Into the fields of Summer - 2. Encounters 2

As I regained my consciousness and woke and started to remember bits and pieces of that mysterious dream, I looked at my clock and it was 6:55, just 5 minutes shy of my alarm. I decided to not push my luck and actually turned off the alarm ahead and started getting ready for the day, I went down into the kitchen finding my dad preparing some pancakes for breakfast. “Good morning dad” I greeted my old man.

“Mornin’ Chris, up early eh?, you usually sleep in for another 10 or 15 minutes past your alarm” he said with a sly grin.

“Oh dad, don’t tease me, can’t a boy try and wake up earlier for a bit?” I smiled back as I pulled out the orange juice from the fridge and prepare the plates and utensils for breakfast.

“Chow down” dad said as he laid down a plate of pancakes at the dining table.

“Thanks dad, you know how much I love your pancakes!” I enthusiastically said as I started to help myself with several pancakes.

Dad helped himself with several pancakes as well and then said “I’ll see you at the study at 8:30 alright? It’s English, History, and Math for today. Got it?”

“Okay ...dad” I replied with a hint of teenage angst and slight roll in the eyes.

“Don’t give me that attitude mister, I know you actually love spending time and learning with your pops, so don’t deny it kiddo” he smiled.

“Geez dad, fine fine, you’re a good teacher, happy now?” I retorted with a smile.

“You bet I am” dad said as he continued to take a mouthful of pancakes into his mouth. “Anyway, I’ll be out this afternoon” dad said.

I lifted my head to look at him with confusion. He then elaborated “Something came up with work yesterday, I’ll have to drop by the State Office at Richmond and discuss some matters with the State Security Agency.”

I lifted my eyebrow and said “Dad, are under attack or something? Terrorists? Radicals?”

He cocked his head a bit and said “Nah nothing like that kiddo, just some urgent and confidential stuff so don’t go on asking me for more details okay? But don’t worry everything’s fine, it’s just something I have to deal with, I’ll drive the 50 miles back and forth and be back by 7 or 8? Sound good?” his voice was paternal and gentle but I am quite sure I can sense some urgency and dread or anxiety from his voice, this must be something a little Urgent indeed.

“Fine dad, just take care okay? I said.

“Sure will buddy. Don’t cook dinner later, I’ll drop by some drive thru and bring us some food when I get back? Okay?”

“Sure thing pops, good thing you brought that up or it will be pasta again tonight” I laughed. He laughed as well and we started clearing the table. I took care of the dishes, made myself more decent and went to the study to start our day’s session for my home schooling.

It’s always amazed me how we can cover most material in 4 hours instead of that inflated amount of time people spend in schools, it’s either my dad’s a great teacher, I’m a great student, or high school or school in general plainly sucks hehe i thought. Most likely it’s a mix of all hehe. I finished my history workbook in 45 minutes and did some light history reading about the Roman Empire for a home school project my dad gave me. After which I had a 20 minute break. I prepared myself a sandwich and paired it with some milk. After which I went back to the study and went over maths and English, dad would spend 10-15 minutes at a time with me and help me understand points which I find confusing or need more explaining, dad has always been very patient with me and very nurturing as well. Then after explanations and answering questions he’d leave me for a bit to read more and list questions if I have any. Then we’d discuss again the material and start answering and checking my worksheets, dad would point out my mistakes or points for improvement, if he feels I’m lagging behind or not performing or understanding at an adequate level, he’d take the extra time to help me again.

Dad’s effort and help have really shown in my studies, every year in my promotion or advancement tests for homeschooled children, I’ve always placed above average mostly at the 95th or 96th percentile, last year I outdid myself and placed on the 98th, dad was really happy about that and said my results and my involvement in the community soccer team would be good credentials for university. I’m really glad to make my dad proud and happy.

After the morning session, I was off to the kitchen to prepare lunch, I cooked us both some grilled chicken and mashed potatoes, it was quite a bit of work, but anything for my dad, and of course I love the types of food I cook, so it’s for me as well hehe.

