A Street Over and a World Away

Chapter 7: The Party

"So, how long do you have to wear that boot?" Jackson asked Isaac as they pulled out of the school parking lot. Jackson had insisted that Isaac meet him here instead of down the block like normal.

Isaac looked up, confused. Why did Jackson want to know that? It didn't really affect him. "At least till my follow up appointment in two weeks."

"Cool," Jackson answered with a slight nod. "Can you take it off to sleep?"

"Uh, yeah."

"That's good. Must be more comfortable."

"Yep." What the fuck?

"So how was your algebra test?" Jackson asked.

Isaac breathed a sigh of relief. Talking about homework and tests was normal for them. "Good. Pretty sure I got at least a C, maybe better."

Jackson frowned. Isaac knew a C wasn't up to his standards, but it was good as far as Isaac was concerned, especially considering he had been outright failing the class until Jackson started tutoring him.

"We'll work you up to an A."

"Okay...uh, thanks."

Jackson turned in his seat and smiled – fucking smiled – at Isaac. "Sure thing."

They fell quiet and Isaac realized that their silences had morphed yet again. When they had first started riding together, the silence had been hostile and defensive. Then it had gradually mellowed into regular, standard silence. Today, however, the silence was tense. Isaac could practically feel Jackson trying to think of something to say, and he felt a similar pressure. Were they supposed to start making small talk when they were in the car now? Isaac hated that notion. He didn't like to make small talk with anyone, and Jackson certainly wasn't an exception.

"I don't really feel like going home and seeing my mom. You wanna go grab a bite to eat somewhere?" Jackson asked.

"What are you doing?" Isaac asked, narrowing his eyes on Jackson.

"What?"

"Why are you being...nice?" Isaac asked.

"I'm just trying to make an effort."

"Why?"

Jackson sighed and glared at Isaac. It was a relief...until he spoke. "You're my brother. I would like to get to know you."

"Why?" Isaac asked.

"I just told you." Jackson gripped the steering wheel and took a sharp turn, jostling Isaac around in the car.

"That's not a reason," he answered, frowning and folding his arms. "You've been a dick to me my whole life. Now suddenly just because you found out we have some genetics in common you wanna be my friend? Fuck that."

"You're un-fucking-believable Lah– Isaac. You're actually pissed that I'm being nice to you?"

"I'm pissed because of why you're being nice to me." Isaac shook with anger. "Nothing's changed. You don't wanna get to know me because you think I might be an interesting person or fun to be around."

Jackson laughed and gave Isaac an incredulous look. "Dude, I'm trying here, but you really aren't an interesting person or fun to be around. You're boring, antisocial, and kind of a dick."

"Yeah, well you're an entitled, arrogant asshole who doesn't give a shit about anyone but yourself!"

Jackson pulled into the driveway and slammed on the brakes. "Get out of my car!"

"Gladly!" Isaac jumped out of the vehicle and slammed the door.


"I hate him," Jackson said to Danny as he lay on his bed talking on the phone.

"But you guys are doing better. I think he actually had fun with us today at lunch," Danny answered.

"I know. I tried, but it didn't work," Jackson said. "I'm just going to pretend I never found out and let things go back to the way they were."

Danny sighed into the phone before answering. "Seriously? You've only been trying for all of ten hours and you've had, what, three conversations with him during that time?"

"Yeah, and he was horrible every time," Jackson answered.

"Dude, you didn't even like Aiden until you had known him for almost a year. Now he's one of our best friends."

Jackson huffed. "What's your point? I've known Isaac my whole life, and I still don't like him."

"Yeah, but you've only not been a dick to him for one frickin day."

Jackson grumbled. "So you think I should give it a second day?"

Danny laughed. "No, I think you should give it at least a few weeks before you even expect any improvement."

"Seriously?! I have to be nice to him for weeks?!"

"I'm afraid so." Danny laughed again but then grew serious. "Look, Jacks, I know what happened to you sucks and was completely unfair. That's why I'm not on you to make up with your parents right away. Of course you're angry with them, and they deserve it, at least for now, but you've wanted to know your biological family since you first found out you were adopted. Don't throw this chance away just because it's hard. It's not like you to be such a quitter."

