Here is a story that I started on the "Metabods" website. Now that it seems to have folded, I though I would add a new chapter here. But first, the original:
I had been looking forward to this week for a long time. My dads job took him all over the world, but I rarely got to go with him. When he invited me to come along this time, I jumped at the chance. Seven days in New York City with nothing to do was a dream come true. As if this wasnt good enough, Michael and his father would be joining us.
Michael and I went to school together in a small southern town, but he had moved away when we were eight. Eleven years had passed, and though we kept in touch on the phone and through email, we hadnt been able to see each other in person since second grade.
My dad and I walked into the suite we were sharing for the week to find that Michael and his father had already checked in. However, the scene was not the happy reunion I was expecting. An abrupt silence spread through the room as Dad opened the door. Ignoring the pink elephant on the sofa, and perhaps to escape whatever discussion had concluded so suddenly, Michael immediately crossed the room to shake my hand.
Adolescence had been very kind to Michael. His face was strong and rugged in appearance, resting beneath a permanently tanned complexion. Dark, curly hair provided a soft, care-free frame to his more masculine characteristics. Beautiful green eyes peered out over tapered cheeks complete with a perfectly symmetrical pair of dimples.
He had a wrestlers build. His frame was less than six feet tall and carried about 150 pounds. Every ounce of it was strength. As he shook my hand, I watched his forearms tense beneath tightly-stretched skin. His well-fitted t-shirt revealed active muscles bunched in perfect proportions.
Though both of us were now 19, I hadnt been so lucky. Both of my parents were overweight, and I inherited their pudginess. Though I had dropped quite a bit of fat over the past couple of years, I never managed to replace it with any serious muscle. So, I was just your typical lanky sophomore with no athletic ability. My hair was blonde and fine, my face long and somewhat feminine. Physically, I was average in just about every way you could imagine. The contrast between us was unmistakable.
Hey, John, howve you been? He pulled in for a hug and I felt every muscle in his body tighten. It was an amazing display of restrained strengthlike steel cables supporting a gigantic bridge. I managed to reply with some kind of a cliché, but my mind was reeling, awash with a flood of new feelings for an old friend. Over the past few years, I had noticed an increased attraction to both guys and girls, but never a feeling of this strength. This week was already surpassing my expectations.
My gaze next fell to Michaels father. We had never officially met. He and my dad were in the same industry, and both were away more than they were home. Even when Michael and I would spend the night at each others houses as kids, we were usually the men of the house.
Suddenly, I knew where Michael got it.
Hi. Im Mike. You must be John. His voice was deep and clear. It matched his physique. Mike was obviously no stranger to the gym. A couple of inches taller than his son, his arms were easily the size of Michaels thighs. His straining undershirt looked like it was about to rip in several places, but dutifully and miraculously managed to keep everything covered.
Unfortunately, his jeans were not so transparent. Very baggy, they gave no details of what lay beneath the denim. However, based on what was above the belt, one could easily assume that what they concealed was equally impressive. I was almost ready to cream myself.
I shook his hand quickly and pulled my luggage into the bedroom. I guess we can go ahead and unpack, right? Michael followed me and I didnt object. He closed the door behind us.
So, I guess youre wondering what that was all about. He took the words right out of my mouth.
I was a bit curious.
Well, its a long story, but basically, I forgot to bring my medicine with me.
That didnt seem like such a problem to me. Surely theres a pharmacy around here, somewhere.
They dont carry what I need. We have to order it from an herbal pharmacist in Israel. Its quite an ordeal. I would get Mom to send it, but shes out of town this week too, and by the time it got here, Dads afraid it would be too late.
His voice was trailing off, and I became rather concerned. So, whats going to happen to you?
Im not entirely sure. Im not going to die or anything, but you might notice a few changes over the next few days.
My concern faded into curiosity. What is that supposed to mean?
Michael? His dads voice interrupted us.
Yes, dad?
Mike opened the door. John and I are heading out to our dinner meeting.
Stay here in your hotel room until we get backno matter what. Do you understand me?
Yes, sir. Michael was obviously not overjoyed with that prospect.
Its for your own goodyou know that. Well be back in a few hours and well figure out what to do then. With that, Mikenow sporting a trendy shirt and stylish sport jacket joined my dad at the door to the suite.
