Not liking where this was going the minute Phil yelled out the word 'dad', Alex could only watch as Phil reared back, his fist ready to land a punch on the confused teen. Wanting to stop Phil, Alex yelled out "PHIL, NO!"
And now, *nervous gulp* we pick up where we left off. Oh, the angsty tension! Read on and enjoy...ish, my dolls. =)
Reading back over the text Alex had sent him, Matt walked on with Jeff, Chris, Corey, and Ettore to where Alex said she and Phil were.
"I don't like the sound of this text Alex sent us," Ettore said.
"I just don't like the fact that she's alone with Phil and Ryan," Jeff said, running a hand through his red-streaked blonde hair.
"What I don't get is why Alex was alone with Phil in the first place," Chris said, obviously confused. "Thought Phil wanted to be alone."
"Maybe Alex was able to get to Phil in a way you and the others couldn't," Corey said, looking over at the older blonde.
"Whatever the reason, I just don't like it that Alex is alone with those two," Matt said, feeling worried that one of his younger sisters was alone with two teens that obviously didn't like each other.
Rounding the corner to the hall Alex said she and Phil were on, the five boys immediately felt their fight or flight reflexes kick in at the sight before them: Phil and Ryan were landing punches on each other with Phil having a busted lip and a black eye and Ryan had what looked like the beginnings of a black eye, and Alex was lying on the ground in front of the lockers against one of the walls. Taking immediate action, the boys split off with Chris and Corey trying to grab hold of Phil, Matt and Ettore trying to grab hold of Ryan, and Jeff going to check on Alex.
Kneeling down beside his sister as he shook her, Jeff asked "Alex? Alexis?! Are you OK?"
Finally managing to lift herself off of the ground, Alex looked at Jeff and, a wobbly smile crossing her face, said "'Bout time you guys showed up, Jeff."
Taking a better look at Alex, Jeff saw that she was bleeding in the area where she had gotten her lip pierced. His worry increasing, Jeff asked "Alex, who did this to you?"
Confused at what Jeff asked her only to feel the blood rolling down her chin, Alex rubbed at the bleeding area with her hoodie sleeve and said "Must've happened when I tried to get in between those two."
"What the hell happened here exactly?" Jeff asked, looking over to see that Chris and Corey had succeeded in holding back a still fighting Phil and Matt and Ettore had succeeded at holding back a still fighting Ryan.
"Me and Phil were just walking to lunch when Ryan bumped into Phil from behind. And, instead of him walking away like I told him to, Ryan started slamming Phil and, next thing I know, Phil punched and then a fight breaks out. I tried to get in between them, but Ryan shoved me and I went facefirst into one of those lockers," Alex said, taking her lip ring out to help get rid of some of the pain she was feeling. "I think Phil thinks he's fighting his dad."
"Fighting his dad? What do you mean?" Jeff asked, not liking the fact that Alex mentioned Phil's dad.
"I think some of what Ryan said to Phil might've been a trigger to when Phil's dad was around. He called him a waste of space and I think that might've been the thing that set Phil off," Alex said.
"Figures Ryan just had to say the wrong thing to him," Jeff said, shaking his head as he and Alex stood up. "I just don't know how we're going to get Phil to calm down. I didn't think to tell Ames to come with us either."
Wiping more blood off of her chin, Alex said "I could try to calm him down."
"Are you sure you can, sis?" Jeff asked, feeling a bit guarded about letting Alex get near Phil while he was like this.
"Yes, Jeff. Besides, it's either we let Phil stay riled up like this or we get him to calm down," Alex said.
Still not liking the sound of Alex's idea, Jeff said "If you think you can, then go for it." Watching Alex walk over to Phil, Jeff thought 'Please. Please know what you're talking about, sis.'
Stopping in front of Phil, Alex said "Phil? Phil! Phil, it's me, Alex. You've got to calm down. Stop it!"
"Not until I cave that fucker's head in! He's going to pay for putting me through hell!" Phil yelled, trying to break out of Chris and Corey's grip only to be held back by the two boys.
"Phil. I know you're mad, but you have to calm down. He won't hurt you anymore. We were able to get rid of him and send him away from you and your mom, remember? Please, Phil. He won't hurt you anymore," Alex said, tears forming in her eyes.
Hearing this come from Alex seemed to be just the thing to help Phil calm down as the rage seemed to leave him. Blinking as he looked around himself, Phil's eyes immediately landed on the teary-eyed and bloody lipped Alex standing in front of him before looking beside to see both Corey and Chris still holding him back; a quick look past the shorter brunette in front of him showed Matt and Ettore holding a confused, pissed off, and black-eyed Ryan back. Feeling the severity of the situation slam into him, Phil said "I, I'm sorry, Alex. I didn't mean to cause so much trouble."
