Debra walked into the auditorium looking for Jonathan. There were students on stage practicing lines and trying on costumes. There were people working on scenery displays, and lighting assemblies. Debra liked all the energy; it was exciting seeing everything coming together. "Where are you Jonathan," she said to herself. She suddenly spotted Bernard one of the student creative coordinators. She walked up to him, "Hello Bernard."

Bernard turned his head from the stage and in an annoyed voice answered, "Hello."

"Have you seen Jonathan?"

"I'm kind of busy putting a production together here." He promptly walked off without answering her question.

"Get over yourself," she whispered. Debra suddenly heard her name called out. She looked above the stage, and saw Jonathan waving at her. She smiled and waved back to him.

"Come on up," he said. She mouthed the word 'ok', and walked towards the stage.

Dino was walking down the hallway towards the auditorium, when suddenly he spotted Zoe. He smiled and asked, "Hey what are you doing here babe?"

She quickly put her arms around him and answered, "Well I was bored in detention, so I thought I'd skip it, and come over here to your school to find you."

Dino laughed thinking she's nuts to ditch detention. "I hope you know what you're doing…" she interrupted.

"…you know I know what I'm doing," she said as she grabbed at his crotch. He quickly tried to grab her hand to stop her as they both laughed together.

"Zoe there's people around, and cameras," he laughed.

"Camera's? That totally turns me on Dino."

He escaped her grasp, sprinted a short distance down the auditorium center aisle, and Zoe ran after him. He turned around laughing and said, "Listen you can hang out with me, but clam down in public please."

"Ok," she giggled. "So what are we doing here," she asked as they walked down the aisle towards the stage.

"I promised a friend that I'd watch his play rehearsal today. You know you're actually pretty lucky you found me. I don't usually hang around after school. Over here." He pointed and they took two seats halfway up from the stage.

"I didn't think you were into plays," she asked as she played with his hair.

Dino had an absurd expression on his face and answered, "I'm not. But I am into train wrecks."

Sue had entered the auditorium through the back entrance, and was in the girl's dressing room. She had planned on trying on her costume, but was still completely blown away by Ben and Ms. Young having an affair. While she wasn't sure they were having one, it sure looked like it. All the weird classroom arguments those two had come back to her. "This is very twisted," she said to herself. What was she going to do with this information? She would love to stick it to Ms. Young for basically calling her a whore an hour ago. This had to be done right though, and she'd only get on shot at it. Ben she thought, yes maybe she could wheedle out some information from him, something she could use. She immediately got her costume on, and left to find him.

Debra arrived where Jonathan was snapping pictures, "Hi."

"Hi," he responded as they kissed.

"Have you done the cast shots yet?"

Jonathan aimed his camera down at the stage, and took a shot. "No, I waited for you. I figured you could do interviews."

"Well that was nice of you, thank you," she said as she smiled at him. "Why are you up here?"

"This is a great spot to see the whole stage. You'd be amazed, I mean really amazed at some of the shots I gotten from this spot. Huh," he laughed to himself, "I mean really you'd be shocked…"

Debra interrupted, "…oh my God I can't believe it," she said in a disgusted voice.

Jonathan was caught by surprise and quickly turned his head towards her. "What, what's the problem?"

Debra pointed out towards the seats and declared, "Your scumbag friend Dino, and his skanky slut are in the seats."

Jonathan looked out at the seats and said, "Really? Where, oh wait I see them, you're right." He zoomed in on them with his camera.

"I'm calling Jackie," Debra said as she started dialing on her phone.

"Why?"

"Jackie? Where are you…get over to the auditorium quickly…just do it. Bye."

Jonathan looked away from his camera and asked, "Why did you do that?"

"Jackie wants to see the competition."

"She does," he asked in a confused manner. "I could have just taken a picture if that's what you wanted."

Debra thought about it. "Yeah maybe I shouldn't have done that," she replied in doubtful tone. "Are you going to warn Dino?"

He laughed, and smiled at her, "Na, not this time; this could get good."

