Broken Dreams

by Waldojeffers

*************

Cody Martin had never seen a more exciting game of basketball. His team was probably playing their best game ever. They were on the verge of beating the number one team in their youth league, a team that had been undefeated so far this season. Such a victory would be an incredible boost for Cody's team, for they weren't among the best in the league. Far from it actually.

No wonder Cody was prepared to play on his best if he were needed in the final quarter. But he would never have the chance. It was like his brother always said, he really sucked at basketball…at most sports for that matter. So all Cody could do was cheer his team on from the bench.

And he had plenty to cheer about. Zack was playing at his best, making both his mother and twin very proud. Cody didn't always like to admit it, but his brother really was a great player. It sucked to be compared to Zack at basketball.

But the best player on the team today wasn't Zack. Actually it was never Zack. Jamie had been their best player for some time. In fact Jamie was so good, the other players wondered why he was still on their team. He could have played on any of the top teams in their league. But Jamie always refused that. He always said he cared less about the team's record and more about playing basketball with his friends.

It wasn't Jamie though who decided the game. Zack was the one who scored the winning free throw at the buzzer and gave their team an exciting win.

As soon as the game was over Cody spurted toward Zack, who had been celebrating with Jamie, and threw his arms around his brother. Cody was so proud of Zack that he couldn't resist doing that. Though hesitant to admit it, Zack really was his hero. And not only for his basketball skills.

Jamie looked a bit lost while the two Martin twins were hugging next to him. It was like he was searching for someone but couldn't find him anywhere. This seemed to make Jamie a bit sad.

"Oh, Jamie. Almost forgot to tell you, but your boyfriend should be here any minute. He couldn't make it on time but texted me," Cody told their friend.

"Wait a second... Cody, did you just say boyfriend? What is going on here? Why don't I know?" A confused Zack asked before Jamie even could say something.

"Um yeah… Zack, don't you remember Jamie coming out to us a few weeks ago? And introducing his boyfriend, Tony?" Cody answered his brother.

"Oh, how come I don't remember that?"

"You were probably too busy playing that new videogame dad bought us. You should really pay more attention to your friends," Cody lectured Zack.

"Guys, would you mind having your domestic discussions at home?" Jamie told the Martin twins who were squabbling like an old married couple. "So Cody, when will Tony be here?"

"He should be here right … about … now." Cody replied slowly while Tony was just walking in. Causing Jamie to run over to his boyfriend.

"Cody... Does it look like they're fighting? Or is it just me?" Zack asked when he saw the two boyfriends weren't exactly sharing kisses with each other.

Cody noticed the same thing happening of course, but unlike his brother he knew the two of them probably could use some privacy. He knew better than to mix into people's personal lives. Certainly when one of them was their best friend. So Cody just took off to the changing room, taking Zack with him, and leaving Jamie and Tony completely alone in the hall.

"Tony! Where were you? You promised to be at all my games!" Jamie yelled at Tony when he reached the darker skinned boy.

"I had audition, baby. Didn't I tell you?"

"No, you didn't. And you know as well as I do, this isn't the first time," Jamie replied, still mad that Tony had let him down again.

"Come on, Jamie! You weren't at my audition either, you know how important those are for me," Tony yelled.

"This game was scheduled for weeks! We agreed to go to all my games and your plays. And you know how boring your theater stuff always is! I fell asleep last time for crying out loud!"

"You fell asleep?! That was my best performance ever. Everybody thought it was a great play and that I was really talented. And what did my boyfriend do? He just fell asleep. You're a pathetic jerk!" Tony yelled at his boyfriend before he pushed him, causing Jamie to fall over.

Both boys went silent after that happened. Jamie hadn't really hurt himself but he did felt hurt on the inside. The first weeks with Tony had been fantastic. It had felt like an early honeymoon. Jamie had been nervous about coming-out, but Tony had made those fears disappear. He really loved Tony.

But now they were having more and more fights like this. They had been fighting about the most stupid things. But their most frequent conflict had been over both of their hobbies. Jamie didn't like theater; in fact it bored him to tears. And Tony felt the same about basketball. Still they had decided that, as boyfriends, they should support each other and be at each others performances whether it was a play or a game.

Of course that agreement hadn't lasted long. Jamie had fallen asleep at every one of Tony's plays so far. And Tony always managed to arrive late at Jamie's basketball games. It was easy to see their relationship had become very tense. But they never had gone as far as using physical violence before.

