"Diego's Days of Summer"

[Sugaree]

Ok, so here's the scoop on this thread. Last Friday, I was thinking of a story line for a book. It was so brilliantly amazing that I had to type it up and share it. So here's a basic outline.

This is the story of Diego, a bisexual Australian man who struggles to find out who he really is. While telling this story, we will see how Diego tries to face his ex-boyfriend, an exchange student who heard of Diego's supposed "reputation" and how he copes with having to face reality for the first time. The story takes place at Bendigo Beach (for all I'm concerned, it's fake) in Australia. During the warm Aussie summer, his former boyfriend, Bailey, is looking for a place to stay. Bailey is from Boston, Massachusetts and met Diego last summer.

When they were finally getting settled to each other, rumors spread that Diego had cheated on Bailey, but before Diego could explain what was happening, he left Bendigo Beach for the rest of that summer and Bailey returned home.

We now skip forward a year later. With Bailey having no place to stay for summer, will Diego be able to show his true feelings for Bailey? Will they be able to love each other again? You'll have to read to find out.


Ok, so that's the basic story. I've already written two chapters and am currently working on the third. I'm thinking that this "book" may only be about 5 or 6 chapters MAX. This is actually turning out better than I thought. I'll post chapter one in a few minutes.

[Sugaree]

Ok, here's Chapter 1. Comments/criticism is welcomed (keep it clean).

Chapter 1 - Two Dates, One Night

Hearing the ocean waves, the chatter of tourists, chirping of birds and the blaring alarm clock; just another day at beautiful Bendigo Beach in Australia. Diego awoke with a sense of excitement. Today was the first day of summer, which meant the annual Bendigo Bonfire at the Billybong Beachfront Bar. He got dressed and went to go get the first breath of ocean air. But before he did, he saw a new message waiting on his answering machine.

Curious as to why anyone would call him, he pressed the play button.
"Hey Diego, it's me, Bailey. Listen, I need a place to stay for the summer and my friend in New Zealand is preoccupied. I was hoping you could spare some room, no matter how small it may be. Let me know later. Bye."

Diego couldn't believe it. His exboyfriend had just called him asking for a place to stay? All summer long? "Well," he thought, "I guess it's going to be a long summer."

He put on his best party shirt, even if he didn't have a reason to party at this hour, and some swimming trunks and hit the local breakfast bar for a quick meal. "Oi, Diego! Over here, mate!", cried a voice from the crowd of tourists. It was his brother Jack and best friend Phil. "Aren't you the early riser?" said Jack with a seemingly surprised voice.

"It's eleven-thirty in the morning, Jack. Since when did that qualify as being 'early'?",

"Since you actually bothered to get up before noon!"

"How you doing Diego?" Phil said with a less than satisfied tone of voice.

"What's wrong with you, mate?"

"Nothing serious. My girl broke up with me this morning," Phil moaned, letting out a little choke in his voice.

"Over what?" Diego questioned.

Phil let out a thunderous sigh, "Don't ask." Taking the signals, Diego laid off the subject and so did Jack.

"So what were you doing last night anyway Diego? Partying like always?" said Jack, playing the role of the "responsible" brother. "Nothing that you wouldn't know about Jackie. You know me, so what do you think I--," WHAM!
Something had struck Diego in the back of his head. He blacked out for ten seconds before regaining consciousness. He awoke to find a woman who was fretting over his condition. "My God, are you alright? I'm such bad luck! Oh, I'm so sorry! I hope I didn't hurt you too bad." she said.

"Ugh....wh-what happened?" Diego said, holding the back of his head.
"Volleyball got ya right in the noggin there, mate." Jack said, holding back laughter.
"Yeah, just laugh it up Jack, laugh it all up. I have a problem and you're being a jackass, as always."

"Hey, nothing against you. Just trying to figure why you're always the one getting injured!"

Diego looked back to the woman, still fretting over what she had done. "I'm so, so, so, so sorry!"

"Don't worry about it, just a little bruising. No harm, no foul."

"Let me make it up to ya. I'll buy you a drink. How about at the bonfire tonight? You will be there correct?" But before he could answer, she quickly cut him off from speaking. "Good! See you tonight!" Diego, Phil and Jack all looked astonished. "Well, what can I say?" said Diego, "I'm just that good."

"Yeah," Jack retorted. "You'll get all the women by getting balls smacked against your head. Nice strategy."

"I'll go get you a drink, mate. Might clear your head a bit from the swelling," said Phil.

He went off to the bar and ordered a beer. Before Phil walked off, the bartender asked him a question, "Is that your friend over there? The one who got hit with the ball?" Phil was a bit weary of this guy but reluctantly said "Yes, why do you ask?", "Do me a favor and take this to him." The bartender gave Phil a piece of folded paper and he walked back to the breakfast bar.

"So, got any news? Haven't heard from ya in a few days," said Jack as he began sipping a cup of coffee. "Well, I got some troubles. My ex is coming in for the summer. Says his friend in New Zealand is preoccupied and decided to take the offer I gave him last summer to come back." "Ah, gonna rekindle
the ol' flame, eh? Keep the both of you warm during the cold winter?" laughed Jack. "That's the problem. I never expected him to come back. Not after what people told him. They made me look like some sexual deviant who was just using Bailey as a piece of meat to chew on."

"Well, you lead people to believe that." Jack said quietly, taking another sip of coffee.

"Excuse me?", Diego said, trying to not make a scene. "How do I lead people to believe that?" "Well, considering that every batch of tourists we get, half of them come here to see you. You've built a 'reputation' so to speak," said Jack. Diego couldn't stand it when people said he had a reputation on Bendigo Beach. It was like a scab that people would keep picking at until it bled. "Well, I guess you're right. But you, of all people Jack, know that those things aren't true."
"Of course I don't. You're my brother. Why would I believe some bullshit someone spews about you when they don't even know you?"

