Hey. Yup, I'm back- with a vengeance. ;-) And now, a word to my loyal review-ers:

Kyoko Kasshu Minamino: Thanks for the support! I figured since the BB account is teaming over with Mary Sues, I might as well throw my two cents in- for Max, that is! ;-P

Hmm… I guess I'm not as popular as I'd thought… Oh well! XD

And I know I said before I was going to write about Chelsea, but I've changed my mind since. Don't worry, you'll still get to hear from the great Miss Cunningham, but not before I tie one more loose end…

$4$

Chapter 5: The Enemy

Looking back on it all, I really don't blame him. After seeing all these kids pass through my doors, whether they liked it or not, I've come to one mind-blowing conclusion: I really was the prick McGinnis made me out to be. To this day, I'm still surprised he never just beat the shit out of me for all the shitty things I've done.

I guess that only proves how much better McGinnis was in comparison to me. I mean, don't get me wrong. I've wised up since then; 12 years of teaching smart-asses like myself has taught me that much. But never, in a million years, did I ever think McGinnis of all people was actually better than me.

And I probably would've continued on this track, had I not had a surprising visit from said former enemy's little bro, Matt. Y'know, the one that looks like the spittin' image of McG- Terry?

Well, anyway, I suppose M-Terry had done something to piss the kid off, 'cuz what happens? He strolls through my door, at 2 o'clock, right after my last class for the day, looking angrier than ever.

To tell the truth, I had never really known Matt before this incident. All I knew was that he was Terry's younger brother and probably just as much of a pain in the ass as Terry was.

"You're the guy who used to fight with my brother all the time, right," It wasn't actually a question, but more along the lines of an accusation. At the time, it annoyed me a little, having the brother of a former punk-turned-saint accusing me of something.

I remember standing up, to show my full height of 6'3. That was typically how I'd get my more rowdier students to pay attention, as most of 'em hadn't had a proper growth spurt yet, that and a glare. It didn't really work out according to plan, because, after standing up, I found the kid was roughly my height, maybe a little shorter. Nonetheless, I wasn't particularly discouraged. I was wrestling coach, for God's sake.

"Yeah, whaddaya wanna know 'bout it?" I said, crossing my arms over my chest. The kid held my glare fast, but ended up breaking it in the end in order to pull up a chair to the front of my desk.

"What I wanna know is…" He seemed to be debating something before finally finishing, "Why'd ya hate my brother so much?"

Don't get me wrong. The question wasn't as wimpy as it sounded. He was still angry then, and the way he said it, and now, looking back at it, I think he was looking for a justification to be angry.

I was stumped, for a second. Why did I used to hate McGinnis so much? I hadn't been thinking of him at all within the past 17 years or so since graduating Hill High, so it was a minute or two before I'd finally responded.

"McGinnis and I never liked each other." It was a weak response, but it was the only thing I could think up on short notice. "Why?"

Now it was his turn to think. "We just had a disagreement, is all." He snapped back gruffly. "I just wanted to see… I wanted to see if he was just as much of a pain in the ass to you as he is to me."

Back in high school I would've jumped up to agree wholeheartedly that Terry was a pain in the ass, but since I was older, and, let's face it, a hell of a lot smarter, I knew better than to agree.

Because, really, when had Terry ever initiated those fights we'd had? Way back when we were wrestling, he had only thrown the first punch because I pushed him to do so.

I figured this out shortly after his comment. I had might as well be honest with him, even if I knew almost nothing "Kid, I don't know you, but I'll tell you this much: whatever your brother did, short of a murder, it ain't half as bad as the shit I pulled on him back in high school."

He stared at me, incredulous. The kid must've been expecting me to badmouth his brother, which might've explained the reason why he immediately jumped up, exclaiming, "Whaddaya mean! He was never there- and now that he is, and look what happens!"

I didn't bother asking what had happened- the kid was too hyped up to ever have given me a straight answer. Instead, I got to the point. "You're his brother. End of story. Right now, you're pissed. Most likely, it's pretty understandable, and I'm sorry he's screwed you over. But face facts: he is your only brother. You can't afford to alienate your own, blood, believe me, I know."

I then went on to explain something I had mentioned only to my wife, Bobbi. Senior year of college I was about to graduate with a masters in teaching, and I could honestly say my father was probably the least pleased of everyone I knew to find out my new career. To cut to the chase, I spoken to him since. And it sucks, knowing that you have a 7-month-pregnant wife and no grandfather to help teach him how to play ball.

McGinnis's brother actually listened to my short story. He hadn't seem much more pleased, but at least he didn't look like he wanted to murder someone. Luckily, it did manage to calm him down enough to explain to me some of the details. There had been some kind of fight involving their dad- hadn't he died way back in high school?- and now Matt was refusing to talk to McGinnis. I didn't ask for further details, and he offer them.

He left shortly after, but not before thanking me for listening to him rant and offering "a semblance of sanity". I wasn't sure what to make of that- Jesus, Max didn't speak like that- so I just let him go. Later, when I was through relaying this to my wife, she smacked for not being more hospitable.

Women.

Besides, what was I supposed to do? After all, he was a McGinnis.

$4$

Alright, I'll admit it: this was not one of my most sterling of chapters. It's more than a little messy, and I really couldn't get into the character like I had with Matt and Mary, and even Melanie. If there's someone out there reading this who'd like to offer to beta it, I'd be really grateful. This will be one of the few times that I will ask you please, please, PLEASE give some constructive criticism. Not "i reely liked it" or "it sux". If you hated it tell me WHY. If you liked it pick out specific parts. I'm not asking you to flame me, I do like some courtesy every so often, I'm just asking for a little bit of help. :-)

Also, I'm planning this next chapter to be the last of the series. I know, it's so sad. :-( But it's been a fun ride, and I hope you'll enjoy listening to Chelsea as our final Uncut character.