With mid terms approaching Pax and group 4 were working their hardest to have the perfect performance. After yelling at Marcus and Corey, Pax was no longer feeling like he had to tip toe around the two of them. With his heart feeling more settled, he was able to tap into the joy and love he had for performing. The studio sessions were finally going in the direction Marcus wanted. "Guys I'm so impressed with you. This is the sound of a cohesive bad." Marcus was thrilled with the improvement they had all shown. "I honestly think you could pass if you perform this well on your mid term."
Everybody celebrated and cheered each other on. Julian and Corey had their own high five routine. Pax, and Kop we're bouncing arm in arm, while Alisha twirled her drumsticks feeling very proud of herself. After all the hard work it finally felt like everything paid off.
"I'm glad you're all excited." Marcus said with a proud smile. "But we're not done yet. You guys can faithfully play all the notes of a song and recreate the song as it is on paper. That's always impressive but you're missing the passion for the music."
Everyone was confused. Music was their passion that why they were in a music school. "What do mean we lack passion." Asked Alicia.
"I'm not saying you lack passion." Marcus wanted to make sure he phrased it properly. "I'm saying you've yet to put your passion in the music." He gestured to Alicia to give him her drum sticks. She reluctantly gave up her drum sticks and traded places with Marcus. "Corey and Julian, we'll run the first verse together. Pax, Kop and Alicia listen carefully." Marcus adjusted the seat and the high hat for his comfort, then used the snare drum to count them in. As they began to play they listened intently to Marcus playing, he was playing identically to Alicia at the beginning. "So far you've faithfully recreated the music as it is on paper, but if you make small changes." Marcus started to make subtle changes. A little extra pressure on every third beat making it louder. Adding an eighth note and the beginning and end of a bridge. They were small changes that completely changed the feeling of the music. At the end everyone felt the difference. "Sometimes you have to feel the music and put a little extra in to change it up while still being true to the source material."
Kop and the others understood but were confused. "Wait, so why didn't you just teach us this to begin with?"
"Have you ever gone out for dinner someplace just because they make a meal better than anyone else?" Marcus asked. Everyone just nodded in response. "Before the chef knew how to make that dish better than anyone he learned how to make it the same way as everyone. He then added his own flare to the dish to make it perfect." As Marcus finished explaining his comparison, the bell rang to end the period. "Ok guys practice at home tonight and try adding your own flare into it. We only have 2 more weeks before your mid term exam performance."
Everyone took Marcus's words to heart as they grabbed their gear and left the studio. The past few sessions going better and Pax was feeling more confident in his life, but the stress of exams the was starting to show on group 4. To help diffuse the tension Pax wanted to hear everyone's Plans for thanksgiving. "So who's going home for the long weekend?"
Julian raised their hand. "My parents live in Oakvale, so I'll be going home."
Alicia flipped her hair feeling all proud. "My family live in Ottawa, but I've been invited to my boyfriends for thanksgiving dinner."
Alicia's comment gave Pax pause. "Wait! Your have a boyfriend?" There was more Pax wanted to ask, but for some reason learning that Alicia has a boyfriend now after a month had passed into working together in classes and she had never mentioned a boyfriend before.
"Of course I do." Alicia started to strut down the hall. "I'm a bad ass drummer chick. Who wouldn't want this?"
Pax held his chin and nodded along as if he was agreeing with a political lecture. "Makes sense, so what's his name?"
"Oh no!" Alicia had so much attitude. "I'm not telling you of all people any more than I have a boyfriend."
Pax was slightly offended but more confused. "Why not?"
Alicia pinched Pax's arm. "You're a magnet for romantic drama. I don't want any of that."
Pax wanted to disagree but he could tell everyone around them agreed. It would be less messy if he didn't fight the popular opinion, so instead he just decided to change the topic. "So Kop, how about you? Any plans?"
Kop just shrugged. "We don't have thanksgiving in Thailand. I've seen some American shows about it, I thought it was in November?"
Corey, Pax and Marcus all forgot that Thanksgiving was in November for Americans. Anyone getting the western experience through popular tv shows like friends would only see the American thanksgiving. Pax felt the need to correct him. "Well, American thanksgiving happens towards the end of November. Canadian thanksgiving is the the second Monday of October."
Marcus put his arm around Pax in a chummy manner. "It's basically the same thing but no parade, longer day light and better pumpkin pie."
