East Side Prep

Chapter XII

David had been so angry about my helping Danny that I dreaded telling him about the note. I thought seriously about keeping it from him until after Christmas, but decided against it. I had never kept anything from David before, and decided that Steve wouldn’t make me do it now. As soon as we got to his place after school, I handed it to him.
“I found this in my locker. You were right, I was stupid.”
David looked at the note in horror and I braced myself for an explosion that would never come. Instead, he took me in his arms.
“You must have been so scared when you saw this.” He said gently.
“Oh Dave, what am I going to do?” I cried.
“Don’t you mean what are we going to do? You’re not alone, you know.”
“I thought you were going to be angry at me again.”
“I was never really angry; I was just worried about you. You were trying to be kind to somebody without a friend in the world. I couldn’t be angry with you for that. I love that about you. By the way, I talked to Tom, and he’s crazy about Danny. If we weren’t in so much trouble I’d be proud of you for that.”
“I’m glad. Danny is a nice kid. He deserves to be happy.” I said.
“Look Mike, there’s nothing that Steve can do until after Christmas vacation anyway, so why don’t we forget about him for now and go out and buy a Christmas tree. Tomorrow is Christmas Eve.”

I smiled. “I think that’s the best idea I’ve heard all day.”
We went out and brought home a Christmas tree. As I might have guessed, David insisted on a nine-foot tall blue spruce, which cost over a hundred and fifty dollars. We decorated it together with David’s beautiful old family ornaments, and tinsel and lights that we bought at Woolworth’s. We went to Gimbel’s, and bought one new ornament, a ball that said “Christmas 1980” on it to commemorate our first Christmas together.

We spent Christmas Eve together in his apartment, and not being able to stand the thought of David spending Christmas alone, I invited him home for Christmas dinner with my family. We exchanged gifts on Christmas Eve, and I could hardly wait for him to open mine. He had mentioned a while back that he wanted to get an ID bracelet, so I took my birthday money and saved my allowance, and bought him one at Tiffany’s. I made him open my gift first. When he ripped open the wrapping paper and saw the blue Tiffany’s box he said, “Mike, you didn’t!” It was a gold bracelet with his name on the front and the inscription “With all my love forever, Michael” on the back.

“I don’t know what to say”, he said with tears in his eyes. “It’s just what I wanted. You must have saved up for months to be able to afford this. You must have gone without things that you needed. Nobody ever sacrificed anything for me before. I love you so much!”
“You’re everything that I need, and as long as I never have to go without you, I’ll be happy.” I said.
He kissed me and said, “Open mine now.”
I tore open the wrapping, and saw another blue box. I opened it and found a gorgeous star sapphire ring.
“Oh Dave, it’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever owned!”
“The sapphire is blue like your eyes. The star reflection represents the stars that I’m going to see reflected in them someday. Do you remember my promise?”
“I remember.” I said with tears streaming down my cheeks. “I love you, Dave.”

We kissed, snuggled up together on the couch, and watched the fire glow in the fireplace.
“Where do you want me to take you for New Years Eve?” David asked. “We can go anywhere you want.”
“I’ve been thinking about that. Would it be too much trouble to have a party here? With your money, we can do anything that we want, but our friends don’t have that luxury. I’ve heard that they’re stricter than usual about checking ID’s that night too. Jack and Danny would have a hard time getting in anywhere.”
“I think it’s a great idea except for one thing; I’d have to invite Jason, and that means that Steve would be here.”
“I didn’t think of that,” I admitted. “You know, maybe that wouldn’t be so bad. Maybe if we invited him and were friendly to him he would calm down.”
“You’d be taking a chance, but if you’re willing to try it’s ok with me. It would be a nice thing to do for our friends. It won’t be any trouble; James is an expert at this sort of thing. All we’ll have to do is tell him what we want for dinner and how many guests we’ll be having.”

“I can’t wait to see Danny’s face when he walks into this apartment and finds himself socializing with the most popular guys at school!”
“You really like that little guy, don’t you?” David asked.
“Yes, I do. He reminds me of myself before I met you. He’s so shy and wide-eyed. He just needs somebody to take him under his wing, the way you did for me. I hope that Tom is that guy.”
“You’re a good friend. Steve doesn’t know what he threw away when he made you his enemy.”
“He has a chance to change that. I’m willing to let bygones be bygones.”
“I wouldn’t bet on him changing.”
“Me neither; but it can’t hurt to try.”

