A/N: this is where the really starts :)

I really hope y'all like it. I know I did.

PART FIVE

Sock was being very secretive on the last day of summer vacation. He wasn't home and when he did he returned really late. Sock collapsed on his bed falling asleep instantly. Jonathan was worried, sure, but he was also very suspicious of what Sock did all day. Especially if it was Joane related.

He still couldn't wrap around his mind the fact that Sock would trust Joane again. But Sock seemed too naïve for his own good sometimes. Getting up quietly, Jonathan grabbed the envelope he saw Sock try to hide in his backpack earlier. Something told him that his roommate didn't want anyone to discover it.

Careful not to make a sound as he opened the pack, knowing he was invading Sock's privacy Jonathan snatched the letter. Going back to bed, he slowly opened the envelope without making much noise to see what this was all about. What he found was very surprising.

You have got to be kidding me. Jonathan didn't think he could be more surprise at the teen just above him. This really takes the cake.

In his hands he was holding a money order for six hundred dollars. AND it was made off to Joane.

"Un—fucking—believable," Jonathan whispered in disbelief. Sock was giving her money after everything. Jonathan leaned out a bit to stare at the sleeping teen. In sleep Sock looked peaceful and very, very young for his age. His hair all over the place and some of the worry lines he had on all day relaxing.

Shaking his head, Jonathan folded the check and slipped it into one of his drawers. Grabbing a piece of paper that he cut to be the shape of the check he wrote: It's not gonna happen. Get the money somewhere else. And because he couldn't help it he added: bitch.

Putting the note back into the envelope he sealed it and placed it back into Sock's backpack. Have Joane find another way to get the money. He thought as he got back into bed and slept like a baby.

By lunch time everyone was gossiping about something. Sock glanced around feeling like all eyes were on him. I'm being paranoid, Sock told himself. He did everything Joane asked. He gave her the money if she promised to keep quiet.

Joane needed it for a trip abroad and Sock thought it would be good that she'll be far away and keep quiet about what she knew. She wouldn't have gone back on her word so he was being irrational. But he felt unease… they weren't whispering about them were they?

"Sock what is it?" Jonathan asked seeing Sock fidgeting in his seat.

"Jonathan, do you think they're whispering about… uh—never mind it's stupid." Sock shook his head trying to shake it off.

Taking another bite from his sandwich Jonathan looked up causing the whispering teens in the cafeteria to turn around and pretend to be in another discussion. "I don't see what you're talking about."

Sock chest tighten the dreaded sinking lower. She didn't… did she? He watched as they resumed chatting until they felt safe to glance over and gossip more. No… she did.

The green eyed teen looked around seeing the gossip go from table to table eyes not discreetly directed at their table. Sneaking a peek, Jonathan seemed unfazed by this. He didn't know or cared that the gossip was about them. And then a vaguely familiar blonde walked to their table as Sock's stomach fell, "Hey, Lil wanted me to give you this," she said.

Glancing up from his sandwich Jonathan saw Jenna, Lil's friend, with a letter stretched out to him. Grabbing it he placed it on the table. "Okay, thanks Jenna."

"She…" Jenna stopped herself shifting on her feet. "She moved away you know."

"Really, well I hope she likes where she moved to," Jonathan said lazily glancing back at the blonde. "Did you want to say something else?"

"I…" She looked at Jonathan in curiosity and puzzlement. "I'm sorry about what happened."

Jonathan looked confused by that and looked at Sock when he gasped quietly and sat up straighter. He didn't understand what was going on. "Its okay, Lil didn't have much of a choice about the move I'm sure."

"No, I meant about—."

"—Agh! Jenny, can I talk to you for a minute …outside?" Sock jumped up walking up to her and pushed her outside with him.

"My name is Jenna not Jenny." She protested as they left. Standing outside Sock looked around nervously before he asked above a whisper.

"How do you know? How did you find out?"

"You mean about Jonathan's mother?"

"Oh God, that too," Sock muttered. "Yes, how did you find out?"

