Author's Note: Hey guys! Welcome to MC10: "The Break-up." I know it took me a while to release this season's finale installment, but I've been very busy. So I appreciate your patience.
There are tons of musical selections in this installment: "Love Don't Cost a Thing"/ Jennifer Lopez; "Irresistible"/ Jessica Simpson; "Just Don't Tell Me That"/ NSync; "Just About Enough"/ Sarina Paris; "Survivor"/ Destiny's Child; "Stronger"/ Britney Spears; "By Your Side"/ Sade; "Only Time (Pop Radio Remix); "I Hope You Dance"/ Lee Ann Womack; and finally one of my all time favorites, "Boyzone's "No Matter What (Jewels & Stone Remix)." The lyrics are incredibly true and phenomenally empowering:
"No Matter What"
Chorus: No matter what they tell us/ No matter what they do No matter what they teach us/ What we believe is true
No matter what they call us/ However they attack No matter where they take us/ We'll find our own way back
I can't deny what I believe/ I can't be what I'm not I know I'll love forever/ I know, no matter what
If only tears were laughter/ If only night was day If only prayers were answered/ Then we would hear God say
Repeat Chorus
And I will keep you safe and strong/ And shelter from the storm No matter where it's barren/ A dream is being born No matter who they follow/ No matter where they lead No matter how they judge us/ I'll be everyone you need No matter if the sun don't shine/ Or if the skies are blue No matter what the end is/ My life began with you
I can't deny what I believe/ I can't be what I'm not I know, I know/ I know this love's forever That's all that matters now No Matter What
Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber. Lyrics by Jim Steinman. Sang by Boyzone.
Lastly, the result of my little poll is at the end of the installment. Now without further ado, I give you, MC10. Enjoy! :o)
The Usual Disclaimer and Legal Stuff:
The following story deals with male-to-male relationship and gay erotica. If this offends you or is illegal in your location and/or you are under the age of consent in your jurisdiction to read such materials, then you should exit this page now. This statement releases the author of the story and the site wherein this story is posted from any legal action or liability.
All rights reserved by author. This series is not to be reproduced, distributed, altered, or posted elsewhere without the expressed consent and written permission from the author. Copyright 2001
Michael and Chance 10:
"The Break-up"
by
Michael T. Freeman
8/15/01
MC10: No Matter What
I have the strangest, most surreal sensation...like I'm flowing. Suddenly on the peripheral of my vision, I sensed a whirl of light in the distance...it seemed to be calling me. I felt drawn to it. And as I turned to the cocoon of light, it grew brighter and brighter, approaching fast towards me. No...wait...it's not! It's me...I'm the one who is moving towards it at lightning speed. My God, what is happening???
"Hello," Essence answered the phone.
"Hi, Essence...it's Brian," Stacy's boyfriend announced into the receiver. "Is Stacy there?
"Oh, hi Brian. Actually, she's not," Essence replied.
"Do you know where she is? She's supposed to meet me at "Chevy's" for dinner, and she's over half an hour late now?"
"Oh, really? I believed she's at "Strings" right now, having dinner with Michael."
"What?" Brian exclaimed angrily. "I can not fuckin' believe this!" He abruptly hung up, hopped into his car and drove to "Strings," to confront Stacy. Twenty minutes later, Brian bursted into the Italian restaurant and spotted Stacy sitting at a corner table, sipping a cocktail drink as she waits for Michael to show up. He marched up to a surprised Stacy who sensed that something was up by the irritated look on his face.
"Brian...huh, what are you doing here?" Stacy asked, a bit surprised to see him.
"I want to ask you the same question!" Brian retorted.
"I'm meeting Michael for dinner," Stacy replied defensively, bewildered by Brain's angry tone.
"Well, I'm glad that you remembered your lunch date with your fuckin' friend and not with me tonight at "Chevy's!"
"Oh, shit! I totally got the date mix up. I thought it was tomorrow. Brian, I'm.." Stacy tried to apologize, but Brian abruptly cut her off.
