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Chapter 41: A Small Outing

Geoff was ready for school and sat with Faelen on the couch; Nathanial was due any time, now. Faelen was getting impatient, not that there was any blatant sign, just slight shifts of his hindpaws, a twitch of the ears, or the tightening of his muscles. Geoff felt some of the impatience, but he had his lover's company for a lot longer this morning. "Do you want me to call him?"

Faelen twitched, he really was missing Liam, "No, sir, there's no rush. He isn't late." Geoff didn't comment on that 'sir', again. He had no idea how it could be such an ingrained habit when Geoff had never liked being called sir, but whenever Faelen was distracted, out it came.

Geoff reached over and pulled Faelen's head down and rubbed his knuckles over his friends skull. Faelen made a half growl and half woof noise and slipped out of Geoff's hold. The grey Wolf jumped up and pulled Geoff up with him, before spinning his boss around and grabbing him in a full nelson. Faelen bumped his knees into the back of Geoff's as he pulled down, and forced Geoff to the ground. Geoff was about to laugh and call 'mercy' when he heard Nathanial's incredulous, "Am I interrupting something?"

Faelen answered calmly, "No, I was just killing time while I waited. This scoundrel tried to bait me, and I decided to take it."

Nathanial grinned, "Oh, okay. Just don't take him. It actually looks a little erotic. Liam and I might have a lot of fun watching." Geoff froze under Faelen, suddenly feeling all of the muscles, and other things, pressing into his back. He felt himself start to get hard, Faelen quickly let him go and stood up.

Faelen swung backpack onto his shoulder and reached down to help Geoff up, "Liam's waiting, let's go." Geoff let himself get hauled to his hindpaws and clapped Faelen on the shoulder. He picked up his own backpack before pulling Nathanial into a quick and passionate kiss.

"Hi, Geoff." Nathanial moulded himself to Geoff's front, pulling Geoff down for another kiss, "Good morning, Geoff." Another kiss, "Ohayo Gozaimasu, Geoff-chan." Yet another, longer, kiss. Geoff's pants were really getting tight.

Faelen snapped, "Okay! Enough! Can we go, now?"

Nathanial quickly stepped back, eyes downcast, "Sorry, Faelen. I didn't mean to upset you." Geoff started to growl, but stopped when Nathanial put his paw on his arm, "He's right. We knew he wanted to see Liam as much as we wanted to see each other. We were being selfish. Let's go meet Liam and get to school. We can all do some kissing when we get back to my house after school." Geoff looked into Nathanial's eyes and felt his anger melt away. They headed out, "Besides, Faelen and Liam are keeping their relationship secret for us, not because they care what people would say about them."

Geoff read the statement, 'for him,' for Geoff. It was his status in the Clan that was causing problems, not Faelen's. Nathanial didn't give a damn what the Society thought, and Liam was an Ancient One, above anyone's reproach. It was Geoff that was forcing his friends to keep their love hidden, like it was shameful. Faelen sighed, the exhalation mingled with a soft growl, "Shut up, Geoff." Geoff jumped, "We know you don't want to hide any more than we do. It's the Clan and the trouble your whole family could get into that's forcing all of our paws, not you." Geoff really had doubts as to whether Faelen could read his mind or not, "No, I can't read your mind. I've told you that before, I know you, sir. I can read you, and I can tell what you're thinking by how you carry yourself and how you smell." Nathanial suddenly stopped, his muscles tense. Faelen stopped talking and Liam, who was at the corner, watching them, came trotting over.

Nathanial snarled, "Let's continue, sorry for the interruption." He glanced at Geoff, *Those Investigators are watching and listening, I'll tell the others. I don't want to tip my paw, yet, so act like we don't know. Just play it 'straight'.* Geoff could see the other two react very slightly as Nathanial repeated his warning to them. "So, Geoff, Michelle seems to really like you, and she's a lot nicer than Betty. Are you thinking of asking her to the school dance next week?"

Geoff felt like his legs were just knocked out from under him. "Wh-wha'? Uh, heh, wh-what do you mean?"

Nathanial punched him in the arm, "Don't be shy, man! She's a little spitfire and really hot! I've seen her watching you, don't tell me you haven't noticed." Geoff recovered enough to notice Faelen and Liam were trying not to laugh at his discomfort.

Geoff shook his head, "Fine, yes, I noticed, but I've noticed she's looking at you just as much, if not more. I was thinking about her this morning, actually, I haven't seen her in over a week. Not since the day you said Liam got mad at her for spreading rumours."

