Disclaimer: I don't own anything. That just sucks!

A/N: This is the sequel to 'A Fresh Start'. Thank you to all of you who are still with me on this. It's been fun. I hope the second story continues to please you as much as the first.

Accolades:

Adamo4eva201, Lizzy, dexter, DegrassiLuver4Ever11, manfreakzoid…Thank you for sticking through the entire story last time. I hope ya'll continue to like this one.

Kate and Feral: Thanks for the encouragement and help.

As for the rest of the reviewers who came in either later or at the end…thank you so much for the reviews.

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Chapter One

Marco had been working extremely hard all year so he could graduate a year early.

He'd gotten accepted to Boston University on a full scholarship if he could complete high school in a year. It was a challenge that Marco chose to rise to and now they're paying for college.

Paige had watched Marco run himself ragged over the year. He was always busy, never had time for dates or even friends. Everything became clear when Marco graduated early. Paige was hurt Marco didn't include her in his plans.

The one thing Paige did manage to call him on was his avoiding Dylan. Marco left for Italy the day before Dylan came home for winter break and came back the day after he left. The same thing happened for Spring Break. Marco pulled a Houdini and disappeared.

Marco had taken great strides to avoid Dylan all year. He was afraid if he saw him he'd tell him what he was attempting to do.

Marco started to pack up his room. He was only taking the bare essentials, clothes, a few pictures, CDs, some books and his laptop of course.

He was leaving everything else right where it was for when he returned home. Rosa would make sure everything was safe.

Marco pulled the door closed behind him and sighed. This time the fresh start might give him a second chance.

Marco drove to Boston and found the brownstone he bought with his inheritance. My first home. In my name. Wow! Not bad for being 17. Fully furnished thanks to mom.

He moved his things in and headed for the college.

Dylan arrived home four hours after Marco left.

Rosa answered the phone when he called for Marco. "I'm sorry Dylan but Marco's gone. He left you a letter though."

"Where did he go?"

"I can't tell you that. He made me swear. Do you want to come get the note?"

"Yeah, give me an hour or so."

"Okay, bye Dylan."

"Bye. Rosa? Thanks."

He heard her sigh as he hung up his cell phone.

Dylan stared at the phone in his hand. Marco's gone. He left a note this time. He's avoided me all year, the year he asked for, and now he's gone.

Paige walked in the living room holding the cordless phone, "Hun, there's someone named Scott on the phone for you."

"Thanks Paige," said Dylan taking the phone.

Paige stayed in the room to hear Dylan's side of the conversation. It's not like she was eavesdropping but she was curious.

"Hey….Yeah, I'm here. Been home about a half hour….no, no drama yet…I've got an errand to run and then I'll be home…Mainly hanging out with my sister and best friend….I know….I will….Yeah, I miss you too….Okay, bye hun."

Paige raised an eyebrow at him, "Miss you too, bye hun? Scott? This is the…what third or fourth guy you've dated since leaving a year ago."

Dylan's shoulders drooped, "I've met so many guys over the year. Scott's a good guy but he's not Marco."

The defeated look in Dylan's eyes tore Paige's heart out. She wanted to tell him so bad that Marco graduated early but couldn't, she promised.

Paige smiled softly at her brother, "Maybe your errand needs to be to find Marco. He needs to know that no one compares to him."

"I can't. He's gone." Dylan stated simply.

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Dylan drove to Marco's house and retrieved the letter from Rosa.

He drove home as the handwriting on the outside mocked him the entire way.

It was as if it were saying, 'He doesn't love you enough to tell you the truth in person. He had to leave town and write it down for you. He's gone. He left you. He doesn't love you.'

Dylan sat on his front porch as he slid the letter out of its sheath.

He set the letter down on the swing next to him.

He couldn't read it.

He didn't want to read it.

He needed to read it.

He needed to know.

He didn't want to know.

He gave up the internal struggle and unfolded the letter.

Dylan saw Marco had dated it yesterday.

My dearest Dylan,

I couldn't face you, not yet, so I left. I'm sorry. There's an opportunity that arose for me that I must take this summer. It's one I couldn't pass up.

I hope you've been happy. That's all I've ever wanted for you.

I'm sure you're currently questioning if I'm happy and I can honestly say no. I'm working on it though.

I'm sure you've been dating because you're a great guy. I want you to know that there hasn't been anyone else since you. Paige can confirm it if you doubt me.

