Author's Note: Okay, I've thought this through... I hope... I was thinking of
re-doing this chapter in like 3 points of view. I haven't decided yet. Well
I'm playing this by ear, so Hope you like it. THE SUSPENSE! (JK...)
Disclaimer: I don't own Degrassi... der...
Slamming Doors: Chapter Four
Forbidden Doors
...Ten Minutes Before the announcement of the winners, for the King and Queen dance contest...
"Please put your votes in this box," Toby was running the booth, where the Degrassi students could vote for who they thought would make the perfect couple. The perfect couple of the month, or even moment because break ups were too common at Degrassi. Or at least that was Toby's opinion on it. Little did the students of Degrassi know was that their votes wouldn't be cast at all. Toby would give a completely different box to the person who would pull the winner. He was being paid heavily of course. JT too, he wrote out all the votes that had a category none of the others had. That category was, with a little box next, 'Marco Del Rossi (tenth grade) and Dylan Mickalchuk (twelfth grade)'.
"Toby, bring the box to Radditch, he's pulling the winner in five minutes," JT whispered to Toby.
"Okay, that's the right one right?" Toby looked at the box JT held in his hands.
"Yeah! I'm not stupid. It's not like I would go and switch the boxes. That's would just be evil," JT laughed mechanically.
Toby handed the box to Radditch.
"And the winners are..."
Marco squeezed Dylan's hand. He was nervous, really nervous. He was nervous because not only would he be opening up to everyone, but the commotion he was about to cause would be huge. He was also nervous that Toby and JT might not have filled their end of the bargain. He listened to the rustling of the papers as Radditch dug his hand into the box, and held the suspension. He sang the lottery song into the microphone then pulled out a vote. He unraveled it, "Marco Del Rossi of tenth grade and Dylan Mickealchuk... of... twelfth grade..." He looked around for back up, and blushed as the crowd laughed. Mrs. Kwan walked up to Radditch and whispered something to him. They looked like they were fighting over something. Marco clenched his teeth and his fists, much to Dylan's dismay. He began to walk up to the stage, holding Dylan's hand. People cleared the way, most of them laughing and pointing. It was like walking through hell. Everyone's face was a devil, trying to push them down, telling them they were stupid. They grew horns and tails; they had fangs that craved blood, and claws that scratched at them. Marco looked at them like they were no longer human... just like they were looking at him. He closed his eyes tightly, holding back tears. He could hear his friends yelling at the people who were pushing him and Dylan.
"Um... well come our, King... and?" Radditch looked around at the staff and the rioting crowd. "King, I guess. No comments from the peanut gallery please, we are a school of dignity and-and are for the rights of all people." He was at a loss of words; he stopped as he felt he wasn't making matters any better.
They were at the stage now. Dylan got up and grabbed the microphone from Radditch and the crown from Kwan. He spoke into the microphone.
"Wooo! Yeah, Degrassi thanks for voting for me and Marco! Wooo!" He waved hand in the air, and put his arm over Marco's shoulder. Mrs. Kwan placed another king crown on Marco's head, Marco couldn't help but notice that this one happened to be smaller then Dylan's. The crowd still moaned and boo-ed at them. Marco blushed and a tear fell from his face. This was what he wanted, and now he had it. He looked up at Dylan, who was so comfortable in his own skin, he smiled and waved. Like he was truly touched and blessed, with such an honor. Why couldn't Marco do that? He was going to be like Dylan, he was going to be proud.
He grabbed the microphone from Dylan.
"Yeah! Thanks Degrassi, you're awesome!" Marco and Dylan looked at each other. They stared at each other for awhile. The music and ranting behind him, stopped in Marco's mind. Dylan put his hand on Marco's cheek and pulled him into a kiss, in front of the whole school. Marco was gay in more then one way. He jumped onto Dylan with his arms around his neck, and his legs wrapped around his waist. They continued to kiss, and then Marco pulled away with the microphone still in his hand. "Thank you, thank you very much!" He screamed into the microphone as he put up an arm in the air. Dylan walked off the stage with Marco still on him. They smiled at each other, and at the booing. Marco didn't care anymore. He was proud of what he was and now himself. He was like Dylan. Dylan... his idol... and his inspiration... and just over all someone he wanted to be with.
