1A G 4 Life Production
Disclaimer: "Degrassi: The Next Generation" Is a registered trademark of CTV and The-N. These characters are not mine, except for Marcus Van Zandt. If I owned Degrassi, I would have persuaded Ryan Cooley to make SOME appearances on the show on his own time (J.T. would not be dead). I hate Mia, Mia must die.
The Van Zandts
Genres: Self-Insertion, Drama, Romance
Relationships: J.T. and Liberty, J.T. and Mia (Maybe), others to be announced
Warnings: Mia bashing (possible), language, someone will get shot(Rick's rampage), Someone will get seriously hurt or killed in this fic
Synopsis: The drama storm that is school at Degrassi spares none, not even the "Smartest girl in school" and her two brothers. From Scandals, to pregnancies, to the death of classmates. Read on as the Van Zandts weather the storms and become stronger together as family.
Chapter 1:
Auspicious beginings/Liberty goes gangsta!
The first day of school for 15 year old Marcus Van Zandt, Danny and Liberty's oldest brother, started with a 6:15am wake up call from his sister and a tumble out of bed. Today is the first day of school, in which Marcus starts the 10th, Liberty starts the 9th, and Danny starts the 8th grades respectively. Marcus (also known as "Max) and Liberty get an early start on there walk to school, leaving Danny to sleep, since he's a heavy sleeper, and irritable when awoken early. Max was dressed in his Jeff Gordon gear, a Chase Authentics shirt, which was made to look like Jeff Gordon's uniform top, a Jeff Gordon hat, and a watch with Jeff Gordon's number(24) on the face of the watch. Liberty dresses a bit more conservative, a black shirt, Jeans, and sneakers.
Marcus: Alright, what's the plan?
Liberty: What plan?
Marcus: You know, "Operation: Snag J.T. Yorke?" The one you kept bugging me about the last two weeks?
Liberty: Oh, THAT plan. I don't know If I'm going to do it.
Marcus: What do you me "You don't know?" I spent the last two weeks teaching you what to say, now your backing out?
Liberty: It's not that I'm backing out, it's just, what If he doesn't like me?
Marcus: Liberty, he's just about your best friend, He assists in just about anything you've ever done at Degrassi, and he's stood for you on more than one occasion, trust me, he'll love you.
Liberty: But...
Marcus: No buts, remember, He told me how much he likes you.
Liberty: Ok, let's do it then.
Marcus: Cool, now, hears the plan
Marcus, Liberty, Emma, Toby, and Manny have been spending the Summer collaborating on "Operation: J-Lib hookup". The Name was Max's idea, The plan was to get J.T. and Liberty together as a couple. The last two weeks have filled with scheming, plotting, and rehearsals for this day. The plan was simple:
1. get J.T. to school 10 minutes early.
2. Get J.T. and Liberty alone.
3. Max would play catalyst, then back away
4. Watch the fireworks.
They get to school as planned, with Emma and company arriving moments later. A few minuets later, J.T. walks up, the plan was a go.
J.T.: Hi guys
Marcus: YO J.T., let me talk to you for a minute.
J.T.: Ok,
Marcus and J.T. walk away, while Emma, Manny, and Toby prep Liberty for her part.
Marcus: Hey J.T., I came through for you buddy.
J.T.: How?
Marcus: Well, remember when You told me that you have a crush on my Sister?
J.T.: Yeah?
Marcus: (Fake Dr Farnsworth voice) Good news, Liberty feels the same way.
J.T.: Really?!
Marcus: Yes, What do you want , a written declaration or something?
J.T.:No, no that's ok.
Marcus: I'm giving you the go son, but if you hurt my sister, your dead meat.
Marcus places two fingers behind his back, the signal that that its time for Liberty to start phase 3. Emma sees the sign, and tells Liberty to go. Shaking off her nerves, she walks over to J.T. and Max.
Liberty: (Nervously, blushing) Hi J.T.
J.T.: Hi.
Marcus: I'll leave you two to yourselves.
Marcus leaves and walks back to the group at the "staging area", a table right behind the J.T. and Liberty, to watch the festivities with the crew.
Manny: Are you sure this will work?
Marcus: Positive
Toby: This could backfire.
Marcus: I have a plan b.
Emma: Well, you sound confident.
Marcus: Well they both told me how much they LUUUUUV each other.
Toby: Really?
Marcus: Yep. So I decided to hook them up
Toby: Wow, Matchmaker Max.
Marcus: Yep
Manny: looks like its working
Marcus: How you figure?
Emma: Look at them.
The group looks just in time to see Liberty whisper something into his ear, kiss him on the lips, then walk away. J.T. falls in a mix of shock, joy, and happiness. They rush to him to check his status.
Emma: J.T.! Are you ok?
