1CHAPTER 6:
HOMETOWN HASSLES
Morning testing done, the Van Zandts and JT are enjoying lunch with the rest of the team, curtisy of the crew chiefs and team members that can actually cook. Marcus has already eaten, and is on his cell phone talking to Toby
"Hey, what's going on up there?"
"Well, other than the news of your record-breaking run, Maxine Jones has a made a statement on Myspace."Toby says. Marcus sighs, then answers. "What did it say." "The explative free version or the explative version?" "Explative free please." Marcus responds."Ok, Maxine said she won't let Liberty steal her man, that -blank- is gonna get her -blank- stomped out for what she did to me. Me and my crew are gonna kick her -blank-... it just continues like this." Toby replies.
(A/N: Toby is not saying blank where you see that word)
"Dammit. Forward me the link to her page, I gotta read this when I get back home." Marcus says. "Will do, oh and Emma says Congratulations on the lap." Tody replies. "Tell her I said thanks. Talk to you guys later." Marcus hangs up. "Who was that Max?" JT asks, finally done eating. "Toby. Apparently Maxine is calling for revenge." Liberty sighs when she hears that. "That bitch annoys me." Liberty says, causing Marcus and JT to stare.
"What's with the cursing lately?" JT asks. "I curse when people piss me off." Liberty replies, taking a sip of soda. "I see, anyway, I have it on good authority that Rick is related to Maxine, so we can get him to talk to her."Marcus says. "No way, I'm not messing with him." JT says. "Dammit, we're doing this so MY sister, YOUR girlfriend doesn't get beat down. I mean if she get's jumped, who's gonna help her? Emma's a pacifist, Manny can't fight to save her life, and we can't hit girls." Marcus says, taking a seat in a folding chair.
The lightbulb in JT's head goes off. "Why don't you get Paige to help us?" "How is Paige going to help?" Marcus snaps back. "Well, she can get some of the spirit squad to back us up." Liberty and Marcus sigh at the same time.
"What?"
"JT, there isn't enough time in the day to explain how stupid that plan is." Liberty says. "I agree with Lib, that's a dumb idea JT." Marcus adds, yawning. "Possibly the dumbest you've ever had."
Clint, Seeing the concern on the three teens faces, decides to go talk to them. "Everything alright?" "Hi Clint, we're just discussing some issues back home." Liberty says. "Hey Clint, maybe you can help us." Marcus says. "Sure what's the problem?" "Well, the problem is, there's this girl at our school that has a crush on JT. This girl is not happy that Liberty is dating him, so she decided to make that be known and fought Liberty. Well, the girl lost the fight and now she wants revenge, what do you think we should do?" Marcus tells him.
"Wow, that is a problem. To me it seems that JT is gonna have to diffuse this situation himself." Clint says. "Wait, why do I have to do it?"JT asks. Now the light bulb in Marcus's head goes off. "I know why, its because you are the object of her affection. Since she views Liberty as the enemy, any thing she says is gonna piss her off. But if JT tells her in person that he doesn't like her, then she'll back off."
"Have you forgotten who her cousin is?" JT says, terrified. "Rick is not gonna hurt you, so just chill." Marcus tells him. "Who's Rick?" Clint asks them. "That's another story for another day" Liberty says after finishing her soda. "I see." Clint responds. The sound of the song "Land of Confusion"by Disturbed causes Marcus to check his cell phone. "It's Hazel, I'll be back in a minute." Marcus walks behind the hauler to talk on his phone. "Hazel?" Clint asks. "My brother's girlfriend. They've known each other since kindergarten." Liberty says with a smirk. " I thought she went with Jimmy?" JT asks. "Apparently she doesn't anymore." Liberty says, shrugging her shoulders. "Well, I'm going to go get ready for the afternoon practice, and I hope you settle this thing with Maxine." Clint says, now standing. "We will, see you later Clint." Clint leaves as Marcus walks back around the corner.
"So what did Hazel say?" JT asks. "She's going to Dover with us on Saturday." Marcus says with a smile on his face. "Dover?" JT asks. "I'm racing the Busch race this weekend." Marcus says. Busch race?" JT asks. "Yeah, there are 3 main series in NASCAR racing. You have the Craftsman truck series, which is races trucks like the Silverado and the Tundra, the Busch series, which races stock cars that are smaller and less powerful than there cup counterparts, and then there is the Nextel cup, which is the big series." Marcus Explains. "Oh, and they race on Saturday?" JT asks. "Most of the time yes, but when there's no Cup race or the Cup race is a night race, they'll either race on Sunday afternoon or Friday night." Liberty says. "Ok, now I'm confused." JT replies, scratching his head.
"You'll get it eventually. Anyway, time to get ready for session two." Marcus says, rising to his feet.
Meanwhile, back at Degrassi...
Toby, Emma, and Manny are in the middle of there own lunchtime strategy session. This one on how to deal with Maxine Jones and her "bent on revenge" Myspace blog.
"So, what did he say?" Emma asks.
"Max said he's going to read it when he gets back home" Toby replies. "That's it?!" Emma yells. "That's all, but there's not much he can do about it from America." Toby responds. "Well what are WE going to do? She threatened harm to a lot of people, including US." Manny says worriedly. "Well, we could tell Radditch." Toby says. "What is he gonna do, add another week to her Suspension?" Emma snaps back. "Well we've got to do something." Manny says. "What if JT where to tell her that he doesn't like her? Wouldn't that calm her down?" Toby asks. "Yes, or it could turn her into even MORE of a lunatic then she already is." Emma snaps back. "I think it's a good idea, she'll understand if she hears it from him." Manny reasons. "I don't know, I mean, what if she gets Rick involved, and you know HE's psychotic." Emma responds.
"He might already be in it. I saw a Rose in Liberty's locker." Toby says. "That might be something JT did." Manny says. "That's not his style, remember, this is JT we're talking about." Toby tells her. "Was there a card on it?" Emma asks. "I think so... " Toby jumps up before he finishes, followed by Emma and Manny to liberty's locker. They check the rose, which has a card on it with the words "from Rick" written on it. Panicked, Toby rips the card of the rose and shows it to Emma and Manny. "This is not good." Emma gulps. "Alright, we tell Max as soon as he gets back, and get rid of that rose." Emma says. "I think it's nice..." "GET RID OF IT TOBY!!!" Emma yells before he can finish. Toby takes the rose and chucks it in the trash. "This just took on a whole new disturbing dimension." Manny laments to her friends, who nod im agreement.
End Chapter 6
Parting shots: Well, isn't this a predicament? Looks like Rick's crazy ass is up to no good again. Don't forget to Read and Review. Glad everyone's enjoying the story. Chapter 7 on the way!