"I am a socially awkward man."

Everyone except Adarian burst into laughter. Hearing that from Ash's monotone voice made it even funnier than it would have been.

"Nicholas Ambrosius Gautier! You watch your language!"

Cherise clapped and smiled, "That's me everyone!"

Nick sighed at his mother's sharp tone as he stood in their tiny kitchen looking down at the bright orange Hawaiian shirt. The color and style were bad enough. The fact it was covered in l-a-r-g-e pink, gray, and white trout (or were they salmon?) was even worse.

"Seriously Nick, that's what you were focusing on?" Caleb laughed at him.

"Hey! I just wanted to be right! I mean, come on, it matters," Nick said, seriously.

"Mom, I can't wear this to school. It's..." -he paused to think real hard of a word that wouldn't get him grounded for life-"hideous. If anyone sees me in this, I'll be an outcast relegated to the loser corner of the cafeteria."

"Sounds about right," Kody and Caleb agreed, which hardly ever happened.

Cherise sighed at the times when she put Nick through some horrible things.

As always, she scoffed at his protest.

Again she sighed, she use to put Nicky through hell sometimes.

"Oh, shush. There's nothing wrong with that shirt. Wanda told me at the Goodwill store that it came in from one of those big mansions down in the Garden District. That shirt belonged to the son of a fine upstanding man and since that's what I'm raising you to be..."

"Nick, honey, I have something to tell you," She said softly.

"What's wrong, Ma?" she looked stressed and Nick couldn't help, but be worried.

"That shirt... It wasn't from the Garden District. I lied to maybe get you to like it better," she confessed after 3 years.

Everyone burst into laughter. That wasn't what everyone expected. "I think it's ok, Ma."

Nick ground his teeth. "I'd rather be a delinquent no one picks on."

Adarian's lips formed a ghost smile again, as he heard the evil or bad in his child. It gave him joy to think one day this kid will end the world.

She let out a deep sound of aggravation as she paused while flipping bacon. "No one's going to pick on you, Nicky. The school has a strict no-bullying policy."

"Ms. G," Caleb said, looking at Nick's mom, "I'm sorry, but the school really doesn't."

Yeah, right. That's wasn't worth the "contract" paper it was written on. Especially since the bullies were illiterate idiots who couldn't read it anyway.

Caleb let out a snort, "That is so true. Man, Nick you just know how things go."

"It's a gift, honey."

"Nick, I love you, but come on we're in public," Caleb smiled at him.

Everyone just stared at them and their romantic bro moment.

"Nick, honey, something you want to tell me," his mother said, gently.

Nick's cheeks were flaming as he shook his head. At least Nick didn't think so. He stole a glance at Ash and couldn't help but feel hurt by him. He wasn't sure if there was something he wanted to tell his mom.

Jeez. Why wouldn't she listen to him? It wasn't like he wasn't the one going into the lion's den everyday and having to traverse the brutality of high school landmines. Honestly, he was sick of it and there was nothing he could do.

"Nicky, I'm so sorry," his mother said, softly.

"Ma, it's ok. That was a long time ago."

He was a massive loser dork and no one at school ever let him forget that. Not the teachers, the principal, and especially not the other students.

Why can't I flash forward and bypass this whole high school nightmare?

Because his mom wouldn't let him.

"Damn right I won't let you boy," his mother smiled at him.

Only hoodlums dropped out of school and she didn't work as hard as she did to raise up another piece of worthless scum- it was harped-on litany permanently carved into his brain. It ranked right up there with:

"Be a good boy, Nicky. Graduate. Go to college. Get a good job. Marry a good girl. Have lots of grandbabies and never miss a holy day of obligation at church."

The words "Marry a good girl" rang in Ash's ears. Girls.. Nick liked girls. That was a statement. Ash knew that but, he always held onto the slight shred of hope Nick didn't know yet.

His mom had already road-mapped his entire future with no diversions or pit stops allowed.

"You really weren't kidding, Nick. Your mom is very strict," Kody mumbled.

"Why would I lie?" Nick snapped. He hadn't meant to, but she always made him angry at times.

Ash smiled, just a little, he enjoyed knowing they would never be again.

But at the end of the day, he loved his mom and appreciated everything she did for him.

"Aw baby. I love you too. And I'm so sorry for all the times I didn't listen," Cherise's eyes filled with tears, but Mennie was there to comfort her.

Seeing his Cherise cry was by far the worst thing Adarian could ever look it. He had to turn away before he showed some type of emotion and made everyone in that room think he was weak.

Except for this whole "Do what I say, Nicky. I'm not listening to you because I know better" thing she said all the time.

He wasn't stupid and he wasn't a troublemaker. She had no idea what he went through at school, and every time he tried to explain it, she refused to listen. It was so frustrating.

"Nicky-" Cherise began, but Adarian cut her off, "He knows Cherise. Just be quiet."

"Don't talk to my mother," Nick said, gritting his teeth and standing at his full height.

Everyone knew Nick was no match for Adarian and it made Ash worry that the kid would try something stupid. Luckily Nick simmered down and took a seat again.

Gah, can't I catch swine flu or something?

"Nick, that is just reckless even for you," Death said, though nobody else seemed to notice.

Nick suppressed a groan as he realized that he would just be sassed by Death all series long. Nobody else would understand the horrible bullying he would get.

Just for the next four years until he was able to graduate and move on to a life that didn't include constant humiliation? After all, the swine flu had killed millions of people in 1918 and several more during outbreaks in the seventies and eighties. Was it too much to ask that another mutant strain of it incapacitate him for a few years?

"Hmm, Nick, you might be on to something," Caleb said, thinking of the countless possibilities.

"Nick is a genius! You've been holding out on us, boy!" Mark said, seriously.

"Seriously, we could've been using you all these years," Bubba agreed him him.

"Guys, let's not get into this now. I mean there has been reasons I've been holding out on you. I didn't want to be sitting in the swamp all night, covered in duck pee," Nick sassed.

Maybe a good bout of parvo...

You're not a dog, Nick.

"That is arguable, Gautier," Death smiled.

True, no dog would be caught dead wearing this shirt. Whizzing on it would be another matter...

Sighing in useless angst, he looked down at the crap shirt he wanted desperately to burn.

"Nick, don't be so unappreciative," his mother scolded him.

Nick made a face at her, but didn't say anything back.

Okay, fine. He'd do what he always did whenever his mom made him look like a flaming moron.

He'd own it.

I don't want to own this. I look epically stupid.

Man up, Nick. You can take it, You've taken a lot worse.

Yeah, all right. Fine. Let them laugh. He couldn't stop that anyway. If it wasn't the shirt, they'd humiliate him over something else. His shoes. His haircut. And if all else failed, they'd insult his name. Nick the dick, or dickless Nicholas.

Cherise frowned at this. She always thought she was leaving Nick in best possible care.

"It's true, Ms. G. No matter what, he could wear my clothes and still get made fun of," Caleb said, looking at her with sad eyes.

Didn't matter what he said or did, those who mocked would mock anything. Some people were just wired wrong and they couldn't live unless they were making other people suffer.

His Aunt Menyara always said no one could make him feel inferior unless he allowed them to.

"Nick, how nice of you to introduce me with a quote," Aunt Mennie smiled at him.

"Anything for you Mennie," he smiled back.