"So what are your plans Marcus?" Kop asked?
Marcus motioned to the horizon. "My folks are working through the weekend again." The then gave a quick pat to Kop's chest. "So Adrianna and I are gonna just grab some take out."
"We'll I guess it's cafeteria thanksgiving for us." Said Pax looking at Corey and Kop.
Corey shook his head. "Try turkey flavoured mr. Noodle. Cafeteria is closed for the long weekend."
Pax stopped in his tracks. "What?" He had been working so hard lately, he hadn't gone grocery shopping. "Ok after school I need to make a grocery run."
Marcus offered to come with him. "Want some company? I need to grab some milk, we're out at home." As they got to the stairwell Marcus split off in a different direction. "I got science class. Wait for me after school."
The rest of the group went down stairs to English class. Marcus's advice was in the back of everyone's head the rest of the day. However Pax and Corey both understood the assignment. When Pax performed his audition he put his maritime flare into his performance and Corey had done the same with his classical guitar. However Kop, Julian and Alicia were all training to be concert performers. They weren't trained for originality, just perfect recreation. Throughout the afternoon Pax could see it in Kop's eyes it was stressing him out. Pax wanted to comfort his friend, but it would have to wait till later.
After class, Pax tried to convince Kop to come with him and Marcus to the grocery store, but Kop was still upset about the assignment. Remembering how Pax found the joy to his song on the roof of the school, re recommended Kop do the same. "Just remember to prop the door open, automatically locks when you close it." Kop thanked him for his suggestion and went off in his own.
Pax turned around to go get changed and bumped into Marcus who had just rounded the corner. Their collision knocked pax to the floor and Marcus falling on top of him. People in the hallway were starting to stare at the two boys on top of each other on the floor. Marcus's face les than an inch away from his own, Pax could feel the his face turn red feeling like he knew Marcus was about to kiss him. Realizing how many people were watching he pushed Marcus off abruptly. "Dude, watch where you're going!"
Marcus got up and back on his feet. "Sorry." He replied impatiently as he held out a hand to help Pax up. "Have you seen Adrianna anywhere?"
Pax took Marcus's hand and got back up on his feet. "No, but I think her last period today was science, so she'll probably be at the labs." Pax was about to ask Marcus what was going on, but he ran off to the west wing corridor before Pax could ask his question. "What the hell?"
The science class labs were on the 3rd floor west wing of the school. Pax ran after Marcus to find out what was happening. A few times he called out for Marcus to wait for him, but Marcus wasn't paying attention.
Marcus was frantically walking around the 3rd floor trying to find Adrianna. He spotted her down the hall with Marcie hugging out some drama. He could see Marcie was crying but that wasn't important to Marcus at the moment. He shouted Adrianna's name out to get her attention as he weaved his way thought the crowd of students to meet his sister. "Addi! We have to go now!"
Pax was really concerned, this was the most frantic he had ever seen Marcus. Usually he's an easy going and level headed. "Marcus what's going on?" Pax asked.
"Pax." Marcus said with a sternness in his voice. "This is a family matter." Marcus grabbed Adrianna by the shoulders. "I got a message from Ma. Davi is coming home Friday."
Adrianna gasped and swore. "He's not supposed to be back until June. Why is he back so soon?"
"I don't know." Marcus replied, "but we have to get our stuff out tonight!" Marcus turned to Marcie. "Can she stay at your place for the next few days?"
Marcie wiped away her tears, it was time for her to be strong for her friend. "Of course, she's always welcome at our house." Marcie gave Adrianna a hug.
Marcie leaned into the hug and thanked her. She then pulled herself away from Marcie and asked Marcus. "What about you?" Adrianna reached out and put her hand on his shoulder. "Last time this happened you stayed at that shelter." Adrianna began to cry as she wrapped her arm around him. "You can't stay there again."
Pax didn't understand what was going on, but he could tell something bad happened and his heart began to beat faster. It was a loud pounding that filled his stomach with an anxious feeling. "You can stay with me!" Pax blurted out. Everyone looked at pax they had forgotten he was even there. "I don't know what's going on, but you need a place to stay and I know the dorm rooms are small but we can get an air mattress and you can stay with me... and Corey. I'm sure he'll be ok with it."
