Notice: This is a fictional story of friendship, commitment, love and trust. It is not a sex story. However, this story deals with love between male teenagers. If you are offended by stories involving love between two teenage boys, why are you at this website. There may be some sex scenes in this story; however, sex is not the main theme. If you are under age 18 or 21 or it is illegal to read this story where you live, don't read it. Reproducing this story for distribution without the owner's permission is a violation of that copyright.

Author's Note:

Hey Peeps!

No special effects sorry. This is the next to last chapter.

Sam Lakes

Sam (sam_lakes@hotmail.com)

Rock Opera

Scene 1

Jonathan Petri

I peeked out through the curtains. It was standing room only. I've taught here at Worthington High for the last ten years and never has there been anything near a crowd this big and this is the last performance of five. It's been a total sell out for each of the previous performances.

Of course it helped that one of the more popular radio station morning show's hosts attended a dress rehearsal and fell in love with the show and the two main performers - sixteen year old Matthew Eastman and sixteen year old Lucas Baxter.

Evan Maxwell, my lover, and his co-host Jessica Bertram at my invitation came to the Saturday morning dress rehearsal of 'Rock Opera'. Now Evan decided to bring his friends from the local Fox, NBC, ABC and CBS affiliates and they of course brought their cameramen.

"How's it look, Mr. Petri?" asked Luc.

"Sold Out!"

"Yes!" exclaimed Luc as he closed his fist in the typical 'yes' gesture that kids do these days.

"FIVE MINUTES, guys," I say. Luc does a little dance over to Matt Eastman. As he's talking to Matt he continues his little dance shaking his butt in a cute manner. He giggles. Matt's grinning and starts tapping the snare drum in sync with Luc's wiggle.

"Shake it, Baby! Shake it!" shouts Joey Benson.

Luc exaggerates his butt wiggle.

"Sexeeeeee!" say Melissa. Luc wiggles his eyebrows and laughs.

"Okay guys, Places!" I say. Luc learns over to Matt and gives him a peck on the cheek. The cast says "Awwwww!" The audience can hear but can't see.

Now the stage is set where the orchestra is at the back except for Matt and his drums which is center stage right in front of the conductor.

Lights are brought down the stage is dark. The curtain rises and the opening scene when the lights come up is a spot on Luc who is in pajamas sitting on a bed in front but to the right of Matt's drums. Luc has a book.

The orchestra starts. Matt's tapping a beat on the side of a drum. The two of them begin to sing: < get the full effect play 'Hero' - Phil Collins while you read the lyrics>

Well it was one of those great stories
that you can't put down at night
the hero knew what he had to do
and he wasn't afraid to fight
the villain goes to jail; while the hero goes free
I wish it were that simple for me.

And the reason that she loved him
was the reason I loved him too
and he never wondered what was right or wrong
he just knew - he just knew.

"You're my hero Luc," Matt says.

Shadows and shape mixed together at dawn
but by time you catch them simplicity's gone
and so we sort through the pieces
my friends and I
searching through the darkness to find
the breaks in the sky.

And the reason that she loved him
was the reason I loved him too
and he never wondered what was right or wrong
he just knew - he just knew.

And we wonder, yes we wonder
how do you make sense of this
when the hero kills the maiden
with his kiss - with his kiss.

Well it was one of those great stories
that you can't put down at night
the hero knew what he had to do
and he wasn't afraid to fight
the villain goes to jail, while the hero goes free
I wish it were that simple for me
- if it were that simple for me.

Luc gets under the bedcovers, puts the book on the night stand, turns out the bed lamp snuggles his pillow. The lights come down.

The audience applauds.

Scene 2

The lights come up and you see a bunch of teens fighting and yelling.

Calling each other names like Nigger, faggot, Kike, jew, pepper belly. You see an old man knocked over and a beggar begging, a scientist pouring chemicals down a drain and another bunch of teens off to the side of them ignoring it all like it wasn't happening. Behind them are picture of oil spills, starving children, riots and fighting were being flashed.

Anthony walks on stage and screams, "STOP! STOP! STOP THE HATE! IT'S KILLING US!" The actors on stage freeze The spotlights fade except for a spotlight on Anthony.

Matt takes his position at the grand piano. He begins to play as the violins play,

Anthony begins to sing:

In my dream children sing a song of love for every boy and girl
Sky is blue and fields are green and laughter is the language of the world
Then I wake and all I see is a world full people in need

Chorus joins in singing whys

<Anthony sings to the audience his voice is so awesome>

Tell me why does it have to be like this
Tell me why is there something I have missed
Tell me why cuz I don't understand
When so many need somebody we don't give a helping hand
Tell me why

<his actions movements are compelling. The audience is hooked and mesmerized>.