Problem was, he allowed it a lot more than he wanted to.

His mom set a chipped blue plate on the side of the rusted-out stove. "Sit down, baby, and eat something. I was reading in a magazine that someone left at the club that kids score much higher on tests and do a lot better in school whenever they have breakfast." She smiled and held the package of bacon up for him to see. "And look. It's not expired this time."

He laughed at something that really wasn't funny.

"You don't think I'm funny?" His mother said, offended.

"You are! In your own special way."

She smiled at him, "Nice save."

One of the guys who came into his mom's club was a local grocer who would give them meat sometimes when it expired since all the guy did was throw it out anyway.

"As long as we eat it quick, it won't make us sick."

Another litany he hated.

Picking up the crispy bacon, he glanced around the tiny condo they called home.

"God damn, Nick, you have so many thoughts. You haven't even left yet," Ash complained.

"Well, I'm sorry for being so intellectual," Nick said, cheekily.

Ash loved his sass. It just made him genuinely happy and he loved how Nick could handle his own.

It was one of four that had been carved out of an old run-down house. Made up of three small room- his mom's bedroom, and the bathroom- it wasn't much, but it was theirs and his mom was proud of it, so he tried to be proud too.

Most days.

He winced as he looked at his corner where his mom had strung up dark blue blankets to make a room for him on his last birthday. His clothes were kept in an old laundry basket on the floor, set next to his mattress that was covered with Star Wars sheets he'd had since he was nine- another present his mom had picked up at a yard sale.

Caleb noted that that was quite unsanitary, but didn't say anything because he knew how things were for Nick during this time.

"One day, Mom, I'm going to buy us a really nice house." With really nice stuff in it.

She smiled, but her eyes said she didn't believe a word he spoke. "I know you will, baby. Now eat up and get to school. I don't want you dropping out like me." She paused as a hurt look flitted across her face. "You can see exactly what that gets you."

"It gets you a wonderful child," Cher said, softly. Stroking at what little hair she could reach on Nick's head, since he was pretty far away.

Guilt cut through him. He was the reason his mom had dropped out of school. As soon as her parents had learned she was pregnant, they'd offer her one choice.

Give up the baby or give up her nice home in Kenner, her education, and her family.

For reasons he still didn't understand, she'd chosen him.

Ash tried to imagine a world without Nick and it seemed dull. It wasn't a world Ash wanted to live in.

It was something Nick never let himself forget. But one day he was going to get all that back for her. She deserved it, and for her, he'd wear this god-awful shirt.

"Woah Nick. Are you sure? That seems a little extreme," Caleb said, sarcastically.

"What's done is done, my friend. The past is in the past and I no longer can change what has been done," Nick said, a serious look on his face which he couldn't hold for long.

Ash nudged Kyrian, "You've been awfully quiet."

"I've been trying to dissect the text unlike so many people in this room," Kyrian gave a tightlipped smile.

Even if it got him killed...

"See that right there is foreshadowing! Nick wore that shirt when he got shot. Everyone would have missed it if it weren't for me," Kyrian stated, proudly.

"Nobody cares," Ash smiled, as Nick laughed his head off for some particular reason.

And he'd smile through the pain of it until Stone and his crew kicked his teeth in.

"Aww Nick, you are too sweet," his mother and aunt gushed.

He blushed a crimson red, yet again.

Trying not to think about the butt-whipping to come, Nick ate his bacon in silence.

"Really? That's new," Death laughed.

Nick gritted his teeth.

Maybe Stone wouldn't be in school today. He could get malaria or the plague, or rabies or something.

"That's a bit much to be asking," Caleb said.

Yeah, may the smarmy freak get a pox on his private.

"Nick! That is very rude!" Cherise yelled at him, angrily.

"Trust me, Ms. G, that punk deserves it," Caleb defended Nick.

Ash was getting annoyed at how close those two were and how Caleb always needed to rescue Nick. Nick could handle himself.

That thought actually made him smile as he shoved the grainy powdered eggs into his mouth and swallowed them. He forced himself not to shiver at the taste. But it was all they could afford.

He glanced at the clock on the wall and jerked. "Gotta go. I'm going to be late."

She grabbed him for a bear hug.

Nick grimaced. "Stop sexually harassing me, Mom. I gotta go before I get another tardy."

She popped him-

Ash started dying of laughter before he finished the sentence.

Nick's eyes widen as he realized what was going to happen. He was on his feet in seconds and tackling Ash, "Don't read the sentence!"

They wrestled around, Ash having thrown the book to Caleb and Caleb shouting the next sentence.

She popped him on the butt cheek before she released him.

Everyone burst into laughter. The loud and obnoxious kind. Nick sat their hiding his face in his lap, as Ash clapped him on the back.

"Guys it's not funny!" His voice came out muffled.

"Nick, honey, it's fine. Your mother is showing you love," Aunt Mennie said, gently.

He groaned and threw himself face first on the carpet.

Ash found it adorable. He found himself smiling softly at Nick's childish ways.

"Well, that was fun," Ash said, grabbing the book for Caleb.

After containing themselves, everyone listened intently for Ash to begin again. Nick sat next to Ash's legs on the ground, which formed a secret smile on his face that only Kyrian took notice of.

"Sexually harassing you. Boy, you have no idea." She ruffled his hair as he bent over to pick up his backpack.

Nick put both arms through the straps and hit the door running. He launched himself from the dilapidated porch and sprinted down the street, past broken-down cars and garbage cans to where the streetcar stopped.

"Please don't be gone..."

Otherwise he'd be doomed to another "Nick? What are we going to do with you, you white-trash dirt?" lecture from Mr. Peters. The old man hated his guts, and the fact that Nick was a scholarship kid at his snotty overprivileged school seriously ticked Peters off. He'd like nothing better than to kick him out so that Nick wouldn't "corrupt" the kids from the good families.

"That was a load of shit on Peters' behalf," Kody said bravely.

"Ahem to that, sister," Nick said.

Nick's lips curled as he tried not to think about the way those decent people looked at him like he was nothing. More than half their dads were regulars at the club where his mom worked, yet they were called decent while he and his mom were considered trash.

"Good lord, Nick! You could be a preacher," Bubba said soulfully. (weird I know)

The hypocrisy of that didn't sit well with him. But it was what it was. He couldn't change anyone's mind but his own.

Nick put his head down and ran as he saw the streetcar stopped at his station.

Oh man...

Nick picked up speed and he broke out into a dead run. He hit the platform and leapt for the streetcar.

"You act like you're being chased," Adarian mumbled, the first thing he said after Nick's confrontation with him.

"I might as well as been," Nick snapped.

He'd caught it just in time.

Panting and sweating from the humid autumn New Orleans air, he shrugged his backpack off as he greeted the driver. "Morning, Mr. Clemmons."

The elderly African-American man smiled at him. He was one of Nick's favorite drivers.

"I miss that guy," Nick said softly.

"Morning, Mr. Gautier." He always mispronounced Nick's last name. He said it "Go-chay" instead of the correct "Go-shay." The difference being "Go-chay" traditionally had an "h" in it after the "t" and, as Nick's mom so often said, they were too poor for any more letters.

Soft chuckles sounded about the room and Cherise smiled as she filled everyone with joy.