Adrianna reached over and hugged Pax. "Thank you Pax." Marcus and Marcie turned it into a group hug.
After a minute of the group hug Pax was feeling weird with this much physical contact. He began to tap on people to give them the hint. "Ok. Ok. You can let go now." He wormed his way lose. "So fill me in, who is Davi? What happened last time?"
Marcus was still feeling the relief so he put a hand on Pax's shoulder. "This is a long story, if you don't mind helping us pack I can fill you in at the same time."
Pax nodded. "Sure let me change and I'll meet you at the main gate"
Pax ran off to the dorm to get changed, when he arrived he met Corey in the room tuning his classical guitar. "Oh hey. Perfect timing." Pax said and he quickly began to take off his uniform. "Marcus and Adrianna need our help, the need to pack up and move out of their place tonight, I think it's cause of someone named Davi."
"You mean his uncle?" Corey asked?
Pax stopped mid change, when Marcus said it was a family issue Pax assumed he meant between Marcus and Adrianna. "I'm not sure, Marcus was going to tell me while I help him pack." Pax continued to get dressed. "I told Marcus he could stay with us until they can go back to the house."
Corey was not happy with that offer. "What? No! Hard No! He is not staying here." Corey put his guitar away and stood up, trying to press the issue further. "He can't control himself around you, what if he tries to get all handsy while you're sleeping?"
Pax was not having this discussion, it felt like a repeat of what happened on the roof. "Listen, you do this for me and I'll forgive you."
"For what?" Corey asked. In his mind he had nothing to be forgiven for.
"For what you did to Patrick!" Shouted Pax while pointing at the photo of Corey and Pax on his desk. "The day it happened Patrick told me what happened between two, that you we're boyfriends and out of the blue you broke up. He said you didn't love him anymore. So he desperately wanted to buy you a gift to win you back. He had been saving every penny he had for so long to buy you a guitar from a pawnshop. He thought if he could buy that for you, you'd love him again." Pax started to tear up talking about that day was always hard. "I tried to convince him to just come back to my place, but he needed me to make sure his mom didn't do anything crazy like leave him at the road side." Pax wiped away his tears and finished getting dressed. "Everyone blamed me for what happened, but even after his death I kept your secret, and how it was your fault we got in that car." Pax put his running shoes on and opened the door. "If you let my friend stay with us in his hour of need, I will finally forgive you for that." Pax stormed out in a huff and ran back to the school gate.
Back at Marcus and Adrianna's house, Marcie and Adrianna were packing up all of Adrianna's stuff, while Pax and Marcus were packing up Marcus's stuff. Pax decided to take the opportunity to ask Marcus about why they needed to do this. "So I still haven't heard why this is so urgent."
Marcus grabbed some clothes and stuffed them in his suitcase. "My uncle Davi, owns this house, he's my papi's brother. They never got along well, they use to work together in my grandfather's restaurant. When he passed away they tried to keep it open but neighbourhood kids kept trashing the place. It made my uncle hate kids, one day this real estate guy was looking to buy up all these old businesses in Toronto develop the area into some new tower. My uncle cut my dad out of the deal and sold the restaurant from under him. He then took the money invested in another real estate company that makes these suburban sprawl housing areas and has been living off the profits."
"Ok that's a dick move." Pax blurted out. "Who does that to their own family."
"It doesn't get better." Marcus shook his head. "The fight that broke out between my dad and uncle Davi, did serious damage to our home, and my dad and uncle Davi accidentally hit Adrianna so hard she had to be rushed to the hospital. My dad and uncle Davi never spoke again, and my uncle just became more of an asshole as time went by." Marcus zipped up his suitcase tossed it aside and grabbed another one to fill up. "My ma is the only one he'll talk to so she negotiated the terms of us using this house while he's away, the condition was that uncle Davi can never see us. So we can't be here when he arrives."
"Also a dick move." Blurted out Pax. "Dude your Uncle sounds like the biggest dick that ever existed. So what happened the last time?"
There was actually two instances where Davi came home early. "The first time this happened I was living here alone for my freshmen year. Uncle Davi came home and I hadn't left in time. He beat my ass out the door. I had to go home to my family and my Dad almost killed Uncle Davi for hurting me. Then last year it happened again, but I had come out to my parents as Pan so I wasn't allowed back home. Adrianna wanted to stay with me but I sent her home and stayed at a shelter for a few nights." Marcus paused. "I'd rather not talk about what happened at the shelter if that's ok. Let's just say I have my own scars I don't like to show off."
