(A/N: Hey everyone, thank you for all the concern about the car crash thing I put in the last authors note. I appreciate the kind words, so I'll explain. And it starts with a fun fact about me. I don't have a drivers license. With my dad being so sick and not having my mom around, I never got it. Why tell you that? A friend of mine was driving me to CVS to buy shampoo, body wash, etc. Necessary stuff. At a light, guy rams into us. Cops come, file report, then notice something is off about my friend. Long story short, he was on a illicit substance (Hint: Involves your nose), he got booked, I got drug tested, along with my dorm room searched and laptop confiscated. Surprise surprise (haha) I of course came up clean. The guy that looked thru my laptop had one thing to say. Quote: "You're an amazing writer." So that's my crazy Wed/Thurs/Fri of last week. I'm glad I'm moving May 11th lol. Anyway, enough about me. Hope you enjoy the chapter. -James)
Slam.
Slam.
Cat returns to my side as we walk up to the front doors of the school.
She's trying to hide her anger and her bad mood.
I feel it. Can't see it, but it comes off her like heat.
And like heat, it comes and goes in waves.
I wrap my arm around her and try to comfort her.
"It's going to be ok."
"I know." She said.
Then a beat later "You can tell I'm mad again, can't you."
I nod and kiss her hair, then let go as the front desk hones into view.
"May I help you?" A girl around Sydney's age smiled up at us.
"Yes, we have conferences for Shapiro and Valentine?" I say kindly.
She typed for a moment.
"Shapiro and Valentine…here it is. Can I see your driver's licenses please?" She asked.
She barely looks old enough to have one.
Cat and I hand her our licenses and we watch as she ran them thru this neat machine.
It's like a copier. The license got scanned, then name tags with our names and driver's license photos come out.
Cool.
She looked at the badges for half a beat too long, then handed them to us.
Mine first, then Cat's.
She tried to make her stare inconspicuous.
Tried and failed.
"Room 34. All 4 should be waiting." She smiled at us.
"Thank you." Cat smiled at her, and then led the way.
We walked for a moment, and then Cat broke into a smile.
You never know where a fan might be.
She probably is posting on Splashface now "OMG I JUST SAW CAT VALENTINE AT SCHOOL!"
Cat usually spends about an hour every night looking thru her Splashface mentions, searching for nice words, somebody who she can make smile, or someone who saw her and didn't make a big deal out of it.
Her fans know that now for the most part. The easiest way to get noticed by Cat, or get a smile out of her is to be clever, funny or subtle. Or all three.
She gets too many messages THAT ARE ALL CAPS AND SEEM LIKE THEY ARE SCREAMING AT HER, BUT THEY SAY THEY LOVE HER.
Yeah.
I guarantee Cat will look for that girl later.
Knowing her, she already has her first name committed to memory and will go searching for her tonight when everyone goes to bed.
Room 34.
I open the door and hold it for Cat.
Once I come inside, we're met with an awkward silence.
Everybody was talking happily, but suddenly stopped.
"Hi!" Cat smiled, walking towards one lady.
I don't recognize anyone. But then again I never have had any issues with Kevin, or Sydney when she went here.
"Hi, you're Kevin's mom right?" One lady said.
"Yeah."
I move to shake what looks like a coach's hand. "Robbie Shapiro."
"Daniel Orton." He crushes my hand.
Is that really necessary.
Cat and I sit down in the seats, and the teachers sit also.
2 women, one man.
"So, I assume we all know why we're here. You set this up because your child, Kevin Shapiro has had this dramatic drop off in his academic performance and behavior." One younger lady wearing glasses said.
"Yeah. We saw his mid semester report card and were shocked." Cat said.
Another lady looked her oddly.
"What?" I ask.
"Kevin has been a nuisance all semester. Hasn't he been that way at home?"
"No. Not at all. He's the same as he's always been. The worst thing he's done is he dropped a hot plate unloading the dishwasher." Cat said, affronted.
"What do you mean ma'am?" I ask.
"Well I'm his math teacher, and it's like he stopped caring. He never speaks up in class like he used to and never turns in homework assignments. Once the bell rings he runs out of class like his life depends on it."
Huh?
Beside me, out of the corner of my eye I see Cat go pale.
She really didn't like my assumption, hunch, whatever you call it that Kevin might be getting bullied.
