The story of a Lonesome ol'Jerome

55- If you stay...

*20 year old Gwyn's POV*

I met Damien through some friends at college. At first I just knew him as the hot, rivethead musician-friend of this girl, Annie, they were both from Alaska. He was a little older than both of us, and worked in Oberlin's food court.

I started hanging out with Damien more, and eventually learned that he had moved here from Alaska to be with Annie, even though she already had a boyfriend. They were having an affair, and it bothered me, especially when I confronted Annie about it and she said she liked to "have her cake and eat it too."

Damien became depressed that Annie wouldn't dump her boyfriend. He started spending the night snuggling with me, and I felt my heart melting in his arms. Then one night, he kissed me. The next I gave him a blowjob. Soon we were having sex.

After a few weeks, I couldn't take hiding from Annie, when I shouldn't have to, given her behavior. I was disgusted with them, with myself.

I told Damien one night that if he stayed with me, he was going to have to tell Annie the next day, and that he was choosing to be with me. If he was undecided, or he needed time to think about it, or he wanted to stay with Annie, that was all fine, but he needed to go to his place for the night.

Damien said he loved me, he was sure, and wanted to stay. The next day, I went to lunch, nervous, but excited to see him. That would be the beginning! He was strangely quiet as I paid for my food.

I sat down next to Annie to see how she was taking it. I was concerned for her, ironically.

It was Annie who told me that Damien had, indeed, told her what was going on. Apparently, when Annie had told Damien she would finally leave her boyfriend to be with him, he had said he would gladly leave me. I was stunned, but she seemed sincere, sympathetic.

I walked to the checkout, waited until there was no one else around, and quietly verified that what Annie had said was true. It was. Damien had waited for her for so long, for years. He said he just couldn't say no. I said I understood and left before I became emotional in public.

Several days passed, and I kept to myself. The day arrived of the Oberlin's annual end-of-the-year parade, and I was determined to dress up, pretend to appear unaffected. Of all people, Brian was getting ready with me, and looking more fabulous than a cheetah in bondage gear on Sunday.

I remember, Brian went to go to the bathroom,and was gone for a long while, especially for a dude. Then I heard heatedarguing. Damien walked into my dorm room without knocking, Brian on his heels,trying at first to stop him, and then to get him to leave.

I remember telling Brian it was ok, we needed to talk. I asked Damien what hewanted. He then proceeded to sweep me off my feet with a bunch of sappy shit.How he missed me, how he had made a terrible mistake. I ate it up, forgavehim, and that was the faulty foundation of our two year relationship.