Finding Myself Abroad

Chapter VIII

Dex and I stood at the sink, washing the evidence of our passion off our faces and down the drain.  We didn't go all the way, but it was pretty intense. Soon, we were clean. I put on the clothes that Dex had lent me.  He was arranging his clothes in the chest of drawers when Mrs. Castro knocked on the door.

"Your clothes are in the dryer, dear," she called through the door.

"Thanks, Mrs. Castro," I called back.

Dex looked at me. I could see the smirk on his face as his thoughts mirrored mine. I couldn't yet admit that I was gay, but I was certainly leaning in that direction.  He smiled at me. I smiled back. Looking at each other in the mirror, we smiled and held hands.  He pulled me into a side hug, and I willingly went into his embrace.

We walked to the train station together the first day of the semester. A ten minute train ride, and we were headed the school. We had our backpacks, and I was wearing wrinkled clothes from my duffle bag that had arrived late the previous night. Mrs. Castro has gone to bed by the time it showed up, so I wasn't able to iron them. It didn't matter to me. I had Dex.

Arriving at the front doors, we looked around. We were supposed to go to the auditorium for orientation, but there wasn't a sign. We weren't sure who we should ask for directions.

Turning down a random hall, Dex and I walked around. About ten minutes later, we found the auditorium. Finding seats, we settled in. We weren't too late it seemed. Apparently everyone here was on a "I'm there when I'm there" kind of schedule.

Someone went to the podium and tested the microphone. Tapping on it, he leaned close. With his mustache, he reminded me of Freddie Mercury. I smiled. During the day, when we wouldn't annoy the neighbors, ma and I would watch Queen's Live Aid performance, dancing, singing, and clapping our hands during the song "Radio Gaga".

"Welcome one and all!  We have many students from all over the world to study abroad. We like to foster a family environment at the host homes and an attitude of friendship in the school.

"There are many great and unique opportunists here for you. We will hand out your class assignments out shortly. Each of you will be tutored and mentored and I'm sure each of you will have a good time!"

He continued on in this vein for a few more minutes. At the exit, we lined up and gave our name and received our schedules.  Dex and I huddled in a corner to compare our classes with the map of the school we had received in addition to our schedules.

"Everything is in military time," I said, trying to remember the conversion formula.

"Americans," Dex said with a smile. "Just subtract twelve from thirteen hundred hours and beyond and you'll get your Americanized time."

Nodding, I kept scanning our schedules. We only had one class together. It was final period so we could at least get to the train on the same time. Giving each other a fist bump, we headed off to our respective classes.

First day was the usual stuff you'd expect. Icebreakers, getting to know your fellow classmates and teachers. Nothing too difficult. Dex and I shouldered our bags after final period and headed to the train. Purchasing our tickets, we sat down together. I closed my eyes. Jet lag was a bitch.  I only intended to rest my eyes for a moment, but soon, Dex was shaking me.

"Wake up, Roen. We're here."

The train screeching to a halt helped me come fully awake. I was surprised to find we were at our stop. I got up, limbs kind of rubbery from my sleep and shuffled off the train with Dex guiding me from behind.

"Jet lag?" He asked, yawning.

"Yeah. Definitely need to crash again when we get back. Got any homework?"

"No," he said as we began walking. "I expect tomorrow it begins."

Nodding, we made our way home and had dinner with the Castros. Explaining to our gracious hosts about how tired we were, we went to our room. We each went to our beds and sat down. We tiredly began to undress.

"Don't even think about it," Dex said with a tired smile. "I'm too tired to get it up."

"Me too." I actually hadn't considered doing anything, but I did admire Dex's body. It wasn't as toned as mine was, but it was still nice to look at. I got up, and headed to the shower. Dex brushed his teeth while watching me in the mirror. He smiled when I saw him through the clear glass door. I brushed my teeth while he showered.  I was shaving when he stepped out.

"I'd wolf whistle, but I don't want to cut myself." I rinsed the razor blade and went back to work.

"Your eyes do enough talking, babe." He said as he toweled off. He kissed my now smooth cheek and headed to the bedroom to dress.

My stomach flipped and did twists.  Babe?  Were we a couple?  Fun was fun, but...wasn't I supposed to be dating girls?  There were a few I noticed in my classes. But nothing that struck me as romantic or date worthy. Certainly nothing that gave me feelings like Mike or Dex did. Suppose I was in fact bi?  Could that be possible?  What if I was out and out gay?  How would ma handle that?  I puzzled over these things for a few minutes before I fell asleep.