"A quitter?! I'm not a quitter!" Jackson knew full well that Danny was baiting him and...well he kind of appreciated it.

"Okay, then think of your relationship with Isaac like lacrosse. You gotta keep practicing or you're going to screw up and lose when it's game time."

Game time. Jackson nodded. That made sense. He could win any game if he had a strategy and enough time to practice.

"Thanks man," Jackson said quietly.

"You got this, Jackson," Danny answered.


"–and I don't wanna go to my dad's trial or deal with Jackson. I just wanna be left alone." Isaac folded his hands in his lap and looked up to see Dr. Johnson's reaction as he finished filling her in on the major developments in his life.

It was Friday morning and the Whittemores had pulled him out of school for an 'emergency session' with Dr. Johnson because they couldn't get him an appointment over the weekend and felt that waiting until his regular appointment next week was too long. Isaac agreed. He was starting to like his sessions with Dr. Johnson. It was nice having someone objective and non-judgmental to talk to about his life, and with the triple bombshells of his father's trial being next week, the revelation that Jackson was his twin brother, and the fact that the Whittemores wanted to adopt him, he needed a therapy session now more than ever to work through his feelings.

Dr. Johnson nodded and was silent for a few moments before speaking.

"What do you feel when you think about your dad's trial?" she asked.

Isaac shrugged. "I dunno, just that I don't wanna go to it, and I certainly don't want to be involved in it."

"But what if he's acquitted?"

Isaac did a double take and glared at her. That was impossible. "He can't be acquitted. He's guilty."

Dr. Johnson set aside the pen and pad she used for notes and leaned forward in her chair. "I've testified in numerous court cases during my career."

Isaac nodded, recalling that that was how Mr. Whittemore had met her in the first place.

"The legal system isn't perfect. It can't be, and the burden of proof has to rest on proving guilt not innocence. That means that sometimes guilty people aren't convicted." She took a breath and held eye contact with Isaac. "But it does help when victims testify."

"Are you saying if I don't testify and he gets off it's my fault?" Isaac folded his arms across his chest, fists clenched at his sides.

"No, of course not," Dr. Johnson answered in a soothing tone. "I'm just saying there is something you can do to improve the odds that justice will be served, and you owe it to yourself to do it. All that aside, I'm afraid you don't really have a choice since you've been subpoenaed. But it might be helpful to think about it as something you're doing for yourself rather than something you're being forced to do."

"But..." Isaac stared at the wall behind her chair as he answered. "But if I mess up and he gets away with it, that will be my fault...and then if they send me back to live with him...he'll get even." Isaac trembled and fought a cold wave of nausea. "And I'll...I'll lose the Whittemores. I don't want that. I want to stay with them. I want them to adopt me like they said."

"Then you need to say that on the stand, Isaac."

Isaac shook his head. "I can't say any of that with him looking at me." He hung his head and stared at the plush carpet between his feet. "If Dad's looking at me, I think...I think I'll lie for him. I don't want to, but I think I will."

"It's okay to feel that way."

He looked up, surprised by her response. "It is?"

She nodded. "You spent years lying to protect him. That's a tough habit to break, but you do need to break it. You need to be honest about what happened and demand that he be held accountable."

"But I can't," he whispered, sure he would throw up or pass out just talking about it.

"Talk to your family, Isaac. They'll help you through this if you let them."

Isaac closed his eyes and nodded.

"That includes Jackson."

His eyes snapped open and he gaped at her.

"He hates me!"

"Do you really believe that?" Dr. Johnson inquired, brow raised. "Because it doesn't sound like that to me."

"Fine." Isaac folded his arms and pursed his lips. "He doesn't hate me anymore, but for the wrong reasons."

"Why don't you ask him and your parents to come with you for a group session? I'd like to meet him, and I think it would be good for the four of you to sit in a neutral environment and discuss your issues."

