Crisco is for Sissies[M]

[TruthSayer]

Raa grinned, watching Marcus pounce on every person in the room at least once, some twice, and some three times as he became a virtual whirlwind none could escape, even though it looked like a couple of guys wanted to. He wasn't entirely sure if that was because the one trying to kiss them was another guy, of if it was because Raa was standing there watching as they shot him a look just before Marcus got to them, but either way, Marcus nailed them.

Raa lifted a brow, arms crossed lightly over his chest as he leaned against the wall when the second one gave him a rather desperate look, and muttered, "You would think I'm scary or something," to Sheryl, a bit of laughter in his tone. Maybe he did look scary, his eyes following Marcus around like a moth followed a bright light, but he couldn't help it, and didn't even try.

[Tammika]

"Sam, I am dressed have done my hair, eaten, and even done laps in the pool. Why the hell aren't you ready yet?' Marcus maybe a little messy but he was usually on time, if whatever he was doing didn't involve Samantha Davenport, his loving sister, who just days earlier reached the grand age of fourteen. Apparently fourteen meant you have to be even later to events since it automatically took twice the amount of time in the bathroom. Marcus hung over the back of the couch, knuckles almost touching the floor as he dangled in the odd position watching the upstairs landing for signs that Sam was coming out of the bathroom.

"Five minutes."

"You said that ten minutes ago!" Marcus ' voice squeaked in frustration. "I'm starting the car, be ready when I get back inside." He flipped over the couch and trotted up to his room banging on the bathroom door just before ducking into his room to get his jacket. Both of his bags were already by garage door. He paused when his jacket, Raa's letter jacket, wasn't on the back of the chair where it always hung. Memory of the car accident two nights ago hit him hard and made his stomach drop. A friend from another school was in car accident right after a swim meet and while she waited for the police to show up Marcus stood with her, giving her Raa's jacket, since hers was ruined. He had gone home and learned later she only had a broken arm.

The nervous feeling stayed with him as he grabbed his own coat from his closet. "What are you wearing that for?"

"Shut up, let's go."

Marcus brushed past Sam with a rare coldness towards her as he dialed Jesse's number. He tossed his bags in the trunk and left to drop Sam off at school. By the time he arrived at his school he was in a bad mood. He didn't know what to tell Ra and he was afraid he wouldn't be able to get it back. Jesse wasn't picking up so he sent her a text and left it at that, he'd have to avoid the subject until he had the coat in his hands again.

Thankfully he had a morning meeting with Thantos again so instead of waiting to see Raa for all of two minutes in the parking lot he headed up to the biology room. If Raa remembered he'd know exactly where he was and give himself time to make up a good story. He hated to lie to Raa, but he knew the jacket meant a lot. It meant a lot to Marcus and he kicked himself for even letting her wear it. It was raining, she was injured and it was cold. Enough reasons to share the warmth. Right?

[TruthSayer]

Raa glanced at the dash clock when he pulled into his normal parking space, noting the time before looking back up at the doors through which Marcus had just disappeared. At least, he thought it was Marcus. 99.9% sure it was Marcus. Since he'd given Marcus his Letterman's jacket, he'd not been without it, even on the stiflingly hot days of late summer, and seeing him without it was like seeing a teacher outside of school, their natural habitat: incredibly strange and mildly uncomfortable.

Raa set the car into neutral, toggling the gearshift between gears absently for a moment before he tugged back the parking break and cut the engine. Marcus without the jacket didn't bother him, per se. The jacket couldn't be cleaned in a washing machine, so it was possible Marcus had sent it out to a dry cleaners over the weekend and just hadn't had the chance to pick it up yet, though if that were the case, Raa wished Marcus would have told him about it; technically, the jacket was still Raa's, and Raa was uncomfortable with the thought of Marcus spending money like that. But the dry cleaners was understandable, and not cause for alarm.

What bothered him was that they wouldn't have the few minutes before class started to hang out. Yes, it was Monday, meaning they had a class together that morning, but sitting together in Biology under the vigilant watch of who Raa considered one of the least understanding teachers in school wasn't the same as being together in the parking lot before the bell rang.

