Chapter 26: Back to School
The rest of Thomas' summer break couldn't have been better. After making up with his uncle Prince and convince him to stay, Thomas managed to reconcile him with his paternal side of the family… well, at least they were on civil terms, as neither Bandit or Rad couldn't possibly become exactly friends with him after everything they passed through together. After promising him he would visit him to New York once he was ready to do it, Thomas bid goodbye to Prince at the airport, before the latter could return. After that, Thomas spent the last days of summer break playing with his sisters, going to the beach or skating around, both with his rollerblades around the neighborhood or with his ice blades at the stadium his father had once told him about.
It was then that, with the last days of January, came the first day of school. At the morning of that day, Thomas had woken up early to do his morning jogging, like usual, except he was not doing it alone anymore, as his Dad had decided to join him, decided to get in shape after what happened during Thomas' last panic attack. "Come on, dad, try not to get too much behind," Thomas said, running in place, while waiting for his dad who was having troubles to keep up with his son. "Well… you're too fast, son…" he said. "Maybe you're just too old, after all, you're not exactly young," Thomas commented, teasingly. "Very funny, I'm still young, you know, I'm still a few years away from the 40s," Bandit replied. "Whatever makes you feel good, dad," Thomas replied. Bandit then noticed the smoothie bar next to them. "Hey, why don't we go for a shake? I could use some avo and banana with a little bit of cinnamon, I know it's your favorite," Bandit suggested. "Fine, but then we go back home running and without stopping," Thomas replied. "Deal," Bandit replied.
And so they went to buy their shakes and then sit down to take them. "So, are you ready for school?" Bandit asked. "I think so… I have plans for this year, actually" Thomas said. "Oh, really? And what plans are those?" Bandit asked. "I'm planning… to get into the touch football team, just like you, uncle Rad and uncle Stripe did" he replied. "That's great! I'm so happy for you, son, I hope you make it to the team," Bandit said. "Me too, I just want to make you proud," Thomas said. "You already did, mate… although having my son following my steps in one of my favorite sports is rather satisfying, hey, if you want, you can give the cricket team a go, you know, I was the youngest cricket in my school," Bandit replied. "Yeah, I think I'm going to stick to the touch football, dad," Thomas told.
"Okay… just don't forget to take your pills with you," Bandit said. "I know that, dad," Thomas replied. "Sorry, it's just, after your last episode, I got a little overzealous with your well care," Bandit confessed. "But I'm fine, dad, really," Thomas reassured. "You know… we still haven't talked about… well, the elephant in the room" Bandit told, with Thomas realizing what he was talking about "I know what you told your sisters that day, what you felt about me after your mother and I… Well, what I'm trying to say is that I know you have more repressed feelings about me and, if those feelings are causing you harm… All I want is for you to share with me whatever you may be harboring, when you're ready," Bandit said. "Don't worry, dad… I will," Thomas promised.
After that, they returned home where they took a quick shower before coming to the kitchen to get breakfast, with Chilli and the girls already taking it. "So, who's ready for a great first day of school?" Bandit asked, as he and Thomas served themselves on some toast that Chilli had just prepared. "I am!" Bingo exclaimed. "But not me…" Bluey said, a little saddened. "What's the matter, Bluey?" Thomas asked. "She's just sad because she's starting grade 1 and will leave Calypso's class," Chilli said. "I love Calypso, I wished I could remain on prep school," Bluey told. "Come on, squirt, you know that's not how it works," Bandit said. "You know, Bluey, I understand what you're feeling, passing to grade 1 was also a great change for me, but you'll see everything will be fine," Thomas said. "Do you promise?" Bluey asked. "Of course, you're going to meet a new teacher, learn new things, make new friends… and I bet you'll still have your friends from prep to help you," Thomas told. That made Bluey smile. "Thank you, big brother," she said, hugging him and wagging her tail. "You're welcome, little sister," he replied, while hugging her back, also wagging his tail. Bandit and Chilli couldn't help but smile at that scene.
Now at school, Thomas goes to the signing wall for clubs and sports. Thomas then signed his name for touch football. He was soon approached by the last dog he wanted to encounter. "Well, well, well… Back for more, Heeler?" Zach the tall German Shepherd from last year said crossing his arms while watching Thomas signing up. "What do you want man?" Thomas asked, not even giving the work to look at him, before heading to his new assigned locker. "I want you gone, me and Peter both do," Zach said as he walked along aside Thomas. "Well sorry to burst your bubble but I'm here to stay so deal with it," Thomas said as he walked to his new locker. Zach made a fist before turning around to go to the sign up wall. Thomas then went to his new locker and opened it up. At the first sight, it looked like any other, but then he noticed a name carved inside of the locker. "Bandit Heeler?" Thomas read out loud. "Oh cool I got dad's old locker," Thomas said as he placed his books inside the locker.
