AN/ It's finally here! The first chapter to Memories and Lies. So sorry for taking so long. Have been experiencing my first writers block, even though I have the plot all sorted out, I just couldn't seem to find a good way to start this story...

This is the sequel to my first story Truth and Denial and for this story to make sense you should read Truth and Denial first.

Hope you'll gonna like this one. It has it's own plot but has the same drama, action and intensity that Truth and Denial has...

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Kickin' it.

Chapter 1

Coming Back to School

The hallway went quiet. It was as if everything around us had frozen in time. Three girls had stopped mid-sentence as they'd been filling each other in with the latest gossip. Randy with the rest of the skater dudes had their mouths dropped open. The bully about to put a geek in the trashcan had stopped on the spot and was now holding the just as paralysed victim under his arm. Even Mrs Palm had stopped in her tracks. Everyone's attention was on…me.

"I can't do this…" I mumbled, thinking out loud, before I attempted to turn around and walk out of there. A hand grabbed my arm though, preventing me from leaving. I turned my gaze to the blond next to me. Kim gave me a reassuring smile and slid her hand into mine.

"It's okay." She said so quiet that only I would be able to hear. Feeling a bit better knowing that I wouldn't have to go through this alone, I let her lead me through the school building. My heart was pounding and I kept my eyes on something in the distance, doing everything that I could to avoid eye contact with anybody.

It's a bit ironic how I had longed to be able to go back to school, to get my life back the way it was before, and yet now that I was here there was nothing that I wanted more than to leave. All these people who I was so used of seeing on a daily basis, made me feel beyond anxious.

I did my best to walk with my head held high, not wanting to give away how I felt inside through my body language. I wanted them to know that I was still the same Jack I'd always been. It was hard though, because the truth was; I had changed. The cocky confident guy who stood up for himself and everyone else in need was gone, and I hated it. I hated feeling so unconfident and vulnerable, and I knew I had to find myself again somehow…

As we passed the crowd I could hear people whispering things to each other and I wondered if they were talking about me. How much did they know? How much had they heard? Had they changed the way they thought of me? If so; what did they think of me?

"Hey, haven't your parents ever taught you that it's rude to stare?!" Kim exclaimed annoyed, making me jerk slightly.

The people around us came out of their daze, suddenly seeming to be aware of how they'd been staring and they all went back to doing whatever they were doing before. Pretty soon the hallway was full of noise again; just the way it should be.

"Thanks…" I mumbled as I felt the pressure from their gazes subdue.

Once we'd reached our lockers Kim let go of my hand. She must've felt the way I was trying to hold it just a little longer, before I had reluctantly let it slip through my grasp.

"Are you ok?" She asked. I nodded quickly while forcing the corners of my mouth into a smile.

"Yeah"

She looked at me as if she was trying to decide whether she should believe me or not, before opening her locker to get her stuff for the first period. Unfortunately we weren't in the same class, which kind of worried me, although I did my best not to show it. Kim was the only thing that could keep the memories and the awful feelings away for sure, and I dreaded what might happen if they hit me with full force when my safety net was gone. Would I be able to keep myself from freaking out in front of everyone?

"I'll be waiting for you right here when you get back." Kim said, turning to me again. "Okay?"

I nodded, feeling the urge to hug her. But knowing that I probably wouldn't be able to let go if I did I held myself back. It was just too risky. The last thing that I wanted was to create a scene on my first day back at school. I quickly turned to my locker and put the combination in. It felt like an eternity and still as if it was only yesterday since I opened my locker. Strange really…

The school bell suddenly rang, making me jump slightly. I scolded myself mentally. I knew for sure that nothing was gonna happen, but still my body refused to relax.

Grabbing my books before closing my locker, I could see in the corner of my eye Kim watching me closely as if she wanted to make sure that I was okay.

"Are you coming Jack?" I heard a familiar voice say. Both Kim and I looked up at the Latino boy that had somehow managed to sneak up on us. He had a goofy yet friendly smile on his face.

"What are you doing here?" Kim asked a bit surprised. I raised an eyebrow towards my friend, wondering the exact same thing, even though we all knew he was supposed to be here. It's just that Jerry's never in time for school, unless something's happened.

