Chapter 3

"Alex, you're going to be late for school!"

There was a slight crash and a thundering of feet as a fifteen year old boy ran across the landing and thundered down the stairs. He nearly bowled into his adoptive mother as he jumped the last two stairs down, narrowly missing a stack of boxes. His mother laughed, "Slow down there. I don't need to have hurricane blast its way through here."

Alex steadied himself and straightened his hair into its normally messy look. He gazed at his mother with his hazel green eyes and said, "Just don't want to be late."

Rachel Davidson looked loving at her son and said, "And you don't need to start your first day at a new school with a black eye or a broken arm. Now come on and eat your breakfast." She guided Alex to the kitchen where she had laid a plate of bacon, eggs and pancakes.

Alex sat in his chair and rolled the sleeved to his plaid shirt so they hung just below his elbows. It was unbuttoned to reveal a grey t-shirt underneath and the pendant that he had since his mother had given it to him on his eighth birthday. He sat and began to eat, trying hard not to scarf it down, but a glance at his watch told him he had less than ten minutes.

Rachel sat across from him and drank her tea and watched her son wolf down his breakfast. She felt bad that they had to move so suddenly and she knew that he was disappointed in leaving behind the friends he had. Yet they had to move her husband had said and so they did. She knew it was necessary but she couldn't conceive that they had been in danger in Oklahoma. Still she hoped that they were able to stay till Alex finished high school at least in Nebraska. Grant seemed to be a pleasant town.

Alex finished his breakfast in record time and said, "Finished Mom." He got up and put his plate in the sink before running to grab his backpack that was hanging in the entryway. He checked the pockets and made sure that he had the necessary supplies.

"Here's your lunch money."

Alex turned to the man who he thought was the greatest in the world. "Thanks Dad."

Gideon smiled at his son as he handed the twenty five dollars to Alex. "Don't forget the other things."

"Got it covered," Alex replied with a smile and patted his backpack to show he had it. He put on his sunglasses, grabbed his keys and ran out the door to where his bike was. He pulled it out and gave a slight wave to his parents before straddling it and pedaling off.

Alex had been to the high school before so he knew the way. It was also nice that his parents were letting him go to school his first day by himself. He pedaled up to the bike racks and selected a spot and locked up his bike. He glanced at the other kids milling about and then at the imposing edifice of Perkins County High School and adjusted his backpack. He could do this. Trying to ignore the stares, he jogged up the stairs and entered the school.

As he was making his way down the hall, he bumped into a kid that was about a head taller than he was. Alex hastily apologized, "Sorry."

The kid he bumped into glared at him and flexed his arms, "You're damn right you're sorry midget." He then gave a hard push to Alex.

Alex wasn't going to give the guy the satisfaction of a fight; not on the first day. He just eyed the guy and started walking forward towards the office. He was stopped by the guy pushing him again so he said, "Quit it. I said I was sorry."

"You gonna make me midget?"

Alex narrowed his eyes in a glare and sidestepped the guy. He was alert enough to move and get out of the way of the guy lunging towards him. It was pretty much wasted when an adult, possibly a teacher stepped in the way and grabbed the douche saying, "Tercelli enough. You know the rules about fighting."

Alex watched as the kid named Tercelli stopped and stood up straight. He mumbled, "Yeah, sorry Mr. Hardman." Tercelli gave a nasty glare at Alex as he walked away towards his homeroom.

When Alex looked at Mr. Hardman, he got a strange look from the teacher. It was as if the teacher knew him but Alex had never seen him before. It was very uncomfortable at the moment and he took a slight step backwards and said, "Well I guess I better get to the office if I'm going to get my schedule. Thanks Mr. Hardman."

Mr. Hardman watched the boy as he walked to the main office. One disaster had been successfully abated at the moment. It would hardly do to have the boy be injured because of a misunderstanding. He was going to have enough problems being new without adding to them. He waited a few more seconds before heading to his classroom.

"Class this is Alex Davidson, our new student."

Alex gave a wry smile as the teacher introduced him to the other kids. He ran a hand through his messy light brown locks and made them even messier but it was better than trying to say anything that would have him labeled the class freak. He merely gave an annoyed glance and said no to sharing anything about himself. He slogged over to the empty seat and plunked right into it and listened to the class discussion on the king's speech in Shakespeare's Henry V.

