Chapter 3 – The Overpass
Carlisle:
The next morning Esme and I were driving Seth to school to meet with the principal concerning the desk carving incident. I still wish Seth would talk to me and tell me what is going on. This is just not like Seth and I cannot convince my Cub to confide in me. I'm hoping something will give at the school this morning or I can gain some insight on this. It wasn't long and Leah, Seth and Jake came down to breakfast.
"Seth, you will ride with your mother and me this morning since we have a meeting with your principal. I expect you to be on your best behavior, Young Man," I said somberly to him.
"Yes sir," was all Seth said.
Seth sat and silently ate his breakfast. Esme and I both exchanged glances. Jake and Leah looked at him also but said nothing. They looked at us and shrugged their shoulders.
"Dad, I'm driving myself so I can come to the Lodge tonight after school," Jake said. "Is Seth going to the Lodge with me?" Jake asked.
"No, I have something else to do after school," Seth said.
"What exactly do you have to do?" I asked Seth.
"Just some stuff for class," Seth said.
"What do you have to do for class?" Jake asked surprised.
"You don't know my classes, leave me alone. We have this project to work on and me and the other guys involved with the project have to meet and get started on the stupid thing," Seth said. "Satisfied?" Seth asked Jake sarcastically.
"Somebody got off on the wrong paw this morning, sour puss," Jake said nudging Seth.
"Cut it out," Seth said knocking Jake harder.
"Ow! Hey!" Jake said shoving Seth now.
"That's enough," I said to both of them. They both stopped and Seth went back to eating.
"I'm glad you're not riding with me tonight, grouch," Jake said to Seth. "Jet doesn't like grumpy wolves," Jake said laughing indicating his car. Leah laughed also.
"I have to get going too. Bye Mom and Dad," Leah said giving each of us a kiss.
"Bye Punkin," I said kissing her and patting her on the shoulder.
"Farewell Mother! Farewell Father! Until we meet again tonight at the Lodge," Jake said dramatically.
"Get out, you ham," Rosalie called walking into the kitchen.
"There's always a critic," Jake said laughing and walking out. Even Rosalie grinned. I just sat there and shook my head at my crazy son.
"Why are you in such a mood, Cubby?" Rosalie asked Seth.
"I just am," Seth said flatly.
"Are you about finished so we can get going?" I asked Seth.
"Yes, I'm ready. Let's get this over with," Seth said getting up and grabbing his books.
"Seth, comb your hair," Esme said to him.
"I did," Seth said back to her.
"Well comb it again, it's messed up," Esme said.
"I don't want to. I don't care," Seth said sullenly.
"I believe your mother told you to comb your hair, mister," I said sternly to him.
"Tsk! Always something," Seth said under his breath.
"Just a minute, there buddy! I suggest you work on that attitude and mouth of yours if you do not want a repeat of last evening," I warned him.
"Sorry," Seth said walking to the downstairs bathroom.
Esme and I just looked at each other. We just cannot understand what has gotten into this child. Seth has never acted like this. He's always so happy and does anything we tell him, especially if his mother tells him to do something. Finally, Seth came out with his hair combed and we made our way to the car and to the Rez school.
"Good morning Dr. & Mrs. Cullen, Seth," the principal said to the three of us. "Please sit down," she indicated to the three chairs pulled up in front of her desk.
"I'd rather stand," Seth said. Both Esme and I shot him a warning look. He still stood there.
"Sit!" I said snapping my finger and pointing to the chair next to me. Seth reluctantly sat down carefully trying not to reveal his uncomfortable situation. The principal noticed the exchange between the two of us and had a slight grin to her face. I was giving Seth the "Dad Stare" and he made it his business to comply with my order.
"I guess we know why we are all here. Seth you vandalized the new desks purchased through fundraisers. Why would you do that? You have never given us any trouble before," the principal asked.
"Seth, the principal asked you a question," I said to him.
"I-I don't know why I-I did it," Seth said.
"You don't know? I need more than that, Seth," the principal said.
"I-I don't know, it just happened," Seth said to the principal.
"I have dealt with Seth on this matter and Seth has something to say, don't you Seth," I said to him giving him a look. Seth looked relieved that I stepped in with the questioning from the principal.