Marcus: I think he's unconscious, J.T.! Wake up buddy!
Toby: Is he alive?
Manny: Obviously, its not like Liberty has the kiss of death or anything.
Marcus: I'd be dead if she did.
Emma: Liberty kissed you once?
Marcus: Yeah, why? (Stunned silence) Whaaaat? Oh come on, she was 3, I was 4, it was cute then. Anyway, (To J.T.) J.T., if you can hear us, nod your head.
J.T. nods.
Toby: (sighs) At least he's conscious.
Marcus: Yeah, thank goodness.
Emma So what do we do now?
Marcus: Leave him, he'll be fine.
Toby: Are you sure?
Marcus: Yeah, I think.
Marcus, Toby, Emma, and Manny walk away from J.T., who's still recovering from his trance, and into the building, where they separate for home room. The 10th graders have Mr. Simpson, which is good news for Spinner, since Mrs Kwan was, and still will be, a throne in his side. Marcus takes a seat with Jimmy, Hazel, and Spinner, his best friends
Marcus: What's up guys?
Jimmy: Hey Max
Spinner: Marcus, what's up?
Hazel: Hi Max. Have a good summer Mr. NASCAR?
Marcus: It's not a NASCAR deal yet. I'm still an Arca star for now. But it went well, I won 5 races this year, and even scored a few top 5 and 10's in the truck series/
Jimmy: Not bad.
Hazel: Yeah, you made the news every week up here.
Marcus: Cool, RCR is planning to move me to the Truck Series full time Next Year.
Jimmy: Great!
Spinner: Not bad for a guy that races in Circles all day.
Marcus: Spinner, like I say all the time, see me on the track, I will smoke you any time, any place.
Mr. Simpson: Alright settle down everyone. I'd like to welcome all of you back, especially Mr. Van Zandt, who just got back from his development tour for Richard Childress Racing, I believe.
Marcus: That's correct, I netted 5 Arca wins and 8 top 5 and top 10's cumulatively in the Craftsman Truck Series.
Mr. Simpson: Great! That's great news. There's a rumor out there that your going to race in the Truck Series full time next year.
Marcus: Actually, its more than a rumor, but the announcement isn't until before the Ford 200.
Mr. Simpson: Excellent, I wish you luck.
Marcus: Thank you sir.
Jimmy:(Whispering) Emma isn't still running that Boycott NASCAR petition, is she?
Marcus: Nope, after I explained to her NASCAR's efforts for diversity programs.
Mr. Simpson: Alright, now its time for locker assignments, come get it as I call your name, and I'll see you guys for Media Immersion class later.
One by one, the students receive their locker combos and leave for first period. Marcus's locker is in the same place, right outside Mr. Simpson's class.
Marcus: (To himself) I always get this locker.
Liberty: Hey Max
Marcus: Yo (hugs Liberty) Where's your locker?
Liberty: Right next to yours, as usual.
Marcus: Coo, hey is our "baby brother" here?
Liberty: (Laughs) Yeah, he finally got here. He had to help J.T. up.
Marcus: Oh, did J.T. Spill the beans?
Liberty: No, don't worry.
Marcus: Good. It took me two months to get you two together.
Liberty: Thanks again for hooking us up.
Marcus: Your welcome, I'd do anything for my "Baby Sister"
Liberty: (Laughs)
Marcus: Well, I'll see you, gotta get to Journalism. (Hugs liberty)
Liberty: See ya.
Marcus and Liberty separate to go to class. Next to racing, Photography is Marcus's favorite activity, which is why he chose Journalism for a class, and became a photographer for the grapevine, Degrassi's school newspaper, which is sister is the editor of. During class, as he is taking notes, he gets a text message from his sister saying "911, help me". He looks up, and sees his Sister, visibly distraut, clutching her History notebook.
Marcus: Mr. Stevenson, can I be excused, its an emergency.
Mr. Stevenson: Go ahead, remember to get the homework from someone.
Marcus: I will.
Marcus gathers his stuff and walks out and joins his sister in the hall way. They walk to the Grapevine Editor's office. They go inside, and Marcus begins his investigation.
Marcus: What's wrong?
Liberty: Some Girl named Maxine wrote some horrible stuff in my notebook.
Marcus:(Annoyed) I know you did not call me out of class for some stupid shit like this, is she teasing you about your damn discalcula or something?
Liberty: No
Marcus: Then what the fuck is it?
Liberty looks down, upset at her brother's tone of voice.
Marcus:(To himself) Whoops. (To Liberty) Hey, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to catch an attitude sis, but if you don't help me, I can't help you.
Liberty: Remember when Emma accidentally started that rumor about me and Mr. Armstrong?
Marcus: I remember I almost "Accidentally" knocked Emma's brace face ass out. I was gonna knock her teeth straight. Why?
