Chapter One
Disclaimer: I do not own Virals
A/N: So this story is being written by myself-known as akatsuki15 and Wolf and MR Lover. We haven't worked out all the details yet so please be patient with us. For now I assume we'll take turns writing chapters and we'll do our best to update regularly. This story should be canon until a fourth book is published and will contain spoilers for Code. Anyway enjoy!
Tory wanted to scream until she shattered a window. She refrained from the action but anyone watching her would know she was one trigger away from throwing a major hissy fit. She paced her room with her mind scrambling for a solution. Ben could not be expelled. He was not going to leave them. It wasn't going to happen. This process continued for over an hour before she made a snap decision and called the others. The others meaning Hi and Shelton but not Ben. He would never let them do anything self-sacrificing. She knew they would agree with her plan.
They arrived within minutes and were immediately on board. They decided to speak with the principal before telling anyone else what they were planning. No one knew what they were attempting, especially not Ben.
Ben was still living with his dad for the moment and since the expulsion had been effective for days he stayed home while they went to school. Rather than report to their respective classes they marched as one to administration. A secretary by the name of Mrs. Carter had them wait for a good ten minutes before they were allowed in the office.
While waiting for the green light Shelton's foot began to tap a rhythm against the floor. "Are you guys sure you're okay with this?" Tory's head swiveled as she looked at each boy sitting on either side of her. Shelton visibly swallowed but nodded enthusiastically. Hi in his typical nature attempted to cover his discomfort with humor. "This isn't about friendship, this is about blackmail. Ben will owe us for months over this one." He rubbed his hands together in faked glee causing Tory and Shelton to laugh.
Soon they were in the principal's office and Hi and Tory were seated across from the man in charge of their school. He had offered a spare chair for Shelton but the boy had elected to stand. "So would I be correct in assuming, this is about Mr. Blue?" It had already been decided that Tory would do the majority of speaking. She was the master manipulator who had managed to con them into more than one scheme.
"Yes sir." She smiled at the man. "We have a proposition for you." He nodded for her to continue and Tory tried not to panic as she realized this was the hardest sell she had ever tried. "Ben isn't being brought up on criminal charges and his name has been kept out of the news." The principal nodded. "That is true Ms. Brennan." His expression was calm and gave no hint of his thought process. It was more than a little frustrating.
"The reason Ben was expelled was because the board feared the public's reaction. The school's reputation would have been ruined." The principal didn't offer a reply but as he wasn't denying it, Tory figured she had hit the nail on the head. "As I mentioned his name wasn't released to the public. No one outside our families knows. We are willing to cut a deal for his return."
The man behind the desk was a large man. No one could argue the fact. He could have appeared very threatening but he had kind eyes. Tory thought there was a good chance he would agree to their terms. "I'm sorry Ms. Brennan but I do not accept bribes." Hi broke out in quiet chuckles and even Tory's glare couldn't quell his humor. "We're not offering a bribe sir. We're offering labor in exchange for leniency in his case. We'll work with the janitors and file paperwork after school hours. Ben will do the same. It will be like community service." Tory held her breath as the principal mulled over the possibility. "How long would this community service be?" He was giving them a shot. Tory resisted jumping for joy. "Two hours immediately following school for the rest of the school year." He nodded. "I know you are joining the National Honor Society next semester." She was mildly surprised he knew that small detail. "You may use the hours to meet your quota for volunteer work." Tory smiled. "Then you will accept our terms?"
They sat in silence as he weighed the pros and cons of the decision. He may have kept them in suspense for a few extra seconds than was strictly necessary. "I will. There may be additional issues that spring up but for now this is suitable. Your parents find this acceptable?" The teenagers nodded and soon they were out of the office and headed back to class. Just before they split up to go their separate ways Hi remembered something incredibly important. "We forgot to get a note excusing our tardiness." Shelton groaned and Tory slapped her palm to her forehead.
Still even with their mutual momentary lapse in judgment, they had gained a major victory for the day. The principal was calling Ben's father to inform him that the expulsion was lifted and his son would be expected at school the following day. Before trudging back to class they gave each other high fives celebrating the win. You would think they had cured cancer, they were so giddy. Tory couldn't wait for school to be over so they could tell Ben the good news.