At 1pm we finished lunch and dad was off to Richmond and I took a shower and changed to more public appropriate clothing and prepared my stuff for soccer practice later, i filled my gym bag and brought my book with me and was off to the Diner. I arrived at the Diner at 2:15 and greeted Sally, “Hey Sally, Afternoon, how’s everyone?” I said with a smile, Sally has been working at the Diner for 4 years now and we just adore her, she’s happy and loveable and fun to be fun,

“All’s good Chris, the lunch rush wasn’t too bad and all is back in tip top shape in here, we’re relaxing as you can see” she said with a giggle.

I laughed as well and went to the kitchen to prepare my milkshake and burgers. I finished preparing my food and milkshake and sat myself at my usual booth and started reading my book. I was a few pages in and I noticed the door open and my dear mysterious teen heartthrob passed through and sat again at the booth across me, I smiled at him and he just nodded my way. Such a quiet and mysterious guy I thought. He ordered off the menu and brought out a book of his own and started reading. I stole a few glances his way and damn he really did look fine. Without the rain from yesterday he lost the leather jacket and was now wearing jeans and tight black shirt - which accentuated his defined torso, I can see that his arms are indeed toned and damn I felt my throat starting to get dry as I looked at him, he looked my way every now and then and I avoided his eyes as much as I can, though I think he’s caught me several times.

A few more minutes later when his order was served, I just couldn’t help myself and I thought I just had to introduce myself to him and maybe get to know him better maybe just even get a name. I stood up and walked over to him, I felt nervous and anxious and goofy actually, I approached him and smiled, I raised my hand to shake his and said “Hi, I’m Chris.” He looked at me cautiously and slowly and nodded and shook my hand as well. When our hands met I honestly felt sparks and electricity l, my hands tingled and I think he felt it too, we held our handshake a second or two longer than normal and I smiled and he did as well.

“I’m Victor, nice to meet you Chris.” He said. He’s voice was deeper than mine and was absolutely a god send. Damn even his voice is sexy.

“I just thought I’d introduced myself as I noticed you were here also yesterday, are you from around here?, I haven’t seen yah before”.

He just smiled a bit and said “Care to join me?” “Sure!” I said obvious enthusiasm, I said it as I was already halfway back to my booth, I almost leapt out to my booth and ran back to his and took my meal and book with me to his booth, “yeah, I’m not from around here, me and my dad just moved a week ago” he continued the conversation.

“Oh, I hope you’re liking the town so far, it’s quiet and peaceful, you’ll love it!” I said as I started playing with my food, a nervous tick I suppose.

“I’m enjoying it so far.” He replied. Goodness, I swear I can get lost in his piercing green eyes, I swear, it’s as if he’s looking into my soul.

“So are you in High school or anything?” I asked.

He shook his head in the negative. and said “Nah, I actually graduated a year ago back in Atlanta, I’m taking a gap year now which basically means me helping out dad at home and lounging around heheh” he laughed a bit at that.

“Oh that’s cool, nothing beats like a year to relax and actually try to find yourself right?” I said.

“Indeed, though I think a year is not enough to actually find oneself but let’s see” he said with a tone of introspection and maturity, something you’d not expect from a kid our age.

“Well how about you? Why aren’t you at school? Are you skipping class or something?” He shifted focus back at me.

“Haha no silly, I’m homeschooled and I spend my mornings with my dad learning as what people call it and I spend my afternoons here at the Diner” I replied with a little bit of glee in tone.

He kept looking me over and I swear I noticed him sniff me out a bit like I smelled of something but I really can’t smell anything around here except for the smell of milkshakes and greasy food, weird I thought, but not creepy, he’s too hot to be creepy, I smiled at that thought.

“Oh I see, homeschooled eh? That sounds better, gives you more time and flexibility” he said as he smiled a little at me.

“Sure does, and my father’s great at teaching.” I looked back at him as I sipped on my milkshake, his green eyes piercing through me again.

“Seems like you have a great relationship with your dad, that’s good to hear”

“Yeah, we’re cool and close actually, most teens would find that lame but my dad is the best!”

“Haha you’re such a goof in a good way” he said and flicked some whipped cream my way.

“Dude... don’t play with your food, Sally’s gonna be mad” I said.

