VIII

 

The week passed boringly.  Daniel craved to ask Versetti all the questions that were creating a hole in the pit of his stomach, but he knew Versetti now.  He was strong and he wouldn’t fold under the pressure Daniel gave him if it were all dealt out at once.  Unless he had concrete, evidence of course, which he regrettably lacked.

 

The presentation went well enough without snickers coming from McAfee’s end of the room, not to mention little comments of “how’s your boyfriend?” and “just so you know, I’ll always accept you.”  Piss heads.

 

Homework was beginning to pile up, as well as much needed procrastination.  After a long, tiresome summer vacation of being ready to murder to have something to do, he was finally able to put everything there was to do off until the last possible minute.  And that Friday, Roy, Aiden and Daniel were planning to watch a movie.  Thing’s were finally back to normal.  Except for the whole Versetti deal, but they just ignored each other.

 

“Where’s Roy?” asked Aiden.  “I thought you were bringing him?”

 

Daniel stepped into Aiden’s room, “No, I don’t think so.”

 

“He said you were.”

 

“Sounds like he lied.”

 

“Why would he lie?” laughed Aiden.  Daniel plopped on the bed and reached into Aiden’s small refrigerator next to his computer and grabbed a Dr. Pepper.

 

“I don’t know,” replied Daniel, though he did know.  He had a feeling he was with her again, but didn’t want to say.  Maybe Aiden thought the same thing, but Aiden was a little difficult for Daniel to read.  Sure, he could read lots of people like open books, but Aiden and him learned how to do it together, and they were both unreadable to each other.  Maybe it was better that way.

 

“Heard you got full points on your presentation,” remarked Aiden as he browsed the internet, kicking his feet up on the large bed.  Daniel got Aiden’s large body pillow and cuddled it.  Daniel seemed to be perpetually sleepy.

 

“I think anyone who does the homosexual presentation gets ‘You’ve got real balls to take this on’ points.  We could have generalized the entire thing and gotten full points.”

 

“Sucks you had to do that presentation, though.  Must have been awful.”

 

“No, not really,” said Daniel, sitting up.  “It was actually kind of interesting.  Dare I say it, I learned.”

 

“Please, what’s there to know?  Homosexuals are gay and need to die.”

 

Daniel already knew about Aiden’s homophobia, even though Aiden denied it as he damned all homosexuals to Hell.

 

“Spoken like a true homophobe,” said Daniel.

 

“I’m not homophobic.  I’m not scared of them, I just hate them.”

 

“Tell me, then, why do you hate them?”

 

“Because what they do is wrong.”

 

“Is it so wrong to love?” said Daniel melodramatically.

 

“It is if it’s a guy and a guy!” protested Aiden.  “Why can’t they just like girls?”

 

“This is why you hate them; you don’t understand them!  You don’t bother to take the time to understand that fully 100% of all homosexuals at one point would KILL to be heterosexual.  Eventually, they just submit because there isn’t a way to get them heterosexual.  If you took the time to learn about it, you wouldn’t hate them.  It’s like saying, ‘I hate that kid because of the way she dresses,” or ‘I hate her because of the way he walks.’  Maybe the way she dresses is just because she can’t afford new clothes, or maybe the way he walks is a physical handicap of sorts.  You’ll never know until you ask or get to know the person.  It’s hopeless to argue, Aiden.  I’m educated on the matter.”

 

“I know plenty, and that’s already too much for me.”

 

It was hopeless.  Nothing would change Aiden’s mind, which was a shame given Daniel’s current state.  He knew that if Aiden ever knew about his potential sexuality, Aiden would kill him.  Aiden would entirely desert him and throw him to the dogs.  That’s not to say that if Aiden found out before the rest of the student body at school he would go about telling everyone.  But Aiden would desert him just the same, and the thought was more than Daniel could bear.  He decided to change the subject quickly.

 

“So what are we watching?” asked Daniel.

 

“My case is over there,” pointed Aiden to the corner of his bed.  Daniel reached over and grabbed a large CD case filled with illegally copied DVDs.  There were four hundred slots, but hardly seventy of them were filled, all in alphabetical order.  They decided on one of their favorite movies of all time; The Breakfast Club.  Aiden went out and made some popcorn and came back with snacks.  All was ready, except for Roy.

 

-         - - - - - - - - - - - -

 

“Where is he?!” exclaimed Daniel.

 

“Call him,” said Aiden.

 

Two hours had passed.  In that time, the popcorn was gone, the snacks were eaten, and many rounds of Smash Bros. had been played.  Daniel got out his cell phone and called.  Of course, there was no answer.

