webnovel

Holding On

Author: Sarah Hadley Brook
LGBT+
Completed · 32.2K Views
  • 77 Chs
    Content
  • ratings
  • NO.200+
    SUPPORT
Synopsis

Eighteen year-old Aaron Pickard is dealing with a lot: he’s falling for his straight best friend, his mother has ended up in the hospital after a violent assault by his father, and he’s trying to decide when to come out. Tack on the stress of an upcoming prom and graduation, a part-time job, and the possibility he could lose his best friend, and he’s an emotional wreck.<br><br>Aaron’s best friend Jeff Leaton provides a soft place for him to fall when his life is thrown into chaos, literally holding him each night as they fall asleep. As Jeff helps Aaron navigate through the mess that has become his new normal, Aaron’s feelings for Jeff intensify.<br><br>Aaron’s pretty sure it’s all going to end badly, but he’s holding on to hope.

Chapter 1Chapter 1

The lunchroom was noisier than usual and there was a buzz of anticipation in the air as students reveled in their last day before spring break.Stressful midterms were over for most of us so it was finally time to let loose and have a little fun.Having skipped over the main lunch offering—a small slab of indefinable meat—and opting instead for a slice of pepperoni pizza and a Twix bar,I swiped my lunch card and ignored the disapproving look the frumpy cashier aimed at me before carefully navigating my way through the throngs of teenagers to my usual spot.

I set my tray on the empty table,taking a seat before sliding off my backpack so I could search for my contraband Mountain Dew buried among the various textbooks,pens,and a crushed pack of spearmint gum.After my fingers wrapped around the now-warm can,I slipped it out of my bag as I scanned the large room for Jeff.No sign of him yet.Carefully,I checked over my shoulder for the watchful eyes of any teachers.It appeared I was in luck as none seemed to be around,so I chugged some Mountain Dew before discreetly setting it on the floor by my feet.Now that Stone Gate High School wasn’t selling soda anymore,wanting us to choose from healthy alternatives instead,I had been smuggling in my daily Dew.Warm or cold,it was still the best.Without that extra jolt of caffeine,there was no way I could make it through my afternoon classes.As for the candy bars?I couldn’t figure out why those were still for sale,but I certainly wasn’t going to bring it up and open a possible can of worms.

My gaze traveled the lunch room again in search of my best friend.As I watched the large double doors,I still didn’t see Jeff,but was surprised to see Russell and his posse of football players.They rarely ate lunch in the cafeteria,preferring instead to drive off campus to grab something.It was one of the perks of being a senior,but I seldom took advantage of it.

Russell Adams was the Big Man on Campus.He was star quarterback,dated the head cheerleader,had a 3.9 grade point average,and was gorgeous in every way.I furtively glanced around to make sure no one noticed me drooling over him before I let my eyes feast on my secret crush.Well,I guess I wouldn’t really call him a“crush”—I didn’t really want to datehim.I mean,I could care less about football,which was what he basically lived for.Russell was just too sexy not to watch,though.And,yes,I admit he starred in some of my favorite fantasies,but in reality,we had nothing in common anymore.Not like when we were kids.

But God,he was beautiful.With his thick dark brown hair tousled on top with a gradual fade on the sides,deep soulful eyes the color of milk chocolate,and those full lips,I was amazed more people weren’t openly salivating over him.In addition to all that beauty,he was tall with broad shoulders and thick legs.In a word,hot.Hot.Hot.Hot.Did I mention he was hot?

I watched as he made his way to the cheerleader table,where his equally beautiful girlfriend,Deidre,waited for him,his crew of fellow jocks following close behind.She greeted him with a grin and he wrapped her up in his arms,as if all the noise and chaos in the lunchroom fell away and they were the only two people there.

They were Stone Gate High’s golden couple.I suppose every high school has one.A sigh left my lips before I turned my gaze back to the door,searching for my friend and wishing,once again,I didn’t have to hide who I was from him.I trusted Jeff with almost everything else,but I just couldn’t bring myself to tell him my secret.Sometimes I wondered if I would ever be ready.