"Oh Alex sorry if this is over your head. See me after class and I'll give you the outlines," the teacher was saying.

"S'alright I read it last year," Alex replied.

"Then perhaps you can start on 'He that shall live this day'."

Alex sighed. He didn't have the book but he had memorized the speech. It was one of his favorites. He cleared his throat and recited, "He that shall live this day, and see old age, Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbors And say, 'To-morrow is Saint Crispian.' Then he will strip his sleeve and show his scars, And say, "These wounds I had on Crispin's day."

Alex tried to ignore the murmurs. He thought he caught the hint of the name 'geek' or was it 'freak'? Either way, he was going to get singled out after class. That opportunity came but from someone he didn't expect.

"You're pretty good."

Alex turned to see a pretty dirt blonde girl with brown eyes looking up at him. She was smiling shyly at him. She was dressed like the little cute farm girl from Podunk town in somewhere-ville. He replied, "It's no big deal." He walked down the hall trying to find the cafeteria since it was lunch hour.

"Not many guys can quote Shakespeare and still look cool doing it."

Alex looked at the girl. She's persistent. "Yeah well I have strict parents."

"Who doesn't?" The girl hugged her books to her chest feeling nervous. "I'm Kelly."

Alex looked at the girl. Normally he was a loner but it was the first time that someone sought him out so the least he could do was be nice. He held out his free hand while the other held his backpack on his shoulder. "Alex, well you know that since Miss Finney announced it."

Kelly took the proffered hand and gave a short shake and a small giggle. "Pleased to meet you."

Alex stuck his free hand in his jean pocket and walked with Kelly down the hall. "So you like Shakespeare?"

"My favorite."

"Nice though some of my friends from my old school liked my alternate version better."

"Can I hear it?"

Alex nearly tripped when he heard the request but covered by masking his movements. "Um… It's not really a good idea. We were messing around one day and… let's just say that it's enough to have Miss Finney faint."

Kelly blushed a bit. She got the idea that the cute guy walking with her had come up with something that was best regulated with the skin magazines her brother read. "I see. So you are creative."

"More or less."

The conversation continued as they got in line for their food. Alex was enjoying himself and thought that maybe the day wouldn't be so bad after all. It wasn't until he noticed that Tercelli guy was cutting in line. He was especially rude to a kid wearing glasses and dressed in a shirt and tie. The kid in the tie was saying, "There is a line Damien."

Tercelli just smiled his bully smile and said, "Yeah well I'm hungry so move out of the way nerd."

Alex was not one to get involved but he didn't like it when bullies picked on people that appeared weak. He set his tray down beside Kelly's and said, "I'll be back."

"Alex, don't. Tercelli is the meanest…" Kelly bit back the last part as she grabbed Alex's tray to follow him.

Alex walked right up to Tercelli and said, "Hey, there is a line."

"So?"

"This isn't the back of it."

Tercelli picked up an apple from the nerd kid's tray and took a bite. "Yeah so?"

Alex knew he was risking a fight but he didn't like the injustice. "Why don't you get in line like everyone else?"

By this time, a small crowd was starting to form around the kids as Alex squared off with Tercelli. Tercelli put the apple back on the tray he had taken it from and made to stand so that he appeared larger than Alex. In truth Tercelli was able to meet Alex eye to eye but that was no big deal. He said, "You going to make me, midget?"

Alex looked at Tercelli hard in the eye. He had been taught how to defend himself and to stand up to bullies. Dad had made sure of that. Thing was fighting in school brought trouble and that was the last thing he needed. He replied, "Don't make me."

"Or else what?" Tercelli pushed Alex hard in the chest. "Eh midget? What are you going to do?" He kept pushing Alex and taunting him.

Alex glared at the kid, "Don't push me again."

Tercelli laughed and made to push Alex again. He didn't count on Alex moving to the side and using Tercelli's momentum, had him crash into some kids and their food trays fell on him. It caused everyone nearby to stop what they were doing and watch. Those closest were laughing at Tercelli covered in the school surprise. Tercelli wiped the food that was on his face but it didn't do much good as he watched Alex stare at him.