"Wow, Marco you're just asking for it aren't you." Spinner walked up to them with Paige clutching his arm.
"Yeah, I guess so." Marco smiled, he couldn't stop.
"You two make the cutest couple!" Paige smiled and kissed her brother on the cheek.
"Yeah, we do, don't we." Dylan, now free of a clinging Marco, put his arm around Marco's shoulder. They laughed together.
The rest of the dance was awkward for most of the people there. Barely anyone danced, when Marco and Dylan took the floor. People were gossiping like crazy. Marco and Dylan didn't get a moment of silence from anyone. However it was the way it was going to be and Marco knew he could handle it.
"Wow that was a cherry-coated dance now wasn't it?" Dylan was tapping his fingers on the steering wheel as he drove Marco home.
"Sure was... Sorry I was kinda'... out there I guess you could say..." Marco trailed off. He looked at Dylan for a replay, with a cloudy look in his eyes. He couldn't really see Dylan very well, but he could see his gorgeous smile.
"Marco, you were cute tonight." Dylan glanced at him from the corner of his eye. Marco blushed.
"Well I guess that makes two of us, h-huh?" Marco said bravely. He smiled at him. Dylan laughed.
They pulled up to Marco's house. "I had a great time Marco, and you did great."
"Thanks... well... maybe we could talk this weekend?" Marco said nervously. He'd spent the entire dance with Dylan, and he still blushed and stuttered every time he talked to him.
"Yeah, of course. See ya' later Marco, and uh... good luck, huh?" He said nodding towards Marco's house.
"Yeah... well-," He was cut off by Dylan's hand. He pulled Marco over to him a little and they kissed. Marco smiled through it. He was in that same place again. It really, truly was an alternate universe, except for Dylan of course. Marco got out of the car holding his crown close to his chest.
"How was the dance?" Marco walked into his house, waving to Dylan, who then drove away. His mom was sitting on the couch with his dad when he walked in.
"Oh' it was great mom! Look," he pulled out a picture of him and Dylan accepting their crowns on the stage. Marco blushed and smiled broadly as his mom took it from him. His mom looked at it and gave a nervous smile. Marco's heart dropped. What was he expecting, a hug and a congratulation? Marco adapted his mom's smile and looked at her.
"Marco... uh... that's great sweetie," She handed the picture back to him. His dad took notice of him, and his crown.
"Oh' Marco who was the lucky girl, huh?" He winked at Marco.
"U-Uh..." Marco had kind of suspected his mom to of told him. You know spare him the pain... but no. He looked at his mom, hoping she would cut in, and share the burden.
"Marco, why don't you retire to your room?" Marco looked at her, suddenly feeling the horror she was about to endure for him.
"Er... sure," Marco walked up to his room. He placed the picture on his mirror, and then stopped. He was going to wait for his father's response, before putting that picture there. He put his crown around the doorknob of his closet. Then picked it up and smiled and placed it on his bed post instead. He sat on his bed and sighed loudly. He fiddled with the picture and stared at the crown. He placed the picture under his pillow. He then got up to get changed into his red-plaid pajamas, when he heard yelling from downstairs. He sighed as he pulled off his shirt.
"Stop it, Marco's your son, and I won't let you talk about him like that..." Marco could hear his mom scream at him and then slowly turn her ranting to a soft whisper. Marco went to the top of the stairs still half naked. He sat on the top step and put his head between his knees as he listened.
"How long has he been walking around like this?" His dad said angrily.
"Does it matter? I want you to go tell Marco that you love him no matter what, because you do, and because he needs hear that." His mom said calmly.
"Damnit! I can't believe this shit, Marco's is my boy and no child of mine is going to be a queer. I won't have that kind of humiliation!"
"Excuse me!? That's it!" Marco's mom stormed out of the room and into the kitchen. Marco cried silently. He knew what would happen, he'd thought about it everyday for the past months. He'd dreamt about it, he'd replayed it in his mind over and over again. However, he never thought it would go into effect, the realization had struck him and all too fast. He covered his face with his hands, and wept loudly, then stopped himself as he heard his dad head toward the stairs. He looked through his fingers to see his dad at the bottom of the stairs. He gasped at his dad's expression.
