Date: Wed, 4 Aug 1999 13:58:03 EDT
From: VIHoa@aol.com
Subject: "The Clique 9"

Hey!  Miss me much?  I'm back!  And with a pretty big installment of "The
Clique."  Or should I call it the "Brandon and Phillip Story" now?  Nah, I
have plenty of plans for the other people.  This chapter leads up to some
of that.  I hope y'all like it.  And as usual, send all comments to
vihoa@aol.com or check out the web page at
http://members.xoom.com/thecliques/index.htm Just do the "copy and paste"
thing to save time.  I'll "talk" to y'all later, at the end of the chapter.
LATERZ!  (^_^)


"Welcome!"

"You've got mail!"

Subj:	 "I'm so happy for you B!"
Date:	4/21/99 9:55:50 AM Pacific Daylight Time
From:	VengaBabe@aol.com
To:	B-Boi@aol.com

Dear B,

	I'm sooooo happy you're happy!  See...  I told you!  Have patience
and you're reward will be sweeter.  From your 5 page e-mail on how
wonderful Phillip is, I guess he's pretty cool.  But not as fine as this
hunk-a-man I found yesterday in the bookstore.  HOT DAMN!!!  Well, I'll
tell you more about him once I get to know him a little better.  This
e-mail is all about YOU!  So you really have it bad for this guy huh?  You
seemed very happy in the last e-mail you sent.  It was a real positive
change from the last time I've heard from you.  The last time you were in
total "pitty myself" mood.  I didn't tell you then, but I'll tell you know.
The last time I heard from you.  You really had me worried.  I was afraid
you were going to do something drastic.  Well, I hope I'll never have to
get that worried again.  Even though we've never met...  I've grown quite
fond of you.  Even though the cookie cutter, preppy type usually isn't my
thang.  Take care bud.

Love ya!
Juels

"Goodbye."

	By the time Phillip got us to school, it was still a half an hour
until school started.  I could've sworn we were going to be late due to our
make out session this morning in his bed and what happened in the shower,
but we weren't.  Just thinking about what happened just a few minutes ago
gets me so hot!  Calm down B!  Not here in the car...  well maybe just
some.

	He parked his car in the same place it was yesterday, and the day
before, right next to Dolan's 4Runner, and turned off the engine.  He then
rolled up the windows and put the top up.  I used this oportunity to my
advantage and placed my hand on his, still clamped to the stick shift.  I
began to rub it lightly as I looked at him passionately.  He gave me a
"What the hell are you doing?  Don't you know we're at school?" look, but I
didn't care.  I leaned forward and placed my lips on his kissing
passionately for a good five minutes.  It got to be really hot in the car
and our heavy breathing didn't help either.  While my right hand still held
his on the stick shift, my left hand grabed the back of his head and pulled
it towards me, increasing the pressure of our kiss.  My tongue darted in
and out, allowing me to taste every inch of his mouth.  He then broke our
kiss and sat back in his seat, looking at me with a really flushed face.

	"Can I ask what that was for?"  He questioned, still breathing
heavly from our kiss.

	"Just because I love you."  I smiled.

	"Love me anymore and I'd have suffocated.  But then I'd die a VERY
happy man."  He said with the smirk he knew drove me crazy.  He then leaned
forward and gave me a peck on the cheek.  "Let's go lover."  He turned
around and steped out of the car, I followed.

	As we stepped out of the car, we saw Angel get out of his Jag.  He
was wearing a long sleeved, gray Abercrombie and Fitch T-shirt, a pair of
khaki cargo pants, some dark brown boots, and a khaki fisherman hat
covering up his spiky blond hair.
	
	Just then, I remembered.  I was suppose to go over to his house
yesterday and play basketball with him, but I didn't.  I stayed with
Phillip.  Shit!  And I promised too!  Then I remembered what Phillip had
told me yesterday afternoon.  Angel had a crush on me too!  Oh fuck...
that means that the basketball game really ment a lot to him.  Now that I
think of it, it would've be the first time we'd spend anytime together
since Spring Break started.  Now it's like Wednesday, almost a week and a
half of not hanging out.  Some best friend I turn out to be...  can't even
keep a promise.  Now he's going to be pissed at me.  And knowing Angel like
I do, his PMS sessions last for days...  just like a girl's.  I decided to
be a man and approach him and appologize.

	"Morning Ang!"  I said with a smile and a wave.

	"Morning."  He replided flatly as he continued to walk by us.  I
reached out my hand grabed his arm and draged him back to where I was
standing with Phillip.  I turned him around and tried to make eye contact
with him, but he was resistant.  It came to the point where I had to grab
his face to look him in the eye.  "What is it Brandon?"