"Any idea why?" Cat squeaked out nervously.
"No. He seems to be intimidated by the boys around him. He moves, but they love him and follow him."
Huh?
"That makes no sense. Why not make the others stay where they are?" I ask.
…
"Fine. We'll get back to that. Who are you and what's the issue with Kevin?" I ask the other lady.
"I'm his science teacher. His work has slipped slightly, but he constantly is talking to another student." She said.
"A girl?" Cat smiled.
"Yes, why are you smiling?" She asked.
"Because he mentioned he liked a girl at school. That must be her." Cat effortlessly replied.
"So constantly interrupting my class is ok to you?!" She hops up, practically screaming.
"No…is he doing that?" I ask calmly.
"I, no. No he's not. But he always sits with the same girl and guy and they always talk talk talk talk constantly. Never reaches out to any other students." She said disdainfully.
"Do they get your in classwork done?" Cat asked.
"Yes, that work is among the best in the class." She answered.
"Then why is his grade so low in your class?' I ask.
"His tests are below average."
I nod.
Sorry Kev, no out on that one.
"And you sir. You said your name was Daniel?" I ask him.
"Yes, but the students know me as Coach Orton. I coach basketball and football and monitor study hall."
"Ok. He has bad marks in both classes. Why?" Cat asked inquisitively.
"Well, the main issue is that he rarely shows up. I don't know where he could go, but he sometimes misses class, but regularly comes in 5 to 10 minutes late."
"How? He can't leave campus, how's he missing?" I ask.
"We don't know." One of the ladies said. "It's an issue for all of his teachers. We've spoken about it to each other, and we don't understand."
The other one suddenly spoke up. "The only clues we have is we've found him hiding in lockers twice, and sometimes comes in looking like he's been pushed around."
I hear an exasperated sound from Cat, and look over to her.
She looks like she's about to go off.
"I…I'm no expert, but it sounds like he's getting bullied." I say.
All 3 look at me like I have a second head.
"No. We don't have bullying here. All students are forced to attend anti bullying and tolerance lectures each semester."
Cat finally jumped in. "So? Doesn't mean they aren't paying attention. Do you have security cameras? Hall monitors?"
They shake their heads.
"I…Let me start here. You all know who I am right?" Cat said.
"Does it matter?" One of the ladies asked.
"In a way, yes. I'm Cat Valentine. The same Cat Valentine who is the singer."
All three sit up a bit straighter.
"But that's not my point. I play a big role in an ad campaign against bullying. A national campaign. And my very own son is getting bullied? It's the school's job to notice when something is wrong and notify the parents!" She yelled, hopping out of her chair.
"We didn't notice anything about bullying."
"He's getting stuffed in lockers, getting pushed around and running from kids. What more do you need to hear? Do you realize what you sound like?" Cat asked, eyes nearly bulging out of her head.
I reach over and pull her back to her seat.
"Easy…no need to scream."
She angrily pulled her hand away from me and stared at them.
…
"Do any of you have good answers for me? Because I'm considering meeting with the principal." Cat spit out, crossing her arms.
"I…we have security cameras. That's all I can think of." The gym teacher said.
Suddenly Cat let out a maniacal scream and stormed from the room.
"Thank you very much for your time." I say, and then scurry out after her.
"Cat!" I chase her down.
"I'm getting the principals email and setting up an appointment." She breathed heavily.
"Easy baby. Calm down. You can't look furious otherwise everyone will tighten up."
She stopped and I hugged her.
"You're right." She hugged me back.
"We'll talk to him today when we get home. It'll be ok."
"I…I'm a failure. I'm a failure as a mom. I can't even tell when my son is getting bullied." She cried into my chest.
"No you're not. We'll talk to him and fix this."
"I want people fired. Somebody should pay for this." She said darkly.
"I know. And we might get to that point. But right now we need to get the principal's email so we can set up an appointment."
She took a deep breath, squeezed one more hug out of me and smiled.
"Ok."
She held my hand on the short walk back to the front desk.
"Hi! You're back!" The girl at the desk lit up.
"Yeah hi. Can we get the principal's email? We'd like to contact him." Cat smiled.
"I…I'm not really supposed to give out that information." She looked down and away from us.
"Well could you maybe bend the rules? It's extremely important and about a disciplinary issue." Cat said.
Good call.