Ben was in the boy's dressing room working with his costume when another student tapped him on the shoulder, "Yeah?"

"Sue's outside asking if you're here," the student replied.

"Oh yeah?" He wondered out loud as his eyes lit up. "Thanks," he walked out of the room. He quickly saw Sue in her costume, and he thought she looked beautiful. "Wow, you look great! Really!"

She was beaming with her smile and spun around so he could see the whole outfit. "You really like it?"

"Yeah it's great," he assured her.

"How's yours," she asked.

He winced and answered, "It's a bit tight in the crotch; they're working on it though."

"Oh sorry," she consoled him. Sue didn't waste anytime, "Remember I was going to grade papers for Ms. Young?" Ben got nervous and Sue could see it on his face immediately.

Ben tried to distract her, "I'm hungry; want a snack, or a soda?"

Sue hesitated, "Ok." She had him on the run. They soon arrived at the snack area. "Your treat right?"

He wondering what made her think that, but he agreed. "All right what do you feel like?"

"Something Young."

At first Ben moved forward towards the vending machine until what she said registered. Ben mildly laughed, "I'm sorry what did you say?"

"Something yum," she couldn't help, but laugh. "Why?"

"Oh, ok, never mind."

"Oh, can I get a box of Junior Ms.," Sue excitedly asked. "I just l love those."

Ben heard her clearly this time. "Junior Ms.?"

Sue looked at him strangely, "No. Junior Mints. Right here." She pointed to the candy's code number.

Ben knew something was up. Did she know? She had to know; something Young? Junior Ms.? Sue wasn't even good at this bullshit he thought, but now what? What would Dino do to end this now? He got a soda, and sat down. "When you're ready here's the cash," he tossed several coins of different denominations on the table. He sat down, opened his soda, and took a couple of chugs.

She thought that was rude, but she was finally getting to him. She quickly got a soda with her own money, and sat down across from Ben facing the bank of vending machines.

"Remember I was supposed to grade papers for Ms. Young?"

"Yeah, how did that go," he asked while he put his hand through his hair, and shifted his eyes trying not to meet hers.

"It was totally bogus, literally. Did she bust you for the note this afternoon?"

Oh no, make something up he thought, as he flipped through his script. "Yeah she did."

"Well, what," she asked.

"I have to wash her car for a month or something," he explained. It sounded stupid, but it's all he could think of.

"What? You have to wash her car," she asked somewhat upset. "Is that weird?"

Ben laughed, "Well you know Ms. Young; she's kind of out there."

"So do you think Ms. Young is attractive?" She carefully watched his reaction. Shocked by the question, Ben suddenly gagged on his soda. "Oh I'm sorry Ben." Perfect Sue thought he was totally panicking.

After he cleared his throat, "What kind of question is that?"

"I don't know. What do you think though?"

He really didn't want to answer this question. "She's a teacher. I've never thought about it." Ben knew she would never buy that.

"You're kidding right," she asked with disbelief. "I thought that was every high school boy's fantasy; to make it with a hot teacher."

Ben subtly smiled, "You think Ms. Young is hot?"

"Well she's definitely not cold."

"Yeah, well she's nice…I guess."

Sue loved seeing him squirm after lying to her all this time. She suddenly noticed Ms. Young walked into the vending area behind Ben. This was too good of an opportunity she thought. "So Ben," she asked in an elevated voice. Ms. Young looked over at them as she walked up to the machines, and quickly looked away.

Ben looked up somewhat surprised that Sue's voice was suddenly so loud. "Yeah, what?"

Sue scrambled through her mind for something, "Are you ready for this scene? Are you looking forward to having this kiss with me? Remember it has to be intense. You think you can handle me?" Ms. Young couldn't help herself she had to listen to their conversation. Sue could see Ms. Young behind Ben, pretending she was looking through the vending machines' selections.

Finally a conversation Ben could get into with Sue. Ben smiled, "Well sure I can handle you. Believe it or not I've had my share of hot kisses"

Yeah all with me Ms. Young thought to herself. She couldn't control herself, hit a machine's display, and muttered, "You son-of-bitch." Ben froze just now realizing Monica was behind him, and probably heard what he just said. God damn it Ben thought to himself. Sue did know about them, and she totally set him up.

