Varos Side Story

       Dominic was the last one of his group to arrive. His wide leg denims disturbed the dandelion puffs as he walked, making the white seeds swirl and dance around his high tops. He had his hands stuffed into his faded black Mastodon hoodie. He looked up as he neared the picnic table.

        Jazz was there, a skinny latin girl with shiny curly hair. That wasn't her real name and no one really cared to call her that seeing as she made it up herself. Truthfully none of them really liked her in general, but couldn't find a way to get her to stop tagging along. She was five six and dressed like Rainbow Brite. She waved as Dominic grew closer. Tommy was there, a short motherfucker built like a brick house. Hawk was behind him and at almost seven foot he was the most intimidating of the bunch. His long black trench coat and dark hair only added to his fear factor. His nickname was acceptable, because it was technically his last name and no one was about to call him Archibald.

        Dominic could see the Ferris Wheel in the distance and the Tilt-a-Whirl and they were close enough that the smell of funnel cake could make the kids' mouth water. Dominic was given a ten dollar bill to spend and he planned on using it all on sticky and sweet foods.

        They all made their way to the Founder's Day Festival looking like a bad news posse straight out of an after school special. In fact, most of them had bad reps in the eyes of the school officials. Dominic could still remember the day he came to school with his nasal septum earring. He was detained until they could get a hold of his parents. His mother had come that day, with blazing eyes and spiting fire, demanding to know why they thought they could trample on her son's creative spirit and artistic freedom. She stood there fighting, all barefoot and hippie next to her rocker vibe son, for a good hour. She put up such a fuss that the principle decided to compromise with her. Dominic could keep the piercing but he had to wear an acrylic retainer. While it was a small victory the principle always held resentment, so he deemed Dominic the evil ringleader of the bunch even though Dominic wasn't nearly as bad as Tommy. He really didn't mind, seeing as his reputation only became legend among the student body. He was the resident 'bad boy', the one the supposed good girls swooned over and guys wanted to either hang out with or beat up. Dominic was neither super popular nor hardly unknown and he relished being in the middle.

        Even now, as he walked beside Hawk, who was seen as the unofficial second in command, he felt buzz in the air from the surrounding festival goers. There was an invisible bubble around their small group from people judging them based on appearance alone and that was fine, because he wasn't that much of a people person anyway.

        They were all in step as they drew closer to the fair except for Jazz who was bouncing a bit on her toes, eager to talk to Dominic, but too scared of Hawk to bother trying to get past him to talk to Dominic. Everyone knew she had a crush on Dominic even though for some reason she thought she was great at hiding it. And everyone also knew she didn't stand a chance, it was never stated out loud, but it was clear Dominic had a thing for Hawk.

        Dominic never 'came out' as it were, in fact, Tommy wasn't even sure if Dominic knew he was gay, but most of the school just assumed that he was. Dominic had never dated another guy or fooled around with one, but there was something about him that told others without words that girls needn't apply.

        Most of the student body thought he was dating Hawk because they were always together. When approached by a fearless junior one day and asked outright Hawk had only cocked a brow while Dominic said 'nah man' with an easy smile. Nobody bought it and it was only after the encounter that Dominic actually started to consider his friend in that way. The crew had laughed about it but when they were alone Hawk had asked him if he really liked guys and Dominic had trusted him enough to tell him that he wasn't sure yet. They hadn't spoken about it since and Hawk didn't get all weird around him. In that regard Dominic felt the closest to Hawk, but didn't want to say anything for fear that the other would think he was hitting on him. However, after one drunken night with the gang where Hawk told them he 'didn't get queers', Dominic kept his attraction to himself.

        For the most part though Dominic didn't worry about his attraction, he was sure he only liked Hawk because he had the most beautiful green eyes he had ever seen on a man or a woman. Dominic was sure he would grow out of it, chalking it up to a part of puberty that he had to work through, like zits and spontaneous erections. It didn't go away though and now in his Senior year he found himself attracted to yet another guy.

        It was a stupid attraction though, the guy wasn't even that hot. He was gangly and thin and he wore red glasses that made his blue eyes look too big. The first time Dominic had seen him was during a school wide assembly. They made the entire student body listen to a performance by the Orchestra, the honor's half of the school's Beverly High Beaver Band. This boy was the first chair trumpet and he had a solo. Despite his lackluster frame there was something about him standing in front of an audience that could care less about Beethoven's "Fur Elise" looking so sure and confident. And so dashing in a tuxedo.