Thantos. Marcus had a meeting with Thantos. Maybe that was the rush. Maybe the clock in his car was fast, or maybe Marcus was feeling rushed enough not to notice that he still had time. He had been complaining lately about Sam taking an amazingly long time to get ready in the mornings.

Raa chuckled to himself, wondering whether or not his sisters would take so long if they lived in America and went to an American school, and whether or not he and his brothers would get as frustrated with them. One full sister he knew as a distant memory, and five half sisters and two half brothers he'd never met, never even written to and had no idea whether or not any of them knew he existed, but he cherished the thought of them; seeing Sam, getting to know her and her quirks and watching her interaction with Marcus and even the way she treated him, gave Raa a bittersweet feeling, old slights and long held yearnings fluttering through his chest, but he cleared his throat and shoved the feelings back into their Don't Go There box. He grabbed his backpack from the backseat, his coffee from the center console, and headed inside the building. Whatever the reason was behind Marcus not wearing his jacket, he was bound to complain about quite a lot today, something that Raa didn't mind in the least. To Raa, it meant the same as someone complaining about forgetting to put on their wedding ring.

[Tammika]

"No, Marcus, that's..." The biology teacher sighed again and looked at Marcus. "Are you sure you're okay? You haven't been concentrating very well and this is basic stuff." Thantos took off his glasses, chewing on the tip as he examined Marcus with a raised brow, asking him the same question he had asked him three times in the past twenty minutes.

"I'm fine, seriously, I know I come off as perfect but, you know beautiful people like me have bad days on rare occasions. This one has to do with my annoyingly not so perfect little sister so don't worry. I shall survive." He was good at putting on an act, so good it shamed him some days, though he had done it less and less since he mat Raa. Damn. Just the thought of him made him feel so guilty it almost broke his mask. If he couldn't convince Thantos all was well he'd never come close to convincing Raa not to worry about the jacket.

He would have to get it cleaned. Scenes from the accident as he pulled up and saw Jesse stumbling from her car flashed in his head . No. There was no blood was there?... but it might smell like smoke or something. Damn. Get it back and to the cleaners... this was going to be tough.

"Fine well if sibling issues effect you too much your grades could suffer if this morning is any example. Let's call it quits for now, first bell is in ten."

"Yes, sir. Thank you sir."

He was out of the room in record time and heading for the pool. If anyone from the team was there he needed to ask about Jesse. The school was filling up as he jogged through the halls, praying he didn't come across someone who wanted to stop and chat and praying he didn't come across Raa, or Derrick for that matter.

"Davenport! What are you doing here so early?"

"Kevin. Just the person I want and don't want to talk to." He skidded to a halt in the hallway causing a couple to move around him with angry looks.

"Last weeks swim meet. Did you see the accident afterwards?"

"No! What? One of our- "

"No no no, chill. Never mind, you are clueless, see you after school."

"Wha..?"

Marcus left Kevin with a confused look on his face. Biology, lunch and then he would be safe after school... possibly, it depended on if Raa hung out during practice. He looked forward to it... but dreaded what he was about to do to Raa. Commonsense told him to say something, that Raa would understand, but he didn't want to see the painful look on Raa's face when he found out. Not even for second. Marcus did not handle disappointment well and the mere thought of seeing it in Raa's eyes was enough to make him nauseous... and he had to choke down lunch or red flags would go off with all of his friends. Marcus you are such an idiot.

[TruthSayer]

Thantos was a bastard. Marcus might defend him, tell Raa that the man was actually a pretty cool guy, if a little strict and walked around like he'd not only sucked on a sour pickle, but had sat on one as well, but Raa knew the truth. Who cared if he hid the truth behind the fact that someone had cheated on the last exam they had? Who cared if that was the reason why he'd shuffled them around before the test he'd scheduled for today, and that was the reason Raa was stuck sitting beside Devon Zachary and Marcus was on the other side of the room? And who cared that the reason why Raa was in such a fitful mood was because he'd completely forgotten about the test, and hadn't studied a bit for it, his concentration placed almost entirely on rebuilding the Panhead? Raa had a good enough grade that flunking the test today wouldn't fail him, but it would put him damn close, and Thantos was the type of teacher that was allergic to extra credit. It meant less time with Marcus, less time with the bike, and less allowance from Kendall and Aban to spend on Marcus and the bike if he couldn't bring his grade back up to a B before report cards came out in six weeks time.