Not to mention, one of his mom's relatives, Fernando Upton Gautier, had founded the small town in Mississippi that shared his name and both were pronounced "Go-shay." "Your mom made you late again?"

"I am learning so much about you, Nick," Caleb said, smiling.

"It'll be your turn for secret sharing later at our slumber party," Nick winked.

"You know it." Nick dug his money out of his pocket and quickly paid before taking a seat. Winded and sweating, he leaned back and let out a deep breath, grateful he'd made it in time.

Unfortunately, he was still sweating when he reached school. The beauty of living in a city where even in October it could hit ninety by eight A.M. Man, he was getting tired of this late heat wave they'd been suffering.

"Boy, you ain't the only one. I'm sick and tired of smelling Mark's dirty ass duck urine perfume everyday!" Bubba complained, earning a hurt look on Mark's face.

Suck it up, Nick. You're not late today. It's all good.

Yeah, let the mocking commence.

"Sounds fun," Ash smirked, he got an attempt of a dead leg from Nick.

He smoothed down his hair, wiped the sweat off his brow, and draped his backpack over his left shoulder.

Holding his head high in spite of the snickers and comments about his shirt and sweaty condition, he walked across the yard and through the doors like he owed it. It was the best he could do.

"Ew! Gross! He's dripping wet. Is he too poor to own a towel? Don't poor people bathe?"

"Looks like he went fishing in the Pontchartrain and came up with that hideous shirt instead of a real fish."

"That's 'cause he couldn't miss it. I'll bet it even glows in the dark."

"I bet there's a naked hobo somewhere wanting to know who stole his clothes while he was sleeping on a bench. Gah, how long has he owned those shoes,anyways? I think my dad wore a pair like that in the eighties."

Cherise was fuming after hearing these comments about her baby. She was about ready to hit anyone who even made a small joke about him. This mama bear wouldn't let anyone pick on her little cub.

Adarian could see the steam rolling off Cherise and he loved it. He loved that bad side of her, if he could love that is.

Nick turned a deaf ear to them and focused on the fact that they really were stupid. None of them would be here if their parents weren't loaded. He was the scholarship kid. They probably couldn't have even spelled their names right on the exam he aced to get in.

"Nick, that's not very nice," his mom said, half-heartedly.

He gave her a full blown grin, now she finally knew what he went through.

That was what mattered most. He'd much rather have brains than money.

"What if you were like me and had both?" Kyrian asked.

"My life would be complete!" Nick announced.

Though right now, a rocket launcher might be nice too. He just couldn't say it out loud without the facility calling the cops on his having "inappropriate" thoughts.

His bravado lasted until he reached his locker, where Stone and his crew were loitering.

Great, just great. Couldn't they pick on someone else to stalk?

"When I think about it, man, they do kinda stalk you," Caleb smiled.

Stone Blackmoor was the kind of creep that gave the jocks a bad name. They weren't all like that and he knew it. Nick had several friends who were on the football team- starters, no less, not seat warmers like Stone.

Still, when you thought of an arrogant jock-rock, Stone was aptly named. It was definitely a self-fulling moniker his parents had labeled him with. Guess his mom had known while he was in the womb that she was giving birth to a flaming moron.

Caleb let out a snort, "You'd have to feel it since he is that big of a flaming moron."

"Yeah, that's true," Kody added in.

Stone snorted as Nick stopped besides his group to open his locker. "Hey, Gautier. I saw you mom naked last night- shaking her butt in my dad's face so that he'd put in her G-string. He got a good feel of her too. Said she got a nice set of-"

Adarian and Cher both were fuming at those punk's words. He had no right to talk to Cherise like that. Damn him! Damn that bastard!

Before he could even think better of it, Nick swiped him upside the head with his backpack as hard as he could.

"You go, baby boy," Aunt Mennie cheered.

And then it was on like Donkey Kong.

"Fight!" someone shouted while Nick wrapped Stone in a headlock and pounded on him.

A crowd gathered round, chanting, "Fight, fight, fight."

Somehow Stone escaped his hold and hit him so hard in the sternum it took his breath from him.

"Was he that good looking?" Death smirked at him.

Nick glared at Ambrose for inviting him to make fun of Nick for who knows how long. It has only been about an hour and it was already killing him inside.

Dang, he was a lot stronger than he looked. He hit like a jackhammer.

Furious, Nick started for him, only to find one of the teacher suddenly between them.

Ms. Pantall.

"Gross," Caleb moaned.

The sight of her petite form calmed him instantly.

Eyebrows were raised at Nick, he just shouted, "Keep reading!"

He wasn't about to hit an innocent person, especially not a woman. She narrowed her eyes at him and pointed down the hall. "To the office, Gautier. Now!"

Cursing under his breath, Nick picked his backpack up from the tiled beige floor and glared at Stone, who at least had a busted lip.

"That's my baby!" Cher said proudly, though not to long ago she had forbidden fighting.

So much for not getting in trouble.

But what was he suppose to do? Let the weasle scum insult his mom?

"You better not have, Boy. I taught you better than that," Adarian growled, somewhat happy the kid had beat up the good for nothing bastard.

Disgusted, he entered the office and sat in the corner chair outside the principal's office. Why wasn't there an undo button for life?

"Then it would be too easy," Ash said, looking down at him. Nick gazed into his sunglass covered eyes and wondered what they really looked like.

"Excuse me?"

Nick looked up at the softest, sweetest voice he'd ever heard. His stomach hit the ground.

Dressed in all pink, she was gorgeous, with silky brown eyes and green eyes that practically glowed.

Oh. My. God.

Ash became annoyed. She wasn't that pretty anyways. The gods would have her for dinner. She was nothing compared the all the goddess. It annoyed him even more that Nick thought of her as so beautiful. Or maybe use to think of her like that.

Nick wanted to speak but all he could do was try not to drool on her.

She held her hand out to him. "I'm Nekoda Kennedy, but most people call me Kody. I'm new to the school and kind of nervous. They told me to wait here, then there was a fight and they haven't come back and... I'm sorry, I babble when I'm nervous."

Kody giggled and smiled at Nick, "I'm glad I made a good first impression.

Nick gave her a half ass smile, he felt like he couldn't trust her anymore.

"Nick. Nick Gautier." He cringed as he realized how stupid he sounded and how behind he was on her conversation.

She laughed like an angel. A beautiful, perfect...

I am so in love with you...

Get a grip, Nick. Get a grip....

Nick flushed red as his mom shot him a wink. He was embarrassed about how whipped he use to be, but now he was confused. He gave Ash a look, but quickly turned away when Kyrian caught him.

Kyrian had some serious meddling to do later.

"So, have you been going here long?" Kody asked.

Work, tongue. Work. He finally choked an answer out. "Three years."

"You like it?"

Nick's gaze went to Stone and his others heading into the office. "Not today, I don't."

"Oh, because any other day you would enjoy it." Caleb rolled his eyes.

"That day was exceptionally shitty." Nick replied.

She opened her mouth to speak, but Stone and crew surrounded her.

"Hey, baby. Stone flashed her a cheesy smile. "You new meat?"

Kody grimaced and sidestepped them. "Get away from me, you animals. You smell." She raked a repugnant stare over Stone's body and curled her lips. "Aren't you a little old for your mom to be picking out your clothes for you? Really? Shopping at Children's Place at your age? I'm sure there's some third-grader dying to know who bought the last navy I-sore shirt."