"You know what Stacy, this is not going to work. I'm tired of being second best to that fag friend of yours!"
"Brian!" Stacy tried to interject. But it was no use. Brian's eyes glared at her with fire.
"Fuck this! Since you seemed to love that cock-sucker so much Stacy, why won't you just hook up with him and fuck him. I know that's what you've been secretly wanting," Brian barked viciously and then suddenly flashed a devilish smirk, "Oh, then again, he doesn't want you because he a fuckin' fagot!"
Embarrassed and outraged by Brian's attack on her best friend, Stacy fired back, "Fuck you, Brian! You leave him out of this. He's a bigger man than you'll ever be!"
Customers near Stacy's table stared at the arguing couple with dirty looks as the restaurant's manager quickly approached her table.
"You wish, you fag hag!" Brian shouted as he turned around and stormed off, leaving a teary Stacy trembling.
"Is everything okay, miss?" the restaurant's manager inquired.
"Huhm....yeah," Stacy mumbled as she immediately wiped away her tears and tried to compose herself.
"Okay, miss," the manager replied and walked back to his station.
"Fuck, I'm over 15 minutes late," I thought to myself as I pulled into the parking lot of "Strings" and parked in the nearest vacant spot. Stacy's going to kill me. She hates it when I'm late. I quickly jumped out of my car and dashed for the restaurant's entrance. Just as I pulled the door open, I ran into Brian.
"She's all yours, fagot!" Brian barked at me with disgust. "I'm through with that fag hag!" He mumbled as he pushed past me and stormed off.
I stood there dumbfounded for a few seconds, not sure what has just transpired. I was speechless and stunned by his verbal assault. "What the fuck is going on," I thought to myself as I entered the restaurant and scanned the interior for Stacy. I finally spotted her, sitting at the corner table. She seemed distraught. I quickly rushed over to comfort her.
"Hey, Stace. What's going on?" I asked softly as I reached over to hug her.
"Oh, Michael!" she sighed and suddenly burst into tears.
"It's ok, Stace, I'm here!" I hugged her tightly.
Stacy wiped away her tears and forced a smile. "I'm so glad you're here!"
"Sure, always, Stace! So what's going on? I just ran into Brian." I asked with concern.
"Well, the jerk stormed in here and started ranting on about nonsense. And then, he broke up with me," Stacy explained while trying to hold back the tears. But it was no use. It gushed out anyway. Now, thing is starting to make sense.
"You're better off without that loser, Stace," I tried to console her. "Don't waste any more of your tears over that asshole."
"God, what's wrong with me, Michael? Why does this keep happening to me? Why can't I make a relationship work?"
"I'm not sure Stace," I replied helplessly. God, I wish I knew why. I wish I had an answer for her. But I don't. This is Stacy's second break-up this year. Poor baby.
"Why can't they be as wonderful and sweet as you, Michael?" Stacy asked wearily as she cupped my face.
And before I could reply, Stacy suddenly leaned in and kissed me passionately on the mouth. And without thinking, I instinctively reciprocated. I'm not sure why I did that. In retrospection, I think I kissed Stacy because I felt sorry for her, because I wanted to ease her heartache at that moment. I hate seeing my best friend so teary and miserable.
After a few seconds, I abruptly broke off the kissed and stared into Stacy's eyes. She looked at me like a deer caught in headlights.
"Stace.." I began but was quickly interrupted.
"Uh, Michael...I'm..uhm..I'm so sorry. I don't know what came over me," Stacy said apologetically as she teared up again. "It's just that...uhm..," she trailed off abruptly.
I looked searchingly into her eyes. "It's just what?" I asked curiously.
"Never minded." Stacy looked briefly away.
"No, what is it, Stacy?" I insisted as I touched her hand.
"It's just that..." she replied but then paused and looked into my eyes, "I....uhm...I still love you so much!"
"I love you too, Stace." I replied, not quite sure where she was going with this.
"No...." Stacy shook her head and looked briefly down at the table before looking up at me again and continued, "I mean..." Stace sighed. "I'm still IN love with you, Michael! I have tried so hard to suppress these feelings, to move on and get over you. But I just can't help myself," Stacy confessed.
