Author's Note – Yup, you guessed it. I had a math sub. And also, no offense meant to Hispanic peeps…they rock my socks.

Disclaimer – Just playing with them.

Thanks to – the fabulous Amanda for letting me steal… I mean… borrow without permission… her last name.

Chapter One

On Thursday afternoon, I heard a knock on the door to the loft I shared with Angel. Crawling off the couch and setting my book down, I went and slid the heavy metal door open.

The man that was standing in the doorway was so gigantic that he blocked the hanging light bulb in the hallway. Even I, standing at 6'2", had to tilt my head up to get a look at his threatening face. He was very large and muscular, very Hispanic, and very frightening. I had no idea what this intimidating man would want from me.

He cleared his throat before speaking. "Excuse me, I'm looking for Angel Shunard, and when I looked him up, I was given this address. Do you know where I could find him?"

I was astonished to discover that his voice was gentle and flowed like honey, very surprising, considering his appearance. "Um…he's not…home right now, might I ask why you were looking for him?" She's my Angel and you can't have her.

The man seemed to hesitate. "I…I uh…I bullied him when we were younger…we went through school together and I picked on him for…" He stopped, more hesitant than a few moments ago. "For?"

"For being gay. I came from a very religious, extremely Catholic family and as you probably know, homosexuality is considered wrong in the Catholic and Christian faiths. I didn't understand that not everyone is religious and that they can choose their own lifestyles. And um…I came to apologize to him."

I was shocked. Why hadn't Angel told me this before? "Well…Angel is out helping a few of our friends pick out some new clothes…Sh-…He should be back in about half an hour. Would you like to come in?" It was then that I realized that the mysterious man was still standing in the doorway.

He nodded and said, "Thank you." As he passed me, going into the loft.

He found the living area and sat on a chair. It was the chair that Mark usually sat in, seeing as the only other seats were loveseats, meant for two people. I laughed to myself as I remembered this.

I sat on my seat, directly across from the Hispanic man. "Can I ask your name, sir?" I asked, remembering that he still hadn't told me.

"Of course. My name is Mateo Carlos Gonzales. I'm guessing you want to know a bit about me, since I'm intruding…am I?"

"No, no, no…please, tell me about yourself, Mateo." I actually was curious.

"Right. I was born in Los Angeles…the bad part of town. I grew up loving to read, write, and learn. My father left my family when I was seven years old and afterward, my mother was left with four children and a newborn baby only a few months old. My sister, Guadalupe, was the oldest of us children, being seventeen. She helped my mother a great deal taking care of the little ones. We grew up going to church very often and going to the local public school. In church one day, when I was eleven, the Sunday School teacher told us that 'homosexuality is wrong in the eyes of God and that any homosexual is considered a sinner.' Being young and naïve, I asked what it meant to be homosexual. The teacher so obviously didn't want to explain it to me, but she did. I was horrified. Why would someone want to kiss another person of the same gender, let alone marry them? The next week, I met Angel. He started at my middle school late. On his first day, he wore a white t-shirt and jeans, but his voice was feminine. Since I had been taught that being gay was wrong, I instinctively made fun of him. The taunting began in 6th grade and continued all through high school. I just didn't understand. One year ago, I lost a very close friend to AIDS. I thought he had gotten it from doing drugs by way of intravenous needles, but after his death, I found out it was because he was gay. I realized how wrong it was that I taunted and tormented Angel. I had to find him and apologize."

I stared at him, enthralled by his story. For a few moments, I was speechless. "S…She should be back in a few minutes now."

Sure enough, Angel burst through the door right at that very second. As I observed her, I talked to myself. Dammit…she bought new clothes… again…grrr…

I got off the loveseat I was sitting on and walked to the door to greet her. I wrapped my arm around her waist and pecked her lightly on the lips. "Angel, I want to introduce…or reintroduce as a matter of fact…you to someone. Come here, baby."

The confused look she wore was the cutest I've ever seen painted on her bright little face. She followed my lead, walking behind me as we held hands.

When she saw the Hispanic man sitting on Mark's chair instead of the latter, Angel flipped out. She gasped and turned into me, pressing her face into my chest. When I stroked her head and she looked up at me, she whispered, "It's him…Collins, he's come back to taunt me." Angel was terrified.

"No, sweetheart, let the man talk."

Angel turned and looked at Mateo boldly and with great courage. "What, Mateo?" She asked in the coldest, meanest tone I'd ever heard her speak in.

"I…Angel, I'm so sorry. For those seven years of torment and grief I caused you. I apologize for ruining your self-esteem. I want to apologize because when I was younger, I just didn't understand the lifestyle you had chosen. Please. Forgive me." Mateo was begging at that point.

I glanced at Angel, her expression softening. "Of course I'll forgive you, Mateo. It was only a matter of time before you realized that not everyone wants the same things." She smiled warmly at him…but not the normal warmth that usually touched her lips. "Now, I need to talk to Collins here, so if you could leave, that would be greatly appreciated."

"Of course. Thank you for your time." And with that said, Mateo left the loft, sliding the door behind him.

To be continued? Do you want Angel's side? Do you want more? REVIEW!!!!!!