Disclaimer: I don't own anything...alas, I wish I did...
A/N: I'm not sure if it's in this chapter or not...if it is...Dylan
actually owns a Camaro not a Thunderbird. I can't believe I mixed
that up...sorry for car enthusiasts out there.
Thank you for all your wonderful reviews. Once again, I'd thank
you individually but I'm on my way out the door to work. I wanted
to post this before my week got too hectic. I'll try and update
on Friday morning....
Dylan got home feeling better than he had in...he couldn't remember how long. He was hyper, almost annoying. His parents laughed at his exuberance and Paige watched him carefully.
Paige was trying to figure out if he was acting. Dylan was a completely different person than the one that left earlier. She was curious about where he ran to that morning. She was determined to find out.
She followed him into his room, "Where'd you run off to?"
"I was at Chad's," Dylan said absently.
"Try again. Chad was here," Paige said with an accusing tone.
"Why was Chad here?"
"To see you. Something about Calculus. You need to call him. Oh, but before you do there is something you need to know." Paige sat down on his bed and pulled up her sleeve, showing him the bruise. She told him about her altercation with Charles and how Chad came to her rescue.
Dylan thanked her for trying to set Charles straight and warned her not to do it again. 'She's a good sister but I wish she'd stop these bonehead stunts.' Dylan was able to get her out the door without answering her question. He then called Chad and got his version of events. Dylan knew he couldn't do anything about it now but would wait for Charles to resurface. If he chose to resurface again.
Dylan got through the rest of the weekend without telling anyone about Marco. He liked having the surprise factor to this.
Monday morning gave the student body of Degrassi a shock. Dylan walked up to Marco on the front steps and kissed him in full view of everyone. No one was more shocked than Paige.
Those who did not see the kiss, heard about it by lunch, thus, proving Marco wrong about no longer being the center of attention for another week. The entire school was talking about the same sex kiss in front of the school. They knew Marco was now dating Dylan. It helped the new couple settle into an easy routine.
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A few weeks had passed since Dylan and Marco started dating. Dylan decided it was time for Marco to meet the soccer team and his friends. So far, he'd been able to keep Marco away from everyone who wanted to meet him, even Chad.
They were hanging out at the Michalchuk house with Paige and Spinner when he broached the subject. "I think it's time you meet my friends. They're asking about you."
Marco looked shocked and kind of scared. Meeting Dylan's friends would mean...he didn't know exactly what it meant. "Sure. When?" Fear was lacing his speech slightly.
Dylan took in Marco's stiff posture and ran a hand down his boyfriend's arm. "Relax. Most of these guys are on the hockey team and most are also on the soccer team."
Paige decided to throw her two cents in, "Dylan, hun, don't mislead him. Marco, all of Dylan's friends are his teammates. They all play hockey, soccer, baseball and are on the swim team together."
"Thanks for the honesty Paige." Marco turned to Dylan, "So, am I the only one who only plays soccer?"
"Yes."
"Then, I guess this needs to be done sooner or later. Let's make it sooner."
"This weekend, we'll do it here. Just the guys." Dylan said decisively.
Marco nodded and placed a kiss on Dylan's lips.
They cuddled together and watched whatever mindless entertainment Paige had found.
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The weekend came much too quickly for Marco. He'd been informed that the gathering was on for Saturday after hockey practice.
Marco felt anxious as he waited for Dylan. His parents had gone out with friends, and even though he was used to being in the house alone, it felt empty. Marco knew that these thoughts were his imagination working overtime but he couldn't shake his unease.
He knew these guys were going to be his teammates. He knew if they didn't like him as a teammate, it wouldn't be a big deal. This wasn't the only thing he had to worry about; he had Dylan to think of too. Dylan complicated this situation. They were his friends and he knew Dylan wanted them to like him. Marco's inner turmoil was cut short when the bell pealed through the house.
When Marco opened the door, he found himself swept up into strong arms. Dylan hugged him and kissed him with vivacity.
Laughter bubbled up from the back of his throat, "Good practice?"
