Author's Note:
Thanks to; StrawberryXoXoMania, Pop-tarts, ShadowWolfDagger, emma134, liasonfan, Karma22, CSImiamiLover101, BellaDanvers, Avidswimmer09, lynn11802, CarlyJo, Songorita, gizmossidekick, Lady Lily Rose, Slytherin-Mafia, OnlyVampiresCanLoveYouForver, ruggedangle0426, Rainydaygirl4, and SharonH for your reviews! We appreciate it. Keep reviewing!
We are also very sorry for the really long wait, for this chapter. School's a bummer, but don't worry; the wait will be worth it.
Don't forget to check out our profile for a Abby/Pogue video, and keep checking back for a Becks/Tyler video that should be up soon!
Disclaimer:
We still don't own the Covenant in any way, shape, or form; however, Becks and Abby are all ours. The title 'Pain' is not ours either; it belongs to the band Three Days Grace.
Chapter 11- Of Philosophers and Fools
"No battle is ever won; they are not even fought. The field only reveals to man his own folly and despair, and Victory is an illusion of philosophers and fools."
-William Faulkner
xxxxx
"What the hell is taking Reid so long?" Pogue looked down anxiously at his watch as he, Caleb, and Tyler stood waiting outside for a certain blonde friend of theirs, who was probably doing something explicit involving a member of the female species.
"He'll be here, chill out," Tyler repeated for what seemed like the hundredth time that day. They should have been used to this by now; Reid had been ditching them to hook up with girls since elementary school.
The group's attention was quickly focused on the blonde boy that was currently storming down the front steps of Spenser Academy, a bulky looking guy and a redheaded chick following behind him.
"Hey you little bitch! Get back here!" The large boy said angrily as he caught up to the blonde and grabbed him by the shoulder, turning him around.
Reid's eyes glared hatefully at him and he shrugged the meaty hand off of his shoulder. "Look, I didn't know she had a boyfriend dude." He snickered, then continued. "Obviously you must be lacking something if she decided to spend the night with me."
"We'll see who's lacking what when I'm done with you," the tall, overly muscular boy growled as he made his way towards Reid, ignoring his girlfriend's pleas to just let it go.
Reid stood still, waiting for the boy to make his move. When he did, a bright ring of fire flashed in his eyes before his fist made a powerful blow against the boy's face, knocking him off his feet and onto the ground. A couple more blows and the boy would be unconscious. It took all three of the Ipswich boys to pry Reid off of him.
"That's enough Reid!" Caleb yelled, struggling to calm the hyped up blonde in front of him.
The boy on the ground wiped the blood from his lip and stood up. "This isn't over." He draped an arm around his girlfriend, who led him back into the school.
"What the hell Reid? Why do you always have to use in public?" Caleb said angrily.
"Did you see that guy? I didn't have a chance against him, it was self defense," Reid replied, scowling deeply.
Caleb sighed, running a hand over his face. "How many times do I have to tell you? These powers are addicting, you've seen what they can do!"
Reid rolled his eyes. "Save me the mother hen speech Caleb, I've heard it one too many times."
"Obviously you're not getting the message if you're still going around using your powers to win fights," Caleb yelled, stepping closer to the blonde. Reid, not liking the confrontation, let his eyes go pitch black as he roughly pushed Caleb away from him.
"Don't start this again Caleb, you know it never ends well," Pogue intervened, holding Caleb by the shoulders.
"He needs to realize he isn't the only one who gets put in danger every time he uses." The eldest boy also let his eyes turn black.
"It's pointless Caleb. If Reid wants to use then let him, it's his life man," Pogue stated, trying to convince Caleb not to go any further.
"No Pogue, I'm sick of having these little bitch fights about him using. We settle this now." Caleb pulled away from Pogue and ran towards Reid, knocking him to the ground. He got in one good hit before Pogue pulled him off.
"Stop it," Tyler exclaimed, making his way towards Reid, who now sported a bloody lip. "This isn't going to solve anything Caleb and you know it."
Caleb sighed as he stopped trying to break Pogue's hold on him, to which Pogue was grateful. Everyone knew that the youngest of the boys was right; he was always right. Reid let Tyler help him up, the blackened eyes had turned back to normal, but the tension still lingered.
