Chapter 17

"Ouch!" Colt made a face, rubbing at the spot on his bicep that Jo had just punched.

"What's your problem with girls?" Jo demanded, adjusting her backpack on her shoulder as they made their way through the school.

Colt lifted an eyebrow, lips curling into a smirk of amusement. In short, he didn't have a problem with girls. Not now, anyway. Sure, when he was younger, he thought girls too giggly and weren't that into important things like sports. Or thought Then again, how many times had he heard the girls thinking that "boys are so stupid," or that they were taking P.E. class "way too seriously for a stupid game?" All of that went out the window once he was sucker punched with hormones, anyway. So, with all sincerity he said, "Nothing. I like girls."

"You were ragging Rocky on letting a girl help you guys out weren't you?" Jo countered.

"No," Colt said, waving his hand in the air. "I was ragging on him because I'm his brother, and I can."

"Oh, yeah, that makes a whole lot of difference." Jo laughed and Colt rolled his eyes, albeit with a hint of a smile on his face. "Just remember, I was doing fine on my own before I let you guys help me out."

Side-stepping a student running through the hall with what looked like an essay clutched tightly in their hand, Colt replied with, "I remember." Jo smiled proudly. "I was always curious about that, though."

"What?"

"Why it seemed like you were the only one who was going so far to find out what happened to your dad."

"Disappearances of my people, of many Indigenous people, isn't a new thing, Colt," Jo said, pushing a sigh through his nose. "He simply knew too much about what Harding was doing or even trying to do." She used one hand to pull her long hair from one shoulder to the other, making sure it didn't get caught beneath her backpack straps. "A lot of the time, it doesn't feel like there's much we can do. It doesn't feel like anyone cares. So, we have to fight for ourselves. And sometimes it's easier not to. You heard Chief Roundcreek; you, and Rocky, and Tum-Tum brought courage back to our people."

"You did all the work," Colt said, "we were just giving you backup."

"I wasn't the one who nearly got blown to pieces in a drainage pipe," Jo reminded him.

"Good point." Colt angled his head in her direction. "I am sorry, though. That people like Harding even exist and think they can do whatever they want to you, and your people, and your land."

Jo peered up at him, smiling her thanks. Then she said brightly, "Well, that's why we have people like my dad working with the mayor. People won't know we're there if they don't see us."

"What made Cloud want to help out?"

"His Vision Quest," Jo replied simply. Colt gave her a curious look as she came to a stop at her locker. It wasn't used much, as Jo often brought all of her schoolbooks to and home from school to continue her studies on the days she wasn't on campus. Even then, she still had pictures of her family, and friends, and stickers decorating her locker door. "He took his walk a few years ago. It's all about young men learning what their role in life, in our community is supposed to be. And to give thanks to our ancestors for everything they've given us so far."

"Maybe I should go on a Vision Quest," Colt commented with a snort, pressing his weight into his shoulder, leaning into the row of lockers. "Then, I'd actually have an answer for my dad whenever he asks what I plan to study in college?"

"You don't know?" Jo asked, peering at Colt around his door.

"You sound surprised."

"Only because it's you."

Colt pulled his eyebrows towards each other. "What does that mean?" he asked, pulling his lips down in the corners.

"Nothing bad," Jo replied. "You've always just been into yourself." Colt let out a startled laugh and Jo gave a relaxed grin. "Ok, I know it sounds bad. I just mean you know who you are. You're Colt. You don't want anyone to see anything else, and you don't give them a reason to."

Colt felt himself smile. If there was anyone in the world besides his family that knew him better than he could ever imagine, it was Jo. Even her being able to read him like a book, as unsettling as it could be at times, most recent included, was comforting in a way. There was someone that got it. Brett knew him well enough to know whenever something was bothering him; then again, his temper was never a puzzle people couldn't put together, but still, he wasn't a part of their "adventure" when they were younger.

Ever since they met, he never felt like he needed to put up a front or play a part around her. He didn't have to try and force himself into the mold of what people thought Jeffery Douglas was supposed to be. They never really fought – heck, Colt couldn't even think of one moment where he actually saw Jo shout at anybody that wasn't a protest – and she always helped him see what he had said or done from a different perspective. Whether he wanted to or not. Her calm demeanor, he felt, helped her enjoy life for what it was, no matter what was thrown her way. She really was one of his best friends.

