A/N: So, in this chapter, we skip ahead to the night of the musical where Dexter thinks very confused thoughts about his friend and a few bullies give them trash for having to kiss, thereby causing a little play drama. Normally drama isn't my thing, but I like it in small little doses or when I am feeling particularly dramatic. Also, I reference Dexter's parents. In my head, they seem like the bipolar type. I've seen them yell at their kids shortly before smiling again, so that is the conclusion I've drawn. Enjoy! Please R & R!

(Third-Person P.O.V.)

Spring. May. Rain. These words floated around Dexter's brain and remained there throughout the rest of the month. They followed him wherever he went, almost as close in proximity as his relationship with Mandark. At least, that's how Dexter defined it. It seemed that he was quite unsure of their relationship at the moment.

He liked Mandark. In fact, he really liked him. But with all of the unresolved sexual tension involved, he didn't know how he could stand it. He was growing frustrated every time he tried and failed to hold his hand, he stared into his eyes and got no response, and he talked to him in a flirtatious way, yet he didn't seem to get it. In fact, there was not one day when he didn't think about the other genius.

He would be working on an experiment when all of a sudden, he would pause to think about that silky raven hair, those drop-dead gorgeous cocoa eyes, those smooth kissable lips, that quirky adorable voice, that intricate personality...then he would rush about in a panic when he realized that his experiment caught fire or something while he was reflecting about his love.

Let's face it, Dexter was smitten by this boy. He could barely eat, sleep, or work without having him on his mind, smiling at all of their memories together. Remembering his proud smile when he created a new invention for the science fair. Remembering his laugh when he saw that funny Star Check episode. Remembering his "thinking face" when he did his homework in the study hall side-by-side with the lovesick person he was unaware was watching him.

Even now, as he was on the way to the first night of the musical, the Monarch of Darkness had invaded his thoughts. He had all the time in the world to think about him, though, because the McPherson family was caught in a traffic jam.

"Honey, that car over there is blocking my view," Mr. McPherson declared. His wife rubbed his arm reassuringly.

"Don't worry, dear, I'll take care of it." Everybody knowingly blocked their ears just before Mrs. McPherson stuck her head out the passenger window and yelled,

"GET A MOVE ON, GRAMPS! SOME OF US HAVE PLACES TO BE, HERE! THE WHOLE WORLD DOESN'T REVOLVE AROUND YOU, YOU KNOW!" She took care to honk the horn after every sentence. Immediately after, she was smiling and happy again and several cars around them were growing annoyed. On the other hand, though, the guy ahead became so frightened that he did as he was told.

"Thanks, dear!" Mr. McPherson said, grinning.

"You're welcome, honey," his wife replied, kissing him on the cheek. Once they got to Huber Elementary School, the family parallel-parked by the sidewalk and everybody got out of the car. Dee Dee flounced about, twirling and traipsing all the way to the building.

"My little brother is a star! My little brother is the best by far!" she sang, nearly damaging Dexter's eardrums. The smaller boy only rolled his eyes.

"Dee Dee, not so loud, please. I can hear you just fine," he sighed. With Dee Dee, though, it was through one ear and out the other.

"Hey, bro, wanna see my new dance? It's called the 'Fanciful Unicorn'!" She pointed with her right hand and placed it on her head so that it looked like she had a horn. Then she skipped about and giggled. Dexter's eyes widened and he acted in an excited manner.

"Wow! Now, wanna see my new dance?" he asked in an eager manner. Dee Dee nodded ecstatically, glad to see that she sparked some enthusiasm. Dexter began snapping his fingers and tapping his foot.

"Ooh! What's it called?" she squealed.

"It's called," Dexter began, shortly before changing back to his state of coldness, "The Shut-Up-You-Stupid-Sister."

Dee Dee frowned, momentarily realizing that she had been fooled. Then, after a second, she was back to her flamboyant demeanor. Dexter walked inside the dressing room behind the stage while the rest of his family went to their seats in the audience. He bumped into the Astronominov boy by "mistake". And by that, he meant totally doing it on purpose because he didn't know how else to approach him.

"Mandark! Hi!" Dexter exclaimed, smiling.

"Hey," Mandark replied in an equally awkward manner, grinning and clutching Dexter's arms.

"Oh, for Pete's sake! Just kiss already, you know you wanna!" a familiar Southern drawl interrupted. The two boys groaned inwardly: Debbie. She continued, "You may have stolen my part, McPherson, but there's one thing I have that you don't!"

"What's that, exactly?" Dexter demanded irritatedly. Debbie smirked like the witch she was before answering,

"People who love me. You ain't never been loved in all your life, 'cause you're just a cold, hard, unfeeling rock!" Mandark was angered by what she was saying and he tried to lunge for her. Dexter, however, quivered his lip and held him back. All of a sudden, some bullies arrived to help her get her devious point across. They talked with dead-pan expressions on their faces: the worst kind when getting bullied.

