Chapter 6
"So, how does it feel to be out of jail? To have a record and everything that comes with it?"
Colt rolled his eyes as he turned from his locker to face Brett. Brett smirked back at him, resting his shoulder against the locker bay, watching his friend closely. "You know what? You really need to get your head out of that computer and into the real world. As you can see—" he stuck out his right leg and lifted the bottom of his jeans. "I don't have a monitor. I'm not on house arrest. I didn't even go to jail."
"Yeah, your dad would keep you out of it," Brett said matter-of-factly. Colt's eyebrows twitched upwards in mild amusement. He knew it was true. Their father being part of the FBI had as many perks as it had drawbacks. And, as it was, Brett was the only person he would let speak so frankly like that, usually because he had good reason for. "Just like Darryl's dad does for him."
And there it was.
Colt knew his bests friend enough to know there was something going on to bring up the conversation topic. Brett looked at Colt with raised eyebrows, eyes widening in slight surprise. "Don't tell me you haven't heard."
"Probably not, you know I don't really deal with gossip and boring shit like that," Colt replied with a wave of his hand. Nevertheless, he was curious.
"Rumor's going around that Darryl's been suspended for a little while," Brett explained. "Because of the whole drug dealing thing, from Harding." Colt made a noncommittal sound in the back of his throat, waiting. "There's more. He's not going to be out of school for long, his dad's been making promises left and right to make sure he still has his future."
At that, Colt dropped his head, briefly closing his eyes. That was the part of his father's job that he didn't like. His dad's partner, Jerry, had always been one of the family. Been like a second parent to him, hell, even a cool uncle. But his son, Darryl, had always been a bully to Colt and his brothers—even more so once Darren started in on the bullying, too. There was a point of contention anytime the families were going to spend time together, Darryl—quite literally—threw his weight around. Colt tried to get back at him, tried using his martial arts against him, but was swiftly shot down by Rocky, who at least had the patience to grin and bear the mistreatment from the bigger kid.
It brought a sort of tension between Sam and his partner that Colt had never seen before. They were best friends. Had been through fire fights and incidents that no one else would understand if they weren't part of the police family in some capacity. And yet, they don't let the way their sons interact affect each other. It was a good and bad thing, Colt was sure Jerry was embarrassed of Darryl, his actions, and the way he treated the Douglas brothers with nothing but contempt, but it wasn't something Colt would ever bring up to Jerry or his father.
All he knew was that Darryl deserved a harsh slap in the face of reality…and sometimes Jerry didn't let him have it.
"I know your dad's are pretty close but—"
"—Forget it, B." Colt waved a hand. "Jerry's awesome, his son's a dick. That's all there is to it."
Brett grinned. "You know some people would say the same thing about you."
"Yeah, but the only difference is that I know they say it about me. And I don't care." Colt closed his locker with a sharp slap of his palm. He flicked his hair from his face, grinning when a couple girls that were walking by looked at each other before giggling behind their palms. Brett rolled his eyes, shaking his head. "What?"
"Nothing," Brett replied casually. "But you didn't let me finish what I was going to tell you."
"Which is?"
"Heard Rocky got into a fight?"
At that, Colt laughed loudly, pressing his hand to his chest. "I know you're kidding. Not only would Rocky not get into a fight, but he also wouldn't get into a fight on the first day back at school." As soon as the words escaped his lips, a nagging, familiar feeling tinged at the back of his head. He frowned momentarily, shifting his gaze as he tried to figure it out. Why did that seem so familiar? Brett simply watched him carefully, eyes dancing with amusement, waiting for his brother. "Anyway." Colt shook his head, momentarily giving up. "What happened?"
"Nothing, according to you."
"B—"
"—Darren was antagonizing him, and Rocky used some of his ninja moves to get him to stop."
Colt grinned again. "Now I know you're kidding. Rocky doesn't get into fights. And her certainly doesn't get into fights using ninja. He almost won't let us practice in the backyard unless grandpa is there to watch, to make things fair." Suddenly, a sinking, sad feeling shot through Colt. He cleared his throat and looked away, thinking of his grandfather. Thinking of how unfair it was that his grandfather, who was a force to be reckoned with, was struggling with whatever illness he was dealing with. Technically, Colt wasn't supposed to know, and it was frustrating to keep it quiet, especially when Tum-Tum still bounced around without a care in the world.
