Chapter Five: The Hangover
Zoe awoke the next morning on the sofa pull-out with Jimmy's arm around her waist, and she smiled a little as she remembered the previous night. The smile quickly faded however as she remembered she needed to make a decision about pressing charges against Mr. Burton, and that she needed talk to her estranged father. As Zoe mulled over her options, Edgar walked out of the kitchen with a tray of coffees and drinking his own from the local convenience store in his hands.
"Caffeine anyone?" He asked, handing one mug to Zoe and the other to a waking Jimmy.
"Thanks Edgar, I'm glad one of us is a morning person," Jimmy said, rubbing his aching head.
"I don't know what we would do without you," Zoe added. She smiled at Edgar and sipped the warm coffee gratefully. She caught a glimpse of herself in the reflection of the TV. Her new, cropped blonde locks were now mussed. Smeared makeup she didn't have the energy to take off last night. Plus, right before they went to bed, Jimmy seemed a little distant.
"Mandy and the beast still haven't come down yet," Pete spoke up from the armchair across the room, making his presence known and stretching his arms above the throw blanket he was covered under and groaning. Zoe sighed, tossing the sheets off her and grabbing the pants she was wearing the night before off the floor. Edgar averted his eyes and sat on the arm of the chair Pete was in, handing him a coffee as well. Pete sipped and groaned again. Edgar looked down and noticed a hickey on Pete's neck. He caught Pete's gaze and surreptitiously motioned to his neck. Pete's eyes widened and felt the spot, then tried to catch a glimpse of his own reflection in the window across from him.
"I can't believe I let them lock themselves in my bedroom and do God-knows-what all night." Zoe groaned. Beatrice walked downstairs and, after taking the last coffee, plopped into Pete's lap as this exchange went on. It took all Pete's self-control not to push her off. Edgar got up abruptly and walked to the trash can on the other side of the chair, tossing the disposable tray into the bin. He caught Pete's eye again, furrowing his brows and inconspicuously motioning to Beatrice.
'Her?' Edgar mouthed? Pete shook his head no, and Edgar made a face that seemed to say 'uh-oh'. Beatrice turned and looked up at Edgar who smiled like he hadn't just been having a non-verbal conversation about her with Pete. She smiled then turned back to Zoe, and Edgar's smile dropped.
"They were fighting most of the night. I couldn't hear what it was about, then there was a lot crying and it stopped. I've never heard anything like it, especially from a couple that hasn't been together for a while," Beatrice said, shaking her head.
"Well, they can do that somewhere else. They're getting out of here right now-" Zoe carefully got out of the sofa bed to not spill her coffee and walked towards the stairs, but a disheveled Kirby and Mandy met her at the bottom.
"Sorry guys," Kirby said, looking down and rubbing the back of his neck.
"Whatever, if anything's broken in there-" Zoe started but Mandy cut her off.
"Everything's fine, Zoe. Just drop it. We're leaving," Mandy grabbed Kirby by the arm and rather roughly pulled him through the living room, opening the front door, and racing out the threshold.
"Bye guys," And with that Mandy and Kirby left. The remaining people in the room stared at the door that slammed behind them, wondering what the hell just happened.
"Did we just wake up in Twin Peaks?" Beatrice asked to no one in particular. Pete took the moment to gently scoot out from under Beatrice and stand up, clearing his throat.
"Well, we should probably start getting this place cleaned up. Your landlord was kinda annoyed when she left last night."
"She wasn't the only one," Jimmy muttered. Zoe glared at him.
"What's that supposed to mean? Is this why you were acting weird last night?" Zoe asked, her tone wavering on irritated. She drained her coffee and shot it into the trash can. Pete's phone buzzed with a message and he picked it up off the table, suddenly very interested in what was on it. Beatrice was curious, but before she could sneak a peek Pete bolted to the bathroom. She laid back in the chair, disappointed. Edgar stared down at her, judging.
