A/N: Please don't hate me for this. It is going to be vague and pretty much uneventful. I just wanted ya'll to know what each character is thinking after Dylan proposed. So hold the hate mail until after Chapter Nineteen which should be up by Monday night.

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Chapter Eighteen

Marco went home and straight to his room. He slammed the door shut and flopped down on his bed.

How can I give him an answer? How can I make him understand that I'm not ready without losing him? How do I know if I'm ready? Am I too young? Are we ready for this? Is he ready for this? There's college and then the pros for him. There's journalism and internships for me. Lack of sleep, no time to spare, and most of all, temptations.

There will be many temptations for Dylan in college, other boys, alcohol, and cheating, maybe even free rides because he's an athlete. I may face the temptation of guys and alcohol but there won't be any free rides for me.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not jealous. In fact, I'm proud of him. He's worked so hard to get where he is now. He'll continue to work hard to give his next team 150.

That doesn't leave much time for a marriage or a relationship. I won't have time trying to fulfill my academic obligations.

Wait, am I seriously thinking about taking the tests and leaving high school? When did I decide this? Did I decide this? No, I haven't decided anything yet.

Oh God! Please help me figure this out. I have no idea what I'm going to do.

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Dylan sat on the blanket for about two hours after Marco had taken off. He didn't know where he went, just that he did.

Why did he leave? Did I scare him? Oh God, what if he says no? I didn't count on him saying no.

What if he never answers? No, he'll answer one way or another.

I only have two more months of high school left. What if he decides that I'm not worth the future? What if he drops me because I've pressured him?

I love him so much. How could I do something so stupid? I should have made sure that he would want to be married to me?

Is he too young? Am I too young? Will we last? How does he feel about this?

Will I lose him? My thoughts are becoming redundant.

Will I lose me if I lose him? I've come to define myself by him since I fell in love. How can I survive?

I've got college and them maybe the pros to get through. I need his support. He believes in me. He loves me no matter what.

How could he say no? He won't say no. But what if he does? I can't handle thinking about this right now.

Dylan got up and picked up all of his stuff. He got into the Camaro and went home.

Dylan stomped up the stairs and almost ran over Paige in the hallway.

"Where you going, big brother?" asked Paige, conversationally.

"My room. Any more stupid questions?" asked Dylan nastily.

Paige flinched, "Sorry I asked. Why are you so pissy?"

"I proposed to Marco and he walked away without answering me. He said he needed to think." Dylan said with a huge amount of frustration and pain.

"Oh." Paige replied, unsure of what else to say.

Dylan just sighed and walked into his bedroom.

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Paige stood in the hall for a minute, stunned. She turned back toward her room and went inside. She had to tell the news to Chad.

She also needed to think about what this all meant for her brother, Marco and her.

Paige picked up the phone and dialed Chad's number. "Hey Chad. You won't believe what I just heard."

Chad gasped in anticipation, "What?"

"Dylan proposed to Marco and Marco walked away without answering him."

There was silence on the other end.

"Chad?"

"He did what?" inquired Chad.

"You heard me," responded Paige.

"No, I don't think I did. I heard you say that Dylan proposed and Marco walked away. That can't be right," exclaimed Chad loudly.

Paige laughed, "That was what I said. Dylan proposed and Marco walked off without an answer."

"That is big. What's this mean?" asked Chad.

"If you figure it out let me know because I don't have the slightest idea." Paige replied with all honesty.

"Will do. I've got to go. Mom's calling me to clean my mess in the living room," said Chad sheepishly.

"Ugh! Keep it clean and she would stop yelling," suggested Paige.

"I know, I know, I know…Goodnight sweetheart," Chad said before hanging up.

Paige smiled at the phone as she hung it up.

Wow! Dylan proposed to Marco. He's only 17. He needs to focus on himself and not on keeping a relationship together.

Could I get married now? Am I ready for something like that?

Marco's my age, he can't be ready either. He's missed so many experiences. He'd miss even more if he married now.

I wonder if they get married, if Dylan would go to college. I wonder if Marco would finish high school.