Liberty whispers into Marcus's ear
Marcus: What?! Where?
Liberty hands him the notebook.
Marcus: (Opens the notebook, reads quietly to himself) Liberty, you -explative- skank, you think your so -explative- special. J.T. is mine you -explative-, MAJOR -explative-,(closes the book) It just goes on like this. Who the fuck wrote this?
Liberty: Maxine Jones.
Marcus: Maxine, Maxine, that chick in your class that wears the close 3 sizes to small, think's she's cute but she's like the ugliest chick in the school?
Liberty: Yeah, but how do you know all that?
Marcus: Danny told me about her last year. Look, take this to Radditch, let him deal with it, I gotta get to class, oh and If she gets in your face, kick her ass.
Liberty: I'm against violence.
Marcus: We'll you've got clearance to engage. Now I gotta go(Hugs his sister) Cheer up ok, this will all be taken care of, ok?
Liberty: Ok.
Liberty goes to the principal's office, while Marcus returns to his locker, where he runs into Hazel.
Hazel: Hey, is your sis ok? I heard Maxine Jones wrote some pretty horrible stuff about her.
Marcus: (confused) How do you know?
Hazel: Your not the only one with connections in grade 9.
Marcus: True (sighs, shuts locker, leans against it)
Hazel: Hey, what's wrong Max?
Marcus: It's My sister. I'm worried about her psyche, Hazel. She's been through a lot, from the Armstrong incident, to dealing with discalcula, to female puberty, don't ask. I'm concerned for her, I don't like it when she's upset. It's not fair for her.
Hazel: Life is never fair.
Marcus: No dip.
Jimmy walks up to Hazel and Marcus.
Jimmy: Hey guys.
Hazel: Hey Jimmy.
Jimmy: What's with you?
Marcus: My sister's dirty laundry never dies.
Jimmy: Maxine Jones starting trouble?
Marcus and Hazel: How do you know?
Jimmy: News travels fast around here.
Marcus: I noticed. Hey, I gotta go, but do me a favor, pump those grade 9's for information on Maxine Jones.
Hazel: Will do.
Marcus: Thanks, I'll talk to you guys at lunch.
The rest of the morning was filled with questions and sympathy for Max and Liberty's situation. By lunchtime, he's had enough, he's so tired and depressed, he can barely eat.
Hazel: What's up Max, You've barely touched your food, and Chicken tenders and fries is your favorite.
Jimmy: Is Manny trying to get you to go out with Heather Sinclair again?
Marcus: No!, no. It's just this freakin Maxine thing, its killing me to see my sister like this.
Hazel: Well listen to this, I have some info on Maxine Jones.
Marcus: Shoot.
Hazel: Well, it seems Maxine believed SHE was in the front runner's spot in the "J.T. York sweepstakes".
Marcus: Ok
Hazel: Well, when she saw J.T. and Liberty holding hands in home room, she was livid! She took the notebook, and wrote that blistering note.
Marcus: I wrote
Jimmy: So what's going on now?
Marcus: She gave it to Radditch, I know Liberty's back in class. I don't know what happened to Maxine.
Hazel: Well tell your sister to keep a look out, Maxine is looking to stomp her out.
A lunch tray hits the floor with a loud clang, bringing silence to the lunchroom. When everyone looks, they see Maxine standing at Liberty's table.
Maxine: What are you doing with MY boyfriend you man stealing b!tch!
Liberty: (Standing) What are you talking about?! I didn't steal anyone, just leave me the fuck alone Maxine.
Maxine: I'm tired of little miss perfect getting her way.
Liberty: Your being irrational and pointless, just go away!
Maxine slaps Liberty so hard in reverberates through the whole cafeteria and sends Liberty's glasses flying, and pushes her down. Max Jumps up, but is restrained by Hazel and Jimmy, as J.T. is constrained by Toby, Emma, AND Manny.
Liberty jumps up, sans glasses, and delivers 3 hard punches to Maxine's face, what Liberty does next is stunning. She grabs Maxine by the neck, picks her up, and choke slams her onto the cafeteria floor.
J.T.: Holy cow
Marcus: (Pointing) OOOOOOOOOOOOOH BITCH!!!!
Marcus and J.T. break free from there respective captors and step in between Liberty and Maxine before anymore damage is done.
J.T.: Are you ok?
Liberty: Yeah, I think.
Marcus: Where did you learn all of that?
Liberty: I don't know.
Marcus: Hey, one tip, when you choke slam someone, lift more with your legs and less with your arms.
Liberty: (Chuckling) Shut up Max.