Pax wished Marcus could feel safe enough to open up about what happened, but had a strong idea. "So can I ask you, if what I think happened to you at the shelter, happened. How come you're the way you are with guys like me?"
"I'm not." Marcus replied. "I'm not like that with other guys or other girls." Marcus reached out with his hand and softly held Pax's cheek then looked into his eyes. "I told you I'm not attracted to a gender. When I heard you play I was inspired. Then when I found out it was you, I fell for you, like I've never felt it before. My whole body wants to scream out loud, kiss him! Hold him!" Marcus began to move in closer, "I've had girlfriends before, I've had boy friends before, but I've never felt this before in my life."
Pax was speechless, Hearing Marcus describe this passion he felt made Pax's heart race and his lips quiver as Marcus got closer. Pax needed something to stop himself from giving into this temptation. He felt around and nearby on the floor and hand found a stray sock. "We should continue packing."
Marcus smiled and backed away. "You're right." Marcus looked around "I'm almost done here. Why don't you check on Adrianna and Marcie."
Pax nodded and left to check on Adrianna, before leaving he looked back to see if Marcus was alright. He was on the floor balling up socks muttering to himself about how stupid he was. Pax felt bad he knew denying Marcus like that was obviously hurting him, but Pax still wasn't sure what he was feeling. Pax walked over to Adrianna's room and checked in on her and Marcie. "Hey Adrianna, how are things going?"
Adrianna was packing away her shoes in a massive duffel. "Oh hey Pax, I'm almost done here. All that's left is shoes And toiletries. Can you find Marcie, she was going to help get rid of the garbage, while I finished up. I'm sure she could use a hand."
Pax nodded and walked away to find Marcie. Pax started to wander calling out for Marcie. The house wasn't much bigger than the one he grew up with, but it was so well designed there were a lot more rooms. He once saw the term efficiency of space in one of his dads architecture magazines. "This must be what they were talking about." Pax opened a door at the end of the hall that led to the garage. Marcie was inside dealing with the garbage cans. She was struggling and cursing a lot. "Hey Marcie can I help?"
"Of course, you would come in wouldn't you" she replied still cursing and now punching the bags to go in the garbage.
Pax was taken a back. "Did I do something to you?" Marcie just glared at Pax and then punched the garbage bag again. Pax could take the hint, but he was determined to be his usually nosy self and find out what was wrong. "Ok, hostility noted, but let's be honest who else would be coming to help?"
Marcie picked up the garbage can lid and slammed it down on the can. "Oh good you're funny too."
"Marcie what is going on?" Pax asked, desperately trying to get her to drop the attitude. "I thought I we were kind of friends."
"Yeah well I can't stand you now." She replied in a huff. "So how about you do the world a favour, pick a man and get out of my life."
"Oh." Pax said, it was so clear now. "I get it, you like Marcus."
Marcie rolled her eyes and made an made an error sound. "Nope, try again."
Pax was confused. "What are you talking about? Marcus is the only guy who's got a crush on me. It has to be him, because….." pax trailed off, he remembered that Marcie was following Someone around a lot lately. "Corey."
Marcie flipped Pax off. "Ding. Ding. Ding."
"Marcie, nothings going on between Corey and I." Pax tried to reassure her. "I'm pretty sure he hates me, I mean we were fighting before I came here."
Marcie was glaring at Pax so hard, in the back of her mind she was hoping she could kill him with his mind. "At lunch today I asked him if he'd like to go on a date with me this weekend. Do you know what he said?"
Pax shook his head he wasn't sure he wanted to know the answer.
"He said, sorry there's someone else I want to date more." She walked over to Pax with an angry look on her face. "When I asked he said, I realized recently that I want to be with Pax." She then poked him in the chest. "What is is fucking great about you?"
Pax was still reeling back from the idea that Corey liked him in that way. So gently grabbed Marcie's hands and held them down with his own. "I don't know, and I didn't ask for any of this." Pax sat down on the steps going from the garage to the house. "I just wanted to date Adrianna, but then Marcus kissed me and now I can't. Then I learned that I kissed Corey, so now I can't say I only feel this way about Marcus."