That was exactly what was bothering both of them now. They knew they were going too far. But at the same time both were still madly in love with each other.

Jamie finally got up, but instead of being mad at Tony he was in tears. He realized they couldn't go on like this. And when he saw Tony's face he knew he was thinking the same. For he was in tears as well. He knew he shouldn't have pushed Jamie.

"Tony… We can't go on like this. We're always fighting over the same thing. And you even pushed me today. Soon we'll be fighting for real if we keep this up." Jamie said grabbing Tony's hands and bringing them to his face.

"I know… I'm so sorry, love. I didn't mean to… I don't want to lose you!"

"Ssst, it's ok Tony. I know you didn't mean it like that. And I don't want to lose you either, you're the best thing that ever could have happened to me." He assured his boyfriend before he pulled him into a comforting hug.

"You're right Jamie. We can't go on like this, we need to support each other. But I can't help it, your basketball really bores me. And I need you to be at my plays. You're my good luck charm."

"That's so sweet… But I need you here too, Tony. Without you here it just isn't the same. I play so much better when you're watching me. And I feel the same way about your plays as you do about my games."

Both boys realized they could not talk it out like; they were stuck. They also knew that if they were to continue the conversation, they would start fighting again. There was no other option except to ignore the subject for now.

Suddenly Jamie got an idea. One of his best friends was very smart and comprehensive. Not to mention he was exactly the kind of person who would understand their problems, and possibly have a solution. It might not be right to talk to just anyone about their relationship problems, but Jamie really believed that Cody could help them.

"Tony… Would you mind letting someone in on our problems…to help us? A very good friend of mine might have know what to do."

"I don't know… I'm not really comfortable sharing with other people, but if you think he could help us..." Tony answered his boyfriend with a questioning look on his face. "Who are you thinking of anyway?"

"Cody. You know him, he's one of the twins. The one who always sits on the bench by my basketball games."

"Oh yeah, I know who you mean. I guess. Should we go see him now?" Tony said as he grabbed Jamie's hand.

Jamie was happy Tony agreed with his plan, and was sure Cody would be the one able to help them out. So both boys took off to the Tipton hotel.

In the Tipton, Suite 2330, Zack and Cody had just finished their lunch. Luckily for both of them, their mom hadn't made lunch this time. Since Zack had been the one who scored the winning shot, he was allowed to choose what they would have for their meal. And of course Zack had chosen pizza.

Unfortunately their mom couldn't stay for lunch so the boys had to dine alone. And what was worse, they had to do the dishes themselves. Well…Cody was the one doing them while Zack was watching TV.

When Cody was almost done with the dishes, someone knocked on their door.

"Cody! Door!" Zack yelled out from his seat.

"You know Zack… It would be nice if, as my brother, you would sometimes do something in the house too," Cody said while he walked over to the door. "Hey Jamie! Tony, come in."

While Cody was finishing the last of the dishes, Jamie and Tony took place next to Zack in the chairs. From where Cody was standing he could see Jamie kissing Tony on the lips. He thought it was rather sweet, but saw a different reaction from his twin. Zack's face was a mixture of confusion and surprise.

Cody thought that he had better stop Zack before he could say something stupid and hurt their feelings. For their friends looked like they had some trouble and needed advice. Yes, Cody was an excellent judge of character.

"Guys… why are you two kissing each other? Are you both gay or something?"

Apparently Cody had been right about Zack saying something stupid. But while he was an excellent judge of character, Cody wasn't always that fast when it came to reacting.

"Zack! … I told you that this morning after the game," Cody said when he walked over to his friends and his brother. "And Jamie came out a few weeks ago."

"Really? How come I can't remember that? What was I doing?" Zack couldn't believe he had known this information already.

"I have no idea Zack… Why don't you ever pay attention when I tell you something?"

"Ah come on, that's not true! You remember that time when you told me about that thing you had to do at that place with those people. I remember that…"

"That thing? That place? You mean the lecture in school? Thanks for illustrating my point, Zack."

"Mr. and Ms. Martin, would you mind? We didn't come here to listen to you argue…" Jamie yelled to make his friends stop.

"Sorry… We didn't mean to…" Cody was blushing when he said that. He knew it was perfectly normal to fight with his brother, but he didn't like to do it in front of their friends.

"It's ok guys, don't worry," Jamie said as he looked to Tony before adding. "Actually Cody, we need your help and advice."

"Okay… You guys have a math problem? I thought you were great in math, Jamie."