“Who’s Sally?” He asked.

“The shift manager, she’s a clean freak you know...” I muttered.

“I heard that!” Shouted sally from the a few booths away.

“Oops sorry sally but you are...” I smiled back at her.

“So you know these folks eh?” Victor asked with a slightly raised eyebrow.

“Sure do, actually my dad owns this place so yes sir, can you please behave yourself in these premises.” I grinned.

He laughed and said “fine fine... goodness you’re full of surprises aren’t you?”

“Not really but maybe there’s more...”I grinned back.

We finished our meals and I cleaned our booth, he helped me out too, what a gentleman. After we cleaned and settled back at the booth we mostly talked about nothing in general, just mostly about Atlanta and how my homeschooling went.

“Well I was bullied during 4th grade, quite severely actually for several weeks, and when I broke down and went home crying to my dad, he decided that it’s better for me to be homeschooled, he’s always had his reservations about the public school system. So after a few calls and consultations with education experts, dad received his home school certification over the summer and I started being homeschooled on the 5th grade” I said trying to hide the sadness and horrible memories of my bullying at school.

“I see, good for you to have escaped that hell hole then, some people can just be idiots and bullies even at such a young age, society has already trouble as it is, I can’t believe we allow it to start at such a young age and even allow it to fester in our communities” he said.

“Yeah I know, well I’m happy now. I’ve got a best friend, and actually part of a local soccer club, if you have the time you’re actually more than welcome to watch us at the park” I continued to elaborate.

“We have practice in 30 minutes, come on man, watch, it ain’t the World Cup but you’re in you’re happy year right? You’ve got all the time in the world I suppose” I said, inviting him not just to be friendly but actually so that I can spend more time with him.

Victor is quite reserved and still mysterious but I feel there’s more to him. More good and more stories for me to know. “You don’t know how much time I’ve got” he muttered looking a little bit pensive.

“So is that a yes?” I asked with a slightly hopeful tone.

“Okay, show me the way then.” He said.

We walked out the Diner, we said our goodbyes to Sally and the rest of the staff and we walked to the park.

We reached the park with several minutes to spare, I noticed we were still missing a few more club members so more or less it would be another 15 minutes before we started.

Leo was already seated at one of the benches and when he looked my way he gave me this confused look which confused me as well. Then I realized I was with Victor. He must have been surprised with me being with a new face, he’s always known me as a reserved and introverted guy so I rarely have any friends outside the club or our neighborhood and Leo already knows all my friends.

“Hi Leo!l said as I gripped his shoulder. “Leo, this is Victor, Victor this is Leo my best friend” they shook hands and Leo gave me this weird look. “I met victor at the Diner and asked him to watch our game”

I explained further to Leo, to which his smiled a little and raised his right eye brow and said

“ohhh... the diner huh?”

I gave him this pleading and knowing look to not out me of my teenage crush. He just smiled at me and looked at Victor and smiled at him too “nice to meet you Victor, glad you can join us and see Chris get his ass kicked!” He laughed a bit.

Victor just smiled as he sat with us at the bench. Victor and Leo started talking about Leo’s high school and Victor’s move from Atlanta and the minutes flew by and we then heard the coach’s whistle which marked the start of our session. I smiled at Victor and told him to enjoy the game and I jogged off into the field with Leo.

As we jogged to join the rest, Leo nudged me a little, and said “I’ve never thought you had it in you to ask someone out just like that Chris, you’re full of surprises, are you that horny or what?” He laughed.

I shoved him a little and said “stop teasing, he’s nice.”

Leo looked back at him and said “I’m straight but yeah I can see what you’re talking about, he’s fine, I can imagine myself having a bro crush on him” he smirked. We laughed and the game started.

We were again divided into two teams and our energy levels were actually higher than yesterday’s and the energy was palpable in the field, we ran faster and our offense and defense were better, and at the 20th minute, Kyle one of our forwards wasn’t able to estimate his kick as he tried to pass the ball to a team mate and he sent the ball hurdling towards the benches, my eyes followed the ball and to my horror I saw the ball shooting straight towards Victor, I tried to warn victor but in a split second just before the ball hit his face, he moved his left hand to his face and caught the ball one handed stopping it 2 or 3 inches from his beautiful face, he didn’t even flinch and the ball stopped spinning on his left hand as if it was weightless. Half the team saw it and eyes popped and jaws dropped, the others who weren’t able to see were just confused.