"Eventually you are going to have to make a choice." Marcie said. "It's cruel what your doing to both of them. You don't see it but I see what Marcus is like after you turn him down."
"He's like a sad puppy." Pax thought back to when he glanced back at Marcus. Marcus was so down on himself for trying, that he was calling himself stupid. Pax had only known the upbeat confident Marcus. It's hard to believe there was a side to him that was so insecure. "I saw it, he's like a sad insecure puppy." Pax slumped his head down and felt bad about what he was doing to Marcus.
Marcie sat down on the step next to him. "I know you're not doing this intentionally, but understand Marcus is the good looking popular guy. Every girlfriend or boyfriend he's ever had was because they threw themselves at him." She squeezed her fists in frustration. "It's not like we live in a perfect society where's universally ok to be gay or bi. I get it can be scary to admit what you are or explore if you are, but ignoring the feelings of others like they don't exist is damaging them."
Pax understood what Marcie was saying but it didn't make it easier. "The problem is I don't know if it's what I'm feeling or if it's Patrick's feelings."
Marcie paused, she didn't know what Pax was saying but she could see he just admitted something. "Who's Patrick?"
Pax began to tell the story of his friendship with Patrick and Corey. How Corey and Patrick had been dating in secret. She then told her about how he had received Patrick's heart during the transplant. "I know it sounds ridiculous, but before the transplant I hated folksy maritime music, but Patrick loved it, now I play the fiddle. I get drunk at a party and tell Corey my heart belongs to him. It beats rapidly in fear when Marcus looks my way. I can't help but wonder if these are my feelings or if they are his?"
Marcie was blow away by the story of Patrick's life. "You know that your heart is just an organ. Your emotions come from your brain. You can't blame the feelings you have on an organ you got from a surgery."
"But how can I be sure?" Asked Pax. "I didn't like these things until I got this heart."
"So you do like them." Interrupted Marcie.
"I don't know!" Pax exclaimed. "Why can't people understand, I've never had a girl friend before. Outside of being drunk I've only kissed one person. I don't know if I like Marcus or if I just like being kissed."
Just then Marcie leaned in and kissed Pax. She made sure to put as much passion into this kiss as she could muster. When she pulled away, Pax had a look of shock on his face. "So? You just kissed a girl, what are your feelings telling you?"
Pax was silent, there was so much running through his mind. He knew Marcie wanted an answer but all he could do was stand up and walk back into the house saying nothing to Marcie. Pax began to walk through the house making his way to the stairwell and down the hallway to Marcus's room.
Marcus just finished packing his last bag and put in on the floor by the bed. Marcus looked at the door with a smile on his face "Oh hey. Everything good with Adrianna and…."
Before Marcus could finish that thought Pax moved towards him with out saying a word, slid his hands around Marcus's head and kissed him passionately. Marcus wrapped his big arms around Pax and the two fell back onto the bed. Pax was giving into the excitement he was feeling while pressing himself against Marcus. The way his pillowy lips pressed against his mouth, playfulness of Marcus's tongue in his mouth. The feeling of Marcus's hair in his right hand, and ran his left hand down Marcus's arm and around his back grabbing a handful of his shirt. He wasn't afraid of these feeling anymore and he wasn't going to let those feelings stop him. Pax didn't want this kiss to end.
When they finally stopped, Pax rested his forehead against Marcus's. "I'm sorry it took so long to figure out what wanted."
Marcus chuckled. "What finally changed your mind?"
Pax looked away for a moment to find the right way to phrase the answer. "Marcie convinced me."
Marcus smiled. "She's a good friend." He then gave a quick peck on Pax's lips, followed by another and then started to kiss his passionately once more, but was interrupted by the sound of Adrianna clearing her throat.
"Hate to interrupt this." Adrianna said while gesturing to the two of them on the bed. "We need to do final check and then get out."
Pax scrambled off Marcus embarrassed and grabbed a suitcase from the floor to cover his crotch. The make out session had excited him more than he was expecting. Marcus grabbed a pillow off the bed and did the same. "Final check!" Marcus said nervously. "You got it. We'll meet you down stairs."
Adrianna sighed and walked away saying loud enough to be heard. "Boys are gross!"
Pax looked over at Marcus embarrassed. His pale complexion during bright red. "So, we should probably...get ready."
Marcus smiled and glanced down at Pax's crotch. "Ready for what?"