There were many times Colt wanted nothing more than to beat his little brother to the ground just to get him to leave him alone, but he knew just how close Tum-Tum was to their grandfather and couldn't stand keeping it quiet much longer. (Not including how sure he was that he'd explode before his parents finally told them).
"I'm not kidding, C," Brett replied, turning serious. "Your brother's in the principal's office right now, because he got into a fight with Darren. Or,"—he shrugged—"if we're being more honest, he's in there for not getting into a fight. According to witnesses, he never laid a hand on Darren."
"That sounds more like Rocky."
Colt glanced upwards as the bell rang, signaling for them to get to class. The hallways were suddenly filled with students pushing and shoving to get to their class.
Brett backpaddled away from Colt, having never been late to any of his classes in his entire school career. "Are you coming?" he asked as he went, glancing over his shoulder.
"I'll be there soon," Colt replied after a moment of thought.
"It's your first day back after everything went down, you sure you want to risk it?" Brett rolled his eyes and pushed his glasses up his nose. Already knowing the answer. "Whatever, dude, I'm not going to help you this time!" And with that, he disappeared into the crowd.
Colt lifted his hand in a wave, slung his backpack over his shoulder, and about-faced. He pushed his way through the crowd and made it to the principal's office. The secretary looked up at him and shook her head. "What can I do for you, Colt?" She asked in a low drawl, as if already waiting for him.
Unperturbed, he held up his hands innocently and said, "I heard you have my brother here."
"Ah, yes, there was an incident with Samuel and Darren on the courts on the way in this morning." Colt tried to keep the surprise off his face, as well as a moment of admiration for his brother. He'd barely been out of the car and gotten into the school before Rocky was sent to the principal's office. Either that meant Rocky made quick work of Darren…or Darren had something to prove and had been waiting for them. "Principal Jenkins is speaking to him now. Shouldn't you be in class?"
Colt ignored her comment and moved to sit in one of the chairs just outside of Principal Jenkins' office. It may as well have had his name carved in the arm of the chair with how many times he'd been there. A detention for mouthing off to a teacher, time to cool down when he let his temper get the best of him, having to be spoken to about how his grades could be better in everything but band class. He couldn't help it, though, music and sports were the only things that really interested him.
He crossed his legs at the knee and rested his cheek in his upraised palm, wondering what it was that had made Rocky decide to do something about Darren. He didn't believe Rocky would have gotten into a fight, but then again, he never believed he would've gotten caught up with Harding again. Not when things had been so quiet for them for years.
School was supposed to be a safe haven, things were supposed to have been free and clear in Los Angeles, and then the first time he saw the newspaper article—and the concurrent social media articles—about him being released from prison and it was like his life was immediately put on hold. Nothing mattered until they found out what Harding was up to. And now that they had…he wasn't sure why, but something kept him from being able to relax.
As the thought crossed his mind, Colt sat up straight and started to look around the office. The secretary had turned back to her computer and was typing away doing…whatever, the other offices that lined the same hallway as the principal's office were closed, the hallways were empty, not even a phone was ringing. And yet, he could still feel something was off.
Slowly, without moving his head, Colt turned his gaze around the area, waiting for something…anything that would catch his eye. That'd keep the tingling, warning feeling from continuing to roll up and down his spine. The same feeling he'd gotten when staring down the barrel of Koga's gun, before throwing the pachinko ball inside, keeping Koga from killing him, as intended. The same feeling he'd received when running around Mega Mountain, before the park was held hostage by Medusa and her men.
Colt did another slow glance, his eyes finally landing on the window that overlooked the driveway of the school. There were a few stragglers coming in late, students that had early doctor's appointments, and those that were simply late for being late—it was evident they had no care in the world for as slowly as they walked with Starbucks cups in their hands. But it wasn't that that caught Colt's eye, more than the luxurious lack car that slowly drove up the driveway that did.
