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Chapter Nineteen: The Big Day

Friday May 21 1999

"Attention everyone!" Emmett clapped a few times, posing on the stairs dramatically. "Remember that cute little twink in the midriff tee and fatigues who went up the stairs?" He asked. Justin glared at him from the top step. "Well, just take a look at who is coming down."

Justin walked slowly down the stairs, fiddling with his scarf. There were gasps from everyone present, then finally;

"Holy shit, Sunshine!
" He grinned at Debbie, who was staring at him with a gaping mouth.

"Well, what do you know. The little chicken's become cock-of- the-walk.
" He chuckled at Vic as Emmett led him the rest of the way down.


"Sweetheart, you look...beautiful." The look on his mom's face was going to be worth the trouble.

"Jesus, I could go for you myself."

"If I don't beat you to him." Justin grinned at the lesbian couple.

"Don't let Brian hear you say that!" Justin warned as his mom hugged him tightly. "Careful, don't wrinkle it." He pushed her away gently. Debbie came over and slapped him gently upside the head before hugging him herself.

"Don't start sounding like that asshole." She warned with a teary smile. Justin turned to glance at his mother in full.

"You look great – you'll fit in perfectly." He teased, motioning to her respectable length black dress and handbag. "Thank you for agreeing to chaperone."

"I want you boys to be safe. If me being there may help insure that then I'll be there." They smiled and Justin patted the bottle of pepper spray in his pocket.

"When is Brian getting here?" Debbie asked after a few moments of silence.

"Any minute." Justin said after glancing at the clock.

"Get the camera!" Justin groaned. "No arguing, we want pictures." Lindsay waggled her finger. "You look stunning and you'll want to remember this, right?"

"Well, sure." Justin smiled. Then blinked when a folded up document was thrust into his hand. He glanced at Debbie.

"I did a little research for you two on what that private school of yours can and cannot do at these events. This document officially states that they cannot prevent you from attending the Prom with Brian." She winked. Justin beamed. "Just in case they tried it. I got it from the governor herself – we're old friends from way back."

"Thank you." He tucked the document into his back pocket with his wallet. He broke into a run when the doorbell rang, and pulled the door open to find Brian waiting for him. Behind him, a shiny black limo was parked in the street.

"Well, are you going to let me in or are we making a run for it before they manage to get photos?" There was a screech and Brian was pulled inside.

"You are NOT getting out of pictures Brian! Oh my god, a limo! I remember going to my Prom in a Limo." Lindsay was cooing, pushing the boys into a pose in front of the stairway. Justin rolled his eyes as Brian draped his arms over his shoulders.

A flash went off. "Brian you put that finger away." Another flash. "Tongue in you asshole!" Finally a third. Justin elbowed his lover to behave and they both settled for a few more shots in different poses. Before long he found himself led to the Limo and gently pushed inside. Jenn was already on her way in her own car.

Justin settled into Brian's side as they pulled away from the house. "Thanks for agreeing to do this." Brian's arm slipped around his shoulders. "You could have said no."

"I could be at Babylon." Brian agreed. "But we can do that together or alone any day. You only have one Prom." Justin huffed. The car slid to a stop. Justin glanced up in confusion as the door opened.

"We can't be here yet…"

"We're picking Daphne up. We have all this room…" Justin laughed and waved at Daphne as she was escorted into the Limo.

"I can't believe this." She gushed as her own date, a boy from another school, climbed in after her. "Mom wouldn't dish out the cash for a Limo."

"It's very generous." The boy – Damian, if Justin remembered correctly. "Thank you for letting us ride with you." Brian nodded as the door closed.

"So what are your plans for after the Prom?" Justin asked the pair as the Limo started up again. "Anything special?"

"We figured on a night in at home." Damian said as Daphne leaned against his shoulder. "What about you two?" Justin had to give it to the boy, he didn't seem too antsy about being around a pair of fags.

"Babylon." Brian said. "Then home." Justin nodded. "For our own celebration." He waggled his eyebrows and everyone laughed. Seconds later the car once again slid to a stop. Justin peered out the window at the dance hall and the students gathering around the front entrance and o the lawns, just hanging out and catching up with others before entering.

Heads turned as the black limo, by far the most extravagant of the evening, parked at the curb. "Not having second thoughts are you?" Daphne asked. Justin glanced at Brian.

"No. Whatever happens tonight, happens." Brian nodded. Damian tilted his head and Daphne quickly filled him in on everyone's fears. The door was opened. Damian stepped out first, then help Daphne out. The pair stepped away from the limo and almost everyone went back to talking to friends and dates.

That is, until Brian stepped out and caught the attention of the entire female population. He was at least a head taller than most of the male students, and the Armani clothing screamed "loaded" – more so than some of the simple tuxes most of the young men were wearing. Whispers broke out.

