Bad Behavior – Chapter 7

School of Hard Knocks

"Good luck today boys," Kirsten encouraged, dropping them off in front of the school.

Today was going to be nerve racking for everyone. Seth hated school because, well, it was school. He hated the way the other kids treated him. Kirsten was worried about Ryan. He had been withdrawn and quiet the previous few days. A sign to Kirsten there were 'things' running through his head that he wasn't talking about. And Ryan carried enough weight for everyone.

He hated to admit it, but life with the Cohens wasn't so bad. He could see himself staying there. Hell it was the first place he'd ever been where someone actually wanted him around and no one ever laid a hand on him. Because of that, he was overwhelmed with the responsibility of doing well at school. Something in him had changed since the summer. He felt he owed it to them. But, what if he couldn't cut it? What if he just couldn't take it? What would the Cohen's think? Would they change their minds and kick him out? Those thoughts triggered new concerns about what was waiting for him. The kids. The whispering. The taunting. The provoking. He was still the tough kid from Chino and he'd made up his mind days before that he wasn't going to take crap from anyone. If someone started in on him, he'd let them have it with both barrels cocked and deal with the fallout later. He'd made a name for himself in Chino. People there knew he could hold his own. That he was tough. If need be, he'd make that name for himself here as well.

After Kirsten had driven away, the boys stood on the sidewalk for a moment. Ryan gawked at the property.

"This is school?"

"Yep."

"This looks like a mall."

"It's pretty close. Come on, let's get your locker assignment."

Leading Ryan into the main office, Seth walked right past all the jocks calling him names and laughing.

"Why do take that from them?" Ryan asked once they were out of earshot.

"Well, Ryan, if you'll notice, I don't exactly have your physique. I work that whole Mama's Boy thing rather well and as you can see, it's not exactly intimidating."

"I told you, you're not a Mama's Boy. Remember our conversation, that day you were puking?"

"Uh uh, don't…talk…about that. I don't wanna remember that."

"Why? I meant what I said…"

"Not that. I don't want to rehash the puking. Once was enough…"

"Can I help you boys?" the secretary asked, irritated with their presence.

"Yes. He's new to the school, needs a locker assignment," Seth explained.

"Name?" she demanded rather matter-of-factly, looking at Ryan.

"Ryan Atwood."

The secretary did a double take before rifling through some files and writing down a locker number. Seth grabbed the paper the second she set it down on the counter.

"Does he have to have this one? I mean, isn't there another one…somewhere else…like on the other side of the quad?"

"What's wrong with that one?" Ryan asked, wondering what Seth knew about the locker assignment.

"Young man, lockers are not negotiable. You get what you get. Good day boys," she huffed, walking away from them.

"Seth, tell me."

Turning the paper around to reveal Ryan's locker assignment, "You got locker 417. You're gonna be in water polo player hell. Remember the goons at that one charity night? Blaine and Carter?"

"Yeah."

"Imagine about fifteen of them…with lockers assigned all around yours."

Starting to get the idea of how bad this was going to be, "Great. I'll be expelled by third period."

"Nooooo. No, you can't get expelled. You can't leave me here alone, I've done it alone and it sucks. We'll think of something. Come on, I'll lead you into hell."

"Ryan Atwood?"

The voice stopped the boys in their tracks. Turning around they found an Oriental woman coming from behind the counter. She had a stern look on her face. By her suit, her aggravated expression and the fact that she knew his name, Ryan immediately assumed she was the Dean.

"Seth," she acknowledged, before turning her attention back to Ryan.

"Ryan, this is Dr. Kim. She's the Dean here at Harbor. She's normally in a much better mood."

Dr. Kim took a moment to glare at Seth but quickly went back to laying down the law to Ryan.

"Mr. Atwood…" He didn't like her tone right off the bat. He knew where this was heading. "As the head of this school, I feel it's important that we know where each other stands. This is a school, not a fight club or a street corner. The only reason you are in this school in the first place is because of who your foster parents are. However, I will not hesitate to expel you if your actions become…inappropriate. Surprisingly, you tested very well. I strongly suggest you keep to yourself and concentrate on your studies."