Nick bit back a laugh. Yeah, he really, really liked her.

Nick frowned at that statement. It was amazing how easily he let his feelings for someone take over his whole being. He had known her for a full 2 minutes and he already decided he really, really liked her. Yeah, that's why almost all of Nick's relationships went to shit.

She went to stand by Nick and put her back against the wall so that she could keep an eye on Stone. "Sorry we got interrupted." Nick tried to like her again, thinking of all the good memories. He couldn't thought, everything they did was just part of her little show and he could never forgive her for that.

Stone made a sound like he was about to vomit.

"Why are you talking to King Loser Dork? You want to talk about ugly? Look at what he's wearing."

Nick cringed as Kody examined the sleeve of his shirt.

"I like a man who takes fashion chances. It's the mark of someone who lives by his own code. A rebel." She cast a biting glare at Stone. "A real lone wolf is a lot sexier than a pack animal who follows orders and can't give an opinion unless someone else gives it to him."

Cherise raised an eyebrow at the girl's comments. She wondered where Kody learned to defend herself like that because Cherise really wished someone had taught her that back in the day.

"Oooo," Stone's friends said in unison as she got the better of him.

"Shut up!" Stone shoved them. "No one asked you for your opinions."

"Nekoda?" the secretary called. "We need to finish your schedule."

Kody gave Nick a last smile. "I'm in the ninth grade."

"Me too."

Her smile widened. "Hope we have some classes together. Nice meeting you, Nick." She made sure to step on Stone's foot as she walked past him.

"Damn, talk 'bout attitude," Mark said.

Nick just shrugged. He didn't feel like getting into all that. It hurt him knowing that so many people would end up hurting him.

Stone yelped and mumbled an insult for her under his breath. Then he and his three friends sat down in the chairs that were opposite Nick's.

Ms. Pantall walked past them to go talk to Mr. Peters.

They're going to cream me over this...

Caleb coughed back a laugh, which earned glares from the Gautier family. This had to be Nick's worst nightmare. His mother hearing what everyone had to say about them. It broke his heart.

As soon as she was gone, Stone tossed a wadded-up piece of paper at him. "Where did you get that shirt, Gautier?"

"Obviously, he wants one to impress Kody," Ash smirked.

Nick laughed, God he couldn't help but love the way Ash was so funny and sarcastic.

"Goodwill or did you find it in a Dumpster? Nah, I bet you rolled a hobo for it. I know you people can't afford even something that tacky."

Nick refused to rise to the bait this time. Besides, he could handle insults directed at him. It was ones against his mom that elevated him to fighting mad.

And this was why most private schools had uniforms. But Stone didn't want to wear one and since his father all but owned the school...

Nick got mocked for the clothes his mom thought were respectable. Why don't you ever listen to me, Mom? Just once...

"Maybe, I should just pull you out of that school, Nicky. Find a place where people will respect you," Cherise offered, she was making good enough money now and so was Nick.

"It's ok, Mom. How could I leave Caleb? What would he do without me?"

"He would throw a party and celebrate the departure of the biggest pain in the ass in the history of the world," Caleb smiled.

This gave Adarian some humor, so he merely half smiled. He didn't notice, but Cherise saw. It was one of the few times she had seen a genuine smile on that man's face.

"What? No smart comeback?"

Nick flipped him off... At the same exact moment Peters came out and saw him.

Lady luck is definitely on vacation today.

Everyone laughed at Nick's misfortune. This kid never got a break.

"Gautier," Peters growled. "Get in here now!"

With a heavy sigh, Nick got up and went inside the office he knew as well as his own home. Peters stayed outside, no doubt talking to Stone while he was forced to wait. He took the chair to the right and sat there, staring at pictures of Peters's wife and kids'.

They had a nice house with a yard, and in one photo his daughters played with a white puppy.

"Shame 'bout that man," Aunt Mennie said, quietly. Nick just shrugged.

Nick stared at them. What would it be like to live that way? He'd always wanted a dog, but since they could barely afford to feed themselves, a pooch was out of the question. Not to mention their landlord would die if they had one in their rented condo even though there wasn't much more damage a dog could do to the run-down shack.

Nick thought about that old house and kind of missed it, it had been his first home for as long as he could remember.

After a few minutes, Peters came in and went to his desk. Without a word he pick up the phone.

Nick panicked. "What are you doing?"

"You know the answer. Use your head, Nick," Ash said, tapping the side of Nick's head with his finger.

"It did say I panicked so I'm forgiven. I was just buying some time," Nick said, swatting away his hand.

Ash just laughed and continued reading.

"I'm calling your mother."

"Oooo," was sounded around the room from mostly everyone.

Terror ripped through him. "Please, Mr. Peters, don't do that. She had to work a double shift last night and tonight too. She's only going to get about four hours of sleep today and I don't want to worry her about nothing." Not to mention she'd beat his butt royally for this.

He dialed the number anyway.

"That man is so rude," Cherise said, hotly.

Adarian wasn't too happy either, he'd kill that man if he wasn't already dead.

Nick grounded his teeth as anger and fear whipped through his entire being.

"Miss Gautier?" Could there be anymore loathing in his tone? And did he always have to stress the fact his mom had never married? That always embarrassed her to death.

Adarian and Cherise looked at each other, but quickly looked away when they saw the other looking. There was a time when they had almost, but things changed.

"I wanted to let you know that Nick is being suspended from school for the rest of the week."

His stomach hit the floor. His mom was going to kill him when he got home. Why couldn't Peters just shoot him and put him out of his misery?

Peters glared mercilessly at him. "No, he was fighting again, and I'm sick of his thinking he can come here and attack decent people anytime he feels like it for no apparent reason. He has to learn to control his temper. Honestly, I'm tempted to call the police. In my opinion, he should be sent to public school where they can handle troubled kids like him. I've said it before and I'll say it again. He doesn't belong here. "

"I never liked that man," Cherise said sourly.

Adarian thought this was trouble for him. If that punk was stronger than him, who knows what would happen to him.

Nick died a little with every word. Kids like him...

He zoned out so that he wouldn't have to hear the rest of Peters's tirade about how worthless he was. He already knew the truth in his heart. The last thing he needed was someone else voicing it.

"Nick, come on. You aren't completely useless," Ash said.

"Yeah, you give me a run for my money in video games," Caleb piped.

Nick laughed, "Guys, that was so long ago. I'm over it."

After a few minutes, Peters hung up the phone.

Nick gave a sullen stare. "I didn't start it."

"Technically, yes. You took the first swing," Bubba said.

"Would you let someone bad mouth your mama?" Nick shot back.

"Hell nah! You shot my mama though. You lucky I didn't kill you."

Nick gave a cheeky smile and shut up.

Peters curled his lips. "That's not what the others said. Who am I suppose to believe, Gautier? A hoodlum like you or four honor students?"

"Did he forget I am an honor student?" Nick asked.

"Probably 'cos you are a 'hoodlum'" Caleb said, using air quotes.

He was suppose to believe the one telling the truth, which happened to be the hoodlum. "He insulted my mother."

"That's no excuse for violence."

"Yes it is! He has no idea what he was talking about!" Cherise said angrily.

Nick smiled, his mother finally knew what he went through for her and he wouldn't change a thing either.

