Title: They're Playing Our Song
Author: EV
Email: EVLYN827@cs.com
Rating: PG13
Category: J/H
Disclaimer: As much as I might like to...I don't own any of the characters used here.
Summary: Rumors flood Dean Flemming's office. Will, Scout and Bella come to the aid of Jake and Hamilton.
Thanks: As always, thanks to Deb...my own personal "Inspiration Fairy" (no pun intended!! LOL)
Feedback: Loved and appreciated!!!
Part I
"Hey baby, feeling better?" He asked into the telephone.
"Maybe a little. " She answered with a voice still raspy from the flu.
"Oh good. I miss you, you know."
Jake could picture his puppy dog eyes. "I miss you too." She said putting her hand over her mouth in an attempt to stifle another cough.
"Maybe I should come by and make sure you're all tucked in and drinking your juice." Hamilton said sounding hopeful.
"Awww thanks. But, I don't want you to catch whatever it is that I have."
Hamilton sighed into the phone. "Think you'll feel better tomorrow?"
"I hope so..." Her coughing took over and rattled thorough the receiver.
"Or maybe the next day?" He chuckled.
"Mmmm." She agreed.
"Call me if you need anything...OK?" He said.
"Thanks...I will." She said.
"Take care." He said.
"I will." She said.
"Love you." He said.
"Love you too." She said.
"Stay warm." He said.
"Okay." She said.
"Drink your juice." He said.
"I will...Mom." She said.
"Feel better." He said smiling.
"Hang up Hamilton!" She said straining her voice.
"Bye." She said.
"Bye." She said.
"I love you." He said.
"Hamilton!" She yelled barely above a whisper.
"Bye." He said and she finally heard the click of the receiver.
Jake smiled as she reached out from under the covers to hang up the phone. She had spent the last three days in bed nursing a bad case of the flu. Hamilton had been wonderfully attentive...delivering chicken soup to her door from the school cafeteria, taking notes for her in class, retrieving books from the library and calling twice a day...everyday, just to see if she wanted or needed anything.
Hamilton missed not seeing her. It seemed like an eternity to him although he knew it had only been a few days. Hamilton stood in front of his opened gym locker, staring into it.
"Hey buddy." Scout said as he passed Hamilton by and headed toward his own locker. "Good crew practice today."
Hamilton said nothing. He stood still staring into his locker. "Ham?"
"Oh, hey" He acknowledged Scout, looking slightly past him.
"What's up man? You seem kinda far away."
"Sorry." Hamilton responded turning his attention fully to Scout. "Just thinking about Jake I guess."
"And...this would be different...how?" Scout said amused.
Hamilton grinned. "I can't help it. Lately she's ALL I can think about."
"Is she still sick?" Scout asked knowing that they had each been taking turns as the coxswain for the last week.
"Yeah...she's feeling really miserable. I wish there was something I could do to make her feel better...you know, cheer her up a little bit."
"Presents!" Scout said with a wink. "Trust me on this one...girls love presents."
"Like...?" Hamilton questioned.
"You know...girl stuff. Flowers, perfume...candy, that sort of thing."
"Mmm...that's a good idea," Hamilton said nodding. "Maybe I'll go into town and see what I can find."
"Give me fifteen minutes to shower and change...and I'll come with you."
"Thanks man." Hamilton said. The two high-fived one another and turned toward the showers.
Steven Flemming, the Dean of Rawley Academy, rubbed his already aching head with his hand. He tossed the letter on the desk and let out a loud audible sigh. "The third one this month." He said aloud, to no one. Another influential family threatening to remove their son from Rawley. He placed both hands over his face and sighed again.
Scout and Hamilton perused the isles of the local apothecary. Hamilton carried with him cherry cough drops, butterscotch disks, and a bottle of Barely Pink nail polish. Hamilton looked at the bottle of polish and then asked Scout for advice. "Hey...I know this is the color she likes...can you use this stuff on your toes?" Hamilton queried. "I mean, it says finger nail polish and, I can't find any TOE nail polish."
Scout smiled..."You don't do this to often, do you Ham?"