"I just...you never tell me anything Zoe! You didn't tell me anything about why you got kicked out of Bullworth until I had to save the school, and I barely knew anything about your family. I still don't," Jimmy said, getting out of the sofa bed as well. He sat his cup down on a coaster on the end table. Just because he was angry didn't mean he was mannerless.
"Look, I was going to tell you about my family when I was ready. We haven't talked since I got booted from Bullworth, and even then I was already emancipated. That's all there is right now. We don't have a relationship. I don't owe you any other explanation."
"What about your mom? Or why didn't you tell me I've beat up your brother before? " Jimmy asked.
"You did what to Bif? You know what, I don't want know. Bif and I talk a bit. He's helped me out with rent before, we just don't make a big deal out of it because my dad'll get pissed. This really isn't any of your business Jimmy. I don't know why you're so jazzed about it though, you didn't even know me until a month ago," Zoe, agitated, and everyone else just watched the two argue like deer trapped in headlights.
"I'm 'jazzed' because you never tell me anything! I've told you everything and...Pete knows more about you than I do,"
"Nobody asked you to! Do you spill your life story to every single stranger you meet? Also Pete's known me all my life, isn't that right Kowalski? Where is he?" Zoe asked, and Beatrice pointed to the bathroom. She began picking at her nails, wishing to be anywhere else but here.
"You know what? I'm not dealing with this, I've got too much on my plate to even process your crap now," Zoe threw her hands up and stomped upstairs. Everyone was still for a moment, unsure of what to do and a little scared of speaking. After the moment passed, Jimmy hopped up and followed Zoe up the stairs. Edgar cleared his throat and Pete walked out of the bathroom, rubbing his neck.
"What happened, Pete? To your neck?" Beatrice asked, feigning ignorance. Edgar saw panic flash on Pete's face for a brief moment and decided to cover for him.
"Yeah, that spider bite looks better than it did last night. You should have seen it Bea, it was gross. Now, we should probably clear out of here soon and they're probably going to be a while, you mentioned cleaning up Pete?"
Pete nodded at Edgar, and when Beatrice turned her back to start grabbing solo cups off the furniture Pete mouthed a quick thank you to Edgar, who nodded in response.
"I'll grab some more trash bags," Pete said, heading into the kitchen.
Zoe stormed into her bedroom and Jimmy followed behind her, closing the door quietly. Zoe sat on her bed and buried her face in her hands, letting out of a deep sigh. She was exhausted; knowing she would probably have to testify against Mr. Burton, the mental anguish of having to see her parents after all this time, plus the party the previous night had taken its toll on her. Jimmy knelt down in front of her and took her hands in his.
"I'm sorry, Zoe. I had a weird night too. And I didn't have any right to get angry at you, especially since we haven't been dating that long. I rush into things when I'm with a girl that I really like, because I never really have anything but a passing interest in anybody."
Zoe looked up at him, her brows furrowed.
"You just said like," She said flatly.
"Yeah, I do like you Zoe."
"But you didn't say love. You always say love."
Jimmy stood up and sighed, then walked over to the window, staring out at Zoe's yard.
"I don't know, Zoe. I thought I loved you. I always think I love someone. Damn it, this always happens. The minute I find out someone isn't perfect I just...I turn into a huge jerk."
Zoe turned around and stared at the back of Jimmy's head, he could feel her eyes boring into the back of his skull.
"Are you breaking up with me? Because that would be a really crappy thing to do now."
"Zoe..."
"What Jimmy? God just spit it out already! At this rate I'll be graduated by the time you make your point!"
Jimmy sighed and pounded his fist into the wall, making Zoe jump. He turned around and looked at her, and she could tell from his eyes what he was stewing over wasn't something he wanted to say.
"I-I don't want to break up. But I do think we should slow down. We jumped headfirst into this and I didn't do it with any regard for your issues, and you helped me out a lot. That's not fair."
"Slow down? We haven't done anything Jimmy!" Zoe was scared of what this conversation was turning into. Jimmy turned bright red, Zoe thought for a second it was in anger, but as he started talking again she quickly realized it was out of embarrassment.
