Talking was not usually one of my problems. Being quiet on the other

hand, well, let's just say that I have been told to shut up a few times in my

life. But that wasn't necessary now. In fact I wasn't even breathing. All

rational thought seemed to have fled for some safer place as well. Nervous

energy roiled in my muscles as I struggled to cope with this new twist. Did

I dare to believe it?

"Dude, I can only be serious so long. If you want to talk later, we

can, but right now I need to loosen up some. So can we go now? Please?" He

asked.

I looked into his face. It has been said that the eyes are the windows

to the soul, and I believe it. I saw Kyle's soul, laid bare for my mind to

absorb. Time seemed to slow again and I listened to the sounds of his soul.

I drank the colors that danced and realization swept over me that friend

was much more than a casual term. Friend was loyalty, honesty, comfort, and

honor. Each of these was represented in my vision.

"Hey, why are you looking at me like that? Quit it, your giving me the

creeps."

My reverie faded and I was looking at my friend again.

"I'll go get cleaned up, be right back." I said.

"Don't forget to douche." He quipped.

We went to the one theatre in town, and to say I felt uncomfortable was

being kind. He still might be lying to get the chance to kick my ass, but

maybe he was telling the truth. So I took a gamble, and went with him. What

the hell, gambling is legal here, right? We got to the theatre and Kyle

bought popcorn and a large soda to split. As we took our seats I noted that

we had the place to ourselves, except for the older couple in the middle of

the room. We sat in the back, popcorn bucket on the seat between us.

We had walked to the movies in silence and we watched the movie the

same way, grinning here and there, but the movie wasn't that good. As the

light came up we made our way to the doors and paused outside.

"Well, thanks for the movie. See you tomorrow?" I asked

"Um, sure. I'll call you." Kyle said quietly, then turned to leave.

I started to walk home alone and suddenly felt more alone than I had

all day. That specialness with Kyle had been broken, and could I ever hope to

put it back together?

"Hey, dipshit!" Kyle yelled.

'This is it' I thought , here comes the varsity football team out to

prove their manhood.

I slowly turned around to face him.

Kyle stood there about ten feet away, hand on his hip and wearing a

look of annoyance. He straightened up and walked over to me.

"I thought you were going to spend the night?" He stated

"Oh, well, I figured because of what happened and, you know, you never

said it again..well I just figured it might make you uncomfortable." I

stammered.

"My JOB is to make you uncomfortable," He said softly, grinning, "See,

now that I know you like me I can have some real fun without even trying."

His mischevious grin had gotten wider and he looked so .......

Beautiful.

"What are you talking about?" I asked

He put his arm around my shoulder as we walked towards my house, like

any good buddy might do.

"Well, just think. I get to .... Never mind, you'll see." He said with

that devilish grin . "You're a smart guy, you'll figure it out."

If it was possible his grin got even more devilish and he reached out

quicky towards my chest and twisted my nipple while yelling out "Race ya!"

and he was headed away from me at top speed.

I yelled after him, calling him an ass, and then took off. He continued

to tease me and moved ever faster till he came to a stop on my front lawn. I

saw my chance to draw even and took it.

"Ever play football?" I yelled.

It really must have been funny to see from someone else's point of

view. But I couldn't decide if the look of fear on his face was because

someone he knew was gay was about to tackle him, or if it was just cause he

was gonna get tackled.

He went down with me firmly wrapped around his waist, and from there

The battle ensued. We rolled on the grass, twisting for leverage and bending

for advantage. At last I pinned Kyle under me, with his armed crossed on

his chest like a mummy, and me on his waist just above his navel to keep

him off balance.

We were both laughing when I realized the position we were in. I stood

quickly, aware of my rising ambitions and tried to calm my nerves.

Kyle remained on the ground, grinning that foolish grin, and he said

quietly, "We are not going to pull this off if you freak every time we

touch."

I flushed crimson and went inside. Kyle jumped up quickly and followed

me. I felt so confused, he knew I liked him and still he acted so normal. But

then what about my hormones? Every time we got close I got hard. Not

confusion really, more like indecision.

Kyle grabbed my shoulder and spun me around to face him. We were both

still panting from the exertion of the run.

"Look, "He gasped, "I am actually panting over you!" His face contorted

in to a smile and he sank to his knees laughing.

I stood there not knowing what to say.

"Why.. are you...not ...talking?" He managed.

"I don't know what to say." I said honestly.

"Don't think, just talk." He replied. He then hopped up and went into

the living room. I followed and spotted him sitting straddled on the arm of

the couch beckoning me to join him.

"Lay down right here for the good doctor, okay?" he asked grinning again.

Unsure, I complied.

"Now lets play a game," He said, "I will ask a question and you will

answer. Close your eyes."

"That isn't a question," I said, "and why would I want to close my eyes?"

He placed his hand on my forehead.. "Because I asked you to." He said,

and closed my eyelids with his fingers.

"Also because questions are easier to answer when you don't have to look at

the person."

"Do you want to be my friend?" He asked.

"Yes" I replied.

"Then listen carefully, cause I will only say this once. I like you a

lot, and you are going to have to learn to relax when we are together or

people are gonna figure you out no matter what you say. Make sense?" He asked

"Yeah." I replied slowly.

"Good."

"My turn." I said.

"Ok. Shoot."

"Why do you like me so much?"

"I.. don't know. I just do. I don't try to explain how I feel, I just

accept it."

We stayed silent for a moment, and then I heard Kyle stand up.

"You wanna come over about seven? I gotta do chores before you get there."

I looked up at him, "Yeah, I'll be there." I said.

"Cool. Laters." He said.

Like a cat he reached down and dug his fingers into my ribs. Did I

mention that I am ticklish? I couldn't breathe and then he was gone, heading

for the door cackling to himself.

"Payback's a bitch!" I yelled.

"Blow me." He yelled back.

He stopped and looked back at me, hesitated and suddenly grinned.

"See you later." He said, blew me a kiss and then winked!

Great, I thought, now that he knows he will accept me. But the bad part

is his sense of humor. He thinks it's going to be fun to be a cockteaser.

Maybe he'll do more than tease tonight?

My face broke into a smile.