Scotland

 

Chapter 6

 

 

 

"This is it," Guy said as he and Fab stood in front of the tiny little church.

"It's tiny," Fab said.

"Come on," Guy said, "Let's go in."

Fab didn't move.

"What's wrong?" Guy asked.

"Go in there?" Fab pointed, "I don't know. The building might fall down on us."

"Don't be ridiculous," Guy told him, "I want to show you something and I want to introduce you to the rector."

Fab looked warily at the small stone building, but he followed Guy inside.

Inside it was dark and cool.

The interior was all decorated in wood and some candles were burning.

"It's amazing," Fab said, quietly.

Guy walked to the front of the church where a large book sat on a side table.

He flipped through the pages until he found what he was looking for.

"See," he pointed to the page, "Here is is. This is where and when I was christened."

Fab read through the information.

"It is so odd to see this," he said, "In London and New York you were just you. But here it's like you belong to an entirely different life."

"Well, I do," Guy said, "I belong in those places, but I belong here too."

"I thought I heard voices," a man said, approaching from a side door.

Then he recognized Guy.

"It is so good to see you," he said, hugging him tightly.

"It has been a long time," Guy said.

The man's gaze shifted to Fab.

"Ah, this is my friend," Guy told him, "We are visiting family here with our kids."

"I was told that you were coming for a visit. I was hoping to get a chance to see you," the rector said.

He walked forward to shake hands with Fab.

"I am very pleased to meet you," he said.

"Thank you." Fab told him.

"He's a little nervous," Guy said, "I told him it would be okay."

"Why should he be nervous?" the rector asked.

"Well, the obvious reason," Guy said.

"You mean because...."

Guy nodded.

"That means nothing to me," the rector said, "Look how happy you are. That does mean something to me."

 

 

 

Chapter 7

 

 

"Listen, don't be a stranger," the little lady was saying to Guy.

"I won't. I promise."

"You must bring these gorgeous children back to visit more often."

He kissed her on the cheek.

"I love you," he told her.

"Stop it," she said, "You will make an old lady cry."

She looked to Fab.

"And you," she said, reaching up to pinch his cheek, "You take care of him and these children."

"That's a promise," he told her, smiling.

"What no kiss?" she asked.

Fab kissed her on the cheek.

"Are we going now?" Catherine asked, impatiently.

"Yes, honey we are," Guy said, as he picked up Matthew.

The little lady leaned over and whispered something into Guy's ear which made him blush and laugh.

 

Once they were on the train headed back to London, Fab asked him what she said.

"Do you really want to know?" Guy asked.

"Yes, I think so," Fab told him.

Guy smiled.

"She said that I was lucky because you are a very handsome and sexy man."

Fab blushed.

"She just became my favorite family member of yours," he joked.

"They are not just my family, you know, "Guy said, taking his hand, "They are your family too now."

 

The End

 

 

The Daily Coldplayer

PART FOUR

 

 

 

 

Jonny was walking down the street, looking around for a story while bumping into people as he walked. A couple of the people turned to look at the rude gentlemen but on that street many people were used to the rude Coldplay members.

"I've got to find a story..." Jonny muttered to himself as Guy ran up behind him.

"Jonny! Jonny! I've got some pictures!" Guy exclaimed, out of breath, as he showed the chief writer his pictures.

"Okay we have a picture of a little boy with a balloon and a piece of chewing gum on the street!" Jonny said, staring at the pictures, puzzled. "Why did you run up to me with such rubbish photos as these!"

"They are not rubbish! Look, as Chris said, we have to exagerate the truth! Lookie here, the first picture of the boy could have the headline "Young boy found abandoned!" and the one of the chewing gum could read "Chewing gum kills man!"

"You are an idiot Guy, do you know that?" Jonny said, shaking his head.

"Well have you got anything better?" Guy said, scrunching up his face, sarcastically.

"Well, I've, I've, um..."

"Yes?"

"Fine! I have nothing!" Jonny sulked, falling onto the bench beside him. "What time is it?"

"Umm...it's 4.45!"

"4.45! We have to be back in 15 minutes!" Jonny exclaimed.

"So...what story are we going with? The abandoned child or the dead man?"

Jonny sighed, grabbing Guy's camera and walking back towards the factory.

"What are you doing?" Guy shouted.

"You'll see!"

 

Chris was playing hangman on his laptop as Jonny and Guy entered his office.

"Hello Mr Martin, we have a story!" Jonny said, nervously.

"Good, peasant!" Chris exclaimed, giving Jonny a dirty look.

"Peasant? Did you just call me a peasant? I think your new position has gone to your head!" Jonny said, astounded.

"Well, get used to it and show me the damn story!" Chris demanded as Jonny passed him the front page.

Chris began to read, his face lighting up as he read. "I like" he said, nodding his head.

 

 

Cold Games

 

FOUR

 

 

“Guy, what do you think you're doing??” Jonny asked, panicked and outraged.

 

“What does it look like I'm doing?” Guy snapped back. “I'm trying to choke Chris.” Jonny grabbed Guy's arm and attempted to pull him away from Chris. His attempts were smothered, however, when Guy's foot found its way to his crotch. Jonny winced and fell to the ground in pain. Chris was trying to pry Guy's fingers from his neck, but he was growing weaker and weaker by the second.

 

“Guy, stop it!!” a woman suddenly shouted. Guy turned his head to see Sierra standing in the open doorway. He looked back at Chris, who was on the brink of losing consciousness, and reluctantly removed his arms from their murderous position. Chris stumbled backwards and on to the couch, grabbing his chest and gasping for air. Jonny worked through his own pain to reach out to Chris. “What were you thinking?”

 

Guy viciously turned to Sierra. “I was thinking that these people are supposed to be my best friends, yet they don't seem to care about how sleeping with you would make me feel!”

 

“Jonny... didn't sleep with her,” Chris breathed.

 

“Would you like me to finish what I started before?”

 

“Guy! I didn't cheat on you with either of them, OK?”

 

“You slept with Chris.”

 

“Yes, but that was at least two days before you asked me out.”

 

“He knew how I felt about you,” Guy muttered.

 

“If it makes you... feel better,” Chris struggled, still trying to catch his breath. “I was just... using her...”

 

“How would that make me feel better?”

 

“Oh, thank God!” All three men looked at Sierra suspiciously. “Well, it's just that I was using Chris, too. I don't feel so bad about it now. And anyway, if I cheated on anyone, I cheated on Jonny.”

 

“That's true,” Jonny quietly said.

 

“So sorry, man,” Chris said, detecting the hint of sadness in Jonny's tone.

 

“Don't be, you didn't know.”

 

“You know who did know?” a mysterious voice asked. Everyone turned to see who was producing such a sound.

 

“Will?!” Chris exclaimed. “How did you get here?”

 

“I climbed up the fire escape,” Will nonchalantly replied.

 

“Why?” Jonny asked.

 

“I thought it would be fun... but that's beside the point. Can't you all see who's really to blame here?”

 

“Yeah, Chris,” Guy coldly said.

 

“No, Sierra.”

 

“He's got a point,” Chris agreed.

 

“Exactly, if she could just not be a whore, then none of this would have-”

 

“Hey!” Sierra yelled. “I'm not a whore!”

 

“Yeah, OK,” Will sarcastically replied. “And just how many of the guys in this room have you slept with? Half? And you're dating half of them. And they're not the same half, either!”

 

“Oh, whatever! None of it matters anymore, because I'm having Guy's baby.” She lovingly grabbed Guy's arm, placed her other hand on her stomach, and smiled, “And I'll be so faithful to the father of my daughter... or son, whichever it is.”

 

“You know for a fact that it's mine?” Guy asked.

