SequelLOVE.

Hiya, Lemons (the author) here. A lot has changed since I started working on this monstrosity about a year ago. But I still love these kids to death. Still, working on something with people that change is kinda difficult when you yourself are changing at a much more rapid rate. I've moved in with my aunt and her family to go to college, I've gotten my license, and I've even got a bank account. If only my federal aid money would come in, I'd be set. -.- ANYWHO, at least the college acknowledges that that's where my tuition is coming from and isn't bugging me about it.

Anywho, about this story nonsense. This is a sequel to My Fake Heart; Cataclysmic! If you haven't read it, and are intrigued, please go enjoy it, available on my profile page. I got a lot of good responses to it, and a few good critiques, and keeping those in mind, I hope to make this installment even better. It'll focus some more on Leo and Zach's relationship, and on a couple of new guys that I've already written a back story for. Though a lot of attention goes to our favorite drama queens, Janis and Natalie. Plus what're Amanda and Mary up to? Gah there're still a lot of unanswered questions, but patience, my wonderful readers, goes a long way!

Hugs and gropes to those who desire them,

-Lemons

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My Fake Heart; Disastrous!
Chapter One; The Shortness, The Nightgown, The Stars
Leonard Allen McCrear

Yawning, I pulled my low ponytail tighter. I hate working Thursday nights. No one comes to the movies hardly because of the special prices at the skating rink. It's dead except for the zombie-esque older couples and the teens that have nothing better to do than waste their money on the dancing game in the arcade area. I groaned and laid my cheek down on the cool countertop, reading the manufacturer’s label on the fountain drink machine for the thousandth time.

I glanced up as I heard the doors leading out to the mall open, and immediately recognized this troupe as one of the dancing game fanatics. It was always the three of them, sometimes with one or two extras, but the three boys were always there. The cute-if skinny-black guy with short dreads, the hot blue-eyed guy with wavy black hair, and the shorter guy with hazel eyes and scruffy looking red tipped brown hair. The two taller ones seem much closer to each other than to the other boy. It makes me wonder if they're a couple. If so, they're a cute one.

The shorter one glanced at me, smiling broadly. I pondered if I should smile back or do the standard 'straight guy' nod. I decided on a smile. He smiled wider and followed his friends to the change machine. He threw his arm around the hot guy's neck, saying something into his ear. Hot guy looked to me, then was jerked away by the shorter guy's arm. They were talking about me, I thought as excitement filled me.

I tried to stifle a yawn as I made my way to the back of Wal-Mart, to the crafts section. I would have gone to Hobby Lobby, but they close at the ludicrous hour of nine o'clock, and I needed a new thing of India ink. I took one look at the generic brand, thick sludge and turned right back around.

I sighed and wandered into the foods section, hoping to find something to wake me up before heading home. A bag of powdered donuts were tempting me with their promise of confectionary deliciousness. I walked past them with difficulty, and made my way towards the donut section in the bakery. When I want a donut, I buy one of the chocolate covered, cream filled ones and suffer the fat and sugar happily.

As I made my way towards the cashiers, my sugary delight bagged and awaiting my attentions, I heard loud laughter erupt up ahead, in the women's underwear department, followed by shushing. I looked down the aisle and saw those three boys from the theater, the brown haired one with a lacy nightgown on over a very large bra stuffed with socks and panties.

"I feel pretty!" he sang, swaying side to side with his hands clasped to his chest. "Oh so pretty!" he spun in a circle, obviously having not seen me standing and staring. "I feel pretty and witty and GAY!" he'd stopped spinning, his arms thrown dramatically over his head. He finally saw me, and his face was instantly flushed. "Erm, eh heh!" he laughed nervously, edging out of the aisle comically. "I'ma go...die over there..."

"Hey, whatever floats your boat!" I laughed. His friends couldn't hold it in any more, and guffawed long and loud. He glared daggers at them, then began pulling the silky fabric over his head.

"Actually these," he held up his fabric filled cups, "don't interest me that much. More like amuse." The guy with blue eyes poked the bra, then chuckled.

"Yours seem kinda cancerous Jason." Like the horror movie, I thought to myself.

"Aren't they all," he said morosely, pulling the socks and panties out and tossing them into random crates.

"I'm Leonard," I introduced after he had discarded the bra.

"I'm the winner of the bet that I wouldn't dress up in ladies underwear and sing 'I feel pretty,'" he grinned. "These idiots are Ezra and James," he said pointing first to the black guy then the blue eyed guy.