Jack was getting concerned. Ever since last summer, Diego always seemed a bit distant from him. He just wasn't the same guy. "Well, I guess I don't know anymore. Last summer's mess had to have made the Bendigo Beach History books, eh?" They both laughed but it was short lived when Phil came back with a beer and the piece of paper. "What is this? The bill?" asked Diego jokingly. "Nah, just the bloke at the bar. Said he wanted me to give you this."

Diego unfolded the little piece of paper. It was a phone number. Taking advantage of the situation, he proceeded to the bar area. "Hey there, mate. I gotta make a call. You got a phone?" he asked the bartender. "Is it a local call?" the other replied.

"Well, I don't know your name."

"It's Raj. I'm an exchange student from America."

"Nice to meet ya. Name's Diego."

"So, when do you get off work?" said Diego.

"Depends. I'll be here at the Billybong tonight for the bonfire. I get off at eight.
Maybe we can just go around the place and enjoy the sites?" Diego became increasingly interested in the offer.

"Sure, see you then, mate."

He walked back to the breakfast bar to a surprised Jack and Phil. "Well, see ya guys later. Gonna take a nap. Was up late last night and didn't get that much sleep. See ya at the bonfire!" Diego said, waving goodbye to the both of them. "Say hi to your ex for me!" Jack shouted back. Diego made the long walk back to his little shack. It wasn't much, but it was home.

He walked to his front porch seeing footprints in the sand leading up to it. He went inside and there he was. Eye to eye with Bailey for the first time in a year.

[Sugaree]

Chapter 2 -Reunion with Bailey

There they were, two former partners who were once again in each other's eyes. "Oh, Diego! It's so great to see you!" shouted Bailey, lurching at Diego with a bear hug. Diego let out a sharp yelp of pain before saying through clinched teeth, "Nice to see you too Bailey."

"I noticed you've already made yourself at home?" said Diego, picking up the mess and clutter left by Bailey on the floor.

"Sorry, I was in a rush to get some reef diving done and was searching for my gear."

"So how has everything been since I last saw you?" inquired Bailey with a less than excited tone.

"Not much. Ever since you left I--," he stopped in midsentence. He hated having to bring up the incident from last summer to anybody, especially to Bailey of all people.

"Don't worry Diego, I understand. There's no need to bring it all back." said Bailey, looking depressed while talking.

"Well, I'm going to take a nap. The bonfire is tonight and I didn't get much sleep last night."

"The bonfire! I forgot about that!" said Bailey, having yet another mood swing. "It's where we first met!"

"That was a long time ago," Diego said, "Besides, I'm seeing someone there tonight."

"That's so you Diego! Always having to see someone!" said Bailey jokingly.
Diego rolled his eyes in annoyment, but made sure Bailey didn't see it. He went into bed and slept for a good long while.

"Diego......Diego....DIEGO!" He awoke with a fright, meeting Bailey's face in the process.

"What time is it?" he asked.

"It's quarter to eight! You slept all day!" Bailey said. "Hurry! We're going to miss the bonfire!"

They hurried over to the other side of the beach, where the party had already started. Once there, Diego was able to find Phil and Jack having a delightful time. "Well, look who decided to show up!" said Jack, almost a bit drunkenly. Whenever he got alcohol in his system, he was easily capable of getting tipsy after two and a half drinks.

"Well, never meant to be tardy to the party," said Diego with an exasperated yawn. "I was sleeping most of the day." He then went ahead and introduced Bailey to Phil and Jack once again. He seemed happy to see them. It was always a thrill for Bailey to catch up with old friends.

While Diego was getting ready to order a drink, the woman that hit him with a volleyball snuck up behind him. "There you are!" she shouted. Diego cringed for a minute, but turned around with a smile. "Come on, I'll go get you a drink. I promised!" They got down to the Billybong Bar where Diego once again met with Raj. "I see you brought your sister," Raj said jokingly.
"She's not my--,"

"The name is Zeb," retorted the woman.

"This is Zeb then I suppose," said Diego. They ordered two drinks and started to have a small conversation concerning themselves.
"So, where are you from Zeb?" asked Diego, taking a sip of a beer.
"Melbourne. A long way from home aren't I?" she said with a chuckle.
"Not too far. Still in the homeland aren't ya?"

"Well, I'm always a tad bit homesick when I leave Melbourne. I just miss the sunsets."

"You should live here," said Diego. "We have better sunsets anyway. Plus there isn't any means to hurry. I could never adjust myself to big cities. That's why I dropped out of college."

"You went to college?" asked Zeb. "Where? Probably no place big right?"
"I wouldn't say that," said Diego somewhat cautiously. "I went to the University of Southern California in the United States."

"Really? That's pretty good for anyone outside of their country isn't it?"

"Well, I guess I was able to prove myself worthy."

"I guess so," said Zeb with a more powerful interest in Diego.
"So why did you drop out?"

Diego let out a small sigh. "A lot of things. They were robbing me blind. Had no money to live off of. Couldn't keep my grades up high enough. Eventually dropped out around the end of the year. If I stayed, this would have been my second year there."

"Ah, I see." said Zeb. Seeming to become a bit less enthusiastic.
"So do you live here on the beach?"

"Yes I do. My shack is about a mile or so away from here. It's not much, but it's home enough."

"Did you ever live somewhere other than here before?"

"My father was a pilot for the Air Force. He died during a routine drill. Turns out that his plane didn't function right. We never heard from the Air Force about it again. We lived in Sydney at the time. It was just my mother, my brother Jack and me."

