Authors Note: This story was inspired by "Kid" by Living End, "Pulling Teeth" by Green Day and New Zealand's greatest shame. Although the issue of child abuse has been brought up a few times, I felt i needed to add my contribution. The use of shock tactics in this story was used in conjunction with a much loved person to drive the message home. This story is based off of a number of cases I have heard off, some details have been added, changed or removed to fit the story. I apologize in advance to anyone is disturbed by this story. Don't worry the next one isn't nearly as psychodelic

WARNING

This is the most controversial story I have written. From Chapter 5 It contains references to drug use, and contains some details some may find disturbing relating to child abuse and neglect. Chapters 5 & 6 should be read with extreme caution, or skipped if you are unsure. Chapters 7 & 8 provide a quick resolution in order to allow the series to continue. They contain some violence and I advise discretion.

"Alex, I don't know why you just don't sign these yourself" Nat said handing back a small pile of detention slips.

"'Cause your writings better. I don't know why you just don't get a stamp." Alex said putting the slips into his bag.

It was only two weeks since Alex had been back at school, or out of jail for that matter. Nat wasn't entirely surprised, his brother and detention went hand and hand, the same went for Juanita.

"Why did Mr Allen have to leave again?" Alex asked curiously.

Nat just like Alex hadn't really adjusted to the fact that one of the teachers they had known for so long was actually their uncle.

"He thought it would be awkward if he stayed." Nat answered for the hundredth time.

"Hmmmm" Alex agreed a bit disheartened.

"So what's the new teacher like" Nat said trying to distract Alex.

Alex shrugged.

"I don't know, he starts today." Alex mumbled.

Nat picked up his bag and put it on his back.

"Come on Alex, we better go." Nat said throwing Alex his bag.

Alex caught it and reluctantly put it on his back. He was back to normal, he despised school again.

"Why do we have to go to school?" Alex asked as he followed Nat out the door closing it behind him.

"Alex, you avoid school like the plague…" Nat said smirking.

"No I don't" Alex replied.

Nat gave his brother a disbelieving look.

"I'd rather catch the plague," Alex finished smiling a little.

Nat inwardly smiled. Considering the events of the previous couple of months Nat was now grateful every time he saw his brother smile.

They walked down the footpath, it was get a lot colder now.

Alex breathed out and watched the air catch is breath. Alex was feeling good, he had returned to normal just in time to enjoy Halloween and his birthday and Christmas was only about a month or so away.

Rosalina came up to Nat and they both disappeared off somewhere. Alex was left walking alone, he wasn't too concerned as he was soon joined by Juanita.

"Hey Juanita" Alex said as he caught up to her.

Juanita kept on walking unaware of Alex.

"Juanita" Alex said tapping her on the shoulder.

Juanita was a bit startled as she turned to look at Alex.

"Hey Alex…" Juanita said distracted.

Alex looked at her.

"What's wrong?" He asked quietly.

Juanita looked in his brown eyes and stood looked into them for a few minutes.

"What's wrong?" Alex asked again, he could tell something was on her mind.

"Nothing, Just day dreaming" Juanita lied.

Alex looked at her sceptically.

"What's wrong?" Alex asked a third time.

"Did you not hear me? I said Nothing!" Juanita said angrily.

Alex backed down, he didn't want to push Juanita.

"Sorry" Alex said looking at his feet.

Alex and Juanita walked in silence for a couple of blocks.

Alex tried to strike up conversation with Juanita as they approached the school.

"Are you even listening to me?" Alex asked a bit frustrated as Juanita didn't appear to be paying attention to him.

This brought Juanita back to her senses.

Alex tried to look into her eyes, but she seemed to be avoiding his eyes.

"Are you sure it's nothing" Alex asked with masked concern.

"Drop It Alex!" Juanita shouted and stormed off.

Alex stood there confused. He thought girls liked it when I guy cared about their problems.

"Hey Alex" Rosalina said, as her and Nat approached the school.

"Hey Rosie" Alex said flustered at Juanita's behaviour.

"What's up Alex?" Nat asked looking at the perplexed look on Alex face.

"Huh," Alex said snapping back to reality. "Oh just Juanita's acting real strange"

Nat and Rosalina glanced at each through the corner of the eyes. Alex didn't notice.

Alex shrugged and turned and walked into the school.

Once he was out of ear shot Rosalina turned to Nat.

"She hasn't told him?"

Nat shrugged

"I don't think so, you don't think we should do you?" Nat responded.

"Juanita made us swear not to, remember" Rosalina said a bit uncomfortably.

"Hmmmm, She needs to tell him today." Nat said quietly.

"She has to, it happens today" Rosalina said

Nat had an unpleasant thought but kept it to himself.

Alex had maths first with Mr Johnston. He walked in and moved to sit by Juanita.

"Can you tell me what's wrong?" Alex said quietly as he sat down beside her.

Juanita sighed heavily.

"Drop it and Leave it alone!" Juanita said frustrated. "I'll tell you when I know how."

Juanita didn't like the situation and she knew she was running dangerously low on time. Alex looked even more perplexed.

"Mr Wolff, why are you looking so confused? I haven't even set the work yet" Mr Johnston asked noticing Alex's facial expression.

Alex didn't even hear him, he was lost in his thoughts seeing if he could work out why Juanita was acting strange.

Juanita was looking down trying to conceal her gaze at Alex.

"Miss Dunn, could you shift your sight from Mr Wolff to the front of the room" Mr Johnston said noticing Juanita's stare.

She was too wrapped up trying to think of how to tell Alex.

"Earth to Alex, Earth to Juanita" Mr Johnston said waving his arms around trying to catch their attention.

Mr Johnston quickly gave up this approach and went into his desk draw and quickly scribbled on two slips. He approached Alex and Juanita's workstation and slammed his fist on it, causing it to jump.

"Houston we have a problem" He said handing over detention slips.

"What?" Alex said looking a bit confused, what did he do to get this?

"And Mr Wolff, stop getting your brother to sign them." Mr Johnston said walking back to the front.

Juanita and Alex were both pretty vacant for the rest of the day, unsurprisingly earning more detentions for not paying attention.