Thank you to all my reviewers. Please know that you are all appreciated greatly. For those of you who commented on the age and mannerisms of the older Marco and Dylan, I decided it was time to write a Degrassi closer to my age group. I'm so glad you enjoy reading it.

Chapter Three

What Went Wrong?

Marco went into the back room and started shifting boxes and reorganizing the back stock.

It was a physical, tedious task that required really no brain power. So his mind began to wander. It wandered back to Degrassi, six years earlier.

Marco and Dylan had been dating for almost nine months and things were good. Marco was in love. He had his first boyfriend, had fallen in love and lost his virginity. He was euphoric, except for one thing. Dylan was leaving…well possibly…more than likely.

The end of school was rapidly approaching, bringing with it graduation. It was signaling the end of something and the beginning of so much more, for some.

Dylan had been scouted all year by colleges and pro hockey teams alike. Each one clamoring for the attentions of the blonde ice god. Dylan was seriously looking at professional hockey. He might never have another chance to do something like this. He could go to college in the off season and over the internet.

He'd gotten a few really great offers but the one that gave him the best deal was Anaheim. Their team wasn't doing so well and they needed a strong forward. The only thing was he had to be straight. The team manager and coaches didn't think it would be wise to introduce a gay starter to the team.

Dylan had talked it over with his dad. Together, they decided it would be a good idea if Dylan signed the contract with the clause. Dylan had to act straight and date girls. Dylan kinda forgot to factor in one thing…his love for Marco. And that he really did prefer to date guys, in general. Yes, Dylan knew he loved Marco but at 18 and given a chance to play hockey professionally was a dream come true. It seemed to cloud over his judgement.

Then came the night to break the news to Marco. Marco, Dylan, Paige, Ash, Spin, and the rest of the gang and some of Dylan's friends were celebrating graduation, end of school and Dylan's contract with Anaheim. Marco wasn't happy about losing his boyfriend to not only another country but a state on the other side of said country.

Marco had been reading over Dylan's contract. He got to a particular clause and paused to read it three more times, just to be sure he wasn't hallucinating.

"Dylan, care to explain the 'No Guys' clause?" inquired Marco coldly.

The room fell eerily silent at the tone in which Marco spoke.

Paige turned to Marco, grabbing the contract out of his hand, "Let me see that!" She read the passage and turned back to Dylan.

"Is this what had you and Dad holed up in his office for hours the other day?" She was screeching the question at him as she shook the paper in his face.

Dylan nodded, only slightly, "Dad thinks it's a good idea to date girls for the sake of the public. I can still be with you too. I just have to be very discrete." Dylan said, placing his hands on Marco's shoulders.

Marco broke away, "So, what you're telling me is that I can continue to date only you while you date girls. If I'm lucky, you'll find 20 minutes out of your life to toss me a fuck once and a while. Dylan, I didn't come out of my closet just to hide in yours. I can't believe you'd think I'd actually go along with this. If you even think about touching me again, don't…you won't return unscathed." The anger and hurt in Marco's voice was clear to everyone in the room.

"But Marco, baby…I love you."

Marco turned back around, "You've got a funny way of showing it. You decide…not we but YOU…to be straight and the hell with your boyfriend. Then you proceed to ask me to wait for you…"

Paige smacked Dylan on the back of the head wit the contract, "You are such an ass!"

"Paige, it's the pros. I've been dreaming of this since I first stepped onto the ice at the age of three. I can't turn this down. I can't lose this chance." Dylan said emphatically. He thought the one person who'd understand would be her, she'd seen him go through hell to get where he is today.

"So you can choose to lose Marco just as easily. The person you love more than anyone in the world? The boy you paced the floor over because he didn't call when he said he would? The only person I've ever seen put that light in your eyes? You can just drop him like he's no big deal." Paige accused, getting really angry now.

"He's not that big a deal, Paige. He's just a guy." The moment the words slipped past Dylan's lips, he knew he screwed up royally. Dylan turned to look at Marco, whose face told the pain that was going through his heart, "I didn't mean…"

Marco stood stock still, trying to get a grip on his anger and temper.

Dylan was standing there, trying to stammer out his apologies.

As Dylan got closer to Marco, Marco cold cocked him in the jaw and then walked away.

Paige caught up with Marco at the front door, "Dylan's an idiot…"

"Tell me something I don't already know," responded Marco, his voice could've freezed alcohol. His eyes held all the emotion though, hurt, fear and most of all anger.

Paige flinched at the raw emotion flashing through his deep brown eyes. She didn't know what to say…

Marco waved her off and walked out the front door. His heart was torn to shreds and his ego had taken a pretty big hit as well. It only took Marco a moment to figure out that love sucks.

Marco never saw Dylan again after he walked out of the Michalchuk residence that day.

Marco continued to stack things neatly. His mind drifted to the next time he saw Dylan. It was two years later, the week he was graduating.

This was supposed to be the best time of his life. Marco was graduating high school and was valedictorian. He wrote a great speech about this isn't the end only the beginning. Don't let life get in the way of your dreams. The unaimed arrow never misses only hits a surprise target. Yeah, it was inspirational.

