Thirty minutes' drive later, Oliver and I were currently at Vienna Southworth's house where the after-party was currently in full swing with the team now mentally high from the win over the Lincoln Central Pirates while the cheerleaders were ready to let loose after playing nice. The others were rready to kick back and relax as the air of Fall Break loomed with one more week of classes beforehand.

Oliver and I, on the other hand, were ready to blow this popsicle stand. And we would've bounced earlier if it weren't for McNeese's student-cronies making sure that I didn't walk out on them.

"How super neato for you to come to my party," the blonde and leggy party host in question cheered as she made her way towards me and greeted us with hugs. To me, "Demario, this is big of you to show some support for the team since Ryan's not easily one to say 'no' to. And with you being his target for affection even though Slade's your boyfriend, I know that this is something that you're not fond of doing."

I took a deep breath, knowing that McNeese's angel-faced-yet-demon-minded cronies were watching my move. "Well, I guess it's time for me to show support," was all I could say. "I figured that now was as good as ever to attend a football game and this party."

The blonde let out a small shriek of happiness. "Thank you. And I promised you that there will be NO funny business as long as I'm around," she chirped. "With my dad a police officer and up for reelection alongside your backstory, it's more important to make sure that no one brings anything illegal."

"Not even Theo?" Oliver asked flatly, pointing to the front doorway where the Goth-dressed kid in question and his friends were sauntering inside with cocky grins on their faces.

Vienna's face warped into a scowl. "Who the hell let him in?" she asked indignantly. "And I bet that bitch Kendricks' is here as well. Demario, I'll have them out of here in a flash."

"Not yet," I replied. "Just make sure to have someone watch them, but keep it discreet.

"Given. And thank you again for coming to my party." She walked to the kitchen where a few of her fellow cheerleader friends were holding camp.

"Some night for a party," my boyfriend commented, wrapping his right arm around my waist before we decided to make our rounds and say hi to our classmates. "I wished you'd have said no to McNeese and went home with everyone else."

"Yeah, but McNeese is more than willing to make arrangements to fail me in all my classes if she had her way," I replied, stopping to greet some of the dance-team members. "I have a hunch that-"

"Demario, hey!"

Oliver and I whirled around to see Ryan standing there with a chastened yet complacent look on his face as he rubbed the back of his neck. "Hello, yourself," I couldn't help but comment. "And I take it that you read my letter?"

He nodded. "I know that you said that you and I would never work out and that we were meant to remain classmates and project partners," he said. "And I know that Oliver makes you happy and grounded. But that doesn't mean that I'm giving up on us."

I knew that it was pointless to hope that he would let me go. "What?"

Ryan inhaled deeply, his cheeks puffing. "Baby boy, I'm too attached to you. You remind me so much of him- Artem, of course- that it's not even funny. I promised myself that if I ever find another soul like his that I wouldn't dare to fail in protecting him or her," he explained. "You and Artem have this no-nonsense caliber that attracts me in many ways that not even Jillian could ever do. And this is sounding corny, I know, but I won't back down from pursuing you. Just give me a chance, love. Give you and me a try."

I shook my head. "Sorry, Peavey, but there's too much baggage in your life," I replied calmly. "Jillian's not the one to let you go that easily and I can't risk anything with what's going down thanks to Theo on my tail more than ever. Even if we were in different worlds and living in another life, we are never meant to be. I got my issues and you have yours as well. I have Oliver with me and he's all that I need."

"But-"

I held up a hand to cut him off. "There's nothing you can say that will change my mind," I said firmly. "If you really love me, love me enough to let me go."

Ryan was not deterred. "I'm still going to fight for you, Bader," he said fiercely. "No one will stop me from claiming you as mine. Not even you."

He walked away, breezing past a few scared freshmen who looked as if they didn't want to piss off an angry Rottweiler. Who could blame him since Ryan was now angry that I refused him.

"Nice putdown," Oliver commented.

"I meant every word," I replied as we continued our rounds, stopping briefly for some drinks. "I can't be with him as long as Kendricks and Blake are around. But it looks like he won't take my rejection for an answer."

"All the better for you two to stay away from him," came this drawling and abrasive voice of Theo as we faced him and his friends. "Good God, Bader. What is with you that makes that dolt so attracted to you? He's not yours!"

"And I keep telling him that, Theo, but he won't let me go that easily!" I shot back as a small crowd started to surround us. "I even let him know in a letter that I wasn't going to be his and-"

"Save it!" Theo hissed irritably, cutting me off. "You just won't learn to leave well alone and for you to end your fucking life! It makes me sick that someone with a shitty past wants to have a better future despite the circumstances."

"What the hell's wrong with that?!"

"Uh, EVERYTHING!" Theo exploded, looking at me as if I was in remedial classes. "For fuck's sake, kid! Your mother hated you. Your siblings stole her and your wimpy dad's attention from you. Your relatives all but wanted you gone. And you had no friends from your old school. If not for pity, the landlord himself would've allowed your parents to toss you out with only the clothes on your back! Everyone kept reminding you that you ain't worth shit and you're never going to be anything as long as they lived and have had any say about it. When will you get the message?! Do yourself and EVERYONE here a favor and kill yourself already!"

"That's enough!" spat Vienna as she and her posse came to my aid. "Theo Blake, I want you out of this house and far away from Demario and Oliver! You're a nasty little freak who-"

"I know who I am and what I stand for, toots!" To me, "You better believe that I plan to ruin you for all your worth, Bader! If you think that I'm the devil now, then you ain't seen nothing yet!"

Without warning, he landed a punch to my jaw that had me staggering and ready to fall if it wasn't for Oliver keeping me upright.

"Have you lost your mind, Blake?!" One of the football players exclaimed angrily. "This is too far!"

Theo snickered darkly. "I'm far from finished," was all he said before he and his friends left.

One of McNeese's student allies came up to me. "Shit," she hissed. "This was not part of the plan. Damn what she says, Bader. You gotta get out of here. I'll let her know what happened."

"No," I replied thickly. "That'll mean that I was trying to play chicken and will accuse me of trying to bail out of here. I gotta stay for the entire hour or as long as she wants me to."

"Are you sure?" the second McNeese student-minion asked me gently, her chocolate-brown eyes full of concern.

"Positive."

I was given a cup of punch to drink with another for Oliver as the both of us downed the beverage in two gulps.

And from there...everything became a blur. And that is when things finally get TOO real.

What do you think will happen next now that Oliver and Demario are facing more danger from Theo? And what will happen now that Ryan's not letting things be?

All I can say to you is...buckle up for safety because the next chapter is when our three boys are in a compromising position and this is when Jillian's fears become reality thanks to something cooked up by Theo! You don't want to miss it!

Dedication: KellyBlack_20 (badass writer!) and MermaidAriel13 (Check out "You Must Remember This" right now!). Song: none.

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