"Geesh Cody, for a smart guy you can be pretty dumb sometimes. It's obvious they have relationship problems." Zack was lecturing Cody this time.

Cody couldn't believe it. He was the smart twin with the excellent judge of character. And yet Zack was the one who knew instantly what their friends had come for. Apparently his judgment wasn't that excellent, and Zack was smarter than he thought.

"Zack is right. We have been fighting for weeks now. And we can't stop. Every time we try to talk it out, we end up fighting again." Jamie started.

"And I don't want to lose Jamie for something stupid. He thought you might help us. Can you? Please…" Tony added while both boyfriends cast a pleading look to Cody.

"I don't know… Guys, I'm really flattered you think enough of me to ask for my help." Cody stopped and took a deep breath. "But I really think you should solve those problems yourselves."

"But will you at least hear us out? And maybe think it over?" Jamie pleaded.

"I guess so…"

"Well, you know I play basketball and Tony does acting class and is in plays. We both agreed on coming to each other performances, whether it's a game or a play. But lately Tony is always too late for my games," Jamie explained with an angry look towards Tony.

"While Jamie here always falls asleep at my plays. I get great reviews every time, but the only one sleeping is my boyfriend who doesn't seem to care enough," Tony added while returning the same look to Jamie.

"And yet he expects me to be at all his games. And basketball is probably the most boring sport ever!"

"Is not. Your plays are much worse than any sport."

"How can you know? You sleep through all of them!"

"STOP!" Zack yelled. "Look guys, I don't know anything about your relationship, or any long term relationship for that matter. But I do know you have to stop fighting like that."

"You're right, Zack…" Jamie sighed "We won't solve anything by fighting more."

"Actually I just meant to say you were annoying me. But that too."

"Ugh… Ignore my rude brother please, guys." Cody broke in the conversation before Zack would say something even more rude and make them leave.

"But he is actually kind of right. We can't solve this for you guys. You have to stop fighting over these things."

"So, you're saying you can't help us, Cody?" Jamie asked disappointed.

"No, I mean… Yes… I'm so sorry, guys. But I'm afraid this is one battle you have to fight yourselves."

Cody didn't feel that good when he said that. He knew he was letting his friends down, and he hated that. They had come over to the Tipton to seek his help. But all he could do was say that they had to stop fighting. That was of course true, but not very helpful.

"I guess you just have to appreciate each other more. Put yourself in the other's place and maybe you'll think differently about your activities." This was the best Cody could come up with, and he really hoped it would help them.

"Eh? What do you mean by that?"

"Well, Tony, you should imagine not seeing Jamie at all to support you when you have a play. And Jamie should imagine seeing Tony sleep at his games while he's the best player on the team."

"Ahem"

Zack had coughed a little to get attention. He didn't seem to agree with Cody's last statement. The reason was obvious of course. Zack and Jamie had been competing over the title of 'Best Player On The Team' for the whole year now. Most players agreed Jamie was the best. But Zack had a mean free throw that Jamie lacked, which made Zack very valuable to the team. And Cody did name Zack the best player sometimes, because he thought that's what good brothers were supposed to do.

But in this instance, he knew Jamie could use that pep talk more than Zack. And frankly Jamie really was the superior player overall.

"He is the best player on the team," Cody stated, looking at Zack before turning back to their friends. "Maybe you should do something nice together on the weekend. Then next time maybe you won't be so angry at each other."

"I guess that could work…" Jamie sighed. "Want to go on a date this evening, Tony?"

"With you? … I'd never say no to that offer," Tony replied as he gave Jamie a small kiss on his lips.

A week later Cody was watching his team play another basketball game. Of course he was sitting on the bench next to their coach, Arwin. According to Zack, that was Cody's best place on the team. Sadly enough Cody had to agree with Zack. But it did gave him the opportunity to look around in the crowd.

The first person he saw was obviously his mom, who was cheering for Zack loudly. She really embarrassed her two sons all the time at their game. But it was not his mom Cody was searching for in the crowd. He was looking for Tony.

Cody was a bit worried when the boy was nowhere to be found. Just before the game he had spoken with Jamie to learn if his advice had worked. The both of them had enjoyed the nice date last weekend and taken the opportunity to talk things over.

According to Jamie they had enjoyed a week without any fights. Although he did confess to Cody that he had fallen asleep again during Tony's play yesterday. But he was sure Tony hadn't seen it, because Tony hadn't reacted badly or mentioned anything about it. Cody was really satisfied to hear that. Perhaps his idea actually had worked, even though he himself had worried that he hadn't had much useful advice to give them.