Sue was caught by surprise by Ms. Young's reaction. "Ms. Young? Do you need any help," Sue asked happily. Ms. Young looked at Sue with a surprised expression pretending she didn't know they were there.

"Oh, no. This machine always gives me trouble." She walked over to the table they were sitting at. "So, are you two ready for today," she asked as she displayed a fake smile. Ben didn't look at her, just his script.

"Well we were just talking about practicing the kiss. Do you think that's a good idea?"

Ms. Young didn't want to think about it, but she had to answer. "Yes. I mean if think it will help." She looked at Ben, but he refused to look at her. "Ok I'll see you on stage." She quickly left. Sue was disappointed that neither one of them cracked. Would she get a better chance than that one?

"All right people, lets get going," Bernard demanded. "Maybe we can finish one scene today. Oh God I can only do so much by myself."

Ben continued flipping through his script as he sat on an art set placed on stage. He couldn't remember any of his lines. He just couldn't think clearly anymore. He looked up and saw Dino sitting in the seats in the distance. Dino waved to him as Zoe continued sucking on his neck. Ben laughed as he thought only Dino would get away with shit like this. He decided to walk down to him, and say hi.

"Finally," Debra said, as she spotted Jackie and Matt enter the auditorium.

Jonathan looked up from his camera, and saw Jackie. "Oh man this is going to be bad."

"I'll see you in a while," Debra asked.

"Sure." She began to run down to the stage. Jonathan thought for a second, and finally decided to go down there, and warn Dino. "Maybe I'll get some good action shots."

Ms. Young came out with her notes, and set up in the front row next to Bernard, and Alley, who were arguing as usual. "Will you two please stop," she asked them, and they complied. She desperately wanted to tell them to get a room, and end this mock sex argument routine. "No I won't though," she whispered, I'm the adult here she thought to herself

"Hey man, I told you I'd be here," Dino said greeting Ben. "Oh this is Zoe"

Zoe stood up out of her seat and shook Ben's hand. "Hello."

Ben grinned, "Hi, I've heard a lot about you."

Zoe looked at Dino as she continued to shake Ben's hand, "I bet you have." Dino displayed a guilty grin.

Jonathan came running up to them, "Dino, Dino, look, look," he was pointing across the room.

"Ok Jonathan. What?" Dino threw his arms out as he looked around trying to figure out what the emergency was. Dino was distracted suddenly, "Whoa, there's Ms. Young dude," he hit Ben's shoulder. "Damn does she look good in that tight blue workout top…what do you call it," he asked Jonathan.

Jonathan was confused, "Why are you asking me? What the black pants; I don't know."

Ms. Young turned in their direction at that moment, and caught the three boys staring at her. All their eyes locked at the same moment, all four individuals, and they all knew it. Dino and Jonathan totally blew it by reacting like they did earlier when they crossed the street at the stop sign. Ben didn't look that innocent either, and he knew what she was thinking.

"Oh my God. They know," she said to herself. She felt guilty and quickly turned around. Now what, she thought?

"Oh man that was weird," Dino laughed.

"It's going to get weirder Dino," Jonathan explained.

"Huh?"

Jonathan pointed, "Over there. See Jackie?"

Dino scanned the auditorium in that direction. "Oh, great. What is she doing here? She's with your out of control woman too?"

"Anyway, you see them right?"

"Duh," Dino replied.

"Look who is with them, sitting down?" Jonathan was looking at Matt the new boyfriend.

Dino could see him, but all he could think about was why did he give up on Jackie so quickly? Zoe reached up from her seat, and grabbed at Dino's pants. "Are we going to get something to eat soon? What are you looking at?" She got up to see what Dino was staring at.

"Uh, yeah, just hang on," he replied still staring at Jackie.

"Ben?"

All three boys recognized that commanding voice immediately. Dino walked off up the aisle at a quick pace. Zoe ran after him wondering what was going on.

