Disclaimer: I do not own the Hardy Boys or any of the book characters.I do have some OCs though that are mine.
Rating/Setting: Rating is T. Setting is close to blue-spine. Frank is 17, Joe is 16.
Author's Notes: Frank chapter. Joe said he really needed a break… and then I told him he'd be back in the next chapter.
An extra chapter post for the holiday. :-)
Chapter Fourteen
Frank stared at the calendar pages he had posted on the wall of his bedroom. May and June were on the wall. Joe had been gone for fifteen days now. Fifteen days on the calendar marked off with large red X's. He was anxious with no way to relieve his nervous energy. Iola was home and had given them all the information she could. They had found the house where the two had been held plus the vehicle that transported them. But they hadn't found anything useful in regards to the kidnappers and there were no results yet from the DNA testing. The only good thing that had occurred, besides having Iola back, was that the blood sample from the house floor had come back as negative for Joe. This told Frank that his brother was still fighting when they took him to the buyer and he prayed that his brother was still fighting.
Knowing he needed to head down to breakfast and figure out what he was going to do today, Frank forced himself from the bed. Each morning he hoped that a hot shower would make him feel better but it didn't. He felt cleaner, more awake maybe, but not better.
As Frank headed into the shower, Laura and Fenton Hardy sat at the kitchen table with coffee mugs in hand.
"You know he needs to start back to school Monday," Laura said softly to Fenton.
Fenton stared into the black steaming liquid in his cup and absently stirred the coffee with a spoon. He didn't add sugar or creamer, but he liked to stir it to cool if off slightly. It also gave him something to do while he spoke with his wife. "He's not going to want to go."
"I know he's not going to WANT to go. What I said was he NEEDED to go." Laura's tone was gentle. She knew that her husband took comfort in having his oldest son around as he met dead end after dead end. Frank was his cheerleader and his encourager. However, she also knew how much Fenton hurt each time he looked into Frank's eyes and told him there was nothing new. "There are still a couple of weeks left in school. He has tests to take for end of course grades."
"You know they'd let him take them later because of the extenuating circumstances." Fenton put in as he finally glanced up from his coffee.
"I know they would. I think they'll also work with us if he does absolutely horrible on them because of the extenuating circumstances. He's been out of school for two weeks and I know it will be hard for him to go back, but I think it will be good for him." Laura looked into Fenton's eyes. She wouldn't and couldn't say what they both feared. What if Joe didn't come back? What if Frank had to go to school for his senior year without his brother? No. The words wouldn't be said, but they were thought and then pushed to the dark corners of their minds.
Fenton took the spoon out of his coffee and laid it on the napkin. Picking up the mug he took a long drink of the dark strong brew before setting it down. "I know you're right. I'll talk to him at breakfast."
Reaching across the table, Laura put her hand over top of Fenton's. "No. We'll talk to Frank. Together."
Fenton gave her a weak smile as the door to the kitchen opened and Frank walked in.
Frank looked at his parents. Something seemed a little different. They weren't usually this quiet in the mornings, although things were a lot quieter since Joe went missing. Part of it was their sadness at him being gone but a large portion of it was Joe's bubbly nature once he woke up… and usually food woke him up. Looking between his two parents, he asked, "Is there something going on?"
Laura patted his spot at the table. "Sit down, honey. We need to talk."
"I already don't like the sound of this," Frank said as he cautiously seated himself. Looking to his father, he asked, "What's this about?"
Wrapping his hands around his coffee mug, Fenton replied, "It's about school."
"Uh-uh." Frank said.
"Frank-" his mother began but was cut off.
"I'm not going back without him." Frank's voice was raised.
"Frank, being out of school for two weeks isn't good for you when there's nothing you can do. We want you to have something normal back in-"
It was Fenton who was cut off this time by Frank. Standing up, he raised his arms in the air. "And what part of going to school without Joe is normal? If you think it is, you're wrong." Frank punctuated the statement with a pointed finger in his father's direction.
Laura tried again, "We know it won't be normal. We're not saying that it is normal. We're just saying that we think being back around your friends in a routine that is familiar will be normal."
Turning his ire toward his mother, Frank bitterly said, "Getting looks of pity from everyone at school isn't normal. Everyone looking at me and feeling sorry for me or asking me how things are…" Frank sunk back down in his chair and laid his head on his crossed arms that were on the table. "I don't want to go," he said softly.
Laura looked across the table at Fenton and played her trump card. "Iola's going back on Monday and I think she could really use you there."
