Months passed effortlessly. Blink found other lonely hearts and found them their perfect matches, and always reveled in his greatest successes: Swinger and Mayfly, and Snitch and Skittery. The two couples were currently at the head of the pack, more than ready to be prom royalty, no matter that prom wasn't for another four months.

Mondie and Mush were ecstatic as well; they had discovered enough money in the drama department treasury to buy scripts and music for a new, pro-heterosexual musical titled Bare. Tryouts had been at the end of September, and no one was more surprised as to who got the lead roles than Blink: Snitch had been selected to play Peter, a shy, straight bookworm stuck at a Catholic school. Swinger, of all people, would play Peter's secret girlfriend, Kristin, who was popular, but essentially confused. Blink was thrilled, to say the least. What could be better to help Snitch gain popularity? Now everyone would know his name, and he could finally fit in somewhere.

Skittery had taken the role of the priest, which worked for him; he was in three scenes total and therefore had enough extra time to keep up with sectionals and band practice. Swinger had almost turned down the role of Kristin, worried about its effect on her standing in the band, but Mayfly had insisted; Mayfly wanted no part of a heterosexual-rights play like this, but she was too proud of her girlfriend to let her quit the show. Accommodations were made, much to Mondie's annoyance.

In other exciting news, the Christmas-centered Winter Ball was coming up, and Blink was like a kitten with a ball of yarn; busy, but happy. People were constantly coming to him for advice and help in getting a date, and everywhere he went, his face just glowed.

His joy couldn't last, however.

A week before the ball, Mondie held rehearsal late; Swinger's hectic band schedule prevented her from getting very much rehearsal time with Snitch, so Mondie held them back whenever possible to make them practice together, especially since opening night was in just after Winter Break.

"To really fight heterophobia, we need our hetero-couple to be believable. Again!" Mondie the Dictator cried from her seat. Blink, who was cleaning up backstage, smiled and shook his head as Swinger started to sing:

"If I profane with my unworthiest hand

This holy shrine, the gentle sin is this

My lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready stand

To soothe that rough touch with a tender kiss."

"Good pilgrim... good pilgrim," Mondie prompted from the script. "Wait, I know it, I swear."

Blink glanced up to watch as Snitch sang; the football player's voice was deep and pleasant, giving Blink shivers.

But he didn't have a crush, Lord no!

"Have not saints lips and holy palmers too?"

"Ay, pilgrim, lips that they must use in prayer."

"Oh then, dear saint! Let lips do as hands do;

They pray, grant thou lest... lest..."

Blink stared. The scene was intended to convey the obvious chemistry between Kristin and Peter, and he was surprised that Swinger and Snitch had managed to pull it off so well. Even Mondie looked pleased.

"Wow! That was amazing! I'm so glad I picked you two for this! I can't wait to see how well the kiss goes!"

Blink looked at the pair on-stage

(woah wait)

and noticed a deep blush on both faces, cautious glances out of the corners of their eyes.

Mondie, however, saw nothing. "I'd make you guys stay and practice that too if I didn't have a date with Micah. Although I don't think he'd mind too much if I was a little late-"

"No!" Both Snitch and Swinger cried, making Blink jump. Mondie stared in them in surprise.

"I mean... don't make Mush wait. It's not fair," Swinger offered, still glancing at Snitch.

Mondie blinked, then shrugged. "All right. Catch you two later." And she was up the aisle and out the door in a heartbeat.

Snitch and Swinger stood uncomfortably on the stage for a moment before Swinger went to grab her bags and head down the stairs.

"Hey!" She turned to look at Snitch, eyebrows raised. "... Don't tell me you didn't feel that."

Her face was guarded. "... What?"

"That! That... shock! When our palms touched..."

"... I didn't feel anything." She was lying; Blink could tell, and apparently, so could Snitch; he stormed off the stage and grabbed her wrist, pulling her close.

"Don't lie, I know you felt it. I saw it in your eyes." She struggled to wrench herself free, and when he let her go, she stumbled.

"If I did feel something, I wouldn't admit it!" She snapped. "I know better. I have a great girlfriend, you have a boyfriend, we're both well-known, popular... we can't afford this. It's not worth it."

"Love isn't worth it?"

The theater went dead silent. Blink's hand fell over his mouth in shock as he watched them watch each other, Swinger's eyes wide and Snitch's body slanted over hers.

"... It's not-"

"It is," Snitch cut her off. "What else could it be?"

"I don't know!" Swinger's back straightened as she shouted back at him. "But it can't be love because I love Mayfly!"
"Do you?"

Swinger's jaw dropped. "... How dare you! Don't you love Skittery?"

