Disclaimer: I still don't own…I wish…hmmm.

A/N: I hope you continue to enjoy this. Fair warning, this is going to end at chapter twenty. Before you hurt me or send nasty emails…there is a sequel already planned.

Accolades:

ReRe04: thank you for the review. As for if they separate or not, I'm not sure so I can't promise anything.

Ravyn Jayne: Killing Chris is definitely an option…hmm…the possibilities. A promise ring just signifies the promise of love. The love is still there but the promise is easily broken…sorry.

The Sagittarius Sage: Thank you. Love to hear from new reviewers. I'm glad I inspired you to post your story.

Man Freakzoid: Thank you so much. I love to update my stories. It keeps it interesting when I can throw twists.

Dexter: Love it that you're still with me. Thanks for continuing to read it.

Rowenna7: I try to update quickly so hopefully I won't get any death threats. Have you read 'Learning to Live With It' by KaitlinBell. She's amazing and has another long, original M/D.

Adamo4Eva201: Thank you so much for reading and reviewing.

Citygal509: I'm hoping to keep my updates frequent. Thanks for reviewing.

Crystal: That's a first for me. Thank you for thinking it kicks ass.

Last but certainly not least:

Kate: I know you hate Chris but he's important right now…Don't worry, Chad's not going anywhere. I can't dissolve a character you love so much. You flatter me, my love. If it weren't for your insistence this story would not even exist…at least not on the web site. Take a bow, lovely.

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Chapter Seventeen

Marco had a restless night sleep that night after Dylan left. He had bad dreams about Dylan leaving. Dylan walking away after graduation. Dylan forgetting him. Dylan with another man. Dylan never looking back.

Marco woke up in a cold sweat at four in the morning. He drew in a ragged breath as he stared at the ceiling above his bed. The same bed he'd shared with Dylan the previous evening.

'There goes my restful nights sleep. I should've just stayed awake.' Marco propped himself up against his headboard. He flipped on the light on his nightstand and grabbed a book.

He smiled slightly as he ran a hand over the worn leather cover. He remembered Dylan's comment about it the first time he'd seen his room. The very same night they shared their first kiss.

He brought his gaze to Dylan's side of his bed and smiled sadly. Yes, Dylan wasn't there but the next best thing was…his teddy bear. He pulled the old friend into his lap as he continued to think back on the memories he'd shared with Dylan, so far.

He lightly traced the gold leaf lettering of Machiavelli's 'The Prince' and wondered if he could take over a country.

Marco shook his head and laughed lightly at the silly thought. 'Me, take over a country. Yeah, right. I can't even survive a relationship.'

He sighed disgustedly at the direction his mutinous thoughts had taken. He flipped open the cover and began reading the old familiar words he could almost recite.

He continued to read until his alarm jarred him out of his self-induced fantasy land of hostile takeovers and politic aspirations. He glanced over at it in disgust but put the book down. He got up and got ready for a day he was almost positive he wasn't going to survive without a serious amount of alcohol or drugs.

Marco laughed half heartedly when he faced himself in the mirror. He looked like hell. The bad part of all of it was that the drugs and alcohol were beginning to sound like a viable option to him, even though he detested the acts vehemently.

Marco finished getting ready for school and slowly made his way there. With his head down, he made his way towards his locker. He didn't want to face anything normal that was going on around him, when he felt as though his world was crashing.

He opened his locker and looked down as an envelope fell out of his locker at his feet.

Marco bent down to retrieve the cream colored object. There wasn't anything written on the outside so he couldn't tell who had written it. Marco shrugged and placed it in the side pocket of his shoulder bag. He pulled out his books for the morning and continued on his way to his classes.

Marco kept to himself during his classes. After third period, he went back to his locker to exchange more books and found another cream envelope waiting for him. He'd forgotten about the first one until he saw the second. He placed the second with the first and continued on his way once again.

He wandered into his fourth period class trying to figure out who could be sending anonymous notes through his locker.

He slid into his desk and started to open the first note when Paige bounded up to him. He slipped the note back into his bag and stared at her, "What's up?" asked Marco coldly.

"What's your problem? You've been moody and silent."

"None of your business Paige. Now Back OFF!"