A smile tugged at the corners of Isaac's mouth, and he felt a wave of self consciousness at the way she had referred to the Whittemores as his parents. It was a nice thought, but he knew it was premature and he couldn't afford to get his hopes up any higher than they already were. "Jackson's parents already asked him about a group session, and he said no."

"Did you ask him?"

Isaac frowned and shook his head. She gave him a meaningful look but then let the subject drop.

"So, are you looking forward to that party you said Jackson is having after the game tonight?"

Isaac laughed. "Oh, I'm not going to that."


Jackson scanned the visitors section of the Riverdale bleachers as he waited with his team for the championship game to start. His chest clenched in disappointment as he spotted his mother and Isaac sitting by themselves in one of the front rows.

"I guess something must have come up," Aiden said with too much kindness in his voice as he clapped a hand on Jackson's shoulder and squeezed.

"Shut up," Jackson answered, glaring at his teammate and channeling his disappointment into anger. It would be more useful for the game.

"At least your brother's here," Aiden added after glancing around to make sure no one else was listening.

"Seriously. Shut the fuck up!"

Thursday night after Jackson's conversation with Danny, Lydia had come over and confronted him about why he had wanted to sit with Isaac at lunch and why he was behaving differently toward him in general. He had admitted the truth because it was pointless to argue when they both knew she would eventually get him to tell her regardless.

This morning at school, Aiden and Ethan had likewise wanted answers, and Jackson figured he might as well tell them too since he was hoping they might have better insight into the situation than Danny and Lydia. They hadn't. All their advice had boiled down to was, 'Give it time' and 'It'll be okay because there's no other bond like the one between twins.'

Gee, thanks for those words of wisdom, dumbasses.

The worst part was that now Aiden was being weird, like he thought Jackson wanted his support or some shit. It was obnoxious, especially since Jackson hadn't confided in Aiden that he wanted his dad to come to the game. That meant Aiden was paying attention to his feelings just for the hell of it, and seriously Danny was the only one of his friends who was allowed to do that. Jackson was planning to pick a fight with Aiden if he didn't knock it off soon.

Jackson refused to smile as he caught sight of Lydia and Malia walking down the row Isaac and Jackson's mom were sitting on. Isaac was visibly startled as Lydia gave him a quick hug, greeted Jackson's mom, then sat down next to him.

A few moments later Aiden laughed and elbowed Jackson in the ribs. "Dude, your mom's awesome."

Jackson glanced back to see his mom reaching past Isaac and Lydia and handing Malia a silver flask. Malia took a swig and passed it back. Isaac looked as mortified as Jackson felt, and when their eyes met they exchanged a shared cringe.

"See, twins," Aiden whispered with another light jab to Jackson's ribs. "You guys are gonna be fine."

Aiden was spared Jackson's wrath as Coach blew his whistle, announcing it was time for the team to take their positions for the start of the game.

Jackson took a breath and shook his head, clearing it of absentee fathers, alcoholic mothers, antisocial brothers, obnoxious friends, and nosy girlfriends. They could all wait. Jackson had a lacrosse championship to win.


Isaac tensed at the raucous laughter coming from Jackson's open doorway. His plan had been to lock himself in his room and not come out until Jackson's party was over, but he had foolishly decided to fix himself a plate of snacks first. The party wasn't supposed to start for another half hour, but apparently Jackson's inner clique had arrived early.

Stay calm. Just go to your room. They'll ignore you.

"Hey Jackson, are you letting that loser-freak come to the party?" Theo Raeken asked in a voice just below a shout.

Isaac kept his head down and hurried to his room, fumbling with his snacks and drink as he opened the door. He could feel Theo's eyes boring into the back of his neck.

"Oh please tell me we don't have to put up with him. He's such a weird creep," Tracy Stewart, Theo's girlfriend, said in an equally loud voice.

"Fucking mind your own business," Jackson's voice barked at them. Isaac tried not to feel good about the way Jackson was standing up for him. It probably didn't have anything to do with him. Jackson was just embarrassed by Isaac and lashing out.

Isaac entered his room as a chorus of other voices erupted from Jackson's room, and he realized Lydia, Danny, and the twins were also arguing with Tracy and Theo. Great, now he was responsible for creating conflict in Jackson's friend group. That was bound to end well.