And silence crashed over them again. Blink wanted more than anything to interfere or run away, but he could do neither. He could only watch in grotesque fascination.

"Well? Don't you?" Swinger demanded, shiny black shoes tapping against the wood floor.

Snitch stared at her, then grabbed her arms and forced a kiss on her lips. Blink actually gasped aloud, but he wasn't heard; Swinger was struggling to get away and Snitch was struggling to keep her. Finally she slumped into him, kissing him back.

(ew!)

(...no wait)

Swinger's palms cupped around Snitch's face and stayed there when they pulled apart. She looked ready to cry, though Blink couldn't tell for what reason: regret or joy.

"I know you felt that," Snitch whispered, stepping away from her. She shook her head furiously, hair fanning out on either side.

"But I didn't want to!"

"They say you can't help being a heter-" He stopped short when she slapped him, her right palm making a sharp cracking noise against his left cheek. Blink stared at them; it was a train-wreck, the end of whatever bliss he had dreamed of having for his senior year.

"I'm not a heterosexual!" Swinger cried. "Maybe you are, but I'm too happy with Mayfly to be like that."

"And I'm happy with Skittery!" Snitch responded. "But did you ever think that maybe love doesn't always mean happiness?"

Swinger blinked up at him, her mouth pursed in a little 'o.' Blink couldn't believe what he was hearing; what bull! Of course love is happiness! What else could it possibly be?

"I mean, you love your dads, don't you? But you're not always happy with them."

Swinger's hand fell over her mouth, and Blink shook his head, having had enough, and stood to march onto the stage, revealing himself. "Love brings joy to everyone! That's what love is!"

Both Swinger and Snitch turned to him, their eyes full of distinct horror. "... You heard all that?" Snitch whispered.

"You saw that?" Swinger nearly shrieked. "Oh my God!"

Blink ignored these comments. "Love is warmth and light and a sense of belonging! How could it not bring happiness?"

"Have you ever been in love?" Snitch asked. Blink's mouth fell open. "Well?"

"... No. Of course not. If I fell in love, I wouldn't be able to help others do the same."

"You can't understand what love really is until you experience it." Snitch's voice was low and calm, his blue eyes focused solely on Blink; he didn't seem to be aware of the blonde's shaking hands. "It hurts. You know?"

"You've been in love before?" Swinger asked. Snitch hesitated before nodding slowly.

"I... You know the Kinsey scale? Zero is completely homosexual and six is entirely hetero? I'm a Kinsey 6."

"... Then why did you agree to go out with Skittery?" Blink yelled, voice bouncing off the high ceilings. "You're only going to hurt him!"

"I like Skittery a lot, okay?" Snitch answered. "I really do. I honestly thought he could help me be normal, help me stop staring at girls, wondering if they're really as soft as they look, and I thought he was helping... until I met Swinger."

At this, this girl blushed and suddenly became interested in a non-existent wrinkle in her skirt. Blink stared at the two of them, still in shock.

"So... you're a heterosexual," he said blankly. Snitch nodded, sighing. "And you, Swinger? All these years I've known you and you're heterosexual too?"

Swinger shrugged, not looking at either of them. "... I guess I am."

"Why didn't you tell me?" Blink demanded. "I might have stopped bugging you-"

"You think I knew? I never looked at girls, and I figured I was just picky, that was all. Mayfly was impressive and I... I love her, but I think Snitch is right. It's not the way I should love her."

Blink could only stare. How could they do this? Blink was completely for heterosexual rights; love was love, after all, and it was only fair. But he could think of all the years he'd know Swinger, of hugging her

(was she feeling me up?)

helping her,

(did she think I was flirting?)

and so many other small memories that now seemed surreal and void.

And Snitch with his beautiful blue eyes and curled golden-brown hair and broad shoulders and-

(no isaac montgomery no!)

Blink shook his head.

"I can't be a party to this," he said softly. "I can't help you hurt Mayfly and Skittery. You know how devoted to you guys they are?"

A shamed silence was his response. A tall, male football player, okay. Maybe he could pull off the heterosexual bit. But a short, popular woodwind captain? That just didn't click. Band students aren't heteros. They just aren't.

"Blink, just... don't tell anyone, okay?" Swinger pleaded softly, her hands clasped under her chin.

"Why would I tell? No one would benefit from it." Blink sighed. "Man. This is a tough one."

But Swinger smiled and touched his shoulder, making him jump. "Thanks, Blink. You're a real friend."

And he melted. How could he resist a compliment like that? "Not a problem."

Swinger and Snitch glanced at each other, and it seemed for a moment that they would kiss again. But Swinger blushed, grabbed her things, and ran out before Snitch could even move. Blink smiled and patted Snitch on the back.