Thomas's phone then buzzed as Thomas was putting his stuff away. Thomas then looked at his phone and saw that it was his uncle Rad.
Rad
Have a good day at school, mate, enjoy junior year while it lasts
Thomas
……
Thomas
Thanks uncle Rad. You won't believe who's locker I got this year.
Rad
……
Rad
Really? Whose locker?
Thomas
Photo sent
Rad
…..
Rad
No way mate! That's your dads old locker! You can register it to keep it for senior year!
Thomas
…….
Thomas
Awesome I think I'll do that!
Rad
……
Rad
Alright mate have a good day!
Thomas
:)
Thomas then puts his phone away and shut his locker, turning around a little quickly, causing him to run into a red Heeler girl, making her drop her papers. "I'm sorry I should have watched where I was going," Thomas said as he helped pick up the papers. "It's all good I was day dreaming anyways," the red Heeler said also grabbing her papers. Thomas looked at her and couldn't help but noticing every little detail on her, and because of that he quickly realized she was new there, not only because he didn't remember seeing her around, but also because she had a Scottish accent. "Are you new here?" Thomas asked. "Ay, can you help me get to the Library?" She asked standing up. Thomas also stood up and smiled at her. "Yeah, I can show you," Thomas said looking into her eyes, which, in his opinion, possessed a great deal of warmth. "Ma name's Tori, Tori Watson," Tori said, handed out her hand. "I'm Thomas, Thomas Heeler," Thomas said shaking her hand, finding surprising how soft it was.
"Heeler… Are you, by chance, related to Rad, Bandit and Stripe Heeler?" Tori asked. "Yes, I am, Bandit's my dad and Rad and Stripe are my uncles," Thomas answered, as he started taking Tori to the Library. "Really? I just saw their names and pictures in the trophy case at the front lobby of the school," Tori said with a smile. "Yeah… I kind of come from a sporty family, my dad and uncles both played touch football, and my other uncle Prince used to be a quarterback," Thomas told. "Yeah, I noticed by your accent you could only be American," Tori commented. "My mom is American, but dad is Australian, he went to live with her to the States before I was born," Thomas told. "And let me guess, they decided to come live here to Australia, right?" Tori asked. "Not exactly… but it's long story, a very long story" Thomas replied, not exactly wanting to spoil Tori's first day with his sad life story. "Here we go, the library," he said, arriving to their destination. "Thank you, Thomas, I hope to see you around" she told. "Me too" he replied, while making a big smile.
After Tori entered the library, Thomas turned around to go to his class when he came to face his two best friends, Liam and Alfie. "Hey, guys, how was your summer?" he asked. "Seriously, are you going to asks us that now?" Liam asked back. "What do you mean?" Thomas said, not understanding what he was talking about. "Thomas, we saw you with that girl," Alfie said. "You mean, Tori? I was just helping her finding the library," Thomas replied. "Yeah, sure…" Liam replied. "Come on, guys, stop having ideas," Thomas said, as he started to advance towards his class. "Ideas? You mean how you and this girl seemed to have some chemistry?" Liam asked. "Liam, we just met, how can Tori and I have chemistry?" Thomas asked. "I don't know… maybe the fact she is new to the school, just like you were, or that she is form another country just like you…" Liam told. "Liam, you're from England," Thomas replied. "And look at us, we're best friends," he said.
"Not to mention that you didn't stop smiling all the way you were with her and when you say her name," Alfie commented. "No I don't, look guys, just because you saw me with Tori…" Thomas started, with him smiling. "Wait, you just smile…" Liam noticed. "Wow, Alfie, you're right, he does smile when he says her name," Liam said. Hearing that, Thomas couldn't help but blush a little. "Stop with that, guys! Come on, let's go to the class… and stop messing with me about To… about her, I need to focus so I be at my best at the trials for the touch football team," Thomas said. "The touch football team?" Alfie and Liam asked at the same time. "You mean the same team that Zach and Peter belong to?" Liam asked. "Are you sure you want to do that, Thomas? They already torment you a lot, imagine if you make it to the team," Alfie said. "You know, if there was one thing I learned, was to not let those guys affect me, especially since… well you know, besides I won't let them prevent from doing something I want to do," Thomas said.
