Thanks for the kind reviews folks.

You know the drill, it's not mine :0(

Being small in both height and bulk, Tom Hanson and Harry Ioki were able to pass quite easily through crowds of teenagers pretty much unnoticed. Doug Penhall still looked reletively youthfull for his 27 years, but he was begining to look a little to old to pass for a high school student. Hanson and Ioki seemed to be practically ageless. So noone saw anything unusual when Tom Harris and Harry Choi entered their respective classes late that morning.

Tom walked into the classroom and imediately noticed the cocky teenager sat in the centre of the room surrounded by the other students and acting the big man. He shook his head and smiled to himself thinking that this was gonna be a walk in the park. He took the empty seat in front of the boy and in less than ten minutes Mike Powell came to introduce himself.

"Hey!", he began "You're new here right?"

"Yeah, Tom Harris" he said offering his hand.

"Mike Powell. I only transferred in a month ago so I know how you feel. It's actually not a bad place as schools go"

"Yeah, well I've had my fair share of schools and they all seem pretty much the same to me."

"Your parents move around alot huh?"

"Nah, I get kicked outta school alot!".

"Really? You don't look the type" he said surveying Tom's thick black rimmed glasses. "What did you do, put a tack on the teachers chair?" Mike said with a mocking smile on his face.

"Possesion!" Tom said confidentially

"Wow, you really don't look the type!".

"Well, it's not lilke I shot up in class you know. What about you? Your parents move alot?"

"Kind of. My Dad died when I was little. My uncles in jail. My Mom's the only family he has so we move around after him when he gets transferred".

"Must be tough"

"Yeah, but you get to see alot of new faces and places you know."

"Never get bored huh!"

"Me? Never, man, I make my own entertainment!" Mike said slyly.

"Really! So what do you do for entertainment around here?"

"Well that depends" Mike answered

"On what?" Tom asked.

"On what your poison is!". Mike pulled out a small bag containing white powder as he said this, showing it to Hanson.

Looking at this kid all Tom could think was how he couldn't belive this was going to be so easy. The guy offers him coke within ten minutes of meeting him. He gave Mike a small smile as he examined the bag.

"Bit much to be carrying to school huh?"

"I like to share." Mike replied with a wink. "You need anything, you know, my stores always open" he said ,a small knowing smile on his face.

"No thanks, I got my own sources."

"Oh yeah? Maybe you and I should talk!"

"Ok class settle down", the teacher said as he placed his overly decorative briefcase on his desk, "We've got quite a bit to get through. Ok, first where's Tom Harris"

Hanson looked up, trying to decipher the blurred shapes through the thick glasses he was wearing, looking uncomfortable and offering a slight wave.

"Straight A's in Advanced Maths at Emerson eh?"

"Well, only just", he replied modestly.

"Well, we'll expect the same from you here. Changing schools is no reason to let your grades slip".

"Yes sir!"

"Hey Tom!" Mike called as he hurried out the classroom an hour later.

"Yeah?"

"I'm a 'genius' when it comes to other stuff, but maths has never my strong point. You think you could help me out, maybe?"

"Sure, no problem" Tom said, forcing a smile, while all the time wondering how the hell he was gonna teach advanced maths. "Damn genius schools" he thought to himself as Mike helpfully steered him towards the next class.

"Powells our guy!" Tom told Ioki as they left the campus together in his Mustang.

"You sure?" Harry said stiffly

"Yep. He all but told me in our first class this morning, before the teacher was even in the room!".

"Good." Harry said. "We can get this done and get outta here!"

Tom glanced across at Harry. The scene back at the chapel had been playing on his mind all day and he wanted nothing more than to straighten this out. It seemed to have come from nowhere. Deffinately not the Harry Ioki he knew.

"Hey." he said. "I'm going to Penhall's later, you know few beers, pizza, wanna come?" he asked hopefully.

"Don't think so."

"You wanna talk Harry?"

"Not really." he replied, his voice cold and emotionless.

"Well, if you change your mind, I'm here you know."

"Aren't you always."

"Look Harry..."

"It's really not your concern Hanson. Now just drive will you, I'm not interested in talking and honestly, you're the last one I wanna 'spill my guts' to ok?" Ignoring the hurt and confusion etched in Hansons face Harry turned his full attention to staring out of the window in silence. He didn't want to hurt his friend, but he found he just couldn't stop. He had so much anger building inside and Hanson was an easy target.

The Mustang pulled away from the campus and the journey passed in uncomfortable and strained silence.

Later that evening Harry was alone his his stark almost empty appartment, his eyes moving intently over a piece of paper covered with waht looked like chineese symbols. A small smile touched his face as he read the words.

"I'll be there soon" he said to the silence as he reached for a blank sheet of paper with which to reply.

He let out a irritated breath when he heard a knock on the door. He opened it and looked straight into the eyes of Judy Hoffs.

"This a good time?" she asked

"Does it matter?"

"No"

"You'd better come in then".

"Do you wanna tell me whats going on yet?"

"There's nothing to tell."

"Well maybe you wanna explain why you think Hanson deserved that outburst. Come on Harry, I know you don't really think that way."

"Is that right?"

"Yeah. He's been nothing but a good friend to you Harry. I think you owe him an explination at least."

"You don't get it do you? I don't wanna owe him anything. I don't wanna owe any of you anything!" he spat.

"Well I guess that's your decision. But we've all had it rough recently and we need each other." she noticed the letter lying on the counter. "What's that?" she asked gently.

"A letter. It's from my Grandmother. Locke found her and we've been writing for a while now. She wants me to go home to Vietnam."

"Are you going?"

"Yeah. She's the only family I have left. I wanna get to know her again, take care of her."

"When?"

"I don't know, soon."

"Will you let me know before you do?"

"We'll see."

"Will you talk to Hanson?"

"Maybe."

"Harry..."

"Can you go know please. I'm kinda busy."

"Ok. Just remember Harry, you may need someone to be there for you someday. Who's it gonna be if you push everyone away?" And with that she left him alone with his thoughts.