Disclaimer: This is a complete work of fiction, there's no resemblance to actual persons or events or places. If so, it is utterly not intended. I do NOT own Monster High, or anything to do with it. Thank you. :)

A / n: Whoa! This story hasn't even hit the tenth chapter yet and there's 45 reviews, 7 favorites and 6 follows? That's amazing and a lot better than I thought this story would do. It's all thanks to you guys! You're amazing, thanks again soo much and I hope you enjoy the chapter! Speedy updates just for you guys :)

Cast In Stone

Chapter Nine

"Listen, before we go anywhere... I'll have you know a couple things." Isaac, Heath's father said as he looked to Clawd sternly. He didn't know exactly who this guy was, or who this guy thought he was but if he had bad intentions, Isaac wanted him gone sooner than humanely possible. "All of what you heard... must stay within these walls. Had I noticed you were there, I'd have never said anything. Do you understand me? I'm absolutely serious – are you hearing me loud and clear?" Clawd nodded quickly, feeling rather intimidated. "I... I didn't mean to go on and on... it's just that, it's so shocking and I'm really scared. I was actually talking to Heath, not you."

Clawd nodded, "Of course... I have a question, or two of my own. If that's alright?"

Heath's eyes lightly widened in worry, but he looked to his father, who seemed to be remaining calm. "Go on."

"Well, with Jackson's mom going to the asylum to visit her husband... also Jackson's father and her bringing Jackson along... why was that happening at all to begin with? I mean, y'know it hurts him, so why let him go?" Clawd asked, flinching a little at the end of his sentence. He wasn't really sure what to expect from Heath's father. One minute he was sad, the next mad, the next moment he was calm - it seemed to be changing quite a lot.

But then again, almost losing his nephew to suicide probably did that to him.

Isaac let out a sigh, "I really tried... my wife tried, Heath tried - we truly tried to convince him it'd be best to just, move in with us. But he was so, so stubborn and adamant about staying with his mother. I think it's somewhat misguided loyalty. We didn't want to force him, but I guess we should have. I mean, it's a sweet gesture for him to stay with his mother... but who's really the one suffering in the end, hmm?"

Clawd nodded, "You're right - Jackson is. It's really nice how much he cares for his mother, but I guess with certain things poking and prodding at him... it got to be too much to handle. I give him major credit, I'd have snapped and gave right up a long damn time ago."

Heath looked longingly towards the room, "So... after this, Jackson's living with us, right dad?"

Isaac gave a quick nod, "You bet your gassy ass he is. I don't care what he says, we're not leaving him to go home again - that was way too close a call and I will not have it happen again. I'm not losing my nephew."

Heath chuckled and narrowed his eyes, "Thanks, dad. Gassy ass, pfftt." But he felt so much better knowing that Jackson would be living with them as soon as he left the hospital.

A low chuckle escaped from Heath's father, "Anytime. Now... get ready." He let out a soft sigh as he placed his hand upon the door knob, opening the door and heading inside.

"At popular request... it's been decided that we all will have another chance at picking a lab partner. Please, choose wisely this time so we don't have to waste my class time anymore." Hack told his second last class of the day. Mad Science, the class where his beloved Jackson would normally be seated and ready to go - but was absent.

He of course knew why, but almost wished he didn't. He wouldn't be feeling as sad if he had no idea what was going on. "Excuse me, Mr. Hackington?"

Hack wearily looked over and noticed Deuce Gorgon right there; almost sitting on his desk he was so close. "Yes, Deuce?"

"I want Jackson."

"Excuse me?" Hack questioned back in return, an estranged look on his face.

Deuce blushed heavily; even his snakes cowered in humility. "As my lab partner." He rambled on, "Not the other way," poor Deuce blushed even more. Soon he'd look like a real hot mess. "well yeah, that too but I mean - I hardly know what I mean..." His mind went blank on him. "uh, lab partner! That's right! If that's... okay sir?"

Hack let out a chuckle, did a certain popular young man who was currently dating a doting highness... appear to be interested in Jackson Jekyll?

Part of him lightly snickered at the thought, the boy who was part of the 'it couple' had a thing for Jackson, or so it seemed? But then his protective side began to show. He wasn't trying to hurt Jackson, was he? If he was, there would be severe hell to pay. He'd make sure to turn Deuce into guacamole and chop up the snakes to toss in a random salad some kid made in Home Ick. "I'll take it into consideration." He said finally, not seeming too enthused.

"With all due respect sir, where is he?" Deuce inquired softly, not meaning to seem nosy.

"With all due respect Deuce, it's none of your business. Now, are you going to bother me for anything else or can we get on writing up the good copies of the lab and lab's results today?" He challenged back, Deuce stepping down rather shyly.

He shifted his gaze to the side, "Not really sir, may I be excused to the bathroom?"

Hack gave a nod, "Yes, of course. Hey, I'm sorry... I just, look… I didn't receive good news this morning so it put me out of place. My apologies Deuce. Now run along."

Deuce took a moment to wonder what news could've upturned Mr. Hackington, but he shrugged it off. The topic clearly wasn't up for discussion at the moment. "It's okay, thank you." He took his time strolling out of the classroom; he was bored and done all that had to be done for today's class.

He made his way down the hallway, looking here and there every once in awhile until his eyes came across something peculiar. It looked to be something that was broken into pieces. 'The hell is that?' he thought to himself.

He soon knelt down and recognized the broken items, to be that of an old cell phone. A really old cell phone at that. "I'm surprised this didn't combust on its own... it's so old." He said aloud without anyone around. Sometimes he just spoke out loud to himself, or even have somewhat of a conversation.

This came in handy a lot, seeing as Deuce was an only child.

"I swear I didn't do it!" A ghoul giggled as she knelt down beside Deuce. It was none other than Frankie Stein.

"Are you sure?" He chuckled, but then looked at the pieces yet again. "Yeah, no you didn't do it. It's broken in pieces, not fried up." He joked back, but then thought to ask Frankie a question. "You know who's phone this... was?"

Frankie gently took some of the pieces from Deuce's hands, studying them. "Yeah, the only person who has a phone like this in all of Monster High, it's Jackson's."

Deuce gave a slight smile, "Is it?" which then grew into a smirk, "... this could work out in my favor."

The confused ghoul tilted her head, "I'm sorry?"

The male got up and gave a warm smile, "Frankie, you're a genius. Thanks a ton!" and with that he raced off leaving behind Frankie and Jackson's old broken phone.

Well, well - another chapter up and posted. Review please! It's always very appreciated. :)