But now he couldn't see Tony anywhere in the crowd. And he knew Jamie had noticed the same. In fact Jamie had been looking for him the whole game now. Which meant Jamie wasn't exactly paying attention to their game and had missed shot after shot. He didn't seem to be able to catch a pass either. All he could do was focus on the crowd and looking where Tony should be.

They were almost halfway in the last quarter and were losing to a team they probably could have beaten easily if they played with full strength. But with Jamie not paying attention, Zack was the only star player on their side. Everybody knew they needed to do something about Jamie if they wanted to win this game. Even Arwin as coach saw that…

"Cody, check in," He said pointing to the court.

"In where?"

"In the game…"

"I can't go out there… They're playing!" Cody was really confused now, everyone knew how bad he was.

"I know… I need you to go in for Jamie. You couldn't possibly play any worse than him."

Cody actually felt good after that small reassurance from Arwin, and stood up. "Just watch me!"

"What's the matter, honey? Gotta go to the bathroom?" Carey asked as she saw her younger son walk away from the bench.

"Mom… I'm going in the game," Cody said gritting his teeth and hoping she wouldn't embarrass him more.

"I get to wash two uniforms tonight…" his mother said as she picked up her camera. "Smile!" Apparently Cody's hope was for nothing, this was embarrassing.

Not as embarrassing as his game though. He managed to be in the game for almost a whole minute. His short appearance had ended with the ball hitting him on his head but bouncing into the hoop nevertheless. Needless to say Jamie had to go in for Cody again, because Cody was a bit dizzy after his first basket ever.

Luckily for their team they still managed to win this game. It had been a close call though. Again Zack had been the one who saved the day by scoring a free throw. While most team members were celebrating their close victory Cody walked over to Jamie who was looking a little lost.

Before Cody could say something to comfort the poor boy though, he spotted Tony rushing into the hall. Judging from Jamie's sudden change of expression, he had seen him too. Knowing he better let those two be alone with their problems, Cody took off toward Zack and the changing room.

Jamie on the other hand just looked at Tony, before turning around and walking over to the changing room as well.

"I have to go change, will you wait outside, Tony?" was the only thing he said before leaving.

When both twins, Carey and Jamie finally left the building Tony had been waiting there for half an hour. He was a bit angry at them for taking so long, but Jamie felt he deserved it. Tony had let him down again and made him almost lose their game.

Before Jamie said anything to Tony about that though, he said goodbye to Zack and Cody and their mother.

"You jerk! Where were you?" He yelled as soon as the three Martin's were out of sight.

"I'm sorry, I had been discussing the play with some friends. Things we could change so the audience might like it better. You know… the play you used to catch up on your sleep yesterday."

Apparently Tony had seen Jamie sleeping. Jamie wished that he hadn't, but that still didn't change his feelings. He was still angry as hell with Tony for not showing up at all.

"At least I was at your play… You didn't even bother to show up here or even call me. Thanks to you I completely sucked today. I even got benched in place of Cody. And you know how hopeless he is," Jamie said while the both of them walked to the street.

"Yeah, you showed up alright. True enough, but do you think I felt good when my supposed boyfriend was sleeping through our whole play? Do you think that didn't influence my performance?" Tony was clearly very mad now too.

"Can I help it both your play and your performance sucked big time? It's normal I fell asleep, it's odd nobody else did," Jamie spat back at his boyfriend.

That last comment made Tony really furious. He looked like he was about to explode from anger. Jamie realized he might have gone too far with that insult. He didn't really think that Tony's performance sucked. But before Jamie could apologize, Tony had pushed him backwards onto the street.

What neither of the boys had seen though, while fighting over the same old thing again, was the car heading down the street in their direction.

Jamie noticed something was wrong as he tried to get up and heard Tony desperately yelling his name. Before he could see what his boyfriend was yelling about, he saw a car right in front of him and felt a heavy smack...

And then he felt nothing at all…

All had gone black…

"I hope Jamie feels better now. Last time he didn't even want to see us," Cody said to his brother as he knocked on the door of the room in the Boston Children's Hospital.

"I'm sure he will, Cody. Come on, we bought him this amazing basketball. I'm sure he would like this."

Cody wasn't too sure of that though. From what he had heard Jamie had been really down from the moment on he had woken up in the hospital.

