Something's Different

When I wake up the next morning I feel a sense of calm and relaxation that I've never felt before. All of a sudden I feel like I'm finally going to live the life that I am supposed to be living. I realize that I'm naked in the bed, and I honestly don't care. I also don't care that Liam's naked in my bed beside me and has his arm wrapped around me. It's still early in the morning, so I cuddle in a tad closer for Liam and fall back asleep.

The next time I wake up Liam is already up and dressed, just heading out of the room. I get my and do my morning routine, and I head downstairs. Normally I would be fully dressed at this point in time, but today, for some reason, I decide to head downstairs in just my underwear.

When I enter the dining room I notice that Ryder and Nala are completely dressed this morning. I'm pretty sure I shocked them by walking into the room without much clothing on. They are staring at me in disbelief, so I say, "what? How can I get used to the nudity in this household if I don't partake in it myself?"

Nala and Ryder shrug, words having completely escaped their mouths, and I sit down and eat my breakfast with their eyes still fixated on me. Liam, on the other hand, pretends that nothing out of the ordinary is going on and talks away about this big party that his friends, Diego and Jeremiah, are having this weekend.

As if they were summoned by having their names spoken out loud, Jeremiah, a skinny Jewish guy, and Diego, the muscly Latino guy that picked Liam up for school yesterday, walk in through the front door and into the dining room. Liam introduces me to the two guys before they head out the door to go to college. On their way out I faintly hear Jeremiah tell Liam that he was right, you're cousin is fucking cute.

After breakfast I head back upstairs and get dressed before heading off to school. Like yesterday, I am greeted by Violet and Sia at the end of the walkway, and we walk to school together. Along the way Violet says to me, "I can't put my finger on it, but there's something different about you today."

It's true, there is something different about me today. For the first time in my entire life I don't feel tense, tired, or scared. My heart doesn't feel like it's about to explode out of my chest. I can't believe I'm about to say this, but for the first time in my life I almost feel...happy.

We arrive at the school and as we walk through the doors Coach Ash stops me and asks to see me in his office. I say goodbye to Violet and Sia and join Coach in his office. I sit down on the couch and Coach grabs some papers from his desk. They're just standard permission forms that I'm supposed to get Uncle Ryder to sign for swim team and an upcoming physical test that will be administered later this week.

Coach Ash then asks me how my first day went and if I had made any friends yet. Of course I told him about Violet and Sia. He then told me he was aware that I was his younger brother's science lab partner. He told me that Bennett was a very bright boy and that if I have a need for a tutor that he'd make sure Bennett was available for the job. He told me that Bennett could teach me a lot, if I was willing to try.

The rest of the day went by pretty uneventful. After school was over I went back to the pool for another swim practice. I swam a lot better then I did the other day. It's like Liam's massage last night loosened up all my muscles and joints. I still didn't beat Sia, but I was pretty close.

Bennett was back in the stands doing homework while we swam. He looked down at me once when I was getting out of the pool. I waved up at him, and even though I was far enough away I'm pretty sure he blushed before giving me a small, shy wave back.

When swim practice was over I didn't even hesitate today to jump right in the shower with the other boys. Each of the guys complemented my body, and I wasn't even bothered that they were looking at me and saying these things while I was naked. I began enjoying the attention and I complemented the other guys back.

Even after the shower I didn't get dressed right away. I stood there with my towel wrapped around my waist and joked and laughed with the other boys for a good while, before I finally finished getting dressed.