Liam looked a little uncomfortable, "I have not, either. I have been... concerned. I meant to reprimand her, not cause her great distress. I had planned to speak to Jeff Walker, her friend, in homeroom to see if she is all right."

Faelen grinned at his boyfriend, "So, who do you think is hot? Are you asking anyone to the dance?"

Liam gave Faelen a sidelong glance, "No. I do not think she would accept. I am only fourteen, if you recall."

Faelen's smile grew, "She might surprise you. You should give it a shot, what's the worst that could happen?"

Geoff could see the evil gleam in Liam's eyes, "She could say yes and go to jail, or, at the very least, lose her job."

Geoff choked, "Ms. Paul? You aren't talking about Ms. Paul, are you?"

Liam pretended to blush and answered belligerently, "Yes, what of it? She is very attractive, kind, and intelligent. She also is very passionate, about teaching, I mean, and causes she believes in. However, she is much older than I, and I believe she fancies you, Geoff. Though, I doubt she would act upon such feelings while you were a student at this school. You must have noticed how she sits taller and adjusts her clothing more as she speaks to you."

Geoff blushed, making Faelen laugh, "Y-yeah. I did. It's... flattering, but a little... uncomfortable."

A sports car drove by, a nice one, and Nathanial gasped, "The Ferrari four fifty-eight Spider! I didn't think anyone in the neighbourhood bought one! That's the car I was hoping Dad would buy for my birthday, but I'm actually betting on a Honda Civic. He might get a Spider for himself, but he'd probably want to make sure I can drive before he got me something like that."

Geoff stared at him, "You actually think your da would get you a car for your birthday? My da didn't get me one, and I never expected him to. And a Ferrari? I never expected you to be a Ferrari guy, I can see you in a smaller hybrid, like a Honda Prius, but not a high powered sports car."

Nathanial blushed, "Well, it's a really sexy car. I like fast, powerful, and hot cars." There was a slight pause before he said 'cars', Geoff bet he was actually thinking of him, and not a car.

Geoff chuckled, "Well, I'll just have to take you for a long ride. When I get one." Nathanial blushed a little more, and his tail wagged a little quicker, 'Yup, it wasn't a car he was thinking of.' They continued talking, alternating between Kung Fu, football- ah soccer, girls, and cars. Suddenly, Geoff's stride faltered a bit, they were going at the pace Liam had set in the football pitch last week when the paparazzi first caused problems. Nathanial had barely been able to maintain that pace for more than a few minutes, but they'd been keeping the same pace for seven minutes and he wasn't even sweating. His pup was getting in shape fast. He'd have to thoroughly examine him when they got back to Nathanial's house. They jogged into the schoolyard and up through the front doors. Nathanial poked his head into the office and said hi to Ahmed, he'd been popping into see them periodically. Mrs. Davis was rarely there, but Ahmed said she was happy to hear that he was thinking of them. They went to their lockers and then up to class.

As they walked in, they noticed they were the first ones there. Ms. Paul greeted them, "Hello, students."

They chorused, "Hello, Ms. Paul." They went and sat in their seats. Nathanial glanced at them and thought, *They aren't watching us anymore,* to each of them, in turn. Geoff felt himself relax, and noticed all of the others relaxed, too.

Ms. Paul leaned against the front of her desk, arms behind her with the palms flat on the desktop, "So, I think a happy sixteenth is in order, Nathanial. Are you doing anything this weekend?"

Nathanial blushed and Geoff chuckled, thinking of their earlier conversation, "Yes, ma'am. Geoff, Faelen, and Liam are coming over. So are Mr. Smith, Mr. and Mrs. McDougal, and Mr. O'Conall. I think two of the CSIS agents that were helping me are stopping by, too. My grandparents, my Dad's parents, are coming by tomorrow."

Ms. Paul looked a little surprised, "Just three friends? I thought you'd be having a big party for your sixteenth. Do you know what you're getting?"

Nathanial shook his head, Geoff couldn't resist teasing, "He's hoping for a Ferrari Spider."

Ms. Paul's jaw dropped, "Even for this school, that's..."

Nathanial protested, "I was joking! I don't think there's a chance I'm getting a car! Let alone a sports car like that. Not with Dad building that gym, that's a huge amount of money right there. The estimate was around thirty-five thousand dollars, I couldn't ask for anything after that. But it's going to be a sweet gym."

