For Dave Felder, his junior year of high school starts with a move from his small hometown to a larger city. With the new home comes a new school, East Leyden High. He isn't the least bit reluctant to leave his old school. Once popular and well-liked, things changed when he was outed to his fellow students. A new school gives him a fresh start, where no one knows him or his secret. Tall, handsome, and athletic, he soon finds himself surrounded by new friends, the popularity he once lost regained. But he doesn't count on meeting someone who brings out the feelings he hoped to keep buried inside. Someone like Ricky. Once these feelings surface, Dave has to make a choice -- continue to hide who he really is and protect his popularity, or be true to himself.

Ricky

“I think I can,” he said tentatively.


“Don’t worry, you don’t have to prepare on your own. We have volunteers who work with our music students,” Mr. Tkach continued, seeming to sense Dave’s hesitance. “You can get the name of an accompanist and coach from the music department secretary. You can contact that person and arrange a time to practice.”


After school that day, Dave went to the music department secretary and got a list of the people in the community who volunteered to work with music students in a variety of ways. He looked over the list of accompanists. Having no way of knowing which one to choose, he arbitrarily picked one.


“Eeny, meeny, miny, moe,” he said, running his finger down the list. It came to rest on a Mr. David Lee. Must be the right choice, we both have the same first name.


When he got home from school, he called Mr. Lee’s number.


“Hello?” a friendly voice answered.


Chapter 4