Another chapter!

And I know these few ones stink, but bear with me. It's all leading up to that final, explosive end. Pairings should start appearing soon...

"Landon Crane, I have no idea what to do with you. The only thing I can think of for you is a month or so under supervision and have your ability suppressed temporarily. You have gotten into so much trouble in these few weeks that I have no other choice."

Landon leaned back in his chair, yawning.

He grinned suddenly.

"I like your new carpet, Burns. It totally ties together the whole room."

Principal Burns glared at him.

"Stop changing the subject. Address me as Principal, you disrespectful boy. I will negotiate with the teachers about the duration of your punishment." she looked at Landon, who was studying the carpet, "You're in here way too often."

Landon looked up, amusement on his face.

"That's your call, not mine." He drawled.

"Even so." Muttered the Principal.

She stabbed a button on the keyboard and pulled the microphone towards herself.

"Coach, Mr. Reeves and Mrs. McKay, please report to the principal's office. Classes, your teachers will be absent for only a few minutes, in a head teacher's meeting. Thank you."

"Peace out, ya'll." Landon said into the microphone, laughing to himself.

Principal Burns shut off the microphone, then leaned over her desk and glared at Landon.

"Let's see how smart that smart mouth of yours will be when you're put under supervision for a few years." She snarled.

Landon smirked.

"As if you could."

Principal Burns returned the smirk.

"You can't keep it up forever, Landon. You'll give up someday. In the meantime, we'll wait."

The door burst open as the three teachers filed in.

"You again." Hissed Mrs. McKay.

"You stupid boy." Laughed Coach.

"Yep, nice to see you guys too." Landon stretched out, putting his feet on the Principal's desk.

"I vote that we keep him under supervision until he's twenty-one, until we can get rid of him once and for all!" Cackled Mrs. McKay.

"Now, come to think of it, that's a good idea," laughed Mr. Reeves, the only teacher Landon didn't know.

"That boy needs a healthy dose of fear." Agreed Coach.

"All in favour of five years under supervision?"

Four nods. Principal Burns grinned, leaning in closer.

"Have fun, Landon. Return to class. We'll get you when you least expect it."

Landon gave Burns one more cold smirk.

"I look forward to seeing you again."

Then he exited the room with the teachers.

The rest of the day was uneventful. Massie and Claire pestered him nonstop, wanting to know how they could help. Derrick looked faintly worried. Josh and Chris looked smug and happy.

"I'm fine, Claire." Landon said, for the fifth time in two minutes.

"You sure? Didn't she say she was going to give you a punishment? Is she going to put you under supervision? Oh my god, Landon, I'm so sorry! It was all my fault!"

Massie poked him in the back.

"Landon. How long under supervision? I know she did. Don't lie to me. We're past all that now, right? I even stuck up for Claire in front of Josh…"

Landon sighed.

"Don't freak out," he warned.

Massie and Claire leaned forwards.

"Five years. Until I'm twenty-one, out of their care once and for all."

Massie looked stunned, and Claire looked worried.

"I mean, they can't do that, can they? Five years?"

"Apparently they can." Landon shrugged.

Claire took one of Landon's hands in her own.

"What are you going to do now? Try to escape? I have a feeling this won't end well."

Derrick came ambling up from behind Massie, his expression serious.

"Hey, is everything okay? Landon, man, are you really being put under supervision?"

"I'm fine, everything is currently not okay, but I'll handle it, and yes, I am being put under supervision. For five years."

Derrick's mouth dropped open.

"You can't be serious."

"I am. You better believe it." Landon still looked perfectly calm and unruffled.

Claire felt respect and pity for Landon at the same time. He'd obviously been through a lot, much more than anyone of his age should have to. He'd adjusted so he wouldn't look weak to his enemies, so much that his hard, cold exterior always scared them away before they could attack. He was a survivor – staying alive after numerous battles that left him physically and psychologically scarred forever, but Claire was having a hard time imagining how this battle would end.

To her surprise, she suddenly started crying, loud sobs escaping her as she shook. Embarrassed, she wiped away her tears with the back of her hand, mentally kicking herself. She imagined how weak she would look to the others, standing next to a stoic Landon, the one who was in trouble, and making a big fuss over how much weaker she was.

Landon took her hand gently, stroking it in a soothing motion.

"I'll be fine, Claire. Don't worry about it."

Derrick hovered anxiously, not sure of what to do.

Massie cleared her throat. She sounded close to tears herself.

"Um. So what exactly are you going to do? Can we help in any way? Delay it, even?"

"Not that I can think of so far. They can't force me to go into supervision until I'm at my weakest, probably when I'm asleep, but I'm a light sleeper. They'll definitely wake me up if they come snooping."

Derrick frowned.

"Hey, I can keep a lookout at night. We can make each other stay up and be ready for them. It's not like we can get into trouble anyways. Boys are allowed sleepovers."

Landon smiled tiredly.

"Thanks, Derrick. I appreciate it."

Massie plopped down onto the chair beside Landon and Claire.

Claire didn't answer – she was already digging into her food with the urgency of a starving elephant.

"I feel so tired today," Massie gave a huge yawn.

Derrick joined them at the table, carrying his own tray with ease.

"Hey, you still awake, Lan?"

He snapped his fingers sharply in front of his face.

"I'm fine, Derrick."

There was silence as the four of them ate.

"Hey, Mass."

Alicia, Dylan, Kristen and Cam all plonked their trays down onto the table and started chatting animatedly. Cam shot a charming grin at Claire, who stared adoringly at Landon, much to Massie's annoyance. Derrick was trying to make conversation with Massie, and Dylan was trying to catch Derrick's attention.

Kristen giggled suddenly.

"Oh my god, you guys. It's like watching a freaking soap opera here."

Five people glared at her.

"Okay, okay! I'm just saying. Geez!"

Her comment reignited the conversation and debates.

"So, Landon, I'll see you in your room for studying at eight pm. That okay?" Derrick asked.

"Sure." Landon answered curtly.

Massie stared longingly at him, flicking her gaze downwards when she caught him looking.

He smirked.

"You can have my apple pie if you want." Landon barely managed to suppress his laughter.

Massie reached over and plucked the pie off his plate.

"Thanks."

Claire was smirking smugly.

"So, Claire, you like this school, huh?" Cameron tried to look nonchalant as he leaned back in his chair.

"Yeah …" she replied airily, staring at Landon, "what's not to love?"

This time it was Massie's turn to laugh.

The shrill ringing of the bell interrupted their meal. Claire watched as Landon and Derrick left the hall together, then sighed softly to herself.

"Be safe." She whispered.

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