"Shut up, Calhoun...you said you were going to help me." Hamilton looked indignant and slightly embarrassed. He kept the polish and juggled the items in hand refusing a small carry basket because they both agreed it would look "Un-cool."
"OK..." Scout looked around and settled his eyes on some pretty boxes on the shelf. "Summers Eve...that's sounds nice" Scout said. "Let's see...we have rose garden...um...spring flowers...oh and....scent of mountain herbs. Any of those sound good?"
"Vinegar and water?" Hamilton studied the box with a perplexed look on his face. "Who'd want to smell like a salad?"
"That would be vinegar and oil...and you know what?...I just read the box a little more carefully and this is NOT perfume." Hamilton returned the box to the shelf and moved on to the next isle. He made a careful selection from amongst all the "Get well" cards and then went to find Scout in the fragrance isle.
"I have no idea what kind of perfume she likes." Hamilton said as he looked at all the bottles he had to choose from. "She never wears perfume...as a guy." Hamilton smiled whenever he thought about her. Scout just rolled his eyes.
" Let's focus here Flemming. Hey, this can't be bad," Scout said with a wink as he held up a bottle labeled "Temptress"
Hamilton smiled and he continued to search the shelves. "Obsession...Allure...Destiny...Rapture..Poison...I don't know Calhoun, they all look the same to me.
Think Flemming...here smell this one..." Scout said as he sprayed the air in front of Hamilton. Hamilton leaned into the mist slightly and sniffed.
"No...definitely not." He said as he wrinkled his nose.
"OK...lets try this one." Scout squirted again.
"Better...but not it."
"Ok..."Scout said as he squirted the third bottle into the air.
"Jesus Calhoun! Watch what you're doing!" Hamilton yelled as the fragrant mist settled on his neck and shoulders.
"Sorry..." Scout said trying not to smile.
sniff sniff "Hey...actually...I think this one might be it. I'll take it."
Hamilton picked out a couple of magazines, that was easy, anything with Leonardo DiCaprio on the cover was a good choice. He gathered his thoughts and his cash and the two headed for the register. "Thanks Calhoun...for the idea" Hamilton said.
"Welcome man...I gotta get to work. I'll catch up with you." Scout said as he headed off in the opposite direction. Hamilton headed for home with a smile on his face eager to put together Jake's little care package.
Hamilton approached his house. As he headed up the familiar flagstone path he recognized the raised voices of his parents. With concern...he hesitated before going in.
"You're over reacting" Kate Flemming said.
"I don't think I am." Dean Flemming responded.
"Their kids Steven, teenaged boys. " She said.
Hamilton quickly scanned his brain trying to think of any events in his recent memory that could be the cause of this most recent argument.
"It's sick Kate" he said.
"It's probably a mistake Steven, just a misunderstanding. You are blowing this whole thing completely out of proportion." She said.
"It's perverted!!" The Dean said raising his voice as well as his blood pressure.
At this, Hamilton's ears perked up and he felt himself breathe a sigh of relief. Having no memory of any past perversions he assumed he was safe. He tucked the bag under his jacket and opened the door. "Hi Mom...Dad, what's up?"
"Nothing Munchie.." Kate said.
"Mom..."Hamilton whined.
"Sorry...nothing Hamilton" Kate repeated eliminating the preschool nick name. She extended her arm and attempted to usher her son past his father. Hamilton headed toward the kitchen. Both parents watched him in uncomfortable silence until he was out of sight and therefore presumably out of earshot. Hamilton opened the door to the refrigerator and reached for the milk carton. Just as he lifted it to his mouth he heard his mothers voice shrill from the living room. "Don't drink out of the carton, Munchie" Her ESP intact as usual. Hamilton smiled as he reached for a glass. Their whispered voices were slightly obscured.
"Homosexuals Kate...here at Rawley" Steven tried to hush is voice.
Hamilton spat out the milk. "Oh God.." he thought, "Jake..."
"I have letters here Kate...letters from concerned parents wanting to pull their boys...not to mention their tuition checks...out of this academy if I don't rectify the situation immediately. Hamilton felt the heat begin in his cheeks.