	"Look, I just want to appologize for standing you up yesterday."  I
said sincerely, "I'm sorry."

	"I'm sure you are."  He replied as he shook away from me.  I let go
of him and watched him straighten himself out.

	"I am."

	"Yeah, I'm sure you were in something tight that you couldn't get
out of.  Listen, I completely understand.  I know you like to maximize your
time and not just go fucking around."  It was weird the way he was talking.
What was he getting at?  I've never heard him talk like this.

	"Yeah, I was kinda busy."

	"With Phil I bet.  Hiya Phil, how are you doing?"  What?!?!  Does
he know?  How does he know I was with Phillip?

	"I'm fine."

	"Wait, how do you know I was with Phillip?"  I questioned.  Phillip
then caught on and a half nervous, half scared expression began to dawn on
his face.

	"Duh, Brandon...  you rode with him to school.  I don't see a
$50,000 Benz here, do you?"  He said in a sarcastic tone as he rolled his
eyes at me.

	"Oh yeah."

	"So did he pick you up?  Or did you two just stayed at each other's
houses and fucked all night?"  That was a joke right?  I mean, he couldn't
have known...  Could he?  Angel didn't give me a chance to answer, he just
gave me this wicked smile and walked off, not before whispering something
to Phillip.  I couldn't hear what he told him, but as Ang walked into the
school, a face of fear appeared on Phillip.  His eyes were wide open and
his lips were trembling.  As I walked up to see what was wrong, tears
started to come out of his eyes.

	"Phillip, what's wrong?"  I asked with great concern as I placed my
hand on his shoulder for comfort.  He straighted up, wiping the tears from
his face, but his voice was still shakey when he told me what Angel had
said.

	"Brandon...  Angel knows..."  His voice was filled with fear.
Tears started to fill his eyes, but I didn't want to believe him.

	"What do you mean Angel knows?  How?  What did he say to you?"

	"He asked me if when he goes over to your house, will he be able to
see himself in the kitchen floor, seeing on how we spent extra time
polishing it.  He asked me did your dick taste as good as it looked.  Then
he asked me about your kiss.  He asked if it was still as sweet as he
remembers it was.  What does he mean by that Brandon?  Did you kiss him?"
I was totally thrown back by what Phillip had just told me.  "Phillip,
look...  that kiss...  It was before I met you.  We were at his aunt's
house and he just kissed me out of nowhere.  It ment nothing to me.  I
thought he was just experimenting or something!  He was drunk when he did
it.  We haven't talked about it since!  It ment nothing."  I tried my best
to explain to him what happened but he just teared up.  Why was Angel doing
this?  Phillip then looked me in the eyes again.

	"Well, obviously it meant something to him, since it grew into a
crush on all."  Emotions started to flood my body as I tried to assess the
situation.  Phillip broke my concentration by putting his hand on my
shoulder.  "You don't love him do you?"

	"No.  I love you."  Phillip brought me in a hug and held me
closely, not caring if anyone saw us.  I didn't care either.  I just need
to hold him right then.  But thoughts were still flooding my head.

	Phillip backed away and looked at me with a serious face.  "So what
about Angel?  What if he tells the school?  Would he tell the school?"
That very thought crossed my mind over and over.  Angel was very
unpredictible whenever he gets emotional.  There was no telling what he
would do.  Dammit!  If I could only go with one emotion, I could solve
this!  Then a something popped into my head.  Angel's going to tell
everyone!  He wants me and he wants Phillip out of the way.  He's going to
spread it around school that Phillip's gay and ruin his life!  THAT'S IT!
I'm not going to let that happen.  I love Phillip too much to stand here
and watch his life fall apart.  I started to sort through my emotions again
and finally found one that I could work with.  Anger...  That's it, ANGER!

	"ANGEL!"  I yelled his name as loud as I could, but he had already
gone into the building.  "ANGEL!!!"  I took off after him.  Phillip, tried
holding me back, but it was a futile attempt.  I ran towards the double
doors leading into the school with Phillip following me.
	
	I grabed both door handles and threw the doors open.  There he was,
struting down the hall in his usual cocky attitude.  As he walked by the
boy's restroom, I ran up to him, grabbed onto his backpack and threw him
in.  I didn't care what people were seeing.  I was mad.  Anger took over my
whole body.  In the distance, I could hear Phillip pleading for me to just
let him go, but to no avail.