Justin took the hand that popped in front of his face and with a deep breath, stepped out of the limo. Whispers broke out as he wound an arm around Brian's waist and one muscled arm settled on his shoulders. The limo driver slammed the door shut, accepted an envelope from Brian, then re-entered the drivers side and drove off slowly to park in one of the lots.

Justin let Brian lead him after Daphne and Damian, up the lawn to the steps. Several people whispered and pointed, but the reaction was as big as Justin had pictured. "They already know you're gay." Brian whispered to him. "The only thing they have to be shocked about is your balls about bringing another guy to a dance."

One of the chaperones standing by the doors stopped the foursome before they could enter. Justin recognized his math teacher almost immediately. The man was one of the homophobic teachers that Justin was more concerned about. He had allowed Chris to taunt Justin and several other students, until Justin had enough.

((Flashback))

Justin sat at his desk, fuming silently at Chris Hobbs and Mr. Dickson. Chris he could understand – the guy was childish – but he hated that a teacher couldn't be professional enough to stop the teasing in his own classroom. The man began to take roll call.

"Chanders?"

"Here"

"Hobbs?"

"Here." A late student walked in.

"Lipman, you're late. Mendelson?"

"Here."

"Ruiz?"

"Here."

"Taylor?"

"Queer!" Justin glared at Hobbs, who was smirking as if he'd just told a particularly funny joke. Students giggled. Dickson didn't even look up.

"Okay, class, quiet down. Thomas?" Justin narrowed his eyes and ignored the 'uh-oh' gaze Daphne was shooting.

"Excuse me, Mr. Dickson." He stood up. Several students glanced at him.

"What is it, Taylor?"

"Chris just called me queer." Dickson looked up.

"I didn't hear anything."

"Bullshit. How could you not hear it? Everybody heard that."

"Sit down, Taylor." Dickson was narrowing his eyes at Justin now.

"I want him to apologize."

"I said sit down."

"Aren't you gonna do anything? Or are you just going to pretend that nothing happened?" Justin asked.

"One more word from you and I'm sending you to the principal's office." Justin hefted his bag onto his shoulder, more than angry.

"Don't bother." He stalked to the door, ignoring Daphne's looks. "The queer is going." He said, smirking at the man's flinch. "The queer is out the door. The queer is gone!"

"That's enough of that."

"Oh! What do you know? He says it, you don't hear a thing. But when I say it..." Justin shook his head. "Well, listen up now that your hearing has returned. This queer says "fuckyou!"

((End Flashback))

And it seemed like Dickson remembered the incident, if the glare he was shooting was any indication. Justin narrowed his eyes at the man. "I wasn't aware that we weren't allowed inside yet." Brian said calmly. You could hear the thumping of music and chattering of teens coming from the dance hall.

"These two can go in." He nodded at Daphne and Damian.

"But not us." Brian nodded. "I wasn't aware that you had any control over who attended and who didn't." Dickson's face went red. "So before we involve your supervisor I would step aside and let us in."

Justin let his hand stray to his back pocket, where Debbie's parting gift was hidden. Dickson glanced between the foursome then finally stepped back. Brian led Justin into the dance hall with a smirk. They glanced around at the dance floor.

"I'm already missing Babylon." Brian sighed, grunting when Justin thumped him in the stomach. Daphne and Damian shook their heads at the pair.

"Hate to admit it but I agree." Justin finally said a minute later. "The music isn't as good and the crowd is down right…" He shivered.

"Stay for a few hours at least." Daphne said with a grin as they made their way to a pair of long tables. Brian frowned at the lack of alcoholic beverages and slipped a flask out of his pocket.

"Brian!" Justin hissed with a small laugh. Brian was pouring whatever was in the flask into four cups, before handing the cups out to the group.

"It isn't like everyone else isn't doing the same. And it isn't like us staying sober will make them like us." Brian pointed out, slipping the flask back into his pocket.

"I agree." Damian smirked. They all downed their drinks, then Damian pulled Daphne out onto the dance floor. Justin watched them as Brian scanned the crowd.

"Come on, let's get most of our dancing done before the main goon arrives." Justin glanced up at his date for the night. "Hobbs, I don't see him and can spot an arrogant prick from miles away even in Babylon." Justin let Brian lead him onto the dance floor and they joined Daphne and Damian.

As the music changed to a more upbeat tune, they fell into place. Daphne and Damian were good dancers, but nothing could compare to Justin and Brian as they found their rhythm together on the dance floor. People stopped to stare in shock for a few seconds before turning back to their own partners.