I had been looking forward to this week for a long time. My dads job took him all over the world, but I rarely got to go with him. When he invited me to come along this time, I jumped at the chance. Seven days in New York City with nothing to do was a dream come true. As if this wasnt good enough, Michael and his father would be joining us.
Michael and I went to school together in a small southern town, but he had moved away when we were eight. Eleven years had passed, and though we kept in touch on the phone and through email, we hadnt been able to see each other in person since second grade.
My dad and I walked into the suite we were sharing for the week to find that Michael and his father had already checked in. However, the scene was not the happy reunion I was expecting. An abrupt silence spread through the room as Dad opened the door. Ignoring the pink elephant on the sofa, and perhaps to escape whatever discussion had concluded so suddenly, Michael immediately crossed the room to shake my hand.
Adolescence had been very kind to Michael. His face was strong and rugged in appearance, resting beneath a permanently tanned complexion. Dark, curly hair provided a soft, care-free frame to his more masculine characteristics. Beautiful green eyes peered out over tapered cheeks complete with a perfectly symmetrical pair of dimples.
He had a wrestlers build. His frame was less than six feet tall and carried about 150 pounds. Every ounce of it was strength. As he shook my hand, I watched his forearms tense beneath tightly-stretched skin. His well-fitted t-shirt revealed active muscles bunched in perfect proportions.
Though both of us were now 19, I hadnt been so lucky. Both of my parents were overweight, and I inherited their pudginess. Though I had dropped quite a bit of fat over the past couple of years, I never managed to replace it with any serious muscle. So, I was just your typical lanky sophomore with no athletic ability. My hair was blonde and fine, my face long and somewhat feminine. Physically, I was average in just about every way you could imagine. The contrast between us was unmistakable.
Hey, John, howve you been? He pulled in for a hug and I felt every muscle in his body tighten. It was an amazing display of restrained strengthlike steel cables supporting a gigantic bridge. I managed to reply with some kind of a cliché, but my mind was reeling, awash with a flood of new feelings for an old friend. Over the past few years, I had noticed an increased attraction to both guys and girls, but never a feeling of this strength. This week was already surpassing my expectations.
My gaze next fell to Michaels father. We had never officially met. He and my dad were in the same industry, and both were away more than they were home. Even when Michael and I would spend the night at each others houses as kids, we were usually the men of the house.
Suddenly, I knew where Michael got it.
Hi. Im Mike. You must be John. His voice was deep and clear. It matched his physique. Mike was obviously no stranger to the gym. A couple of inches taller than his son, his arms were easily the size of Michaels thighs. His straining undershirt looked like it was about to rip in several places, but dutifully and miraculously managed to keep everything covered.
Unfortunately, his jeans were not so transparent. Very baggy, they gave no details of what lay beneath the denim. However, based on what was above the belt, one could easily assume that what they concealed was equally impressive. I was almost ready to cream myself.
I shook his hand quickly and pulled my luggage into the bedroom. I guess we can go ahead and unpack, right? Michael followed me and I didnt object. He closed the door behind us.
So, I guess youre wondering what that was all about. He took the words right out of my mouth.
I was a bit curious.
Well, its a long story, but basically, I forgot to bring my medicine with me.
That didnt seem like such a problem to me. Surely theres a pharmacy around here, somewhere.
They dont carry what I need. We have to order it from an herbal pharmacist in Israel. Its quite an ordeal. I would get Mom to send it, but shes out of town this week too, and by the time it got here, Dads afraid it would be too late.
His voice was trailing off, and I became rather concerned. So, whats going to happen to you?
Im not entirely sure. Im not going to die or anything, but you might notice a few changes over the next few days.
My concern faded into curiosity. What is that supposed to mean?
Michael? His dads voice interrupted us.
Yes, dad?
Mike opened the door. John and I are heading out to our dinner meeting.
Stay here in your hotel room until we get backno matter what. Do you understand me?
Yes, sir. Michael was obviously not overjoyed with that prospect.
Its for your own goodyou know that. Well be back in a few hours and well figure out what to do then. With that, Mikenow sporting a trendy shirt and stylish sport jacket joined my dad at the door to the suite.