I could still remember the first time I realized I was a little different than my friends…

Fourth grade had just begun,and several of the girls had started to develop,which meant they wore bras.This quickly became a main topic of conversation among the boys on the playground,and the first time it was brought up,I was more than a little lost.

There we stood,a bunch of ten-year-old boys huddled on the playground,just as we always did when discussing our football game.Football was—and still is—a huge deal in Stone Gate,Kansas,and we all spent a lot of time plotting our next big play.To be honest,we probably spent more time planning than actually playing.

But this conversation was different.I heard the words,but didn’t understand what they meant.They certainly weren’t discussing football and everyone was speaking in hushed tones.

“Did you see her?”

“Which one?Kari?”

“Yeah!Maria had one on,too!”

The boys giggled and I tried to follow along,although at that time I had no idea what they were talking about.I wanted to ask,but even at my young age I somehow knew,if I did,I would only be laughed at.So I pretended to understand,giggling right along with them.Funny how young we are when we first learn to hide a part of ourselves in order to fit in.

“I think Dawn has the biggest ones!”

“Oh,yeah!”

“Definitely!”

The boys hooted,but I was still trying to decipher the conversation,which could have been in Russian,for all I understood.Until Russell Adams spoke.

“Man,boobs are so awesome,”he declared in a voice already way too deep for his age.

My cohorts nodded in solemn solidarity.

Comprehension flooded my young brain as I realized they were talking about girls and bras.Personally,I hadn’t even noticed,but I felt great relief that I was up to speed.Not wanting to look out of place,I was eager to share my knowledge and join in the conversation.Of course,the only thing I knew about bras was that my mom wore them,and whenever I saw them in the laundry,they looked weird and uncomfortable.Oh,and there were wires!Finally,I had something to contribute.

“Did you know some bras have wires?”I offered,keeping my voice level so as not to betray my relief at being part of the conversation.

All eyes turned to me,intrigued by this new tidbit.

“Wires?What for?”

Leave it to Kevin Mason to stump me.I had no answer.The only thing I reallyknew was that I had overheard my mom talking about how much she hated those“damn wires.”

“They help hold up the biggest ones,”Andy revealed.

That made sense.With eight sisters,he would definitely know.

We all“oohed”and“aahed”over that new information.Once again,I joined in,although it felt like being in some sort of weird alien brotherhood—one that now included boobs,bras,and girls.I didn’t understand the interest,but these guys had been my friends since kindergarten,so I certainly wasn’t going to stray from the pack.

Over the next few weeks,our playground discussions began to include who was cute,which girl was“going out”with which boy and,of course,more about bras.

One boy,Mark Hilton,even filled us in on how to removea bra.Apparently you had to reach around back while you were kissing the girl,so you could unhook it.This was big news because his brother was eighteen and dating a cheerleader,so we knew we could trust any knowledge Mark passed along.Removing a bra sounded like a lot of work to me,and I couldn’t really see an upside to putting in all that work.

You May Also Like

There’s No Love In the Deathzone (BL)

Zein was a rogue Guide living in the god-forsaken land of the red-zone, guiding for money and survival. Until the guild he used to work with caused a tragedy. Driven by sorrow and guilt, Zein became a mercenary guide in the land bordering the forbidden Deathzone, working like a suicidal monk. One day, an overbearing Esper suddenly appeared and told him, “If you’re so hellbent to die, why don’t you come with me to the Deathzone?” A strange proposition, a nostalgic smirk. Had Zein actually met him before? Following the man into the deadly zone, will Zein find the respite he seeks, or will he get engulfed in a storm? But there’s no such thing as love in the deathzone...is it? * * * The story is set in a sentinel-verse, so there will be: - Sentinel (Esper) and Guide - Dungeon! - Romance - Action - …smut? ;) It’s a (kinda) love story wrapped in dungeon system shenanigans, with abilities and action and whatnot

Aerlev · LGBT+
4.9
794 Chs

To Byul (Omegaverse)

