Oops...sorry about the wait but a trip down the stairs landed me in hospital, I must be the clumsiest person ever! Anyhow, I'm back with an update. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: No luck I'm afraid, so I OWN NOTHING!
Chapter Fourteen
By Rosa241
If anyone had been standing outside of Eric Kendall's office at 8 am this Monday morning they very well might have called the police and complained about the noise. He'd shouted and yelled for a good fifteen minutes before finally calming down enough to get each side of the story. He'd had a snippet from Coach Banner but now he wanted the truth. Gazing round the room he wondered who best to ask for it, both Phil Dawson and Davy McIntyre were out of the question. Those two both had reputations for this sort of thing. Mr Tucker was far too wound up right now, sat there shooting glares towards the two trouble makers. That left...
"Mr Tracy, according to Coach Banner you were the only one of these hooligans not involved so I'll ask you...what happened? And I want honesty!" Eric knew the youngster would tell him the truth, Alan had truly transformed over the last year.
"Well..."
Yesterday morning...
Alan POV:
Isn't it funny how life can go from being horrible to amazing in little more than a few days? A few days ago I was at war with my best friend in the cafeteria, now I'm walking back to my dorm having finally convinced Gordon he's needed at home and I'm feeling better than ever. I smile to myself as I remember this morning's events; poor squirrels never saw Gordon coming.
I don't spot the envelope until I'm showered and practically out of the door. I'm already running late for practice but my curiosity is officially peaked. Opening the envelope leaves me breathless as the familiar silver chain slips out onto my hand. The envelope contains nothing more than the words:
This is yours
Sending up a silent prayer to whoever brought this back, right now I don't care who took it or why, I slip it around my neck. I sigh happily as the familiar cold chain touches my skin; finally all feels right with the world. Kissing the necklace once more I rush out, knowing full well my butts on the line if I don't show up to practice as soon as.
On Tracy Island...
"That's great Gordon...yeah...yeah; thank god that's just what I wanted to hear." Jeff couldn't help but smile as he watched Scott's body visibly relax, seemingly having got the news he'd wanted to hear. He had to admit that he himself had been more than a little worried about his youngest ever since his phone call, of course he had told his sons that morning after getting the go ahead from Alan. He'd wanted to tell them as soon as he'd heard himself but had respected Alan's wishes to wait until after Gordon's visit.
That much I can understand, my oldest four are more than a little over protective of our baby. Heck we all are. The last thing my little one would want is spending the weekend with an over protective big brother – especially one who spends half his time coming up with more and more pranks (ingenious ones I'll admit) and just so happens to be within striking distance of a potential target.
"Dad?" The grin on Scott's face is ever so slightly smug as he catches me day dreaming, bringing a little heat to my cheeks, you're losing it Jeff. "I'm going to assume you didn't hear me. That was Gordon apparently Alan told him everything and he's perfectly fine about it all. Well...he's not okay but he will be."
"Good. Look I know you're angry at Fermat but that doesn't change things. He still lives here and Brains is still our friend and engineer." Jeff hated the glare that crossed Scott's eyes at that moment. Whilst all of his boys were angry it was Scott he was most worried about. It was no secret that Scott was a little bit over protective of Alan. He was definitely going to have to keep a watchful eye over his oldest.
Back at Whartons...
Alan's POV:
"Dude!" Jamie whispers as his elbow digs in my stomach. He nods his head forward, thankfully Coach is too wrapped up in his little speech to notice my attention – or lack there of! Usually my concentration is fine when it comes to track practice but for some reason I can't get Davy out of my mind. I don't know why but I can't get him and his little friends out of my mind. It's not like they were doing anything wrong, they were only walking. So why can't I get him out of my head?
"Dude what's wrong with you? You keep spacing out." Jamie nudges me again with a smile but I can see the worry lying behind his eyes.
"Sorry just..." I quickly flash him my necklace and explain what happened this morning.
"Come on ladies I'm not training a walking team now I am!" Banner yells across the track, rolling his eyes Jamie sticks his tongue out before the two of us speed up. We're fully into training sprints before Jamie pulls me aside.
"Forgot to mention it before but Nicks not well...stomach bug or something but he mentioned that he wants you to come and see him later on." He spots my confusion and carries on. "Dude I don't get it either but you know Nick...he worries."
I can't help but smile as I think. There's very few people in the world who can say that they have friends like I've got. Naturally I'm worried for him but it's just a stomach bug, although if it's anything like the one I had at Christmas...a shudder runs through my body at the thought.
Somewhere across the pacific ocean...
He couldn't help but laugh as his masters words sunk in. That was it...that was the grand plan!
"That's your wonderful scheme! Your grand plan is to..." He stops me with a blink of his eyes. All I can see is a blinding crimson light whilst my body freezes and all I can feel is pain. Pain coursing through my entire body...its burning and searing like fire...but at the same time my chest feels like I've jumped into a river of ice.
"I could snap your neck like a tooth pick. Do not test me. Besides...sometimes the little thing someone does could be the biggest thing..." I feel my body hit the ground like a stone.
Back at Whartons...
"So here's the plan, we head into town – find your sister a birthday present – get back in time for dinner." Jamie nods along before adding his own.
