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PinkyKupkake: Thanks SO MUCH for the feedback! :3 I appreciate it. I'm keeping my on Jem and his character thanks to you ;D and I'll take Nellie down a notch. :3

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DISCLAIMER: I don't own any of Harper Lee's character OR To Kill a Mockingbird. It all belongs to (DUH) Harper Lee. :) Thanks for reading, guys!

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We walked up the street toward Nellie's house. Once we reached it, Nellie knocked on the door quickly. Her father opened the door, smiling down at us. Nellie explained who we were (Atticus Finch's children was the first thing she said) quietly to him, causing him to agree. We went to our home, entering the aperture with the Bellesens. Atticus stood from his chair with an outstretched hand. Mr. Bellesen approached him with a grunt, almost reluctantly shaking his hand. Atticus paid no mind to it as he ushered us all toward the table. Just as I sat down, a knock came to the door. Jem and I jolted our necks around to face each other, each wearing a you-go-get-it look on our faces.

"Scout, I just sat down," he muttered.

"I did, too," I murmured back.

After a moment of growling at each other, he sighed out "Fine; we'll Rock-Paper-Scissors it."

"Deal," I stated.

Unfortunately, I got rock whilst he had paper. With an exhale, I hopped down from my chair and crept up to the aperture. As I opened it up, Cecil Jacobs and Walter Cunningham came into view. Walter waved happily at me as Cecil smirked, leaning against the doorframe as he did. I sighed with a smile crossing my lips as I crossed my arms over my chest.

"Atticus," I called, "we've got more comp'ny!"

"Thanks, Scout," they grinned at me.

"Come in," I replied, opening the door wider for them.

As they entered, I pulled up two more chairs as Atticus greeted my two classmates. It was certainly a full table. Cal set out the food for us, which all of us thanked her for (with the exception of Mr. Bellesen, who just grunted). Walter piled some mashed potatoes on his plate and reached for the syrup, but just before he grasped it, he stopped himself to look at me. I giggled and nodded at him, allowing him permission. He quite liked that. After dumping syrup on his mashed potatoes, he scooped up some peas and sprinkled them over the potatoes. Smirking, I piled some peas onto my own plate, along with small piece of Salisbury steak.

"Clarence," Atticus started up a conversation, "how has being a lawyer been?"

He swallowed several green beans and shrugged before stabbing his steak. "It was a'right, I guess."

"It was," Atticus queried.

"I'm into doctorin' now," he replied.

Atticus nodded slowly. Nellie was looking a bit more nervous than usual when her father opened his mouth once again.

"The reason I quit bein' a lawyer is 'cause I been givin' up on all this chilluns nonsense," he stated, which made Nellie drop her fork slowly onto her plate and widen her eyes. "All this dumb talk…like they's not our own property."

We all did the same as Nellie had. My fork slowly descended from my mouth to my steak. It scared me. I hadn't known what he was talking about. What…what did he mean by that? I thought I knew what he meant by it, but I wasn't exact about his opinion. Cecil was so caught off guard that I could have sworn that I actually saw him stop flushing his food down his gullet midway. Jem gave Mr. Bellesen a death glare.

"Excuse me," Atticus arched a brow, clearly not believing what he'd just heard.

"Nothin'," he sighed exasperatedly. "Forget 'bout it, Atticus."

"No," Atticus insisted, "Keep on, please. I'd like to hear what you said."

"Oh, well," Mr. Bellesen began.

"Pop," Nellie quickly cut him off, "how's the job been?"

"Ellen," Mr. Bellesen stopped her, dragging out the name in a rough tone, "don't in'errupt me when I talk."

Atticus deepened his voice as he stated, "Clarence, I was so sure Nellie was short for Eleanor; not Ellen."

Mr. Bellesen looked upward at the ceiling, squinting his eyes as if he were thinking. "Oh yeah…"

Nellie quickly lifted herself from the chair, suddenly wanting to forget all about this. Cecil, Walter and I glanced at each other in a split second. Jem was catching onto whatever was happening just as much as Atticus was. Mr. Bellesen rose from his spot, stretched, grabbed his daughter's wrist (it looked like a tight grip), and decided on leaving.