Marco's dad had realized that Marco had heard what he'd said.
"Where's the damn picture?" His dad wasn't even fazed by Marco's tears.
"U-Uh... it's in m-my room... why?" As if I need to ask, he thought to himself.
"Bring it here." Marco stood up and stumbled to his room. Carefully lifted the pillow and pulled out the wanted item. He glared at it and then he sighed as a tear fell on Dylan's face. He wiped it and held it to his chest as if he wasn't going to see it again. He then walked toward the stairs. He paused as the top to see his father standing impatiently at the bottom of the stairs. Marco walked down the stairs. He gripped the wooden railing and stared down at the tan carpeting on the stairs. He held the picture by his side. His hands were sweating, and his face was damp. The walk down the stairs felt like he was falling from a plane. Each step meaning another moment had gone by, and he was only closer to his fate. Thoughts raced through his mind. He pictured Craig in his mind and how his dad had treated him. He pictured Craig ripping down the decorations at the dance awhile ago.
He pictured Paige, when she was soaked in Ashley's drink, when she'd suggested to Ashley that her dad was gay. He pictured Jimmy running toward him as he sat on the cop car. He pictured Dylan's crooked smile and blue eyes. He closed his eyes briefly as he stood two steps above his father. He slowly and regretfully handed the sacred item to his father. His father ripped it out of his hands.
"You know what boy? I planned on ripping this picture in half right in front of your face, here and now. But watching you pathetically walk down these here stairs worked enough for me. This boy in this picture," his dad pointed at Marco, "is my son, no matter what. However, I am not pleased with him, because he's not what I suspected. Although, he's my boy and I wouldn't trade him for all the boats in the sea." He forcefully handed the picture back to Marco. Marco smiled, and tears still streamed from his eyes.
"Now, that I've said that, I want you to know, that this doesn't mean things between us will remain the same. I accept what you've so rudely pulled to my attention, however, I don't like it. Know that, that boy," he said referring to Dylan, "isn't to talk to me. Go to your room now, Marco..." He called me Marco... that was enough... I'm okay... really okay... I'm not just 'boy', but Marco. He knows I'm Marco, Marco, his son. I'm really okay, I made it through this chapter, and I still have this picture. Marco smiled to himself.
When he got to his room he placed the picture on his mirror. He wiped the fingerprints from it and smiled at it. He put his pajama shirt on and grinned at his accomplishments.
The night swam by quickly after that. Marco slept soundly, but was abruptly awoken by a knocking on his bedroom door. He was started.
"Marco," his mom walked into his room, "you have a visitor." Marco jumped out of bed. He walked over to his window and saw the Mickalchuk's van in to street. Marco gasped. He turned to face his mom, but she had already left. Marco looked at his clock. It was already two in to afternoon! He picked up his cell phone and found that he had five missed calls, three from Jimmy, one from Paige, and one from Ellie. He ran over to his dresser and pulled out his jeans, then his black long-sleeved shirt, and a blue short-sleeved shirt to go over it. He changed then ran over to his mirror and paused at the picture in his mirror. The events of the night before flashed before his eyes. He smiled then resumed on his tszujing. He got up and ran toward his door, then ran into the bathroom. As he was about to run down the stairs he ran back into his room to fix his hair one last time.
"Jeez take long, princess?" Spinner stood in his front doorway. Marco looked disappointed; he'd hoped Dylan would be there. "Don't look so excited! My god, c'mon were going to Dylan's game, get your ticket." Oh' my god! How could I forget!? Marco ran back to his room and got his ticket.
Spinner and Marco walked to the car. "So Marco, how did the rents react to the news?"
"Funny you mention-," He stopped as a certain someone grinned at him from the steering wheel.
"Mornin' Marco," Dylan waved at him.
"Hey!" Marco got into the passenger seat. He looked back to say 'hi' to Jimmy, Hazel, Paige, and Craig. Spinner then jumped into the car.
"Marco, my pictures from last night will be ready soon. You'll have to come check em' out." Craig grinned at him.
"Yea-,"
"I'd like to see them too." Dylan cut in.