"Cool. Well, I've got to get home soon." We waved an awkward goodbye as they walked further into the store and I made my way towards the front. I tried not to let myself get too excited about the short exchange. He was a very interesting individual. I had panicked after he had introduced himself. Panicked, like some kid! I felt so stupid walking out to my car. As I opened my door, I realized I still had the donut in my hand. I felt my face flush. I'd been too busy thinking about Jason to remember it. As quickly as I could, I tossed it into the passenger's seat, started the engine, and left the expansive parking lot.

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The chilly night air hit me as I opened the front door. I shuddered and heaved the garbage bag outside. Mom had been on me all night to take it out, but I'd ignored her. Next time, I'll be sure to do it as soon as I get home. Feeling the cold seep into my sweater, I hurriedly dragged the can up to the end of the driveway.

"Mom, you know I can't do that," I heard from an exasperated voice. I turned to the house across the street, seeing a small figure sitting on the road in front of it. Short, choppy brown hair covered a head bent over knees pulled up against his body. I'd never seen a boy like him come from this house. Must be spending the night or something.

Suddenly it clicked. James lived there. Ezra, the quiet one, I remember seeing him come and go frequently. Then this must be Jason. "Mom, I'm gonna go now. Don't worry, alright?" A pause, "I know you do, but Dad...He's not going to do that. Bye Mom." He looked up, flipping his phone closed. "Oh, hey," he grinned weakly.

"Hey." I felt so out of place. "So, um, do you want to talk about..." I trailed off.

"Not really, just the old cliche," he said bitterly. "Mom wants me to move back in, thinking she can save me from damnation, Dad wouldn't care if I fell off the face of the Earth..." he summarized theatrically.

"So, you've moved out?"

He nodded, indicating the house behind him with a wave. "Yeah, James' parents were kind enough to let me stay with them while I go to the community college. They're great people, really funny." A comfortable silence settled in the chill December air. "So what about your parents?"

"Well, Dad split a lont time ago, it's just been my mom, my sister and I since I was about nine."

"Ah. Sometimes, it's better that way," he said consolingly. I muttered something like I guess. "Hey, did you ever hear that superstition about meeting a person accidentally three times in a day?"

I was a bit startled, but said, "Something like, destiny?"

"Yeah," he said eagerly, "they're like, destined to be around each other forever or something."

"Hm," I said with a small smile.

"Hey, um, don't hate me or whatever, but I kinda already forgot your name..." he said, managing somehow to sound unabashed.

"It's Leonard." He chuckled. "What?"

"Nothing, it's just that if we got married you'd be Leonard Skenard." We both laughed at that. "D'you wanna sit down? The road's still kinda warm still." I guess the way I had my arms wrapped around my body made him think I was cold. Imagine that.

"I have to get back inside. My mom'll worry."

"Oh. Well, see ya. I think I'll stay and watch the stars for a bit," he said, laying ack and directing his attention to the skies above us. Maybe I'll be brave enough to stay and stargaze with him next time I thought as I glanced upwards and headed back inside.

As I crawled back into my cold bed-our heating system is less than satisfactory-my thoughts wandered over the past day. Zach had seemed subdues at school today, opting to walk himself to class when we had to part himself. Usually one of us would go with the other at least part way, but today he seemed to want to be alone. I'd noticed his soccer friends had starting ignoring him. Maybe they had something to do with his change in attitude.

My hand fumbled around on my desk, beside my bed and found my cell phone. I don't know why, but for some reason I sat up and flipped it open. Remarkably, I'd somehow missed a text message from Zach. I clicked it open, and felt my heart being choked with joy and gratitude.

hey leo i no ive been kinda off lately but dont worry exams are stressin me out is all its not something u did which is what i bet ur thinkin gnight see u 2morrow

I decided it'd be best not to reply. He was (hopefully) in bed by now, though he's such a light sleeper even the quiet beep that announces a new message would wake him.

I sighed and put my phone back on my desk. I know, if I let myself, I'll make too much of a big deal out of the text. But it was sort of curious, that I was about to start going over the past few weeks in my mind when I found the message telling me not to blame myself for his weirdness.

Just goes to show how well he knows me, I guess I thought as I pushed all thoughts of Zachary Burkefield from my mind and tried to get some sleep.

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OMGEEE I'm so ashamed at how long this has taken me. The webcomic has consumed my soul. I apologize. The chapters might be slowgoing, but I'll try and have a new one up every two weeks. Sorry guys, but as mentioned above, I'm in school, so I have priorities. Much love you guys!