Chapter XIII

I was excited. This would be my first adult New Years Eve, and the first party I had ever hosted. I wanted it to be perfect. I’m sure that I drove poor James crazy checking and double-checking every detail that he had already thought of. Realizing that it was my first time co hosting a party, he showed remarkable restraint. “Don’t worry Mr. Michael, everything will be perfect.” He must have said those words a thousand times that week. David had given parties before, so he just sat back and smiled while he watched me drive James and myself crazy.

“Why does this party mean so much to you?” David asked as we were getting dressed for the party. “It’s not like we have to impress anybody; it’s only for our closest friends.”
I blushed. “I’ll tell you if you won’t laugh at me.”
“I promise.”
“I know that this party is just for our friends, but someday you’ll have a party for important people. I want you to know that you can count on me to plan a party that you can be proud of, the way a husband can count on his wife.”
“I don’t think it’s silly at all. I love you for it. It doesn’t matter though. I would marry you even if you were the worst host in New York, but I have a feeling that you’ll turn out to be the best. Everybody loves you.”

I kissed him. “I needed to hear that; you always know the right thing to say.” I said.
Although I had scheduled the party for eight o’clock, we were ready by seven-thirty.
“Have a drink, it’ll calm you down.” David said with a smile.
“I think you’re enjoying this!” I said.
“It’s a party; I’m supposed to have fun. Besides, you don’t know how flattered I am that you’re so eager to please me. It’s turning me on. Want to go to the bedroom while we wait?”
“You think you’re funny,” I said with mock exasperation in my voice.
“I think you’re sexy,” he said as he poured some champagne.
“I feel like were an old married couple waiting for our guests to arrive.” I said.
“I know. I like it.”

The doorbell rang.

“All joking aside, I know it’s going to be a success. I love you.” He kissed me, and my nerves disappeared like magic.
To my delight, Tom and Danny were the first to arrive. I would have some time to find out how they were doing.
“So you must be Mike’s new best friend Danny.” David said as he shook his hand. “You made some impression on him. All he’s done is talk about what a nice guy you are for the last week.”
“David, this apartment, the butler...” he stammered.
“Now I see what you two have in common!” David laughed. He remembered.
“He’s laughing because I said almost the exact same thing the first time I walked in here back in September.” I told him.
“Have some champagne,” David said handing Danny a glass.
“I’ve never had it before,” Danny said.
“It’s good. Just sip it slowly.” I said. I watched and waited for the bubbles to tickle his nose. They did, and we all laughed. I could tell that David liked him already.

David and Tom went over to the stereo to put on some records.
“So Danny, I’ve been dying to ask you. Did it hurt?” I smiled.
“No, it was beautiful. Tom was so gentle. I know I’m not supposed to say it, but I love him. I want to tell him, but I’m afraid.”
“I think the scariest moment of my life was when I said those words to Dave. If he hadn’t told me that he loved me, I think I would have died.”
“But he did tell you that he loves you, and look at you now!”
“If I were you, I would tell him. Just remember, it’s a big gamble and you can’t tell anyone else that you love him. If you tell the wrong person, you’re dead.”
“Mike, whatever happens, I’ll never be able to thank you enough for setting me up with Tom. Steve would have raped me, I know it.”
“I should warn you, Steve is going to be here tonight.” Danny’s face turned white.
“He’s got it in for me too. I’m going to try to make peace with him. Just stay clear of him and close to Tom or Dave. You’ll be ok; and if that doesn’t work, you have my permission to hit him over the head with one of the lamps.” Danny giggled.

The doorbell rang again. It was Jason and Steve. I greeted them and offered them drinks. Steve wore his usual snarl as he gulped down a glass of champagne and poured another. I maneuvered Steve to the other side of the room where we could have some privacy. I could see that David was keeping an eye on us.
“Steve, I want to talk to you. We’ve never really talked before; we’ve been too busy hating each other.”
“So talk to me. Who’s stopping you?”
“I’d like to bury the hatchet.”
“You buried it in my back when you stole David from me, and if that wasn’t enough, you saw to it that I couldn’t even fuck the class nerd. I should be the one hosting this party wearing those fancy clothes and that sapphire ring, not you.”
“I didn’t go after David because of his money. I didn’t even know he was rich when I fell in love with him.”
“Ah, so you are a faggot! I thought so.”

