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Ch. 60 Your Lips to Mine

(JAY)

"Happy Birthday Dude," Spin grins as I walk into the Mason house.

"Right back at you," I reply as I hug him.

It's Saturday, May 5th, and tonight Spin and I are celebrating our birthdays, at his house with a party. My birthday isn't until tomorrow, and his isn't until Thursday, but since they're so close together we usually celebrate together.

Clare and Adam come out from the back and tell me happy birthday while they both hug me. Bianca, Drew and Paige all do the same as they come out of the kitchen. The others start arriving, everyone wishes me and Spin a happy birthday. Drew puts on some music and more guests arrive. It's nice weather outside, the backdoor is open, Spin has the grill going and two coolers full of drinks. We invited a lot of people, but there's plenty of room in the house and the backyard. Aside from the gang and their significant others I also invited the employees from the garage and everyone from my support group. Spin invited everyone that works at The Dot, they won't all be able to make it because some of them have to work. Still, I'm sure some that aren't working will come and others will drop by.

"So, you made it to twenty-two," Sean says sitting down next to and handing me a beer.

"Not until tomorrow, but it feels good to have reached this birthday, not so long ago I didn't think I'd get to this point. I was very close to keeping myself from reaching it or any others," I reply opening the beer.

"Yeah, but you got this far and you'll have many birthdays after this one."

"I didn't used to think so, but I do now. It's a very good feeling, I feel like there's really something to celebrate this year," I smile.

"Here's to a lot more birthdays," Sean says holding up his beer can. I tap my can against his and we both take a sip.

The party is a lot of fun. It's good to have some time with all of my friends and enjoy a day I didn't think I'd have. The party goes until well after two in the morning, though people begin to leave slowly by eleven. I've had a few beers and decide not to drive home, so I crash on the Mason's sofa. Fitz sleeps here too, but he takes the floor.

I wake late Sunday morning when I hear noises in the kitchen. Getting up with a yawn I go to the kitchen and sit at the table.

"Happy birthday," Paige smiles kissing my cheek and handing me some coffee.

"Thanks," I grin back.

Fitz drags himself into the kitchen, getting himself some coffee and sitting down with me. Paige is making waffles for breakfast, as the smell drifts through the house the others begin to get up. After I eat, and we're sitting at the table talking, my phone rings. I'm happily surprised to see that it's Jane calling.

"Hi Jane."

"Happy birthday, how's it feel to be twenty-two?"

"Great, it's a day I didn't think I'd see. It's a gift, like every other day I get to live. I appreciate my birthday and every other day so much more now. I'm looking forward to many more birthdays."

"I'm happy to hear it, and you should be. Any big plans for your birthday? Besides your party last night?"

"Just hanging out with everyone, that's enough, I don't need any big celebration. Maybe for my twenty-fifth or thirtieth I'll do something big."

"Sounds good, I'll probably be there to celebrate with you for those. Today however, I have a major final to study for, and a study group to get to. But I wanted to call and wish you a happy birthday."

"Thanks Jane, you still planning to come home this summer?"

"Yes, probably in early June once school is out and all finals are over."

"Cool, I'll see you this summer."

"Bye Jay."

I hang up with Jane with a smile on my face, a smile I wear the rest of the day because I reached it. We don't do much today, hanging at the Mason house, football at the park, pizza for dinner.

When I return to my house that evening I use a green marker to cross out the day on my calendar. Every day I cross out, every day I make it through is a good one, one I survived, one I made it to, a gift to appreciate. No one knows how many they have, but I'll be grateful for every one that I get to live. Whatever life I do have left is mine, and I'm going to live it my way.

I was ready to end it all a few months ago, feeling as though I had been given a death sentence. In a way I had, but that doesn't mean I'm not going to live, to enjoy what I have. I'm HIV positive, it doesn't mean all future possibilities have been closed to me. I have a lot of life left to live and a lot left to give, and I look forward to tomorrow, and every tomorrow after that.

(CLARE)

"You look very hot," I comment to Bianca when she wiggles into her dress. "I don't think you'll be doing much dancing with my brother tonight, at least standing up," I remark, and Anya laughs.

"Oh, he'll dance. I'll make him dance, it's foreplay," she shoots back with a devilish smile, and now Vanessa laughs.

