Sorry it took so long, my computer was down for quite a while (and I've been recooperating after fourteen hours of music at Ozzfest -- sunburn city baby). Thanks so much for all your kind words, and I hope you continue to enjoy the fic.

As The Tables Turn
Chapter Four

Lash followed Morgan out into the brightly lit gym, and he wrinkled his nose at the smell. It was one of those indescribable smells that came from the wood that was used for the floor. As he stuck close to the smaller boy's side, he swept his gaze around the vast room. The girls were separated from the boys, and everyone had to sit in their 'spot' on the floor when they left the locker room. Marion was actually hard to spot among the others because of having to wear such a bland uniform, but Morgan seemed to notice her right away, turning into Swoony McDreamster.

As Morgan sat down in his spot, Lash realized he needed to wait for Coach Houser to seat him, so he went and stood in front of the rest of the boys who were seated -- Coach Houser was still in the locker room. A woman coach with short hair and manly features was talking to a few of the girls, who were no doubt in Lash's mind, whining about their hair and nails. A waving hand took his attention, and he fought off the blush that was threatening his cheeks as he met Marion's gaze.

Her hair was in a very clumsy ponytail, but she looked completely different -- she'd have to wear it up more often. She seemed to not even remember the storage room fiasco, so he waved back shortly to her, before her attention was called by the female coach. As if on cue, Coach Houser appeared, clipboard in hand to seat him.

Minutes later, he was seated in the very back of the group, finding his eyes attached to the back of Marion's head. She seemed to be dancing with herself (Billy Idol fans, anyone?), head bopping slightly to music nobody could hear, but she went ignored by everyone. Weird wasn't the word for her, but Lash actually liked that. It was nice to see someone with a streak of insanity in them like that. And if it wasn't insanity he didn't know what else to call it.

"Basketball!" Coach Houser snapped, spit flying as he gained attention from both the boys and the girls. "I'm sure everyone here knows the fundamentals of it; and if you don't you should get out of this class now."

A girl with an eyebrow ring raised her hand, and he cocked his head at her.

"Um, like -- don't we need this class to graduate?" she asked.

Keep talking like that, Lash thought, And you'll never graduate.

As Coach Houser answered her question and then started rambling, Lash slowly looked towards Marion again. The female coach had disappeared -- it wasn't her class, they just needed a supervisor in the girls' locker room. Marion'd stopped her slight headbanging and was now tracing designs on the floor with an index finger. Morgan was waving his hand shortly, keeping it lowered, and looking back up at the coach every now and then, trying to get her attention -- wasn't working.

"Now," Coach interrupted Lash's thoughts. "Today is merely practice; for fun as some of you would call it. No rules, just game. And Shady Oaks, since they strive to be different, have me teaching you basketball and volleyball in the same week. So today, you'll be playing the game of your choice for recreation."

It was like a broken record almost, and Lash rolled his eyes. Shady Oaks strove to be different? Different would've been a round of Save the Citizen. God how he missed that game.

"So let's get started." Coach Houser said, glancing at them. "First, let's get it settled who'll be playing what? Basketball on this side of the gym, volleyball on this one." He gestured to both sides as he spoke.

Immediately, people got up and started to scramble. Lash straightened, brushing his pants off, and going towards Morgan who was instinctively heading towards Marion. Most of the girls had rushed to the volleyball nets that were set up, while the boys seemed to prefer basketball.

"Hi Marion." Morgan said brightly.

She smiled. "Morgan." her eyes flickered to Lash. "Not another class."

He smirked half-assedly, before gesturing to the gym. "What are you guys in for?"

"Well not basketball -- those guys are jerks." Morgan said.

"Eh, I hate volley -- " Marion started to say.

"Basketball it is then." Morgan said before turning and starting towards the male dominated side of the gym.

Lash grinned to himself as he and Marion lagged behind, and he side-glanced the blonde.

"Is he always this excitable?" he asked.

Marion nodded, then smirked. "I can think of someone else who's just a tad excitable."

He stopped in his tracks and she turned to him, quirking an eyebrow as if she saw nothing wrong in what she'd just said.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry." she said quickly after he just stared at her. "I can't help but talk about it -- I was flattered."

He snorted and started walking again, and she followed quickly. "I don't care how flattered you were." he said. "I'd like it if you forgot about it."

She sighed, but she nodded, and no more words were spoken as Coach Houser pulled a small cart of basketballs out of the closet.

"You know the basics." he snapped to a group of muscleheads who were snickering about something. "If I see any rough-housing you're out for the rest of the day."

And without so much as another word, he started for the girls with some volleyballs in his hands. Everyone made a dash for the basketballs, and Lash started to reach for one from his spot, but realized what he was doing and froze. That wasn't such a good idea either, because now he was just standing there with an arm out in front of him. Marion raised her eyebrows while Morgan's furrowed, and Lash gave a slight laugh, wiggling his fingers and pretending to crack his wrist. This 'no powers' bullshit was hard.