	I grabbed Angel's arm, twisted it behind his back and slammed him
against the wall.  Upon seeing this, everyone in the restroom was in such
shock that they just stopped what they were doing and ran out.  I could
hear the restroom door slam shut, leaving just me, Phillip, and Angel.  In
the back of my mind, I knew this was not the way to approach the situation.
As I saw Angel's breath lightly fogging up the tile wall, I realized how
hard I had him pushed up against it and I knew I had over reacted.  I knew
I had gone too far.  I had let my temper cloud my better judgement.  Some
best friend huh?  I turned around to see my lover, looking at me in fear.
I could see it in his eyes that he feared what I was about to do to Angel,
what I was doing to Angel, and most of all, I could see, at that moment,
what he feared was...  me.  "Brandon!  That's enough!"  Phil shouted as he
grabbed my arm.

	"Better listen to your bitch B.  He's smarter than I thought."

	I was about to revert back to irrationallity but with one look from
Phillip, I turned my head away from his, utterly disgusted with myself and
let Angel go.

	He turned around and straightened himself up in the same manner he
did earlier.

	I tried to apologize for my over-reaction; although, deep inside I
felt he deserved it, but he was my best friend and I had no right to slam
him against the wall.  Angel, seemed more concered about if I had caused
his clothes to wrinkle more than my apology.  "I'm...  I'm sorry Angel...
I don't know what came over me..."

	"Save it for Broadway B.  I've had enough of your drama this
morning."  And with that, he left.  I didn't try to stop him this time.  I
knew that Angel needed time to deal.  I can't even picture the emotions he
must have felt when he saw me and Phillip making love.

	Phillip walked up to me and placed a kiss on my lips, trying to
comfort me.  I didn't return it.  I was too depressed.  "Brandon, it's
going to be o.k.  He's your Frack he's never going to do anything that
would hurt you that much."  My "Frack?"

	"My what?"  I questioned.

	"Nevermind.  My point is, you two have been friends since forever
and a little thing like this is not going to nulify that.

	"My love for you is not 'a little thing.'"  I interupted, but he
had to know.

	"That's sweet, but can I talk?"  I nodded my head and let him
continue, "He's had girlfriends before right?"  I nodded as he continued,
"And I bet there's been times that he's stood you up to be with them,
right?"  I nodded again, "And look, you're still friends!  Just let him
deal, and you two will be best friends in no time.  He's your Frack!"
There's that word again!

	Seeming pleased that he snapped me out of my guilt trance, Phillip
smiled, causing me to smile along.  "Phillip, I know he wouldn't but I was
afraid he was going to hurt you."  I explained truthfully.  "I know that he
wants to be with me and...  I just don't want you to get hurt on account of
Angel's irrational hormone drives or because of me."

	"Wouldn't hurting me be hurting you?"  Phillip commented, sounding
wiser, beyond his age.

	"Yeah, but sometimes he doesn't see it that way.  He's got a one
track mind and he'll do anything to get what he wants."

	"I think you're wrong about that Brandon."  Phillip raised his hand
to my face, the same way he did this morning.  "I think he knows how much I
mean to you, and that anything that happens to me, affects you too."

	"Yeah...  God!  Maybe the reason I love you so much is because you
have an answer for everything!"  I commented as we began to walk out of the
restroom.

	"Maybe.  I just know that it's not going to get as soap opera-ish
as you're making it out to be.  Besides...  He's your Frack."  Again with
the Frack!

	"Okay, he's my Frack.  Now will you please enlighten me on what
exactly is a 'Frack'?"  I asked as we stopped at his locker, which was only
a couple away from mine.  I got my english book and then waited for him.

	"Come on."  He said as he placed his book into his backpack and
zipped it up.  We began walking to first period, while he explained to me
what he was talking about.  "When I was in California, my best friend and I
were dubbed 'Frick and Frack.' I know it's weird, and I don't know where
the hell they got it, but the name stuck.  We were 'Frick and Frack,' the
two names kinda mesh don't you think?"  Hmmm...  "Frick and Frack," I like
it!  Geez, talking with Phillip just makes ALL my troubles go away!

	"That's cute," I commented, "but why aren't you my Frack?"  He
looked at me as lovingly as he could, still being discrete.  We took our
seats in English and got out everything we need for class before he
educated me some more on "California Clique customs."

	"That name is only reserved for best friends.  I got my own name
for you, Mister Big..."

	"All right class!  Can we get started already?!?!?  Simmer people,
simmer..."  Mrs. Pikus has such timing.  She huffed and puffed as she came
into the room carrying a big box filled with, I'm guessing homework.
Seeing how hard of a time Mrs. Pikus was having carrying the box to her
desk, Phillip voluteered to help her.  He took the box from Mrs. Pikus and
followed her to her desk.

	Damn!  What I site to see!  His arms were ripped as he carried the
box across the room.  My eyes weren't the only ones though.  I could see
all the girls, and some of the guys staring at his arms, his abs, and his
chest through the white ribbed T-shirt he was wearing.  I looked across the
room to see the people fixated on my lover.  Even that Patric dude, who
usually ignores the class and keeps to himself, had his jaw drop.  This was
too much.  Too bad y'all!  He's mine!

