Dislaimer: I'm sorry. I don't own these wonderful boys that the late, great Jonathan Larson gave us, and I'm poor as dirt (feels like a bohemian...hehe).

Notes: Okay, where to begin. Ah yes. First off, I'm soooooo sorry to allof you. I know I'm usually pretty good about posting like right away, but I had a really bad case of writer's block.

Lael, what can I say... Thank you for somehow making the writer's block disappear. -not sure how she did it but is thanking her cuz she can- Love you.

ATTN: All RENThead Californians. A meetup is being figured out as we speak for all RENTheads.The place has not been determined yet, but there are dates that have been established. It'll be during Winter break after Christmas and before New Years. Dec. 27th, 28, and/or 29th are the three most likely dates. If you have any questions/suggestions please feel free to contact me via email. JadedBenevolence at aol dot com. And if Aol is being stupid, you can try forgery912 at hotmail dot com.

-is amazed at the new format of ff dot net- Thank you all for all of your support in this story and for enjoying it as you have. I love you guys. You guys are great. Keep rockin' on!!!

Pretty Boy Front Man

What a night. We spend almost the entire night talking about the recent events. Well, more like Michael and I sat on the sidelines while Roger and his dad had a rather lengthy discussion about the argument they had had, and what they're gonna do now. Michael and I added our own opinions to the conversation every once in a while and especially during the moments Roger would almost fly off the handle.

It was an interesting conversation indeed. Roger's dad explained why he left Roger and his mom in the first place and why they agreed to have her raise him. It took a little while for Roger to truly grasp the concept of his father's departure, but he finally came to an understanding. However, he was still leery about the fact that his father's excuse for leaving was he's gay.

Apparently Roger's mom didn't want Roger exposed to that lifestyle, and his father had agreed. But they had made a verbal agreement that his father would be able to see him any time he wanted. It was however, his father's choice not to see him. That set Roger off a bit. His father explained it was for Roger's sake. He was afraid of how other children would view Roger if they knew his father was a gay man. Makes sense.

The rest of the conversation was more about what they were gonna do now. His father still wants him to stay in the city so they have a chance to get to know each other. Roger had explained he wanted to stay with his mom to be able to take care of her. So they made an agreement that it would only be for this school year and Roger would go back to his mom's for high school, as long as he'd visit him over the summer. Sounds reasonable, but I still won't have Roger for the rest of this year.

"Boys, how would you like to get some breakfast?" Roger's dad suggests as the sun dawns on the new day.

"Sure. I am kinda hungry."

"Rog, you're always hungry." I remind him.

"I am not. Sometimes I'm tired too."

I scoff, shaking my head and rolling my eyes. "You're suck a dork."

"Shut up Cohen." He socks me in the arm.

"Oww! That hurt." I glare at him as I rub my arm.

"Now, now boys. Play nice." Michael grabs Roger by the collar of his shirt pulling him away from me. I snicker quietly so Roger doesn't hear me.

Roger pulls against Michael's hold to break free. "My, my. You are just like your father. So feisty." Michael drops his hold on Roger's collar, and Roger falls forward, face first. He gets up quickly, pretending it didn't bother him. Now that was funny. Especially since Michael's so much shorter than Roger. Not as short as me, but short nonetheless.

"And what is that supposed to mean, Michael?" Roger's dad folds his arms over his chest, glaring at him. I'm trying so hard not to laugh at the entire situation, but it just can't be helped. Michael's got both Davis boys flustered.

"Wouldn't you like to know." Michael giggles teasingly. "Come on, let's go get that breakfast." He grabs me by the arm, and pulls me towards the door. I catch Roger's sleeve and pull him along with us. He, of course, grabs hold of his dad's shirt and we all make our way out the door.

Wow. I really like the Life Café. It's got some really great food, and some stuff I've never even heard of before. I like it here. Roger's dad says we can come here anytime I'm here visiting. That's so cool. His dad really is nice. I think Roger's starting to believe that too.