 

“Oh... well... no.” She looked down to the ground. “I suppose it might not be yours.”

 

“Whore!” Will coughed.

 

“I'm sorry,” Guy said. “But I think Will is right. I mean, you don't even know if the baby is mine... and I'm going to guess that there's a chance it's not mine or Chris'.”

 

“You think I slept with another guy?” Sierra asked.

 

“I don't really know what to think anymore. Except that this,” Guy motioned to himself and Sierra, “isn't going to work.”

 

“What am I supposed to do? You're just gonna let me raise this kid by myself?”

 

“You'll find someone else,” Jonny said. “You'll always find someone else.”

 

“Oh, Jonny,” she said in an apologetic tone. “You never did see anyone else, did you?”

 

“There wasn't anyone else I wanted to see,” he replied. “Well, maybe there was one person... but it wouldn't have happened, so I didn't bother.”

 

“I'm sorry, Jonny. You deserved so much better than me, really. And if there's someone you like, then go for it! You never know what's gonna happen until it happens, you know? Or doesn't happen.”

 

“You really think I should go for it?”

 

“Absolutely. I mean, look at me! I went for it, and look where I am now. Of course, I went for it a few too many times, it seems.” Back in the corner of the room, Will began to chuckle.

 

“That's 'cause you're a whore.”

 

 

They Sing for the Sun

Chapter 6

Really short chapter...I know. But it's necessary. :D

 

 

 

 

At first I started off carefully.

 

I jogged; making sure to look at the ground as I made my way back in the direction we’d come. I stayed on the lowest level of ground, afraid of the same thing happening to me that happened to Will.

 

But despite my fear, every few minutes or so I would find my pace increasing. My mind was blank most of the time; my only thoughts were focused on looking for the blue marks on the trees.

 

About halfway through my run, I had to stop to catch my breath. My lungs would burn with each inhalation, and I finally allowed myself to lean against a large boulder for a few minutes.

 

Looking back on it, I could never figure out exactly how long I was running. I could have just been working on adrenalin the entire time; I was never quite certain. It all seemed to go so fast.

 

I never forgot the moment I ran into them, however. I had just come around from a grove of trees when I nearly ran straight into two hikers. There was a young woman of about twenty-five, and her boyfriend. I skidded to a halt in front of them, only one thought on my mind. PEOPLE!

 

“Hey, man...are you okay?” asked the boyfriend in a thick American accent.

 

“No...well, I’m okay, but my friend...I need you to call someone!”

 

“Who?” asked the girl, clinging to the man’s arm.

 

“I dunno! Anyone! My friend’s hurt; we’ve been here since last night...”

 

“Last night?” she echoed, shrugging out of her backpack. She threw it onto the ground and started rummaging through it until she found her cell phone. “Will it work out here?” she asked no one in particular as she opened it.

 

“You look so familiar...” I heard the boyfriend say. “Do I know you?”

 

“No,” I murmured, still trying to even out my breathing. “I don’t know...maybe.”

 

“Where is he?” asked the girl. “Did you come from the blue trail?”

 

“Yeah.” I nodded, and then realized that it made me dizzy. I could hear her talking quickly on her phone, and the boyfriend trying to get me to sit down. But I blocked them both out and thought briefly about Will.

 

“See? I told you I would make it,” I whispered under my breath.

 

Then I promptly fainted.

 

 

 

Because this thread belongs in page 1, here it is a little more from my W&G! :kiss:

 

Nobody Said It Was Easy

 

 

 

 

“When you try your best but you don’t succeed, when you get what you want but not what you need….” Chris’s voice was accompanying his guitar, while he prepared for the concert ahead. He was sitting comfortably on a couch as Guy stood in front of his clothes, picking which ones to wear on stage that night.

 

“I can’t believe this!” Guy exclaimed, panting, quite aggravated. “These pants are too tight my liking.”

 

“Well, you know how it is, you put on weight and then clothes will start to-” Chris started to say, nonchalantly picking up a chocolate bar, biting it hungrily.

 

“What?! Put on weight? Did I p-put on weight?” Guy asked him. There were 15 minutes left before the show started and they were still hanging out in the dressing room. “Oh my God! I knew it! First, no cigarettes, then the daily doses of chocolate you give me, not to mention the syrup deal I have with Will…” Guy mumbled to himself. “And now, I’m fat.” He sighed and grabbed another pair of pants.

 

“You’re far from fat, man. Don’t twist my words.” Chris tried to calm him down. “You just…have a little more fat on the butt and thighs. Nothing wrong with that.”

 

As he said this, Chris slowly looked him up and down.

 

“Stop looking at me like that, Chris, it’s creepy.”

 

“Sorry. Nothing I haven’t seen before anyway.” Chris muttered.

 

“Be careful or you won’t be able to see it again either.” Will said, as he appeared at the doorway. “You guys ready to go? Let’s move.”

 

 

Later that night, Will was sprawling on the bed, his arms behind his head. Moving his head to the left, he eyed Guy standing in front of a floor-length mirror, a frown on his delicate face.

 

“What are you doing, Narcissus?” He asked, curiously.

 

“Nothing.” Guy muttered, walking to the bed and turning off the lights. Then he quietly undressed and got under the sheets.

 

Will sensed something was wrong as soon as he saw the look on his face when he came into the room, unable to take his eyes off the floor or the mirror. Stripping off his clothes in the dark was the proof he needed that something was bothering Guy and he didn’t wait any longer to find out what the problem was.

 

“What’s wrong, Guy?” Will questioned him.

 

Laying on his side, his back turned to Will, Guy tensed, opening his eyes in spite of himself.

 

“Nothing.” He replied, closing his eyes. “Why?”

 

“Come on, I know something’s bugging you. What is it?” Will pressed.

 

“It’s…” Guy was about to dismiss the question but decided against it. “I’m getting fat.”

 

“What?” Will burst out laughing.

 

Guy turned on the lights just so he could glare at Will, turning around to face him.

 

“This isn’t funny, William.”

 

‘Uh oh, he just called me William.’ “I’m sorry, it’s just that you caught me off guard. I wasn’t expecting that.” Will tried to calm him.

 

“Oh and you’re going to honestly tell me you didn’t notice I was…heavier?” Guy retorted.

 

“Actually, I didn’t notice that.” Will admitted.

 

“Great! You didn’t notice?! Even Chris noticed and you didn’t?” Guy asked, angry at Will’s nonchalance.

 

“Chris told you you were getting fat?” Will asked, frowning. “I thought he was just telling you he was checking you out or something like that.”

 

“He told me I put on weight.” Guy sighed. “I just knew this was bound to happen. I shouldn’t have stopped smoking. Now all I can do is eat.”

 

“Don’t worry about that kind of stuff. You’re not fat. You’re perfect the way you are.” Will smiled, reassuringly.

 

Guy looked at him and sighed. He knew the drummer was being sincere and maybe he had overreacted. There was nothing wrong with putting on weight.

 

“When did I become the woman in this relationship?”

 

 

 

Modern Love

Chapter 1

 

 

 

 

Guy was sitting in the dark listening to music on his jukebox.

It was always the same songs.

No one knew that he listened to the sweet love songs from the fifties.

He loved the songs that spoke of love so innocent and so gentle.

Songs from a time when the world seemed to be a kinder place.

Songs about simple pure old-fashioned love.

It was such a contrast to the predicament he was in at the moment.

He had fallen desperately in love.

But it was far from simple.

Suddenly a knock came at his door.

He hurriedly switched off the music and turned on the lights.

He opened the door to see Jonny standing there.

"What's wrong?" Guy asked, immediately.

Jonny's face was pale and he looked like he had been crying.

"I'm sorry," he told Guy, "But Chris isn't around and I need someone to talk to."