She scoffed, "Who hasn't found out. It's all over the school."

He groaned. He was trying to avoid all of this. "What else do you know? Is it just that?"

Jenna laughed, "Please, everyone knows everything. About how his dad's a drug addict, how his mom died in a car accident. How he was abandon as a baby by his mom. That he's in foster care. Pssh, everything!"

Sock groaned into his hands. Joane didn't keep her promise. She told everyone about everything. All she heard at the festival. Sock didn't know that she saw them and heard Jonathan confess to everything. If he found out he's going to blame him. Joane made sure of that.

Taking Sock for a long walk to eat time and make it look like they talked for a long time. Also with him being gone all day getting the money order done. He was royally screwed. He should've known she would do this. He didn't think his old childhood friend could be this bad but it's his fault entirely.

He shouldn't have forced Jonathan to that festival. If he hadn't, he wouldn't have told him about his life and Joane wouldn't have overheard it. Wouldn't have tried to use that information against him to give her the money. If it had been his life secrets, he would have said to hell with it. But not to Jonathan's. And she knew that.

"Promise me," Sock narrowed his eyes at Jenna's, "Promise me you won't mention this to Jonathan."

She laughed looking away, "Whatever, someone is bound to tell him. It's only a matter of time."

"I don't care about everyone else right now," Sock turned serious, "Promise me that you won't tell him this."

She sighed rolling her eyes, "Fine I promise. Happy?"

He sighed, his shoulders relaxing, "Yes, thank you."

"Whatever," she scoffed, "You seem very protective of him."

"I have to," Sock sighed pinching the bridge of his nose, "I have to try to fix the mess I seemed to have created."

"Oh my God, it was you?" she exclaimed raising her eyebrow at him and laughing. "You started the rumor? Oh this is rich."

"Of course not," he snapped making her take a step back, "I know who did but it wasn't me. I have to clean up their mess."

"Riiight," she said not believing him.

"Believe what you wanna believe," Sock shot back, "But it wasn't me." As Jenna walked away Sock looked back at the cafeteria and so far luck was on his side. It looked like no one had confronted Jonathan about the gossip…yet.

Sock was overly fidgety the rest of the day, looking everywhere and bouncing his leg under his desk as if impatient. Jonathan narrowed his eyes at the anxious teen. Was it because of Joane? Did he want to make sure his money got to her? Because if that was the case he'll be waiting a long time.

Jonathan was going to hand Sock the check but maybe he'll hold onto it a little longer so Sock wouldn't hand it over to her. On their walk back home Sock glanced over at him. "Hey did… did anyone ask you questions today?"

"Besides the teachers?"

"Yeah, like any weird personal questions?"

"No," he answered. "Why would they?"

Sock sighed in relief, so far so good, "Oh nothing. I heard someone's doing some strange survey and I wanted to know if they asked you."

"Right," Jonathan said not convince but not questioning it any further. As they walked in Sock ran upstairs and came down in a minute later. "Sock, where are you going?"

"Um… I-I need to do something. Don't wait up." Sock yelled opening the front door.

"You do know you have to be at work in an hour," Jonathan said.

"Yeah, yeah, I'll make it on time." Sock waved it off, "Later."

"That idiot," he muttered once he left, "doesn't think I know about the check."

I have to talk to her, Sock thought running from the bus stop to Joane's house. She couldn't have left yet could she? Out of breath he knocked. While catching his breath he waited for someone to answer, "Napoleon, honey. It's been so long how have you been?"

He glanced up seeing Joane's mother. "Is… Jo… Jojo here?"

"Come in and catch your breath, dear." She ushered him in as he did what she asked.

"Jojo?"

"She's not home."

"When will she be back?"

"She didn't tell you?" she asked her eyes softening up to him. "She left to go study abroad."

"W-what," Sock asked, "Did she leave today?"

"Yes," she smiled, "I just got back from the airport. I can tell her you dropped by when she calls tonight."

"No, no, that's okay." Sock said angry at himself. She pulled this stunt and left before I could get a hold of her. "So she got the money she needed?"

"How did…" she asked a little surprised. "Well actually no she didn't. She was six hundred dollars short. I had to pay for that. So when she gets home she has to make up for that."

That only confused Sock further. Six hundred dollars short? But he paid her. Did she decide to keep the money as spending money over there? Unbelievable. Thanking Joane's mother Sock left and went running back to the bus stop. He hoped that he wasn't late for work because of this.

Sock was able to keep Jonathan in the dark about his secret being out for the rest of the week. He didn't seem to notice or care that the gossip seemed to be directed at him. But like all gossip some moron is bound to break the silence and confront Jonathan. That happened Monday morning.

"So your old man does drugs? Does he know any good dealers for us?" a letterman jacket wearing jock asked Jonathan while laughing with his buddies.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Jonathan answered putting his books away in his locker.

"Oh come on Combs, we know your old man does drugs. Everyone at school knows." He mocked.

Jonathan blue eyes met the tall black haired jock, Zack P. Melto. "No he doesn't." he replied and tried to walk away but he was slammed to the lockers.

"You calling me a liar?" Zack said pinning Jonathan while his buddies cheered him on. Sock came around the corner seeing the commotion. He ran toward it trying to protect his roommate.

"Leave him alone." Sock stated loudly to get Melto's attention.

"Sock, butt out." Jonathan grunted.

"You should listen to him," Another jock in the group answered to Sock. When Sock didn't move from his spot, Zack dropped Jonathan and turned to him.

"It's the kid with the skirt," Melto smirked looming over him before he was shoved by the teen he let go moments ago. "Really Combs? You're really asking for it." He pulled his arm back ready for the punch.

"What's going on here?" A teacher interrupted before it got violent. "Everyone leave get to your classes. You five come with me." Sock glanced at Jonathan both of them started following the teacher while the three jocks glared at the two and reluctantly trailed behind.

They all got a scolding for disrupting school and causing a scene even though it was Zack and his buddies who started it. Letting them all off with a warning they were told to get back to class. Once they left Zack called out to Jonathan. "You're lucky that puny kid defended you. Too bad he wasn't around when your mom bailed on you."

Both boys stood frozen until the three walked around the corner laughing. Sock glanced at Jonathan hesitant at what was going to happen next.

"You told," he stated not questioning since he knew the answer. His icy blue eyes locking to his green ones, "You told them?"

"N-no," Sock denied shaking his head.

"Then how did they find out?" he narrowed his eyes.

"Be-because the… the school… um… gossip?"

"Unbelievable," he sarcastically said, "I told you and the school finds out. You really want me to believe that bull?"

"Fine," Sock sighed, "Joane spread it."

And he went livid, "You told her?!"

"N-no that's not—."

"—Don't." he cut him off. Shaking slightly from anger, he pulled out what he wanted to give to Sock. "After everything, you pull this. Take it."

Glancing at what Jonathan handed him the blood rush out of Sock's face his stomach making him sick. "How… how did you get this?"

"I took it from you. So you wouldn't give her the money you earned from working." Jonathan replied.

Sock couldn't believe it. If Jonathan had the check, then what did he hand to Joane? "B-but… what I gave to Joane was…?"

He laughed humorlessly, "A little note from me."

"Oh God," Sock gasped everything fitting into place. Without the money Joane had no obligation in keeping what she heard Jonathan say. And the note probably pushed her further. Especially since he delivered it to her thinking it had the check. Sock even told her it was the check. "Jonathan, I can explain everything."

"Save it," he said his eyes turning icier and colder toward him. "I don't want to hear your excuses. Or how you told your best friend in the world about what I told you. That was something between the two of us not for you to share it with her."

"B-but…" Sock said when Jonathan turned one-eighty and left him talking to himself. Stuffing the check into his pocket Sock had to find a way to convince him that it wasn't him who inadvertently told his secrets to the school. But how, Sock had no clue.

"You're supposed to be in school kid." A police officer said to Sock after he got off the city bus.

"I am; I just need to get some homework I left behind."

"No excuses. No middle-schooler should be outside right now."

"I-I… I'm in high school," Sock protested.

"Nice try kid," the officer said. "Can you prove it?"

"Well yeah," Sock answered digging through his back pocket for his student ID, "See."

"Well I'll be damn," the officer said looking at the ID. "These seniors keep looking younger and younger," he muttered handing it back to Sock. "Get your homework and get back to school. That's an order."

"Right," Sock answered and waited for the officer to leave before sprinting to the house. He was glad the officer didn't ask if he had late arrival because he didn't. He was technically ditching class.

Jonathan was steaming mad. Everywhere he looked, people were whispering about him. He knew it too since when he did look up they'll turn around and kept silent until he looked away. Sock had to betray him in that way. And he grew mad at himself for trusting him. Jonathan glanced at the empty desk.

Guess Sock decided to skip, a luxury he couldn't afford. When the bell rang signaling second lunch he made his way to his locker. When he opened it a note flew out. Grabbing it Jonathan opened it to see more slander on him from Zack. Crumpling it up, he stuffed it back into his locker. Getting his lunch he debated if he should go eat in the cafeteria. That's when he saw Sock come in with a 2 inch stack of papers.

When Sock noticed that he was being watched he tripped and all his papers went flying. Sock crouched to pick up all his scattered papers. He needed them for what he was about to do next. Also in a little bit of a time crunch he didn't really care if they weren't facing the same direction. Finally having them in workable order he stood up.

"Here," Jonathan handed him a paper. He must've missed it.

Grabbing it, Sock crumpled it up and gave it back to him, "Keep it; you're going to need it. Don't forget to go to the cafeteria… I hear there's going to be a big announcement."

"I'm not going."

"You should. It's very gossip worthy, might even trump yours." Sock said not once looking at Jonathan. He knew what he had to do and he didn't want anyone deterring him from it. "I'll see you there… maybe."

Watching Sock walk away Jonathan stood there puzzled and conflicted. There was something in Sock's tone that made Jonathan question his decision to avoid the cafeteria. He sounded defeated and resigned to his fate. That's what got Jonathan to go. He still cared for Sock despise what he did to him.

###

It was very crowded in the lunchroom. Sock stood at the edge of it watching everyone get ready to chat with friends, eat lunch, and gossip some more. He was just waiting until majority of the students were eating lunch before he started. Sock had the papers he was going to hand out in his arms. He took a deep breath giving himself a moment before walking to the best position in the room to give his speech.

Climbing on top of the table, his peers sitting there looked annoyed and left as Sock took another moment before bellowing out, "Wow, do I have a better gossip than that." The cafeteria got quieter glancing up at him in question for Sock to continue. Everyone poised, curious to what he was going to say next.

"Oh yeah, who's?" a wisecrack answered back.

"Why if I told you that it will defeat the suspense of the story." Sock grinned waiting for them to quiet down further so they could hear him out. Finally having everyone's attention he hunkered down a bit like he was letting them in on something top secret. "Once upon a time a baby was born. The mother and father of the baby weren't pleased by this. To them it was just something that would cost them time and money which they didn't want to waste. But not giving the baby up for adoption because it casted a bad image on them they took the baby home.

"At first it was fine, they had friends and neighbors and grandparents to help take care of the baby. But the novelty of it wore off too soon and they were already sick of the kid. Still, giving the baby up for adoption was 'out of the question." He looked around the cafeteria seeing everyone eating up the story and continued.

"All through that baby's young life they left the baby to sitters or sometimes left the baby alone for hours on end crying from hunger. Still, the couple kept that kid. Eventually the kid grew older and was now able to walk. Taking the kid to various places the kid got enthralled with the toys at the store. Too busy playing with them the kid hadn't noticed the parents leaving and got left behind. Several hours went by before they came back to pick the kid up." Sock spoke.

"That was of course before the store called many times at the house before they answered. Now you would think that after the first time someone would learn from that mistake. But alas, there were many times the kid was left behind by the parents. Sometimes it's because the kid got away from them while other times they forgot they brought the kid and left." Sock shook his head lamenting this sad, sad tale.

"You're just making it up!" the same person shouted back.

Sock smiled, a sad smile, as he shook his head. "No, it's not a made up story. I knew this kid. The parents did neglect their kid."

"Oh yeah, then who is it?" Another one said from the same group.

"Not yet," Sock smiled the mischief smile back on again, "He, because the kid was a boy, eventually learned that he had to stay by his parents' side least they forget about him and leave him behind again."

"Sounds like a loser to me," another one chimed laughing and elbowing his buddies who laughed too.

Ignoring them, Sock continued, "The only person who cared about him was his grandfather's brother. But eventually he too died six years ago. With no one left to care for him, the kid started acting out. Dressing outrageously to attract attention, though his parents didn't seem to care, to pulling stunts at school." Sock smiled fondly at that. "But whatever he did had no effect. His parents ignored him. The only time they acknowledge his presence was for Christmas and his birthday… that is until a week prior to his seventeen's birthday when he got a note by them."

He started scattering the papers he had in his hands out. Jonathan looked at his palm that still had the crumpled paper. "Keep it; you're going to need it." He was starting to understand what Sock was talking about. The realization hitting him hard once he figured it out. No, he can't be serious.

Sock smiled sadly again. "That kid is me. And that's the note I got on my nightstand the day they left. If you haven't gotten a copy yet I'll read it out loud."

He read it out loud without the paper because he already memorized it a long time ago. "Dear Napoleon, your father and I have taken into consideration that we just don't think raising a child fits under our plans for life. The good news is your great-uncle Maxwell agreed to take care of you while we go traveling around the world! Behave well for your uncle, will you. Hugs and kisses, Mother Dearest.

"Now imagine my surprise the next morning when I saw this. They didn't even properly say goodbye like I know you're parents would. But I guess I shouldn't have expected anything different. Left without extra money or a guardian to take care of me because my great-uncle couldn't be capable of looking after me. And as if luck would have it, my so-called friend called social services on me. Though some of you might know about that."

Some students laugh nervously but everyone kept listening. They wanted all the juicy details. "But she, my friend, didn't stop there oh no. Not with my track record. She found out not too long ago about a secret she overheard. Then used it to her advantage. She asked for six hundred dollars to keep silent or she was going to spill.

"So I did the only thing I could. I paid her. Or well, I thought I did." Sock shrugged.

"What was the secret?"

He smiled again delighted by the questioned. Jonathan's stomach rolled, making him sick. "Why you already know it. I did spill it out to you guys didn't I? Now I don't have to pay her. Well, I hope you enjoyed the little story. Gives you something to talk now doesn't it?"

He jumped down from the table and he added, "Don't forget to tell your friends. This is high quality stuff. Right from the source too. See you guys later." Walking toward the exit, Sock left school deciding to just play hooky instead. The room roared with new gossip as the letter from Sock's mother got passed around. Including other information too.

Sock's mission was accomplished; he got them to talk about something other than Jonathan's life. Now they were talking about his.

Sock didn't come home after school nor did he come home after work. Sock didn't come home at all. He stayed out all night and Jonathan had no idea where he was.

One.

Two.

Three.

Three days Sock was still missing. He never showed up and he wasn't at school either. Jonathan managed to answer the automatic phone calls the school sent saying that Sock missed school but on the third day there was a real person behind it and he had to let Mrs. Jones answer it. Some of the color left her face before she hung up.

"Jonathan, go get Sock I need to talk to him." She asked. He stood still not moving upstairs to fetch him, there was no point.

"He's not here."

"What do you mean he's not here? Is he at work?"

"Maybe, I don't know." He shrugged.

"What time is he getting home?"

"No clue…" he shifted his eyes away.

She understood that posture very well; it wasn't the first time she's seen this evasiveness. "Is he even here? When was the last time he was home?"

"I-I-uh."

"Don't lie." She warned and when he said it's been three days she wanted to faint. Three days she didn't noticed Sock had not come home. She nodded giving him permission to go. Jonathan said he was going outside for a while.

He had to find Sock before he got in anymore trouble. Jonathan went to Providence Inc. to talk to his case worker so he could get the name of Sock's. Pouting when she found out that Jonathan hadn't come to visit her for anything but information she got to work on finding what he requested.

Giving out the information Jonathan thanked her and made his way over to Synergy. Another fifteen minutes it took to get to the place as he walked up and asked for Mephistopheles' office. After another fifteen minute wait, he was finally ushered in.

"What can I do for you kid?" Mephistopheles smiled leaning back on his chair.

"Do you know where Sock is?" Jonathan shot out without a preamble.

"Whoa, whoa, there, what makes you think I know where he is?"

"Because you're his case worker, you should know where he lives," Jonathan answered back. He saw the tall slim man in a maroon suit. He had this smile about him like he knew what you were thinking about. Maybe even before you thought of it yourself. His hazel eyes held a glee of mischief, even if it made people squirm.

"Well, hate to break it to you kid but I don't know—"

"—I'll drop my case worker if you want," Jonathan offered. He knew this guy wanted him to do that. Sock had commented on several occasions to drop his.

"Hmm, now we're talking." Mephistopheles smiled sitting upright. "So, what makes you think I have any information about Mr. Sowachowski?"

"Because you're his case worker… plus you knew where he lived before." Jonathan leveled watching the other's hazel eyes shimmer thinking it over.

"Fine, I do know where he might be staying. It's a long shot but I'll take you there." Mephistopheles stood up and they went to his car and drove to Sock's old house.

It was better kept than where they were currently living but it had an air of disuse. Not thinking that someone was there the man in the maroon suit ducked down and pulled a key out from under a pot of fake plants. Opening the door the stale air greeted them. It looked like a ghost house. They walked in and when Jonathan got near the stairs he stopped. He heard very quietly a low hum.

Running upstairs he saw a door with a paper taped to it saying: Go Away. Going with instinct he opened that door and was greeted to a lived in room with music playing. Looking around Jonathan saw no one inside but the window was wide open with a large tree next to it. Going to the window he saw a path that most likely whoever was here took.

Mephistopheles came into the room, "What did you find?"

"He was here," Jonathan said looking outside hoping to see Sock. "I know he was here but he left before we found him."

"Okay kid. We'll keep watch over the house until we find him." Mephistopheles said ushering him from the window before closing and locking it and turning off the music.

"You're just saying that because you want me to drop my case worker aren't you?" Jonathan argued as they went down the stairs.

"You're wrong," the older man answered making Jonathan look at him. "I do care about Sock. And I don't like the fact that he seems to have ran away. And I will find him and bring him back. That's for sure." And Jonathan was glad Mephistopheles wasn't his case worker right now. The intensity in his eyes was a little frightening.

More days passed without news of Sock. Guess he hasn't taken into going into his house again. Jonathan didn't know if that worried him more. Where could Sock be staying at? Jonathan just hoped that Sock would eventually pop up unless something bad happened to him…

###

"Do you know why you're here Mr. Sowachowski?" Mephistopheles said to his charge Sunday evening. Sock stood still keeping quiet and staring straight ahead. "So do you?"

"Because I decided to play hooky for a few days?" he sassed.

"Nice try kid." Mephistopheles answered back. "This isn't something you can do on a whim."

"I know," he answered back flippantly.

"You do know that friend of yours came by here worried about you."

"Jonathan?" Sock asked puzzled.

"Yes him."

"You mean the one I have to convince to drop his case worker for you?" Sock answered back with more sass. Before Mephistopheles could reply his office door slammed opened.

"Now Sugar, please tell me what the boy said isn't true." Providence entered wearing another white suit. Her face more serious than her usual cheery one. Sock's green eyes glanced at both adults. He's never seen both of them together but suddenly his over towering case worker shrank back.

"Providence, how are you?"

"I'll be doing a whole lot better if you'd answer my question." She smiled but her eyes turned a darker blue.

"It's true," Sock answered.

She smiled at him before focusing all her attention on the other male in the room. Mephistopheles shot Sock a look but Sock ignored it. He was tired and he suppressed a yawn. "I can explain…"

She huffed, "Honestly Augustus, you still haven't got over that little rivalry you've had on me since we were little?"

"Well, June, not all of us were born with a silver spoon in our mouth. Some of us had to work at this." Mephistopheles, Augustus, shot back.

"Augustus… June… wait, is that why you don't like summer? Because of the whole June-August thing?" Sock voiced.

Providence, June, laughed. "Still upset about that Augustus? Honestly Sugar, it was a long time ago!"

"Stop calling me Sugar, June. You know I hate it." Augustus argued back.

"I… I thought you liked it?" June answered lightly a little stung by it.

"Well I don't." Augustus frowned crossing his arms. "It reminds me of sixth grade year."

"Oh…" she answered back. "You mean about everyone teasing us about liking each other because of the whole summer thing?"

"N-no." he blushed, "About the other thing."

"The angel and hell thing?" she said shrugging, "So what if your last name is Hellman and mine's Goodwin."

He sighed. "No, the other thing…"

"Oh…" she finally understood. Sock used this distraction to sneak out of the office but he still managed to catch the last bit of conversation. "That was ages ago. I didn't think that us dating back then still affected you."

Sock took the stairs a little stunned by all of this. When they were in sixth grade both Providence and Mephistopheles dated? Some of what Mephistopheles said about her started to make sense. But he was a little blown away by finding out both their names. Augustus Hellman and June Goodwin… wow.

He went down the stairs and out the building sneaking into the back entrance of his house to spend the night there. Tomorrow Sock'll do what he needed to do.

It's been a week since Sock's disappearance and Jonathan was getting really worried he might never show up. But it seemed his absence was noticed by the rest of the student body and the rumors kept spreading. Some said he was too embarrassed to face everyone and transferred or that he knows he spun all of this as a lie and had to leave to save face.

But Jonathan knew all Sock said up there on that table was true. What he didn't know was why he decided to leave without any explanations. And like his thoughts summoned him the little green eyed demon appeared in school like nothing happened.

"Hey, what's up?" he said when he walked up to him smiling.

"Where the hell have you been?" Sock grinned, which just infuriated Jonathan. "I've been worried sick about you." Before quickly adding, "So have the Joneses."

"I needed air to think." Sock shrugged walking down the hall as the students started talking about him after he walked past them.

"Well I hope you got enough air in that head of yours." Jonathan hissed back. "Where were you?"

"Around."

"I went to your old house."

"I know," Sock answered flippantly. "Did you like it?"

Jonathan was this close to shaking Sock senseless. He didn't get why Sock was so calm about all of this. He was gone for a week, he had people looking for him and he just walks in like nothing happened? "I don't understand you."

"Good," Sock smirked, "If you don't, imagine how much they don't." he said indicating the students in the hall who turned around when Sock glanced at them. He sobered up. "I'm sorry Joane told everyone about you. I tried to stop her. I'm really sorry."

Jonathan's anger dissipated too the knot in his gut relaxing. "No, I should be the one apologizing. I took the check from you. And then blamed you when all you did was try to prevent this."

Sock got quiet as they walked, "I'm sorry I made you worry about me."

Jonathan, too, was quiet, "Don't do that again." Sock was back, he was safe. He paused taking in a shaky breath, "I really was worried about you. Please, don't do that again."

Sock nodded before flipping the conversation. "I guess I should thank you, you did save me six hundred bucks." They both chuckled as they entered the classroom where not five minutes into it Sock was called into the office.

END OF PART FIVE

A/N: ah! Next part is my favorite... jk the last portion of this story is my fav. Drama, drama, and more angst... not too much, just enough for me to read/write.

Till next time.