Lets get this over with now: I own "Life's Expectations" and every character in the story. There are some events that have actually happened to me, but all the characters are fictional. If it is illegal for you to to view this in your location, then GTFO. You're probably gonna ignore that so have fun. Boy on boy happens in this story so if your not a fan of that, what are you doing here? Donate to Nifty, cause they give you awesome stories and you love them for it. So go to http://donate.nifty.org/donate.html and donate!
So last chapter Issac got into a bit of trouble defending Nick. He now has Saturday school and had yet to hear form his parents what kind of punishment he's gonna get form them. At the end of the chapter Issac also mentioned that Nick has issues when people make the comments about him.
Meanwhile through all that, Shane wants to have a talk with Lucas. Zach didn't even talk to him about it, but he wanted to do it for Zach. So that's going to be the main focus for this chapter, hopefully. Shane has asked Issac and Gage for help. The problem is only Gage knows this and can't really talk to Issac about it now.
So lets see where my mind wonders and on with the show!
Chapter 12 - Help is on the way
Issac's POV
"Sketchpad and Ipod, now!" Mom has barely been home a second when she called me to have a talk. I think today was the only day Jennifer has been right home from school. The only reason though is to see me get into trouble.
So I went and got my sketchpad and my Ipod and handed them to my mom. She just pointed to the sofa and waited for me to sit down. Then she went into her room to put my stuff away. Probably in her usual hiding spot too.
When she came out Jennifer was waiting to see what would be said. Mom just pointed to our room, "What, I just wanna know what happened."
"Oh, you should know by now. I bet it's gone all the way around the school and back by now!" She wasn't wrong. By fourth period, the last period for that matter, everyone was either saying that I was gay or saying good job. It all depends on who they were friends with.
"Fine, god he gets to listen in when ever I'm in trouble!" And then she slammed the door shut and form the sounds of it tripped onto the bed.
Mom sat down in her spot and just looked at me, "Why Issac did you get into a fight today?"
"I didn't get into a fight!" I didn't, I just kinda almost started one...
"I got a phone call today, at work," that was always mom's 'This is not okay' line. If she gets a call at work about something bad we did it is not okay. "Telling me that a fight was prevented, that you were involved in. Now tell me what happened and let it be the truth or I will ground you too!"
Mom always takes our stuff away and then grounds us. Dad it's usually the other way around... So I told her the whole story from Jake in gym to Jake in the hallway. How Nick just takes the comments, and how I felt I needed to stand up for him. When I finished there was a moment of silence.
"Well, since you were doing a good thing, in the wrong way, you get either your sketchpad or your Ipod back, your choice."
"Ipod please." I can draw on printing paper for a week or two. I don't mind, it's just easier to draw in a sketchpad.
When mom went to go get my Ipod, Jennifer came out, "Bullshit, you get your Ipod back and I get grounded for the stupidest things!"
"That's cause you've been told not to do them and I rarely get in trouble. Plus I was defending my friend!"
"Who was it, your boyfriend form the bus?"
"Boyfriend?" Wait did she just call Shane my boyfriend!? "No not Shane, he was just being nice!"
Then just to make maters worse mom walks back in, "What's this I hear about a boyfriend?" Mom has always been really cool when it comes to dating someone... but I don't know about this.
"Remember last year when I told you about the kids Shane and Gage being gay and bi?"
"Yes I do..." Mom and Jennifer have had kinda a good relationship... until I started going to high school.
"Well Shane helped Issac into the school today." Jenni also hates me for no reason so of course she's gonna go on to say that.
"Helped, what did you need help for?"
"There was a.... dog outside the school..." I've never been comfortable with this subject and never will. I'm just gonna leave it at that!
"Oh, are you okay?"
"Of course baby him why don't you?" Jenni threw her hands up in the air and went back into her room.
"So Jennifer was referring to you having a boyfriend?"
"Ya..." What do I say! I just said that Nick is the dubbed 'gay boy' of my grade and now Jenni is being a bitch for no reason! "Shane has a boyfriend though... At least I think he does."
"Well Issac, I don't care if you have a boyfriend, girlfriend or any of that. I just want you to be happy."
"Mom, I'm not gay!" That was the end of that conversation as mom tried to apologize and I just took my Ipod and turned it back on. I grabbed some printing paper from the printer in out room and hopped up onto my bed. The joy of having bunk beds.
I started to draw Lilith from borderlands... From the pictures Nick showed me from his Ipod I tried my best to remember what she looked like... I got most of it... I hope.
Midway threw drawing, mom called for dinner. So I went out and ate quickly cause when dinner is ready that means that its almost time for the youth center to open. When I got back in my room I went to grab my picture and it had 'gay' scribbled on it.