"I've had it with these Covenant rules and your need to be the leader, Caleb. I'm tired of you telling me what to do; you're not my father!" With that, Reid tugged out of Tyler's grip and stormed back into the school, letting his legs take him wherever they may.
xxxxx
In other parts of the school, three girls sat leisurely on the beds in a dorm room, talking and laughing about the past week's events. Rebecca was currently retelling the story of her and Reid's previous argument and make up session that had taken place the day before.
Rebecca sighed, "And then, Tyler, being the calm, peacemaker that he is, made us apologize to each other. You should have seen the boy, he looked like he was about to rip his hair out he was so frustrated. I feel a bit bad." She then thought about the shattered glass, and looked up at Sarah and Abigail. "The weirdest part was the shattered light bulb. I mean, I would have thought nothing of it, but I could swear it happened just as Reid started yelling."
Abigail made a face at her friend, trying to comprehend what she had just said. "Wait, what?"
Becky shook her head, "It sounds crazy, but I said something to Reid that really pissed him off, and right after, this light bulb just randomly shattered right at my feet. It was twilight zone creepy man."
Sarah swallowed hard; she didn't want to mention to the girls what she knew. She had promised Caleb she would keep the Covenant's secret. "Maybe it was just a coincidence. Reid couldn't have possibly shattered glass all on his own."
Becky laughed. "It would be kinda of cool though," she replied, shaking her head. It did sound pretty crazy now that she thought about it. Who could possibly break a light bulb without touching it? What did Reid have magical powers or something? Even crazier, all four of the boys had powers and it was some huge secret. She laughed at the thought and before she could continue talking, her phone began to ring. She picked up the phone and glanced at the caller ID, sighing as she read the name that was displayed to her. "Hello dad," she said quietly, trying to mask the bitterness in her voice.
"Rebecca, I'm just calling to remind you that the holidays are coming up. I trust you'll be spending your vacation at home, yes?" Her father's voice was stern and commanding.
"Of course father, like I do every year," she replied, rolling her eyes.
"Good. Let's not have the same outcome as last year. I don't want to have to send Chief Baker to find you again."
She rolled her eyes again at the mention of last Christmas. "I'll make sure I'm home." With that, she snapped the phone shut and threw it across the room, letting it roughly hit the wall. Abby and Sarah looked at her sympathetically.
"Your dad has some serious issues," Sarah stated with a sigh.
"You don't know the half of it," Becks replied, rubbing her temples as if it would make the oncoming headache disappear. "I'll catch up with you guys later. I need to take a walk." Rebecca got up from her bed and headed towards the door.
"Becks!" Abigail called to her friend, making Becky look over her shoulder. "Don't think too much, okay?"
Becky smiled slightly and nodded, then walked out of the room and closed the door behind her. Shoving her hands in her pockets, she made her way down the hall towards the library. She opened the doors and quietly walked in, settling herself in one of the many empty tables in the far back. She let out a big sigh before letting her head drop into her arms on the table.
Moments later, the doors opened again. One Reid Garwin entered, his eyes scanning the place for either an appealing young brainiac to ravish or a nice quiet place to sit for a while. The only person he saw however, besides a few math geeks hovered over some books, was Becky, in the far corner of the library. He wandered over in her direction, hoping to get a rile out of her to let out his pent up irritation with Caleb. Making his way to that section of the library, he accidentally ran into a table, causing it to slide noisily across the floor. He looked around the room as its occupants, including Rebecca, looked at him petulantly. "My bad," he muttered, rolling his eyes and sitting at the blonde girl's table, making himself comfortable.
"Can't you go anywhere without being noticed?" Becky said, laying her head back on the table.
"Yes, but where's the fun in that?" He joked, propping his feet up on the table in front of him.
Becky sighed but didn't answer. Reid found that odd, since Becky always had some smart-ass remark to say to him. He watched her for a moment before asking, "You wanna talk about it?"
Becky looked up at Reid and sighed. "Not particularly. Even if I did, why would I talk to you?"
Reid shrugged and replied, "Good question."
They sat in silence a few minutes, until Rebecca turned to look at him. "So what are you doing in a library? I didn't know you could actually read."
Reid laughed and nodded his head. "First thing I ever read was the June 1996 edition of Playboy Magazine. It was an eighth birthday present from my uncle." He raised his eyebrows at her suggestively as she looked at him disbelievingly. "Obviously, you know nothing about lady hunting, McAlister." He sat up, as though telling an important secret. "The finest hunters know that the library is the best place to find girls willing to get in bed with you." Abigail looked at him as if he was crazy. "Oh yeah, it's true. Those smart girls can turn me on sometimes." He gave her a cheeky smile as he leaned back in his chair, once again propping his feet up.