Isaac set his food on his desk and turned to shut his door, but before he could Danny and Ethan appeared in the doorway.

"Sorry about all that, man. Can we come in?" Danny asked.

Theo started to say something else, but Ethan cut him off with a "Fuck you!" and a raised middle finger.

Isaac didn't think he actually had the option of saying no to Danny's request, so he stepped aside and let them enter his room, shutting the door behind them.

"I am so fucking sick of that asshole," Ethan said as he bumped Isaac's shoulder before stepping past him and taking a seat on Isaac's bed.

Make yourself at home.

"Yeah, I think he's literally a sociopath. Just ignore him, Isaac." Danny patted Isaac's arm and joined his boyfriend on the bed.

Isaac sank into his desk chair and offered them snacks from his plate just for the sake of having something to say.

Ethan grinned and snagged a couple of Oreos while Danny took a cube of cheese.

Isaac expected the conversation to be awkward, but it wasn't. Danny and Ethan were both in high spirits coming off their championship victory and Isaac found that all he had to do to keep up his end of the conversation was make occasional comments about the game or compliment their performances and the team in general, which never failed to have them beaming at him.

"Just so we're clear, Jackson told us you guys are brothers," Ethan said after the three had finished reliving the highlights of the game.

"Oh." Isaac's eyes widened. He was borderline shocked that Jackson would want anyone to know.

"He's uh" –Danny paused and seemed to choose his next words carefully– "excited about it."

"Oh, I'm sure." Isaac couldn't help the sarcastic smirk on his face.

"He is," Danny insisted with a decisive nod. "He's always wanted to get to know his biological family. He really wants you guys to get along."

"It's true," Ethan added, looping his arm around Danny's waist. "He even asked me and Aiden for twin advice."

"Seriously?" Isaac couldn't imagine how that conversation had gone.

"Yeah, but obviously our situation is pretty different," Ethan answered.

You mean because you and Aiden can actually stand to be in the same room with each other?

As if to challenge Isaac's assessment there was a knock on his bedroom door, and before he could answer it or say anything, Jackson walked in.

"The party's starting. Lydia's already downstairs greeting people."

Danny and Ethan stood to leave, and Isaac found himself oddly disappointed. He had been legitimately enjoying their company and along with Lydia they were starting to feel like his first real friends.

Jackson cleared his throat and gave Isaac a pointed look when he didn't get up. "The party's starting."

"Yeah, come on, man," Danny said, tugging Isaac's arm.

"I'm fine in here," Isaac answered, resisting Danny's attempts to pull him to his feet.

"Quit being an antisocial loser and get your ass downstairs," Jackson ordered with a hot glare at Isaac.

"Dude!" Danny let go of Isaac's arm and swatted Jackson's. Ethan glared at him too.

"What? This is how I talk to people. He needs to get used to it."

"Oh don't worry, I'm used to it," Isaac answered, lacing his tone with sarcasm.

"Good. Now come on." Jackson grabbed his arm and yanked much harder than Danny had, pulling him to his feet. He was about to protest but Jackson gave him a half-smile and added a quiet, "Please."

Isaac shrugged and dropped his eyes, signaling his compliance. He would quietly sneak back to his room as soon as they ditched him.

...

...

An hour and a half later and he still hadn't had that opportunity. Jackson had separated from Isaac and the others almost immediately to make the rounds at his party – although he had wandered back a few times, and Isaac got the distinct impression Jackson was keeping tabs on him – but Danny and Ethan had stayed close and made it a point to include Isaac in their conversations with other people. Right now they were guiding Isaac through the thick crowd, Ethan in front of him and Danny behind him, each holding his hand, but despite their semi-comforting presence, Isaac was on the verge of a claustrophobic attack.

"You want a drink?" Ethan asked, raising his voice over the music and loud party-guests as the trio reached their destination, which turned out to be the kitchen.

Isaac surveyed the rows of Red Solo Cups containing unidentified cocktails. What had happened to Mr. Whittemore's pronouncement that there was to be no alcohol at the party?

