Disclaimer: I don't own…blah, blah, blah
A/N: Thanks to a reviewer, (thank you again, Amanda), there were some continuity issues brought up. Last chapter I mentioned they're at Penn State, when in reality they're at Boston University. Secondly, this is supposed to be Dylan's sophomore year. However, he screwed up his last semester and has to redo it for his freshman year. I do apologize for any confusion this might have caused.
Thank you to everyone who reviewed. You're sincerely appreciated. I want to update quicker the more reviews I get…hint, hint.
I was asked about Chad…Chad stayed in Degrassi with Paige. He's attending community college until she graduates, then they plan on attending Boston University together. More of this will come into play later, I think.
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Chapter Three
Marco arrived at his nine a.m. Chemistry class a little early on Tuesday. He took a seat at an empty table and opened a book. He began reading until the seat next to him was occupied.
A cute boy with short light brown hair was sitting next to him. He looked vaguely familiar but he couldn't figure out how he'd seen him before.
The professor stood up and cleared her throat. "I'm Professor Strickland. This is Chemistry 101, I hope you're in the right class. This isn't the hardest class you'll ever encounter but I intend for it to be challenging." She handed out her syllabus and continued her introduction lecture. "You will have partners in this class. Unlike other classes, your partner can either make or break you, choose wisely. Two stoners won't pass my class if you team up together, fair warning."
The boy sitting next to Marco turned and looked at him, "Are you smart?"
Marco looked at him curiously, "Yes, extremely."
The other boy smiled broadly, "Will you be my partner then? I suck at science."
Marco laughed lightly, "Sure. We might as well anyway. You sat here for a reason, right?"
The boy nodded, "Yeah but probably not for a reason you'd want to know."
"Try me, you might be amazed at what wouldn't offend me." Marco realized he was flirting and it felt good.
"I sat next to you because I thought you're cute," said the stranger.
Marco smiled, "Thanks for the compliment. I'm Marco."
The other boy extended his hand, "I'm Scott Bailey."
The name rang a bell in Marco's head, Scott. Could it be Dylan's Scott? How many gay Scotts are on Boston University campus?
"Aren't you a little weirded out by the fact another guy called you cute?" asked Scott.
"Why would I be? I heard it often in high school by my ex-boyfriend," responded Marco.
Scott's eyebrows shot up, "Ex-boyfriend? That answers all of my questions. Have any for me?"
"Yeah, what were your questions?" asked a laughing Marco.
"One, are you gay? Two, are you seeing anyone?" asked Scott.
"Yes and no, in that order. Same questions for you, although I think I can guess" replied Marco, still flirting.
"I'm gay but I am sort of seeing someone." Scott responded almost regretfully.
"Guess we stick with a friendship and a partnership for Chemistry then," concluded Marco.
"Yeah but if the relationship status changes, we should keep updated." Scott responded definitively.
Marco nodded his agreement. He wrote his number on a piece of paper and handed it to Scott. "Give me a call and we can figure out a schedule for this class. I've got to go."
Scott gave him his number before he stood up, "See you Thursday in class."
Marco waved as he walked out of the classroom. He ran straight into Dylan who was walking by.
"Hi, Dylan."
"Hey Marco. You in that class?"
"Yeah, why?"
"So is Scott. Did you see him?"
"Light brown hair, beautiful hazel eyes, and an impish grin?"
"That sounds right. So, you've met?"
"He's my lab partner."
"Oh, awkward."
"Succinctly put yet again, Captain Obvious."
"Did you know who he was when you paired up?"
"No, why would I want to put myself through that kind of torture?"
"A masochist?"
"Dylan, he sat next to me because I was cute. We paired up due to proximity. Does he know about me?"
"Not really."
"I take it you don't have any photos of us in your apartment?"
"Not in any rooms he's been in."
"Okay. I gotta go. There's someone I need to meet at the library in ten minutes."
Marco walked off quickly. He didn't want to think of the implications of having partnered up with Dylan's boyfriend. Hopefully, Scott won't find out that he and Dylan were together before.
Marco pulled out his cell phone and dialed Ellie's cell number. She answered on the third ring.
"This had better be important Del Rossi. Ms. Kwan didn't want to give me the hall pass."
"Sorry for the disruption, El, but I need help. I'm paired with Dylan in my lit class and his boyfriend in my chem class. I'm royally screwed."
Ellie burst out laughing, "I'm sorry but this sounds like a bad soap opera. Boy meets Boy, they break up. One moves away and the second follows. First is dating someone new and the second one gets paired with unsuspecting new date in class. Tune in tomorrow for updates."
"You're a regular riot, Ms. Nash. You aren't helping me any." Marco retorted through clenched teeth.
"Marco, there's no help for this situation. You're just going to have to live through it and hope for the best. I'm sorry I can't help more but I've got a class to attend if I intend to graduate."
"Thanks for the ear, El. Love you."
"Thanks for the laugh. Love you, too."
Marco hung up the phone and slid it back into his pocket. He entered the library. He found the person he was looking for and sat across the table from him.
"James?"
"Marco, thank you for meeting me on such short notice."
"No problem but I do have a class in an hour."
"We'll be done by then I'm sure. You might walk away from me before then."
"I've never walked away from a teacher before and I don't intend to start today." Marco responded.
"If I start getting into a touchy area for you, feel free to speak up or walk away. I understand."
"James, you're making me very wary of the reason you called. Care to give me a hint?"
James looked at Marco thoughtfully for a minute, "It's about Dylan."
"Uh Oh!" Marco groaned and started to stand.
"No, hear me out. I want you to be careful. Dylan's gay and he implied a relationship between ya'll."
"Ya'll?" inquired Marco.
"Don't make fun of me. My southern upbringing comes out occasionally. There's nothin' wrong with ya'll. Is it true?"
