Tests of Friendship

Published on Jan 30, 2000

Gay

Chapter Twelve:

Well, we've reached a whole dozen now, wow. When I started this story back in July, I never suspected I'd still be working on it into the New Year. As I'm writing this intro it's December 29th, 8:31pm GMT, and I'm sitting in front of the TV watching Sliders, just having finished the first chapter of Micheal Crichton's 'Timeline'. Well that's the little exert from my life for a while. As I said at the end of the last chapter, we're reverting back to Simon and Justin for most of this chapter. I've been giving it some thought on some interesting ideas for this chapter, but I have a feeling that it might be a plain chapter on the whole. Then again I might get so far and have some inspiration on some idea or other, we'll see. I've been reading through my story, not the whole thing, just bit's and pieces, and I realised just who rubbish some of it is, I'd never have dreamt of doing some work like I have done for essay's, but it's been churned out once or twice in here. From here on, I'll be doing my best to improve my writing style and deal with some things slightly better. I hope the new year is all treating you well anyway, and I'd love to hear from any readers I still have left, new or old. I don't care what you say, I just like to know my story is being read and enjoyed by people. And, the most important bit of all this, HAPPY BIRTHDAY JUSTIN! I'm going to try and get this chapter done and published on the 31st. Anyway, I'm rambling again, so I'll get onto the legal stuff before getting onto the story. This story is fictional in every way and intends to imply nothing about the sexuality of any of the characters involved, real or fictional. The story is copyrighted to it's author. Anyway, now on with the show! Oh yes, this is at the same time as the previous chapter, continuing shortly after chapter ten left off.

Chapter Twelve:

"Yes, I'm aware of that completely, and I know that it might take time to get everything fully confirmed and authorised, but I would greatly appreciate it if the process would take as little time as possible."

"I'm sure sir, but we need to get some information from the British authorities before we can confirm or deny your immigration request, and even longer until we can even consider your request for American citizenship Mr. Williams."

"Well, thank you for your efforts ma'am, I'll be in touch to see how matters are progressing." I said placing the receiver down. I'd been on the phone for the past hour virtually attempting to apply for American citizenship. What I finally got out of it was a meeting with some upshot office worker in a week's time, while they attempted to get information on me from the British embassy or whatever. Thank God I never went into politics, as far as I was concerned it was a nightmare, far too much beaurocracy with far too little ever getting done. One hour on the phone had accomplished virtually nothing. The rush as yet wasn't that drastic, I still had 6 months on my US visa, and my application for residency would most likely go through. I couldn't see any reason now that I wouldn't get dual nationality right now, but even if I didn't get it, that wouldn't be the end of the world.

Two arms grabbing round my waste and pulling me over onto the floor brought me out from my world of thought and back to reality. I crashed onto the sofa, Justin landing besides me, who was laughing at his actions.

"That took you long enough, we can have some fun now!"

"Stop being so frisky, don't you even want to know what happened?"

"I was listening on the extension, you didn't accomplish too much from your initial request. So unless you turn out to be some kind of serial killer, I doubt you'll have too much trouble getting in! The US embassy granted you a 6 month visa weaver before, so doesn't that count?"

"I'm not into any of that sort of stuff, just give me some cars any day and I'll be happy!"

"What, you mean I don't make you happy?" Justin said with a cute pout. I just had to lean forwards and give him a quick kiss, despite the fact Lynn was only upstairs in the shower. Jonathan was with us for another week before he was going back to his Dad's. I had absolutely no idea where he was now though. I quickly broke apart from Justin and smartened myself up a little.

"No, you don't make me happy, you make me ecstatic, you make my life complete." I whispered into his ear before walking into the kitchen and getting myself a glass of orange juice. The past few days had been great, I'd not had any seizures (touch wood), I'd been happier than I'd ever been, despite the events of the past few weeks.

I returned back to the lounge and sat near, but not squashed up next to Justin. I heard bounding footsteps running into the room and turned round to see Jonathan come and jump in between the two of us before looking eagerly up to each others. "And what does the little one here want?"

