Lizzie- Thanks for reminding me to post. I kinda forgot about this story.
boeketjebloemen- Sorry about the wait I'm trying to wrap up another story so that I can fully devote my time to this story. Unlike some writers I find it hard to write more than one story at a time. Never the less I have every intentions to finish this story. It's already outlined and everything. I'm glad that you like it as much as you do and I hope that this chapter meets your expectations.
The Kae- Thanks for the review. Here's the next chapter.
CHAPTER 2
COMING TO AMERICA
Leaving my family behind me
Not knowing what laid ahead
waving goodbye, as I left them in tears
remembering all we said
-Genesis, Driving the Last Spike
January 3, 1976
3:37pm
Bath, England
Giles Family Home
"This is complete and utter bollocks," sixteen year old Rupert Giles yelled.
"Rupert you know the way the council works. Roger has them wrapped around his finger, I had no choice but to go along with his proposal," Jonathan sighed.
"And mum, what does she think about this?"
"You mother is ready to raise a hoard of demons and set them upon Roger Whydam-Pryce," Jonathan said with a wry smile.
"A poncey git if there ever was one. And he has some nerve to talk about the way you and mum have raised me. The way he treats that boy of his. I pray that he never has any other children," Rupert said sitting down on the edge of his bed. The teen pulled his glasses off of his face and began to clean them. Rupert then replaced his glasses. Jonathan shook his head.
In his black jeans with holes in the knees, a white long sleeve shirt in which the sleeves had been rolled up, and a fedora, Jonathan's son was dressed in attire that most of the council refereed to as 'punkish'. Yet his glasses threw the look off a bit, giving Rupert an air of respectability despite his dress.
"What are you smiling about?" Rupert asked his father.
"Your attire my boy."
"I bet the git is going to try and make me wear bloody tweed isn't he?" Rupert questioned.
"It is a likely possibility," Jonathan said pulling a pack of cigarettes out of the breast pocket of his jacket. "Fancy one?"
"You're really going to let me smoke?" Rupert asked shocked.
"I'm well aware you've grown addicted to this dreadful habit of mine," Jonathan said passing a cigarette to his son.
"Mum know?" Rupert questioned around the cigarette in between his lips.
"I put nothing pass your mother. Sometimes I swear she is a seer of some sort," Jonathan commented.
"You know you offering me a fag doesn't increase my outlook of this situation. All I need now is a blind fold, and an army equipped with rifles aimed at my heart," Rupert muttered. "Father what should I do? What do you wish for me to do? I know that you wish for no more shame to be brought to our family," Rupert said growing serious.
"I wish for you to follow your heart Rupert... even if that means being a baker," Jonathan added wryly. "But for now you must go with Roger. And in a way it is a wonderful opportunity. It is rare for a watcher to meet a slayer that is not his own. Learn from...watching, Roger. Learn from his mistakes. One day Rupert you will become a watcher, and a wonderful one."
"Do not become like these gits who treat these poor girls as though they are nothing more than a weapon. They are human. They have wishes and desires just as everyone else. I pray for the poor girl who has been given Roger as her watcher. And I have the feeling that she just may need you. Befriend her Rupert, most slayers do not have friends who understand what their lives entail. But you, you will be able to," Jonathan said.
"I'll try my best to make you proud father," Rupert promised.
"My boy, I'm already proud of you. Now let's finish packing your things."
January 4, 1976
8:17pm
Bath, England
Airport
"Be safe Rupert," Lillian Giles said placing a kiss on her son's cheek.
"I will Mum don't worry," Rupert said brushing the tears from his mother's face. "And don't cry Mum, it's not like I'm dying. I'm only across the pond."
Rupert stepped out of his mother's embrace and turned to face his father. He held out his hand to Jonathan. Jonathan took his son's hand as if to shake it but then pulled Rupert into his arms.
"Remember what I told you," Jonathan whispered into his son's ear.
"I will Father," Rupert promised.
"I almost forgot Rupert I have something for you," Jonathan said letting go of his son. He opened his briefcase and presented Rupert with a beautiful leather bound journal, with the name Rupert Nathaniel Giles engraved upon it.
"Every watcher has a diary," Jonathan said, smiling proudly.
"T-Thank you Father," Rupert replied, stunned.
"Be safe my boy," Jonathan told his son. Rupert nodded his head, then gave his parents a final hug and boarded the plane that would take him to America.