"Oh, uh," Nellie began, "I'll see ya'll tomorrow."

"Ok," I slowly nodded as I replied. "Bye, Nellie."

"Bye," she said as she left. "Thank you for dinner."

And with that, the door was shut. Jem stormed off into the family room, Atticus trying to follow at his speed. I looked at both Walter and Cecil as Cal came into the room, rinsing her hands with a washcloth. She wiped them on her apron, settled them on her hips, and then looked around.

"Where's Mr. Finch, Scout?" she inquired.

"Chasin' after Jem," I confirmed. "He stormed out after Nellie left."

"Why'd Nellie leave," she asked, lowering to my level on her knees.

"Mr. Bellesen made 'er leave with him," I affirmed quietly. "He said stuff 'bout kids and property and why he left bein' a lawyer…it was weird, Cal."

She put her hands to her mouth before silently saying, "Would you kids mind clearin' the table for me? I need to check sum'tin with Mr. Finch."

"Sure, Cal," I agreed to her terms while nodding.

She rushed off to find Atticus whilst Cecil and Walter grabbed some dishes. I ran the water, got a sponge in my hand, and waited for them to bring all of the dishes in. Once they had, Walter rinsed, Cecil dried, and I put each item up. We were quiet until we started to have a soap fight. Cal walked in on us when we had four-fifths of it done. She gave us a look, folded her arms, and tapped her foot. I sheepishly smiled, running my fingers through my brown hair, which allowed the soap to fall gradually.

"Hey, Cal…" I said quietly and awkwardly. "We were just—"

"Havin' yoselves a bubble fight," she finished for me. "Just like you 'n Dill have ev'ry single time I leave you both to do the dishes."

"Yes'um," I sighed.

She looked over all the dishes. Suddenly, her frown turned into a smile. She began giggling and patted us all on our heads. After which, she shooed us outside to play. We wanted to go over to Nellie's, but Cecil explained it may not be the best option if her father had made everyone so upset. I agreed after quite a while. We all sat on the porch with our heads in our palms. Walter stood up and sighed, shoving his hands deep into his pockets. He said goodbye to us after a bit, thanking me for having him over. He and Cecil were getting along better, same goes for them and I. We hadn't exactly gotten along the best before.

"When'd that boyfriend 'a yours leave?" Cecil queried.

I screwed my head toward him. He wasn't looking at me or even trying to make eye-contact with me. He looked forward like he had said nothing at all. Cecil Jacobs was most definitely a curious boy; no doubt about that. He had me wondering sometimes. Looking at him watch the street made me think he was in a daze. I left the subject alone for a few moments until his head jolted from his palms.

"Well," he snapped, "when'd he leave?"

"When'd who leave?" I inquired, completely forgetting what he had asked me.

"Yer boyfriend," he recurred, rolling his eyes.

"Fiancée."

"Huh," he lifted a brow.

"Fiancée," I repeated, "Dill's my fiancée; not boyfriend."

"Scout," he huffed, "that's kids stuff. Ya can't be engaged at nine-years-old, dummy."

"Six-years-old," I corrected him. "I was proposed to when I was six, ya yap."

"Still," he replied. "That's dumb. It makes no sense."

"How's it dumb," I queried angrily, placing my hands on my hips. "He's telling me he'll love me forever, crazy!"

"Do you love him?" he asked.

"'Course I do!" I yelled. "Why wouldn't I?"

"Just checkin'," he replied with a click of his tongue. "When's he due back?"

"I'll ask Miss Rachel later," I shrugged, "but he's usually back 'round the end 'a school."

"Hmm," he buzzed. "You write to him?"

"Yeah," I smiled fondly, thinking of the last letter he wrote me. "He writes me, too. Last letter he sent was so sweet."

"Lemme see," he held out his hand as he demanded this.