"So you have a brother?"

"Yeah, he was the one you pulled me away from when you dragged me here," said Diego jokingly.

It was now about two hours since they started talking before Zeb finally said, "My God! Look at the time. I gotta get going. Have a lot of things to do in the morning. Nice to meet you Diego!"

"Good night!" said Diego.

Diego was now looking for Raj, who was sitting behind the bar waiting for him.

"Are you done?" he asked, seeming to be a bit irked.

"Have been for the last few minutes. So where did you want to--"

"Diego!" shouted a distant voice. It was Jack and Bailey who were looking for him. "We've been worried about you!" said Bailey, seeming to be a bit clingy.

"I'm fine," said Diego. "Did you need something?"

"No, I was just wondering where you were. I don't have a key to your shack."
"Hey," Raj said, "I got a wonderful idea. Why doesn't Bailey tags along with us? Wouldn't hurt."

Diego was a bit reluctant to the idea, but gradually accepted. "Sure, why not?" he said.

"Well what a shame," said Jack, stumbling as he spoke. "I'll just have to finish your beer!"

"I don't think it will be that big of a deal if I take it with me." said Diego, grabbing the beer from Jack's hands. "Why don't you go home? You look like you're ready to pass out!" Jack reluctantly followed orders and made his way down the beach.

"Come on slowpokes!" shouted Raj from a distance. "I'm going to show you the tap room for the bar. It's really nice. Plus there's a big surprised in there for you!"

Bailey and Diego followed Raj into the tap room for the Billybong Bar. It was a large room. Most of the equipment being used was old and very rusted. Raj turned on the lights and the room instantly became more inviting. Raj made a strong strafe towards a table in the center of the room. It had a large white sheet draped over it.

"This is what I wanted to show you," he said.

He took the sheet off and under it was something that drove Bailey crazy. "Diving gear!" he shouted. "Where did you get this!? All of this has to be worth more than anyone can afford!"

"You'd be surprised what I make for a salary. I spent the last three months pay for all of this. Not too bad. The goggles really help me see better when I'm spear fishing. Plus the wet suits feel great on my skin!"

As Bailey and Raj admired their diving gear, Diego noticed that his beer bottle was empty. He searched for a place to trash it when he found a recycling bin. As he walked towards it, his feet gave way from under him and he went sliding into the recycling bin with a large crash.

"What was that!?" said a voice from afar. It was the owner. Seeing the three of them in there, he immediately centered his rage towards Raj.

"I told you this before Raj! You are NOT allowed in the tap room! No excuses this time. You are FIRED!"

The words seemed to echo in the empty room. Raj knew what this meant.
"No! This was my stay for the entire summer! What am I going to do now!?"
He fled the scene while Bailey helped Diego up from the floor.
"Are you hurt badly?" asked Bailey.

"Nothing some sleep wouldn't cure."

"I feel really bad for Raj, Diego! We need to go find him. We can offer him a place to stay for just a few days can't we?"

Diego was already getting tired of Bailey being at Bendigo Beach. He wasn't even there for a day yet.

"Fine, but only a few days. Once he's on his own feet, he's out."

"Thanks, Diego. I knew you had a good heart."

They went in search for Raj. When they spotted him, he was on a rock formation with his head inbetween his knees.

"Raj?"

"What do you want!?" he replied angrily.

"Listen, I feel really bad about what just happened. I want to make it up to you. I'll offer you some shelter for the next few days until you're on your own feet. How does that sound?"

"Well, that's very charitable of you. Thanks a lot Diego."

They walked a short distance to Diego's shack.

"Why don't I help you find a job?" said Bailey. Eager to do his own part.

"That would really help me out. Thanks Bailey." said Raj. He seemed to be getting happier by the minute.

Diego was able to make some room, but it wasn't much. It would have to do though.

"God damn, my head is spinning," moaned Diego. "I need to lay off the parties for a while. This night feels like it's gone on for weeks. See you guys in the morning." He went to sleep that night feeling that he truly accomplished something.

[YesterdaysNews]

I like it, great job so far :)

[Sugaree]

Chapter 3 is currently under construction. Should be done within the next few hours, so hold tight.

[Sugaree]

Chapter three is now done!

Chapter 3 - Don't Always Believe What You Hear

Diego woke up the next morning to the sound of crashing waves and chirping birds. He rolled over on his side and found a small yellow Post-It note. It read:

"Diego,
I was able to find Raj a job at a local piercing shop. I think it would be a great idea for you to be his first customer. Why don't you come on down? It's on the beach next to the Billybong Bar.

Hope to see you there,
BAILEY"


Diego was surprised that Bailey, of all people, was able to find Raj a job. "Well," he thought, "might as well get down there before Bailey causes a scene." He got dressed and walked down the beach with a more than sullen look on his face. With hands in both pockets, he got down to the shop to find Raj and Bailey standing outside the main door, waiting for him.

"Diego!" Bailey called. "It seems you read my note," he said with a satisfied look on his face.

"Yeah. Of course I did," Diego replied, seeming to ignore Bailey. "So how's the new gig then Raj?"

"Great. Was able to catch the owner just before the shop opened. He offered me a good salary and even some lodging for the summer. Still, I can't thank you enough. How about a piercing, free of charge?"


Diego was not like most people. He never liked the idea of placing a small piercing on any random part of your body. He barely liked tattoos. But after much thought, and urging from Bailey, he decided to get one.


"Let's see what you have to offer then Raj," he said.

Raj then handed him a pamphlet of assorted piercings the shop offered. Diego examined all carefully, but was having a hard time deciding.


"Why don't you get this one?" said Bailey.