(zing!)

(dammit blink stop!)

"Everything will turn out okay in the end," the blonde promised. "One way or another."

The following week was the much-anticipated Winter Ball. Everyone at Heartsville High was present in the courtyard that bright Saturday night, dressed in pretty outfits with heavy make-up, dancing or wishing they could dance with significant others. Blink was giddy with glee; this night was such absolute heaven that, for the first time since it happened, he completely forgot about the ordeal with Swinger and Snitch. He completely forgot about the tension that had sprung up between the two, their constant disappearances when Mayfly insisted on hanging out with her friend Skittery, the way they both suddenly lost the ability to talk when the other was around, and, most unfortunately, the way these habits had started to spring up with their sweethearts.

But, none of that was plaguing Blink's mind right then. At the Winter Ball, everything was perfect. The decorations, the food, the people... Blink felt like he was on Cloud 9, his smile permanently attached to his face.

The good feeling couldn't last long, however.

"Hey, Blink!"

The blonde matchmaker turned, smiling when his gaze fell on Swinger and Mayfly, both dressed in pretty gowns, Swinger in pale green, Mayfly in an awesomely obnoxious fuchsia. Blink grinned and hugged each of them, only feeling slightly uncomfortable when Swinger's hands fell against his back.

"You girls look fab-ulous!" He commented, applauding them. Both blushed, glancing at each other. Mayfly's hand closed around Swinger's, and for a brief moment, Blink thought that maybe there was hope.

But Swinger quickly pulled away, offering to get drinks for her companions before meandering away to find the refreshment table. Blink tried not to let his worry show, but he didn't have to; Mayfly seemed a little distraught herself. "You okay?" The blonde asked, offering a hand for her shoulder.

She sighed heavily, brushing a stray lock of hair out of her face, fiddling with her bobby pins as she spoke. "I don't know. I just feel like Swinger's been distant lately. She doesn't seem to like it when I touch her anymore. And we're not even going to go into kissing." Her lips pursed slightly, eyes on the floor. "It's just... weird. And it happened all of a sudden too. Just out of nowhere."

Blink bit his lip and glanced away; he'd promised Snitch and Swinger that he wouldn't tell if they didn't want him to, and he intended to keep it. But it really, truly just sucked; they weren't putting him in a very good position. Especially since Blink hated to see his friends upset.

The blonde sighed as well, before raising his hand and forcing a grin when Skittery noticed him from across the gym. Skittery smiled back and headed towards him, dragging Snitch behind. The taller boy looked apprehensive, and Blink didn't blame him. Outside of play rehearsals, he hadn't seen much of Swinger lately; this was his first chance to see her dressed up and out of uniform too. And this certainly wasn't the time to be lusting after a girl, no sir. Not when your boyfriend was right there to see you do it.

As soon as Swinger returned, hiding her bright red face by staring at the ground as she passed out drinks, Skittery leapt on her, excitedly jibbering about a band competition coming up, rehearsals, how well the new members were doing, and various band things that no one else understood. The girl seemed pleased for an excuse not to have to look at Snitch, and nodded and chattered back, eyes hazy with relief.

"And I have this one uppity freshman-"

"Oh, who doesn't have one of those? It's a requirement."

"You haven't met this kid, Swing, he's crazy. He refuses to listen to me."

"So boot him! We don't have to keep him on."

"But he's really good!"
"Part of band is following the orders of those higher on the ladder than you," Swinger said with a smile; her tiny height made for a superiority complex. "Freshmen are lowest on the ladder. If he doesn't listen to his superiors, he never will. Boot him."

Skittery raised an eyebrow, smirking slightly. "... I'll think about it."

"Don't think, just do! Life goes too fast to think!"

Skittery whirled around and stared at his boyfriend in surprise, as did the others in the circle. The football player's cheeks turned rosy, but he continued speaking:
"I mean, you gotta move fast, 'cause otherwise, life's just going to pass you by. You know? If you don't get rid of this freshman now, what happens when you get to that competition in March, and he's still there, dragging you down? You gotta do things now, and get it over with, so you can enjoy the rest of life."

Blink didn't even realize Snitch's message might be intended for someone else until he saw Swinger out of the corner of his eye; she was hugging herself, face ashen. She wasn't stupid; she knew what Snitch was trying to say.

And, after a moment, so did Blink.

Say you love me now, so maybe it won't hurt so much later. So maybe we can get over this now and enjoy the rest of our lives. So we can tell them we're sorry and still have enough time before the end of the school year to try and still be their friends.

