Chapter 1- Matty

Angela tackled me as soon as I walked into the dojo, as if she’d been just waiting for me to come in so she could cling to me the way she always did.

“Happy birthday!” She screeched, both her arms and legs wrapped around my torso. She’s pretty damn athletic for a five year old, needless to say she’s very skilled in the art of jumping on me. If it weren’t for her lack of fur and tail, as well as her ability to talk, I’d insist on her being a monkey.

“It’s not my birthday,” I wrapped an arm around her and let her slowly slide down me until her feet touched the ground. Her robe was folded up messily and her dirty blond hair was sticking out in every direction. I just had to smile at her, from what I’ve heard she refuses to brush it, or let anyone brush it. I don’t know why I find that so cute.

“I know,” She hopped up and down. “But Matt has a present to give you so I wanted to invent an occasion!” She squealed and then sped off into another room. I watched her from behind a glass wall as she tackled her mother, similar to the way she did me. I smiled at them as I put down my duffle bag and started removing my scarf and hat.

“Don’t tell me you walked here you crazy son of a bitch,” That voice made my eyes light up immediately. I turned around, unbuttoning my trench coat as I did, sending Matt a smile alongside a shrug.

“I don’t have a car,” I said. “Of course I walked…”

“Ahh!” He shot forward and through his arms around me, squeezing me against his chest. I couldn’t breath very well, and it was a little uncomfortable, but it’s nice to be so close to him.

“…here,” I finished my statement. Really, it’s not that cold if you dress for the weather, then again, Matt never does that.

“Uh, Matty, what are you doing?” I asked, my words came out strange, I think he was squishing my vocal cords with his big arms.

“I’m sharing my body heat with you, you must be so cold,” He squeezed me tighter and by this point I was ready to start gagging. Matt’s definitely not weak, but it’s times like these that you really wish he was. Truth be told, he hardly knows his own strength.

“Psh, I bet you just wanted an excuse to hug me,” I could hardly believe I said that out loud to him. If either of us wanted an excuse to hug the other, I believe it would be me.

“Agh, I have been found out,” He grinned and stepped back. “I got a present for you,” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a lighter. It was black and had the words ‘If you don’t live on the edge, you’re taking up too much room’ written on it in pink lettering.

“I don’t smoke,” This was all I could say as I took it from his hand. Despite this truth, I liked it, not only the lettering or the coloring, but because of whom it was from. Something about the fact that he gave it to me without reason, without occasion, not because he felt he had to, but because he wanted to.

“I know, but I saw it at the mall and it just screamed ‘Tom’ at me, I had to get it for you,” He looked so sincere, hands in his pockets, looking at me as if he were afraid I wouldn’t like it. He’s cute like that.

“Well, it definitely fits me,” I smiled, reading over the quote again. Mostly out of reflex, partly out of desire, I wrapped my arms around him and pushed my cheek against his chest. He hugged me back, but I think I held on a little to long because his arms began loosening around me long before I decided it was time to let go.

I blushed and backed away when I realized we’d caught some eyes. Great, now they probably think we’re gay, Matt isn’t gay. God I wish he were gay.

“Tomness!” All of the sudden there was a heavy weight on my back, hanging on to me by my shoulders. Only one person could have rescued me from this awkward moment, unfortunately, he chose the worst manner of doing so. And what did he call me?

“What did you call me?” I asked, only half interested in my own question as I pried his arms apart, trying to shake him off my back. I believe he actually weighs fifty pounds more than I do, and my legs are going to give out if he doesn’t get down soon.

“Tom-ness,” He said happily, dividing the syllables, expecting me to understand somehow. “You know like happiness, except with you, not happy,” He explained, jumping off my back.

“It sounds like that guy with the hooves from that one movie,” Matt commented. I didn’t get what he was trying to describe at all, but apparently Brady did.

“Ew, Matt no!” He screamed. “Tom, don’t ever let me call you that again!” The blond that had formerly been hanging on my back punched me in the shoulder, as if I’d done something wrong. In case you’re at all curious, said blond’s name is Brady McCorbin, my extremely abusive, extremely gay friend. We’re both gay yes, but apparently I’m not his type, he punched me when I asked if he’d ever go out with me. He’s the only one who knows I’m gay, and that I’m in love with the gorgeous man to my right. Matthew Fritz; Matty to me and no one else.