"Here," I said as I took the letter from my front pocket and handed it to him.

He took it, unfolded it, and read over Dill's somewhat-messy scrawl. He rolled his eyes several times, and when he was done, he handed it back quietly. He made a gagging-look once he finished before smirking at me. I rolled my eyes before turning them toward Dill's letter. He had dropped it in our mailbox just before he left with Miss Rachel for the train. He probably didn't think I'd find it until several days later. However, I found it right off.

Dear Scout,

It's only been a day or so, but I needed to write to you! I miss you. I liked meeting your friend Nellie; she was nice. I noticed that while we were on the tire swing, I kinda got worried about trusting you. I do trust you, Scout! I really do! I just worry with all the guys you hang around with. I don't know why I've been so worried this summer…can I just tell you that I fully trust and love you? I mean, we are getting married soon. And not the pretend kind like we did last summer!* The real kind!

Love,

Dill

I beamed as I tucked it back into my front overall pocket. Cecil Jacobs got up at once, stretching his arms out as he did so. He glanced calmly at me before stuffing his hands in his pockets.

"Are ya goin' ta visit yer aunt fer Christmas again this year," he inquired, "er are they comin' here?"

"No idea," I confirmed with a shrug. "Why?"

"Just wonderin'," he stated.

"Ok," I smirked.

I stood up as well, sticking out my hand, waiting for him to shake it. He slapped his hand in mine, pumping it up and down. As he did so, his curly, ginger hair* jumped up and down. He chuckled before letting go and waving me goodbye as he walked down our pathway for home. I watched him leave until he was out of my sight. After which, I walked toward the Radley house. I stood out front on the sidewalk. Before I knew it, Jem had come out and stood next to me, staring at the house just as I was.

"What're ya lookin' at, Scout?" he asked.

"Radley house," I replied. "What were ya so steamed 'bout earlier?"

He quickly shot his head in my direction, looking quite worried. "N-Nothin'. It's none 'a yer business, anyhow."

I scowled at him, but decided to ignore him altogether. With a sigh, I waited for Mr. Arthur's figure to appear. When it did, I absolutely beamed, waving my hand back and forth as fast as I could. Jem copied me, but in a less energetic way, although he did keep a soft smile. I could tell it was Mr. Arthur because he slowly raised his hand to the window, waving back at us cautiously. With a happy skip in my step, I went home, Jem closely in tow.

TKAM

After several hours, my homework was finished and I was being put to bed. Atticus came into my room, deciding to read with me. Soon we'd gone through a chapter of the Bible, and my eyelids felt heavy. He smiled softly, ruffled my bangs, kissed my forehead, flipped my light switch off, and crossed into Jem's room. I had fallen asleep for only a few seconds before I heard some arguing in Jem's room.

"Why, Atticus?" I heard my brother snap. "Why can he just get away with it like that?"

"We have no proof, Jem," he sighed. "It takes time."

"Well, how much time, sir?" he asked, his voice rising at a dangerous pace.

I was tempted to get out of bed and press my ear to the door. However, my floor started creaking well over a year ago, which anyone could hear quite easily. Atticus would skin me alive if he heard me walking around after bedtime. I took the safe way in eaves-dropping and kept quiet, listening intently.

"I have no idea," Atticus finally replied silently.

I could almost hear Jem shake. Whatever was happening was firing him up quickly. I heard them wish each other goodnight, Atticus telling Jem he'd "get to the bottom of it," whatever that meant. I had fallen asleep much quicker than I thought I would have after that.

TKAM

Jem and I walked to school, Jem as quiet as can be, obviously thinking about what happened between he and Atticus last night. I had learned over the years when to keep away from Jem. He was in one of his moods…like Miss Rachel and Miss Stephanie say women a little older than me get once a month.* I silently tried to match up our footsteps as we walked. His legs were longer than mine, along with his feet, which made it hard to keep our footsteps in unison. Once I finally got it right, he stopped walking. I picked my head up from the ground and looked at with a quirked up brow.

"What?" I queried.