"You're a pig, you know that, right?" She looked at him expectantly.
"Tomaeto, tomaato, pig, expert, whatever floats your boat, babe." She grinned sarcastically at him before shoving his feet off the table, smiling broadly when they hit the ground with a large thud. He glared at her irritably as she asked, "So what are you really doing in here? The only people I see are some math kids, and I'm pretty sure they all have dicks."
Reid rolled his eyes and sighed, reciting his previous fight with Caleb, leaving out the part about the magic. "So basically, he thinks he owns me just because he's older or whatever. It's annoying as hell. He's always trying to tell me what to do and how to act. I can take care of myself!"
"Sounds to me like he's trying to look out for you."
Reid snorted angrily and looked away from her. "Yeah, that's what everyone else says. 'He's just doing what's best, Reid. You should listen to him, Reid.' Fuck that, he's not my dad, I don't need him bossing me around."
"Well maybe you should compromise. Try to do things his way a little more half of the time and do things your way the other half. Just try to incorporate some of his advice. Maybe you'll find that it helps you out. And then try and see things from his point of view and talk to him civilly. Yelling and fighting doesn't solve anything."
Reid stared at her blankly. "Jeez, you sound just like Tyler. No wonder you two got together." He put his feet back on the table, ignoring what she had previously said to him. "So, what is a bitchy young demon girl such as yourself doing in here on such a lovely, cold day like today?" A fake smile made it's way onto his face as he pretended to care.
She stared angrily at him before looking down at her hands. "My father is making me spend the entire holiday vacation at his house, even though he's not going to be there."
The smile on Reid's face flickered slightly, but came back full blast almost just as quick. "And this makes you mad why? Throw a party, have some fun, attempt to make a social status for yourself."
Rebecca rolled her eyes at his completely one tracked mind. "What's the point of throwing a party? There will be like twelve others, plus the fact that it would cost me hundreds just for beer and I'd have to clean the whole thing up. Besides, if my dad found out, I'd be screwed."
"Fine, fine, it was just an idea McAlister, don't get your panties in a bunch. Are you even wearing panties?" He leaned down to get a look under the table, jokingly trying to see if she was indeed wearing underwear. Rebecca blushed and turned sideways, even though she was wearing jeans and he wouldn't be able to see anything. She muttered a quiet 'pig' to herself as he sat back, laughing. "Well I'm sure you can drag Tyler over to keep you company. His parents always go to Europe for Christmas and he doesn't usually want to go. You guys would have two weeks, a bedroom, and lots of ways to make memories." He gave her a perverted look and she rolled her eyes again, shaking her head at his immaturity.
"I can't really have anyone over, especially not a guy. My dad would throw a bitch fit."
Reid shrugged and replied, "Who cares if daddy dearest finds out. Besides, how would he?"
Rebecca smiled tightly and answered, "He has his ways. He always finds out. You see, me and him don't really get along very well. So it's just better to leave everything like it is and not start shit with him."
Reid shrugged and said, "Whatever. We'll just have to find somewhere else to party. Maybe Caleb's place. It's big and has lots of bedrooms." He winked at her and got up from his chair. "I'll see ya around, McAlister."
xxxxx
The weekend had finally come, ending a long five-day period of hard work and tests. The gang of seven was currently walking down the hall, the last class of the day having just ended.
"So, what's the plan for tonight, ladies?" Reid asked the group, hoping that the evening's festivities involved him getting laid. The tension between Reid and Caleb had lessened, but was still noticeable.
"Nicky's again?" Caleb asked, looking for affirmation from one of the people around him.
"Oh please no. As much fun as Nicky's is, I'm kind of tired of it," Sarah said from her spot under Caleb's arm.
"We could go see a movie?"
"I don't think there is anything decent playing."
"Shopping?" The girls, of course, suggested this.
"No! Definitely not." Pogue, of course, vehemently denied this.
"We could go out to eat?"
"That doesn't involve me getting laid." All eyes glared at Reid when he said this, to which he replied with a 'what?'
"So maybe we can just hang out at someone's place. Ya know, watch movies, eat food, play some board games, that kind of stuff."
