"Demario, I gotta admit that you're one brave soul to be going through this soap-opera-worthy storyline of a life you have," commented Dr. Nguyen after I relayed to him, Judge McGillivray, Gianna, Jose, and even Holly's parents with what happened so far. "How the hell can you withstand so much?"

I shurgged my shoulders. "I guess you can say that after this past weekend, nothing can surprise me anymore than what already has," I replied. "Ryan's interested in me and Oliver together in a threesome while Theo is still out for blood while Jillian is more remorseful. What's next, flying pigs?"

Gianna fought a grin. "Well, there's still the matter of Kendricks' offer for you to be a star at McVeigh's party if you sing there," she said, patting her braided hair. "But I don't know if that's even on the table anymore."

"Who can really say?" Jose piped up. "But at least we know that Kendricks knows that Demario wants nothing to do with Ryan in any wya, shape or form."

"Tell that to Blake, though," Holly's dad replied, his daughter frowning at the mention of the name. "I just talked to that kid's father and he also thinks that there's something that might be brewing up in the mix regarding his son. He's at the point where he plans to send him to military school if he keeps this up."

"I know," I replied.

"Anyway," Dr. Nguyen said, sensing the need to change subjects, "I heard from Taylor and Joel that you've had more company regarding your old neighborhood."

I nodded, accepting a small cup of tea. "My brothers' former girlfriends Tiana and Tre'Cee came by and told me what they thought about my family using me as their chew toy and whipping boy. Needless to say, they both knew that DeSean and Demarcus were nothing but bad apples and hated my mother for letting this go on, never mind that she herself led the 'Let's-All-Hate-Demario-Because-We-Can' parade," I explained before recapping everyone with what was said that fateful day. "In a way, I thought that they were pretty ballsy to end their toxic relationship to two football players with a mom who can ruin anyone with her wiles."

"Did it affect you in any way after the teens broke up?" Holly's mom wanted to know.

"Not unless you count the moment that I was locked out of the apartment after coming home from a swim meet at the local YMCA and the Tuckers were forbidden to let me stay with them," I replied dourly. "I had to settle for a homeless shelter that was next door to a nearby church for two weeks until Mom decided that she needed me to help clean and cook for Camille and  Shauntay's birthday party. And even after that, I had to starve since my mother wouldn't allow me to even nibble on a crust of bread."

"What a witch," scoffed Jose. "I'm not surprised that none of your relatives hadn't made any contact with you since your suicide attempt."

"Me neither, but what can I do about it? Anyway, I just know that my next encounter with someone from my old neighborhood will be bound to let me have it with their feelings about my family and their flock. For now, I'm just moving forward and learning to let go."

Dr. Nguyen nodded, setting down his notepad and pen. "That's all you can do at this point, Demario," he said. "You didn't have it easy in the past, but you can start living your life. And I recommend that you listen to "Don't You Worry" by Swedish House Mafia. "Like the song says, heaven's got a plan for you. You just got to believe it for yourself."

"I will, I replied. "But I really need to figure out a plan regarding Ryan, Theo, and the high-school nightmare of a problem that I got going on right now. I just know that something major is about to go down."

"Just learn to breathe, Demario, and take it one step at a time," Judge McGillivray replied. "The rest will fall into place in time."

***************

DREAM SEQUENCE

Leaving the school library and bidding farewell to Serenity and Epiphany, I made my way to the school's indoor natatorium in need of a good swim to release some energy after preparing for midterms. But no sooner than I stepped through the double doors when I spotted two naked demigods both named Oliver Slade and...Ryan Peavey, both of them giving me hungry grins and devilish eyes.

"What the hell is this?" I asked, feeling confused at the sight of the two guys before me. "And I thought that you two were enemies or something."

Ryan chuckled darkly, playing with a riding crop that he had in hand. "Let's just say that Ollie and I came to a...mutual understanding," he said seductively. "We both came from two different homes and beliefs, but we share one thing and interest in common: you."

"Damn right," Oliver purred, keeping tight to a bowl of strawberries as he and Ryan approached me with the graceful and teasing movements of lions stalking its prey. "In a way, we both can't get enough of you and we just know that you feel the same about us."

"What?!" I exclaimed, eyes went wide as the two of them finally approached me before Ryan started to take away my jacket and backpack before Oliver made a beeline in removing my belt. "Th-this is crazy! We can't be doing this! Callaway and-"

"That's their problem, Bader, not ours," Ryan interrupted huskily, gently biting my ear before deftly unbuttoning my shirt. "Like I said before, I see what I like and I like what I see. And what I see and like is a young man who needs to let go and be remade into something...wickedly wonderful."

"The time to play games and simplicity is over, Demario," Oliver said as he tossed away my sneakers before swiftly removing my pants and underwear. "You, Ryan, and I will be the PERFECT three-way love group and not even Jillian herself will stop us...

***********

I jolted awake with a start, my heart pounding and head throbbing. "What the hell was that?" I breathed to no one in particular as I stared at my alarm clock. Two minutes until eleven-thirty. I grabbed my cellphone and dialed Serenity's number. "Serenity, It's Demario," I breathed after the third ring. "Girl, I just had one hell of a nightmarish wet dream featuring Oliver AND Ryan."

"Ew!" Serenity whined from the other end of the phone. "Oliver is one thing, but Ryan in the same dream?! I want details!"

And for the next five minutes, I gave her the details of a bad dream that left me wondering whether it was all something completely unexpected...or what might come if things went unchecked.

Well, Demario, you'll find out soon enough. And so will we, readers!

But coming up next, you'll be surprised to hear from one UNEXPECTED person whom we thought would never make an appearance up until today. And guess what else? That person is returning to Pacifica Glades High and completely change the game for Demario!

Dedication: Ablazeisaleo. Song: "Don't You Worry, Child" by Swedish House Mafia.

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