It's so cute watching Michael and Roger's dad together. They kind of remind me of Roger and I. Well except they're way older and probably have sex. But when they're around us they're always kissing each other. Roger's embarrassed by it, but I think it's adorable. Part of me wishes Roger and I could/would do that in public, but the other part of me knows how weird that would be. First of all, we're only thirteen and well, thirteen year-olds aren't really supposed to know about things like that. And secondly, Roger doesn't do things like that in public. Even here where he doesn't know anyone. But I can understand. He's still not sure where these 'feelings for me' as he puts it, are coming from, and isn't ready for that sort of criticism.

At the table while at the Life, Roger actually took my hand. I was really surprised, but I couldn't help but bear the cheesiest grin. I was also blushing the reddest I've ever blushed. I could feel the warmth in my face. It was horrible. Roger saw it and rudely laughed at me. I wanted to duck down under the table, but he wouldn't let go of my hand. Michael and Roger's dad were giggling too. I felt like I was in one of those cartoons where the character would turn into the thing it felt like. And I felt like I had shrunk to about the size of a grain of salt.

After breakfast the four of us decided to make our way through the city. This'll be my first time seeing the city. I'm really excited. My mom would never let me do this. When we were a little bit younger, my sister Cindy and I used to beg my parents to take us to the city. She would say how her friends were always talking about it, and how they went to see a Broadway show. My parents wouldn't budge. But now I have a chance.

This is truly amazing. Cindy's friends weren't kidding about how busy this city was. It's so backed up with traffic too. We took the subway to travel through the city. Roger's dad says it's better than way. "Otherwise you'll get stuck in traffic, you'll just have to deal with a bunch of angry, grumpy people who want nothing more than to reach their destination, and you'll never get to see any of the sights." He's right.

What a great day this has been. And I'm surprisingly not tired. After staying up all night last night, and all day today, I should be dead on my feet, but I'm not. I guess all this excitement of finally seeing the city I've heard so much about. Oh, wait till I tell Cindy. She's gonna be so jealous.

Some of the people we saw on the streets were really interesting. I've never seen homeless people before, let alone street vendors. They were announcing what they had for sale. Michael would stop every once in a while to take a look, but Roger's dad kept us away from them. Something about them trying to 'con us for our money'. It wouldn't matter to me either way, I don't have any money.

Everything about the city was just amazing. Nothing like Scarsdale. Things here were so... alive. I've also never seen so many people in one place. Walking around the city was like trying to get through the lunch line at the school cafeteria. And I swear someone felt me up while walking past me. That was really creepy. Hello, I'm a thirteen year-old boy. Not some... well that's not important.

"Did you boys have fun today?" Roger's dad fumbles with his keys trying to get them into the lock of the door.

"Oh yeah. That was awesome. This city is so... so me. I could seriously see myself becoming a famous rock star here." Roger takes the stance of a rock band front man, singing into his fist as if it were a microphone.

I roll my eyes and chuckle. "Yeah Rog, you'll be the pretty boy front man of some famous rock band, and I'll be your tag-along boyfriend."

"Fuck yeah. But do you really think I'm pretty?" He bats his eyelashes at me, acting like an idiot.

"Oh you're absolutely gorgeous Roger. You'll have swarms of male fans at your beck and call." Michael had to add. He takes the keys from Roger's dad's hand and unlocks the door. "It's really not that difficult love."

"Hey!" Roger barely realizes what Michael had said. "Well, that actually could be a good thing." I know he said that just to make me jealous. And it's working.

Glare. "Ha ha ha. Very funny Roger. You know you couldn't handle all those sexy boys hanging on your every word. Waiting for you to take them right there and..."

"Ok that's enough man. That's just not funny."

That's why we're all laughing right? "What? Not liking the sound of that?" It's nice being able to laugh at Roger. At least every once in a while.

"No. I'd rather have swarms of hot chicks."