Seth's mouth was agape, speechless at the Dean's rant. Ryan's heart was pounding and he fought to stay in control after her sarcastic and degrading speech. He was expecting problems with other kids, not necessarily with teachers, let alone the Dean. She was definitely a Newpsie. She would be watching and waiting for him to screw up. It wouldn't take much and she'd make sure he was thrown out of her school for good.

Glaring back at her, "Well, I'm sure if the rest of Harbor High welcomes me as warmly as you did, I can't imagine why I'd have any problems," Ryan countered.

His comment, loaded with attitude and dripping of sarcasm, set the Dean back. His glare rivaled hers. She wasn't expecting him to take that route. She could see he wouldn't be easily contained.

"I better go find my locker. Wouldn't want to get a tardy on my first day in this fine institution." Turning his back on her as she folded her arms across her chest, he walked out of the office. Seth, feeling suddenly uncomfortable scurried after him.

Once they were a safe distance away from the front hall, "Ryan, you have to tell my Mom about this."

"Seth, it's no big deal."

"No big deal? Are you nuts? Ryan, you don't have to take that. Not any more. Not if you're with me…with us."

Stopping in the middle of the hallway, Ryan gave a small smile at Seth's attempt to back him up. "Seth, look," he paused, looking at his surroundings. "I don't…I don't know if this is going to work out."

"Ryan, dude, come on. Don't say that. It's only the first day…"

"Exactly. I got a locker assignment in the middle of Newport's version of the Hell's Angels according to you and don't think for a second that wasn't done on purpose. And the Dean is already cracking her knuckles looking to string me up and throw me out of here. I've only been here for fifteen minutes."

Looking defeated with the realization that Ryan was indeed being targeted, "I hate to sound like such a Mama's Boy, but I don't want you to go. This was gonna be a great year you know. A new start for you and I'd actually have someone to hang with. We can't let them do this. I won't let them do this. Whatever you need…I'm there."

Locking eyes with Seth, Ryan could see the sincerity and the seriousness behind that comment. "Seth, I would never let you do anything that would jeopardize…"

"Who said anything about doing anything wrong? You didn't. I didn't. Nope. We're not doing anything wrong. We're totally cool."

Laughing at Seth's suggestion. "Kill 'em with kindness huh?"

"They won't know what hit them. They'll all have the same look on their face like Dr. Kim…which, by the way, I thought your rebuttal was going to crack her face! You blew her out of the water!"

"I'm not so good with the kindness Seth."

"We'll just…give it a shot and see what happens. Besides, what you did in the office was insanely perfect! Curt, rude and right to the heart of the matter and you didn't break any rules in the process! Now I could stand to see a lot more of that!"

"Now that I can do!"

"Hey Ryan…" Seth's tone changed to serious.

"What?"

"Promise me one thing. If this gets to be too much…and you decide to leave again…Promise me you'll tell me you're leaving."

Realizing he really was Seth's only friend, "Yeah man I promise. But I'm not going anywhere just yet," he smirked.

The first bell rang, only four more minutes until the second bell, signaling the start of the first class. Showing Ryan his locker and its 'Death Valley' location would have to wait until later. With the intention of meeting up at lunch, they headed in opposite directions looking for their first period classes.

By lunchtime Ryan's head was killing him. He walked into the student lounge and threw himself down on one of the posh leather chairs. Leaning his head back he closed his eyes for a moment hoping to stop the pounding in his head.

"Hey, I see you had a great morning," Seth mocked, tossing his books down and taking a seat in the chair across from Ryan.

"This is a nightmare," he offered, rubbing his aching head. "I don't belong here."

"Yes you do. We're not going to let them drive you out, oh no. We're going to fight this tooth and nail," Seth pepped, raising his cup of coffee and toasting the air.

Opening his eyes, Ryan studied Seth momentarily. "Seth, it's only lunch."

"Yes that's true."