Everyday I ask myself what will I have to do to be a man
Do I have to stand and fight to prove to everybody who I am
Is that what my life is for to waste in a world full of war

Tell me why does it have to be like this
Tell me why is there something I have missed
Tell me why cuz I don't understand
When so many need somebody we don't give a helping hand
Tell me why < Anthony has a pleading look on his face his arms outstretched to the audience >
Tell me why
Tell me why < He's down on both knees pleading to the audience>
Just tell me why < his movements are emotional There are tears rolling down his cheeks>

Chorus : Why Why Why

<Anthony moves the the otherside of the stage to address the audience on that side>
Anthony:
Tell me why does it have to be like this
Tell me why is there something I have missed
Tell me why cuz I don't understand
When so many needs somebody we don't give a helping hand
Tell me why
<He moves to the center>
Chorus:
why why does the tiger go
Anthony
Tell me why

Chorus:
why why do we shoot the dove
Anthony
Tell me why
Chorus:
why why do we never learn
Anthony and the Chorus: Can some one tell us why we let the forest burn
Chorus: why why do we seldom care
Anthony Tell me why

Chorus: why why do stand and stare
Anthony Tell me why

Chorus: why why do the dolphins cry
Anthony and the Chorus: Can someone tell us why let the oceans die
Chorus: why why are we all insane
Tell me why
Chorus: why why do pass the blame

Anthony: Tell me why

Chorus: why why do does it never end
Anthony and the Chorus:
Can someone tell us why can't just be friends
why why do we close our eyes
why why do we really lie
why why do we fight for land
Can someone tell us why cuz we don't understand
Why Why

Anthony runs off stage.

The audience is stunned. A few people caught up in the emotion are crying. There is hardly a dry eye in the audience. Moments go by then the applause starts and continues. Anthony runs out center stage take a bow to a now standing ovation. He turns to Matt and beckons him over. Matt gives him a brief hug. Matt and Anthony beckon the chorus to come forward and take a bow. Matt tells the orchestra to rise and take a bow.

Lights come down the stage is dark. People are still applauding.

Scene 3

Eventually there is relative silence.

You hear Matt say, "Ready."

"For what?" giggles Luc.

"The next song, silly," answers Matt.

"You know Anthony got such an applause I thought the show was over," laughs Luc.

You hear a crash of some things.

"Hey! Can I have some light?" yells Luc.

Orchestra starts playing and lights slowly come up and we see Luc in dressed royal blue silk suit with a white silk shirt (he's so hot looking) lying down with over turned chairs and stuff.

< get the full effect play Through My Eyes - Phil Collins while you read the lyrics and this part of the story>
Luc stands and starts singing

It's never where you think you'll find it
The thing you think you're looking for
It could take you all your lifetime
And still you'd never quite be sure

You could look everywhere
Because you know it's there
Somewhere beneath the sky
But too close and you'll get burned
There's no lesson learned
Yet some people pass it by

Matt starts playing his drums and they both harmonize. They are so good together.

You'll see things different when you look thru my eyes
Things are different if you see what I see
Just look closely and you'll see thru my eyes
It could be different, you'll see how it could be,
If you can see

Luc jumps off stage down to the audience
He sings to various people as he move through the aisles

You may need help to find your way home
Those who brought you here have flown

Brad Summers is behind Luc as sings and moves to the rhythm. It's sort of funny to see big Brad dancing as he follows Luc.

The road you take is full of hope or sadness
The choice you make will be your own

People are reaching out to touch him he touches their hands and their hearts as he sings. Other members of the football team fall in behind Brad and Luc.

But you're not alone in there
Just say hello in there
COs there are many just like you
They'll help you find someway
To make it all the way
They'll tell you all you have to do

The team is getting members of the audience to get in the line as Luc weaves their way through the auditorium.

You'll see things different when you look thru my eyes
Things are different if you see what I see
Just look closely and you'll see thru my eyes
It could be different, you'll see how it could be,
If you can see

The line is getting really long. People are joining in and having fun.

No one warns you of the heartache
No one can hide you from the storm
But from the shadows there will come the sunshine
A place to dry and keep you warm

Though no one tells you how
Your hearts beating faster now
Getting stronger day by day

Suddenly it's clear, what you seek is near
It's what you learn along the way

Brad and Gibson Gordon pick Luc up and put him back on stage, does a little Luc shake butt dance over to Matt. Brad and Gibson continue to weave their way around the auditorium. Luc and Matt harmonize

Its never where you think you'll find it
The thing you think you're looking for
Well it could take you all your lifetime
Still you'll never quite be sure
You'll find it, just look closer
You'll find it
You'll find it, just look closer

The song ends and the audience go crazy. Luc bows. Matt comes out from behind his drums and bows. This is not per the script. They both bow.

