***Warning Possible Spoilers Ahead. Read the Story First***

This was such a fun story to read! I loved watching the way JJ’s relationship with Kevin gradually evolved. The competitiveness, the standoffishness, even the name calling. It was very reminiscent of being a teenager. Lurker definitely seems to have a knack for tapping into the emotions and feelings of teens, as well as accurately and vividly depicting typical teenage life.

I also loved the way JJ had completely created the identity of Joe to help him deal with his homosexual feelings. Unfortunately I figured out that Joe and JJ were the same person, but I still found it to be a really clever, creative idea, and very well-executed! It also really gave me a lot to think about. I mean do we all (regardless of orientation or age) have a “Joe” inside us, which represents our sexual sides, the side that we often try to shut up so we can go on with our normal daily lives? Or is it just gay people struggling to integrate their sexual feelings with their self perceptions who have this “split personality”?

It was also a really fun little diversion to ponder the quandary of whether or not it’s better to play with or against a cheater. It reminds me of that I Love Lucy episode in which Lucy made that bet to be completely honest for a day and she said to her friend when they were playing cards, “Let someone else keep score; you cheat. I’d have said something last week but you were my partner.”

Anyway I really enjoyed this story!
-Kevin

My only problem was knowing less than nothing about Basketball, so "Seven shots around the key. Ten free throws. Seven shots around the 3 point arc" and the like was rather confusing. But playing with the concept of schizophrenia was genius. No it wasn't. Yes it was.

Camy

This was my favorite entry in a very strong Spring Anthology! I'm really late with my feedback, and now that I see only two comments on this story, I fee so guilty I should have commented sooner.

I sort of eased into the thought that JJ and Joe were one and the same early on--I can no longer remember where in the story--but in my case, unlike Kevin's, it didn't detract. Do all gay guys have a Joe inside as they are coming to terms with it? I don't think so, but it makes a great literary device.

This was a fun read all the way through--not too heavy. I must have been in the mood for that, because it really made my day