"I told you that I love you because I stand at attention when we hug!" Jimmy motioned to his crotch, "That isn't love and I don't want to confuse love with just lust and friendship. Last night I...kinda realized all three can kind of intermingle and complicate things. I want to fall in love with you, I mean, the seed is planted. I really like spending time with you and I get kinda sick to my stomach in a good way because I'm so nervous and god that sounds so lame. I just...I think we should probably slow down on the physical stuff. I want to do this right, you deserve that much."
Zoe sat there for a moment, and Jimmy was scared for a second that he said the wrong thing, but the fears were dashed when a huge grin broke out on her face. Zoe hopped off her bed and gave Jimmy a passionate kiss. Jimmy pulled away after a few moments and she muttered a quick 'Oh, right'.
"That's the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me Jimmy, and if you ever tell anyone I got sappy like this I'll kill you. You might not be sure you love me, but I think I just figured out that I love you," Zoe said, staring into Jimmy's eyes, and trying to keep hers from crying. Jimmy gave her a sweet grin and pulled her into his arms for a big bear hug.
The two stayed like that for a moment until an unusually chilly breeze for the summer floated through the open window. They separated and Zoe shivered, rubbing her arms. Jimmy moved to close the window and a piece of paper sitting on the desk next to the window flew upwards and hit him in the face. He pulled the offending scrap off his face, and when he read the neat scrawl on it, his smile was replaced by a look of dread. He quickly handed the paper to Zoe, feeling sick to his stomach.
"What is it?" Zoe asked.
"Just read it."
Zoe looked at the paper.
You aren't the only one, he messed with me too. I'm so scared he's going to get out and hurt us.
Zoe dropped the paper on the ground in shock and the paper threatened to blow out the open window. The two froze for a second but Jimmy moved quickly to shut the window. Zoe dropped to the ground, the tears that were threatening to fall in happiness were now falling from sorrow.
"Oh my god," Zoe wailed, "I have to go. I have to go now,"
"Where do you need to go?" Jimmy asked, concerned.
"The police station," Zoe replied.
Gary Smith sat in his cell. His seventy-two hour evaluation over. The doctor was talking to his parents outside, and he could see his mother through the small window on his cell door crying in his father's arms, his father's face stone cold. The voices were muffled and he couldn't really understand what he was hearing other than 'delusions of grandeur' and 'Narcissistic Personality Disorder'.
His father looked into his cell and locked eyes with Gary. For the first time in what seems like years, Gary felt bad that his mom was crying.
After they said their goodbyes to the doctor, his parents came back into his room. His mother gave him a hug and he returned it, holding on for dear life. What he had done was just hitting him, and he was terrified of being here any longer. He just wanted to go home.
"Can I go yet?" Gary asked, looking at both his parents.
"No, son. You can't. The doctors have suggested you stay for your treatment. For the stunt you pulled, they aren't comfortable with outpatient therapy. You're a threat to yourself, and to others."
"No, I'm not. I'm fine just send me to another school or something. I won't hurt anyone else I swear," Gary could tell his parents weren't buying it and panic was starting to settle in.
"It's not that simple, Gary. This isn't like you slashing the neighbors tires or shaving the cat like a poodle, you put kids in the hospital. You were the cause of a school building being burned down."
Gary didn't speak for a moment and his felt like he was going to throw up. How could this be happening? How could they leave him here?
"It was a mistake, a stupid mistake. That's all, I'm fine. I don't even need my meds, just don't make me stay here," Gary pled.
"Do you even feel bad for what you did? The kids you hurt? What the hell, Gary? Didn't we raise you better?" Patricia glared at him, tears in her eyes. His dad turned his back.
"Guess you didn't. Sucks to suck, I would know," Gary said, gesturing to his surroundings.
"Well, maybe they'll do a better job than we did," Charles spoke up.
"Wait, don't-" Gary started but it was too late.