I was stun and speechless. I wasn't sure how to respond to her confession. I care a lot for Stacy. She is my best friend in the world. We met in middle school and became fast friends. We eventually dated and became a couple. And we even did the deed. This all happened before I realized (well, accepted) my true sexual orientation. Eventually I came out to her and broke up our boyfriend-girlfriend relationship. It was one of the hardest things that I had to do. She didn't take it too well at first. We didn't talked for a few months. But she eventually came around, and we had many long talks about my being gay. We became even closer friends after that. Ever since then, I have always thought that she have let go of her romantic feelings for me and can accept just being friends. But apparently, those feelings have surfaced, and I know what I must do. I need to be brutally honest with her. God, I hate doing this to her.
I gazed into her red eyes. "Stace, you know I love. But you know not in that..!"
But before I could finish my sentence, she put her fingers up to my lips to hush me.
"Please, don't Michael...I know," she pleaded. "I'm really sorry to have put you in this awkward position. I know that we can only be friends. Please let's just forget about this, ok?"
I nodded and hugged her. She held me tightly and exhaled heavily.
"What do you say, we get out of here," I suggested with a slight smile, trying to change the subject and lighten up the mood. "I know what would cheer you up!"
"What?" she asked with a small curious smile.
"What do you say, we check out that new dance club in the City and dance the night away?"
"What...The Edge?"
"Yeah!" I grinned.
"Sure, that sounds great!" Stacy smiled and stood up. "Let's get out of here!" she said as she tossed some money onto the table to cover her drinks.
Stacy and I love to dance. We often go dancing whenever we feel stressed out or needed an emotional or mental break. We always have a great time on the dance floor. I guess you could call us dancing freaks. We really don't care. :o)
It's a beautiful night out. A cool damp breeze brushed against my face as I sped down the highway. The air smelt fresh from the recent, evening summer rain. I'm so glad that summer is finally here and school is in recess, a welcoming opportunity to relax and recuperate from the hectic school workload. As we cruised towards the City, Jennifer Lopez's "Love Don't Cost A Thing" came on the radio which prompted Stacy and I to start singing along. The song was followed another awesome song, Jessica Simpson's "Irresistible."
About an hour later, we reached at "The Edge," and it was packed. A sea of people were jamming to Boyzone's "No Matter What (Jewels & Stone Remix) which prompted me to dance right away. I completely love this song, especially this fast dance mix. The music and lyrics are phenomenal. The song soon phased into a harder, edgier tune with a great beat which I didn't recognized. I decided to find out what it's called from the DJ, so I asked Stacy to go order us some drinks while I go to talk with the DJ. Stacy nodded and hip-hopped her way towards the bar as I danced my way to the DJ's platform.
I came up to the cute DJ and tapped him on the shoulder. He turned around and smiled at me.
"Hi!" I half-shouted. "I was wondering what the name of this song you're playing?"
"It's one of NSync's new songs called, "Just Don't Tell Me That," the DJ shouted into my ear.
"Thanks. Mind if I make a request?"
"No, not at all?" The dark haired, green-eyed DJ smiled at me.
I briefly told him about Stacy's recent break-up and asked if he'd minded putting together a medley of songs that would cheer her up. He graciously agreed. I quickly thanked him and slipped him a twenty. But he handled the money back to me and slipped me his business card and half-shouted into my ear, "Give me a call if you're available and swing the other way." He winked at me. I politely smiled and slipped the card into my pocket and headed back towards the bar. I soon found Stacy at one of the tables. She was sipping some fruity alcoholic cocktail and handed me a non-alcoholic drink which I didn't mind since I was the designated driver. Just as I finished my drink, the DJ lowered the music volume and made an announcement.
"Here's a special shout-out to Stacy from Michael. Keep your chin up girl. This mix is for you!"
Stacy quickly put down her drink and gave me an "I-can't-believe-you-did-that" look and playfully punched me in the arm.