Bianca's dress is strapless with a corset top, so she didn't need a bra. The ankle length skirt was long and flowing, with a slit on each side that went to her hip bone. The corset top was black with gold embellishments and the skirt was simply jet black. Strappy black heels and a gold choker completed her outfit. I could practically see the visions that would dance through Drew's head as soon as he saw her.

"You can't disappear too quickly, you're up for king and queen," Anya reminds Bianca.

"I still don't know how that happened, must be Drew's popularity," Bianca replies.

"Are you girls ready yet?" Drew calls impatiently through my bedroom door. The eight of us were getting ready at our house, it was the easiest since half of us live here, and the others are here a lot. The guys were mostly getting ready in Drew's room, I knew Adam would join them to do his hair and stuff but would get dressed in his room. All the girls were getting ready in my room.

"Perfection takes time," Bianca shouts back.

"Can one of you do the buttons on the back of my dress please? I swear they make our clothes so difficult to make it harder for the guys to get them off," Vanessa remarks.

"Probably, they were all designed by women," I reply as I start buttoning her dress. Vanessa has a yellow dress, with a one shoulder cross sash, it plunges down enough to show some cleavage and goes to her knees, hugging each of her curves on the way down. She has white flower earrings, a matching necklace and white heels. Her hair has been brushed to the side and a big white flower clip is in it contrasting against her dark hair.

"Where'd my shoes go?" Anya questions looking around my room.

"I think they got kicked under my bed with my shoes," I tell her.

Anya grabs her shoes and sits on my bed to put them on. Then she stands and does a final check in the mirror on my door. Her dress is deep blue, goes to her knees with a black sash around her waist, and black straps for sleeves. Her sweetheart neckline plunges just a bit and her black sling back heels match the black accents of her dress. She has a shiny bracelet, a silver necklace and matching earrings. Her hair is up, except for a couple of strands that frame her face. She put a few sparkly clips in her hair for some extra bling.

"Ready girls?" I question as I slip into my heels.

"I believe so, let's go make our grand entrance," Bianca grins.

Anya opens my bedroom door and we parade out to the living room. The guys are out here talking with Spin and Paige, but all conversation halts when we appear. The guys whistle and our dates all come to us, complementing our dresses and greeting us with kisses.

"You look amazing," Jeff smiles.

I chose an emerald green halter dress, it has an empire waist and flows around my curves. The neckline plunges as much as I could get away with, and the dress flows down to my ankles. A slit goes up to my knee on the right leg, and my matching green heels peek out from the hem of my dress. I wear Mom's gold pearl earrings, matching bracelet and necklace, Dad gave them to me for my twelfth birthday, but I've hardly worn them. My hair is pulled back on one side and held in place with a green feather clip adorned with fake emeralds.

"Thank you, you look very handsome," I grin back pulling Jeff down to kiss me.

Owen and Jeff went a bit more casual, each is wearing black slacks with a belt, dress shoes and a dress shirt. Owen in purple and Jeff in deep blue. My brothers went a bit more dressy, like Jeff and Owen they too have dress shoes and belts. Drew is wearing dark blue dress pants and tie with a white dress shirt. Adam has pinstripe light grey and white slacks with a matching vest over a white dress shirt.

"You all look amazing, now get together so I can get pictures," Paige instructs.

We all group together and Paige takes a few pics with her phone. At first we're all serious in the pictures, posing with our dates and smiling. When she won't stop taking pics we begin acting goofy. Paige still gets one of the girls and one of the guys, then one of each couple, and finally one with me and all three of my brothers before she lets us go.

"Okay, you kids have fun, be safe and we'll see you tomorrow morning," Spinner says.

He and Paige are going out with Sean and Emma tonight, and then they are all staying at Jay's tonight. This means the house will be empty, at least until Drew and Bianca come back here. Adam and Jeff got adjoining hotel rooms, I know because Jeff convinced Adam to do so, and he told me so. Spinner lifted our curfew for the night and simply said we need to be home or at one of the gang's by eight tomorrow morning.

We say goodbye to Spin and Paige as we leave. The guys all went in on a stretch limo together to take us to prom. Riding over in the stretch limo is great, we only have it until eleven though, it will probably just take Drew and Bianca home because I believe Owen also got a room for the night. It drops us off at the hotel entrance where prom is being held, we go in and follow the signs to the ballroom.