Dylan's eyes danced with excitement, "It was awesome. I had some of the best shots of my life today."
Marco had to smile at the blonde standing before him. He seemed like such a different person than the one who came to see him six weeks ago.
Marco grabbed his keys and jacket off the table before locking the door behind him. The weather had turned chilly with the changing of the leaves. It was the second week of October already, much to Marco's surprise. Time had flown by since meeting this blonde god he was currently dating.
Dylan swept him off to his house quickly. He was almost afraid that Marco would change his mind about meeting everyone. Dylan groaned out loud when he pulled into his driveway.
"Whose car is that?" Marco asked pointing to the black truck.
"My best friend's. I should've known Chad would want first crack at you." Dylan said ruefully.
Marco raised an eyebrow in alarm. "Should I be worried?" He asked as he exited the car.
Dylan looked at him as he rounded the hood. He trailed a finger down Marco's cheek and under his chin, forcing Marco to look at him. "No. Chad is harmless. Maybe not harmless but he means well. If he gets out of hand, I'll show him a picture of Paige in a bikini. He's got a thing for her."
Marco chuckled, "You haven't killed him yet?"
"Nah, he's great at sports. We need him on the teams. That and he's never acted upon those feelings...yet." Dylan answered. He bent down kissed Marco on the forehead, trying to reassure him everything would be okay. He led him into the house and downstairs to the rec room.
That's where they found Chad and Paige in a heated debate.
Dylan leaned against the wall and pulled Marco against his chest. He wrapped his arms around Marco and settled in to watch the show. "Shh. This could get interesting." Dylan whispered into Marco's ear. He received a smile from the younger boy.
The two watched the scene unobserved. Chad and Paige were squaring off. They had stopped speaking but were staring each other down.
Dylan decided it was time to intervene. It looked like it was getting ready to come to blows. "Maybe we could help? What's the debate this week?"
"You mean to tell me that they do this often?" Marco asked.
"Yes, once or twice a week. It can get entertaining." Dylan confirmed.
"Why?"
Paige answered this one, "Because Chad is the only one who will argue with me."
"Why would he want to do that?" Marco asked still confused.
"She likes it that I won't back down. She has too many lap dogs and minions. I challenge her." Chad said smiling. "You must be Marco because if you aren't, then Dylan's fondling the wrong boy."
Marco laughed, "I'm Marco. No need getting Dylan into trouble." Marco sized up the boy standing before him. 'Not bad looking. About 5'10", sandy blonde hair and an athletic build...DUH Marco! He has a captivating smile and eyes the color of green sea glass.' Marco mused as they sized each other up.
Chad started to vibrate with nervous energy. He immediately liked the younger boy. He didn't know why but there was an underlying energy in him that couldn't be described. He'll be good for Dylan, Chad decided right then.
The four chatted about aimless things for a while. They were waiting for the rest of the players to arrive.
Marco agreed to help Chad as well in Calculus. He couldn't help but notice a sexual tension between Chad and Paige. He'd never mention it to Dylan but it's definitely there.
The others entered together as a group. They descended on the rec room like a mob. Marco wondered if he was the one to be lynched.
Paige stayed in case her friend needed rescuing. She knew as a group the boys could be overwhelming and intimidating.
The boys flopped down on the couches, chairs, and floor. Pretty much wherever there was space.
Marco, Dylan and Chad occupied one of the couches with Paige perched on the arm next to Chad.
Marco looked around at the boys sprawled where they fell throughout the rec room. They were all watching him with mild curiosity. He felt like a new exhibit at the zoo.
Dylan looked around at his friends, "Okay, I'm sure you've figured out that this is Marco, my boyfriend." When Marco hit him, he added, "Oh, and our starting inside left forward."
This received a few laughs followed by the murmurs of "DUH!" "Could've never guessed." "Thanks for that, Captain Obvious."
Dylan laughed at the sarcasm his friends were displaying. He turned to Marco, "Now for the fun part, introducing them. I'm sorry if they seem a little rude but they are."
