Disclaimer: I don't own anything 'In A Heartbeat' related whatsoever. I only own the story, and the characters that I made up. Again, thanks to all of you who reviewed. School's finally over! Thank God! Anyway, back to the story, you can read now…
Note to Chase: Mr. McLemore is partly based upon the stories you told me about your dad.
Parent Trap
The troubles keep coming and coming
School was finally over for the day. While most of the students hoped for the last class to end, Jamie found himself wishing the opposite. The end of the last class could only mean the beginning of the after school academic team practice. Jamie still couldn't imagine that he was part of the team. The team he used to make fun of and loathe. Most importantly, he couldn't imagine how he had gotten himself into this mess.
"Actually, it's not my fault," he thought out loud.
Going to his locker, Jamie bumped into Caitie and Val.
"Hey Jamie!" Caitie said as she greeted him with a peck on the cheek.
Jamie tried to look amused and satisfied, but nobody said he was a good actor.
"I'm happy to see you too," Caitie said sarcastically. "OK, Jamie. Spill it."
Caitie has known Jamie for a long time, and she could tell immediately when something is bothering him.
"Spill what? I have nothing to spill. By the way, I can't come with you guys this afternoon."
"Why not?"
"I have some after school thing to do."
"What school thing? I didn't know you had any extracurricular activities."
"Starting today until the end of the competitions, I have to practice after school with the academic team."
"Are you kidding me?" Caitie almost laughed. "The Jamie I know would just skip that."
"Well, maybe you don't know me as well as you think."
"I know you're doing this to prove that you're not a failure or a quitter. You're the one who used to tell me 'why bother?' You know you're not any of those so you don't have to prove anything. I thought you hated this anyway."
"Believe me, I hate this a lot more than you, but now that I'm in it, I won't back down."
"You should come with us," Caitie said in a whining tone to persuade him. "We're toilet-papering Mr. McGee's house."
For the first time, Val said something.
"You mean old man McGee?"
Caitie nodded.
"Guys, that is so mean. The poor man can't even stand up to clean his own house, let alone pick up a bunch of toilet paper on his property."
"Come on, it's not like it's two-ply," remarked Caitie as Val's eyes widened with surprise. "Val, I was just kidding. We're not that mean."
"At least not to him," Jamie said as he laughed.
"Well, bye Jamie," Caitie said in the least bit disappointed tone. "I'll see you tomorrow I guess."
"You're not mad that I bailed on you guys?"
"Not really," Caitie said as a devilish smile crept on her face. "Besides, now that I think about it, it would be more fun this way."
"Very funny," Jamie said as he gave her a goodbye kiss.
"Have fun with the future leaders of America," Caitie called out as she and Val left.
"I will."
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The following day was the same as always. Hank tried to stay up in his U.S. history class. As much as he liked the subject, the teacher is basically a human sleeping pill. Coincidentally, they were talking about the war, which was mostly about the military for the time being. From Hank's point of view, military is to army; army is to general; general is to Mr. McLemore; Mr. McLemore is to Marianne's dad, and that could only mean…goodbye Hank. He shivered at the thought.
"…The military are the living heroes of America," said his history teacher, Mr. Liebhold. "Right now, I want to introduce to you one of those heroes. He had lived all over the world, and now he has returned and paid a visit to his hometown. I've known him since we were in high school, but as I became a history teacher, he went on to become a general of the U.S. Army."
Hank looked up. 'Please don't be him. Please don't be him.' Hank closed his eyes in hopes that it would not be Marianne's dad. As the person came in, Hank could only hear his footsteps.
"Good morning, everyone," the person greeted. "I'm Marshall McLemore."
Hank sank lower in his chair, grateful for the fact that he sat at the back of the class.
"You probably know my daughter Marianne, who just transferred here."
At that very second, every single hope within Hank has basically vanished as each and every student in the class turned to him. Everyone knew who he was, and everyone knew that he dated her. It only took time for Mr. McLemore to catch on with the students' gaze.