"Y-yes, I-I'm sorry and it won't happen again," Seth said looking at the principal hoping this would suffice.
"Well I certainly hope it doesn't. There is the matter of the desk," the principal said.
"Oh we will pay for that, won't we Carlisle," Esme said grabbing my arm.
"Yes, of course. How much do I need to make the check out for," I asked the principal. I handed her the check and then asked her about any punishment for Seth.
"Since you have dealt with him at home and have paid for the desk, we will let this go. However, any more problems like this and there will be retribution," the principal warned looking at Seth. He just stared at her. I nudged him.
"Oh, there won't be any more problems, ma'am," Seth said.
"Good, let's make sure there aren't," the principal said standing up. "Thank you for coming in Dr. & Mrs. Cullen. I hope the next time is under more pleasant circumstances," she said.
"Yes, so do we," I said shaking her hand. We then walked out with Seth and were standing by my car. I turned to Seth to give him a little lecture. "You better behave yourself, Young Man, and I want no repeat of this incident, do you understand me," I asked him.
Seth:
"Yes Dad," I answered my irritated father. I could see the twins, Jeb and Braden peaking around the corner of the building. They noticed Dad's black Mercedes and were looking Mom and Dad over. Dad of course looked like a model from a magazine in his dark suit with white shirt and tie, dress shoes and cuff links. He looked every bit the doctor and Mom looked nice in a dress and heels with her necklace and bracelet.
"Where are you going after school?" Dad asked.
"Working on a school project with a group we were put in," I said.
"When will you be home?" Dad asked.
"I'm not sure, can I call you when I'm ready to come home," I asked.
"I need to know so you will know where we are, if we are still at the Lodge or at home," Dad said.
"I'll call," I answered Dad.
"You better, and you better behave yourself also," Dad warned me.
"Yes sir," I said as I scampered off. I went to the side to where Jeb and Braden were waiting. I looked back and Mom and Dad kissed and got in the car and drove off.
"Hey Cullen! That your parents?" Jeb asked.
"Yes," I said.
"Get yourself in trouble last night?" Braden asked.
"Yes I got in trouble. What a lousy thing to do, destroy the new desks the school just got by having benefits to raise money. My Dad had to pay for it," I said to them.
"Aww, did the nice rich doctor have to spend some money on his little Sethy," Jeb taunted.
"He wasn't happy," I said to them.
"I can imagine. Do you have to pack your clothes yet?" Braden asked.
"No, my parents are not like that," I said getting angry. "I hate this and I don't want to do this anymore," I said to them.
"That figures, first time in trouble with something substantial and you want to chicken out and quit. You have to do more than just this one thing for their true feelings about you to come out. Just wait and see. What'd your daddy do to you? Nathan's dad took the belt to him. Did you get the belt?" Braden asked.
"No, but I got in trouble," I said.
"What did he do to you?" Jeb asked. "You were supposed to call us on your phone and let us hear it," Jeb added.
"I forgot, and when I remembered I was trying to text you and my Dad caught me and took my phone," I explained.
"Yeah, I bet. I bet your daddy just gave you a talking to," Jeb said again.
"No he didn't, I got…I got it," I said to them.
"Did he belt ya?" Jeb asked.
"No," I said.
"Did he use a paddle?" Jeb pushed.
"No, he spanked me though," I admitted.
"Spanked you? That's all? He spanked you? Did he turn you over his knee too?" Jeb and Braden laughed.
"Yeah, he did," I said again.
"Man, what a baby. I bet it barely hurt. Poor Nathan got the belt and you get a little tap from your daddy's hand over his knee like a 4 year old," laughed Braden and Jeb.
"Hey, my Dad can give a fierce spanking," I said. "I still can't sit too comfortably."
"Aww, want a pillow, Sethy," Jeb teased.
"Shut up, you don't know what you're talking about," I said to them.
"I see we have to come up with something a little bit more intense to see how much your daddy really loves you. We'll come up with something after class. Meet us here," Jeb said.
"Unless you're too chicken to find out the truth about how your daddy doctor feels about you and your so called adoption," Braden said as he and Jeb laughed.
"I'll be here, you'll see," I said as I made my way to class.
