(Note: This is part of a series, read I Kissed A Boy first!)

Chapter One (Tristian)

I have a philosphy in life. One that's gotten me through all the shit that's piled up outside my door of life and that philosphy is this:

If a problem happens, ignore it. Hopefully, it'll go away because you're not paying any attention to it.

So far, it's worked for everything! Girls that keep asking me out, then turn around and dump me when they find a much more attractive, avaliable guy. My pay getting cut because I went from full time to part time at the office. My grades dwindling in college because I've had to call in sick. It even worked for when my television went out one night and I was stuck with my Gameboy Color for the rest of the day.

There's just one problem that seems to keep biting me in the ass, even though I've changed my phone number and moved to an apartment closer to my job and school. That problem still followed me from the country to the city, where I didn't fit in worth a damn. And that problem wasn't helping at all.

"Come on, Tristian! I can't go alone!" That problem's name is Anthony Stewart.

See, once upon a time, there was a smart ass, totally rich and snobby student at Western Michigan University --my old college-- and he was also known for being a heavy drinker. I dropped out shortly before graduation and lost contact with this party crazy homosexual.

I moved away from Michigan and to Jensen City where I met a great guy named Ace Carter. He's actually the first friend I'd ever made in the history of fucking forever and did what I could to make sure we stayed that way, even if it meant visiting him and his gay lover, Vic Patterson.

That whole drama was just... God awful.

I felt sorry for both the Carters and Pattersons. They hardly caught a break, it seemed. Of course, it didn't help that Anthony Stewart followed me to Jensen and took it upon himself to violently crush on Vic Patterson. Oh, lo and behold, though! Ace and Vic got together, leaving behind the baggage.

The baggage that I was now forced to drag around with me everywhere I went.

"Not everyone's a homo like you, Anthony," I responded coldly, keeping my eyes on the sidewalk in front of me as my laptop case bounced on my hip, "I ain't goin' to no gay bar just so you won't be lonely. We ain't even friends." Which was the truth. In fact, I didn't like Anthony.

The bastard was a drunk and a mean one at that. He hurt Vic and that was enough to turn off any friendly feelings. There was also the fact that I wasn't gay and Anthony was. He was asking me to a gay bar where I'd probably get picked up by the scruff of my neck and fucked into the nearest wall.

The thought sent shivers up my spine as I bleghed, glancing at Anthony in disgust as he groaned childishly, which didn't match his sleek Italian business suit.

"Oh, come on. I have no other friends anyway and I haven't had a decent date since... Well, for a while." He admitted with a thoughtful shrug, averting his eyes as he tried to recall his last date.

"And the the hell am I supposed ta do when ya'll are off fuckin' some bus boy, huh? Sit there and hope a straight woman walks in?" I asked dryly. Anthony raised an eyebrow, folding his arms over his chest and blocking my path to the office building, making me glare at him.

He was bigger than me, though, so shoving past him was like slammin' a batterin' ram into a fuckin' wall of steel. Damn near impossible. Anthony wasn't bad lookin' for a guy. He was around six foot two of solid tan muscle with light brown hair that hung around his face and curled at the ends, his eyes hazely-green.

Part of me was jealous. I couldn't get any muscle on me, no matter how much I walked during school or work. But, on the upside, I couldn't gain weight either. It had to be some kind of condition because I could eat three times my weight and only gain one pound that I lost when I walked during the day. It sort of pissed me off. I was almost thirty-five-years-old, but I looked like I was forever stuck as a teenager.

"Just one visit," Anthony declared, making me glare harder at him, "I promise you won't regret it."

"A straight guy to a gay bar," I drawled sourly, "Course I won't regret it. Now get yer ass outta my way." Anthony sighed miserably and opened his mouth to continue his tirade when the glass door opened to reveal my savior.

"You're in his way." Ace Carter stated coldly, his icy blue glacier glare stabbing Anthony a thousand times like icicles. Anthony grimaced and obeyed instantly, not wanting any trouble or stains on his rep for attacking an accountant. I smirked, sticking my tongue out at him before brushing past Ace into the air conditioned building, breathing a sigh of relief to get away from the heat and my recent stalker.

"You should really call the cops." Ace muttered, watching Anthony stand around for a while before departing. He turned around to face me, running a hand through his dark, dark hair. Like Anthony, Ace towered over me as well and I was surprised at how buff he was.