Few minutes later, the three of them had one slightly deflated ball (the last one left), and a rusty hoop to play with for the rest of the class. Morgan was struck with the sudden need to relieve himself, so he scampered off to Coach Houser to get him to unlock the locker room for him. Marion had the ball and was dribbling it as best as she could, but her mind seemed elsewhere's as she hummed lightly to herself. Lash didn't even think it was a real song she was humming, but hey, whatever floated her boat.

"Mind passing the ball?" Lash asked. "I would like to participate today."

She rolled her eyes. "As if anyone would want to participate in this class." she said.

"You are."

She smirked. "I have to." she said. "Gotta keep my G.P.A."

He rolled his eyes this time, and snatched the ball from her hands before making a shot. She put her hands on her hips, and cocked an eyebrow, while he tried not to notice the way this stance pushed her chest out. He did not need a repeat of second period.

"Two points." he said to her before quickly catching the ball as it slid through the net.

"Didn't know we were playing for points." she said.

He started dribbling and shrugged casually. "Well now you do." he said.

She shook her head, but was smiling. "Alright." she said. "I bet I can beat you."

He pushed his lips out and made a noise reminiscent to a raspberry. "Yeah right," he said. "You couldn't beat me if I was blindfolded."

"I wouldn't make such assumptions, Joshua." she said, and in his moment of irritation at his real name, she took the ball back, and shot.

He rolled his eyes as it slid through the net and she caught it again, moving away from him.

"Pure luck." he said.

She shrugged dramatically and started dribbling again. "Alright, alright," she said, watching the ball. "That time didn't count; neither did your goal. Let's start over and come up with some rules for this little one-on-one thing."

Lash crossed his thin arms over his chest and raised a brow as he watched her. She seemed to think she was hotshit with that ball; and he wouldn't admit to her that she was actually pretty good. Who would've thought?

"Okay," he said, "Rule number one, there are no rules."

He made a move for the ball and she spun, keeping her back to him. He followed closely behind her for a moment as she slowly neared the net, ball bouncing, and smirking at the only rule he'd decided on, he reached around and hit her arm with light force. She protested, but he'd gotten a hold of the ball and shot, sinking it into the net again. He loved the fact that his dad had been almost a pro.

"No rules, sweetheart." he said, grabbing the ball before it hit the floor.

She smirked. "Well aren't you Rico Suave?" she asked.

Suave made him think of Morgan, and he looked around to see if the kid was coming back yet. Marion suddenly bumped into him with her hip harshly, and he went sprawling to the floor, dropping the ball in surprise. She quickly grabbed it and made another basket (almost missing when it hit the backboard, but fortunately for her it fell in). When she caught it, she placed it on her hip, and looked down at him -- he was still on the floor in mild surprise.

"No rules, sweetheart." she said with a pant.

He smirked, liking this competitive side of her and stood up, brushing himself off again. He pretended to see something behind her. "What's the matter Morgan?"

She turned, and while she was caught off guard, he snatched the ball from her hands again, and completed a right side layup. When he landed, they both caught sight of Morgan finally coming out of the locker room, and Marion looked at him with a quirked brow. For some reason she seemed impressed, but Lash wasn't going to complain as his ego skyrocketed.

The rest of class went by smoothly, and Lash won, fourteen to six, because he was used to playing games like that dirty, with the no rules rule. Morgan had stood by them, watching, pretending to be in the game whenever Coach Houser came by, but for the most part he mainly encouraged Marion to beat Lash. The little shit, Lash had thought with a smirk.

"You got lucky today." Marion said as they returned the ball to the cart last, and other students rushed towards the locker rooms.

"Whatever." Lash said, "Don't get mad cause I'm better than you."

She smirked and lightly hit his arm. "I let you win." she said.

He rolled his eyes, but gave her a grin before they separated.

"I didn't know she was so good at basketball." he said to Morgan as they neared the locker room.

Morgan nodded. "I lose to her everytime."

Lash smirked, trying to imagine little ol' Morgan trying to block a shot, but before he could say anything, a burly jock rushed past them, shoving Morgan and almost knocking him down. Lash quickly grabbed Morgan's shoulder to steady him, before starting after the musclehead. It wasn't the fact that he'd pushed Morgan, no, he'd probably let that slip -- he'd pushed him. Nobody pushes Joshua Christian Ford. He reminded himself never to say his full name, even to himself.

"Hey jackass." he said, entering the locker room after the sport-o. As soon as you passed through the door you found yourself in a small hallway that led to the actual lockers.

The other boy turned on his heel, looking confused, but he smirked coolly as he caught sight of Lash.

"What?" he asked.

He had one of those deep voices that made you think of the idiots in those teen movies. He put his hands on his hips and cocked his head at Lash, seeming almost amused at the new kid standing up to him.

"Aren't you gonna apologize?" Lash asked, even though he knew that wouldn't happen.

"To him?" the boy asked pointing to Morgan, "No way."

