One True Pairing: Chapter 1 - The College Years. Part 2.
It all happened inside of a few seconds. He can hear his heartbeat and it reminds him of some medical show. Payne isn’t even done asking out. DJ says to himself, "Make certain my face doesn’t show disgust. Match his smile. Just don’t scream 'hell no', whatever I do just don’t make a scene."
It all happened inside of a few seconds. He can hear his heartbeat and it reminds him of some medical show. Payne isn’t even done asking out. DJ says to himself, "Make certain my face doesn’t show disgust. Match his smile. Just don’t scream 'hell no', whatever I do just don’t make a scene."
And yet, this one request could solve all those nights of loneliness. DJ desperately wanted someone but it has to be the right someone. "This dude is like the fucking Joker. I hate my luck."
Payne is not the right one. But then again, how could he really know. It’s not like he's ever been in anything successful. Also, this is just a date. This isn’t a marriage proposal.
"Scan the room. Is anyone paying attention to us? Wesley’s NAACP president is staring at me. Why the hell he looking at me? Did he and Payne mess around? Who cares. He’s probably messed around with every dude in this meeting. I mean, why else would he be so cavalier about this entire conversation. He could have at least waited until we left the Union. He doesn’t seem to care. In fact, his face looks like those guys in the dorm room earlier this morning."
DJ continues thinking to himself, "What if Payne wants to have sex? I’m not ready for sex. The look on his face is of lust; this dude is the biggest turn-off. Payne doesn’t seem to be a fighter. I think I can handle myself with him if he tried too hard. Wherever we go it would have to be in public. What about his number; how will we communicate about a date? Exchanging numbers with a guy in this open place would look suspicious."
"His hand is starting to sweat. This is another turnoff. There are so many reasons why I shouldn’t accept his offer and yet my soul is pushing to accept. Plus, this dude had the nerve to suggest I’m a fucking Beta! He’s finally done asking."
“Sure. We can go. On a date.”
“Cool. Give me your number.”
Really? You idiot. You’re asking me for this now? “504.555.7854,” whispered DJ.
“Louder. I can’t hear you.”
DJ was clearly agitated now.
“Are you out?” asked DJ.
“No. Why?” Payne looked around nervously. Finally, signs of life and understanding from this dude.
“Do you not realize that you and I don’t have a reason for exchanging numbers?”
“Unless someone is actively watching us then no one should suspect anything.”
“The guy over the NAACP keeps looking at me or you. I can’t tell which.”
Payne turns around to look at Shawn. “Oh. That’s Shawn. We have a meeting to get to.”
“Are you in the NAACP too?”
“No. Well, yes. But that’s not what kind of meeting we are going to. He’s my vice president in my chapter. He’s trying to stop me from talking so we can show up on time.”
“Well, ole boy really takes his job serious because now he’s walking this way.”
“Payne, let’s go bruh. You know the chapter is waiting on us,” said Shawn in an anxious tone.
“They can’t meet if neither of us is there.”
“What you talking about that would stop you from going to this meeting?”
Now I’m the center of attention. This dude is so clueless he will tell all our business. If I leave now it might seem strange because he will no doubt follow me. Why the hell did I agree?
“Call Brother Brad. Find out if he has made it there yet. If he hasn’t then call brothers at the house and tell them we have to wait on Bradford.”
“Cool.” Then Shawn turns his attention to me. “Wassup man. So you’re the Vice President of Dawn. That’s tough man. Do you know Miss Dawn?”
“Yeah bruh. Of course. You know her?”
“Nah. But I wouldn’t mind talking to her though. Isn’t she a Dancing Doll?”
“She is. But she’s really into graduating. She’s not the type bruh.”
“Gotcha. Bruh, we should hang out though. I’m Shawn.” Shawn gave his hand to DJ to shake and while they shook hands he asked DJ about the president of SGA at Dawn. “Isn’t he an Epsilon?”
DJ felt something weird with his hand again. DJ had to wonder if all the guys at Wesley were gay or bisexual or what. He was also agitated by the question because it was another reminder that for as long as he was Ivory’s vice president he would be linked to that asshole. But there was no reason to bring that up to them.
“Yeah. He is.”
“That was short. That sounds like a story. You’re not an Epsilon so are you Greek too?” asked Shawn.
DJ couldn’t help but realize how dissimilar Shawn was from Payne. If Shawn were gay he could get it. He seemed to really pay attention and seemed to choose his words carefully.
“How did you know I wasn’t an Epsilon?”