"Suuuure. You know that's not very nice to say in front of your boyfriend." Michael states, entering the apartment and handing the keys back to Roger's dad. I blush brightly, and start chewing on my lower lip following them in.

"Oh, he knows I'm just messing with him." He ruffles my hair and I can't help but blush even more. How does he do it? Get me to blush like this?

"So what would you boys like for dinner?" Roger's dad roams through the cupboards and the refrigerator for something to make for dinner.

"Could we go to the Life Café again?" I had to ask. That place was awesome.

"Mark? You wanna go back to the place where they barely serve meat? What's wrong with you? Are you going soft on me?"

"No Rog, it's not that. It's just, I really liked it there. I actually liked the food too."

"You are going soft on me. Pretty soon you'll be telling me you don't want to eat meat anymore either."

"Well, what can I say? I like vegetarian stuff."

"What's wrong with that Roger? The boy's got good taste." Roger's dad added.

"Great. First my dad and now my best friend. You're all turning against me."

"He's your boyfriend too. Don't forget that." Michael just happened to mention. It's really nice of him to constantly remind Roger of that.

"Yeah, I know that. But you knew what I meant."

"Alright boys, since I'm not really in a cooking mood, and since it's Mark's last day with us, he gets first choice of where we go to dinner." What a way to change the subject.

Yes! "Then we can go to the Life?"

"If that's where you want to go."

I smile an enormously wide grin which reaches from ear to ear and nod my head vigorously.

"Then to the Life we shall go." Roger's dad announces.

Roger sighs and mumbles something I can't quite make out. I think he's a little upset. Then again, he always whines and pouts when he doesn't get his way.

"What did you say Roger?" Michael asks apparently hearing him mumbling too.

"Nothing. I didn't say anything." Roger becomes defensive.

"Are you mad Rog, that we're going to the Life?"

"No I'm not mad. It's nothing, okay."

"Okay Rog. Are you sure?"

"Fine. Stop asking me questions. Let's just go. I'm hungry."

You're always hungry Roger. I sigh giving up on asking, but watch him as we exit the apartment once again. He's acting like he's five years old. What's up with that? Is he pissed at me?

We're seated at a table and handed menus. Roger's still acting like he's upset or something. I should probably apologize to him. Even if I didn't do anything wrong, I'm gonna apologize. That way the rest of the night won't be so glum.

"Hey Rog." He doesn't even look up at me. He has his head buried in his arms on the table. "Rog are you mad at me? Seriously. Did I do something to piss you off?"

He lifts his head and gazes into my eyes, like he's searching for something. "No. I'm not pissed at you." He turns away from me, looking around the café shiftily.

"Well then what is it Roger?"

Without another word he grabs me by the arm and drags me out of my seat and towards the restrooms. I wonder what he's gonna tell me now. Obviously it's something he can't say in front of his dad or Michael.

"Roger, why did you drag me in here?"

"Look, I'm not mad at you or anything. I'm just..."

"What is it Roger?"

"You leave tomorrow. I won't see you for like the rest of the year."

"Yeah. Are you upset about me leaving? I don't want to leave either Rog, but I've gotta go back home."

"I know. It's not just that. It's just that... my dad's being a total bitch."

"How? He's been nothing but nice since I've been here."

"That's just it. Like, well, he let you pick where we ate tonight?"

"So." I'm not really sure where he's going with this. "What's your point Roger?"

"Forget it. It's nothing, okay." The shifty eyes again. There's something he's not telling me.

"Come on Rog. Don't do this. What is it? I swear I won't say anything."

"Naw, it's stupid. Seriously, just forget it." He bolts out of the restroom before I get another word out. I don't understand. What was bothering him? Why does he always do this; Starts saying something, but never finishes? I'll never understand Roger.

The rest of the dinner was fairly pleasant considering said situation, but Roger seemed to make an effort to be polite. Almost like to much of an effort. But the strange part was, he ordered something I never thought I'd see him eat. A salad. What was up with that? Roger eating greens? Has the world come to an end? I have got to find out what Roger's up to. It's like he was going out of his way to eat what we were eating.