Alex felt bad that he was humiliating him but the kid asked for it. Not wanting to fight, Alex let Tercelli do the fighting for him. He said, "I warned you. I don't want to have this discussion again." He turned to walk over to the kid that had been bullied.

Tercelli managed to stand up. Growling he stormed up ready to swing at Alex. Kelly shouted, "Alex!"

Alex whirled around and blocked with his forearm and countered with a punch that winded Tercelli, sending him to the ground. Kelly was looking at him with a look of amazement. It was the nerd kid that spotted the security coming in and tugged on Alex's arm and said, "Come on. We gotta get out of here."

Alex allowed himself to be pulled out of the cafeteria and to the quad area. He followed them to the bleachers near the football field. He said to the nerd kid, "Thanks… your name?"

"Mason."

"Thanks Mason," Alex replied giving a handshake to the kid's hand.

"I should thank you. Tercelli is nothing but a bully. He thinks he's cool just because he's on the football team." Mason scowled at the thought.

"Not just any player, the tight in. Best one there is. Coach thinks he could go all the way," Kelly added. She then shrank a little when Alex looked at her.

Alex thought she was the shyest girl he had ever met. He found that he kind of liked it though. Most of the girls he knew at his last school were too busy trying to impress each other with their clothes, hair and about how slutty they could look without breaking dress code. The "good" girls were the ones that wore the plaid skirts and blouses and ran away like frightened mice if he came near them. Listening to Mason and Kelly talk about Tercelli, an idea formed to mind. His parents would probably say no but it was worth a try. He asked, "Can anyone join the team?"

Mason looked at Alex and looked like he was disappointed. He answered, "Well, tryouts were held over the summer but maybe you can convince Coach to let you in as a walk on. Why?"

Alex shrugged his shoulders as he sat down on one of the benches and accepted the tray that Kelly managed to bring with her. He offered Mason his apple to replace the one Tercelli thought was his. "Just a thought Mason."

"Trust me, you don't want to be on the team with those jerks."

Alex gave a chuckle, "Why?"

Mason cringed and looked nervous and a little afraid. Alex picked up on it and asked, "What's wrong Mas?"

Mason looked at Kelly who was also hugging her books to her chest as if they were a lifeline. He then said, "Well, the guys on the team, their dads pretty much run this town. They belong to this club or something and the players use it as a status symbol since their dads are usually rich. The players from poorer families, they aren't treated so well. One kid killed himself because of the bullying. Another moved away when his brother was killed. It just isn't worth it."

Alex listened to the kid and thought that it didn't make sense on one level but on another it did. It did sound suspicious and he was curious to find out more. His parents would probably tell him to quit but they would respect his wishes if he made a case. That's what made them cool compared to the foster parents he had when he was five. He took a bite of the, whatever it was on his tray, and thought more about an idea that started to bud in his mind. He then said, "You know Mas, if no one stands up to them, then they will always win."

"I just want to get out and go to college and veterinary school," Mason replied, "Most of the time animals are more friendly than people."

"We all want to get out," Kelly said, "It's a nice town but the world is big and I want to see most of what I can."

Alex nodded, "Take it from someone who's moved around a lot, going out there is pretty lonely and it's no fun trying to fit in at a new school."

"After what you did to Tercelli, fitting in won't be a problem," Kelly replied.

"So why would you want to join the jock on the team?"

"Just to even the playing field for us that are not like them," Alex grinned at his two newest friends.

"So you think you can play ball?"

"Yes sir."

"This ain't the army son but I appreciate the respect all the same."

Alex looked up at the coach from his seat and gave a respectful nod. Maybe this was crazy but it was his brand of crazy. He replied, "My dad taught me to show respect no matter what the man's profession."

"He's a good man son," the coach replied. "So what positions, if any, have you played?"

"None sir. My family moves a bit because of my dad's job but it looks like this time I'll be around for the season," Alex answered the question with the ease of practice. As far as he knew, his dad had a job that required him to move from town to town for some company. It was Mom that made the transition more comfortable with each move. Some moves they got to stay longer while others, they had maybe a few weeks and then on to the next job.