I blushed. I hadn’t meant to say that.

“Ok, so you know. I love him for himself, and he loves me. You only loved his money and position at school and he never wanted any part of that kind of a relationship. Can’t you understand that?”
“I might have been able to forgive the fact that you’re two faggots in love, but explain to me why you fucked me up with Danny.”
“You were cruel to him and he was afraid of you. He came to me with tears in his eyes and begged me for help. He was so scared and upset that I didn’t have the heart to say no. Look, if you’ll forgive and forget I’ll make you one of the most popular guys in our class if you want. I’ll even try to find you somebody to fuck around with, if you promise not to abuse him.”
“Too little too late, faggot! I’m going to destroy you and your rich faggot boyfriend. By the end of this year, I’ll have an asshole to shove my cock into. You’ll be my fuck slave, and don’t worry about David. He won’t be lonely; he’ll be too busy getting his ass pounded by Matthew to give you a second thought!”
With that, he walked away and joined his brother. Jack, who had just arrived with Brian, came up to me.
“You’re as pale as a ghost. What was that all about?” He asked.
“Oh Jack, I think I’m in trouble!” I said.

Other than my failure to make friends with Steve, the party was a complete success. The dinner was perfect. The table was set with David’s good china and silver and was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. David surprised me at midnight by kissing me in front of everybody as Auld Lang Syne played, and the other couples kissed as well. I heard Steve mutter something about faggots to Jason, and Jason told him to “shut the fuck up.” By the end of the night, everybody was feeling happy from the champagne.

After the party, David and I were getting ready for bed. “I was so proud of you tonight.” David said. “You couldn’t have been a better host. When I saw you talking with Danny it was like looking at before and after pictures of you. When we first met, you were just like him. You never could have hosted a party like this. Tonight you were mature and self-confident. Every guy at the party told me how lucky I am to have you. You’ve grown into a handsome, confident, and kind young man and I love you more than anything on earth.” He kissed me.
I wiped my eyes. “I have you to thank for the person I’ve become. Your love made me all that and more.” I said. “I’m afraid that I did make a mess of one thing though.”

“Let me guess, Steve?”
“He hates me worse than ever. He said that he would destroy both of us and to make matters worse, I let it slip that were in love.”
“Don’t feel bad, I let it slip in front of everybody while you were talking to Steve.” David smiled. “That’s why we all kissed at midnight. We knew that Brian and Jack were in love, but when I let it slip that I love you, Tom admitted that he was in love with Danny. Jason heard it all, and admitted that he was gay too. We can all be open with each other now.”
“I’m so happy for Danny. He told me that he was in love with Tom but was afraid to tell him.”
“I’m sorry that I got so angry when you told me about Danny. Now that I’ve met him, I understand why you had to help him. You were right; I’d have done exactly the same thing. It would have been inhuman to allow Steve rape that nice kid. I’ll never question your judgment again.”
“I’m really afraid of Steve now. I never saw such hatred in anybody’s eyes before. He meant every word he said. He’s jealous that I’m with you. He thinks that I stole you from him, and he should have been hosting this party wearing my clothes and my ring.”
“I wouldn’t have had anything to do with him even if I hadn’t met you. He would have made me pay him every time that I wanted him to suck my dick!”
“If anything, he should pay you for the privilege.”
“I’ll give you a freebee if you want!” He said, whipping it out.
“The best things in life are free,” I said, happily falling to my knees in front of him.

