Part 01 - Be Different
We meet Justin (our main character), who has been fifteen for eight months. He talks about his dreams as a famous rock star along with his friend Christina who has developed much faster than him and has better chances at being successful at an early age. He spends most of his thoughts on her.

As if we didn't know, Justin has a bit of a crush on Christina, as much as a boy his age can have anyway. However, Christina may not feel the same way. The problem is that Justin doesn't really know, and he's too nervous to find out. So Justin enlists the help of his effeminite friend Richard to find out the secrets of Christina's heart.

Richard comes back with less than desirable news. He doesn't say Christina is completely uninterested but he does tell Justin that she hasn't thought about it. Justin, however, seems slightly reluctant to believe him, because he's starting to worry that Richard is becoming a little too friendly.

Next we meet Justin's mother, who's husband "prefers" that she not work, yet she owns a small tarot reading business on the side. Justin goes to his mother for advice and is very pleased with the future that the cards speak of. Apparently, Christina's dreams are going to come true and they involve Justin. So as excited as any love-struck fifteen year old boy could possibly be, Justin heads over to Christina's on his bike and tells her what a good mood he's in. She says she is working on a song but would love to hear about it when she's done. He offers to help, she gladly agrees, and they come up with a wonderful piece of music. Afterwards, Justin receives his first kiss, and bikes over to RichardÕs to brag about ÒgettinÕ someÓ.

For the next few days, Justin is calling Christina constantly, but nobody seems to be answering. He asks Richard what the problem might be but he doesn't know either. Apparently no one has answered at Christina's home recently. Justin finally gets the nerve to go over there but nobody is home. On his way out he notices a for-sale sign on the lawn.

Justin returns home only to find out that his mom was hit by his father. He asked why and she said dinner wasn't ready on time. However, upon the return of the old man, Justin figures out through his ranting that his mom wasn't supposed to be letting him out of the house when he wasnÕt at school. JustinÕs father is afraid that he may be spending too much "quality time" with his friend Richard. Justin yells at his father for calling him a ÒqueerÓ and locks himself in his room. He sits quietly for fifteen minutes or so and then calls Richard to ask for advice. Richard calls the police and they come to investigate. Naturally, after the mother lies out of fear and the police leave without further investigation, the father hits Justin, blaming him for the call.

Part 02 - Limits
The weekend comes and Justin spends all of Saturday cursing out Christina, wondering why that ÒbitchÓ left him. He vows never to be so nice to a woman and admits that his father might have it right. This, in turn, worries Richard, who then yells at him and tells him he needs to be a man and protect his mother because she's getting beaten while heÕs away dealing with a problem that has no current resolve. While Justin knows Richard is right, he is upset with his own cowardess and takes it out on him by insulting his masculinity by calling him a "fairy".

A few days pass, and before Justin realizes it, school has just let out. Richard tries to reconcile and be the Òbigger manÓ but Justin is far too ashamed of his actions to talk with him. Justin wallows in his despair, and his mother tries to comfort him, but because he knows she's keeping him there he refuses to acknowledge her support.

As the days pass, Justin finally realizes that perhaps things have always been a mess and it just took one event to break the camel's back. He decides that things need to change so he heads on over to Richard's house for lunch, and to apologize. Richard happily accepts his apology and tells him that he knows what he's going through is tough, and if he needs a shoulder to cry on, he has a friend. Justin is happy he has someone there for him but he really wishes it was Christina and not Richard.

Justin returns home in a slightly happier mood only to see his mother lying helpless on the floor. He helps her up and gets her into a chair. When Justin's dad enters the room, he tries to stand up to his dad. When his dad prepares to hit him, his mother attempts to protect him and Justin's dad begins to choke her. Justin quickly escapes through the front door with his dad yelling "If you tell the police I'll kill you, you son of a bitch" as he runs off into the darkness.

The next morning Justin wakes up in an alley with a strange young man he canÕt see the face of staring down at him. He reaches in to his pocket to take something out, squats on the pavement, and hands Justin some money. As the young man is leaving, Justin notices he was just given a large sum of money. Justin tells the young man to wait but canÕt find the energy to chase after him. Justin leans back in the newspaper bed he made for himself and sighs at how disgusting life has become overnight.