The music volume soon resumed back to its deafening level as I heard the danceable tune of Sarina Paris' "Just About Enough" came on. "Perfect!" I thought to myself as I put down my drink.
"Come on, let's dance!" I exclaimed as I pulled Stacy to the dance floor. We sang along to this cool song as we danced.
"Just about enough," I mouthed.
"Can't take anymore of you," Stacy chimed in.
"Just about enough," I continued to sing my part.
"Got me over the edge."
"Just about enough."
"You don't give me what I deserve. I'm no fool, gotta to get away from you!" Stacy smiled.
We continued to sing along and dance as the song transitioned into Destiny Child's," Survivor." Yes! Another great song.
We started to jump up and down, dancing wildly as we sang to along.
"I'm a survivor," Stacy sang with conviction.
"I'm not gonna give up. I'm not gonna stop," I added in.
"I'm a survivor. I'm gonna make it. I will survive. Keep on surviving," we belted out together. Stacy chuckled a bit. I'm glad to see she's having fun again and feeling better. We continued to dance and the song soon switched over to Britney Spears' "Stronger."
"Great selection of songs," I thought to myself as we danced.
I am so glad that I suggested we go dancing because Stacy seemed like she has temporarily forgotten the awkward incident earlier. The alcohol has really loosened her up, and she seemed to be having fun. After a few hours of dancing and many drinks later, Stacy was wasted, and I knew that it was time to head back home. It was approaching 2 in the morning, and the crowd has died out much. We closed out the club as we danced to the last song of the night, Sade's "By Your Side."
I held Stacy close to my body as we slow danced to this beautiful song. She rested her weary head against my chest as I sang along softly, "You think I'd leave your side, baby. You know me better than that. Think I'd leave you down when you're down on your knee. I wouldn't do that....Oh, when you're cold, I'll be there, hold you tight to me...When you're on outside and you can't get in, I will show you, you're so much better than you know. When you're lost, you're alone, you can't get back again, I'll find you, darling, I'll bring you home..If you want to cry, I am here to dry your eyes...In no time, you're be fine..."
We left the club a little after 2am. Stacy was half asleep in the front passenger's seat. I turned on the radio, and Enya's song, "Only Time," the pop remix version, came on. The ethereal sound of Enya filled the car as I drove cruised down the highway. The song was followed by "I Hope You Dance," by Lee Ann Womack. God, I love this song. It's absolutely beautiful. I quietly sang along as I glanced at Stacy. God, I really hope that she'll be okay.
An hour later, we arrive at Stacy's apartment and I woke her up. Stacy was really drunk. She could hardly stand straight. So I helped her to her apartment door. I dug into Stacy's small purse for the key and opened the door for her.
"Ok, Miss Drunk-out-of-your-mind, it's time for you to go bed, my dear!" I said jokingly as I walked her to her room and flung her onto the bed. I took off her shoes and helped her stripped down to her undergarments, and tuck her into bed. Just as I was about to give her a good night kiss on the forehead, Stacy pulled me down and mumbled, "Michael, would you please hold me for a little bit until I fall asleep?"
"Sure." I nodded as I got on the bed and held Stacy.
"Thanks!" Stacy uttered wearily.
"No, problem," I whispered as I snuggled up against her.
And before I knew it, I quickly dozed off. I guessed I was a lot tired than I thought.
"Hey, good morning!" Stacy greeted me as I felt her soft lips on my forehead. "Well, actually, it's good afternoon!"
"What?" I mumbled as I rubbed my eyes and looked up at Stacy's bright, smiling face. She was carrying a breakfast tray and set it down on the night stand.
"It's almost three in the afternoon. And here's your belated breakfast in bed!" she said with a grin as she kissed me on the cheek.
"Huh...thanks," I replied, still a bit groggy as I glanced at my watch. "You didn't have to do that."
"No, but I wanted to. It's a little thank-you for being such a good friend."
"Always, you know that," I said as I got up and walked to the bathroom to empty my bladder.
"I can't believed I slept this late. Why didn't you wake me up?" I shouted from the bathroom as I brushed my teeth with a spare toothbrush.