	When he sat back down, I had to turn around and tell him how
everyone was drolling over him.  He turned a bright shade of red and sank
down in his seat.  I wanted to reach out and kiss him for being to cute
when he blushes but that would be a no no.

	"Brandon!  Will you please turn around and get 1984 out."

	"Yes Mrs. Pikus."  I answered obediently, as I turned around and
faced forward.  Just then, the door flew open and Dolan and Rob came
stubbleing in.

	Their clothes were all wrinkled and their hair looked a fright!
This was really strange since they are usually the sharpest dressers in
school, well...  next to me and Phillip.  Still...

	"Umm...  Sorry Mrs. Pikus for us being so late.  I woke up late,
and Rob woke up late...  which would explain the lateness."  Dolan
apologized for the both of them as Rob tucked his shirt into his pants.

	"That's quite all right Mr. Kwan.  You and Robert just have a seat.
We're on chapter 5 of 1984 Just follow along as we take turns reading."
Funny, didn't we park right next to Dolan's 4Runner?  I could have sworn we
did.  If we did, then why is he late?  Maybe it wasn't his.  Weird...

	After English, I walked Phillip to his health class.  I wanted to
kiss him so bad, but we were right in the middle of the hall way.  I then
saw Tyler come up and go into Phillip's class.  We both said hi, but he
just ignored us and pushed us out of his way.  That was weird.  He just
pushed by us like we didn't know each other and took his seat.  "I'll see
what's wrong with Ty.  You better get that sweet ass of yours to Pre-Cal
before you're late."  He advised.  I smiled and gave him a quick peck on
the cheek, when no one was watching, and headed to class.  Just then I
remembered...  Pre-Cal.  Ugh!  Don't get me wrong, It's a breeze for me,
but the reason why I don't want to go there right now, other than my
constant love sickness for Phillip, is because Angel's in there with me.  I
was going to have to face him again.  Maybe I can just skip Pre-Cal.
Yeah...  just hide out in the boy's room.

	"HEY BRANDON!  Where ya going?"  That voice...  Angel.  Has he
forgiven me?

	"Just...  nowhere Angel."  I turned around and faced him but with
my head down.  I was still kinda embarrased about what happened.

	"Really?  So you weren't going to the restroom to meet up with Phil
and fuck each other's brains out?"  He said with spite.  This is the guy
that made me feel embarrased and ashamed of myself?  Suddenly, I felt the
anger return.

	"FUCK YOU ANGEL!"  I shouted.

	"Oh, don't worry B.  We'll be there soon enough baby..."  He then
reached out and grabed my package and gave it a squeez.  I suddenly pushed
him pack, making him hit the wall, like it was a second reflex of mine to
do so.  "Hmm...  look's like you're not into sharing.  That's o.k.  I
wouldn't share you with that Cali trash anyways."  The boy is really
beginning to annoy me.  He's pushing it.  He's really pushing it.

	"SHUT THE FUCK UP ANGEL!"  I was about to lunge forward at him, but
I felt a hand lay on my shoulder, pulling me down.

	"Hey...  chill y'all...  What's with all this shouting?"  I heard a
voice from behind call out.  I turned around to see Dolan looking at me
with a raised eyebrow.

	"Maybe he's missing something he can't have..."  Angel said with a
smart-ass smirk.

	"I said SHUT THE FUCK UP YOU SON OF A B..."  I was ready to punch
the shit out of Angel, but witheld myself.

	I felt a hand on my shoulder and a familar voice to accompany it.
"Calm down B."  I turned to see Toni looking at me half concerend, and half
dissappointed.  I was dissappointed in myself too.  I've never acted like
this before.  Maybe I just get so over-protective of Phillip, or is it
because I get so over-protective of my heart.  I think it's both.  "Angel!
Just shut up and whipe that smirk off your face.  You look like a damn
fool!"

	"All right...  I'll stop...  I'll stop."

	"What's going on guys?  The tension here's so thick that I thought
I'd needed a chainsaw to get though!"  Christie said walking up to the four
of us.

	"Nothing."  I said flatly, trying to calm myself down.

	"What do you mean 'Nothing'?  You were about to rip Angel's rib
cage out and wear it as a hat!"  Dolan joked, still asking in concern.  I
was just about to answer when our Pre-cal teacher came into the hall.

	"Hey kids.  What ever it is...  put it in a math problem or
something.  Let's get your butts in here now!"  Boos and hisses came from
the five of us as we entered class, obviously, he heard us in the hall way.
Oh well, Pre-Cal will definitly get my mind off everything.