"I…don't tell anyone please." She stood up and glanced around.
"Promise." Cat beamed.
"I'll watch out for anyone." I joke, but being serious.
Cat smiled happily next to me.
The girl pulled out a big binder and started scrolling thru it.
…
…
"Ok. I've got it." She said.
"Great. I'll put it in my phone." Cat said, opening it to her notes.
"It's RKhator. Then an at sign, and then dot LAPS."
"…Got it. Now what's your name?" Cat smiled up at her.
"My name? Uhh…why?"
"I want to thank you by name for being such a big help." Cat smiled at her.
She's charming her.
And being a loyal kitten in Cat's army, she melted.
"I'm Alexandra Cannon." She smiled.
"Ok. Thanks Alexandra." Cat smiled at her.
"No problem. I go by Alex." She extended her hand.
"Well thanks Alex." Cat shook her hand.
"Thanks Alex." I smile at her.
"Have a nice day! Hopefully nobody else shows up!" Cat beamed at her.
"Yeah! Bye!"
Cat waved as I held the door for her.
Sydney POV
"Welcome to Whichway, would you like to try our 5 alarm pestozini sub?" The guy said.
"No. Can I have a number 2 please?" I smile at him.
A number 2 is roast beef, lettuce, tomato and their special mayonnaise.
It may sound weird, but it's awesome.
I tried to have a healthy sandwich once, but I didn't even make it thru it.
Daddy saw I didn't like it and bought me a number two immediately.
We sometimes come here for dinner when mom is lazy and doesn't want to cook.
But today it's a late lunch date with Austin.
I'm trying to keep my smiling to a minimum.
"And for you sir?" The guy asked Austin, who's behind me.
"The same please."
"Drinks?"
"Yes please." He said, pulling out cash.
"Two 2's!"
Fast as always.
I got retrieve the sandwiches, put them in bags and grab chips for me.
Austin hands me a drink cup and also grabs chips.
"So…where do you wanna eat?"
"I was thinking at home." I smile.
"At your house?" He asked, looking surprised.
"Yeah. We can get you in and out before my parents come home. They said they'd come back at 6."
"Okay…if you're sure." He said, walking to the soda machine.
I get peppy cola, and he gets Raderade.
Then we walk back to my car.
Earlier he dropped his car back at his mom's house. That's why we only have one car.
His mom…I'll get into that later.
The drive home is quick and easy, since Whichway is less than 5 minutes from home.
It's 4.
We might even get to kiss a little before he has to go.
Eep.
He's clearly nervous as I unlock the door.
"C'mon in."
He followed dutifully as I shut the door. "So nobody's home?"
"Nope. Just us. Alone."
He shot me a mischievous smile.
"Nooo…not that alone. Down boy." I joke.
He smiled and pulled me into a kiss that lasted for about a minute.
"Now that…is how I want to kiss you all the time." He said huskily.
"Is it the sandwich you want to devour, or me?"
He rolled his eyes. "Not that guy Sydney. You know that."
Yeah.
He has no problem with me ripping his shirt off, but utterly refuses to do anything to me.
Which is fine. I don't mind. Just makes me wonder…
Isn't that what guys want?
The more skin, more physical stuff?
I'm not even sure whether I want to go that far.
Stop thinking about it.
Eat. Get in and get out.
You can make out when you drive him home.
"Where do you want to eat?' I ask, leading him into the kitchen.
He smiled and pointed outside near the pool.
"Ooh! Great idea."
I unlock the back door and walk out to the little table by the pool and the fire pit.
"This place is so awesome." He said quietly, sitting down.
"Thanks. I love it. It's home."
"Pretty nice home." He said quietly.
"Uhm…if you don't mind me asking…how's your home?" I quietly ask.
It's been bugging me since he spoke to me about it.
His mom and dad have been really fighting.
He didn't tell me for a while, but now he texts me.
The last few times I have told mom and dad I need to go, and they let me go.
Kevin's complained, but Mom told me to ignore him.
I'll never forget the look on Austin's face when he decided to talk to me about it.
I never thought he would cry.
I didn't even know he could cry.
But there he was, one day after school. Sitting in the back of my SUV, bawling because his parents are probably getting divorced.
His mom is constantly calling him a failure and a loser, and his dad never pays attention to him.