"We'll be back to visit soon honey, this isn't forever. We love you,"
They didn't say anything, they just walked out and Gary heard his mother sobbing as soon as the automatic door to his cell shut. He curled up on the bed and closed his eyes, feeling helpless.
Early September, 2006.
Zoe Taylor wrapped a towel around herself as she walked out of the showers in the Bullworth Academy gymnasium. She had been late to gym class, and as a result she was to run laps around the football field to make up the time. Mr. Burton had been angry, but the way he was leering at her made her wish she owned a can of mace. She opened her locked and pulled the towel off, drying her hair the best she could then tossed it inside, pulling her clothes out and lazily began putting them on.
She pulled her underwear on and as she hooked her bra she heard a noise behind her. She jumped and grabbed the towel, pulling it back around her exposed body.
"Hello? Is somebody there?" She called.
"Lola, if that's you, I'm borrowing your hair dryer, okay?" Zoe quickly turned the combination lock on Lola's locker and pulled out the hair dryer in question, then made her way over to the small mirror by the showers. She plugged the hair dryer into the socket and began drying her hair. The dryer blocked out the noise of the person sneaking behind her, and she closed her eyes, enjoying the feeling of the heat on her hair and skin. When she finished she opened saw a dark figure in the dirty reflection of the mirror and jumped.
"Mr. Burton, you scared me. What are you doing in here?" Zoe asked. She turned around to face him and pulled the towel around her tighter, uncomfortable.
"I have to do the laundry this week for the gym, I didn't know you'd still be in here. You better hurry, you'll be late for lunch," Mr. Burton was leering at her again, and she fought the urge to break his nose.
"I was just finishing up," Zoe tried to get around Mr. Burton but he grabbed one of her shoulders.
"What are you doing?" Zoe asked angrily.
"Are you done with your towel?" Mr. Burton replied.
"E-Excuse me?" Despite her shaky voice, Zoe stood her ground, holding the towel for dear life.
"I'm doing the laundry, remember?" Mr. Burton asked. He reached for the towel and Zoe recoiled back, disgusted and terrified.
"Come on Taylor, I've seen young ladies in less than what you're wearing now. What are you wearing now, exactly?"
"Get the hell away from me you pervert!" Zoe shouted. She took off towards the door to the locker room but an arm caught her around the waist, pulling her back and tossing her into a row of lockers.
"That's not a very nice way to talk to your elders, I don't like being talked to that way!" Mr. Burton shouted back. Zoe cradled her aching arm that had taken most of the impact. She stared at Mr. Burton in sheer terror.
"Now, give. Me. Your. Towel," Mr. Burton said in a firm voice, speaking slowly, stressing every word. Zoe shook her head, cowering, unable to speak.
"I said give it to me!" He menaced towards her and grabbed the towel away from her, ripping it away. Zoe's arms flew to cover herself. Mr. Burton chuckled.
"Please, like you have anything to look at," Mr. Burton said, and just like that, he walked out like nothing had happened. Zoe dropped to the floor, sobbing.
June 2007
"So he just walked out?"
The voice brought Zoe back to where she was, in Bullworth's police station. It belonged to Detective Alan Kincaid, a handsome man in his early thirties with an intense demeanor that comes with being on the police force for so long.
"Yeah, he walked out and I just collapsed. I was so scared...then I got dressed and went to the principal's office. He didn't believe me and when I started telling people he expelled me for causing trouble," Zoe looked down, fiddling with a hole in her jeans.
"What do you mean by started telling people?" The detective asked.
"I mean I had a complete shit attack and started screaming it in the school foyer, what do you think? I told a teacher, Mr. Hattrick, and he told Dr. Crabblesnitch. That asshole told Dr. Crabblesnitch that I was told him Mr. Burton raped me which isn't what happened!" Zoe was struggling to hold back the tears. Detective Kincaid gave her a warm smile.