I'll contact you in September by email, if you still want to see me then, I'll leave a contact number.

I won't be back in Degrassi for a few years, I've moved on.

Sorry if this seems a little cold and impersonal but it's the only way I would've been able to get through this.

Please forgive me for avoiding you but know it was for the best.

I still love you and suspect I always will.

These feelings can't and won't change but I still have to be true to myself before I can be true to you. You're my first love, nothing will change that.

Sorry for the extension on my year deadline but it's necessary, I assure you.

All of my love forever,
Marco

Dylan didn't realize he had been crying until Paige handed him a tissue.

He gave her a watery smile and leaned his head on her shoulder.

"So, what's the letter say?" inquired Paige.

"That he's sorry but something came up. He wants me to wait until September when he contacts me with new contact information for him. He didn't tell me anything except he still loves me and there hasn't been anyone else. Is that true?"

Paige nodded, "He hasn't had time. He worked hard all year for what he got and I'm proud of him. I'm sorry he pulled another vanishing act though."

Dylan nodded at her, "Yeah, me too."

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Marco attended classes at Boston University all summer and waited for the fall term to begin. He'd managed to make a name for himself amongst the faculty by being the youngest student with the hardest course load with the best grades. All teachers were clamoring to get him to take their classes.

Marco felt proud he'd managed to do something so few students had done before him.

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Before Dylan knew it, it was time to head back to college. He hoped that Marco might contact him despite what his letter conveyed.

Marco never called.

Oh well, I've only got three more weeks until September and he said he'd contact me. Now, I just need to get rid of Scott. Maybe I shouldn't get rid of Scott. He's a good guy and a great date.

Dylan signed up for his classes and waited for the first day to start. He went to the grocery store to pick up some supplies and food for the apartment. He was turning down an aisle when he swore he heard Marco's voice. He turned and looked but no one was there. Dylan just chalked it up to him losing his mind.

Scott walked up to Dylan as he was debating with himself internally about whether or not he heard Marco.

"Dylan, it's just cereal. It won't ruin your life if you just pick one."

"Oh, hey Scott. Sorry it's not the cereal. I think I'm losing my mind but it's okay now. How have you been?"

"Is that anyway to greet the guy you've been dating after being away all summer?"

Dylan chuckled and kissed Scott gently on the lips, "Sorry, a little preoccupied."

Marco was turning the corner as Dylan kissed Scott. He stopped and watched the little display for a second before scurrying away. That hurt a lot more than he'd thought it would.

Marco hid in the next aisle until Dylan's voice faded in the distance.

Dylan's dating someone else. I didn't expect to be surprised, I told him to date. I just didn't expect to witness it. Should've planned this out a little better.

Marco finished his shopping quickly without running into Dylan or his boyfriend.

Classes started two days later. Marco was excited for the new challenge.

He had a seven a.m. literature class with the hardest professor in the college, if rumors were true.

In a class of about sixty students, Marco was singled out immediately.

"Mr. Del Rossi, I'm so glad to see you chose my class. If rumors are true, you're the hardest working freshman in the college. Any validity in those rumors?" inquired the professor.

Marco nodded, "Yes sir. I'll work extremely hard for my grades."

"Glad to hear it," said the professor. "Now class, for those of you who don't know me…I'm Professor James Kirkland. I'm potentially the hardest teacher you'll ever come across." After groans from a majority of the students, he continued, "This is a hard class. I'm assigning you a study partner. You'll be graded as individuals but must work as a team."

The students looked around at each other for a few minutes, trying to gauge the intelligence levels of their fellow students.

Only Marco didn't bother to look, he knew he'd be okay no matter who was partnered with him.

The door opened at the back of the room and someone entered.

Professor Kirkland stopped, "Good of you to join us this morning. I hope this isn't going to be a reflection upon how you're going to be doing in my class this semester. You must pass it this time, Mr. Michalchuk if you wish to stay on the ice."

Marco stiffened as he heard the name. No, it can't be. The university isn't that small for him to be in this class. All doubt was removed when Marco heard the voice that had been haunting his dreams for the past fifteen months.

"Sorry James, my alarm didn't go off. Still working in pairs?" inquired Dylan. He sat in a desk two rows behind and four chairs to the left of Marco without noticing him.

"Yes and I have the perfect partner for you. That will come later though. I need to finish my speech."

