The Barefoot Violinist

Winners

'Cory, I love you...' Bennett's confession still rang through Cory's head. He felt like he was walking on clouds, grinning and smiling like a fool. He entered the school on a natural high. When Bennett had woken up, Cory had thought he would mention it again, but when he frowned at Cory, he knew not to press the issue. But he said it, he said it! was all Cory could think about.

Seeing Bennett, he grabbed him in his arms and kissed him, not letting him go.

"Good morning my forever angel baby Bennett." he whispered, his lips grazing Bennett's ear seductively.

Shivering slightly at his touch, he smiled and said: "You're names for me are really ridiculous. Can't you just call me Bennett?"

"If Blue can have a nickname for you, then as your friend, I should be able to do the same." he insisted, pulling back from Bennett, but still not letting go.

"Oi! You're being gross again! Take your horny hormones somewhere else!" Blue shouted from behind, making Bennett jump.

"Hey Blue," they said together, grinning at each other.

"Who's being gross?" Victor asked as he and Ellie came up to them.

"Who else?" Blue rolled her eyes at him.

"O-okay. Well that aside, we got our prize today!" he took out his phone to show them the email confirming the details.

"You will of course be sharing that money with the rest of us?" Blue enquired narrowing her eyes at him.

"Oh come on Blue, I sent the photos and created the account profile and everything," he whined. "It's not like you need the money. Come on Bennett, back me up here." 

"Technically I should get all the money, because it was all about me. And I gave you all the answers and let you take those dumb pictures." Bennett pointed out.

"It was my phone and I took the pictures, by rights I should get at least half!" Blue argued. "But, what will you do with your concert tickets, dumb ass? They're non-refundable." Blue shot at Bennett.

"You guys can use them." he frowned over at the others.

"No offence mate, but like I said, we can hear you play any time for free and those parties are a bit stiff. They won't even serve us alcohol!" he carried on. "But I could sell the ones we've won, since you're already getting us free tickets, Bennett. So it's a win - win!" His face lit up at his brilliant idea.

Bennett turned to Cory for help and noticed the bright red flush over his face, his eyes not quite meeting Bennett's. "What did you do?" Bennett asked, eyes narrowing, knowing that Cory was hiding something. He could read his face very clearly.

"Okay, now don't freak out my only Bennett." he looked at Bennett a sheepish grin on his face, loosening his grip around Bennett's waist slightly, creating a bit of space between them.

"Why do you guys always think I'll freak out?!" he looked around at them. Everybody just rolled their eyes at him.

"Okay, whatever you say Mariah." Blue retorted, making the others laugh and Bennet roll his eyes at her.

"I think we've got all the pop culture references out of the way, so you can stop now." He blandly responded.

"Right, now that we've established that you're not going to freak out, just listen okay?" Cory started explaining the whole competition, why he started it and how he came up with the idea. "So when I saw those pictures of you, I knew that no other photo will show the you that I've always loved. And then-then I sort of posted it online and - now don't freak out..." he cautioned Bennett. "I posted them online and people went mad! Then they started asking for posters; and you know how excited I can get..." Cory rambled on.

"Surely there is a point in there somewhere?" Bennett interrupted him.

"So I spoke to the art director and he agreed to use them on the recital invite. Apparently it sold out in two hours. It's also the official profile photo for all your accounts and website... you know" he kissed Bennett on the cheek, waiting for a response.

"Basically you stalked him, drooled over his photos like a psycho and created this big plan to get more pics of your beloved?" Blue incredulously observed, shaking her head. "I have to hand it to you Cory, you take desperation to a whole new level."

"Piss off Blue!" Cory replied. "Where's Tyler?" he countered. He received no response, she only flipped him off as she started to move away from them to her class.

"See, I didn't freak out." Bennett said as they moved to their class.

"And I'm so proud of you my forever angel baby Bennett." he kissed the top of Bennett's head.

"You know people are asking for nude pictures of me playing?" he asked Cory as they walked to class.

"I wouldn't mind playing with you when you're naked." he laughed quietly, pulling his arm tighter around his shoulders.

"Funny, very funny." he said deadpan.