Now not only can Jennifer get away with it but I can't erase it cause its pen! So when Jennifer came back into the room I threw my one and only stuffy at her. It's a pure white lion I named Valentime. I got it when I was 9 and I thought that's how the day was said, okay!
When it hit her she caught it and she didn't throw it back. She sat down on her bed with it and said, "Lookie here I got a new toy."
"No, give 'im back!"
"You threw him at me."
"You scribbled 'gay' on my drawing!"
"What are you two arguing about now?" Dammit mom, why did you have to hear?
She came into the room and just looked at me, then at Jennifer. A minute past without any talking. "So?"
"She wont give back Valentime!"
"He threw it at me." Jenni just shrugged it off.
"Why did you throw him at her?" At least someone knows he's a he.
"She scribbled 'gay' on my drawing, in pen!"
"What drawing? I took your sketch pad..." Yup... expected that.
"I grabbed some printer paper and started drawing."
Mom just sighed, "First: I took your sketch pad away so you couldn't draw. Second: You know how hard Issac works on his drawings and to use gay as an insult will not be tolerated in this house. Third: Give back Valintime this instant."
Jenni tossed him at me and I fixed his mane. I brush it back it makes him look handsome. Jenni just sighed and went to reading what ever book she had on her bed.
After I finished, I realized mom was still in the room. "Am I in trouble?"
"Yes... Pencils now."
"What about Math class?"
"Fine, you are to leave all pencils in your pencil case. You are to do homework at the kitchen table and you are to leave your backpack in the kitchen. Am I clear?"
"Yes..."
"It's almost 6, still going to the youth center?"
I just smile and bring my backpack out to the kitchen. Grab my jacket and I was out the door. I do my homework as soon as I get home. I just like knowing I don't have it done.
Just as I got there Cheryl was opening the door. There were a few other kids there to. I just minded my own business until She sat down at her desk in her 'office'.
"Cheryl?"
"Oh right, sorry Issac, I'm not used to you being here right at opening sorry."
"It's okay, I also need a pencil and some blank paper, if you wouldn't mind."
"Fill up your sketch pad?" She always wanted to see my sketchpad filled. I promised her that I would show her first when I was done. I was almost done, I had like 20 pages left.
"No, I got in trouble and got it taken away for a while."
"What did you do?"
"Helped a friend in the wrong way."
"Well if your don't wanna tell me that's fine." I might as well tell her. And that's what I did for the next half an hour. Tell the same story for the third time in one day. I am not doing it again...
Zach's POV
Shane came over to my house after school. He even stayed for dinner. Well after he got done tutoring some kids in the library. I stayed with him and helped him when I could. Which was mostly in Science and Math.
So now we are at my house, done eating and now watching tv with Auntie Liz. I don't even really know what I'm watching, Shane likes it though so I'll watch it.
Its probably about 5:40 when Shane leans over and pokes me in the ribs, "Yes?"
"You haven't been to the youth center yet have you?"
"I didn't even know we had one."
"It's down the hill near the activity center and all the campsites. Wanna go check it out? I've been there a few times it can be pretty fun."
"Auntie?"
"When does it, Shane?" That's Auntie for you, wanting to know when I'll be home.
"Since it's Monday, I think it closes at Ten. It opens in 20 minutes I know that much."
"We'll drive down and we'll have a look. So go get ready Zach."
I raced up to my room, dragging Shane along of course. I spent almost 10 minutes making sure my hair was alright and making sure I hadn't got anything on my cloths all day. Shane just laid on my bed swing his legs back and forth.
When I finally got out of my closet with a whole new outfit out he just giggled, "Your such a girl."
"Oh shut up you! I bet you take just as long to get ready!"
"Ya, but I don't change my cloths in the middle of the day."
"It's not the middle of the day, it's the evening!"
"Even worse." I just stuck my tongue out at him since I knew I lost that fight. I'm aware I take my cloths as serious as a girl. I've been late to school cause I didn't know if my cloths looked good or not.
So after that we headed down stairs and were on our way to the youth center. Auntie even joined in with Shane making fun of how I changed my cloths. They didn't stop till we actually got down there.
When we actually got there it was about 10 after 6 so there was a few kids there that knew of Shane I guess. When we walked in a woman called out, "Hello, I'm Cheryl how can I help you guys?"
"Hello Cheryl, I was just wondering when the youth center closes."
"It closes at 10 tonight. I just need to talk down your name and then you and Shane can do whatever." Wait take down my name?
"I'll be in the soundproof room, okay Zach?" I just nod and walk over to Cheryl's office kinda thing.