The group appeared insulted by the accusation but then realized that it was really true and started nodding, looking at each other.
"Okay, thanks for the warning. I think I can handle it." Marco told him.
Dylan
went around pointing to each one, telling Marco their names and
positions on the team. Marco was trying to take all of it in but knew
he'd need more than today to know who they were.
Chad looked around the room for a minute, "Hey, Dylan. Did you forget someone?"
Paige smacked him on the back of the head, "He already met you, you moron."
Chad grinned at Paige and then turned to Marco.
Marco looked from Chad to Paige and back. Just to spite Paige, he said, "And you are?"
Dylan laughed, his friends watched the scene with curiosity, Paige rolled her eyes and Chad beamed at him for playing along.
"I'm Chad, Dylan's best friend and left wing."
After the introductions were made, the room got eerily silent. It was getting awkward. It was like no one was sure what to say or do.
Chad hated the silence so he decided to do something about it, "Can you cry under water?"
The boys looked at him in amazement. They were used to Chad pulling things out of the air and voicing them but this was ridiculous. They couldn't figure out what he was doing.
"Do you think if an optimist fell from a ten-story building, would he yell to his friends, 'All right so far' as he passed each floor?" Chad continued trying to get anyone to laugh. He succeeded with Marco.
Marco laughed at him, shaking his head. "Are you always like this?"
The other boys and Paige nodded the answer for him.
"Yeah, pretty much. I was trying to lighten the mood. It was worse than a funeral in here." Chad said before returning to the group at large. "You guys are never this silent. He's Marco. He's here. You've been bugging Dylan to meet him and now that you have...silence. Come on, start those questions I know you have."
The group started to murmur to each other about Chad's sudden outburst. He was right and they knew it. Still, no one spoke up.
One boy, Tyler spoke up, "I've seen you play before, and you've got skill. Armstrong made a great choice in drafting you for Varsity."
Marco looked at him questioningly, "How have you seen me play?"
Tyler laughed, "I dated a cheerleader from St. Andrew's. She made me come to one of your games. I didn't recognize the name until I saw you again."
Marco looked visibly relieved, "Thanks. I hope to continue playing as well as I did for St. Andrew's."
There were the usual questions about why soccer, why Degrassi, and things like that. The boys got more comfortable with Marco and Marco and Dylan as a couple. They saw Dylan was happier than ever and it was Marco who made him like that. They couldn't argue with that.
After about an hour and a half, the group started to disperse. It ended up being the original four again.
"So, that wasn't so bad." Dylan said to no one in particular.
Paige looked at like he'd gone mental, "You didn't say anything after you fed him to the sharks. If it weren't for Chad, we'd all still be sitting here in silence." Paige was getting worked up.
Chad patted her on the knee, "Paige, shut up. It's okay. Dylan's just as nervous as Marco. It's not like he was only introducing the new soccer player. He's introducing the new guy in his life as well. You know how we all felt about Charles, so this was big for him."
Paige looked at him with skepticism but nodded.
Dylan was watching them with interest, "Did anyone want Dylan's opinion of what happened?"
Marco laughed; Paige and Chad looked over at him in surprise. They seemed to forget that the other two were there.
"What's your take on this?" Chad inquired.
"I don't know. I froze up. I wanted them to like Marco but I didn't know what to say to break the ice. Happy now?" Dylan said with frustration.
Paige and Chad looked at each other and then back at him in astonishment. Neither had heard Dylan like that ever before.
"I think that's my cue to exit." Paige said.
"I'm with you on that one." Chad said standing up.
They left the basement together, leaving Marco and Dylan alone.
Marco leaned his head back on the couch in relief. He was glad that the meeting was over. He felt Dylan nudge him lightly with his shoulder. "Yes?" Marco opened his eyes and looked at his boyfriend.
"You seem relieved for some reason, just wondering why?"
"I'm happy it's over. And I like being alone with you." Marco responded with flirtation.
Dylan smiled at him. "Why do you like being alone with me?"