Not only was it out of place due to the beaters that the teachers and most of the students—who's parents didn't have some sort of stake in a tech start up—drove to school. It was one of the more luxurious cars Colt had ever seen. Could have been a limo as far as he was concerned, with the stretched body and darkened windows. Just from looking, Colt had to guess it was previously purchased, top of the line. It shined more than any other car he'd seen recently, even better than those that came from the dealership, showing the paint job had to have been better, monetarily.
He'd worked under Duke, and had his own interest in cars, enough to have experience of a wide variety of cars he'd worked on. And, still, nothing came close to the one that was creeping up the driveway. Colt watched, eyes narrowed, as it continued up the drive, moving slower than any of the previous cars had. For a moment, Colt was sure it was going to stop to let tardy students out, but it continued up the drive, turned around, and came back.
That's weird.
Colt's eyebrows came together. His hands tightened their grasp on the arms of his chair, fingers digging into the wood as the car passed by the school then left. Colt only felt himself relax when the car was out of sight—or, he realized—the feeling of danger had passed by once the car had left. Which was strange, there was nothing about the car that would have really, truly, stood out to anyone who simply glanced at it. But there was something that gave him pause.
Something so familiar…
"What are you doing here?"
Colt looked up to see Rocky standing beside him, closing the door to Principal Jenkins' office. Colt glanced inside before the door closed and caught sight of Darren sulking in a chair. Colt's eyes widened as he stood. "No way," he said, turning to face his brother. "You have to be shitting me." He ignored Rocky's disapproving glance. "You actually got into a fight?"
"I didn't get into a fight," Rocky defended himself. He motioned for his brother to follow him and the two walked out of the principal's office. "I didn't even touch him."
"Yeah, I can believe that," Colt said begrudgingly. He grinned, an inappropriate grin for the occasion, but he couldn't help it. Their first day back and Rocky was the one who messed up? Better enjoy it now, Colt thought. "Still, it would've been cool if you let Darren have it. He really deserves it. He and Darryl both do." The side of Rocky's mouth turned u in a tiny smile. "You can at least agree with me on that."
"Well…" Rocky turned away, folding his arms. "Darren was more pissed than I've ever seen him. He really wanted to fight me, even when I was doing everything not to. He would've done the same to you if he had the chance, though I know you would've loved to bet him up."
"In a baseball game, sure, but I don't think I need dad to yell at me anymore," Colt replied flatly. He let out a wistful sigh. "it would've been fun, though. Brett says Darryl's out for a suspension, but is going to be back soon."
"How does he know that?"
Colt chuckled. "How does Brett know anything?"
"Good point."
"You didn't answer my question," Rocky pointed out. Colt looked at his brother curiously. "What are you doing here?"
"Oh." Colt reached up and rubbed the back of his neck. "Did you think I was going to miss you being sent to the principal's office?" It's what he said, but it isn't what he meant. And he knew Rocky knew it, too. Things may have gone back to 'normal' for everyone around them. But 'normal' had never been a luxury for them. Even a trip to the principal's office could be anything.
Harding had proved that. If he was able to fake an entire ninja tournament…what else could anyone do?
As infuriatingly responsible as Rocky could be, Colt wasn't going to let him do everything himself. If someone didn't look out for him, who would?
"You're going to be late for class."
"Who cares?"
Rocky shot him another disapproving glance but didn't say anything else. They walked to the stairs that would take Rocky upstairs to where Rocky would go to his class and Colt would stay on the bottom floor to go to his then paused. For a minute, they looked at each other.
"Thanks," Rocky said after a minute.
Colt shrugged. "Anytime."
Then they turned and went their separate ways.
A/N: Rocky's and Colt's sibling relationship with each other is interesting to me, especially because, in the movies, it's clear that as much as Rocky is the leader, he does run a lot of things by Colt. Even if it's done silently or subtly. And the other way around, Colt is a wild card, and has a temper, but he still seems to run things by his brother, no matter how sarcastic they can become with each other. It's especially interesting considering that dynamic would really be changed once Rocky leaves.
Cheers,
-Riles