"'The Down Under Surprise'? Are you insane Bailey?" laughed Diego.

"Knowing you Diego, very well I might add, I think it would look sexy," said Bailey with a very passionate tone in his voice.


Diego shoved him off and finally made his choice. "Well, I guess it wouldn't hurt to get ONE piercing," he told them. Bailey made a small rejoice jester by putting a kick in his step. Raj made no hesitation to pull Diego into the shop and behind a flimsy white curtain.


"Just sit down there and take your trousers off," said Raj. Seeming to glow after saying it.

Diego was starting to get second thoughts about this. Did he really want to do this? If he did, it could possibly cause him harm. Raj was only a beginner at this, and so many things could go wrong.


As Raj lowered himself, Diego drew back a bit. "You have done this before, right Raj?" he said with a quavering voice.


Raj seemed to be day-dreaming but finally snapped out of his mind.
"What? Oh yeah, sure I have!" he said with the upmost confidence in himself.

Raj then unveiled the needle he would use. It was very long, sharp and seemed to be wanting to hurt something. Diego immediately jumped out of the seat, leaving himself exposed.

"Wait, Raj, I don't think I'm going to do this." he said, quailing from the needle.

"Wait....you ARE Diego right? I've heard of your antics. You're practically a legend here on Bendigo Beach."


Now Diego was getting really mad. He always hated his "reputation" coming into question. Everywhere he went, every turn he made, there was always someone there to ask him about his supposed "antics".

He started to pull his shorts up his legs before saying, "Well, whatever my reputation suggests, I'm not going to let someone pierce me in a very sensitive place behind some curtain."


"Fine," Raj said, "but don't say I didn't try."


"What do you mean 'try'? You aren't coming onto me are you?" questioned Diego. He was feeling uncomfortable.


"When you put it that way....." said Raj, looking at Diego with deep eyes.
"Hey, I don't swing with anyone anymore. Just because I've slept with both sexes doesn't mean I'm always up to being some bloke's chew toy. I'm leaving."

He stormed out of the shop, kicking sand while he was doing it. On the way out, he passed Bailey, who seemed utterly surprised.


As he watched Diego leave in the direction of the bar, he asked Raj, "What went wrong?"


"The dog isn't all that he's cracked up to be I guess," said Raj with major disappointment.

[Sugaree]

Chapter 4 - Walking and talking

Diego stormed himself down the beach. Finding the Billybong, he walked over to find Jack enjoying a cup of tea. It appeared as though he had been there all day and was looking for an excuse to stay.

"What are you doing here?" questioned Diego. Jack looked at Diego with a bit of anxiety. It looked like he had a rough night. "So did you mix any vodka or rum in with that tea you got there? You look worse for wear," he said.


"Never mind about me," said Jack. "You looked pissed. What's the matter? Did your new friend make you run off already?"


Diego made a heavy sigh and started telling the story about his wacky morning.

"Well, if you must know, he started in on my reputation. I swear, I can't get a break. Everywhere I go, I get buried with questions about my reputation. How can a bloke be so famous on some small beach that gets a new batch of tourist every single week!"

"It's a small world," Jack said, "and you're bound to have slept with half of it by now."

"Will you be serious for once?" barked Diego. He was not in the mood to be tampered with. He put his head in his hands, covering his face while doing so. It wasn't five minutes later until he heard a familiar voice.


"You lead people to believe that. It's not hard to see."


"I have not. The numbers have just been exaggerated. There hasn't been anyone serious since the mess last summer."


"Wouldn't be hard to try," said Jack looking into his tea.


"I just can't make up my mind! Do I want this, do I want that, and it seems like every time I turn around, they're all just shallow and meaningless, and all I want in the end is--"


"Bailey!" shouted Jack just before Diego was about to finish.


"Diego? So that's where you've been!" He heard Bailey call for him. This made Diego resent the fact even MORE that Bailey would be here all summer long. "Why did you leave like that?" he asked.


Diego was silent. He wasn't in any mood to answer anyone's feeble minded questions.

Bailey took a seat on Jack's left side, staring at Diego while he did.

"You know Diego, I wouldn't have done it either. I was surprised that you went for 'The Down Under Surprise' myself! I never figured that you were that kind of person."


Upon hearing this, Jack spat out his tea in surprise and disgust. He then sat wide-mouthed, staring intently at Diego. Diego then put his head up and looked at both Jack and Bailey.


Jack was the first to speak up. "You were going to let some guy you haven't even known for a week put a needle up your dick!? For fuck's sake, you might as well have docked it off! Are you insane!?"


"Well, now that you put it that way," said Diego, "it does sound a bit daft."

"Are you sure you're ok?" asked Bailey. "You don't need to feel embarrassed. I was kind of joking when I said that I thought you should get it. I don't think you'd enjoy being 'out of commission' for the time it takes to heal."


"Not that anyone would notice that Diego was getting any action," commented Jack, trying to keep his thoughts on his tea.


"Now, tell the truth Diego. Were you doing this to impress Raj? I know he's cute and all, but he's a jerk. I know you could do better Diego!"


"He could fuck a cactus and do better Bailey," said Jack, who now sensed an argument was going to ensue.


"I know that we made it clear last summer that you would do what you wanted and I wouldn't get in the middle."


"Yet here YOU are, getting YOUR nose in MY business!" yelled Diego. He now attracted the attention of half the beach.


"You invited me back last year and I thought the offer stood! I thought we would still be friends at the least!" Bailey yelled back.


With everyone looking at them, Jack decided to stand up and say his share.

"Now look at you both. You're acting like spoiled little brats! Now, I think you two need to go for a nice walk and talk. Just the two of you. Now, I kindly suggest that you find a nice secluded spot on the beach away from here. My tea is getting claustrophobic."