For the rest of the day, Justin decides what he should do with his money. He knows with his current situation he must save it, otherwise he won't be able to survive. He feels that after two days of nearly "starving to death", as he overstates it, he treats himself to a nice meal. While he's eating, an older man, nearly ten to twelve years older than Justin, sits down to eat with him, politely asking to join. Justin jokingly asks him if he is there to give him money (due to the morning's strange events), and the man compliments Justin on his "professional attitude". Justin asks him a few more questions only to find out that the man is trying to offer him money for sexual favors, and Justin makes a large scene in public being severely disgusted by this man's suggestions. A policeman in the restaurant notices and the man runs. The policeman then asks Justin if he's okay, and if he can take him back home, but Justin says he'll manage just fine. The policeman, still worried, insists that he take him back to his parents, so Justin lies and tells him he lives with Richard. When he and the policeman arrive, they are greeted by Richard and by the look on Justin's face, Richard knows to lie for him. He policeman asks for a telephone number and says he'll be calling later to check up. After the policeman leaves, Richard is very worried and insists that Justin explains everything. He does, and Richard hugs him. Justin comments to himself on the awkwardness of the embrace. Richard seems to notice his sentiments.

That night, after dinner, Richard asks him what they should do, but they are interrupted by Richard's mother. She tells them that an officer is here for Justin. Justin immediately gets down on his hands and kness and begs her not to let the police take him. Shocked by these sudden developments, Richard's mother stares at him in awe, and then asks the boys to join her in the living room with the officer. She lies and tells the officer Justin is her foster child, however, the officer asks to see his papers. Knowing she can't produce them, she confesses. She then explains she doesn't know what's going on, but something is wrong with "this child" and she asks for permission to let him stay with her for the next few days until she finds out the problem. He asks if the husband will mind, and she reveals that there is no father living in the household. Justin wonders if Richard's femininity might be caused by his lack of a male role model. After the policeman leaves, Justin is asked to share his story. From extreme feelings of pity, Richard's mother wastes no time in embracing Justin. Justin comments to himself that her arms feel like Richard's, and it is quite comforting coming from a woman. They then move on to talk about what needs to be done about it. Richard's mom offers to take him in, which in turn makes Richard happy. Justin is not sure what to make of this offer. He openly admits that it would be slightly weird for him, and Richard's mother says she completely understands, and that he can think about it as much as he wants. He admits he is simply overwhelmed by everything and he appreciates everything she is willing to do for him.

Part 03 - A Gentle Heart Bequeathed
A day and a half pass and Justin is starting to get used to what he thinks will be his new life. He's put aside his mother's death and his hatred for his father for the meantime and he's enjoying the time he's spending with Richard. However, Richard's mother seems a bit withdrawn. She's constantly pacing around the kitchen and seems very nervous. Justin notices this, but doesn't worry too much. Richard seems to be slightly more affected by it.