Jonathan dumped his camera on the floor, but quickly retrieved it. When he stood up Ms. Young was right there looking rather pissed off he thought. "Hey, hi, I mean, hello Ms. Young," he tried spitting the words out.

"Not now Jonathan."

"Yes ma'am," he nervously responded, and sat down.

Ms. Young stared him down for a moment. She loathed ma'am, it made her feel old, but she didn't have time to get into it. "Mr. Conner, can I talk to you please." Mr. Conner, Ben thought that sounded real bad. "Over there," she pointed behind him, and then moved past him to that spot. Jonathan laughed to himself as he fiddled with his camera. Ben sighed, and then spun around to follow her. Ms. Young stood there with her arms crossed holding her notes in one hand, and her reading glasses in the other.

"We're not supposed to be communicating," Ben said in a pathetic voice. She looked up at him, and her stare burned into him. Oh yeah he thought to himself, she was pissed about something.

"Save it Ben. I got the message you dumped me, and it's over."

"Then what, are we…"

"…they know don't they," she stated.

"They, who…what are you talking about?" He knew what she meant, and tried to play dumb.

She squinted her eyes, "Ok Ben I might be told for you, but I'm not senile yet. Stop lying to me. They know!" Her determined expression changed to one of pain. "I'm really hurt that you told them; why would you do this to me?"

"I didn't say a word Monica," he desperately tried to convince her.

Back to her very controlled demeanor, "What is it you said? You are good at keeping secrets. You like to know things that others don't. What happen to that? Do you know how much trouble I could get into?" Ben couldn't believe she actually asked him that question, and his expression showed it. "What am I thinking," she tossed her notes on the stage, and put her hand through her hair out of stress. "You're just a kid, and no male ego could keep this kind of secret forever." The kid comment hurt Ben, and she knew it would.

"I didn't tell them…"

"…Ben it's obvious they know," she used her hands to emphasize her speech. "The minute I come over here Jonathan begins stuttering, and your other buddy scattered off like he just snatched a woman's purse."

Ben calmly responded, "I didn't tell them, I just confirmed what they already knew." She stood there for several seconds trying to decide if he was telling the truth.

She shifted her stance, "Ok. So how did they find out?"

Ben looked at the stage, and then back to her. "The night after rehearsal…when you came back to me, and we kissed on stage." He really didn't want to remember that fond memory. It just reminded him how much he still wanted her.

"Yes," she acknowledged what he said like it was any ordinary fact.

"Jonathan was taking pictures, and saw us. He even had pictures of us; there was no denying it." Ms. Young looked over at Jonathan sitting in a seat messing with his damn camera. She didn't blame him she blamed herself.

It suddenly hit her, "Pictures?"

"Don't worry, I destroyed them, and the negatives."

"Dino," she inquired.

"Yes he knows too." Ben could see she was really worried about the situation for once.

Sue could see the two having an intense conversation as she stood on stage pretending to go through her script. She so badly wanted to hear what they were saying right now.

Ms. Young began chewing on her pen. "What do I do?" Ben shrugged his shoulders indicating he had no answer for her. "I want to talk to them both, now."

Ben grimaced, "No, no way. You know how weird that is?"

"I will not be fired, or worse, especially since there is no relationship to protect. You tell them I want to talk to them in ten minutes in the instrument storage room." Her panic attack had ended as quickly as it had started. She grabbed her notes, and walked past Ben back to her seat across the auditorium.

"Mon…" Ben tried to get her attention as she went by. Jonathan quickly walked up to Ben.

"You two are going to blow it, you know."

Ben kept staring at Ms. Young as he responded to Jonathan. "She knows that you and Dino know."

Jonathan's eyes went wide, "Oh no, you're shitting me? Well now what?"

Ben looked at him, "She wants to talk to both of you in the music room in ten minutes." Jonathan was totally stunned, and just stood there. He looked at Ms. Young, and then back at Ben. "What," Ben asked.

"I think I'm going to throw up," Jonathan answered.

