Disclaimer: I don't own the TV Show Summerland or any characters on Summerland or some of the predicaments/situations/ideas in this fan-fiction story.

Chapter 10

-Fade Out to Josh and Nikki in school-

Josh and Nikki are eating lunch together, when Cameron shows up.

Cameron adjusted his bag on his shoulder. He grinned at Nikki. "Can I sit with you guys?" Nikki glanced over at Josh who smiled back at Cameron.

"Sure, man. He scooted over and made room for Cameron to sit down.

"Thanks." Cameron took a bite of his pizza. Nikki met Cameron's eyes and she looked away. "So, what are you guys talking about?"

"Oh, me and Nikki were just talking about the Literary Magazine. We were planning to sign up after school today.

"Really? I was planning on signing up for that too." Josh smiled uneasily at Cameron and Nikki looked away, disgusted.

Nikki quickly changed the subject. "So, Cam, where's Jordan?"

Cameron put his pizza down and wiped his mouth. "Oh, um...we broke up yesterday. No big deal."

"Sorry to hear that." Josh comforted his friend. Nikki sat there thinking to herself, 'Amber was right! Cameron's jealous. But why now?'

"What happened?" Nikki asked, trying to sound genuinely concerned.

Cameron paused slightly. "Nothing really. Just, you know different interests." Nikki nodded slowly and turned from Cameron to Josh and back. How could Cameron do this, now? She had finally found a great guy and Cameron was ruining it. Yet, Nikki couldn't seem to get Cameron out of her mind.

-Fade Out to Ava sitting by the phone, waiting for a phone call from Simon-

Ava sat there, drumming her fingers across the table, hoping that Simon would take a break and call her. She missed him so much, but the kiss with Johnny was all she could think about somehow. She pushed it out of her mind and knew that Simon was probably busy, it being the first day of school and all. Johnny and Jay had come in late last night and she didn't ask where they had been. She checked her watch- 3:00. School should be over and she should be working with Susannah, shopping for different fabrics. Ava jumped, as the phone rang, shattering the silence.

Ava swiftly picked up the phone. "Hello?"

"I need to tell you something, before we get into this whole triangle love affair thing." Simon's voice sounded different - more worn out and older.

"Okay," Ava answered, hesitantly.

"Last night, I was at a bar," Simon began, as Ava swallowed hard, expecting the worst. "Johnny was there. We had a little brawl. The police came. We were both fined $400 total and I was bailed out by a friend. Today, the superintendent, Dr. Hildebrant, called me to tell me that I should retire early because the School Board was going to file a case against me for anger management and disorderly conduct. She said, quote, I am not eligible to be the principal of one of her middle schools." Simon laughed sarcastically. Ava felt the whole world pushing against her, and tears sliding down her cheek. "Did you happen to see the paper today? I was in it." Simon continued his bitter rampage. "Local Princi-pal No Longer a Pal to Everyone". He laughed that caustic laugh again. "There's even a picture of me being handcuffed, along with your boyfriend."

"Stop it, Simon," Ava pleaded with him.

Simon ignored her remark and carried on his speech, "The only reason I'm calling you is to ask for the ring back and to tell you that I'm moving away from Playa Linda for good." Simon said in a serious, more normal, tone.

"What? No, Simon. You can't do this. I love you." Ava cried, helplessly.

"Ava, it's clear that you still have feelings for Johnny. I've accepted that. There's no job for me around here. I have to move away."

Ava was sobbing now. "Simon, don't do this."

He cut her off, "I'll stop by later this evening to pick up the ring."

"Johnny means nothing to me, Simon! You have to believe me. I know that I didn't pull away fast enough, but I was surprised, for Pete's sake." Ava implored Simon to understand.

"Listen, Ava. If you were really over him, than why do you live with him? Why is he the father figure to the Westerly's?" Simon shot back at Ava.

"I love you, Simon. Not him." Ava couldn't stop crying.

It killed Simon to hear her like this. "If you really loved me, you would come with me. Move away from Johnny."

"What? You know I can't just go with you. I started my business with Susannah again. I can't just uproot the kids and move them to a different environment twice in the same year." Ava argued, defiantly.

"Fine. I don't know then. You're acting as if you can't stand not living with Johnny. I've made up my mind, Ava. We're not right for each other. You obviously have too much on your hands to get married and you obviously need to figure out this thing with Johnny. It's too bad it had to end this way." Simon finished, regretfully. Ava just shook her head. "I'll be by later. Bye, Ava." He hung up and felt exhausted. Maybe I am overreacting, Simon thought to himself.

-Fade Out to Nikki and Josh walking to the main office to sign up-

They both jotted their names down. Nikki noticed that Cameron had already signed up. She looked away and started to read the other announcements on the bulletin, when a blue piece of paper caught her eye. It read:

Dear Students and Faculty:

We have just received word that Dr. Simon O'Keefe, our beloved principal of five years, will be retiring. He will be leaving at the end of September. We wish him the best of luck in all his endeavors.

There was more about the great achievements that Simon had accomplished, but Nikki stopped reading. Josh glanced over at Nikki's pale face. "What's wrong, Nikki?" She couldn't reply. She just stared at the blue notice. Josh saw what she was looking at and pulled her into a hug. They didn't say anything and Josh went home. Nikki decided to take a walk along the beach to think things over. She was met by none other than Cameron.

"Hey Nikki, what's wrong?" Cameron asked as he saw Nikki's upset face.

"It's Dr. O'Keefe. He's supposedly retiring early. It was because of a stupid fight with Johnny in a bar."

"It's okay, Nikki." Cameron soothed, as he pulled her into a hug. She allowed him to and after a minute, realized what she was doing.

She quickly pulled away. "Sorry, I just remember I had to help Aunt Ava with something. I gotta go." She bolted off, leaving Cameron staring, bewildered.

Sorry it took so long to get this chapter up. Reviews appreciated. Thanks to all the loyal fans of A New Beginning.