He was using baseball as an outlet. Constantly hitting at the cage.
That's where we were there when Daddy came.
That was nice.
Plus that was right after he told me, so I was impressed he put up such a good face.
He never went home to change. He went to a teammates house where he has some clothes and where he's slept from time to time.
To get away from his parents he's made up long roadtrips from baseball.
Must be awful.
"It's ok I guess. Same as normal."
Which means awful.
I reach out and rub his leg.
"I'm sorry. I wish I could say something or do something to help." I say.
"You do. You make me smile more than anyone else does. I'm thankful for you…so thankful." He smiled.
He took a bite out of his sandwich, and I do the same to fill the awkward pause.
"I can't wait to come to more games." I smile.
He suddenly smiled, mouth full.
They finally pitched to him.
And I now know what the damn deal is about.
Sorry…let me back up. At these games, at one of the fields there's this storage shed students can sit on. They call it 'The Can'.
Anyway, so I'm up on "The Can", with other students and trying to make some friends. I mention that Austin is my boyfriend.
They started saying how he's an amazing hitter and an even better guy and how they'd kill to be me.
I joked "Please don't kill me." and they laughed.
But it was my first game, and nobody had pitched to him yet.
12 straight intentional walks.
First at bat, another walk.
But the second one…things aligned.
Bases loaded, so they basically had to pitch to him.
First pitch.
PING!
Grand Slam.
THE FIRST PITCH HE'S SEEN ALL YEAR!
He hit it so hard it flew over us by at least 40 feet.
Even over 300 feet away I could see he was pumped. He couldn't be mocked for how he wears his eye black like war paint, or how he sucks.
He nailed that ball.
Then…for whatever reason, next at bat they pitched to him again. It was a 4-3 game. They were losing and they could have walked him.
But nope. Two pitches in and he hit one so hard we all dove for cover.
It didn't hit anyone, but put a dent in the steel. And made a very satisfying "DONG…" sound.
The container must be pretty empty.
I got to keep that ball. It's in my room now, on my desk.
It even has a mark where he hit it. Like a bruise.
"Yeah. You're my good luck charm. You'll have to come to every one once school gets out and stuff. Everything but the out of state tournaments."
"Yeah…" I smile sadly.
Those will suck.
I can't wait for summer.
I'll get to see him almost every day. And get to spend more time with him.
"So when will I get to see this contract of yours? Mrs. Rock Star?" He teased me.
He's been monitoring my Splashface. He still can't believe how much attention I get.
The fact that I was trending yesterday for my music is mind blowing to him.
Perks of Being A Famous Girl I suppose.
"Whenever we draft it up. Mom will do most of the negotiating. She and Dad told me to just relax and not worry about it."
"Sounds good to me. They know what they're doing." He said, grabbing some chips.
True.
It's a pretty day outside. Mid 70's, no wind.
Great day.
"Donk donk." I lightly hear.
That sounds like someone knocking on the glass.
I turn around and—
"Oh crap." Austin said.
Jade waved at us.
"SHIT!" I yell.
"It's ok. I can go."
"But I don't want you to!" I tell him fervently.
"Can I come out?" I hear her ask.
"Yeah!" Austin smiled at me.
I hear Aunt Jade walk out and shut the door, and I go back to my food.
"Hey Austin. How are you?"
"I'm great. How are you?" He asked in reply.
"Wonderful, great. Normal day. Did we come home in the middle of a date or something? I can take the boys for ice cream or something." Jade smiled at me.
I can't reply and simply take a bite.
"Who's here?' Austin asked.
"I usually bring the boys home from school. Kevin, Corey and my son Matt."
Austin nodded.
I'm an idiot.
"I knew that." I say quietly.
"Huh?" Aunt Jade asked me.
"Nothing…we were just having a late lunch and thought here was as good as any place since nobody would be here." I say quietly.
Aunt Jade laughed. "You forgot about Kevin and Corey."
I was thinking about Mom and Dad.
I let out a groan and put my head in my hands. "I'm stupid."
"No you're not." Austin and Aunt Jade both say.
"Thanks. I feel pretty dumb."
I hear a window open.
"SYNDEY AND AUSTIN, SITTING IN A TREE. K-I-S-S-I-N-G—"
"Be quiet and shut that window Kevin!" Aunt Jade screamed at he and Matt.