Geoff could see her mouthing the price, and Liam nodded, "I understand, Ms. Paul, that is almost half of my father's average yearly income, before taxes. I cannot understand how such sums can be spent without great deliberation."

Geoff could tell Nathanial looked a little offended, "Well, Dad said it was eleven years of Solstice and birthday gifts for the three of us, combined with the fact that he was going to use it, too. So, this way he didn't have to spend money on four gym memberships and it was more convenient for all of us. So that's just five hundred dollars per special day per kid, to make thirty-three thousand, then the remaining two thousand to cover years of memberships and the convenience. It's not that much when you think of it that way."

Liam smiled as he shook his head, "Not in the slightest, when your father makes that much money. Not outrageously out of line for one of my father's income, but still expensive. The cumulative sum is enough to make most middle or lower income people choke, regardless of how it is broken down."

Nathanial nodded, "I know. My Dad was just talking at supper last night at how a friend of his just put sixty thousand down to upgrade his home theatre. I nearly died. I understand a gym more than a home theatre, so it didn't seem so bad, but it's still a lot. It's Dad's money, so I can't tell him how to spend it, not that I mind him building this gym."

Ms. Paul seemed to recover, "I've noticed your jacket seems a little tight around the shoulders, I was worried you were putting on weight, but it wasn't showing up on your face. It seems to be a lot of muscle mass you're getting, and fast. You aren't using steroids, are you? Those can be really dangerous."

Nathanial was looking at his jacket, and moved his arms from side to side. It was noticeably tight. He grinned, "No, Ms. Paul. I just have a good instructor and a good coach." He nodded at Liam and then Geoff. "They've been helping me tons. They're helping me build up my stamina a lot, too."

Ms. Paul blinked, "Both of them? I thought it'd just be Geoff." All four of them gaped at her, "But if it's Smith that's making you run laps and putting you through the ringer at Kung Fu, I can see that. I was just thinking you'd be using the cardio machines to build your stamina." She had a slightly evil smile, "What did you think I was talking about?"

Nathanial was blushing furiously and didn't seem to be able to answer. Geoff cleared his throat, "Ah, nothing, Ms. Paul. It's just those rumours we've heard going around school about us. We thought you might be..."

She waved her paw in front of her, dismissing his comment, "Of course not. It isn't my business, and I don't care who you date. Hello, Jeff."

The chocolate Lab walked in and opened his mouth, when Geoff called over as he waved his paw, beckoning the pudgy dog, "Hey, Jeff, good to see you! C'mere a sec." Jeff nodded to Ms. Paul and trotted over, blushing as he met Nathanial's eyes. He waved timidly and started to say something, "So, Jeff, where's Michelle? We haven't seen her around. Is she all right?"

Jeff nodded and turned to look at Liam. Nathanial sighed, "Oh, good. I was getting worried." He put his paw on Jeff's arm, Jeff froze slightly, as he blushed even more fiercely. His whip-like tail banged against the desks, as he looked over his shoulder at Nathanial, "Do you know if she's here today?" Other students were filtering into the classroom.

Jeff nodded, "Y..."

Betty's voice was shrill, "Ooh, I knew it! They're congregating! The co..."

Ms. Paul's stern voice silenced the class, "Be careful, Betty. I'm perfectly willing to give you as many detentions as necessary to prove my point."

Liam spoke softly, "Perhaps you should be seated, Jeff, we will speak later." The Lab nodded sadly and cast a glance back at Nathanial as he made his way back to his seat in the rear-right corner. Geoff could hear the amusement in Liam's voice, "It appears Eiklenboom was right, Nathanial-kun. You have become someone's hero."

Geoff smiled with pride for his pup, but just said, "Who's Eiklenboom? Michelle?" Liam nodded, "Oh. This was when you had that 'talk' with her?" Liam nodded, looking a little uncomfortable. "Well, better you had that talk than me, I probably would've been rude or cruel. She was really ticking me off."

Nathanial's voice sounded a little reproachful, "She meant well. She was just being herself: outgoing, friendly, and talkative."

Liam's posture stiffened up slightly, but his tone remained calm, "Intentions are irrelevant if the result is the opposite of your goal. Thought must be given to the potential outcome of one's actions; she gave no thought to how she may be hurting others, nor to their personal situation. I would repeat my reproach should time be reversed, though I am concerned over how hard she seems to be taking it."

