Starcrossed - 9. Chapter 9

I can’t believe how lucky I was to meet Noah when I did. He’s everything that I’ve ever wanted. He’s smart, funny, cute and most of all…gay. I feel good when I’m with him. When he touches me, tingles shoot all over my body.

After our date at the mall, in which my dad lent me the car for, I drove us back to town and to the lake. It was dark, but the full moon provided all the light that we needed. I led him to my tree by the hand.

“Where are we going?” he asked.

“To my tree.” I said.

When we got there, my tree, Noah seemed awed. Just like I was when I first came across this tree on the shore of the lake.

“Wow, this is beautiful.”

Noah’s eyes reflected the moonlight as I looked into them. Shit, this boy is so beautiful.

“I know it is.” I said, still looking at him.

He laughed shyly with his eyes down and I gently pulled him in closer. I put my hands on the small of his back and leaned my head down for a kiss.

Kissing him is like nothing I’ve ever felt. When our lips touch, my heart begins to beat loudly in my throat and my hands start to uncontrollably shake.

We sat down under the tree with my back against the trunk and his back against my chest. I put my arms around his waist and his hands went on top of mine.

“Nobody’s ever that I’m beautiful before.” said Noah.

“Well, you are.” I kissed his neck and he softly moaned.

I wanted it to go further, but knew it was too soon for the both of us and if we went through with it, we’d both regret it.

Crickets sounded in the distance. The light waves of the lake splashed against the shore.

“This is nice, no?” asked Noah.

“Yeah…I could stay like this forever.” I said, resting my chin on his shoulder.

“Shit, I’ve got to go.” said Noah. “My curfew is nine.”

“Nine?” I asked.

“Yeah, ever since I came out, my parents have moved my curfew up sooner.” said Noah.

“Okay, I’ll take you home.”

“I’m sorry. I really wish we could stay. It’s so peaceful here.”

“It’s okay. We can come back.”

Noah got up and then helped me up. When I reached him, I kissed him. He laughed in the middle of our kiss.

“What’s up?” I asked with a smile.

“I know this is crazy, and a little soon, but…I think I love you.”

Relief. He’s finally put words to this strange feeling that I’ve been having about him as well. It must be love. It has to be love. There no other way to explain this feeling of pure happiness when I’m with him, a feeling that makes my knees weak.

“It doesn’t sound crazy. I think…I think I love you too.”

Noah smiled and kissed me. He smiled again. “Let’s go.”

* * *

I walked into my house and heard noises coming from my dad’s bedroom. I walked into the hallway and into his room. He was packing a big bag.

“Dad what’s up? Where are you going?”

He looked over to me and stopped packing. “Oh, hey Billy. Look, I’ve gotta go on a business trip to Chicago.”

“But it’s November. Why would they send you to Chicago?”

“We have a big account out there.” said dad. “It’s only for a week, maybe a few days more.”

I sighed. “Just be careful.”

“I will. I have to leave in them morning before you leave for school so…I guess this is goodbye.”

I gave my dad a big hug. I was worried about him. Chicago could get really ugly in November.

“I wrote the number to the hotel I’m staying in on the white board on the fridge.”

“Okay.”

“I’m just a phone call away if you need anything.”

I was worried and my dad could tell.

“Look, the drive to Chicago is only a few hours. I’ll be fine.”

“I know, but you know why I worry. It’s the same reason why you worry about me.” I took a deep breath. “We’re all each other has.”

“Well…you have Noah now.” he said with a smile. “When do I get to meet him?”

“Soon.” I said.

“Okay, I expect to meet him soon, then. In the mean time, I’ve gotta finish packing.”

I left the room and went to mine. I was used to my dad leaving for business for days, even weeks at a time. I was used to spending that time on my own. But now I have a boyfriend and I know that I’ll be tempted to take advantage of that alone time. I’m afraid that I’ll talk myself into doing something that isn’t right for Noah or me. I just have to calm down and remember that it will happen when the time is right.

* * *

As the premiere of the play grew closer, the play started to come together. Everyone had their lines and blocking memorized. I was completely confident that they play was going to be excellent. There was only one thing. For the last couple of days, Ryan has been acting super weird; really distant.

After play rehearsal, I took him aside and I just really wanted to get inside of his head. I’m worried about him. I just want to know what’s up. Then, when I pulled him aside, he tried to get out of it.

“What’s wrong? Why don’t you want to be around me anymore?” I asked.

“No one said that I didn’t want to be around you, Billy. I just have a lot to do now that training is starting for baseball…I’m just out of time.”

“You’re lying to me. I can see it in your eyes. There’s something bothering you, Ryan…I’m your best friend, right? Tell me.”

I took him by the sides of his arms and made him look me in the eyes. He looked down at each of my hands.

“Leave me alone, Billy. I don’t have time for this.”

He jerked away from me and just walked away. I didn’t know how to feel. He’s never done that before. It made me want to cry. Not because he walked away, but because something was really, really bothering him and I couldn’t help.

“What was that all about?”

Noah walked up behind me and took my hand. I looked at him, put my hands on his face and softly kissed him.