He was an accountant, not a gym teacher.

"It's not that serious," I assured, although part of me wondered if I believed that, "He'll get bored and start harrassin' them gays at that gay bar ya'll like so much." Ace scrunched up his nose for a moment and I held my hands up in defense.

"I ain't hatin' on ya'll or nothin' neither."

"That was a double negative."

"You're a double negative." I returned with a snort, making Ace roll his eyes as we made our way to the elevator. We stepped inside just as a smooth jazz song played on the radio. Both of us made noises of disgust before Ace hit the seventh number and we were on our way up. I reached into my bag and fished around for my Gameboy Color.

"You still have one of those things?" Ace asked, perplexed as I took the ancient gaming device out, hitting a few buttons as it turned on.

"Fuck yea. I ain't usin' no new ones."

"You know, they say that the games stop saving after a while."

"So? I don't mind redoin' levels. Mario Bros is too awesome."

"You're almost forty and you're still playing video games and watching Ren and Stimpy. Have you ever thought of getting a girlfriend?" Ace asked as the doors slid open to let a couple of people from the office below us get on. I squeezed in closer to Ace, frowning at the new couple that came in, chuckling and whispering some gossip about another employee before I glanced at Ace, cocking a brow.

"I ain't almost forty, old man. I'm thirty somethin'. 'Sides, my last girlfriend dumped cuz of my cartoon obsession." I muttered dryly.

Janet. She loved me and adored me. She loved making me food and buying me new clothes. She seemed surprisingly okay with babying me-- up until she found out I watched cartoons. At first, it didn't bother her until I managed to get my hands on some extra cash and bought the old Nick channel. After that, I spent hours watching Ren and Stimpy, Invader Zim, and Rugrats.

She eventually broke up with me because I spent more time with the television than her. It's not my fault that she was boring as hell.

"Jeez, Tristian," Ace sighed, then paused as we came out of the elevator, watching it close and go up to the next floor, "Hey, I have an idea. Why don't you come over tonight for dinner?" I blinked, glancing at him curiously as Mario jumped into a hole and died. I shut the game off, tucking it away as I let Ace's offer sink in.

Okay, pros and cons time.

Cons. I'd be eating alone with a couple of gay guys-- one of which was my best friend, though, while the other I was still just getting to know. I felt like Vic's kids didn't like me, though. You'd think it'd be different since I had the tendency to be a bit of a child, but I guess that wasn't no free card for me.

Pros. Vic's cooking.

...

"Sure," I agreed at last, "Why not? I ain't got no life. So long's as ya'll don't mind me watchin' the Tom and Jerry marathon on Boomarang." Ace shrugged.

"Go ahead. We just got a new HD TV just waiting to be used." He responded. I practically drooled before we took our places in our cubicles. I set up my laptop and stuck my headphones on as I opened up the charts, filling in the numbers exactly like I did every single day since I'd started this job.

It definitely wasn't what I had in mind for my future. In fact, I had wanted to be an animator in the beginning. I'd always loved cartoons, anime, and video games. To actually be able to create those things was like a dream come true and I had signed up for classes as soon as I got out of high school, but due to personal problems, I dropped out and moved away.

I came to Jensen looking for work and my math skills landed me a job at an accounting company. I used to work full time until I met Ace, who convinced me to go part-time and go back to school. I was currently going to Jensen Community College for their animation classes, but lately I'd been in a slump.

Maybe Ace was right.

Maybe it was time I actually tried to get a girlfriend. It wasn't exactly the whip cream to my pumpkin pie coming home all by myself, sitting down with shit tons of candy, watching cartoons all day until bed time.

But it was so hard to date. Such a hassle too. Girlfriends demanded so much attention and sex. Don't even get me started. I shot one load and I was exhausted for days. Maybe it was my health.

Dear God.

I'm getting old just thinking about all of this.

I pursed my lips in distaste, then peeked into Ace's cubicle beside me to see him filing another financial record to the boss before I slipped my headphones down around my neck. I huffed loudly in boredom, making Ace sigh and look up.

"Quit slacking off. You've already had your pay cut. Do you want your job cut too?" He demanded, sounding exactly like the father he was.

Ace was the father of two sons. Twins. Devin and Daniel. Daniel was pretty dim, but he had good intentions most of the time. He was sort of shy about his relationship with Vic's nephew, Blake, but they obviously liked each other a lot. Devin was more open about his relationship with Vic's other nephew --Blake's brother-- Rick. He was more opinionated, like his mother.