"Since your Mom dropped us off, I've managed to get the locker assignment next to hell's gate, get my ass chewed out by the Dean, not to mention every teacher I've met between then and now and I've had four water polo players get in my face in the hallway."

Listening intently, Seth nodded. "You've had a busy morning."

"I think I'm gonna blow off the afternoon. I've gotta get out of here."

"Ryan, dude, come on. You can't do that."

"Give me one good reason why not."

"Okay. How about…Dr. Kim behind you about ten feet to your right?"

"Son of a bitch!" Ryan mumbled leaning his head against the chair once more. "Seth I'm gonna go nuts here. I can't do this."

"Yes you can. Give it a chance. This is the first day. The first day is always the hardest. It'll get better."

"And if it doesn't?"

"We'll think of something buddy."

Entering the kitchen, Kirsten placed a bag of groceries on the counter and noticed Ryan laying on the couch in the family room. Walking over to check on him she found him asleep, unusual for Ryan. Placing her hand on his forehead she attempted to see if he was running a fever but instead scared the daylights out of him and he awoke, startled.

"Oh Ryan, I'm sorry. It's not like you to sleep during the day. I was worried maybe you were sick. I thought maybe you had a fever or something."

"Nah," he said quietly, raising himself to a sitting position. "Just a really long day."

"It's been a long time since you've been to school huh?" She watched him nod in agreement, yawning. "How was it?"

His body language told her it hadn't been a good day, but she wanted to hear it from him.

"You can admit it sucked," she laughed.

He offered one of his crooked smiles, before dropping his eyes to his hands. "I know I told you I'd try, and I am…it's just…" licking his lips he shook his head. He didn't want to have to explain anything.

"Ryan what happened today?" she asked now clearly concerned.

In true Ryan fashion, he replied giving her only enough information to tell her 'something' and yet 'nothing' at all.

"The day was everything I expected it to be…at times even worse."

She watched him carefully. She learned Ryan often said a lot without saying much. It was a matter of paying attention.

"Kirsten I don't know if I can do this…"

"Oh Ryan honey, listen to me," she soothed, sitting on the coffee table in front of him. "This is one of the best school's in the state. You have every right to be there. Don't let anyone or anything stop you from becoming what you want to be."

Even though her words sounded poetic, he knew the rules were different for a kid like him. "That's the part you don't understand…I'm not the one that's being close-minded. You can't put a Styrofoam cup on a table full of China and expect everyone to ignore it. Sooner or later someone's going to throw that cup out."

The comment horrified Kirsten. "Ryan, did someone threaten to hurt you? If they did, you tell me about it right now," she demanded, concern evident on her face.

"No, nothing like that."

"What then? Ryan please tell me."

Shrugging his shoulders, "Everyone's just waiting to pounce on me. They're all watching and waiting. All I have to do is breathe wrong and it'll be over."

"Ryan…"

"It's okay. You don't have to say anything. Seth says it's just because it's the first day. That things will quiet down once the school year gets rolling. I guess we'll see. If it's okay with you, I'm gonna go lay down on my bed. Not really hungry."

"Sure…if you change your mind…"

He nodded before turning and walking away. She watched him leave, dejected. Her mind raced wondering what had happened at school that had upset him so. It was unlike Ryan to be upset and passive. The Ryan she knew would normally be upset and angry, violent even. Something got to him to today. Sandy would hear of this, she would make sure of that. And if things were truly as bad as he hinted to, she knew it was only a matter of time before some of the underlying events from today reared their ugly heads again.

The week dragged on and Ryan managed to limp through it relatively unscathed. He wasn't sure how he did it, but he did. When the last bell rang on Friday afternoon, he made a beeline for the door. Waiting for Seth at the foot of the steps he watched Newport's offspring pile into their Beamers and Navigators and the like. The parking lot and the grounds were nearly empty by the time Seth emerged from the building.

"What the hell took so long?" Ryan complained, tired of waiting.

"Ugh, I asked Mr. Phelps a simple yes or no question and I got a twenty minute answer. Sorry to keep you waiting. Let's get out of here."

