasn’t. As soon as Tucker finished his first five words tears started leaking down his cheeks and the second Tucker was finished he stood up and pulled Tucker into his arms and kissed him right in front of Frank. It didn't bother Frank to see them kissing, in a strange sort of way he was glad to witness it, he was happy they were together.

When they pulled apart Curtis told Tucker he loved him, and then turned to Frank.

"But why are you here?"

"Oh, I was the bodyguard, anyone showed up I was going to remove them so you guys could talk."

Frank said looking the couple over, they looked good together with their arms around one another, and thought humorlessly what people would have a problem with more that they were a gay couple or an interracial couple.

'People can be so fucking stupid.' Frank thought to himself, glad that he wasn’t one of those people, anymore.

* * *

Max grabbed his CD player and headphones off the table and went back downstairs and crashed on the couch to wait for Josh and Frank to show up. He clicked on the player and thought about how great a day he had while listening to Gary Allen’s "Right where I need to be,” He was having a hard time deciding what had been his favorite part. He was torn between having met and become friends with Kylie, having heard about what Frank did for Tucker and his boyfriend, or when Kylie went crazy in Fleets class and called him a narrow minded bigot sure it had earned her extra homework and trip to see the principal but she said it was worth it.

He looked at his watch and saw the time was nearly four-thirty.

'They should be here soon.' He thought to himself as "Breakaway" By Rascal Flatts started to play. Josh was going to ride home with him then Max was going to drop him after they had talked to Frank but his mom showed up to pick him up and after

explaining what was going on they decided that he should drop her off, change for dinner then come to talk to Frank and him then come back to get her and he would drive Frank home after Josh had left.

He couldn't wait to talk to them.

* * *

Josh knocked on the door and when no one answered he looked through the window and saw Max was laying on the couch listening to a CD. Deciding to have some fun, he opened the door slowly and crept inside and closed the door noiselessly, he tiptoed over to the couch and knelt between it and the coffee table. Max had the volume turned up so loud that he could hear one Max's favorite groups; Rascal Flatts playing he bent down carefully to avoid touching Max in any way and pressed his lips against Max's.

Max gasped at the feeling and Josh took the opportunity and delved into Max's mouth. Max recognized the way Josh kissed and thrashes his tongue against Josh's. Their tongues thrashed and writhed against one another for a few seconds before Josh gained the upper hand. He slipped his hands under Max's shirt and tickled his sides. Max couldn't keep from laughing and had to break their kiss or bite Josh's tongue.

"That’s cheating." Max managed to say through his laughter.

"All's fair in love and war.” Josh chimed tickling faster.

"I swear if you don’t stop you’re not getting laid for a week." Max said trying to push Josh's hands away.

"One condition first,” Josh said slowing down a bit but not stopping, "I stay tomorrow night and make love to you." Josh finished, replacing his tickling with soft massaging.

"Why wait, why don't you come back tonight?" Max asked reaching up to caress Josh's cheek.

"As nice as that sounds I can't. My grandpa wants to talk to me tonight so I won't get home till late.” Josh replied laying his head on Max's chest.

Max pulled off his headphones, turned off the CD player and sat it on the floor then he sat up against the arm of the couch and pulled Josh up to sit between his legs. Josh lay back against Max's chest and rested his head on his shoulder.

"I love you and I can't wait for you to bust my cherry." Max whispered against Josh's temple.

"I'll be your first, I'm honored." Josh said kissing Max's neck.

Max moved his head and kissed Josh's lips, Josh reached up behind Max's head and pulled him harder against his lips, they stayed like that till someone knocking at the door startled them.

"That'll be Frank, should we move?" Josh asked nervously.

Max tighten his arms around Josh's waist then called out.

"Come on in Frank."

Frank walked in and saw Josh leaning back against Max's chest with Max's arms wrapped tightly around his waist.

"Awesome. I knew you two were together.” Frank said as he took a seat in the chair across from them.

"Yea we are, you don't have a problem with it?" Max asked with a mean expression.

"Nope, I think you two look good together." Frank said happily.

Max and Josh were quiet for a moment so Frank decided to plunge on.

"I want to say I am sorry about how I have acted the past few weeks and for breaking my promise to be at your side. I know you haven't had an easy time and I am sorry I haven't been there with you." Frank said sincerely but feeling like there was something more he could say.

"Its OK Frank. I understand what you went through. I'm just glad you came back to me, to us, we need a friend like you." Max said tearfully and extended his hand to Frank.

"I'm here and I'm not going anywhere.” Frank said taking Max's hand.

They spent the next half hour talking and catching up on the past two weeks; it was like old times again.

Josh finally sighed and looked at his watch.

"Well dinner is in a half hour I need to get going. Frank, we go right by your street so we can drop you off if you want." Josh said rising reluctantly off Max's chest.

"Yea man, that'll be great. You want to get together Sunday to hang out?" Frank asked standing up and stretching.

Max and Josh exchanged looks then Max answered.

"Yea that will be cool. We could invite Kylie over too but we will have to call it an early night." Josh said unable to keep the redness from coloring his cheeks.

"OH... OK that’s cool. I imagine you guys want to be together as much as possible." Frank said with a shrewd expression.

"Yea we do." Josh replied standing up too.

"Well, I guess I'll see you guys tomorrow then round one or so." Max said with a smile.

"Yea, that works, can you call Kylie?" Josh asked Max.

"Yea, I got her number." Max said reclining.

"Cool, well let’s get going then Josh before you're late.” Frank said picking up his backpack.

Josh hesitated for a second then turned to Frank

"Can you handle seeing us kiss?"

"Yea, I can handle it.” Frank said happily.

And he did, he didn't look away when Josh bent down and kissed Max even when they parted lips and frenched for a few minutes.

"Well that had to be one of the sickest things I've ever seen." Frank said jokingly as he and Josh got into the car.

"Glad to have you back Franky.” Josh said as they pulled out of the driveway.

* * *

Max ran upstairs and changed into his sleeveless and workout shorts then went to the basement to do a workout. He was as happy as he could have ever wished for. He was in love, he had awesome friends, and good family, he couldn't think of anything that could make him happier.

TO BE CONTINUED.........

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Thanks to Rush for assisting in editing my story.

I hope you enjoyed the chapter, more to follow soon. If you have any comments, suggestions or criticisms or just want to talk I would love to hear it lol, you can email me at allenarcane88@yahoo.comor leave a PM via my profile page.