Diego finally realized that this may have been the only way to settle this fight.

"Bailey, care for a stroll down the beach?" he asked a bit shyly.


"I would be glad," Bailey replied.


They both headed down to a small part of the beach past Diego's shack. No one inhabited it and Diego considered it his own. They walked for about two hours, listening to the ocean waves hit the large rock formations. They finally found a formation to their liking and climbed up on it. It was high enough so they could avoid the waves. They both sat, looking down at the sea below. It was a few minutes before Diego finally broke the silence between the two of them.


"I'm sorry I didn't reply to any of your letters," Diego said.

"I figured you were busy with something," replied Bailey.

"I.....I wanted to write back, but I wasn't sure on what to say. My behavior wasn't at its best last summer and I'm sorry for that."


"You're sorry?" questioned Bailey, who's eyes lit up at the words.

"Yes, I am. My behavior was less than stellar and I admit that."


"I suppose you could say that."


"You see, I tried to convince myself that we never had something. There were times that I told myself that I wasn't doing anything wrong. I know now that I should have never gone to that party without you. I feel like such a dick for doing it. The only reason I drank was to keep you off my mind. The drinking made it easier. The drinking convinced me to stay and ride out the entire evening. I never had the chance to tell you before you found out about how I really acted that night. There's no excuse for it, and I'm sorry for it."


Bailey was surprised Diego poured himself into him. It wasn't Diego's nature to let anyone that deep into his personal life. It made Bailey feel as though Diego had truly changed himself.


"I know I made you upset. I really do. After you left, I kept drinking. There were times that I never left my shack. I felt completely alone and useless. I went into a deep depression that lasted for months. During the winter, I somehow convinced myself that living was just a fucked up thing. I tried to kill myself. I wanted to do it really quickly, so I found a gun. I wrote a suicide note, looked at myself in the mirror, and stuck the gun in my mouth. I was one finger away from ending it all. Just before I pulled the trigger....Jack found me. He took the gun away from me and threw it out into the ocean. That's when I had a complete mental breakdown. I went into a rehab program and was admitted to a psychiatric ward. Those are some of the worse memories. I still have nightmares. I'm glad you came back."


It was at this point that Bailey found out that Diego really DID care about him. Hearing Diego's side after wondering about him for over a year was comforting yet disturbing. He finally let his heart out.

"You know, I was really angry Diego for what you did. I thought that maybe after I was done being angry, I could love you again."

"And? Are you still angry with me?"


"I was never the type of person to hold a grudge. When I first met you, I knew that you had a bit of a reputation built up, so I should have known better. It was my fault in hoping you'd want to stick with me. I guess what I'm trying to say is.....I forgive you."


Hearing the words "I forgive you" made Diego's heart skip a few beats. So this is what forgiveness was. It felt good. It felt like he finally got the second chance he so desperately wanted.


"Well, now that that's done, do you want to go get some breakfast in town? I figured we have a lot of catch-up to do, so why not do it over a meal? You're in, what, your fourth year of college now?" said Diego, shying away from Bailey.


"Close enough, I'm in my second. Of course, you wouldn't know since you're a dropout!" joked Bailey.

"Well, from one formerly starving student to a currently starving student, the breakfast is on me." Diego said.


"Sounds like a deal to me!" replied Bailey, who lead the way over to Chook's, the local breakfast house.

As they walked down the beach, Bailey asked to take a back way to Chook's.


"Sure, I guess we could. Why do you ask?" queried Diego.

"Because I want to hold your hand," Bailey replied.


Diego smiled and looked over at Bailey. "There's nothing I would like more," he said.


Ok, so that's chapter four. Chapter five is still a work in progress, but it should be coming along later tonight or tomorrow night hopefully.

[Sugaree]

Chapter 5 - Playing catch-up

They found their way out over onto Wayside Street and walked over into Chook's Breakfast Bar. The restraunt had two locations to site. One was located inside the building and a deck was later added. The deck had a beautiful view of the sea and was popular for most of the customers. On this particular morning, it was completely empty. Everyone seemed to be packing the inside of the building.

Diego and Bailey found a table with two chairs near the middle of the deck. A few minutes after they sat down, a waiter came out to take their order. Since it was nearing lunch, Diego decided to order a pasta dish with alfredo sauce and had a beer to drink. Bailey was struggling on what he wanted, so he picked out the first thing that came to mind which was nachos. Luckily enough, the waiter had taken a guess to what Bailey wanted and was off to the kitchen.

Once their food came out, they started talking. Even after they finished their dishes, they continued to order random drinks off the specialty menu. They went on for hours. Eventually, their waiter just sat at a table distanced away from the both of them since he didn't have any more costumers at the moment. After talking about what had happened to the both of them in the last year, Bailey took yet another turn to talk.

"I'm amazed that you even wanted to speak to me anyway when we first met!" he said, flinging his hand while saying it.

"Well, you were easily the cutest of the bunch," said Diego. "The airport was definitely kind to me. Nothing better than a fresh batch of tourist from-- what is it, New Guinea?"

"New Zealand," said Bailey. "I had gone there to visit a friend and thought 'Australia! Why not get some reef diving down while I'm down under?'. I stayed for longer than I suspected."

"I don't seem to recall you getting much diving done," said Diego, resting his chin in the palm of his hands.

"Well, I did discover one of Australia's other fine recreational activities," said Bailey slyly, blinking his right eye.

Then Diego suddenly remembered the first time he and Bailey met. It was a hot day. A large and very crude bus made its way to a stop on Wayside Street in front of the beach. It stopped in front of Diego, who was sleeping against the side of a palm tree. He heard the bus go off and it's rumbling engine going off somewhere else. He heard the rolling a suitcase and suddenly felt a pain in his foot. He jumped up and shouted in pain.

