"Truth Hurts"

Chapter 3

Thursday February 23

Lucas was awakened by his door opening at two o'clock in the morning. He opened his eyes and reached for his glasses on his night stand. He quickly put them on and sat up in his bed. He put on his lamp also on his nightstand only to find Marshall standing before him looking tired.

"Marshall where have you been, are you okay," asked Lucas. Lucas' concern did not go unnoticed. Why does he still care about me after what I said to him earlier tonight, thought Marshall.

"Me and Vaughn were at the police station answering questions," said Marshall.

"Why, what did you do," asked Lucas.

"We didn't do anything. We may have planned to beat up the guys that beat you up, but someone beat us to it," said Marshall.

"You and Vaughn were gonna do that for me?"

"I know it's weird about Vaughn, but is it so hard to believe I would do something about my best friend being put into the hospital?"

"Well no." There was a long pause then Lucas said, "Why did you think they pointed the finger at you and Vaughn?"

"Apparently a student came forward and said they saw us going into the woods at the time of the accident," said Marshall.

"Who do you think would do that," asked Lucas.

"I don't know, but I'm gonna find out," said Marshall.

"So why did they finally let you go," asked Lucas.

"Me and Vaughn both had alibis. The football coach and the players saw us at practice at the time of the crime," said Marshall.

"Was there any football player that wasn't at practice yesterday," asked Lucas.

"Yeah, I didn't see Stu Kubiak there," said Marshall.

Lucas just gave him a look, Marshall knew what he had to do.

It was seven in the morning and way too early for Josie to wake up. Her alarm clock was blasting a new song by her favorite band. She hated alarm clocks and she hated when her roommate Corrine set the alarm for her. At least she woke up to a good song.

She got up and went to her closet bobbing her head and playing the air guitar. After the song ended she turned the radio off, put on her uniform and left. She normally walked to her first class slowly and half asleep, but today she felt energized and ready for a fight.

She walked in to the science room to find all her science club buddies already there.

"Hey guys," she said with a smile. As she turned to sit down next to Corrine, her smile faded. She saw Madison and Vaughn sitting together and laughing. He didn't even acknowledge her.

"What is she so smiley about," Lucas whispered to Marshall. Marshall just shrugged his shoulders.

"Good morning class," said Principal Durst as she walked into the classroom. Everyone just moaned.

"And thank you for you enthusiasm," she said.

Josie couldn't pay attention to Principal Durst. All she could think about was what she had to do after class.

Josie rushed out of class as soon as it was over. She waited in the hall for her prey.

Vaughn and Madison walked out of the science room together. Josie stopped them.

"Vaughn, I need to talk to Madison alone."

"Why," Vaughn asked.

"It's okay. I'll talk to the midget," said Madison.

"Talk to you later," he said. He gave her a kiss on the cheek and walked away. Josie just made a face.

Madison walked back in to the science room. Josie followed and closed the door behind her.

"What do you want?"

"Did you tell Durst about me and Z?"

"You and Z? What are you talking about?"

"Oh don't play dumb with me. You told Durst you saw us kissing."

"I did no such thing, why do you think it was me?"

"Because you're a little witch and when Durst said a student told her we kissed, I immediately thought of you."

"So what if I did, we cant have a teacher like that at my school."

"Contrary to what you may believe, this is not your school, Madison. Professor Z was the best teacher at our school and you took him away from his students. That's why you're gonna go to Durst and tell her you lied."

"Oh I am, am I, And who's gonna make me?" You? Poor Professor Z, he probably quit so he wouldnt have to look at your ugly face again!"

"Oh that's it," Josie yelled. Josie grabbed her hair and pulled her onto the floor. Josie rolled on top of her and started choking her.

They didn't hear Principal Durst come in.

"What are you two doing? Stop that right now." She pulled Josie off of Madison.

"She started it," said Madison.

"Did not," said Josie.

"I don't care who started it. You will both be suspended for a week."

"Thanks a lot you evil midget."

"That's enough Madison, please go back to your room," said Prinicpal Durst.

As Madison walked out, Josie stuck her tongue out at her.