"You mean have a giant, girly sleepover?" Reid always did know exactly what to say.
If you asked anyone, they wouldn't remember who had suggested the idea, but nobody seemed to object it. So the next problem was deciding on whose house they were going to crash at for the next day or two.
"Pogue's?"
"Are you kidding? That place is a pigsty." Pogue replied with a distressed 'hey!' and Abigail just shrugged at him.
"Tyler's?"
"Man, you know my parents don't like when I have a bunch of people over."
"Reid's?"
"Ha, yeah right. Mother is probably having one of her get-togethers with her clients."
"Becks? What about your place?"
"Uh no way. Not even a possibility."
"Well we can have it at my place I guess. I doubt my parents will care." Everyone stared at Abby, as if the idea had never occurred to them. "Or not..."
"Works for me." Everyone else agreed.
"Well I've got detention with Mrs. Smith, so I guess I'll catch up with you guys later," Pogue said, as he shoved some of his books into his locker.
Reid laughed and said, "Sucks for you, she's such a bitch. I've got detention with Mrs. Sykes." Pogue laughed and said 'nice' as the two high-fived.
The rest of the group rolled their eyes and Tyler spoke up. "Well I guess I'll just wait till you guys are done and we can ride together."
"Then I'll just catch a ride with you later. You can help me study for calculus until then." Becky smiled up at the blue-eyed boy next to her.
Reid snorted and closed his locker. "Like that's what you guys will be doing." Rebecca rolled her eyes and started walking away, pulling Tyler behind her. He shot out a quick 'call me when you're done' before he was dragged away from the scene.
Reid and Pogue waved quickly, Pogue giving Abigail a quick kiss, before they went their separate ways to their after school activities.
Abigail turned to the couple left with her. "Well you guys can ride with me over there now or I can give you directions and you can meet me over there later."
Sarah jumped in quickly, saying, "I've got nothing better to do, I'm ready as soon as I grab some stuff."
Caleb nodded and said, "Yeah, if you don't mind stopping by my house so I can get some things for the weekend, I'm ready."
Abigail nodded and, after waiting for Sarah to grab a bag from her dorm, they walked out to the parking lot, Abby getting into her car and Sarah and Caleb getting into his. Abigail took out her phone, hit speed dial two, and waited, only to get Rebecca's voice mail. She quickly said, "Don't forget to bring some stuff," before hanging up and following Caleb's car to his house.
xxxxx
"Mother dearest! You're darling, beautiful daughter has arrived!" Abigail yelled into the house as the group of three entered the two-story Victorian mansion, which was significantly smaller than Caleb's. "Where are you?"
"I'm in the kitchen sweetheart, there's no need to shout," came a soft voice from a room to their left.
Abigail made a face in the direction of the sound, knowing that her mother couldn't see her. She dropped her bags in the living room, indicating to the couple behind her to do the same. They entered the spacious kitchen to see a blonde haired woman sitting at the bar counter, cigarette hanging out of her red-painted lips and today's newspaper in her hands. "Hey mom," Abigail said, quickly kissing the rosy cheek of the older, brunette woman.
"Hi darling, how was school?" She asked, glancing at Abigail, who was now plundering through the refrigerator.
"Oh, wonderful. It was very enlightening." The redhead gave her mother a sarcastic look and pulled out a can of soda, followed by two more for her guests.
"Well that's good dear. I'm not paying that damn tuition for nothing. Who are your friends?" She placed the paper onto the marble counter and set the cigarette into a crystal ashtray. "Hello, I'm Deanna Maverick. You must be some of Abigail's friends. And here I thought my poor girl had no social life."
"Ha-ha, you're so clever mother. For your information, I have quite a few friends."
Caleb smiled and interrupted the playful banter. "I'm Caleb Danvers, ma'am, it's nice to meet you." He held out his hand, to which Mrs. Maverick accepted with a warm smile. "This is my girlfriend, Sarah Wenham." They exchanged 'hellos' and Abigail spoke up.
"Where's daddy at?"
Her mother gave a short laugh and picked up her cancer stick again. "Who knows, sweetheart. He's probably still at work. I'm meeting him for a client party at five o'clock."
"Oh, well I have more people coming over, hope that's okay."
Mrs. Maverick raised an eyebrow at her only child and said cautiously, "How many more people is 'more people?'"