"It's okay if you get drunk," Danny said, squeezing the back of Isaac's neck with one hand as he accepted a drink from Ethan with the other. "We gotcha, man."

Isaac shook his head and shrank away from the plastic cup Ethan offered him, leaning further into Danny's hand in the process.

"My dad's an alcoholic."

A look of horror crossed Ethan's face, and he returned both his drink and the one he had been offering Isaac to the counter. Danny reached forward and set his beside theirs.

"I'm sorry, I didn't realize that's why he..." Ethan trailed off.

"Jackson told you?" Isaac wished the floor would open and swallow him. Was that why they were being nice to him? Because they pitied the abuse victim?

"He told us before he knew you guys were brothers," Danny whispered near Isaac's ear. "And we won't tell anyone."

"Let's go outside," Ethan suggested, too lighthearted for it to be genuine. "Aiden texted me. He and Malia are getting in the hot tub. Lydia and Jackson are there too."

"You go ahead. I'm going back to my room," Isaac said, pulling away from Danny and taking a step away.

"Isaac–"

"Please," he answered, cutting Danny off with raised hands. "I had fun, really. I'm just tired."

Ethan and Danny frowned and exchanged looks but nodded. As Isaac turned to leave, Danny grabbed him and pulled him in for a hug. "We had fun too. Thanks for hanging out with us. We'll let Jackson know where you went."

Ethan wrapped his arms around Isaac as soon as Danny let him go. He squeezed him tight and leaned his chin against Isaac's shoulder.

"Gimme your phone," Ethan said as they ended the embrace.

Isaac pulled the device out of his pocket and unlocked it before passing it to Ethan. He programmed in his number, called himself, and passed it back to Isaac.

"I'll text you Danny's number," Ethan said, entering Isaac's info in his contacts, "and Aiden's and Lydia's too."

"Okay, thanks," Isaac replied, meaning it. He nodded at the couple one more time before turning and walking away.

He weaved his way through the noisy crowd, keeping his head down and doing his best to go unnoticed. He stomach sank as he re-entered the living room and realized there were at least fifty people between him and the stairs. Before he had gotten even halfway across the room, Liam stepped into his path with a determined look on his face.

A chill ran up Isaac's spine and he tried to back away but immediately bumped into someone as the path behind him closed.

"I've been looking for you." Liam's hand clamped around Isaac's wrist, and he wobbled on his feet. In his other hand, Liam held a Red Solo Cup, and Isaac was certain Liam was at least on his way to being drunk if he wasn't there yet. "We need to talk."

Isaac resisted the urge to yank his arm away. He wouldn't get far, and he couldn't risk pissing Liam off. He took a nervous breath and looked around, praying he would see Ethan and Danny, or maybe Lydia. Hell, he'd even have settled for Jackson or Aiden and Malia. Unfortunately based on what Ethan had said, they were all out on the deck in the hot tub.

"Come on." Liam's grip tightened and he stepped past Isaac, yanking him through the crowd and down the hallway to the entertainment room.

Isaac's fear was somewhat supplanted by irritation. Not only had Liam accosted him in his own home, but now he was dragging him around like he owned the place. Isaac had only lived here a couple months, but he had much more right to be here than Liam.

"Hey guys, can you give us a minute?" Liam said to the group of semi-drunk teenagers that already occupied the entertainment room, most of whom Isaac didn't recognize and none of whom he knew by name.

To Isaac's surprise not only did the group go along with Liam's request without complaint, but they also congratulated him on the game and made a fuss over him. Apparently being a starting player on the newly crowned state-champion lacrosse team conferred minor celebrity status to Liam. Isaac hoped Liam's victory had put him in a good mood.

"What's up?" Isaac asked, trying to sound calm and meet Liam's eyes but failing. He could hear the anxiety in his own voice and only managed to look Liam in the chin.

"I owe you an apology." Liam sounded more sober and serious than he had since they had crossed paths.

"What?" This time Isaac's eyes did snap up to Liam's, due entirely to surprise.

