Chapter Six

***In Peter's office-Brandon is in the den with the other Cliff Hanges, Scott is in the right chair, Steven in the left, Sophie in the middle. Kristin was scared to get the chair close to Steven so she pulled it around to Peter***

"Okay so what happened in math today?" Peter asked. "I drew a picture of Fred Flintstone!" Kristin offered. Peter smirked at her. "What happened violently in math today?" "I crumpled Fred up." "Kristin..." "Okay okay. I just thought the mood could use some lightening up!" Kristin defended herself. Peter rolled his eyes.

"Boys?" "I liked that picture-" Scott started. "SCOTT!" Peter warned. "Okay okay. Geeze." "We got into a fight. Scott punched me, I shoved him and math turned into a WWF brawl." Steven said, shrugging. "What was the fight about?" Peter asked, losing patience with the sarcastic 3. "Jack Off over there-" Scott started. "Scott!" "STEVEN over there kept throwing paper at Kristin. On top of that, ever since he's gotten here he's had an attitude and yesterday he was insulting Kristin left and right. He doesn't care about her. He doesn't care that her father beat the hell out of her." "Your right I don't. She deserved every hit she got." Peter-if he hadn't been the teacher-would've smacked him as he said that. But Scott took care of that. Scott jumped up and went over to Steven and grabbed the collar of his shirt and smacked him as hard as possible on his cheek. Sophie grabbed Scott and took him outside to calm him down.

Peter looked at Kristin, who was just staring straight ahead. If he were her I'd be throwing fists right now. She didn't seem affected. "Why do you think that, Steven?" Peter asked. "Because. Without all the crap she did at school and if she had just did what he told her our dad would've become an alcoholic." Steven answered. "He's not my dad." Kristin said. "He helped concieve you-he's your dad!" Steven yelled at her. "Steven! Quit yelling...he's not her father if she doesn't want him to be. He lost all rights he had to her and he deserves more than he got which is nothing considering he didn't care about her in the first place. If she wants me to, I'm her father not HIM." Peter told him. "Whatever." Steven said. "Listen, it's time for group, but Steven stay back. Kristin go ahead me and Steven have to talk."

Kristin gratefully got up and ran to the den where Sophie and Scott already were.

"Listen, Steven, if I found out that you did so much as smack your sister I'll have you escorted to Juvie. You picked this over juvenille hall and I have 1 reason why you did. And if you do anything to hurt her then you won't have time to say you're sorry. Now I don't know, but I have a feeling you were one of the reasons Kristin was out yesterday night and if I found out why you'll be on shuns for two weeks, pal. And yes, I am her father. Sophie's her mother. Family is not about blood, it's about love. I bet Krisitn if Kristin asked who was her brother, and you and Auggie were standing by eachother then Auggie would be the one she picks. Scott and Auggie are the ones she runs to if she's in trouble. Ezra is the one she goes for advice. The girls are the ones she goes to for help. I don't see the name Steven Andrew Maddox there anywhere." Peter said. "Now go to the den and don't say anything to your sister."

Steven glared at him for a moment than stomped out of his office, Peter following.