January 4, 1976
3:37pm
Richmond, Virginia
Richmond International Airport
"Now remember boy you are under the guise if my nephew, my sister's son. Keep in mind that I am not your mother nor your father and I demand respect," Roger told Rupert as the two of them exited the plane.
"I give respect where it is deserved...sir," Rupert replied. Roger narrowed his eyes at the teen.
"Don't be coy with me boy or so help me God I will strike you where you stand," Roger warned.
"I am not a two year old boy Mr. Whydam-Pryce, unlike your son I know how to defend myself, and I am not afraid of you," Rupert told the elder watcher as he grabbed his things from baggage claim.
Roger grabbed Rupert by his arm. "You watch your tone of voice boy. All it takes is one word. One word from me and I will have your family's name disgraced and the council will never see another watcher by the name of Giles. Understand?"
"Perfectly," Rupert replied. "Now, let go of me," He said between gritted teeth. Roger released the teen's arm and the two carried their luggage out to the cab that was waiting for them.
Twenty minutes later the two arrived at the place that would become their home away from home for the next few years. It was a rather large house -closer to being a manor- located in the Fan District of Richmond. Rupert noted that the majority of his new neighbors were the upper working class, lawyers who had made partner, doctors who ran their own practice and the like.
"The house has three floors. The top one is mine, thus off limits. The truck will be here momentarily with our belongings. Unpack what is yours. The council has already equipped the house with necessities, and our butler will be arriving this afternoon," Roger informed Rupert.
"Tomorrow we shall register you for school. With in the week you will get your license. You will need it. The school you are attending does not have a bus system, their classes are located around the city, and I am not your chauffeur."
"Does that mean my motorbike will be arriving?" Rupert asked.
"Yes," Roger replied his voice betraying the distaste he had for Rupert's motorbike. "Back to the subject of your school. They allow for their students to take college classes, and while American colleges are not up to the standards as the colleges back home, you may find them to be slightly challenging," Roger continued as he and Rupert entered the house.
"Well you seemed to have everything mapped out perfectly," Rupert replied sarcasm evident in his voice. "I do have one question for you. How do you plan on introducing yourself to the new slayer Miss... Lehane was it?"
"A teaching position has opened up at Miss Lehane's school. And luckily Miss Lehane is in two of my classes."
"I wonder just how many strings the council had to get you appointed as a teacher in Miss Lehane's school?" Rupert muttered. The honking of a horn came from outside.
"That would be our belongings. Go and help the men bring in the boxes," Roger commanded the teen. "And make sure the bloody oafs are careful, I have valuable objects packed away."
"Of course Mr. Whydam-Pryce," Rupert said and gave a mock bow to the elder watcher. Rupert then went outside glad to be away from Roger.
"May I be of some assistance?" Rupert questioned a burly man who was exiting the cab of the truck.
"Sure kid, tell us where we can unload all this stuff," The man replied.
"Boxes labeled Pryce, are to be placed at the top landing. Everything else you can leave in the living room."
"You sure you don't need us to carry nothing else upstairs kid?"
"The only other boxes that need to be taken upstairs are mine and I am more than capable of carrying them sir," Rupert replied.
"No offense kid but you're kind of gangly and these boxes are heavy,"
"I assure you sir I can carry them," Rupert assured the man.
"Okay kid," The man said.
Two hours later the moving van was unpacked and the movers had left. Once the men were gone Rupert proceeded to carry his five boxes an guitar case to his bedroom. That task completed he opened the first box that contained his clothing and placed the items in his dresser. The next two boxes had a small portion of his family's library. Jonathan had allowed for his son to pick which books he would like to take with him to America. One box dealt with demonology, magics, a few of his family's watcher diaries, and the like. The other box had Rupert's personal library the books that he read for pleasure, most of which were fantasy and science fiction novels.
The fourth box held, various weapons and talismans. And the last contained nicknacks from home, picture frames, posters, a radio, turntable, his favorite records, and surprisingly a package of homemade cookies.
"Mum," Rupert said fondly and was hit with an overwhelming feeling of homesickness. He loved his parent's deeply, and missed them as well as his home, far more than he though he would have. Rupert knew he wasn't the perfect child, he got into scrap after scrap of trouble at the academy, and had been brought home by the police more than on one occasion. Why his parents put up with him was beyond his comprehension. He guessed that they understood what it was like to be sixteen and angry at the world
Rupert spent the rest of the day unpacking his belongings. He had just laid down to take a nap when he was fetched by his butler and informed that dinner was ready.