"I don't know if you remember but..." Liam frowned, and then he was the one dropping his eyes from Isaac's. "I'm sure you do. I lost my temper and attacked you in the cafeteria awhile back. I'm sorry."

"R-really?" Isaac asked. Shit. He should have just accepted Liam's apology and left.

"Yeah." Liam looked up and gave Isaac a sincere nod. "Look, I have this, um, condition. It's called Intermittent Explosive Disorder. Basically it's just a diagnosable anger problem. I fly off the handle sometimes and it's hard for me to control myself. I'm getting help for it, and I'm serious about getting better, but I just wanted you to know I regret what I did to you, and it's not gonna happen again."

"Wow," Isaac mumbled under his breath. He had no idea Liam had a medical excuse for being an asshole. He wasn't sure what to say. "Thank you. I, uh, accept your apology."

"Thanks man!" Liam actually grinned and slapped his shoulder in a friendly way. "I seriously do hate being a dick to people. Believe it or not, I felt like shit about what I did as soon as I calmed down." He frowned again and looked embarrassed. "I know I should have apologized sooner, it's just..." He chugged half his drink. "Well liquid courage, you know?"

Isaac smiled nervously and was about to make his excuses and leave, when Liam stepped closer and wrapped an arm around his shoulders.

"Come have a drink with me," Liam said, his voice casual again and borderline slurred now that he was relaxed. Isaac wondered if he would even remember apologizing in the morning.

"I don't drink," Isaac answered, keeping his posture rigid but not pushing Liam away. Despite what Liam had said, Isaac knew better than to provoke a hot-tempered drunk.

"That's okay, we'll getcha an OJ or somethin'." Liam drained the rest of his drink and chuckled as he dragged Isaac out of the room. "It'll be like a screwdriver but without the screw."

The 'driver' part of that statement put Isaac on edge as he let Liam take him back up the hallway. "Are you sleeping here tonight?"

Liam giggled and gave Isaac a lopsided smile. "Are you hitting on me?"

"What? No, of course not."

"'Cause I'm flattered and all, but I'm straight."

"I wasn't hitting on you."

"Then why were you asking where I'm sleeping?"

"I wanted to make sure you didn't drink and drive."

"Aww, dude!" Liam stopped as they entered the kitchen and pulled Isaac in for a hug. "You're a nice person."

Isaac scoffed and awkwardly patted Liam's back. "Tell that to Jackson."

Liam let go and shrugged. "Okay, I will next time I see him."

Liam grabbed a drink off the counter and then made a big production about hunting down some unspiked orange juice for Isaac, even though Isaac tried to convince him he was fine with water or nothing at all. By the time Isaac had his orange juice, Liam was on a new drink.

"To forgiveness and being a better person!" Liam said, bumping the rims of their plastic glasses together as he clung to Isaac's back with his other arm.

Isaac nodded and smiled at him, letting Liam lean into him and helping to support his weight. Liam seemed a lot less threatening now. Isaac doubted Liam could hurt him if he tried in his current state.

"Hey, have you guys met my friend Isaac?" Liam shouted as a group of girls walked into the kitchen. He stumbled over to them, dragging Isaac with him.

Twenty minutes and another drink later, and Isaac was the only thing keeping Liam standing. Isaac pried the cocktail out of Liam's fingers and replaced it with a bottle of water from the fridge, telling Liam it was magic alcohol water so he would drink it.

"Did you come with anyone tonight?" Isaac asked, fingers around Liam's hand so he wouldn't spill his water.

Liam gasped and then let out a sharp burst of laughter. "Dude, thaza really personal question."

"What?"

Liam shook his head and took a messy sip of water before answering. "I haven't come since Monday, 'causa tonigh's game. It's 'posed ta help if you're frustrated."

Isaac's cheeks heated in a blush as he realized what Liam was talking about.

"That's not what I–"

"Ya gotta stop hittin' on me when imma drunk...n horny."

"No, I wasn't–"

"I'm straigh but" –Liam shrugged and smiled playfully at Isaac– "I guess we can mess 'round a lil. Take me ya room."

"No, Liam, I wanted to know if I should tell someone."

