I'll Stand By Your Side

Have you ever been so in love with someone that just knowing that they’re sitting on your couch, eating all your food, brings a smile to your face? That a simple text to say ‘hey’ makes you get a million butterflies? That if you’re having a bad day where everything’s going wrong, just hearing them laugh turns your entire day around? I’ve been that much in love. I am that much in love. His name is Will and he’s the laziest, most annoying, most beautiful boy I’ve ever met. He’s also been my boyfriend for 10 months.

Will and I met in college – we shared a dorm and something just clicked. His major is Art and my major is political science, but the fact that we’re so different never bothered us, not at all. It wasn’t until our second year that I realized I loved him as more than a friend. Man, did I go through some hard times. Coming out as bisexual to our friends and peers was hard enough, but to my family? They hated me, to start with. My dad didn’t talk to me for months, neither did my mom. They don’t hate me anymore, but they still hate Will for ‘turning me’. But none of this matters, because he was there for me. He stuck by my side the entire time, letting me know that I wasn’t alone. That’s just one of the things that I love about him.

He’s the kind of guy that I always wanted to be, you know? So laid-back and charming, with shoulder-length silky brown hair and eyes that sparkle with mischief. His broad shoulders and razor-sharp cheekbones had girls falling onto their knees for him everywhere he went. And I was just there at his side, awkwardly skinny with alabaster skin and startling blue eyes. I even dyed my hair black because it was such a boring mousy brown color. I’m not even that interesting a person – quiet, nerdy and slightly girly. Will always insisted that he didn’t care how different we were. He always said that I liked how awkward I was. Apparently it was ‘cute’. I used to be jealous of him, but I just couldn’t stay that way. He’s too much of a good person to be jealous of.

Anyway, after I came out, Will used to try to set me up with guys that he thought I’d like. I could never tell him that none of them would ever match up to him. I eventually got the courage to tell him that I liked him half-way through second year. And do you know what the best part was? Will responded by kissing me. Oh that kiss. I thought I’d gone to heaven and back, I really did. I’ll always remember how much I blushed and how awkward I was after we parted, but Will just called me adorable and kissed me again. From that day onward we’ve been dating and I don’t regret a single minute.

The one thing I still have a problem with is all the hate surrounding us. I mean, I’d only just got over my parents hating me, and as soon as they found out that Will was my boyfriend, they moved right on to hating him instead. And when Will’s parents found out how much my parents hated Will, they decided to hate me in return. I didn’t even do anything! According to Will’s mom, I’m stuck-up and prudish, and according to Will’s dad, I’m too boring. My parents just think Will is a good-for-nothing bum that will never amount to anything in his life. I hate how everyone hates each other. I just don’t get it! Why can’t they all see that Will and I are happy, and get over it?!

Aside from our parents hating us, there’s also other people on campus that do too. People may say that college is a more accepting place, and for the most part this is true. But there are still the occasional few that send comments our way that really cut me, you know? Will tells me to just ignore their ignorant words, but sometimes I can’t. I just can’t faze out things like he can. But again, Will’s always there for me when I need someone to cry on, when I need someone to rant to, and when I just need someone to hold me, to tell me that everything’s going to be alright. I trust him with my life.

It’s a Friday afternoon in May of our third year, and I’ve just finished an 8 hour day at college. Will and I share an apartment with two girls just outside the campus, and it suits us perfectly. The girls, Su and Maggie, are totally accepting of Will and I, as is Maggie’s boyfriend, which is awesome. Su went home for the weekend a few hours ago and Maggie’s gone to her boyfriend’s for the night, so Will and I have the night to ourselves. As usual, Will’s sitting on the sofa, eating the food that I bought only yesterday, and he pretty much doesn’t even register that I’ve got home until I slide my arms around his shoulders from behind.

“Fuck, Noah, you’ve really got to stop doing that,” Will gasped, jumping.

“Mm, and you’ve got to stop getting so engrossed in the TV. We could get burgled and you wouldn’t even notice,” I mused.