"Cool." Craig smiled at them. Spinner wasn't moved however.
"Now, as awesome as it was for you two to do that last night, I'm still disappointed. I wanted to win!" Hazel giggled.
"Like you had a chance, Hazel," Paige turned around to face Hazel, who was sitting behind her.
"Oh' c'mon, not now, not in front of me, save it, this is a big game." Dylan didn't feel like witnessing a cat-fight at that moment.
"Is it really a big game?" Marco looked at Dylan's exasperated expression.
"Sure is! You're gunna cheer on aren't you?" Dylan placed his hand on Marco's leg rather quickly. Marco blushed at the gesture. Dylan lifted his hand back onto the steering wheel, when he realized he had an audience in the back seats.
"Well, you guys go get your seats. I have to go through that way." Dylan unloaded his hockey gear from the trunk.
"Dylan, good luck!" Hazel patted him on the back then ran to catch up with Jimmy and Craig.
"Brother dearest, please make this game go back fast, I want to eat at the Dot later, not at this crappy hotdog stand." Paige moaned as she watched Spinner buy four hotdogs. Dylan laughed.
"Good luck!" Marco smiled at Dylan then began to walk toward Spinner.
"Wait, Marco?"
"Uh-Uh... Yeah?"
"You think you could help me?" Dylan searched Marco's face.
"Sure, what do you need?" Marco looked at Dylan, and at all the hockey stuff that looked foreign to him. He was confused just looking at it.
"Well... could you just help me carry that," he pointed to his hockey stick, "and that?" He said nodding toward what to Marco looked like armor.
"Yeah, sure, where to?" Marco picked it up. They walked to the back of the stadium. Marco walked closely behind Dylan when they got inside. There were tons of guys changing all around him. He blushed, and was really embarrassed. He looked down at his feet as he walked, trying not to stare.
"Michalchuk! Woo!" Someone shouted behind them. Dylan turned around.
"Hey Vince," Dylan smiled at him. Marco was surprised, he'd guessed that 'Vince' was maybe homophobe... guess I guessed wrong... Marco continued staring at his feet.
"Who's friend?" Vince bent down a little, for he was about a foot taller then Marco. He grinned widely at Marco.
"Urm..."
"This is Marco." Dylan shook Marco's shoulder in a friendly manner.
"Marco, eh? What's up, you're not here to play are you?" He laughed at his question.
"No... just uh... helping out," Marco looked at Vince then back at his feet. Vince had black spiky hair, about the length of Marco's. He was also Italian looking, or Hispanic, Marco couldn't tell. Vince was pretty attractive, and buff. At least that's what Marco took notice too.
"Cool, you guys are..." Vince asked expectantly. He gave Dylan an 'Aww- right' look. Marco looked up at Dylan, with his adorable nervous eyes.
"He's my boyfriend." Dylan smiled down at Marco, hoping he hadn't said something he shouldn't of. Marco smiled and blushed again. Vince smiled.
"Cool," Vince patted Dylan on the back as he walked away.
"Sorry about that, he's pretty cool. Well I guess I'll see ya' later, sorry for dragging you out here." Dylan said dropping his stuff into his change locker.
"No, it was cool. Well I'll see you in there." Marco ran off quickly. He wanted to get into the stadium as soon as possible. Old memories freaked out a little.
He got into the stadium and searched around trying to find everyone else.
"Marco!" Marco turned around. He saw Sean waving at him. "Sean? Hey!" Marco walked toward him. "I didn't know you were here, what's up, who are you with?" Marco looked at him. "With El, all thanks to you, man." Sean smiled at Marco. "Yeah, yeah, yeah. Well I have to find Jimmy, so I'll catch up to you later, oh' tell Ellie I said 'hi'?" Marco grinned and began to look away. "Yeah, sure. But uh... thanks for all this man." "You shouldn't be thanking me." Marco ran off quickly again. He was good at that.
Author's Note: No cliff hanger! Well I'm sorry it took longer to update, this may have been a short chapter, but it was by far the hardest and took the longest to write. Hope you enjoyed. And thanks for reading, please reviews with your thoughts.
