So I was inspired to update again so soon by a totally crazy (and unbelievably true – I am still in total shock) happening from last night. I actually ran into, and met, Adamo Ruggiero, last night! (huge grin). I was out with my friends, and he was out with his (non-Degrassi people) and suddenly I looked up and there was Adamo Ruggiero, one metre in front of me – cute square glasses, white shirt, bandana.. I practically fainted (my friends can attest to this) but I didn't. Instead, I just went up to him, and told him how much I admired him and his role on Degrassi. He was totally sweet, down to earth, asked me my name, thank yous etc…and that was it. Not snobby or dismissive. Just sweet. I feel privileged to have gotten to see him in a real life, non-cheesy, screaming teenager context (sorry to the many screaming teenagers out there – I just am not one).
I really cannot believe it (I've even spent time warning other Degrassi fans that I've never ran into a Degrassi star before in Toronto). I just wanted to share with other Degrassi fans. I guess there are some perks to living in Toronto…
Chapter 7 – please read and review!
Chapter 7: Friends and Lovers
'Beautiful blue eyes smiling at me and walking this way,' Marco sighed happily to himself, momentarily distracted from his conversation with Craig and Ellie.
"Yeah, so I don't know what's up with Sean…he's spending a lot of time in Wasaga…I'm just not sure how he's feeling about this anymore,…or even how I'm feeling," Ellie confessed, looking at Craig, "Oh – hey Dylan."
"Hey guys…hey Marco," Dylan slipped his hand in Marco's, kissing him quickly on the cheek." Marco beamed, only slightly blushing before re-focusing on the conversation.
"That sucks, Ellie," Craig tried to sympathize, "maybe, umm…we could hang out this weekend instead. I don't have any plans."
"Hey – why don't you guys come with us to the monthly all ages night at the gay club. Ellie came last time too," Dylan suggested.
Marco quickly answered, trying to get Craig off the hook, "No Dylan – Craig doesn't want to go to a gay-"
"Sure I'll come," Craig interrupted, "as long as I have Ellie to dance with," Craig flirted, "and Marco too of course."
"Great...anyways, gotta get to class. Bye babe."
As Dylan walked away, Marco looked at Craig, "Honestly Craig,… you really don't have to come on Friday. I won't be offended," Marco said honestly. He couldn't imagine a straight guy comfortable in a gay bar. HE hadn't even been comfortable his first time.
"No Marco…I want to come. I wouldn't have said so if I didn't want to. You know, not all straight guys are freaked out by all things gay…I don't have anything to prove…besides, then I get Ellie all to myself," Craig flirted. Ellie blushed. Marco was amused.
Marco turned to Ellie as Craig left for class, "So what is up with that?"
"What?" Ellie playing dumb.
"You can pretend to be oblivious…but I can't say that I'm unhappy with all that chemistry between my best straight guy friend and my best friend."
"Whatever Marco." Typical Ellie.
Marco couldn't wait for the bell to ring on Friday. He had a Dylan-filled weekend planned, with the club tonight, and then dinner with Dylan's family on Saturday night.
Marco rushed home to shower and change after school before Dylan came to pick him up. "Marco, it's Dylan again," his mom called him from downstairs. As Marco appeared, she noticed her son's new tight jeans, stylish undersized t-shirt, bandana. She looked questioningly at him, "Marco…who is this Dylan that keeps picking you up? Are you just going to Craig's?" She seemed skeptical.
Marco hated lying to his mother. And he knew he had been. Sometimes he wanted to come home to his mother cooking in the kitchen and tell her how amazing it has been for him to have a boyfriend, and to see her smile and hug him. But tonight wasn't the time. He was caught off guard, and Dylan was here, and he had a date to get to. "I told you mom, Dylan is Paige's brother. He's been hanging out with us more lately since we all met him at the beach," not a lie, "And tonight we're picking up Ellie and Craig. But we're going to an all ages night for dancing."