"Then after that we go and see Nick – what? Dude I'm curious! – then...Oh!" He slaps himself on the forehead before turning and practically dragging me down the corridor. "Can't believe I forgot...stupid...idiot...knew there was something I had to do..."
"Jay...Jay...JAY!" I practically have to scream – which of course attracts unwanted attention from all sides – but finally draw his attention out of whatever day dream he's now in. "Want to tell me what you're talking about?"
"Sorry. I was supposed to finish my art project off yesterday but with Nick getting sick and worrying about you I completely forgot. Now I've got like half a day –" His words finally hit me and despite my best efforts I find it hard to not interrupt.
"Whoa whoa whoa, wait a minute; you were worried about me?" He blushes wildly, typical Jamie never good when it comes to talking about emotions...kind of reminds me of, well...me.
"Well yeah, I mean I know you said that you're brothers have changed but..." I can tell he's embarrassed so I quickly put him at ease.
"I get it, and thank you." An awkward tension fills the air before I clear my throat and get back to the problem at hand. "You're art project?"
"Oh god! Anyway yeah, now I've got like half a day to finish it before it's due in." He groans and starts pulling me towards the art rooms once again. "You've got to help me finish it! Please, please, please..." I let his begging go on for a few more moments before giving in and agreeing to lend a hand.
"I don't get it...I don't understand how someone could do that, let alone why?" Jamie merely shrugs, he's definitely not in the best of mood, not that I can blame him of course. I mean...geez...if someone destroyed my art project hell...
Flashback:
"So anyway after I finally got the clock right – who'd have thought it was so damn hard to paint a clock? – anyway I finally got it right only to find I messed up the wall behind it so now I have to repaint the clock...again!" We finally arrive at the art rooms which are unusually busy for a Sunday afternoon. Unfortunately the reason why has Jamie almost in tears.
Sitting there on the table, a whole group of students crowded round it, is Jamie's art project. Only it's not...a word in black paint is covering the picture.
oops
Four letters. One word. One heartbroken friend. One monster. I can see Jamie's close to tears – he worked so hard on that. Thankfully Mrs Campbell spots it too and quickly ushers everyone out.
End flashback:
Thankfully Mrs Campbell gave him a two week extension. I'd spent the afternoon helping him to get started on another one, I doubt it'll be as good as the original but it's still going to be good. As for Jamie well...he'd gone from being shocked to upset, now he was angry...no...angry was too small a word. Furious. Jamie Tucker was furious.
And rightly so. Hell I want to kill the person that did it and it wasn't my project
"Jamie, look I know you want to kill the person that did it but it won't help matters. You kill whoever's responsible and all that'll happen will be you getting in trouble, it won't change anything." Jamie looks shocked at the words leaving my mouth, hell he's not the only one. I sound like John. "Oh man Gordon was right."
"Huh?" His confused look makes me laugh before explaining.
"I'm doing that thing where I act all reasonable and grown up...I'm growing up aren't I?" His eyes light up briefly before a serious expression settles on his face. Oh boy I'm in trouble...
"Unfortunately Alan..." He reaches across the table and grabs both my hands. "I'm going to have to say yes, you are growing up. But thankfully I have the perfect solution to rectify this particular problem." Before I can even begin the think a spoonful of what's supposed to be chocolate pudding finds itself flung at my t-shirt. "A food fight, specialists say, is the perfect way to prevent the act of growing up."
"A fact is it? Well if it's recommended by doctors then I guess I really have no choice." As is pick up my drink to respond an irritating voice finds its way into our conversation.
"Hey Tucker, Tracy." Of course Davy just so happens to show up right when Jamie's finally calming down.
"What you want?" Jamie spits out.
"Well I heard about you're little accident with your art project and I just wanted to tell you how sorry I am." The sarcasm laced through his voice is hard to miss.
"Yeah right(!) You and the word sorry do not go in the same sentence." I can see Jamie getting more and more annoyed.
"Well I can see where I'm not wanted." As he turns to leave he knocks over Jamie's bottle of water. Leaning in close he whispers something I can't quite hear.
"You son of a..." Jamie launches himself at Davy, moving faster than anyone. Thankfully two seniors happen to be standing close by and manage to grab him before he can do any damage. "You are dead. I'm serious, you're dead."
"Jamie!" I quickly put myself in between the pair and force Jamie to look at me.
"It was him! He ruined my art project!" I glance behind me to see Davy's evil grin.
"Jamie...JAMIE! Remember what I said...it won't change anything!" The fire in his eyes doesn't lesson any but he stops struggling against the two holding him back. "You can't prove it was him. You hit him now all that's going to happen is you getting in trouble. It'd be you're word against his." Something in my words seems to get through to him and he slowly begins to calm down. "Go and see Nick, I'll be there in a minute."
He hesitates slightly before walking away; I mutter a thank you to both of the seniors for stepping in. One of them follows Jamie out, I watch him walk out before turning to face Davy.
"You think you're so clever don't you? You ruin his art project, you then tell him about it knowing he'll fly off the handle but you also know that if he accuses you then your little gang will give you an alibi." His smug grin really winds me up. "But you really aren't. You're really not that clever." I quickly pull the silver chain from around my neck. His eyes go wide and his entire face drops.
