A/N: As always, thanks for reading! I really like writing this, but if you have suggestions, please, do tell, I really want it! Still don't own Recess, Disney does!
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Chapter 2, Gus
The nervousness in the classroom is easy to sense. It's geometry, 4th year after all, and the first big test of the year. But for Gus Griswald it's a whole different kind of nervousness. He has decided that if this test goes well, he will reconsider his career in the army. The career that has been his destiny for as far as he can remember. Shit.
It's not that the army seems so bad. But it doesn't seem so good either, and that's the problem. Because teaching does. To him, that feels like a job where he, as himself, can really make a difference. But for that, he need good grades. Now, at his senior year, that is finally happening. At every test he's gotten B's and even A's. Not a single C or less. So, if he only can get higher than a C on this test…
As the test land on his desk he freezes. He barely dares to look at it. It feels like this could change everything. And when he finally looks at the test, everything does in fact change.
A.
He got an A.
Shit. Shit, shit, shit. This means he's going to tell them. Everyone. His friends, his parents that he wants to go in a whole different direction with his life. Oh boy.
As the bell rings, he gets up and walks out. Lunchtime at the green with his friends means the time of truth, and he's ready to do that. As he walks by his teacher, he smiles and gives Gus a thumbs up. That gives Gus the last little pice of courage that he needs, and he goes out the door and approaches the cafeteria.
He get's his usual lunch, takes his tray and goes outside to the green at the back of the school, where he knows his friends will be. He sees them at once, sitting in the shadow of a big oak. He walks over and notices that everyone is there, including his girlfriend, Chipy. He smiles at her and gives her a kiss at the cheek. The others greet him before they fall back into a heated discussion about the basket team, and how Vince needs to tell this one freshman that he's not all that, and something about the same guy trying to hit on all the Ashleys at one party. The only one not involved in the discussion, but himself, is Spin, who is lying in the grass, her dark lined eyes staring up at the sky.
Suddenly, Gus remembers he has some things to talk to his friends about. He coughs, and everyone looks at him, curious.
«Not that this discussion doesn't seem very important, but I kind of have something to tell you.» Gus says with a laugh.
«Really? Is something wrong?» Chipy asks him.
«Yeah Gus, tell us what's been eating you lately, I've seen something is up.» Vince says, nudging his arm.
«It's nothing bad, really, but thanks for worrying guys.» Gus smiles at his friends. «But, this year, I've only got B's and A's at all my tests, including my geometry test I got back today and-«
«That's great Gus!» Mikey smiles, and pats his friend's back.
«Really remarkable, good work indeed.» Gretchen adds.
«Thanks guys, really. But what I was going to say, was that, well, getting these results have opened some doors for me. I'm actually thinking about not joining the army. I think I want to be a teacher instead.» Gus looks around at his friends, unsure what to expect.
Not one of them had anything bad to say about that though. They all said that he would be perfect, and that they were happy for him.
«But,» TJ asks, suddenly, «Why did you wait so long to tell us, and why do you still seem kind of nervous? Have you not told your dad yet?»
«There you've got it. I have no idea how to tell my dad. It's practically the one thing we're bonding over, and I'm not sure how well he will take this.» Gus looks down. Chipy squeezes his hans an smiles at him.
«I'm sure your dad will support you Gus, he really is a nice guy, deep down. You know that» She says.
Gus smiles at his friends. He's so thankful that he have all of them, because no one can make him feel as secure and welcome as them.
—
After dinner that same night, Gus is standing outside his fathers office. He's going to tell him, and he's going to do it now. He takes a deep breath, and knocks.
«Come in.» His fathers serious voice yells.
Gus enters and waves lamely. Seriously, who waves at their own father? Gus sighs at his own awkwardness, but his father doesn't seem to notice.
He looks up, and smiles at Gus. «Sit down son» he says, and gestures to the chair at the opposite of his own. Gus does as he is told and waits.
«I heard from your mother that you did very well on a test today. I'm proud of you, Gus.»
Gus looks over at his father with a surprised look. His father words means a lot to him, and gives him some extra courage.
«Thanks you dad. I wanted to talk to you about that, actually. You see, well, uhm, since my grades are picking up, that maybe, if it's okay, I've been thinking about going to the local college to be a teacher. Instead of joining the army. I… yeah.» Gus holds his breath looking at his father, searching in his face for a reaction.
«Gus, son.» His father starts. Oh dear, Gus thinks, here it comes.
«I think that's a wonderful idea son. I've been thinking about how the army might not be right for you, and I must say I am relived that you see it too.»
His fathers words makes Gus freeze. Did his father really just say that he wan't suited for the army? Didn't he think he was strong enough? How long had he thought about that? Suddenly the room feels to hot, and Gus needs to get out, out, now!
He shakes his head, gets up, and leaves in a rush, He storms past his mother, ignoring her calls and his fathers voice from upstairs. He is furious, not at all happy anymore, he just went from 100 to 0 real quick, and he just can't handle it. So he runs. He runs and runs, until he's not even sure where he is anymore, his chest feels like it's on fire and his legs won't keep him up anymore.
He falls down on a nearby bench, realizing he's at one of the lookout points in town. He sighs and puts his head in his hands. He can't believe this. This is what he wanted, for his father to accept him. And whine happens, it feels like someone punched him in his gut. Why couldn't he just be happy?
He sits like that for what feels like hours, with his head in his hands. When he finally looks up he nearly falls off the bench in shock. Beside him, since for for god knows when, is Spinelli. Her long, black hair is blowing in the wind and she's blowing smoke rings in the air. Just as Gus is about to ask what she's doing there, she turns to him, raises an eyebrow and offers him her cigarette.
He takes it, and takes a deep drag. He had actually quit a few months back, but he really needed it now. He gives it back to her, and leans against the bench.
«You know, my dad took it really well. He said it's fitting for me. More than the army.» Gus says. «But I'm not happy, because I'm just so fucking ungrateful. I ran away like a child, a stupid, spoiled child.»
Spin still doesn't say anything, she just looks at him, with that look in her eyes, like she knows everything. It scares him a bit actually. How she seems to know what to say without even saying it.
«I should go back, shouldn't I?» Gus asks her. She just nods, and gives him a small smile.
«Well,» Gus says, getting up, «thanks for listening, and see you later, huh?»
Spin just raises her hand as a same wave, and Gus smiles, walking off.
As he comes back to the house, he's really feeling stupid. But his parents are not mad. His father sits down with him at the kitchen table, and looks at him.
«Gus, I realize what I said sounded wrong,» he begins, slowly, «but I didn't mean that you wouldn't do well in the army. The army would have been lucky to have you. I just think that's not your call in life. It was mine, but that doesn't mean it have to be yours. And that's okay.»
Gus sits, looking shocked at his dad.
«Really?» Gus asks. «Is that really what you think?»
«I don't just think it, I know it son. You are brave, but you are also so kind, and smart. You need to use that.»
Gus smiles, and he's pretty sure he's never heard anything better his whole life.
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A/N: Okay, so this was kinda standard, but I feel like this is a big part of growing up. Gus is such an interesting character with an interesting family, so I just really wanted to use that.
As always, thanks for reading, and please leave a review!