Chapter 1 – Regarding Marc

"So… do you think Gracie would go for me?"

"What? No, that's sick in the head dude, she's my sister!"

It was lunchtime. Drew Torres was in the canteen sitting across from his best friend Marc. Marc had just asked Drew the most disturbing question a 15-year-old can hear about his kid sister. Marc seemed perplexed by the negative response he was given.

"C'mon Drew, guy-code doesn't apply to step-siblings. Everyone knows that."

"Well most guys don't actually like their step-sisters, I say the rules still apply."

Marc leaned in closer, coming dangerously close to crushing the cheese fries on the table between them.

"What's she into? I can name 2-and-a-half Justin Bieber songs if that helps. Chicks dig that sort of stuff."

Drew couldn't help but laugh.

"Not Gracie." He said, smirking, "stick to talking about video games – especially FPS's – wrestling, bass guitar, and if you want to make a mix-tape, I'd suggest Dead Hand over the Biebs."

The cheese fries were now attached to Marc's shirt. Possibly forever. There was no way he could lean in any closer.

"No way dude. Your sister's either a hard-core lesbian or the best girlfriend material ever! Guy rules don't apply when the chick likes video games and Dead Hand."

Drew went back to eating his hamburger, but Marc's words bothered him. " Your sister's either a hard-core lesbian or the best girlfriend material ever."

The hard-core girlfriend material part wasn't a problem. Gracie was a Torres for crying out loud, there was no question that she would rock as a girlfriend, it was step-genetics. It was the other part. The lesbian part. It had crossed Drew's mind before, but never in a serious way. But if someone else was thinking it too, there must have been more to it.

Right?

"Why the hell do I have cheese fries on my shirt?"

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oOo

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Drew didn't see Gracie until mom picked them up from school that afternoon, and he didn't even get a chance to talk to her alone until they had to wash up after dinner. It had never occurred to him that she might seriously be gay. It would make sense, she had never shown interest in guys, at least to Drew's knowledge, and if mom didn't force her into dresses she would probably live in Drew's old clothes quite happily.

Of course, that didn't really mean anything. She could very well like guys. Guys like Marc. And if that was the case, she could go on a date with Marc, and he could take her to a movie. And hold her hand. And kiss her. And tell Drew's innocent 14-year-old little sister that if she really loved Marc that they could-

"Gracie, do you like girls?"

She dropped the plate she was holding back into the soapy water, causing an explosion of suds to spray over the two of them.

"Because if you are that would be fine." Drew added, earnestly, "Preferable even. Because you really shouldn't go the movies with Marc; he's an idiot."

Gracie was trying to shake the bubbles out of her ponytail. It was a long time before she replied.

"What are you even talking about? I never… the movies with Marc?"

Drew used his sleeve to wipe soap off his nose and took the clean plate Gracie dropped to dry.

"Marc from the football team wants to ask you out and he was asking what you're into and… well… everything you like is guy stuff, and you've never been on a date with anyone, and… I was just wondering."

Gracie's face turned red as she tried to string together a coherent sentence.

"I… my… I like… Look – I'm straight Andrew." She said, bitingly, "the gender I'm attracted to is the opposite to the one I am."

"I know what straight means." Drew replied, irritated, "ok, I'm sorry for even bringing it up. Just forget it."

"Ok."

There was silence for a long time. Drew knew his sister well enough to know when she was telling the truth, and she was being completely honest when she said that she was straight. But even though she wasn't lying, it still didn't seem like what she was saying was right. The idea of Gracie being in a relationship with a guy – any guy – seemed wrong. Maybe it was a protective big brother thing, maybe. He had to break the silence.

"So… Xbox?"

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oOo

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Drew had decided that that first thing he was going to do when he got to school the next day was to tell Marc that Gracie wasn't interested. It was partially true. She hadn't shown any interest in Marc, but that because Drew never asked her if she would be interested in the first place. He had to just find Marc and tell him to move on.

But Marc found Gracie first.

Drew wasn't sure why but seeing them there, him leaning against the lockers while Gracie fixed her ponytail in her locker mirror, sent his stomach sinking somewhere near his ankles. Something about the whole thing seemed wrong. Drew walked to the end of the hall to hear what they were saying.

"- and that's why "One Time" is my favorite Justin song." Said Marc, proudly, "you kind of look like the girl in the video. Only prettier."

Drew couldn't see Gracie's face, but he could tell by the way her head sunk that what Marc was saying made her deeply uncomfortable.

"You don't have to say that." Gracie mumbled.

Marc moved in a little closer.

"It's true. I asked Drew if it would be ok if I asked you out on a date. He seemed cool with it."

Drew wasn't sure what part of "that's sick in the head" made Marc think that he was cool with him getting his grubby hands anywhere near his little sister, but Drew had to admire the tenacity. Marc must have learned that from him.

"He also said that you liked wrestling. You know, I'm on the wrestling team." Said Marc, stretching his arms behind his head, "You should come watch me practice some time. Or I could show you my trophies at my place. You should come over for dinner. Tonight."

Drew could hear Gracie stutter again. It was weird to hear. She usually wiped the floor with anyone who dared challenge her when it came to verbal insults.

"Uh… Marc, you seem cool and all, but, I don't feel that way about you-"

Marc laughed. It wasn't the reaction Drew was expecting.

"Hah. I knew it, you totally play for the other team-"

"What - no, that's not it. It's just… you're my brother's friend."

"He doesn't mind."

"But if something goes wrong and-"

Marc put his hands over her arms.

"Nothing's going to go wrong. I'd just like it if you can over for dinner. That's all. Is 6 ok?"

Drew could see Gracie nodding her head.

"Yeah, 6 is great."

"Great. See you then. It's taco night on Wednesdays."

And with that, Marc walked away. Leaving Drew with a distinct feeling of dread, and as he looked over at his sister, he had the feeling that he wasn't alone.