That went down his spine like a shredder. The sanctimonious pig- Nick couldn't let that go unanswered.

"Surprise, surprise," Death said, sarcastically.

"Really? Well, you know, Mr. Peters, I saw your mom naked last night and for an old broad, she had really nice-"

Cherise gasped, while Caleb burst into laughter. "I can't believe you did that to Peters!"

Nick smiled, proudly. One of his better moments.

"How dare you!" he shouted, coming to his feet to grab Nick up by his shirt.

"He can't do that!" Cherise shouted. Everyone saw where Nick got his temper from, though a slight bit of it had something to do with Adarian.

"You fouled-mouthed little-"

"I thought you said your mom was no excuse for violence."

"Aw, shit. You got him there, boy," Bubba smiled.

Peters trembled as rage mottled his skin. His grip tightened and a vein throbbed in his temple.

"Sounds like the Hulk," Kody said, thoughtfully, making Nick laugh.

"My mother isn't a Bourbon Street stripper. She's a good God-fearing woman."

Adarian shot up screaming and threw the coffee table across the room, nearly hitting Nick had he not ducked.

Kyrian was pretty upset. He actually liked that coffee table and Adarian made a mess in his living room, which Rosa would have to clean up later on.

Adarain was done with this book and that man. He couldn't stand the thought of anyone bad-mouthing perfect Cherise. He realized he made a scene and composed himself quickly, "Go on! Keep reading!"

Nick got up to clear the debris a bit and gritted his teeth, soon the sun would go down and Adarian would go away for the night. Hopefully the sun would leave the sky sooner. Nick returned to his seat as soon as the remains of the coffee table were to the side so Rosa could easily pick it up whenever she had the time.

Cherise was surprised. Of course she was upset, but Adarian seemed to hate it even more than her. She remembered that there was a sweet side to Adarian, no matter how small it was. She was actually very disappointed in him and couldn't hide the expression. Adarian caught it and thought he should feel ashamed.

He shoved Nick away from him. "Get your things and get out."

"Gladly," Nick mumbled.

God-fearing, huh? Strange how Nick and his mom went to mass every Sunday and at least twice during the week and they only ever saw Peters or his mom there was on holidays.

"That man was full of shit," Adarian snapped, surprising everyone.

Yeah...

Hypocrite to the core. He despised people like Peters.

"I turned out good," Caleb smiled.

"Yes, you are one of the only rich people I like," Nick stated.

Nick scooped his backpack up from the floor and left. There was a security guard waiting outside the office to escort him to his locker.

Just like a criminal.

Might as well get used to it. Some things ran in blood. At least he's not handcuffing me.

Adarian smiled. He should be introduced soon and wondered in what horrible way.

Yet.

Hanging his head low, he tried not to look at anyone as the other students sniggered and whispered about him.

"I remember that day. At football practice, Stone told the team a bunch of crap," Caleb spat.

"That's what happens when you come from trash."

"I hope they don't let him back in."

"Serves him right."

Cherise hated this book. Loathed it.

Nick grounded his teeth in anded as he near his locker and reached for the combination.

Brynna Adams was pulling her books out, two doors down.

"Dude, she liked you," Caleb smirked.

"What?!" Nick screeched.

"Yeah, a while ago. She told me not to tell," Nick would have never thought.

Ash grew very annoyed. Did the whole female population like Nick?

Tall with dark brown hair, she was very pretty and one of the few people who hung with Stone and crew that Nick could stand.

"She's a very good girl," Cherise winked at Nick.

She paused to look at them with a frown, that only deepened when she saw the guard with him. "What's up, Nick?"

"He got arrested for illegal possession of drugs," Death smiled.

Man, did Nick want to punch him.

"Got suspended." He paused before he swallowed his pride. Again. "Could I ask a favor?"

She didn't hesitate. "Sure."

"Could you get my assignments so that I don't fall behind?"

"Absolutely. You want me to email them to you?"

And I stupidly thought I couldn't feel any worse.

"You should know by now, Nick," Ash smiled, while Nick scowled.

"Don't have a computer at home."

Her cheeks darkened.

"At least she had the decency to be embarrassed," Kody said.

Nick shrugged, he guessed.

"Sorry, um, where do you need me to take them?"

Nick was grateful she was decent- unlike the rest of the jerks she ran with.

"Seriously, I wonder what her problem is," Caleb stated.

"She was obviously likes bad boys," Cherise said, remembering when she was the same.

Adarian secretly smiled.

"I'll come by your house after school and get it."

She wrote down her address while he pulled all of his books out. "I'll be home about four."

"Nick got a date," Aunt Mennie lovingly teased.

He flushed a Spartan red.

"Thanks, Brynna. I really appreciated it." He tucked the paper in his back pocket, then allowed the security guard to escort him off campus.

Nick sighed, everyone would hear his tiny mother get the best of him.

Just then his stomach grumbled, loudly. Everyone stared at him, "I might be hungry."

Kyrian laughed, "Rosa!"

"Yes, Mr. Hunter?" her accent floated from upstairs.

"Can we please have jambalaya?" Nick shouted.

Rosa's laugh filled the house, "Of course, Mr. Nick."

"God, I love you."

She walked down the stairs, smiling, "Te amo tambiƩn, mijo."

"Anyways," Ambrose said, speaking for the first time since the beginning of the book.

"So quiet, Ambrose," Nick teased.

"Don't push your luck, kid," Ambrose smiled, he just didn't want people to ask questions.

Heartsick over having to face his mother, he made his way back home to their side of the ghetto and dreaded every step that took him closer to his door.

"I don't know why, but I imagine a sad, adorable puppy wondering the streets," Kody said, innocently.

Caleb laughed, "Nick would be one of those ugly puppies."

"Rude!" Nick yelped.

Inside their crappy house, his mother was waiting on him with a stern frown on her face.

Nick sighed, he knew what was coming.

Dressed in a threadbare pink robe, she looked about as tired and ticked off as he'd ever seen her.

"This is gonna get good," Caleb said, rubbing his hands together.

He dropped his backpack to the floor. "You should be asleep, Mom."

"Wrong, wrong, wrong," Bubba shook his head. "You let her start it. Never open your big mouth and say something smart when she is already pissed."

Her eyes cut him to the quick and made him feel even lower than Peters had.

"How could I sleep when my boy's been thrown out of school for fighting? You of all people know how hard it is for me to keep you there."

Caleb had a stupid grin on his face, he enjoyed this thoroughly.

"How much money it takes. What I have to do to pay for your books and lunches. Why would you be so stupid as to throw this chance away? What were you thinking?"

"Gawd, Ms. G. That was beautiful," Caleb laughed.

"I thought so too," She smiled.

Nick just looked ashamed, Ash patted his head like a dog.

Nick didn't say anything because the truth would kill her and he didn't want her to feel as bad as he did when there was nothing she could do about it.

"Nicky, you should've told me. It would have saved your sorry butt," Cherise said softly.

I'm the man of the family. It was his job to protect the her. It was all he knew.

Take care of your mom, boy, or you'll answer to me. You lip off to her and I'll cut your tongue. You make her cry and I'll kill you myself.

"I should be dead," Nick mumbled.

Adarian glared at him, if he killed the boy Cher would hate him forever.

His father was pretty worthless, but the one thing about him was that he made good on his threats.

