Chapter 1: Today

I had been home all day. I had been so bored, but it's not like I had much of choice; I sighed to myself thoughtfully. I needed some air, you know? So I decided; best way to do that is by checking out the balcony view. It was the only access, I had to air all day. I opened the single door and stepped out onto the stone balcony in my white; no show socks. I leaned over the black metal railing with my arms folded on the top. I sighed to myself, I was so unhappy with my life right now. But, who could I talk to? No-one. That's right, no-one. Because Nick won't let me out of his sight. I felt suffocated. The only time, I got some sense of a life back is; when he worked all day or all night depending on his work schedule. He wasn't due back for another couple of hours yet. So I still had some time to just be me; a little bit. I looked down at the street below from my second floor apartment; I shared with Nick. He was my life partner, but lately I was starting to go a stray; I wasn't even sure, if I loved him any more or not. I'm so confused right now. Recently, this guy named Jake Johnson moved into the apartment below Nick and I's. I watched him come and go; everyday. He was really attractive, and because of Nick I haven't had a chance to meet him yet. He moved in a short time ago did Jake too.

I decided today was going to be the day that I'd finally meet him; Nick had already called me for the 11th time of the 11th hour, so I had an hour of time left; before he called home again. Perfect. I saw him come home at the exact same time he does every time; as I watched from my balcony. Once he was inside, I smiled to myself and headed back into the living room closing the door and locking it behind me. I grabbed my white nikey trainers and slipped them all. I applied some fresh; lynx deodorant under my armpits to make sure I still smelled good. I grabbed my cellphone, wallet, some hidden wine, I had stored away for this very occasion and my apartment key and exited my living space closing the front door behind me, which I locked shortly after. I headed down the metal stairs; a little excited dressed in my dark yellow; tank-top that hugged my slender torso well and my dark green combat shorts. My hair was already gelled accordingly for the day. I found Jake's apartment door and stood outside it. I took a deep breath, and exhaled slowly. Before knocking on the door. It was long, before it opened as I felt my nerves increasing. And there he was standing in front of me for the first time. I was actually speechless.

He looked even better in person; I thought to myself, as he looked me up and down and raised his eyebrow: "Err--hey. Can I help you, mate?" asked Jake in a very calming tone of voice for me. I shyly smiled to myself, before scratching the back of my head and struggled a little to speak, bit I snapped out of it and responded to Jake's question: "Oh hi, Jake." I took a deep breath again and subtly exhaled raising his eyebrow wondering, how I knew his name, "Oh, right. Sorry. My n-name's Forrest Tucker. I-Erm..live above you. I-Err--Just wanted to say, welcome to the neighbourhood. Here!" I said with a smile holding out the wine, I had been keeping for over a month now for him. "I-Erm would have come sooner, but you know how it is. I know your name, because I dropped off your mail one day on my way up the stairs; whilst you was at work one time. I thought, I'd be a good neighbour and that. It's great to finally meet you in-person." I revealed with a happy smile; my first in a long time in-hope he'd accept my gift and greet me warmly.

I smiled; not expecting Jake to invite me. Wow, it was nice to actually talk to someone other then Nick for a change. I had lost contact with my other friends; because of him. I looked around Jake's place, yeah it was a little messy but who's place isn't? I gave me the impression; he was single too. Which was nice to know. I chuckled a little sitting at the table, "It's fine really, Jake. Even I can be a little messy, sometimes. If you ever need any help with a little clean up session, just let me know." I said with a smile, as long as it was when Nick was at work, then that was great. "You have a nice place, Jake." I smile again, as Jake looks at the bottle of wine: "I wasn't sure, if you drank wine or not? But I didn't want to welcome you empty handed. I never have with new neighbours." I revealed to him.

I lost my smile for a minute, when he said he didn't drink; feeling a little disappointed, I had been saving it for him after all. Oh well; I thought to myself. My smile returned by half, when he said he thought my name was cool; then when he brought up about me living with someone possibly or seeing Nick; sometimes. I sighed, before looking over at him with no expression on my face. "That's my boyfriend Nick; you see sometimes. We live together. He works shifts; so it can either be day or night for him." I played with my thumbs on the table, where my arms were resting looking down at them. As for, why I would come down here?" I said looking up at him, "An opportunity came up, where I could finally meet you and say hi, so I took it and here I am heh." I looked up at him a little, "Plus I didn't have a lot to do upstairs, and was a little bored." I grin. "What about you Jake? Are you with someone or not? And you're living on your own, right?" I asked with a carefree smile wondering; what his reply would be.