"It's OK, Phil," Alex said, wiping at her eyes and her lip. "It wasn't your fault. You just weren't yourself."
"But, but I hurt you," Phil said, pointing at Alex's still bleeding lip.
"No! No, you didn't. I, just got clumsy and walked into a locker door," Alex said, keeping the real reason behind her bleeding lip hidden from Phil.
"Oh," Phil said. Looking over to Ryan, Phil reluctantly said "I'm, y'know, sorry for beating you up like that" as Corey and Chris let him go.
"Yeah! You're going to be sorry when I let Mr. McMahon know what you did. He's going to throw your ass out of school so fast, your head's going to spin," Ryan said, jerking out of Matt and Ettore's hold as he rubbed his jaw and walked away mumbling "Damn punk loser. I'm not going to be able to chew anything right for a week."
Rubbing at his own jaw, Phil said "Shit! I feel like I got kicked in the jaw" as he took his lip ring to get rid of some of the stinging he felt in that area.
"It's more like you got hit with a punch from a meatheaded jock," Alex said. Looking over at Matt and Ettore, Alex said "No offense, you guys."
"None taken," Matt said. Looking between his sister and Phil, Matt said "We're taking you guys to the nurse's office. And, like this or not, but we're telling Mrs. Stratus what happened."
"No, Matt. Please don't!" Alex begged her oldest brother. "Phil just had a bit of a break, but it wasn't his fault."
"Alex. You don't have to defend me," Phil said. "Besides, Mrs. S'll at least go easy on me before telling Old Man McMahon what happened."
"But, Phil," Alex said, feeling a hand on her shoulder. Turning around to see Jeff giving her a look that said "Let it go", Alex sighed and said "If you're sure about this, Phil, then I guess we have to tell Mrs. S."
Seeing the worry on the younger girl's face, Phil lightly tapped Alex's shoulder with his fist and, giving her a reassuring smile, said "I'll be fine, Alex. Besides, if I get suspended, it'll give me time to finish the comic book and I can submit it" as he grabbed his backpack.
"If you say so," Alex said, grabbing her backpack and slinging it across her shoulders as she, Phil, Matt, and Jeff headed to the nurse's office with Chris, Corey, and Ettore heading back to the cafeteria to relay the news to the others.
Walking along with the Hardy siblings, Phil wiped at his bleeding lip with his hoodie sleeve while thinking 'Maybe I can tell ma that I don't need to go back to the shrink once I tell her the real reason why I got into that fight. As much fun as I'm sure it'd be to go back to Dr. Richards, I just need this time away from the others. At least it'll give me time to sort through all this shit.'
...
April had been picking at her tray of mostly uneaten lunch while sitting at a table with Kaitlyn in the cafeteria. The shorter girl was still a bit confused by why it seemed like Kaitlyn was acting so strange today. Wanting to get to the point of why she felt she was sitting with the two-toned girl, April put down her fork and asked "OK, Kaitlyn. What's the reason you wanted me to sit with you today?"
Swallowing the mouthful of chicken quesadilla she was chewing, Kaitlyn bent over and, after digging around in her backpack, sat back up, now wearing a pair of black horn-rimmed glasses. Adjusting the glasses, Kaitlyn asked "Be honest, April. How do I look in these?"
"Uh. You look, cute, I guess," April said, confused. "Why do you ask?"
"Because I've been thinking about wearing glasses instead of my contacts," Kaitlyn said, pushing the glasses up on her nose. "Plus, I heard wearing glasses makes people see you as more of a pro at stuff."
"So, you go with the glasses that scream "I'm a huge geek"?" April asked, smirking at Kaitlyn.
"Hey now! There is nothing wrong with showing my geek pride!" Kaitlyn said, lightly shoving April as the shorter of the two girls laughed. Seeing that April was at least loosening up some, Kaitlyn thought 'OK, Bonin. You've got her laughing. Let's see how much farther we can get her to open up.' Taking a breath, Kaitlyn said "OK. Now for the real reason why I told you to sit with me today. Let's talk about your problems with Phil."
Scoffing as she heard the real reason behind Kaitlyn wanting to sit with her today, April rolled her eyes and, grabbing a grape off of her tray before popping the round fruit into her mouth and giving it a chew, said "Figures it's all about Phil. Look, Kaitlyn. I know you want to help fix things between me and Phil, but it's not going to work. He pretty much showed me that he'd rather be with Amy, so I told him that he's free to get with her."