I wonder how much I can push Dad before he has enough and says he doesn't want me anymore. He says he loves me like the rest but sometimes I feel like I get lost in the family and Dad tries to make me feel wanted but has to deal with the others more since they have been with him longer. I hope Braden and Jeb are not right.
Later after class those two twins were trying to come up with something to pull so I could test Dad again but we didn't come up with much so we broke up and they said they would get back to me. I called Dad and went to join them at the Lodge.
Days Later:
Seth:
Chief Billy Black is staying with us for a while since he caught bronchitis from his house being so drafty and cold. We are trying to get the living quarters of the Lodge ready so he and Sam and Emily can move in there. Until then, Dad said Billy will stay with us since his house is still to drafty and he could catch pneumonia. Billy wasn't happy at first but has since settled in and seems at ease here with us. Tonight we are taking a break from the Lodge and I am meeting Jeb and Braden after school. I told Mom and Dad I had to work with the school group for the project we were assigned to as my cover.
"Hey, school drags on endlessly. I didn't think it would ever get to be 3:30," Jeb said as I joined him and Braden. Nathan is not around them anymore.
"Come on Cullen, we got the perfect crime to test your daddy," Braden said. "Follow us."
We walked a ways and came to the overpass by the highway near La Push. It's near Jake's family home. We scrambled up to the overpass and could see the cars passing underneath. This is the main road leading from La Push to Forks and there are a lot of cars that come this way, not necessarily for La Push, but for the town of Forks.
"What are we doing up here?" I asked.
"The perfect crime," Jeb said.
"What's that?" I asked.
"Grab some of those rocks and come over here," Jeb said.
"What for?" I asked grabbing a bunch of rocks.
"We're going to throw them off the overpass at the cars as they pass underneath," Braden said.
"Are you crazy? I'm not doing that?" I said in shock.
"I told you he would be chicken," Jeb said to Braden.
"Yeah, okay you win this one," Braden said looking dejected.
"Let's just do one," Jeb said to Braden. "How about it Cullen?"
"I-I'll watch," I said standing back.
"NO, you have to get up close to see the cars and aim. It's great when they slam on the breaks. Make sure you duck if they drive over to the side of the road," Jeb explained.
"Okay, you do it," I said.
"Watch and learn," Jeb said.
Jeb then took a rock about the size of a small potato and waited for a car to come under the overpass. As it began emerging, he dropped the rock as the roof of the car came into view. It was a lucky hit and struck the top of the roof of the car and put a dent in it and then bounced off to the side. The driver skidded to the right side and pulled over.
"Duck," Jeb said as we all dropped down so we wouldn't be seen.
After a bit, Jeb looked over the edge and nudged us. We looked up still keeping hidden and we saw the driver looking around and scratching his head. He looked at the top of his car and saw the dent. He looked up to the overpass but he couldn't see us. We were laughing and trying to be quiet. It was funny seeing him being so perplexed as to how that happened.
We did this over and over and I even got involved. For the next 3 nights after school this is where we came and fired the rocks off at unsuspecting cars driving back and forth. We hit one motorist and the guy got out and looked almost right at us but we ducked and he couldn't see us. We saw another one get out with his phone and take a picture of the dent and he actually found the rock laying on the road. He took a picture of the rock and also took the rock with him.
The next night we were out there again. We were hitting some cars and others we missed. As we were getting ready to get a car in sight and had the rock ready to drop, we heard a sound. We looked around but saw nothing. So we went back to our little task and hit the next car. He squeeled his wheels and pulled over to the side. We laughed as the guy got out and looked up and shook his fist in the air. He didn't see us but when he saw the dent, he started cussing. It was then that we heard something again and this time it talked.
"Hey! You kids!" We heard someone yell.
"Uh oh, time for us to run," Jeb and Braden said taking off.
"Hey, wait for me," I called to them but they left me and took off faster than we could run as humans.
"Seth! Is that you?" I heard.
Oh no, I looked to where the voice was coming from and looked right at Charlie Swan in uniform! He didn't look too happy either. I was caught and I knew it. It wouldn't do any good to run, since I was already caught. He came walking up to me and had a perplexed look on his face.
