After dinner I invited Devin to come home and spend the night with me. He hesitated at first, but David and his father encouraged him to go. It would be the first time in several years he had gotten out of the house for a night.
On the way home, he kept his leg pressed to mine. I couldn’t figure out if he was doing it intentionally, or just because there wasn’t a lot of room in the cab of Alex’s truck. I was hoping he was doing it on purpose.
I had heard the phrase that sometimes people just grow on you. I think that is what was happening with Devin. When I first saw him, I just thought he was just a small, nerdy boy. I really didn’t find him too appealing. But the more time I spent with him, the more I was beginning to be attracted to him.
I no longer saw him as small and helpless. After I became aware of the burdens he was carrying around on his shoulders, I realized that he was perhaps one of the strongest people I knew. Sure, he had nightmares and was sometimes moody, but he came to school every day and made good grades. He talked about becoming a lawyer and helping disadvantaged people.
He never complained about anything. He just seemed to take life one day at a time. I guess being in a deadly car accident, he was aware of just how elusive life can be. The more time I spent with him, the more I admired the strength of his character.
That night I explained to him some things about my past. I told him how I had bullied people, particularly Mark and Bobby. He listened intently as I talked. He held my hand when I told him why I had come to live in Arkansas. Tears formed in his eyes when I told him about the humiliation I had experienced by the revenge Mark, Bobby, Richard, Randall and Ryan had inflicted upon me.
“I still feel bad about how I acted,” I confessed.
“Look what they did to you, though,” he responded angrily.
“I really deserved it,” I said. “I was such an jerk. Someday I want to call and apologize to them.”
“Why?” I knew he couldn’t understand why I felt the need to talk to them again. He only saw the humiliation they put me through. I felt a need for closure. However, I didn’t want to call until I knew I was truly happy.
“It’s just something I feel like I need to do,” I told him. He lay on his side as I snuggled in beside him. I wrapped my arm protectively around him and pulled him closer. He took my arm and clutched it, while I kissed him on the back of his neck. Moments later, we were both asleep.
We were sitting on my bed watching television the next morning when Alex came into the room and joined us. Aunt Marie and Melanie had gone shopping for the day. He threw himself across the bed, crushing us.
“Get off me, you big oaf,” I laughed. I pushed him off me and onto the floor. Devin was howling with laughter.
“Oh, you think it’s funny?” He grabbed Devin and held him upside down. Devin was wiggling around, trying to break free. I jumped on Alex’s back, yelling at him to let him go.
I tackled him to the bed, and Devin and I jumped on him and pinned him. He could have gotten up if he wanted to, but he pretended like he was trapped. Devin kept poking his fingers into Alex’s sides, but Alex wasn’t ticklish. After several minutes, we collapsed breathless on the bed.
“That was fun,” Devin giggled. “I like being treated like one of the guys.”
“You are one of the guys, Sport.” Alex grabbed him into a hug and gave him a noogie as he squealed wildly.
He let him go and we rested on the bed, watching television. I had my head on Alex’s chest, and Devin was using my leg as a head rest.
“I wish I could have been a football player,” Devin suddenly spoke.
“Why, so you could have people cheer for you?” I asked.
“No.” I looked down and Devin was beginning to blush. I thought it was strange.
“Then why?” I asked curiously. Alex looked at me and shrugged his shoulders.
“Nothing,” he said shyly. “Forget it.” He got off the bed and walked dejectedly out of the room.
“What was that all about?” I asked Alex.
“Beats me,” responded Alex. We lay for a minute until Alex suddenly shot up in bed.
“I got it!” He looked at me and grinned wickedly. “He wants to be initiated!” He slapped me on my shoulder and started to get out of bed.
“Come on.” He started laughing.
“What are you going to do?” I asked excitedly.
“We have an initiation to perform,” he said, as he took off his shorts and underwear. He turned to me naked and said, “Come on. Get naked.”
I stripped and tiptoed across the hall to the restroom. Alex threw the door open as Devin stood at the sink washing his hands. His eyes widened when he saw us charging at him with no clothes on.
“Turn on the cold water, Scott,” he ordered as he grabbed Devin and held him. He then reached for the shaving cream. Devin was shouting for Alex to turn him loose.
After I turned on the shower, Alex drug Devin in and held him under the cold water. I stepped in and helped. Devin was wiggling and squirming, shouting that he was going to catch pneumonia.
“Why are you doing this?” he shouted, “and why are you naked?” He kept looking down at our bodies. It was the first time he had ever seen me naked.
“You’re getting initiated, Sport,” laughed Alex.
“No!” He screamed as Alex leaned down and removed his shoes and socks. I grabbed his shirt and pulled it over his head. His body was milky white, hairless and smooth. He was extremely thin. I could almost place my hands around his small waist.