"I knew Jack was coming today, so I figured I'll come early." He said. I smiled, really appreciating that he was here. Looks like I won't be alone during the first period after all. Kim just nodded, before looking back at me.

"I gotta go." She said, seeming not to be fully convinced that my worries were gone. "Everything will be alright." Standing up on her toes, she reached up and placed a small peck on my cheek. I blushed slightly, knowing that Jerry was watching. It had been a little more than a week since that day we'd finally confessed our feelings for each other in my room. I will never forget that moment and every time I think about it, I can't help but smile. Kim had been visiting me every day since, helping me catch up with some school work and keeping me company. Her presence was truly the only thing that would keep the horrible memories away. With her around I almost felt normal; with exceptions for every time she would hold and kiss me. Then I would go all fuzzy inside. I loved that feeling though and it seemed as if I couldn't get enough of it.

But of course she hadn't been able to hang around me all day and the times when she'd been in school or been doing something else had been awful. I had anxiously moved around the house, trying to keep myself occupied with something, making the time go faster. Even worse was it when both mum and dad were off to work. I hated to be alone, but I hadn't been mentally strong enough to go back to school until now. In fact I still dreaded that I had left the safety of my home too soon.

"You coming?" I snapped out of my thoughts at the sound of Jerry's voice. Kim was already disappearing down the hallway, causing the aching feeling in my chest to grow. Swallowing, I hesitantly nodded at Jerry. He smiled and turned, taking the lead. "Hurry up then."

For a moment I thought about running off when he wasn't looking, but decided against it. I was still Jack Brewer and Jack Brewer doesn't run away. He faces the challenges head on no matter how hard they seem to be...

Afraid of being left behind, I quickly caught up with my friend. Jerry wasn't much to hold on to like Kim, but he was the only thing I had to help me through the first period, so I was going to stick to him.

People had already started to enter the classroom when we got there and we managed to slip in with the crowd without drawing too much attention to us. Jerry headed straight across the room to his usual seat right by the wall. I followed since my seat was just next to his.

"Jerry would you…um…" I started, taking a look around to make sure that no one was listening or looking. Leaning a little closer to my slightly confused friend, I said quietly, "…would you mind if we switch places?" He gave me a questioning look. "Please"

"Okay" He shrugged and stepped aside so that I could pass him and take his seat. I could sense him still looking at me, probably thinking I was weird. Fixing my gaze at the teacher, I tried to ignore him. I didn't feel like telling him that I wasn't comfortable with sitting in my regular seat in the middle of the room. It would leave me way too exposed. Just being in here was hard enough and to push it any further could have serious consequences. The wall provided me with a feeling of safety and the curious looks I received from my classmates weren't as hard to cope with as they would've been otherwise.

Once our teacher started to talk, things began to feel like they used to and to my surprise the time seemed to fly by. It was easier to relax when my brain was being stuffed with new information, being to busy to be able to dwell on the memories…

The next classes were much easier to go through since Kim was there. If I started to feel anxious all I had to do was look at her and she would give me a smile that would keep the angst from growing.

To my relief time seemed to float by without any bigger mishaps. The worst that had happened yet was people staring at me, but I could live with that. It wasn't until lunch that things started get too much...

We'd just finished our meals and was about to leave. I somehow managed to get a little behind the rest of the gang even though Kim was very keen to make sure that I was able to keep up with them. Putting my tray by the dishes, I noticed a bunch of girls whispering to each other. They were sitting at a table not far from where I was standing. Out of curiosity I threw a glance at them and for a split second I made eye contact with one of them before she quickly looked away. She nudged the girl next to her very discreet with her elbow, causing her to go quiet. My stomach made a little twist as I started to recognize the girls. It was the same girls that had been acting so strange around me just days before I was taken and somehow I knew they had been talking about me.

I nervously pulled the sleeves of my shirt up towards my elbows, revealing my forearms without really thinking. It was an old habit of mine and I always used to wear shirts like that. I was instantly reminded of why I was wearing that long sleeved shirt in the first place though as my eyes fell upon the still visible marks around my wrists. Suddenly the metal cuffs digging into them, securing me to a wooden wall appeared before me as the memories came back. With my heart pounding I quickly brought the sleeves down again and hurried out the door, passing my friends.

