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Chapter Eleven

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"...No, I can't."

"What do you mean, you can't?" Marco winced at the accusation his boyfriend's voice, gripping the telephone tighter in his hand.

"Dylan, my Pa is coming home tonight. Ma and I have to be there when the police come. They'll decide whether he stays or goes this time. Pa refuses to go to a public court because he says he's already ashamed of what his family was reduced to. Please."

"You waited until a few minutes before the dance to tell me this?"

"I really am sorry." Silence.

"...Okay. I'll see you tomorrow then."

"Okay. Goodbye."

The Italian boy wanted to bash his own head into the nearby wall. He felt like such a jerk for canceling their date at the last minute. It was such a jerky thing to do. Marco looked across his bedroom breifly and his eyes hidden behind his reading glasses caught a picture frame sitting on his desk. It was one that Dylan took when they were at the beach. It was a bit blurry and unfocused (the blonde really was a bad photographer) but it was sweet. Marco smiled to himself a moment before realizing that Dylan probably hated him now. Ahh. Hed bashing was needed.

Looking out his bedroom window, he saw that two police cars pulled into his driveway. Marco locked up his window and stepped downstairs. The previous police officers and a new one entered with his blank-faced Papa. The young boy swallowed hard and walked past them. The police gave him a smile and his Father shot daggers at him with his sinister eyes. Furious eyes.

He turned away and they got drinks before starting. Everyone sat in the living room. Officer Jennings did the talking. She seemed to be the leader of the group. "We have talked to the judge working on Marco's case. On Saturday, he came to the conclusion that Mr. Dante Del Rossi will no longer be in custody of his son. He also isn't allowed within one hundred feet of the residential area after today. The paperwork is here so you may all know the limitations and regulations of this decision." Marco's parents took turns looking through things and Marco sat in the corner, trying to stand out.

Officer Jennings asked, "Marco, if you wanted to look-"

"No thanks. I'm going to go upstairs." She nodded in his direction, and he thankfully left the room, unnerved by the heated stare of his Father behind him. Marco shut his bedroom door and settled into an upright fetal position, taking deep breathes to calm his racing heart. What was he expecting? His Pa to suddenly start beating him?

He raised his head and saw the picture frame, snatching it from the desk. He held it close and vaguely remembered what fun they had. It had been a perfect day. Dylan meant so much to him. He couldn't bear losing him for anything. Marco's doorknob rattled and his heart throbbed jumpily as his Father stepped into his room. His expression read that of surprise when he saw his son holding a picture to his chest, of his own son and the blond senior. Then it turned to revulsion.

The boy said quickly, placing it away, "Pa..."

"Shut up."

Marco's mouth clamped shut as his Father paced the room, eerily calm. "How could you this to us? After all we've done for you, Marco. You have disgraced our family-"

"I don't want to hear it, Papa," Marco said abruptly, his voice stronger than he felt, "I'm gay. You'll have to accept it one day."

His Father lashed out, striking him across the face. Marco fell back onto his bed, his glasses askew.

"I said shut up. I'll beat it out of you if I have to, but I will NOT have a faggot for a son." His voice was icy cold.

His son looked up, murmuring, "...But you do. And if you lay another hand on me, I'm sure the police downstairs would love to lock you up forever."

Mr. Del Rossi turned the brightest purple, not even suppressing his anger as he threw a fist at him. Marco dodged it out of luck and ran out of the room, down the stairs, and out the front door into the chilly air. He stopped running when he saw the Degrassi Community School lights in the distance. The dance... it was still going on. Marco looked at what he was wearing; comfy black sweats, a bright red tee, and socks. He didn't even have shoes or a jacket on. But it was much safer than returning home. Letting out a puffy white cloud of breath, he entered through the entrance and went to where crowds of formally dressed students were bobbing to the music. A few people stared openly at his informal appearance.

Marco made his way through a small crowd and he spotted Ellie dancing with Sean. They seemed extremely happy and very cozy together. Sean was as formal as he could dress and Ellie, in his opinion, looked very beautiful that night. She was dressed in a dark red dress, her hair tied up, and accessorized in a very Ellie-ish way.

Marco didn't want to bother her so he turned away and accidentally bumped into Paige, of all people. She eyed him, stating, "What is this, a clothing protest of some kind?"