He kept looking down at it me Once he even let his hand rub against me. Alex took his shorts and underwear at the waist, and in one movement, Devin stood naked between us. Alex reached down and turned off the water.
Devin cupped himself with his hands.
“Come on, Devin.” Alex looked down at him and winked. “You have to join us to be initiated properly. It’s all right. We’re not going to hurt you.”
“You want out?” Alex dropped his arm from around Devin’s shoulder. “You can leave if you want to. I just thought this is what you wanted.”
Devin stood quietly looking down at the bathtub floor. I looked over at Alex and shrugged. We both felt that we’d gone too far. Perhaps this wasn’t what he had wanted.
Devin looked at us and then he dropped his hand. He looked up into my face and grinned. Alex looked over and gave me a smile of relief.
Alex grabbed the shaving cream and said, "Let the initiation begin!" Seconds later, Devin was covered in white cream. Alex looked at me and nodded. I reached down and started rubbing the front of Devin. He started moaning loudly.
It didn't take him long before it was over. He stood breathless with his arm around my waist.
Alex said, “That was fun. Definitely the best initiation ever.”
I looked over at Devin, and he was grinning ear to ear. “Really?” he asked. “The best ever?”
“The best ever.” Alex reached over and tousled his wet hair. We helped him wash off the shaving cream from his body. Devin reached out and gently touched me when he thought Alex wasn’t looking. Alex noticed and gave me a wink.
We toweled off and Devin and I ran naked back to my room. I had to find him something dry to wear. It was difficult to find him anything that fit. I gave him a pair of my sweatpants and then pinned them so they wouldn’t fall off his body. I also gave him a tee shirt that was a little tight on me. It draped over his shoulders.
He looked so cute in my larger clothing. I don’t know what possessed me, but I walked over and hugged him tightly. He put his arms around me and squeezed.
“Thanks, Scott,” he said into my chest. “This has been the best day ever.” I squeezed him tighter.
We were sitting in the den watching a movie when David came walking in. Devin was snuggled up against me on the couch. He sat down and gave Devin a puzzled look.
“Why do you have Scott’s clothes on?” he asked. “Where are your clothes?”
“Wet,” Devin responded without thinking. He looked over at David, and his face began to turn red. Alex started rolling around in his chair, laughing hysterically.
“You didn’t?” David asked in disbelief.
“Yep,” laughed Alex. “We did. Devin’s been initiated.” David got up out of his chair, walked over to Devin and high-fived him.
“Congratulations,” exclaimed David, as Devin’s face beamed with pride. “You’re now one of the guys.”
Devin blushed a crimson red when we told David about his initiation. He laughed wildly when we told him how we had surprised him in the bathroom. I had to stand and do an impression of his surprised look. Devin couldn’t stop laughing.
The following week at school Devin never left my side. Wherever I was, he was. We began to look like conjoined twins. I kept teasing him about his initiation. .
My grades were also improving. I had always been a good student, but I had never put in an effort to do anything more than what was expected. However, being around Devin, I had to do more. We always got together after football practice at his house to do our homework. He’d never allow us to do anything until we had finished. I kept begging him to take a break and play a video game, but he would refuse. I guess that was why he maintained a straight ‘A’ average.
I hinted a few times about taking another shower together, but he would ignore me or change the subject. I promised him that shaving cream wouldn't be a part of it. I had a feeling he wanted to, but something was holding him back. I knew with my sexual experience that I shouldn’t pressure him to do anything he didn’t want to do; so I left it alone.
We lost our game the next Friday. We were playing the division champions for the past three years, so we knew we didn’t have a chance going into the game. However, we were satisfied that we had kept the score low. They only beat us by seven points. The year before, they had won by 36.
We celebrated as if we had won. Mr. Gordon took us out to dinner as usual. People still stopped and talked to me as we headed for our usual table. This time I was happy when people stopped Alex and David and congratulated them as well.
After dinner, Devin asked me to spend the night with him. Alex and David said they were going to our home so they could stay up late and party. We drove home with Mr. Gordon.
When we arrived at the Gordon home, Devin excused himself to go to his room and change. I was sitting at the kitchen table drinking a soda and snacking on cookies with his father. He kept looking over at me and smiling.
“I want to thank you, Scott.” He looked at me and smiled. “You have no idea how much of a change I’ve seen in Devin since you’ve become his friend.”
“Thank you, Sir.” I didn’t know what else to say.
“He hasn’t had a nightmare or a headache in the past two weeks,” he said. “You’re the best medicine for him.”
I started to blush. I wasn’t sure if his father knew Devin and I were gay, but it sounded like he wanted us to be together. Devin walked in and saw me blushing. He told me to get my milk and cookies and bring them to his room. I gladly did as he told me.
“What was my father saying to you?” he asked worriedly.
“Nothing,” I assured him. “Everything’s all right.” He gave me a skeptical look, but he didn’t ask me anymore questions.
