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: Thank you, thank you, thank you! I can't believe the support this story is getting. You guys are just so amazing. I can't possibly thank you enough, but perhaps another chapter would help? I made it just a bit longer for you too, enjoy!

Cast In Stone

Chapter Sixteen

Uh – oh! Word in the hallway is that the pathetic human has a 'normie flu'. Some sources give me reason to doubt this as being true. It seems that he's hiding something that he wants no one else to see. What's going on normie? Can't show face anymore? It can't be all that bad… or if it is, don't be so cowardly about it.

Lunch time had now rolled around at this point in the day. The main ghouls were enjoying their lunches and chit chatting amongst each other, when suddenly Heath Burns came busting through the cafeteria doors in flame.

"Uh – oh, someone not impressed." Abbey commented softly to the other ghouls who were at her lunch table. They all nodded in agreement.

Clawd glanced up from the lunch table, seeing Heath just seething in anger made him curious. "When I find who writes this shit, there will be pure hell to pay." He told Clawd and Deuce, slamming his phone down on the cafeteria table, actually smashing it into a few pieces.

Deuce winced, "Don't tell me… the blog's at it again?"

Heath nodded, "Oh yeah, and guess who's the victim once more?"

Clawd raised an eyebrow, "You?"

Heath shook his head immediately. "No, if it was me – I plainly wouldn't give a flying shit. No, it's not about me – it's about Jackson."

Well, that's all that was said to anger Deuce and Clawd as well. "What… did it say?"

Heath looked at his smashed phone as he calmed down enough to subside flames. He looked back at a horrified ghoul, who's lunch was burnt to crisp because of him. He rubbed the back of his neck nervously and lightly chuckled, "Uh, sorry about that. Here," he pulled out his wallet and handed them a large enough bill to cover the cost of their lunch and even a little bit extra.

"Thanks Heath!" The ghoul exclaimed happily. "Now I can get lunch and go to the maul!" She hugged him, "You're the greatest!" Off she ran to enter the creepateria line up once more.

Clawd lightly smiled, "Aww, that was nice of you Heath."

Heath shrugged his shoulders, putting his wallet back into his pocket. "Nah, it was my fault anyway. But – getting back to this shit at hand." He sighed. "Clawd, check your phone, show Deuce."

Clawd took out his iCoffin and pressed upon the newest incoming message; he soon read it and could hardly contain himself from doing what Heath did – smashing his own phone. Instead, he slid it over to Deuce, for him to read it.

"Disgusting, isn't it?" Clawd nodded as Heath angrily continued. "Why would you say shit like that when you have no idea what truly did or didn't happen?"

Clawd would shake his head, "It's a low, immature way to get attention - that's what it is. Bringing others down to feel good about yourself? That's sickeningly low, couldn't sink any farther down in my opinion."

Deuce could feel himself clenching a fist, this was very shallow. He thought so, and he was never even told the truth about what went down. He still thought it was a mean act though. "That is disgusting. But Heath, sadly… getting angry won't help the situation or yourself at all."

The elemental gave a nod, "I know, I know – but it's real angering isn't it?"

"Oh yeah, of course it is." Clawd chimed in once again. "It's enough to make me want to beat kittens." At that perfect moment, Toralei was walking by when she heard that statement. Her eyes widened and she quickened her pace as she passed Clawd.

Clawd wanted to apologize for the rather threatening comment, but he decided against it as he sunk a little in his seat.

Deuce on the other hand chuckled at the incident, Heath gave a knowing smirk. "Guys, that wasn't overly funny." Clawd narrowed his eyes, but soon both Heath and Deuce broke into laughter.

"Yes, it was. Did you see her face? It was great." Heath added, simmering down from laughing. "Thanks though, I needed that." He admitted to them, finally taking a seat at the table.

"You're welcome; now what would you like for lunch? My treat." Deuce told both Clawd and Heath. He enjoyed treating people he cared about so much.

Heath gave his head a shake, "That's real nice of you Deuce, but I can't eat. Thanks though."

Clawd felt bad that Heath who was normally always hungry – couldn't bring himself to do so at the moment. "I'd love a slice of that meat lovers pizza if it's still there, but I may need a few mints – my main ghoul don't like meat."

