“I don’t think he would make a good boyfriend.” “It’s okay, I’m the good boyfriend.” Was this what it came down to now? Since when did I have to please everyone, since when did I need to be so good to everyone else. Tell them, sure I will help, anything I can do. That’s just who I am. But no more I think; it’s my turn. Let someone else bury their problems, let someone else take a deep breath and say they are fine. I’m done with this nice guy act, sure I am actually a cheery person most of the time but why does that mean I need to take other peoples crap. I have issues too, sure they may not be so dramatic or ridiculous but I have things that I keep to myself. They hurt too, but I’m not supposed to waver, I’m the rock, right? But no more, let others tell themselves that their problems are nothing in comparison to those of others, that they am much better off and that they need to get over it. And yet, as I write this, I know it won’t change much. I will still return to helping others, what else can I do. The pain I feel from my issues, there’s nothing that can be done. I just have to move on. Or is that just another thing I tell myself….

            “Was it strange?” the question rolled about in his mind. It came to him at random this night, working its way around his brain. It was years now since he had been married to his husband and had kids. But the question made him think back, to that first love. Sure he turned out with someone of the opposite sex, but was it really that strange? He had loved her with the same passion that many of his romances held. Sure it could not compare to the bond he had now, but then again no first love could come close to a lifelong companion. The same people who ask him these questions assumed that he could never really have loved her because deep down he would always end up this way, but he never saw it that way. When he held her close, when they shared anything and everything details like gender floated away. So no, he decided, it was not strange, and it never would be. At the time he had loved her with every fiber of his being, there was nothing he could do to change that. Love works in mysterious ways and there are never any rules.

            A light breeze blew through the tall grass, making it dance against the blue sky. A young man, a boy, lay there on his back, the grass matting under him. A soft laugh crossed his ears and he turned to face the young woman, who was also just a girl, lying next to him. Her eyes were a vibrant green, which dulled the grass around them in comparison. The boy smiled, a true smile, one of something that couldn’t be faked. The connection between them could be felt almost as strongly as the wind which moved the grasses. The girl leaned forward and placed her lips to his. It was an easy day, neither were plagued by a worry and all they had to do was enjoy each other’s company. The sun was high in the sky then but time was not an issue. In their minds it seemed like that day would never end. The boy pulled her closer this time and held her near. As they rolled through the grass, they lost themselves in each other.

            The first drop landed on the man’s hand. He played with it, letting it run along his palm and down a finger. Soon another drop joined the first, then another. Finally, the clouds opened up and water streamed down. The man could feel the water seep through his clothes and run along his skin. The cool water made his skin prickle and he took in a deep breath. Cold air rushed into his lungs and as he let it out a fine white mist followed. Water streamed down his face and he turned his open mouth to the sky. A hand reached out and caught a hold of his shoulder suddenly. The hand was so warm it seared into his flesh, covering his entire body with goose bumps. He turned to find another man, slick black hair covered by a folded newspaper. The other man’s eyes looked worried but also seemed to beckon him. The first man ducked into a jacket that the second now held open and the two ran under the porch of a small cottage close by. Breath steaming, the first man looked up into the eyes of the other. Gone was the worry, left only was desire. He smiled and the two ducked in the door…

So write down the date and the time.

Remember what you’re wearing.

Go grab your parents.

Get ready to call your friends.

Update your Facebook page.

And feel free to freak out (a little),

scream (if you want to),

or jump out of your seat (totally up to you).

Because this is the moment your Albion experience begins.

(You got in, by the way.)

A warm breeze blew across the sand causing the young man’s hair to dance. He sat with his legs laid out in front of him, resting back on his hands. Next to him another young man sat, his hair slick and firmly in place. He sat with his knees curled to his chest and arms wrapped around them. The sun had just sank below the horizon but the night sky clung to the last beams of light. The first stars had appeared behind them, barely visible through the lasting glow. Letting out a sigh, the second young man also leaned back on his hands, and ever so slightly a hand brushed that of the other’s. With hesitant movements both leaned into the other’s shoulder. Closing his eyes, the first tilted his head inward, his brown hair brushing the second’s face. Slowly, in what seemed to be an eternity, their faces turned toward each other. Initially their lips only brushed, then were ever so gently pushed together. Lips parted and reached out, longing. The first man turned away suddenly, the color that filled his face barely visible in the fleeting light. He sat up and looked out toward the sea. The other slid onto his back, eyes downcast. Neither moved for some time, well into the night. Stars filled the sky, only a slight sliver of a moon was visible. Both young men lay in the sand and listened to the ocean’s uneven rhythm. The sound of the sea drowned out everything but the faint whisper of a memory.

The man lay there, eyes open, staring at the celling. In contrast with his motionless body, his mind wandered freely. Thoughts raced through his mind, making the possibility of sleep seem like a foreign concept. He let out a long sigh and tried again to close his eyes. From the other side of the bed a hand slid out and ran along his bare chest. The soft gesture caused the man to shutter. He could feel the heat radiate from his lover’s arm as it slid around him. A warm breath brushed the man’s ear as his lover pressed his face into his. Warmth flowed into and filled the man’s body purging all thoughts from his mind. Eventually his lover’s breath slowed and beat a steady rhythm on his neck. His mind, now motionless, slipped away into the deep respite of sleep.