“We have our ways of determining things. But you didn’t answer the question. Are you Greek and what’s the story about?”
Something about Shawn bred trust. “I’m not Greek and Ivory is an asshole.”
Payne and Shawn both let out the most unexpected laugh. “Yeah. That’s pretty much all anyone ever says about him but you kept that in for a long while. You seemed to squirm during the meeting. Why are you taking his blows?”
“Man, that’s my job I guess. I’m the dutiful Vice President.”
“Word!” DJ thought that word choice was odd. Who uses “word” anymore? By this point, Shawn has ushered DJ and Payne to the stairs so they could leave the Union. Again, DJ couldn’t help but notice how smooth Shawn was. In such a nice manner, he took over the conversation and had Payne doing exactly what he wanted him to do and I doubt Payne even realizes.
Once outside of the Union, Payne and Shawn walk toward their cars. As chance would have it, Payne and DJ’s cars were near each other’s. DJ would have to be subjected to more of Payne’s bullshit.
“So, now that he’s gone, let me get your number.”
“Give me your phone and I’ll save it for you.”
“That’s wassup. So can I call you from time to time?”
“Yeah, that’s cool. Text me first though. I’m not big on talking on the phone especially if I’m busy.”
“Okay. I was thinking maybe we could go to the movies on Friday.”
“That works.”
*******
Chelsea had been spending a lot of time working on a computer program for a class. But she was also spending time with Chris. Chris is Ivory’s Chief of Staff. But no one knows Chris and Chelsea are seeing each other. Chelsea didn’t even share this information with DJ. DJ considers Chelsea to be his best friend and had been working to include as many of his friends into Student Government. He had been fairly successful at that. Almost all of his friends were in Student Government. Only Marcus and Rihanni were not in Student Government.
While in the Student Government office on a Friday evening, after everyone has already left, Chris and DJ are the last two in the office. Chris finally asked DJ, “Say bruh, what kind of a relationship do you have with Chelsea?”
“Relationship? She’s my best friend. That’s it. Why? And why do you care about Chelsea?” The thought of the two of them being together never entered his mind.
“Well, to be honest, I always thought the two of you had something going on. She and I have been seeing each other for about two months now.”
“What do you mean? Like going out on dates and stuff?”
“Nah. We been fucking.”
“So, if you thought she and I were together why the hell were you with her?”
“Nah bruh. It’s not like that.”
“You just told me yall were fucking.” DJ felt a sense of jealousy rise in him that he couldn’t understand. There was nothing going on between he and Chelsea and yet the fact that this man basically had the nerve to tell him he had been fucking someone he thought DJ was seeing seemed to be so disrespectful. Like saying he knew DJ was gay or something or weak. “Look, there is nothing going on between she and I but right now I just feel like you don’t give a fuck about me.”
“Honestly, bruh you know you and I weren’t cool all the time. She and I started kicking it when we weren’t cool. Back then I just thought it was what it was. But lately, I’ve been feeling something else.”
“Oh! You like her.”
“Yeah! Man especially when we are in bed and I’ve got her legs up and I’m in there stroking and she’s moaning and her legs start shaking. Then I stop and start eating her out. Man, the things she does when I start eating her. That shit sends me to the fucking moon.”
“Yeah, I don’t think I want to hear about that. Why didn’t she tell me about you two? I don’t understand why she couldn’t have told me.”
“Well, that I don’t know. I do know she said you had been very MIA in the past and she thought you would understand that.”
“Being in SGA and trying to maintain my scholarship and grades. Sometimes I’ve got to get away and just do what is necessary. Plus all of a sudden I feel a sense of responsibility to maintain academically. “
“You know a lot of people think you are trying to be an Epsilon.”
“Why does everyone think that?”
“I think it’s just because Ivory is the president and to be honest, they see you taking a lot of hits from him and in public too.”
“I know. That makes sense. But yeah, speaking of, why did Ivory fire Toni and her boyfriend?”
“Man I don’t know. That shit was the weirdest of things he’s done yet. He didn’t give an explanation. He just asked me to get with you to find out how to do it. Once you said to simply write a letter informing the Student Senate he was happy.”
“Hmm So you don’t even know. Any speculations?”
“Nope. Just some dumb shit.” From that, DJ could tell Chris knew more than he was letting on but it was probably just his thoughts and not what he knew.
“Cool. I’m just in here waiting on a fax from that company you asked me to get information from.”
“Thanks man. I’m about to head out though. Actually, I’m going to see Chelsea after I leave in a few.”
