by A. V. Zeppa
“I’m sure it will be fine with them. I’ll have my father give you and Mr. Emerson a call.
While we’re all together, I would like to invite David to New York over the break as well. I could fly in for a few days, and then David could fly back with me,” Marco suggested, hoping David wouldn’t be angry for suggesting it.
A huge smile erupted on David’s face. “Mom, dad, can I go?” he asked, crossing his fingers.
“Well, I don’t know. What do you think, dear?” His dad gave David a serious look, and then grinned. “That sounds like a good plan to me.”
Marco watched with envy as David hugged and kissed his parents. It was easy to see how much he was loved. “I’ll make sure my father calls tomorrow to confirm everything, and to give you the flight information so David and I can fly back together.”
“Thanks, we appreciate that,” David’s mother said.
David thanked his parents again and then headed to his bedroom so they could talk in private.
“I can’t wait until you get here. It will be nice to hang out together. You can meet Tyler and Melissa. And, oh yeah, I’ll take you snowmobiling on all of the awesome trails around here.”
I’m looking forward to it. I’m up for anything you want to do. I just wish we could make time go faster.”
“Me too.” They continued talking well into the night making plans and anticipating the moment when they would be standing face to face.
CHAPTER 15
David
David was still in seventh heaven when Tyler and Melissa picked him up for school the next morning. He didn’t get very much sleep, but it didn’t matter because he was running on pure adrenalin. He couldn’t wait to tell them the good news.
“Hey guys, Marco is coming to spend a few days here during Christmas break. And then I’m going to fly back to New York with him to spend a few days with his family.”
There was an awkward silence. Tyler and Melissa were trying to process the fact that Marco actually existed. They both panicked for different reasons.
“Um…that sounds interesting. I’m looking forward to meeting this guy you’re so crazy about,” Tyler said with zero enthusiasm.
David could tell he wasn’t happy about it by the inflection in his voice. “I think you’ll like Marco if you give him a chance. He’s really nice.”
“Don’t you think he’ll get bored with the whole Michigan wilderness thing?” Melissa asked, trying to think of an excuse for David to un-invite him.
“I don’t think so. He told me he’s looking forward to getting out of the city for a few days. We are going to stargaze, and I’m going to take him riding on the trails, and he can hang out with us. Maybe we can have a movie night and get everyone together,” he suggested.
“Well, all I know is that you better keep this rich boy entertained, I know from experience. You remember Matthew and Julie from Chicago don’t you?”
“Yeah, they were really nice.”
“Well, every time they came to visit they were bored,” Melissa groaned. “I don’t invite them anymore because I got tired of their bitching and trying to get me to move back to Chicago.”
“Marco’s not like that at all.”
“He might not be, but just know this. Cute rich boys are extremely spoiled and need constant attention. And another thing, he might even look down on you because you’re not rich. Status is everything with certain people,” she warned.
“Melissa, you’re rich and you don’t look down on me.”
“I’m different. You know I’ve never been into the status thing. I decided to live here so I could get away from pretentious assholes and the private school bullshit.”
“I think Marco is a lot like you in that regard. He isn’t spoiled or pretentious at all. You’ll see when you meet him,” David told her, trying to sound optimistic.
He sat there quietly looking out of the window wondering why they were both being so negative. “Look, it’s ok if you guys don’t want to meet him. I understand. It’s just that I like him a lot, and I think he likes me, and meeting you guys would give him a better understanding of who I am. You can tell a lot about someone by the friends they hang out with.”
Melissa knew she had gone too far. Tyler felt the same way. They shamefully looked at each other while David stared out the window. Melissa finally nudged him with her shoulder.
“You better bring Marco over so we can hang out or Tyler and I will drag you two out of your house.” David turned and gave them a faint smile.
“We’re sorry for being assholes,” Tyler said, knowing he had hurt David’s feelings.
“You deserve to find a great guy. I really mean that,” he added.
“Thanks.”
Tyler wanted to tell David how he really felt, but still couldn’t go there. The idea of coming out to everyone was terrifying. He was losing David and couldn’t do anything about it.
As they walked towards the school entrance, David asked another favor of them. “Hey guys, please don’t say anything about me getting into Columbia, ok? And please don’t say anything about the scholarship either.”
“Why?” Melissa asked.
“Because no one else knows which colleges they’re going to attend yet. Plus it will seem like I’m bragging. I’d just rather keep it between us for now if you don’t mind.”
Melissa looked straight ahead for a few seconds knowing she was in trouble again.
“David, I kind of already told Brad, Kathy, and Lucas. I’m sorry, but I was just so excited for you.”
“And I told Jim, Andrew, and Emma,” Tyler sheepishly added.
David sighed as he gathered his thoughts. “It’s ok, don’t worry about it.” He knew it going to be a long day. He just hoped that no one would care, or at least not say anything nasty to him.
News of David’s Columbia acceptance and scholarship spread around school quickly. When he walked into his math class second period, everyone stood up and applauded. The same thing happened in physics. The principal even came in to congratulate him. He informed David that he was the first student at his high school to be accepted at an Ivy League College.
