Life of Phoenix - 1. Nix

Growing up in the neighborhood I live in was great! I was just minutes away from a park and my best friends. It was no trouble getting anywhere; the place is really trusting, and my mom and dad know everyone in the area. Because of that if I don't know someone I knew to stay away.

Oh, my name is Phoenix Russell, and I'm 16 years old. I live close to a beach, so I spend almost all of my spare time there. As a result, if you ever saw me naked, you would see that I am tan everywhere, but my crotch. It makes my blonde hair and blue eyes stand out even more.

Stuff to know about me, I'm an avid swimmer and boarder. Not surfboard, but skateboard. We don't get waves big enough here for surfing. I'm an outdoorsy kid, but I don't mind settling down and playing a video game or two at night. Skyrim and Far Cry man!

Probably the most important thing to know about me, I'm gay. I've known since I was about 12 years old, but I'll get into that in a moment. My parents found out because of naively leaving the browsing history on my computer undeleted... Bad idea. Mom and dad are okay with it though, which is awesome! My little sister Ursula always talks about boys with me too, so that's kind of awesome.

I'm also out at school, which means I'm out of the closet essentially. My best friend Lyric was scared for me, but it's been great. I can go to tanning beds in the winter and not have to care who sees me anymore! It's really nice to know people generally don't care if you're gay.

Lyric, as I just said, is my best friend. She was the first person I talked to about my feelings towards other guys. That was an interesting conversation between two twelve year olds. She's awesome! Her brunette hair goes down to her chest and curls just at the ends. Her hazel eyes give me all kinds of looks like a best friend would give.

Now, like I said earlier, I knew I was into guys at 12. In fact I knew I was into a very specific guy at age 12, my best guy friend (at the time) was Max Harper. We were so close we would sleep in each other’s beds in just our underwear. You would often find us almost snuggling as we slept.

Max was always one to make sure he looked sharp. His black hair would always be just perfect around his grey eyes. He's also kind of short for his age, making us the same height. We used to share clothes all the time.

When Max entered high school though I was left in the dark. He found newer friends that were older and the time we spent together gradually grew smaller and smaller. Until eventually it just stopped altogether.

At that point, I was busy all the time anyways. Lyric was either dragging me to some movie or my parents, mostly my dad, had something they needed me to do around the house. Then a family friend asked if I could start babysitting their kid, Braxton Stone, every other night. He was a single dad who worked nights sometimes. He wouldn't get home until like 11 on school nights.

Braxton is a cute kid; he's three years younger than me. I still babysit him to this day. Nowadays though it's when his dad goes out of town. The kid's shaggy dirty blonde hair always seemed to be perfectly set to the sides with his bangs going right down between his green eyes.

Needless to say, this kid had a most definite crush on me from the beginning. He would snuggle up to me and always want to go swimming with me. From the corner of my eyes, I could see his full on peaks at my junk. I found it entertaining to see him be 'sneaky' so I took him swimming every week or so.

Lastly, my current best guy friend is actually Lyric's little brother Lakota. The kid is two years younger than me, has straight dirty blonde hair just a little longer than mine. His eyes are exactly like his sisters, hazel and always judging me. He's a healthy boy that's for sure. Lakota isn't like fat or chubby, but he's not skinny either. He's got a tiny bit of baby fat to him.

Now that you know about me, my friends, and my family I guess I should explain more about my life in general. I'm in the middle of my first semester of grade 11 and doing great. And I just so happened to have just been called to the office for something.

I'm high up in some of the most powerful clubs in school. I lead yearbook, and I'm probably going to lead Drama and Student Council next year. So it's probably something along those lines that I was called to the office.

I got to Principle Stellar's office I record time. I'm in here so often, for good things, that if the secretaries say it's okay I can just walk into her room. This time though I was met with two faces. Mrs. Stellar's and Max's, which caught me off guard completely.

Mrs. Stellar spoke, “Phoenix, close the door and take a seat, please.” I did as she asked. “You look like you've seen a ghost...”

I laughed nervously, “I think I just did, ma'am.”

They both laughed. “Okay, you two; you are each two of some of the most influential students in the school, which is why I called you here. Phoenix, you practically lead our three most popular clubs. Max, you have the highest GPA of the multi-sport athletes in this school, which makes you two perfect for this job!”

“What kind of job is it, Mrs. Stellar?” Max asked.

“I am glad you asked Maxwell! I need you two to help out some of the younger students. I understand both of you have busy schedules outside of school. I have looked into your schedules and can make you both an offer.

“You both have classes that you were placed in as a result of your lack of chosen classes last year. I am prepared to offer you two that class off your schedule if you help out in classes during that block that need help. What do you think?”

Hell, I got put into drafting. All I do is sit there and draw buildings, “Of course I'll do it!” I don't want to be stuck in that boring class I'm only passing cause I like being on the honor role.

Max had more questions though, “What kind of classes would we be helping out?”