“Oh okay.” Almost on cue the fax started ringing. DJ got nervous because he didn’t want Chris to see the information he was about to get.
“I think I’m about to head out now. Give me that information tomorrow.”
Rather nonchalantly, DJ responds by saying, “Cool.”
As each sheet comes through the fax DJ becomes more and more pissed. He’s recalling a conversation he had with another student who forewarned him that Ivory was using student funds to purchase personal items. He’s reading that Ivory spent over $2,000 on clothes which includes underwear, socks, belts, ties, etc. More than anything, it is $1,000 over the budgeted amount given to him by the Senate.
DJ immediately calls Toni. “Hello?”
“Why the hell didn’t you tell me about this earlier?”
“Tell you what?”
“About Ivory spending all this money on clothes. You know this summer I asked him man to man to tell me whether he spent money on personal clothes. He looked me into my eyes and told me no. Even the advisor, Mr. Austin, lied to me.”
“Wait. You’re mad at the amount?”
“Yeah. I mean, don’t get me wrong. He bought some fucking drawls that cost $50 and socks that cost $65. Who the fuck buys that on student funds?”
“Well, I didn’t know how much money he was given. I didn’t even know the Senate gave him money. What struck me as odd was when he made me, the Student Loan director, go to Tate’s to buy this. I mean, isn’t it a violation of some rule or something for me to go there and buy these clothes?
That’s when DJ realized he truly was surrounded by nitwits. “So you faxed this information. What do you plan on doing with it?”
“Well, my boyfriend and I were thinking you could make about 500 copies and we would pass them out to students and tell them what he did.”
“What are you going to say? It’s important you say the right thing because the Senate can only act if they see this and if this is framed properly.”
“How do we do that?”
“You have to specifically say that he spent more than the amount of money the budget allows. That’s the only way he can be impeached.”
“But I don’t really care about that. I want everyone to know that he fucked me.”
“And your boyfriend is cool with that?”
“He don’t care.”
These motherfuckers are just dumb or attention seeking. “Okay, I’ll make the copies. I think I can even make more than 500 copies. The more people know the better. How will you get the copies?”
“Those dumb fuckers didn’t ask me for my key. I still have it. Just leave it in the conference room and I’ll get them. I’m on my way now. It will take some time for me to get there.”
“Cool. And I’ll use Ivory’s code because I don’t want anyone to know I made the copies. Plus I have something I need to do tonight.”
“I’ll call and let you know when we pass them out.
Payne took DJ out to the movies to see a horror flick. It was cool. The theater was packed and it wasn’t a theater most black people went to. That was a good choice by Payne. After the movie and a little talking, DJ realized he had judged Payne too harshly. He might have been naive but he truly had a future ahead of him. He had served time in the military which accounted for his older age. He talked about how he was a med tech for a dentist and that explained his perfectly white teeth. He learned that Payne had a son that was about five years old.
Above: Payne in the theater
“When are you going to pledge Epsilon?” And now he fucks it up.
“Why do you think I want to pledge at all?
“Well, you have a look. You’re more handsome than most Betas and since you don’t want to be a Beta the only thing left for you is Epsilon.”
DJ was so used to being pissed by the things Payne said that he was about to react then thought better of it. He simply answered the question. “I thought I was going to pledge this year but now that I’m Ivory’s vice president I’m certain that won’t work out.”
“Why do you say that?”
“I went to their smoker. Ivory is the Dean of the next line.”
“So. What’s wrong with that? I mean, I’m certain he doesn’t know how you feel about him, right?
“I don’t think he knows but he blames me for everything. He and I never have real conversations. He always seems nervous around me.”
“It’s you. You are fairly intimidating. Even Shawn mentioned it when we were back at the frat house.”
“Why would you mention me to him?”
“It’s not like that, it really isn’t. He just said how refreshing it was to talk to you. Most guys from Dawn have a chip on their shoulder or to be honest, can’t hold an intelligent conversation.”
DJ was enraged. Until this conversation he thought Payne was naive and now Payne is saying half of Dawn students are slow. The fuck!. Obviously, his face showed the anger he had and Payne quickly said, “But as you know, Dawn students think Wesley’s black students are better than Dawn students. To be honest, I don’t know a single Wesley student who has ever said that. We don’t spend our time thinking about stuff like that. We band together against the issues we have on campus.” Again, DJ was surprised by Payne. Perhaps this dude was worth his time.
“Do you want a daiquiri?”
“I’m not 21 yet.”