The test also meant that arrival in class was done so under the watchful eye of the teacher, the man pointing wordlessly to their temporary seats, and no talking. No saying hello to Marcus, no passing notes during what Raa had thought was going to be another lecture, and having to deal with Devon Zachary's dirty looks and sitting as far away from him as the table would allow with them still on the same side. Raa did have a little fun, though, shifting his stool in an absentminded way closer and closer to Zachary until the kid was writing on the just the edge of the table, forcing Thantos to leave his post at the front of the class to grab the legs on Raa's stool and forcefully yank him back into place.

Raa knew more answers than he thought, and filled the answer sheet in quickly, leaving those he didn't know blank, and leaving him ample time to glance at Marcus' back, eyes slowly following the line of his body from the top of his head to the middle of his back where it disappeared behind the table behind him.

Man, he was sexy. Sex on legs. Legs that were remarkably long and strong. Strong enough to pin Raa, even on the rare occasion Raa didn't let him win. He really... really... loved it when Marcus pinned him...

He didn't notice Thantos' approach until the man blocked his view, giving him a severe frown before tapping his finger silently on the mostly finished test in front of him, the warning clear. Raa bent back over the test, feigning reading, thinking, and struggling through answers he had no intention of filling in.

[Tammika]

This was wonderful and horrible all at the same time and the confusion didn't help his dilemma one bit. No molesting Raa under the table, was the hard part. Such risky torturing of Raa was ingrained in Marcus' head so much so he didn't think he could live without it and it was an excellent distraction to the jacket.

Every time Thantos walked past him he knew Raa was doing something, and was mad he couldn't turn around to find out what was up. He did however spend the entire class grinning while he took the test, finishing well before time as usual and leaning forward to nap, as usual, his signature hoodie pulled over his head and legs stretched out under the table. Though this time it was hard... he couldn't sleep...


"Mr. Davenport? I do believe you have something for me? From Sam?"

"Ah yes, Mr. Graves, my good man. The little.. I mean, the dear child did pass on some mysterious package that she made me swear upon my very life not to open it." Marcus handed a plastic container to Derrick who grinned viciously before standing back up straight and nodding slightly like a gentleman.

"Thank you my good man, much obliged to you. I hope this didn't put you out?"

"No, no not at all-" Marcus suddenly dropped the bad British accent and let his shoulders droop. "Yes the fuck it did! She spent forever making those this morning that I was almost late. Next time you make a lunch request from Sam plan ahead for my sake okay bro!"

"I say! Terribly sorry old chap. Shall I share? Will you forgive me if I share?"

Almost before Derrick finished talking Marcus replied with a slow wave of his hand, "Like it never happened," and flipped the wave into an outstretched palm like a magician, into which Derrick placed a homemade egg roll. Sam's were the best.

Marcus giggled like a second grader as he sat down next to Raa, eating the egg roll like a squirrel nibbling on a nut, complete with shifty eyes like someone was going to take it from him. He grinned at Raa, "Me has eggroll."

Focus and breathe and act like the crazy boy you are, Marky. You can survive this.

[TruthSayer]

Raa was happy. After the biology test, he'd managed to catch up to Marcus just long enough before heading off to class to kiss him long enough to have the girls in the class erupt in a chorus of cheers, cause Devon Zachary to turn beet red as he struggled to hold back the same gay bashing that had gotten him beat in the first place, and Thantos to take both of them by the arm and escort them out of his room, stating, "I don't let straight couples do that in my classroom, what makes you think I'll let you?"

Raa had laughed, actually said good morning to his boyfriend, and headed off to his next class, grinning wide enough to make the people he passed look at him funny.

Math crawled, and Raa doodled around the notes he took, the sketches ranging from the female math teacher suddenly turning bald to the intricate design on the back of Marcus' hoodie, which would make a really awesome tattoo for someone interested in tribal-laced skulls.