Will just grinned and pressed a slow kiss to my lips, making me smile. He always knows how to ease the tension, even if it’s just petty. I pulled away and stretched my arms above my head, the joints popping slightly. Eurgh, disgusting. But that’s what I get for choosing a major that means I have to slave over textbooks all day.

“Your mom called, by the way,” Will said simply.

“Oh, really? What did she want?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

“I don’t know, I didn’t answer. I heard her name on the answer machine and blanked out,” Will replied with a cheeky grin.

I rolled my eyes. Of course he wouldn’t listen to what my mom has to say. I pecked his lips one last time before walking over to the apartment phone and pressing play. My mom’s shrill voice immediately spilled out.

Noah? Noah, are you there? No, wait, I know. That waste of space Will is just sitting on the couch doing nothing and not picking up the call, right?

I paused the message and glanced at my boyfriend, who just looked a bit pissed off. Wonderful. I pressed play again.

Anyway, I just wanted to tell you that your cousin Hilary is getting married in September and you’re invited. Not Will. Just you, Noah. Call me back whenever Will bothers to tell you I’ve called!

The message ended and I sighed, slowly walking back over to sit next to Will. His face was stone-cold and his eyes were dark with anger, not even focusing on the lame television program. There is only one person’s hate that still gets to Will, and that’s my mom. I slid my hand into his, my other hand cupping his face so he was looking at me.

“You know I’m not going if you don’t go, right?” I said softly, smiling weakly.

“She’s your cousin,” Will grumbled, looking down at his lap and picking at a loose thread on his jeans.

I lifted his head back up again. I hate it when he gets down like this because it’s such a rare thing. A rare and horrible thing.

“Yes, but you’re my boyfriend. That’s more important to me and you know it,” I insisted, looking directly into his vibrant hazel eyes.

When the corner of Will’s lip curled into a smile I let out a breath of relief. Thank fuck. I dropped the hand cupping his faced and just laced my fingers with his other hand.

“Maybe it’s a good thing I didn’t answer the phone then,” Will mused.

“Maybe,” I teased.

“Hey, don’t forget my parents are coming up next weekend to take us out to dinner,” Will reminded me, smirking triumphantly.

Damn it.

“Aww Will! Do I have to go?” I whined, pouting.

“Yes, you do. Although there are plenty of things I could think of doing with you instead,” Will drawled.

I raised an eyebrow. Oh really?

“Hmm, like what?” I asked innocently.

Will grinned and pushed me flat on my back so he was hovering over me. Fuck it, I’m buzzing already. It’s not fair how he can get such a reaction from my body, it really isn’t!

“Like this,” Will whispered.

I inhaled sharply as Will’s plump lips found their way to my neck, pressing hot kisses into my pale flesh like he would never get the chance again. A moan slipped past my lips as his crotch ground against mine, his tongue joining in to ravish my neck. I closed my eyes as his teeth nipped on the weak spot at the base of my neck, pleasure already rippling through my every nerve. As Will moved to spread my thighs, he kicked the bowl he’d been holding before I came in, scattering popcorn everywhere. He froze and looked down at me, before the both of us burst into laughter. Well that killed the mood.

“I’ll clean that up,” Will chuckled, getting up off me.

I smiled and bit my bottom lip as he walked into the kitchen area, blushing lightly when he winked at me. He walked back over to me with a dustpan and handbrush and swept all his mess up, before returning to the kitchen. I jumped slightly when he vaulted over the sofa back to my side, but couldn’t help but laugh. He’s so infectious, it’s incredible.

“I love you,” Will said with a smile.

“I love you too,” I replied sweetly.

Will grinned and pressed a short kiss to my lips before sliding his arm round my shoulders, pulling me against his body. I guess this is the reason why I keep going, why all this hate surrounding us is worth it. I have a beautiful, amazing boyfriend, and he loves me as much as I love him. And that’s all I need.