	After Pre-Cal, I went back over to Phillip's health class to meet
back up with him.  Ty came out first so I tried to say hi again.  He just
looked and me all crazy and walked away.  Then Phillip came out, but not in
the lighthearted mood he went in with.  Something tells me class didn't go
over so well.

	"What's wrong?"  I asked in concern.

	"Funny thing..."  He gave me a fake smile before continueing,
"Tyler knows too."

	"What?!?!?!"  Not again!!!  SHIT!

	"Yeah, it seems that after Angel saw us, he ran home in tears.
Tyler, living across the street, saw him and asked him what was wrong.
Well, you can guess the rest."  He spoke with an upbeat tone, trying not to
make it seem like a big deal, but I knew it was killing him inside.  The
fear of being exposed was killing him.  Which in turn, was killing...  me.

	"So he saw us making love?"

	"No.  He saw the aftermath, when I fell asleep in your arms.  God
Brandon, that's what I really need right now.  I need to be in your arms,
with you telling me that everything's going to be okay."  Fuck it!  I
didn't care what other people thought!  I love this guy!  It was getting
close to the bell anyways, everyone was running to class.  No one was going
to care, and so what if they did?  He's given me so much!  The least I
could do was hold him and love him.  I grabed Phillip's arms and pulled him
into a hug.  I held him tightly.  "Brandon!  What are..."

	"Shhhh...  It's gonna be okay.  As long was we love each other, and
as long as I have you and you have me...  it's going to be okay."  He
cluched tightly to my shirt as I began to stoke his hair.  The bell rang,
but we just ignored it.  I heard soft whimpers comming from my boyfriend
making me want to love him even more.  "Come on."  I extended my hand.

	"Where?  We're already late for class."  He said, whipping away his
tears.  He then took my hand and walked with me.

	"I have art and you're a student aid for the library...  not much
worth to any of our futures.  This is..."  I held onto his hand tighter.

	"What IS this exactly?"  He asked.  I just smiled back as we headed
to the back of the school.  We approached the last door in the hall way.  I
opened it up to reveal a small room with no one inside and no windows.
There was only a couch with pillows, a small coffee table, and a few lounge
chairs.  "What's this place?"  He asked as he looked around the room.

	"It's a teacher's lounge, but it's not used at all.  It's too far
away.  The only classes down here are tech classes and I the metal and wood
shop teachers have their own offices, so they don't come in here.  So we
took it over and it's kinda like an oasis for The Clique.  We come back
here whenever, you know?  It's like our office...  of sorts."  I explained
as we both took as seat on the couch.  I took Phillip in my arms and just
laid him back on my chest.

	"So why are we here?"  He asked.

	"I just wanted to be with you.  Away from everyone else.  Just to
hold you in my arms like you wanted."  With that, he snuggled closer as I
tighted my grip on his body.  We sat there, silent, just enjoying each
other's company for the entire hour.  We occasionally gave out sighs of
happiness.  As I held him in my arms, I wondered how I could ever be as
happier then I was now.  Then, just as I was about to doze off, Phillip sat
up.  He turned around and faced me.  A serious expression appeard on his
face and I knew this was not going to be about something I would like.

	"Brandon, although this is exactly what I needed, we still have a
problem."  I could see in his face that he didn't want to talk about this
either, but he was right.  We were going to have to face it sooner or
later.  I sat up straight as he continued.  "We're going to have to tell,
at least the other people in The Clique.  Better they hear it from us, you
know?"  Everything coming from those kissable lips of his sounded so right.
We were going to have to tell everyone.  This was going to be the ultimate
test of friendship.  "So are we agreed?"  I looked him straight in the eyes
and drew him into an intense kiss that lasted a good 5 minutes.  Our
breathing got heavy and our hands roamed over every inch of our bodies.
Through the pants, I could hear him speak, "So...  mmmph...  I guess
that....  Mmmm, that means...  yes?  Uhhh!"

	"Mmmm..."  My head flew back in ectasy as he kissed me on my neck.
The sensation was mindblowingly awesome.  I could feel his hand rubbing my
already hard cock through my pants.  He was rubbing fierce too. I was
close.  The kissing, along with the fondeling was about to end in a big
sticky mess making wearing this pair of boxer briefs very uncomfortable.
	
	I started to moan loudly, knowing that all lounges are sound proof.
Closer and closer.  His hands ran wild over my throbbing cock.  Then he
stopped.  Phillip leand back, now sitting on his heels.  A wicked smile
appeared on his face.  He raised his hand to cover his mouth as the smile
grew even bigger.  "What is it?  Why'd you stop?" He didn't answer, but was
now slowly laughing.  Just then the class bell rang.  Lunch time.  Phillip
couldn't keep a straight face as we got all our stuff together.  What was
so funny?  I didn't cum my pants...  What was it?  "What it is Phillip?"