"What you have Steven...is rumors. Rumors about two boys spending time together. It's an all boy's school Steven, who are they expected to spend time with...if not each other." Hamilton was pleased by his mothers reaction to the situation. Hamilton exited the kitchen and quickly headed for the stairwell that lead to his bedroom.
"Thank goodness we have Hamilton here at home...under our roof." The Dean said. He looked up to see the shadow of Hamilton as he made his way out of the living room. "Son." He called out after him. Hamilton heard his fathers voice. A sound that often made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up...and today was no exception.
"Sir" Hamilton responded. He remained standing on the bottom step, for the first time in his life meeting his father eye-to-eye.
"Are you aware of anything...unusual...at school?" his father hesitated.
"Uh...like what?" Hamilton said pretending not to have heard any of the conversation between his parents.
"Monkey business...you know" His father said obviously uncomfortable with the topic.
"Uh...no sir...sorry" Hamilton said as he turned and continued up the stairs.
sniff sniff Dean Flemming's eyes followed him carefully as the light scent of honeysuckle wafted after his son.
Hamilton emptied the contents of the bag onto his bed. Two scented candles, perfume, nail polish and most importantly...the perfect card. He took the card and sat down at his desk. He thought about what to write...and then it came to him. "A little corny" he thought to himself but he smiled as he wrote: "For better or worse...in sickness and in health... I love you, Hamilton" He sealed the envelope and returned it to the pile on his bed. He had just opened the gift bag when he heard his father's voice at the door.
"Hamilton?"
Hamilton quickly brushed the items from the bed to the floor with a sweep of his hand and hastily kicked everything underneath. His father opened the door in time to see Hamilton on his knees on the floor. Hamilton stood up...
"Uh...I was just looking for a book I can't find..."He said stuttering slightly, "What's up Dad?"
"Earlier...I asked you about any unusual happenings at school" His Dad said obviously trying to choose his words carefully.
"Oh right...the monkey business." Hamilton tried not to crack a smile. The Dean was not amused.
"Yes.." He said. "Son...are you aware of any boys at school that are...let's say...um...less than manly?"
It was hard for Hamilton not to laugh at the utter ridiculousness of the question. "Less than manly, Sir?" Hamilton questioned purposely. He thought of Jake. He pictured the feminine curves of her body...his father's voice brought him back into reality.
"Yes Hamilton...less than manly...slightly...um...well..." he moved his hand upward and thought about bending it at the wrist...then thought better of it.
"Sorry Dad...can't help you there. Why?"
"Well, it seems that...um...some people have found out that...their is a couple...a couple of boys here at Rawley Academy who may be...let's say...fond of each other. Fond of each other...in that kind of way."
Hamilton inhaled quickly and drew his hand to his mouth. "Oh no!! You mean...Gay?" Hamilton said widening his eyes for effect. He was hysterical on the inside but kept his best poker face on the outside. Hamilton was thoroughly enjoying watching his usually confident and authoritative father having difficulty finding his words. Hamilton attempted to keep his mind off Jake for the sake of this uncomfortable conversation. He was constantly aware of slipping up with his pronouns.
"It seems..." his father continued, " that this...um...revelation may be a problem with some of the parents and trustees here at Rawley."
"Well Dad...I'd like to help you out...but I'm not aware of any openly gay couples here at Rawley. If you like...I could check things out the next time I'm in the showers after crew." Hamilton couldn't believe the sarcastic words had left his lips.
The Dean turned scarlet. "Well..." he stood and stared at his son. "Well" he cleared his throat.
"Well" Hamilton said, almost defiantly. His father turned and left the room shutting the door behind him. Hamilton fell onto his bed the color only now draining from his face as he realized that he had just stood his ground with his father. He let out a huge sigh of welcomed relief.
Hamilton returned to his knees and reached under his bed to retrieve his purchases. He opened the gift bag and dropped in the items along with the card. The magazines didn't fit...but he figured he could just hand those to her separately. He tucked the bag and the magazines under his jacket once again. Hamilton shut the door behind him not seeing the small bottle of Barely Pink nail polish remaining on his bedroom floor.