"I didn't even know you liked touch football…" Liam commented. "I do, a lot actually, my father and I used to play when I was a kid, those are some of my favorite memories, and I have to say I'm not that bad, my dad always tells me I take after him when it comes to sport," Thomas revealed. Little did they knew they had just passed Zach and Peter, who overheard that part of their conversation. "Did you hear that? The American is going to the trials for the team," Zach said. "Great, it wasn't enough we had to share the same school and now we have to do with the team," Peter commented. "We don't have to… if he doesn't make it through the trials," Zach replied. "What probably will happen, he must probably not know difference between touch football and American football," Peter told. "I don't know… despite everything, he's a Heeler and the Heeler brothers were a legend in this school, his father may have taught him a lot about touch football… but we can make his trials so hard so that not even his talent can save him," Zach said. "That sounds good…" Peter agreed.
After classes, Thomas went to school fields, having both a touch football field and a cricket field, with the rest of kids who sighed up to be part of touch football team. Thomas was standing there until he was bumped into by Zach and Peter. "Alright Heeler show us what you got," Zach said, while he and Peter made their smirks on their faces. Thomas growled at himself as the coach got the teens together. "Alright, newbies, let's see what your made of, some of you will be able to fill in the vacant places we have and, who knows, maybe, for some miracle, one of you can take the place of some" the coach said. "All right, this is how things is going to happen, we'll make a train game, I'll divide you in teams and evaluate your performance in the game, and remember this is touch football, not rugby nor even footy, I hope you remember that, all right, I'll do the first teams to compete," the coach said.
As he started to make the teams, went to call names. making sure he made balanced teams, both composed with players with experience and with newbies. "Heeler! Thomas Heeler!" The coach shouted. "Yes coach!" Thomas said revealing himself from the crowd of boys. "Are you Bandit's son?" coach wolf asked. "Yes I am," Thomas said. "I better see a performer out of you," coach Wolf said. "Yes sir you will," Thomas said looking up at his coach. He went to his designated team, being the last of it. "And, Zach, you can be the last player of the other team," Coach wolf said. Hearing that, Thomas swallowed hard as he turned and looked at Zach, as he positioned himself, who looked like he had a death wish for him. "Let's go Heeler show me what you got," Zach said to himself.
The game started with Thomas' team beginning at the offensive. Before the game began, Thomas looked around and noticed there were students watching the trials from the seats of the stands. Between those students were Liam and Alfie who came to support their friend… and then, not so far away, was Tori. Seeing her there only gave Thomas more determination to pass those trials. When he heard the whistle, Thomas grabbed the ball his teammate threw at him and he and his team started a successive trades of passes, all while trying to get to the try line and avoiding being touched by the other team. When Thomas had the ball and tried move around, he was able to swiftly avoid his adversaries, but then Zach appeared before him and, before he could do anything about it, he touched him, but his touch was more than just a touch, it was a touch that disguised a strong shovel that threw Thomas hard against the field. "Oops, sorry," Zach told, cynically, before retreating. Despite feeling his anger boiling intensively, Thomas did everything in his power to contain it, not wanting to ruin his chance to make the team. So, he just placed the ball on the field and allowed one of his teammates to get it.
Thomas was able to get the ball again and moved forward, despite his team had lost some ground. But then, Zach appeared before him yet again and gave him another blow disguised as a touch, but this time it hit him on the chin. Thomas feel back, while securing the ball and with a cut on his inferior lip. That caused some students to complain, including Liam and Alfie, while Tori looked worried at Thomas. Coach Wolf blew his whistle once. "Zach, what was that? I already said we're playing touch football, not rugby!" he said. "Sorry, coach, I guess I don't know my own strength," he said, while making Thomas one of his smirks. "Looks like you're going to be a disappointment to your daddy, Heeler," Zach provoked, before retreating. That really annoyed Thomas in a way he became determined to take that smirk out of Zach's face. He placed the ball on the field, allowing one of his teammates to take it and continue the game.