It's a little overwhelming walking in, bright flashing lights, loud music, a lot of conversations. Jeff puts his arm around me and we follow the others to our table. We're all at a table together and next to other Ice Hounds juniors; Kelly, Craig, Jimmy, Peter and their most of us sit down Owen and Jeff go over to the table to talk to their teammates. I look around the dance, taking it all in and looking for Eli and my other friends. Jeff and Owen return to the table after a few minutes and we all decide to go out to the dance floor. We manage to stay together, finding a spot to dance where we can all dance in a group.

After dancing for a while we return to the table to eat and rest a bit. After eating Jeff, Adam, Anya and I go to get our prom pictures taken. After prom pictures Jeff and Adam go to get us dessert while Anya and I visit the washroom. We're in the washroom for a while because it's crowded, and we must wait, when we finally make it back to the ballroom I'm ready for dessert. Drew, Bianca, Owen and Vanessa join us at the table for dessert as well. After dessert Adam and Anya get up to dance, Drew and Bianca go to get their pictures taken and Jeff goes to the washroom. As I'm watching the people around me a hand is held out in front of me.

"Dance with me?" Mark requests.

I smile and take his hand, he helps me up, but then I pull back a little, looking around for Jeff.

"Don't worry, I asked Jeff first. I saw him in the washroom," Mark tells me.

I smile again. Not just that he asked Jeff, but that he knew what I was worried about. We walk toward the center of the dance floor. Mark stops and puts his arms around me just as slow romantic music begins to play. I put an arm around him, one hand and my head on his chest. His heart beats fast when his arms wrap all the way around me, I hear him release a pleasured breath, and I bite my lip.

"I didn't know if you'd come," I say into his chest.

"I wasn't going to at first, and then Marisol asked me."

"Oh," is my only response. I feel sort of a stabbing in my chest, yet I know I shouldn't be jealous. I broke up with Mark to date Jeff, and Mark can date whomever he wants. So why does it hurt so much to think about him with another girl?

"I think she was just trying to make her ex jealous," Mark tells me.

This doesn't really make me feel any better, instead I find myself gripping his shirt. I listen to his heart and his breathing for the rest of the song, I don't even notice when it ends. I'm vaguely aware that the music is fast now, Mark and I remain embraced and dancing slow however.

"If you don't mind Fitz I'd like to dance with my girl now," Jeff says. His sudden voice from behind me is startling, I gasp into Mark's chest and inadvertently grip Mark tighter. He simply rubs the back of my neck in a soothing manner and I relax.

"I should go find my date anyway," Mark says. As he pulls away he bends down to whisper in my ear, "You look amazing tonight."

While my lips curl into a blissful smile Mark slips away and Jeff takes his place. He takes my hand, but it's a fast song, so he doesn't put an arm around me. He does lean down to kiss me though, I turn my smile to my boyfriend and start dancing with him. Adam and Anya join us after a minute, the four of us stay together on the dance floor for a long time. Dancing in a group for the fast songs, and with our dates for the slow ones. I do find myself looking around for Mark quite often, but I don't see him or Marisolin the crowd. I see just about everyone else at one point or another though. Owen and Vanessa dance a few fast songs with us, Eli and Grace also dance a few fast songs with us. I don't see much of Drew and Bianca though, and I start to think they went back to our house for what I'm sure will be a marathon night of love making in our rarely empty house. That is until the king and queen are announced, Drew and Bianca win! They go on stage, I cheer for them, watch them in their spotlight dance, and soon after that they leave.

Jeff and I dance to a few more songs, mostly the slow songs. When I do finally see Mark and Marisolthey're leaving with his arm around her. Not a sight I want to see, and then I scold myself for being jealous. After a lot of dancing I return to our table while Jeff gets us something to drink. Adam and Anya are already sitting at the table.

"Only an hour left for prom, do you guys want to stick around, or should we go up to our rooms?" Jeff asks after checking the time on his phone.

"I think we should go up to our rooms," Anya grins linking her arm through Adam's.

"Yeah, let's go up to the room," I nod.

We get up from the table, gather our things and take the elevator upstairs. At some point during the dance Adam and Jeff checked us in. After Jeff opens our door he picks me up into his arms, carries me into the room, and kicks the doors closed behind us which makes me giggle. He carries me to the bed and sets me down gently.