Victor, smiled, said, “careful next time” then stood up and then threw the ball back to Kyle, and his throw was strong, mighty strong, he sent the ball at almost twice the speed Kyle accidentally kicked it his way, Kyle caught it with visible effort, we actually moved a few inches back from his position with visible strain and effort on his part as he caught the ball. We were surprised with that as well but the whistle from the coach woke us from our amazement and the game continued.

The game ended a few more minutes later and Kyle approached Victor to apologize. “No worries mate, just be more careful next time” Victor said. Kyle the apologized again and ran off to change and then go home.

Leo and I hung around Victor. Leo then remarked “that was awesome dude! How’d you do that!?”

Victor just shrugged his shoulders and said “lucky catch perhaps” he grinned. We then took out our change of clothes and change our shirt in front of victor, I swear I saw him check both me and Leo out, does he swing my way, I thought.

We then talked for a few more minutes and we walked Victor 3 blocks off the park to this imposing apartment building, he said, that’s where he lived, as he neared the door, we exchanged numbers and online details, we then said we’d hang out again tomorrow as tomorrow’s a Saturday and we’d have more time with Leo then.

We said our goodbyes and Leo and I started our walk to our neighborhood. “Damn you picked a good one this time” Leo said.

“Hehe stop teasing me, we don’t even know if he’s gay or whatever” I replied.

“Jeez, dude, I’m just saying, he’s better than that Ben you dated 2 years ago.” Leo replied as he poked my left shoulder.

“Ahh yeah I know, he’s way better, Ben was a bully and just used me, I really wasn’t able to thank you enough for making me realize he was just using me, he was possessive, abusive and a bully, thanks Leo, I owe you big time for that.” I said, remembering how Leo talked me out of seeing Ben and put a stop to our so-called relationship, I was 16 then and Ben was 17, I was head over heels that guy, he was my first kiss, the first guy, and only guy so far that I’ve sucked, and I even let him finger me. I really thought I was in love with Ben, but Leo saw right through ben, he made me realize that to Ben I was just a booty call, a sexual outlet, and when I saw him actually making out with another guy at the park, then I knew Leo was right, Ben tried to force and his way back to me, actually even bully me into “loving” him again, and I was so close to giving in, and Leo talked some sanity into me. And ever since then I haven’t had a boy friend or whatever just my hands and porn.

“Don’t worry about it” Leo said. “I got your back and you got mine remember” he explained further.

“Definitely dude. You’re the bestest best friend in the world” I said.

We bump fists and continued to walk back, then Leo said “This Victor guy, if he’s ever gay or into you, and he continues to act the way he does, he’s someone I approve off” he looked into me, and patted my shoulder.

“thanks dude, I hope he is” I muttered.

Leo then said, changed the topic, “anyway, that catch and throw dude! That was wicked!” He said with enthusiasm.

“Yeah! I know right, for a second there I thought he was a gonner and his beautiful face would be wrecked by Kyle’s ball. I don’t know if I would have ever forgiven Kyle if he destroyed that beautiful face” I said.

Leo laughed and said “gosh, you really like him don’t you?”

I looked back at him and said “I don’t know, but I’d like to know him better. That’s certain.” We then bump fists again and we talked about other things like his school and my worksheets and some new avengers movie coming up. We said our goodbyes as I reached home and reminded ourselves that we’ll be hanging out with Victor tomorrow at the Diner.

I entered the house, I almost called out to dad then remembered he’s in Richmond and will be back later tonight, I then prepared myself some sandwich and juice and rushed off to the shower. I watched some tv, read a few pages of the book I’ve been reading, and at 7:45 I heard dad’s car pull in the driveway.

He arrived with some takeaway fast food and I prepared the plates.

“So how was Richmond dad?” I asked. He looked tired, kind of stressed even.

