page 9

[green]

Mikey lets everyone else file out of the classroom before he looks over at Brian and smiles. Brian smiles back, and then Mr. Brennan says something about a bathroom break and they're alone.

“How far away are you from your degree?” Mikey asks Brian, and Brian moves closer to lean against a desk. He doesn't say a word about Mikey going on to his next class.

“I got my GED and started on it when I was sixteen,” Brian says, “So I'm only another year away from my BA.”

“That's cool,” Mikey says. “Did you always want to be a teacher?”

“Nah,” Brian says. “I worked as a roadie when I was your age, thought I wanted to work on tours for the rest of my life.”

Mikey looks at Brian, lets his eyes wander over Brian's tattoos appreciatively. If Brian notices him checking him out openly, he doesn't say anything.

“You look the type,” Mikey says. “I love music. What made you change your mind?”

Brian shrugs. “Thought maybe I'd rather mold young minds and all that,” he says.
Mikey smiles at that and Brian – Brian is looking back, his eyes roaming over Mikey's neck and then down to his legs. Mikey knows by now how to stand with a little cant to his hip, just enough to make him more attractive. He's practiced in the mirror enough times that it comes naturally.

Brian shakes his head and smiles. “Did you want something else?”

Mikey can answer that question in a variety of ways, but he sticks with, “Not really. I was just curious.”

“If you want to talk more...” Brian says slowly, trailing off like he's not quite sure what to say next. But then he gives Mikey another look, and says, “I'll be in here for lunch.”

Mikey can't believe his luck. He's not exactly sure if he wants to take Brian up on his offer, because a lot of things could go completely wrong here, but he nods.

“Maybe I'll see you,” Mikey says. He's got a decision to make.

Brian says, “Okay, you should get to class,” and Mikey gives him a little wave and takes off for Spanish. The bell rings on his way there, so he's tardy, but he figures it was worth it.

Brian's pretty cool, and really fucking hot. Mikey can't get his mind off of him.

Lunch time takes forever to roll around, but by then Mikey's made up his mind.


page 6 smoke in the boys' room
page 7 look for Gerard
page 8 go to the cafeteria
page 14 spend lunch with Brian