"What're ya doin', Scout?" he grunted.

"Tryin' to match up our feet," I snickered. "Come on, Jem, we're gonna be late."

He huffed as he stepped beside me, gesturing for me to come along. I smiled and walked along. Next thing I knew, Walter Cunningham was sprinting my way. I stopped Jem by holding his arm just before throwing them in front of me in a way that told Walter to slow down.

"Scout!" he hollered, grabbing my hand. "Come on! Come on!"

"What's the matter, Walter?" I yelled back, a bit angrily.

"Cecil's gotten himself in trouble again!" He replied loudly, waving his arms in every direction.

I sighed, rolled my eyes, grabbed each boy's arm and dashed to school as fast as my legs would carry me. When we had finally reached the school yard, I saw what Walter had meant. Cecil Jacobs was in another fight. That would be just like him, wouldn't it? I stepped in closer to try and get a glimpse of who he was fighting. Nellie met up with us just then. She looked a little unordinary. She was wearing a long-sleeved white shirt with something of a tight collar on it. Her slacks were long and dark.

I was about to ask her what she was wearing them for, but Cecil got punched in the gut just before my mouth could muster the words for it. Jem's eyes went wide, Walter and I gasped, and Nellie shivered a tiny bit. I watched as Cecil started to stand up, but couldn't. I finally figured out who it was that Cecil was fighting: Raymond Henries. When would that boy quit causing trouble? I don't know what who did to who, but Raymond probably started it.

I almost screamed when he approached Cecil, who was sprawled out on the ground, holding his stomach in absolute pain. He tried getting up, but his right arm was keeping him from it. He went from grasping his stomach to his arm in a flash, hissing inwardly. Raymond came closer, threatening him with a raised foot at his head. Cecil quickly jolted to his shoulder blades, blasting both of his legs forward like a kangaroo, creating a direct hit at Raymond's foot, which flipped him backwards. That was mine and Walter's cue to come to the rescue.

We gathered him up quickly, Walter gently holding his right arm. It was then that I noticed a knife near him. Jem made me speed up and run into Mrs. Everson's room. He must've given Nellie directions to someplace else, because she wasn't in tow for long. We sat him down at a desk; lucky for us, Mrs. Everson hadn't been there yet. If she had been, her desk would have a suitcase on top.

"Cecil Jacobs!" I hollered at him, catching attention from each boy. "I can't believe you! What in Sam Hill made ya think gettin' in a fight with Raymond Henries would be a nice idea?"

He held his arm loosely before giving me a death glare. "Oh no, Scout, I'm alright. Nice 'a you ta ask." he said sarcastically.

"Answer me," I demanded through grit teeth.

"Well, he came to the school yard while I was playin' with the tether ball. He said he wanted ta play, so I let 'im." Cecil began with a sigh. "I beat him the first few times, then he beat me two times after that. I said I felt a li'l tired, so I'd go onto class. He called me chicken, which sorta got to me. I told 'im that I ain't a chicken, which made 'im mad. He said I called 'im a liar, and I corrected 'im, sayin' that I just ain't chicken. Next thing I know, he pulls out a knife, cuts my arm, and I swing a left hook at 'im. A few kids come up, that Jamielee Zinctin sees us and calls out to her friends about it, then they tell their friends and so on."

I sigh, motioning for him to put his arm on the desk. He did, allowing us to exam it. I saw a deep line cut into his right arm; skinny and narrow, blood spread across the sides. Moments later, Nellie came in with the school nurse. She caught sight of his arm fast as lightning.

"Oh my," she began, poking his arm tenderly, which still made him scream in pain. "What'd you do, boy?"

"Raymond Henries brought a knife ta school," he growled.

She sighed angrily, telling him to go with her. He reluctantly followed her just Mrs. Everson came in. She looked at us before quietly inquiring, "What happened to Cecil Jacobs?"

"Raymond Henries brought a knife ta school, ma'am," I said. "He cut 'im right across his right arm."