"Dude!" Pax replied quickly, feeling grossed out. "I'm 14, I'm pretty sure you can go to jail for what your thinking."
Marcus went from smiling with a naughty to expression to deal pan in a matter of seconds. "Wait. For real?" Marcus had to take a second and think. "So does that mean?"
He was cut off by pax leaning in and kissing him on the cheek. "Don't over think it. Just know, THAT is off the table." Pax tussled Marcus's hair. "Let's not rush things. I just came to the realization that I'm ok kissing a boy. I'm definitely not ready to go telling my friends and family yet." Pax looked at the time. "Crap it's 8:30 we have to get to a store and find an air mattress!"
Marcus and pax scrambled to clean up the room and grab all Marcus's bags. There was only 3 small duffel bags no bigger than the average gym bag. They rushed down stairs and stacked them by the door. Rushed back to grab Adrianna's bags and check to make sure it was tidy. The final check of the house was done in less than 5 minutes. They quickly packed the car and rushed to the nearest store that sold camping gear, but couldn't find an air mattresses in stock. When they arrived at the dorm Pax was dreading what was about to happen. Marcus on the other hand was very happy, he threw his arm around Pax and gave him a peck on the cheek. "Looks like we'll be sharing a bed tonight."
They walked into the dorm room and there was Corey sitting on his chair striking his guitar. He glared towards Marcus, letting him know that Marcus's presence wasn't wanted. He noticed the duffel bags but didn't see a roll out bed of any kind. "Where's you bed?" Corey asked.
Marcus pointed to Pax's bed. "They were out of air mattresses, so Pax and I will have to share."
Corey watched as Pax's face instantly turned bright red. He quickly stood up ready to fight, but instead pulled Pax away from Marcus. "The hell you are!" Corey's focus was intense. "You can sleep on the cold hard floor."
Pax pulled away from Corey. "Be reasonable, he can't sleep on the floor." Pax wasn't a fan of sharing a bed with Marcus, but he didn't want him sleeping on the floor.
"Not a chance." Corey replied quickly. "You know what he's like. He might take advantage of you in your sleep." Corey had to think fast. "Pax! You sleep with me in my bed and Marcy can sleep alone in yours." He had a smug smile on his face coming up with an innocent enough solution that would put the romantic ball in his court.
"Not happening." Marcus was dead pan serious. Pax was shaking his head and made an X shape with his arms.
Corey was disappointed his option was shot down but had to quickly think on his feet. "Fine! Then Marcus and I will share a bed and Pax sleeps alone."
"Hard pass." Marcus replied, once again dead pan expression. He was certain of one thing he'd be spending the night cuddling his new man.
"Perfect!" Pax blurted out. He knew this option was coming the moment Corey was going to make another attempt. So he had grabbed his shower gear and was ready to shower and go to bed. "I'm gonna go shower, you guys can figure out who's the little spoon" With that pax left the room to go shower.
Marcus was stunned by how easily Pax agreed to this arrangement. He thought they were finally progressing in their relationship. He then realized he smelled gross from all the packing and cleaning. "Oh man, I should shower too."
Before he could go look for his toiletries Corey grabbed Marcus's arm and tried to put him in a submission hold. "Oh no you don't you perv!" Corey's hold wasn't good enough and Marcus got free. The two boys ended up wrestling each other to the floor.
This wasn't a fight of rage and jealousy like last time, this was just two guy being dicks to each other. There was very little room in the dorm room to horse around however so Marcus unfamiliar with the space had hooked his foot around one of his duffle bag straps and fell onto Corey pushing him to on his bed. Marcus landed on top off him but didn't brace himself properly and landed locking lips with Corey. The momentary kiss surprised them both and Marcus scrambled off Corey and then scurried over to Pax's bed. The two boys couldn't look at each other after that.
When Pax had returned to the room he found Marcus and Corey, sitting on opposite beds looking away from each other in silence. "Hey glad to see you guys are getting along." He sat down at his desk. "Marcus why don't you go take a shower. I'm just going to practice a bit before I turn in. It's down the hall on the left."
Marcus just replied with a thanks, grabbed his toiletries and left. Pax got changed into his pj's and sat down in his chair with his fiddle. "Did something happen between you two? You're both acting weird."