January 4, 1976
10:23 pm
Richmond, Virginia
Lehane Family Estate
"Oh come on," Kat sighed as she struggled to unstick the drawer to her desk. "You stupid piece of-" Kat's ranting was cut off as a loud crack was heard. She stared down in disbelief at her desk that had somehow split in half.
"How am I going to explain this one?" Kat asked herself.
January 5, 1976
7:20am
Richmond, Virginia
Open High School
"So Rupert let's get your class schedule arranged and give you an escort and you can be on your way," Bridgette Newberry told the boy. "Here is our class catalogue. The classes with lines through them have already been closed. But we still have many open."
Having memorized the newest slayer's schedule, Rupert quickly drew up a schedule that closely mirrored the girls. He ended up being in almost all of her classes
"Well it appears that your first class is with me. Art History at eight. It is located at the VCU campus. Here is a map to help you get around easier. Now let me see who I can find to help you out on your first day," Bridgette said getting up from her desk, she left her office and returned a few moment later with a boy Rupert's age. The boy was about six feet tall and muscular, with dark brown hair and brown eyes. Ruper.
"Rupert Giles, this is Jeremiah Lehane," Bridgette said introducing the two boys. Rupert froze, upon realizing that his guide was the slayer's brother. Jeremiah was dressed much in the same manner as Rupert, ripped jeans, a long sleeve band shirt and a pair of doc martins. "Jeremiah has offered to show you around for the day. Jeremiah I trust you won't get Rupert lost," Bridgette said with a wry grin.
"Oh come on Bridgette I didn't lose that last kid he just wandered off," Jeremiah replied.
"Yes well don't let Rupert wander off, I don't think it would please his uncle, who just so happens to be your new English teacher."
"Don't worry I'll get him to all of his classes. You've got art history first right?" Jeremiah asked.
"Yes, that is correct," Rupert replied.
"You're English," Jeremiah noted. Rupert nodded his head. "Well come on then Rupert old boy, we have class to get to and Bridgette doesn't like for us to arrive late."
The two boys walked outside to Jeremiah's car a 1958 Jaguar roadster.
"Nice car," Rupert commented.
"It's my Dad's. So Rupert what do you think of Open High?"
"It's quite ... different, compared to my old school. For one we did not call our teachers by their first names. For another our classes are confined to one building," Rupert replied.
"Yeah it took me a while to get use to it too. But I can assure you that most American High Schools are nothing like Open. We're unique," Jeremiah told the watcher in training, pride in the boy's voice.
Unique was not quite the word. Open High School was an odd school. In truth the campus was the whole city. The office of the school was located in an office building, and each morning the students and teachers would check in. They would then go to their various classes located around the city.
The classes were another thing. Open had your normal highschool classes, like Chemistry, English and History, but they also had 'Thursday' classes. These classes took place every Thursday and they were the strangest but most wonderful classes Rupert had ever heard of. There was a bowling class, history of Rock and Roll, chess, a class on pop culture, and even one on dinosaurs.
Though the school seem to be one of chaos it was actual quite orderly. Three Fridays out of the month there were school meetings. The first and third Friday of each month was town meeting in which the whole school got together and discussed matters. The way Jeremiah described it the meetings it resembled the meeting of the watchers council. On the second Friday of each month was class meeting where the freshmen, sophomore, junior and senior classes each met with one another to come up with ideas to raise funds for their class.
And then every Friday was family meeting. There were twelve 'families' at Open. Each full time staff member was given a 'family'. Jeremiah informed Rupert that were Open had families, normal American high schools had home rooms. In these family meeting announcements were given concerning up coming events. And depending on the family discussions occurred ranging from various topics such as politics to the best comic book.
Then there was the best thing about Open. The freedom. Training to become a watcher was a rigorous one. At the watchers' academy the schedule was a strict one, where the young watchers in training were in their lessons from seven in the morning to five in the afternoon with only thirty minutes for lunch. The children spent most of their waking hours learning demon languages, the history of former slayers and their watchers, the rudimentary skills of magics, and fighting techniques.
And though Rupert had been sent to America so that he could gain focus again on his 'destiny', Rupert had the feeling that he would throughly enjoy the time he would spend in America.
"You know Jeremiah I think I just may come to like this school," Rupert smiled.
"Glad to hear it man."
Author's Note: Open high school is a real high school located in Richmond. I attended it for all four years and I am not embellishing any of the curriculum described in this story. In fact even the teachers' names I mention either still teach at Open or taught at Open.
Up Next: Rupert meets Kat, throws a knife at Roger, and fixes Roger's mistake. Rupert's a busy teen.
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