Liam's jaw dropped and his mouth formed a giant oh-shape. "You should neva kiss n tell. Be a gizzleman, dude."

Isaac sighed and gave up trying to figure out if he should let someone know about Liam's condition. If he was riding with someone, or if they were riding with him, they were just out of luck. He tugged the half-empty water bottle out of Liam's fingers as Liam tilted it too far sideways and spilled.

"We goin' upstairs?" Liam asked, limp against Isaac's body as Isaac hauled them back to the living room.

Isaac considered his options and shook his head. "I don't think we'll make it."

"Can't wait for all this, huh?" Liam banged his head against Isaac's as he tried to whisper in his ear. "I workout."

"Come on, let's get you to the parlor. There's a comfy couch you can sleep on." Isaac was relieved that most of the crowd parted for them as they saw Liam's condition.

"Sleep!" Liam tried to clap his hands, choking Isaac's neck in the process. "Imma sleepy n didn even realize."

"You can go to sleep in a minute, but you gotta drink your water first, okay?"

"Is gone." Liam opened and closed his empty hand, as if expecting the bottle to reappear.

Isaac chuckled and held up the beverage as they stopped outside the parlor door.

"Hey! It really is magic!" Liam grinned and laughed with delight.

Isaac's stomach dropped as they entered the room.

"Well look at that. If it isn't the Whittemores' charity case." Theo smirked and folded his arms as he got up from the couch that Isaac had planned to take Liam to.

"Ugh! He's probably been following us around all night like a creeper." Tracy fake gagged as she rose to her feet and draped herself around her boyfriend.

Isaac tried to back out of the room, but someone entering behind him shoved him forward.

"Get out of the way, spaz!"

Isaac cringed as he recognized the voice of one of Theo's friends, Donovan Donati. Like Theo he enjoyed being mean just for the sake of it.

Isaac darted his eyes around the room, taking in the other faces. Josh Diaz was sitting in Mr. Whittemore's wingback chair, looking smug. Another lacrosse jock, Nathan Pierce had been sitting on the couch with Theo and Tracy and was now standing next to them, regarding Isaac with a predatory look.

"Maybe you should leave, man."

Isaac snapped his head in the direction of this new voice and realized Corey Bryant was in the corner of the room. Isaac hadn't seen him at first. Corey hadn't made his suggestion in a cruel way but rather nervously. Isaac wasn't sure why Corey hung out with this group at all. They treated him like shit and made him the butt of their jokes when they didn't have a more convenient target like Isaac around.

"Yeah, we were just leaving." Isaac tried to step past Donovan, but he pushed Isaac again, making him lose his grip on Liam.

Liam stumbled and took a slow fall, ending up sitting on the floor with his back against the coffee table. "Hey guys!" Liam waved and tilted his head backwards as he looked up at Theo, Tracy, and Nathan. "You're upside down."

"You're drunk, dumbass," Nathan told him.

Liam got a goofy smile on his face and nodded. "Yeah. Isaac was gonna take me ta bed, but imma jus sleep here." Liam folded his arms on the coffee table and put his head down.

"Excuse me," Isaac said quietly to Donovan as he tried to step around him.

As expected, Donovan shoved him away again. "Where do you think you're going?!"

"Hey watch it!" Josh shouted as Isaac tripped over his feet and landed on the floor on his ass.

"Goddamn it, you are such a klutz." Nathan kicked Isaac away as he bumped his legs.

"Let me help you." Theo bent and fisted the front of Isaac's shirt, yanking him roughly back to his feet.

"Can I go?" Isaac asked, careful to avoid meeting Theo's eyes and provoking him.

"Can I go?" Theo mimicked in a high-pitched voice. "No, you can't go, shithead. I'm tired of you fucking around with my friends." Theo lunged forward, slamming Isaac against the wall and pinning him there. "First Jackson and Lydia, then Danny and the twins. Now I see you flouncing in here with your hands all over Liam. What the fuck is your problem? You're like a disease infecting everyone with loseritis."

Theo laughed at his own dumb joke, and Isaac braced for the beating he knew was coming.

