Chapter 4 Episode Four

Jamie couldn't help but laugh at Ben's choice of attire. The dance wasn't formal, by any means, but somehow he doubted Ben's ripped jeans, black leather jacket, and white wife-beater were what the dance committee had in mind when they recommended casual wear. Jamie looked down at his black pants and his dark blue button-front shirt. "Why is it I always feel overdressed when you're around?"

"Probably because you are. Looks good on you, though." He stood in the doorway, giving Jamie a good looking over. "Are you ready to go, or do we need to say goodbye to your aunt first?"

"I'm ready."

"Good. Now, you wanna tell me why we have to be there so damn early? You were a little hazy on the phone."

"I got a phone call warning me there was gonna be trouble tonight. I called Principle Morgan and he suggested an emergency meeting of the G.S.A. and the Student Council to decide how we want to handle it."

"A phone call, huh? Who from?"

Jamie hesitated. "Dillon Carver."

Ben whistled. "Carver, huh? Wonder what he's up to?"

Jamie shrugged, trying his best to cover the confusion and longing inside him. "Who cares as long as we stop it before it starts. Besides, Dillon is on the student Council, so maybe he'll enlighten us." And Jamie would have an excuse to look at him outright without having to sneak glances when no one was looking.

Ben said. "If you say so." He pointed to his car as Jamie pulled on his coat. "Your chariot awaits."

Jamie closed the door but paused on his way to the car. "You sure you don't mind going in early? I can get Aunt Sadie to drop me off."

"Nah. It's not like I have anything better to do." He kept walking. "When are you gonna let me teach you how to drive?"

Jamie shuddered. "Ain't gonna happen, my friend. I told you what happened when Aunt Sadie tried to teach me. I froze."

"We can work on that." The expression of horror on Jamie's face was so comical, Ben laughed. "Alright, chicken, get in the car. But this conversation is far from over."

Jamie just shook his head and got in.

#

As usual at these meetings, the Student Council members sat on one side of the oak conference table in Principle Morgan's office and the G.S.A. officers sat on the other. Dillon, as Student Council vice president, sat next to Megan, the president. The other members of both groups wandered in a few at a time and started filling in the empty seats. Dan Morgan came in a few minutes later.

"I want to thank all of you for coming in early, and I assure you, we'll make this as brief as possible." His wavy brown hair didn't so much as sway when he stood up to take his place behind the lectern at the head of the table. Dillon wondered for the hundredth time if the guy used hairspray. He watched as Morgan's brown eyes took on a dull shine under the fluorescent lights. It wasn't that Morgan was bad looking. He was actually kind of attractive in a between thirty-five and forty-ish sort of way. He filled out the black pants and gray turtleneck shirt he was wearing as well as any G.Q. model ever could. But there was something about him that struck Dillon as false, no matter how good he looked. Maybe it was the wooden smile he almost always wore. Or maybe it was that he tried just a little too hard to convince everyone that he was the poster boy for gay acceptance. Whatever it was, he gave Dillon a weird vibe.

Dillon's gut tightened as Jamie ran in, Ben Lewis on his heels. He collapsed into a chair not far from Morgan and motioned for Ben to sit next to him. "Sorry we're late."

"No problem, James. We were just getting started." Morgan leaned into the podium. "Before we start--yes, Dillon? Was there something you wanted to say? I saw your hand go up."

"Yes, sir. If this is supposed to be a meeting of the G.S.A. and the Council, then what is he doing here?" He looked at Ben as if he were a squished bug on the bottom of his shoe.

Before Morgan could answer, Jamie said, "He has a name. Ben is my date, and he's here because I asked him to be."

Dillon felt the word date like a heart punch, but he'd be damned if he'd let it show. "I don't care whose date he is, he shouldn't be in here."

Ben shrugged. "If you want me out, Carver, you can always come over here and throw me out."

Dillon started to rise, but Megan grabbed at his hand. "No," she whispered. "Remember the plan. Don't blow it now."

Principle Morgan cleared his throat. "I suggest we get back to the reason why we're here in the first place. Since these are special circumstances, Mr. Lewis can stay. But I'm warning you both," he looked back and forth between Dillon and Ben, "If I hear any more threats from either one of you, you'll both be out of here and on your way to a three day in-school suspension. Am I clear?" They both nodded. When Morgan moved on to the business at hand, Ben shot Dillon a smug smile that made Dillon's fingers itch. He couldn't remember ever wanting to hit anyone so bad in his life.

Morgan tapped on the podium. "Now that we have that settled, I must inform you of the distinct possibility that we may have trouble tonight." Several of the students started speaking at once, but Morgan put up his hand for silence. "We don't know anything for certain, but there's a good possibility that our gay and lesbian students may be targeted. That's why I've called the sheriff and asked him to send some men over to patrol tonight." A murmur of complaints rose, but again Morgan threw up his hand. "I'm sorry if this cramps your style, but we have to send a message that bigotry of any kind will not be tolerated here at Plunkett." He turned to Jamie. "James, I want you to be especially careful. If these guys are upset about the fact that the dance is being hosted by the G.S.A., you're the most natural target."

"Don't worry, Mr. Morgan. I've got Jamie's back. He's in good hands with me. And I won't let him out of my sight. I'm gonna be all over him." There was so much sexual innuendo in what Ben said, several girls giggled, Jamie blushed, and Dillon gnashed his teeth until his gums hurt.

Morgan tugged at his collar. "Yes. . .well, I appreciate that, Ben, but we'll let the sheriff's men do their job." He looked down at his watch before readdressing the room. "If there's nothing further, you're free to go. I want you all to enjoy yourselves, but please be careful, and remember to report anything suspicious."

The room emptied shortly thereafter. Dillon and Megan were on the side opposite the door, so they were among the last to leave. Dillon was forced to watch as Ben took Jamie's hand and led him out. He felt Megan rubbing his arm through the flannel shirt he wore over his black t-shirt, in a gesture he was sure meant to soothe, but he was beyond comfort. The one thing he wanted more than anything else in the universe belonged to someone else. What in the hell was he supposed to do now?