 

“I’ll try his home phone.”

 

Surprisingly, the receiver was picked up, but it was Roy’s mother.

 

“Hi, this is Daniel.  Yes, is Roy around?”

 

Aiden tried to listen, but couldn’t hear the voice on the other end.  He could only try to judge what was happening by Daniel’s voice and facial expressions.

 

“Uh-huh,” said Daniel slowly with a hint of anger, looking at Aiden, “Really?  When was that?  I see.  No, it’s fine, I’ll just call him tomorrow.  Thanks.  Yes, I’ll tell her.  Bye.”  He hung up and exasperated.

 

“What is it?”

 

“He went to Jade’s house three hours ago.”

 

“Are you kidding me?!” exclaimed Aiden.  “This is ridiculous!”

 

“He ditched us for a girl,” Daniel whispered.  He couldn’t believe it.  He was ditched.  His best friend ditched him.  They had been so close only two months ago.  They had shared everything.  And now…

 

“Well, we can start the movie, I guess,” said Aiden.  He didn’t seem that bothered.  But it bothered Daniel.

 

They played the movie, but Daniel couldn’t concentrate.  What had happened?  Daniel and Roy had been so close.  Through the playing of an old song on the radio, ‘Say Goodbye to Yesterday,’ they found each other in tears because they had both lost somebody close and had acquainted that song with the event.  That song had sparked the brotherly bond between them.  They had been brothers.  When Aiden came into the picture, they were all brothers, though the passionate brotherly experience was chiefly shared between Daniel and Roy.  And now he was ditched for a girl.  Give him another chance, thought Daniel, it’s not what it sounds like.  Of course it’s not what it sounds like!  How could I ever think something so awful about my own brother.

 

And with that, he relaxed just as Bender fell through the library roof.

 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

 

Daniel woke in a sweat.

 

Daniel reached into his pillow to check the time on his cell phone.  1:00 AM.  Whew.  It was always a relief when you wake in the middle of the night to know that you still have hours left of sleep before waking up for school.  He had only been asleep for about two hours.

 

But the feeling of relief was transitory, and a horrible qualm settled in the pit of his stomach.  Something was wrong, horribly wrong.  But what was it?

 

He got out of bed and put his head in his hands.  The cold hard wood floor felt good on his feet.  He got up and walked to his window.  Whenever he approached a window in a time of confusion, he found his answer.  The moon shone brightly in its full splendor and cast shadows through the backyard.  So peaceful and so quiet, and probably cool too.

 

He walked through the house quietly and went into the backyard.  He sat on the grass in his boxers and let the air flow through him.  He felt beads of sweat cooling on his neck and back.  So relaxing and peaceful.  He closed his eyes, and there was his answer.

 

“You never talk to us and you never call!” rang Daniel’s own voice through his head.

 

When did I say that, he wondered.  Who did I say that to?

 

Oh, of course; it was a memory from a dream.  A dumb dream.  He probably dreamt about Roy and his lack of being a friend.  Though Daniel tried to tell himself it was a simple misunderstanding, he couldn’t help but feel completely ignored by his best friend.  Of course Aiden didn’t feel the same disappointment as Daniel felt because Aiden didn’t know Roy as well as Daniel did.  It’s hard to remove a plant with strong roots.

 

 As trains of thought often do, this recall of his recent dream led him to remember the one he had so long ago, or so it seemed.  It felt like a long time since he walked down the halls of that unknown dormitory and climbed up that ladder to the boy that wouldn’t leave his head…or his heart, for that matter.

 

It seemed almost clear that the dirty-blonde boy was Mark, but Daniel didn’t want to allow it.  Mark was a ridiculous, annoying thorn in his side and that was that.  He couldn’t fall in love with him, and that boy in that dorm couldn’t have been this prick in his class.  But there was so much evidence that it just HAD to be.  The hair, the smile…all that was missing was the eyes, and at this rate, the brown eyes he carried with him must be temporary eyeballs and his has his real blue eyes stashed in a drawer somewhere.

 

This is ridiculous, thought Daniel as he stood up.  His thoughts were just angering him.  Time for bed.

 

Bed came quick, but sleep took longer than expected.  As he lay there, he wondered how dreams could keep someone awake for so long.

 

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

 

Roy didn’t meet Aiden and Daniel before school like usual.

 

“Roy’s probably late,” thought Daniel.

 

“Or he’s with his new girlfriend again,” chimed in Aiden.

 

“I’m sure there’s an explanation for it,” Daniel defended.  Even after the previous night’s episode, he was still convinced that there was another possible explanation.

