This is my first story ever. Please, R/R. All are welcome.

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"text" = indicates conversations ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*~*

So there he was. Standing with his friends encircling him, protecting him from the outside. They were always with him. He was never alone. Never. And on the rare occasions when he was, it was always the most inconvenient time to approach him.

He was always popular, even in 8th grade. And now he's a senior, captain of the football team. Star player, guaranteed scholarships to any school he wants. At first, I always figured he liked girls. And then the rumors started; and of course, I couldn't get enough of 'em. Some were saying he and his best friend were fooling around together, others were saying he picked some guy off the street and took him home.

Once the rumors started, that's when hope arose. What if I could approach him, talk to him, maybe even date him. What if, dare I say it, he started liking me. We could go out all the time, be together, fall asleep in each other's arms.

And that's when it hit me. Who am I kidding? Sean Cowan, the most popular guy in school, fall for me? But, what if it did happen? Is it worth the risk? Sure, the payoff would be awesome, being Sean's boyfriend. But do I really want to put my heart out there, open myself to rejection. If I don't, it would've probably turned into the greatest thing in the world. And if I do, knowing my luck, I'll get my heart broken into a million pieces, kneeling down to pick them up as he strides past, head held high.

After much thought, I realized that I had to try. I just had to. There was no choice, none at all. If the rumors are true, then I've got a chance at the best romance possible. If they aren't, on the other hand, then Sean Cowan will know I'm gay, and he'll probably tell everyone else. And then my high-school life is over. But I have to try; I owe it to my heart.

Finally, I've made my decision, I must go through with it. For better or for worse, this is the way it has to be. So I walk through the halls, waiting to find the perfect opportunity. It's gotta come, it just has to. I feel like a lost puppy, desperately searching for its' master. And that's when I see him: standing at his locker, running his fingers through his hair. God, he looks so magnificent. Like an angel sent from Heaven.

'Now's my chance,' I think, 'It's now or never, and it's gotta be now.' So I walk over, as casually as possible. My hands are sweaty as hell and my heart is beating so fast I can feel it in my temples. I hope I can speak; it feels like my heart jumped into my throat, threatening to ruin this perfect chance. 'I can't let it; this is my chance. maybe my only chance.'

I clear my throat. "Ahem, uh, S-Sean? Can I, uh, talk? With you, I mean?"

'God, I must sound like a complete idiot. He'll never wanna talk now.'

He looks at me, sparkling green eyes looking directly into mine. I can't tell if he smiled or not, but I hope he did. "Uh, yeah, I guess so. Hey, aren't you that kid in my physics class. Geeze, what's your name?"

'He remembered me from physics! At least one good thing came of that class!' "Name's Jared. Yeah, I'm in your physics class. I think I sit behind you."

"Oh," he says, in a bit of a weird way. "Well, did you need the notes, 'cause if you need them, feel free to borrow them." He tossed his physics notebook at me, turning to walk away at the same time.

I clear my throat again. "Well actually, I don't need the notes for class. I wanted to, er, know, if you wanted to, uh, hang out some time?" My heart is racing, beating quicker and quicker.

He stops, and thinks a moment or two. "Uh, sure, I suppose so. You could help me study for that big physics exam coming up next week." He scribbled something on a piece of paper, and handed it to me. "This is my number. Gimme a call tonight around 9:00, and we'll set up our little study session. After school doesn't work for me," He took the paper and scribbled down what appeared to be an address. "Here's my address. After you call, we'll set up a day and time for you to come over. You drive, right?"

I shook my head "No, I don't have my license yet. I'm getting it in two weeks, though."

He thought for a second, "Well then, I'll just stop by your house to pick you up, and then afterwards, I'll take you home." With that, he walked away, turning his head long enough to say "Call me."

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Let me know what you think. R/R, PLEASE!