Thank you for the amazing reviews. The more detailed the better. I'm always interested in what a reader actually noticed in the story. Here is chapter 4...
Chapter 4: Friends and Lovers
As Marco walked past the grade 10 lockers on Monday morning, he felt a pang of guilt about the way he'd treated Tim. He was sure he had done the right thing, and was true to himself, but it sucked to lose any friend, especially his only gay guy friend in the school. He went into the computer lab before class, determined to write Tim an e-mail. Whether Tim would respond or not, he had to at least try.
Hey Tim…I may be the last person you want to hear from, but I had to try. You have every right to be mad at me, and I'llunderstand if you never want to talk to me again, but I'm hoping you will (talk to me again, that is). All I can say to you is that I never expected what has been happening in my life – that Dylan and I would be trying to work things out. That is no excuse for the way I treated you. I know. So the only thing I can tell you is that your friendship means a lot to me. As much as I have been a force in your coming out process, you have been as much of a positive force in my life. I even told Dylan that you were the inspiration I needed to come out to my dad. (I know you probably don't want to hear his name, but I'd rather not pretend that he doesn't exist). Whenever you're ready, if you're ever ready, I'd love to keep hanging out. I really am sorry. Marco
Click. Marco hit the send button as the bell rang to begin their last week of school.
Later that day, Marco and Ellie were sipping cappuccinos at the Dot, going over their fabulous prom night. "Jimmy had some pretty sweet moves in his chair," Ellie smiled, "And you and Dylan – woh! You two sexy men just heated up the dance floor."
"Yeah, the night was pretty incredible. I never imagined that I would be one of the people making out on the dance floor on prom night but somehow…well, there I was." They both laughed.
"Listen Marco, I gotta get going. Are you hanging out for a while."
"Yeah, I was going to study for my last ever chemistry test here for a bit."
"Okay. Ciao for now."
Ellie left Marco buried in a chemistry problem. He was deep in thought until he suddenly felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked up, surprised to see Tim standing beside his table.
"Hey Marco," Tim sighed.
"Tim! Hey…do you wanna sit? I mean I can take a break from studying…or whatever….," Marco stuttered hopefully, "Did you get my e-mail?"
"Yeah….so…alright."
"What?" Marco questioned.
"Alright…friends. That's what you wanted, right? Don't get me wrong, I'm still totally pissed at you. But in the end, what's the point? I lose a potential first boyfriend and my only gay friend. I guess I can deal with losing one…" Tim said reluctantly.
Marco smiled his undeniably sexy smile. "Cool….Thanks, I mean…I'm sorry. And I'm glad that you're talking to me. So have a seat….how are things going at home?"
"Better, actually. My dad is still in complete denial, but my mom actually initiated a whole conversation with me about being gay. She asked a lot of questions about how I knew, when I knew…And I feel like she really listened…It's a start anyways."
"That's great, Tim. Really."
"How was the prom?...I heard you went with Dylan." Tim admitted, reluctantly acknowledging the reality of the situation.
"You heard, eh? I guess there are no secrets at Degrassi…It was great, actually. Dylan surprised me on my front door step when Paige was supposed to pick me up…the best part of it was that my dad came down, and he seemed to be able to face the fact that I was going to go to the prom with a guy," Marco confided excitedly. "You probably don't really want to hear this right now, do you?"
"No…no…it's okay. Just not too many details, okay?"
"No problem." Marco smiled.
On Tuesday evening, Marco met up with Ellie, Paige, Alex, Dylan, and a friend of Dylan's from McGill, to head over to The Other Team. The group had agreed that there was no such thing as weeknights the last week of their final year. Loud house music was blaring from the speakers, as they danced surrounded by the shirtless Ken Dolls, lipstick lesbians, leather men, baby dykes, and drag queens that come complete with any Toronto gay bar.
"Marco, this is Steve" Dylan introduced Marco to the fellow hockey player. "Steve just finished first year. He's a great defenseman."
"Great to meet you, Marco…I have heard lots, and I mean lots, about you" Steve smiled sheepishly.
"Really?" Marco smiled widely at Dylan, "The truth, I hope."
"Definitely…brilliant, valedictorian, deep brown eyes, incredible kisser…" Steve flirted playfully.
"Steve!" Dylan blushed. Marco laughed.
"Well, it's pretty cool that Dylan has another gay guy to hang out with on the hockey team. That was definitely not the case at Degrassi."
"You'll have to excuse us, while I steal Marco for a dance." Dylan interrupted wanting to end his embarrassment quickly.
Dylan grabbed Marco's hand, pulling him into his body as the sound of Madonna's lulling beat in Secret began playing. The boys fit their lower bodies together as they began moving to the music, staring into each other's eyes.
Something's comin' over me….
When the song finished and Marco looked up from the intense blue eyes (he was pondering if staring itself could be considered a sexual activity), his thoughts were interrupted when he saw Tim's familiar army style hat approaching him.
"Tim! Hey…what are you doing here? I'm glad you came over here…" Marco said, eager to show him that he was serious about friendship.
"Hey Marco,….Dylan," Tim looked down, "Yeah. I wanted to come here again and Jen said she'd go with me."
"Thank goodness for straight women best friends," Marco sympathized, looking at Ellie.
"Hey Tim…that's great that you came," Dylan interjected, knowing that it was important to Marco to make amends with Tim. "You can hang with us. Tim, this is my friend, Steve."
"Hey Tim…nice hat…nice eyes under that hat too" Steve smiled flirtatiously.
"You are such a flirt!" Marco laughed accusingly.
"It..It's okay. I don't mind…" Tim blushed, quickly regretting saying that out loud.
Steve laughed, "Let's dance." Steve moved his hand gently to Tim's waist and began moving slowly to the rhythm of the music.
"Leave it to uninhibited Steve to flirt with the new guy." Dylan mused.
"I think the new guy is feeling pretty good about that right now," Marco noticed happily.
"Come on sexy, we're missing the song." Dylan pulled Marco's body firmly against his, as the electric energy of the music filled the night.