"Would you like some coffee?" He asked, "Or tea? Green tea has calming properties, so I'm told anyway,"
"No, thank you,"
Detective Kincaid sighed.
"I shouldn't be telling you this, but you are an emancipated minor so I don't need your parents around. We have another person that came forward, but no evidence. Unless we have something solid...two years ago a few girls made up a rumor and came to us saying that one of the teachers was failing them on purpose because they wouldn't sleep with him. It turns out they were skipping class and leaving campus to go drink during school hours and that's why they were failing. We jumped headfirst into the investigation and it made us look like idiots; there was a huge scandal and it was an embarrassment for everyone involved," Detective Kincaid gave Zoe an apologetic look when he finished speaking.
"I remember that, it was all over the news...are you saying you don't believe me?" She asked in a small voice.
"No, I'm not saying that at all. I'm saying that until we can find a witness to his behavior or maybe another victim, we won't be able to take this to trial. I'm sorry, I really wish there was more we could do. I do believe you Ms. Taylor."
Zoe wiped her eyes to keep the tears at bay.
"What about the note I found in my bedroom? I had a party that night, that note could have been written by anyone, couldn't you check for fingerprints?"
"Unless they're in the system there's nothing we can do. If they don't have a record and they want to stay anonymous, they can stay anonymous. We can't make somebody testify,"
Zoe gave the detective a tired smile and then nearly jumped out of her seat when she remembered something she could use against Mr. Burton.
"My boyfriend!" She exclaimed.
"Pardon me?" Detective Kincaid asked, furrowing his brow.
"He's outside, he told me about a few incidents with Mr. Burton. Once he caught him outside the porn shop in New Coventry!"
"We can't try a man for buying porn, ma'am."
"He told him he was looking for 'naughty little boys'. And he had Jimmy sneak into the girl's dorm and collect 'dirty laundry'."
Detective Kincaid ran his hand through his shaggy brown locks. He reminded Zoe of one of those detectives from a black and white crime movie.
"If you leave we'll have something more concrete. In the mean time, he's not employed at the school. You've said you're taking summer school classes, we can have a patrol car take you to and from school if needed. You'll be safe, Ms. Taylor, don't worry about it. You said your boyfriend was here?"
Zoe smiles appreciatively then furrowed her brows in confusion.
"Yes, why?"
"Would he be willing to go on record about the 'dirty laundry' incident?"
"I think so, yes."
"Then send him in, we need all the testimony we can get,"
Zoe nodded and walked out of the room, giving the detective a tired smile.
Peter was heading out of Zoe's house when he realized he had no idea what he was going to do next. Jimmy and Zoe had told them they were leaving and to lock up when they left. They cleaned in mostly silence, Edgar trying to keep a conversation going but Pete and Beatrice just would not talk to each other. His head was aching from his hangover and he was completely unsure of how to react to Beatrice's affections, he just didn't return them.
"Hey, Petey, wait up," Beatrice called from the front door, jumping on her bike and heading down to meet him as he walked down the road from Blue Skies to New Coventry.
"Shit," Pete muttered under his breath. He really didn't want to talk to her. She pulled a hair tie off her wrist and began pulling her curls into a loose ponytail. She wasn't really dressed for biking, but she wasn't wearing a skirt for once so that helped.
"Oh, hey, sorry I would have waited, it's just Jimmy and Zoe headed out so fast to go to the police I figured I should head out as well," Pete said. He stuffed his hands in his pockets and wished he had brought a change of clothes with him. His shirt had stains from frosting and beer, and his pants were starting to chafe as he had been working up a sweat in them making out with Trent the night before. He smiled at the memory, almost not believing he had done it. They had made out for what seemed like hours, hands all over each other. After almost getting caught making out on the lawn chair, Trent had dragged him up against the side of the house not illuminated by streetlight and proceeded to rut against him while nibbling on his neck.
"It's fine. Last night got kind of crazy. All the drinking, Mandy and Kirby, and...other stuff," Beatrice trailed off as Pete's pace sped up and she was trailing behind. She had to bite the bullet, for better or for worse, she had to know.