Paige looked clearly affronted. She looked at him curiously but backed away from him slowly.

Paige cornered Dylan at his locker before lunch, "You have to talk to Marco."

Dylan raised an eyebrow, "And why would I want to do that? Not that I wouldn't anyway…"

Paige shook her head, "He's moody, silent and very angry. He yelled at me last period."

Dylan looked at her quickly, "He what?"
Paige just shrugged, "He's been sullen all day. Then I asked what's wrong and he told me to mind my own business and back off. I left him alone."

Dylan looked troubled by the news Paige delivered. His sweet, even tempered Marco had yelled…at Paige. "Thanks squirt. I'll go find him."

Dylan shut his locker and started to walk away. He stopped, turned and came back to stand in front of Paige. When she looked confused, he hugged her tight and then let her go.

Paige watched Dylan walk away again and smiled. He was crazy but man he must really love Marco to deal with all of this.

Dylan began to search for Marco. He couldn't locate the younger boy anywhere in the school. He checked everywhere. He stopped in the middle of the hall, much to the dismay of the other students walking behind him, and looked around. 'Where in the hell is he? I've been all over this school. He's disappeared.' Dylan put his hands on his hips and sighed in frustration, just then something clicked, 'Outside' his brain cried out. He frantically headed for the exit doors, cutting off five or six students progress in the hallways.

He murmured quick apologies to the offended students but kept on his mission to find his boyfriend.

Dylan raced out of the doors and down the stairs. He stopped again and wildly looked left and then right. That's when he spotted Marco.

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At the end of fourth period, Marco had decided to sit outside for lunch. Alone. He knew he was in no mood for company or even to talk. Best to remove all temptation for his friends before he snapped at anyone else.

He stretched out sideways on the bench and put a book in his lap. The epitome of wanting to be alone. For good measure, he added a set of headphones. He didn't know how he could distance himself any further unless he moved away.

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Dylan approached Marco from behind and put a hand on his shoulder.

Marco jumped, causing the book to fall to the sidewalk.

He bent quickly to retrieve it but Dylan got to it first. Marco sat down and stared at his hands in his lap as Dylan read the title.

Dylan looked at the book Marco had been so engrossed in and then at his lover. He was…shocked…confused…and a little worried.

Marco continued to stare at his hands, not trusting himself to look at Dylan. Afraid of what he might see, he began counting the ants scurrying along the sidewalk at his feet.

Dylan put the book down and removed Marco's headphones. "Marco? Look at me and tell me that this is some kind of sick joke or a research project for class. Tell me anything to make me believe that this isn't what it looks like," Dylan pleaded with him, pain lacing his voice.

Marco kept his head bent as he shook it sadly, "I wish I could. It's neither a joke nor a research project. This is for personal reasons. I'm preparing myself for the inevitable."

Dylan sat down beside him and placed the text in his lap. He turned it over again, hoping the title would change as well as its contents. Dylan spoke sadly, "Are you trying to tell me something?"

"No. I just want to be prepared in case your decision isn't conducive to our relationship." Marco replied equally as sad.

"Wouldn't 'Guide to Long Distance Relationships' be better that 'Dealing after Losing the Love of Your Life'?" questioned Dylan.

Marco's head snapped up, "So you are leaving? Were you going to tell me?"

Dylan sighed in defeat, "I haven't decided where I'm going to college yet. I may only be a half hour away if my interview this afternoon goes as well as the one this morning."

Marco looked at his boyfriend skeptically, "Who was your interview with this morning?"

Dylan smiled slightly, "Penn State University. Their hockey team is fighting for the number one slot this year and they need a few more strong players for next season. They even offered me a full ride if I go there…living expenses…the works."

Marco smiled sadly, "If Toronto doesn't make a similar offer you need to take Penn State up on their offer. It's a great deal and an excellent school. You can't lose an opportunity like that. While I don't want to lose you but you need to do what's best for you."

Dylan shook his head, "I'll probably end up in Toronto anyway. They've been scouting me since I was 12 and if I mention the deal I've got with Penn State they might try to work it. Besides, living at home is a lot cheaper."

Marco laughed, "Yeah but another 2 years of living with Paige?"

"It's good to know that you can laugh. I love you."

