Last Chance High - 15. Chapter 15

Toni smiled to himself as he stashed his books in his locker. He was at Marc’s last night again, and there was no awkward freezing or fumbling. The spent an hour in his bed kissing and cuddling and Toni didn’t even flinch when the older boy brushed his fingers along Toni’s olive skin when his shirt had bunched up. He fought a shiver at the memory of Marc’s hands gripping his hips.

“Good morning, Toni.” A sickly sweet voice brought him out of his memories.

“Good morning, Erik.” Toni didn’t even look at the pale eyed boy when he addressed him.

“You look very handsome today.”

“Thanks...” Toni finished stuffing his books in his bag and stood up, finally facing the older boy. “What do you want?”

“Just to say hello.”

“Well, I have to go meet Marc...”

“Yes, wouldn’t want to keep him waiting. His arm must feel pretty empty without his princess hanging off it.” Erik replied offhandedly, as he glanced down the hallway.

“I’m not a princess.” Toni hissed.

“Oh, I know you’re not. But does he?”

“Quit causing shit, Erik.”

“I would never do such a thing. Just some things I’ve noticed.” Toni had to clench his jaw to keep from asking what he was talking about. “About the way he treats you.”

“Marc is good to me. Fuck off.”

“Yes, he takes very good care of you. Have a nice afternoon, Tesoro.” Toni glared at the older boy’s back as he sauntered down the hallway. He was so busy trying to shoot daggers out of his eyes he jumped when a hand rested on his shoulder.

“Shit! Marc, you scared me.”

Marc chuckled and picked Toni’s bag off the floor and threw it over his shoulder. “I’m sorry, darling.” He wrapped an arm around the smaller boy’s shoulder and brushed his lips against his temple. Toni pulled away slightly.

“It’s okay.” He mumbled, the soft kiss suddenly leaving a sour taste in his mouth.

Together they headed to the cafeteria. Marc took his usual position sideways on the bench and glanced up when his boyfriend didn’t snuggle in next to him. Toni sighed and took up a seat at Marc’s back. If the older boy thought anything weird of it, he didn’t say. Marc swung his leg over and faced the table. Toni tried to enjoy the lunch break with his friends, but found his mind wondering back to his conversation with Erik. I’m not a Princess. Does he know that?

“Toni?” The dark eyed boy snapped out of his head when Marc put a hand on his back

“Sorry. Zoned out a little there.”

“You haven’t eaten.”

“I’m not hungry.”

“You should eat something. Want me to get you something else?” Marc’s voice was thick with concern as he rubbed his boyfriend’s back.

“I’m fine, Marc!” Toni snapped, a little harsher than he had meant to. Blue eyes looked back at him in shock.

“I’m sorry.”

Toni sighed. He knew he was letting Erik get to him, and felt bad that he snapped at Marc. But he wasn’t in the mood to deal with it right now. He just needed some time to clear his head.

“I’ll see you later, Marc” Toni grabbed his bag and left the cafeteria without waiting for a response.

Marc watched his boyfriend leave. He wasn’t sure what had just happened and he was fighting with himself whether or not to go after him.

“Trouble in paradise?” Alex asked, reaching across the table to steal Toni’s discarded fries.

“No, we’re fine. I think.” Marc replied quietly. The bell rang signaling the end of lunch and Marc followed the throng of teenagers into the hall. Shaking his head he tried to brush Toni’s grump out of his head.

Marc tried not to be hurt when Toni avoided him in gym class, purposefully manoeuvring himself away so they wouldn’t end up in the same group. And he tried not to take it personally when the younger boy seemed to rush out of the change room without so much as a goodbye. But when Toni didn’t show up at his own locker at the end of the day, where Marc always waited for him, he really started to worry. It wasn’t until he realized Toni had left without him that he started to panic. Marc always drove Toni home from school; it was some of the few precious moments they spent alone. Marc sat on the hood of his car, cell in hand as he watched the parking lot empty. He was trying hard to figure out what he had done to upset the younger boy when the twins approached him.

“You okay, Marc?”

“I’m fine.”

“You don’t look fine.”

“Was Toni in class?”

The boys exchanged a look that made Marc anxious. He felt the muscles in his stomach tighten and his finger twitch around his cell.

“He was there.” Connor started.

“Physically.” Travis finished.

“What do you mean? Is he okay?” Marc sat up straight.

“Well, we we’re going to ask you that. He was really quiet.”

“Staring off into space.”

“Completely ignoring Jack.”

“He even glared at our poor dear Katie when she tried to talk to him.”