	"Oh nothing."  He then bursted into laughter.  I just rolled my
eyes at him and we both exited the room.

	As we walked down the hall towards the cafeteria, I was getting
strange looks from everyone.  What's their problem?  People started giving
me high fives and patting my back, telling me "I'm the man" and "You go
boy!"  Well, duh!  Like that was obvious but seriously.  People I didn't
even know just started to laugh at me and pointed.  Even Phillip couldn't
contain himself.  "What is it!!!"  I demanded looking straight at Phillip.
He grabbed my hand and draged me into the boy's restroom.

	He shoved me infront of a mirror and told me to look.  There it
was.  Right on my neck.  A deep red hickey that stood out like nobody's
business.  "WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO TO ME?!?!?!"  Phillip had to grab the
sink to steady himself from laughing so hard.  "WHAT THE FUCK'S SO FUNNY?
Now I have to walk around the school with this on!!!"

	"YOU'RE MINE NOW!  NOW YOU'RE MY BITCH.  YOU BELONG TO ME."  He
stated, still laughing uncontrolably.  I tried to figure out a way to cover
this thing up but I couldn't.  It was right on the upper right side of my
neck.  DAMN!  Seeing how frustrated I was, Phillip put his arm around my
waist and put his head on my shoulder.  Now how could I be mad with a man
that does that.  "Maybe if I lick it, it'll go away."  He whispered in my
ear.  I turned around with him still holding my waist and was just about to
kiss him when...

	"FLUSHHHHHHHHHHH..."  A bathroom stall door flew open.  Phillip
quickly let me go and straightened himself up.  Uh oh...  caught.  Just
then a blond figure stepped out.  Tall and very handsome.  Dressed in a
dark grey, fitted, v-neck T-shirt; a pair of baggy, black cargo pants; and
a pair of black boots, he approached us with a killer smirk.  We stood
still, both very nervous.  He approached me an lifted my chin with his hand
to see my lover's mark.

	"Hmmmm..."  He then looked at Phillip and smiled.  "Very nice job
you did here."

	"Ummm...  thanks Sebastian."  He said, still nervous about
Sebastian now finding out about us.  Will Sebastian give us as much grief
as his cousin did?

	"No problem.  I couldn't have done if better myself."  He said as
he leasurly leaned back against the sink while crossing his arms.  Assuming
his trademark "father look," he started to speak to us.  "Well, this is
very interesting.  VERY.  Right off the bat, I want you two to know that I
have no problem with this.  None whatsoever.  Now, I just have to know one
thing about you two."  He looked as us strenly.  I felt a little more
relaxed around Sebastian now, but I didn't know what he was about to ask.
I gripped Phillip's hand for comfort.  Sebastian gave out a long sigh
before he continued.  "Do you two love each other?  I mean really love each
other.  Or is this just some meaningless sex?"  He raised an eyebrow as he
waited for a response.

	"I love him with all my heart."  Phillip said proudly as he stood
up straight.

	"Well?"  Sebastian asked as he turned his attention towards me.  I
turned to Phillip and looked him dead in his eyes.

	"I love him more that much, and more."  The moment was magical.
Even if the setting was a dank, urine soaked hell hole.  Phillip wrapped
his arms around me and we both began to shed tears.

	"All right!  All right!  I get the picture!  Don't go to pieces on
me now..."  Sebastian chuckled with a smile.  "Well this is good to know.
Westfield's most eligible bachelor now taken, by the best looking addition
to The Clique."  We smiled on as Sebastian kept pouring on the compliments.

	"Awww...  Thanks DAD!!!"  I cooded as Phillip and I pulled him into
a hug.

	"All right.  That's enough mushy stuff for today."  Sebastian
jokingly complained as he broke our hug.  "Come on y'all!  I'm starving!
Let's grub!"

	As we were just about to step out of the restroom, Sebastian
stopped us dead in our tracks.  "Wait!  I can't let you go out there!"

	"Why?"  Phillip and I asked in unison.

	"Did you forget Phillip's little brand?"  Sebastian reminded us
with a raised eyebrow.

	"OH SHIT!!!"  I screamed as I put my hand on my neck trying to
cover it up.  "I almost forgot."

	"I rather like it."  Phillip laughed.

	"Yeah, but how am I gonna explain it?"  We both looked at each
other dumbfounded.

	"How about I just get a band-aid from the nurse's office?"
Sebastian suggested.

	"That'll work."  Phillip stated, looking at the mark.  I guess he
was admiring his handy work.  Sebastian left and came back in a matter of
seconds and we all left for the cafeteria together.