"I love you too, Dyl," said Marco before placing a gentle kiss on his cheek.

Dylan stood, "Time for class."

Marco nodded and stood up as well.

The rest of the day flew by for Dylan but it crept by at a snail's pace for Marco. He wanted to know about Toronto so bad he couldn't concentrate.

After last bell, Marco forwent his locker for Dylan's. He wasn't there. Marco trudged his way to his locker after waiting for ten minutes.

Dylan wasn't there either but another note was waiting for him. 'This is the third one. I haven't even gotten a chance to read the first two. I wonder what's so important.'

Marco picked up the third note and tucked it in with the other two, mentally promising to read all three when he got home. Marco looked around for Dylan but couldn't see him so he went out to his car.

On the driver's seat, he found a single red rose, a hockey puck and a note that read 'Meet me at 3:30 in the spot where we first said I Love You'.

Marco got in the car and drove to the spot in the woods, the one where Dylan took him to look at the stars.

As he neared the spot he heard the faint strains of music. It sounded like 'The Marriage of Figaro'.

He gasped as he cleared the trees and entered the clearing. He shut the car off and got out. Dylan's car was there with a stereo sitting on the trunk. There was also a huge blanket and a picnic basket sitting dead center. It was perfect, except one thing was missing…Dylan.

Marco heard a rustling in the bushes and turned as Dylan emerged. He was wearing a tux and carrying the other eleven roses.

Marco started laughing happily, "Dylan this is perfect. I don't know why yet but it's beautiful."

Dylan smiled, "Sit down and relax. This is all for you, my love."

Marco sat on the blanket and watched as Dylan slowly opened the basket. He brought out strawberries, whipped cream, chocolate, crackers and cheese, and sparkling cider.

Marco patiently let Dylan feed him his treats as he grew more and more confused as to what they were celebrating.

Finally Marco couldn't stand it any longer. He had to ask, "What is all of this for? Not that I'm not enjoying the pampering, mind you."

Dylan kneeled in front of Marco and looked at him with an expression Marco couldn't quite interpret. It was thoughtful, yet questioning…and full of emotion.

Dylan tried to choose his words carefully, so not to say the wrong thing, "I've got four really good offers for college…"

Marco nodded stiffly at this news. He wanted him to continue before commenting.

"There's Penn State, Rhode Island, Toronto and Ohio."

Marco started to physically brace himself. His back straightened, shoulders squared, and his face went blank, trying to shut out all emotion.

"Here's the hard part…"

"Go on," Marco said.

"Penn State, Rhode Island and Ohio are offering full rides with living expenses and spending money. Toronto is only offering a full scholarship which means I would need to have a job if I plan on moving out." Dylan explained to him slowly.

"Have you made a decision yet?" inquired Marco fearfully.

"Yes and no…" said Dylan carefully.

Marco looked at him curiously, "What do you mean yes and no?"

"Depending on your next decision, depends on if I've made up my mind."

"Okay, Dylan. I am now lost. I have no idea what your asking me or talking to me about. Please just kill the suspense and tell me what I'm trying to decide on." Marco begged with little patience.

Dylan got up and walked to his car. He pulled something out of the glove compartment and returned to the blanket.

He knelt back down and rested a piece of paper in Marco's lap. Dylan didn't say anything at first, he just waited as Marco looked at the document.

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Marco looked at what Dylan placed in his lap. It appeared to be a legal document with his parents' signatures. He started at the top and read the document thoroughly. He was speechless by the time he finished reading it.

"Is this…does this…am I…did you?" asked Marco, not sure of where to start.

"This is from your parents. I called and spoke to your mother. She thinks your emancipation was a good idea. She talked your father into signing." Dylan explained.

"Why did you call and talk to my mom about emancipation?" asked Marco, still confused.

Dylan stuck his hand in his pocket and pulled out a black velvet box, "Will you marry me after I graduate?"

Marco looked at him like he'd lost his mind, "I can't marry you. I still have 2 years of high school left."

Dylan smiled, "Take the tests and graduate with me. You're smart enough to pass."

Marco handed the box back to Dylan, "I can't think straight right now. I need some time."

Dylan stared in shock as Marco got up from the blanket and left in his car.

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