"No....man...come on in," Guy said," taking him gently by the arm and ushering him into the apartment.

"The bitch....she wants a divorce," Jonny said, sitting down on the sofa.

Guy closed the door and looked at him.

"Jackie? Why?" Guy asked.

Jonny, sitting on the sofa, twisting his hands back and forth said, "She thinks she found somebody else."

Guy walked quietly to the kitchen and came back with two open beer bottles.

He handed one to Jonny.

"Thanks," Jonny said, taking a long drink.

"I'm really sorry to bother you with this," Jonny told him, "I'm sure you have plans with some girl or something. I'll get out of your hair."

He started to stand up.

"No," Guy stood up, putting his hand on Jonny's arm, "Don't go. Talk to me about this."

Jonny looked at him and smiled a thankful smile.

"You are a good friend," he said.

Guy leaned close to Jonny.

"I am always here for you," he said, sincerely, "Anything you need."

Jonny was touched by the look of gentle kindness in Guy's eyes.

"Can I stay here tonight?" he asked.

Guy swallowed hard.

He had dreamed of hearing those words come from Jonny's lips many times.

He knew that if Jonny stayed it wouldn't be quite the way he had always envisioned, but he didn't care.

At least he would be near Jonny.

"Sure," he told him, "You can stay as long as you want."

 

 

Modern Love

Chapter 2

 

 

 

 

Guy was listening intently as Jonny talked.

Jonny talked about how much he loved Jackie.

How she brightened his world.

How he never knew that life could be so wonderful until he met her.

How he would never get over losing her.

Guy hated every word of praise that came out of Jonny's mouth.

His heart ached at the thought of Jonny having such deep emotions for another person.

There was no limit on what he would have given up to hear Jonny speak of him in that way.

But at the same time, it was wonderful to feel so close to Jonny.

Jonny was the one that everyone else counted on to keep them grounded.

As such he never shared much of his own thoughts or problems.

Guy knew that he was close friends with Chris.

But even then, most of their conversations were about problems or dilemmas that Chris suffered.

Although he and Jonny had known one another for years, most of their conversations were about ordinary things.

Guy often found himself just aching for a chance to have a real discussion with Jonny.

Just to be able to crawl inside Jonny's head and know what he was thinking or feeling.

Just to be able to slip inside Jonny's soul and explore the real person that he was.

So, if listening to Jonny talk about his broken heart was the only way he could be close to him, that was enough for Guy.

Just then Jonny's phone buzzed.

He looked at the number and smiled brightly.

"It's Chris," he told Guy, "I left him a message to call me."

Jonny stood up and walked away a little as he talked to Chris.

Shortly, he came back.

"I have to go," he said, taking a last swig of beer from the bottle.

Guy's heart sank.

"Why?" he asked.

"Well, Chris is home now and I just figured I'd go talk to him and let you get back to your life," Jonny explained.

"But..." Guy didn't know how to tell him that he was all that mattered to him in the world.

"I really appreciate you letting me yap on," Jonny was saying, as he walked to the door.

Guy stood up and followed him.

"You don't have to leave," he told Jonny, trying to keep his voice from sounding desperate.

Jonny smiled at him, sadly.

"I'm sure there is at least one lovely lady waiting for you somewhere," he said.

Then he was gone.

Guy stood with his hand on the doorknob for a few seconds trying to get the nerve to call out after Jonny.

But he couldn't and he finally just let his hand drop aimlessly to his side.

 

 

Modern Love

Chapter 3

 

 

 

 

Jonny and Jackie got married after they had only been dating for four months.

She thought she was pregnant but it turned out that she wasn't.

Guy, Will and Chris were all best men at the wedding.

The hardest thing Guy ever had to do was stand beside Jonny and watch him promise his life and love away to another person.

That was two years ago.

Two long, heartbreaking years in which Guy had drowned his sorrow.

First, with alcohol and a few drugs now and then.

And then with women. A long constant stream of women.

There was never a shortage of gorgeous women waiting anytime Guy so much as glanced at them.

The guys gave him a hard time about all the girls and he laughed it away.

But when all those distractions didn't work, he was just left with the pain and the ache.

And the incredible sense that he had lost something very precious.

 

When he arrived at the studio the next morning, Chris and Jonny were huddled in a corner talking.

Chris had his head close to Jonny's and his hand on his shoulder.

Jonny was nodding silently as he listened to Chris' words of consolation.

Guy was jealous.

He wanted to be the one that Jonny turned to.

He had nothing against Chris.

He just hated the closeness that the two of them shared as friends.

He wished he didn't feel so damn invisible to Jonny.

If only he could do something to get Jonny's attention.

He, unconsciously, slammed his hand hard against the table.

Chris and Jonny looked up.

"Everything okay?" Chris asked.

Guy felt incredibly self-conscious and embarrassed.

"Yeah," he said, "Just killing a bug."

They laughed and then bent their heads down together again.

Guy couldn't take the frustration anymore.

He grabbed his jacket and headed for the door.

Outside he met Will, heading in.

"Are you okay?" Will asked, "You don't look so good."

"I just have to go," Guy said, impatiently.

"Where?" Will asked, "Is something wrong?"

"I just have to get away from this place," Guy told him, "Far away."

 

 

Modern Love

Chapter 4

 

 

 

 

"Excuse me?"

The girl behind the ticket counter looked up.

"Can I help you?" she asked, her widening as she looked at Guy.

"What's the next plane out of here?" he asked.

The girl just kept looking at Guy.

"I'm sorry," she said, shaking her head,"Let me check."

"Never mind," Guy said, "Just give me a ticket for it. Wherever it is."

"It's Rio de Janeiro," she said, handing Guy the little envelope that contained his boarding pass.

"That's good," he said, "That should be a perfect place to forget my troubles."

 

Guy dropped into his seat and prepared for take-off.

A pretty little redhead came down the aisle and sat down beside him.

She smiled nervously at him and he nodded in return.

"God, please don't let her flirt with me," Guy thought, "I just can't handle it."

"My name is Amy," she told him, "I am very nervous."

"I'm Guy," he told her politely.

"I'm on my way to meet my girlfriend's family and I am really scared," she told him.

Guy looked at her in surprise.

"Don't look so surprised," she said.

"I'm just relieved," he told her, "I was afraid you were going to spend the entire flight flirting with me."

She smiled.

"You are safe," she said, "But even if I wasn't involved I wouldn't flirt with you. It is obvious that you are sad."

"Yeah," he said, quietly.

"Girl trouble?" she asked.

"Not exactly." Guy told her.

"Guy trouble?"

He smiled.

"Yeah, the trouble is, he doesn't know I am alive."

"How could that be?" she asked, "You are gorgeous."

Guy shook his head.

"To him I am just another one of his friends. Just a fixture. Like a piece of furniture."

"Well then, you have to make him see you in a different way," she advised.

"How could I possibly do that? Jonny, that's his name....he has just always liked girls."

"And have you always like men?" she asked.

"No," Guy said, "Jonny is the only guy I have ever had feelings for."

"Then how do you know that this Jonny wouldn't like you?"

"I guess I don't," Guy said.

"People are so conventional sometimes," she said, shaking her head, "You have to woo him...to charm him."

"And how do I do that?" Guy asked.

"Take him to dinner. Take him on a picnic. He won't even realize it is a date."

Guy listened carefully to what she was saying.

"You are right," he told her, "I shouldn't be giving up."

He stood up and began to collect his bags.

"What are you doing?" she asked.

"I'm getting off this plane," he told her, "I have some wooing to do."

 

 

Modern Love

Chapter 5

 

 

 

 

"This was really a good idea," Jonny told Guy as they walked down the midway at the amusement park.