The next afternoon, the policeman returns and tells Richard's mom that Justin needs to be taken in for questioning. She assumes it is for the murder of Justin's mother and calmly heads back to the room to ask Justin to go with the policeman. However, having overhead this discussion, Justin is hiding out the window, and Richard covers for him. Richard's mother runs off to tell the policeman that she can't find him and he bursts into the house to search for Justin. Richard sends a warning, and Justin runs off. He promises to return in a few days, but Richard tells him he holds no expectations. On the way out, Richard throws Justin an envelope telling him "I know this isn't the best time, but I can't let you leave without your birthday present." Justin thanks him for remembering and runs off. In the distance he hears the policeman yelling at Richard, telling him to reveal where Justin went off to. Justin assumes Richard had an idea, but also knew he'd never break the trust with his best friend. Justin then admits he has treated Richard unfairly, and feels he should apologize when he returns, though he has a feeling he'll forget. Justin runs off to the music store and plays a piano there until close. While his skill is average, his music is beautiful, so the store owners don't protest, commenting that no one has ever made such a small, cheap piano sound like a grand. Justin leaves the store as the sun has almost finished setting, however he is unsure of where to go. He opens the envelope to find almost seven hundred dollars. In his mind, he thanks Richard for his generousity and decides to try and find a youth hostile he can stay at for the night. Finding himself out of luck, he goes to a restaurant and bribes a teenage waitress (named Mary) to sit and eat with him. While at first she wants to refuse his offer, after hearing his story, Mary developes pity for him and chooses to help him get into a motel. Mary gets him checked in and she offers to stay with him as long as he needs her. They have a chat about how young he looks and she is surprised that he is sixteen years old. She admits to liking younger men, and feared the age barrier, but after seeing his maturity and learning he was old enough to consent, she tries to kiss him. Justin pulls back, and apologizes. She asks him what's wrong and he tells her that he's in love with someone else. He tells Mary about Christina Cuore, and how she disappeared. Mary claims he must not be looking hard enough because she saw a Christina Cuore on television the other day. Justin interrogates and learns that Christina had been performing the song that made her famous, "Cotton Dreams", the song they wrote together, and feels left behind and betrayed. Forgetting love in a moment of rage, Justin engages in a passionate sexual moment with Mary. Mary comments afterwards that he's much more talented then one would normally expect from a first timer. Justin forgets his last shreds of modesty and lets his ego inflate for the moment. He feels his sixteenth truly did mark his "coming manhood" (or less crudely put, "becoming a man").

Part 04 - Ballad of a Corroding Heart
The next morning, Mary and Justin exchange numbers, and Justin tells her to have the hotel put any charges on her credit card, offering to pay her in advance. He gives her slightly more money than she needs, however she refuses it, feeling it to be weird after sharing an "intimate moment" with him. He said it was in case he made phone calls to raise the bill, but she said she'd simply come after him if he did. He makes a joke about her "coming" too much already, and she tells him "don't be so crude." Justin nods and they part ways with small kiss on the lips.

Justin claims to have spent most of the day naked, having enjoyed the feeling of having woken up next to a beautiful woman that way. He then spends some time wondering what he should do for the next two days, and decides to venture out into the city and enjoy some of the money he was given. He does his best not to go over the three hundred dollars the stranger gave him, because he intends to return every penny Richard gave him as soon as this whole fiasco has finished. After enjoying a semi-luxurious meal at a French restaurant (being the only "luxurious" kind of food he knows to exist), he notices a man in a long, dark green coat following him around. He tries to go places the man won't follow, but once he realizes he's in trouble, he starts to head back to the hotel for safety. On the way back he notices a second man that looks younger from the very few features he can make out. That young man begins to follow them both. In his frantic state of mind, he comments on how things have turned into a "stalker parade". When all three men enter an open area with tall grass, Justin begins to run. The others follow after him and they both gain on him quickly. The older man in the large, dark green coat finally catches up with him and tackles him to the ground. Justin doesn't recognize him at first but the man makes sure to jog his memory. He is revealed as the man from the restaurant and claims to be back to "fuck" Justin like Justin "fucked" him. He pulls out a knife and Justin screams for him not to kill him, and the man just says he wants to fuck him and the knife is only for if he refuses. Justin notices the younger man out of the corner of his eye and yells for help but the younger man just stands there. The older man tells Justin to shut up and he starts undoing both of their pants. Suddenly the older man rolls off of Justin very quickly, and Justin hears a voice telling him to run as far away as he can. He runs behind a shed about fifty yards over and watches from behind it. He hears the two men arguing. The younger one screams and Justin notices he was cut by the knife. The young man cuts the older man's face with his fingernails and rubs his arm all over it and then on his neck while rapping his arms around his neck. Justin hears him say "come on, don't you want to 'fuck' me?" and he runs back to the hotel room. After wondering what the hell just had happened to him and trying to process his thoughts, he hears a knock on the door. Justin doesn't make a sound but the knocking continues. Eventually there is silence, which is broken by a voice saying "I just saved your life, let me in you ungreatful little bastard." Justin apologizes, and the man on the other side of the door claims to have been "just joking". While Justin is still very reluctant, he lets the mystery man in the door, who in turn throws him and pins him to the floor telling him "never let strangers in your apartment little boy." He then laughs and lets him up. Justin locks the door, and the young man compliments him. Justin recognizes him as the young man who gave him the money on the street and demands an explanation. "Such rudeness for excessive kindness?" the young man exclaims. He then introduces himself as the quasi-famous Alex ChancŽ. Justin doesn't recognize the name, and Alex explains that being part of the Moldorosian Empire (who abstains from fighting in the war between the IKG and the Dalaen Empire) wouldn't recognize someone important to that plot. Alex refuses to tell Justin about his past in the war but Justin refuses to stop asking why he was in the Avrah District. Alex admits he was always curious to visit the famous Isla Bella (the beautiful city among the trashy slums that fill Avrah, such as Lora, Justin's hometown), but he also is hiding from both sides of the war. Justin is intrigued by all of this, and asks many questions. One among them was "didn't you leave anyone behind?" and Alex tells Justin about his ex-boyfriend Ben. Justin becomes rather uncomfortable, but is willing to listen because his dad hated "fags" and he didn't want to become his father (or so he convinces himself). Alex notices his discomfort and tells him that "not all queers are bad people--- just the ones that don't love me." Then Alex rambles on about Ben and how Ben refused to leave with him and Justin spaces out. When Alex is finished Justin asks him why he is playing the hero. Alex claims to have done some bad things in his day, and has been the child without a home. He saw himself in Justin and decided to help. "Well I appreciate it, but don't plan on seeing yourself in me anytime in the future, just to get things straight," Justin crudely remarks. Alex has a bit of a laugh but seriously comments to him "stay away from pedophiles", then asks the spend the night. Justin offers the "comfy" floor.