Note: Michalchuk... that's how you spell it right? And for those of you who forgot... or just didn't read it, tszujing, means 'to put the finishing touches on ones hair or clothes.
Disclaimer: I don't own Degrassi... der...
Slamming Doors: Chapter Four
Forbidden Doors
...Ten Minutes Before the announcement of the winners, for the King and Queen dance contest...
"Please put your votes in this box," Toby was running the booth, where the Degrassi students could vote for who they thought would make the perfect couple. The perfect couple of the month, or even moment because break ups were too common at Degrassi. Or at least that was Toby's opinion on it. Little did the students of Degrassi know was that their votes wouldn't be cast at all. Toby would give a completely different box to the person who would pull the winner. He was being paid heavily of course. JT too, he wrote out all the votes that had a category none of the others had. That category was, with a little box next, 'Marco Del Rossi (tenth grade) and Dylan Mickalchuk (twelfth grade)'.
"Toby, bring the box to Radditch, he's pulling the winner in five minutes," JT whispered to Toby.
"Okay, that's the right one right?" Toby looked at the box JT held in his hands.
"Yeah! I'm not stupid. It's not like I would go and switch the boxes. That's would just be evil," JT laughed mechanically.
Toby handed the box to Radditch.
"And the winners are..."
Marco squeezed Dylan's hand. He was nervous, really nervous. He was nervous because not only would he be opening up to everyone, but the commotion he was about to cause would be huge. He was also nervous that Toby and JT might not have filled their end of the bargain. He listened to the rustling of the papers as Radditch dug his hand into the box, and held the suspension. He sang the lottery song into the microphone then pulled out a vote. He unraveled it, "Marco Del Rossi of tenth grade and Dylan Mickealchuk... of... twelfth grade..." He looked around for back up, and blushed as the crowd laughed. Mrs. Kwan walked up to Radditch and whispered something to him. They looked like they were fighting over something. Marco clenched his teeth and his fists, much to Dylan's dismay. He began to walk up to the stage, holding Dylan's hand. People cleared the way, most of them laughing and pointing. It was like walking through hell. Everyone's face was a devil, trying to push them down, telling them they were stupid. They grew horns and tails; they had fangs that craved blood, and claws that scratched at them. Marco looked at them like they were no longer human... just like they were looking at him. He closed his eyes tightly, holding back tears. He could hear his friends yelling at the people who were pushing him and Dylan.
"Um... well come our, King... and?" Radditch looked around at the staff and the rioting crowd. "King, I guess. No comments from the peanut gallery please, we are a school of dignity and-and are for the rights of all people." He was at a loss of words; he stopped as he felt he wasn't making matters any better.
They were at the stage now. Dylan got up and grabbed the microphone from Radditch and the crown from Kwan. He spoke into the microphone.
"Wooo! Yeah, Degrassi thanks for voting for me and Marco! Wooo!" He waved hand in the air, and put his arm over Marco's shoulder. Mrs. Kwan placed another king crown on Marco's head, Marco couldn't help but notice that this one happened to be smaller then Dylan's. The crowd still moaned and boo-ed at them. Marco blushed and a tear fell from his face. This was what he wanted, and now he had it. He looked up at Dylan, who was so comfortable in his own skin, he smiled and waved. Like he was truly touched and blessed, with such an honor. Why couldn't Marco do that? He was going to be like Dylan, he was going to be proud.
He grabbed the microphone from Dylan.
"Yeah! Thanks Degrassi, you're awesome!" Marco and Dylan looked at each other. They stared at each other for awhile. The music and ranting behind him, stopped in Marco's mind. Dylan put his hand on Marco's cheek and pulled him into a kiss, in front of the whole school. Marco was gay in more then one way. He jumped onto Dylan with his arms around his neck, and his legs wrapped around his waist. They continued to kiss, and then Marco pulled away with the microphone still in his hand. "Thank you, thank you very much!" He screamed into the microphone as he put up an arm in the air. Dylan walked off the stage with Marco still on him. They smiled at each other, and at the booing. Marco didn't care anymore. He was proud of what he was and now himself. He was like Dylan. Dylan... his idol... and his inspiration... and just over all someone he wanted to be with.