Lunch came, and Raa headed to the senior hallway where they'd started eating lunch when being outside became too miserable with cold, easily finding Marcus, Gwen, Derrick, and Julian along the far wall, lounging on the floor beneath a long window overlooking the senior courtyard. He grinned, lifted his bag higher onto his shoulder, and made his way over to them, plopping down beside Marcus and leaning over to press a kiss to his neck.

Lunch was a measly affair, Raa having been forced to make his own, and so shoved Tupperware from the refrigerator into his bag that morning, finding out now that he'd ended up with room temperature rice, disgusting green beans, and, the saving grace, a small container full of egg salad. He didn't have a fork, so he used his fingers, licking them clean to the obvious disgust of Julian, who actually allowed him to steal some of his chips to act as a spoon. As it was, he was amazingly glad Marcus offered him an egg roll, though a little confused as to why he would considering Marcus' penchant for threatening people who came too close to his food.

"Thanks!" he said, and shoved half of it into his mouth.

"Have you asked him for it yet?" Julian asked, looking relieved that the egg salad was finished as he pulled his family sized bag of chips back to his side.

Raa took his time chewing, holding up a finger to stall Julian before he swallowed twice, wiped his mouth on the back of his hand, and took a long swallow of his soda. "No."

If Julian were the type to roll his eyes, he would have. "Why? You know you're expected to come, and you need to have your jacket for the awards ceremony. Season's over, buddy, and you helped win most of the games. Coach is counting on you."

"Because I don't want to go," Raa said, poking the room temperature rice with the tip of his finger. Normally, he would eat just about anything, but this had actually congealed in his bag. Rice wasn't supposed to congeal, was it?

"You have to go. I'll stand outside your house playing recordings of Barney songs full blast all night if you don't, and you know Kendall likes that stupid song at the end, so he'll let me."

And he would, too. Raa sighed, wondered for a moment why the hell Julian would have a mixed tape of nothing but Barney songs, then nodded. "Marcus, I need the Letterman's jacket this Friday, okay?"

Julian's brows drew together as he looked at Marcus, as if noticing he wasn't wearing it for the first time. "Where is the jacket? You wear it so much I thought it had permanently attached to your body."

[Tammika]

It was delicious, but if he had to eat the whole thing he would probably puke. He was relieved when Raa swiped half of it, thought that wasn't what he had intended. "That was a statement, not an invitation!" He whined as Raa's lips brushed his fingers near the end of his monstrous bite. "Wow.. you have a really big mouth Raa."

"Don't even go there Marcus." derrick growled just before Gwen elbowed him.

"What? I'm eating! And-"

"How do you know it was going to turn into something perverted?"

Even Marcus gave her a cheeky gin at that statement and everyone that knew Marcus and heard the statement laughed at her.

"I was trying to help you Marcus. Remember I'm on your side."

"I know you are Gwenny penny. If it wasn't for you I don't know what I'd do, luffs you bunches!"

"Love you too Markypoo!" They exchanged kisses in the air as Derrick rolled his eyes.

Marcus was polishing off what was left of the egg roll as the conversation turned to the jacket. He managed quite well once again. Not even blinking as eyes turned on him. Though on the inside he was screaming, Fuckfuckfuck fuuuuck!!

"I knew you were watching me all this time, Julian. I'm sorry, Derrick is the one I truly want to have a scandalous affair with, or maybe a hot bi threesome if you toss sexy Gwen in,"

"No way, now if it's you and Raa, I'm in." Gwen winked and blew kisses again, this time at Raa too. Derrick instantly kicked Marcus and threw a cherry tomato at him, which bounced and fell in his lap.

"Yummy! Thanks bro."

"Punkass flirt."

"Yes, yes I am. And you can have the jacket by Friday, it's.... " he hesitated an obvious long exaggerated pause. He had to get it right. "It's in the cleaners. Don't panic, though. Mom was taking stuff and asked about the jacket and I just said yeah go ahead. Should be back Thursday actually." It all came out smoothly, flawlessly. If he got with Jesse in time it would be and he would pay the extra price for same day cleaning if he had to beg Sam. He was already gonna have to swear her to secrecy. Damn this was so stupid and so fucked. Marcus felt horrid lying to Raa, but he just couldn't let him know he didn't have it. Technically it would be out of the cleaner on Thursday...hopefully?