"Oh – an all ages night. That sounds like fun," his mother seemed satisfied. Maybe she was worried they were trying to sneak into a bar or something. When he does decide to tell her, boy, he wished it would be as simple as 'sorry for drinking underage, mom'. Oh well, can't think about that now. There is a dance floor waiting.
"This is pretty cool, Marco," Craig was bopping to the music with the rest of them, seemingly at ease.
"You're great, Craig," Marco smiled, "I know it sounded like I was discouraging you from coming, but it actually really means a lot to me that you're here." Craig smiled at Marco, bopping as he affectionately put his arm around Marco's shoulder.
"Excuse me while I steal my boyfriend for a dance," Dylan interrupted, placing his arms around Marco's waist, pulling him gently into his body. Marco hadn't thought about the fact that the last time they'd been here he and Dylan hadn't yet been together. Suddenly, he was in a gay bar, with his closest friends, and his boyfriend, who it appeared wasn't going to keep his hands off him. When he looked over a bit nervously, Ellie and Craig seemed happy and relaxed, chatting to each other. Marco smiled to himself as he let himself feel like any other straight couple at any other dance. He held on to Dylan as they swayed together to the fast beats, laughing playfully.
And I just can't seem to get enough of you…
Marco was chatting with Ellie when the DJ slowed down the music, Ellie and Dylan looked at each other and laughed as Dylan walked over to Marco. "Marco doesn't need me to protect him this time," Ellie teased.
Dylan laughed, wrapping his arms around Marco, as Craig quickly asked Ellie to dance. "He's obviously just dancing with me to make sure he dances with a girl," Ellie whispered to Marco, allaying any suggestion of romance.
"Whatever Ellie," Marco answered back, turning his face into Dylan's soft salty neck. Marco could feel Dylan's neck against his lips, and he got caught up in his racing thoughts – making out on the dance floor – to do or not to do? - kissing in front of other people, in front of my friends – sexy, exciting, acceptable - Marco noticed the many couples creating the sexuality surrounding them. But is it too much? Will Craig freak out? Dylan noticed Marco tentatively sucking on his neck where his lips touched, just enough for him to notice.
"Feels good, Marco," Dylan whispered, encouraging him.
Marco looked up and smiled, "You noticed?"
"That you're kissing me…yeah," Dylan was giving Marco one of his flirtatious looks of lust, that still made Marco feel slightly nervous and excited. Marco felt his body melt into putty as Dylan brought Marco closer to his body, his lips brushing right up against his face.
"So you probably haven't been kissed on a dance floor before…" Dylan whispered suggestively, creating the electric tension between them. Marco melted as Dylan's lips tickled his face as he spoke. He was so close to him.
"Not until now," Marco broke, opening his mouth to Dylan's waiting lips. The kisses got deeper as Marco let his hands roam across Dylan's back. Marco moaned but only Dylan could hear. Marco didn't apologize this time. He just looked up with a sheepish smile.
"Wow. Marco, that was hot," Dylan pressed his lips against his boyfriend's forehead.
"Yeah…I know." Marco blushed slightly, smiling to himself.
Marco smiled as he saw Craig and Ellie turned towards each other, dancing in a tight hug, seemingly oblivious to whatever Marco was doing…He could not imagine wanting two friends together as much as them.
"What Marco? You didn't think the dry ice was enough…you had to create your own steam for the dancefloor," Craig teased. Well, maybe not that oblivious. Marco punched him playfully. Whatever. Nobody seemed to care.
Despite the late night, Marco could barely sleep in the next day, nervous for dinner with Dylan's family. Although he'd of course seen them many times, he carefully picked out a slightly conservative white button down shirt and jeans to hone his respectable-to-parents look. Never mind the fact that Dylan's parents had already seen him in a zillion t-shirts. This was a date. Thankfully Spinner and Paige would also be there and he was sure Spinner was more likely to do something embarrassing than him.
