If you missed the previous story: [Part 1](https://www.reddit.com/r/gaystories/s/XBdjImvPO0) | [Most recent part](https://www.reddit.com/r/gaystoriesgonewild/s/9jqM05ca2H)
Everybody in this story is over 18.
For a few days everything is chill. I started reading a new book that Leo gave to me, saying: “If you want to feel what summer feels like in Italy, read this.” It’s called ‘Call me by your name’ and even though he insisted it’s really popular I have never heard of it.
Nothing gives me comfort like lying next to him in the hammock, just reading and feeling his presence, or working on my college assignments, listening to him sing in the next room or watching him cook. I almost don’t want to gome anymore at all. But something in me reminds me that all would be easier if I could bring him home with me. But I don’t dare say anything to my mother.
In my head I know she would probably be supportive, and if not that, at least not care. But a little voice keeps holding me back, the ‘But what if…’ voice. I don’t think it would be bearable for me if she hated me. So I don’t say anything.
But when Ryan hits me up and tells me about going to the pool with the others, I think about Noah’s advice and get an idea.
“My friends and I are going to chill at an outdoor pool tomorrow, you want to come?” I ask Leo as he’s preparing dinner.
“Look, we talked about this, no more half hearted social integration until you’re ready to come out.”
“I am.” I say and he gives me a surprised look.
“I don’t need the entire college to know, that’s why I was so hesitant at the party.” I add. “But tomorrow it’s just my best friends. And I would like to introduce you as my boyfriend this time.”
He gives me a wide smile and comes over to the couch to give me a kiss. “I’d love that.” He whispers and my stomach fills with excitement for tomorrow.
As we arrive on the field where the others have already put down their picnic rugs, Kelly waves at us and smiles. I take a deep breath.
“You okay?” Leo asks.
“I mean there’s no turning back now, is there?” I mumble and clench my fists, preparing myself for the big words.
“Hi guys. Some of you met Leo already…he’s…my boyfriend.” I say, trying to hold my voice as steady as possible.
For a second there’s silence. Ryan and Ben share a look that I can’t identify and the others just stare at me. I’m beginning to get uncomfortable and am so grateful as Leo gently locks his fingers with mine, squeezing my hand supportively.
“Man who are we gonna make all the virgin jokes about now?” Ryan complains and grins. He was one of the people I was most afraid of telling, and I sigh in relief as he starts making jokes.
“That’s what I’ve been saying.” Ben says and grins.
Lynn gives me and honest smile. “Congrats, get comfortable you two.”
We sit down with them and I feel a weight being lifted off my chest. None of them seem to have a big problem with it.
“Hey Leo, I don’t know you from college, what do you do?” Ben asks.
“I work at a bookstore.” Leo replies politely and Ben pierces me with his look and grins.
Oh no, Ben, please don’t embarass me by telling him. But too late.
“So that’s why he asked me all these questions about books, makes sense. He never used to read before.” Ben tells on me and I blush, wanting to disappear instantly. This is the punishment for telling Noah about his behavior during the BBQ.
Leo bursts into laughter and says: “Oh is that so?” He gives me an amused look and puts an arm around me.
I lean on his shoulder and enjoy the warm sun on my face, the fresh summer air in my lungs and my boyfriend by my side.
“So let’s go jump in?” Emma asks and gets ready to get up.
“I’ll wait for Noah so he finds us, you guys can go.” Ben replies.
“Noah is coming?” Lynn and I ask simultaneously, but in two different tones. One of us seems pleasently surprised, the other like it ruins their day.
“Yup.” Ryan says. “I invited him.”
“You?” Lynn says sarcastically and he gives her a triumphant grin.
“Yes, me. He’s a cool dude and just because you can’t stand that his hair is better conditioned than yours or whatever it is you don’t like about him, he doesn’t have to stay out of the group.”
I kind of want to applaud Ryan but I know it would probably hurt my friendship with Lynn. Sometimes I feel like she is used to being the highschool prom queen girl and can’t take it that sometimes in the adult life things don’t go your way.
Except for Ben we decide to go jump in the cool water, a nice contrast from the hot sun. I’m fairly skinny so the cold gets to me faster than the others and after like fifteen minutes I already shiver and wish myself back to the nice place in the sun.
Leo giggles as he sees me shake and wraps his arms around me from behind.
“Already cold?” He whispers into my ear and I lean against his nice, warm body, his voice giving me even more goosebumps than I already have.
“Not anymore.” I reply and turn around to him to kiss him.
It still feels weird to do that in public, even though nobody except for my friends knows me here I still feel judged. But with him I feel powerful, like I can take on anything and anyone.
When we return to the blanket it seems that Noah has just arrived. He’s taking his shirt off and placing his shoes next to the picnic rug.
“Noah!” I yell from afar and he looks at me surprised. “This is the guy!” I say and point to Leo.
He gives me a wide smile and yells back: “Congrats!”
We sit down with him and except for the pouting Lynn everybody seems to enjoy the company of the two new guys. Noah offers to give Emma a massage and after a few minutes she sighs: “We can never let these guys go again.”
He laughs and Leo asks: “Not to be rude Noah, but is that face…real? Like, natural?”
Noah grins. “All good, I take that as a compliment, yes everything except for my haircolor is real.”
Damn. Sometimes it feels hard to believe that god loves everybody the same when some of us look like that and some of us look like me. But then I lean on Leo. At least as a compensation I got the hottest boyfriend. And everything seems to be going perfect for us.
“So, you’re from Italy, these temperatures are probably nothing for you, huh?” Ben asks.
Leo laughs. “Yeah this is pretty tame compared to Italian summer at its peak.”
“You miss it?”
“I do. My sister plans to move back home in the beginning of next year, I’m thinking about coming with her.”
I sit up in shock. What did he just say? He wants to move away in like six months? He notices my face and says: “Relax, it’s not like I’ve decided already and it’s still a while.”
Somehow that’s not consoling to me at all. Why is he starting this relationship if he’s planning on leaving the continent soon? And why is this the first time I’ve heard about this? My stomach sinks.
He leans over to me and gently kisses me. Then he strokes my arm. “Hey, I won’t leave you in the dust with this decision. I haven’t decided yet.”
“What if this all goes really well and we’ll hate the farewell?” I whisper.
“What if it doesn’t? It’s no use overthinking this right now, let’s just enjoy the time we have, no?” He asks and I nod.
But for the rest of the day I have a really weird feeling in my stomach.