Ms. Paul had taken a seat behind her desk, and held up a paw as she said, "Okay, class." The bell rang, "It's time to take attendance, take your seats, please."

Geoff and Faelen left the shower after gym class, lunch was about to start, and he was hungry. One of his classmates, a large, beefy Bull, put his arm across the doorway as they headed to the driers. Geoff stopped drying his headfur, letting the towel settle around his shoulders, "Yeah?"

"You that Irish kid? Jeff?" The black hair on the Bull's body still shone with sweat, radiating a rather pleasant musk. If he didn't look so belligerent, he might be good looking, not to Geoff's tastes, but still pleasant to look at.

Geoff shook his head, "I'm Irish, but I'm not Jeff, I'm Geoff. There's an 'oh' in there, just a quiet one."

The Bull's eyes narrowed, "I don't give a damn, fag. We've got a problem, and you don't want to be adding to it. The coach wants you on our team, thinks you'll be good, and might be worth ignoring your cock sucking. You best be taking him up on his offer, before I lose my patience with the way you're perving us in the showers."

Geoff had begun growling softly as soon as the Bull said 'fag', but he was surprised Faelen hadn't already flattened him. Faelen actually looked really amused, "Bullshit. There isn't anyone worth looking at, other than us," He indicated Geoff and himself, "And we've noticed a lot of looking." He subtly flexed, his muscles seemed to ripple slightly under his soaked fur, "Not that we can blame them. You just seem a little too hung up on that 'cock sucking' thing, something you're wanting to ask?" Faelen snorted, "Well, if you ask or not, the answer is no. No to letting you suck us off, and no to joining that American football thing."

The Bull bellowed in anger. Geoff was surprised, again, he didn't think what's-his-name would've let Faelen talk that long before blowing up. Geoff stepped back as the Bull swung at Faelen, Faelen just ducked and hit the naked bovine in the stomach with the heel of his palm. The Bull gasped as the wind was knocked out of him and fell to the floor. Geoff stepped past him and resumed drying off, "What's his name, again? John?"

Faelen nodded, "John Falkner. Offensive linesman. One of those guys who line up facing the other team and go charging off like rutting rams headlong into their opponents. I'll never understand that game, it's just asking for brain damage. Real football's bad enough. And, really, what was with the attitude? If he wanted to give us blowjobs he could've just asked, we aren't bigots, we would've thanked him for his interest and said no. Nothing to get so worked up over, and he should've asked in a quieter setting."

Geoff chuckled, "You misheard. He was saying I'm gay."

_ _ Faelen shook his head, "Ah, I could barely understand him with all that false bravado. Then that was even dumber of him. The way he asked was a guaranteed way to get 'no' for an answer." Geoff could tell Faelen knew exactly what John's intent was, but was just rubbing the Bull's nose in it. Geoff was getting really hungry and hurried as much as he could. John glared at them as he staggered to his hooves and into the showers. The rest of the class kept away from the three of them.

Geoff pushed his tray away and leaned back in his chair. "Mmm, tacos. Not as good as Dirk's, but still really good. They just needed more spice, even the salsa was mild."

Nathanial smirked, "This is Nova Scotia, Geoff. Some people find ketchup too spicy. What should I make for supper, tonight? I normally make a couple of Chinese dishes on my birthday and bake a black forest cake, but Conor doesn't seem too fond of Chinese."

Geoff and Faelen just paused and stared at Nathanial. Nathanial began to look a little uncomfortable when Faelen asked, "What you should cook? On your birthday? Um, what are you talking about? Shouldn't someone else be doing the cooking?"

Nathanial hung his head, looking ashamed, "Well, like who? M... ah, Lily never cooked, Dad was never around, Nicholas can't cook to save his life, and Micah's too young. You guys are coming over, so you're all guests; as the host it's my responsibility to make sure you're provided for. Doesn't Dirk normally cook on his birthday? Or did when you were younger, Faelen?"

Faelen hesitated before nodding, "He did, yeah. Liam, how's about we cook for him?"

Liam shook his head, "You may be able to, and I can try to help, but I would likely just get in the way. I cannot cook. It is a skill I have never acquired."

Everyone looked at him, surprised. Geoff turned to Nathanial, almost laughing, "Well, I guess we have an answer to that comment you made a few weeks ago. When you said you had no idea what he could or couldn't do, and if someone said he could fly, you wouldn't be surprised. Well, he might still be able to fly, but he can't cook." Liam looked embarrassed and offended, "Sorry, Liam, it's just out of all the things you could've learned, ever, cooking is one skill I would've assumed you'd have mastered."