“I don’t know. But I’m starting to worry about him.”

“I’m sure he’s fine. If he was in any real trouble, he would tell you.” said Noah.

“I hope so.” I said, watching as his truck left the school parking lot.

“Let’s go to your place.” said Noah.

I snapped my head towards him. That’s exactly what I didn’t want to hear. How do I answer without making him think that I don’t want to be with him? Of course, we could go to my place and just hang out, but I have a feeling that’s not what he wants to do.

“Well…we don’t have to if you don’t want to…” said Noah when I didn’t answer.

I could see the disappointment in his eyes and I couldn’t handle it. I had to say yes.

“Of course I want to. I’m-I’m just afraid of what might happen when we get there.”

“Why are you afraid?”

“I don’t want to do anything before either of us is ready.”

“Don’t worry about that. If it’s not meant to happen then it won’t happen.”

I smiled, reassured. I grabbed the end of his tie and pulled him towards me. I put my lips on top of his. I felt his tongue slide it’s way into my mouth. I started to rub his tongue with mine and pulled away before I sucked into way too far.

“Let’s go.” I said.

We both took our bikes, riding them to my house. As we walked in, Noah looked around. He’d never been in my house before.

“So, what d’ya wanna do?” I asked. “Are you hungry? D’ya wanna eat?”

He smiled at me and then walked towards me. He put his hands on my waist and kissed my neck.

“Relax,” he whispered.

I took a deep soothing breath.

“I’m sorry. I’m just nervous.” I told him.

“Sit…” he said, taking me to the kitchen table and sitting me down on a chair.

He walked to the fridge and pulled out two bottles of water. He gave one to me and then sat down next to me.

“I’m sorry.” I said with a nervous smile. I could feel my heart pumping, my hands trembling and my palms sweating.

“Stop saying you’re sorry. There’s nothing to be sorry for.” He smiled. “Actually, I think it’s kinda cute.”

“Let’s go to my room.” I said.

“Are you sure?” he asked.

I smiled in laughter. “Yeah, I’m sure.”

When we went into my room, I was a virgin. When we walked out…well, you get the picture.

It wad the best experience that I’ve ever had. It was so much more than I expected and it was so worth it. I have absolutely no regrets.

“Was this your first time too?” I asked Noah.

“Yeah,” he answered.

We were lying together in my bed with my giant, warm blanket over us. It felt right, being with Noah. I love him. I’m so in love with him, is what I thought I ran my palm across his flat stomach, feeling the little creases of his newly forming abs and the void space of his belly button.

“I love you.” I said.

“I love you too.” he said back, kissing my hand.

* * *

About five minutes after Noah left, Ace showed up at my door. I answered the door still in my afterglow. He looked at me funny. I smiled at him.

“What’s up with you?” he asked, walking into my house.

I closed the door behind him and went to sit on the couch with him. I took a deep breath.

“Noah was just here.” I said with a smile.

“Oh shit! Did you guys, like…do it?” he said with a his face crinkled up.

“I think you know the answer to that already.” I said, trying to spare him the details.

Ace smiled and laughed quietly. “Congrats, man. You’re not a virgin anymore!”

I laughed. “I love him, Ace. I really do love him.”

“Well, I would hope that you do. You can’t just have sex with anybody, you know.”

“I never thought I’d love anyone as much as I love Noah.”

“What about Ryan?” asked Ace with a smirk.

“That…that was not love. That was lust.” I said. “And…let’s not mention that anymore. That is over. I’m done lusting over guys that I can’t have.”

“Okay, okay…well, I was going to come here to ask what was going with you, but I guess I know now.”

“Want some pizza?” I asked. “Noah and I ordered some earlier.”

“Sure, sounds good.”

Ace and I walked to the kitchen and served ourselves some pizza. Then, we went into my room and started to play the new video game, Alien Wars, that my dad just got me for my birthday.

As we played, on the floor in front of the foot of my bed, we weren’t only in competition in the game, but apparently in real life as well. We each leaned left or right to try and throw the other off of their game. Then, as each round was over, the winner usually celebrated by throwing it in the losers face or with a victory dance.

I’ve always had the best time with Ace. That’s one of the reasons why we’ve been friends for so long. It’s also the reason why I had such a huge crush on him for such a long time. Now, now he’s like a brother to me. The brother neither of us never had.

We both started to get sleepy so I turned off the game. I rested my head on his strong shoulder and he rested his head on mine.

“It’s been a while since we’ve been able to hang out like this.” said Ace. “I actually missed you.”

“Yeah, sorry. I’ve been really busy with the play and, and with Noah…I…”

“It’s okay. We’re friends, not lovers, Billy.”

I took his hand and he squeezed mine back…

When we woke up, the house was silent, it seemed different. It looked the same, but it just felt different.

“Crap! I have to get home.” said Ace.

The telephone rang as Ace was getting his things together. I looked at the clock. It was midnight. Who could be calling at midnight? The caller ID had a Chicago area code. Maybe it was my father, but why would call at midnight?

It wasn’t my father. It was my aunt Tara, my dad’s sister. She lives in Chicago. What was she doing calling this late?