Raising his head slowly, Frank said, "Iola's going Monday."
"Yes."
His head dropped back to his arms as his muffled words came out. "I bet her parents are making her go too."
Laura shot Fenton a rueful smile. There was some truth in her son's words, but Iola was also tired of staying at home.
"You'll go?" Laura asked.
Frank sat up in his chair. "Yes, I'll go."
.**********.
From the moment Frank had decided to go to school, he had been on a mission. He would do whatever he could to make Iola's return to school as easy on her as possible. He knew what she would be going through and he knew that all the hurt couldn't be avoided, but he could help where he could. On Saturday and Sunday, he worked with Chet, Phil, Biff, Tony, and Callie to work social media to let their friends know that Iola would need some space. The gang also used it to let people know that Frank would need the same. Fenton placed a call to the school principal who promised to alert staff and do what they could come Monday.
When Monday morning came, Frank was waiting at the student entrance for Iola. He ignored most students as they walked by. He acknowledged well-wishes with a brief nod of his head. He didn't want to be rude and he knew that most of them meant well, but he didn't want their good wishes, he wanted Joe back. Looking toward the parking lot, he saw Chet and Iola coming toward him. In a moment, Callie was soon with them and they walked on either side of her providing a buffer.
As they came closer to the school, Frank could almost see Iola starting to tear up. In just a moment, she dropped her book bag and ran to throw herself in Frank's arms. He held her close as she struggled to maintain her composure.
"We'll get through this together," he whispered to her. He felt her nod and then she pulled back and swiped at her eyes.
Iola gave him a tearful smile and said, "I at least had the sense not to wear eyeliner today and my mascara's waterproof."
Frank returned her smile and looked over her shoulder to see Chet and Callie coming up with her book bag. Chet nodded at him and Frank put his arm around Iola and turned to walk into the school. The two had agreed that whomever Iola seemed most comfortable with would be the one to walk with Iola while the other ran interference. Chet had hoped it would be him, but when she ran to Frank at the entrance, both he and Frank knew it needed to be Frank.
The trio walked Iola to her locker and then to class with other friends joining them to help clear the way. It seemed to take forever to get to the lockers and down the long hallway to Iola's first class. Neither Iola nor Frank could look at Joe's locker.
When they reached Iola's math class, Frank held her gently by the arm and said, "Wait here after the bell rings. We'll come for you."
Iola smiled weakly again. "I can do it, Frank. You don't have to do this."
"No, I don't have to. I want to." He pointed to their friends standing in the hallway. "We all want to and you know that you and Joe would do the same if this had been Callie." Frank saw her head drop and wondered if he had gone too far saying that when she lifted her head. There was a gleam in her eye.
"You're right, Frank. Joe would do this. I'll see you after the bell." With a nod of her head she turned and made her way toward the seats.
Frank watched her go and saw the looks of pity and sympathy on many faces. Some of those glances turned toward him and he spun around and left the doorway in a rush. He didn't want those looks. He didn't need those looks. Joe was coming back.
Callie ran to catch up with him through the remaining students in the hallway that hadn't made it to class yet. She didn't have class with him but she was determined to see him to class. "Wait up, Frank," she said a little breathlessly as she caught up with him. She could tell he was about to tell her that she didn't need to do this when she cut him off. "I heard your speech to Iola and I can use it again here you know."
Frowning at her, Frank said, "Yeah, I know. It's just… now that I've accomplished my task of helping Iola to class, I don't have a focus until the bell rings again." He turned to her with a puzzled look as she laughed.
"Only you, Frank Hardy, would think that there was nothing to focus on when headed to an AP (advanced placement) English class." The smile on Callie's face and in her eyes was real.
Frank couldn't help but smile back and said, "You know Joe would have said something just like that, but probably more obnoxious."
Still laughing, Callie agreed.
Arriving at the door to class, Frank gave her a quick hug. "Thanks," he simply said.
"Anytime," was her equally brief answer as she turned to hurry to her first class.
Frank watched her until she turned the corner and then he drew a deep breath. He wanted to just look at the floor as he walked to his desk, but he was determined that he would keep his head up. A show of confidence and not despair was what his classmates needed to see. That was the only thing that would ward off pitying looks.
As he sat and looked at the board, Frank knew Callie was right. He could focus on his English class. Maybe it would help to take his mind off things – at least for a little while.
They proceeded in a similar fashion with the group meeting Iola after each class. Lunch was particularly hard on the group as it was painfully obvious that Joe wasn't with them. The end of the day came as a blessing.