Deuce chuckled, "I know Clawd." He then looked to Heath, "Hey… don't mind what that stupid idiotic blog says, alright? We know the solid truth and that's all we need to know."

That was a little scary, coming from Deuce who actually didn't know the entire truth. "Uh… yeah, sure." Heath voiced hesitantly. "Whatever works."

Meanwhile, at the Burns' home Isaac and Skyler were sitting in their lovely spacious kitchen at the dining table enjoying their soup and sandwich for lunch. "Do you think he's alright?" Isaac asked his beautiful fire elemental wife.

Skyler shifted her gaze to the side for the moment, just trying to figure out what to say. "I think he's okay. Well, okay as he can be. I'll go check on him once we're done here. I'm positive he's just resting though."

Isaac shook his head in protest, "That's not quite what I meant. I mean, is Jackson… okay as in, stable? After the attempt, I'd much rather do everything I can to help him instead of coming that close to losing him again."

Skyler gave a nod, her honey blond hair tied up into a loose ponytail. She brushed some bangs out of her face as she took a spoonful of soup. "I understand you Isaac, I do. It's just… let's not overwhelm him either. I think once he gets back into the whole school routine, once he can separate himself from thinking about it… I think he'll be alright. It's just something we have to genuinely take one day at a time. If he comes to us in faith and confidence, admitting he's having increased suicidal thoughts or we notice it – then we act."

Isaac gently protested, "But what if we see it when it's too late and his innocent blood is on our hands?"

Skyler leaned over and gave her husband a comforting kiss upon the lips. "Relax Isaac, even if Jackson doesn't tell us… he's very close to Heath. They're inseparable. We will know some way, some how."

He nodded once more, "You're right Sky. You're pretty much always right."

She chuckled, "It's a gift I think." When her husband narrowed his eyes towards her, she gave a playful smirk. "Oh get over yourself." She joked with him. "But stop that worrying, it's not good for anyone's blood pressure let alone yours."

Isaac sighed, "Yes dear."

Her warm smile infectiously melted Isaac's heart. "I nag because I care. I love you so much." She told him, taking his hand in hers.

He caressed her hand softly, "I love you too, darling."

Soon Skyler was done with her lunch; she took her dishes to the sink, rinsing them off in warm soapy water and she took a moment to dry her hands before opening a cupboard to take out a clean bowl. She thought to bring Jackson some soup to help him feel a bit better. It also was her way of wanting to talk to him but not in such a direct way. "I'll be back." She told her husband, who nodded in approval.

She headed up the stairs with some soup, a sandwich and glass of iced water on a tray as she made her way up the slight winding, wooden staircase. Approaching the spare room, which was now rightfully Jackson's room, she gently knocked on the door with her foot to warn him and then she entered.

Skyler set the tray on the vacant desk. He still hadn't set up his computer yet. She wondered why but she didn't really want to pry any further than she had to.

Looking over to Jackson, she noticed he was all curled up and fast asleep. Normally she'd let him sleep but she didn't want his food to get cold, not to mention he should definitely be feeling hungry by now. "Jackson, hey." She woke him up ever so gently, taking note of the iCoffin remaining grasped in his one hand as he slept.

He stirred and with his free hand he stretched a bit. "Hi Aunt Skyler." He greeted her cheerily enough, sitting up a little bit. "Is everything okay?"

She nodded with a small smile, "Everything's fine Jackson, I could ask you the same thing though."

He nodded in return, "Everything's alright here. I feel much better after that nap though."

"You're sure? Nothing's bothering you?"

Jackson shook his head, "No actually. Well, other than a text a... friend sent and for the most part missing school – I'm fine. I feel fine, I'm a little sore though but I guess that's to be expected. So, I'm okay." He blushed a little. "I am hungry though."

Skyler grinned, "That's perfect, I brought you lunch dear." She gestured to the soup and sandwich, accompanied by a nice tall glass of iced water.

Jackson warmly smiled, "Thank you so much, I love you."

Her heart melted right then and there. It could now be considered as a pile of mush. "I love you too honey, now eat up."

Jackson watched as Skyler left before he pulled out his iCoffin, he pressed the correct buttons to compose a reply to Deuce. It was only the right thing to do after all.

You guys get an extra long chapter for the previous wait xD
Enjoy! Review please, it's always appreciated! :)