Marco processed the information that was just exchanged between the two. Dylan was having trouble in his classes? Or was it only this class? Who was going to be his partner? Would this totally screw up his scholarship? Was this boyfriend a distraction? Should I care? I know I do but should I?

The professor finished his speech, "And please call me James. Professor Kirkland is my father."

That got a few chuckles and some blank stares.

"Okay, on that note. The groups," said James. He listed a few pairs, "Michalchuk, you are paired with Mr. Del Rossi. Hopefully he'll help your Grade Point Average and we won't have a repeat of last year."

Dylan's eyes got huge as he looked wildly around the room.

Marco slowly turned his head to glance in his direction over his shoulder. He tossed Dylan a wry smile before facing the front again.

Marco felt Dylan's eyes boring into the back of his head.

"Okay, break off into your pairs. Exchange phone numbers, dorm room numbers, email address, some form of contact information. Then you are free to go."

James sat down at the table in the front of the class and began shuffling around papers.

Dylan got up and sat down in the chair in front of Marco. He sat backwards, so to face him.

The silence that descended upon the pair was palpable.

Marco broke the silence, "Guess what? I graduated early and am attending college."

Dylan chuckled lightly at Marco's lame attempt to break the ice. "You are such a goof."

Marco shrugged, "Yeah but you love me anyway." Marco slapped a hand over his mouth. "I didn't mean…"

Dylan shook his head to cut him off, "I know what you meant."

"Sorry I didn't call."

Dylan looked away, "I think that is a conversation we need to have later."

"Fine. Here's my number. Call when you aren't too busy or preoccupied with everything." Marco responded, almost angrily.

James noticed Dylan and Marco were the only two students left in the classroom. He saw Marco walk away from Dylan in a hurry.

Dylan watched Marco walk out of the room and approached the table.

James looked at Dylan, "How well do you know Mr. Del Rossi?"

"Same hometown, he's my sister's age." Dylan said quickly.

"Past?" asked James.

"Yeah and I'm hoping a future," responded Dylan absently.

"Don't distract him, he's a good student. I don't want a repeat of the incident with Ray."

Dylan nodded at his assistant coach, "Yes, James. See you at practice."

James stopped him, "You better call him and make this partnership work. Your time on the ice depends on it and we need you."

"Isn't that your main reason for pairing me with Marco?" asked Dylan sassily.

James rolled his eyes and watched as Dylan walked through the classroom door.

Dylan sat down on a bench and stared at Marco's handwriting. He'd seen it so recently, yet this number held promise. It wasn't a brush off like the last letter.

Scott came over and sat down next to him, "Early class?"

"Yeah. James' lit class again."

"Harsh. Who'd you get paired with?" asked Scott. Trying to determine what caused Dylan's melancholy.

"Just some guy."

"Need I be worried?"

"I don't know," slipped out before Dylan had a chance to catch it.

The hurt that was portrayed in Scott's hazel eyes did nothing to affect Dylan's answer. He felt bad for slipping but it didn't affect him as much as if it were Marco he'd hurt. Definitely not Marco's deep brown eyes. I can't see the point.

Dylan shook away the thought and pasted on a fake smile for Scott. "I gotta get to practice. I'll call you later."

Scott leaned in for a kiss and Dylan turned his head. Scott's kiss landed on his cheek. "Be careful on the ice. You seem distracted."

Dylan nodded as he walked away.

Dylan went to practice and then to his afternoon class. He headed straight back to his apartment afterward.

He pulled out Marco's number as he sat down on his couch.

Marco attended his second class and headed for the townhouse.

He started going over his syllabus for each class and map out a plan for studying.

The phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Hi, Mama"

"Yeah, classes are good."

"No. No new friends."

"I'll be careful."

"Love you too."

"Tell Papa I love him."

"Ciao."

He hung up and went back to his books and schedules.

The phone rang about a half hour later. Marco groaned thinking it was time to add caller id to his current plan.

"Hello?"
"Hey Marco."

"Hey Dylan. I didn't expect to hear from you so soon."

"I think we need to talk."

"You might be right, seeing as we have to work so closely together for the next few months."

"Can I come over?"

"Fine." Marco gave him the address and directions from the campus.

Dylan took a slow twenty minutes to reach Marco's doorstep. It took him another ten minutes just to knock on the door. He stood there fidgeting waiting for the love of his life to open the door again.

Marco took a deep breath and opened the door to see Dylan standing on the other side.

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Please review and tell me if I should continue this story.