"Haha, Paige," he replied wryly, "I always did love your sense of humor."

"I know you do. So, why did you dump Dylan?"

"I didn't mean to..." Marco frowned. "Why, is he here?"

She tilted her blonde head towards the other end of the gym. "Yeah, he came with some friends. Are you going to go talk to him?" He nodded.

"I think I-" Spinner, Jimmy, and Craig appeared from the side, interrupting him. Spinner kissed Paige's cheek, calling her something 'PumpkinBunny'.

Craig made a face. "Someone gag me, please." They laughed as Spinner glared wordlessly.

"What's with the outfit, dude?" Jimmy asked. Marco rolled his eyes.

"I came here last minute, okay? Drop it." His friend shrugged and the guys began talking as Paige left to find Hazel and Craig wandered away.

Jimmy laughed. "You guys remember the senior dance?" Spinner groaned.

"Dude, don't remind me. That was so embarrassing." Marco smirked.

"I thought it was funny." Spinner fake-laughed angrily.

"You would. You won those tickets while Jimmy and I got jipped."

"Hey, I couldn't help it that Jimmy had on the wrong kind of pants and you couldn't dance." In retaliation for that comment, Jimmy and Spinner both gave him rough noogies on the head and Marco pushed them away, laughing, "I'll see you around!" He walked away. Down the way, Dylan sat around with some of his heart began beating with anticipation and he walked up to him.

Dylan saw him and a slow smile worked over his features. One of the bigger guys said rudely, "Hey, Dylan, it's your boyfriend! I didn't know you dated twelve-year-olds!" As he chuckled as if it was the funniest thing in the world, and when no one joined him, Dylan had already rounded on him.

"Hey, watch your mouth, Stan. I seen to recall you dating someone from the middle school." The prick, known as Stan, shrank back. Dylan rolled his eyes and took Marco aside, "I'm sorry about that-" A smile appeared on his tanned face. "...Hey, I didn't know you wore glasses."

The younger boy blushed, touching them timorously. "O-Only for reading...I forgot to take them off."

"I didn't think you were coming," He gave Marco an allover glance, adding, "or that you were boycotting the formal-dress-code of the dance."

"Why does everyone think I'm up to something? Coming here was a last minute decision." Marco asked nervously, "So... do you hate me?"

"No, I don't hate you Marco."

The younger boy couldn't fight back a grin.

"If you danced with me, you'll make my night worthwhile."

"That I can do... boyfriend." They locked arms around each other and Marco press his lips together in excitement. This was truly wonderful. Here he was, at the dance with everyone he cared for, and away from his Father. Their silence was broken by random people running to get out of the gym. Marco pulled himself away from Dylan's arms and asked softly to him, "What's going on?"

In the distance, sirens. Marco jogged to the entrance of Degrassi where the police cars were. Everyone at the dance was watching the officers. His Mother climbed out of a cop car. Oh, shit, they were looking for him! He felt Dylan brush behind him and Marco turned to him, looking very guilty. The senior read his eyes and took him by the shoulders, leading him out to the police car.

Mrs. Del Rossi embraced Marco. "Darling, what on Earth were you doing? We thought that you had ran away!"

He looked unemotionally at the car door where his Father sat hiding.

"I did."

She followed his line-of-vision. A stiff mask fell over her face. "...I see." Marco looked away, addressing at his boyfriend.

"Sorry Dylan, I think I need to do some explaining."

"See you in school, Marco."

The younger boy left with his Mother and sat in his room, skipping dinner. The telephone rang and he answered it first.

"Hello, Del Rossi residence?"

"Marco, it's Ellie."

"Hey, what's up?"

"I saw you at the dance, and so did everyone else."

"Great..."

"What was going on with the cops?"

"I wasn't suppose to go to the dance because the people working on my 'case' were deciding what to do with my Pa-"

"What did they say?"

"They said he couldn't be around us anymore, and when I was up in my room he tried to hit me when we were talking and... I ran to the dance."

"Oh... Marco-"

"I'm fine, really." Marco heard someone knocking on his door and took his phone downstairs, going to the front door. When he opened it, he felt cold raindrops falling, and a tall figure was standing on his doormat. Dylan Michalchuk, his face wet with rain and tears. The other boy murmured into the telephone, not taking his eyes away from the older boy, "Ell, I have to go now."