"Would you play with me please?" he asked, his little face beaming.

"Hmmm, what do you think Justin, should we go play with him?"

"I suppose it wouldn't hurt too much, what would you like to do?"

"Er... we could go swimming, or play video games?"

"I have a much better game, it's called tickle Jonathan!" Justin said quickly before diving in, Jonathan bursting out in giggles. I sat back while Justin played with his little brother, a close family relationship being more than evident, as a single tear welled up in my eye, trickling down the side of my face. Justin noticed this and stopped tickling Jonathan for a second before leaning over to wipe it from my face. Jonathan looked on in curiosity, but didn't bother to question it.

"Well, let's see, it's now just about noon, so we could go out and get you some lunch or something. We can think what to do from there?"

"Yeah, ok then." Justin said, standing up sending Jonathan upstairs to go put some socks and shoes on. "Simon, why did you cry earlier?"

"Oh, nothing, just one of those things, I got caught up in the past for a second or two. Don't worry about it."

"And what about your medication, I've not seen you take any since you got here."

"Let me worry about that, I've been taking it, you're not around me all the time you know!" I said, regretting the tone I'd adopted as soon as I said it. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have got annoyed at you, you were just watching out for me. Don't worry about it though, I'm doing just fine. Let's just enjoy our time for the next few days before you have to get back to work."

"Oh yeah, work. I've been thinking about what to do with you coming on the.... Oh, you ready Jonathan?" We walked over to the door. Justin set the alarm and locked the door before we climbed into the waiting Mercedes. Justin put the car into drive and drove off.

"Where are we going Just?"

"I don't know, let's see where we end up. I was thinking McDonalds's maybe?"

"Not been there in a while, this is Jonathan's trip out is it not?"

"Ok then, is McDonald's ok with you or did you want to go somewhere else?"

"That's fine, I'm just hungry!" Justin pulled out onto the 192 spending a few minutes before pulling into a McDonald's parking lot. We all hopped out the car, while Justin pulled on a baseball cap, leaving his sunglasses on. We caught up with Jonathan who was already through the doors waiting up near the counter.

"What do you want little guy?" I asked, leaning down a litle.

"Er... what are you having?"

"Great, you're one of them are you! You first."

"I'll have a BigMac, fries, chocolate shake, and er..., that'll do for now.

I can come back and get more later."

"Ok then. Justin?"

"I'll have the same as Jonathan."

"Ok then, 3 BigMacs, three large fries, three chocolate shakes. Boy, don't we have a lot of variety." I said to the waiting attendant, who typed in our order before disappearing for a few seconds to get it all together. "We are eating here aren't we?"

"Yeah, sure. We might as well. By the time we get home, they'll be cold."

After a minute or so the attendant had the order together and I quickly gave him the money before Justin had a chance. He glared at me a little, before he took the tray over to a secluded corner table. "We won't be here too long, so what shall we do when we've finished?"

"None of us have been around here for a while, so how about we go to a park? The only problem is you getting recognised and mobbed by fans."

"Yeah, it's happened before. Most of them stay back and just look though. What would you like to do?" He said, glancing towards Jonathan, who's mouth was open wide, taking a big bite from his burger. He tried to talk, but all we got were muffled noises, causing both of us to laugh a little. When he'd finished his mouthful he spoke up.

"Can we go Disney for a few hours?"

"Which part?"

"Magic Kingdom, I like it there. I can go see Mickey again."

"How many times is again out of curiosity?" I asked

"Maybe 10 or so. I like it there."

"Ok then, we can go and spend a few hours down there, till about 6 or so. Then we'll head back. Mom'll be back by then, so she'll watch Jonathan while we meet up with the rest of the guys." Justin said authoritatively, his tone causing me to smile at him slightly. He gave me a flash of his indescribable smile, before he set back into his food.

Several hours later...

"I've said it before and I'll say it again, that kid does not run out of energy. He must have managed to fit most of the rides in the park in the few hours we were there." I said, collapsing on the lounge sofa.