Chapter XIV

When school resumed in January, we had two weeks to prepare for midterm exams. All social life ceased for three weeks. Although I still stayed with David on the weekends, we were both engrossed in our books most of the time. We had quiet dinners together in the penthouse, and quizzed each other in our studies. We both passed our exams with flying colors. By the time exams ended, it was February, and we were all getting ready for the St. Valentine’s Day dance. I never could have guessed what a traumatic night it would be for David and me.
The nightmare began, fittingly enough, on Friday, February 13. The last period had just ended, and I went to my locker to put my books away. There was an envelope taped to my locker. I opened it and stared in horror. It was full of pictures of David and me. They were pictures of us kissing, embracing, dancing at Xenon, and smiling at each other. The bastard must have had somebody follow us with a camera! They were all taken last Saturday. The unsigned note that accompanied them said, “Meet me at four o’clock in the locker room and bring your faggot boyfriend.”
In a state of shock and panic, I ran into the cafeteria to look for David. I found him talking to some friends; I tapped him on the arm to get his attention. As soon as he saw my face, he knew that something was very wrong.

“What is it, Mike?” He said with alarm in his voice. I handed him the pictures and note. He took me by the arm and led me to a storage room where we could have some privacy.
“They were taped on my locker. What are we going to do?” I asked.
“We’re screwed. He said he would destroy us and he has. If he shows these around it will be the worst scandal in the school’s history. I don’t care so much for myself; I’ll be out of here in a few months. You’ve got three and a half more years. It’s my fault. If it weren’t for me Steve wouldn’t hate you.”
“No Dave; it’s my fault. I helped Danny get away from him. That’s why he did this.” I said. “He’s going to try to blackmail me to be his slave. On New Year’s Eve, he said I’d be his fuck slave before the year ended. I won’t do it!”
“I’d rather be ruined than see him touch you. I’d rather die. Mike, whatever happens in that locker room, even if we’re the school faggots from now on, somehow we’ll get through it together. Let’s make a pact right now that we won’t give ourselves to them no matter what happens.”
“Give ourselves to them?” I asked in horror.
“I’m sure Johnson is in on this. He’s been smirking at me all day.” I fell into his arms.
“I promise. It’s a pact.” I said.
“It’s just about four o’clock.”
“Whatever happens, I want you to know that I love you and I have no regrets.” I said.
“That goes for me too.” He said as he kissed me.
We began the short walk to the locker room. It seemed to take an eternity.
“It’s ironic,” I said, “The locker room was where our love began.”
“This is just our second beginning.” He said.
We walked into the locker room and just as we expected, there stood Steve and Matthew Johnson. We stood with our backs to the door in case we had to run.
“So, you got my little calling cards, good.” Steve said. “I thought that I’d pass them out before the dance tomorrow night.”
“All right, you’ve got us. What is there to talk about?” David said.
“I’m hurt”, Steve said. Do you really think that I would ruin you without offering you an alternative?”
“What do you want for the negatives? Cut the bullshit and tell us.”
“To start with, we each want a thousand dollars.”
“That can be arranged. What else?” David said coolly.
“You become my whore.” Johnson said. I still dream about that tight little ass of yours, even after all these years.”
“What about Mike?” David asked.
“Mike becomes my fuck slave.” Steve said. “And just remember, you won’t be here next year to protect him. If he’s an outcast, I’ll find a way to rape him anyway.”

David looked at me. “Do you want to give them our answer or shall I?” He asked.
“I looked Steve straight in the eye. “You can both go fuck yourselves! Show those damn pictures to anybody you want. I wouldn’t let either of you touch us if my life depended on it. I’d rather be disgraced with David than be the most popular guy in school, if it meant getting fucked by an ugly little worm like you!”

Johnson pulled out his switchblade and clicked it open. “Your boyfriend’s life does depend on it, faggot!” He said. “On your knees in front of Corbett or your boyfriend’s face won’t look so pretty anymore.” Steve unzipped his fly and pulled out his ugly little dick. It was hard and slimy. Johnson pulled a nine-inch hard weapon from his pants. “This is for you, Donovan; suck it, and if you’re a good boy, I’ll give you a nice warm drink from it when you’re done. Do it now or I’ll cut off Blondie’s dick.” Before I could react, I heard a click come from where David was standing. To my astonishment, David had a switchblade too.

“Get behind me, Mike and open the door.” He didn’t have to tell me twice. David backed out after me.
“Upstairs and out the front door!” David said. We ran like Hell. We got outside, and David hailed a cab on Madison Avenue. We held each other in the back seat. I don’t know who was shaking harder, David or me.