A/N: Sorry it took so long to update! I've been sick with the flu! Yuck! I've missed 4 days of school. Normally, I would be glad for a break, but this means two very bad things: 4 days of makeup work, and I have to take semester tests. Poo! Anyway, I want to apologize to all my readers for the wait, and also to the readers of Broomsticks…um, I'll update on that if I can. It all depends. This story is the one I'm focusing on right now, but I'll turn to Broomsticks soon. Anyway, enjoy chapter…42, right? I lost count (now that's sad, LOL)!

Choices

Chapter Forty-Two

"Ahh…hello, Mr. Long," began Rotwood slowly. Ignoring the look on my face that clearly said, "Go away," he rudely pushed my aside and stepped into my house. "I decided to drop by your house today, Mr. Long, because I haven't seen you in my classroom in nearly three veeks. I vant to know vhy," he continued as I slammed the door behind him, irritated.

"Look, Professor Rotwood," I said, trying to keep things on reasonable terms, because I really didn't want to make a scene—especially in front of Rose. "I've been sick…I mean, I was in an accident, and then…" I faltered. He was just looking at me, amused. He didn't seem to be buying it. Luckily, I heard footsteps coming down the hall. I was saved from answering that particular question (for the time being) by Rose.

"Jake, who was it? I—oh…" she muttered, eying Rotwood. "Um, how are you, Professor?"

"Rose," he began, "I haven't seen you at school in three weeks either…"

Rose reddened, obviously trying to think of a reasonable excuse, but (thankfully), Mom entered the room at that moment.

"Ah, Mrs. Long," said Rotwood gleefully.

"Oh, Professor Rotwood!" said my mom, looking a little flustered at the fact that my Mythology teacher had just invited himself into our home. "What are you doing here?"

"Oh, vell, I couldn't help but notice zat you son hasn't been to school in zee past three veeks. I merely came for an explanation."

"Oh, well—you know, he—" my mom stammered. She, not unlike Rose and I, obviously hadn't foreseen this particular issue.

At that moment, the front door was flung open, and Dad came in, just arriving home from work. Apparently, he had heard the last part of the conversation, for he said, "Why Jake hasn't been at school? Why, he's been very ill. I'm not sure exactly what went on, though. I think I was sick as well. Hallucinating."

"Really?" said Rotwood, suddenly interested. "Vhat kind of…vhat you say—hallucinations?" I couldn't help but notice that he was looking at me eagerly.

"Heck, I don't know. Some sort of giant flying lizard—purple…and there was a red one too. Why do you wanna know? I thought you were a Mythology teacher, not 'health science'."

"He doesn't," I said shortly. Before he could say anything else, I continued. "In fact, I think he was just about to leave."

"Yes," said my mother quickly, looking at her watch. "I am terrible sorry, Professor Rotwood," she said (although she didn't look sorry in the least bit), "but we are very busy. Jake and Rose were in a terrible accident, and are only now recovering…and then—" she faltered, then said, "Good day, Professor."

"Ah, of course," said Rotwood, looking disappointed. As he turned to leave, however, I noticed a gleam in his eye as he turned back around and addressed my mother. "Before I go, could I have a quick vord vith your son?" He looked at my mother and added, "About his assignments."

That interested Mom. "Yes, please do," she said quickly.

"Oh! I just remembered—I left zee books and assignments in my car. Come vith me to get zem, if you vill, Jake."

I looked at my mom, and to my disappointment, she nodded. I had a feeling that he didn't want to discuss homework. And I was right.

He led me to the side of the house, out of view of the windows, and said, "Okay, tell me your secret. I know zat zere is somezing you are hiding! Somezing magical. Zat day—vhen zee dragon disappeared—you vere zere in its place…zere is no way zat at zirteen year old fool could get a dragon out of zee truck and hide him away! And in zee park—vith your grandfather and girlfriend—I know zere vas a leprechaun! So vhat are you hiding? Tell me now, and it vill save you lots of trouble."

"Look, Professor," I said shakily, for it seemed like this time he was really onto me, "I don't know what you're talkin' about, I—"

I didn't get to finish, for at that moment, to my complete surprise, Rotwood did something that I would never suspect of him, even though he was psycho. He gripped me tightly by the shoulders and shook me roughly. "Hey!" I yelled.

"I zink you do know!" he snarled. As he was shaking me, and I trying to get away, the front door opened, and my dad poked his head around the corner of the house.

"Professor Rotwood!" he yelled, and Rotwood stopped shaking me and released me instantly. But my dad had seen enough. It was then when I saw a whole new side to my dad, saw him do something I never thought possible. He lifted a fist and punched Rotwood in the face. "Get out!" Rotwood backed away, clutching his bloody nose, and giving me one last dirty look, hastily ran to his car and got inside.

As he drove off, my dad yelled after him, "If you ever lay a finger on my son again, I'll show what pain really is!"

"Thanks, Dad," I said. And for the first time in a long while, I felt close to my father. I knew that the time was coming. I had to tell him. Tell him everything. He needed to know. "Dad?" I said, "Why don't we go inside? There's something I—I mean, we—need to tell you." I felt good about my decision, but for some reason, I couldn't help but feel as if I were escaping from one problem and diving into another. But, I realized as I walked inside with my dad, that was exactly what my life had become.

A/N: Okay, so what did you think? Please read and review, and I'll update ASAP—but not Saturday 'cuz I'm going to a concert! It's called Winter Jam and my all time favorite singer, Toby Mac, will be there! *claps vigorously* yay me! C-yall soon!

~Emachinescat ^..^