Six

 

“I SO needed this,” JC said with a sigh as they entered the club.  He drew many an appraising look as they wove their way through the crowd at the front door.  He wore a pair of skintight blue pants and a loose white shirt.

 

“I did, too,” Lance said with a sigh. He was dressed much more conservatively, in a pair of black jeans and a grey tshirt.  “This whole thing with Justin has been stressing me out.”

 

“First one’s on me,” JC said with a grin.

 

“Ha ha, just rub in the fact that I’m months away from legal,” Lance grumbled. “DIET coke this time, not regular.”

 

“Like you need to lose weight.” But JC forked over the money to the bartender, ordering a diet soda for Lance and a mixed drink for himself. “What’s your problem with Justin, anyway, Lance? You’ve been so demonic where he’s concerned.”

 

“I am not demonic,” Lance said, trying his best to look angelic.  “I just…he rubs me the wrong way, JC. How many athletes join the frat?”

 

“What difference does it make? How many straight men are involved in theater, and look at Joe,” JC pointed out. “You’re being prejudiced.”

 

“Maybe.”

 

“You don’t seem to have the problem with his friend, though…” JC snapped his fingers. “Um…what’s his name?”

 

“Nick.”

 

“You don’t mind Nick, do you?”

 

“Not as much,” Lance admitted. “I just…I think it’s bad.  It will only end badly.”

 

“And lucky you, YOU get to be Timberlake’s big brother,” JC said. “Aww.”

 

“Fuck off, JC.”

 

“You get to spend time with him, help him adjust to the idea of being in a gay frat…maybe you two can hook up!”

 

Lance choked on his soda. “First of all, can we say against house rules? Second of all…”

 

“I get it, I get it.”  JC gulped at his drink. “I need to dance.”

 

“I’ll be here.” Lance took the fruity beverage from JC and held it. He didn’t like dancing in public, but he enjoyed watching JC. JC was the physical embodiment of the music, letting it flow through his body like liquid. It wasn’t fair, actually. Lance would have given anything to be like JC.  JC was uninhibited and fun, sexual without even trying. Compared to JC, Lance felt as sexual as a lima bean.

 

As JC hit the dance floor, Lance almost choked a second time as he looked across the room and saw someone staring at JC.  Someone with dark hair and a dark goatee who suddenly looked very uncomfortable.  Lance set the drinks down and wove his way onto the crowded dance floor.

 

“Hey!” JC said happily, grinding up against Lance. Lance allowed it, which surprised JC.  “What’s up? You don’t dance.”

 

“And I’m not dancing now…however, I see someone who has their eye on you. Maybe THEY’LL dance with you.”

 

“Who? Is he hot?” JC’s blue eyes darted around as he giggled shyly.

 

“I think you’d probably think so.” Lance grabbed JC by the shoulders and turned him in the right direction.  Lance grinned as JC actually stopped dancing.

 

“Oh my…that’s…”

 

“Chris Kirkpatrick…the teacher you are currently crushing on.  And what do you know…he’s obviously gay!”

 

“I’m not crushing on anyone, you girl,” JC said absently. Chris caught his eye and quickly looked away.  “And he’s not gay. He’s probably just doing some research…the gay community and the way music affects it.”

 

“That is the biggest crock of shit I have ever heard,” Lance said. He tugged JC by the shirt and led him from the dance floor.  “What kind of person does research on a Friday night?”

 

“A professor,” JC moaned. “God, I looked…”

 

“You looked hot, JC,” Lance said. “And he looked like he thought you were hot stuff, too. He wants you.”

 

“He does not,” JC whispered.  Lance rolled his eyes.

 

“You and that damned low self esteem. JC, you were hot out there. He wanted you. GO talk to him!”

 

“I can’t,” JC said. “He’s a teacher. I’m a student.”

 

“You’re both legal. You’re both into the alternative lifestyle.”

 

“Shut up.”  JC nervously looked around. “I need a drink.”

 

“So do I,” Lance said, suddenly stiffening as Justin Timberlake and Nick Carter entered the club. “Dammit. Are they even eighteen?”

 

“Obviously. It’s your job to uphold fraternity relations. Go say hello.”

 

“Go talk to Chris.”

 

“Fine.”  JC stomped off and Lance made sure he was headed in the right direction before making himself known to the two pledges.

 

“Hi, Lance,” Nick said. His blue eyes darted around shyly.  “Um, some of the guys said this was a good place to go.”

 

“What guys?” Lance almost snapped. He could hear the men from the basketball team telling them to go to Renegade, that they could kick some fairy ass there.

 

“In the frat,” Nick said. “Were they wrong?”

 

“No…” Lance said, sighing. “This is a great club. It’s clean and fun and you can feel safe here.”

 

“Why wouldn’t you feel safe?” Justin asked.

 

“Because some people like to kick the shit out of little gay boys…usually jocks like yourselves,” Lance said, finally allowing some of his frustration out.

 

“We ARE little gay boys, Lance.”  Justin glared at him. “Look, you’re not gonna scare us away. We’re joining your frat, and you and I will HAVE to get along sooner or later.”

 

“Definitely sooner. I’m your big brother,” Lance informed him. 

 

Seven