'When the heart is talking, the head has no choice but to shut up!' Chin-hwa and Kang-woo grew up together; they had never been separated before, and without knowing, both started growing feelings for each other. They kept this a secret, of course, but it looked like keeping it a secret was the very wrong decision to make because this stems forth a misunderstanding that brings about pain and suffering to both of them. It can all be fixed, though, with a simple confession. But who would make the confession when both were too worried about the other hating them for secretly bearing feelings for them? It couldn't be fixed. Then, a bitter and painful separation occurred that changed Chin-hwa's life. A separation that took away his shining star. His Byul. But when he thought he would never see his Byul shining again, Kang-woo returns out of nowhere with far more charms and brilliance than he had three years ago. The charms of a dominant Omega. But... Just coming back wasn't enough to heal Chin-hwa of the pain in his heart. He was tired. So, instead of trying to get back to how things used to be, he decides to create a new route in front of them, shun his feelings, and push Kang-woo toward one of his friends in hopes that he doesn't fall any deeper than he already was. But fate had other plans, of course. Their hearts and souls had been bound from the moment they were born, so no matter the obstacle they had to face, they would surely end up together. After all, they just can't live without each other.

Byul_Byre · LGBT+
Not enough ratings
127 Chs

Red Blossom System (BL)

Completed. “Flowers grow back, even after they are stepped on, and so will I.”  For over a millennium, Cillian had shouldered the role of a guardian, or as he would jest, a glorified gardener. In his recollection, he'd emerged in an endless expanse known as Blossom Central, his memory a mere fragment with only his name. He was bound to the Red Blossom system Bloom, where an annoying flying entity named Bliss, the personification of Bloom, materialized as his assistant. Cillian's duty centered on nurturing the Red Blossom trees and safeguarding the cherries from falling. Each Red Blossom tree represented a distinct world, relying on his care to prosper. One day, Bliss mustered the courage to disrupt Cillian's nap despite knowing it could be risky. But he had a compelling reason – numerous Red Blossom trees had lost their cherries, a situation that had never occurred before. The fallen cherries meant that the worlds connected to those trees were in danger of collapsing. It was all because a mortal's destiny had been altered. To prevent the impending calamity, they needed to restore that mortal's fate to its rightful course. --------------------------- Cillian, desperation etched across his face, pushed the man atop him, pleading, "Please, enough, I can't take it anymore." The man swiftly reclaimed his position, his lips trailing along Cillian's Adam's apple. He whispered sensually, "We're just getting started; I'm not finished playing with you." Internally, Cillian urgently reached out to Bliss: *Bliss, get your ass over here!* *Yes, Master?* *Who the hell is this man, and why does he persistently follow me from world to world?* Bliss responded with feigned innocence, *I truly have no idea, Master.* Cillian issued a dire threat, *Tell me what you're keeping from me.* Before Bliss could utter a word, the man's lips descended upon his own with a hunger. Their tongues intertwined, and he emphasized dominantly, "I've told you, darling, don't address me as anything other than Gege." Cillian was on the verge of tears. Stuck in Blossom Central, he'd always harbored disdain for his circumstances, but now he was relentlessly pursued by this shameless, tofu-eating stranger who insisted on being called Gege. Like a fool, he thought he would get to play with Alterers, but he's the one getting played with over and over again... Arc 01: Abo (17 Chapters)✔ Arc 02: Vampire (20 Chapters)✔ Arc 03: Celebrity (17 Chapters)✔ Arc 04: Mafia (21 Chapters)✔ Arc 05: Piano Virtuoso (18 Chapters)✔ Arc 06: Ancient Era (17 Chapters)✔ Arc 07: Future Era, Final Arc (39 Chapters)✔

TheEmpressNing · LGBT+
4.9
150 Chs

Elysium: Desired by the Cold-hearted Princess [GL]

