Hey guys…I am SO SO SO SO SO SO SOOO sorry it took me so long to update!!! I have a shitload of excuses for ya, but I know you really just want to read the story. On another note, in case you couldn't tell, this is going to be mostly Collins-centric because he rocks, but will occasionally focus on Angel a little more. Anyway, reviews are love, and don't hate me for being slow to update…it's coming!

"Hey, everybody, this is Angel," Collins said as they reached the lunch table. "Angel, this is Mark, Roger, and Maureen." The three friends greeted Angel with a sunny wave (Maureen), a nod (Roger), and a close-up (Mark, of course), and they all sat down to eat. Maureen opened her brown paper bag and shrieked like she had found her kitten's head inside.

"Tuna again?! Ew! That's it – I'm going on hunger strike!" She marched theatrically to the trash can and dumped the offending bag and its contents, then sulkily plopped back down in her seat. All eyes in the cafeteria were, of course, on her, but most of the school had gotten used to Maureen's drama by now.

Seeing Angel's slightly-amused-but-totally-baffled expression, Collins leaned over and whispered, "This is typical Maureen. She starts some kind of crazy protest at least once a week." As usual after one of these displays, nobody really had much to say.

Five minutes later, Maureen broke the silence at the table. "God, I'm starving. Mark, do you have any money?"

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By the next week, Angel was as accepted in the group of friends as he would have been had he known them all his life. Collins and Angel found that they had several classes together, and were becoming fast friends.

Unfortunately for Collins, almost everything embarrassing that happened to him happened in front of Angel – spilling food, falling off chairs, tripping in the halls…the works. He honestly didn't know what his problem was lately. For some reason, he couldn't keep his eyes off Angel, and was constantly drawn to him. He had noticed a few little quirks in him, such as carrying a messenger bag with a daisy on it instead of a backpack and a fondness for nail polish and purple t-shirts, but he knew that wasn't why. He didn't find Angel strange at all. So why couldn't he stop staring?

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A few days later, Angel and Collins were walking home from school, talking about movies. Angel took a deep breath and asked suddenly, interrupting Collins, "Do you want to go to the movies with me?"

Collins replied, "Yeah, I'll call Maureen and the guys when I get home."

"No, I mean – with me…just me…tonight?" Angel was shy all of a sudden.

Collins' mind went into panic mode. What? This can't be happening – I can't be gay! I'm fourteen-fucking-years old! However, without permission from his brain, he heard the words "Sure, I'd love to," issue from his mouth, and he realized that he really did mean it. Collins smiled and said, "If you pay for the movie, I'll buy you dinner tonight. Deal?"

Angel grinned ecstatically. "Deal. I'll meet you at the theater at seven." The two boys, unable to wipe shy smiles from their faces, parted ways and headed for home.