1(A/N: If anyone knows where I can find the picture from the time Liberty had a crush on Sean(It was the subplot of the Episode "Accidents will happen", that was the Episode when Manny was pregnant with Craig's baby), please PM me, that was the funniest degrassi costume I've ever seen.)
CHAPTER 3:
Negotiation time
"What where you two thinking?"
Marcus's question was met with hostile looks from his sister and his best friend. It was lunchtime on Monday, a full 48 hours since Liberty and J.T. had been caught by her father. Since that time, Danny had stopped talking to J.T. AND Liberty all together, seeing as J.T. had broken the unwritten rule of not dating your best friend's sister, at least in his eyes. All Marcus could manage to do was shake his head and stifle a few chuckles at the whole thing. Marcus, Liberty, J.T., and Toby all sit together at lunch to talk about the aftermath.
"Why would you do that without someone looking out?" Marcus asks. Biting into an apple. "Well we couldn't ask you, you where busy with an interview." Liberty says. "Or have you forgotten?" "I haven't, which begs the question, why on earth would you do that in the first place." Marcus answer's back. "Anyway, have you noticed the orange pins everyone has been wearing?" Marcus asks, needing to change the topic.
"Yeah, THOSE are the pins Emma is handing out, horribly tacky things."Liberty says. J.T., Marcus both groan and look away while Toby shakes his head. "What?" Liberty asks.
Marcus is the first to answer. "I KNOW you are not TALKING about tacky Mrs. Van Zandt. Remember the time you had that crush on Sean?"
"Yes, what about it?" Liberty asks J.T. speaks next "Remember when you wanted to impress him?"
"Yes" Liberty answers. "What's your point." she adds, with an aire of annoyance.
"Remember that blast from the past outfit you wore that day?" Liberty's look turns from annoyance to embarrassment at Toby's remark. Marcus continues "You had that black leather jacket, the red scarf, the pony tail that rested on your left shoulder, which also had the blond coloring in it, the white shirt, the black jeans that matched the jacket, and the black boots that came right out of that box in the attic?"
Unable to contain his laughter, J.T. bursts out in a fit of laughter, his head hitting the table, Toby also laughs, although not as hard as J.T. Marcus snickers, then continues. "Hazel should have written you up with that stupid "fashion ticket" book she has, it was that bad." Marcus says, chuckling. "You looked like you where auditioning for Grease 3 in that thing." Marcus finishes and busts into laughter, falling of the bench with a thud.
" Not funny." Liberty says quietly with a downcast look. "Hey, I'm sorry, but you set yourself up for that." Marcus reasons as he retakes his seat. "Whatever." Liberty mumbles, rolling her eyes. "Anyway, what's the damage from the "incident?" Toby asks, changing the subject. "Well, other then being grounded for the next month, and J.T. can't come by the house anymore, I won't be attending the tire test tomorrow." Liberty muses.
"What?!" Marcus nearly chokes on his apple. "Oh no, you are going tomorrow if I have to smuggle you out of the country, you're the "designated stopwatch", remember?"
"I know. But Dad says I'm too "Irresponsible" to go." Liberty says."That's bull, you're the most responsible person I've ever met, he's got to let you go." Toby replies. "He's right, we've all got to talk Liberty's dad into letting you go." J.T. says.
"How will we do that?" Marcus asks. "Is he at work?" J.T. asks, determination in his voice.
"No, he's at home waiting for me so he can drive me to the airport."
"How many tickets do you have?"
" Three"
"Well what are we sitting here for? Let's go!" J.T. orders. "What, now?!" Liberty yells with a horrified look "Of course now, there's no time to waste. If your going to stand up to your father, now is the time." Toby reasons, standing. "Alright, let's do it" Marcus says, Liberty was the last to stand. "You sure about this?" She asks. "Yes, we're sure." Marcus says, grabbing her arm. "You've got to do it some day." He says, grinning.
"Ok, let's do it."
They dump they're trays and leave, joined by Danny, they walk back to the Van Zandt home. Once they get there, and sending Danny in the house, they huddle up in the backyard to discuss strategy."
"Alright, what's the plan" Marcus asks. "Plan?" J.T. asks. "Yeah, plan, like the angle we're gonna attack this." Toby says. " I... I don't have a plan" J.T. muses.
Marcus groans. "Dammit J.T., why would you suggest something and not have an idea of what to say?!" "We'll he's your father!" J.T. responds. "But its your plan." Toby says before Marcus can answer back. "Dammit, here's the plan, I'll do the talking, you guys follow my lead, got it?! Marcus says. Everyone else nods in approval.