“No worries. I’ll just buy two and afterwards, we can go by my place so we aren’t drinking and driving.”
They make it to Payne’s on campus apartments. “I didn’t realize Wesley had apartments on campus and you have two bedrooms.”
Above: DJ at the apartment
“Yeah. It’s mostly for international students and graduate students since so many of them have families.”
“So why do you have one? Are you really in grad school?”
“No. I just used the fact that I had a son and I got one. I just didn’t want to live on campus or in the frat house. I really can’t live this life and live in the frat house.”
As the two of them began talking more and sipping on their daiquiris, they both found themselves laughing and talking more. They must’ve talked for hours. As they talked, DJ was starting to wonder whether Payne was a top or a bottom. He gave Payne versatile, which was more DJ’s speed, but for some reason, DJ found himself wanting to submit to Payne. It had nothing to do with whether DJ wanted Payne’s dick. And to be honest, DJ hadn’t seen a print on Payne so he assumed Payne didn’t have much to work with. Still, DJ wanted to submit to Payne. This was an odd feeling for DJ. Submission meant for him that he had fully given in to someone. How could he just submit to someone he had only gone on one date with?
Then the unexpected happened. Payne pulled DJ up, which wasn’t difficult. Payne was broad shouldered and had these pulsating biceps while DJ was just 160 pounds. Once DJ was standing he could tell he was rock hard and tried to adjust without Payne noticing. Payne kissed him. Payne had these soft and full supple lips that seemed to melt with DJ’s. DJ could smell every part of Payne’s upper body and found himself wanting to touch his body. Without thinking it DJ realized his hands were rubbing Payne’s arms. Every part of DJ was on fire. He wanted more. But he wasn’t ready for what he really wanted. And yet two words escaped him, “Take me.”
Payne pulled back and knew what that meant. He took DJ’s hand and led him to his bedroom that already had a candle lit. Payne undressed DJ and kissed every part of his body not in the lustful way he expected. Instead, he was kind and loving with every touch with every word of command. Once DJ was undressed on the bed, Payne walked out and turned on music. It was 90s R&B and every song seemed to speak to the moment. DJ thought, damn, this man does this so often he has mood music. DJ tried not to think about that and instead focused on what was sure to come next. He wasn’t ready for it in any way. But he knew he wanted it. Somehow he knew Payne understood that.
Payne kissed DJ again then continued to kiss down his stomach and when he got to his dick, Payne looked up once more to lock eyes with him. DJ knew what was to come next and just like that Payne opened his mouth and slowly slid up and down while DJ jerked from the sensation. That shit was good. DJ tried to return the favor but Payne wouldn’t let him. Payne had taken his shirt off and in the candlelight you could see the contours of his arms, shoulders and his back and it made DJ shiver with anticipation. No doubt, DJ was anxious. In DJ’s mind they were about to make love. He was sure that was what this moment was.
Payne stood up and took off his pants and to DJ’s surprise what he saw was the biggest nightstick he had ever encountered. It was curved too, like a hook. DJ never ran from a fight and knew this was about to be a fight. He let out a “damn” or two. Clearly Payne was used to it because he didn’t respond. He reached into his nightstand and found a bottle of KY. He poured some onto his hand. DJ was amazed. In the past, he had only used lotion and once when he was really horny he and his ex used baby oil. KY seemed like an indulgence. He couldn’t help but notice that the bottle was half gone. “He’s a whore. How many more clues do you need” thought DJ. Again, DJ pushed those feelings back. He was hopeful.
He placed his hand between DJ’s cheeks and he jumped up. He didn’t know how cold it would be. But as he jumped up Payne caught his lips and kissed him again. Again, he reassured DJ with a kiss. As he continued to kiss him he applied the KY between his legs. Payne then rubbed some on his big, uncircumsized, hooked dick before he slid his finger into into DJ. Then another finger. He put on a condom rather inartfully, which was actually the first sign that perhaps Payne wasn’t a whore. Then finally that moment. Payne gently placed his “third leg” into DJ and DJ erupted into a fit; he tried to remain calm. He tried to open up as much as he could. He knew this was a sensitive time for both of them so he pushed his pain aside and let Payne continue to slide in. Payne was slowly moving DJ’s legs back toward the headboard. Each leg shook from the pain but as they both settled into what was happening Payne was amazed at how flexible DJ was.
When they were done tossing each other around the bed and banging the headboard, in the background they both heard and laughed to “Blackberry Molasses.” For some reason that one song seemed to express the night perfectly. They fell asleep holding each other.