Everything was going excellently…until he saw him.

It was the day before graduation and Marco was bringing Paige home from graduation rehearsal. Dylan was sitting on the front porch reading a book.

Marco's heart stopped beating as he put his car in park. The sight of his ex made his breath catch in his throat. He felt physically ill.

Paige looked as the olive skinned boy turned a deathly shade of white. "You okay, hun?"

Marco started breathing again but wasn't sure his heart was going to ever start beating again. "Yeah, I just never knew that your heart could be ripped out and shredded twice before fully healing the first time. It's an interesting experience."

"What happened to Aidan? I thought you were doing well?" inquired Paige.

"It's fine but how can you give your heart to someone when you aren't sure if it ever came back from the first time you gave it away? I'm not sure it's in any shape to give anyway if it is there." Marco said solemnly.

"Ouch, Dylan really did a number on you, didn't he?" Paige said, pain gracing her beautiful face.

Marco smiled slightly, "Yeah, but I'll get over it…someday. In fact, if I didn't need that book for tonight, I wouldn't be getting out of this car."

Time to face the music, Marco thought as he exited his car. Paige held his hand as they mounted the stairs together.

Paige released him long enough to hug Dylan, "Hey, bro. I didn't think you were going to make it."

Dylan hadn't taken his eyes off Marco, "A few things got rearranged, so I decided I'd come see my favorite sister graduate."

Marco grabbed Paige's shoulder, "Hun, I really need that book and I've got a date to get ready for."

Paige nodded, "Come on…"

Dylan stopped them, "Paige, go get the book. I want to talk to Marco."

Paige looked at her brother, "Ever consider that Marco wouldn't want to talk to you?"

"It's okay Paige. There are a few choice words I'd like to say to your brother anyway." Marco told her as he patted her arm.

Paige went inside to retrieve the book.

"You look good," said Dylan.

"Thanks. What do you want?" inquired Marco tersely.

"I wanted to see how you were doing? I've been asking Paige but she just avoids my questions." Dylan said.

"I'm just dandy. Hold that thought," Marco responded as his cell phone began to ring. "Hey Aidan. Yeah. We still on for tonight? Great. You staying this time? Great, I can't wait. Mmhmm…you too."

Marco clicked off his phone and stared at it for a minute with a small smile playing at his lips.

Dylan was envious of that look. He used to cause that look. He didn't want this Aidan guy to exist for Marco…damn it that was his smile. Dylan raged at himself internally until Marco turned his attention back to the older man.

"Sorry, what were we saying? Oh, that's right…I'm fine. I'd ask how you're doing but I've read about it in the Times and Sports Illustrated." Marco said, giving him a sardonic smile.

"Touche…who's Aidan?"

"The guy I've been dating for about a year and a half now."

"Really? How'd you meet?"

"He goes to Bardell. He landed on me during a soccer game last year and he refused to get up."

"Oh, that's romantic…I guess."

"Me thinks thou art jealous."

"Can you blame me?"

"Yeah, I can. You decided to sign that clause. You decided for our relationship to end. You wanted to hide me in a closet until it was convenient for you. It's your own fault that you're jealous. Oh, and why are you jealous? Remember I'm no big deal…I'm just some guy." Marco added the last part with venom.

"Damn, I did say that didn't I?" Dylan said, looking hurt.

"Yeah, you did. Oh good…here's my book. Gotta Jet. Love ya, Paige. See you in the morning." Marco said, placing a kiss on her cheek.

Paige nodded as he walked away.

Marco finished reminiscing as he heard a noise coming from the front of the bar. Marco emerged from the back room to see his two bartenders pulling out coffee cups.

Luke was pouring, "Dude, I don't know how ya'll can stand up this dang early…"

Marco smiled, "Luke, your hick is showing again…"

Luke laughed, "Well, hell fire…" his drawl extremely evident.

Mike laughed, "Okay, let's get this over with."

"Good, you are on time today. I need to get some sleep before tonight's shift. Let's go…" Marco stated as he headed for the back room again, the other two in tow.

"Yeah, how'd it go with the blonde stud?" Mike asked.

"Nothing happened. I put him to bed after giving him aspirin and water. He left with his sister this morning."

Luke and Mike shared a look, "Damn, I thought you were going to get lucky. From the way he was looking at you all night, I'd have bet he'd jump you the moment you were alone."

Marco laughed, "Yeah…no… He's an old friend that if he were caught in a gay bar, he'd be in serious trouble. I was keeping his ass out of the fire."

Mike put a hand on Marco's shoulder, "If that's what it takes for you to sleep at night, boss, continue lying to yourself. If he were my ex, I'd boot his ass to the street before he could even blink."

Luke agreed, "Yeah, I'd leave his cute ass twistin' in the wind."

"How'd you…?" Marco started to inquire.

"Oh, please. How could you not know. The air held a sense of regret and tension." Mike said.

"That and you planted a kiss on the stallion before coming behind the bar," Luke added.

The three joked about the patrons while finishing the inventory.

When it was finally done, Marco went home and collapsed into his bed. He slept restlessly until his alarm sounded for his shift at the bar.

Please review. I thrive on them and need them to want to update.