[TruthSayer]

It was Friday, and Raa had come to the firm conclusion that Marcus was acting strange. At first, he thought it was rising nervousness due to the fact that the Birthday Countdown was finally just two weeks from D-Day; Raa couldn't blame him for that, especially since Raa was feeling more than slightly nervous himself. But as time went on, that didn't seem to be the problem. It was like he was avoiding Raa, and though Raa hated the thought, he had no idea what else it could be.

They'd spent little to no time together before school the past few days, and though lunch was as happy and fun as ever, there was no time after school together, either. No making out in the bathrooms, or the parking lot. No picking Marcus up before school, or Marcus offering to pick him up, and texts went an amazingly long time without being answered, so much so that despite Raa's obsession with his bike during his off hours, he still noticed.

It left Raa feeling antsy, discouraged, and lonely. But he didn't want to ask Marcus about it, and had no idea how he would if he did want to. What if he was just being paranoid? What if it was nothing, and Raa just being possessive and jealous? After all, Marcus was incredibly busy with swimming, and school work took up a lot of his time. Besides, today was Valentine's Day, they had a date tonight at six, and everything was fine. Everything was fine. He was just being paranoid... Right?

[Tammika]

Marcus was coming undone at the seams and last night he didn't get any sleep, even after getting through to Jesse. The poor thing was still in the hospital. It was only a broken arm but the accident aggravated some other problems she didn't even know she had. It was almost a good thing it happened or it could have gone untreated. She had called him during swim practiced and they had chatted for a little while, giving her a chance to explain, with promises of calling him back later on.

Marcus paced in the locker room talking to Jesse on his cell phone. Kevin was about to bust in like he was the law until he caught parts of the conversation. "....Oh my God, Jesse, that's horrible.... Yeah I'll be there as soon as I can after school. No, don't worry about Raa, he doesn't even have a clue. Yeah yeah quit preachin' to me, it's the only way I could think of to do it, but it's killing me..." Marcus laughed nervously, not even believing his own words. "What he doesn't know won't hurt him right?... I know, I can't believe I just said that either... No problem call me back in an hour or so, I'll be home and can talk more, but yeah I'll come and see you tonight I promise... thanks Jesse, 'kay bye!"

"Marcus... Maaaaarcus.... Marky!"

"What?! And why the fuck are you yelling at me?"

"Because I've asked you the same damn question three times and you are on another planet. What is up with you?" Derrick looked at Marcus long and hard. His act was slipping and Derrick had long since noticed and was irritated by it. Irritated by Marcus' actions lately and the gossip that floated to him through a stupid but reliable source. Kevin.

"Sooo... what do you want, or are you going to stare at me? It's creepy and I'm trying to finish my sandwich."

"After school. If you're cutting out on swim, why do I still need to get Sam?"

"Because I have something to do." The question was annoying him, since he didn't want to explain where he needed to go. The room was suddenly getting warm... and his phone was vibrating. "Oh shit! I gotta go. I forgot to give my physical slip to Mrs. Fields. Today is the last day, I'll forfeit the whole team if I don't do that now!" It was another lie, he had turned it in a week ago, but no one knew that. He grabbed up his stuff, kissed Raa and trotted off. It was only ten minutes until the bell so it wasn't a big deal.

When he was gone Derrick looked at Gwen and she elbowed him. "You're over reacting."

"It's not just me, you agreed he's acting weird." HE turned to Raa. "Right Raa? Doesn't Marcus seem off? And the junk I've had to stomp down lately about him is just getting crazy. Kevin of all people had the nerve to run his mouth."

"Quit stalling and just ask him, Derrick."

"Don't rush me woman."

"Don't rush.. excuse me?"

"I'm just playing baby..."

"Raa, do you or Marcus know a guy named Jesse or Jason? Apparently Kevin was under the impression you and Marcus broke up since heheard Marcus cooing on the phone a few times with som guy named Jesse from another school."