"Thanks."

"You're welcome." Jo tipped her backpack down her shoulder to lift in the crook of her elbow. She swung her hair out of her face. "Have you tried meditating?" Colt gave her a confused look. "Clear your mind, help you figure out what you want to do in life?"

"Not as much as grandpa tells me I should," Colt admitted.

"Figures," Jo replied, "I don't think you'd sit still long enough, anyway."

Colt shrugged, not taking any offense to the comment. She was right, anyway. He liked being active and doing things. Call it impatience, but he was always ready to get going and get things done. He could clearly see the benefits from meditating, though; Rocky and their grandpa had partaken in it every morning they were up at the cabin. It centered them before their exercises, Rocky had explained over the years. Colt, on the other hand, could focus himself pretty easily. What anyone else saw as quick and impulsive, he saw it as a decision he would stick to. Arguably, one of the only times he actually slowed down was when he was lead in slower, breathing exercises in his ninja trainings, or whenever the horses on Jo's reservations didn't feel like moving any faster.

"Meditation is a path, not a goal," Jo replied. "If you feel as if the goal is to sit still for a period of time, it's not going to be fun for you. It's not for everyone. That's ok." She grabbed her locker door and pushed it shut with the palm of her hand. Then she fixed him with a curious look. "Though, it could probably help you find your path to figuring out what you want to do about Snyder."

"If there's even anything going on," Colt reminded her.

"If you feel like there is, go with it," Jo replied.

"Rocky and Tum think we should just do nothing."

"Do nothing or hope for the best?"

Colt hummed in response as they continued to make their way down the hall. It wasn't like their parents weren't keeping an eye on things. God knows, Hugo Snyder was number one their dad's list of people never to keep track of. And, they told us what was going on this time, he reminded himself, twisting his mouth to the side. This didn't feel like anything that happened last time. Except, again, we're not telling them what we've done. And that was the problem last time. They were depressed about another year at school and spending the last few hours they could with their grandpa to even bring up the weird encounter that night. Then the next day, he had left early for work. And then they just wanted to prove a point.

Just like now, he supposed. Only he wasn't entirely sure what the point was now. That there was still a lot about Snyder they deserved to know? That they should be part of the conversations of whatever's going on? That no matter what they could help? All of it were good points, but at the same time, he guess he couldn't force there to be something to do when in fact, there was nothing.

"I think your parents already have enough on their hands raising three teenage boys," Jo joked, a teasing smile spreading across her face. "I don't think they could handle you all getting yourselves in trouble, again."

"Ha, ha, ha," Colt said, pronouncing each word carefully. "Very funny." Lacing his fingers together, he stretched his arms out in front of him before stretching them up over his head. "How come you didn't want to follow your dad into politics or working with the mayor or something like that?"

A thoughtful look came to Jo's face. "Dad's more of a 'front page poster' kind of guy than I am, I think." She reached out a hand and placed it on Colt's arm as she stepped closer to him, dodging a group of students dispersed, heading in multiple directions at one time. "I like showing people what my life is like more than talking about it, I guess. I know people will eventually listen, so we shouldn't stop talking, but I always felt that letting people see me, and my family, could help, too. It's why we welcome people that want to learn about our community."

"Well, Rock, Tum, and I always learn a lot whenever we're there," Colt said, leading the way into their classroom. "We enjoy going. You know we'll help you and your family out anyway we can." Lifting his hand in a quick wave, he caught the attention of the teacher at the front of the room who reached for their clip board to mark his attendance.

"And that is why Chief Roundcreek didn't hesitate to name you honorary warriors," Jo pointed out, prodding him with the tip of her finger. She brushed past Colt to make her way to a chair and sat down. "Whatever you give out to the Earth comes back to you," Jo replied, settling in her seat. She crossed one leg over the other and leaned forward to rest her elbows on her desk. Lacing her fingers together, she settled her chin atop the backs of her hands. "If you trust your parents, they'll trust you to know anything they come across."

"My dad doesn't even trust me with his car," Colt said, dropping his backpack down onto the floor of the seat beside her. He lowered himself into his seat and stretched his legs out in front of him. "

Jo let out a sigh through her nose. "Kids notice things more than adults want to acknowledge," she said, staring straight ahead of her. Then she rolled her head to blink at him. "You know they just want to keep you safe."