"I'm glad you like it," Guy said.

"I haven't even hardly thought about Jackie at all," Jonny said.

"Hey, let's play a game," Guy told him.

Jonny shook his head.

"I never win at those things," he told him, "You know they are all rigged."

"No way," Guy said, determined to impress Jonny by winning him a prize.

 

"What am I going to do with this thing?" Jonny asked, holding up a three foot tall pink stuffed giraffe.

"It will look good in your new bachelor pad," Guy told him laughing.

"You should take it," Jonny told him, "You won it."

"But I won it for you," Guy said, "To cheer you up."

Jonny smiled and looked at the giraffe.

"This is the ugliest thing I have ever seen," he said, laughing, "But it sure makes me laugh."

"Good," Guy said, "That's the point."

"Let's get something to eat," Jonny said, "I'm starved."

 

They sat at a little outdoor cafe.

Jonny in one chair.

Guy, across from him and the giraffe in his own chair.

"I think I will call him Rufus," Jonny said, looking at the giraffe.

"What can I get for you two?" the waitress asked.

"I'd like a beer," Jonny said.

"Me too," Guy said.

"And a beer for Rufus too," Jonny said, pointing to the giraffe.

The waitress looked at him.

"You want a beer for the stuffed animal?" she asked.

"Of course," Guy said, "You heard the man."

She frowned and wrote something down on her order sheet.

Jonny and Guy were both laughing hard as she walked away.

"We are probably going to get tossed out of here," Jonny said.

"Who gives a shit?" Guy asked.

"You really are quite crazy," Jonny told him, "I never knew that. You are always so quiet."

"There's alot of things you don't know about me," Guy said, smiling.

"Sounds intriguing," Jonny said.

Just then the waitress came back.

She was carrying three beers.

She sat one down in front of Rufus.

"I forgot to check his I.D.," she told them, "But he looks over 21 to me."

They burst out laughing again as she walked away.

 

 

 

Modern Love

Chapter 6

 

 

 

 

"Want to do something tomorrow?" Guy asked, as he drove up in front of Jonny's apartment building.

Jonny made a face as he opened the car door.

"I need to do some unpacking,"he said, "Everything is still in boxes."

"I could help you with that," Guy volunteered.

Jonny reached into the back seat and pulled out the pink giraffe.

"He's going to help," he said.

Guy raised his eyebrows.

"I'll bring the beer then. He seems to be quite the drunk."

Jonny laughed.

"Okay," he said, "It will be nice to have company."

 

"You certainly have alot of books," Guy said, going through one of Jonny's boxes.

"Yeah," Jonny said, "I need more bookshelves."

Guy was stacking the books on the table as he emptied the box.

There were science fiction novels.

There were a few classics.

"Have you read all these?" Guy asked, holding up a copy of War and Peace.

Jonny looked at him.

"Well, no not exactly. I keep the classics because I tell myself that one day I will read them."

"What's this?" Guy asked, holding up a book with a half-dressed girl and a shirtless guy on the cover.

Jonny blushed a deep red.

"Why, it's a romance novel," Guy said, thumbing through the pages, "Jonny....I had no idea."

"Give me that," Jonny said, trying to grab it from Guy.

Guy held it out of his reach.

"So....so what," Jonny said, defensively, "I like to read them now and then."

Guy stood and looked at him for a second.

"You are a romantic.....I never would have guessed," he said, smiling.

"For God's sakes, don't tell anybody," Jonny said, "I would never hear the end of it if Chris knew."

"He doesn't know?" Guy asked.

"Nope," Jonny said, "That is one of the few things he doesn't know about me."

Guy smiled to himself as he placed the trashy book back on the pile with the others.

"Finally,"he thought, "Something that only Jonny and I share."

"I won't tell anybody," Guy told him.

"Thank you," Jonny said.

"It will just be our little secret. And maybe you could share some of the details with me," Guy joked.

"Screw you," Jonny said, throwing an empty box at him.

 

 

 

Love Today

Chapter 4

 

 

 

Chris PoV

 

“What do you mean?” Asked Guy, concerned. But before I could say anything he was in my face. I was so shocked, I stumbled backward and fell in the floor. He was now hovering over me, I moved away until my back was against the wall. Our faces were so close our noses were almost touching.

 

“Don't say anything.” He said sternly. My eyes were wide with fear. He touched my face gently, I flinched away. There was something wrong about his touch. The moment he touched me I was filled with an impossible amount of fear. I noticed his touch was neither warm nor cool, I only felt pressure on my cheek. “Why would you do this to me?” He asked seemingly hurt. He didn't give me a chance to respond. “Did I not detract you from your Jonny problem? You didn't think about him once until Guy arrived.”

 

“You can't know that.” I closed my eyes, my head was throbbing.

 

“Yes, I can.” He said angrily, I froze and looked at him, his face still inches from mine. Suddenly the fear became too much and I lost control.

 

“Get away from me!” I screamed. I tried to push against his chest, but it was like pushing against a brick wall. He smiled cruelly. I screamed even louder and closed my eyes.

 

Then I felt warm hands shaking me.

 

“Chris! CHRIS!” I heard Guy yell. I opened my eyes and saw that Guy was now in front of me. There was a mixture of fear and concern in his eyes. “I have been yelling at you for five minutes.”

 

“What happened?” I asked breathless

 

“For awhile you just stared blankly, like you were in a trance. Then you started screaming. So I should be asking you what happened.”

 

“I-I...um.” I stammered looking around the room for him. I spotted him sitting on my bed. His eyes shot daggers at me, warning me. This is ridiculous! I shouldn't be so afraid of something that isn't real! I thought.

 

“Chris! Whats going on?” Asked Guy, shaking me again. I didn't know what to do. Will he think that I am crazy? Of course he will, I am crazy. I took a deep breath to settle myself. No, I should not tell him. I don't want to drag him down into my newly found hell.

 

“I am just so distraught over Jonny. I-I can't take it anymore.” I looked down as I spoke, avoiding eye contact. There was a pause. I looked up, Guy looked at me unconvinced. I guess that was to be expected, I did just completely freak out, which suggested more than a broken heart. So I added: “I love him, Guy. I love him so much it scares the shit out of me. I cannot express into words how awful it feels to give your heart to someone, and they in return unknowingly stomp all over it. I will never be the same again, I will never be happy again.” I noticed my cheeks were wet and I wiped my tears away self consciously. Everything I admitted was the truth and hearing the words out loud made me feel even lower.

 

“Chris, You need to tell him. You have too.”

 

“And if he rejects me?” I snapped.

 

“He won't.” Guy said reassuringly. I groaned in annoyance.

 

“How can you be so sure?”

 

“I see the way he looks at you. Sometimes, while you're singing or playing the piano, he stares at you like you are the only thing in the world that is relevant.” I stared at Guy's sincere expression and for the first time in a long time I allowed my self to hope. “Listen Chris, all this pain and hopelessness you are feeling will disappear as soon as you tell him. Everything will be okay again. You'll be happy.” He smiled at me. Everything will be okay? I looked at him with a deep hatred. Maybe everything will go back to normal. And he won't be here anymore. It sounded absurd, and insane.

 

“Okay, I'll tell him.” I breathed. My breathing started to speed up, I was near hyperventilation.

 

“Chris! Calm down! What's wrong?” I looked up at him and only saw concern in his eyes, not the slightest implication of impatience. How is it possible that I deserve such a wonderful friend?

 

“It's just the thought of being rejected. I don't think I could possibly take it.” I said, embarrassed.

 

“Well it's a good thing he won't reject you.” Guy said smiling. I smiled back, slightly. “Oh! You need to tell Jonny now!” Guy said suddenly. “Before he talks to Ali.”