Corey got up off the bed, sat on his chair and grabbed his guitar. "No. Nothing happen, we just don't connect well. You know that." Corey began to strum and tune his guitar. "You wanna practice, I was thinking about how to add some panache to our performance."
Pax nodded. "I had a similar idea, let's play and I'll modify as we go."
Corey counted them in and they began to play. Corey's training with classical guitar made him typically lean towards a more Latin sound to his playing, but this time he leaned into the Irish Maritime sound. This was Pax's wheel house and so he began to throw his maritime music flare into his performance as well. The song felt new while still being the same, this was what Marcus was hoping for with the whole team. For Corey and Pax this felt natural, they could instinctively adapt to each other's performance.
Marcus came back from his shower, with his clothes in one hand, a towel wrapped around his waist and a smaller one around his neck he was using to dry his hair. At this time Pax and Corey were finishing their second performance of the piece, having made some more modifications, but the sight of Marcus half naked and still wet. Water droplets running down his chest and abs. Pax was so thrown off by Marcus's physique he accidentally hit slid the bow with such force it made a loud screech and broke a string.
Marcus rushed over to check on Pax. "Are you ok?" Usually Marcus keeps his hair combed back, but after a shower his un styled hair naturally split in the middle and fell to the side. He looked less like a pop star and more like a goth jock. He leaned in close to Pax's face and tilted it to the side so he could check for and injury from the snapped string.
While Marcus was inspecting Pax's cheek and eyes, Pax was getting a very up close view of Marcus's bare chest and shoulders. He could see the dimpling of Marcus's shoulder, the bulging definition of his massive pecks. "I'm feeling hot." Pax said out loud. "I mean, fine. I'm feeling fine Marcus. The string didn't hit me." Pax awkwardly put his hand on one of Marcus's pecks and gently pushed him back. "How about you put some clothes on."
Marcus wanted to tease Pax a little to let him know his decision to not share the bed with Marcus was a mistake so he leaned into Pax's hand for a moment so he could feel the strength of his peck. "Ok." He said softly. "But turn around for a second I don't think your ready to see what's under the towel.
Pax cleared his throat and pulled his hand away. "I have to restring this anyways." Pax put his fiddle on his desk and grabbed a pack of strings from his case. Turning his eyes away from Marcus he hid himself at his desk and got to work. Corey just rolled his eyes at at how stupid they were acting, but then Marcus turned around and took off his towel his perfectly sculpted ass. Corey immediately looked away and clinched his fist, he was jealous of Marcus's physique.
Marcus put on a pair of his jockey shorts and a tank top then sat down on Pax's bed. "Remind me again of the sleeping arrangements. It's Pax and I and Corey by himself?"
"No!" Squeezed Pax his voice cracking and his face red with embarrassment. He didn't want to admit it but he peeked at Marcus's bare ass. He cleared his throat and and tried to speak again but it came out a squeaky. "No, you're sleeping…" Pax tried clearing his throat again. "No, you're…" his voice was still cracking. Pax just collapsed from his embarrassment and buried his head under his arms."
Corey and Marcus were silent, just looking at Pax, smirking so hard they were fighting the urge to laugh. Pax could hear the snickering, but was to embarrassed to engage, so he blindly tried to point at Marcus and then at Corey's bed. This action was the straw that broke the camels back, as Marcus and Corey began to laugh so hard they collapsed onto their sides.
"What was that?" Marcus asked between laughs. "You sounded like a cartoon kid." He proceeded to mock Pax's voice cracking "Noooooo. You're going over there!" Marcus and Corey laughed at the impression. Soon Corey and Marcus were saying "Nooooo." With a fake cracked voice together.
Pax had enough of the mocking, and finished tightening the replacement string. He turned to face the guys, brought the fiddle to his chin and moved his finger down to the highest fret. "Hope you liked having ear drums." Pax began to play emitting the highest pitch shriek a fiddle can make. Doing it off Key made it worse and completely intolerable. Marcus and Corey stopped laughing and instead covered their ears, his punishment was working, but was interrupted by a banging on the door. "Pax walked over to answer the door while Marcus hid behind the door. Dorm students weren't allowed to have guests stay over night. Pax opened the door to find a few of his fellow students standing outside the door.
The one in the front was a senior in shorts and a teeshirt. He was average height with chestnut hair and poor complexion. "It's not sound proofing. It's sound suppressing. Stop playing so loud some of us are studying."