"I know," Colt agreed. "That's why it's frustrating. We're not kids anymore. They want us to get jobs and go off to school, but still think we're too young to know stuff. And Rocky's not any better, either. I don't understand how he can be on mom and dad's side about things, and boss Tum and I around, and then still want to try and do things his way."

"I think…Rocky has a reason behind everything he does," Jo replied, "even if you don't see it up front." Colt grumbled, crossing his arms over his chest. "Come on, Colt. Have you always known whatever he's been thinking about? Maybe it's a way to calm himself. Or to test himself."

"Test himself?" Colt asked with a snort. "For what?"

"Leaving. Going away to school. Making sure he can actually leave things to someone else. For once, give himself a break from being the person that decides everything."

"Well, I could have done it," Colt said, suddenly feeling like a jerk. "I mean, I'll be the oldest once he leaves. Then all that would be on my shoulders, right?"

Jo lifted an eyebrow. "Could you handle it?"

"Sure," Colt instantly replied, "Rocky does." At the same time, he was aware of how much he didn't have to deal with much, apart from Tum-Tum's wanting to hang around a lot, because Rocky was the oldest. "Which isn't surprising. I mean, if he's anything like dad, he can."

"Have you ever stopped to wonder just how much he has to handle, though?"

"I guess not," Colt admitted, lips twitching. Now he felt even more like a jerk. But at the same time, Rocky didn't know how frustrating it was to be in his shadow. He then shot Jo an annoyed look. "I hate it when you do that."

"I know," Jo replied with a sweet smile. She then turned her attention towards Brett who came into the room, yawning. "Hey, Brett."

"Jo." Brett smiled warmly and accepted the hug she offered upon pulling herself from her seat. "How are you?"

"I should ask you that," Jo said, frowning in concern as she reclaimed her seat. "You look so tired. Everything ok?"

Colt's annoyance instantly ebbed away. Brett did look tired. Removing his glasses from his face, Brett rubbed at his eyes with the heel of his hand. "Yeah, what's up, B?" he asked.

"Fixing bugs in the code for the dance matchmaking program," Brett replied. "And, my parents got into a fight last night over the phone, so I was up making sure my mom is ok."

"Is she?" Colt pressed. "Ok?"

"She went to work as usual," Brett said with a shrug. "So, that's a good sign."

"Sorry, dude." Colt felt himself frown. He hated it whenever his parents fought, but at least they were still together. There was some comfort in that. But Brett's parents were divorced. He only ever heard one half of the conversation, and as such, only saw the aftermath of a parent facing it all on their own. As much as it sucked seeing his own parents fight, Colt at least was lucky enough to still see them face the day together. "That sucks."

"Thanks," Brett said. He let out cleansing sigh before turning back towards Jo. "Are you going to the Homecoming dance? It'll be fun." He gave a wry smile. "And save one of us the agony of figuring out who to ask."

"For sure, I'm in," Jo agreed with a nod. "I already planned on coming to see your guys' game, too. And, Tum-Tum would never forgive me if I missed his induction on this year's wrestling team."

"Yeah, unfortunately that would mean I wouldn't ever hear the end of it either," Colt commented.

"Just face it, dude," Brett said around a second yawn, "Tum just likes her better than you."

"I can't imagine why," Colt replied with an over the top smile. Jo laughed as the teacher called for attention and Colt mimed for her to shush and pay attention. Jo rolled her eyes, but still stifled her laughter enough to pay attention.

"Just to be sure, I'm going to call roll, make sure I didn't miss anyone," the teacher announced, "and then I'll give you the school news and then you're off to your first classes. Ok, let's start."

Colt half-listened, waiting for his name to be called. He wasn't entirely sure he wanted to be normal like Tum-Tum insisted they try out. Not if school and homework were part of the equation, anyway. Anything would be more fun than that.

A/N: My apologies for how long it took to get this updated, but here's the next part. I think I said this before, but I love writing Colt and Jo's friendship and how I think it evolved over the years. And, I feel like she'd be able to put him in his place at times.

Thanks for reading.

-Rhuben