Chris sighed heavily as he flips through the pages of a Neptune High yearbook. Class of 2006. The year his mother graduated.
It's funny how much you can tell from a yearbook photo. Who the popular kids were, who the geeks were, and who just didn't care what you think about them.
It's sad to think that people define themselves in one of these categories as if it actually means something. Mom taught me early on to just be yourself, but that still places me in one of those categores, doesn't it?
So, why am I forcing myself to look through the rapidly faded styles of 2006? Well, I guess it's the obvious. Tracing down every guy in Neptune at the time of my mother's pregnancy who's name begins with L. Rather tedious I know, but it's better than sticking to the obvious.
Logan Echolls. My mom's main squeeze throughout high school and the beginning of college. It seems logical that it'd be him, why else had Gramps met with him that night? The biggest question I need to answer is whether or not I'm ready to admit that Logan Echolls could be my father.
I've looked through the entire yearbook for a week now, and there's no one else that it could be.
Chris's eyes left the book at the sound of the door opening,
and he quickly hid it under his bed. Jumping up, he grabbed his bookbag and headed out to meet his grandfather.
"Hey, Gramps." Chris said as he walked into the kitchen and grabbed a bottled water. "You look tired." He said looking at a very exhausted Keith.
"It's the price you pay when you're the resident superhero"
Keith said jokingly.
"Don't superheroes do good deeds without financial compensation?" Chris smirked. "I think you're a capitalist."
"Well, Superman never had a 17 year old boy to feed and clothe now did he?" Keith retorted.
"I'm just saying." Chris said as he headed for the door.
"You gonna be home tonight? Was thinking of having mexican night." Keith asked.
"Sounds good. Bye." Chris said as he exited the door.
Neptune High - Day
I haven't told Gramps about the email yet. I think it would cause too many problems in our relationship if he were to know that in addition to looking into my mother's murder, I'm also trying to find out who my father is.
Chris made his way passed the journalism office, his head turned as he heard a loud thud. Making his way into the office, he saw Ms. Montgomery.
"Dammit." Ms. Montgomery said as she began picking up some files she had dropped on the floor.
"Everything alright, Ms. Montgomery?" Chris asked as he walked further into the room.
"Oh!" Ms. Montgomery said as she jumped up. "You scared me"
She said, now smiling. "Sorry, yes. Everythings fine." She said, a look of disbelief filled her face.
"That was very convincing." Chris stated as picked up a loose piece of paper that had fallen and handed it to her. "You sure you're okay?"
"No. Actually, I'm not." Ms. Montgomery stated with a heavy sigh. "It's my wallet." She said with a sigh. "It was stolen.
That's the second time this year."
"That sucks." Chris replied.
"Understatement. I JUST got all my credit cards changed, and now I have to do it again, and who knows if that'll even work?" Ms. Montgomery sighed.
"Well, have you tried locking your purse up?" Chris stated.
"Every day, and it still get's stolen." Ms. Montgomery said.
"Has the drawer been broken into?" Chris asked.
"No." Ms. Montgomery replied.
"Does anyone else besides you have a key?" Chris asked.
"Just my T.A.'s, but there's no way it could be one of them"
She stated assurringly.
"Never say never." Chris stated. "Okay, so here me out. I'll need a list of all of your T.A.'s for your classes." He stated.
"Why?" Ms. Montgomery stated.
"So I can find out who's doing this." Chris replied. "That way we'll know, and we can get your stuff back." He said with a smirk.
"And just how are YOU going to do that?" Ms. Montgomery stated with a small smirk on her lips.
"Leave the details to me, just get me that list." Chris stated.
Ms. Montgomery began writing on a piece of paper, and handed it to Chris once she was finished.
"I'll be in touch." Chris said as he slipped the piece of paper in his back pocket, and walked out of the classroom,
leaving Ms. Montgomery there, a small smile as he left the room.
Neptune High - Day
Okay, so, maybe I have a small crush on my journalism teacher,
but crushes never hurt anyone. I mean, how often do you meet a 21 year old teacher?
Chris looked to Penny as he took a small bite of food.
"So, what? You're Dick Tracey now?" Penny said with a small smirk.
"I'm just helping out a teacher." Chris said with a shrug.
"It's not a big deal."
"Right. So, is she paying you?" Penny asked.
"No." Chris stated.
"So, you're just doing this out of the goodness of you're heart, and not out of hope she'll repay you with a little tender lovin'?" Penny said with a serious look on her face.
"I'm a very chivalrous man." Chris said with a smirk.
"Oh, right, I forgot about that." Penny stated and was about to comment further when Claire Casablancas took a seat at their table.
Chris and Penny look at each other and then around at the other students. This wasn't something that usually happened.
"Can we help you?" Chris asked somewhat shocked and annoyed that the girlfriend of the guy that duct taped him to the flagpole was now sitting at his table.
"Listen, I have to make this quick because just the meer fact that I'm here is making me lose cool points by the nano second. So, I'm gonna cut to the chase." Claire stated with a sigh.
Chris awaited a response.
"So, my mom's a total bitch and I had a minor accident with the jag, and now she said I can't go to Michelle Lasser's party on Saturday." Claire stated.
"Oh, no, woh is you." Penny said sarcastically.
"Why does this matter to me?" Chris asked, ammused by Penny's comment.
"Well, you're grampa is a private investigator and your mother is like a living legend around this school." Claire stated.
"Not in a good way, of course. So I need you to dig up some dirt on my mom, so I'll have some leverage to go to Michelle's part." Claire said with a devious grin.
Penny scoffed. "Yeah, like we're gonna help you." Penny said as she looked to Chris, and her face went blank. "Right,
Chris?"
Chris looked away for a moment and then looked back at Claire.
"Okay. $1000, plus expenses." Chris said with a smirk.
"Are you kidding me?" Claire asked.
"I'm a busy man, Claire, and if I'm to put my other cases on the backburner, I'm gonna need some financial compensation"
Chris said as he leaned back.
Claire glared at him spitefully. "Fine. But I expect results by Friday." Claire said as she stood up and quickly walked away.
Chris looked to Penny. "Now, that's how you do business." He said as they both laughed.
Thanks to all your kind words. It's been a blast writing this so far. One question I have for everyone is who does everyone want the father to be? Just taking a poll to see if I'll be pleasing the majority of my audience.