Several glares were shot their way but as the music went on and the couple danced the glares dwindled down until only a few men were glaring – the adults because they didn't approve and the dates of the various girls that were almost drooling.

Justin forced Brian to keep their hands above the waist as they danced and didn't allow Brian to bump and grind like they normally would. They danced rather conservatively as people got used to their presence, only pressing against one another briefly every so often.

"Come on, let's go get another drink." Brian pulled Justin away as Daphne and Damian danced on with grins. Neither could ignore the space they were given as they moved across the dance floor – not out of disgust, but out of respect. Justin couldn't contain his grin.

They practically ran down the steps to hide partially behind a tree, and Brian pulled out his flask. They passed it back and forth until it was half empty. "This is going better than I thought it would be." Justin said.

"It isn't too bad." Brian leaned down for a quick kiss. "Seems like not everyone in this place is as homophobic as you thought." Justin nodded.

"A group of teachers, some students… Hobbs isn't here yet though. He's the worst of them all, and his groupies…"

"Let's not worry about it." Brian slipped the flask into his pocket before they finished it. He wanted them both to be legal that night so no one could hold it against them later on should they try to. Justin turned to go back in and paused.

Hobbs and his date, along with his Posse, were mounting the steps and heading in. Brian held Justin back. "Let them get in an start dancing. Then we'll head in." He glanced at his watch. "We have time."

"Time? For what?" Justin blinked. "Brian, what did you do?"

"Nothing." He slipped an arm around Justin's shoulders. "Nothing bad." He amended. Minutes passed in silence. Eventually he led Justin back up the stairs and they re-entered the building. The lights dimmed as they entered.

The party music ended and turned into a slower tune. Brian grabbed Justin's hand as it played and led him into the crowd, past a stunned Chris Hobbs. They stopped in front of the raised platform and Justin let Brian lead him into a swaying motion.

"You can dance


Every dance with the guy


Who gives you the eye


Let him hold you tight"


Their feet moved in sync and Justin beamed as Brian took his hand.

"You can smile


Every smile for the man


Who held your hand


Beneath the pale moonlight"

They spun slowly around the front of the dance floor.

"But don't forget who's taking you home


And in whose arms you're gonna be


So darlin', save the last dance for me


Oh, I know"


Justin let Brian spin him around.

"That the musics fine


Like sparkling wine


Go and have your fun"

They swung their hips and Justin laughed.

"Laugh and sing


But while we're apart


Don't give your heart to anyone"

They moved in place for a few seconds.

"And don't forget who's taking you home


And in whose arms you're gonna be


So darlin', save the last dance for me"


Then they were back to sweeping around the floor in small spins until they were back at the front by the platform. Brian led him in a series of small spins, walking around him like a panther on the prow before pulling him back into his arms.

"Baby don't you know I love you so



Can't you feel it when we touch



I will never never let you go


I love you oh so much"

"You can dance


Go and carry on


Till the night is gone


And it's time to go"

They swung their hips again, then Justin unbuttoned Brian's jacket.

"If he asks


If you're all alone


Can he take you home


You must tell him no"


Justin slid the jacket off of Brian's shoulders, walking around to pull it off and toss it to Daphne before settling in Brian's arms again.

"Cause don't forget who's taking you home


And in whose arm's you're gonna be


So darlin save the last dance for me"


Justin spun as Brian led him down the middle of the dance floor, grinning as Brian began walking around him again before pulling him close.

"Cause don't forget who's taking you home


And in whose arm's you're gonna be"

Brian led him into a dip.


"So darlin save the last dance for me
"


Then picked him up and spun him around. As Justin's feet hit the floor, Brian's lips were on his. The music began to fade.

"Save the last dance for me



Mmmmh, save the last dance for me



Mmmmh, save the last dance for me



Mmh, save the last dance for me"

They shared a look, the Justin felt Brian tugging him by his hands. He let his lover lead him off of the dance floor, pressing tightly to his side as they walked. "Where are you taking me?" Justin asked with a grin.

"Where do you think?" Brian leaned down to kiss him. Justin pretended to think. Neither of them heard the rustling behind them until it was too late.

"BRIAN!" Brian's vision went black as he toppled to the sidewalk, and Justin screamed. Before he could do anything else something connected solidly with his head and he too went down. Vision swimming, he groaned.

"Justin!" There was a weak scream. Then a pulling sensation. More pain. Both men screamed, then there were more voices. Then darkness.

END

(TBC in Part Two.)

Just to clear a few things up – I thought the story was going a little slow so I changed MANY of the dates. I also put Justin one grade lower, but he's still 17/18 in this part of the story. He was held back a year.

So the next part will be less about college and more about his final year in school. Part three will contain PIFA. If anything's screwed up in the story please let me know so I can fix it.