"So I can kiss you anytime I want." Marco replied scooting closer to Dylan.
"What if I don't want you to kiss me?" Dylan asked daringly.
"Oh, I think I can I change your mind." Marco replied getting even closer to Dylan. He couldn't get much closer without actually sitting on his lap but he was trying.
"Hmm. Really. I don't think you could." Dylan said defiantly.
Marco smiled broadly at the challenge. He never could back down when faced with such a promising opportunity. He decided forceful was the way to go. He grabbed Dylan by his shirt and kissed him fiercely.
Dylan moaned and Marco took his cue to deepen the kiss. This is the way Paige found them a few minutes later, making out on the couch. They didn't even notice that she had returned.
"Don't mind me." Paige announced loudly, laughing as the boys broke apart.
"This better be important." Dylan said menacingly. He glared at Paige over Marco's shoulder.
She grinned brightly at her older brother. 'This must be how he feels when he catches me with Spinner. Only he looks like he's enjoying it more.' "Yeah, Mom and Dad were headed this way. Wanted to make sure you weren't doing anything torrid."
Dylan laughed at her, "Thanks. I don't think Dad would've wanted to see that."
Marco took this time to recompose himself. He didn't want to be interrupted but was relieved it was by Paige and not Dylan's parents. He'd made a good impression so far and didn't want to ruin it now. "Paige, can I talk to you for a minute? Alone."
Paige looked at Dylan clearly bewildered but nodded. Dylan shrugged at her. She followed Marco up the stairs and past her parents who were just heading down to see their eldest child.
"Hi Mrs. and Mr. Michalchuk," Marco said politely.
"Where are you going with Marco, honey?" Mrs. Michalchuk asked.
"To talk for a minute in my room. We'll be right back." Paige promised her mom.
Paige and Marco entered her room and he shut the door. She turned and looked at him with an inquisitive look.
"I want to know what is going on with you and Chad." Marco said abruptly.
Paige raised her eyebrows at him, "I don't know what you're talking about. Chad and I are friends, that's it. He's Dylan's best friend and has been around all my life."
"Me thinks the lady doth protesteth too much." Marco said shrewdly.
"What are you talking about? I am not protesting too much." Paige said hastily.
"Paige, just as you said to me a few months ago, I've been watching you. You have been mean to Spinner, and while I don't understand the reason, I'm sure there is one. You act all flirty to Chad. There is chemistry between the two of you that sizzles through the air. I only want to know what is going on. I don't want you to do anything stupid." Marco clarified gently.
Paige's shoulders dropped in defeat, "I don't know what is going on, Marco. I am tired of Spinner pressuring me. I don't want to have sex with him and he can't understand why not."
"Spinner's been pressuring you?" Marco asked protectively.
"Yes and no. He doesn't do it all the time but sometimes if we're making out, he tries to take it farther than I want it to go." Paige explained, "Anyway, I'm also having these feelings for Chad. It's confusing. I think I've fallen out of love with Spinner." Paige told him in a rush.
Marco looked floored. He couldn't believe that Paige had told him all of that. "Paige, you can't keep stringing Spinner along. You need to figure out your feelings and quick. You owe it to yourself and Chad and Spinner." Marco put his hand on her shoulder for comfort.
"I know. I don't think Chad thinks of me that way though." Paige told him.
Marco shook his head in disbelief. "He cares about you more than you think. Dylan said he's had a thing for you since puberty."
Paige looked at him with astonishment. "That does give me something to think about, doesn't it?"
Marco nodded solemnly. "If you need to talk, you know where to find me. Let's get back downstairs. I miss your brother already."
Paige laughed at his girly side. She took his arm and led him back down to his boyfriend.
As they neared the stairs, Marco could feel the tension radiating off Paige. He looked over at her troubled expression, "Remember one thing, Paige. Listen to your heart, your head will contradict itself if you let it."
Paige smiled her thanks at him before joining her parents and brother.
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Kate-Thank you! You've been a god send. laughs
Feral's Revenge-As always thanks for the brutal honesty. Keep it going.