As Frank walked out beside Iola, he turned to her and said, "We made it."
"Yes we did," Iola said. Turning to Chet she asked, "Do you think we could go to Mr. Pizza's?"
Chet looked at her in surprise before glancing at Frank. "Um, do you really want to do that, Iola? I mean, the memories and all."
Reaching out, Iola gently squeezed his arm and replied, "Yes, I do want to do it. I don't want to run from my memories of Joe anymore. Today in the one class he and I have together, I sat in his seat." She saw Chet's eyes widen. "I didn't care what looks people gave me. They don't know Joe like I do. He'll find a way to get back to us or let us know where he is." She turned to Frank. "I want to be places that remind me of him. I'm not afraid of them."
Frank was amazed. He himself had been avoiding a number of places, especially Joe's room. Being in those places hurt to know he wasn't there too. But he could see her point. Except for lunch, he had made it through the classes pretty well. Nodding at Iola, Frank said, "Okay. If you can do it, so can I."
The smile that he saw on Iola's face was one he hadn't seen in weeks.
Iola linked her arm with Frank's and said, "Mind if I ride with you?"
"Not at all," Frank said as he looked at Chet. "That okay with you, Chet?"
Chet continued to look at Iola with surprise. He really thought he would be taking home a weeping basket case this afternoon, not this strong confident young woman. "Sure, Frank. I'll meet you there."
Dinner at Mr. Pizza's went fine. At first it felt a little awkward but then they decided to meet here every day to go over the latest news that Frank would get from his dad via the phone. Even if there wasn't any news, they would be together for support.
.**********.
Things went well for the first three days back and then on Thursday, there was a change for the worse. Iola had assured Frank that she was okay and that an escort to every class wasn't needed. She was happy to see him in the morning to start the day, at lunch, and then at the end of school. He had wanted to continue and she almost let him, but he remembered her saying that he could do it too. Sighing, he closed the door to his locker. She was right. He had been providing escort as much to help himself as to help her, but she wasn't an invalid and everyone had seemed solicitous to her. However, he had caught the whispers of a few of the guys that didn't really like him or Joe. These guys thought that the Hardys received preferential treatment and resented the boys for it. Turning from his locker, Frank hoped they stayed away from Iola… and him.
Frank had only taken a few steps when he heard a voice from behind him, "Shame about Joe." Frank stopped and turned, Hal Rooker - one of the guys that didn't care for either Hardy. Frank just nodded his head and turned back down the hall with a worried looking Chet beside him.
"You've got to be wondering what they're doing to him."
Frank stopped dead in his tracks along with a number of other students who heard the comment. Several students urged Frank to keep walking while several other told Hal to 'shut his pie hole.' Frank knew he should keep walking but he was riveted in place by the words. The words had been uncaring but they were so true. While Chet's voice vaguely penetrated his consciousness, Hal's next words came through crystal clear.
"A pretty boy like Joe… you know what they do with pretty-"
Hal didn't get to finish his comment as Frank spun and closed the distance in just a couple of seconds. The boys went down in a tangle of legs and arms and fists. Frank got in a couple of good punches before Chet and another student hauled him off of Hal. A moment later, the assistant principal showed up and escorted both boys to the office.
Frank was placed in one conference area while Hal was in another. The school nurse came in and provided Frank with an ice pack for his eye. It was the one and only shot that Hal got in.
Thirty minutes later, Frank was still in the conference room but this time with the assistant principal and his father. The administration had several witnesses who said that Hal had provoked Frank and that Hal had often spoken ill of the brothers. However, Frank had started the physical part of the fight and blows were landed. He was suspended for the rest of the week and could come back Monday.
In the car, Fenton said, "Your mother and I aren't going to punish you for this, Frank. Everyone has a breaking point and those comments would have broken me as well."
Frank looked at his father in surprise. "You're not mad?"
"Mad? Am I mad at you for taking out your anger on another student? Well, I'd rather you go to the gym and use the punching bag. I'm not mad and I know that you're really angry at the kidnappers. Hal was just a convenient stand in." Fenton gave a quick side glance at the dark haired boy. "I'm just glad you controlled yourself and didn't use karate on him." Frank was a black-belt and Fenton knew that his son could have inflicted much more serious wounds than just a few bruises and cuts.
Frank turned the window and leaned back at the seat. "I was tempted."
Fenton didn't say anything. Nerves were on edge and feelings were raw. Hopefully, there would be a break with the DNA testing and CODIS. He gripped the wheel tighter and prayed for a break. His family needed it.