Would Dylan fulfill his dream of going pro?

Would Marco get his journalism degree and make it big?

Would they just be content to work and barely stay afloat? Only to be together?

What do Mom and Dad have to say about this?

What do Marco's parents think about this?

Why did Marco leave?

Where did Marco go?
Will he return?
Will Dylan accept his answer, since he left?
I really need to repaint my room. And my nails. Hmm…where's the nail polish remover?

Marco walked away…

Dylan will be crushed if he says no.

Will they break up if he says no?

My head hurts…too much thinking.

Paige turned her attention to her nails. She knew her thoughts were coming full circle and it was time to stop.

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Chad sat down with a thud. He had just received the most shocking and disturbing news ever.

Dylan proposed! To Marco! Oh My God! What was he thinking?

We are way too young to get married. He doesn't know what he's doing.

He's going to ruin his hockey career. He's going to ruin his life.

I know right now he's thinking he can't live without Marco but this is ridiculous. They can continue to date…see where it leads.

They haven't been together long enough to know if they'll be together forever.

Could I propose to Paige? Could I even think I'd be ready to get married to Paige? Start a family, settle down, and live a life with her?

No, I'm definitely not ready for that.

How can someone else, my same age want to get married?

I have so much else to see and do before I get married. How can he not see that?

What in the hell is he thinking? I need to go and slap some sense into that boy.

Do his parents know?

Do Marco's parents know?

Does Rosa know?

Oh man, what has gotten into that boy?

Chad shook away his musings when his mother entered the living room again and saw he hadn't done anything in there.

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Marco sat up on his bed and stared out the window. It was turning twilight and the sunset was gorgeous. All red and orange with splashes of purple and pink. He grinned slightly at the beautiful sight.

Marco knew what his answer had to be and why.

Dylan sat on his back porch watching the sun set behind the trees boarding his yard. The sky was breath-taking. He just hoped to get an answer soon.

The way he felt right now was going to kill him if it didn't let up soon.

The tense feel to his shoulders, the knots in his stomach and the constant feeling of dread every time a car drove past the house or the phone rang. It wasn't a great feeling.

Dylan knew that he needed the answer before the feelings would go away completely. Until then, he'd just have to get used to it.

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Marco pulled up into Dylan's driveway and shut off the car. He'd called a few minutes earlier and Paige had said he was outside. He chose to do this in person instead, it was only fair.

Marco sighed heavily as he stepped around the corner of the house. He saw Dylan staring off into space from where he stood. He could tell he was thinking heavily and had no idea that he was there.

Marco slowly trudged up to the back porch. A stick snapped under his shoe and he saw Dylan jump.

Dylan looked at Marco down in the yard. Dread and apprehension graced his beautiful face as he waited for Marco to speak.

Marco leaned against the porch railing when he got to the top of the stairs. He looked at Dylan and tried to smile.

Dylan saw the expression on his face and held up his hand. "I'm not sure if I want to hear this…"

Marco gave a half-laugh, "I'm not sure I want to say it…"

"Then why don't you give it some more thought and get back to me…?"

Marco shook his head, "The answer will be the same whether I give it to you today or a week from now."

Dylan looked hesitant but waited patiently for the answer.

Marco spoke softly, "Dylan, I…"

His cell phone rang and it was Rosa.

"Sorry, I have to take this. Rosa?" inquired Marco.

"Slow down. I can't understand you…what do you mean?" inquired Marco confusedly.

Marco silently listened to the other end of the phone. His face grew more sad and shocked as Rosa continued to speak.

Marco hung up his cell phone and stared at it, "I've got to go. We'll have to finish this later."

Dylan grabbed his arm, "Marco, what's wrong? What's more important than us?"

Marco turned on him, "My family. I've got to go. I'll call later."

Marco rushed off for the second time that day without giving Dylan a straight answer.

Once again, Dylan just stared after him. Unsure what to say or do. So, he just stood there until it was too dark to see.

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Please review. I know it sucked but be gentle.