"Oh my God! I'm so sorry! Are you ok? I am such a klutz!" shouted a young looking male.

"Don't worry about me," Diego said, "it's nothing a little lunch and grog wouldn't cure."

"Here let me see if I have any money for you. Damn it! I only have U.S. and Kiwi bills. Maybe we can go down to a bank and exchange them for....wait, it's Sunday isn't it? They're closed! Wait, I think I have a candy bar in my suitcase." The young man was now acting panicky and looked as if he was going to have a nervous breakdown.

"How about I buy and you provide the company? There's a nice restraunt down the street called Chook's. Why don't we go there?" said Diego.

"Sure, that sounds fine. My name is Bailey," said the young man reaching out his hand in a friendly gesture.

"Name's Diego. Pleasure."

After his short day-dream, Diego was launched back into the present. Then, he felt something in his pocket. He reached into his right pocket and pulled out a piece of thick string with a wooden fish hook tied to it.

"Oh my God! It's the necklace I made you!" exclaim Bailey in excitement. I was wondering why you weren't wearing it!

"Huh, I thought I lost it!" said Diego.

"I'm really glad I came back Diego," said Bailey, turning his head away in embarrassment.

"You know, Bailey, I'm glad you came back too," replied Diego.

Bailey lifted his head to meet Diego's deep blue eyes. Their eyes met in a long gaze that seemed to last to the end of eternity.

The waiter watched them intently. He decided to go back inside to see if there was any cleaning to do. All of a sudden, he was pounced on from behind by none other than Raj.

"Hello there, Ollie. Did I catch you at a bad time?"

"Oh Raj! You know what happened last time when you did this to me!" replied Ollie with a lustful look in his eyes. "I'm not in the mood to get sprung again on your account!"

"I'm sorry, I'm just all bunched up," said Raj with a dejected look in his eyes. "I tried to hook up with Diego and it didn't work."

"Diego? You don't mean who I think you do?" said Ollie, who seemed to be looking for a good scoop of gossip.

"To be honest, I think all the tales are blown up. I'm not even sure if he's the same guy!" replied Raj. He then spotted them from the corner of his eye outside.
"Hmm, I see he's back with his boyfriend," he said suspiciously.

"Boyfriend? Diego doesn't have boyfriends, he has fan clubs. He's nothing more than a wandering mutt who made a name for himself on Bendigo Beach," said Ollie crossing his arms.

Raj found this comment to be a bit strange, so he started to question Ollie.
"Well, have you ever slept with him?" he asked.

"No! Of course not," replied Ollie.

"Do you know of anyone who has slept with him?"

"Well, no one that I would believe! Now I must be going. I don't want to be caught with you again. I would like to keep my job!" said Ollie, heading back into the kitchen.

Before Raj left, he saw Diego and Bailey get up and leave. Diego left enough money to cover the bill along with a tip for Ollie.

Raj was pondering on how he could get back at Diego for what he did. "I think I know JUST the thing to do," he said quietly to himself. He left the restraunt stealthily as if he had never been there.

It was now nearing dusk and Diego and Bailey were walking on an empty Bendigo Beach together.

"I had a really great time today Diego," said Bailey smiling.

"I did too," replied Diego, looking up into a violet sunset sky. "I haven't had a day like this in a long time. I missed talking to you late into the night."

"Diego, wait," Bailey said. He put his entire body in front of Diego and put his hand on his chest.

"I want to know if you're just going to hurt me again? I can't help but to have feelings for you, but I don't want to be hurt, and...and I can't just ask if you'll just have me because that's, well, presumptuous and kind of forward, which is exactly what I told myself..."

Before Bailey could finish, Diego put his hand of Bailey's outstretched arm and saw him blush.

"Bailey, we have a long walk home. There is no other person in this entire world that I would rather enjoy it with than you."

He then put his hand in Bailey's hand and they both walked down the beach to Diego's little shack by the sea.

[Sugaree]

Final chapter!

Chapter 6 - Love Survives

They reached Diego's shack in a little less than five minutes, but it seemed like an eternity with them being hand in hand. Diego and Bailey both enjoyed this feeling. There was someone out there, for both of them, that cared for them. It was a marvelous feeling of joy and ecstasy. They walked up the steps onto the porch and up to the door, still holding hands. Before even realizing he had let go, Diego saw Bailey go inside his home.

"I'm going to take a quick shower before the bonfire tonight. I'll just be a few minutes," Bailey said, heading to the bathroom.

"Oh, that's right! We got another bonfire tonight don't we? Should be fun. I'll wait outside for you," remarked Diego.

He stepped out onto his porch and took a seat on one of the stairs leading up to it. As he sat down, he saw Jack come down from the beach. He was wearing a nice pair of formal shorts and a polo shirt. It was rare to ever see Jack dressed this way, but he had his moments.

"So, I see you put on your good Sunday clothes to come visit me!" shouted Diego from across the way to his home. Jack seemed to be a bit irked at the comment, but took no action against it.

"So what are you doing? We both have to get to the bonfire. It's nearly dark," said Jack.

"Well, why are you dressed the way you are? It's a bonfire, not a Mass."

"I know that. I've just been running around town most of the day after you and Bailey left the bar. I just wanted to look good. So how did your day go? You look rather pleased."

"Well, I did it. I apologized to Bailey. He's inside taking a shower before we head down."

"Ah, so I see you two kissed and made up. Well, that's good."

"We're friends now, just good friends. Everything's out in the clear."

"So that means you told him the truth about last summer?" questioned Jack.