Yeah, Nick is insanely attractive and had the body to match, so I was used to people noticing that but too bad; they don't know the real Nick like I do. "Not really, I don't mind the unstable hours. When you live with someone; space is always important. So when his away, it helps a lot. Well all new businesses start out slow Jake; I'm sure it'll be a success in the long run." I smiled at him encouraging him. "Really?" I said upon hearing that Jake left his dating like with his ex-partner in Florida, and hasn't had sex, met anyone or dated anyone since coming here. I looked over at him, "Don't you ever get lonely, Jake?" I asked curiously, "And if you don't mind, my asking: Are you gay, then? Since you said my boyfriend was 'nice-looking'?" I chuckled a little. "How did your last relationship end, then? Did you love 'em?" I stopped for a minute and released how intrusive, I was being: "Oh! I'm sorry Jake, you must think; I'm a right nosey parker! Sorry." I said with genuine truth.

My face lit up, when I heard he was gay. How lucky is that? I'm sure, if Nick ever found that out; he'll pursue Jake without even thinking about my feelings to be honest. I didn't care that much, we hadn't slept together in like a month. I'm sure those night shifts weren't all work; I still don't know though. "Wow. Your gay too, heh? Other then Nick and I, your the only other gay guy leaving in this building!" I said with a grin. "It's nice to know, we're not alone there now." I smiled. Jake went onto to answer my question about his last relationship revealing that in fact that he had dated that footballer Nick always watches named: Ricky Turner. Wow. When Nick's here's about that he'll go nuts; Ricky's like his favourite player and this guy was in-love with him? Actually slept with him too on more then one occasion and lived with him? Oh my god! "Oh my god, wow. Ricky Turner? Seriously? Nick's totally in-love with him; it's his favourite football player and he watches all his games. He almost met him, once too. His very sports heavy, I'm not. I like the simpler things in-life." I said with pride and a smile. "If he showed up today; would you welcome him into your bed without hesitation? And take him back?" I said with a chuckle.

Really? He wouldn't sleep with him again? But prefer him, as friend. That's interesting. "..Wow. Most guys would kill to get Ricky Turner in bed with them again. But I guess, it's different for other people." I suggested with a smile. Then he went onto say he dated a Broadway star, as well? I was shocked right now; I stood up in excitement: "..Wait! You slept and dated Damon Gardner, as well? No way! His my favourite theatre star! His so fit and so talented! Damn.." I sat back down; gob-smacked. "..Your so lucky, Jake. I would give anything to meet him. I don't believe it." I tilted my head back with a large smile. "..Awesomeness! In answer to the same question; would you take Damon back? If he was right here?" I raised my eyebrow intrigued. "..I'm a simple guy, if I wasn't with Nick..you might have got your wish." I grin.

"Wow turning down Damon, too? Shocking." I said genuinely amazed by his answers. "I agree; he doesn't get enough credit. It's a real shame. But he respects that and stays cool." I smile feeling proud to be a fan right now. "To be honest, I don't think I do love him any more, it's kind of complicated." I said with a sigh. "I think, we'll a little confused at what we want. Maybe, we're just settling for one another. Who knows." I said with a sense of defeat in my voice. Complicated wasn't the word to describe my relationship with Nick. "I think his sleeping with other guys; you know. So if he sleeps with you; let me know to confirm my suspicions, please?" I grin playfully, but I was actually serious. If Jake ever slept with Nick, he'll confirm it for me.

"Well that's good to know." I smiled at Jake. "Like I said Jake, it's complicated. We've been through a lot together. Well I best be going; Nick is going to be calling the home phone in like 20 minutes and if I'm not there; he'd probably freak out." I sighed standing up picking up the wine; I brought with me, "Plus, I need to sort dinner out. It was nice to finally meet and talk to you, Jake. Take care, yeah?" I said with a smile, as I walked around and gave Jake a friendly hug; he smelled really good. Control yourself Forrest; I thought to myself with a grin. Before our hug ended, I started to head for the door with Jake following behind. "Thanks for spending some time with me; I appreciate it. Sorry about the wine thing, heh.." I said with a innocent smile, before placing my hand on Jake's door handle.

I smile at him; he was so handsome. I had to snap out of this trance; so I eventually did and looked up at him, after looking down for a second. "It'll take more then wine to get any sort of spark babe, Jake." I smile, "And I will do; you know give you notice. Have you got a pen and some paper?" Jake said he did, as he handed me some from a nearby area. I told him to turn around; he was a little confused but I laughed and said it was fine. He did so, as I leaned placed the paper on his back and wrote with some stuff down with the pain I had. I could have used the wall or something, but this was much more fun for me. I finished writing and turned Jake back around and handed him the paper and pen: "There's my cell number and my e-mail address; like for MSN or Skype even. That way we can talk, when can't in-person." I smiled at him.