 

“I-I'm not ready!” I said terrified.

 

“Yes you are! Now go shower and try not to look dead.” He pushed me toward the bathroom. I quickly undressed and got into the shower. I barely noticed that the water was freezing, I was too nervous to think about anything else besides Jonny. I got out of the shower and got dressed.

 

“Good you're out. I just called Will and Jonny is on his way home, to get ready.”

 

“Did you tell Will?” I asked shocked.

 

“No, of course not. Now leave!” I took a deep breath.

 

“Wish me luck.” I said.

 

“You don't need luck, you have love.” He said grinning. I looked at him doubtfully and left toward something that could grant me happiness or destroy me completely.

 

 

Modern Love

Chapter 7

 

 

 

 

Guy woke up when he heard his phone buzzing.

He and Jonny had stayed up very late drinking beer and playing games on the Playstation.

He never could defeat Jonny but he wasn't really trying that hard.

He just loved being around him.

He, however, was able to defeat Rufus, the Giraffe.

This made Jonny howl with laughter.

Guy had stumbled home about three o'clock in the morning.

Now he was exhausted.

He hadn't had a cigarette yet or any coffee.

He was in no mood to talk to anyone.

But he answered anyway because he thought it might be important.

"Guy?" It was Jonny.

Suddenly, Guy was more awake.

"Yeah, what's up?" he asked.

"Well I have these two tickets to a football match and Chris was supposed to go but he canceled and I can't find Will.

So....I mean...I know that football isn't your thing...but if you would like to go....I would like the company."

Guy rubbed his eyes.

His mind was racing.

He really never could develop an affinity for the gruesome sport of football.

He thought it was mindless and violent.

But, here was Jonny, inviting him to go somewhere and spend the afternoon with him.

He could not and would not pass up that chance.

"I would love to go," Guy said.

"Good," Jonny said.

Guy could hear the obvious relief in his voice.

"What time?" Guy asked.

He quickly jotted down the details of time and place.

"This is really swell of you," Jonny told him, "I know you probably had other things to do today besides keep me company."

"Well, I was plotting to take over the world," Guy told him, "But that will keep until tomorrow."

Jonny burst out laughing.

"You always make me feel better," he told Guy, "With that wicked sense of humor of yours."

"I'll see you in a bit," Guy told him.

"Bring a jacket," Jonny said, "It might rain."

 

 

 

Modern Love

Chapter 8

 

 

 

 

It did rain.

And it rained.

And then it rained even more.

Their jackets were useless against the heavy downpour.

The rain dripped off the brim of Jonny's cap in a never ending stream that soaked his shirt and his jeans.

And then it rained some more.

By the start of the third period, Guy was shivering uncontrollably.

"Let's go," Jonny told him.

"But don't you want to see the rest?" Guy asked.

"You are shivering and we are both soaked," Jonny told him, "Let's go."

 

"You can't go all the way home like that," Jonny told him, "Come inside and I will lend you some dry clothes."

Jonny's apartment was warm and dry and toasty after the football game.

"Here," Jonny threw a t-shirt and some sweat pants to Guy.

"I think those are the only pants I have that will fit you," he said, "And the shirt is way too big, but that doesn't matter so much. And take this pair of socks too."

Guy was shaking constantly and his teeth were chattering as he slid off his wet clothes and slid into Jonny's dry ones.

Instantly, he began to warm up.

"I'll make us some warm tea," Jonny told him.

Guy sat down in Jonny's big soft chair and curled up.

He was asleep in less than five minutes.

Jonny came back from the kitchen with the tea.

He saw Guy sleeping quietly in the chair.

Then he went into the closet, got a thick blanket and covered him as best as he could.

Guy shifted a little in the chair but kept on sleeping.

Jonny sat and drank his tea in silence.

"He has been such a good friend," he thought, looking at Guy.

"So different from Chris. No drama or constant reassurance or hyperactive craziness. Just thoughtful and kind.

I never really knew he could be like that. He just always seemed so distant."

Suddenly, Guy woke up.

"Jonny?" he asked, looking around the room.

"Yeah," Jonny said, "Right here."

Guy looked at him with a confused expression.

Slowly his face relaxed.

"I was having the weirdest dream and I forgot where I was," he said, "But now I remember what I am doing here."

"You are here because you are my friend," Jonny said, "My very best friend."

 

 

 

 

 

Modern Love

 

Chapter 9

 

 

"That is total bullshit," Guy was saying, "You know there is no way that can ever happen."

He was lying on the floor at Jonny's apartment.

They were watching t.v. and getting drunk.

"Why not?" Jonny asked, "I think it can totally happen."

Jonny was stretched across the sofa, with a bottle of beer in his hand.

"How many times has he gotten away with it?" Guy asked.

Jonny shrugged.

"I don't know," he said, "But it seems to work every time."

"And why is that?" Guy asked.

"Because Jerry is smarter than Tom," Jonny said, as if it was a fact that everyone knew.

"There is no way that mouse can outsmart that cat."

"Please," Jonny said, crossing his arms, "I have had some pretty smart little fuckers around here. They take the piece of cheese

right off the trap without even setting it off."

"No way," Guy said, shaking his head, "I have seen some pretty damn smart cats in my life. I just don't like

the way the cartoon always makes the cat look stupid."

"Well damn Guy, if the cat was smart and caught the mouse, the cartoon would be over," Jonny told him, taking the last drink from his bottle.

"I just think the felines of the world should lodge a protest for maligning the reputation of a fine creature," Guy told him.

"And if the mouse got caught and eaten, PETA would protest," Jonny said.

"Why doesn't PETA protest when the poor cat gets beaten up and tortured and gets its fur all yanked out or burned?"

"Because the cat is the aggressor. The mouse is the victim. It's okay for the aggressor to be injured but not the innocent victim," Jonny explained.

"There's some twisted logic for you,"Guy said.

"Twisted logic is better than no logic," Jonny told him.

Guy laughed and shrugged his shoulders.

"I still think they should protest or at least maybe use it as an excuse for more people to get naked in those ads."

Jonny laughed.

"You are such a pervert," he told Guy.

"You don't really want the mouse to get caught. I know you don't. It's the thrill of the chase that everybody loves. The

fun is over if the prey gets caught," Jonny told him.

Guy smiled at Jonny.

"Sometimes the fun just begins when the chase ends," Guy said.

"God....are you back to thinking about girls again?" Jonny asked.

"Not necessarily," Guy said, smiling slyly, "Just a general observation."

"You are drunk," Jonny told him.

"So what if I am," Guy said.

"You better stay here. You can't drive home in that condition."

Guy started laughing hysterically.

"Fuck, Jonny, I can't do much of anything in this condition."

 

 

If Only You Knew

PART NINE

 

 

 

 

"I'm just going off to the shops!" Jonny said, approaching the front door.

"Take your time!" Anna said, smiling as she waved her husband off. As the door closed, Anna glanced at Jonny's new phone which was laying on the kitchen top. She approached it and grabbed it, searching through his texts. Anna raised her eyebrows as she read a text from Chris, slammed the phone shut, put it in her coat pocket and walked out the front door.

 

The doorbell rang. Chris answered. "Hello, can I help you?" Chris asked. Anna was at the door. "Yes you can, I am Anna, Jonny's wife!" she exclaimed, pushing Chris out the way and waltzing into his house.

"Okay, nice to meet you but, what do you want?" Chris asked, puzzled. Anna produced Jonny's phone. "Look, a text from you!" Anna grinned. She continued, "You texted, and I quote 'Ditch ya wife, Jonny and cum drinkin wit us! She sounds well tite, r u sure she's even rite for ya?"

"Well, I'm sorry I wrote that but that was a private conversation!" Chris exclaimed, standing tall.