"Ryan Atwood…"

The hair on Ryan's neck stood up. He knew that voice. Turning around, sure enough, it was Dr. Kim standing in the teacher's parking lot.

"Could you come here please?"

"Here we go again," Ryan moaned. "You better come with me…"

"You're afraid of Dr. Kim?" Seth asked, shocked.

"No Seth, I want a witness to whatever she says to me."

"Oh! Right. Got it. I'm your guy."

Crossing the student lot, the boys stopped just short of Dr. Kim. Ryan had already changed his demeanor given the reception he received on their last confrontation.

Dr. Kim took a deep breath and crossed her arms. This seemed to be her favorite stance when talking to Ryan. "I was wondering if you would do something for me."

Narrowing his eyes at her, "What?" Ryan asked with reservation.

"I locked my keys in my car."

The statement got Ryan to laugh out loud before biting his lip in frustration. "You have got to be kidding me. Let me get this straight…I'm not good enough to attend your school, but I am good enough to break into your car for you? I don't think so."

"Ryan, you're the one with the unusual talents. I've seen your file."

"Well you obviously haven't seen all of it or you'd be a little bit nicer to me."

"Hang on a second," Seth interrupted. "Ryan, buddy, why not do this? You know, maybe get on her good side a little bit. "

"I don't think there's any good in this one Seth. He's clearly not Harbor material. Just another bad egg."

Her comment proved to be the last straw for Ryan who switched gears and started doing a little intimidating of his own. "Just how dumb do you think I am? Let me guess, I'm the typical stereotype right? I come from a poor background, an abusive home and I have a criminal record…so I can't possibly be good for anything right? I can't possible be given the chance to overcome the cards I've been dealt right? You don't think I know what you're doing? I know exactly what you're up to." His street smarts went right to work when he could see he was getting to her. Like most Newpsies, her 'tells' were obvious.

"Ry, Ryan what's wrong? What is she doing?"

"She's trying to set me up Seth."

"What?! What do you mean? Why would she do that?"

"Because she wants me gone. Isn't that right Dr. Kim? Sure I help you out, I break into your car, get your keys for you and that's where it ends right? Wrong. Now my fingerprints are all over your car and I'd bet my life on the fact that this car would go missing in the near future. And what do you know? They find it somewhere, conveniently with my prints all over it. Prints that are traceable back to my Juvie record."

Dr. Kim couldn't even look at Ryan. She wasn't as good at this as she had hoped to be. She never imagined her plan would backfire. She didn't even contemplate the possibility of Ryan catching on. He was blue collar. He'd just do what he was told and go along with her plan, fall into her trap. She couldn't have been more wrong.

Gathering strength from her weakness Ryan stepped up to her. "If you want me gone that bad you're gonna have to do a hell of a lot better than this. There isn't much that gets past me and I'm not going down without a fight. I've lived through worse than you. You said I'm bad…you haven't seen bad yet. But you keep pushing me and I promise you, it's coming."

Clearly rattled, Dr. Kim turned and put her hands on her car to steady herself. Ryan held his position just a moment longer. He had crushed her. He had no doubt she would come back full force on another day. Hell she might even have him suspended or expelled for this little confrontation in the parking lot. It dawned on him he'd better have some insurance.

"One more thing," he added. "I'm aware of the fact that the Cohen's give a lot of money to this school. I would hate to see what might happen if they found out the Dean of such a reputable school was threatening, not to mention attempting to frame, their foster son."

The Dean's hands shook and her heart raced like never before. She wanted this encounter to be over with. Now.

Grabbing his backpack off the ground, Ryan stood still a moment longer and stared at the broken creature before him. He felt empowered. It had been a long time since he had that much control over someone, or a situation. Once again, the chips where in the air and time would tell just how far the good Doctor would take this charade. The image of the home and family that took him in flashed through his mind. Of all the things that could cost him his new life, this woman and her independent crusade against him was not something he was prepared for. But now he had her. If she wasn't careful, he'd be sure to show her she'd met her match if she ever locked horns with him again. Question was…is it worth losing everything he'd gained? A family. Caring parents. A home.