The whole afternoon, the conversation was son squarely on "Liberty's beat down" of Maxine Jones. Maxine was suspended 2 weeks for the fight and 5 for the note, while Liberty's actions were deemed to be in reaction to Maxine's actions, and spared any suspension or detentions from principal Radditch. As the school day concludes, J.T., Toby, Liberty, Danny, and Marcus walk home together.
Marcus: That was incredible, Liberty. I can't believe you gave Maxine Jones the business!
Liberty: Shut up Max
J.T.: Come on Liberty, you hit her 3 hard shots, and went WWE on her with the choke slam for the finisher!
Toby: You enjoyed that.
Danny: I did.
Marcus: Why?
Danny: Yeah. I didn't know my sister could kick so much ass!
Liberty: (annoyed) Shut up Danny.
Toby: What's wrong with you?
Liberty: I just about put someone in the hospital.
Toby: Well she deserved it.
Marcus: Yeah, I mean she put your name thru the dirt, called you a B, and slapped the hell out of you. I would've done the same thing.
Liberty:(Rolls eyes)
Marcus: Look, I say we go home, open up a few Barq's Root Beers, and celebrate.
Liberty: Celebrate what?
J.T.: The first beat down you've ever given, Of course!
Liberty: It's nothing to celebrate
Toby: Well where did you learn to punch like that?
Marcus: (Arm around Liberty) From me of course.
Liberty:(Knocks Marcus's arm off of her, very pissed) Be serious for just 2 seconds, what are we gonna do if dad finds out about this, and how do I (Points to her cheek) explain this bruise?!
Marcus: You ran into a door.
Liberty: The fu...?, whatever.
Danny: Hey Max, is the car still in the garage?
Marcus: Yeah, it is
Liberty: Wait, your Arca car is in the garage?!
Marcus: Yeah, that's where we keep it, at least that one anyway.
"The car in the garage" Max is speaking of is the car he drove to victory at Daytona in February earlier in the year, becoming the first African American to win at Daytona in ARCA history, the number 68 Barg's Root Beer chevy Monte Carlo SS, nicknamed the "Silver Bullet" by ARCA competitors. Max won that race, and the car earned that distinction when he used it to move from 13th, the last car on the lead lap, to 1st in the final 15 laps of the race. At the house, Max shows off his prized vehicle.
Marcus: This is it, the silver bullet. I won the ARCA 250 at Daytona in this thing.
J.T.: Cool
Toby: Wow, I watched that race, how'd you get through that wreck on lap 39?
Marcus: That was the scariest thing I have ever seen in my life. Check it, where coming off of turn 2, there 3 wide 3rows infront of me, when Erin Crocker got loose off of the turn and collects two other cars, they come careening off the wall right infront of the field.
It's a wreck fest infront of me, I can't go low, the whole is blocked, I can't go high because their's not enough room.
J.T.: So what did you do?
Marcus: I smashed the gas pedal to the floor and went through the smoke. It was crazy. Cars were spinning all over the place. Frank Kinmel, the guy to my left, T-boned the 27 car I dodged the melee, and guess what I see? Erin Crocker is flipping right in front of me, I turn to the right, going at 190mph, and go right under the flying car!
Liberty: I remember that
Marcus: I remember you screamed my ear off when I got through there.
Danny: That's why we don't give her the headset anymore at the track.
Toby and J.T. laugh.
Liberty: Anyway, you boys have fun, I'm going to find some Ice for my cheek before dad gets home.
Liberty walks into the house.
Danny: Is she really related to us?
Marcus: Yes Danny, she is.
J.T.: Well she seems quite capable to take care of herself.
Marcus: Are you talking about the fight today? Man, let it go, please.
Toby: But...
Marcus: Toby, let it go! I'm going in the house.
J.T.: What's wrong with him?
Marcus walks into the kitchen, where Liberty is sitting, applying ice to her bruised cheek.
Marcus: Yo, you ok?
Liberty: Yeah, I'm fine.
Marcus: Look, I know your probably feeling bad about what happened today, but it's not your fault. Maxine brought this on herself, and you did what you had to do. She got in your face, she pushed you down, she assaulted you. But yougot up, you dusted yourself off, and took care of business.
Liberty: You really think so?
Marcus: Yes, and no matter what anyone thinks, or what dad thinks, if he finds out. No matter what anyone thinks, you stood up for yourself, and for that, you should be proud.
Liberty: I guess you have a point. I think I over did it though.
Marcus: Probably.
Just then, They're father walks in.
Mr. Van Zandt: Hi guys, how was school?
Liberty and Marcus: Good
Mr. Van Zandt: Liberty, what happened to your cheek?
Liberty: (Looks at her brother, then looks at her dad) I ran into a door at school.
End Chapter 1
My parting shots: This is just the first chapter of the story, this is also my first Degrassi fic so don't be so harsh on me when you review. Chapter 2 is coming soon, so please R &R contrusctivly. Thanx!