The story below is a work of fiction, set in the format of reality. Any resemblances to real people, alive or in the hereafter, is entirely coincidental in nature. It is not meant to accurately reflect upon persons, in towns, cities, countries, nor governmental areas, which the story is staged. If a sexual scene involving male-to-male relationships offends you, then you should not read this story. Additionally, if you are under 18 years of age, in most state and countries, you are not allowed to read this story, by law. Check with your local laws regarding such. % Sexual safety matters. Remember guys, this is fiction. In real life, use protection.
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"For The Love Of Michael" 08 wriTten by T. Chase McPhee
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"How do you like that?"
"What?" Dean stubbornly admitted.
Flushing the sweat out of his clarinet, Dean whisked the silky cloth through the assemblage before taking it apart, then did it extra special.
"You take care of that clarinet of yours better than your friends!"
Juan noticed the extra care.
"What do you want me to say?"
"You're jealous?"
"Of what?"
"Michael paying attention to Jim Hart?"
Dean started out laughing, til he accidentally closed his finger in his clarinet case.
"Oooooh shit!"
"What was that Mr. Savage?"
"Nothing, Mr. D'Allago. Sorry, sir."
Dean forced a toothy smile, then enveloped it in his lips. More often than not, Mr. D'Allago got called `sir', than his surname. Running the band like a tight ship, no one dared cross him, especially when it came to the fifty or more rules he commanded.
"How's your finger?" Juan asked.
"You care?"
"Of course I care about you, Dean. Why do you think I keep asking you about Michael?"
"What about him?"
"Do you like still `like' him or... hate him?"
"I don't hate Michael."
"So you still like him?"
"I don't hate him and I don't like him."
"Oooh. Bad vibes. Oops.. right turn."
They made a last minute ditch effort, taking the long route to social studies, the last class of the day, diverting away from oncoming worries, in the form of Jim Hart.
At the social studies doorway, Michael asks, "Are we still on for our project?"
"No. I'm asking Jim Hart to team up with me," Dean answered Michael sarcastically.
"Really?"
Michael looked devastated.
Maybe not as much as Juan, though, as he stated, "I give up!"
Going back to sixth grade, the two sixteen year olds have always watched out for each other. In eighth grade, Juan almost fell into the wrong crowd and it's Dean who plucked him out. Now, Juan has been held forever in his debt, but for right now, he was forsaking a lost cause!
"I don't know."
"You don't know, Dean? I don't know."
"Look, Michael. First you like me, then you don't like me. You love me, then you don't love me, then you're holding hands with Jim Hart."
"Jim Hart? That? I was helping him with the beat!"
"So, you like Jim Hart?"
"Can't stand the guy, but I happen to like playing with the band. Besides, I think Mr. D'Allagro would be a lot happier with the lot of us if we all marched to the same beat."
Dean felt like shit.
"So, you were really looking out for the band?"
"Yeah, but... I want to look out for you too."
"Huh?"
"Dean, I really do like you."
"You do?"
"No."
"Here we go again," Dean said, throwing his hands up in the air.
Mr. Stone thought it was to volunteer an answer.
"Yes, Dean?"
"What?"
"Weren't you paying attention?"
Juan keys him in, with a whisper, "He wants to know about your project. Who's your partner?"
"Oh yeah. Our project will be called `The Great American Dream' and I'm doing my project.. with..."
He hesitated for a second, then realized he couldn't stay mad at.......
"Michael Malkovich."
Looking at Michael, he did something so innocent, but felt it right. He winked at Michael, adding a smile!
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2B continued.........
Copyright 2007 T. Chase McPhee This story may not be sold, nor made part of any collection, without prior consent from the author.