Adarian smiled evilly. That boy better remember that for the rest of his life.

All of them. And sure he'd already killed twelve people, Nick figured he wouldn't think twice about killing him.

Adarian was very pleased with this description. He loved it.

Especially since his father had no great love of him.

I couldn't even if I wanted to, Adarian thought.

So he kept his anger locked in and refused to say anything to hurt her feelings.

Unfortunately, his mother gave him no reprieve. "Don't you get sullen on me, boy. I'm sick of that look on your face. Tell me why you attacked that kid. Now."

"Attack is such an ugly word. I like surprise fight better," Mark smiled.

Cherise glared at him.

Nick clenched his teeth tight.

"Answer me, Nick, or so help me-"

Ash broke out laughing again. "Ms. Gautier, you are on hilarious woman."

"help me, I'll spank you, even at your age."

Everyone laughed at Nick. He was treated like a child and god damn it was funny.

"Shut up," a red Nick said.

"My mom was the same, Nick," Ambrose winked at Nick. If only everyone knew...

He had to stop himself from rolling his eyes at her ludicrous threat.

"Oooo, Nick. Tsk, tsk," Mark shook his head.

Even at fourteen, he was more than a head taller than his tiny mother, and he had a good forty pounds on her. "He made fun of me."

"Of course he did, Nicholas. He was jealous of you," Mennie stated.

"Because you're so good-looking," Ash said, hopefully, sarcastically.

Nick's heart fluttered as Ash said he was hot, sarcastically or not, it made him happy.

"And for that you'd jeopardize your entire future? What were you think?

"He wasn't," Kyrian said. "You are the only thing Nick would really die for in this world and all others."

Cherise had tears in her eyes. And she for him.

"He laughed at you. So what? Believe me, that's not the worth thing that will ever happen to you. You have to grow up, Nicky, and sop acting like a baby. Just because some one mocks you is no reason to fight. Now is it?

"Good lord, Cherise. You put that boy to shame," Aunt Mennie sassily said.

No. He swallowed attacks against him all the time. What he wouldn't suffer were attacks against his mom. And he shouldn't have to. "I'm sorry."

Cherise wanted to ask if all his fights were about her, but she was too scared. She embarrassed her baby and she hated that.

She held her up. "Don't even go there. You're not sorry. I can see it in your eyes. I am so disappointed in you. I thought I'd thought you better, but apparently you're just like your daddy-"

It surprisingly crushed Adarian to hear Cherise say that about him. Even though it was true.

"In spite of everything I do to keep you straight. Now go to your room until I calm down. You can stay there for the rest of the day."

"Is it bad that I enjoyed myself?" Caleb asked.

"Nah," Ambrose waved a hand at him.

Nick smiled, this inside joke between them would be funny for a while.

"I'm suppose to woe this afternoon. Ms. Liza needs me to help move her stock around in the storeroom."

"Nick, why can't you just shut up?" Kody asked.

"Ms. Liza needed my help and I don't think you have a right to tell me what to do!" He snapped.

Caleb had to fight to keep in a chuckle.

She growled.

"That's sexy," Mark blurted out.

"Dude!" Nick yelled. Cherise raised an eyebrow at him, smiling.

"I mean- it's just usually women are sexy when they do that. Not that you aren't sexy for an older woman. You aren't old. I'm just saying-" Mark rambled.

"Shut your damn mouth!" Adarian shouted.

Mark shrank against Bubba, scared out of his mind. He nearly wet himself.

"Don't talk to people that way. This is why no one can stand you!" Cherise yelled back.

She gave him a hard glare, as he sat there stunned. This was the second time she stood up to him. She was full of surprises and Adarian found it exciting. He wanted to be angry, but he couldn't find it within himself.

Ash, totally not affected by the awkwardness, kept reading.

"Fine. You can go,but then it's straight home. You hear me? I don't want you wasting time with any of those hoodlums you call friends."

"I'm not a hoodlum," Caleb said, innocently.

"Of course not, sweetie," Cherise gently.

"Yes, ma'am." Nick headed to his "room" and pulled the blankets closed. Sick and tired of it all, he sat down on the lumpy, old mattress and leaned his head back against the wall were he saw the pieces of ceiling that were discolored and peeling up. And then he heard it...

"What? Demons?" Caleb panicked.

"Maybe if you didn't interrupt," Kody snapped.

They glared at each other as Ash spoke.

The sound of his mother's tears coming through the wall of her bedroom. God, how he hated that sound.

Adarian didn't even feel like being angry. God, this book was terrible.

"I'm sorry, Mom," he whispered.

Cherise sighed. Nick crawled over to her, leaning his head against her leg. She smiled down at her baby.

Ash suddenly felt lonely, but that little family need each other. Ash could accept that.

Wishing he'd strangled Stone where the creep stood.

"That would've been fun," Ambrose mumbled.

One day... one day he was going to get out of this hellhole. Even if he had to kill someone to do it.

"That's a little dark," Kyrian said.

"I was angry," Nick shrugged.

It was nine o'clock when Nick left Liza's store. He'd already picked up his assignments from Brynna at her huge mansion of a house on his way into work.

"Why does this chapter feel so long?" Ash yawned.

"It's Nick. He has an attention span of a squirrel," Caleb stated.

"So not true!" Nick shouted the same time Rosa announced that the meal was done. "Food!" Nick sprinted toward the kitchen.

"I told you," Caleb smiled, following Nick to the kitchen.

Minutes later Caleb returned with a giant bowl and was moaning into it, "Dear lord, this is absolutely wonderful."

From the kitchen, you heard Rosa laughing, "Nick! You can't take the whole pot!" He returned with a bowl bigger than Caleb's. Those boys couldn't stop moaning about it.

"Get a room," Ambrose said, though he remembered just how delicious Rosa's cooking was.

"I will. I will show this jambalaya a good time," Caleb stated, dead serious.

"Rosa, we love you so much!" Nick shouted.

"I know!"

"Are you two done?" Kyrian asked. "I find this book quite interesting."

"I'll try, but I can't make any promises," Caleb pointed his spoon at them.

"Ash, go on," Kyrian motioned.

Then he'd put in five hours so that he could save money for his "college fund."

"College fund has quotation marks around it," Ash informed them.

'Course at the rate it was accumulating, he'd be fifty before he could go. But something was better than nothing.

"I like the way you think," Kyrian said.

Liza locked the door to her shop while he stood behind her to shield her from anyone who might be watching them.

"I miss Liza! I'm gonna try to see her more," Nick announced.

"Good night, Nicky. Thanks for your help."

"Night, Liza." He waited until she was safely in her car and on her way home before he headed down Royal Street toward the Square.

"Protective much?" Caleb said.

"It's in my nature. I mean I was raised by Cherise," Nick pointed at her with his spoon. He managed to drip jambalaya on the rug, smiling innocently at Kyrian. "Oops."

The closest streetcar stop was over behind Jackson Brewey. But as he neared the Square, he wanted to see his mom and apologize for getting suspended.

"Don't tell me you did it?" Bubba stared at Nick.

Nick chuckled nervously, "No.."

She told you to go straight home...

Yeah, but he'd made her cry and he hated whenever he did that. Besides, the condo was really lonely when he was there alone at night.

"Aww, were you scared?" Caleb teased.

