Neil sighed and threw down the pencil. He couldn't focus with all of these thoughts running through his head. He was happy with Dalton. He was a little arrogant, but he treated Neil well. Better than Neil thought most people would treat him. He still had no hope for humanity.
"Something wrong?" Dalton asked. Neil looked over at him. They were sitting in his room on wednesday night, trying to finish their English project due tomorrow morning.
"I'm just having trouble focusing." Neil said. It was the truth. He was happy with Dalton, but he did miss Conner. Conner had a certain way about him that Dalton didn't have. Neil couldn't place what it was, but it was very obvious when it wasn't there. It drove him insane.
"Maybe I can fix that." Dalton smiled. He climbed over Neil and began kissing him feverishly. Neil moaned under him and let Dalton take control. He didn't like losing control, but he knew Dalton loved having him be so submissive under him. It made Neil nervous.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Conner stared at Neil from across the room. His pale skin called out to him. He wanted to lick and nibble at the hollow spot under his chin. He wanted to kiss the soft pink lips that smiled ever so softly at Dalton. Conner hadn't spoken to either of them in weeks. He missed his friends, but he couldn't keep his anger under control when he saw them together. He wanted Neil. He deserved Neil.
It wasn't a secret that Dalton was possessive and arrogant. But would cheat on his boyfriend the first chance he got. Conner had dated Dalton for four days before they drove each other insane. After they broke up they had remained friends, both agreeing they were better that way.
"Thank you, Neil." Their teacher said, as he finished their presentation. Neil nodded and sat back down. Conner snapped his pencil in his fists as Dalton leaned over and whispered something to Neil, making him laugh softly. He had to get over this. He missed Neil too much. Dalton he could live without. But if he wanted to remain friends with Neil, he would have to get over it. Dalton had him now. The bell rang and the class stood up and began walking out the door. Conner waited until Dalton waved goodbye and walked in the opposite direction.
"Neil." Conner called out. Neil turned around and seemed shocked when he saw it was Conner calling him.
"Hey." He smiled softly, almost hesitating.
"Hey. I just wanted to say I'm sorry I got so pissed off. I really want to stay friends." Conner said.
"I wanted to stay friends, too. But you got so mad. I really don't want to have to deal with that, Conner." Neil said.
"I'm sorry, okay? I was just jealous. I still am, but I can see past that. I don't want to lose you as a friend." He grabbed Neils hand and made him stop to talk to him. He felt a spark but Neil quickly got a hold of himself. Neil sighed.
"You're totally right. I still feel bad for taking you out of school for a week. You are okay, right?" Neil asked. Connor nodded. "Good...Hey, we were going to go to the movies tonight, do you want to come?" Neil asked.
"Are you sure Dalton will be okay with this? I haven't talked to him yet..." Connor said.
"He'll be fine." Neil smiled. "We'll pick you up at eight." Neil said, and walked away.
~~~~~~~~~~
They chose a horror movie. Connor watched as Neil sat between the other two men. Dalton hadn't said anything when he picked him up, but he was sure he was pissed at Connor. Connor wasn't sure why, either. He hadn't done anything to Dalton. The movie started and Dalton was holding the popcorn. Neil munched quietly on the buttery goodness while focusing on the movie. But Connor couldn't help but stare at his smooth jaw and pink lips. He looked up from Neils beautiful face and met eyes with Dalton, who had caught him staring at his boyfriend.
Dalton scowled at him and wrapped his arm around Neils shoulder, pulling him in close. Neil rested his head on Daltons shoulder and Dalton smiled smugly at Connor. Connor felt the anger building inside him. He tried to focus on the movie but just couldn't get into it. He looked over and saw Dalton playing with Neils hair.
He reached over to grab a handful of popcorn from Daltons lap, and made an extra effort to get his own face close to Neils, who didn't even notice the sly move. Dalton glared at him as he closed his eyes and inhaled the scent of Neils hair. He raised an eyebrow at Dalton and moved back to his seat. Dalton glared at him for the rest of the movie.
Neil jumped at all of the scary parts and buried his head in Daltons neck. Connor was surprised that Neil was scared. He just seemed so cool and aloof all the time. But he guessed that was because of his 'I don't give a shit' attitude, not his bravery. The two boys kept trying to one up each other through the whole film. Dalton held Neil closely and Connor kept finding ways to get close to him. He would offer Neil candy and would feed it to him, or would reach over to steal some popcorn from Dalton, getting unnecessarily close to Neil. He pretended to be scared during one of the scary parts and grabbed Neils hand, not letting go for the rest of the movie.
When Dalton watched, for the fourth time, as Connor fed Neil a Junior Mint, he decided he had had enough. He threw the popcorn at Connor and pulled Neil up, storming out of the theatre.
"What the hell are you doing?" Neil pulled his hand from Daltons.
"He keeps making a move on you!" Dalton pointed at Connor, who had followed them out.
"He is not! He's just a friend Dalton, I can't believe you're throwing a fit over this. What, I can't have male friends anymore?" Neil asked. Dalton crossed his arms.
"Not if you're friends with him." he said.
"You're making me chose between my friend and my boyfriend?" Neil crossed his own arms.
"Yes. you can be friends with anyone but him, Neil. He just wants to get with you!" Dalton shouted. People stared at them while buying their tickets or their drinks.
"That's such bullshit, Dalton. And you know it. He wouldn't do that." Neil said.
"Then fuck you, Neil. You made your choice." Dalton stormed out. Neil sighed and put a hand to his head.
"I get out of solitary confinement after three years and I have to deal with high school drama, what is this shit?" He muttered.
"I'm sorry Neil." Connor said.
"It's okay. It's not your fault." He waved a hand. "I didn't think he would get so jealous."
"You can't really blame him. I would get jealous if you were my boyfriend and he was hitting on you." Connor shrugged, as they began walking from the theatre.
"Yeah, but you weren't hitting on me. He got mad over nothing." Neil said.
"Well... In all honesty I was kind of getting close to you, just to piss him off." Connor admitted. Neil stopped and stared at him, before sighing and started walking again.
"I'm with Dalton, Connor. I plan to keep it that way. Sure he's a little arrogant, and can be annoying...but he's a good guy. I'm sorry." Neil said.
"I know. I hope you guys are happy together. Just know that I'll always be there for you...okay?" Connor said. Neil nodded.
"Thank you." He smiled. He knew that Connor meant it. He would always be there for him.
~~~~~~~~
Months passed and Neil and Dalton stopped hanging out with Connor. Dalton would get jealous, or Connor would get pissed off. It was best if they just stopped talking all together. Neil would pass Connor in the hallway and wave and smile, but that was where their contact ended. In no time at all, Graduation was just around the corner. As they lined up to get their robes and cap, Dalton put his arm around Neil.
"So have you decided where you're going after all of this?" Dalton looked around the high school.
"Yeah. I want to go to UC Berkeley." Neil said.
"What? You aren't a musician." Dalton frowned.
"Yes I am. I've been in Orchestra all year, and I was playing before that." Neil said, shocked Dalton didn't know.
"Oh...Thats cool." Dalton shrugged.
"Where are you going?" Neil asked, moving forward in the line.
"Nowhere. I think I'll just take a break from school for a year or two." Dalton smiled.
"Oh, that's cool I guess." Neil shrugged. Dalton wasn't stupid, he wasn't a genius, but he could get into a good college if he wanted.
