Jack walked into the band room dreading meeting Simon. He hated when the stupid trumpeter was right. He would smirk and tease Jack until he finally snapped. It was quite easy to get Jack mad. A bit of poking and prodding, and he would twitch and yell. But eventually he would forget what or who made him mad and he would go on with life. That was the only reason he was still friends with Simon.

Jack sat down with a huff and waited for Simon to say something. He looked over. Simon was just sitting there, staring into space.

He waved a hand in front of his friend's eyes. "Earth to space cadet!"

Simon jumped a bit and realized Jack was there. A mischievous smile curled his lips as he stared at the redhead for a moment. Just enough to get him nervous.

"Simon?"

Simon looked at him.

"I have to tell you something…"

Simon cocked his head to the side inquisitively.

"I do like Ralph."

"HA! I knew it! I knew it! I knew it! Hahah! I knew it!" Simon almost literally exploded into a shower of words that were announced to the entire band.

"Simon, do you have something you want to say?" Ms. Nevins.

Simon's cheeks turned pink as he said, "No, I don't think so."

"Good. Now give me a C." (C is the tuning note for trumpets)

*One week later*

"Jack! Jack! She posted the ensembles!" Simon ran up to Jack and pulled him down the hallway to the bulletin board.

He glanced down the list until he found his name.

Jack Merridew and Ralph Finnegan: Alto Saxophone and Flute duet: A Doll's Lament.

Oh dear. He was with Ralph. And now Ralph had spotted him, and was working his way through the crowd to talk to him. Oh dear.

"It seems we have a duet, don't we?" Ralph smiled.

"I guess we do," Jack said shortly.

"So, would you want to work on the music at my house with me? Once she gives it to us of course." Ralph asked.

"Sure, that sounds nice," Jack said around his heart, which had suddenly leaped into his throat.

"How does tomorrow sound?"

"Sounds good to me," he choked out.

"Hey Jack! Who're you with? Are you okay, you look a bit green." Simon asked.

He just pointed to his name and shoved his way out of the wall of people that had surrounded the list. Finding a wall, Jack slid down it, breathing deeply. Maybe he could tell Ms. Nevins he couldn't do the ensemble. No, he couldn't do that. When she said he was signing his name in blood, she was only five-sevenths kidding.

And here came a smiling Simon. All happiness slipped off of his face once he saw Jack's face. The dark-haired boy said one word, "Breathe."

He hadn't realized he wasn't breathing. He inhaled and exhaled loudly, ignoring the odd looks he got.

"I'm going to his house to practice the music." Jack said, far louder than was necessary.

The grin was back on Simon's face, "Well, we'll have to prepare you for that won't we? You're coming over to my house after school."

Jack looked up at him. "Do I have a choice?"

Simon rolled his eyes, "of course you don't silly."

~After School~

Simon was on a very gay rampage. The contents of his closet were strewn about, with Jack standing in the middle of it all wearing too-tight skinny jeans and a black t-shirt that said 'Keep Calm and Carry On.'

"You look perfect!" Simon exclaimed, and collapsed on his bed.

"I don't feel perfect, I feel like my balls are going to be squeezed back into my body," Jack complained.

"Take it like a man." Simon ordered.

"I'm not going to be a man for long," the redhead whined

Simon just pushed him out of his room.

Jack pounded on the door, "Simon! My saxophone's in there! And my music!"

Simon opened the door with a reluctant face and shoved the case at him, "There you go. Now leave and go get some!"

Jack just ignored him and walked out of the house and down the street to the apartment complex Ralph told him he lived at. Taking deep breaths, he walked up and pressed the call button for Ralph's apartment

"Hello?" a childlike voice that was definitely not Ralph answered.

"Um, yeah, I'm Jack and I'm supposed to be practicing music with Ralph." He said, nervously shuffling from foot to foot.

"Just a sec. Ralph! Door's for you! It's some guy named Jack, is he your new boyfriend?" The kid screamed.

"Did you take your finger off the button?" Ralph yelled back.

"Oops, sorry Jack." The voice said.

"No problem," Jack muttered as the door buzzed to let him in.

Getting a better grip on his saxophone case, Jack mounted the musty stairs and knocked on the wooden door.

Author's Note: Sorry I haven't posted in so long! I have a wide range of excuses, from school to betas, but I'm not going to do that because I hate excuses. They always sound so cheap and half-assed. Anyways, This isn't beta-ed, so sorry for any mistakes I missed. No money was made in the making of this fanfiction, unfortunately enough. If there was one job I would love to have, it would be writing fanfiction. Except I would probably get sued all the time... Criticism is encouraged, and the occasional flame is too. I've never gotten flamed before, it seems like it would be a good experience to have. Adoring, heartfelt reviews commending my brilliance are highly encouraged also, basically, if you want to review, please do. Check out my other fics and Don't Forget To Be Awesome!