Disclaimer: I don't own anything 'In A Heartbeat' related whatsoever. All I have is this story and the characters that I made up. They belong to Disney and Alliance Atlantis and so forth. Thanks to everyone who reviewed the first chapter.
Parent Trap
Things are definitely looking up
Tap…tap…tap…against the table goes the pencil on Jamie Waite's hand. His English teacher, Mrs. Lowry, who is also known as the "Wicked 'teach' from the West," was handing back their vocabulary tests. Jamie knew that his teacher wasn't very fond of him. In fact, she even told him herself. Jamie didn't really care. As far as he's concerned, the feeling is mutual. As Mrs. Lowry approached his desk, Jamie looked up, half-expecting the usual disappointment look on her face. Much to his amazement, she looked at him with a hint of satisfaction in her eyes and a smile on her face. 'Is she really smiling? Nah, I must be asleep again. Wake up, Waite! '
"I must say that I am very impressed, Jamie," she told him as she gave him back his test. "You only missed half a point for misspelling 'curmudgeon' without the letter 'd.'"
"Very funny, Mrs. Lowry," Jamie said as he took the test from her. "Although that would be a nice grade to have."
"It is and congratulations on your success. I'm very proud of you and certainly very impressed."
As the teacher went back to the front of the room, Jamie looked at his paper. As the teacher told him, he only did miss half a point. Jamie couldn't help but smile.
"I actually did it," he said to himself, just before an announcement by the teacher.
"May I have your attention please!" she said. "May I have your attention please!"
"Will the real Mrs. Lowry please stand up?" said Joe Clark, one of the students, as a few snickers were heard in the room.
"I repeat…" she began in an irritated tone.
"Will the real Mrs. Lowry please stand up?" Joe repeated once again, causing the whole room to erupt in laughter.
"We're gonna have a problem here," she said as she took out her detention slips, but the class only burst into more laughter. "Joe, you just earned yourself a seat in detention."
Joe went up to get his slip, but he didn't seem to be bothered by it.
"I didn't know you listen to Eminem, Mrs. L?" he said.
"Sit down, Mr. Clark!" she yelled in her most commanding tone as he scampered to his seat. "As I was saying, I would like to talk to all of you about the tests that I just got back. Almost half of you got C's or lower."
"Yea Jamie!" said Joe from behind him. "We just got mentioned."
"Mr. Clark, that is not something to be bragging about," she told him. "In fact, you should be ashamed of yourself. You had a whole week to study, but I guess you preferred watching…what is it called…MTV. And for your information, Mr. Waite got the highest grade in class."
Everyone turned around and looked at Jamie. Jamie shifted a bit on his seat.
"I did?" he asked her. "I mean, really?"
"You deserved it," said the teacher as she gave him another smile. "Now that that's behind us, take out your literature books, open to page 324, and start reading."
Jamie gladly took the book out and started reading. 'I can't wait till Mom and Dad hears about this.'
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As the clock struck two, the last bell of the day rang. One by one, the students filed out of their classrooms. Val headed to her locker, where she found Caitie talking to Jamie. From the looks of it, both are extremely happy, especially Jamie. 'I wonder what happened.'
"Hey guys!" she greeted them as Jamie stepped aside from her locker.
"Hey!" said Caitie.
"Hey Val!" said Jamie. "Guess what?"
"You passed one of your tests?" she guessed.
"Even better," he said. "I aced it and got the highest grade in class."
"That's great, Jamie," she said as she put her things in the locker. "What class is this?"
"I'll give you a hint: keeps cascading out of my orifice."
"You mean you aced that vocabulary test?"
"The one and only."
"I knew you'd pass with flying colors."
"And I did," said Jamie.
"I'm so proud of you," said Caitie. "And as much as I mean that, it doesn't mean that I want you to repeat that act during lunch."
"Yes ma'am," said Jamie as he kissed Caitie on the lips.
Val looked at them and thought about how cute they were, but when they were still kissing after quite a while, she had to do something.
"OK you two, get a room," Val said as the two looked up. "People are looking."
"Hey Val," said Jamie to get off the subject. "Isn't Tyler waiting for you outside?"
"I totally forgot!" she said a she hurriedly closed her locker and grabbed her bag and a few books. "Thanks Jamie for reminding me. I'll see you guys later."
"Your gratitude is greatly appreciated," replied Jamie as Val waved at them and headed for the door.
"There you go again," said Caitie. "How easier it would have been to say 'you're welcome.""
"Well, at least we don't have any distractions anymore," said Jamie as he leaned in for a kiss.
"Maybe some other time, Waite," she told him as she put a finger on her lips. "I have to meet Brianne now. I'll see you tomorrow."
"All right," said Jamie. "I have to meet Hank later anyway. Have fun."
"You too," she said as she gave him a quick goodbye kiss. "Bye."
With that, Caitie left, and Jamie went on his separate way.
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Val ran towards the front of the building and into the parking lot. She searched for Tyler but he was nowhere to be seen. 'Did he leave already? No, Tyler wouldn't do that…would he?'
"There you are," said a voice from behind her. "Did you think I left already?"
"Hey you!" said Val as she greeted him with a kiss. "I'm sorry I'm late."
"I'm in no hurry," Tyler said as he took her books away from her hands. "Come on. I parked the car over there."
The two slowly walked over to the car.
"Is this your new car now?" asked Val.
"Nope. It's still William's. It's not like he cares. He has another car, and he barely used this one."
"Are you getting a new one?"
"Maybe," he replied as he opened the door for her before climbing into the driver's seat.
"Oh yea, I have been meaning to ask you. Why were you called down the principal's office?"
"They gave some award. It was nothing, really."
"Come on," said Val. "What is it?"
"It was just an award of recognition from the school board for what I have done for the past few years," he explained. "It was basically about my grades, after school activities, and community service. No big deal."
"That's a huge honor," Val exclaimed. "And that is a big deal. You should be really proud of yourself."
"I am," Tyler said as he gave her a convincing look.
"Are you sure?" she asked with concern.
"Positive," he said in his most credible tone. "Now would you please stop worrying?"
"Are you OK?" Val asked.
"Yea Val, I'm fine," he said as he gave her another smile. "Trust me."
"If you say so," she said.
Silence hung between them for a while before Val spoke up.
"What's for dinner?" she asked.
"I guess you'll just have to wait and find out."
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Hank and Jamie were in the middle of a video game when the phone rang.
"Would you excuse me for a minute?" said Hank as he went to pick up the phone.
"You're excused," he said with eyes glued on the TV screen.
"Hello?" said Hank.
"It's Marianne," said the girl on the other line.
"Hey! I thought you had plans tonight."
"I do. We're leaving in a minute or two. I just want to tell you about the thing that I wanted to tell you."
"Go ahead," said Hank. "What is it that you wanted to tell me?"
"Well, I was wondering if you could…"
"If I could what?"
"I'm sorry but I got to go. I'll tell you some other time."
"Wait!" called out Hank, but the other line was already busy. "I guess I have to wait until tomorrow. I never really did like suspense."
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And I guess you guys have to wait as well! I'll try to post the next chapter soon. I'll be back! ~ Scarlet182