"What's the name?"
"Zach." She waved her hand to gesture for me to continue, "Albore. Zach Albore."
"Well hello Zach, as I said before I'm Cheryl. I work here as a supervisor and I just gotta go over a few things before I can let you go." She took out a piece of paper and wrote my name on it. "The rules here are simple. Respect everyone and their belongings and we wont have a problem."
"I just have a few questions." Of course you do Auntie.
"Ask away, I'll answer them to the best of my ability."
"Just a couple so I'll just ask them all: What is the phone number? What are the full hours you are open? And how safe is it here?" Really... 'how safe is it here?' That has to be the worst question ever.
"The phone number is 555-0350. We're open Sunday and Monday, 6 to 10, Wednesday and Thursday, 6 – 11, and Friday and Saturday, 6 – 12. During the breaks though we usually stay open till midnight every night we are open." Cool they are opened a lot then. "As for safety, I assure you that no harm will come on to Zach. I am here as a supervisor to make sure nothing goes wrong. The most that has gone wrong in my 5 years working here are fist fights between rivals. They were removed from the building asap and I must do an incident for my bosses.
"I am also here for someone for teenagers to talk to about anything. I have a confidentiality agreement that I can't tell specifics that go on in the building or what the kids tell me. But if something that peaks a threat to a child I have a duty to report to the proper authorities. I hope that answers your question."
Wow... So I could talk to her about anything that doesn't put me in danger of some sort and she can't tell anyone? Thats awesome, I have someone to talk to if something is going wrong at school and stuff. Or talk about my mom and dad or something.
"Yes thank you." Auntie turns to me, "I'll be back at about 10 to pick you guys up."
"Okay, love you." With that she left. Saying the typical 'I love you too, see you later.'
"Well Zach, just remember to respect others and watch the swearing volume okay?"
"You don't care if I swear?"
"As long as it's not load, rudely towards someone, or excessive, go for it."
"Okay, I just have one question..." He nods, "Are we able to use the kitchen?"
"As long as you bring the food and clean up after yourself, go for it. Just ask first."
"Okay." So I turned around from her office window thing, and took a good look at the youth center. It was not super big, but not small either. There was the kitchen right in front of me. A bathroom for both males and females to my right, kinda weird. A pool table on the other side of the counter with computers beside it. Air hockey beside the door to what I presume is the soundproof room. Farther down there's a carpeted area that has lots of sofas and Two tvs. One was even wall mounted and had cable.
So instead of looking like an idiot I went over to the soundproof room and went inside to hear Def Leppard's Pour Some Sugar On Me being played and Shane talking so some boy. He's got nice scarlet red hair though.
"What other stuff do you draw?" Is what I walked into.
"I draw all kinds of stuff. I've drawn dragons and warriors and even fields and mountains."
"Hey sup?" I had to get into the conversation somehow.
"Oh I didn't hear you come in, This is Issac. Issac this is my... This is Zach."
"Your the new kid that's been hanging with Gage and his friends right?" How does this kid know Gage. He looks like he's in the grade behind me or maybe eighth grade.
Instead of pondering why not just ask, "Ya, how do you know Gage."
"I'm friends with his little brother. Issac Adams, if you've heard the name yet." I actually have but just a little. Something about him cutting himself and that's why he wore bandana's around his wrist. I'm not one to listen to gossip though so.
"I talked to Issac this morning while taking the bus up to school. So how long do you have here?"
"Till ten, Auntie is gonna come and pick us up." Shane mouthed a yes., probably for not having to walk home.
"Shane, what were you gonna say when you were introducing Zach? You said 'he's my...' and then changed what you were gonna say." Issac is annoyingly curious, that is my first impression.
"Well I was gonna say boyfriend," He blushed, so cute! "but we've only been on one date and we haven't made it official or anything."
"Why not?" First impression still in tack.....
"I don't know, we only went out on Saturday."
"Oh, okay." Little less curious than I thought he would be.
"Oh, Issac!" Wait what just happened? "I asked Gage for help to."
"Oh, cool that makes things easier." Make what easier? What is going on?
Shane looks over at me and smiles at my confused look. "That's right, I haven't told you yet." Haven't told me what? "I'm getting Issac and Gage to help me with my Lucas problem."
"I was gonna actually talk to you about that sooner or later." Was thinking about doing it this weekend actually.
"Well I'm trying to talk with him now. I just need to corner him somehow."
"I have an idea, but we need to turn down the music and call Gage right now." Issac got up immediately and turned down the music. I got my cell out and called Gage's number, putting it on speaker.
It rang about three times before he answered. "Hey Zach, whats up?"
He got a "Hey" form all of us.