"Me and Jonny are married, we don't have secrets! And your not a good friend anyway, you never came to the wedding!" Anna shouted.

"I think you should leave!" Chris demanded, showing Anna the door.

"I'm not leaving until I get an apology...and a kiss!" Anna replied, grinning and pouting.

"You are not serious!" Chris said, disgusted.

"I'm always serious!"

"Get out, just get out!" Chris screamed, pushing her out the door and locking it behind her.

 

THE NEXT DAY

 

"Thanks for dinner, darling!" Anna said as she began eating her pizza.

"No worries!" Jonny said, sitting beside her.

"You know what, Jonny?" Anna said, looking into Jonny's eyes.

"What's that?" Jonny asked, puzzled.

"You are not looking too well, are you okay?" Anna replied.

"Yes, I'm fine!" Jonny said.

"Oh okay, but you should really see to that growth on your neck!" Anna said.

"What? That's not a growth! I've had it since birth!" Jonny exclaimed.

"Oh, I wouldn't know would I? I used to be a nurse, you know!" Anna said, gritting her teeth.

"Did you? Seriously? Well, you should know that there is nothing wrong with it!" Jonny said.

Anna looked at Jonny, shaking her head and slapped her husband.

"You are sleeping on the sofa!" Anna demanded, running up the stairs. "Don't you dare shout at me!" she cried as she approached her bedroom.

"Wait, Anna! Wait!" Jonny said before hearing the door slam, dropping onto the sofa and gulping down his glass of wine.

 

Modern Love

Chapter 10

 

 

 

 

"Don't you think it is about time you started dating again?" Chris asked Jonny.

Guy, had his back turned to them, but he could hear every word of the conversation.

"I don't know," Jonny said, "It's a little too weird to think about."

"But it has been several months," Chris told him.

"I know, but the divorce isn't even final yet."

"I'm not saying it has to be anything serious, just a casual date or two. You know, sort of get back in the game," Chris said, punching him lightly on the shoulder.

Guy closed his eyes.

"Please, don't say yes," he thought, "Please not yet."

"Ah don't know," Jonny said.

"Look, I know this girl....she's a great girl...just a date or two. She isn't looking for anything serious."

Ummmm," Jonny sounded undecided.

"What do you think Guy?" he asked.

Guy pretended he hadn't heard the conversation.

"About what?" he asked.

"What are you asking him for?" Chris said, "He hasn't had a date in months either."

"Should I go out on a date?" Jonny asked, looking at Guy with his brilliant green eyes.

Guy shrugged.

"I don't know, man. It's up to you."

"Maybe if it was a double date," Jonny ventured, "Can you get a girl for Guy too?"

Chris looked to Guy.

"How about it?" he asked, "Want to go on a double date with Jonny?"

Guy's whole being was in complete turmoil.

Seeing Jonny with a girl was the last thing he wanted.

But then again, if he was there maybe he could have some control of the situation.

"I guess so," he said, in an unconcerned manner.

He had long ago perfected the art of aloof indifference.

"Great!" Chris said, clapping his hands, "Let me go make some calls."

He practically skipped out of the room.

Jonny walked over to where Guy stood.

"What do you really think?" he asked.

Guy smiled.

"I think I rather be tied to an ant hill," Guy told him.

Jonny laughed.

"Me too," he said, "Going on a date was the last thing on my mind."

"Why do it then?" Guy asked.

Jonny shrugged.

"It makes Chris happy and he will get off my back about it. And besides...you'll be there...right?"

"Right," Guy said, "I'll be there for you."

 

 

 

Modern Love

Chapter 11

 

 

 

 

 

"I am so nervous,"Jonny said, "Are you?"

They were standing at the bar of the pub where Chris had arranged for them to meet their dates.

Guy was smoking a cigarette and twirling his mug of beer.

He looked up at Jonny.

"Nah," he said.

"What if she doesn't like me?" Jonny asked.

Guy shrugged.

"Who gives a shit?" he asked.

Jonny frowned at him.

"You are in a sucky mood tonight," he told Guy.

"I just want to get this thing over with," Guy told him.

"I haven't seen you this moody in a long time," Jonny said, "Something bothering you?"

Guy looked at him.

Jonny had fussed long and hard to look good for his date.

And he did look good.

His hair was smooth and shining.

His eyes were electric green and glowing.

He had bought new clothes that fit perfectly.

Guy was already jealous of this unseen girl.

Jealous that she could cause Jonny to fuss in such a way.

"Stop worrying about whether she likes you or not," Guy told him, "If she doesn't, she's the one who loses out.Not you."

"Thanks for that," Jonny said, smiling, "But are you okay?"

"I'm just fine," Guy said, draining his glass of the last of the beer.

"There is something I want to tell you before the girls get here," Jonny said.

"Yeah? What?" Guy asked, signaling to the bartender to refill his glass.

"I just want to say thanks for being such a good friend these past few months," Jonny said, "I really couldn't have made it without you."

Guy opened his mouth to say something.

He chose his words carefully.

“Well, Jonny,” he said, “You certainly mean a great deal to me. You know that, right?”

“Yeah,” Jonny answered, “I know that now.”

They just looked at each other and for a millionth of a second Guy thought he saw a spark in Jonny’s eyes.

“Hi,” a voice interrupted.

Their dates had arrived.

 

 

 

Modern Love

Chapter 12

 

 

 

 

Jonny and his date grabbed a table while Guy just sat at the bar looking at his date.

"My name is Candy," she said, with a little wink at Guy.

He kind of felt nauseous.

"I know," he said, taking a drink of beer, "Chris told us."

"Oh yeah," she smiled, "That Chris is a real doll."

Guy started to light a cigarette.

"Do you have to do that?" she asked, frowning.

"No," he said, casually, putting the cigarette in his mouth, "I don't have to, but I like to."

She sat down on the bar stool beside him and coughed a little.

"It stinks," she said.

"Look around," Guy told her, "It is a pub. Everyone smokes."

"Your friend doesn't," she said, looking at Jonny and his date.

"Well, I think he already has a date," Guy told her.

"Yeah," she said, "Too bad."

Guy looked across the pub to the table where Jonny and his date sat.

Her hand was on his arm and she was telling him some story that he seemed to like because he was laughing.

Their beer mugs sat empty on the table.

Suddenly Jonny's date stood up and came walking to the bar.

She whispered something to Candy and the two of them giggled.

"Excuse us," Candy said to Guy.

Jonny came walking up carrying the two empty mugs and set them on the bar.

"So?" Guy asked, "How is it going?"

"She won't shut up," Jonny said, "She's either talking or giggling constantly. I might as well be on a date with Chris."

Guy laughed, as he blew a perfect smoke ring over the bar.

"That's cool as shit," Jonny said, watching it drift through the air.

"I thought you were having a good time," Guy said.

"God no," Jonny told him, "I was just trying to be polite."

"Let's get the hell out of here," Guy told him.

Jonny's eyes widened.

"You mean just leave? Just like that? What about the girls?"

"Screw them," Guy said, "They look like they can take care of themselves."

Jonny looked around quickly.

"Okay," he said, "Let's go before they get back."

Guy jumped up from his stool, threw some cash on the bar and grabbed his jacket.

Out on the street, Jonny told him, "What a relief. I don't know if I can ever go on another date. It is so much work."

Guy just smiled as he thought, "That's fine with me."

 

 

 

Modern Love

Chapter 13

 

 

 

 

"So?" Chris asked, excitedly, the next morning.

"So...what?" Jonny asked, looking around the studio.

"How did it go? Don't keep me in suspense, Jonny boy."

Jonny was still looking around.

"Where's Guy?" he asked.