“I’m going to take a shower,” he announced. “You can take one after me.”
He took his pajamas out of the dresser and headed to the bathroom. Minutes later, I heard the shower running.
I stripped and walked to the bathroom door. It was unlocked. I carefully opened it and then walked over to the bathtub. I drew back the shower curtain and saw Devin’s naked body. He was washing his hair under the shower, and he didn’t hear me step in. He jumped when I put my arms around him and pressed my body against his back. He soon relaxed and rested his body against mine.
I turned him around and stared into his eyes. He leaned forward and kissed me. I opened my mouth and returned the kiss as the water ran down our faces. Since Devin had never been with another boy, I took my time. If I sensed that he was uncomfortable, I would stop.
When we finished, I kissed him. He pressed himself into my body and returned the kiss. We held each other and kissed until the water started to turn cold. He quickly turned it off and grabbed the towels. We stood in the tub drying each other off.
We walked back over to his room, put on our underwear, and crawled into bed. Devin rested on his elbow and stared into my eyes.
“Can I be your boyfriend?” he asked hopefully.
“I’d love you to be my boyfriend,” I replied with a gentle kiss.
He lay on his side, and I threw my arm around him, pulling him in tightly to me. He grabbed my arm and held it to him. He let out a deep sigh as his body relaxed against me. I fell asleep minutes later listening to his gentle breathing.
We walked into the kitchen the next morning holding hands. When we entered, David was sitting at the table eating a bowl of cereal. He looked up as Devin let go of my hand. He let a sly smile form on his face.
Devin asked him what he was doing home. He was supposed to be with Alex. "Karen came over last night to keep Alex company,” he explained. “I was in the way, so I came home."
Devin said he had to go to the bathroom, and he go up and left the kitchen.
“You’ve made him happy.” David looked over at me and smiled. “I haven’t seen him like this in four years.”
“He makes me happy too,” I said.
“Good.” He studied me for a minute. “Don’t hurt him, all right?”
“I won’t,” I assured him. “I promise.”
We finished eating breakfast and David drove us to my home. No one was there when we entered. I told Devin to go in the den and wait for me. I went to my room and took out a small box that I had brought from California. I went through it until I found the small piece of paper.
I sat on the couch beside the phone. I motioned for Devin to sit beside me. I looked at him and took a deep breath. He gave me a puzzled look.
“This is something I have to do,” I informed him. “I want you to be here with me.”
I took the receiver and dialed the number on the paper. It rang about four times until I heard a young voice on the other end.
“Hello?” He asked.
“Mark?” My voice shook as I said his name. Devin took my hand and held it.
“Who is this?” Mark asked suspiciously.
“Scott Olsteen,” I said nervously. “Please don’t hang up.”
The phone was silent for about 15 seconds. He was probably trying to decide if he wanted to talk to me. “What do you want, Scott?” he finally asked.
“I’m sorry.” Tears welled up in my eyes. I felt like I wasn’t going to be able to speak to him. Devin continued to squeeze my hand. I took another deep breath.
“I’m sorry for the way I treated you and Bobby,” I said tearfully. “I was wrong, and I’m calling to apologize.” There was another long silence.
“Thanks, Scott,” he finally said. “I’m sorry for what we did to you too.”
“You don’t have to be,” I said. “I deserved it.”
“Maybe,” he continued, “but we didn’t have to be as mean as we were. We should never have done to you what we did.”
“How’s Bobby?” I asked.
“He’s good,” he said. “He’s coming over later.”
“Will you tell him I called and apologized?”
“Yeah, sure,” he responded. “He’ll be glad you called.”
We spent the next thirty minutes talking like old friends. I told him all about Devin, Alex and David. I told him how I had joined the football team. I even went into a little about my background that had caused me to act as I had. He asked if Devin and I could come to California next summer and spend some time with him and Bobby.
He also informed me about Richard and Randall. They were still together. He said they had felt bad for what they did to me. They wouldn’t have done it if they knew I would be shipped off to Arkansas.
“I can’t believe the change in you,” said Mark. “I’m really happy for you. I hope you and Devin are as happy as Bobby and me.”
“I am.” I leaned over and kissed a smiling Devin on the nose. “You’ll like him. He’s a lot like Bobby.”
“Do you mind if I email you sometime?” I asked. “I’d really like to keep in touch.”
“I’d like that too,” replied Mark. We exchanged email addresses.
“Thanks, Mark,” I said. “And I really am sorry.”
“That’s in the past,” he replied. “We’re friends now.”
“Yeah, friends,” I said as tears formed in my eyes.
We spoke for a few more minutes and then said goodbye. I looked over at Devin. He was still smiling at me.
“Feel better?” he asked.
“Yeah.” I gave him a kiss. “Much better.”
For the first time in my life, I was truly happy.
The End