"Miss Trent, I suggest you go back to your room also and cool down," said Durst.

She went to her room and packed a bag. She was going to find Professor Z and bring him back.

Cafeteria

Marshall had to find out the truth. He couldn't picture Stu being violent outside of the football field, he was a nice guy. He wanted to give Stu a chance to explain.

"Stu, can I sit down," asked Marshall.

"Sure," said Stu.

Marshall put his tray down and sat across from him.

"I'm just gonna cut to the chase. I know what you did yesterday."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

Marshall noticed Stu's knuckles were all cut up. "How did you do that to yourself," asked Marshall. He pointed to Stu's hands.

"Football practice is really rough," he replied.

"I noticed you weren't at practice yesterday. Where did you go instead?"

"Nowhere, I was in my room, I didn't feel good."

"Really, well me and Vaughn saw you go into the woods, right about the time practice started," Marshall hated to lie but he had to find out the truth.

"Maybe it was someone who looked like me."

"Stu, just admit it. You beat up those football players. I'm not mad. I just wanted to say thanks, I could get you a great deal on a new cell phone." The lies continued.

"Alright I admit it, but it wasn't my idea."

"Someone put you up to it?" Marshall hadn't expected that.

"Yeah but I was sworn to secrecy," said Stu.

"I'll get you anything you want, if you tell me who it was."

"Alright, I'll tell you, but you can't tell anyone it was me who told," said Stu.

"Yeah I promise." Marshall put up his hand.

"She's going to kill me if she finds out I told, but it was Madison."

"You have to tell this to Durst and the cops," said Marshall.

"Sure thing, as soon as you get me what I want," said Stu.

"And what would that be exactly," asked Marshall.

"You're friends with Corrine, right," asked Stu.

"Yeah why," said Marshall.

"I was hoping you could convince her to go on a date with me," said Stu.

Marshall was more confused then ever.

Marshall got up and went over to the table Lucas and Corrine were sitting at.

"Hey guys," he said as he sat down next to Corrine and put his tray down on the table.

"Hey Marshall, any luck with Stu," asked Lucas.

"What do you mean," asked Corrine.

"Marshall thinks Stu beat up those two football players yesterday."

"Me? you think so to," said Marhsall.

"Ok so we think Stu did it," said Lucas.

"What makes you think Stu did it?" asked Corrine.

"Because he was the only player not at practice," said Lucas.

"Why do you think a football player did it," asked Corrine.

"Maybe because Stu just confessed to me," said Marshall. Marshall didn't want to tell Corrine about Stu's request just yet.

"He did? That wasn't too hard. That's great," said Lucas.

"What's great," asked Vaughn. He sat down next to Lucas.

"We're in the clear. We found out who beat up Chris and Danny yesterday," said Marshall.

"Really, who," asked Vaughn.

"It was Stu," said Lucas.

"What! No way. He wouldn't do that," said Vaughn.

"Not normally, and this is the craziest part, Madison put him up to it," said Marshall.

"Why would Madison want to beat up Chris and Danny," asked Lucas.

"To frame me. Remember what I told you, Lucas? The police found my watch next to Chris."

"Why would she want to frame you," asked Vaughn.

"I don't know, but you're going to find out," said Marshall. Lucas just nodded his head.

"Why me," asked Vaughn. "Cuz she likes you and trusts you," said Lucas.

"Where is Josie," asked Corrine.

"I don't know. Last time I saw her, she was talking to Madison," said Vaughn.

Josie walked out to the front of the school. She was about ten feet from the school when she stopped dead in her tracks.

She could not believe her eyes.

"Professor Z," she screamed in excitement. She ran up to him and wrapped her arms around him. She couldn't remember a time when she was more happy.

"What are you doing here," she asked after she pulled away.

"I came to see you," said Z. "Can we sit," he said and they sat down at the nearest table.

"So where were you? Durst told me you didn't show up at your old school."

"There's a lot that's happened and I can't tell you any of it."

"Of course you can. Alot has happened here too. Lucas..."

"We can get to all that later," interrupted Z.

"What's going on," asked Josie. "And who is that in your car?"

"That's my friend, Susan."