Part 05 - Orange Road
Justin spends a significant amount of the next afternoon pacing up and down the path where he feels he "faced death's cold stare". He names the path the "Orange Road" being a yellow dirt path mixed with dirty blood under a polluted sunset, making everything around it orange, just like the Moldorosian flag. Alex comes to join him but Justin asks to be alone. Eventually he goes out for a bite to eat, but is side tracked when he sees a young girl performing at the music store he stayed at. She was playing his piano. At first though, he was slightly angry, but after hearing her song, he was calm. Justin went and talked to her and learned her name to be Sora Benson. They went out for a cup of coffee and found that they had much in common. Justin asks for her number but she refuses, but promises to "see him around town". Justin waves, disappointed, but nonetheless, a good time was had. While walking back to the motel, he chose to take the scenic route and while staring at the sidewalk, bumbed into a young woman. Justin immediately recognizes her as Christina. Though it surprises him, she seems happy to see him. Christina drags him back to the coffee shop he was just at and she explains to him that her mother has been forcing her to perform ever since she heard the song they wrote. She blames everything on her mother. Justin, still having feelings for her, easily believes her story, though it seems slightly implausible. She apologizes profusely for any hurt she may have caused, but Justin explains that he's kind of had other issues to deal with, though at first it was quite a shock. Christina asks Justin to talk to try and complain to the record company, saying that he helped write the song, to hopefully get her out of this mess. At this point Justin fully believes her story and agrees to "expose" Christina for the sake of her childhood.

