Everyone gasps and that's all it took for Mackie, dropping his things he rushes closer pushing Jeremy off "touch him again and I'll kill you" he stands in front of Ben.

"Mind your business Denver this is between me and him"


"Well now it's between me and you so if you want to put your hands on someone, why don't you try me?"

"I'm supposed to be afraid of you?" Jeremy scoffs moving closer to hit Mackie

But Ben rushes between them "Jeremy don't!" He pushes him away, Ben fears for Jeremy because he knows what Mackie can do.


"Get off me this asshole needs a lesson!"

"You're gonna teach it to me, tough guy?" Mackie laughs provoking Jeremy


Holding Jeremy back Ben turns to Mackie begging, "Mackie please stop" Mackie's furious eyes focus on Jeremy wanting to hit him more than anything. "Mackie look at me" His eyes move to Ben's "don't do this."

"Leave with me," Mackie asks

"As if he'd ever go anywhere with you freak!" "Okay" Ben agrees to leave with Mackie.

"What are you doing?" Jeremy questions as they turn to walk away together "Ben if you leave with that freak that's it."

Turning around "go fuck yourself, Jeremy."

Leaving school they walk to Mackie's bike and he lifts the seat getting a second helmet for Ben, getting on Ben hesitate to wrap his arms around Mackie "don't be scared" Mackie reassures him "I won't let anything happen to you."

They pull away and Mackie drives till they're far enough, stopping at the top of a mountain they both get off taking off their helmets.

"Where are we?" Ben asks looking out at the city lights while on the hill

"Mclaren Point" Mackie answers "I like to ride up here sometimes to clear my head." Mackie watches Ben's sad face as he looks out at the city "I'm sorry your boyfriend's a dickhead"

"No, you're not"

"You're right I'm not but I am sorry you dated that asshole, you deserve better."

"You know you're nice for a violent psycho" they both chuckle. "And thank you for standing up for me."

"Should've let me hit him"

"Violence isn't always the answer Mackie" "Even though he put his hands on you first?"

The question hits Ben he didn't expect Jeremy to do that, but when you're desperate you'll do anything. "He's not usually like that"

"Only when he's caught with his pants down?"

"You don't know him all right!" Ben hisses and Mackie backs off, Ben sighs "what a shitty week" "Hasn't been that bad, I made a friend"

Ben looks at him sadly and Mackie smiles "you're weird" he smiles too.

"I know." They stand there for a little bit longer then Mackie says "I should take you home before it gets dark out"

"Ok" Ben agrees.

—

Stopping when they get to Ben's house they climb off the bike, walking up to the door they turn to each other "I can't believe I'm missing spring fling."

"You still want to go?"

"Who would take me? You?" "Why not?"

Ben smiles "I don't care about that anymore." Feeling like the moment could use it, Ben reaches out and hugs Mackie who wasn't expecting it but places his hands on the boy's back tightening their hug. "I'm sorry I judged you" Ben apologizes over Mackie's shoulder. As they let

go their faces graze each other's and Mackie decides to try and seize the opportunity, he moves his lips closer to Ben's. "Um," Ben steps away "we shouldn't-"

"No, I'm sorry that was dumb. Night" Mackie walks away "Good night."

Walking into his house Ben heads to his bed dropping on his stomach when he finally reaches his

room. Tired and confused he takes a deep breath thinking about everything that just happened. "Where were you?" His sister walks into his room after a while "your friends

came by looking for you before they went to that dance"

Sighing "I think I'm falling for Mackie Denver" Ben admits out loud. "Your sketchy science partner?" He nods "ok is that a bad thing?" "I don't know but he's not normal"

"And you think you are? You pour your milk before your cereal" "It's to control my portions!" He argues

"It's lunacy!" Serena responds. "Benji it's ok to like someone who isn't your ideal type, as long as he's good to you and always has your back that's all you need really."

He sits up "I think I made a mistake, can I borrow your car?" "Yeah" she nods.

Jumping out of bed he leaves his room taking the keys, getting in the car Ben drives. He's not sure what he's doing and he's nervous but it's the only thing that feels right right now. Stopping when he reaches Mackie's house, Ben takes long deep breaths preparing himself with no idea of what he's going to say. Knocking he waits anxiously for a response "Ben?" Mackie opens the door

"We wouldn't make any sense" Ben starts fidgeting with the car keys, Mackie steps out shutting the door standing in front of the nervous boy. "I mean what would people think?"

"I don't care what people think, Ben"

"I get that but the things they say about you, the gossip I don't think I can handle it." "Gossip is just a way for people to make sense of things they don't understand, I like being

misunderstood."

"Then fine" he smirks "you win." Moving closer Ben plants his lips on Mackie's then immediately pulls away waiting for a reaction, taking his head Mackie pulls him back and slowly kisses him. Mackie's lips surprised him they're better than he was expecting, the feel of Mackie's hands holding him and how delicate someone so dangerous is being all made Ben feel something he's never felt before.

Monday morning after spending their entire weekend on the phone and texting, Ben and Mackie lean against his bike kissing before class.

Mackie's arms are around his waist and Ben's are around his neck, "don't look now but your friends are giving us death glares" he says seeing them

"Oh god, how am I going to explain this?"

"Easy... go to them and say you're dating the freak"

"Stop it" Ben kisses him "you're not a freak, and they'll get over it. I promise they're not that bad." "Are you trying to convince me or yourself?"

"Shush" he shuts Mackie up with another kiss "find me at lunch?" "Ok" they kiss one last time before letting go.