Students and teachers came up and congratulated him the entire day, which made him feel proud of what he had accomplished. He wasn’t used to the spotlight, so he tried to keep a low profile by just going about his day like always.
David was getting some books out of his locker after 7th period when Brad walked up and actually said something nice to him. “Hey David, I think it’s really cool that you got into Columbia. If anyone deserves it around here it’s you. I mean that. And Melissa said your scholarship pays for everything right through grad school. That’s awesome.”
David couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “Thanks Brad. I appreciate it.”
“Look, I know I’ve been a fucking jerk picking on you for, you know, being gay, and being a nerd. I’m sorry. I really am.” He hesitated for a few seconds, trying to find the right words. “Look, the truth is, I’ve been jealous of you for years. I mean, you have it all, and you’ve never bragged about it. That’s the cool thing about you. I wish I could be more like that.”
David stood there dumbfounded not knowing how to respond to his confession. It felt like he was in a surreal dream. It was so out of place, but Brad seemed truly remorseful.
“Apology accepted. Maybe we could start fresh from here on out.”
“Cool, I’d like that. Will you do me one favor though?”
“Sure. What do you want me to do?”
“Punch me in the face as hard as you can. I’ve been such an asshole and I don’t want to live with this guilt for the rest of my life.” David smiled and said, “Ok, here goes.” Brad closed his eyes, waiting for the punch. David made a fist and lightly tapped him on the chin. He opened his eyes with a look of disbelief. “Can I just give you a hug instead?” David asked.
“Sure.” David hugged him and said, “Your friendship is all I ever wanted.”
As soo
n as David got home from school he made a snack and watched an astronomy lecture on-line. It had been a long emotional day and he needed to relax. After dinner he went stargazing. He stood on top of his hill looking at his world, his universe, while Earthshine by Rush played through his headphones. He was fully connected to his existence as he thought about how much his life had changed in the last twenty-four hours. Even though he didn’t know what the future held, one thing was certain, he was ready to take the ride.
Eventually David’s mind drifted to Marco’s impending visit. He couldn’t wait to bring him to his little mountain, the place that defined every atom in his body. Sharing that spec of earth with him was important because David felt like he could be the one. With a slight breeze and the quietude of the forest, David closed his eyes as the music played, feeling completely connected to the energy of the universe. And he could feel it. The universe was rotating. He always knew it did.
That night David decided he would ask Marco to be his boyfriend.
CHAPTER 16
Marco
All Marco thought about while he got ready for school was the moment when he would finally be on a plane to Northern Michigan. He needed to see David in the flesh so he could ask him to be his boyfriend. He didn’t want to understand how that blond haired angel had managed to resuscitate emotions he thought were long dead. He just wanted to hold him in his arms to keep them from fading away.
The reality of innate characteristics can cause binary stars to be placed in a state of unstable equilibrium, often resulting in eventual destruction.
As usual, Marco met Zander at the Nector Cafe on their way to school. He definitely needed a heavy dose of caffeine. He pulled an all-nighter skyping with David, and then writing until it was time to go to school. Marco sipped his Macchiato and yawned repeatedly while they discussed their agenda for the weekend.
Zander tried to entice him back to life. “Let’s go to Retro’s tonight. We haven’t been there in like forever.”
“I’m not in the mood for that scene right now. Maybe some other time.”
“Come on. I need some more of that hot college ass. I’m horny as fuck, and you have to be too, unless you’ve been getting some and not saying anything.”
“I haven’t had time to fuck around. I’ve been in a writing frenzy for the last month and a half. I pulled another all-nighter last night because I can’t stop. It’s like I’m on fucking Aderall,” Marco said, hoping Zander believed this half-truth.
“That’s cool. But I’m sure you need sex as much as I do. I know you. You’ve never gone this long without getting laid.” It was the brutal truth, and Marco knew it. And even though he stroked it a couple of times a day trying to relieve the urge, his body still craved random sex.
Zander went into pleading mode. “Come on Marco, you need to fuck as bad as I do. Go with me tonight. I’m begging you.”
Marco had been turning guys down for the last six weeks because of David, but Zander’s pleading had momentarily broken David’s spell. “Ok. I’ll go,” he said, with a guilty smile. He did his best to rationalize what he was about to do. David wasn’t his boyfriend yet, so he was free to do as he pleased.
The dance floor at Retro’s was packed once again with the hottest guys in the city. Marco felt those familiar jolts of electricity run through his veins as guy after guy hit on him. He realized how much he missed this part of his life, and didn’t care about anything except getting laid. He was in his element and loved it.
The Molly he had taken gave him the perfect buzz. He had been craving it for weeks. He wanted to fuck every guy there. At one point he even went after Zander. “I wanna give you what you’ve always wanted,” Marco yelled in his ear. He grabbed Zander’s hand and put it on his crotch. He moved it up and down for him as his lips found Zander’s. Ten minutes went by before they came up for air. They smiled their Molly smiles and went their separate ways for more action.
It was 3am when Marco finally decided to hook up with a guy named Trevor, one of a dozen or so hot blond twinks Marco had his eye on. They danced and kissed and groped until the club closed, then headed to Trevor’s apartment.