 

“Hope you’re right,” said Aiden hopelessly as the bell rang.

 

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

 

“Well, children,” Mr. Bliss annoyingly said, “you’re grades on your presentations are finally ready.”

 

The room filled with a slight buzz.  Even Daniel cracked a smile.

 

“Unfortunately,” said Bliss, “I forgot them at home.  I suppose I’ll need to go home at lunch and retrieve them, so just come on in after school and they’ll be hot off the oven!”  He smiled as he shuffled some papers on his podium, “Until then…Chapter Assignments!”

 

The class groaned and Daniel returned to sulking.  He looked at Mark.  He was wearing a black hat.  He looked cute with hats on, but he’d rather see his hair.  Maybe it went back to its complete natural color.

 

- - - - - - - - - - -

 

“What’s wrong, Dan?” asked Mr. Gonzales.

 

It was statistics class and everyone was at work, but Daniel got lost in his own thoughts and, apparently, he was staring off into space.

 

“Oh, nothing.”

 

Mr. Gonzales stared at him blankly.

 

“Ok, there’s something,” Daniel gave in, “but it’s nothing…just dumb, high school stuff.”

 

“If it’s bothering you like it looks like it is,” said Mr. Gonzales as he took a seat next to him, “then it seems like it isn’t dumb to you.”

 

Damn Gonzales and his clever word games.

 

“You don’t need to talk to me about it,” said Mr. Gonzales, “but until you find a solution or find a way to get it off your chest, you’ll fall behind in school.”

 

Daniel smiled.  “Thanks, Mr. G.  I can probably get it straightened out during lunch.”

 

Mr. Gonzales smiled, “Good, now worry about it then, and do your work now!”

 

- - - - - - - - -

 

Ok, thought Daniel as he walked to the usual lunch spot, I have to get things sorted out now with Roy.  I’m becoming a basket case, here.

 

He got to his lunch spot to only find Aiden sitting there, already indulging himself with a cheeseburger.

 

“If America doesn’t want to be fat,” Aiden muttered through a full mouth, “why doesn’t it just make crappy food?”

 

“Because then it wouldn’t be America,” said Daniel, then added quickly, “Where’s Roy?”

 

“I don’t know,” Aiden shook his head.  “I saw him walking after 3^rd, but that’s it.”

 

“This is ridiculous.  He can’t keep dodging us.”

 

“Then go find him if you want to talk to him so badly,” said Aiden, taking another bite.

 

“I will,” Daniel said decisively and got up and walked away.

 

He had no idea where he would look, all he knew is that he wanted to talk to his best friend and get this sorted out once and for all.

 

Oddly enough, Daniel soon found him walking with Jade.  He caught up to him as best he could without looking like he was desperate.

 

“Roy?  Roy!”  Daniel called after him, but either Roy didn’t hear him or he was ignoring him.  Finally, Daniel ran and tapped his shoulder.

 

“Roy!”

 

Roy turned around as though he hadn’t known Daniel was calling him.  “Daniel…hi!”  He tried to look cheerful.

 

“Can I talk to you?” Daniel asked.

 

“Sure, what’s up?”

 

He wanted to talk to Roy alone, and he knew Roy knew that but was just afraid to talk to Daniel.  Daniel was getting angry.

 

“Subtly doesn’t work with you now, does it.”  Daniel turned to Jade, “Could you excuse us, your majesty?”

 

Jade opened her mouth slightly with indignation, then looked at Roy for support, who could merely open his mouth and utter nothing.  Daniel caught her eyes again, “Pretty please?”

 

Jade closed her mouth and said to Roy sharply, “I’ll be in the SBO,” and stomped off.

 

“What the hell was that about?” Roy declared.

 

“No, what the hell is THIS about?  You totally ditched us on Friday!”

 

“I had to babysit my sister.”

 

“That’s bullshit and you know it,” said Daniel.  “I know where you were.”

 

“Where?”

 

“Her house!  You were with her, and you are always with her!  I want to know what happened to us and why you find her company worth more than even giving Aiden and I a hint that you still want to spend time with us!”

 

“Of course I do!”

 

“Then pick up a phone, Roy!  You never talk to us and you never call!”

 

“Hey,” snapped Roy, “just because I can get a girlfriend…”

 

“Oh, please, I would rather not have a girlfriend if I knew I would turn into you!”

 

“Just because I can get a girlfriend doesn’t mean you can go crazy on my ass through your own jealousy!”

 

“My jealousy!  Ever since the day you met this girl we’ve been nothing but children’s toys left to dust over.  This isn’t about jealousy, Roy, this is about us and you’re selfish disdain for us!”