"Yeah, and to me." Lash said, only saying 'yeah' because Morgan was directly behind him, "Your fat ass almost bruised my shoulder when you pushed past me, can't imagine what it did to him."

"So suck it up you pansy." the sport-o said, earning a laugh from one of the other jocks in the class who stood behind him.

"How about I tell you to suck it up when you're bloodied and bruised and crying to your mommy?" Lash asked -- not the best comeback, but he was a bit rusty since he'd done time in jail.

As a silence swept over everyone however, Lash knew he'd made a wrong comment. The sport-o's doofy grin had faded, and he was now glaring as he advanced on the skinnier boy. Lash squared his shoulders and tried to push out his chest some to appear more, he didn't know, manly or something.

"Nobody talks about my mother." Sport-o said in a menacing tone. "Especially not little dipshits like you."

Lash made a face. "What are you gonna do about it?" he asked. "Cry me a river?"

The musclehead brought his arm back, fist clenched, and Lash swore he saw his life flash before his eyes. But a harsh voice suddenly cut the air.

"Riley; what do you think you're doing?"

Coach Houser appeared next to them, clearly pissed off. Sport-o gave Lash a final glare before he turned and stalked off for his locker. The coach looked to Lash now.

"Ford; this is your first day here." he said firmly. "I hope you don't have this behavior every period -- don't make me regret having you in my class."

Coach Houser turned and walked away as well and Lash sighed, shoulders sagging as he started for Morgan's locker, the smaller boy on his heels.

"I can't believe you did that!" Morgan exclaimed in a hushed tone. "Nobody ever stands up to him."

Lash sat down on the bench before he remembered something. "His last name's Riley," he said. "Was that Andy Riley?"

Morgan opened his locker and started to get dressed. "You know him?" he asked.

"No." Lash said slowly. "I've just..heard about him."

The next day went by smoothly, despite the fact that Marion's lime green pantyhose were really distracting. The brown skirt she wore didn't even tone it down a little. Lunch was spent with Morgan inviting both her and Lash to go bird-watching with him, to which they politely declined. At the end of the day, Lash caught up with Marion who was getting upset because she'd just missed her bus.

"You can come to my house." Morgan said quickly.

Marion sighed. "I don't have time." she said. "I have to get home."

"My mom could give you a ride." Lash said, praying for once since his release from prison his mom would be nice and take her home. He made a face. "Well, I'd have to ask."

"Really?" she asked, shoulders sagging slightly in relief. "Do you think she'd mind?"

Lash shook his head. "Nah," he said, though in his mind a voice said, I hope not.

With a defeated sigh, Morgan shifted his backpack. "I'll see you guys tomorrow then." he said.

They said their farewells before Lash led Marion to his mother's car, which, like the past few days, was stopped at the curb. He opened the passenger side and leaned in slightly, meeting his mother's raised brow at Marion.

"Mom, this is my friend Marion." he said to her, speaking slowly as though she had a problem understanding. "She missed her bus, and it would mean a lot to me if you gave her a ride home."

Mrs. Ford had never seen her son looking so sincere that for a moment she was shocked; flabbergasted if you will. She nodded after a pause, and Lash gave her a half-smirk before straightening to nod at Marion with an almost pride.

"Your chariot." he declared, pulling open the back door.

Marion beamed and for a moment Lash envisioned her giving him a kiss on the cheek, he may have even leaned in slightly, but she only thanked him verbally before sliding into the seat.

"So...Marion," Mrs. Ford said as she pulled her BMW away from the school. "Are you in any of Lash's classes?"

"Mm-hmm." Marion replied in her bubbly tone as she watched the scenery pass, and Lash secretly watched her in the mirror on his side. "Three in fact."

"Well that's nice." Mrs. Ford said, side-glancing her son. "Need someone to set this boy of mine straight."

Marion grinned and met Lash's eyes in the mirror so he quickly looked away, groaning at his mom for saying something like that, but his mother ignored him.

"I bet he isn't that bad." Marion mused.

Mrs. Ford shook her head very slightly. "If only you knew."

The rest of the ride went by in silence and Lash felt his eyes widen as they pulled up to Marion's house. It was painted an ugly sky blue color with dark blue shutters, and the front yard was full of dying grass and strange lawn ornaments. They didn't stop at flamingos and gnomes -- there were deer, geese, rabbits -- Lash even saw a beaver ornament.

"Thanks for the ride Mrs. Ford." Marion said, opening her door.

"Anytime dear." Lash's mom said seemingly unaffected by the circus they'd just pulled up to.

"See you in English, Lash."

He felt his eyes narrow as Marion slipped from the car. She'd put a special emphasis on the word 'English' that went unnoticed by his mother. She was reminding him of the day before.

"Nice girl." Mrs. Ford said as they watched her pick her way through her crowded yard. "A bit...eccentric, but nice."

Lash nodded slowly. "I'd hate to see this place in Christmas," was the only response he could muster.

Without another word, Mrs. Ford started home.

I know, it's moving slowly. That's the way I work. But I hope you still like it.