Pax looked at him and his fellow Dorm mates who all looked upset. "I'm sorry we'll be quiet." Pax closed the door and turned to face the boys. "Maybe we should just go to sleep." The three boys all giggled for how close a call that was. Pax got into his bed and turned on his reading light. "You gonna shower, Corey."
Corey looked at Marcus and didn't trust him to be alone with Pax. "I'll be fine. I'll shower in the morning."
Marcus leaned over and gave a sniff of Corey. "Oh hell no. I'm not sleeping with someone who smells that bad."
Corey shot Marcus a glare for his comment, but before he could reply Pax cut in saying. "He's kinda right dude. You smell like you've been in a wrestling match."
Corey and Marcus paused and looked at each other. "Yeah, ok fine." Corey grabbed his shower gear and went to have a shower.
As soon as he left the room, Marcus moved over to Pax's bed. "Oh good he's gone." And then moved in to kiss Pax.
Pax stopped Marcus and asked. "What are you doing?"
"I thought you were passed this?" Marcus asked. "I'm not looking to get freaky with you, but I'd really like to kiss you again."
Pax's only hesitation was that it was in his bed while his roommate was out. "Sorry doing it like this while Corey's back is turned feels dirty."
Marcus gently caressed Pax's cheek with his free hand. "Would you find it easier to kiss in-front of him?"
Pax shook his head , everything Marcus was saying made sense, and he really did want to kiss Marcus. "You make a good argument." Pax wrapped his arms around Marcus's neck and brought him in to kiss. Pax began to play full kiss Marcus's pillowy lips, the more they kiss the more passionate it became. As they rolled around on the bed things got heated and Pax pulled off Marcus's tank top. They rolled Marcus on his back. Pax still making out with Marcus starts to run his hand down Marcus's chest, then along his abs. Marcus started to pull up Pax's pyjama top, Marcus barely exposed Pax's midriff when Pax quickly pulled away.
"Everything ok?" Marcus asked.
Pax shook his head. "Sorry. I know you said you aren't grossed out by them, but I'm still not ok showing skin. Especially like this."
Marcus sat up and started to stroke Pax's shoulder, trying to comfort him. "It's ok." Marcus leaned in and gave Pax a peck on the cheek. "I never want you to feel uncomfortable. Your scars are beautiful to me. They tell me a story of you and what you went through." Marcus leaned in an kissed Pax again. "That said things were getting intense back there so how about we stop for now." Marcus put his shirt back on and moved over to Corey's bed.
Corey walked back into the room wearing just some shorts and a towel around his neck. I didn't take a rocket scientist to analyze something had just happened. Corey decided this was a good opportunity to try and get Marcus out of the dorm room. "So I hope you don't mind Marcus," Corey said as he sat next Marcus in his bed. "But I sleep in the nude." This was a lie, back in his hometown Corey was always cold at night since his mom never let the house heat up. It was too expensive. While staying at the dorm Corey hasn't shown more skin than just taking off his shirt.
"Sounds good to me." Marcus replied, he then took his top off, so soon after just putting back on. "So do I." Marcus put his thumbs in his short's waist line and acted like he was about to strip.
"You didn't let me finish." Corey blurted, not wanting Marcus to continue stripping. "I meant, I hope you won't be disappointed that I will be wearing clothes to bed tonight. It's probably best we we both do. Don't you think?"
Marcus pulled his hands back. "Well, it's your bed, so I'll follow your suggestion." Marcus was gloating with a giant smile on his face. He knew he just won this game of chicken.
Pax turned off his light. "Would you guys give it a rest. I need some sleep to get up before the rest of the dorm." He then rolled over turning away from the two boys.
"Dibs on wall side." Marcus said as he rolled himself to the side of the bed that faces the wall."
Corey sighed and tuned off the light and got into bed. Naturally Corey hated losing so the two boys started try and push each other for space on the mattress. They tried sleeping ass to ass, pushing each other around. It was needlessly noisy and led to them muttering curse each other under their breath.
Had finally had enough with their bickering. "I will get my fiddle again!"
They stopped mid struggle and just laid on their backs next to each other. Marcus held out his hand. "Truce?" He asked Corey.
Corey grabbed Marcus's hand and shook it. "Just for tonight." The two tof them laid back and eventually drifted off to sleep.