        Dominic was drawn to the way his fingers moved, how skillful and quick he was, not one note missed, not one medley disturbed. In that moment Dominic was transported to Neha, where professionals would lull the audience into reverenced silence and awe. This boy could do that to him, a lanky Senior from God only knows where could draw him in with just a few notes and a beautiful trill. The applause from the audience had jolted Dominic and he blinked and watched at the boy bowed and gave a little smirk. Oh that smirk, if the music hadn't already then that surely would have done him in.

        Now this boy who Dominic hadn't even known existed was in his mind every single day. He had found out with a bit of uneasiness and joy that they passed each other between second and third periods and when he met up with his friends during seventh hour in the library the trumpeter was there as well, studying.

        Of course Dominic wasn't about the approach the other guy. He didn't know if he really felt comfortable actually acknowledging out loud that he was into guys, also he wasn't even sure if the boy was gay. Not only that the guy didn't look like he would even 'get' Dominic. He was so quiet and reserved and he wore pants that were a bit too short and simple tee shirts and polos. Dominic was pretty sure that even with all of his musical talent he would have no idea who Sepultura was and he was probably scared of Marilyn Manson.

        Jazz tripping over a rock and sprawling through his line of sight, brought Dominic back to the present. He wasn't surprised when no one helped her up even though she was curling into a ball and holding her jaw. He ignored her too, he didn't want her to think his helpfulness was a sign that he was flirting her. The remaining three stepped through the fair gates without her and Tommy immediately pointed out the dollar chance games.

        Rather having food but knowing he didn't actually run the group, Dominic followed Tommy and Hawk to the booths. Tommy wasted five dollars trying to win a plastic ninja sword and finally Hawk had to step in and get it for him. They walked around and played a few more games and Tommy was able to talk Dominic into taking a turn at the strong man machine. He didn't get anywhere near the bell, but he got it higher than he thought he would. Tommy of course made the bell go off and he made a few friends of the female variety while boasted. During that time Jazz caught up, yelling at them all and decrying their lack of decency and chivalry.

        Dominic turned his back to her and looked around the fairgrounds. His eyes landed on the dunk booth just as Tommy pointed it out. He nodded and they all started over, Jazz running to keep up. Just as they reached the line the man who had been dunked came up for air. And Dominic's mouth went dry.

        It was the trumpeter. He was in a white tank top, slick against his surprisingly toned torso. His flat stomach was ribbed with the beginnings of a six pack proving that in between music lessons he worked out somewhere. He pushed himself back up onto the seat, using nothing but his arms and Dominic had to swallow a moan of approval as he watched his biceps and forearms flex with exertion and power. He was grinning and pointing at the little kid who had just dunked him and in a voice that was louder than Dominic had ever heard it before he laughed and told the boy he had a great arm.

        “Hey that's what's his face!” Jazz said a bit too loudly, “From school!”

        “The first chair,” Hawk agreed with his deep voice, “yeah.”

        “Let's go dunk his nerdy ass!” Tommy laughed.

        Dominic frowned a bit but went along with his friends to stand in line. He couldn't take his eyes off of the trumpeter. The guy was playfully taunting the kids that came up to take their chances and even once gave a little nod at one of the helpers to hit the catch when a little girl's ball didn't land anywhere near the target. Dominic thought he was adorable and without his glasses his blue eyes didn't look so bug like and he thought the way his brown hair clung to his cheeks was alluring. He studied him as he pulled himself back up, his thighs flexing as he adjusted himself on the seat. Two more kids and Tommy would be up.

        The musician smiled at the kid walking up, a twelve year old with the coolest high tops Dominic had ever seen, then looked up and caught every one of Dominic's friends' eyes. Dominic saw the other frown just before he was dunked. This time, however, when he came up he waved the helper over and whispered something in his ear. The helper glanced over, his eyes widening when he saw Hawk and gave a quick nod. The trumpeter climbed out of the booth and picked up a towel from the side and started to walk off.

       Tommy made a grunting noise and said something about missing out on all the fun. Dominic mumbled something about the bathroom and darted off before he could be followed. It didn't take long to find the other guy, he was still soaking wet and drying off his hair with the towel. Dominic took a deep breath and jogged over to him and tapped his shoulder.

        The other turned around, then stepped back quickly and said, “I don't want trouble...” his voice was deeper than Dominic thought it would be. It suited him though. Very much.

        Dominic held up his hands, “No, I'm not...” he shook his head, “No trouble.”