When both twins walked into the room they saw Jamie sitting in a wheelchair surfing the Internet on his laptop. A brand new laptop Cody observed. One he would've liked to have too. But that was completely beside the point. Jamie was out of bed, that must mean something positive.

"Hey Jamie! How's it going, dude?" Zack said as they walked over to their friend.

"What do you think? I just learned I'll never be able to use my legs again. Guess how I'm feeling now…Dude…" Jamie said angrily to Zack.

"Never? Jamie, that's…"

"Just say it Cody… that's terrible. My life is ruined, just say it…"

"Come on, don't be so down, man. We even brought you a very cool present!" Zack said as he handed over the basketball they bought for their friend.

"A basketball? Whoa thanks guys… And how do you think I'm going to play with a basketball? I'm in a wheelchair forever, in case you hadn't noticed," Jamie snapped at his friends.

"Ah come on Jamie, don't become someone who goes straight to school and straight home, like Cody."

"Excuse me? You forget about Stamp Club. I came up with our motto, 'You can't lick us!'" Cody said being proud of his accomplishment.

"And this is my motto: 'My brother is a geek'," Zack said as he pushed his twin aside. "Anyway… Come on Jamie, you can't let yourself down like this!"

"Why not? What have I got left in life? Sitting in a wheelchair, that's all I can do now… No sports for me anymore," Jamie replied.

Before either Zack or Cody could say something to reply to Jamie's harsh statement, Tony walked in the room.

"Hey Jamie, how are you doing, love?" He said.

"What are you doing here, jerk? I told you before that I didn't want to see you ever again!" Jamie yelled as he saw who entered his room.

"But Jamie…"

"Don't but me… It's thanks to you I'm here now. Thanks to you I can't use my legs anymore. You ruined my life! And yet you think you can walk in here and act like nothing happened. And something else, don't call me love. Don't you think for one moment that I still love you. I don't even like you anymore. In fact there is nobody I despise more than you now! I never ever want to see you again!" Jamie ranted.

"Jamie…"

"Get out!!!"

"Dude, I think you better listen to him now. Maybe you can make it up to him another time," Cody said to Tony, who left the room very sad.

"Zack, maybe we better go too," Cody said to his brother. And added to Jamie: "Well Jamie… I guess we'll see you later. In school."

A month later Jamie came back to school. But he wasn't the same Jamie anymore. He had become what Zack had warned him about. He just went straight to school and straight home. He didn't hang out with his friends anymore or play basketball. Although many had tried to get Jamie to take a few shots at the basket, nobody succeeded. Thanks to his accident Jamie had not only lost the use of his legs, but every desire to have a fun life. He didn't care for anyone's company anymore.

As for his relationship with Tony. For Jamie that had ended the moment he got hit by the car. Jamie blamed Tony for his accident. Although both his parents and his friends tried to convince him it wasn't entirely Tony's fault. But Jamie didn't believe them, he kept blaming his ex-boyfriend.

Tony on the other hand really felt guilty for what happened to Jamie. After all, he had pushed him into the street. And what was worse for Tony was that he had seen it happen. Tony wished their relationship could go on. He was prepared to keep dating Jamie even though he was in a wheelchair. But Jamie didn't want to see him anymore. So Tony concentrated on the only thing that was left for him: acting.

Tony buried himself in acting. He wanted to become a real star now. He even changed his name to Antonio because he felt it was a more artistic name, befitting a big star. And at first Antonio found much success. He played in bigger and bigger plays and even in musicals.

Although Antonio was on his way to become a star, he had no friends anymore. And that was mainly because of how he acted toward everyone. He had become a major jerk who only thought about himself. He carried himself as if he was the best actor ever. He become so full of himself, nobody even wanted to talk to him.

It was so sad for Zack and Cody to see both their friends grow apart from them and from each other. They both tried to get Jamie to hang out with them again, but just failed like everyone else. And just like everyone else, they were shocked by Tony's, or Antonio's, behavior and began to not care much for him anymore. Although both thought it was sad to see two people go from being so in love to hating each other's guts.

The End


Notes on the pairing:

Jamie is from the SLOZAC episode - 'Back in the Game'. Readers will be glad to know that he did eventually become less bitter and start to enjoy life again thanks to the help of Cody and Zack.

Antonio (don't call him Tony) is from the SLOZAC episode - 'Lip Syncin' in the Rain'. Sadly, he was still a rather arrogant diva the last time we saw him.