Ah, God. Cherri. Ace's ex-wife, but long-time best friend. She was a gorgeous woman with a bubbly, bright attitude to go with. I swore I loved her at some point, but I'm sure it was just the memories she brought back when she was around of my own mother. I immediately shut my mind down as I cocked my head to lean into Ace's cubicle.

"What's Vic cooking tonight?" I asked casually. Ace sighed, staring at his screen for a while before he gave up trying to ignore me and swiveled to face me in his seat.

"I think he said shrimp stir fry with scallops." He responded. My stomach clenched at the description as I moaned, tilting my head back before looking at him.

"That sounds heavenly. I hope he makes enough so I can have thirds. Like the night he made homemade pizza." I added, my mouth watering at the thought as I wiped the back of my hand across my mouth. Ace smirked, then jumped when his cell phone rang. I cocked a brow as he fumbled for it in his bag.

"Pretty sure there's a no cell phone rule 'round here, Ace."

"Pretty sure there's a no Gameboy Color rule too."

"Ain't no sign that says so." I argued with a grin, making Ace roll his eyes before he answered his cell phone. As soon as his facial expression softened and his voice got quiet, I immediately knew it was Vic. Ace was as gentle as possible around Vic lately, particularly because of their recent drama subsiding and Ace wasn't going to risk blowing his temper and ruining the whole damn thing.

I respected him for that. Ace wasn't your stereotypical gay man. Hell, one look at him and you wouldn't even know. Talk to him for hours and you still won't know. He'll invite you over and introduce you to his boyfriend and then you realized it.

I watched him murmur something about having invited me, then long pauses before he winced.

"Seriously? Why not another time? ... No. I don't. If you just... Fine, but one word and we're going to Olive Garden instead.... Yes, even if your cooking is heavenly. Yes. All right..." Ace paused, and I saw his cheeks tint pink for a moment before he mumbled something about loving him too before hanging up, clearing his throat and glancing at me. I innocently spun around in my seat, making Ace snort.

"What were we talking about?" He asked, scratching the side of his head as he clicked something on the screen.

"You are gettin' old," I pointed out in surprise, "You can't even 'member talkin' about... I think it was food or somethin'." I frowned, trying to back track, but the more I tried to remember, the more I forgot what we were talking about. Ace raised an eyebrow. I scowled.

"Don't you have work to do?"

"Practice what you preach."

"I preach that we work so the sooner we can get out and eat some of God's food." I responded with a huff, swiveling back to the computer screen. Ace smirked and did the same. We both sat there for what felt like years, just sitting and typing.

I hated this job so much. The income was enough to keep me floating, but at the same time, it was so God awfully boring. I wanted a job that was a little more and interesting. This is what happens when you drop out a month before graduation, I thought bitterly as I typed away, filling out charts and financial information.

By the time six o'clock swung around, I was leaping out of my seat, packing up my things and making a rush for the employee lounge. I searched the room and rushed to one of the small wicker baskets, taking out a cinnamon bun and peeling the plastic off, popping it in my mouth as I balanced a file folder and my laptop case. I came out to see Ace raising an eyebrow at me as he shut down the computers from a manual switch near the entrance.

"We're about to eat dinner and you couldn't wait twenty minutes?" He asked as I bit off the bun, almost dropping it if Ace hadn't of caught it. I huffed.

"I could eat this and several dishes of your boyfriend's food, so don't get yer panties in a bunch." I responded dryly, then snatched the cinnamon bun away, munching on it as we steped into the cramped elevator with five other people. I grimaced as some lady in front of me backed up to let yet another person in. Her smashing into me caused me to smash into Ace, who grunted as he hit the wall.

"Jesus Christ!" Someone complained from nearby.

"Sorry." The man who just entered managed, hitting the buttons on the elevator keypad. Ace and I shared sour looks before standing there stiffly, waiting to be let out. I'm surprised no one fell out as we filed out of the elevator in a spider nest exploding. I licked the icing from the cinnamon bun off my fingers as I followed Ace to his hulky 2012 Ford Raptor in the parking lot. All around the monster truck were little business cars and it was almost comical.

I climbed in the passenger seat as he started up the car. I stretched, relaxing in the seat as we pulled out of the parking lot.