A second of two later he responded, "Oh hey Shane is with you. But who is the other voice?"
"It's me, Issac, we're at the youth center."
"Oh, cool. Haven't been down there before. Anyways I will say again, what is up?"
"I have an idea for Shane to talk to Lucas."
"Lay it on me Zachy!"
"Only Shane can call me that. Anyways, you could have one of you ever so famous sleep overs and have have us over. Lucas wouldn't dare turn down your brother's invite would he?"
"It's not a bad idea... One sec k?" He didn't even wait for a response he set his phone down and went somewhere. A few minutes later we could hear him pick up his phone and press a button, "Your on speaker phone now. So mom said we can have the sleepover, and Nick here,"
"Hey guys!" Yep that's definitely Nick.
"Says it's a go from his end too. Now here's what the options are: We can have Lucas show up first and then Shane leaving him with the guilt of leaving. Or we can get Shane to show up first and risk it. It's happening this Saturday just so you know."
"Okay, I say Lucas shows up first. If I'm there before him he wont feel that bad about leaving. But if he's there for like an hour and I show up he'll have a harder time finding a excuse to leave. I was friends with him for years take it from me."
"That's why I made it sound like the better plan." Gage always give his off his 'plans' he want to do with a better description I find.
"So I'm invited to right? I mean I'm right here and everything." What's with the sudden attitude Issac?
"Of course! I'm bringing Lucas, you and Tanis. Gage is bringing Sam, Zach and Shane." Eight teenage boys under one roof for a night, how do they get this to happen?
"Two things guys, One: What are gonna be the sleeping arrangements for the eight of us? And two: How go you get this kind of sleepover to happen all the time?" I just have to know.
"Sam and me will sleep on my bed of course. We have a queen sized air mattress for two more."
"Issac , Tanis or Lucas can snuggle with me on my bed. I have a bunk bed so two more could sleep on the top. They would just need to snuggle up." Okay so we are coupling everyone... that sounds like a goof idea... insert obvious sarcasm here.
"And for your second thing: We pay for the pizza and stuff. Mom and Dad have always said that they wont make dinner but breakfast is free games. They buy a lot of cereal that doesn't get eaten really fast."
"Just saying Nick, not everyone wants to snuggle..." Issac has some common sense, good.
"Me and Zachy can take Nick's top bunk. That leaves the air mattress for the last 2. They should have plenty of room. If your okay with that..."
"Of course I am!" I would do anything to have Shane snuggles again... Well the other snuggles weren't exactly snuggles... "And this also gives room just in case Lucas doesn't stay."
"You can't let him know I'm coming Nick! Not a word!" oh ya that would just give away the plan... Good job Shane for picking that out.
"What should I say then?"
"When he asks who's going tell him yours and then say Gage doesn't have his list yet. Say he usually doesn't complete it till a little bit later." Brilliant ideas from Issac. Smart and way to curious... Those go together way to well.
"I don't wanna lie to him, I'll just bend the truth. I'll tell him Gage never tells me who he is inviting and that should be enough."
"Well now that this is settled we need to make sure we can actually do this. So we'll get back to guys tomorrow or later tonight with our answers." I wonder how Auntie is gonna feel about this.
"Okay talk to you later guys."
"I'll see you tomorrow Issac!"
After that we played a bit of pool and other things. Mostly just hung around and got to know each other. But there was one thing that never left my mind: Shane wanting to call me his boyfriend.
But that's not important right now. What's important is Shane having a talk with Lucas. That and Lucas not finding out that this sleepover is a trap for him. I do hope for Shane's sake that Lucas doesn't find out.
Chapter 12 end
So my plan was to go into the sleepover but that didn't happen. So here's the game plan for chapter 13! It's gonna be about Lucas knowing something is up but not being able to put his finger on it. Then the sleep over is gonna happen and stuff happens... So chapter 14 is gonna be a flashback chapter about Lucas and Shane. With a bit of Gage in there but mostly those two.
I hope you are enjoying reading Life's Expectations. If you have anything you wanna see happen or just wanna make a comment about something, email me at kuragari129@hotmail.com. I will respond to you once I check my email. Thanks for reading, have a great day!
P.S. If you are looking for more stories on Nifty to read I suggest "Oh Radio Tell Me Everything You Know", "Trials and Tribulations", "Benjy's Boy", "I'll Make You Popular" and "Jamie Lawrence". Each of them have their own little gimmick to them and are good reads, in my opinion. They all have been updated rather recently so they should be easy to find.
I just feel like telling you guys my favorite stories on the sight. I'm sure the authors wont mind. And if you do I'm sorry for supporting your story. Anyways happy reading!!