Author: EV
Email: EVLYN827@cs.com
Rating: PG13
Category: J/H
Disclaimer: As much as I might like to...I don't own any of the characters used here.
Summary: Rumors flood Dean Flemming's office. Will, Scout and Bella come to the aid of Jake and Hamilton.
Thanks: As always, thanks to Deb...my own personal "Inspiration Fairy" (no pun intended!! LOL)
Feedback: Loved and appreciated!!!
Part I
"Hey baby, feeling better?" He asked into the telephone.
"Maybe a little. " She answered with a voice still raspy from the flu.
"Oh good. I miss you, you know."
Jake could picture his puppy dog eyes. "I miss you too." She said putting her hand over her mouth in an attempt to stifle another cough.
"Maybe I should come by and make sure you're all tucked in and drinking your juice." Hamilton said sounding hopeful.
"Awww thanks. But, I don't want you to catch whatever it is that I have."
Hamilton sighed into the phone. "Think you'll feel better tomorrow?"
"I hope so..." Her coughing took over and rattled thorough the receiver.
"Or maybe the next day?" He chuckled.
"Mmmm." She agreed.
"Call me if you need anything...OK?" He said.
"Thanks...I will." She said.
"Take care." He said.
"I will." She said.
"Love you." He said.
"Love you too." She said.
"Stay warm." He said.
"Okay." She said.
"Drink your juice." He said.
"I will...Mom." She said.
"Feel better." He said smiling.
"Hang up Hamilton!" She said straining her voice.
"Bye." She said.
"Bye." She said.
"I love you." He said.
"Hamilton!" She yelled barely above a whisper.
"Bye." He said and she finally heard the click of the receiver.
Jake smiled as she reached out from under the covers to hang up the phone. She had spent the last three days in bed nursing a bad case of the flu. Hamilton had been wonderfully attentive...delivering chicken soup to her door from the school cafeteria, taking notes for her in class, retrieving books from the library and calling twice a day...everyday, just to see if she wanted or needed anything.
Hamilton missed not seeing her. It seemed like an eternity to him although he knew it had only been a few days. Hamilton stood in front of his opened gym locker, staring into it.
"Hey buddy." Scout said as he passed Hamilton by and headed toward his own locker. "Good crew practice today."
Hamilton said nothing. He stood still staring into his locker. "Ham?"
"Oh, hey" He acknowledged Scout, looking slightly past him.
"What's up man? You seem kinda far away."
"Sorry." Hamilton responded turning his attention fully to Scout. "Just thinking about Jake I guess."
"And...this would be different...how?" Scout said amused.
Hamilton grinned. "I can't help it. Lately she's ALL I can think about."
"Is she still sick?" Scout asked knowing that they had each been taking turns as the coxswain for the last week.
"Yeah...she's feeling really miserable. I wish there was something I could do to make her feel better...you know, cheer her up a little bit."
"Presents!" Scout said with a wink. "Trust me on this one...girls love presents."
"Like...?" Hamilton questioned.
"You know...girl stuff. Flowers, perfume...candy, that sort of thing."
"Mmm...that's a good idea," Hamilton said nodding. "Maybe I'll go into town and see what I can find."
"Give me fifteen minutes to shower and change...and I'll come with you."
"Thanks man." Hamilton said. The two high-fived one another and turned toward the showers.
Steven Flemming, the Dean of Rawley Academy, rubbed his already aching head with his hand. He tossed the letter on the desk and let out a loud audible sigh. "The third one this month." He said aloud, to no one. Another influential family threatening to remove their son from Rawley. He placed both hands over his face and sighed again.
Scout and Hamilton perused the isles of the local apothecary. Hamilton carried with him cherry cough drops, butterscotch disks, and a bottle of Barely Pink nail polish. Hamilton looked at the bottle of polish and then asked Scout for advice. "Hey...I know this is the color she likes...can you use this stuff on your toes?" Hamilton queried. "I mean, it says finger nail polish and, I can't find any TOE nail polish."
Scout smiled..."You don't do this to often, do you Ham?"