	When we got there, almost everyone had already gotten what they
wanted to eat and was just about to begin.  Sebastian ran for the lunch
line while Phillip and I just got some snacks out of the candy machine and
sat down in our usual place, next to Toni and Linda.

	"Damn B!  What happened to you?"  Linda asked in concern.

	"What?"

	"That thing on your neck!  What happened?"  She said pointing to
the band-aid Sebastian placed on there.

	"Oh this thing.  Ummm...  I got it while...  WRESTLEING!  Yeah, I
got it while wrestling."  I knew that was a pathetic attempt at covering it
up, but what Phillip and I were doing COULD be classified as wrestleing,
right?

	"With who?"  Ty asked, obviously listening to our conversation.

	"Does it matter?"  Toni interjected.  I think she knew what it was.
She smiled at me and I mouthed "Thank You" back.

	"Yes it does.  I would like to know who gave you that bruise?"
Angel stood up, demanding an answer.  I swear!  That boy need to learn to
keep his mouth shut!  But I couldn't say anything back to him.  All eyes
were on me now.  Better start praying for a miracle B.

	"I FINALLY GET TO EAT!!!"  Sebastian heaved as he threw his lunch
tray on the table and sat down.  Some of the gravy from his mashed potatoes
splashed onto some homework Crystal was doing which prompted a counter
attack from her.  She slammed her pencil down onto the table and walked
around towards Sebastian.

	"All right Brain Trust, you may be older than me but like HELL
you're gonna get away with messin' up my homework."  She then raised her
hand and slapped Sebastian upside his head.  She then flipped her braids
over her shoulder and walked back to her seat.

	"Sorry...  I was just..."

	"That's all right.  You just don't know no better."  Crystal
interupted with her usual sassy phrase.  "But then how can I stay mad at
someone like you."  She leaned over and gave Sebastian a small hug and
kissed him where she had just smacked him.

	"Owwww..."  Sebastian groaned as he rubbed his head where Crystal
had just hit him.  Everyone at the table started to laugh, deverting the
attention from us.  Everyone that is, except for Angel, who seemed
disappointed that Sebastian saved me from having to explain myself.

	As the laughter died down, Angel asked again, "So B, where did..."

	"Hey y'all!!!  Let's meet at the country club after school, I got
this thing that I want to tell y'all about."  Sebastian asked, interupting
Angel once again.  I think this one was planned.  Oh well, thank him later
anyways.

	Everyone talked it over amongst themselves and decided to go along
with Sebastian's suggestion and meet at the Northgate Country Club a little
while after school.

	The rest of the day went pretty much the same, except for Angel and
Ty always commenting, but that can be ignored.  That afternoon, I rode home
again with Phillip.  The techno infused sounds of The Chemical Brothers
filled the streets as Phillip sped home with the top down.  I couldn't help
but look at him as his usually hard and spikey fluttered about in the 65
mph wind.  We decided to go over to his house, before we met the others at
the country club.  When we got there, I saw a black BMW 750 infront of his
house that I've never seen before.  "Who's that?"  I asked.

	"My parents are home!  They're finally home!"  He shouted
excitingly.  From the day I met Phillip, I've never seen his parents.  They
were never home.  From what he says, they're like mine, always away on
business trips.  Only his parents' trips were longer.  As he parked the
car, I unbuckled my seat bealt.  He reached into the side compartment and
pulled out a remote controll for the garage, but as he was about to press
it, the garage opened on its own.  "What the...?"  Before he could finish,
two figures ran out of the house with two suitcases each, and a small
carry-on bag.  The woman was in a black business suit with white
pin-stripes.  She was wearing sun glasses and had her black-brownish hair
swept up and tied back.  She looked like an Asian Eva Peron.  Very
sophisticated and beautiful.  Her "Juan" coming out of the house, right
behind her, was dressed in a navy blue business suit with a bronze colored
tie and shirt.  He had his hair slick back.  The couple looked to be in
their late 30's or early 40's and very well groomed.  "Mom?  Dad?  Where
are you going?"  Phillip asked.  I could tell from his voice that he was
about to get choked up.

	"Phillip dear, I'm sorry.  We just got home about 6 hours ago.  We
thought that was it and that we could take our leave time, but then the
office called again and said that we were needed in London."  Mrs. Le said
as she placed a hand on her son's shoulder.  Phillip just sat down on the
driveway.  My heart was breaking!  His dad came around to where his wife
was standing took a knee as he started to talk to him.  I just stood off to
the side.  Obviously this was a family affair.