Liam's ears had flattened back, "It is not something I wish to discuss here." He leaned forward, his voice very quiet, "But Timeus was a pleasure slave and then a priest of Hades, neither 'job' needed to cook. Conor could put a slab of meat on a stick and put it over a fire, or throw it in a pot of water and put it over a fire, but that's it. I could continue right on through, but it has never been... relevant or required. I... am sorry."

Geoff felt sorry for teasing him, Liam looked incredibly ashamed. It made him feel ashamed, too, "No worries, Liam. I can't cook, either. Faelen and Dirk always take care of it and I've been assuming Faelen would always be around to continue taking care of it."

Faelen looked down at his empty tray, "I will be, sir, for as long as I have left." Liam looked like he was just stabbed in the heart, Geoff understood how he must be feeling, he felt the same way. "Sorry, I didn't mean... sorry."

Nathanial gathered up the trays, "Well, sorry little sad sacks, it's my birthday, and I want to cook. So get over it." He stood up, "I'm going to talk to Michelle; you guys can continue to sit here and mope if you want."

The three sitting Canids flipped their ears back and chorused, "Sorry," before laughing. Nathanial grinned at them as he went to put the dishes and trays away. Geoff stood up, too, and asked Nathanial when he got back, "Where to? The gay-straight thing she's in?"

Nathanial shook his head, "No, Jeff said she hasn't been there in over a week, she's avoiding them, too. Jeff's the only one that she's talked to. She's in the coffee shop across the street." Nathanial walked to a small group of tables on the far side of the cafeteria, where a very boisterous crowd had gathered. Jeff was sitting at a table at the edge of the group smiling and talking to a very trim Tiger, the Tiger had dyed all of his orange stripes green. The table fell silent as they walked up, as all of the guys stared at them. Geoff grinned and suppressed a chuckle as he saw Nathanial shrink in on himself. Nathanial's stride faltered but he walked over to Jeff, "Um, h-hey, Jeff. I, we, are going to find Michelle, d-do you want to come? She might want to have a friend around." Jeff's face lit up in delight, making his table laugh.

"Better play it cool, Jeffy, you got some stiff competition, and he's got a head start." The Tiger joked with the blushing Lab.

Nathanial blushed, too, "Um, sorry, th-this isn't a date-thing. I-I'm, um, not looking, um. I didn't mean to..."

Jeff raised his paw timidly to reach over as he said, "Th..."

Geoff had started talking at the same time, and didn't really notice Jeff talking, not until the dog had fallen silent, "Don't worry, pup, it didn't come across that way. They're just teasing. Let's get going before the bell rings." He clapped his boyfriend on the shoulder and directed him out of the cafeteria, Jeff following silently behind. He felt Betty's venomous and satisfied stare follow him out. He knew the rumours would start all over, now that they'd gone over to the 'gay' section and left with one of the 'out' students. He let Nathanial go as soon as he noticed he still had his paw on the pup's shoulder. A quick glance showed that Jeff was watching Nathanial's every move, in complete adoration. Geoff felt his muscles tense and his face get warm as he struggled not to growl at the interloper.

Nathanial's voice echoed in his mind, *Calm down, Geoff. He knows we're dating, or at least is pretty sure we are. I chose you, I'm not in the least bit interested in him, and there's no way he could force himself on me.*

Geoff calmed down a little, *Sorry. The way he's staring at you is...*

Nathanial cut him off, *Not hurting me. Or you. I saw you react when Faelen was on you this morning, but I know you love me. I have a lot more reason to get jealous over that than you have over Jeff fantasizing about me.*

Geoff noticed Jeff glancing back and forth between the two of them, "I-is..."