"This was pushed under my door this morning. Apparently somebody likes me." I leave with a smug grin, knowing full well I've succeeded in getting to him.
"Oh my God! I hate him...he's just...URGH!" Jamie throws himself down on the bed, ignoring Nicks attempts to cool him off. Thankfully an idea pops into my head.
"Come on, we're going for a run." I pull him to his feet and throw his kit at him.
"What?" He questions me and I can see he wants to argue but I throw him a glare that silences him.
"Look, you're angry and you want to blow of some steam, therefore we are going to go for a run. That way you'll be too tired to do anything about it. My room five minutes." I quickly head to get changed.
Apparently my idea worked and it seems Jamie has finally calmed down. Thank god! I thought he was about ready to do something stupid back there, heck I wouldn't blame him if he did. Right now I want to hurt Davy for doing it but like I said it wouldn't change a thing. His art project would still be ruined, Davy would get off scot free and we would probably end up in detention. There's something so evil about that guy. Jamie signals for me to stop.
"Feel better?" He smiles at me, but before he gets chance to answer a familiar voice once again interrupts.
"Oh so has somebody calmed down now?" Both of us sigh heavily, turning round to face the familiar evil grin that covers Davy's face. Standing with him is Phil Dawson, a keen member of Davy's gang and another who seems content in making others miserable. "Well that's good only I wouldn't want anybody to get hurt."
"Look what do you want from me?" I can see from Jamie's face that he's had enough, I can only hope he doesn't do anything stupid. "You've ruined my art project, you got to Fermat...okay you've succeeded in making our lives pretty horrible of late so why don't you and you're little friend get lost otherwise you might find yourself getting hurt."
"Jamie calm down." My warning seems to go on deaf ears as Jamie and Davy take a step towards each other.
"Oh now come on. If you really think this is the worst I can do you're sorely mistaken." I quickly look around unfortunately there's no one around to help break up what I'm sure will quickly turn into a fight as Phil steps forward to join his leader. "You know I'm pretty certain I heard a rumour that your little brother's going to start next year, now if you want to see how horrible I can really make someone feel then just wait and see."
That does it for Jamie as he finally snaps. Before I can even blink he throws a powerful punch at Davy which hits right between the eyes. His punch however doesn't go unpunished. Within seconds of his fist connecting Phil's launched himself at Jamie and the pair are scrapping on the floor. As Phil finds himself on top of Jamie my brain finally kicks into gear.
"Jamie!" I wrap both arms round Phil's shoulders and try to pull him away. Naturally I receive an elbow in the face for my troubles. I quickly shake off the pain but before I can intervene again Coach Banner comes running.
"Hey! Hey, knock it off!" Thankfully the man mountain that is Coach Banner manages to drag Phil off of Jamie before the pair can give anymore blows. "Break it up! Right all four of you to the head masters office now!"
End Flashback
"And that's everything that happened." Alan finished with a sigh, one that seemed to match how Eric was feeling.
"Okay, everyone satisfied with Mr Tracy's version of events?" Receiving a collective nod from the other three boys he continued. "Well Mr Tracy it would seem that you did nothing wrong, as a matter of fact you were trying to break it up, therefore you're free to go. You three on the other hand are all being placed on restriction, that means no leaving the school grounds for two straight weeks, it also means no taking part in extra curriculur activites. Your also going to receive three after school detentions each. I will not tolerate fighting in my school."
"Hey I'm the victim here!" Davy argued with a huff.
"Really? So I don't have two members of staff who witnessed you going into the art rooms shortly before Mr Tuckers project was sabotaged?" That shut Davy up. "Now all of you get out of my office."
"Al I'm sorry. I just..." Jamie sighs and sending his friend an apologetic smile. "I just lost it. How's your eye?"
"I'll be fine in a couple of days." The pair walk in silence for a few moments before Alan pipes up. "Look I get why you lost it, I would have too. Let's just agree to accept that you're a moron and move on."
"Agreed."
Meanwhile on Tracy Island...
"YES! Virgil for the hundredth and final time I AM FINE!" I can hear Gordon practically screaming as I pass Virgil's medical centre. I stop and listen for a few moments, laughing to myself as Virgil doesn't get the hint. I finally take pity on my sons and enter the room.
"Dad! Will you please tell Virgil what the Doctor said." I can see the stubbornness in both of their eyes, typical Tracy's then.
"Virgil I spoke to the doctor on Saturday morning he told me everything. Gordon's getting along just fine." Gordon sends a triumphant glare towards Virgil, who still stands defiant.
"Look I'm not arguing that everything's okay. I just want to take a couple of x-rays for future reference. That way next time I take an x-ray I could refer to these and see if anything's changed!" Gordon doesn't get to argue back as the claxon goes off.
"Alright boys you can settle this later on, right now we've got work to do."
Somewhere across the pacific ocean...
"Get your men ready." A pair of crimson eyes lit up through the dark.
Next chapter will contain the rescue!
What's the hoods plan? Wait and see and I might let you know!