“Same old same old son, just had to discuss something with the state secretary for public security, nothing major but just needed to work on some updates and developments” he said.

I then teased him back, “so no terrorists?” I grinned.

“Shut up. No terrorists Chris, not under my watch” he smirked.

We started eating our chicken wings and we talked over the day. I talked to him about soccer and about Victor and our plans with Leo for tomorrow. After he finished his second wing, dad looked at me with a sly grin and a slightly raised left eyebrow “Victor huh? Should I know this victor guy?”

I looked back at him, finished my mouthful of wings, and said “oh dad geez, stop teasing”

He gave me his signature teasing smirk “I didn’t say anything son, but you just did” he smiled back.

My dad has known that I’m gay for almost a year now, Leo helped me in my coming out process and over dinner a year ago, I just blurted it out. And dad was more than supportive of me. He said he already had an idea that I was gay and he didn’t have any issues with it, he had a few gay co workers before and he’s worked with people with gay sons or daughters, dad has been very progressive and open-minded non of the bigoted shit so I wasn’t that nervous of his reaction, but coming out to your dad still gave me this fear that I would disappoint him somehow but he shut off that idea immediately and told me that regardless of my orientation he couldn’t be any happier of having me as a kid, that really brought a tear to me back then and I really love my dad for being such a supportive person and father. I then was pulled back into our conversation when dad said “so ... Victor?” I grinned again.

“Oh dad, it’s nothing, not yet anyway” I murmured. Then I continued “I don’t even know if he’s gay but he’s a good person, I’d at least like to have him as a friend and Leo likes him too”

Dad then said “well if he has Leo’s seal of approval he must be at least half decent, bring that Victor over here one day maybe even tomorrow”.

“Sure dad he’s a nice guy, he just moved into town and very cool!”

I noticed then dad turn a little bit thoughtful again as if I hit a small nerve or something. “Is something wrong dad?” I asked with concern and confusion.

“ohh nah, nothing, just remembered something from work, don’t mind me.” He then changed topics and said “speaking of Leo’s seal of approval, why is it that you and Leo aren’t an item? I’ve always thought you’d end up together”

I then looked at him in horror. “God dad! No! Leo’s a brother, a friend, gosh, ewww, he’s hot and all I’ll admit that, but nah, nope, never, we’re bros”

Dad laughed at my reaction and said “ok whatever, just bring that Victor in here so I can size him up and maybe scare off my son’s future boy friend eh?”.

“Oh god, dad we’re barely even friends!” I said as I greedily ate another bite off my 4th chicken wing.

We then talked about other things, something about my plans for university, which I have no idea what to do yet, and some updates about my uncle, Peter, dad’s brother. We cleared the table, i did the dishes as dad went to his office to finish some work, and then I flopped myself into the living room couch and tuned into netflix and settled with some new movie, dad caught up with me as the movie was just about to finish, he said his good nights and told me to lock up the house before sleeping.

I finished the movie, did my pre-sleep ritual of brushing my teeth and washing my face, drank some water, and off to bed I was. I then thought back at my day and to the memories of Victor, I sighed as I’m completely taken aback by his beauty and sex appeal. I really hope he’s into guys too. With my thoughts of Victor, I then dozed off, and there I was again, in my dreamland, in the library again with a new book in front of me, this is weird, I only had these dreams once a week and never two days in a row, but then again, it’s a dream so I can’t really predict them can I? I opened the book and started “reading” it to the best of my abilities after I finished it, I went back to exploring the tower, as I entered the 10th floor, gosh the hike up the tower is tiring even in my dream, it felt so real, as I entered the 10th floor, I saw that the decorations were more ornate and the shelves had carvings of the symbols similar to the ones on the books I’ve been reading, a Star with a rose in the middle of it. I saw some paintings of meadows, forests, fields, and grassland, each painting was absolutely breathtaking and you can seriously feel the warmth and emotion the painter put into the piece of art he or she made. At one point I even found my eyes moisten as the sheer beauty of the paintings and sculptures around me took me to a very emotional state. As tears flowed from my eyes everything started to fade out again and I woke, with tears on my eyes as well. That dream was just surreal.