“Thanks guys. I’m sure it’s fine.” Marc sighed and waved to his friends as he pushed off the car and got in. Something was wrong with his boyfriend, and he was itching to run to his side and hold him. He took a deep breath as he started the car and pulled away. He needed to believe what he told the twins. Everything was fine. If something was seriously wrong Toni would have told him. Everyone gets into moods. He had every right to be grumpy if he felt like it. Marc kept a stream of excuses running in his head the whole drive home. He had to believe it was alright. When he stopped in his driveway he sent off a quick message before heading into the house.

I missed you after school. Hope you got home okay. Call me if you need anything, I’m trying not to worry. xo Sweetest of Dreams my Tonio

X+X

Late that night Toni paced his room. He stopped himself from responding to Marc’s text, even though it made him feel bad. He should have told him he was getting a ride with Matt. He should have told him he didn’t need to worry. He should have had the balls to tell him what was bothering him. He was acting like a child. Toni sighed as he sat on the edge of his bed, dropping his head into his hands. Marc was probably freaking out with worry. Grabbing his phone he climbed into bed and reread the text his boyfriend sent him that afternoon for the 100th time. Marc didn’t deserve this treatment, he hadn’t done anything wrong.

I’m sorry I made you worry.

It’s okay. You want to talk about it?

There’s nothing to talk about. Really, I’m sorry. Had a moment. Pick me up tomorrow? I miss you.

I’ll be there ☺ I Miss you too.

Sweetest of Dreams Marc. xo

Sweetest of Dreams Toni. xoxoxoxo

Toni smiled as he settled into bed. He wasn’t going to let Erik get into his head. Marc was great, their relationship was great. Erik could bite the big one.

X+X

Toni should have known things wouldn’t be that easy. Marc seemed to be trying extra hard to right whatever wrong he may have done to upset his boyfriend the day before. He showed up the next morning with coffee and a muffin for Toni. He rushed to open the car door for him and when the pulled into the school he jumped to do it again. He was sure to maintain physical contact with the smaller boy whenever they were within reach. Toni knew he was trying, but it just made everything worse. When Marc took his bag from him on the way to the cafeteria and pulled the smaller boy close to his side the dark eyed boy spotted Erik eyeing them across the hall. The blonde raised his eyebrows at the gesture before pasting a smile on his face as he approached the couple.

“Afternoon, Tesorino.” He said sweetly. The smaller boy wasn’t sure if it was the use of the Italian term of endearment or the sultry look the blonde was giving him, but he felt his face flush.

“Screw off, Erik.” Marc’s arm gripped Toni tightly as he glared at the other boy.

“Hush now, Marc. I’m talking to Toni.” The pale eyed boy sent him a wink “Molta bello.”

“I mean it, Erik.” Marc all but growled, dropping his arm and stepping towards to other boy.

The pale eyes narrowed as they met green ones, “Toni’s a big boy, Marc, I think he’s capable of deciding who he wants to talk to. And I’m sure he knows how to say screw off all his own. If that’s what he even wants to say. He doesn’t need you to talk for him.”

Marc stood silently, shock evident on his face, Erik smirked. “I’ll see you later, Tesorino. “ And with a wink the pale eyed blonde sauntered away.

“Come on, Marc. Let’s go get lunch.” Toni gripped his boyfriend’s arm and tried to lead him towards to cafeteria. The older boy pulled out of his grasp.

“What the hell was that, tessero shit, whatever he was calling you?”

“Tesorina. It’s Italian. It means darling.”

“And that other thing? Molten bellow?

“Molta bello. He was just hitting on me.” Toni shrugged. He could tell Marc was upset. “It wasn’t anything.”

“Why was he hitting on you in Italian?” Toni was starting to get frustrated with the tone his boyfriend was using.

“Because, I’m Italian, Marc.” Toni explained calmly, turning away to head down the hall.

Marc grabbed a hold of his arm, “You know what I mean.”

With wide eyes Toni ripped his arm from his boyfriend’s grasp. “Because he’s a prick and knew you wouldn’t have any idea what he was saying.” His anger flared, proving just how Italian he was. “Quit acting like a jealous douche, I didn’t do anything.”

Marc’s eyes went wide as he rushed to take hold of his boyfriend. He put his hands on the smaller boy’s hips and gently pulled him close. “Oh my God, Toni. I’m sorry, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to grab you like that. I’m sorry. I didn’t want to hurt you.” Toni could hear the panic in his boyfriend’s voice as he apologized, but he couldn’t bring himself to care. He pushed Marc back, the older boy stumbling slightly.

“You didn’t hurt me, Marc, I’m not fragile. I’m going to eat lunch with Matt, maybe you shouldn’t sit with me today.” The Italian grabbed his bag from where Marc had dropped it and stalked away, leaving the blue eyed boy standing alone in shock. He wasn’t sure exactly what just happened, but he knew he fucked up.