Oh, God! What is he going to do now?

Scene 4

I am literally dying here standing in the wings watching Luc as he grabs Matt's hand moves center stage and squats down Indian style pulling Matt down with him.

Madison Ayres, the conductor looks at me. I make a gesture like I have no idea as to what's happing and I don't.

Crazy Luc Baxter was at the helm no telling where we'd end up.
"Hey! How about some house lights?" The house lights came up.

"Cool, look there are people! Was that fun or what!" said Luc in a giggly voice.

"Whew! Fantastic, Luc. Now I know why you're so skinny, little bud," laughs Gibson, "You shake off any fat." Gibson gives looks totally worn and exhausted.

Luc laughs.

"Yeah, thanks to the best football team in the state! You guys are the best! YEAH! Guys stand up. Give them a hand." The audience applaudes.

"Hi! EVERYBODY!" shouts Luc.

"HI LUC!" the audience shouts back.

"Luc and I decided we'd change from what we've done in the prior performances."

"Yeah, Mr. Petri is back there 'going oh my god! What are crazy Luc and Matt going to do?'. Hehe, hehe," giggled Luc.

"Well, we've had a great week," said Matt to the audience.

"The best!" exclaimed Luc, "TV interviews, packed houses. AWESOME! AWESOME audiences!"

"We thought we'd throw in something extra tonight, spend a little time getting to know you and letting you get to know us," said Matt.

"Not us two but US!" Luc made a gesture to include all the people on the stage.

"It takes a lot of people to put on a show like this. A lot of people have put in a lot of time and effort to make us look good, sound good for you and we wanted for you to meet them. Each person is awesome in their own right," said Matt to the audience.

"Guys as we call your name come sit down beside us one on this side the next on that side and so on," Luc told the others behind him.

They proceeded to call each person in the orchestra, each stage hand and so on until they had the whole cast and crew. I felt a little disappointed that neither I nor Sandra Ellis the drama teacher who had worked as many hours as I had on this production.

Then they asked for questions from the audience and spent a good ten minutes letting the cast and crew answered most of the questions. Finally, Luc and Matt stood up and the rest followed suit. I hadn't noticed but Alicia Morris and Joey Benson the two students who worked as producer and director for the production had slipped off stage while everyone seemed to be moving back to their places.

Matt walked off stage.

"Okay there is one final thing before we continue with the show. They say that finding a good teacher these days is a matter of luck and finding a teacher who involves himself or herself with the students, who goes way beyond the call of duty is nearly an impossibility. If that is the case which I seriously doubt then we are the luckiest students in the universe."

Joey Benson walked out on stage carrying a bouquet of flowers and a plaque.

"Joey, you have the stage." Luc walked off stage.

Joey made a fantastic presentation to Sandra Ellis. It brought tears to my eyes.

The house lights were brought down. The stage lights were brought down. A single spot was on Matt. He had changed to a light blue suit. He held a single rose.

"There is one teacher who I am honored to call a best friend, a mentor and the best music teacher I have ever had. If it weren't for him I would not be here today. Mr. Petri, I am not the only student who feels like this way. I have here a single rose. You can ask Luc, Joey and Eddie and they will tell you that it took me an hour to pick out this rose. It had to be perfect." Matt held out the rose.

I walked on stage and accepted the rose. The orchestra started playing. I started to leave but Matt grabbed my hand, saying softly, "Stay" Matt smiled, "This is for you."

Luc was on the drums.

Matt began to sing:
< get the full effect play You Touch My Heart -while you read the modified lyrics and this part of the story>

Somehow you reach in and you touch our hearts
Somehow you reach in, you touch our souls
When we look at you, we see everything we could be

Eyes wide open, looking at you
What can we offer you that you've never seen
Just don't be afraid, someone is watching
You will see

The music played. Matt and the whole crew sang:

Somehow when you smile our day seems brighter
Somehow when you smile you melt our hearts
When we look at you we see all things we should be

He pulls me out to center stage

And in our darkest hour, you'll hold out your hand for us
Something will guide me, you'll be beside us
And when its rough out there, your with us everywhere
You'll will be right behind us if we should fall

It was really hard not to start bawling I could feel the tears rolling down my cheeks as they continued to sing

Someday we will find everything we look for
Someday we will find a love like yours

Evan my lover comes up and places his hands on my shoulder

When you smile at us we will feel the things we could be

Eyes wide open, looking at me
What can we offer you that you've never seen
Just don't be afraid, someone is watching
You will see, you will see

Somehow you reach in and you touch our hearts
Somehow you reach in, you touch our souls
When we look at you, we see everything we could be

Matt hugged me and the lights came down. "I love you," whispered Matt. Then I felt a gentle kiss on my cheek. Evan moves me back to the wing and the show continued.

TBC