Author’s Note: I’m very proud of Adamo Ruggiero for finally coming out as a gay man. This makes his role as Marco even more ground breaking because he went through what his character was going through around the same time and still managed to handle the role beautifully, amazing. Plus I’ve learned from his Fab magazine interview that he has a boyfriend who he has been with for over a year and that his family loves and accepts him. Just awesome!

In this A/N I also wanted to address the Marco/Dylan break up. I was shocked and saddened by the completely random act. Hopefully rumors about a possible Degrassi movie are true and John Bregar alluded to being featured in it, if it takes place. I would be over the moon if Dylan showed up and swiped Marco off his feet with a marriage proposal and perhaps asked him to move to Switzerland with him. That would be such a perfect ending for the characters. I’ve honestly always believed in them, even if they started out as a simple high school romance. Marco has always struck me as the kind of man who falls madly, deeply in love once.

Also, if you miss Marco and Dylan check out the story of Luke and Noah on youtube from the soap opera As The World Turns. All you need to do is put in the youtube search engine Luke, Noah, ATWT. Find a users such as LukeVanFan, who has their complete relationship posted and start watching, you may want to watch Luke’s coming out story as well. Though it has a soapy atmosphere Luke and Noah are a beautiful couple and the acting and directing is very good, despite some cheesy scripts. If you have trouble finding good Luke/Noah vids or want a sample of some of their cutest scenes to test the waters, so to speak, ask and I will place the links in my profile and let you know.

A/N 2: The song featured in this last part is Same Mistake by James Blunt.

Part 8

So while I'm turning in my sheets And once again, I cannot sleep Walk out the door and up the street Look at the stars beneath my feet Remember rights that I did wrong So here I go Hello, hello

Hours after yet again having my heart broken by Marco Del Rossi Spinner Mason is trying to make me have fun.

“Come on,” Spinner whines, “You wanted to come to this gay/straight bar so we could get our gay/straight freak on.”

“Freak on?” I laugh.

Spinner nods, “Yeah dude. So let’s freak.” He takes my hand.

I raise an eyebrow at him.

Spinner’s face scrunches up, “With other people man, not each other.” He pulls me by the hand until I’m standing and he points toward the back of the bar where a cute boy and his apparent faghag are playing pool. “Let’s challenge them to a game.”

I dutifully drag my feet behind Spinner and he introduces us to them.

There is no place I cannot go My mind is muddy but My heart is heavy, does it show I lose the track that loses me So here I go oooooooooooooooooooo

“Hey I’m Gavin and this is my friend Dylan. You two interested in playing with us?” Spinner asks confidently. I nearly laugh at how his question is worded.

The blue haired faghag looks at her fag for approval and when he shoots her a smile she smiles back at us. “Sure, I’m Willa and this is Eddie.”

“Willa?” Spinner titters. “Doesn’t that mean hooker in Spanish or something?”

The girl’s expression morphs from flirty to shock.

“Um, Spin—Gavin you’re thinking of huila. It is spelled h-u-i-l-a and pronounced like Willa. A huila” I explain, still the damage is done.

We walk out of the bar an instant later and Spinner’s face is bright red. “How did I manage to insult a girl within two seconds of meeting her?” He complains.

And so I sent some men to fight, And one came back at dead of night, said "Have you seen my enemy?" said "he looked just like me" So I set out to cut myself And here I go oooooooooooooooooooo

“Because you saw the blue haired cutie and stopped thinking with the right head,” I taunt.

He shoots me an agitated look. “Well, where to now?”

“You tell me,” I challenge, “You’re the one who had to get out of there. “I flirted with the doorman just to get you in so you can forget a club or bar, we probably won’t be lucky enough to get another gay doorman. “

“Alright,” Spinner huffs, “How about the ravine?”

“You’re kidding?”

“Why would I kid?”

“What’s there to do at the ravine?”

“Loads of stuff,” he claims. “Besides Jay’s friends are never stingy with their beer.”

“I’m not hanging out with Jay or his homophobic friends.” I insist.

“Well you could go home and cry over Marco,” Spinner proposes.

