{{TO S1: While I do agree with you in principle, no one has continued the Charlestons' thread since my last episode a couple of weeks ago.—tmw2015}}
A half hour after the Freshmen lunch break concluded, the Sophomore lunch period ended as the school cafeteria prepared to serve the Junior class students.
Soon, Alex Ramsey and Nate Anderson found themselves sitting next to each other in almost the exact same spot that Julie Stovall and Nate's younger brother Eric used every day.
After a little small talk and a few bites of their respective meals, Nate said, "Alex. There's something I need to ask you, but I'm not sure how to ask you, let alone whether or not I want to know the answer."
"That sounds serious," replied Alex, pausing to give Nate his full attention. "What is it stud?"
Nate smiled at the use of Alex's pet name for him, because it gave Nate a thrill knowing that he had finally found someone not only to express the gay preferences of his life with, but who actually relished the pleasurable (sexual) moments as much as he did. "The sex between us is great, and I look forward to as many encounters as you're willing to have with me."
"I'm glad to hear that," admitted Alex, "because if there were any way to do it without getting us in trouble, I'd be ravishing you right now," he said with a sexy smile.
Nate actually blushed at that comment, but then found the resolve to ask his question. "How do you feel about me when we're not having sex?"
"Oh... wow..." said Alex, staring at his boyfriend. The prolonged moment of silence was beginning to worry Nate, until Alex said, "I'm sorry Nate. Having a were's more advanced libido, I was so wrapped up in finally having a regular partner to do... things with, I never stopped to think about you as a person or us as a real couple. I hope you can forgive me."
"Does that mean we aren't a real couple?" asked Nate, dreading the answer.
"HELL NO!" quickly replied Alex, trying to control his voice so he wouldn't get in trouble for disrupting the lunch period. "What I meant was, that is... You're going to have to help me with this one Nate, because in all honesty, I don't know what regular couples do when they're not having sex."
"Really?" asked Nate in disbelief. "Well, for example, what do your folks do when they're not having sex?"
"I think of them more as my folks than as a couple," admitted Alex. "But they both work. Dad putters in his workshop some evenings. Mom and I tend the garden together. They go out sometimes and..." then the realization hit him. "I've been neglecting you, and us, on a social level. I've never had an actual boyfriend before now. Most of the time, I'd just hang out with my friends, and then whenever the mood struck us..."
"I get the picture. It was basically the same for me back in Minnesota, although it's tougher for normals to deal with things like same gender romances, so I only got to do the hanging out part. Never anything more... advanced. Which is why you are my first and only."
"And that means more to me than I'll ever be able to express... Nate," said Alex, smiling at his boyfriend, before reaching under the table to hold Nate's hand. "We should start hanging out and actually dating. Like a real, regular couple. So to correct that mistake, would you like to go to the town's Halloween dance with me next Saturday night?"
"I'd love to Alex," replied Nate with a smile of his own. "But can we do more between now and then?"
"Other dates?" said Alex, as more of a discovery than a question. "Geez! I am such a klutz when it comes to this stuff."
"Just remember, you're my klutz," replied Nate, while squeezing Alex's hand.
"Okay. We'll have plenty of date opportunities between now and Halloween, and beyond," said Alex, looking at Nate with more than sexual lust in his eyes. "Meanwhile, you met my folks last night, and I'm meeting your family tonight. Let me think. What can we do this afternoon?" After a moment of thought, Alex said, "There's this convenience store a couple of blocks from the school that borders one of Moon Lake's inner town parks. What say we walk there after last class, grab a couple of sodas, my treat, and then hang out at the park and get to know each other better. Verbally," Alex quickly added.
"I'd love to," said Nate, as the bell rang signaling the switch over between the Junior and Senior class lunch. "By the way," he added, getting up from the table. "You're an adorable klutz," said Nate, before giving Alex a quick peck on the cheek. "See you at fifth period." Then Nate left the lunch room.
Alex got up and watched Nate leave. As he left the lunch room to go to his own fourth period class, Alex thought to himself, Ramsey, you've lucked out and finally found yourself in an actual relationship!
MEANWHILE...