"Oh just go on and throw it all out there. You have no mercy do you?"

"I don't think Raa has the patience to put up with the way you tell stories."

"Whatever. Don't worry about Kevin, Raa. I think he had too much water in his ears or something. The boy is a clown."

[TruthSayer]

"Hm," Raa answered Derrick's initial question a bit absently, watching Marcus disappear around the corner, a frown marring his expression. He knew Marcus had his physical last week, and it wasn't like him to forget to hand in something for school. Not homework, and certainly not a slip that meant the difference between swimming or not. He could admit was possible, but not very likely.

He shoved his half eaten sandwich back into his lunch bag, finding it suddenly unappetizing. You're overreacting, Hakesh, he thought, his mouthful of food hard to swallow around the knot in his gut. Maybe he's stressed about Valentine's Day. Maybe he's gotten you something and he's just nervous about giving it to you.

But what Gwen said about rumors and Kevin didn't sound like he was overreacting at all. And at the moment, all Raa wanted to know was who the fuck was Jesse.

He stood, lunch bag toppling from his lap, capped soda upturned and rolling into the middle of the hall unseen as he left his bag behind. Quick strides led him from the hallway, expression thunderous as his eyes swept over dozens of faces, looking for one loudmouthed clown with too much water in his ears.

[Tammika]

"If Raa hurts Kevin you will regret it."

"But I didn't tell him, you did!"

"True, but you are the one all worked up about it. You honestly believe, Marcus would even think of risking what he's got with Raa? Quit being a little papabear and let Marcus handle his business."

Derrick knew the answer to that one but didn't say anything. It was between Raa and Marcus. He couldn't babysit him for the rest of his life.

Kevin was in the middle of some long story, as expressive as usual, standing in front of the short wall outside the lunchroom. A few other juniors were laughing at whatever he was saying,but abruptly stopped when the caught a glimpse of Raa storming through the thin crowd. Kevin turned around and had to fight the urge to run, the look on Raa's face was deadly. "Oh.. shit."

[TruthSayer]

Raa walked straight through the crowd of people, shoulders knocking into a few anonymous students as he kept his eyes fastened on Kevin's face. When he got to him, he put a hand behind Kevin's neck much the same way he'd done in the locker room during their last encounter, and pulled him wordlessly away from the crowd, not stopping until they were well away from prying ears and eyes. Stopping at the junction of two windowless walls, Raa shoved Kevin into the corner, slamming both fists into the wall on either side of Kevin's head as he got right in his face.

"Who the fuck is Jesse?"

[Tammika]

"Ow, ow ow ow! I still have a kink in my neck from the last time, oh come on Ra-" He was slammed into the wall and eye to eye with Raa before he could finish that sentence, but immediately responded to the question, praying it would safe him from a broken ...face.

"Um um, Marcus' Jesse right? I mean.. oh shit that sounded bad.. It's the dude he was talking to on the phone yesterday! He met him at the swim meet I think, I'm not sure. Should I be sure? I would really like to if that would make you happy but I don't have a clue, seriously Raa!"

[TruthSayer]

"You obviously do have a clue, you stupid little fuck, or you wouldn't be spreading rumors about it." Raa hissed, mashing his fists into the wall hard enough for the stucco to cut shallow rents into his knuckles. This was dangerous. He'd not been this mad since Halloween, his entire body shaking with it though he was entirely unsure of exactly who or what he was mad at. Kevin, for spreading rumors? The possibility that there was fact to back them up? Or Marcus, and the way he'd been acting, pulling away from him and the wrenching rush of pain at the possible reason why.

"So tell me exactly what you've been saying and why, or I swear to whatever god you believe in that I will break you in half."

[Tammika]

"Oh god.. um.. first I didn't tell anybody anything..really. Honest to God Almighty I didn't. I just asked Derrick what was up. That's all, I swear. Come on, Marcus gushes about you non stop. You can't say two words to him without him spouting Raa this or Raa that. Not like that's a bad thing mind you. But ... the other day he was all sweet and shit with some dude named Jesse on the phone in the locker room." Kevin flinched like saying those words was gonna get him knocked out. He told him what he had heard Marcus say, still confused and scared shitless.