Abigail took a sip of her drink before responding. "Uhm, maybe like… three?"
Her mother gave a small laugh and picked up her cigarette again, taking a quick drag before saying, "Well, as long as you all don't trash the place, I suppose that's alright. When are they coming over?"
Abigail shrugged and headed towards the door leading to the main entry hall. "Later, don't worry about it. I love you." The only response she heard was a 'mhm' as she led Caleb and Sarah into the living room.
"This is a nice place," Sarah said politely.
"Yeah I guess. So let me give you the grand tour. This is the living room." The trio moved into the room that currently contained their bags. It was a pale blue color, with long, white curtains surrounding the large bay windows on two of the walls. Leather sofas and chairs were set around an antique-looking, wood coffee table, a good-sized TV situated in the center of the wall. A soft, plush rug was laying under the furniture, partially covering the cherry oak floors that ran throughout the house. "Exciting, I know. Moving on…"
xxxxx
A girly shriek erupted throughout the house and Abigail cautiously walked from the kitchen, chip bags in hand, and into the living room to see Caleb and Pogue sprawled out on the floor covered in popcorn, the rest of the group laughing incessantly. It was easy to tell that Reid was the cause of the disturbance, as he wore an innocent look on his devilish face while he tried desperately to contain his laughter. He failed a few seconds later, but before he could bask in his glory, he was tackled to the floor by Pogue and they wrestled on the floor. Abigail was thankful for Tyler, who had thought of moving the valuable furniture to the end of the room, giving the group more space to lounge in. Sarah and Rebecca cheered on Pogue as he got Reid into a headlock, using his strength to his advantage.
"As much fun as it is watching you two act like six year-olds, I have food," Abigail said with a smile, holding up three different bags of chips.
"Food!" Tyler jumped off of the couch from his place next to Rebecca and ran up to Abigail, smiled, and grabbed a bag of chips from her hands, going right back to his seat and making himself comfortable. By this time, the two boys on floor were laying on their backs, breathing hard from their laborious activities. Abigail tossed the other two bags of junk food to the occupants of the remaining furniture, just as her mother, dressed in her finest, waltzed into the room, eyeing the group of teens.
"Woah, Mrs. M, you're lookin' hot," Reid said from his position on the floor, where he was currently eating the leftover popcorn that decorated the space around him.
The woman being addressed looked at the young blonde that was currently sprawled on her extremely expensive Persian rug. "Why thank you, dear," she said with a kind smile. "Sweetheart," she continued, this time facing her daughter, "I'm going to pretend that I don't see my valuable antique furniture pushed aside like a Taiwan hooker or the food on my three thousand dollar rug." She plastered a smile on her face, her lips stained dark with color. "Make sure you all don't trash anything, okay? I want my house looking exactly like I left it when I come home." There was a chorus of 'yes ma'ams' and she smiled brightly. "Wonderful. Abigail, your father and I will be home tomorrow afternoon. Goodness knows how long this party will last and then we're off to the city for the evening. Call me if you need anything. You kids have fun." With that, she was out the door and heading down the driveway in her luxury car, complete with a personal driver.
A half hour later found the group in a serious game of twister, with Reid trying to cheat every chance he got. Just as Caleb was about to claim the victory, Sarah got up from the "loser's couch" and sat on him, causing him to fall and Pogue to pick up the win.
Caleb groaned and looked at the blonde laughing maniacally from her position on top of him. "You cheated," he said, a pout set firmly on his face.
She closed the space between them, replying, "Awh, cheer up sweetie. You still get a prize." She pressed her lips against his and all thought of twister was forgotten. Their kiss deepened and the rest of the room's occupants began to complain.
"Get a room," Tyler said, covering his eyes playfully.
Pogue backed away from the couple, seeing as he was still on the floor. As he began to talk, the doorbell rang. Abigail got up and started heading towards the entryway. "Hey, what about my prize?" he whined, giving Abigail's retreating back the puppy-dog eyes.
She laughed and quickly moved back to him, placing a quick, but firm kiss on his lips. "As soon as I get back."
He raised his eyes suggestively and watched her as she walked backwards toward the door. "You're damn right 'when you get back.' Make it fast."
She laughed and was soon out of sight from the living room. She shook her head at his immature thinking and a smile formed on her face. It was quickly replaced by a look of surprise as she opened the door, letting a single word leave her mouth.
"Eric?"