"But, here's the thing, April. Phil's not with Amy. Hell, because of the fight between you guys, Phil's not hanging around any of us," Kaitlyn said, popping three grapes into her mouth and chewing the fruit.
"Can't imagine why not," April said, a little stabbing of guilt starting to jab at her. Remembering what Kaitlyn told her before second period, April asked "Hey, Kaitlyn. What'd you mean when you said none of you guys don't like seeing me upset like I am?"
"I meant what I meant," Kaitlyn said, taking another bite out of her quesadilla. Swallowing the bite of food, Kaitlyn said "To better tell you, I'll break it down like this. Amy's been kicking herself that it seems like this whole mess is her fault, Mary's been worried about how to try to fix things between you guys, Josh has been just as worried as Mare's been about you, Bayley's actually started a bit of a doomsday clock ever since you fell into your depressed mood, and the others have been hitting walls as far as trying to figure what to do about you and Phil. Hell. Even Eve Torres, Eve Torres of all people, keeps asking Bayley about how you're doing only to get upset with what Bayley tells her."
Hearing Kaitlyn say this had the full force of her guilt crash into her. April knew that things had probably gotten bad since she decided to leave Phil, but she never would've guessed that her decision would've had such a bad ripple effect for Eve, Kaitlyn, and the rest of her friends. 'They're all worried about me? Did I really make that big of a mistake when I left Phil?' April thought. April had been so lost in her thoughts that she hadn't even realized that Mary came over and joined the two freshmen.
Seeing the distressed look on Mary's face, Kaitlyn asked "Mare? What's wrong?"
"Kait, it's Phil," Mary said, trying but failing to keep the panic out of her voice.
"What? What is it? What's wrong with Phil?" Kaitlyn asked, her own panic starting to rise a bit.
"He got into a fight with Ryan, and right now, he's waiting outside of Mr. McMahon's office," Mary said.
"He, he did what?!" Kaitlyn asked, her eyes widening in nervous fear.
April listened on as Mary told Kaitlyn the story behind Phil being sent to the principal's office, picking up the words 'fight', 'Alex got hurt', 'bleeding', 'black eye', 'his dad', and 'might get suspended'. Hearing that Phil might possibly get suspended hit April like a slap to the face. Despite her being mad at him, April felt like she should at least be there for the boy that she not too long ago called her boyfriend. 'Sure, Phil might've hurt me. But, I don't want him to get suspended.' Seeing Kaitlyn stand up with Mary, April asked "Where are you guys going, Kaitlyn?"
"We're going to the office to be there for Phil," Kaitlyn said, grabbing her backpack and slinging it over her shoulder and taking her tray to throw it away.
"I'm coming with you guys," April said, standing and grabbing her backpack and tray to throw away.
Looking over to see Mary give her a look that said "Can't hurt to have her come along", Kaitlyn said "OK, April."
Feeling relieved that Kaitlyn told her to come with them, April threw her tray away and followed the two girls, along with the other freaks, out of the cafeteria and to the principal's office. Walking beside Kaitlyn behind the larger group in front of them, April thought 'I just hope Phil and Alex are okay. But, I'm just confused. What does his dad have to do with any of this?'
...
Phil, Alex, Matt, and Jeff had been sitting outside of the principal, Mr. McMahon's, office for the better part of a few minutes after the woman at the front desk, Mae Young, told the group of four to wait outside of Mr. McMahon's office.
"He's going to suspend me. Might as well have just told Granny Mae that to save time and his oxygen," Phil said, leaning his head back against the wall as he held the ice pack Mrs. Stratus gave him to his black eye.
"Phil, don't say that," Alex said, pressing the Band-Aid on her lip in place.
"Well, it's true, Alex. Besides, I've got more to worry about once I tell my mom the real reason behind why I snapped," Phil said. Groaning as he threw the ice pack down, Phil ran his hands through his hair and said "Months of progress shot to hell in the course of one afternoon all thanks to that cannibal asshole Ryan Reeves."
"At least Ryan'll get some kind of punishment too, man," Jeff said. "He's just as much responsible for that fight happening as you are."
"I guess you're right," Phil said just as the door to Mr. McMahon's office swung open.
Stepping out of his office, Mr. McMahon, a man with grays in his hair dressed in a grey suit, looked to the group of four and said "You four. Inside."