"All those years of winning science fairs and building your reputation as the smartest boy genius in school. And yet, you never suspected that we all pretended to love you for who you were and praise you for your greatness. In truth, we just felt bad for you, Dexter," one bully droned.

"Let me at 'em, let me at 'em!" Mandark shouted, trying to free himself from Dexter's grip as if he were a prisoner in chains. Dexter only shook his head and wrapped his stout arms around the taller boy's waist, taking the revilement being sent his way like a soldier. The second bully talked with an equally monotonous tone.

"And now, you're so pathetically lost in yourself that you're playing a girl's part in a play and locking lips with another guy all for the attention that you never deserved from the start. You have no heart, Dexter McPherson. You're completely empty inside."

"I'm warning you. DON'T...push me," Mandark growled in that dangerously low voice of his that made even Dexter jump. But it was Debbie who did the final deed.

"You think you're so special, don't you? You're so clever, the teachers love you, blah blah blah...Well listen, suck-up, here's a reality check: nobody cares about you! You're the least popular person here! Nobody likes you, and we all want you to kill yourself! Even your precious Susan! So sink right back down to the ground where you belong, you ugly little geek!"

"AUGHHHH!" Mandark used his newfound strength to break free from Dexter's restraint and tackle the bullies. He straddled one of the bullies to the ground and punched him repeatedly in the nose. Debbie ran away, screaming, while kids began to gather around and chant, "Fight, fight, fight, fight!"

"Wow, Susie! You hit mighty well for a girl!" the bully Mandark wasn't currently attacking jeered. Mandark immediately snarled like a tiger and pounced upon that bully while the other one insulted him. It was like that for a while. Dexter tried to stop him, but it wasn't working. Mandark was far too engrossed in what he was doing to hear the voices surrounding him. That is, he was, until Ms. Price showed up with Debbie smirking by her side.

"What's going on, here?!" she screeched. Mandark turned his head to look at her, his hand carded through a bully's hair and his butt sitting down on the bully's stomach. He had the look of a frightened little boy who wanted to hide under his bed covers. Busted.

"I was - h-he - she said - but - what - I - " he stammered, his face growing hot.

"I saw the whole thing, teacher! Susan was bullying Hector and Sean even though they didn't do nothin'! And then he pounced on 'em and - it was so horrible!" Debbie sniveled, only pretending to cry. Ms. Price's face scrunched up with utter disgust.

"Susan! For shame!" she lectured.

"Yeah! For shame!" the other students except for Dexter scolded. Mandark squeezed his eyes shut and hung his head in shame. Dexter wanted nothing more than to take him in his arms and -

"Oh, my! Look at the time! Children, scurry to your places, the curtains will open in five minutes!" Ms. Price exclaimed. Everybody scrambled around like chickens with their heads cut off. Everybody but Dexter and Mandark. Mandark was kneeling on the ground and looking at him with eyes glistening from unshed tears.

"Dex...Dex, I'm so sorry," he whispered intimidatedly, his hands shaking. Never again would Dexter be as in love as he was at that very moment.

"Oh, Susan," he cooed, running to the broken boy in front of him and throwing himself in his arms passionately. Mandark sobbed harder than he ever had his entire life and Dexter merely allowed it, stroking his hair and rubbing his hand up and down his back. He glared at anybody who looked at them weirdly. After a while, Mandark regained his composure and Dexter smiled at him.

"Don't worry. They don't realize it yet, but we're breaking free. We're showing the world what we're made of just by being here. Let's get out there and put on the best performance ever," he said. Mandark nodded, agreeing with him. He reached out for Dexter's hand, hoping he would accept it this time. Much to his amazement and content, he did. They walked hand-in-hand to their places, sticking their tongues out at everybody and giggling.

After the rules were stated and the curtains rised, the musical began. Almost every parent in Huber was surprised to see that Dexter played Wendy and some disapproved. But what did it matter when his family and his friend were proud of him? Absolutely nothing.

Time passed and Mandark snuck up to the side of Dexter's bed. The parents were also surprised to see Mandark in the play, but that did not matter either. What surprised them the most was when Dexter leaned his head forward and gave Mandark a kiss on the cheek. Mandark followed suit, as that was part of their lines. Every other parent whispered amongst themselves, but Dexter and Mandark's parents cheered.

"Oh, isn't that precious?" the McPherson parents squealed.

"Like two peas in a pod, man," the Astronominov parents agreed.

The boys and the rest of the cast sang their songs and put on the best performances they could. Everybody was in awe of the talent the two boys possessed that they had momentarily forgotten that Wendy was a boy wearing glasses in a blue nightgown and no wig at the least. Mandark thought Dexter looked ravishing in blue and Dexter thought Mandark looked enchanting in green. Eventually, Dexter's character got kidnapped by the wicked pirates. That was when the curtain drew to a temporary close.