Four Seasons
A Drake & Josh fan-fic created for the older fan (ages 17-adult)
A short story by Alison Lydon
Told in both the first and third person formats.
Lead characters:
Drake Parker & Josh Nichols
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters. No copyright infringement is intended.
Summary from Thursday's Tears as well as what's to come
here:
Drake Parker: Is determined to make his relationship with Torey go beyond from just
a high school romance. He still has his part time job at Guitar World as well as the gigs
with his band. He could care less about high school, but would never drop out, as it
would disappoint Audrey and Walter. The only thing he likes about high school is
spending time with his girlfriend and sometimes Josh. He also wants more privacy in
his life and hopes that Josh will understand.
A new transfer student steals the popularity Drake had before he insulted the teases of
Belleview High by wanting to be a one-woman-man. Why is he jealous?
Josh Nichols: Is working through his problems. He goes to a once a week therapy
following his short stint with bulimia and his accidental suicide attempt.
He still works at the Premiere and loves video games and magic. Will he and Mindy at
least get their friendship back or does Josh have to move on when he thought he found
his soulmate? He knows he's a buttinski in Drake's life, but without Mindy there's no
one else to hang out with but his brother as he finds it difficult to make new friends.
Megan Parker: Megan is torn between tormenting those she loves and those she
barely knows.
Chapter 1: Back to School
September 2005
The night before the first day of Drake & Josh's senior year
It was a peaceful last few weeks before the start of the new school year. Josh was
struggling to open a pack of number two pencils that he purchased with a whole bunch
of other school supplies. Drake put his electric guitar down on his bed and jumped
down to help his brother.
"Josh, you really need to start lifting weights." Drake laughed as he tore the plastic
wrap off the pencils.
"Thanks, Drake."
"You just can't wait for tomorrow can you?" He leafed through the rest of Josh's school
essentials.
A twelve count of green cap erasers. Drake used to like to twist these off and throw
them at random teachers.
Only one solid pink wedge eraser. Drake used to tease people that carried these
things beyond the fourth grade.
A box of gold and silver stars. If you buy them for yourself it was rather dorky, but if you
bought them for a teacher well that's just worse.
Three notebooks in the one, two, and three subject varieties. All with neat pocket
organizational systems.
But if buying this stuff made Josh happy, Drake wasn't going to spoil his fun. It was a
terrible spring and summer for the both of them, with only short periods of jubilation.
Drake wouldn't rib him for buying the most atrocious avocado green binder with
removable folders with reflective labels.
"Drake, stop going through my stuff. By the way, what did you buy at Staples?"
"A two-subject notebook, a box of pens, and some other things."
"What did you buy for Torey?" Josh asked with a smile as he filled his binder with
loose-leaf paper.
It was as if Josh needed to live through Drake's life. Drake wanted to say, "None of
your business. It's private." But he didn't want to be a jerk.
"A tablet and some pencils." He kept his description as simple as possible.
Drake loved Josh, he saved his life not even a month ago, but he liked his private life.
His time with Torey was special to him and he didn't want to share it with anyone Josh
included.
"Oh, well, that's nice. I'd buy something for Mindy but I haven't heard from her since that
day in the drug store."
"A lot as happened since then," Drake advised as he went to the sofa, "Why don't you
talk to her in school tomorrow?"
Drake rubbed his head.
Headaches! Josh was starting to give him headaches!
"Good idea, bro."
When Josh left the room to get his Premiere vest out of the dryer, Drake took out his
cell phone. He put his head on the pillow and stretched his legs out.
"Hi, Torey. I missed you."
"Hi, Drake. We were just at the mall."
She loved his sensitive side and how she was the only girl (apart from his mom and
Megan on the rarest of occasions) privy to it.
"I know."
"I missed you too."
"I really hate not having my own car. But since Walter and Audrey are offering to pay for
half of what I put down. I have enough saved to start looking next month. It really sucks
riding with Josh we are going to have absolutely no privacy."
"Drake, you know your brother's been through a lot."
"I know, Torey. That's why I feel like an asshole for thinking like this. But I want my
private time with you. I got you a present."
"You can't help your emotions, you are only human. You didn't have to buy me a
present. And how were you able to do that when we were together today?"