Not wanting to disobey direct orders from the principal, the four friends grabbed their backpacks and headed inside to see Ryan sitting in one of the chairs in front of Mr. McMahon's desk. With Phil taking the other empty seat and Alex, Jeff, and Matt standing behind their friend, Mr. McMahon closed the door and took his seat. Looking over both of the boys sitting in front of him, he let out an exasperated breath as he shook his head and said "And here I was thinking it'd be at least a year before I saw Phil Brooks and Ryan Reeves sitting in front of me again. I guess I was wrong."
"Mr. McMahon, sir. If you'd just let me explain, I can tell you exactly what happened," Ryan said before any of the other four teens could say anything.
"By all means, Mr. Reeves," Mr. McMahon said, giving Ryan the floor.
"I was just walking through the halls minding my own business when Phil just comes out of nowhere and punches me for no real reason," Ryan said. "So, not wanting to take a beating, I fought back."
"That's not true, Mr. McMahon!" Alex blurted from where she stood.
Looking over to the sole female in the room, Mr. McMahon asked "Oh, really, Ms. Hardy? Then, what exactly is the truth?"
"Well, what Ryan didn't mention is the fact that he was the one that started the fight with Phil in the first place," Alex said, pointing over at the other teen.
"She's not lying, sir," Matt said. "Alexis isn't lying about this. She's telling the truth."
"How can I be so sure that she's telling the truth and not just lying for her friend?" Mr. McMahon asked, not quite believing a word of what Alex told him.
"But she's not! She got a busted lip from Ryan for trying to step in and help break up the fight!" Jeff said, pointing at the Band-Aid on Alex's face.
"That I can see, Mr. Hardy. But, here's the thing," Mr. McMahon said, leaning forward on his desk. "I can't believe your sister's story. And I can't believe Mr. Reeves's story. Not without any real proof, I can't. All I know is that a fight happened between Mr. Brooks and Mr. Reeves and somehow Ms. Hardy got hurt from the fight."
"But, sir-" Ryan began before getting cut off by Mr. McMahon.
"No buts!" Mr. McMahon said, silencing any conversation from or among the teens. Regaining his composure, Mr. McMahon then said "OK. I've decided what I'm going to do as far as punishments for you two go."
"'Two'?" Ryan asked, not expecting to hear this.
Ignoring Ryan's outburst, Mr. McMahon said "Mr. Reeves, you have afterschool detention for two weeks and you won't be able to compete in the football games on those weeks. Mr. Brooks, due to your history, you're getting a two weeks suspension and won't be allowed to come back to school until after the Thanksgiving break."
"Whatever," Phil said, shrugging his shoulders in indifference.
"Sir, I don't mean to question you or your decision, but I don't see why I have to be punished for something I didn't do!" Ryan yelled.
"Well, maybe you can figure that out while you're serving your detention," Mr. McMahon said.
Trying not to lose his cool, Ryan grabbed his backpack and stormed out of Mr. McMahon's office, leaving behind Phil and the Hardys. Looking over to see the tired look on Mr. McMahon's face, Matt said "Come on, guys. I think we should go." Taking Matt's advice, the four grabbed their backpacks and left the principal's office only to be met with the arguing of Phil's mom and a man.
"I've told you time and time again to keep that son of yours in check!" Ms. Brooks said.
"Look, Claire. It's not my fault your boy's got problems," the man said. "Going around picking fights with people. I thought you were sending your kid here to learn."
"Well, I find it hard for him to do that when kids like your son always seem to find something to tease him over," Ms. Brooks said. "Phil's been through enough as is. He doesn't need more torture to hurt him even worse."
"Mom! Enough!" Phil said, walking around the Hardy siblings and joining his mom as he rubbed at one of his temples. "Just drop it, OK? Please?"
Seeing the worn out look on her son's face, Ms. Brooks sighed and, turning back to look at the man she was arguing with, said "Keep that son Ryan of yours under control and you won't have to worry about this anymore, Charles."
"How about you keep that son of yours under control and we won't have anymore problems?" the man, Charles, said.
Biting her tongue to keep herself from saying anything else, Ms. Brooks walked out of the office with Phil following behind her.
Following his mom out of the principal's office and out into the hallway, Phil found himself swarmed by his friends, who immediately began asking him questions. Smiling at the concern from all of his friends, Phil said "Guys, guys, guys. No need to be so crazy with the questions. Just, know that I got into a fight that I shouldn't have and I've got two weeks home because of it. Feel free to come visit me if you guys like with news of what goes on while I'm out."
"Me and Alex'll bring you your work and help you with it!" Kaitlyn called from where she was standing.
"Thanks for that, Kait," Punk said, shooting Kaitlyn a thumbs up which the two-toned girl returned. "See you guys around."
Turning on his heel after waving goodbye to all of his friends, Phil walked with his mom out of the school building, the events of the past few hours weighing on him.