"That's good because I can't have any of my players backing out midseason." The coach studied the kid who came to see him with a professional eye. The kid had a good build but he had yet to see if he had any talent. He might take a chance. "Alright. You can join the team as a walk on. I'll try you out on offense since you look like you can run pretty fast." The coach then opened a drawer in his desk and pulled out the necessary forms. "Fill these out and have your parents sign them. Bring them back tomorrow and we can get started."

Alex took the proffered papers and said, "Thanks Coach. See you tomorrow."

As soon as he was dismissed, he left the coach's office and out of the gym to where Kelly and Mason were waiting. Upon seeing them he showed them the papers and gave a grin. It was going to be hard work convincing his parents to let him play but they didn't need to know that. He answered questions as they walked to where their bikes where locked up. They walked towards the street where Mason split off to head home. Kelly lingered a bit before straddling her bike. "You wanna come to my house?"

Alex had straddled his bike and was about to pull out when she asked him to come by. He stopped and thought about it. He knew the rules though. He had to come straight home after school. He replied, "I can't Kelly. I have to go straight home."

Kelly lowered her face, "Oh… okay."

"You want to come to my house?"

Kelly looked up and saw the smile on Alex's face. She beamed back and said, "Sure."

Alex smiled at the smile Kelly gave him. He liked the girl and thought that she would make a good friend in this town. "Follow me." He straddled his bike and started pedaling down the street. As he was pedaling away with Kelly following, he was being watched from the window of the second story of the school.

Phillip Hardman was busy grading papers in his office. It was a mundane yet required task; a necessary component of this assignment. He was to keep an eye out for any signs of treachery before they came. He was also on assignment with two others. One was assigned to the house and the other was assigned to the brotherhood. He was stuck at the school but they needed to be sure.

The Intel from the last one assigned never arrived to tell them the situation. When it was discovered that he had been killed by a psychopath, there had been some hesitancy. Hardman had pushed for a different location but in the end, after an investigation, the decision was to move forward as usual. It had Hardman uneasy but orders were orders. At least he could make sure things at the school were all right.

A knock sounded at his door. Hardman looked up and said, "Hey there. How are things on the field Coach Taylor?"

Coach Taylor walked in and replied, "Going great. I might have a new player soon."

"Really?" Hardman didn't look up from his grading. It was second nature to grade and talk at the same time. He knew the subject matter he was teaching forward and backward and then some so he could grade just by glancing at the answers. "Who's the ass wipe that decided to join the pummel squad?" He gave a slight smile at the coach.

Coach Taylor gave a slight laugh. He replied, "Some new kid. Just transferred in. Nice boy, and very respectful."

"That narrows it down. We've had about three transfers in."

"This kid is different. He really wants to play and he doesn't buy into the glory crap."

Hardman grinned, "A rarity Coach. Got a name since I assume you'll want me to keep track of his grades?"

"Kid's name is Alexander Davidson."

Hardman put all of his discipline and training into not flinching at the name the coach had given. While he had orders to make sure the boy had as normal a life as possible, he had to make sure that there were no unnecessary risks being taken. This was toeing the line and barely. However it was ultimately up to the boy's parents. He just had to go along with it. "Sounds like a good kid."

"Hope he is. Thing is I don't think he is a football player at heart. It's like he has another motive."

Hardman didn't see the look that Coach Taylor cast his way as if her were waiting for him to say something wrong. However Hardman had been on the job quite a while now. He had learned how to say the right thing and avoid suspicion. He replied, "Probably trying to impress a girl. Say that he's on the team and thereby cool."

"Probably but I'll give him a try, if he brings the forms back."

"Ah gotta with the good old parental consent."

Coach Taylor laughed before giving a pat on Hardman's shoulder. He started towards the door. "Yeah. Well I just want to give you the heads up. You still coming to the game Friday?"

"Wouldn't miss it."

Once the coach was done, Hardman checked to make sure the coast was clear. He then pulled out his computer pad. Technology is a bitch. He then began keying in what he needed to send. The response had him given a sigh and he started packing up.

A/N: Took you all by surprise didn't I? Now you are probably wondering who this kid is and why did I bother with him and his first day in a new town and a new school. Well *singing in sing song* I'll never tell... Well you will find out. After all this is a Sam and Dean fic so join us next time, same channel on The Order of Melchizedek...