"I can't reveal my secrets."
"I'm sure I'll love it."
"Maybe we can find a private spot after we get out of the Joshmobile."
"It won't be so bad."
"I suppose. And try to find Mindy tomorrow. Maybe the fact that she hasn't contacted
you either means her silence isn't directed at anyone in particular and she'll want to get
back together with Josh. And I can have my life back. "
"I'll try. I don't mind Josh hanging out with us."
"I know and that's what makes you the best girlfriend in the world. He can't even open a
pack of pencils without my assistance."
"It'll be okay, Drake."
"I try to be understanding, Torey. You know all that's happened. I went through a lot too.
But Josh's problem is supposed to be more important because he almost died. Walter
and I are getting along better, I still feel like I closed a door on Spidey."
"I know. But you are stronger than Josh. You know your dad would never tarnish the
memory of your father."
"I know. I just wish Josh would give me some space. It's our senior year."
"Drake, when you go to bed, I want you to read those print outs I gave you on
mediation. You really need to relax."
"I will. I better get going. We'll be picking you up at around eight o'clock tomorrow. I
love you."
"Josh is not the enemy. Okay. I love you too."
Josh heard most of the conversation, he didn't mean to eavesdrop it just sort-of
happened that way. He waited for Drake to go back into his bed and pick up his guitar
and pretended like he just entered the room.
"Hey, Drake."
"What?" He couldn't even play one note without being interrupted
"Listen man, I was thinking. Since you have your license and all, why don't you pick up
Torey? I'll ride along with Megan. Since Mom likes to take her on her first day of
school."
In their Dad's car since Josh had use of Audrey's. Walter was car-pooling with the
sports anchor of KDJY. They were going to look at buying a new car when they went
shopping with Drake for his.
Drake was about to jump for joy, but then he remembered about trying to control his
self-serving and selfish behavior.
"No, Josh, it's okay. I don't mind."
"But I—"
Josh wanted to blurt out, "but I heard you complain about me to your girlfriend. Now
when I try to make it right, you won't let me."
"It's okay."
But you do mind I heard you on the phone!
"You can drive if you like and then drop me off on the corner. That way you and Torey
can have all the privacy in the world." He made his way to his own bed.
"Josh! Were you eavesdropping?"
"A little. So don't lie to me, Drake, I know that you mind."
Drake took a deep breath. He was surprised that he didn't get out of his bed.
"Well, okay, I may mind. But don't worry about it."
"But I want you to be able to spend time with Torey."
"I will. Do you want to play the Gamesphere?" Drake got out of his bed to set it up.
Josh bit his lip. Drake was trying. They were both in throes of adolescence so they
were bound to get on each other's nerves even if the events of the spring and summer
didn't happen. Boys were always going to be boys.
"Sure. Then it's bath time and lights out for school tomorrow!"
"Josh, what are we four and going to pre-school?"
"Sorry. You should like school."
"And how long have you known me?"
"Drake, It wouldn't kill you to get an 'A' in something."
"It might. Josh are we going play?"
"Yeah."
They played two rounds until Josh decided that he wanted to take a bath. Drake was
surprised that Josh didn't want him in there to hold his hand the whole time. He put his
guitars away and got dressed into his sleeping clothes. He laid down on the bed, but
wasn't tired. Josh was going to come in here and go on and on about how exciting the
first day of school was. The first day of school was never exciting. The last on the other
hand was stupendous. He couldn't wait for June. Josh came in their room singing a
little make up song as he took off his robe.
"Are you awake, Drake? Hey, that rhymes."
"No." He pulled the blankets over his head.
"Did you brush your teeth?"
Actually he did have to, but he wasn't going to give Josh the satisfaction by doing it
right this instant.
"Goodnight, Josh."
"I'll turn the light off in a minute."
"Fine."
"Goodnight, Drake. Can you believe it is our senior year! We're going to rule the
school."
Drake rolled his eyes, "'Night, Josh." Drake repeated again for emphasis.
Emphasis.
Drake Parker knew it was going to be a long six months ahead, but what he (and
Josh) didn't know as to why it was actually going to be so. The boys were becoming
young men and neither one of them knew that they were both going to have to make
some of the most important decisions of their young lives.
Their future's were on the horizon.