"I didn't know what was going on and Marcus has been all secretive lately so I figured I'd ask Derrick if you two...broke up.... Sorry?"

[TruthSayer]

Raa was silent for a long, long moment, eyes turned inward toward a storm that lashed against the levees Marcus had helped to build within him and the thoughts that were tossed frantically over turbulent waves.

No, don't worry about Raa, he doesn't even have a clue....

No. Marcus wouldn't do that to him.

What he doesn't know won't hurt him right?...

No. Marcus loved him. Had said it countless times.

I'll come and see you tonight I promise...

Raa closed his eyes, noticing with a clinical detachment that his breathing had evened out. That, though there was still a pain inside that felt remarkably like being stabbed straight through the heart, he was no longer shaking.

What about tonight? What about their date? What about the last six months, and two weeks from now? Marcus had finally gotten wise, that's what. And Marcus was going to tell him so tonight. For a split second, Raa felt his feet anchor to the ground, a childish reaction of digging his heels in at the thought. He didn't want to go. He didn't want to hear it. But then his body relaxed, and he nodded as if it all made sense, though none of it did, not really.

He had to go tonight. He had to hear the truth from Marcus, personally. He thought about the yellow and white dandelions in his refrigerator at home, and the high school ring that he'd had inscribed along the inside of the band with Marcus' name, not his, that had been burning a hole in his pocket since he'd gotten it in early December, completely unsure of how to give it to Marcus without seeming like a total girl, because even if they were gay, guys didn't give other guys their high school rings.

Nothing but weeds kept fresh in the refrigerator's chill. Nothing but cheap pressed metal covered in a thin layer of cheap white gold and Raa's birthstone, a cheap cubit zirconia diamond.

He pushed away from the wall, walking in the direction of his locker to retrieve his books for his next class, though he didn't have a pencil, or a notebook for notes, his backpack still in the hallway where Gwen and Derrick were, feeling a prickling pressure behind his eyes though they stayed completely dry.

[Tammika]

This was even more fucked up. How could this day get any worse? Marcus rested his head on his steering wheel then sat up and took a deep breath. He pulled out his cell phone and sent Raa a quick text message.

"-Had to do something for my dad real quick I'll see you at six. *kiss kiss lick* -"

If he was Pinocchio he wouldn't be able to fit in his car, he thought as he backed out of the parking space and sped out of the school parking lot. Marcus normally drove like an old lady, but he had miles to cover and not a lot of time. Jesse had called to say she had been moved to a different room and her mom would be there with the jacket, if she didn't forget it.

When he arrived at the hospital he glanced at his phone before he went in. Two texts from Derrick and one from Kevin, both a bunch of where are yous I need to talk to you. He sighed and turned the phone off completely. He could have just put it on vibrate but, that would just make him worry more. Getting the jacket and visiting with Jesse shouldn't take up too much time.

"Oh my god, Marcus you are the sweetest. I know you came fr the jacket but it was so awesome for you to come see me, come here I demand hugs." Jesse sat up in the bed, her brown eyes were tired and had very distinct dark circles under them, which said much since her skin was naturally tan, causing a worried frown to tug at Marcus' mouth.

"Awe! Jacket or not I would have been here sooner if I had known you had been here all this time, God swimming is vicious this timeof year." That statement made them both frown. Jesse wouldn't be swimming anymore this season. "You let 'em have it next year okay?" Marcus moved in to give her that hug and held on for a minute cheek to cheek with her. He could tell she was crying and probably not for the first time that day.

"Yeah.. next year. Thanks Marcus."

After spending some time chatting about swimming with Jesse, her mom eventually came in with the jacket. After a brief exchange he left relived that he had the jacket, but a little sad that her season was over. Wrapped up in those thoughts and rushing to gt back to his car, he didn't see the car until it was right on him. Jumping to dodge the idiot flying through the parking lot, he felt the sharp stab of pain just moments before he twisted and fell hard.

"I so, so sooo, don't have time for this, I'm fine really!"