"I know, but he's great though. I miss him when we're away, shame he can't come with us."

"Go with you on tour, I can imagine it now, he'd wreak havoc!"

"Hey, he's cute."

"So, he could still wreak havoc!"

"Ok then, you win. Mom's not back yet is she?"

"It's your house."

"I've not seen her, unless she's gone bed early or something."

"That's good, I haven't had chance to do this since we left England." Justin said, leaning over to me, pressing his lips up against mine, moving his tongue into my mouth. He pushed me back down onto the sofa, laying on top of me, not breaking the kiss.

"Justin?" I quiet voice said from the direction of the staircase. Justin pulled away quickly, turning bright red as he saw his little brother looking on in curiosity, clearly not understanding what he had just seen, his face portraying his confusion at what he was seeing, his expression would have probably been humorous at any other time.

"Er.. ye... yes Jon?"

"What were you two just doing?"

"Well, it's, well, it's, hard to explain. You see, me and Simon, well, we..."

"We were just..." I tried to bail Justin out

"You were kissing weren't you?"

"Yes, Jonathan, we were."

"But I thought men kissed women?"

"They do, they do. I'm not certain how to explain this to you. You know how people love each other, like your mom and dad? Well, you see, Simon and me are like that, except we're not a man and a woman, but two men. We still love each other the same though. Do you understand what I'm trying to say?"

"Do men love men then?" "Sometimes, some people are attracted to other men, rather than women. When men like other men, or women love other women, they're gay or lesbian. They're terms invented to describe something people didn't understand, a lot of people still don't." Justin continued, motioning for Jon to come and sit down in between them.

"You mustn't tell Lynn about this though, not yet. You see, she doesn't know that Justin and me are gay and in love. We're going to tell her, but not quite yet. For now, you can't tell anyone this. You see, some people think being gay is wrong, and if people knew that Justin was gay, it could hurt his career, as well as 'N Sync in general."

"Is it wrong?"

"What, being gay. No, it's not wrong, it's just different. Some people don't understand it, and they're afraid of things they don't understand, so they call us bad and evil, they have lots of nasty names and such why they use to describe us."

"Ok then, I'll won't tell anyone, I'll keep it a secret!"

"What did you come down for anyway?"

"My room's hot, the air conditioning isn't on." Justin frowned a little before walking over to the climate control unit in the cloak room.

"Yeah, the bedrooms have been turned off. Ok then, you go back upto bed. It should be on now." Justin said, ruffling Jonathan's hair, before sitting down next to me.

"You think we'll be ok?"

"Yeah, Jonathan won't say anything. He'll have probably forgotten about it tomorrow morning anyway." Justin replied, putting his arm round me. He quickly pulled back when he heard the key turning in the door, Lynn walking in.

"Oh, hi boys. Have a nice day?"

"Yeah, we entertained Jon for the day. What have you been doing?"

"Oh, been on business all day, all boring stuff. I'm off to bed then, I'm quite tired. I'll see you two tomorrow morning." Lynn said, heading up the stairs.

"Well, it looks like we're alone again. I'll miss being in the same bed as you, I did last night."

"I missed you too, seemed weird to be alone in the bed after the past few weeks."

"We can't risk it here anyway. When do you plan on telling your mum?"

"Now Jonathan knows, I suppose we better tell her soon. Mom's open minded, I don't think it'll bother her, well, I hope it won't."

"I wonder how Brian and John got on?"

"Don't know, but they're due back soon, I'm sure we'll find out. We never did end up going out with the guys did we. It completely slipped my mind. We were out later than expected with Jonathan anyway. I'm surprised no one rang me on my mobile though." Justin said reaching out to his phone. "Oh, they did. Lance rang at 6.05. What time is it?"

"Er, almost ten."

"I'll give him a ring back." Justin said, pressing the speed dial for Lance's number. "Hey, Lance, it's Justin. No, I wasn't in before, I didn't hear it ring Yeah, we were down at Disney with Jon. Yeah, we can still go out if you like, I'll just ask Si." I just nodded to the one side of the conversation I was receiving. "Yeah, meet you there in say twenty five minutes? Ok then, see ya then."

