Russel Middlebrook is a gay teen who's been through a lot. He's the lead character in Brent Hartinger's Lambda Award-winning Russel Middlebrook Series. And he's also the star of Geography Club, the book that started it all and has now been adapted as a feature film co-starring Scott Bakula and Ana Gasteyer.

But now Russel is facing his biggest challenge yet: getting tested for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Along the way, he learns a few things about safe sex and how to protect himself and others from the disease.

Be forewarned: this story uses explicit language and is sexually graphic. But it also might tell you a few things you didn't know.

This free short story is part of The Real Story Safe Sex Project, an-all volunteer organization created by Brent Hartinger dedicated to using entertainment and popular culture to spread the word about HIV/AIDS and safe sex to gay and bi male teens and twentysomethings. For more information: http://brenthartinger.com/therealstory