"FIRST COMES LOVE, THEN COMES MARRIAGE THEN COMES—"
Jade takes one step to the door and Matt yells "SHUT IT!"
Slam!
I groan again, then sip my drink.
"Don't listen to them. They're young and stupid. And if they ask, I didn't say that." She smiled at me.
"Okay."
"I'll be inside. Have fun. Text me if you need me to turn around." She joked.
"No worries Mrs. Oliver." Austin called out to her retreating figure.
"It's Jade Austin!" She called back to him, then shutting the door.
"Ok then." He said to me, with a smile.
"I'm sorry about that."
He waved me off. "Don't worry about them. I don't care. All I care about is seeing you smile."
That sentence just causes me to smile.
"Thanks."
I take a bite out of my sandwich.
"Oh no. Now we really have to go." He suddenly said.
I look up just in time to see my mom and dad practically running upstairs.
"No…NO!" I cry out.
WHY WHY WHY?
I can't get a simple lunch date? Is that too much to ask for?
"Where are they going?" Austin asked.
I shrug. "I'll find out."
Suddenly his phone went off.
His mom's ringtone.
It's a prison alarm.
Says it all right there.
"I got this. You got inside." He smiled.
I walk to the door.
"Hello? Oh, hi ma…"
I slip inside and shut the door.
"They're back already?" I say, exasperated.
Jade shrugged. "I don't know. Then just went right to Kevin's room. Maybe his grades?"
"You know about that?" I say.
"Of course I know. Your mom and dad are afraid something is up."
I look at her eyes, and there's something I can't see in them.
Usually I can tell she's telling the truth.
I love Aunt Jade. She's always been there for me.
"You know what it is. Don't you." I say.
"I can't say. It's between you and your parents." She immediately replied.
"Jade!"
"Sorry Syddo. I can't."
"Sydney!"
I look up and mom and dad are thundering downstairs.
"Hi. What's going on? Everything ok?" I ask.
"Tell me something baby. Did you ever feel threatened at Kennedy?" Mom tackled me into a hug.
"No. Never. Why?"
"Bullied? Anything?" Dad asked.
"No…nothing. What's going on?" I ask.
"We think Kevin's having some problems there." Jade answered.
Mom and Dad both look at her.
"What? She had just started to lay into me when you guys came."
"Oh." Mom said.
"Uhhh…" Suddenly Dad pointed.
"Austin?" Mom asked.
"It was a lunch date. I forgot everybody was coming home. I'm sorry." I say in a rush."
"It's fine…is he yelling at his phone?" Mom asked.
OH NO.
I jump to the back door—
"NO MOM! I DON'T—
…
NO! I'M EATING OUT WITH SYDNEY! I'M NOT COMING HOME YET OK?
…
NO! HOW ABOUT YOU AND DAD GET IT TOGETHER, THEN YELL AT ME! OKAY?"
Oh no.
Another screaming match.
Just what he didn't want.
He looked up and saw me, then froze.
"I gotta go, bye."
He quickly hung up and smiled.
"Hi. Sorry about that. Misunderstanding."
"Everything ok?" Dad asked, causing me to jump.
Mom, Dad and Aunt Jade are all looking surprised.
"Yeah, everything's great. Just a misunderstanding. Sydney and I were just having lunch. Do I need to go?" He asked.
NOOOOOOO!
"No, not at all. Stay as long as you want. Fine with me. I was just about to say you can stay for dinner, we were going to get sandwiches, but…" Mom trailed off.
He laughed, and Aunt Jade smiled.
"Great minds think alike." Dad joked.
"So he can stay?" I ask.
"Sure." Mom smiled, then walked over and hugged him.
This time he half hugged her back.
"Better. It's nice seeing you. Are you growing?" Mom asked.
"Maybe. I can't tell really." He said shyly.
"Looks like it. You seem taller than when I met you." Aunt Jade said.
"Thanks." Austin smiled.
"We'll let you kids eat. Text me if you need anything." Dad smiled, then all the adults went back inside.
Slam.
"Oh no." I say.
"Stupid woman. I'm busy, she can't just tell me to come home at the drop of a hat." He grumbled.
I immediately hug him tightly. "Stay. Please."
"I'm staying." He smiled, then kissed my hair.
"Good. Now where were we?" I ask.
He laughed, and we both sat back down.
Yay.