SOULMATES.

That's the word I think when I think of us. I'm talking of course about me: Manuel Cordero, and the love of my life- Pablo Mendoza.

Life was scary when I first moved here from Dallas and started attending Longhorn High. I knew enough about my home state to know how a small town like this one would probably react to my sexuality.

I'll never forget the strange glances I recieved the first time I stepped into Longhorn. I'm probably the first student- scratch that: first person in this town to ever have an eyebrow ring. I know I'm the first guy for sure.

I made myself a promise before leaving Dallas: to be true to myself above all else, just like I've always been.

Well I did make some friends, in spite of my fears: Angie Leon, Dakota Sims, and him...

I knew I'd been hit with something the first time I met Pablo's eyes. I also knew something else- something that he wasn't admitting to himself yet: the obvious fact that he was gay.

Oh it wasn't obvious to everybody. Pablo was pretty good at hiding it. Even I had a little doubt at first- until I saw how he grudgingly tried to make himself avoid me at every turn.

Well I've always believed in reaching out to others and being friendly, so eventually I got him to let me in. He was fun to be around in spite of his insecurites, and the pull I'd felt on the day we met never went away.

I realize now that some power higher than myself really did have a plan for my life. God knew what She was doing when He made my path cross with Paul.

I came to realize that I not only had strong feelings for him, but that he needed me. Paul needed me more than I'd ever been needed by anyone. His increasing need to be around me, coupled with his hangups about sexuality were obvious pleadings for help.

He needed me- I needed him, and above all: I was head over heels in love with him at that point.

I wasn't about to force myself on him, but I learned on a trip to the movies that the feelings were mutual. I'll never forget that day at the theater when our hands first intertwined, and I felt a bond like I'd never felt with any other.

Then came the turning point in everything, and something life-altering by any standard. I'd been walking home from the mall because Paul had left me when Jude and some of his 'friends' jumped me.

I'll never forget the repeated whacks with the bat and the incredible, terrible pain that my body endured. I scarcely remember blacking out and the memory of my time on the other side is pretty vague.

The next thing I knew for sure was him. Pablo was standing in the door of the hospital room, and what I'd seen reflected in his brown eyes had said it all. He was looking at me like I was the most precious thing in his world, and he was already mine.

I don't know why, but I asked him to kiss me. I wanted to feel his lips on mine. That was the first of many kisses.

Sometimes I just lie in bed next to him and look into his chocolate brown eyes that must reflect the love in my own. I realize we're soulmates. I realize I'm hooked- tied for life, and I don't want to imagine even a day without him.

He's helped me so much. I realize now that I needed him too. He makes me whole. He completes me. He's helped me recover since the attack. I feel like I can finally walk again because of him. Because of him I have the courage to go on.

All of that and more is what makes me so sure we're soulmates.

ooOoo

Author's Note: That's only the beginning. Let me know if you like it. I appreciate the feedback.