Geoff cut him off, "It's nothing." Jeff cringed, "Sorry, I didn't mean for it to come out like that." They walked out the front doors. Geoff glanced around, *Are we safe? Can I tell Jeff about us?*

Nathanial hesitated, *Yes, to both. I don't care. I don't want it generally known, I've been beat up too many times because people thought I was gay to be really comfortable with the idea.*

Geoff growled softly, making Jeff cringe again, "Stop that, pup. I'm not mad at you." He sighed, "Keep this a secret, would you?" Jeff nodded, looking expectantly and nervously at the much taller Wolf. The top of the Lab's head just came to the bottom of his chin, the poor guy was probably intimidated by him. Liam and Faelen looked a little surprised and uncertain, "Um, Nathanial and I are dating." No one reacted all that much, but he could tell Faelen, Liam, and Jeff were surprised, "We have been since the beginning of the school year. Just... don't tell anyone, my family knows, but my extended family would make things... difficult. We could be disowned, all of my immediate family, unless my parents kicked me out. I'm going to tell them eventually, but I want it to be a time of my choosing, and not because some rumours made them confront me about it. That's why Liam got mad at Michelle. So, please, don't spread it around."

Jeff nodded, he looked a little upset, "Then why tell me?" His voice was soft, really gentle, and surprisingly deep.

Geoff sighed, again, "Well, the way you're looking at my boyfriend..." Jeff blushed and opened his mouth, but Geoff continued, "I understand, he is really cute, and he stopped that bully from beating you and Michelle up, but I just wanted you to know he's spoken for."

Jeff nodded sadly, a tear leaking from his eyes. "Thanks. I-it's better to know than to keep dreaming foolishly, I guess."

They waited for traffic to pass and walked over to the coffee shop, an independent café. The tables were small, mismatched, and looked like antiques. The floors were polished hardwood, and some of the boards creaked as they walked over them. It had great atmosphere, Geoff was impressed, the food in the cooler by the cash register looked good, too. Michelle was sitting in the back corner, a half-eaten clubhouse sandwich and salad still in front of her. A waitress, a tall Great Dane, walked up to them, "Hello, this is for four?"

Liam shook his head, "We are here to speak to Ms. Eiklenboom. More correctly, I am here to apologize." He nodded at the morose Ferret.

"Good. Michelle occasionally eats here, but she's been here every day for a week, barely touching her food. She won't even tell me what's wrong."

"I will take a cup of green tea, if you have a good Chinese loose leaf. No tea bags. Or an oolong, if you have one from Fujian province." Liam nodded at the waitress and strode over to Michelle. Everyone else shook their heads and followed him.

Liam placed a paw on the back of a chair at her table, "If I may join you, Ms. Eiklenboom. We must talk." Michelle sat up with a start and a loud squeak. She stared at Liam in shock. He waited for a few seconds before sitting down, "Thank you." Geoff noticed his voice was a little wry, but he doubted anyone who didn't know him would notice. They all sat without interrupting as Liam started talking, "I must apologize." She shook her head and was about to say something, but he held his paw up, "Not for what I said." Her face fell, and her shoulders slumped, "I believe I was correct in everything I said and stand by it. I apologize for not checking in on you sooner. I knew what I said was a complete surprise to you, and would force you to re-examine much of what you have said and done for the last few years. It is a difficult thing to do and can cause much anxiety. I should have been around to offer advice and support as needed. I am sorry for not doing so. You did not do anything out of malice or intent to harm, regardless of the potential results. Your work in this... Gay-Straight Alliance sounds valuable in combating bigotry and in providing support for gay students in the most difficult time of their lives. I applaud that and wish to see you continue to do so. Just with more discretion, do not speak of other's orientation and relationships without permission."

She sniffed back some tears and ate a bite of salad, "Thanks, I guess. I've spent the last week doing what you said, thinking over everything I said that could've hurt someone. I've outed a lot of people without thinking about it and saw them get bullied because of it." She started sobbing as she talked, barely able to continue, "I've always blamed the bullies and tried to stand up to them, but I couldn't always be there for my friends, and I can't go to their homes. I-I've killed, my big mouth has killed someone. Last year, I was in the GSA, too. I was talking like I normally do and outed a fellow student, I saw his horrified expression, but I didn't understand why, or that I was the reason. He never came back to the meetings, and I heard that he was getting bullied. He even started showing up to school all beat up. He-he committed suicide over Christmas. I killed him, I just never knew it till you told me what I was doing." She looked at Nathanial, "What I could've done to you. Or Geoff." She pulled Jeff into a hug, crying on his shoulder, "Or you, Jeff. I'm sorry, those bullies are all my fault. Please, forgive me. It's all my fault. How can I go back to the alliance when I've hurt everyone there?"