“Nothing above the grade 10 level. You could be helping English students with grammar or writing. Or math students with Prognathous' theorem. It depends on which teachers may need assistance during those times. You two together can cover almost every academic class offered at this school. If you aren't comfortable aiding a class, the other can, or maybe both in one class if there is a big project going on.”

“Isn't that why there are teaching assistants?” God you have a lot of questions, Max. Well, he always did when he was younger too, so I guess that hasn't changed.

Mrs. Stellar nodded, “You're absolutely correct Max. Unfortunately, at our school, there isn't many T.A. to work in all the classrooms. You will be given grade 12 credits for your assistance in the classes throughout the semester.”

“Sold!” I don't know what class Max had, but it looks like the idea of 'free' credits got his attention.

“Great! We're having a staff meeting after school today. I'll bring your names up then and get back to you tomorrow morning. I will also get you out of those classes as soon as possible. Thank you boys.”

“No problem Mrs. Stellar.” We said together.

She smiled as we walked out into the hallway. We both walked down the same hallway to our classes. Max broke our awkward silence, something I was never good at. “How have you been?”

I shrugged, “Pretty good. How bought you?”

He chuckled, “Same here. I've seen a couple of your plays you've been in. You're a pretty good actor.”

“Ah! I'm a Techtor. Part techie, part actor. I'm actually managing a play for Drama fest this year.” I was jacked when the teacher told me that. It's so sweet!! “I've been to a few of your games too. You've gotten really good at what you do.”

“Ya, soccer and baseball I'm really good at. I'm okay at volleyball. It's a little weird compared to the other two.” I laughed. It's like we never spent the last three years apart. We were talking like we did back then. “This is my class though. I guess I'll be seeing you around more often then.”

I blushed, “Ya I guess so... Maybe we could start hanging out again like before...” The hope in my voice was like an erupting volcano.

Max looked at me for a moment. “Ya, I'd like that Nix. That'd be cool.” HE JUST CALLED ME NIX!! He still remembers the nickname him and Lyric gave me when we were younger! Oh god! “I guess I'll see you tomorrow, see ya,” and just like that he was gone.

My mind went into dream world as the bell for last period went off. Man, the things Max and I could do together. Max and I swimming on the beach together. Tanning together. Laying in bed together...

I was knocked out of my dream trance by a voice, “What's with the look on your face?” Lakota laughed as he came up to me.

I blushed, “I just talked to Max.”

“Max? Who's that?” Right, Lakota doesn't know about the whole me and Max thing.

“He's an old friend that I haven't hung out with for a while.” He seemed to accept my answer. “Anyways it looks like I'm getting out of drafting.”

“YES! No more complaining!” He's kidding... though I do complain a bit. “What are you going to do instead?”

“I'm going to be helping out teachers because of the lack of Teaching Assists in the school. Max and I are both doing it.”

“Max? As in Maxwell Harper?” Lyric's voice rang from behind me. “How'd you two manage to get in this together? Did you pull some strings with Mrs. Stellar?”

I shook my head and waved my hands defensively, “No, no, no. The reasons given to us were; I'm pretty much the head of the most popular clubs, Max had the best GPA of any multi-sport student, and we both had classes we didn't sign up for. It works out in the end for both of us.”

Lyric rolled her eyes, “Well be happy you got called out of class just in time. We just about all got in trouble for something we didn't do. Anywho, what's the plan for after school?”

“Catching the bus to Braxton's. I got to look after him until eleven.”

Lyric sighed, “Shitty. I was going to get you to come shopping with me. I guess I'll have to take Lakota.”

Lakota let out a loud burst of laughter. “You don't want me to come shopping with you. I'll ditch you in HMV or EB games or something, and you know it.”

Lyric thought about it for a second. “On second thought, go home and play your games kid. I'll find someone, see you later boys!” And Lyric was off down the halls.

“See ya Nix, moms probably here already.” Lakota caught up to his sister as quick as he could.

I was left to find Braxton and get him home. He might be in high school, but I don't see him much. Like I said I'm busy all the time! Most lunches are spent either at Yearbook or Student Council. After school was taking Braxton home or Drama Club. On the rare occasion, I was helping our drama teacher with the acting or technical stuff for the plays.

Braxton always met me by the back doors of the school. The closest doors to the bus stop we needed to go to. The moment I got into his line of sight his face would brighten up, and a smile would blind the room. The kid was cute, but like little kid cute not crush cute.

“Hey, Phoenix!” He cheered. “What are we going to do today?”

“Well, I have a lot of homework. So when we get to your place, I'm going to make something for dinner and then settle down to do my work.” I have a project due in a few days. I've been not doing it.

“That sucks, I wanted to play a game or something with you. What are your chances of being done early?”

I ruffled his hair, “VERY unlikely buddy. Let's get going.”

The bus to get to Braxton's takes about an hour or so. He lives in the industrial part of town, so like the place with a lot of workshops and building supplies places. The bus only goes there every hour or so.

Braxton, of course, talked my ear off the entire way to his place. My mind was on spending more time with Max in the coming months. Man, I hope we can rekindle our friendship. That would be so awesome!!

Chapter End.