"You better do it now, because you've got like nine minutes." Ben patted him on the shoulder, and went to find Dino.

"So that's Dino's new girlfriend," Jackie asked Debra as she stared at Zoe.

"Yeah that's the slut."

"Do you know anything about her?"

"She goes to Lincoln."

"How did they meet?"

Debra with a look of disbelief, "Who cares? It could have been a strip club for all I know. What's wrong with you?"

Jackie looked at Debra, "I know your right, but I still care for Dino, and part of me hopes that he is happy."

This time in disgust, Debra asked, "Jackie? Do me a favor, and stop being a sap! I mean look at Dino; his moved on. Sometimes I just want to smash his face in."

Jackie laughed, "Calm down. I don't want to have to bail you out tonight. I know I should be more angry than I am, but I was the one who broke up. I mean what's he suppose to do?"

"Did he have to move on the same night you dropped him?"

Matt was tired of being ignored, and finally stood up. "Ok I'm feeling left out; what are you two talking about?"

"Dino. Jackie's ex," Debra blurted out. She could tell from Jackie and Matt's reaction that they had not discussed this situation.

Matt looked over at Dino, "So that's him?" He decided to sit down. Jackie felt so bad, like she had used Matt. She was compelled to comfort him, and sat down next to him. "I'm sorry I should have talked to you about this. Come here," she cupped his chin with her hand and pulled him to her. She then kissed him gently for several seconds.

Zoe asked, "So who is that over there?"

Dino didn't have to tell her the truth as he could easily lie to Zoe. God knows she wasn't brilliant. It just came out, "That's Jackie. My ex-girlfriend."

Zoe was surprised, and asked, "Why did you break up with her?" She assumed he dumped Jackie.

In a daze he answered, "Because she's not like you." Zoe considered that a compliment. She was of course wrong.

"When did you break up?"

"The night we hooked…" He suddenly stopped knowing he had said too much already.

Alarmed Zoe asked, "Are you serious. You don't still have feelings for her do you?"

"What? Oh, no. She's nothing to me now."

Ben tapped Dino on the shoulder. "What's up," Dino asked.

"Can I talk to you for a second?"

"Sure. I'll be right back Zoe." She sat down and continued to check out Jackie, watching her kiss Matt.

"Ben, Ms. Young is so damn quiet, and just pops up everywhere. I'm never ready; you know what I mean?"

"She does it to me all the time."

Dino widen his eyes for second, "It's weird that kind a turns me on for some reason."

"I know; me too. Unfortunately, you and Jon suck at bluffing."

"What do you mean?"

Surprisingly Ben was enjoying this. "Ms. Young knows."

Dino was confused, "Knows what?"

"She knows - you know - ok?"

Dino thought over that statement. "She knows we know? Holy shit you're kidding me?" He started to laugh.

"Ha, ha, yeah it's so funny that she wants you and Jonathan for a little discussion."

Dino's laughing quickly ended, and was replaced with a look of panic. "Oh no way?"

"You both have less than nine minutes to meet her in the music room," Ben explained.

Dino began to freak. "What? Forget it! I'm out of here!"

"Dude she'll just find you on campus one day. Or keep you after English. Clam down she just wants to make sure you don't say anything."

He thought about what Ben had just said and he clamed down. "Yeah?"

"Yeah. Don't worry I'll be there," Ben reassured him.

The three boys arrived at the instrument storage room almost on time. As they entered the dark room the lights suddenly turned on. Ms. Young was of course next to the switch. The room wasn't very large, and was lined with large lockers for students to store musical instruments. There was counter space with tools randomly placed as this was also the repair shop for instruments. There were two desks in the middle of the room obviously for Dino and Jonathan. The three all wondered if this was going to be some kind of police interrogation.

"Ben? There's no reason for you to be here," Ms. Young stated. He actually wanted to leave, but he couldn't abandon his friends, especially now that this was getting so weird.

"I'm staying Ms. Young." Oh thank God both Dino and Jon thought to themselves.