"Well then, where we going?"

"They're all down at Rosie O'Grady's, having some fun from the sounds of it, I could only just hear what Lance was saying."

"Ok then, do you think I need to get changed?"

"You look cute whatever you wear."

"From an unbiased opinion."

"You look fine, I'm sure you'll have the ladies all over you."

"I think they might flock towards you more like."

"Yeah, I suppose you're right, with all my charm, wit, charisma. How could they chose you over me."

"Shut up! Go get your car keys." I said laughing, playfully punching Justin in the arm.

"Si, you've not taken your medication today."

"Haven't I? I'll go upstairs and take them then." I said, still smiling. I went into my room and took the tablets from the bedside table. I swallowed one before straightening my clothes up and quickly brushing my hair after it had become a bit disordered. Justin was already at the door when I got back downstairs, and we walked out to his car.

Justin pulled his Mercedes into a parking space on the Church Street parking lot, before we crossed the road to the busy night spot. Justin purchased us a couple of tickets before we walked inside, and attempted to find the guys through the variety of bars. After a minute or so of wondering, we found the whole group of N Sync minus JC sitting round a largish table, along with AJ. We pulled up a chair and sat down with them. I wasn't certain how comfortable the atmosphere would be with Chris after not seeing each other for a day or so, but he seemed to be quite civil. The evening went on for a few hours, a few drinks flowing. Justin stayed off for the most part though, having a couple of Budweisers. I didn't think it would be fair on me to stop him from relaxing, especially since last time was more due to his drink being spiked rather than drinking. We stayed till about midnight, before Justin suggested we head back to his house. We all dissipated then, everyone going back to their respective residencies. I watched Justin carefully before letting him drive the car back home. I had no intention of letting him drive if I considered him to be drunk. The ride back was conducted in silence, Justin turning to me when he pulled up in the driveway, to notice I was slumped back in the chair.

"Simon?" he said, shaking me to see if I had just fallen to sleep. He got out the car and walked round to my side, pulling me out the car, and before carrying/dragging me out the car towards the house. He opened the door and laid me down on the sofa, before going out to lock his car up, and then the door. I was still out of it as he came and sat down next to me on the sofa.

Just to be safe, he checked my pulse, seeming relieved when he was sure I wasn't dead. Fifteen minutes later, I was still unconscious, and Justin was beginning to get worried. He walked into my room and found the information leaflet I had been given in Germany and started reading through to see what it said about how long fits should last. Another ten minutes later, I was still out of it.

"Simon, come on, wake up, please." He said, resting his head on my chest, a few tears in his eyes. I sort of registered Justin's voice and my eyes flickered open to see Justin lying there. I moved my hand onto his head and ran my fingers through his hair.

"Justin, come on, I'm ok. I'm up, stop crying." I said, pulling him into a hug. He grabbed onto me, pulling me into a tight hug, before giving me a long kiss. I was surprised and taken back by his reaction. I returned the kiss, and we stayed like that for what seemed lie ages. We must have fell asleep in each others arms on the sofa, because the next thing we were being woke up by Lynn shaking on our shoulders. Justin sat bolt upright, giving me a fright, but then I realised what his reaction was due to. Lynn was standing over us, her face showing little or no emotion. I could see the look of terror on Justin's face at his mom's reaction.

"Mom we were, well..."

"Sleeping in each other's arms, I noticed. Got anything to tell me?"

"I suppose so. You see, Simon and me are sort of, well, you know..."

"In a relationship?"

"Yes."

"Ok then. Do you want to come and get some breakfast?"

"That's it, you're not mad at me, you're not going to shout at the fact your son's gay?"

"No, you're my son, you don't think I realized you were gay? I could tell from the moment you two walked into the house that you were in love, you had that look in your eyes, you both cheered up when you saw each other. Of course I didn't want my son to be gay, but there's not much I can do about it really is there, so I might as well be happy for you."

