Ian feels he has not been blessed with good looks, and his treatment from others lends weight to these beliefs. From a child, where he is teased about his big nose, to his twenties, where his best friend, the handsome Zack, seems to get all the attention, Ian is made to feel inferior. The resulting insecurity means he won't look in a mirror unless absolutely essential.<br><br>Then one night at Zenith, the local gay club, he locks eyes with Brad. He likes what he sees, but so does Zack. As Zack approaches Brad, Ian's heart sinks. However, there is a small chance Brad will tell Zack to take a hike.<br><br>Is Ian's life about to change for the better? Will he finally get a chance at love? Or will his so-called best friend Zack ruin everything? Could Zack really be that cruel?

Ugly

In the lounge, the conversation continued. Though it was venturing into territory where Ian felt uncomfortable.


The surprise in Brad’s voice was both embarrassing and annoying. Why did Brad find it so strange that someone as unattractive as Ian hadn’t had a boyfriend? Ian thought it was entirely logical. But then again, how would someone as good-looking as Brad know what it felt like to always be on the outside?


“Well, tell me about your boyfriends,” he said, shifting the focus a little too defensively.


“I’ve told you about Keith. I met him when I was a bit younger than you are now. Before that, I’d only had flings. But I fell head over heels for Keith. We moved in not long after meeting and spent pretty much every day together for the next eleven years.


Chapter 12