"Jack" I heard Kim's voice behind me. "Jack wait…" I didn't really listen to her; instead I speeded up my pace escaping the embarrassing moment. The terrible thought of someone having seen my wrists made me wanting to disappear. People would start to wonder, start to ask questions… and if they wouldn't be given an answer they would start to make up their own. Rumours would be spread and everyone would start to think I'm a nutcase. Or even worse; if someone would figuring out what really happened they would start to think I'm weak and some would pity me, while others would –I'm sure- take advantage of it and use it against me somehow.

I had started to jog down the hallway since walking just wasn't fast enough.

"Jack, wait!" Kim had always been persistent and she wasn't likely to give up –that's one thing that I loved about her- but I was still surprised at how close her voice was. I didn't want her to catch up with me, because that would mean I would have to talk to her and I didn't want to. I didn't want to talk to anybody. My jog soon turned into a full out run as I bolted for the place that would for sure give me some privacy.

Turning a corner I saw the door leading to the boys' bathroom. Just as I grabbed the door handle I looked back at the blond who was still chasing me, locking eyes with her for a brief moment.

"Don't you dare!" She shouted out as she struggled to be able to reach me before I could enter. I quickly opened the door and slipped inside, knowing that she wouldn't be able to follow. Panting from the run I made it over to one of the bathroom stalls. I'd barely reached it before I heard the door opened behind me and I practically jumped inside the stall, not wanting to meet whoever it was that had entered the room. I swung the door to the stall closed behind me, although it stopped just before it was fully shut. Looking at it for a second I noticed it moving towards me again. I gave it a push only to find out that there was someone on the outside, trying to get in. Panicking I slammed my shoulder into the door, using my weight to push on it. My heart was racing and my throat was aching as I struggled to close it. Whoever was on the other side was clearly not in here to use the bathroom. There were several stalls that were unoccupied and the only difference between them and the stall I was currently in was…me. The person on the other side wanted to get to me. The realization scared me badly and my mind travelled back to my time in Mark's basement. There had been a moment there that was similar to this. It was the only time I'd struggled against someone on either side of a door like this before, only that time I was desperate to open it and get out and now I was keen to close and lock it, hiding from whoever was out to get me.

My feet slipped on the floor slightly, making it hard for me to keep pushing. The world around me started to get slightly blurred as my eyes were welling up. I had to close it.

"Jack" The voice startled me enough for me to unintentionally lean back from the door for a split second. Immediately it swung opened and the blond girl on the other side burst through it, bumping into me. One look at my face was enough for her to know what I was feeling and she swiftly sneaked her arms around my neck, pulling me in for a hug. The fear I'd felt inside was quickly replaced with relief as my arms find their way around her waist. It was only Kim...

A tickling feeling traced down my right cheek as a tear had managed to escape my eye. I buried my face in Kim's shoulder letting her shirt soak it up like so many times before.

"What happened back there?" She asked, her voice soft and quiet as her hand started to rub circles on my back. I let out a shaky breath and tightened my grip around her, thinking about her question.

Nothing had happened. No one had said or done anything more than looking at me. The chatting girls back at the cafeteria had just caught my attention and I had looked at them for a second. That was all it had taken for me to freak out.

"What happened, Jack?" Kim tried again, when I wasn't answering her.

"Nothing" I said. "Nothing happened."

I practically threw the books into my locker. Grabbing my bag I slammed the door shut, just wanting to get out of this place. After the incident at lunch I had been on edge and at more than one point during the afternoon I'd thought that I wouldn't be able to make it through the whole of it, but somehow I'd managed -much thanks to Kim-. I just felt that I'd given everything I had and I couldn't stay here for one minute longer. I needed to leave.

Of course Kim took her time to neatly put her books back into her locker and double-check that she'd put her homework in her backpack. I stood next to her, impatiently waiting for her to be done. Even though she didn't take that long, it was still long enough for me to get all nervous and a creepy feeling of being watched consumed me.