"You knew, how long?"

"I've known for years. You used to buy all those magazines, and the pictures you used to have on your computer while you were doing the MMC. I'm not blind to what's going on around me. I tried to pass it as a phase, but I'm your mom, deep down, I suppose it was just a gut feeling, even before I found any evidence." Lynn said, before pausing a second. "What matters now though, I might have been against it at first, and tried to deny that my son wasn't gay, there's no changing who you are, and you're still my son!" she finished, smiling, pulling her son into a hug, while Justin turned bright red at the mention of those pictures.

"And you young man, come here. Now you're in a relationship with my son, you're family."

"Wow, I must say I didn't imagine you being so open it all. Thank you for accepted the relationship we're in though Lynn." I replied, before I got pulled into a hug myself. I must say, this unexpected show of affection by line most certainly took me by surprise. I was on the almost on the verge of crying, but I just managed to control my emotions. A warm smile from Lynn said everything that needed to be said, and I returned it as best I could.

"Wow! That was easier than I'd prepared for. We were going to tell you later today, and I was terrified of your reaction. I never dreamt you might know even." Justin said, putting his arm round my waist.

"Now, I don't mind you two being together, but be careful around Jonathan, because it will be upto you to explain yourselves if he caught you together.

This could potentially damage your career if it got out. Now, I know you realise that, and that you're being careful and everything, but that thing on the radio with Brian got back here even, despite the fact it was refuted, and how it turned out to be a fake."

"It wasn't a fake. Howie sent it into the radio station."

"What, why did he do that?"

"To break him and John up, he wasn't happy with them being together. I wasn't going to tell you this, but Chris tried to break Simon and me up a couple of times. He made Simon run back to England from what he said, how I didn't love him.

"And what else? There's something your not telling me here."

"Chris and Howie, well, they sorta drugged me and Nick with some stuff they brought at a club, and we almost ended up sleeping together. I can't remember it, but JC and Simon walked in on us. They stayed at the hotel while we went clubbing. Simon being epileptic and all, I wouldn't let him go, and he wouldn't let me stay. JC stayed at the hotel with him."

"Why didn't you tell me this before! What on earth was Chris thinking doing something so stupid! I'm getting him on the phone right now."

"MOM. It's all been sorted out, we had a talk, don't bring it all back up again, just let it rest."

"But..." Lynn said, before hesitating a second. "Ok then, I won't bring it up. Is their anything else you haven't told me?"

"No, I think that's about it."

"Ok then. How about we go and get some breakfast. You can tell me a bit more about yourself. Justin filled me in that your parents had died a while back, that you'd been diagnosed with epilepsy, but I don't know that much more than that." Lynn said, before looking over towards me

"Ok then, I'll never say no to some breakfast!" I said walking into the kitchen with Justin and Lynn. After a few minutes I decided to churp up the conversation. "Well then, a little bit more about me. As Just told you, my parents died a few years ago, I was at the start of my university course at the time. Going a bit before that, it's a pretty normal life Went to private schools, got good grades, got into a good university."

"Which one?"

"Cambridge, I read physics with computer science, followed by post grad. I did the whole thing slightly accelerated, I finished in 4 years odd, I shaved a couple of years off by shaving down the physics side of the course slightly and concentrating my post grad into computer science only. It helped that I new exactly where to go with my project work, it was just a case of getting an idea working properly which I'd started a while back, knowing that it would count as my main research project. Somehow in between this, I managed to help run a car dealership, my Dad's partner did most of it though. When my course finished, I took over a large amount of the running of the dealerships myself, the business and buying side anyway, and let John do the retail aspect."

"Give it a few weeks, and I met Justin here after running into the guys limo on the way back from their concert."

"Yeah, what would we have done if your brakes hadn't failed and you weren't paying enough attention to the road!"

"Hey, I was paying attention to the road, your driver was going too slow!" I replied, sticking my tongue out quickly. Justin smiled, while Lynn just rolled her eyes.

"You two, honestly. Jonathan is better behaved than that!"