"Wow, Marco you're just asking for it aren't you." Spinner walked up to them with Paige clutching his arm.
"Yeah, I guess so." Marco smiled, he couldn't stop.
"You two make the cutest couple!" Paige smiled and kissed her brother on the cheek.
"Yeah, we do, don't we." Dylan, now free of a clinging Marco, put his arm around Marco's shoulder. They laughed together.
The rest of the dance was awkward for most of the people there. Barely anyone danced, when Marco and Dylan took the floor. People were gossiping like crazy. Marco and Dylan didn't get a moment of silence from anyone. However it was the way it was going to be and Marco knew he could handle it.
"Wow that was a cherry-coated dance now wasn't it?" Dylan was tapping his fingers on the steering wheel as he drove Marco home.
"Sure was... Sorry I was kinda'... out there I guess you could say..." Marco trailed off. He looked at Dylan for a replay, with a cloudy look in his eyes. He couldn't really see Dylan very well, but he could see his gorgeous smile.
"Marco, you were cute tonight." Dylan glanced at him from the corner of his eye. Marco blushed.
"Well I guess that makes two of us, h-huh?" Marco said bravely. He smiled at him. Dylan laughed.
They pulled up to Marco's house. "I had a great time Marco, and you did great."
"Thanks... well... maybe we could talk this weekend?" Marco said nervously. He'd spent the entire dance with Dylan, and he still blushed and stuttered every time he talked to him.
"Yeah, of course. See ya' later Marco, and uh... good luck, huh?" He said nodding towards Marco's house.
"Yeah... well-," He was cut off by Dylan's hand. He pulled Marco over to him a little and they kissed. Marco smiled through it. He was in that same place again. It really, truly was an alternate universe, except for Dylan of course. Marco got out of the car holding his crown close to his chest.
"How was the dance?" Marco walked into his house, waving to Dylan, who then drove away. His mom was sitting on the couch with his dad when he walked in.
"Oh' it was great mom! Look," he pulled out a picture of him and Dylan accepting their crowns on the stage. Marco blushed and smiled broadly as his mom took it from him. His mom looked at it and gave a nervous smile. Marco's heart dropped. What was he expecting, a hug and a congratulation? Marco adapted his mom's smile and looked at her.
"Marco... uh... that's great sweetie," She handed the picture back to him. His dad took notice of him, and his crown.
"Oh' Marco who was the lucky girl, huh?" He winked at Marco.
"U-Uh..." Marco had kind of suspected his mom to of told him. You know spare him the pain... but no. He looked at his mom, hoping she would cut in, and share the burden.
"Marco, why don't you retire to your room?" Marco looked at her, suddenly feeling the horror she was about to endure for him.
"Er... sure," Marco walked up to his room. He placed the picture on his mirror, and then stopped. He was going to wait for his father's response, before putting that picture there. He put his crown around the doorknob of his closet. Then picked it up and smiled and placed it on his bed post instead. He sat on his bed and sighed loudly. He fiddled with the picture and stared at the crown. He placed the picture under his pillow. He then got up to get changed into his red-plaid pajamas, when he heard yelling from downstairs. He sighed as he pulled off his shirt.
"Stop it, Marco's your son, and I won't let you talk about him like that..." Marco could hear his mom scream at him and then slowly turn her ranting to a soft whisper. Marco went to the top of the stairs still half naked. He sat on the top step and put his head between his knees as he listened.
"How long has he been walking around like this?" His dad said angrily.
"Does it matter? I want you to go tell Marco that you love him no matter what, because you do, and because he needs hear that." His mom said calmly.
"Damnit! I can't believe this shit, Marco's is my boy and no child of mine is going to be a queer. I won't have that kind of humiliation!"
"Excuse me!? That's it!" Marco's mom stormed out of the room and into the kitchen. Marco cried silently. He knew what would happen, he'd thought about it everyday for the past months. He'd dreamt about it, he'd replayed it in his mind over and over again. However, he never thought it would go into effect, the realization had struck him and all too fast. He covered his face with his hands, and wept loudly, then stopped himself as he heard his dad head toward the stairs. He looked through his fingers to see his dad at the bottom of the stairs. He gasped at his dad's expression.