"What's going on here Seth? What are you doing?" Charlie asked me.
"Um…nothing Chief Swan," I said to him.
"Oh it's Chief Swan now, huh? Who were those other kids," Charlie asked.
"What other kids," I asked playing dumb.
"Come on, I saw two other boys take off and leave you standing here. Are you the ones throwing rocks over the overpass at cars?" Charlie asked.
"Um…I-I…uh…" I stuttered.
"Don't make it worse by lying kid. We had reports of kids throwing rocks at cars. Someone took a picture and you can see 3 heads and another motorist came out here and hid in the bushes and took a video with his phone. Can't make out the other two but your face is plainly visible, Seth. Imagine how I felt when I saw that video," Charlie said.
"It wasn't my idea, Chief Swan," I said with desperation.
"Doesn't matter, you did it and were a party to it. Who are the other kids, son?" Charlie asked.
"Don't call me son, and I don't know," I said.
"Seth, you do too know who they are. If you don't tell me, you are going to get the blame for this alone. I can't imagine this was your idea, so you better come clean. I don't think your Dad is going to be too happy with you, do you?" Charlie asked.
"I don't know. Dad's always busy these days," I said to him.
"Well, he's a doctor and has a lot going. One thing for sure about Carlisle, he will give you his full attention now, boy," Charlie said.
"Don't call me boy, either," I said to him.
"Don't think I'm too keen on this attitude, Seth. Is it alright I call you by your name?" Charlie asked.
"Yes," I said.
"Well, if you don't tell me who the other kids are, I'll just have to take you home and tell your Dad it was all you. What's it going to be?" Charlie asked.
"Take me home," I said beginning to walk toward him.
"Have it your way," Charlie said putting his hand on my shoulder. I shrugged it off and Charlie just kind of looked at me. "Okay," Charlie said walking next to me.
Arriving at his cruiser, he held the back door open and I got in the back seat. I've never been in a police car before. It was weird seeing the grate between Charlie and me and I felt like an actual criminal. Charlie got on his radio and called in that he had apprehended one of the suspects and was taking me to my house to talk to my parents. Oh great, what a nice surprise when I get home.
Riding in the back of Charlie's squad car on the way to my house, I began thinking of how this is not going to be good when we walk up to the door. I couldn't believe Charlie caught me and Jeb and Braden throwing rocks down at cars from the overpass. Man, Dad is going to kill me. Dad will probably be home from the hospital already. Lucky me!
Charlie has been silent the entire ride home and I'd rather have it that way. I don't really want to talk to him, he's okay, but I don't know how I feel about him being my step-father. Jeb and Braden brought up interesting points on how having a cop for a step-father is not going to be fun. I'd rather he just date my mom instead of marrying her. Jeb's right, establish your distaste for him from the get-go and then he won't try to be another father to me. I have Dad, he's the one I want as my father. Although, he's not going to be too happy with me when he finds out we were throwing rocks at cars. Especially with the way my family feels about their cars.
We are coming down the highway to our drive to our house. I can feel the butterflies beginning to stir and flutter more and more as we near home. I know I'm in for it, and Dad will beat my butt for this. I have to remember to leave my phone on and keep it outside the study. Jeb and Braden are anxious to find out what Dad will do to me for this stunt.
Oh great, we're turning into our driveway. Oh no, I bet everyone is home already and everyone is going to know what I did. I wish I would have said no to this. Mom is going to be upset with me again. Oh no, the front door, I'm sure Dad and Mom and my vampire siblings know who is out here with me. They will smell Charlie's scent, especially Bella.
"Okay kid, let's go talk to your Mom and Dad," Charlie said putting his hand on my shoulder like a pal. I instantly sloughed his hand off of me.
"I know the way, you don't need to show me," I said rather smartly to him.
"Okay, have it your way," Charlie said still right behind me.
We arrived at the door and Charlie rang the doorbell. I was nervously standing there trying to keep from tipping Charlie off as to how nervous I actually was. Dad and Mom would hear my increased heartbeat. Dad will know something is off. About a minute later, Dad opened the door with Mom right next to him.
"Hello Charlie! What brings you here," Dad asked giving me a suspicious look. "Come in."