"Did you enjoy prom Pretty Eyes?"

"Yes, I did."

Jeff grins, leaning down and crushing his lips to mine.

(JOHNNY)

"Did you go to your junior prom?" Sam asks me.

It's Saturday night, junior prom for DeGrassi where many of my friends, Sam's cousin and brother currently are. Sam and I are on a date tonight, I made reservations at her favorite restaurant. The waiter just came and took our order, now we're nibbling on bread as we talk.

"No, my girlfriend at the time wasn't into that sort of thing. We doubled with Spin and Paige instead. I went to senior prom though, it was fun. Did you go to yours?"

"Yep went to both, I was queen at my senior prom," Sam smiles.

"That doesn't surprise me at all. You'll have to show me pictures," I grin.

"I can do that now," she replies getting out her phone.

She shows me a picture of her and her date. The theme for her prom was "Romantic Enchantment", the background for their pictures is a candlelight table and lots of twinkling lights. Sam wears a long pink dress that she looks very good in.

"I promise to show you my prom picture, but I don't keep it on my phone."

"I'm not surprised, I doubt most guys would. Especially, if you're no longer dating the girl you took. Do you have any pictures on your phone?"

"Yeah, lots." I get out my phone and show her all the pictures on it. Only a few of me with family, mostly of me and the gang, and some of things I just wanted a picture of.

"Those are great pics, you have a really good eye. Ever thought of taking a photography class?"

"I took one in high school, maybe I'll take one as an art elective in the fall."

"Speaking of classes, I finally chose all mine for summer semester. I gave my new availability to work this afternoon. I'm also hoping to find an apartment this summer. I love my cousin, aunt and uncle and my brother, but that house feels smaller and smaller every day."

"Yeah, I know the feeling, been thinking of moving out myself, but then I'd need a job," I remark which makes Sam laugh. Over dinner we talk about friends, family, school, plans for the summer. "It's a nice evening, do you want to go for a walk near the water?" I ask after signing the bill.

"That sounds wonderful," she smiles.

We go out to my car and I drive us to a spot where we can park and walk along the river. I put my arm around her and she takes my other hand, we're walking slowly and enjoying the summer evening. There's still plenty of light and the sun reflects on the water making it shimmer. It's a serene, romantic, ideal evening with my girl, until I see someone. The sight of which instinctually makes me grind my teeth and makes my chest tighten. I stop walking and pull Sam back until we're out of sight.

"What is it? What's wrong?" She questions.

"Take my keys, go back to my car. Go home, I'll call you later," I tell her getting my keys from my pocket.

"Johnny, what is it? What's wrong?" She asks with a distressed tone. I know she's worried, but I can't explain now.

"Sam please, just do it, go back to my place if you want, I'll be there later. Right now, I need you to go," I assert.

She lets out a large sighing breath as she gives in. "What about you? How will you get home?"

"Don't worry, I'll have a ride. Now please go," I insist again. She finally takes my keys and turns back on the path, walking at first and then she runs. I watch until she's out of sight and then I get out my phone sending out a group text.

Johnny: Get down here. Dean is in my sights. I send them my location with the text, and get replies almost immediately, and almost simultaneously.

Spinner: Sean and I are coming.

Lucas: On my way.

Jay: Be there in ten.

Dean isn't alone just now, but I'm not about to lose him or this opportunity. I know the others won't either. Dean is currently with a small group of people, the five of us could easily handle the group. All we want is Dean.

I stay back, but never lose sight of Dean. It isn't long before the others start to join me, Jay is first, then Lucas, Sean and Jay are the last to join us. I'm sure Paige and Emma found out or figured out what was going on and tried to stop them. None of them called out to me, and we're all staying fairly well hidden, so I'm fairly certain Dean doesn't know that we're here. I doubt his friends know who we are. We stay where we are, watching, waiting, talking quietly. Their group is drinking, laughing and talking loudly. They seem to be mostly talking about high school, it was probably the glory days for most of them.

