This is a short story I came up with. I own it and I claim the story/characters. It’s slash, you are warned. Please, review. Flames will be used to roast marshmallows, nothing more.

He sighed, “Sorry, I’ve gotta go, okay?”

“Okay,” I replied lamely.

“Bye.”

“Wait! ... I love you.”

“…Love you too.” Click.

I sat down on my bed. How hard was it to mutter a simple I love you? To remember to? James had done it so many times before. It was like riding a bike. Once you got the hang of it, it wasn’t hard to do again. It was simple, not like our relationship, which was something complex.

Two males in high school, gay. It had always been hard, working things out. But I had always known it was worth it, for both of us. At least I thought it was. He is the only thing that matters to me. He is my world. He is my everything. But maybe I was getting boring? Maybe the appeal of our relationship was the secrets and the sneaking around, but now it was getting old. He hadn’t told his parents, they were very serious Christians, deep into the Bible, but maybe that had become more of a problem then something fun and exciting? His parents simply wouldn’t approve.

And I, oddly enough, was alright with that. It didn’t matter if his parents new I existed, as long as he did. Because without him, what was the point of my life? He was my life. Plain and easy.

Three days ago, he started avoiding me. Or so it seemed. He would make up some excuse to leave when we spoke on the phone. He’d sign on instant messenger, and then sign off before I could speak to him. And he hadn’t come over in over a week.

My house was the only place we could be together in the first place. I lived with my sister, and she didn’t care. As long as I didn’t find some way that males could get pregnant, she was all for me being gay. School was a no, considering they had strict rules against P.D.A. for all couples. And I don’t think his parents will be throwing us a party anytime soon. They’d have to find out there is an us first.

My moping didn’t go unnoticed by my sister, Jamie. She got so fed up that she forced me to go out to dinner with her. At dinner she didn’t ask why I was upset and I liked it that way. She new her boundaries. We ate in silence and headed back to the car when we were finished.

“Something bothering you?” she asked, as we reached the car.

“No it’s nothi…” I faltered. Just going into the building was James, on his arm a tall blonde woman in a fancy dress. I quickly turned before Jamie could catch on. On the car ride home, I said nothing, but my insides were screaming.

“Okay, what happened?” she asked, pulling into our driveway and turning off the engine.

“Nothing,” I lied. She sighed and dropped it. We went inside. I hurried to my room and began pacing. Should I call him tonight, ask him sooner? Or wait till tomorrow? I decided tomorrow morning, so I slowly got ready for bed and slid under the covers.

When your boyfriend is cheating on you, it ruins your sleep. I tossed and I turned, I pretty much did everything but sleep. Eventually I fell off into a light sleep, but I still woke many, many times. In the morning I waited anxiously for it to be a reasonable hour and at ten o’clock (close enough) I called.

“Hello?” It was his mother.

“Is James there?” I asked.

“No, he’s busy at the moment.” Figures.

“Can you tell him I called? Ryan called?” I asked hopefully.

“Uh, I’ll try I guess. Goodbye.” And that was the end of our lovely talk. I groaned and ran my hand absently through my hair, lying down on my bed. Moments later, the phone rang and I quickly answered.

“Hello?”

“Hey, did you call?” he asked. I loved hearing his voice.

I sighed and paused. “…Do you love me?”

He sounded offended, “Honey, you know I do-”

“Then why have you been avoiding me? Not answering my calls? Are you seeing someone else?” I asked frantically. I admit, I was being mildly over dramatic.

He sighed, and I could swear I heard the laughter of giggling girls in the background. I winced. “Oh my god…goodbye.” I hung up and tossed the phone on the floor. How could he? I didn’t even want to think about it. I just curled up in a ball on my bed and began to cry. It started raining, and it fit my mood, conveniently enough. I don’t know how long I laid there, but at some point, there was a sharp knock at the door.

“Go away,” I mumbled.

“No.” James walked into my room, shutting the door behind him.

“What?” I demanded impatiently.

“My parents found out about you,” he whispered. He was soaking wet from the down pour, his jeans and shirt clinging to his body.

“So?” I snapped, “You’re just gonna let them spilt us up-”

“No, no,” he smiled, “I moved out. I haven’t been home because I live somewhere else.”

“But when I called this week you were there…” I trailed.

“I was getting my stuff. It’s a coincidence that I answered,” he said.

“When I was out I saw you with some woman!” I said, a definite implication that he’d cheated in my words.

He looked hurt, “She’s just renting a room to me.”

“You’re living with her?” I asked; tear welding up in my eyes.

“Yeah. It’s not a big deal!” he said defensively.

“Not a big deal? You’re living with some other woman!” I pointed out.

“She isn’t the other woman, she’s just a woman.”

“How do you know her?” I questioned.

“She’s an old girlfriend,” he sighed.

“What? Oh that’s fantastic. Just dump me now, spare me the sight of you and that whore cheating, because I bet I’ll catch you!” I rambled furiously.

“Ryan,” he looked really sad now, “I love you. I’d never sleep with someone else, especially a girl.”

“Oh, that makes me feel loads better. What’s to stop you? You dated her once!” I said.

“Yes, Rosie and I dated…when we both thought we were straight,” he said.

“Well…” I faltered, “Both?”

“She’s a lesbian. Wanna meet her girlfriend Beth? She lives there too, real nice. Not sure how she’d like Rosie and I sleeping together though. Not very good for a relationship.”

“Lesbian?” I repeated dumbly.

“Yep. 100 girl lover,” he said smugly.

“Well why the hell didn’t you tell me?” I shouted.

“I wanted to make sure the move was permanent,” he said.

“So you moved out…” I clarified.

“Yes,” he urged me on.

“Because your parents don’t like me?” I asked.

“They had more colorful language, but pretty much,” he nodded.

I moaned, “I’m sorry.”

“Its fine, baby. You know I’d do anything for you! I can’t be mad at ya,” he kissed me once gently. I didn’t want him to pull away, I’d missed him.

“Why don’t you move in here?” I asked.

“She lives farther away from my parents. College is next year anyway. You can just move in with me,” he explained. I could tell he’d thought about it.

“She doesn’t hate me?” I asked.

“She doesn’t know you accused me of sleeping with her,” he said.

“And you don’t hate me?” I asked.

“Course not! You’re my baby,” he kissed me again.

I grinned, “Well in that case, let’s get you out of these wet clothes.”