 It all started with losing her mother, getting thrown into a boarding school, and then having the rumored witch-like princess of the kingdom desire her and want her by all means necessary. But it isn't the innocent type of desire she had expected. It's something much darker than she could ever handle.         ****  Sera didn't think her life would ever take a turn for the worst until her worthless father remarried her mother's half sister and, on her orders, sent Sera to a boarding school that was far off in a different kingdom—Elysium High, an all-girls academy for the most prestigious daughters in all of the seven kingdoms.    In Elysium, only the most powerful could survive, as even the prettiest and most innocent-looking faces had skeletons in their closests and would ruin anyone or anything that got in their way. Unfortunately for innocent and naive Sera, she would become the newest prey of Elysium, and everyone wants a piece of the beautiful redhead.     But what happens when the most unexpected person also takes an interest in her?   Electra's name alone was enough to get the entire school shaking in fear. Not only was she the only heir to the most powerful kingdom in the realm, she was also known as the cold-hearted queen of Elysium High. Nothing and no one ever caught Electra's attention, until the arrival of Sera, where everything changed.     And all it took was for clumsy Sera to bump into the most powerful one of them all.  *** THIS BOOK IS RATED 18+! It contains matured content such as: ⁃ Bullying ⁃ Smut (BDSM included) ⁃ Violence. So read with caution, and don't say you weren't warned!

jobetgrayson · LGBT+
4.4
261 Chs

Shades of Blue (Omegaverse BL)

Blue Kent, also known as Ice King, is a Dominant Omega who despises Alphas. But for his new book, he needs an Alpha whom he can use as a model for his main character. Luckily for Blue, an Extremely Dominant Alpha, Winter Dumont, comes into his life and offers to be used as a model for his book character. This offer isn’t made without personal interest. Winter is a scumbag who likes conquering Omegas with fierce personalities. Blue just happens to be an Omega who fits perfectly into Winter’s ideal prey. With Winter relentlessly chasing Blue, will he be able to withstand temptation due to his hatred for Alphas or will Winter’s eccentric personality change his views about Alphas? To know, tune in to the chaotic story of this gloomy x sunshine duo.

Craymem · LGBT+
Not enough ratings
97 Chs

The Rejected Alpha's Vengeance

[COMPLETE || WARNING: MATURE CONTENT 21+ // Watch Me Burn Them For You] "And if someday you see me, remember to forget my name, or karma will bow." **** For Awuor’s power, her people had done the unthinkable, in the history of werewolves. Her beta and brother, Dom, murdered their mother, the Sicario luna and blamed it on Awuor. In his grief, her father didn't bother to try and find out the truth, instead, for murdering her mother, he gave his daughter the worst punishment any alpha could ever get. He banished her from home, but Awuor’s wasn’t the usual banishment. Her father neither stripped her of the alpha title, nor did he make her a rogue. Instead, Alpha Sicario forced Awuor to be an exiled alpha, a woman so powerful, but with no one to rule over. Her mate, Jer, a power-hungry bastard, stepped up to rule the Sicario pack, since Awuor, the reigning alpha, was away, and Jer never once sought her out. Just like everyone else, he had betrayed her when he claimed a different woman, without rejecting Awuor. As the gates of Sicario closed on her, as her people watched her in disgust and disappointment, the daughter of Sicario had just one thought. A PROMISE of destruction & vengeance; she would ruin them all. *** [EXCERPT] "Either you're from the Dawson pack, the Bluemoon pack, or the Sicario pack, because you're definitely not from our Greyson pack. You must have done something really stupid for your alphas to banish you, even though you have no scent of the ferals. "So that could mean you're not a feral, but you're certainly not that important to your people. You seem to have an attitude and reek of power, that's why you don't appreciate anyone talking to you like a regular wolf. "But all of that doesn't matter right now, because you are the unwanted little wolf. The girl without a home, the rejected wolf who can't be claimed by anyone else. You're dressed in banana leaves because you have no clue how to make proper clothing on your own. "— or even check the feral cloth reservoir on the west of this forest. The fact that you have stayed so close to the other three packs is because you don't want to be away from home and are somehow hoping that they'd want you back. "Allow me to spell it out for you and make it easier for your probably useless brain to understand, little wolf, no one wants you. I'm only taking you to my alpha because your presence here is a nuisance to us, and for some reason, the alpha is interested in you. "And before you get any ideas about mates and whatnot, our alpha is already mated. So will you get up on your own, or do we have to take you stripped? Because I for one have no problem doing that. We could just treat you like the rogue that you're not," Adolf said to Awuor who still had her angry smirk on.

she_osprey · LGBT+
5.0
600 Chs
Table of Contents
Volume 1 :1