I award him with a hurt look. “Are you trying to piss me off? Bring up Jay and now Marco? What’s your problem?”

I'm not calling for a second chance, I'm screaming at the top of my voice, Give me reason, but don't give me choice, Cos I'll just make the same mistake again, oooooooooooooooooooo

“Look Dylan,” he stops in his tracks and faces me. “Jay isn’t a homophobe, he’s been maturing since Alex went gay- with your sister, and you know what hanging around you reminds me a lot of her, your sister. Don’t you think that hurts me? Oh and hanging out with you even reminds me of Marco, who currently is not talking to me, did he tell you that? All my friends have abandoned me and Jay’s all I have left. Other than Darcy, my girlfriend; did I mention a girlfriend? Oh that’s right you didn’t ask! I didn’t even bring her up because I knew you needed a guys night out to cheer you up so I thought me being single would help you not feel as crappy. You know what you’re a selfish jerk Dylan, this is why Marco doesn’t want you.”

And maybe someday we will meet And maybe talk and not just speak Don't buy the promises 'cause There are no promises I keep, and my reflection troubles me so here I go oooooooooooooooooooo

He storms off, leaving me speechless and surprised by my egotism. I eyes start to water. I wish I knew what was wrong with me; I wish I knew how to stop being such a jerk.

I'm not calling for a second chance, I'm screaming at the top of my voice, Give me reason, but don't give me choice, Cos I'll just make the same mistake again oooooooooooooooooooo

I walk back to my car and drive back to my house feeling defeat. I sulk for a minute in the seclusion of my car before stepping out. On my front porch I find the best surprise I’ve ever received. An awkward looking Marco Del Rossi is hoisted atop my porch railing. Kicking his feet softly and twiddling his thumbs.

“Hi,” I breathe.

So while I'm turning in my sheets And once again, I cannot sleep Walk out the door and up the street Look at the stars Look at the stars, falling down, And I wonder where, did I go wrong.

His gasps and he peers at me for a moment, “Did I summon you with my thoughts?”

“No, I was having a guy’s night out with Spinner and he discovered that I’m a dick, so here I am in all my dickishness, alone. I wonder if this is how it’s supposed to be.” I groan.

“You’re not a dick,” Marco grins. “And you’re not alone.”

“For how long?” I ask, full of un-deserved hope.

“How long can you promise me you’ll be faithful? That you won’t push me into anything, like coming out to my dad? That you’re ready to start growing up?” He asks his voice croaky.

“For as long as you’ll have me,” I swear, nearly in tears.

He shakes his head. “I could have cemented things with Tim tonight; I could have slept with my incredible boyfriend and forgotten all about you.”

“Why didn’t you?” I ponder aloud. “I’m not worthy of you.”

“It might sound crazy… we- Tim and I were watching Angels in America, have you seen it?”

I shake my head.

“Well in one part this guy strips naked on a freezing cold beach area and he confesses his un-dying love for another man and he tells this other man that no matter what he’s going to prove to him that he loves him.” Marco licks his lips apprehensively. “It made me think of you and I just couldn’t go through with it, being with this near perfect guy because no matter how perfect he seemed he just wasn’t perfect for me. Despite all your crap you are Dylan, you’re perfect for me.”

“I’m not,” I protest (in tears now),” I’m not right or perfect for anyone. Hell, I don’t even like myself anymore. How can you say that? Huh? How can you want me?”

Marco leaps off the porch and into my arms. “I love you Dylan, you’re a screw up and I love you.”

“Marco-“I cry out, but he interrupts.

He presses his head against my chest. “I forgive you.”

“No, don’t, you can.” I beg.

He hugs me tighter. “I forgive you and you have to forgive yourself.”

“I can’t,” I sob. “I can’t forget; I can’t ever be that guy again.”

He steps releases my torso and holds my tear stained face in his hands. “Don’t forget, just forgive and be my guy. Be the guy I know you can be.”

“Marco, I’m sorry.” I snivel.

He pulls my face down to his and gives me a sweet, short kiss. “I know.”

“My dad told me I need to restore our trust.”

“Your dad is a smart man.”

“So is this where we begin?”

“I think it’s where we re-start.”

---End---