"Ok then, now that's settled. Let's go in. Except you J.T."
"Why?, it's my plan."
"Because you're not supposed to be here, and if my dad sees you, then we're screwed." Liberty says sternly. "You've been on a streak lately" Marcus interjects. "Anyway, stay here, and out of sight, ok?"
"Ok." J.T. answers. Marcus opens the door, Toby and Liberty enter first, then Marcus enters, who walks right into the back of his sister.
"Why did you stop?" Liberty moves out the way, giving Marcus a full view of his father standing in the doorway on the other side of the kitchen.
"Uh, Dad. We need to talk about something, important."
"What's he doing here?" Mr. Van Zandt asks. Toby, J.T., and Liberty turn around to see no one there. "Who?" Liberty asks. "J.T. Yorke" Mr. Van Zandt says. No one's there, uh... sir." Toby manages to stutter out.
Outside, J.T. is hiding on the right side of the house as Mr. Van Zandt steps out of the house. He looks left, then right. He walks to the left side of the house, seeing nothing. Not taking any chances, J.T. hops the fence and hides in the neighbor's backyard as Mr Van Zandt walks to that side of the house.
"Where's J.T.?" Liberty whispers. Marcus looks at her "I believe he hopped the fence." "This is crazy" Toby whispers to them as Mr. Van Zandt walks in the house. "Now, what do you need to talk to me about?" Mr. Van Zandt asks. "Maybe we shouldn't do this in the room with all the sharp objects. The living room maybe?" Toby asks. "Fine, the living room then." Mr. Van Zandt says, leading them in.
Marcus gives Toby the thumbs up sign and follows them in. In the living room, Mr Van Zandt stands, while Marcus and Liberty take a seat on opposite sides of the sofa, while Toby stands next to them.
"So, what is this about?"
"There's no simple way to say this, you can't let passed... "misjudgements" get in the way of...umm." Marcus begins.
Liberty finishes "I need to go to Michigan with Marcus tonight."
"Absolutely not, not after your hot tub..."
Before Mr. Van Zandt can finish, Toby steps up to the plate.
"Sir, we all make mistakes sometimes. That doesn't make us irresponsible, that makes us what we are, human. Liberty is the smartest, most responsible girl in the school, she know's what to and what not to do." "Way to go Tobes, Marcus whispers."
"You think she can be responsible? Alright then, she can go." Liberty and Marcus cheer in quietly. "But J.T.'s going with you." The three teenagers take on the deer in headlights look at Mr. Van Zandt's statement.
"Why would J.T. go?" Marcus asks. "Because if Liberty is so responsible, then they should be able to control each other even though they're miles away from home." Marcus shakes his head in disgust.
"Fine." Liberty replies confidently. "Keep an eye on your sister Max, because if something happens, its on your head." Mr Van Zandt says ominously.
"Alright, I'll let him know." Marcus says. He steps out of the room and walks outside, closing the screen door.
"Hey J.T.!"
If on command, J.T. hops back over the fence. "How'd it go?" J.T. asks. "Well, theirs good news, and theirs bad news."
"Good news first"
"Well, Good News, Liberty's going on the test, bad news, what are you doing tomorrow?"
"That's great, but why would I need to check my schedule?"
"Your going to Michigan with us."
J.T. is estatic "That's great!" "Cool it lover boy, because if you two screw up, it's on me." Marcus says. "Look, go get a change of clothes ready, we're leaving in 30 minuets." "Alright, see ya!" J.T. salutes and runs off towards his house. Marcus turns around, and walks back to the house, where Danny is sitting in the kitchen.
"Hey bro." Marcus says. "Do you really condone this?" Danny answers back." "Do not tell me you are mad because your sister is dating J.T.. Look, you can't control what your sister does, or WHO she dates." Marcus states. "Because J.T. is no good for her, that's why." Danny's comment strikes a nerve with Marcus. "I'm not gonna entertain this conversation right now, I've gotta go get on a plane. We'll talk about this later alright?" "Fine." Danny groans. "Good, seeya later buddy."
With that Marcus leaves the kitchen and runs upstairs to grab his bags. In it is a change of clothes, his fireproof garments, and his own personal helmet, colored black which has the pictures of both of his siblings on either side and the words "forever my family " written in red on the back, then walks out of the house and places his things in the car, then climbs in.
With a grin, he says one simple statement
"Alright, let's go!"
End chapter 3
(My parting shots: Ok, sorry for the short chapter, but I have to do some research for the race times using the COT at Michigan, and I don't want to let this chapter sit and collect dust, so here it is. Chapter 4 should be up by next week at the latest.