The rest of the day past quickly, Justin and myself going out to help Lynn do some grocery shopping. We'd returned by about 3pm, and as Justin entered the house, he ran to the ringing phone.

"Hello?"

"Hi Justin, it's Lance. Got a little bad news for you I'm afraid. Management called and we've got some work tomorrow. We're doing a radio interview regarding the next leg of our US tour, and on Friday, we're flying upto New York to appear on Rosie about the next leg of the US tour. Tonight, We're supposed to be doing a chat on AOL, it completely slipped my mind to tell you, but it's been scheduled a couple of weeks now."

"Great, I thought we still had a few more days off. Ok then Lance. What are we doing tonight?"

"I'll be round to pick you up at about 7:30. It's being done over the phone at the recording studios, and it's expected to last less than an hour.

Anyway, see ya later mate."

"Ok, see ya Lance." Justin said, before hanging up. "I'm sorry Si, I've got some bad news. It looks like work will be starting earlier than expected. We're off to New York in a couple of days, we've got a radio interview tomorrow and a chat tonight."

"Don't worry about it. It's just a couple of days earlier than originally expected."

"Will you come with me?"

"We'll see. I'd like to, but I expect someone else might have a say in this considering you'll only be gone a short time. I might not be able to come on tour with you all the time either, not until all my immigration proceedings are sorted out anyway. You start the next leg of the tour in about 9 or 10 days time, and I don't know if they will be happy with me parading the country on a temporary visa. Let's be more concerned with the here and now though."

"Ok then. Since I'll be going down the studio tonight, you'll probably best stay here and keep an eye on Jonathan, since I know you were going out tonight mom."

"Yes, I was planning on it. I could sta..."

"No, I'll stay here tonight and keep an eye on Jonathan, you two go out and do whatever you have to do." I replied, resting a bit further down on Justin.

"Talking of Jonathan, where's he got to since we get back home?"

"He went straight up stairs. Speak of the devil." I said as Jonathan ran down the stairs sounding like a herd of elephants.

A few more hours passed, as we all watched TV and listened to some music for a while. I think both Justin amd myself just wanted to be in each others company for as much time as possible. Before we knew it, it was 7pm, and Lynn left us. Half an hour later, the doorbell rang, and Lance had arrived to pick up Justin.

"Ok, the keys for my car are in the kitchen if you need to get out."

"I can't drive."

"Oh yeah, er.., you've got my mobile number if you need to contact me, and my mom's. You know where all the food is, pizza and stuff are in the phone book at the side of the phone in the kitchen. If you need anything at all, just ring."

"Ok ok, I'm a big boy now! Now, go go!" I said, ushering him out, before giving him a quick kiss on the cheek. I closed and locked the door before returning to where Jonathan had got out his Playstation. I plugged it into the TV for him, and had a game of 'Driver' for about half an hour. We were getting along fine, I'd always liked kids, I used to babysit back when I was 15 or 16 for neighbours. The doorbell rang at about 8:10, and I walked over to the door, and looked through the peephole.

The end of yet another chapter.

Well, this is probably my shortest one yet, but I wanted to get something out for Justin's bday as I said, and this was a very convenient place to end. Now, I would like some opinions from my readers, as the feedback I got from last chapter was extremely small. I'm working on another story, and if this story has no/very few readers, I will bring it to a decent and respectable end over the next couple of chapters. If you are reading, please tell me! I am happy to go on with the story, or put all my attention into producing as gooder story as possible on my new one. It's entirely upto you. But I received only one email in the first three days of my last chapter, and then another one or two from other authors who were kind enough to read my story after my sig. If you read the story, like it, dislike it, hate it, email me, just say 'hi i like your story' even. I want to know whether I would be better devoting the small amount of free time I have to the new story I'm working on. Trekster2@hotmail.com or trekkiead@yahoo.com . I love feedback from you, it makes me happy, it makes me want to get chapters out as quickly as possible, since I know someone is liking and appreciating what I'm doing. That's it anyway. Until next time, Yours Ad.

Next: Chapter 13


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