"Hey Marco." Dylan opened the door, kissing Marco quickly on the lips, as Mrs. Michalchuk walked in to say hello.
'He just kissed me in front of his mother. Holy cow. I cannot believe I'm doing this."
"Hi Marco hunny, welcome…We're so glad you could come for dinner."
'He kissed me in front of her. He kissed me…wait – I don't even think she noticed.' Marco sighed happily, 'I could get used to this.'
The conversation at dinner flowed naturally – from hockey season, to "So Marco, Dylan tells me you're a great soccer player" proudly announced by Mr. Michalchuk, to Paige's disasterous attempt at becoming a ballerina at age three, to Paige's excitement when she learned Marco was gay- Wait. Uh oh.
"I mean, Marco was such a babe, I just knew he and Dylan would be perfect together. I mean come on, Dylan is a total catch," Marco blushed profusely, utterly amazed and somewhat terrifed of Paige's openness at the dinner table.
Dylan glared at Paige, knowing this would make Marco uncomfortable. "Well, Paige, nobody is happier than us that Dylan is dating such an intelligent and lovely young man," Mrs. Michalchuk seemed to know how to manage.
Dylan was still growling, "Yeah…except maybe me…So do you think you could, umm, stop discussing mine and Marco's relationship as if we're not here?" Dylan warned.
"Oh poor Dylan – can't deal with a little teasing," Paige jibed.
As Dylan pouted, Marco suddenly looked around the table, grabbed Dylan's hand, and - he couldn't help it – started laughing. Everyone looked at him.
"Sorry – it's just that – well, I know Dylan being gay isn't news to any of you. But being gay is still pretty new for me - and this banter and teasing…well, I just never imagined it could be so normal."
Dylan softened, and kissed Marco on his cheek. "You should keep this one around for a while, Dylan," Mrs. Michalchuk smiled at Marco, "because he seems to appreciate a good thing when he sees it."
After dinner, the Michalchuk parents went to their tennis lesson, and Spinner and Paige went to a movie, leaving Marco and Dylan alone.
Marco was giddy from the evening, amazed at the complete acceptance he felt as Dylan's boyfriend. "So that wasn't too bad, was it?" Dylan questioned.
"Bad? Are you kidding me, Dylan?...I am blown away by your family. I can't believe I was holding your hand in front of them, that you kissed me-"
Dylan pushed Marco playfully down on his bed, "Well, I sort of kissed you…but I didn't really kiss you," Dylan teased bringing his lips down softly on Marco's. As their kisses deepened, Dylan let his hands wander from Marco's sides, and face, to the bottom of his shirt, gently untucking it.
"Is this okay?" Dylan looked for approval, as he let his hands explore Marco's stomach.
"Yeah…" Marco's breath quickened. Dylan watched as Marco reacted to the feel of Dylan's hands on his upper body.
Marco was tingling all over, as he brought his lips to Dylan's neck, and tentatively started unbuttoningDylan's shirt. "Is this okay?" Marco looked sheepishly at Dylan, knowing Dylan wouldn't expect him to make the first move to actually remove any clothing.
"Yeah," Dylan's eyes sparkled with desire, "definitely okay,... if it's okay with you." Marco kept picturing half naked Dylan in the changeroom, and it didn't seem so far fetched to actually see the same thing when they were alone.
Marco sighed as now shirtless Dylan began kissing his neck, removing his own shirt, kissing his torso, and finally pressing their bodies against each other as they lay kissing in each other's arms.
"Wow, Dylan," Marco panted, "I am so turned on."
"I know." Dylan said coyly, "I can tell." He playfully moved his leg lying between Marco's legs. Marco turned a bright shade of beet. "It's okay, Marco," Dylan flirtatiously maneuvered himself so their lower bodies were touching, "I'm totally turned on too." Marco was still red, and he smothered Dylan in a deep kiss, loving the feel of their bodies together. That's one way to put an end to a conversation.