When Two Worlds Collide [boyxboy]

Ch. 17: The Truth, the Whole Truth and Nothing but the Truth

*Derek's P.O.V.*

*11:11am*

"I wish I could say this easily, but that's not possible. Nonetheless, I'll do my best... I think I might be developing feelings for you. I don't know what to think..." James says, looking down at his feet the whole time. Do my ears deceive me?!? He might be developing feelings... For me?!?

"Are you serious...?" I blurt out. I realize how obnoxious I sound a second later and stumble to fix that.

"I didn't mean to sa-" I start, but James shushes me with his finger, looking me straight in the eye.

"I'm sure." He says with finality. Wow... This is a little much. I just sit down on my bed and try to breathe. He's feeling for me, the loner who cuts himself?!? Whoa...

"Derek...?" James says quietly after about two minutes, his look imploring me to say something. I say all I can think to say at the moment. It actually doesn't come out horribly mangled.

"So the feeling is mutual?" Is all I say, looking up into his deep blue eyes. They dare me to get lost in them, but I refuse. How do I know he isn't joking around? After all, his friend Beth did just send him a text saying that he'll make such a cute couple with someone...

Yep, he's got someone else to be with. He's just getting confused by the friendship developing and he's doesn't know it's nothing more than friendliness on his part.

On the other hand... On the ever so slight chance he does mean it, it could lead to a relationship.

Is this a risk I'm willing to take? Well, it's too late to back what I've said, so telling him that I don't like him back is out of the question.

"Ummmmm what?" James says, giving me a quizical look after a minute of silence and us both just sitting here.

"Hold on, now... You're saying you like ME? Holy shit... So I wasn't going crazy..." he trails off. It was that obvious? Man, I gotta work on my secrecy when I'm scoping people out...

"Well snap. This is, er... Awkward... I don't know if I'm ready to start dating yet, though... Can we stay just friends until we get to know each other better? I mean, don't get me wrong, I can tell you're a great guy if you're always like you have been with me, but if were going to be in a relationship, I'd like to get to know you better. K?" James says, barely pausing to breathe until after he's finished.

"We can go at whatever pace you want. I'm in no hurry, and it'll be worth the wait if it means getting you." I say, smiling at him encouragingly. He simply nods his head in thanks and sits down next to me.

"Thanks..." he says, sling his arm around my shoulder. This makes me start shivering and I realize how cold it is and that we're both still in our swimsuits.

"I'll be right back, I'm going to turn up the heat a bit. It's cold in here. Isn't it?" I ask. He nods, moving his arm off of me to allow me to get up. I walk over to the thermostat and crank the heat up to a good 81 degrees.

I walk back over to sit by James, thinking about what to do next, when a wave of drowsiness hits me. At the same time, my bipolar boldness kicks in again.

I wrap my arms around James and rest my head on his shoulders. He doesnt protest. He feels so warm and comfy... Nap time? I think yes.

"I'm worn out after that swim... Can we take a nap? Maybe... Together? Not sex, just like, cuddling?" James says, reading my mind. I smile, and we lie down on my bed. For the first time ever, I'm cuddling. It seems so unreal as we drift off to sleep together...