Changes 27 The Christmas break was fast approaching. with each passing day, Justin grew more and nervous. It wasn't only being away from Lance for so long that was bothering him, but also he had made a decision about what he would do while he was home. He would tell his mother he was gay. He hoped she took it well, but he had a feeling she wouldn't.  His mother wasn't homophobic. Just very religious, and being gay was against everything she had been taught and everything she had taught him growing up. The little comments and pushes by Joey didn't help either. He couldn't believe he was the same person he had met on the basketball court just a few short months before. The second he had found out Justin and Lance were gay, he had changed into someone hateful.It was almost as if he were two different people. On the basketball court, you could almost see the old Joey, but off of it the new Joey reigned supreme. During Finals week, the two boys pulled several all night study sessions. They each had several exams, and both needed good scores to keep up their grades. If Justin didn't do well, he would lose his scholarship, so he was especially concerned. The night before the last exam, Justin and Lance were both studying. Lance was spread out on the floor with all his text books and notes for his science class, and Justin was sitting on his bed leaning against the wall re-reading one of the books for his English class. sighing, he slammed the book shut and threw it across the room letting it sail above Lance's head. Rubbing his eyes, he said, "No more. I can't read one more word." He moved to lay on his bed, and closed his eyes. Lance looked at the book lying on the floor next to him before turning towards the bed. Justin had been studying so hard. Lying on his bed, he looked so tired. Lance stood up and went over to the bed. Pulling Justin's shoes off, he bent over and pressed a light kiss to his lips. "Go to sleep. You'll do fine on your test." Justin mumbled something already falling alseep. A few hours later, Justin woke up to find Lance still studying over on his bed. "Lance, you need sleep to, you know." "In a little bit. Just one more chapter." Lance looked up from his book a couple of minutes, and noticed Justin was watching him. "Justin, go back to sleep." "No, not until you do." "Fine," Lance said as he closed the textbook. Reaching over, he shut off the light and lay down in bed. A few moments later, he felt the covers lift, and Justin slide under them. "When do you leave for your sister's place?" "Tomorrow night," Lance whispered. "I'm glad you are not spending the break here. I would feel so bad knowing I was home, and you were stuck here," Justin said as he wrapped his arm around Lance's waist. "Stacey is cool. I haven't seen her in awhile." "Do your parents know you're spending the holidays with her?" "I guess." Justin grew silent, and Lance began to fall asleep, but the silence was broken by a soft whisper. "I'm telling my mom, you know." Lance opened his eyes wide, and turned in Justin's arms. "You sure?" "Yeah. Night, Lance. Love you." Justin closed his eyes. Lance sighed. Laying his head on Justin's chest he closed his eyes. He hoped that his mother took it better than his own had. The next day, Justin and Lance each took their exams, and returned to the dorm in the afternoon in order to finish packing. Both were excited to be going home, but both also weren't happy that by going home they would be apart. Lance zipped his suitcase, and bounced on his bed watching Justin. "All done." Justin turned and smiled at his boyfriend. "I see that. I'm just about done here too," he said as he putt a pile of shirts into the suitcase. Closing the top, he zipped his own bag. "Done. Looking over at the clock, he smiled. "It looks like we have about forty-five minutes before you have to leave." Lance smiled. "Whatever will we do to fill that time?" Justin walked and leaned over Lance. "I can think of something." Justin began to lower his head, but there was a knock on the door. "Damn it. Who's that?" He stepped back, and went to answer the door. "Hey, lovebirds," Josh said as he walked in. "Josh, you're early," Justin said folding his arms over his chest. "Oops, sorry. I interrupted the last romp," Josh moved to sit on his bed, but Justin stopped him. "Let's go since you're here," Justin said looking over at Lance. "I'll leave you two alone," Josh said, as he left the room. Justin walked over to Lance and pulled him into a standing position. Wrapping his arms around Lance's waist, he gave Lance a gentle kiss on his lips. "I'll miss you. Call me every day." sighing, he stepped back. "I'm going to go now. I love you." He walked over and picked up his suitcase quickly leaving the room not wanting Lance to see the tears forming in his eyes. changes 26 menu changes 28