He hung up and asked, "Dylan?" When he didn't answer, Marco lead him in. Dylan's s body started shaking with sobs. Marco could not nothing but stare horrified.

"What's wrong? Dylan, talk to me...please..."

The blond boy mumbled into his hands, "My parents were riding back from a party and some drunk idiot hit them. They're in the hospital. Paige and I went to see them... I couldn't handle it and drove off. I wasn't thinking straight. Your name popped into my head."

Marco touched his shoulder comfortingly and whispered, "What about Paige? She can't be left alone there."

Dylan wiped his red eyes stiffly. "You're right, what was I thinking? Marco, do you think-?"

"You and your sister are welcome to stay for however long you want." Marco turned his head to his Mother, who was standing by the doorway and holding a pasta bowl in her hands.

He smiled at her gratefully and Dylan nodded.

"Thank you, Mrs. Del Rossi."

She insisted, throwing her thick arms around him for a hug, "No, dearie, call me Tessa."

Dylan shot a thankful look at Marco and left the house. Marco glanced at his Ma.

"...I always thought you would side with Pa."

She grinned, not offended, "You are my son. I would never hurt you like your Papa would. I love you. I guess I am not so conventional, am I?" He laughed at their shared joke. Marco was glad that his Mother went against her traditional Italian beliefs just for him. "Dinner will be soon, Marco."

He waited for Dylan's convertible to pull up. Both Michalchuk siblings walked in through the front. Marco hugged Paige, trying to give her some comfort, and she didn't respond but didn't pull away. He let them in, telling them that they would be staying in the extra room upstairs. They ate, little conversation struck up during dinner. Everyone went upstairs. Somewhere in the middle of the night, Marco awoke from a light sleep to noises coming from the next room. He got up from his bed and peeked into the spare bedroom where Dylan was sitting on the bed wide awake and Paige was fast asleep.

Marco gestured him out of the room and whispered, "What's going on?" The blond ran a hand over his hair.

"I can't sleep."

"Want to go get something to drink?" They went into the downstairs kitchen, pouring some apple juice in some cups. Marco questioned lightly, "...Did you want to talk?"

The senior shook his head, smiling to humor him, "Nah. I'm alright. Just some normal nighttime insomnia." Marco smiled back.

"This feels weird. You're usually the one who comforts me. I feel as if the roles were switched for a moment there." Dylan smirked then yawned.

"Well, I think I can get back to sleep now." They shuffled up the stairs. The blond murmured as they stopped climbing, "You wouldn't know it but Paige snores in her sleep."

"Really?"

"Yeah. Just don't tell her I told you."

The younger boy said absently, "Well, if you don't want to sleep in that room... you can sleep in mine. I can sleep on the floor in that room. I'm sure I can sleep through snores."

"No, I don't want to push you out of your own room because I'm having trouble sleeping."

Marco persisted, "Please, I wouldn't mind."

"I think you would."

"Then I'll sleep on the floor in my room and you can take my bed."

"But it's your bed," Dylan countered, "you should sleep in it."

"But you're my guest."

"But it wouldn't-"

Marco interrupted, "Okay, since we can't agree, I'll take the downstairs couch."

"I have a better idea, why don't we both take the bed?"

The younger boy felt his breathing stop a second and his heart fluttered.

"Are you sure...?"

"It's no big deal. I've bunked with other people before."

Half of Marco was terrified and the other half wanted this to be a big deal. His face turned bright red thankfully being hidden the dark of his house.

Dylan asked further, "Would you mind?"

"N-No."

In the bedroom, Marco watched as Dylan slipped under the covers. Marco stayed on the far edge, careful not to make any body contact though the idea was somewhat appealing to him. He was still awake when the senior turned over to him and asked softly, "...What is it?" Marco turned his brown eyes to blue, a hidden message passing from one boy to the other.

"Oh." Dylan moved closer to him. Marco snuggled against the curve of his muscular body, smiling satisfied. The blonde cuddled him closer, and felt the tinkle of the other boy's dark hair under his chin.

After a few minutes, Marco said so quietly, "I love you."

The other boy mumbled something in his ear but before Marco could make it out, sleep had finally gotten a hold of them both.