Marco's dad had realized that Marco had heard what he'd said.
"Where's the damn picture?" His dad wasn't even fazed by Marco's tears.
"U-Uh... it's in m-my room... why?" As if I need to ask, he thought to himself.
"Bring it here." Marco stood up and stumbled to his room. Carefully lifted the pillow and pulled out the wanted item. He glared at it and then he sighed as a tear fell on Dylan's face. He wiped it and held it to his chest as if he wasn't going to see it again. He then walked toward the stairs. He paused as the top to see his father standing impatiently at the bottom of the stairs. Marco walked down the stairs. He gripped the wooden railing and stared down at the tan carpeting on the stairs. He held the picture by his side. His hands were sweating, and his face was damp. The walk down the stairs felt like he was falling from a plane. Each step meaning another moment had gone by, and he was only closer to his fate. Thoughts raced through his mind. He pictured Craig in his mind and how his dad had treated him. He pictured Craig ripping down the decorations at the dance awhile ago.
He pictured Paige, when she was soaked in Ashley's drink, when she'd suggested to Ashley that her dad was gay. He pictured Jimmy running toward him as he sat on the cop car. He pictured Dylan's crooked smile and blue eyes. He closed his eyes briefly as he stood two steps above his father. He slowly and regretfully handed the sacred item to his father. His father ripped it out of his hands.
"You know what boy? I planned on ripping this picture in half right in front of your face, here and now. But watching you pathetically walk down these here stairs worked enough for me. This boy in this picture," his dad pointed at Marco, "is my son, no matter what. However, I am not pleased with him, because he's not what I suspected. Although, he's my boy and I wouldn't trade him for all the boats in the sea." He forcefully handed the picture back to Marco. Marco smiled, and tears still streamed from his eyes.
"Now, that I've said that, I want you to know, that this doesn't mean things between us will remain the same. I accept what you've so rudely pulled to my attention, however, I don't like it. Know that, that boy," he said referring to Dylan, "isn't to talk to me. Go to your room now, Marco..." He called me Marco... that was enough... I'm okay... really okay... I'm not just 'boy', but Marco. He knows I'm Marco, Marco, his son. I'm really okay, I made it through this chapter, and I still have this picture. Marco smiled to himself.
When he got to his room he placed the picture on his mirror. He wiped the fingerprints from it and smiled at it. He put his pajama shirt on and grinned at his accomplishments.
The night swam by quickly after that. Marco slept soundly, but was abruptly awoken by a knocking on his bedroom door. He was started.
"Marco," his mom walked into his room, "you have a visitor." Marco jumped out of bed. He walked over to his window and saw the Mickalchuk's van in to street. Marco gasped. He turned to face his mom, but she had already left. Marco looked at his clock. It was already two in to afternoon! He picked up his cell phone and found that he had five missed calls, three from Jimmy, one from Paige, and one from Ellie. He ran over to his dresser and pulled out his jeans, then his black long-sleeved shirt, and a blue short-sleeved shirt to go over it. He changed then ran over to his mirror and paused at the picture in his mirror. The events of the night before flashed before his eyes. He smiled then resumed on his tszujing. He got up and ran toward his door, then ran into the bathroom. As he was about to run down the stairs he ran back into his room to fix his hair one last time.
"Jeez take long, princess?" Spinner stood in his front doorway. Marco looked disappointed; he'd hoped Dylan would be there. "Don't look so excited! My god, c'mon were going to Dylan's game, get your ticket." Oh' my god! How could I forget!? Marco ran back to his room and got his ticket.
Spinner and Marco walked to the car. "So Marco, how did the rents react to the news?"
"Funny you mention-," He stopped as a certain someone grinned at him from the steering wheel.
"Mornin' Marco," Dylan waved at him.
"Hey!" Marco got into the passenger seat. He looked back to say 'hi' to Jimmy, Hazel, Paige, and Craig. Spinner then jumped into the car.
"Marco, my pictures from last night will be ready soon. You'll have to come check em' out." Craig grinned at him.
"Yea-,"
"I'd like to see them too." Dylan cut in.
"Cool." Craig smiled at them. Spinner wasn't moved however.