"Shut up, Calhoun...you said you were going to help me." Hamilton looked indignant and slightly embarrassed. He kept the polish and juggled the items in hand refusing a small carry basket because they both agreed it would look "Un-cool."
"OK..." Scout looked around and settled his eyes on some pretty boxes on the shelf. "Summers Eve...that's sounds nice" Scout said. "Let's see...we have rose garden...um...spring flowers...oh and....scent of mountain herbs. Any of those sound good?"
"Vinegar and water?" Hamilton studied the box with a perplexed look on his face. "Who'd want to smell like a salad?"
"That would be vinegar and oil...and you know what?...I just read the box a little more carefully and this is NOT perfume." Hamilton returned the box to the shelf and moved on to the next isle. He made a careful selection from amongst all the "Get well" cards and then went to find Scout in the fragrance isle.
"I have no idea what kind of perfume she likes." Hamilton said as he looked at all the bottles he had to choose from. "She never wears perfume...as a guy." Hamilton smiled whenever he thought about her. Scout just rolled his eyes.
" Let's focus here Flemming. Hey, this can't be bad," Scout said with a wink as he held up a bottle labeled "Temptress"
Hamilton smiled and he continued to search the shelves. "Obsession...Allure...Destiny...Rapture..Poison...I don't know Calhoun, they all look the same to me.
Think Flemming...here smell this one..." Scout said as he sprayed the air in front of Hamilton. Hamilton leaned into the mist slightly and sniffed.
"No...definitely not." He said as he wrinkled his nose.
"OK...lets try this one." Scout squirted again.
"Better...but not it."
"Ok..."Scout said as he squirted the third bottle into the air.
"Jesus Calhoun! Watch what you're doing!" Hamilton yelled as the fragrant mist settled on his neck and shoulders.
"Sorry..." Scout said trying not to smile.
sniff sniff "Hey...actually...I think this one might be it. I'll take it."
Hamilton picked out a couple of magazines, that was easy, anything with Leonardo DiCaprio on the cover was a good choice. He gathered his thoughts and his cash and the two headed for the register. "Thanks Calhoun...for the idea" Hamilton said.
"Welcome man...I gotta get to work. I'll catch up with you." Scout said as he headed off in the opposite direction. Hamilton headed for home with a smile on his face eager to put together Jake's little care package.
Hamilton approached his house. As he headed up the familiar flagstone path he recognized the raised voices of his parents. With concern...he hesitated before going in.
"You're over reacting" Kate Flemming said.
"I don't think I am." Dean Flemming responded.
"Their kids Steven, teenaged boys. " She said.
Hamilton quickly scanned his brain trying to think of any events in his recent memory that could be the cause of this most recent argument.
"It's sick Kate" he said.
"It's probably a mistake Steven, just a misunderstanding. You are blowing this whole thing completely out of proportion." She said.
"It's perverted!!" The Dean said raising his voice as well as his blood pressure.
At this, Hamilton's ears perked up and he felt himself breathe a sigh of relief. Having no memory of any past perversions he assumed he was safe. He tucked the bag under his jacket and opened the door. "Hi Mom...Dad, what's up?"
"Nothing Munchie.." Kate said.
"Mom..."Hamilton whined.
"Sorry...nothing Hamilton" Kate repeated eliminating the preschool nick name. She extended her arm and attempted to usher her son past his father. Hamilton headed toward the kitchen. Both parents watched him in uncomfortable silence until he was out of sight and therefore presumably out of earshot. Hamilton opened the door to the refrigerator and reached for the milk carton. Just as he lifted it to his mouth he heard his mothers voice shrill from the living room. "Don't drink out of the carton, Munchie" Her ESP intact as usual. Hamilton smiled as he reached for a glass. Their whispered voices were slightly obscured.
"Homosexuals Kate...here at Rawley" Steven tried to hush is voice.
Hamilton spat out the milk. "Oh God.." he thought, "Jake..."
"I have letters here Kate...letters from concerned parents wanting to pull their boys...not to mention their tuition checks...out of this academy if I don't rectify the situation immediately. Hamilton felt the heat begin in his cheeks.
