What's up ladies? Here is chapter three all ready to go. I hope you enjoy it. I must admit that I am pleased that has gotten as many favorites and alerts as it has. And of course I'm especially happy with all of my reviewers! I less than three you all! Ha ha I ask that you keep it up if you did review and review if you didn't! I want to know what you all think and this is the best way for me to find out!
BTW: I still need a Beta if anyone is interested. Just message me if you are!
Do you Believe in Fate?
Three more Mouths to Feed?
The next morning I quickly found out why exactly the boys were so interested to know if I was a good cook or not. I found myself making breakfast for not just Tommy, but also for Seth, Conner, and Brady. And boy could they eat…
Things had stared out simple enough, some simple bacon and eggs, however when Tommy ate both his and my portions I decided to fix some more, about the time that was done Seth, Conner, and Brady had arrived to pick Tommy up for school. As the youngest among them they gave him a ride to school every day, and to be honest, I was quite impressed when the thought of not giving him a ride didn't even occur to them. Anyway, the boys decided that they are hungry and then proceed to eat my food and three more helpings…each.
"Sorry about eating your breakfast Meg…."
"It's fine Seth…" I grumble as I make my out to the car, "just warn me next time…"
This is how a Nutra-grain bar and a latte become my breakfast.
As I finish up the layout I'm working on I can't help but think that despite the hectic morning and frosty glares from Tommy, this is a pretty good day. I am going out to lunch with that cute new guy from accounting and my idea for a piece on Breast Cancer Awareness had been approved. I think I'm having a pretty good day, and then the phone rang…
"Mrs. Grace?"
"No. Miss, I'm not married…" I mutter in confusion into the phone, I didn't recognize the number on the caller id.
"This is Mindy from La Push High, you are Tommy Hill's new foster mom right?"
"Yes, is something wrong?"
"Well… yes…"
"Is Tommy okay?" You question as terror seizes your heart.
"He's fine…"
"Then what is the problem?"
"Tommy is fine, the group of boys he got into a fight with, are not…"
"Group? How many are there?"
"About 10…"
"A 14 year old boy beat up 10 other boys!"
"They're mostly seniors… a few juniors…"
"You're joking…."
"No ma'am I'm quite serious."
"Ok… I'll be uh… there in about an hour…"
When I hang up, I can't help but think to myself, 'Well there goes lunch…'
Getting my boss to allow me to take another half day off was not easy. With promises of overtime and a fantastic story, he even squeezed a review from the new play opening up this weekend out of me, I am allowed to leave. I'm not quite sure what to think on the ride over to the school. Actually I realize when I get into town that I have no idea where the school is and have to stop and ask for directions several times before I find it. So by the time I get to the school, I'm pissed.
"Took you long enough," is the first thing I hear when I walk through the doors of the office. I whip my head around to see Tommy sitting in a chair slouched down in the uncomfortable plastic chair with his arms crossed and a scowl on his face, you know the one that is permanently etched into his features.
"Thomas Bradley Hill," I seethe as I round on him.
He doesn't look the least bit phased by this, perhaps a little surprised that I know his full name, but other than that he merely sits there with a bored expression on his countenance.
"TOMMY!" A voice booms, making me jump and turn around, only to look through the glass of the office and see Paul come stomping down the hallway, followed closely by Sam and Jared; within minutes a fuming Paul is standing in front of a thoroughly intimidated Tommy.
"Sam! Paul! Jared! What are you doing here?" panics Tommy.
"We heard what happened Tommy, you know better," says Sam in disapproval.
"We figured you would try something like this on Megan," seethes Paul with a glare aimed straight at him.
"Dude, we've talked about this," finishes Jared with a disappointed shake of his head.
"Umm… Hi… I'm standing right here," I say as I glare up at all three of them.
"Sorry Meg," Paul says with a smile as he quickly walks over to stand by me, "I didn't mean to ignore you."
Bipolar much?
"Its fine Paul," I murmur with a sigh as I brush off his apology, "I can handle this myself though."
Tommy scoffs from his place on the chair eliciting a growl from Paul who glares down at Tommy.
Someone clears there throat from behind all of us, we turn around to find a tall man with the dark hair, eyes, and the tan skin tone that is so natural here in La Push.
"Who here is Mr. Hill's guardian?"
"I am," I say taking a step forward.
"Ms. Grace it's nice to meet you, I am Principal Smith," he says shaking my hand, "Will you and Mr. Hill please come into my office so we can discuss the proper way to deal with this?"
"Yes, of course, come on Tommy."
He grudgingly gets to his feet and goes to follow me into the office, before he stops, "I want Paul to come too. He's taken care of me longer than she has."
I wince a little as his tone of voice; it was obvious that he wasn't very fond of me.
"Tommy, don't fuckin talk about her like that," growls out Paul as he steps forward getting between me and Tommy.
I blink up at him in confusion, I'm surprised by his protective actions toward me when we had just met, but appreciate it nonetheless.
"I don't mind if he comes in if you don't Mr. Smith."
He merely nods to show his approval, probably glad that someone bigger than Tommy will be in the room with us just in case something happens.
The room is small and quaint, there is a large window behind a large oak desk, and there are natural stone paper weights and wood carvings and hundreds of books sitting on various shelves around the room. In front of his desk are three plush chairs lined up facing his desk, Tommy sits in the one in the middle while Paul and I take the chairs on either side.
We all sit in an awkward silence before the principal begins, "Tommy, why did you feel the need to get into a fight with those boys?"
"I didn't," he says through clenched teeth.
"I have several students who say that you threw the first punch."
"Yeah? So what if I did?"
"Why, Tommy, did you throw the first punch?" he asks patiently.
"What do you care? Just give me my suspension and let me go."
"I can't do that Tommy."
"Why not?" he yells clearly getting angry.
"You know I think it would be best if we all talked about his later," I say calmly getting up.
"Ms. Grace?"
"Mr. Smith this has been a trying few weeks for Tommy, I think that he needs time to sort through his emotions and get his head on straight. I see no reason in having him talk about things he doesn't wish to talk about. When he is ready, he will," I say with authority and a cool stare.
"Very well…" he relents, "Tommy, as well as the other boys are suspended for a week. I sincerely hope by the time he returns he is capable of keeping his temper and getting along with his classmates."
"I'll make sure of it."
With a handshake we are dismissed and leave the office. Sam and Jared are in the next room waiting, they both jump up the moment they see us and come up chiming in a 'what happened' each. I promptly ignore them and keep walking toward the door.
"Lunch anyone?" I call over my shoulder when none of them follow.
"Wait! You're not mad?"
"No, I'm hungry. Besides we need to learn to trust one another, I'm trusting that you had a good reason for doing what you did."
"Seriously? That's it?"
"Oh yeah…and if you're going to get into a fight make sure you always win, there will be no losers under my roof," I say giving him a pointed look.
I'm pleased to see a hint of a smile on his lips before I turn around and head out to my car, the guys following close behind me all the way.