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Painful Solitude

Chapter 5

Note: Sorry this chapter is a bit uneventful. It's mainly a filler.

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"Well, it's about freaking time you guys got together," Marcus sighed, leaning his chair back on two legs. "I wasn't sure how much of the moping I could take."

They had waited for school on Monday, deciding it would be easiest to reveal their relationship at the lunch table. That meant they would only have to explain the story once, and Zane let Alex do all the talking, taking the chance to catch up on some reading. Along with all the band members, Evan and Mitchell sat at the circular table. They all had similar reactions, though some of them were mixed with irritation, mainly because of Mitchell.

"Well, I'm glad for you guys, too," Mitchell grinned, sweeping away some of Leon's and Evan's money and reeling the cards in for a shuffle. "As long as you guys are happy, that's what counts."

"Mitchell!" a deep bear's voice shouted from across the cafeteria. Mr. Howell started toward the table. "How many times do I need tell you there's no gambling in school?"

The history teacher grabbed the deck of cards from Mitchell's paws with a glare.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Howell!" Mitchell said, pleadingly. "If you give me the cards back, I swear I won't get them out again!"

"Nope. Not falling for that one again. You can feel free to swing by my classroom and collect them after school."

And with that, the teacher stuffed the cards in his pocket and walked off. Mitchell feigned sorrow for a moment. But after the teacher was out of sight, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a new deck.

"Have I ever mentioned how glad I am that Mr. Howell is not an English teacher?" Zane asked, not looking away from his book.

Evan gave and exasperated sigh. "I agree. Count me out this game, Mitchell. You've cleaned me out."

"Me, too," Leon said with a grimace.

"I'll play," Oliver chimed in. "I've got a little cash left."

"Hell, count me in, too," Marcus said, shooting a grin at Oliver. "I'll show you guys how to really play some poker."

Leon glanced at Alex, sipping his soda. "I'm glad for you guys, too. Though I will admit, I'm surprised Zane didn't tell me that night he stayed at your house."

"Zane stayed at your house?" Oliver gasped. "Overnight?"

"Ooh," Marcus grinned, again. "What did you two do?"

"Nothing, Marcus," Alex said, feeling is face blush a little. "Not that it would be any of your business if we did. Which we didn't!"

Evan laughed. "Don't be so shy about it, Alex. You're blushing."

"N-no! I swear we didn't do anything!"

"Damn it!"Marcus yelled, watching Mitchell scoop away his money. "No!"

Oliver frowned as his money was swept away, too. "I thought you knew how to play, Marcus."

"Come over my house after school and I'll show you how to play..."

"Shut up, you pervert!"

Marcus had been blatantly hitting on Oliver for over a month now, ever since the husky had insisted on waiting a bit longer before progressing to the "next level". Every time Marcus tried to throw an arm over his shoulders. Which was his next move. He attempted to move closer to Oliver, who in turn, scooted his chair closer to Zane on his other side. Zane slid closer to Alex, eyes still in his book, and Alex grinned. After a finishing his chapter just moments later, Zane marked the page in his book, removed his small reading glasses, and placed his things in his schoolbag.

"Well, I'm heading to the library for the last fifteen minutes of this period," he informed, looking at Alex.

Alex grinned. "I'll come with you. Just to...keep you company."

They swung their bags over themselves, waving to the others as they headed for the hallways. The cafeteria was on the basement floor, the library on the second floor. Marcus sent each of them a smirk as they walked away, Alex feeling his face blush once again. When did he become so shy about these things? Especially with Marcus. He shrugged it off as he followed Zane up the stairs to the second floor and down the hall to the library.

The library was completely silent, being the least used area of the school. Most of the students hated to read. But Zane was one of the few who loved it, and Alex knew that. The librarian was out for her lunch period, too, not a single other soul in the large space. Zane walked to the back of the library, stopping at an area of tables clustered behind a few shelves. Alex had followed him here before, but that was ages ago. Zane sighed as he places his bag on the table, not sitting down. Alex mimicked his boyfriend's motions.

"So, the library..." Alex spoke, keeping his voice low.

Though he knew no one else was there, it was nature for him to be quiet in the library.

"Yeah," Zane smiled. "I wasn't sure how much longer I could hold back."

"Hold back from what?"

"...Doing this."

He leaned forward and planted a passionate kiss on Alex's lips. Alex responded, tongue slipping into his partner's mouth. It was a familiar feeling now, since they'd made out most of the weekend. Yet it still felt so rushing, like the first time all over again. And the taste of chocolate once again. It never seemed to go away. The shorter male's paws gripped firmly around Alex's back, and Alex allowed his own paws to roam up the back of Zane's shirt. After a few teasing minutes, they broke the kiss, sucking in deep breaths.

"You are so lucky that people could walk in on us," Alex smiled, picking up his bag. "Because if we wouldn't get caught, I would do so many things to you."