 

 “I haven’t done anything to you,”

 

“And that just proves that you don’t get it.  I’ve been there for you and always have and always will.  When your memories of your grandfather were too much for you, I was the one there to give you my shoulder.  When your cousin was in the hospital, I was there with you in the waiting room for HOURS playing chess and talking with you!”

 

“What about when you’re grandfather passed away, huh?  Who’s shoulder did you cry on?”

 

“I’m not wondering who’s it was, Roy, I’m wondering where it’s gone!”

 

Silence.

 

They both breathed a little heavily.  Some people stared as they passed by, but the two contenders didn’t care.

 

“Where has it gone, Roy?” asked Daniel quietly.

 

Daniel knew Roy, and he knew that now would be the time he came back to the group and now would be the time he would find room in his life for both Jade and his boys.

 

“If you think that I would leave you for a girl,” said Roy softly, “then you’re no friend of mine.”

 

And with that, he walked off to the SBO.

 

- - - - - - - - - -

 

If the first half of the day was somber, the rest of the day was utterly grave.  Even the weather had changed and a small drizzle was beginning.  Daniel showed no emotion on his face; no frown nor smile, no tear nor laugh.  His eyes stared blankly into space for the rest of the day, and he found it both comforting and annoying that nobody cared to ask him what was the matter.

 

Finally, the day ended.  He was about to leave campus when he remembered that he had to pick up his grade in Mr. Bliss’s class.  He went back and, by the time he got there, the line was pretty much gone.  No sign of Versetti, noticed Daniel.  For some reason, the sight of Mark may have been comforting.

 

“Alright, Daniel, you’re my last one!” said Bliss with a smile.  Daniel showed no expression.  “You two did a magnificent presentation!  Best I’ve seen on the topic.”

 

“Thanks,” he said dryly and walked away.

 

Not until Daniel was halfway home did he realize he hadn’t thought one thought since saying ‘thanks’ to Mr. Bliss.  He decided to look at the paper to see his grade.  85%.

 

85%?!  I thought we did the best ever!  He looked down at the judging criteria and found a red X on “contribution between partners equal.”

 

Oh Hell no, thought Daniel.  He got home as quick as he could just as rain started to fall.

 

- - - - - - - -

 

At home, he found Mark’s address on his email address information and immediately left for the house.  The house was only a few blocks down, not hard to find at all, except it was raining steadily and he was beginning to become soaked.

 

He knocked on the door and a kind lady opened.

 

“Oh my goodness, look at you, you’re all wet!  Come in!”

 

This lady was by far the sweetest lady he’d seen since Edward Scissorhands.  He couldn’t help but smile.

 

“Are you one of Mark’s friends?” she asked kindly with a broad smile and a twinkling in her eyes that were magnified by the large glasses she wore.

 

“Um, yes, is he here?”

 

“Yes, he’s in his room, straight down the hall, last door on the right.”

 

“Thank you,” said Daniel politely and followed the directions.  Despite her pleasing appearance, Daniel found himself fuming as soon as he reached Mark’s door.  He broke right in.

 

“What the hell is this?” demanded Daniel, lifting the paper in the air.  He found himself looking at an incredible room.  He had a bunk bed that was left without a bottom bunk and was replaced by a small recliner that faced a little TV.  He had a computer to the bed’s left under a window, and then a bookshelf on the opposite wall.  It was functionally messy.

 

Daniel heard a sigh from the top of the bunk.  “Hello, Daniel.  How are you today?”

 

“Shut up.  What the hell is this?”

 

“I’m sure I don’t know,” said Mark boringly.  “What is it?”

 

“Shut up.  Why did I get an 85% on the presentation and there’s a fat X on ‘contribution between partners equal,’?”

 

“I think you just answered your own question.”

 

“Why did does it say this?” demanded Daniel.

 

Mark sighed and he heard papers rustling.  “Bring it up here.”

 

“Damn right, I’ll take it up there,” muttered Daniel angrily to himself as he went to the ladder and climbed.  “And I just might give my fist a nice little sock in your pretty little face…”

 

Daniel stopped when his head was over the top of the edge.  He was face to face with Mark; the real mark.  No hat, no artificial coloring, and no contacts.  He had colored contacts before; now his eyes were blue.  Daniel stared at the boy from his dream.  All that was missing was…

 

Mark smiled, “What?  You’re making me self conscious.”

 

Oh, the smile!  Daniel’s eyes must have grown as large as baseballs and his heart felt like it melted into mush.  It was all he could do to keep from sighing.

 

And without any warning, without any second thoughts or second guesses, Daniel kissed Mark.