"I saw the mirror hit you and that ankle looks terrible, you need an xray..." The nurse looked at him expectantly while gently examining his ankle.

"Marcus, Marcus davenport and I don't have time for this really."

"Okay if you can get up and walk to tyour car I'll let you go." She stood, all five feet two and folded her arms.

"Fine." Marcus tried to stand up but the pain in both his right hip and his left ankle was too much. He just dropped his head and sighed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

An hour and a half late with a boot on his ankle and a large bruise on his hip, marcus pulled into the restaurant parking lot. He waited until then to send Raa a text. He wanted to see just how mad he was before hobbling into the place, hell who knew if he was even there, he still hadn't turned his phone back on.

-"im finally here. i have a really dumb excuse and a lot to tell you, please say u didnt leave, i know im uber late."-

[TruthSayer]

Raa sat silently in the corner booth of the restaurant, hands crossed with casual nonchalance over his chest, stomach too full of knots to even contemplate putting food in it. Around him, couples dined and laughed and played with each others fingers over the table, and played footsie beneath it. They drank, exchanged flowers, jewelery boxes, and chocolates, most sampling expensive wines and champagnes while those that were still too young to drink stuck to clear sodas and iced tea, and so far every person in view of Raa's table within the last hour had sent him at least one glance, pity written all over their faces.

Raa did their best to ignore them, staring blankly into his water glass, or at the flickering light of the candle in the red glass jar that served as the centerpiece of the set up. He didn't glance at the yellow and white dandelion bouquet at his right hand, or the phone that weighed a thousand pounds in his pocket.

A single text from Marcus today that Raa was trying to believe very hard was not a lie.

Oh come on! the bitterness wailed, He's been lying to you all along.

No, he hasn't. So what if he was an hour and half late with no call? No text saying why?

Late because he'd rather spend tonight with Jesse. Jesse, who is probably smarter than you, cuter than you, funnier than you, and isn't some stupid grease monkey rag head with a bad temper.

...

Raa had long ago run out of legitimate arguments.

"Can I bring you a menu, honey?"

Raa blinked, glancing up at the waitress. Pretty girl, probably just old enough to start working, and braces on her teeth that still had a long way to go before they were perfectly straight. She laid her hand on his arm, squeezing gently, the smile she wore each time she came over to check on him growing more and more pitying with each pass.

Raa shook his head and stood, pulling out his wallet to lay a twenty down on the table even though all he'd had was water, and walked out, hands stuffed deep into the black suit pants he wore. Let the pretty waitress have the flowers if she wanted them. Call it a minor penance for having to work on Valentine's Day.

He'd left his leather jacket in the car, and wore no suit jacket to match his pants, just a thin white shirt with no tie and the top two buttons undone to fight off the cold and heavy breeze, but when his phone chimed in his pocket halfway to his car, he felt his feet plant themselves to the ground, his hand closing tightly around the phone in his pocket. He pulled it out, staring at it silently for a long moment before he flipped it open, reading over the text that popped automatically into view.

Finally here. A fucking hour and a half late, and finally here. Raa's jaw clenched. He was tempted to ignore that text. He had his answer already, right? Why did he need to talk to Marcus at all?

But he was already searching the parking lot, eyes landing on the white Mustang parked in the middle row, the shadow of a person barely defined by the streetlight above it behind the steering wheel. He was already moving toward it, phone flipped closed and back in his pocket, and when he got there, he was already opening the passenger side door and sliding down into the seat, more out of the car than in it, hands stuffed firmly in his pockets as he stared out the front window and waited for Marcus to start talking, face expressionless in the dark.

[Tammika]

He was scared and glad Raa was already in the parking lot. He didn't think he could make it right now. More than his body was in pain as he watched Raa jerk the door open and all but throw himself into the car. Chanting that he wouldn't cry a million times couldn't stop the tears. He had fucked up majorly trying to avoid the very look Raa had on his face now. Marcus didn't look up from the Ford symbol in the middle of the steering wheel after seeing that expression.

"Um, hi. My name is Marcus and I lied to you and if that fucking asshole hadn't been doing seventy five in the hospital parking lot I would have been back sooner with your jacket."