Marco sat back in his chair and folded his hands on the table, "I've loved Dylan for over two years. We dated his senior year and broke up right before he moved here for college. I haven't seen him or spoken to him since he left, until yesterday. Is that what you wanted to know?"
"Yeah, I think it is. Didn't expect that answer but it's what I asked for." James said nodding.
"James, what else do you want to know? If we're going to do this, we might as well settle all your curiosities right now."
"You still love Dylan?"
"Correct."
"He's dating someone else. He still wants you though. Were ya'll each other's firsts?"
"He was my first in every way. I wasn't any form of first for him but I was the one who was different. He said he loved me more than he could image even happening." Marco told him with a sad look on his face.
"Is all of this going to affect your performance in my class?" inquired James.
"God, no. I've never let anyone get in the way of school before and I'm not about to start now." Marco replied emphatically.
"Glad to hear that. Are you going to help Dylan?"
"In anyway I can without crossing any boundaries."
"Another good answer."
"I don't want to be rude but are we done? My class is on the other side of campus and I don't want to have to run."
"No, that's fine. Have a good class and see you tomorrow."
Marco nodded and left the library. His cell phone vibrated in his pocket, he looked at the screen as he headed across campus.
"Hello?"
"Marco?"
"Yes and this is?"
"It's Scott, your chemistry partner."
"Didn't I just leave you a half hour ago?"
"Yeah but I was thinking about you and the class. I need a good grade so I can keep my partial scholarship. I was wondering when we can study together."
"How about we wait until we actually find out what's going on before we make any plans. We can discuss this after class on Thursday but right now I'm getting ready to enter my next class. I'll talk to you later."
"Okay. Bye."
"Yeah, bye." Marco responded as he pushed the off button. He didn't know what in the hell he was getting himself into but Scott seemed more than interested in only his grades. For Dylan's sake, Marco hoped to God that Scott didn't try anything during their study sessions.
Marco walked into his fourth class and took a seat in the second row. This was going to be his longest class, Calculus, but he had to take it. His back was to the door, so he didn't see who entered the class next but was surprised when the person sat down next to him.
"Looks like we have two classes together."
Marco turned, looked at Dylan and laughed. "Just what I need today, another reminder of what in the hell can go wrong if you aren't careful."
"Would you like me to move? If you can't stand me, then maybe I would be better off across the room from you."
Marco shook his head, "Sorry but I just got off the phone with your boyfriend, trying to make plans for our first study session. But right before that I was getting a lecture from James about watching my back because you are some form of lothario who's out to corrupt your lit partners."
Dylan looked shocked, "James pointed out my various misdeeds to you?"
"Is that how you'd describe it? Wow, I'd call them curiosities or even flings but hey, it's not my life."
Dylan laughed in spite of himself, "How can you joke about this? He's telling you to watch your back and don't get involved with me. What did you tell him?"
"The truth. I told him we had a past and now are friends." Marco turned to face him again, "I might have mentioned something about still loving you but I can't recall."
Dylan's mouth dropped open and he did a double take, "Did you just say you admitted to being in love with me?"
Marco shrugged, "Limited memory, I can't recall."
Dylan groaned in frustration and Marco smiled. Before Dylan could respond the professor entered the classroom.
Dylan followed Marco out of the classroom and continued to follow him until he'd speak to him again.
"Why are you following me, Dylan?"
"You happen to be going toward the gym and that's where I have to be in fifteen minutes."
"Why?"
"Hockey practice is in the weight room today. Where are you going?"
"I was going to work out but I think I'll go home instead. I don't need to see all these muscular, sweaty guys. It's been way too long."
Dylan laughed, "I know the feeling some days."
Marco looked at him with skepticism, "I know there's been other guys since me. You can't fool me that easily."
Dylan nodded, "There have been others, physically. Emotionally, I haven't been able to feel what I feel for you for anyone else."
Marco looked at him questioningly, "That was almost cryptic. That could mean so many different things and doesn't tell me a thing. I'm sure Scott wouldn't want to hear you say that though."
Dylan shrugged, "I don't know if Scott would really care. I think we both know it's going to end soon. He's noticed my attention has been waning the last day or two."
Marco rolled his eyes, "He could think you're having a bad couple of days though. Oh, look here comes your boyfriend now. I guess I better go. James is right behind him, too. Yeah, now I know I have to go."
Dylan put his hand on his shoulder, "Wait. He saw you and knows that we're talking. Might as well answer these questions together."
Scott approached the two. "Hi Dylan and Marco. I see you two have met."
Marco nodded and smiled and Scott, "Yeah, we're in Calculus together."
Dylan nodded, "Don't forget lit class too."
James passed by the boys and nodded his hello. He didn't want to get caught up in the middle, so he kept walking.
"That's great. You seemed to be debating something when I first saw you together. Anything I could assist with?" asked Scott.
Dylan shook his head, "No, difference of opinion. Well, we better get changed Scott. Practice starts in ten minutes and James gets anxious when his players are late."
Scott waved over his shoulder, "See you later, Marco."
Marco watched Scott walk away and then turned back to Dylan, "You are unbelievable. You do know if he comes over to my house, he'll see our pictures and if he ever makes it into your other rooms, he'll see our pictures there as well. Face the music and tell him the truth or I'll be forced to do it."
Dylan turned his head and then faced Marco again, "There may not be a reason to tell him the truth. I'll talk to you later."
Marco sighed, "Typical Dylan, run away from the confrontation and blame it on someone else. I'll see you in class tomorrow morning."
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Please review…they make me happy and want to update.
Last but certainly not least, a message to Kate. Thank you for the glowing review. I only live to outdo myself to see what you'll say next. You bring out the best in me, love. Thanks.