Justin, being as naive as ever, looks up the address to IBR (Isla Bella Recording) and barges through the front gates. He barks orders to the receptionist, and when she doesn't listen to him he walks past her. Thinking he is the son of the CEO, she ignores this. He runs frantically and ends up in the offices of Lawrence Thorneberge [pronounced Thorn-new-burje], who is slightly confused but not angered by his entrance. Justin demands credit for Christina's song, and Mr. Thorneberge seems quite welcoming of his suggestion. Justin then asks why security hasn't thrown him out yet, and Mr. Thorneberge replies, "I'd never hurt a boy." Justin, becoming somewhat smarter after the past's events, begins to question Mr. Thorneberge's motives. Mr. Thorneberge tells Justin to call him Larry, and compliments him on being such a smart young man. While "Larry" finds the entire situation quite amusing, Justin's defenses were on overload. Larry tells him to relax, saying he's not going to hurt him, and that he would just like to get to know "the boy". Larry invites Justin over to his house to get to know him, claiming he seems like an interesting character. Justin accuses Larry of trying to seduce him, but Larry denies it, claiming he may have amazing musical talent if his claim about Christina's song is true. Justin agrees on the condition he can bring a friend. Larry agrees and Justin leaves quietly. The secretary shakes her head in disgust as Justin leaves. When Justin returns home to his motel room, he quickly tells Alex the possible good news and asks him to come with. Alex seems elated and immediately agrees.

The next morning the two boys check out of the motel room and head to the Thorneberge residence. They are immediately welcomed, and while being escorted to the office, he notices the many rooms with no open doors. Alex seems to be in another world, humming some odd tune to himself. When they arrive, Justin and Alex end up interrupting a meeting Larry is having with Christina, Umi Kamasaki (a popular singer) and their agent Carter Jennings. Justin becomes very excited (while Alex seems slightly annoyed by his excitement) upon seeing Umi in person. Larry seems very entertained by Justin's excitement and introduces the two. Umi is very polite, but Christina is quitely jealous. Carter asks Larry if this was the kid he was speaking of and he replies "yes." Alex, assuming a slightly different reality, walks over to Larry and whispers something in his ear. Larry immediately asks everyone to leave, and tells Justin that they'll have to meet another time. While Justin is slightly disappointed, Alex promises to meet him back at the entrance of Larry's mansion in three hours, and he figures three hours isn't so bad. While he wonders what caused such a sudden change of attitude, he talks with Christina briefly and the make plans to meet at that coffee shop the next day. Afterwards, Justin heads back to the music store only to find Sora there again. He rushes over to her, but she tells him "Not today... it's too soon" and runs away. Justin takes her place at the piano and plays a love song that he hadn't been able to form into a proper melody until just that moment.

Part 06 - Love Letters
Justin has met up with Christina, but she has brought a couple of her friends. She introduces Chloe as someone she met backstage at a concert, and an older man, Frank, as the lead flute in her newly arranged songs. She claims they've become very close, but as time passes and the conversation developes, Chloe and Christina talk mainly to each other and Frank and Justin both tell one another about their music. Frank seems quite interested, and the two boys talk far after Christina has to leave. Frank invites Justin back to his apartment for some tea or coffee, and Justin happily agrees. Happy to have made a friend who he feels he may be able to trust, Justin reminds himself about Richard and how he promised to have returned by now. He also realizes Alex hasn't been around lately, but then decides that Alex is the type of person who will find him when he's ready. Now being too late to beg the manager of the music store to let him sleep behind the counter another night, Justin asks Frank if it is okay that he spends the night. Frank, knowing his situation through many of their discussions, complies happily. Justin seems nearly lovestruck by Franks hospitality. Justin nearly crashes when they arrive back at Frank's apartment, so Frank tucks him into some blankets on the couch. Justin feels Frank's hand rubbing his leg right before he falls asleep.

The next day, Frank has already prepared breakfast. Justin comments to himself that his life suddenly feels like a dream and not so much like a nightmare. He decides to quote his thoughts exactly for Frank, which Frank finds "quite cute." Justin giggles at that comment, which he tells himself would normally make him cringe from the excessive femininity associated with those words. However, he moves on to have more excellent discussion with Frank, thanks him, and then leaves.

A week later, Justin admits to having moved in with Frank. Having seen a broadcast on television concerning the arrest of his father for the murder of his mother, Justin decides to take a chance and venture back to Richard's house. Upon arrival, Richard runs out to greet him loudly, but Justin covers his mouth as to not make a scene. Justin, claiming to be in good standing financially (which obviously is not true) insists on giving Richard back his money. Richard, of course, will not accept it, but eventually they compromise on splitting it half-and-half. Richard also makes Justin promise that if he is running out of money, that he come to him for help. Justin agrees, but admits to himself that he's lying just to shut Richard up. Justin spends some time telling Richard about what he's been up to, and Richard tells Justin that not much has happened but his mother has been very worried. The boys are both happy to know that now Richard's mother can be told "everything is alright." Richard invites him over for dinner but Justin admits to having plans with Frank, Christina, and Chloe, though he promises to return the next day for lunch with Richard and his mother.