When Snitch finally quieted, smiling shyly at the impressed look on Skittery's face, Swinger reached over and lightly touched his hand.

"Snitch, can I talk to you?" She said softly, before leading him to the gym doors, out into the cool night, out of the line of vision of their significant others. Skittery frowned.

"That's the most he's said to me in a week," he said bluntly, turning to Blink. "Do you know what's wrong? Snitch just suddenly decided he didn't want to talk anymore."

"How strange," Mayfly responded, pushing her glasses up her nose. "Swinger's kind of doing the same thing."

"Something in the water?" Skittery joked, sticking his hands in the pockets of his jacket. Blink looked from one to the other; both still seemed in the dark about the whole thing. Would they figure it out on their own, or would Swinger and Snitch have to tell them? There was no telling by this point.

Blink was jerked out of his thoughts when he felt a hand in the small of his back. He let out a yelp of surprise and twirled around, only to see Race grinning up at him, eyes laughing behind thick lenses.

"You scared me, Race!" Blink breathed, putting one hand over his heart. "Don't do that!"

Race shook his head, still suppressing laughter. "Sorry, sorry. I didn't mean to."

"Right," Blink responded sarcastically, smiling anyway. "I'm so sure."

Race smiled back, his face taking on a reddish tinge that Blink had never seen before. "Actually, Blink, could I ask you something?"

"Sure! What's up?"

"Well, I was just wondering-"

"Ah, damn!" Mayfly interrupted, one hand flying over her mouth. "It's Chibi! Someone hide me!" She reached for Skittery, pulling him by his jacket to stand in front of her. He protested vehemently, finally pushing her away.

"Go find your girlfriend and hide behind her!" Skittery snapped, brushing down a crease on his jacket. "Dammit, May. You've never been shy around ex-girlfriends before!"

"I'm not being shy," she spat back, hands on her hips. "I'd just rather Chibi not see me by myself at the dance."

Skittery raised his hands skyward. "Then go find your girlfriend! Gah!"

Mayfly wrinkled her nose at him before stalking off, silently complying. Skittery sighed, shaking his head. Race waited a few seconds before attempting to resume his question.

"Um, as I was saying. Blink, I was wondering if, maybe, you'd like to-"

It appeared the young deejay wasn't going to be able to complete his thought that night, as it was Skittery's turn to interrupt him: "Blink, something's wrong. With Snitch. And me."

For a moment, Blink allowed himself to be torn between Race and Skittery. The pretty nerd finally sighed. "It's all right. I'll talk to you later, okay?"
"Monday!" Blink promised, smiling gratefully. "First thing!"

"Right," Race responded with an agreeing smile before waving and retreating back to the stage to resume his deejay-ing responsibilities.

"Okay," Blink said, turning his full attention to Skittery. "What do you mean, something's wrong?"

"Well... I love him, you know, and he says he loves me, but... I don't know. I think I'm just rambling." Skittery pressed his fingers to his forehead. "I drop hints about my birthday, but he keeps forgetting anyway, and, like... he doesn't tell me things."
"Like what?"

"Like... well, I'll tell him all sorts of things about me, like my moms and what they do, and what I want to do after school, and I try and make plans to figure out how he and I can stay together during college, but he never seems interested. All I really know about him is, uh... his dads are in the army and he enjoys football. That's it. He could write books, if he wanted, about everything he knows about me. But..." Skittery paused, sighing. "I couldn't even fill a page with him."

Blink hesitated, then put his arm around Skittery's shoulder, gently hugging his longtime friend. "It's okay, Skitts," he said, attempting a smile. "Everything will turn out all right in the end. I promise."

What he didn't mention, however, was that he had made the exact same promise to Skittery's boyfriend two weeks earlier. Blink didn't know how he planned to keep it for both of them, though. They couldn't both be happy, not in this predicament.

(since when does everything turning out all right mean that everyone has to be happy?)

... Where did that voice come from? That was more like Snitch's strange philosophy than Blink's optimism.

The blonde sighed, rubbing Skittery's arm. This was going to be tougher than he'd thought.

.:AUTHOR'S NOTE:.

Yay for updating within a month (or something...). XD I've been listening to the Zanna CD pretty much non-stop, so I figured I might as well manage an update for this story. It's going to be relatively short, I've realized. Two more chapters, and that's it. All done. What? Zanna isn't exactly a two-disc set like RENT or Les Miz or something (as much as we adore Zanna XD).

And before you even bother asking, Someone Out There will be updated once Cheri gets her ass un-grounded. Or at least online long enough to respond to my e-mails. Oy.

Anyway. Hope you enjoyed. If you did, let me know. Next update (of this story or any story, I guess) should be sooner.