"Oh, is she why you didn't go back to your old school?"

"Well you see, I met her on the way to my old school."

"And?"

The tall, blonde woman got out of the car and walked towards them. She was wearing a pink pant suit. She was everything Josie wasn't.

Professor Z got up as she approached them.

"Is this one of your students," she said.

"Uh yeah, this is Josie." Professor Z was obviously flustered. They both sat down across from Josie.

"Well hello Josie, I've heard alot about you," said Susan.

"Wish I could say the same," said Josie. Susan just awkwardly smiled.

"Josie, this is my girlfriend Susan."

Josie felt like someone had just sucker punched her in the stomach

"Your what," Josie managed to say.

"My girlfriend." Professor Z could see Josie was hurt.

"That's great, I have to go." She stood up.

"Oh by the way, Principal Durst said you could have your job back." Josie turned and walked away. When she got back to her room, she plopped down on her bed and cried into her pillow.

Corrine walked in and didn't know what to do. She had never seen her roommate cry before.

"Josie are you okay?" That was all Corrine could think to say.

"No, not so much," she said into her pillow.

Corrine sat on Josie's bed. "What's wrong?"

Josie sat up and wiped the tears from her eyes. "He has a girlfriend," she sobbed.

"Who," said Corrine with a puzzled look on her face.

"Z has some tall, leggy blonde for a girlfriend."

"No way," said Corrine.

Madison's room

Vaughn knocked on Madison's door a little after 3 p.m.

"Hey Madison, whatcha doin?"

She got up from her desk and walked over to Vaughn. "Nothing, whats up?"

"We need to talk," said Vaughn sternly.

"About?"

They both sat on her bed.

"Did you ask Stu to beat up Chris and Danny?"

"No of course not, why would you even ask that?"

"Just a hunch," said Vaughn.

"You didn't have a hunch. Someone told you this. Who was it?"

"I can't say," said Vaughn.

"Was it Josie," asked Madison, he face turning red. "First she gets me suspended then she makes up this lie."

"It wasn't her, I swear, but I cant tell you who it was. So is it true," said Vaughn.

"Of course not," said Madison as she put her hand over her heart.

"Listen Madison, I know you did it so you better confess."

"I admit I put Stu up to it, but why should I confess to the cops?"

"If you do, I'll give you anything you want."

"Anything," Madison said with a smirk.

"Yes, anything," said Vaughn impatiently.

"You know what I want," said Madison with a smirk.

Vaughn knew what she was thinking. She got up from her bed and closed her door.

Professor Z's room

Josie went to Professor Z's room and knocked on the door.

"Professor Z are you in there," she called.

Z opened his door enough so Josie could see Susan inside.

"Hey Josie can I talk to you later?"

"It's ok, I'll just check out the school," said Susan. She slipped past Josie and walked out.

"So you got your job back?" asked Josie.

"Yes, I talked to Principal Durst and I start tomorrow."

"Too bad you won't be seeing me in class."

"Why?"

"I got suspended."

"Who did you fight with this time," asked Professor Z.

"Why do you just assume it was for fighting," asked Josie.

"Because I know you."

"It's funny how you think you know someone, but you come to find out you don't know them at all," said Josie.

"Listen Josie, we agreed to be just friends. Remember?"

"I know, it's just. Nothing. Forget it. So are you gonna live with your girlfriend in this tiny room?"

"As a matter of fact, we're going house hunting this weekend."

"Yeah good luck with that." Josie turned away and walked back to her room.

She bumped into Vaughn in the hall way.

"Sorry Vaughn, where are you going in such a hurry?"

"Back to my room."

"Were you working out? You're all sweaty."

"Uh, yeah I better go to my room and shower, see ya," Vaughn said. He walked past Josie and up the stairs.

When Vaughn got back to his room he noticed a white envelope sitting on his dresser. He picked it up and ripped it open. It was an invitation.

A/N: Hope you liked it. My next and final chapter will reveal all, I promise. Things will work out in the end and things will go back to normal. Please review and don't burn me if you're a Z/J, V/J or C/M or J/L shipper. There's a reason all this insanity is going on!