"Really?" Zane smirked, raising an eyebrow. "You'd better watch out. I might enjoy that. Come on. The bell is about to ring."

Alex raised his own eyebrows as he tailed Zane out of the library. He never thought he would ever hear something like that come from Zane. As the shorter male had predicted, the bell ending that class period sounded as they walked into the halls, each of them heading for their next class. Unfortunately, they had to part ways. Alex was going to Mr. Keck's Math class, and Zane was heading for Ms. Handel's English class. Before separating, they shared a quick peck, not releasing each other's paws until they couldn't reach anymore.

Word of their relationship passed throughout the school fast (mainly thanks to Marcus's big mouth). Many people were surprised, especially to hear that Zane was dating a guy. Kayla didn't really seem phased by it. In fact, she seemed happy. She'd approached Alex after last period, congratulating him and telling him that she'd always suspected that Zane wasn't "completely" straight. She was just glad that he was finally happy in a relationship.

Band practice passed like normal. Today, though, they concentrated a little harder on making sure every note was right. With a gig at the Lion's Pride coming up, they didn't want to risk displeasing the crowd. After practicing the set they had planned, they started to come up with some new music, though it lacked lyrics. Alex knew that when the time was right, the words would come to one of them. That was yet another thing he loved about his band. Though he did most of the songwriting, the others contributed too. Sometimes even Lauren would help, and on one occasion, Evan.

After everyone had cleaned up and started to leave, Alex approached his boyfriend, a smile on his face. Zane stuffed his bass into its bag, along with the notes of their new music. Leon rushed out of the garage as he saw Alex move, not wanting to intrude on the moment. The others were already gone, leaving the two alone. Zane looked at Alex curiously as he turned around.

"Will you be staying today?" Alex questioned, paws snaking around Zane's waist.

Zane struggled to get his bass strapped to his back, then wrapped his Paws behind the blond's neck. "I would love to. But, unfortunately, I can't."

"Aw, Zane, why not?"

"I...can't tell you. It would...kind of...ruin it."

"Ruin what? Come on, tell me, Z!" Next came the puppy dog eyes.

"Damn it, Ax, I wish you wouldn't do that!" He laughed as Alex whimpered like a puppy. "Fine. I'm got an interview at the pizza shop down the street. I...need to save some money."

"For college?"

"...Yeah."

"You're lying! Tell me the truth!"

"Well, part of it is for college. And...your birthday is coming up soon, so I wanted...to get you something special."

Alex was touched. "Aw, that's sweet, Z! But you don't have to do that."

"I know. I want to. Besides, I'm kind of...in trouble for skipping out on my chores all weekend to be with you. So I have to go kiss ass and make up for that. I'll stay another time, okay?"

"Okay. Hey, maybe if you find a job, I'll try to get one with you. Or would that be too much?"

Zane smiled. "No. There's no such thing as too much." They shared a short kiss. "I'll see you tomorrow, Alex."

Later that night, Alex was lying in bed, waiting to fall asleep. He found his thoughts wandering. He'd hung up with Zane just a few minutes ago. It was 2:47 in the morning, and they both had to get up and go to school in a few hours. Zane had informed that he had gotten the job, though he knew he would hate it. He would only be working a few hours each week, but was just glad that he could start saving some money. He'd also thrown hints around of Alex's gift, but wouldn't let on to what it was. Then, they'd just stayed up talking about everything, mostly pointless conversation. But Alex couldn't recall ever loving a phone call more.

But once the conversation had ended and he curled up in bed, he couldn't stop thinking. Though some of them were good thoughts, some of them were bad, too. He had never been happier in his life than he was right now. His band mates were still around, and he was with Zane. But before he would know it, the school year would be ending. They would be graduating. Then they would go their separate ways. Both he and Zane had applied to the same school, Rickman University, just a few miles away. But what if Zane got accepted and he didn't? Let's face it; Zane's grades were always better than most people's. Alex's slipped between average, and sometimes below. And Zane had also looked into a college across the country. What if he chose to go there instead? What would happen with Alex? And what about the band? He really didn't want to lose the band. They were all good friends. But the band really held them together. Without the band after high school, well...they might just slip away.

Alex turned on his side. His bed was a full-size, and he looked to the spot where Zane had stayed during the weekend. It was empty. Alex had decided to make himself stay on just one side of the bed while he slept, instead of sleeping in the middle like he used to. The other side was Zane's, even if he wasn't there. He snuggled into the empty pillow, where Zane had rested his head. It still smelled like his fur. A soft, citrus-like scent, from his shampoo no doubt. Alex had noticed the smell many times before, and it always made him smile. He'd never imagined Zane to be a citrus-shampoo kind of guy. But he'd also never imagined Zane would date him, either.

With that thought, he focused on happier things. He still had the rest of the school year to worry about his problems. Right now, Zane was his. All his. And before he finally drifted into a peaceful sleep, he found himself wondering...

What could Zane possibly want to get for me that's so special?

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