"You know what I think his problem is?" Tracy said, stopping Theo just as he raised his fist. "He's too uptight." She picked up a couple of half-empty red cups and poured one into the other. "I think he needs a drink – or ten – to loosen him up."

Theo smirked at her and took the cup. "That's a good idea."

"I don't drink," Isaac said in a quiet voice. He tried to push himself away from the wall, but Theo gave him just enough slack to slam him back again.

Theo cleared his throat loudly and spit into the cup.

"You'll drink this," he said, grinning darkly as he swirled the cup around, "and as many more as we say."


"You were incredible," Lydia whispered into Jackson's ear as she straddled his waist in the hot tub.

"Yeah?" Jackson ran his hand up her thigh under the water, his fingers grazing over the thin, sheer fabric of her bathing suit. "I did score more points than anyone else."

"I think you're going to score again before the night is over," she whispered, her breath hot against his earlobe.

"Hey, um, Jackson?"

Jackson flinched and looked up to see some nerd whose name he couldn't remember standing by the side of the hot tub looking at him. He recognized the guy as the loser who willingly subjected himself to Theo's abuse for the sake of being part of his little pack of assholes.

"What?" Jackson demanded, glaring at the guy.

"Theo...Uh, Theo–"

"Aww, did Theo hurt your wittle feelings?" Jackson asked with mock sympathy, pursing his lips in an exaggerated pout.

"Jackson!" Lydia slapped his chest and climbed off his lap. "What did Theo do, Corey?"

"He's bullying Isaac, and I thought maybe you'd wanna know since he lives here."

"What?!" Jackson sat up and climbed out of the hot tub. "Where is he?"

Aiden and Malia had been sharing the hot tub with Jackson and Lydia. They too untangled themselves and got out.

"He's in that room with the couch," Corey answered, taking a step back as Jackson and Aiden crowded him.

"Dude, there are like eight rooms in my house with couches, which fucking one?!"

"Uh, come on," Corey said, turning and motioning for them to follow him.

Danny and Ethan were making out near the sliding glass doors that led back inside the house. Jackson pulled them apart and gave Danny a serious look as he walked past. He heard Lydia filling them in on what was going on as he stormed through the house after Corey.

The 'room with the couch' ended up being the parlor. Corey stepped aside as Jackson flung the door open.

"You'll drink this and as many more as we say," Theo was saying to Isaac as he shoved a plastic cup in his face.

"What the fucking goddamn hell?!"

Jackson ran into the room and shoved Theo away from Isaac, causing Theo to stumble sideways and spill the drink in his own face.

The room erupted in shouts as Danny and the twins struggled with Josh, Nathan, and Donovan, while Lydia and Malia argued with Tracy.

"What's wrong with you?!" Theo threw the empty cup at Jackson's face and lunged for him.

As soon as Theo's hands connected with Jackson's chest, he twisted and flung him against the wall next to Isaac, who was still leaning where Theo had left him with a shell-shocked expression on his face.

"We're supposed to be friends!" Theo yelled, trying to break Jackson's hold. "But you're committing social suicide with this weird-ass antisocial freak!"

Theo made the mistake of reaching over and grabbing Isaac's arm.

"Don't touch him!" Jackson snarled and slammed his fist into Theo's face.

Theo gasped and sank to the floor as Jackson let go of him.

"He's my brother!" Jackson shouted. "And if you or any of your ass-licking goons so much as look at him wrong again I'll break every bone in your fucking worthless little bodies." He kicked Theo's legs and whipped his head around the room, making sure he had everyone's attention. "Now get the fuck out of my house!"

Jackson turned and grabbed Isaac's arm, reminding himself not to be too rough as he pulled Isaac away from the wall.

Aiden caught Jackson's eye and smirked at him as he shook Donovan, whose arm he had twisted behind his back. "You want us to take out the trash?"

"Yes, please," Jackson answered, smirking back at his friend.

"By the way, your nails are disgusting and your hair looks like a crow's nest," Lydia said to Tracy before turning on her heel and following Jackson out of the room.

-000–

End Note: Please let me know what you thought of this chapter. Feedback is always greatly appreciated.