        The other gave Dominic a strange look then suddenly he narrowed his eyes and snapped, “Then what do you want Dominic?”

        “I-wha...” he blinked a few times, stunned. Hearing his name come from the other guy's lips made him feel like he was choking on butterflies. He became lightheaded and embarrassingly giddy enough to have to look away to compose himself. After a sigh he looked back and whispered, “How do you know my name?”
        A cocked brow, “Everyone knows you.”

        “Oh...well...I don't know you...”

       “Davis.”

        Dominic smiled, “Nice to meet you Davis.”

        Davis rolled his eyes, “What do you want?”

        “Well, I was going to tell you that I thought you were wonderful on 'Fur Elise', but if you're going to be dick fuck it.”

        Davis' eyebrows rose, but he said, “You know Beethoven?”

        “Not personally and I like Schubert better, but yeah,” Dominic shrugged.

        Davis didn't look convinced, “You know classical?”

        “There you go, being a dick again,” Dominic smirked.
        “Sorry, it's just that...well,” he waved his hand indicating Dominic's state of dress.

        “Well I'm sure you know about pants but...” he waved his hands, his eyes lingering on Davis' short wet white shorts.

        “Now who's being a dick?” Davis gave Dominic a grin that could make kittens swoon.

        Dominic felt his nerves kick in at that smile, but he pushed through and said, “My dad owns Neha.”

        “The theatre,” Davis nodded, “I want to play there some day.”

        “You keep up what you're doing and you'll be at the Met,” Dominic gave him a smile of approval that made Davis blush. And that was the first time Dominic ever attached the word 'sexy' to anyone.

        “Yeah well,” Davis looked down at his feet then glanced up through damp bangs, “Thank you,” he whispered with a little smirk and Dominic could swear he was trying to be seductive. Before he could relish in that thought however, Davis had popped his head up and gave a nudge with his chin, “Your friends are looking for you. Probably boring playing the dunk booth if you can't tag a nerd.”

        Dominic frowned, “Tommy wanted to do that...not me.”

        “Birds of a feather dude,” Davis looked sad for a moment, but then he shook his head, like he was trying to rid himself of the emotion and said, “you know what, I will try harder not to assume if you do the same.”

        “Deal,” Dominic gave him a large grin, “so what? You're trying to convince me you're not a nerd?”

        Davis smiled, “Hey I know who Lars Ulrich is!” At Dominic's raised brows of surprise he just chuckled then after a quick good bye, turned and jogged away.

        Dominic knew that he would probably never be able to speak to Davis like that again. School politics and his damn rep wouldn't allow for that. So he tucked away the encounter as a pleasant memory to hold onto.

        His friends slid up beside him with Tommy begging them all to hit up the food vendors and Jazz trying to tell them about a raffle. They all headed off in the direction of food, Tommy and Jazz leading the way.

        Hawk bent down and whispered, “I tried to keep them away as long as I could.”

        Dominic looked up at him with wide eyes, his heart kicking up at the thought of being 'caught'.

        “It's cool,” Hawk gave him a rare smile, “we're cool.”

        Dominic nodded then looked away, his cheeks flaming.

SIX MONTHS LATER:

        Most of the students were either talking or sleeping, no one really cared what their principle had to say during his graduation class address. Most were waiting on Whitney Cox to give her commencement speech. Whitney was popular and pretty and everyone wanted to hear what she had to say about their time in high school and the optimism about their future endeavors. Dominic, on the other hand was waiting on the band to play.

        The principle was finally done and the band took to the stage. Dominic couldn't see the trumpets, but he still felt the little butterflies in his belly just knowing Davis was up there somewhere. They played three selections before a wind instrument quartet made it to the front and played a respectable rendition of “Ode to Joy”. Then the brass quartet was next: a trombone, saxophone, french horn and Davis on trumpet. Dominic was on the edge of his seat as they beautifully went through Joplin's “Maple Leaf Rag”. They all bowed and the crowd erupted into applause with proud parents taking pictures of the four young men.

        The other three walked away, but Davis walked over to the conductor and whispered something. The conductor made a face of confusion but then nodded and waved for the microphone. Once received he handed it to Davis.

        He spoke softly, “This is for you...thanks,” he handed the microphone back, walked to the edge of the stage, lifted his trumpet and only when it was absolutely quiet did he then go into a short cover of Metallica's “Enter Sandman”.

        Dominic's joy was immeasurable.