"Kyle! Marcel!" The musical voice of Chianna Rodriques (girlfriend of Lincoln) greeted me upon our arrival at her two-story Spanish-themed home at the rich part of the neighborhood. "How super-cool for you to come!"

"Yeah, man," Lincoln said as he, in his laid-back outfit of red-plaids and tan-chords, joined the cheerleader and exchanged high-fives with me and Marcel. "We were wondering when you were coming."

"I had to make a few errands for Dad and Pops," Marcel explained, "and I did see those group of misfits at Kyle's place. They didn't stay long and, as Kyle said, just came there a couple of minutes before I did."

The party hostess frowned. "Well, as long as they're not going to crash my party," she huffed. To me, "Kyle, you could do so much better than with that group of haters. It's only fair to say that they're going to bring you down. But with my man, Marcel, and the others keeping you on the right track, you can never go wrong."

"True," Marcel hummed, gripping my hand.

I kept a cool facade. "Well, I guess we can head inside so I can make my rounds, shall we?" I said, giving them a small smile.

"We shall," Link said as he motioned for me and Marcel to head inside.

"Nice, York," Marcel said in my ear sotto-voce. "I know you're anxious and shit, but no need to go formal. You're at a house party, not a wake. Loosen up a little. Remember, this is your chance to show me and your parents that you want your freedom to live your life. One wrong move, and you're going to lose Telfair."

"I know," I replied. "I just wished you all weren't-"

"Ah-ah," Marcel tutted, turning to me and wagging a finger at my direction. "Play nice or else, York. You hold the key to our good graces, so take good care of it."

Right. I took a deep breath. "Well, then. Let the good times roll on," I replied before letting the jock lead me to the rest of the guys and a tastefully-dressed Lita who were at the food table. "Hey, everyone."

"Kyle!" Vincent cheered. "You ready to have some fun tonight?!"

Another deep breath, followed by an Oscar-winning smile. "Let the good times roll on," was all I said which earned some smiles and whoops before I motioned everyone to gather around for a picture.

And just like that, the game of socializing was in play.

****************

Three hours later, I was definitely giving everyone the impression of a nerd enjoying his first party yet feeling more and more tired.

I took nearly fifty photos of the other attendees and filmed myself with them before posting them on my social media feeds (which were instantly liked by Dad, who commented to keep them coming).

Danced my feet off to the latest songs, despite the music being too loud for my taste (I made sure to have Diane film me dancing a few times).

Ate three plates' worth of party food, grateful that the maid made sure that there was some ginger ale on hand in case of upset stomach.

And I even took part in some party games (although I will admit that Diane's version of Truth or dare was a bit much since Kaleb caught me off-guard with a kiss).

Of course, Marcel and Dad (the latter through random messages) made sure to check in with me to see if I was fulfilling my quota and commented how I needed to keep at it. "Nice, Kyle, but all eyes are on you to see if you're truly having fun," the jock said. "One slip...and it's game over for your freedom and personal time."

I just nodded and went with the flow, anything to make sure to give these people what they wanted while silently vowing my revenge.

I was now at the food table after setting up another shopping excursion with Lita's sister Macey in need of a libation when I saw Christine Velasquez saunter towards me. "Well, well," she said as she came to my side before pouring herself some punch. "Kyle York, at a house party? That's a sin for a nerd like you."

"Well, I didn't have much choice if I wanted to have some freedom," I confessed. "So, here I am hoping that I don't goof things up by doing something 'reckless.'"

"Like talking to me since I'm now part of the outcasts," Christina commented, nodding her head. "Well, I admire your grit to stick this out for as long as you can."

"What else I can do at this point?"

"Well, I think that this isn't your type of scene and you would rather be hanging with your usual circle. I see you as someone who likes to keep things simple and modest. And this party isn't it for you. But you're here under duress so you can please your parents who will still demand more and more of you. In my book, this won't end unless you fall in line with the times."

"Tell me something that I don't know," I replied, popping a pizza roll in my mouth.

"All right," she said, turning to me. "Kyle York, things aren't as they appear to be in Berkeley. And the more you give these people, the more that you'll lose yourself. I don't know if you know this yet, but there's something in the works in this town and you are in the middle of it."

That caught my attention. "What?" I said.

Christina only nodded. "Trust me, York. You are not aware of what's going on around here," she commented, a dark look in her eyes. "You are in the middle of something that is beyond your knowledge. Leave here if you value your life." She quickly took her leave.

What the hell is that about? My mind flashed to the distorted voice from the phone call. Leave Berkeley if you value your life and sanity, it echoed in my head. You and your grandparents are in danger the longer you stay here.

"Kyle!"

I shook out of my thoughts to see Marcel and Lita standing in front of me. "You okay?" the former asked, sounding genuinely concerned.

I blinked twice. "Yeah, I-I had a bit going on in my head," I told them. "Insecurities trying to creep up on me."

"Ouch," Lita winced, handing me yet another plate of food. "At least you're embracing your inner party boy."

I nodded. "This isn't quite as bad as I thought," I commented, biting into a mini-quesadilla. "And I'm starting to wonder what I was-"

"Oh, no," I heard someone say from the living room. "Look who's here."