"Hank," he said. "I didn't know you took this class."
"Well, you do now," he said as nervousness crept into his veins once again.
"As I was saying, you probably know my daughter," he continued as he stared directly at Hank. "In the army, we risk our lives to serve our country. I've been to a number of missions. I almost got blown up once."
A few of the students laughed.
"It's not funny," he told them sternly.
"Hank's history," said one of the kids in front of him.
Hank heard what he said, and the next thing he knew, he started to see a picture of himself in his history book. Hank shook his head to get rid of the image.
"I'm going to be here for a few weeks," said Mr. McLemore. "The principal and I reached an agreement and decided that we should have a sort of boot camp here in Kingsport High School. Those of you who are planning to join the army are welcome. If you think you can survive under my jurisdiction, then show it. Since I'm in this classroom already, are there any volunteers?"
Only one person raised their hand.
"What's your name?" Mr. McLemore asked.
"Larry Ward."
What sport do you play?"
"I'm on the track team."
"There is a sign-in booth outside so you can sign-up there. Are there any more volunteers?"
No one raised their hand.
"Hank," he called out. "Why don't you join?"
"Nah, I can't miss any of my classes."
"You're going to be excused."
"I don't think so."
"Come on, it would be fun. You're a tough guy after all. The co-captain of the football team. The quarterback. Larry is from the track team. You must be tougher than that."
"Do you really think I'd be a perfect candidate, sir?"
"No, but I'd like to see you try anyway," he told him. "Be all you can be, Hank."
'This is great. He's insulting me, and his getting his way.'
"Fine," Hank said. "I'll do it." 'He's going to kill me.'
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Tyler waited impatiently for his dad. It had been almost three hours, and he still did not show himself. He made up his mind once and for all to have a word with him. He didn't really know what to say or where to begin, so he decided to just go with the flow.
"But only dead fish go with the flow," Tyler mumbled Jamie's favorite quote kept repeating in his head. "Well, let's hope not."
After a full three hours had passed, Tyler got up and headed to the station to do his shift. 'Well, that's three hours I'll never see again.' As soon as he got to the station, all thoughts about his father had vanished away. He was the last person to arrive, seeing that everyone was already in his or her uniforms.
"I'm sorry I was late," Tyler told them. "I was actually waiting for somebody."
"That's a big coincidence," Hank said.
"Why?" Tyler asked in confusion
"Because somebody has been waiting for you here as well," stated Val.
"Who?"
"At Alex's office," said Jamie.
Tyler looked at them curiously before heading to Alex's office.
"Alex…Dad," Tyler said when he saw his father on one of the chairs.
"Please sit down," said Alex.
"Is there something wrong?" he asked Alex. "Dad, what are you doing here?"
"I came to see where you work."
"You could've asked me to take you here. I had been waiting for…never mind."
"I was going to, but I had some business to discuss with Alex."
"Business? About what?"
"Regarding you."
Tyler looked at Alex and saw a hint of disgruntlement on his face.
"What about me? Is something wrong?"
"Well," started his Mr. Connell. "I have been meaning to ask you something."
"What? I think that if this conversation is about me, then I need to know what's going on."
"Alex and I have been talking…" his dad held back on his words.
Tyler glanced over Alex, who still had a discontent look on his face. 'Did someone die? Dead fish? OK, stop with this fish already.'
"We've been talking about the…"
The alarm went off.
"I have to go," Tyler said in a hurry. "We'll finish this some time."
As soon as Tyler left the office, Alex and Matthew Connell continued on their discussion.
"Is this really necessary?" Alex asked.
"It's not my problem."
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You guys are probably wondering what's the deal with Tyler : ) It'll probably be out on the next chapter. I'll be leaving for vacation soon, but I'll leave you guys with a few stories to read. I hope you liked it! I'll post the next chapter up soon. I didn't think this story would be that long, but oh well. I'll be back! ~ Scarlet182