Brady poked my shoulder in the same spot he punched me.

“Fuck you!” I yelled at him. What can I say? I’m in pain, and it’s all his fault, as usual.

“I told you you’re not my type,” He stuck his tongue out. I glared daggers at him, because saying things like that leads to questioning as to why he would have told me something like that. That’s why.

“Is that why you just tried to rape me back there?” I spat. Matt was quiet, I think he secretly dislikes Brady, which is just another thing to add to the list of things we have in common. Just kidding.

“Are you kidding? That wasn’t rape, this is rape,” He threw his arms around me and I think he was about to start thrusting against my side when our sensei walked in.

Brady stepped back to a safe distance immediately and stood up straight, as if he thought he was in the army. I waved in greeting, and Matt ambled right over to sensei and started up a conversation. Damn, Brady must have scared him away.

“So, there’s a very special day coming up next week,” Brady started hopping up and down. It’s funny, I think he’s more hyped out than usual, I wonder what kind of drugs he got into.

“Really, what day’s that?” I shrugged, just to piss him off. The next coming Monday was his birthday so I knew, in fact, I’d already bought him a present. I think by now I should know that pissing Brady off for the hell of it is a bad idea. Why? Because he slapped me across the face. Really hard. I hope he never has any children.

“You’re lucky you’re not my husband because I would so get a divorce!” With that he stomped off to talk to someone else. Despite the pain from the slap, I giggled. Yes, I’m gay, I giggle, so what?

The magical thing about Brady leaving, is as soon as he does, Matt comes back. And I don’t want to insult Brady (or maybe I do) but I’d much rather be talking to Matt than Brady.

Unfortunately, as soon as Matt opened his mouth to speak to me, Rachel appeared on the other side of me, Angela in her arms, chewing on her hair. I don’t like Rachel, reason being, she’s Matt’s girlfriend, simple as that. Not just his girlfriend either, she’s five years older than him, and he’s heart set on marrying her. It’s a pain in the heart just thinking about it. Apparently Rachel was raped at age seventeen (Which is a year younger than how old Matt is now) and kept the baby (Angela) because of some religious beliefs or some shit. Whatever, I think she’s a whore, just because she’s so public about the fact that she was raped. I love her daughter though, and I thank the rapist for my Angela.

Matt’s future daughter in law.

I sighed just looking at him as he and Rachel struck up a conversation. I can tell he’s in love with her because when she’s talking, there’s no one else there, when he’s with her, it seems like no one else matters. Just like how things are when I’m with Matt. I hate the way he looks at her, because I want it to be the way he looks at me, the way I look at him. Doesn’t he even notice?

But then, I don’t want him to notice. If he notices, who knows what he’ll do, Rachel is a strong Catholic and while Matt hasn’t shown any signs of religion, I don’t know his opinion on my kind… I mean, people like me. I just feel I have to assume he’ll hate me, I don’t know why, but I do it anyway, it’s gotten be this far without losing him.

Matt told me once that he loved Rachel, and that the age difference didn’t matter because they were in love. We argued, and he told me that love knows no age, I don’t think he’d say the same thing about gender. But I think I’d be a dick to use that against him if the conversation ever came up, but even with Brady hanging around, it never did come up.

Matt and I didn’t get to talk anymore before class started, and there isn’t much room for conversation during practice. I make a mental note to ask him to lunch after class is over. I mean, not to lunch, just if he wants to go get some lunch… with me. I’m sure he’ll end up dragging Rachel and Angela along though, so I’ll have to get Brady as well.

On second thought, all of that defeats the purpose, I’ll just go home after class.

A/n- Short. Yes. Uber short.

This is because… well… because… because I wanted to update. . Yup, and that’s it. -. Not to mention, shorter chapters mean faster chapters which means less time you have to wait for updates :D. Yey…. Right?

Humor me, all right this is a Short Story (possibly Novella) after all, all my other stories will continue with decent chapter lengths x3. –cough cough.- And thanks everyone for the great reviews! I didn’t know so many people would have been interested in the teaser x3. But it’s nice to see. I hope the first chapter is good for you!