"Huh? Oh, he's not here. He had to go out of town for a few days."

"Why?" Jonny asked, playing with his cap.

"I don't know," Chris said, shrugging, "Something about a sick relative or something. What difference does that make? Tell me about your date."

"It was fine," Jonny said, in a distracted manner.

"Fine?" Chris asked, "That's it? Just fine?"

"I'm sorry," Jonny said, "I don't know what you were expecting. It was just a date."

Chris looked disappointed.

"That's good," he said, "At least you went out. It's a step in the right direction."

"When will Guy be back?" Jonny asked.

"He didn't say," Chris said, going to sit down at the piano, "Why?"

"I was just wondering," Jonny said.

"Aren't you going to ask where Will is?" Chris said.

"What? Oh yeah...where is Will?"

"He will be here soon. He's picking up some stuff for me."

"Oh, good," Jonny said.

Chris looked at him.

"Are you okay, man?" he asked.

"Sure," Jonny said, "Why wouldn't I be?"

"You look a little upset," Chris said, "I'm sorry for pushing you so hard."

"It's not a problem," Jonny said.

He looked across the room at the place where Guy usually stood.

The spot was empty.

Guy's guitar was leaned on its' stand like usual.

"That guitar looks awful lonely without Guy there," Jonny thought to himself.

"I have to go out for awhile," Chris told him, "Will should be here soon. Don't let him leave."

"Sure," Jonny said, as Chris headed out the door.

Jonny walked over to Guy's guitar and picked it up gently.

He knew that Guy didn't like people to touch it.

Jonny could smell the unmistakeable scent of Guy's after shave on the neck of the instrument.

"You aren't the only one that is lonely," Jonny said, quietly to the guitar.

 

 

 

Modern Love

Chapter 14

 

 

 

 

Three days later Jonny met Guy at the train station.

"You look awful," Jonny said to him.

"I don't feel so good either," Guy said, "I think I am coming down with a cold or something."

"I'm really glad you are back," Jonny said.

"Yeah?" Guy managed to smile in spite of the fact that his head was throbbing and his throat was raw.

"I kind of missed you," Jonny said, shyly.

"I missed you too," Guy said, "And the weather was miserable. It was cold as hell and rainy."

"Where do you want to go?" Jonny asked.

"Take me home, please," Guy said, "I am going to sleep for about a week."

 

There was a loud pounding later that day on Guy's door.

He didn't want to drag himself out of bed to answer it, but it wouldn't stop.

He opened the door to Jonny.

Jonny was carrying several bags.

"Hi," he said, cheerfully brushing past Guy and walking to the kitchen.

"Why are you here?" Guy asked, with one eye open and one still closed.

"You are sick," Jonny said, "I brought you some things you might need."

"That's nice of you, but..."

"Go back to bed, " Jonny told him, grabbing him by the arm and pushing him toward the bedroom, "I will take care of everything."

 

Guy was tossing and turning in his bed.

He couldn't get warm.

Yet he was freezing.

Jonny heard him and came into the room.

He felt Guy's forehead with the back of his hand.

"You are burning up," he said, walking back out of the room.

He came back with a handful of pills.

"Here, take these," he told Guy.

"Why are you still here?" Guy asked.

"Because you are sick and you shouldn't be alone," Jonny said, "Now get some sleep."

Jonny turned to leave.

"Jonny? Will you sit here with me?" Guy asked, "I really feel like shit."

Jonny smiled at him slightly.

"Sure," he said.

 

 

 

Modern Love

Chapter 15

 

 

 

 

The room was dark when Guy woke up.

He had lost all track of time but it seemed as if it was about three o'clock in the morning.

His head had stopped hurting and he was incredibly thirsty.

Jonny was nowhere to be seen and Guy guessed he had gone home long ago.

He struggled out of the stack of blankets that Jonny had wrapped him in.

Just as he stood up, Jonny poked his head through the door.

"I thought I heard something," he said.

"You are still here?" Guy asked, "It must be the middle of the night."

"No, actually it is almost morning," Jonny said, smiling brightly.

"I made breakfast for you," he added.

“What? You really didn’t have to go to that much trouble.”

John smiled at him sweetly.

“It was no trouble,” he said, “I had nothing else to do while I waited for you to wake up.”

"That's great," Guy said, "I am thirsty as hell and starving too."

"Get back into bed," Jonny told him, "I will bring it to you."

"I'm fine," Guy said, standing up.

"Do it," Jonny said, forcefully, pointing at the bed.

"Okay...okay," Guy said, sitting back down on the side of the bed.

Shortly, Jonny came into the room carrying a tray piled high with food.

There was orange juice and coffee.

There were all kinds of fruit, some bagels and some croissants.

Guy looked at the tray and then looked sideways at Jonny.

"How did you know this is what I liked for breakfast?" he asked.

Jonny shrugged.

"It's what you always have when we are on tour," he said.

Jonny sat and sipped a cup of coffee as Guy ate and drank.

"That feels better," he said, when he finished, "But now I am exhausted."

Jonny laughed as he took the tray away.

"Being sick has a way of sapping all your strength," he told him.

"Aren't you tired?" Guy asked, "Have you been to sleep at all?"

"I'm good," Jonny said, "Just watching over you."

"You are a really good friend," Guy told him, "And you make a great cup of coffee."

Jonny laughed.

"Get some sleep," he said, “So you can get better. I am tired of waiting on your lazy ass.”

“I really appreciate all this, Jonny,” Guy told him.

“Just wait until you get my bill,” Jonny said.

 

 

 

Cold Games

 

FIVE

 

 

“Well, this is weird,” Guy stated to Will, who was sitting beside him on Jonny's couch.

 

“I'll say. Plus, I accidentally entered the wrong apartment earlier,” Will shuddered. “Let's just say that Jonny's got some pretty attractive female neighbors... with some strange, strange fantasies.”

 

“Really?” Guy asked, leaning closer to Will. “How so?”

 

“Um...”

 

Meanwhile, Chris and Jonny were having a drink (or five) in the kitchen. Chris was swirling his drink around a bit, and Jonny was preoccupied with reading the label on the bottle of liquor.

 

“Is she nice? Nicer than Sierra at least?” Chris asked. Jonny looked up at him.

 

“Who?”

 

“The girl you like,” Chris replied, quickly taking a sip of his drink.

 

“I'd rather not talk about it.”

 

“Why not?” Jonny turned his head back to the bottle.

 

“Personal reasons,” he muttered.

 

“Ohhhh!” Chris exclaimed several moments later. “Jonny, I had no idea you swing that way.”

 

“What? No, it's just-”

 

“Is it Guy? He's handsome, I guess.”

 

“No, it's not-”

 

“Will? He looks pretty nice in a scarf, I suppose.”

 

“It's not Will,” Jonny insisted. Chris stared out into the living room, all the while still swirling his drink. A few minutes passed, and the room was still completely quiet.

 

“This is the awkwardest silence ever,” Chris said.

 

“Yep...” Still completely quiet.

 

“Oh, wow!” Guy exclaimed in the background. “And which apartment did you say she lives in?” Chris watched as Will inched away from Guy. He tried his hardest not to blurt out the question that was bursting inside of him, but he could only hold back for so long.

 

“Me?” he asked.

 

“You?” Jonny looked up.

 

“I guess not. No, yeah, never mind, that was a ridiculous thought.” Chris shook his head. “Wasn't it?” Jonny looked down for a brief moment, then moved closer to Chris. He reached his hand out and placed it lightly on top off Chris's.

 

“No,” he said, leaning further until his lips were nearly pressed up against Chris's ear. Then he whispered, “It's you.” Chris looked deeply into Jonny's pale green eyes.