"No! It said lonely. I was lonely!" Nick glared at him, he had been scared at the time, not that he would admit it.

And he'd already read Hammer's Slammers until he could quote it.

Maybe if he apologized, she'd let him hang out at the club for the night.

"Boy! You in trouble!" Bubba shouted.

"Yay!" Caleb gleefully yelled.

So instead of turning right, he made a left and headed for her club on Bourbon Street. The faint sounds of jazz and zydeco music coming out of stores and restaurants soothed him. Closing his eyes as he walked.

"You'll trip," Ambrose suddenly blurted out.

Ash laughed. He had to admit he'd been looking at Ambrose and he was handsome.

He inhaled the sweet smell of cinnamon and gumbo, as he passed the Cafe Pontalba.

"We should go there," Kody said, dreamily.

His stomach rumbled. Since he hadn't been at school, his lunch had consisted of more powered eggs and bacon, and he had yet to eat dinner... Which would be those nasty eggs again.

"Now we eat real eggs," Cherise stated proudly.

Not wanting to think about that, he walked down the narrow alley to the back door of the club and knocked.

John Chartier, one of the huge burly bouncers who watched out for the dancers, opened it with a fierce frown- until he saw Nick.

"Look, I brighten people's day," Nick smiled.

You brighten my day, Ash thought.

A wide smile spread over his face. "Hey, buddy. You here to see your mom?"

"Why else would he be there?" Kyrian questioned.

"To beat the crap out of Stone's dad," Caleb growled.

"I should've!" Nick was very disappointed in himself, though he probably would've gotten his mom fired.

"Yeah. Is she on stage yet?"

"Nah, she's still got a few minutes." He stood back so that Nick could walk down the dark back hallway to the green room.

He paused at the door to the room where the dancer dressed and rested between performances, and knocked.

"Nick is gonna get verbally abused again," Caleb sang.

Tiffany answered. Absolutely stunning. She was tall and blonde... and barely dressed in a G-string and lacy top.

"Oh man, what I wouldn't give," Mark mumbled.

"Don't be stupid. That girl is outta your league!" Bubba smacked him in the back of the head.

Even though he'd been raised around women dressed like that and was used to it, his face flamed bright red as he kept his gaze on the floor. It was like seeing his sister naked.

"Well, I'd break guy code for her," Mark stated.

"Leave Tiff alone!" Nick whined.

Tiffany laughed, cupping his chin in her hand. "Cherise? It's your Nicky." She squeezed his chin affectionately. "You're so sweet the way you won't look at us. I knew it was you when you knocked. No one else is so nice. All I can say is your mama is raising you right."

"Mm, why didn't I meet her, Nick?" Mark asked.

"Cos' you're a perv," Nick snapped.

Nick mumbled a thank-you as he stepped past her and made his way to his mom's dressing station.

"I'm excited!" Caleb grinned.

He kept his gaze down until he was sure she was covered by her pink bathrobe.

But when he caught her furious glare in the chipped mirror where she was putting on her makeup, his stomach hit the floor. There was no forgiveness in that face tonight.

"I thought I told you to go straight home."

Cherise stroked Nick's hair, she was too harsh on him.

"I wanted to say I was sorry again."

She put down her mascara wand. "No you didn't. You wanted to try and make me tell you that you didn't have to stay on restriction. I won't have it, Nicholas Ambrosius Gautier. And your paltry apology doesn't change the fact that you new better. You have to learn to think before you act. That temper of yours is going to get you into serious trouble one day. Just like it did your father. Now go home and contemplate what you did and how wrong it was."

"You should've made him write standards," Caleb laughed.

"Don't you think you were hard on him?" Ash asked, closing the book.

"I don't appreciate you telling me how to raise my son," Cherise said.

"I'm just saying. It seems like you don't even hear him out."

"When you have kids please talk to me," Cherise snapped.

"Mom!" Nick yelled. "Stop. Both of you. This hardly matters anymore."

Silence filled the room and Adarian was seething. Normally he would kill him, but some dark aura rolled off of Ash like waves.

Ash and Cherise were ashamed. Their protectiveness of Nick clashed and upset him.

"But Mom-"

"Don't 'but Mom' me. Go!"

"Ms. G. I like love you so much," Caleb smiled at her.

Cherise tolled her eyes. Those kids had a tough love kind of relationship.

"Cherise!" her handler shouted, letting her know it was time to go on stage.

"Handler doesn't sound right," Kody said.

She stood up. "I mean it, Nick. Go home."

Nick turned around and left the club, feeling even worse than he had when he'd left Liza's. Why wouldn't his mom believe in him?

"Cos' you're related to me, kid," Adarian wickedly grinned.

"Don't remind me," Nick mumbled.

Why couldn't she see that he wasn't trying to play her?

Whatever... He was tired of turning to convince the world, and especially his mom, that he wasn't worthless.

"God, Nick. You're so depressing," Kyrian said.

"It was me against the world then. Nobody believed in me," Nick said, laying face down on the carpet.

"It's ok. I love you, Nick," Caleb said, laying on top of him.

"You're so fat! Get off!" Nick whined.

"Hurtful!" Caleb rolled off of him though.

On the street, he headed down Bourbon toward Canal, where he could pick up a closer streetcar. He hated when his mom treated him like a criminal. He was not his father. He would never be like that man.

"Oh, but you are," Death whispered.

Fine, I'll never protect your honor again. Let them insult and mock you. See if I care.

Nick sighed. God that was an awful day.

Ash was disgusted with what Nick thought. Man, did that kid have problems.

Why should he bother when doing the right thing made her so mad at him?

Cherise was near tears. She regretted everything she'd ever said to Nick. He didn't deserve that. Her poor baby.

Angry, hurt, and disgusted, he heard someone call his name.

Nick gritted his teeth, Those tools.

Pausing, he saw Tyree, Alan, and Mike across the street, hanging outside a tourist bead and mask store. They waved him over.

Kyrian shook his head. This kid is about to break his mother's heart.

Nick crossed the street to tap his fist against theirs. "What's up?"

Tyree leaned his head back in silent salute to him. "Hanging. What you doing?"

"They sound like douches," Caleb casually stated.

"Heading home."

Tyree slapped at the collar of Nick's orange shirt, "Boy, what you got on? That shits hideous."

Nick slapped his hand away. "Clothes. What's that crap you to on and what truck did it fall off of?"

"I smell trouble," Bubba frowned.

Tyree snorted and preened. "That my Romeo threads. They make all the ladies call me tasty."

"Doubt it," Kody gagged.

Nick scoffed. "Tasty-crazy. Them ain't no Romeo duds. Those fashions by Geek Street."

They all laughed.

"Really? That sucked," Ash smiled.

"I was 14!" Nick stuck his tongue out.

Mike sobered. "Look, we got a thing tonight and we could use a fourth. You want in? It should be worth a couple hundred dollars to you."

Don't do it. Don't do it. Ash chanted, even though it was useless.

Nick's eye widened at the sum. That was a lot of money. Tyree, Mike, and Alan were hustlers.

"Nicholas Ambroious Gautier! How dare you associate yourself with criminals. At such a young age at that! Were you trying to ruin your life?" Cherise shouted, pacing the room.

"I'm sorry mom. I was just a kid then," Nick said, quietly.

"I hope you're not hanging around them anymore," She said hotly.