She slammed her suitcase onto her desk, her eyes fierce with fire ignited in them as she exclaimed, "What?" She then marched out of the room, absolutely enraged. I smirked, turning to Nellie and Walter. They gave me expressions that contained arched brows.

"I love our teacher," I snickered.

They laughed just ask the warning bell rang. Jem said goodbye and dashed off to class, leaving the three of us alone. Little Chuck Little walked in, laughing crazily, his hands on his stomach. He settled his books onto his desk, took his seat, and laughed into the face of the table. I looked over at him, smirking.

"Mrs. Everson get ahold 'a Raymond Henries?" I inquired.

"Oh, ya'll can't even imagine the look on that yap's face!" he howled in laughter, slapping his knee.

Jamielee Zinctin walked in, sitting next to Little Chuck. I glanced over at her, as if asking what had happened. She looked confused, until she said "Oh!" and knew what I was talking about. She settled her books on the desk quietly before waving her hand dismissively.

"Cecil's tellin' the truth," she stated, "Raymond started it."

"Thank you," I smiled.

Everyone came in after several moments, all laughing as hard as they could. Mrs. Everson was right behind them, dragging a certain Raymond Henries by his ugly little ear as he hissed in pain. She was yelling at him the entire time, finally ending her march at the corner, where she tugged him quite quickly into it, making him face the wall. She went from enraged to Miss Mary Sunshine in five seconds with a sigh separating them.

TKAM

Walter and I waited for Cecil after school. Jem had already gone on home, and Nellie had to leave right away to start dinner for her father. We were outside the nurse's office, which felt like forever. Jamielee Zinctin, Mary Cinders and Little Chuck Little met us after a moment, wide-eyed. Walter and I motioned for them to speak, which they took up on after a second or two.

"Has he been in there all day?" Little Chuck asked.

"Mhm," Walter mumbled, nodding his head.

"Poor Cecil," Mary sighed sadly, "tell 'im that we hope he feels a'right soon."

"Will do," I confirmed.

They waved us goodbye as they walked off to the schoolyard. It wasn't long before our legs grew weary, causing us to drop down to the ground slowly. I decided I'd pull out a black piece of paper and begin writing a letter to Dill. Walter looked at me, smiling softly as he did so.

"Are you writin' that one boy…" he queried, trying to think of his name, "Dill?"

"Yep," I sighed as I smiled. "You met 'im, right?"

"Right," he nodded a single time before looking up. "Ya know, I don't think Cecil likes Dill all too much."

"I can sorta tell," I stated sadly. "He was yellin' 'bout him yesterday."

He just bobbed his head up and down. I finished a paragraph and then some before deciding to fold it up and put it in my pocket; saving some for home. Cecil walked out with a bandaged arm and a pained look. Walter and I jolted up, Walter giving him a ginger pat on the back. I grabbed his left wrist, feeling his pulse go wild. I looked up at him.

"What's wrong," I inquired, "why's yer heart so crazy?"

"I'm wounded," he replied monotonously as if it were the most obvious thing on earth.

"Well, obviously," I confirmed as I rolled my eyes. "Are ya goin' home or what?"

"Home," he sighed, "did we get any homework?"

"No one 'cept Raymond," Walter affirmed. "She was worried 'bout yer arm the entire time, so she decided to just lay off of homework 'til ya can write again."

He smiled tenderly, "I'll hafta thank her for that."

"She really is a good teacher, ya know."

There ya go! Hope you enjoyed this chapter! ;D It was quite fun to write. READ FARTHER FOR THE * MEANINGS!

1* Read my other fic Jem the Wedding Planner and you'll understand what he meant by a pretend wedding. ;D

2* I don't remember a description of Cecil Jacobs, so I'm giving him curly, red hair. XD That's how I always imagined him, anyhow.

3* Ok, a little girls-have-this-problem-once-a-month (period) joke. I MIGHT make a oneshot out of this. Not sure yet. XD

Any questions will be answered! ;D Thanks for reading, guys! REMEMBER. REVIEWS HELP ME UPDATE FASTER.