A/N: Once again, I apologize for the delay. It's been very hectic. I moved again, and got a new job, and started a new relationship. My time has been pretty full lately. I want to thank you all for sticking with me through the long waits, and for the wonderful reviews you have given me. I want to start this next chapter off with a new disclaimer. Please, don't think I am doing this as a cheap way to get something going in this story. I have plans for this. Anyway, without further ado, here's the new disclaimer: I don't own a single insignificant part of "12 Angry Men." Used without permission, with all due respect, from Reginald Rose's play. (Don't worry. I won't be going into too much detail with the play. I'm just simply using it as a plot device.

…...

As he approached the school bulletin board the next morning, he knew instantly that his plotting and pondering would pay off. All weekend long, Jonathon thought about what he was going to do to be able to talk to Timothy without interruption. He went through several different scenarios, until there was only one that seemed likely to work. It had to work. There was only one hitch. Ms. Tebbit might not have decided yet. He now knew she had. There, in the center of the board was a piece of green paper tacked into the cork. His lips curled into a smile as he read:

Auditions for the Senior play will take place Friday after school in the auditorium.

12 Angry Men

15 speaking roles

1 non-speaking role

Backstage crew needed as well.

Contact Ms. Tebbit for information

Jonathon wasn't an actor. He was an athlete. He has enough attention on him from the rugby team. He didn't really want more. The senior play, however, was mandatory, and it fit into his plans. He turned and briskly walked down the hallway towards Ms. Tebbit's classroom. He had a feeling that Ms. T. would help him get what he wanted, without stepping outside her role as an authority figure.

The door opened as he walked up to it, and Timothy walked out, looking relieved. He glanced at Jonathon as he passed, smiling slightly. Jonathon smiled back, hoping his smile would say what he couldn't, but Timothy kept walking, not looking back. Frowning, as though he knew his plan was already on the verge of failing, he walked into the classroom.

"Jonathon! Good morning to you." Ms. Tebbit greeted him with a wide smile. "How wonderful to see you. Have you come to sign up for the production?"

"Yes, and no. I was hoping.."

"No need to say more. You want to work behind the scenes." Ms. Tebbit interrupted him. "What were you thinking? Lights? Costumes? Set design?"

"I'm not sure." Jonathon glanced over his shoulder, at the closed classroom door. The plan was already formulated, but he didn't think of one possible hurdle. What was he supposed to sign up for? What did Timothy want to do with the production?

Ms. Tebbit seemed to, as always, read his thoughts. "I think you would do well with set design. It is a two-person committee. One person has already signed up for it."

"Who?"

Ms. Tebbit grinned. "That would be Mr. Prescott. He came in here just before you did, and requested a role backstage where he didn't have to work with a lot of people." Her grin faltered. "Poor Timothy. He feels as though he doesn't have a single friend in this school."

Jonathon swallowed hard. "He said that?"

"No, dear. It's all about the way he...well, anyone presents themselves. He is always distancing himself from others, and he always looks miserable. It's not hard to see that he feels alone." She gave Jonathon a knowing stare.

Jonathon's heart sank. He knew Timothy wasn't alone. And what was more, he knew that Ms. Tebbit knew this, as well. He silently cursed himself for being such a coward and letting Timothy deal with this on his own.

"So, Jonathon. Do you want to sign up for set design?"

Jonathon nodded, realizing that his plan, even though it was going the way he wanted it, was going to be harder than he ever imagined. "Yes. Sign me up." He turned to leave, but Ms. Tebbit stopped him.

"Just a forewarning, Mr. Cordon. The assigned seating will be changed today. Make sure to check the seating chart when you get here for class."

Jonathon nodded and walked out of the room. He walked slowly to his locker, to give himself some time to think about how he could let Timothy know that he was there for him, without ruining his own life; his own reputation.

…...

The day seemed to drag on for Jonathon. He was hoping he would have a chance to speak to Timothy during Gym, but Coach Driskill decided to start a new section today: basketball. Normally, Jonathon was excellent at the sport, but his mind wasn't on the game. He kept losing the ball, or missing easy shots, or failing to pass the ball. His attention was on Timothy, who was, as hard as he was trying, not managing to keep up with the rest of the class. He glanced over in time to see a member of the opposite team pass the ball to Timothy, who made a wild grab for it and caught it with the tips of his fingers. Jonathon smiled at the sight, and continued to watch Timothy as he turned, dribbling the ball, before being knocked down my Cole's broad shoulder.

Timothy fell hard to the ground, clutching his side, where the shoulder made contact. Forgetting himself, Jonathon rushed over to him. "Are you okay?"

Timothy looked up at him. "I'm fine." He slowly got to his feet as Driskill blew his whistle.

"Cordon! Keep your eyes on the game! Leave him be! Prescott! Walk it off!"

Jonathon shot the coach a dirty look, but turned his attention back onto the game. He gave Timothy a fleeting look of apology, and ran to the other end of the court, where Taylor had possession of the ball. Timothy came up behind him, still holding his side.

"Thanks for the concern." he whispered. He walked past and joined his team mates. Jonathon smiled to himself as he stole the ball and made a lay-up.