"You looked so beautiful and peaceful sleeping there. I didn't have the heart to wake you up!" Stacy shouted back.
After the continental breakfast, it was time for me to get back home. It was around 4 in the afternoon when I left Stacy's place. As I stepped out of her apartment door, grey ominous clouds, looming above, stared down at me. A streak of lightning flashed in the distance, and I soon heard the loud roar of thunder. "Looks like it's going to be a nasty one," I thought to myself as I entered my car. And indeed, it was. The sky rained cats and dogs as I drove home. Twenty minutes later, I arrived at my apartment complex. Luckily, there was a vacant spot near my apartment where I quickly parked the car and rushed to my apartment. It rained mercilessly. I was completely drenched by the time I got to the apartment door. When I opened the front door and flipped on the lights, I nearly jumped out of my skin, startled to see Chance sitting in my arm chair.
"Chance, you startled the fuck out me!" I exclaimed as I put my car keys in my jacket pocket, "What are you doing here?"
"Waiting for you," he replied stoically.
"Why, uhm..is everything okay?" I asked, a bit puzzled. What the hell was he doing here in my apartment unannounced anyway, sitting there in the dark, waiting for me, and startling me to death?
"No, everything is not okay!" Chance retorted emphatically with irritation in his voice. "Where have you been?"
"What??" I asked, completely surprised by his third degree. Where the hell was this coming from I wondered.
"Where have you been?" Chance asked again, raising his voice.
"I was at Stacy's!" I replied, getting pissing at his tone of voice. Who the hell does he think he is, my mother?
"Figures," Chance mumbled as he looked down at the floor. Then he looked up at me and said flatly, "I saw you yesterday. I saw you and Stacy at "Strings" when I went there to pickup my food to go. And to my surprise, I found my boy-friend locking lips with his former girl-friend!"
Now things were beginning to make sense. "Chance...," I tried to interrupt him to explain, but he simply cut me off.
"And I came here last night to talk to you, but you never came home," he continued stoically. I needed to explain. I wanted to explain to him what actually happened. And I was about to when he bluntly asked me, "So did you fuck her too, Michael, did you?" His glassy eyes flared at me.
Now I'm really pissed. I'm outraged by his accusation, by his cold tone of voice. But moreover, I was deeply hurt by his lack of trust in me. That really hurt! And so I fired back with a vengeance, "FUCK YOU, FUCK YOU Bastard!!!"
"Never again Bitch," he shouted back as I stormed out of the apartment with tears trickling down my face.
The harsh rain pounded down on me as I stood in the parking lot, totally dazed and wet. I can't seem to be able to breathe. My chest fell heavy and my throat dry. I was completely bewildered, emotionally overwhelmed by what has just transpired. I didn't know what to do, or where to go. But I knew that I can't be here right now. I needed to be far away from him as possible at this moment. I trembled violently as I tried to steady my hand to open the car door. I finally composed myself long enough to open the fuckin' door and started the car. I quickly backed out of the parking space and sped into the street. "I can't believe this is happening to me," I thought as I drove madly away from my apartment. I can't believe that he doesn't trust me and would accused me of sleeping with Stacy. I shook sporadically as I winded around the corner. Tears of hurt welled up in my eyes, nearly blinding me.
Suddenly out of no where, a dog ran in front of the car. Michael instinctively veered to the right to avoid the canine and crashed into a telephone pole. His head plunged forward and hit the steering wheel, knocking him unconscious. The car whaled loudly as Michael's bleeding head rested on the horn of the vehicle. "Beep....Beeepp!!!!"
To be continued.
Author's Note: Well, there you have it, the series' season finale. Hope you enjoyed it. Let me know what you think. Ok, here's the result of the poll for your favorite character in the Series: 54% of you liked Chance. Michael came in second with 31%, and 15% of you liked one of the other characters. Alright, take care. Cheers. ;o)
As always, I welcome your comments, suggestions and constructive criticisms. Let me know what you think of my story. They can be sent to mf900@yahoo.com