Once they were away from the school building and close to their house, Ms. Brooks looked over to her son and said "Phil, son. Look at me." Phil's gaze now on her, Ms. Brooks asked "There was another reason why you fought Ryan, wasn't there?"
Not wanting to lie to his mom, Phil sighed and said "Guess I couldn't keep it hidden from you forever. He, he said something that made me think of my bastard dad. Took Alex reminding me that he was gone to finally calm me down."
"Oh, Phil," Ms. Brooks said, taking one of her son's hands in one of her own. Rubbing her thumb across the back of Phil's hand, Ms. Brooks said "I'm so sorry for having put you through all of that. I just thought he was going to clean up his act, straighten up, and be a real man to help raise you."
"It's fine, ma. Really," Phil said, reassuring his mom. "Besides, I think I finally got out some more of that aggression Dr. Richards said I was holding in. Looks like I get to tell him that when I go back to him."
"Who said anything about you having to go back to Dr. Richards?" Ms. Brooks asked, confused.
"Well, I was thinking that when you found out me getting into a fight was because I had a nervous snap due to memories of my 'dear ol' dad', you'd ship me back off to the shrink," Phil said.
"Phil, sweetheart. I'm not sending you back to Dr. Richards. I was serious when I said that your last session with him was your last," Ms. Brooks said.
"Really?" Phil asked, which his mom responded to with a nod. "But, but why? I thought you said you'd send me back if I got bad again."
"No. I meant that when you were going to him. Last session is last session, mister," Ms. Brooks said, smiling over at her son.
"Thanks, ma," Phil said, giving his mom a one-armed side hug. "But, what are you going to do about me now?"
"Well, while I'm not too pleased that you got suspended for two weeks, I'm going to be lenient with your punishment. You are to do all of your schoolwork when you get it and, hmm. What do you think would be a good punishment for you?" Ms. Brooks asked.
"Never been asked how I want to be punished," Phil said, sharing a laugh with his mom. "Hmm. How about no video games after 9 and I have to do extra work around the house?"
"Sounds like a deal to me," Phil said as he and his mom reached their house and went inside. Throwing his backpack into one of the corners of the living room as he laid down on one of the couches with his mom taking a seat in the recliner, Phil thought 'At least these two weeks will give me time to think through things. I got more time to finish up the comic book for the contest and I can sort through my feelings. Just what I feel like I need' as he closed his eyes and a tired sleep washed over him.
Two things: 1) Kaitlyn looks adorable in glasses. 2) Ms. Brooks is officially the coolest mom anyone could want...doesn't get any cooler than letting you pick your punishment while you're grounded. Onto more serious matters. Okk, Phil and Ryan fought and poor Alex got caught in the crossfire (Sorry, foldintothenight. No locker punching for Phil...). After finally managing to calm Phil down using tricks she picked up from Amy, Alex was able to get Phil calm before he could do any more damage. Only thing now is that Ryan was making a big deal about a fight that was pretty much his fault in the first place. One visit to the principal's office and griping from Ryan later, Phil gets a two week suspension while Ryan gets afterschool detention for two weeks and no football game playing for him (serves the bully right too...). We also get some answers about Phil...turns out an abusive past with his dad has led our favorite Punk to having extremely adverse reactions to being called useless and a waste of space; also, poor guy had to go see a shrink to help get out some of the anger he had built up from dealing with his dad's constant abuse (I'll touch more on this in a later chapter...promise.). Switching to April and Kaitlyn, Kaitlyn pretty much lays it on April that her isolating herself from the others has pretty much caused a lot of heartache for the freaks...especially since Eve (who doesn't really associate with the freaks) asks for status updates on April and gets upset with what Bayley tells her. Hearing the news from a frantic Mary (Like Mary's creator told me, it's Mary. She looks out for/cares about all her compadres.) that Phil got into a fight and getting bits and pieces of the talk, April starts to feel like the fight was all her fault. Question time! Will Phil's time out of school be what he needs to get his head back on straight? And how will April take it, knowing that Phil's out of school for two weeks because of his fight? These questions and more to be answered in the coming chapters. Until then, don't forget to R&R please (provided the angst didn't scare you guys off). =)
(One more thing while I'm still here. My good friend, foldintothenight, just recently started working on her vampire fic. Hop on over to her profile and give it a read. It's off to a really good start. Plus, it's Corey Graves/Paige. You just can't go wrong with that pairing. Also, while you guys are there, give the poll she has up a vote for a future fic she plans to start. Whichever one she starts next won't disappoint...just like all of her stories. =) )