Diego knew that this question was going to be asked sooner or later and that he might as well answer it now.

"Well, no. The hurt's been done. Who am I to bring it all back? It would be unfair to Bailey and me both."

"I suppose you've been lying to everyone for so long. A little more here, a little less there. Shouldn't make a difference in the end, right?"

Diego became infuriated with Jack's remarks. Never before had he felt such anger inside of him.

"God damn it all, Jack. It just won't do any good to tell Bailey the truth. Don't you understand? I've got everything settled between me and him. I feel like a tension's been pulled off of me. Maybe now I can get some use out of my fucking 'reputation'," snapped Diego.

"Oh, right," remarked Jack. "Nothing better than some meaningless sex with people who will be off the continent in a fortnight. The thought puts me right off foreigners."

"I'm not surprised. Your nuts are so jumbled that foreigners are put off by you!" replied Diego, chuckling like a little kid.

"Hey, some of us aren't ashamed of who we are and have to spend our lives behind some flimsy pretenses," said Jack. This put Diego down for the time being. It wasn't very common for he and Jack to fight, and the recent scuffle made him rethink his position.

Just as Jack had sat down next to his brother, Bailey came out wearing a white tank top and swimming trunks. "Oh, hey Jack," he said. "Coming to the bonfire with us?" he asked.

"Too right I am," Jack replied.

"Well, shall we then?" asked Diego as he starting leading the way to the Billybong.
After a short fifteen minute walk to the bar, it was already dark. The bonfire was in full swing with music being lead by a disc jockey from a large wooden stage, the smells of food and the familiar sights of couples hiding with each other in the dark corners.

Looking around, they spotted Phil with Zeb.
"Would you look at that? Phil held a woman for more than a day!" exclaimed Diego, pointing out the site to Jack.

"Well then, I owe you a beer. I'll go get a few for us." replied Jack and he was off in an instant.

Bailey was searching around on his own when his nose caught the scent of a familiar food: Fried trout. He immediately ran off towards the grills to fetch some. Diego, confused on where Bailey had gone, went to go look for him. He turned around and there was Raj, standing with two jock-looking young males, with his arms wrapped around their shoulders.

"Well, well, well! This is the guy I was talking to you about fellas! He couldn't even take the tiniest little prick from me!" comment Raj.

"Well, I'll be! And to think that we came here to Bendigo Beach to meet Diego on a friend's recommendation! What a disappointment," said one of the men.

"Well, if it isn't Raj. You wouldn't happen to be talking about me now would you?" asked Diego.

"We've just been talking about you. There's nothing much to tell anyway," said Raj with a smite filled smile on his face. It seemed to stretch from ear to ear.
Seizing the perfect opportunity, Diego stood right in front of Raj. Like a bolt of lightning, he grabbed the crotches of Raj's two male friends. Upon doing this, the two became wide-eyed and open mouthed.

"Now that I have your attention, I'd like to say something. I don't know what sort of lies this dobber has told you, but I can guarantee, I can take whatever you - and your horny friends - can dish out," Diego said with a fiery passion.
Just as he was about to let go, he heard a small voice.

"Diego, wh-what are you doing!?" cried the voice.

Diego looked behind him. It was Bailey, holding a plastic plate piled with fried trout and fries. As soon as he turned around, Bailey dropped his dish in horror.
"Damn it all, I knew this would happen. I was foolish to trust that you had changed!" shouted Bailey. This attracted the attention of the entire crowd.
"Bailey, wait! Come back!" Diego called, with the crowd looking on.

"Ah, shit," Diego lamented. He put his face into the palm of his hand and heard some laughs from the crowd around him. It felt like he was in some bad comedy movie. He watched Bailey run off into the darkness where the lights had not touched.

He ran up to the stage. He knew what he had to do. Upon climbing the stage, he took the microphone from the DJ and stopped the music. This got the full crowd's attention as they all turned toward the stage. Some were shouting, "What happened to the music?" but were met with silence.

Diego took the microphone up to his mouth and finally began to speak to a silent crowd.

"Bailey--there's something I need to tell you," he began. Diego felt butterflies in his stomach. He knew that he had to say this. It was something that could save his relationship with Bailey.

"I'm not backing out of this," he thought.

"Listen, I'm tired of holding this inside of me. It's caused me so much pain. Bailey-- I never cheated on you last summer!"

Diego was met with uproarious laughter from the crowd. He knew something like this would happen. Little did he know, Bailey was slowly making his way back into the crowd to see Diego better.

Jack had his palm meet his forehead. "The boy's gone and made a bloody fool out of himself," he remarked. If this was going to end, it was going to end with Diego become the laughing stock of the entire beach.

"All of the rumors about me are all bullshit. I never filled a pool with whipped cream and the South African cricket team! I have never had sex with a horse-- honestly, who the fuck started that rumor? I never spent a week at sea captive to savage tribesmen, escaping only when I put them into a state of immobilizing afterglow! I will say that one rumor is true. Who even gives a shit if I can fellatio myself? I've never done half the things they say I have. Bailey, I made a mistake by not telling you the truth. I admit that and I'm sorry for it. You have no idea how bad it's been for me."

Diego then saw a familiar face down in the front row of the crowd. It was Bailey. He was crying tears of joy and was looking straight at Diego. That's when they met eye to eye.

"I love you Bailey. I want to spend another summer with you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Words will never express my feelings for you. That's why I want you stay here with me," said Diego.

He jumped off the stage, meeting with Bailey eye to eye. Bailey's tears were now streaming down his face at a faster rate than ever. He was choking back huge sobs of joy. Diego put his hands on Bailey's face and said, "Don't you cry. I'm going to make this better. For the two of us." Bailey put his hand on Diego's chest.
"Diego, I love you too," sobbed Bailey.