That night at dinner, the four talk about putting together a music group rather than giving Christina the spotlight. While Christina is reluctant to share her fame and fortune, the last shreds of a conscience she is still afflicted with cause her to humble herself to Frank, Chloe, and mainly Justin. Justin senses some romantic tension between Christina and himself, and is correct in this assumption. Upon leaving, Christina becomes very physical and tries to kiss him, however, Justin has lost all interest in Christina, which suddenly causes him to question his masculinity (which is how he addresses his sexuality). When he heads back to the apartment with Frank that night, he tells Frank what's going on in his head. However, before Frank can answer, Justin asks him if he is a homosexual. Frank admits to having masturbated with another guy at a young age but Justin tells him that most guys do that. Then Frank admits to having questioned himself as Justin is doing since they moved in together. They both laugh at how much can happen in a week. When they get back to the apartment, Frank proposes that they try kissing each other to see what happens, and then afterwards they can write what they though on a piece of paper so not to lie to spare the other's feelings. Justin is a bit apprehensive about doing this but trusts Frank's judgement and quickly gives in. They kiss on the lips, and both pull back, but then kiss again and eventually move into a more passionate kiss. After about thirty seconds, they finish and stare at each other. After recovering from the moment, the two guys scramble for a writing utensil and a piece of paper to quickly jot down their reactions. Justin's reads "It wasn't awkward." Franks reads "I was surprised that I didn't hate it." They both laugh at each other's reactions, and Justin then suggests they do it again. They kiss again, this time for a much longer period, but then Justin breaks away and decides that it's time for bed. Frank agrees indifferently.

Part 08 - A World Saturated With Sound
Justin becomes so excited over the idea of being famous that he drops his plans with Richard to work on music with Chloe, Christina, and most importantly, Frank. Christina, still hung up on Justin, decides that getting him a piano would be "good for the band." Naturally, Justin picks out the worst piano in the store, the one he loved to play, and Christina eventually buys it for him after trying to convince him to get a better one. The store promises to deliver it the next day, and Christina complains the entire way home about how if her mother was with them, it would've been delivered immediately. Justin suddenly begins to wonder why Christina's mother has allowed them all to work together when Christina claimed she was running the show on different standards just a few weeks ago. They arrive back at Frank's apartment and Justin decides to bring up the subject of ChristinaÕs mom before they part ways. Christina simply answers that ÒThe world is saturated with sound. The musically gifted pick out the good notes and throw away the bad. ThatÕs simply all I had done.Ó The cab then drives off and Justin and Frank are left in awe. Justin then tells Frank he feels like kissing again and they go up to the apartment to Òmake out.Ó

A few days later with the whole group together (Frank, Justin, Christina, and Chloe), Carter calls up Larry to set up a meeting about the new arrangement. Oddly, Larry refuses to meet with them if Justin is along. After much bickering, they finally come to the agreement that Justin can come in the building but canÕt participate in the meeting. Carter is disturbed by LarryÕs strange behavior, but throws it off as the Òmanipulation of his new woman.Ó Larry had no openings for another week, so Carter suggests that the group practice their new songs, for Larry would most likely insist on promoting the new group as soon as possible (which means lots of live performances). Before Carter leaves, he lets the group know how lucky they are to have been able to come together as they did. He tells them that most people are played by the company, and heÕs never seen it the other way around.

A few days pass and Justin becomes more and more interested in his relationship with Frank. He tells Frank that he thinks they should try being more ÒintimateÓ (sexual) and Frank is also willing to try. Afterwards, Justin raves that a simple hand job was almost as good as intercourse with Mary.



What comes after this is what we've/we're filmed/filming...