Little by little the others in Dean's group begin to dissipate. One guys has to go because he has work in the morning. A short time later one couple leaves to go back to his place. Less than ten minutes later one of the girls passes out and a guy walks away carrying her. Hopefully, that guy is nothing like Dean and he's taking the girl home. Now it's Dean, one other guy and a girl. They're still drinking, still talking. We're still watching, still waiting, hoping Dean leaves alone or the girl and guy leave together thus leaving Dean alone. Finally, the girl and other guy start making out and Dean decides to leave. He says goodnight to the couple and starts walking off, and we follow. At first, we're a great distance behind and keeping quiet as we can. If he hears us and looks back he'll know we're after him and take off. We can't wait too long, or we'll be visible to others and we'll end up getting arrested for assault. When we're sure no one will see or hear us Spinner runs up and we follow.

"Stay away from my wife," Spinner growls.

Dean turns around only to be punched in the face by Spinner. Before Dean can react Jay punches him in the stomach. I punch at the same time as Lucas, while Sean kicks him. Dean is on the ground before he can throw a single punch or defend himself at all.

"Stay away from all of us you pathetic, fucking rapist," Spinner snarls kicking Dean hard in the stomach. He kicks him so hard that Dean coughs up some blood. "Don't you ever threaten or even look at Paige again," Spinner says before kicking Dean in the face.

Sean and I look at each other and pull Spinner back, if we let him continue he's likely to kill Dean.

"Easy Spin, I think he gets it. We don't want to kill him, just teach him a lesson," I remind Spin.

He lets out a breath and relaxes a little, then bends down to get in Dean's face. "Threaten or even come near Paige or any of us again and next time I won't stop." Spinner stands up and we walk away from Dean.

"Sean and Spin get back to your women, they'll be worried about you. I'll see you four at my place later. Lucas, you need to get to work don't you?" Jay asks.

"Yeah, pretty soon," Lucas nods.

"Okay, you get to work. I'll find a place to call an ambulance anonymously," Jay tells us.

"I'll come with you," I volunteer. I also have a date to get back to, but I don't want Jay to call alone.

Leaving the seclusion along the river we split up. Lucas, Sean and Spin going back to their cars. Jay and I walk a bit until we find a liquor store. We go in and ask to use the phone, then Jay calls 911. He tells them a guy got mugged or something and tells them where to find Dean. He hangs up before they can get his name though, and we quickly leave.

"Where's your car?" Jay inquires.

"I let Sam take it, didn't want her here."

"I'll give you a ride," Jay says. I already knew he would.

"Thanks, I think she went back to my place, let me just call to make sure," I remark getting out my cell.

"Are you okay?" Sam asks.

"I'm fine. Did you go to my place or yours?"

"Yours, your dad is here, he didn't say anything when I came in though."

"He pretty much keeps to himself. Jay will bring me home, I'll see you in a bit," I tell her.

"So, your place then?" Jay asks.

"Yeah," I nod. He takes me home, I say goodbye and go inside. Dad is either sleeping or in his room, Sam is on the sofa. When she sees me come in she gets up and hugs me tightly. "I told you, I'm fine," I assure her.

"What happened?"

"It started back in high school, Paige went to a party and got date raped. None of us knew at first, not Spinner or Emma, she didn't tell any of us, she tried to rationalize it to herself. Eventually she just couldn't anymore and she told Jay. We got to Dean back then too, and he stayed away, at least for a few years. Mostly he stays away or we just don't see him, Paige has moved on and for the most part forgotten about Dean. Every so often though he appears, and he seems to take a perverse pleasure in tormenting Paige especially. Sometimes we see him at games between his old high school, Bardell, and DeGrassi. Recently, he approached Paige while she was eating lunch. He didn't hurt her, but it brought it all back for her. Spinner was angry, we all were, we taught him a lesson tonight."

"I'll assume that means you beat him up."

"Not by myself, but yes. Don't worry, he's alive, Jay and I called an ambulance for him."

"So, now you and Jay, and I'm assuming at least Spinner will be arrested for assault."

"No way, Dean is too much of a coward to press charges without witnesses. He also knows if he presses charges then we bring up the rape. Anyway, we all have alibis if we do get questioned."

"I'm glad you're all okay but solving problems with your fists in not the answer," she scolds me.

"We don't always use violence, we rarely do, me especially. People like Dean, they only listen to one thing. We still have lots of time before I have to get you home, what would you like to do?"

Sam just smiles and presses her lips to mine.

Update soon when a homecoming brings more worry than joy. Next story to be posted is Live in My House, I'll be Your Shelter.