"No ma'am."

"Good!" she sat in her spot angrily. Mennie was there to calm her some.

Though his mom would have a stroke if she ever found out, he'd been known to help them a time or two when they'd scammed locals and tourists.

Cherise gasped, "I will-"

Ash cut her off, "Yeah, we get it. Can we just read please?"

Adarian had to check himself again. This was tougher than he thought.

"Pool, poker, or craps?"

Alan and Tyree exchanged an amused look. "This is more a job of watchdog. At least for you. We got the big boss from Storyville who's paying us to shakedown some deadbeats. It'll take a couple of minutes."

"Don't me you're that stupid," Bubba shouted.

Nick gave him a cheeky smile, to which Bubba's frown deepened.

Nick screwed his face up. "I don't know about that."

Tyree tsked. "C'mon, Nick. We don't have much time before we have to be there and we really need someone to watch the street. Five minutes and you'll make more money than working a month for that old lady."

Cherise was fuming. She was ready to grab Nick by the ear and drag him home. Where she could beat him peacefully.

Nick looked back toward his mom's club. Normally, he'd have told them to forget it, but right now...

"Aw hell nah," Mark gasped.

If everyone's going to call me a worthless delinquent, I might as well be one.

"Nick, I thought we taught you better," Aunt Mennie scowled.

"I'm sorry," Nick mumbled, though he knew it wouldn't do him any good.

'Cause living right sure wasn't paying off for him. "You sure it's five minutes?"

Tyree nodded. "Absolutely. In and out and we're done."

Everyone looked at Nick disapprovingly and it made him angry, "I know! I'm a piece of crap! You don't need to remind!"

Ash's heart broke. Even after all these years, Nick still felt worthless.

Then he could be home and his mom wouldn't be the wiser. For once, he enjoyed the thought of sticking it to her, even though she would never know about it. "All right. I'm in."

Cherise stood up suddenly. Tears flooded down her face as she calmly walked upstairs, slamming a door.

Nick felt like crap. When he got up to follow her, Mennie held him back. "I'll talk to her first. Keep reading."

Everyone felt awful for Nick. Disappointing the only person you love must be heart-breaking.

Nick laid on the floor, silently letting tears fall.

Ash continued to read, though he knew it would hurt.

"Good man."

Nick looked at Alan, who was nineteen. "Can you guys give me a ride home after?"

"For you, boy? Anything."

Even a gunshot wound, Caleb thought.

Nodding, Nick followed them over to a seedy part of North Rampart. Tyree put him on the street, blocking an alley.

"God, Nick," Bubba mumbled.

"You stay right here and watch for the Five-O. Let us know if you see anyone."

Nick inclined his head to them.

They vanished into the shadows, while he stood there, waiting.

Everyone was on edge, even Adarian.

After a few minutes, an old couple walked past him on the sidewalk.

Oh no, Kody thought. She had a soft spot for the elderly.

By their dress and manners, he could tell they were tourists just taking a late stroll off the beaten path.

"Hi there," the woman said to him, smiling.

"Hi." Nick returned the expression. But...

Caleb now hated buts more than anything.

But his smile died an instant later when Alan leapt out of the shadows to grab the woman while Tyree knocked the man into a wall.

Nick was stunned. "What are you doing?"

"Shut up!" Alan snarled, pulling out a gun. "All right, grandpa. Give us your money or the old ho gets it right between her eyes."

Ash was reading faster. He couldn't hold his excitement or worry, even though he knew what ended up happening.

Nick felt the color drain his face. The couldn't be happening. They were mugging two tourists?

And I'm helping...

Nick felt so ashamed having to relive that with everyone he cared about, minus four people. He was actually happy his mother wasn't here to hear about her fuck-up son.

For a full minute he couldn't breathe as he watched the woman cry and the man beg them not to hurt her.

Before he even realized what he was doing, he grabbed Alan's hand that held the gun and knocked it away. "Run!" he shouted at the couple.

Nobody dared cheer because they knew Nick was proud of none of this.

They did.

Tyree started after them, but Nick tackled him to the ground.

Alan caught him by the collar of his shirt and jerked him-

"He did what?" Caleb shouted.

"Jerked him back," Ash smirked.

"Oh thank god," Caleb said, wiping his brow. He had hoped to make Nick laugh some, but it didn't work.

Jerked him back. "Man, what are you doing?"

Nick shoved him. "I can't let you mug someone. That wasn't the deal."

"You stupid..." Alan hit him in the face with the gun.

Everyone cringed. Nick must have been one tough kid. They were all proud that he overcame everything.

Pain exploded in Nick's skull as he tasted blood.

"You're going to pay for that, Gautier."

"Crap. This is my least favorite part," Nick mumbled. Ambrose didn't like it much either.

The three of them descended on him so fast and furious that he couldn't even see to fight back. One minute he was standing and the next he was on the ground with his arms wrapped around his head to protect it from the gun Alan was beating him with.

Caleb's heart went out to his best friend. He should've been there for him.

They stomped and beat on him until he lost all feeling in his legs and one arm.

Ash felt like shit having to read this to Nick. It must really hurt him physically and mentally.

Alan stepped back and angled the gun on him. "Say your prayers, Gautier. You're about to become a statistic."

"That's it for the chapter," Ash said.

"That asshole! Nick, man, you are a crazy kid," Mark exclaimed.

"I should've been there man. I'm here to protect you," Caleb said, patting Nick on the shoulder.

"I appreciate it. I just wish you guys didn't have to hear that. I'm so glad my mom didn't," Nick said, sadly.

"Nick, you turned out alright. We are all raising you better," Kyrian told him softly.

"It doesn't matter what you did back then because we stand by you no matter what," Ash looked at him right in the eyes, willing him to think better of himself.

Kyrian seriously needed to talk to Ash after this. Sparks were flying and they were ignoring them or missing them completely. Kyrian would fix it.

"It's 10:30. We should get to bed," Nick mumbled.

"Yeah," Ambrose said, stretching. He had to get Adarian back to prison, which was done pretty easily.

"See you tomorrow, Nick," Death smiled evilly before disappearing.

Nick groaned. He didn't know how much of him he could stand.

"Everyone is just staying here then?" Kyrian asked.

"No point in leaving." Caleb shrugged, kicking off his shoes.

"Dude, Kyrian has plenty of rooms just sleep in one of them, not the couch," Nick said to Caleb.

"I'm cool down here," Caleb wanted to make sure everyone was safe, a lot of dark aura was leaking out of the house right now.

Nick shrugged and showed Kody to one of the rooms upstairs. Kyrian thought it was the perfect time to talk to Archeon.

"Ash, let's talk in the kitchen," Kyrian tried to sound nonchalant.

"What?"

"You and Nick? Stange things are happening around there. Do you like him?"

Ash sighed. "I'm not sure. Lately I've just been noticing him. I'm definitely feeling something. Nick is Nick. Everything about him heightens my senses and I can't shake him."

Kyrian smiled, it was good to see him like this. "I think you should go for it. Nick is different. I've seen you two together and it just fits. I know over the past years he's changed. I haven't seen him look at a girl like he use to. Think about it."

Kyrian walked away leaving Ash to toss and turn about his feelings all night long.

Neither of them ever aware that Nick was leaning against the wall that connected the living room and the kitchen, grinning like a fool.