You know all the usual stuff, don't read if it's illegal or you don't like sex or sex between two males offends you. All characters are purely fictional, and any likeness is coincidence. Joshua Glynn reserves all rights to this story, the characters, and the world they live in.
This story is about an 18/yo boy struggling with the gifts that he possesses, and trying to find out where he fits in a modern day society.
Joshua moved to Goose Creek, South Carolina, just outside of Charleston, due to some serious girl problems. Now he has met the twins, his next door neighbors, and is feeling confused about his feelings toward both of them. His first day of school was great until he got into a fight with the school bully. Now romance is in the air as Joshua and Carrie plan their first date!
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Gifted: Book One
Soul Mates
The Date!
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Joshua
The rest of the week was kind of a blur to me. I made it through my second day of school ok. It was great actually! First off, I'm like a new celebrity in school, everybody knows me. Everyone I pass in the halls knows my name.
"Hey Josh..." "Josh my man..." "Yo Josh"
My teachers are starting to wonder why I'm still in school. I've aced all their tests this week, even with no study time. I love having a memory like a steal trap... hehe.
Carrie was doing her part to make sure everyone knew we were a couple. She was walking everywhere holding my hand, and kissing me every time we had to part ways, in the most visible spots of the hall. I really loved all the attention I was getting from her. Not to mention the attention I was getting from all the other girls in school. It is true what they say, that all the ladies want you once you're spoken for. I've dated several girls before, but they were just dates. I knew they probably wouldn't last more then a few dates, and none had... However, this was the first time I had really felt like I had a steady girlfriend of any significance, so it was a bit of a new experience for me. I think I liked it!
Tuesday, James came up to me after lunch. "Hey, Josh. Can I talk to you a minute?"
"Yea sure James, what's up?"
"Um, I'm not sure if you'd be interested but, the football team is holding tryouts next week for a new receiver. Two of ours got injured in the first couple of games and we need to find replacements. One of the guys we have filling in the position now is awful; he's a forward tackle, but the only thing we had. Coach is holding open auditions, to all classes, because he's not too happy with his JV guys this year either. We need at least one, maybe two people, so would you be interested?"
"Um, I don't know. I've never really been a big sports guy. Why me?"
"Dude, you are the toughest 'son of a bitch' I know, after cleaning Mark's clock! Besides, you seem well defined under that polo. I think you would be awesome!" he said smiling, almost lustfully...
I smirked, "So, you been checkin me out huh?" I could see the fear flash in his eyes, thinking that he might have said the wrong thing. I figured I should let him off the hook, "Just kidding man, when's the tryout?"
"Next Monday, after school."
"Cool I'll try." I said smiling. I don't know why I decided to do it, but something inside me said, why not!
When I told Casey that afternoon on the bus, he said, "Cool, I'm trying out too. I was on the team last year, but I didn't join this year, because we were on vacation through out the end of summer, during training. I hear that there are filling two spots. So maybe we can both get on." That made me feel even better, because I would have someone else there I knew at the tryouts.
When I got home, I couldn't wait to tell dad. I knew he was a big football fan. He was captain of his high school team, and was always a little disappointed that I had not been all that interested in sports. I know how to play all the games from sitting with dad all these years, whenever a game was on. Also, I'd played some touch football back home a few times. It was fun to play, but I had just never thought of playing it for real. This new prospect was kind of a new feeling for me. I was actually exited about the tryouts.
I did my homework at the kitchen table, so I'd know when he got home. I also wanted to spend some quality time with my sisters. Kim and Adria were happy that their big brother was gracing them with his presence. It also didn't hurt having me there to help them with their homework.
When Dad got home I ran in to the living room to give him my good news. "Dad, you'll never guess what I'm doing next Monday afternoon!"
"What's that Son?" dad said smiling
"I'm going to tryout for the football team! Two of their receivers were injured in the last few games so they are holding open tryouts next Monday!"
"Son, that's great! Are you sure, though? You've never been all that into sports?"
"Well, James seems to think I'll do well, and he's the captain of the team. Also he asked me personally today to try out for the team. Besides, you know I've been working out for over a year now dad. I think I'm ready!"
"OK son...I believe you! I can't wait to see my son on the football field!" he messed my hair.
"Well dad, you know I might not make the team. It is only tryouts."
"Bah, you'll be on the team, I know it!" he winked at me and smiled real big, "I can't wait for this weekend now!"
"What's going on this weekend?"
He smiled, "You'll see!" And dad left for the kitchen starting his "how are my girls doing" routine.
There was a knock at the door. Since I was closest I opened it, and there was Casey!
"Excuse me Mr. Kingston, can Joshua come out to play?" he asked with a grin.
"Thought you would never get here." I just laughed.
So, we went out to the courts to play some hoops. Man was I on my game today. Two of the games, I came within a basket of the final score. I think I was so excited about the football tryouts, I must have kicked it up a notch. "Man, were you feeling bad yesterday or what?" he was panting a lot more than yesterday. "Yesterday, I was just playing around with you, but you sure stepped up your game today, I thought you had that first game."
"Hehe...I don't know, I just didn't feel "on" yesterday. Today, I don't know, it's like a light switch was turned on."
We sat on the court about five minutes catching our breath, and talking about the games we just played. After we felt fully rested, Casey asked, "Why don't we go for a run before it gets too dark? Say, to the Seven-eleven and back home?"
"That sounds good. It's been about a month since my last run. We can work out the kinks before next Monday."
So we went for our run. I figure it was about a two-mile run. Not too strenuous. The run was great. Made me think I'll do well next Monday, if I can catch the ball.
Wednesday, was fairly uneventful, more classes to ace, more kissing Carrie, and more people saying hi. The only real excitement of the day came after I got home and Casey came over for more fun and games. I was really enjoying these b-ball sessions with Casey. It was really bringing us closer every day.
When he came over Wednesday, I was waiting for him on the porch, but he surprised me, he had a football with him today. I just smiled. "So a little pigskin action today?"
"Well, with the tryouts next week I thought you might want some practice." Casey smiled.
"Cool."
So we went out to the park near by to the open field. "Ok, run out and I'll throw you a pass!"
After I had ran out about twenty yards, I twisted around to look for the ball, it was coming down nice and straight. So I jumped up a little and caught it, but it slipped through my arms.
"Damit!"
"Hey, don't sweat it, man. It was your first catch! We all miss a few."
So then he ran out and I threw the ball to him. It wasn't a perfect spiral, but I wasn't going out for Quarterback either. He caught it easily. I could tell he was a fine athlete. He had probably been playing sports all his life. I had a lot of catching up to do.
We had fun. We ran all over the field throwing the ball back and forth. We were both doing well. We didn't miss the ball much at all. I was getting much better. It was like the more I did it, the quicker I was catching on. When we were thoroughly worn out, we came back to my place. We sat on the back porch again, this time drinking orange Kool-Aid.