"Hi Carlisle, Esme! I'm afraid Seth has gotten himself in a little trouble again," Charlie said to Dad and Mom. He stepped in the house with me next to him.
"What now!" Mom said angrily looking at me.
"Seth Cullen! What have you done?" Dad asked giving me one of his piercing glares.
"Well, it seems Seth and his friends were throwing rocks at cars as they drove under the overpass near the Black's place on La Push road. I had several drivers call and report them and one came to the station and took a video and a picture with his cell phone of the kids. Can't see who the other two kids are but you will recognize the one in the shot," Charlie said handing his phone to Dad.
Mom leaned over and her and Dad watched the video then looked at the picture that clearly showed my full face. No way could I deny it.
"I drove out there, the other two took off but Seth knew he had no place to run since I called him by name. I thought you knew better than this, Seth," Charlie said to me.
"He most certainly does, Charlie, he knows not to do anything like that," Mom said to Charlie and then angrily looking at me. I just cast my eyes down.
"Charlie, I will pay for any damage caused to the cars by the rocks. You, Young Man, apologize to Charlie right this minute," Dad said to me.
"What for?" I asked Dad who threw me a glare that could make the tide turn.
"Seth Cullen, what do you have to say to Charlie," Dad demanded of me again.
"I'm sorry," I said to Charlie as I once again lowered my eyes.
"You're treading on thin ice with the law son," Charlie said clapping his hand on my shoulder.
"I'm not your son, I disobeyed my parents who are standing right there, not you," I said sarcastically to Charlie. "I'll never be your son, even though you're marrying my mom," I said to him. I could see the hurt in his face and the fury on my parents faces, especially Dad's.
"How dare you speak to Charlie like that, Young Man. I will not tolerate such disrespect for anyone in this house, much less the Chief of Police who happens to practically be your step-father. You will apologize this instant for that disgraceful show of disrespect for your elder," Dad scolded me like a child. It just made me more determined not to apologize.
"Hey, don't talk to my dad like that, Seth," Bella said coming up and shoving me back.
"Butt out Bella," I yelled at her.
"Bella, I'll handle this. Go back into the living room," Dad said to Bella.
"You better watch it Seth," Bella said to me again.
"Apologize to Charlie this minute," Dad said sternly.
"NO! I won't apologize to him, Dad. I will to you and Mom but he'll never be a parent to me so stop calling me son," I shouted angrily to Charlie and shoved him back.
"Whoa there, kid," Charlie said throwing his hands up.
That was not the best idea I had as Dad grabbed me by the arm and landed two searing swats on my hind end that I jumped in the air after each one they burned so bad. Dad then turned me to face him.
"You get to your room and wait for me to call you to my study and you better not slam the door to your room, now go," Dad said landing another stinging smack to me as I rushed past him.
Carlisle:
"What's with that kid these days?" Charlie said.
"I don't know, but I'm going to find out," I said to Charlie.
"He won't give up the two kids who were with him," Charlie said.
"I'll see if I can get him to talk, but don't count on it. You know how kids are, they will take the blame themselves before snitching on their friends," I said to Charlie.
"Well, I guess I'll be going. Good luck Carlisle. Looks like Seth is vying for attention in the wrong way," Charlie said.
"Yes, well I'm going to attend to him alright," I said.
"See ya Bells," Charlie called to Bella.
"Bye dad," Bella called back.
"Carlisle, what has gotten into that boy," Esme asked.
"I'm not sure but I am getting tired of this." I said. Billy was down in the living room with the others watching this scenario.
"Got your hands full with that little cub," Billy said.
"Yes I do, Billy. I don't know what has gotten into him lately and I can't get him to open up," I admitted.
"You might have to take a firm stand with that youngster, Carlisle," Billy said giving me a knowing look.
"I already have, now I'm afraid I'm going to have to take a firmer one," I admitted as I made my way up the stairs to deal with my little cub.
"Everyone, let's go into town for a bit," Esme said. "Your father and Seth need some privacy."
To Be Continued…
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A/N: This is a fictional story and a fictional incident of throwing rocks from an overpass at cars. However, this is a serious crime if committed, so please do not be stupid and do something like this. Be Responsible and do not try this.