In the corner of my eye I thought I saw someone staring at us. I felt my heartbeat increase and I quickly turned around. My hands were on their way up as I was about to take a fighting stance, ready to defend myself, when I realized that there was actually no one there. Feeling a bit silly, I let my arms fall down to my sides again. The hallways were almost empty as most students had left for the day.

Glad that no one seemed to have noticed me I turned to Kim again, who had thankfully just closed her locker.

"You're ready to go?" I asked her, just to make sure.

"Yeah" She said and snuck her hand into mine. I smiled, enjoying the feeling of holding hands with her. It made me feel safer and it reminded me that I wasn't alone.

As soon as we got out of the schoolyard, a wave of relief washed over me. I had made it through the entire day.

We were heading towards my home. Mum and Dad were on a small business trip and wouldn't be home until early in the morning. The timing had been really awful considering that today was my first day back at school, but it had been very important for them to go. And I don't think they really knew how bad my time in captivity had effected me, because if they did; they wouldn't have left.

I didn't blame them though. It was impossible for them to know how scared, how anxious and unconfident I really was. I'd never let them know. I'd never told them about the nightmares I'd had, never told them about the times I hadn't been able to sleep, too scared that there was someone who would come and take me away again. I hadn't told them about the times I'd hid under the covers, crying silently as Alan's voice kept repeating itself inside my head.

To them I was just a little quieter than before.

Mum had hesitated before leaving though, but I had insisted of them going, trying my best to be the Jack that I used to. I didn't want them to worry about me, although I myself worried about me…

"You ok?" Kim asked suddenly.

"Yeah…just tired, I guess…" I said honestly. All the totally unnecessary worrying had left me exhausted. As much as I tried to relax, telling myself over and over that I was just being paranoid, it had seemed to be impossible to do so. Now I just wanted home, where I would be safe and don't have to worry about people staring at me.

"If you want to rest I can come back later or tomorrow…" She said.

"No" I shook my head vigorously, tightening my grip around her hand slightly as I looked at her. She had promised that she would keep me company, which was my only chance to make it through the night. "Please come." I must've sounded and looked a bit desperate and I could see that Kim was trying not to smile at my behaviour. I didn't care about how I acted though; all I cared about was to not be alone.

"Relax" She said, giving me a reassuring smile. "It was just a suggestion." I nodded, as my mind started to go through all the possible awful scenarios that could take place if I would have to spend the night alone. Kim noticed the serious and slightly worried expression on my face. Trying to get me to think of something else she quickly said;

"So, did you get any homework from Mrs Palmer?" I was just about to answer when I could've sworn I heard footsteps behind us. I snapped around, thoroughly searching the road and the nearby buildings with my gaze. Again, there was no one there.

"What is it, Jack?" I could hear a hint of worry in her voice, as she too started to look around, not really sure what she was looking for.

"Nothing" I mumbled and slowly turned back and continued walking, still holding a firm grip of Kim's hand. After a moment of silence, Kim started to question me about school again until she had a conversation going. I was grateful she persisted on getting me to talk actually, since it helped me to relax and for a moment everything felt like it used to, as if the week with Mark had never happened.

We talked, even laughed a little and before we knew it we'd reached my neighbourhood. Even though we still had a bit to go I could see that our car was gone, which meant that mum and dad had already left. Again I was glad that Kim was with me to keep me company.

Suddenly I saw something move in the corner of my eye. Throwing a glance across the street, I barely had the time to register a man diving in around the corner of a garage at the same time I lay my eyes upon him. He'd been wearing a hoodie, with the hood pulled up over his head, making it hard to identify him…

This time I was positive; we were being followed.

Without thinking, I started running down the street, frantically pulling Kim along with me.

"Jack…what's going on?!" I heard Kim's voice from slightly behind me as she was trying to keep up. There wasn't time for me to explain though.

Continuing running with my heart pounding through my chest; there was only one thing on my mind; I had to make sure Kim would be safe…

That was the first chapter. So glad to get started on this one.

For those of you who don't know, I'm working on another Kickin it story called 'Wings of Love' parallel to this one. So the updates is going to take a little longer...unless there'll be reviews.

I'm simply going to put twice as much effort into getting the next chapter up on whatever story gets the most reviews, which means the more reviews the sooner the update:)

/MJ