"What you have Steven...is rumors. Rumors about two boys spending time together. It's an all boy's school Steven, who are they expected to spend time with...if not each other." Hamilton was pleased by his mothers reaction to the situation. Hamilton exited the kitchen and quickly headed for the stairwell that lead to his bedroom.
"Thank goodness we have Hamilton here at home...under our roof." The Dean said. He looked up to see the shadow of Hamilton as he made his way out of the living room. "Son." He called out after him. Hamilton heard his fathers voice. A sound that often made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up...and today was no exception.
"Sir" Hamilton responded. He remained standing on the bottom step, for the first time in his life meeting his father eye-to-eye.
"Are you aware of anything...unusual...at school?" his father hesitated.
"Uh...like what?" Hamilton said pretending not to have heard any of the conversation between his parents.
"Monkey business...you know" His father said obviously uncomfortable with the topic.
"Uh...no sir...sorry" Hamilton said as he turned and continued up the stairs.
sniff sniff Dean Flemming's eyes followed him carefully as the light scent of honeysuckle wafted after his son.
Hamilton emptied the contents of the bag onto his bed. Two scented candles, perfume, nail polish and most importantly...the perfect card. He took the card and sat down at his desk. He thought about what to write...and then it came to him. "A little corny" he thought to himself but he smiled as he wrote: "For better or worse...in sickness and in health... I love you, Hamilton" He sealed the envelope and returned it to the pile on his bed. He had just opened the gift bag when he heard his father's voice at the door.
"Hamilton?"
Hamilton quickly brushed the items from the bed to the floor with a sweep of his hand and hastily kicked everything underneath. His father opened the door in time to see Hamilton on his knees on the floor. Hamilton stood up...
"Uh...I was just looking for a book I can't find..."He said stuttering slightly, "What's up Dad?"
"Earlier...I asked you about any unusual happenings at school" His Dad said obviously trying to choose his words carefully.
"Oh right...the monkey business." Hamilton tried not to crack a smile. The Dean was not amused.
"Yes.." He said. "Son...are you aware of any boys at school that are...let's say...um...less than manly?"
It was hard for Hamilton not to laugh at the utter ridiculousness of the question. "Less than manly, Sir?" Hamilton questioned purposely. He thought of Jake. He pictured the feminine curves of her body...his father's voice brought him back into reality.
"Yes Hamilton...less than manly...slightly...um...well..." he moved his hand upward and thought about bending it at the wrist...then thought better of it.
"Sorry Dad...can't help you there. Why?"
"Well, it seems that...um...some people have found out that...their is a couple...a couple of boys here at Rawley Academy who may be...let's say...fond of each other. Fond of each other...in that kind of way."
Hamilton inhaled quickly and drew his hand to his mouth. "Oh no!! You mean...Gay?" Hamilton said widening his eyes for effect. He was hysterical on the inside but kept his best poker face on the outside. Hamilton was thoroughly enjoying watching his usually confident and authoritative father having difficulty finding his words. Hamilton attempted to keep his mind off Jake for the sake of this uncomfortable conversation. He was constantly aware of slipping up with his pronouns.
"It seems..." his father continued, " that this...um...revelation may be a problem with some of the parents and trustees here at Rawley."
"Well Dad...I'd like to help you out...but I'm not aware of any openly gay couples here at Rawley. If you like...I could check things out the next time I'm in the showers after crew." Hamilton couldn't believe the sarcastic words had left his lips.
The Dean turned scarlet. "Well..." he stood and stared at his son. "Well" he cleared his throat.
"Well" Hamilton said, almost defiantly. His father turned and left the room shutting the door behind him. Hamilton fell onto his bed the color only now draining from his face as he realized that he had just stood his ground with his father. He let out a huge sigh of welcomed relief.
Hamilton returned to his knees and reached under his bed to retrieve his purchases. He opened the gift bag and dropped in the items along with the card. The magazines didn't fit...but he figured he could just hand those to her separately. He tucked the bag and the magazines under his jacket once again. Hamilton shut the door behind him not seeing the small bottle of Barely Pink nail polish remaining on his bedroom floor.