"Now, as awesome as it was for you two to do that last night, I'm still disappointed. I wanted to win!" Hazel giggled.
"Like you had a chance, Hazel," Paige turned around to face Hazel, who was sitting behind her.
"Oh' c'mon, not now, not in front of me, save it, this is a big game." Dylan didn't feel like witnessing a cat-fight at that moment.
"Is it really a big game?" Marco looked at Dylan's exasperated expression.
"Sure is! You're gunna cheer on aren't you?" Dylan placed his hand on Marco's leg rather quickly. Marco blushed at the gesture. Dylan lifted his hand back onto the steering wheel, when he realized he had an audience in the back seats.
"Well, you guys go get your seats. I have to go through that way." Dylan unloaded his hockey gear from the trunk.
"Dylan, good luck!" Hazel patted him on the back then ran to catch up with Jimmy and Craig.
"Brother dearest, please make this game go back fast, I want to eat at the Dot later, not at this crappy hotdog stand." Paige moaned as she watched Spinner buy four hotdogs. Dylan laughed.
"Good luck!" Marco smiled at Dylan then began to walk toward Spinner.
"Wait, Marco?"
"Uh-Uh... Yeah?"
"You think you could help me?" Dylan searched Marco's face.
"Sure, what do you need?" Marco looked at Dylan, and at all the hockey stuff that looked foreign to him. He was confused just looking at it.
"Well... could you just help me carry that," he pointed to his hockey stick, "and that?" He said nodding toward what to Marco looked like armor.
"Yeah, sure, where to?" Marco picked it up. They walked to the back of the stadium. Marco walked closely behind Dylan when they got inside. There were tons of guys changing all around him. He blushed, and was really embarrassed. He looked down at his feet as he walked, trying not to stare.
"Michalchuk! Woo!" Someone shouted behind them. Dylan turned around.
"Hey Vince," Dylan smiled at him. Marco was surprised, he'd guessed that 'Vince' was maybe homophobe... guess I guessed wrong... Marco continued staring at his feet.
"Who's friend?" Vince bent down a little, for he was about a foot taller then Marco. He grinned widely at Marco.
"Urm..."
"This is Marco." Dylan shook Marco's shoulder in a friendly manner.
"Marco, eh? What's up, you're not here to play are you?" He laughed at his question.
"No... just uh... helping out," Marco looked at Vince then back at his feet. Vince had black spiky hair, about the length of Marco's. He was also Italian looking, or Hispanic, Marco couldn't tell. Vince was pretty attractive, and buff. At least that's what Marco took notice too.
"Cool, you guys are..." Vince asked expectantly. He gave Dylan an 'Aww- right' look. Marco looked up at Dylan, with his adorable nervous eyes.
"He's my boyfriend." Dylan smiled down at Marco, hoping he hadn't said something he shouldn't of. Marco smiled and blushed again. Vince smiled.
"Cool," Vince patted Dylan on the back as he walked away.
"Sorry about that, he's pretty cool. Well I guess I'll see ya' later, sorry for dragging you out here." Dylan said dropping his stuff into his change locker.
"No, it was cool. Well I'll see you in there." Marco ran off quickly. He wanted to get into the stadium as soon as possible. Old memories freaked out a little.
He got into the stadium and searched around trying to find everyone else.
"Marco!" Marco turned around. He saw Sean waving at him. "Sean? Hey!" Marco walked toward him. "I didn't know you were here, what's up, who are you with?" Marco looked at him. "With El, all thanks to you, man." Sean smiled at Marco. "Yeah, yeah, yeah. Well I have to find Jimmy, so I'll catch up to you later, oh' tell Ellie I said 'hi'?" Marco grinned and began to look away. "Yeah, sure. But uh... thanks for all this man." "You shouldn't be thanking me." Marco ran off quickly again. He was good at that.
Author's Note: No cliff hanger! Well I'm sorry it took longer to update, this may have been a short chapter, but it was by far the hardest and took the longest to write. Hope you enjoyed. And thanks for reading, please reviews with your thoughts.
Note: Michalchuk... that's how you spell it right? And for those of you who forgot... or just didn't read it, tszujing, means 'to put the finishing touches on ones hair or clothes.