After dinner we headed back to the apartment. Roger was being extra nice to me on the way back. He even took my hand, in public no less (gasps), and held it till we reached the apartment. He took out his key and opened the door allowing everyone else to enter first.

"Okay, what are you up to Rog?" I had to know. It was driving me crazy.

"Whatever do you mean?" Ooh, I could hear the sarcasm in his voice.

"You know what I mean. Why are you being so nice all of the sudden?"

"What? I can't be nice to my friends and family? Since when did that become a crime?"

"Roger, that's not what I mean..."

"Then what do you mean Mark? Please, enlighten me."

I lower my head and sigh. What was I supposed to say to that? I feel like I've been backed into a corner. "I was just asking Roger. I didn't think you'd get all pissy about it. I'm sor..."

"So you think I'm being pissy huh?"

"No Rog, it's just..."

"Just what? I don't understand what you mean? Is that it?" The anger has seeped into his tone now. What am I gonna do? I don't wanna fight with him.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, take it easy Roger. Why are you acting like this?" His dad intercedes.

"Acting like what?"

"Like a spoiled little brat." I hear Michael say softly.

"Fuck you Michael. And fuck you too." He points at me. What did I do to piss him off so bad? He storms off to his room and slams the door. I couldn't help but jump. He slammed the door severely.

"What was that all about?" Roger's dad questions me.

"I don't know."

"What did he say to you at the café in the restroom?"

"Not much. Just that he didn't want me to go home tomorrow." And that he thinks you're being a bitch.

"Sounds to me like he was jealous."

"Jealous? Of what?"

"Of you giving Mark the choice for dinner. Of you being nice to Mark. Of you..."

"Wait, so he's pissed at me for being nice to his friend, and giving his friend the choice for dinner, 'cause he leaves tomorrow- I'll never understand that boy."

I add under my breath. "That makes two of us."

"So what should we do Michael?"

"Make him feel special. Make him feel like he's the crème al a crème."

"Mark, what kinds of things does Roger like to do?"

"Uh, he likes to play his guitar. And he likes to sing with his band. Oh, and he likes to... feel involved." Ah, that explains why he ate what we ate. He wanted to feel like part of the group. "With how I was acting about wanting to go to the Life, he probably thought like I was ignoring him or something." And with Michael constantly reminding him about me being his boyfriend, and then me not making such a decision together with him... Oops. "I'm gonna go talk to him. I'll be right back."

I knock gently on his bedroom door. "Rog, can I come in?"

"Yeah whatever."

I open the door and enter, and I think I saw him wipe his face. "Rog, look, I'm really sorry about earlier. I think I figured out why you were upset." I sit beside him gently hoping he doesn't push me away.

"Do tell Marky."

"I should've figured with how you were talking about me eating meat, you wanted us to go somewhere... else."

Ding, ding, ding. That's correct. Tell him what he's won Jim."

"Very funny Rog. I said I was sorry."

"Well, okay. I guess I'm sorry too."

"So we're okay?"

"We're better than okay. We're super!" He grabs me by the collar of my shirt and lays a big kiss on my lips.

The rest of the evening was really fun. We played some board games, card games, and just had all around fun. We even played charades. That was fun. Roger and I on one team, and Michael and Roger's dad on the other. And Roger and I won. Michael was horrible at the game, but it made for some great laughs. I hope my mom let's me visit again before the school years over. Ooh, maybe during winter break after Chanukah. Well, I guess I'll just have to wait and see.
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Okay, so Roger's dad's a pretty normal person. I've read some great stories where he's like always the bad guy so I thought he deserved a little break. But I do love the stories where his dad is the biggest asshole and then some, kinda guy. I hope you enjoy this installment and I swearI will never make you wait this long again. Thanks for being patient with me.