"So, why did you look all upset with the phone call from yer lover?" I asked, watching the city lights pass me by before glancing at Ace, who grimaced.

"I rather not say."

"He not gonna let ya in bed tonight?"

"It might be the other way around if things go badly tonight."

"Ouch! Pullin' the plug! Ya'll fightin'?"

"Not quite... At least, I hope not. It just depends how dinner goes." Ace admitted with a shrug as he pulled off onto the highway. I frowned now, sitting up a little uncomfortably.

"It ain't cuz of me, is it? Cuz, if he don't want me to come over, that's fine. I still got some microwave dinners left." I offered, but Ace scowled, shaking his head.

"No. It's not that, Tristian. Vic likes you. It's just... Let's just wait until we get to the house to talk about this." He said at last. I didn't say anything now. I felt awkward and out of place.

I wasn't exactly the most social person. My only friend was Ace. I avoided most other human beings because they either turned on me or died on me. There was also the fact that I was so used to being alone that in social situations, I started to heat up and forget what I was going to say. The only person I felt comfortable around was Ace. Even Vic was a stretch sometimes because he was always so nice and sweet, but I felt like I overstayed my welcome or ate too much or babbled about things he didn't understand.

Or maybe I was paranoid. Maybe people did like me, but I was too scared of them not liking me.

Who knows?

Either way, I was the wallflower at a party.

I just watched the city fade behind us as we pulled off the highway and onto the suburban streets of outer Jensen, much closer to the school where Devin and Danny used to go. The houses all looked the same to me, except Vic's. His was painted a pale, pastel blue while the others were just yellows and reds. He was different in every way possible, not that it was a bad thing.

Ace pulled into the driveway and we climbed out of his truck. I left my things in his truck, thinking I'd probably end up going home sooner or later. We walked through the front door into the huge, glorious Patterson home. I was always jealous of his house. It was so big and clean.

The foyer was tall with a spiral staircase that led up to the bedrooms that went off in two different directions, signifying how huge the house really was. To the left was the living room that opened up into the dining room on the other side, then opened to the kitchen, which was to the right when you first walked in. I could already smell the food cooking and all my nervousness faded as I licked my lips hungrily.

Ace led me down the hallway to the right as we passed a bathroom, the storage closet, the door to the basement and the door to the garage. As soon as we stepped into the kitchen, I saw the source of Ace's distress and immediately my gut clenched as I grimaced.

Standing beside Vic as he cooked was another huge guy. He was taller than Vic, but shorter than Ace with short blondish hair and green eyes. His muscles bulged out of a black wifebeater to match his black skinny jeans. He looked up uninterested at first until he caught sight of me, then grinned.

"Well, well! I didn't know Ace had a cute friend!" He exclaimed. I immediately glared at Ace, who grimaced and gave me a look that said he was sorry for not saying anything. Vic looked up, then sighed in relief as he set the kitchen utensils down to come greet us.

"Hey, Tristian. It's glad to have you over again. I've made plenty so you get thirds." He added with a smile. I forgot all about his creepy friend and smiled pleasantly, wanting to say something, but not quite knowing what to say. Ace thanked him, then murmured something in his ear before he went to Vic's friend, who waved him off.

"Who's your friend, Ace?" The man asked again, not taking his eyes off me. I resisted the urge to glare at him because this was Vic's house and I couldn't make it awkward for them.

"Tristian," Vic introduced, "His name is Tristian Michaels. Tristian, this is my friend, Rex."

"Nice name." I commented blandly. Rex just smiled very flirtatiously. I wanted to tell him that I wasn't gay, but that would definitely make things awkward, so I ignored his flirting and followed Ace into the dining room as he set up the table. He handed me a few plates to set out.

"Sorry," Ace took his chance as I glared at him, "Rex isn't serious, though. He's always like that and trust me, I don't like him either, but he's Vic's best friend, so I have no choice."

"And I used to think my choice in friendships was weird." I snorted. Ace rolled his eyes and smacked me in the back of the head with a roll of paper towels, making me huff and swat him away as I continued to set the table. Out the corner of my eye, I saw Rex staring at me and I immediately looked the other way, giving him my back as I smacked a plate down on the table, only to look up and see Ace giving me a weird look. I glared until he looked away, then went back to setting them table, avoiding Rex the entire time.

What a creep!