With his team only needing one more touch for a changeover, Thomas was determined to beat Zach on his game before that happened. Getting the ball, he started to pass by the adversaries until he found himself facing Zach another time. Seeing he was ready for another one of his camouflaged blows, Thomas took advantage of his own speed and agility, together with a move his dad had taught him, to swiftly pass by Zach, much to his surprise, and, with a quick sprint, Thomas managed to get to the try line and put the ball down, scoring the try. Many students cheered for Thomas, with Liam and Alfie cheering louder. Between those cheering was Tori, what increased Thomas' happiness even more. It didn't take long for Zack's team to get on the offensive and Thomas got to see why he was the captain of the team, seeing how he could pass easily by his adversaries without being touched. But Thomas proved himself to be a challenge to him, as he was able to touch him a few times, much to the German shepherd's surprise. The game training game was over then. "Very nice, very nice…" he said, while taking notes on his clipboard. "Heeler!" he called, causing Thomas to approached. "Good job, there, it's nice to see that you inherit your dad's talent, let's see if it's enough for you to make it to the team," the couch replied. "Thanks, coach" Thomas replied.
After the trials were over, coach revealed the names of those who had managed to make it to the team. Many of those names were from players from last year team, including Zach and Peter, but when the coach started saying the names of the newbies, Thomas couldn't help but become overjoyed when he heard his name. He had made it to the team. At the locker room, Thomas had just taken a shower, getting out of the showers while securing a towel around his waist, when Zach approached with, with Peter a little at the back. "What? Did you come to welcome me to the team? There's need for that," Thomas said, cynically. "You may have made it to the team, Heeler, but that doesn't mean we're going to be friends," Zach replied. "I wouldn't want it any other way, we're just teammates, nothing more," Thomas told. "Good, so we're on the same page, let's keep it that way," Zach replied, moving away with Peter after that.
At the entrance of the school, Thomas was waiting for his dad to pick him up, after saying goodbye to Liam and Alfie. "I believe congratulations are in order," a voice said. Thomas turned around and saw Tori, appearing with one of her warm smiles. "Hey there… Well, thanks," Thomas said. "I got a little worried because of what that j* did to you…" Tori said. "Don't worry about that, I can handle him, I've been handle him ever since last year," Thomas said. "Well… I'm just glad you made it to the team, I bet your dad will be very happy," Tori said. "He sure will," Thomas agreed. At that moment, Thomas heard a car horn that he recognized, belonging to his father's. "Oh, it's my dad, got go," he said, while moving. "See you tomorrow," Tori told. "Yeah… tomorrow," Thomas replied.
He arrived to the car and got in. "Hey, dad," he said. "Hey there, mate…" Bandit said, noticing Thomas' bruises and lip cut. "What happened to you? Please tell me you didn't get into another fight," Bandit asked. "Dad, relax, these are from rough touches from a j* during touch football trials," Thomas replied. "Really, now? So, how did it go?" Bandit asked. "I don't know… why don't you come to the first game to see for yourself?" Thomas replied. Realizing what his son meant, Bandit made a big smile. "That's my boy! I'm so proud of you!" Bandit exclaimed, while hugging his son. "Your mum and sisters will also be so happy for you… but I'm not so sure what Chilli will say about the bruisers and the cut," Bandit said, as he started the car and moved. "By the way, I noticed the girl… She's pretty. Who is she? Is there a girlfriend I should know about?" Bandit asked, teasingly. "Dad! It's nothing like that! We're just friends," Thomas replied, defensively. "Okay… but you know, your mother and I also started as friends… despite the obvious attraction we both had for each other," Bandit replied, causing Thomas to make him a hard look. "Okay, I'll be quiet about it," Bandit said, always making a sly smile while driving.
Back at home, Chilli had made Dinner and placed at the table once Thomas and Bandit walked into the house. "Hey boys… what happened?" Chilli said worried rushing over to her son. "It's nothing mom, it's just a little friendly competition," Thomas said as Chilli was looking at all the bruises and cut on his lip. "Friendly huh? Don't tell your sister that," Chilli said looking at Thomas's lip. "Really? Which one?" Thomas asked before yelping in pain from Chilli looking at his cut. Chilli and Bandit then looked at each other and then both said. "Bingo," suddenly they all heard a scream as it was Bingo walked in to the kitchen and saw Thomas the way he was. "Who did that to you!" Bingo said running up to her brother and taking a look at him. "You need to be treated!" Bingo shouted as she ran to get her nurse kit she got for Christmas. "This is going to be a long night," Thomas said as he went after his sister.
Kodiwolf321 A/N well guys here's another chapter for you! I'm glad to see Thomas take on sports and seeing his dad proud of him for it as for Bingo hopefully she'll be more of an easy nurse other than doctor Bluey lol.