	"Listen son.  The office said that this was going to be our last
business trip for a long time.  They guarantee us that after London, your
mother and I are going to get office jobs.  That means more time to be with
you.  They promised they'll only send us away if it's REALLY important."
Phillip didn't say anything.  His father let out a long sigh before
reaching into his pocket.  "Here.  Take this and enjoy yourself.  We'll be
back in no time."  Phillip's dad handed him a hand full of cash.  From
where I was standing, I saw nothing but fity and hundreds.  They both then
kissed him on the forehead and stood up.

	His mom then took a look at me.  She lowered her sunglasses to get
a better view.  "And who might this handsome man be?"  Then Mr. Le took
notice of me too.

	"I'm Brandon Lauderdale ma'am."  I introduced myself in the same
manner my mother had always taught me.  Refined and with a deep southern
accent.  Basically as Rhett Butler-esque as possible.

	"He's my best friend, mother."  Phillip explained, still sitting on
the ground.  The pain in his voice was killing me!  His dad patted him on
his shoulder, then made his way towards me.  He extended his right hand and
introduced himself.

	"If you haven't guessed yet, I'm Howard Le, Phillip's father., and
this is my lovely wife, Helen."  I shook his hand and returned the smile.
"I hope you'll watch over our boy when we're away.  I gets hadder on each
of us everytime we have to go."  He said with a lot of sincerity in his
voice.

	"I will Mr. Le.  You can count on me.  I won't let anything happen
to my best friend."  I said with a smile.

	"That's good to hear.  And it's Howard and Helen, you don't have to
be so formal.  You're practically family now Brandon!"  Howard chuckeled.
I looked at Helen and she nodded her head in approval.  Howard then took a
look at his watch.

	"Oh!  Darling, if you want to catch our plane, we're going to have
to go right now."  She nodded and turned towards the car.  But not before
saying good-bye to me.  I returned the good-byes.  They then each whispered
something to Phillip and drove off in the car.  Phillip stood up and ran
into the street.

	"TAKE YOUR GOD DAMN MONEY!  TAKE IT ALL!!!  DON'T YOU KNOW ALL I
WANT IS YOU!!!"  He then threw the stack of bills after the car as it made
a turn.  I don't think they saw what Phillip just did, but I did.  He fell
back down on his knees and held his face in his hand.  $50 and $100 dollar
bills fluttered to the ground around us as I approached Phillip.  I pulled
him up and into a huge hug.  He put his chin on my shoulder and cried his
eyes out.  I patted him on the back to try to calm him down.  "I'm gonna be
fine Brandon, really.  Just let me get cleaned up and we'll head off to the
Country Club."  He slowly walked into his house.

	I looked around to see all the $50 and $100 dollar bills still on
the ground.  Well, he may not be now, but I KNOW he's gonna be kickin'
himself if I don't get all this money back to him before it blows away in
the wind.  I ran around the street picking up all the stray cash.  I then
un-locked my Benz and got a rubber band from inside the glove compartment
and bundled up the cash.  "Wonder what's takin' him so long."  I thought to
myself as I went into the house.

	"Phillip!"  "PHILLIP!!!"  I called out his name, but there was no
answer.  I placed the money on a near-by coffee table and called out again.
No answer.  I looked all around with no trace of him.  Where the hell is
he?  Then I found him.  At the mini bar.  He about to pour himself a drink
before he saw me.  "How many Phillip?"  I asked in a stern voice with my
arms crossed.

	"What?"

	"How many shots have you had?"  I asked again.

	"WHY THE HELL WOULD YOU CARE!?!?!  No one else cares about me."  He
wasn't crying anymore, but I could tell that he was.  Dried streams of
tears covered his face.  I didn't take his comment personally.  I knew
where he was comming from.  There were times, before he came, that I felt
like no one cared about me.  I hurt me so much.  I didn't want him to feel
the same.  I promised his parents I would take care of him and I will.

	"Because I love you."  I answered with sincerity.  He looked me in
the eyes and started to cry again.  He clutched onto my body, and I his.
"It's gonna be okay Phillip.  Remember?  As long as you have me and I have
you...  it's gonna be okay."  I felt myself tearing up also.  Just the
mention of that very phrase made me realize how much I really loved him.
He held onto each other tightly that afternoon.

	"Come on you.  We need to get going."  I said as I took a step
back, wipping the tears from my face.

	"Yeah."  He commented as he also whiped his tears from his own
face.

	"Wait, wait...  Is that?  Why yes it is.  That is a SMILE!!!"  I
cooded as a huge grin appeard on my boyfriend's face.

	"YES IT IS!  IT'S THERE CUZ YOU MAKE ME SO HAPPY!!!"  He screamed
for the world to hear.  I was touched.  A smile looks so much better on him
then a frown anyways.  We got ourselves together and I drove the Benz to
Northgate.