 

“Good,” he swallowed. “Cause it's you, too.” Slowly, they leaned closer and closer until their lips finally met. Chris placed his empty hand on Jonny's hip and fumbled blindly to set his drink down on the counter. He missed, and the cup went crashing down the floor, shattering and producing a small puddle around their feet. Neither of them paid it any attention, however, until they were interrupted by a figure standing in the doorway.

 

“Whoa! What's going on in here?” Guy exclaimed. The other men broke apart and quickly tried to explain.

 

“Well... Jonny and I were just talking, and then, um...”

 

“And then we stopped talking...”

 

“Yeah, there was this really awkward silence...”

 

“It really was awkward...”

 

“And then we started talking again, and it was still a little bit awkward...”

 

“But it wasn't nearly so bad...”

 

“No, it wasn't nearly so bad, because...well...”

 

“Because you started making out?!?!” Guy finished.

 

“That's one way to put it, yeah.”

 

“...Why?”

 

“Um... it seemed like the right thing to do?” Chris shrugged.

 

“This is such a weird night. Unbelievable. I think I'm gonna go now.” Guy turned around and walked back into the living room, all the while shouting, “Will, what apartment was it, again?”

 

“He's right,” Jonny agreed. “It was a very weird night.”

 

“It sure was... wanna make out some more?”

 

Jonny looked at Chris for a moment, then shrugged, “Yeah, why not?”

 

 

 

 

 

oh yeah! The End. :)

 

Modern Love

Chapter 16

 

 

 

 

"Jonny,my boy, what's troubling you?"Will asked.

Jonnny looked up.

"Nothing," he lied, "Why?"

"You are chewing your bottom lip again,"Will told him, "that always means something is on your mind."

"It's nothing," Jonny said, moving around in his chair.

Will just crossed his arms and waited.

"Okay,"Jonny said, "That isn't true."

"I thought not,"Will said.

"But it is kind of weird...and maybe it is because I just got divorced...I don't know but..."

"Yes?" Will asked, raising his eyebrows.

"I think I am attracted to somebody."

"That's good,"Will said.

Jonny shook his head.

"That's not good?" Will asked.

"No," Jonny said, "It isn't."

"Why not? It is natural to be a little afraid after what you have just gone through."

Jonny looked at Will and tilted his cap back on his head.

"It's not the way you think it is," he said.

"What is that supposed to mean?" Will asked, frowning.

"What would you think if I told you it was a not a girl?" Jonny asked.

"I wouldn't think anything," Will said, half-smiling.

"What would you think if I told you it was someone we both know?" Jonny asked.

"Oh shit," Will said, "Not Chris....tell me it isn't him. That is a disaster waiting to happen."

Jonny frowned.

"God, no," he said. And then he laughed.

"What a ridiculous idea," he added.

"It's Guy," Jonny said.

"Hmmmm.." Will said, stroking his chin.

"What does that mean?" Jonny asked worriedly.

"Well, you two have been spending alot of time together. And you are kind of vulnerable right now. Maybe that is

all it is," Will said.

"Maybe so," Jonny acknowledged.

"Did you say anything to him?" Will asked.

Jonny looked shocked.

"Geez....no," he said, looking terrified.

"I would wait a little bit,"Will said, "See if it passes. If it doesn't...then do something about it."

"Like what?" Jonny asked.

"Tell him," Will said, "Maybe he feels the same way."

 

 

 

Modern Love

Chapter 17

 

 

 

 

Guy was slowly recovering from his illness.

He was going stir crazy alone in his apartment.

He had not heard from Jonny in a few days and he wondered if he too, was ill.

He tried calling his phone but only got the standard voice mail recording.

This left Guy quite depressed as he wondered if maybe he had inadvertently done something wrong.

"What if I said something to him when I was so out of it?" he worried.

He threw on some clothes and took a cab to the studio.

Will was the only one there.

"Where is Jonny?" he asked, with a wild look on his face.

"Geez, Guy, what's wrong?" Will asked, looking him up and down.

"Just tell me if you have seen Jonny," he said.

"Why?" Will asked.

Guy grabbed him by the collar.

"Okay," Will said, "Yes,I saw him. I talked to him."

"Where is he?" Guy asked, letting Will go.

"He went away for a few days," Will said, "He had some things to think over."

"Oh no," Guy said, sitting down heavily in a chair, "I must have said something to him and now he hates me."

Will looked at him in a confused manner.

"What are you talking about?" he asked.

Guy looked up at him with large, sad eyes.

"I think I made a big mistake," he said, "Jonny....he sat with me when I was sick and I might have accidentally told him how I feel about him."

Now it was Will's turn to grab Guy.

"How do you feel about him?" he asked.

Guy jumped back.

"Why?" he asked.

"Because it might be very important," Will answered.

"I....I...think I...it's possible that I..."Will shook him hard.

"What?" he asked, "Just say it."

"It's possible that I am in love with him."

Will threw Guy back hard into the chair and turned away.

"Son of a bitch," he said, "I should keep my mouth shut."

Guy stood up.

"Why?" he asked.

Will turned back to him.

"Jonny is at his mom's house. Go....now....see him."

Guy was totally confused.

"Why?" he asked.

"Because he loves you too," Will told him.

 

 

They Sing for the Sun

I have no idea what chapter this is! 8, maybe. :thinking:

 

 

 

 

The authorities wanted me to go back to the town while they got Will, but I refused. I insisted that I had to go because I was the only one who knew exactly where he was, and I could probably find him a lot faster. I had a feeling they knew I was just giving any excuse I could, but they quickly agreed to let me lead the way. I think one of them might have liked Coldplay...so I might have gotten a little extra backup.

 

At one point I was definitely running on empty. The only thing keeping me going was imagining Will out there; cold and alone. I’d promised him I’d come back, and I was going to uphold that promise if it was the last thing I ever did.

 

Some of the rangers went ahead of me; they had a lot more energy and raw strength than I did. I could hear the crackling of static on their radios, and occasionally voices would carry through as well. I turned to one of the people next to me as I struggled to climb over a fallen cedar log. “How are we...getting him out?” I asked the woman.

 

She grabbed my shoulder and helped me over the obstacle. “Helicopter, I guess...it depends on where he is and how bad he’s hurt.”

 

Eventually, after much running around and searching, I spotted Will. We were a bit to the left of him, but I recognized the place in which the accident occurred. I was sure I’d never forget it. “Will!” I screamed, taking off in that direction. I was like a dog on a scent; I wasn’t about to go of course. I threw myself onto the ground next to him and grabbed the front of his shirt, giving the man a good shake.

 

He gasped wordlessly, and I realized that I had startled him awake. “What...no...Chris?” he choked. He sank back onto the ground as the medic from our group came running over. “No. Can’t be...you...”

 

“It is me!” I insisted, shaking him again.

 

“Stop...” he groaned, curling in on himself.

 

“I’m sorry,” I whispered as the medic practically shoved me out of the way. I scrambled across the leafy forest floor to sit by his head. I tried to lean over him, but the young medic pushed me back.

 

“I need to check him for neurological responses...” he muttered. Everything else he might have said was lost on me, and instead I tried to get into a spot where I couldn’t be moved away. I heard lots of things going on in the background, but all I could focus on was trying to catch my friend’s gaze. He was pale, and his eyes were glassy and unfocused, but he kept looking around nonetheless. He seemed really freaked out by the array of different people around him, and I reached out briefly to touch his shoulder.

 

He immediately turned to look at me, and I wondered vaguely how he’d realized I’d been the one touching him. “Chris,” he sighed. “You...came back.”

 

“I told you I would,” I said breathlessly. “And I meant it.”

 

.....................

This is the end. I must finish this story before I mangle it any worse. :uhoh2: