Chapter 7 - ("I can't tell what's right from wrong")

Grace eyed herself in the mirror and she knew she was ready to go. She was wearing a comfortable pair of leggings, and a pink lacy shirt. On her feet were comfortable white tennis shoes, and her hair was up in a pony-tail.

"I have no idea what we're doing today. Do you?" Grace turned to Heather who was right next to her.

Heather was fixing up her hair as she smiled at Grace, "Nope! But I'm pretty sure we're going to meet some really cute doctors."

Grace giggled, "Yeah well let's go. We still have to get breakfast and everything."

They made their way towards the elevator that would take them downstairs. They were too excited for this day. This was the opportunity of a lifetime for Grace, and she just kept praying to God that she wouldn't ruin it.

...

"I can't believe someone else was hurt at this college mom." Jack looked over at his mother and she sighed as she put the plates away.

"I know honey. So...do you think we should take this to court?"

Jack sighed, "I don't know. I don't know how much justice it will get me or that Ally girl. He said she was raped years ago mom! How are they going to have evidence from a rape victim when it happened so long ago?"

"I don't know honey, but you let them handle that part ok? Samuel is one of the best lawyers out there. He'll win this case for you Jack, I promise."

"And what do you think I should do? Testify? Go up there in front of strangers and re-tell my story all over again!" He was suddenly angry, but he knew his anger shouldn't have been directed at his mother. He wasn't mad at her, he wasn't even mad at that Samuel guy.

He was mad at him.

Mike.

But most of all, he was scared of him. He took comfort in realizing that he would get his casts off in a few weeks and he would be able to fight. He went upstairs as he thought about the fight club. That was all he needed, he just needed to learn how to fight. He really didn't care if it was illegal anymore. He wanted to be brave like Joe Young. He wanted to stop having nightmares and living in fear.

When he was done getting dressed and brushing his teeth he made his way back downstairs. He grabbed his bag off the chair and started making his way outside.

"Bye mom. And tell dad I said hi ok?"

Didi smiled, "Alright. And be home soon yes?"

Jack nodded, "Yeah of course."

He shut the door and made his way inside the car, turning on the music in the process. As he drove to school his phone rang and he answered without checking the caller ID.

"Hello?"

"Jack, hey do you have a minute?"

Jack turned his music off when he noticed who it was.

It was Chloe.

"Chloe...hey what's going on?"

"Nothing really. I just wanted to check on you and see how you're doing."

He slowed the car down when he saw the red light, "Yeah I'm doing fine. As good as I can at least."

"I'm sorry about that by the way."

"Hey, it's not your fault. Don't worry about it ok?"

"I know but if I hadn't talked to you none of this-"

"Everything happens for a reason. I'm just glad you're ok."

Chloe smiled even though she knew he couldn't see it, "Thanks...Um, last thing before you go."

He started driving again, "Yeah sure what's up?"

"Did you talk to a Samuel Rogers today?"

For a second he paused, "Yeah. How did you know that?"

"Doesn't matter look, I know you deserve to sue the school Jack. They put you through hell, and I get that but please, please don't drag Ally into this."

"Wait, you know Ally?"

Silence.

"CHLOE!"

"Look I don't want to go into all the details. Just leave her out of this."

"You're going to have to give me a little more information than that if you want me to leave it alone." As he said this he made a right turn and kept driving.

"It's true what he said, Ally got raped Jack...but for you guys to use that would require her to come forward."

"Then she should come forward. Maybe both of us could get justice. And it seems like you know where she is so what's the real problem?" Jack made his way towards the parking lot now, stopping at one nearby. He got out of the car and grabbed his bag, his phone still in his hand.

"The problem is Jack, you won't find her ok!"

"What do you mean?"

"She's with him Jack..."

"With who?"

"She's with my pimp, Mike, well Mickey's his nickname but-"

"I don't give a crap about his nickname. Chloe how can she be with him?"

"She was confused and scared when she got raped. She didn't know what to do from there. Her parents didn't know what to do and so she just ran away. Look don't tell Samuel any of this alright? I'm working on things. I'm going to help both of you guys. Just let me handle this. And not some stupid Samuel Rogers!"

"But Chloe-"

It was too late, she had already hung up on him.

...

Heather and Jason were talking excitedly as they all followed the teacher on the bus again. They were going to be talking to real doctors and getting information that could help them in college. They both took a seat and Grace couldn't help but notice how quickly Heather and Jason had bonded. She took a seat behind them and she rolled her eyes when Grant came and took a seat next to her.

"You know there are other seats right?"

Grant just smiled and she found herself getting more irritated by the minute.

"Look Grace, I just want to talk to you."

"About what!" she snapped.

"Well for starters, how are you this morning?"

"I was great until you came and sat next to me." She rolled her eyes and he faked a hurt expression.

"Gosh Grace I think you just killed me." He pretended to place a knife to his heart and Grace couldn't help but laugh.

"Well, there's the laugh that I've been waiting for since the beginning of the trip."

"I'm sorry Grant it's just, you know we've been through a lot and I don't know I thought it'd be-"

"Awkward?"

"Exactly!"

"Well we don't have to be like that Grace. Let's just be friends now. Truce?"

He extended his hand out and she giggled as she grabbed it. The two shook hands and Grace was ready to let go when he kept his grip. He leaned in towards her and she scoffed as she pushed him away, "And this is why we can't be friends! You're nothing but a pig Grant!"

If Heather and Jason heard the two talking, they didn't seem to really care. They were still laughing and messing with each other.

"Sorry," he shrugged, "I had to try something."

"Well stop trying things ok! Because I'm with Jack. I love Jack!"

"Who are you trying to convince? You? Or me?"

Grace rolled her eyes as she sighed, "Look Grant. I don't care if you don't believe me or not but I'm really in love with Jack. Jack and I have been through hell together and maybe our love wasn't real when we first met but since then we've only gotten stronger. So back off ok! Go find another girl. And you know, I don't even understand why you would still want to be with me. I cheated on you. It was wrong and I feel badly about it but I still cheated on you. Don't you want someone who really cares?"

"Is this why you're with Jack? Because you feel bad that you cheated on me so you don't think we can be together?"

Grace groaned, "Grant. I'm only going to say this one time ok? Leave me the hell alone."

She was just as surprised as he was that she said it, but she wasn't ready to take it back. She stood up, ready to move to another seat when he started talking again.

"Alright Grace. I get it you love Jack, but just remember this. You're on this field trip, while he's not."

"And?"

"And Madison can still talk to him without you in the way."

Grace scoffed, "He wouldn't do that to me. Now move out of my way." She pushed past him and made her way to another seat when Jason noticed her.

Jason turned to Heather, "Give me a second alright?"

Heather nodded, "Yeah sure!"

Jason made his way towards Grace and took a seat and she didn't bother to say anything.

"Want me to beat him up?" Jason joked.

Grace sighed but gave him a weak smile, "No, I think I can manage. Thanks Jason."

"Anytime. Are you sure you're going to be ok?"

"Yeah. I just don't get why he's trying so hard! He knows I'm with Jack."

"Some guys are just pigs. Just ignore him. He's going to have to realize sooner or later that you're not interested, and then he'll back off."

"I sure hope you're right."

He smiled, "I usually am...I'm going to go talk to Heather ok?"

Grace grabbed his arm before he left, "Wait! Do you...you know...I mean are you interested in her?"

He didn't say anything, but he had the silliest smile on her face and Grace giggled, "That answered my question. Go get 'em tiger!"

Jason laughed and walked off.

...

Jack stepped inside the school, skipping out on the coffee in the process. He bumped into Adrian again, and he was relieved to say the least. He needed someone's second opinion on this. He knew he shouldn't have said anything, but he always had that problem, even back in high-school. He couldn't keep his mouth shut.

"Hey Adrian! Funny I should run into you. I need your advice," he told her, talking almost too quickly.

Adrian laughed as she took another sip of her coffee, "Alright! Calm down! What is it?"

"Ok...what do you think about me, suing the school?" Jack questioned.

Adrian didn't say anything for a minute. She was surprised.

"Suing the school?" Jack looked up to see that Ricky was standing there now.

Adrian smirked, "Oh now look who's finally good enough to hang out with us."

Ricky's smirk matched her own, "Well I don't know about you, but Jack's definitely at my level."

Adrian's smirk faded and she looked at him seriously. Ricky laughed, "I'm kidding Adrian. Don't you know me by now?"

He gave her a side hug and Jack was amazed, "Wait you guys are always fighting. Wait did you dump Amy and get back with Adrian?"

"What! No! I'm still with Amy dude. I'm just, in a good mood I guess," he smiled.

Adrian looked at him intently, "No, you're more than in a good mood. Did you just have sex or something?"

Ricky rolled his eyes, "Gees Adrian, no! I didn't just have sex. I actually got a promotion at the butcher shop."

"Oh," Adrian shrugged, "That's good. And what did Ben get?"

"I don't know that's really none of my business. Ben doesn't even like working there anyway so-"

"Hey congrats bro, but can we get back to my problem?"

Adrian checked her watch, "Oh shit! We need to get to class. We can talk about it later Jack."

...

The group of four had finally arrived at their destination. They all stepped, out, growing more and more excited by the minute. Inside the group waited for information from their teacher. Heather stood next to Grace as she smiled, "I'm so excited for this."

The teacher stood in front of them as she looked at the group, "Today we're going to have a very special doctor come in. He's actually been doing a lot of medical work in Africa so if you guys like traveling this is the perfect guy to ask about that."

Light footsteps were heard, and a skillful doctor walked in. Heather giggled as she whispered in Grace's ear, "Oh my gosh! This guy's cute."

Grace's jaw practically dropped the floor and all too loudly she blurted out something that she would quickly regret, "Jeff!"

Jeff turned and looked at her, a little shocked and awkward at the same time, "Grace? Wow so I guess you're still working on being a doctor. Um, everyone else hi. My name is Jeff Tseugay and I'm going to be giving you guys some information on what it's like to be a successful doctor."

Grace couldn't believe this. How could this be happening! How could her mother's ex-husband be the one that she was stuck on this field trip with? She groaned. Today was not looking up for her.

...

When school ended, Jack quickly made his way to the car. Adrian and Ricky had really been no help to him. He was going to have to figure out what to do on his own. He hadn't told them about Ally or what Chloe told him, and he was surprised with himself. He usually blurted out the first secret he knew, but he was glad that he didn't do that this time. He drove to the now familiar fight club, barely even needing the GPS to help him. He knew that he shouldn't be out late but he didn't plan to be.

He made his way inside, handing Joe the money and smiling. He knew the routine already.

"Here to watch I'm guessing?" Joe asked.

"Yeah just a fight or two, I don't want to have to lie to my mom again."

Joe chuckled, "Well aright. Hey when do you think you'll be getting those casts off?"

"Hopefully in a few weeks. Why?"

"Because I think we can get you ready for this little tournament we're having. It's for beginners so don't worry. We know advanced fighters when we see them."

Joe handed Jack a flyer and he looked at. This was his shot wasn't it?

Beginners Brawl

If you've never fought before, this is the place for you. Learn valuable skills as you fight for your life on the mat. All fighters of 2 months and below are welcome! Are you tough enough? Face your demons and come on down to the beginners brawl. The brawl starts at 7pm sharp at your local fighting place! For more information check below!

Before he could read anymore someone snatched the flyer from him and he looked up to see a man just as tall as he was, with tan skin and brown hair. His muscles were huge and there was a tattoo on his left arm. The guy laughed, "You seriously thinking about doing this?"

"And who the hell are you?"

The guy scowled at Jack as he moved closer towards him, "I'm your biggest nightmare bitch."

Joe chuckled, "He's been drinking, don't take it to heart."

Jack wasn't listening, "Are you doing this brawl?"

"Yeah I might," the guy shrugged.

"How about we go at it then?" The minute he said the words he instantly regretted it. This guy had way too many muscles, and he couldn't imagine himself winning against a guy like him.

"Are you challenging me?"

Jack gulped, it was too late to back down now,"Yeah I guess I am."

Jack and the other guy signed up and then the guy walked away from him.

Joe only laughed harder, "Ah! Beginners."

Jack looked like the color was practically drained from him when the guy walked away. Joe grinned, "Nervous? Here, drink this."

Jack looked at the beer and practically gulped it down as he gave it back to Joe. It burned his tongue but he didn't care, "Joe...why the hell did I just do that? There's no way I'm going to be ready! This is stupid! I'm so stupid."

"Yeah my friend you are," Joe agreed.

Jack glared at him, "You're not making this any better."

"Sorry bro. I've never seen someone challenge another guy while wearing a cast though. It's pretty amusing," he chuckled.

"Are you gonna help me or not?" Jack snapped.

"Woah kid! Relax. Now I know this guy. His name's Dennis, he's about 23. The guy has all the muscles in the world but he doesn't know how to use them. He thinks he's a big shot because he won his first match last year. He hasn't been in training since. You get those cast off, you come train with me, I promise you that you got nothing to worry about. You can take this one, just don't get yourself in anymore trouble."

Jack let out a deep breath. That made him feel a little better, "Thanks Joe."

"No problem, now watch the next match and keep your mouth shut."

A/N: Ok so kind of a lot of stuff going on in this chapter. Thanks for reading! Hope you enjoyed!