We turned to the area and saw three Valley Girls (with Tiffany leading the way) walk into the house, the gang dressed as if they were ready for a pool party. "Who's ready to rock and roll?" Tiffany cheered.

The music went silent as everyone began clearing out. "Well, the night's a bust," a cheerleader said snidely. "That Valley Brat killed my vibe."

Marcel grabbed my hand. "Time to bounce," he said. "Any Outsider who crashes a house party instantly kills the vibe."

"Hey, wait!" I hollered as I was being led outside to the car where the other guys were waiting for me. "What the-"

"Sorry to cut your night short, bro, but Tiffany and her Bratz-doll friends were trying to get your attention," Rory said. "They must've planned something to get you on their side."

"Not only that, I thought I saw Velasquez there as well," Kaleb added, makign the guys groan in exasperation. To me, "You haven't had any interactions with her, did you?"

I shook my head no, needing to keep up with what's at stake. "Haven't saw or talked to her," I lied smoothly.

"Thank God," Josiah breathed, though he didn't looked convinced. "Kyle, it goes without saying that Marcel and Velasquez were an item back in the day until he came out. And since then, she's been trying to warn newcomers liek you to stay away from him and us. Since she's part of those Outcasts, it's more the reason to stay away from her."

"Right," Marcel said as he opened the front passenger door of his car for me. "We're heading to my place for the sleepover. Dad's got some food on hand and you'll be sleeping in my room with me."

I felt my face heat up. Yikes.

"No worries," Kaleb said cheekily, grinning at my bewildered state. "You'll be in the best of care, bro. And there's no funny stuff planned...unless you want it to happen."

The boys hooted as I ducked inside the car, shutting the door as Marcel got behind the driver's seat and gunned the engine. Time for the sleepover.

**************

Dear reader, when a male or female nerd happens to be in the present of a nearly-naked male jock, you can expect a lot of unwanted drama and dreams to be involved.

And such was the case when I finished changing into my comfy Oakland Raiders pajama pants and shirt and stepped out of the bathroom that connected to Marcel's bedroom, giving me a good view of the jock's body.

"Holy shit on toast," I breathed, taking in the sight of Marcel stripped down to his heather-gray briefs that made him more of a model.

The jock chuckled lowly, not caring that I was mortified. "We're both bros, York," he commented. "And like Kaleb said, there'll be no funny business between you and me, unless you ask me to."

Gulp.

His grin turned to a small frown, crossing his arms. "But why do you hide away behind such baggy vlothes?" he asked pointedly, swifly coming to me. "I've seen you in the speedo for the swimming and diving tryouts. You have a great bod that contradicts your nerdy and abrasive personality. Why hide it when you can show it off?"

"Because I value my modesty," I  replied.

Marcel scoffed. "Dude, modesty is outdated," he replied. "Now, strip down to your underwear."

"Wait, what?"

"You heard me. Strip, unless you want me to tell your dad that you're not being a good houseguest and he'll take away your planned friendship with Telfair."

Damn him and his plans to make me into the bad guy. I slowly stripped out of my pajama pants and shirt, leaving me down to my black briefs.

"That's better," Marcel crooned, the smile back on his face as he led me to his bed.

"Marcel, are you sure that this is a good idea, us sleeping in the same bed?" I asked, giving him a confused look. "I mean, I don't want your dads to think that we're-"

"It's all natural, bro," Marcel interrupted. "And besides, this gives me the opportunity to do the one thing that I've meant to do when we first met."

"What?"

Folks, if you're unaware by now, a nerd like me should never be caught off guard when near the presence of a jock, especially when it involves a male jock and a male nerd. Because the moment Marcel's lips branded mine in a kiss was when I was soon lost in la-la-land. And holy hell and back to earth again, this dude can kiss! For the next several minutes, our lips and tongues danced around each other as I tasted his essences of Chapstick, fruit punch, and honey.

We finally broke apart, our breaths slightly heavy before Marcel snickered. "Damn, Yorkie. If I'd know you'd be a great kisser, I'd make you mine sooner," he said.

"Oh, God," I moaned. "Marcel, this is-"

"This needed to be done, York," he cut me off. "And it's all the more reason for you to be a part of my team. You did good tonight, by the way. Tomorrow is when you'll need to really prove your people skills when you work at Kaleb's dad's bakery tomorrow as a dishwasher and a temporary waiter. And like your dad said, one bad move and you're under lockdown. But on the bright side, my friends and I will have you all to ourselves. Stick with us, York. You can't go wrong."

Folks, if this was the time to cuss this man out...I still wouldn't have done it since I still have to give a good performance if I wanted my freedom. I just let Marcel wrap his arms around me before sleep took us under. And if I felt his massive erection brush across my ass all of the night, then it was my own fault for ignoring it.

But I will deny it if you tell anyone that I did have some naughty dreams involving us in the locker room and fucking each other silly. I still have my pride.

Hot damn! Marcel and Kyle kissed! The jock and the nerd kissed!

But most importantly, we have ourselves a story!

In the next chapter, things get tense when Kyle is under harsh judgement by his dad as he begins his shift at the cafe. But will Kyle bite his tongue long enough to gain his freedom, or will he finally put his foot down and let them know what's going down? Read on and find out!

Dedication: RamsiC7. Song: "Say Something" by Justin Timberlake ft. Chris Stapleton.

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