"So what time did Trent end up leaving last night?" Beatrice called after him. Pete stopped for a moment, caught. The feeling of guilt was quickly replaced by anger and he turned around.
"I wouldn't know, you should probably ask Kirby if you can finally convince a guy to give you the time of day," Pete fumed. He was tired of Beatrice acting like this.
"So that wasn't you he was practically mauling in Zoe's front lawn last night? My bad, must have been some other Pete I don't know about," Beatrice snarled.
"What the hell is your problem? I have gone out of my way and all but told you I'm not interested. Why do you think we stopped being friends in the first place? You flirt all the damn time and it is damn near impossible to be around you. I shouldn't have to put up with it, it's not fair. Just like this conversation," Pete turned on his heel and began half-jogging away, but Beatrice caught up to him, jumped off her bike, and pushed him into the tree-line.
"Don't run away from me, this isn't over. You should have told me you're gay Pete, I would have left you alone," Beatrice said quietly. Pete practically shouted his response.
"I'M NOT GAY. I don't know what I am, but that's no excuse. You don't like it when guys do that to you, right? Earnest for example, constantly harassing you? How do you think it makes me feel?"
Beatrice deflated a bit. She knew Pete was right, it wasn't fair to do this. She tucked her curls behind her ear and looked away.
"It wasn't supposed to go down like this Bea. I really wish you had just let me go home. I had this whole grand plan to let you down easy that didn't involve you catching me drunk and making out with the school bully," Pete said, shoving his hands in his pockets.
"...Grand plan?" Beatrice said, smirking. She was upset, sure, but if Pete was going to go through the trouble of doing this she might as well her him out. Pete lit up a bit.
"Yeah, I was going to invite you to the carnival. Play some games, go on a few rides. And then maybe, I dunno, come out to you there? I know you're bad at keeping secrets but you never told a soul about Cornelius until he was ready so..." Pete trailed off. Cornelius was, so far, the only openly queer student at Bullworth, and Beatrice had been the first person he came out to. Beatrice smacked him in the shoulder.
"Ow! What was that for?"
"You ass, I would have thought that was a date! Even though after I came around I would have been totally excited. I probably would have tried to set you up with Cornelius actually, he's a little upset that Kirby is dating Mandy," Beatrice said, pulling out her phone to mock text Cornelius. Pete tried to grab it away from her as she pretended to punch numbers and sang a schoolyard rhyme about Pete kissing in trees.
"Oh my god you suck," Pete finally said. Beatrice put her phone away, laughing.
"Relax, I was telling my mom I was going to be home to shower then I'm leaving again," She said, "I've decided you're taking me to that carnival."
"Oh you've decided, huh?" Pete said, feigning anger.
"Yep, sure did. I want to hear your spiel about being the most tragic sexually confused boy in school. Really it sounds like a hoot. But mostly I just want to pry into your...uh...whatever you have with Trent," Beatrice responded, "If you're okay with that."
Pete froze for a second but felt excited about the prospect. He had missed regular social interaction that didn't involve plots to take over the school. Last night had been a taste of what he was missing, a normal life, and he wanted more.
"That sounds like fun, when do you want to meet?" Pete asked, feeling more and more uncomfortable in his dingy, sweaty t-shirt and jeans as they continued to walk in the summer sun.
"Around six-thirty? The roller coaster is gorgeous at night. We'll have fun, I promise. And now that I know...no more weirdness. I promise," Beatrice stated, crossing her heart. Pete nodded.
"I believe you. See you then, I desperately need a shower. I'll call you!" Pete said and Beatrice shook her head.
"We both live across town, hop on and I'll give you a ride," Beatrice offered. Pete looked conflicted and Beatrice rolled her eyes.
"Crossed my heart remember? No more weirdness," Beatrice said. After a moment Pete relented and hopped on the front, Beatrice looking over his shoulder to see as the two sped on down the road.