Their faces inched closer together until their lips had touched in a long and embracing kiss. It was met by huge applause from the crowd and inspired the DJ to finally play them a song. Ironically enough, he played "Can You Feel The Love Tonight?" by Elton John. Listening to the lyrics, Diego began to cry himself.

"There's a clam surrender to the rush of day
Where the heat of the rolling world can't be turned away.
An enchanted moment, and it sees me through.
It's enough for this restless warrior just to be with you.

And can you feel the love tonight?
It is where we are.
It's enough for this wide- eyed wanderer, that we got this far.
And can you feel the love tonight?
How it's laid to rest?
It's enough to make kings and vagabonds believe the very best.

There's a time for everyone if they only learn.
That the twisting of a kaleidoscope moves us all in turn.
There's a rhyme and reason to the wild outdoors
When the heart of this star-crossed voyager beats in time with yours.

And can you feel the love tonight?
It is where we are.
It's enough for this wide- eyed wanderer, that we got this far.
And can you feel the love tonight?
How it's laid to rest?
It's enough to make kings and vagabonds believe the very best.

It's enough to make kings and vagabonds believe the very best."

The kiss ended. Diego had finally made his expression of love to Bailey. Bailey put his head deep into Diego's chest, while the latter embraced him in a hug, his head over the other's shoulder.

"Bailey, you are my one love. I want to spend my life with you. Promise that you won't let go of my hand. Promise that you'll never leave me."

Bailey realized how strong a commitment this was. He knew that he was ready for it.

"Diego, I promise that for the rest of my life, I will never let go of your hand as long you don't let go of mine. I promise to never leave you if you never leave me. I promise to love you until my death if you promise to love me until your death. That is a promise that I will keep, until the very end," sobbed Bailey. He couldn't help but feel so over-emotional at this moment.

Diego felt a pat on his right shoulder. He turned around to find Jack, Phil, and Zeb behind him. They all had big smiles on their faces.

"Good job, brother. Good job," complimented Jack with a single tear running down his cheek. Phil and Zeb both nodded in agreement. Phil wasn't as emotional as everyone else while Zeb was near the point of becoming a walking puddle of tears and snot.

"Thank you all for the support you've given me. Without friends like you, I don't know what I'd do. Thank you," replied Diego.

It was at this very moment that Diego and Bailey both were glad that they met each other.

"You know Diego, if I had never met you, I don't know what my life would be like today," said Bailey.

"Bailey, I don't know where I would be either had you not rolled your suitcase's wheel on my foot. I'm thankful that you did," replied Diego.

"Diego?" said a voice from behind him. It was Raj and he was looking extremely apologetic. "I'm sorry for my behavior. I was being a dick and I'm sorry. I never meant to do anything bad to you. I was just jealous. So, I'm sorry," he said.

"You know Raj," Diego began, "it was a pleasure to have you for an acquaintance, but I thought you would have been more grateful towards me than being a little shit. I pulled your head out of the gutter and helped you out. Do you understand how lucky you were to have met me? You acted like a total prick. But, I won't hold your actions against you. I'm not a shallow person. All is forgiven."

Raj walked away, feeling as though his entire being had been sucked out of him. They all watched him walk away into the darkness of the beach. Yet another wandering soul trying to find it's place.

"Well then," remarked Phil, "that means two of Bendigo Beach's top grabs have been taken."

"What do you mean?" laughed Diego.

"Well, if you didn't know, me and Zeb are officially a couple. Along with you and Bailey, I say that the top two single guys are now committed," he said.
"Wow, that's great Phil! I wish you all the best luck in the world. You and Zeb make a perfect couple it seems," said Diego.

Jack didn't seem to be talking too much. It looked as though he was lonely with himself.

"What's wrong with you Jack?" asked Diego.
"Other than the fact that all the people I know are in relationships and I'm not, I feel fine," he said.

"Jack, there's someone out there for you, I'm sure of it. A person like you doesn't go through life just continually looking for someone. You'll get a partner," said Diego.

"Well, I'm heading off home with Zeb," said Phil. He and Zeb left together and went towards the direction of downtown.

"Yeah, I better be heading off too Diego. I'll buy you a drink tomorrow!" said Jack heading off to the right side of the beach.

This now left Diego and Bailey alone in each other's arms. The bonfire had now ended and the beach was dark, except for a few street lamps lighting it dimly.
They looked deep into each other's eyes. They kissed one last time before Diego broke the silence.

"Bailey, I have the feeling this is going to be a great summer," he said.
Looking up at Diego, Bailey replied, "Well, that's a start."

They took each other by the hand and headed down the left side of the beach towards Diego's shack.

"What was that song the DJ was playing when we kissed? It seemed too ironic!" joked Bailey.

"It was 'Can You Feel The Love Tonight?' by Elton John. Personally, I'm a fan. It was kind of ironic wasn't it?" Diego replied. They both laughed about it for a good while before Bailey spoke up.

"Maybe that should be our song!" he exclaimed.

"That's a great idea. Wow, look at us. Not even an entire week of being a couple and we already have a song labeled as 'ours'," commented Diego.

They continued the walk home on the dark beach. They reached Diego's shack but didn't go inside. Instead, they just sat on his wooden porch, holding hands and watching the ocean waves until the sun rose over the Australian horizon.

"Well, I'm tired. I need to get some sleep," said Diego. "Bailey, you should come in too. My bed is your bed."

"I'd like that Diego. I'd like that a lot."

Holding the door open, Diego let Bailey enter first before he finally went in himself, shutting the door quietly.

[Yesterdays Hero]

I like it.