She waited a few seconds before she spoke. "All right, I'm not going to fight you. Gentlemen please take a seat." She began walking back and forth searching for the right words as they sat down. Ben stood over in a corner. "I'm sure Ben warned you that I am now aware that you know my secret. I'm going to ask you a few questions…," she suddenly stopped pacing and looked at them. "…and don't lie, I'm very good a sniffing those out, especially from my students." It didn't take long for Dino and Jonathans' teenage sex drives to kick in as they watched Ms. Young pace about in her tight outfit. "Have either of you told anyone else; anything at all about this?

Sue had notice the three leave the stage area in the same direction that Ms. Young had left. She decided to follow them, and watched the three enter the music room. "Damn," she said to herself the door was shut. She wondered if they would hear her opened it. She didn't care she had to go for it, and she pushed on it. It was barely open, but she could hear Ms. Young grilling them.

"No," Dino quickly answered.

"No, nothing," Jonathan replied.

"That means girlfriends too?" Both answered as before. She wanted to believe them, but it was hard to believe they hadn't said anything. "Are you two aware of what kind of trouble I could be in if the school found out?" Jonathan raised his hand. Ms. Young almost wanted to laugh at that. "Yes."

"You could go to jail for statutory rape of a minor. Sentencing guide lines in the state of Washington suggest three to ten years." His voice notably weakened at the end of his sentence.

Sue almost let out a scream, when she heard that. "Bingo," she whispered. It suddenly dawned on her that Dino and Jonathan have known for a while. What the hell is going on she wondered?

Dino leaned towards Jonathan, and whispered, "Jesus man, are you trying to get us killed? Ben didn't want to look up so he didn't.

"How much did you tell them Ben," she demanded to know.

"You know maybe I will leave," he started to move.

Dino and Jonathan spun in their seats, and in unison cried, "NO!" Ben indicated he would stay put.

Ms. Young was stunned by Jonathan's statement, but it was true. She began pacing again and finally realized how serious this really was. She put her hand through hair as she thought through this. "Thank you Jon for being so blunt about it. I think I needed that." Ben looked up when he heard that. Maybe she had forgiven him for ending their relationship now.

Jonathan leaned towards Dino, "See?"

"Whatever," Dino replied.

Ms. Young's eyes began to water up, and her voice was clearly emotional. "I don't want you to think I'm a selfish bitch, and I'm just thinking about myself. Can you imagine what would happen to your friend?" Don't become a martyr now Sue thought to herself; you're a law breaking whore. Dino thought about her question for a second. Male student has sexual relationship with hot English teacher? He really didn't see the problem. He wished he had a reputation like that. Jonathan raised his hand again. Ms. Young did laugh this time, "Yes Jon."

"We were both ok with you two together. When Ben said he had a thing for you we laughed are heads off. Then we found out, and well he was happy, thrilled even. I don't know how many times he stressed that we couldn't say a word. I didn't want to screw it up for him, or you."

Dino chimed in, "Yeah."

Sue rolled her eyes and said to herself, "You oversexed pigs."

"Really," she asked. What Jonathan said really touched Ms. Young. Ben couldn't believe this was actually working out. "Ok, then. We all agree that what was said here stays here?" They all answered yes. "All right that's it; I'm glad we did this. If everyone stays quiet then everyone gets an 'A' in my class."

Sue pounded her fist into the carpet, and cussed to herself "That bitch!"

That was it; Dino wondered to himself? They started to move as Ms. Young rounded up her materials. "Oh gentlemen," she asked. They all stopped and turned towards her. "The staring? While I'm flattered let's please have some manners out there."

Dino couldn't resist, "Well Ms. Young if you keep wearing…"

"Shut the fck up Dino!" Ben didn't know why he said anything. He was jealous just from that very limited exchange. They all noticed it immediately. Ms. Young knew he had feelings for her, but his hasty and angry reaction was surprising.

"Ben? Can I have word?" He didn't even answer he just walked over to the desk, and sat. Sue scurried around the corner to hide as Dino, and Jonathan exited the room. Once they were gone she returned to her prior listen spot.