The game continued for another twenty minutes, until Coach Driskill, once again, blew his whistle. "Okay, boys! Shower up!" The class jogged to the locker room, with Timothy in the back. Jonathon quickly stripped out of his tee shirt and gym shorts and headed for the shower area. He turned on the water and felt the warmth stream down his body. He glanced over to his right, and seen Timothy using the shower next to him. As far back as he could remember, he had never once seen him in the showers. His eyes followed the flowing water down Timothy's body; down his chest, his stomach, and below. He had never seen a more beautiful sight. He wanted nothing more than to pull Timothy into his arms, press his lips to his, and confess his feelings for him.

The sound of laughing and snapping towels brought Jonathon out of his thoughts. He shook his head hard, clearing his mind, and turned off the water. He quickly dried himself off and headed back to the lockers.

"Are you okay?" Timothy came up to him, a towel wrapped around his waist. "You seem really put-off today."

"I'm okay. I just have a lot of things on my mind." He slipped on his jeans. "Can I walk with you to class?:

"Sure." Timothy got dressed and closed the locker next to Jonathon's, "I'll meet you in the hall." He walked out of the locker room.

Jonathon watched him go, grinning broadly. He pulled his shirt over his head and closed the locker, just as Cole stepped up to him, water still dripping from his wet hair.

"Hey, Cordon. Are you turning into a fruit?" He sneered. "Did you just ask the queer to walk to class with you?"

"Shut up, Cole." He turned and looked Cole in the eye. " We have to work together for the play. We have to discuss what we are going to do." He turned and walked to the door. "And lay off of him. He's a good guy." He walked out.

True to his word, Timothy waited just outside the gym doors. "Ready?" he asked as Jonathon walked up to him. The bell rang, signaling the official end of the period.

"Let's go." They walked together in silence. Jonathon wanted to speak, but didn't know what to say. He glanced over at Timothy and saw a small smile play across his lips. Those beautiful lips that he so desperately wanted to kiss. They turned a corner. "Timothy?"

"Hmm?"

Jonathon stopped walking. "I have to say something."

Timothy smiled. "It's fine. Ms. T. already told me."

Jonathon's mouth dropped open. "She did?"

Timothy laughed. "Yeah! She said you signed up for set design. I know you only did it because it's a do-nothing job. Don't worry. I'll get everything taken care of." Timothy turned and walked down the hall. "You coming?" he called over his shoulder. Jonathon hit himself on his forehead and walked down the hall behind Timothy.

When they entered Ms. Tebbit's class, the first thing Jonathon noticed was the new seating chart on the blackboard. He studied with, along with Timothy, looking for his name. It took him a couple seconds, but he found his name in the back row. He read the name on the desk next to his: Timothy Prescott. He smiled. He couldn't talk to Timothy, but at least he would be near him. He followed Timothy to their seats while the bell rang and Ms. Tebbit stood up from her desk.

"Good afternoon, gentlemen. I have a special treat for you today." Her gaze swept over the room. "As many of you know, auditions for the senior play are Friday. As such, I figured, for those of you who are unfamiliar with the source material, we could take a break from the learning and spend the nest two periods watching the movie. Just to give you an idea of what its about, and give those who want a part on stage an idea of what to expect." She walked over to the light switch. "I will advise you to take notes, however, for you will have an essay on the movie due on Thursday. It doesn't have to be anything special. Just tell me what you thought, and for extra fun, also tell me which part spoke to you the most. Consider this part of the audition process." She turned off the lights. "Enjoy!" She turned on the television that was placed in front of the room and the opening credits came on the screen.

Jonathon couldn't concentrate on the movie. His eyes stayed on Timothy. He was feeling a mix of emotions. He was happy, because he was so close to Timothy. He could reach out and touch him, if he could. He was depressed, because he knew how he felt about Timothy, yet couldn't do anything about it. He was scared, because of the thought of what would happen if anyone found out. The constant changing of emotions was giving him a headache. He laid his head on his desk and closed his eyes, just for a minute.

The sound of the bell startled him awake. Everyone was out of their chairs, gathering their books, or heading out the door. Jonathon stayed in his seat. He watched Timothy walk towards the front of the class, his brown bag slung over his shoulder. He stood there, talking to Ms. Tebbit for a few minutes, while the rest of the class filed out the door, followed shortly by Ms. Tebbit herself. Jonathon got up just as Timothy reached the door. It was now. He had to do it!

"Timothy!" he called. Timothy looked back.

"Yeah?"

Jonathon swallowed. "Do you want to do something tonight?"

"Sure. Come over. We can start on the sets!" Without waiting for a reply, Timothy swept out the door, leaving Jonathon alone in the classroom.

"That's not what I meant," Jonathon said sourly to himself. "That's not even close." He walked out of the classroom, closing the door behind him.

…...

A/N: This was a bit rushed. I wanted to make it a bit longer than the other chapters and include a lot of stuff that has been swimming around in my head. I do hope you like. PLEASE R/R.

I will post the next chapter soon. I promise