They started going at it as soon as they entered Trevor’s bedroom. They took turns stripping each other naked, and then got into some wild kissing, touching, and licking. Both had bodies every guy and girl envied. They were slender, defined, and well hung. They proceeded to devour each other with perfect loveless sex. Marco spent the next two hours having the sluttiest sex he had ever had. Six weeks of jacking off had been driving him crazy, so he told Trevor that he could do anything he desired. And he did.
And when Marco thought it couldn’t get any better, it did. His ultimate fantasy was about to become reality. He was exploring Trevor’s body when he heard the apartment door open. “Who’s that?” he playfully moaned.
“Cameron. My roommate.”
“Oh.”
A few seconds later the bedroom door opened and he walked in. “Very nice. I see you’ve been having fun without me.” He focused on Marco and smiled. “What’s your name?”
“Marco.”
“Hi Marco. You are fucking hot.”
“Thanks, so are you.” Marco spread his legs to give him a better view.
“Mmm.” Cameron’s eyes were riveted on his raging hard-on.
Trevor kissed Marco on the cheek. “Do you mind if he joins us?”
“That sounds hot.” And with that, Marco took his sexual fantasies to the next level by having his first three-way. Trevor and Cameron fucked him every way imaginable, ravaging every inch of his quivering naked body. The lingering effects of the Molly, and the poppers he repeatedly inhaled, made him moan and scream and beg for more. And they gave him what he desired. It was by far the best sex he had ever had.
It was 11 am when Marco finally woke up. His body felt like it had been beaten up. It was the perfect kind of pain he always enjoyed. He lay there, his fingers rubbing his chest and stomach, thinking about going another round with them. Sadly though, he didn’t have time. They were out of it anyway. He quietly slipped out of bed, grabbed his clothes and went to the bathroom to pee and freshen up. He couldn’t believe how hot sex with two guys could be.
He looked in the mirror ready to enjoy the satisfied smirk he always had after gratifying sex. But this time it wasn’t there. He looked again. Nothing. He shrugged it off because every erotically touched muscle in his body reminded him of how good it was. He slipped out of the apartment and texted Zander so they could meet up and share their stories.
David never entered Marco’s mind until later that evening when he suddenly pulled his conscience from the clutches of a guilt-ridden nightmare. He sat up in bed, sweaty and panic stricken, a layer of grief covering his perfect olive skin. He was surrounded by darkness except for the slivers of dull sad light coming through his bedroom windows from some other wounded reality. He wiped his tear-stained face and tried to focus his eyes to see, to see what he had done.
CHAPTER 17
CHRISTMAS VACATION
HARBOR SPRINGS
David and his father were at the airport in Pellston waiting for Marco’s plane to arrive. It was delayed a couple of hours because a snowstorm had dumped eight inches of snow the prior night, and that morning. It was early-afternoon when planes finally began to land. David stood in the waiting area nervously looking out at the runway. He watched the snowplows methodically go back and forth trying to keep the runways clear. “I just wish it would stop snowing.”
“Marco will get here safe and sound. Don’t worry.” His father squeezed David’s shoulder for reassurance. “I’m sorry. I guess I’m just nervous.”
“Nervous in what way? Because flying through a snowstorm is dangerous? Or is it because Marco is coming to see you?” David gave him a look that said the obvious. His father tried to ease his anxiety. “Making new friends can be nerve racking, but it’s always interesting when you connect on a certain level. Marco seems like a sincere friendly guy, so it s
hould be fairly easy.”
“You’re right, he is a nice guy. I’ve enjoyed skyping with him. He’s perceptive, intelligent, and has this dry sense of humor that makes me genuinely laugh.”
“He sounds complicated, but in a good way. I was kind of wondering, is he gay?”
“Yes.” David knew what was coming next.
“Do you like him more than just as a friend?”
“Yes, I think so.” David felt slightly embarrassed sharing that secret.
“Well, I’m happy for you.”
“Thanks dad. That means a lot.”
“I know it’s been hard living here and not having opportunities to date. But that will definitely change once you move to New York. The only advice I can give you is to take your time with the whole dating thing. Stay level headed. Relationships can get a little crazy if you’re not careful. I don’t want to see you get hurt, and I don’t want someone taking advantage of you either.”
“I’m trying to take things slow. Liking someone is a lot more complicated than I ever thought.”
“You’re right about that. Most relationships are complicated, but real relationships are worth the effort. I’m glad you’re thinking this through rationally.”
David smiled a tiny bit. “Sometimes I think being rational and liking someone is an equation that can’t be solved.” His father shook his head agreeing before giving him a little more advice.
“When you start college in the fall, please be careful. New York is a big city, and it is filled with people who love to take advantage of unsuspecting people. I’m sure it will be an interesting place to attend college, but it can also be very dangerous if you aren’t on your guard.”
“Dad, I’m not going to put myself in a situation I’m not comfortable with. I’ve thought about that too, believe me.”
“I’m glad.” His father breathed a sigh of relief, then reiterated his current unease. “I’m not trying to tell you what to do, but I hope you will take your time with Marco and really get to know him before, you know…. I hope that makes some sort of sense.”