Liam took a drink of his tea, making a slight face. Nathanial reached across the table and put his paw on Michelle's, "Talk to Mr. Ryhorski, Michelle. You need help. I've had to talk to him after the... troubles I've been having, he can really help. And you have friends, let them be there for you, don't run away from people. You're on the board of that alliance, you wouldn't be on it if people didn't like you, so you still have lots of friends there, too. If you feel so guilty, apologize, let them know you're sorry, don't just vanish."

Liam put his cup down with an expression of distaste, "Burnt the leaves and used tap water. Undrinkable. Disgraceful. Regardless, Nathanial is right. You stand up to these bigots, despite your obvious inability to physically deter them, that speaks highly for your convictions and friendships. Also, whatever indiscretions your mouth my lead you into, you cannot be held responsible, well, directly responsible for what others do. You do not force people like Derek to attempt to harm those who have done them no harm first. That is entirely their own doing, you have merely placed your friends in harms way." Nathanial glared fiercely at Liam at that. "I am honest, Nathanial. It is most likely these students would have been bullied, with or without Ms. Eiklenboom's indiscretion, however, with the rumours she initiated or confirmed the bullies feel entitled to engage in such activities. Or, in some cases, they are confronted with their own hidden sexuality and seek to drive away what they fear in themselves by driving away one who openly proclaims their own sexuality. If I were more compassionate, I would speak to these bullies and seek the answer. I am more inclined to visit retribution upon them. Now, school is about to resume. Nathanial, Geoff," He nodded to each, "Should you wish to dispel the rumours spreading about you, now would be a good time for one of you to ask Michelle to the dance next week, on the understanding it is not a date, but purely subterfuge."

When Geoff thought back on it later, the smug smile on Liam's face made him wonder what their own expressions were like. Geoff wasn't thinking about it at the time, once he recovered he nearly exploded, "What!?" He lowered his voice, "No. No fucking way. Hiding this much is killing me! To try to pretend to like someone else, when it hurts that I have to be careful about how long I keep my paw on Nathanial's shoulder, or that I can't tell him I love him whenever I want? No! Not a chance!"

Nathanial had started to look thoughtful before Geoff blew up, he just shook his head and gazed at Geoff in loving amusement, "So much for only telling Jeff, love. I think you just outed us to the entire café. Your 'quieter' voice was still pretty loud. Liam does have a point, if you're worried about rumours circulating back to your uncle and other relatives, this is the best option, but I don't like it. First off, one dance wouldn't be enough, neither would one week. It'd have to be a long term deception, at least two months, I think, and that wouldn't be fair to her or us. One week would be enough to really piss off Betty, though, and put a damper on the current rumours."

Geoff growled, "You make it sound like you've assumed I'd be the one going to the dance. If I go, Faelen would have to find a partner, too. It'd be easier for you to go." Nathanial paled and looked close to passing out. Geoff couldn't help but laugh, "Or not. Ugh. I hate parties and dances, all those people so close to me." He didn't add how bad most non-Spirits smelled, or how they made his skin crawl when they touched him, or how everything at these things was so artificial. From the light, to the music, to the room, drinks, and the forced displays of happiness. So many people at these things were there because they felt they had to be there. Geoff felt like he was going to be ill just thinking about the last dance he went to. For very similar reasons. Not because he was dating a guy, but because he wasn't dating a girl, and there were tons of girls who kept throwing themselves at him. Just like there probably were going to be here, after the first game. Maybe he should just quit the team.

"Shut up, Geoff." Faelen cut off his thoughts. Michelle and Jeff jumped and looked at him. "He was working himself into a tizzy. I can ask Michelle to set me up with a date, or find one on my own. It won't be hard. It's your call, I'll follow you, as always. This dance won't be nearly as big or claustrophobic as the last one, and we can just dance the slow dances."

Geoff growled, but Liam cut him off. "The bell will ring in three minutes, we must get back to the school. Discuss this later. May we have your number, Ms. Eiklenboom?" She passed it on, and they put it in their phones. They stood up and made their way out, Michelle paying for her food, and Liam paid for his tea, after complaining about how it was made. "We are discussing these plans, Ms. Eiklenboom, but we have neglected to see if you would consent. If they do pursue this, would you go to a dance with either Nathanial or Geoff, or do you already have a date?"

Michelle looked up, "Hmm? Oh. No, no date. I'll go." She was still visibly upset, and uncharacteristically quiet.

Liam just nodded, "Good. It will likely be resolved tonight or tomorrow. Early enough for you to obtain another partner, should you wish to go and they do not. And there is the bell. Good afternoon to the both of you." They all hurried off to class.