When Two Worlds Collide
Thank you for the support for this story and my others here at FF!
This chapter introduces an important original character. He'll have an interesting effect on some of the mains in this story.
Chapter 7: Consequences
Andrew Baxter finished his phone call with a parent, smiling afterwards. Well, solved that situation. Turning his attention to a student's file, he looked up as suddenly the outer office secretary came in.
"Uh…sir do you have time? Gene says he has something important to show you."
Andrew smiled at the elderly lady wearing a floral patterned skirt with a bright plum colored blouse. "Sure Catherine…send him in." After she left, he got up out of his seat. A past middle age man came in wearing dark jeans with a long sleeved blue shirt. Smoothing his tie underneath his gray suit, Andrew smiled graciously. "Well Gene…how are you doing this morning?"
Gene couldn't help smiling back. He could get used to this guy. Too bad he wasn't the permanent principal. "Uh, well you said if I found anything strange to let you know…anything ugly…I thought this would fit in that category." Gene handed Andrew a crumpled up piece of paper that resembled a poster.
Taking the damaged picture, Andrew's smile turned to a frown at the words he read across the top. "Well…looks like someone's been busy."
"Yes…definitely."
"And you found this in the trash?" Andrew asked with a grimace. It was things like this he had told the head janitor, Gene, he had wanted to know about right away. When he had started this temporary job just a couple of weeks ago, he had not been happy at what he had heard in the hallways.
It was important to Andrew that he be a principal that got involved.
He remembered now wryly how in they had learned to spell that word in grade school…to think of it as princi-PAL. Think of the principal as your pal. Andrew had always had a hard time though thinking of his principal that way. It seemed during his awkward middle school and high school years the princi-PAL had this limited vision. Yes, he…or she… sometimes had seen what had gone on in the school, but they had only interfered when they feared parent intervention. Kids like Andrew who had remained quiet throughout the taunting, teasing and pranks, had been neglected. And so the taunting, teasing and pranks had continued…making his middle and high school existence pretty much miserable.
Andrew grimly thought now that was how tragic events like Columbine happened, because of kids who were unnoticed…because they remained quiet…until they couldn't take it anymore…until they lashed out…destroying lives. He supposed he could have ended up that way himself if he hadn't been focused all along. Instead of dreaming up plots of revenge, Andrew had worked hard in school, anticipating the day he would graduate and start an exciting new life in college.
He had heard before that many high school wallflowers shine in college, but he hadn't totally believed it until he had finally started college himself, at Stanford University. All of the sudden, life changed. He was in a very different world from high school, one where hard work and excellent grades were important. Classes were no longer about social status. He found himself losing some of his previous shyness and apprehension, talking more freely and thus expanding his relationships.
The day he graduated, he was happy to attend the graduation with his girlfriend of the last three years, and to be receiving a business related degree. He would continue in graduate school with that same aim, while working at a top company and spending time with his now fiancée.
Yes, he had even proposed to that girlfriend.
But one day a small mistake landed him in a high school classroom, and his objectives changed.
He found himself interested in education and he felt this drive to make something positive of his own awkward years. First he became a teacher of mathematics and science, and then afterwards he pursued the challenging position of high school principal.
Now he was living in Tree Hill once again, with his wife, and daughter who was attending Tree Hill Middle School, and any animosity about the past was pushed out of his mind, as he made it his goal to reach every student in some way or the other, and make it certain that no one felt alienated or bullied.
It wasn't as easy to accomplish his goal as he had first thought it would be. Now just after two weeks of being back at his old high school, Andrew was seeing that a lot had been going on without the permanent principal's knowledge, or possibly he had known, yet had preferred to sweep it under the rug.
Since he had started this temporary job Andrew had been gathering evidence of the permanent principal's weaknesses, not in a hostile way, but so to show the district that there were some significant problems with his methods.
Yes, it was true Andrew was starting to really enjoy the job, and wouldn't mind a permanent position as principal at Tree Hill High, but he was also a realist, and would be content enough to do his best at the job, and to simply show the facts…that there were troubles, major ones, with how this school was being run.
Andrew smiled now, realizing he had practically forgotten Gene, his thoughts having taken over. "I'm sorry Gene. The trash…that's where you said you found this?"
Gene nodded his head. "Yes. It's pretty awful isn't it?"
Andrew shook his head. "Yes…but what is even more awful is that this happened without my knowledge. I thank you so much for bringing this to my attention Gene. This is a matter that will need to be solved right away." He turned to his speaker phone and spoke as the secretary came on. "Yes Catherine, I need you to speak to Coach Durham. Can you ask him to come to my office right away?...yes thank you."
"Coach Durham…you think he'll know something about this?"
Andrew nodded his head. "Yes…see that name there Gene…that's the name of someone I went to high school with…and I'm almost sure I know that this is about her…and her son. Her son who just happens to be on the varsity basketball team…with a teammate that seems from my earliest observations to be very hostile about having him on the team."
"You think that he's the one who's behind this then?"
Andrew smiled tightly. "I'm almost willing to bet on it."
I**I**I
"Peyton…come on…just listen to me! Peyton!"
Walking to her car quickly and passing by the running figure, Peyton refused to answer, ignoring him completely.
But Nathan managed to stop her right as she reached for the door handle. That morning, after a very restless night of little sleep, he had quickly gotten dressed, throwing on a pair of jeans with a grey and black long sleeved shirt, and had run out of the house, just managing to grab his leather jacket at the last moment. Good thing he had done so…those clouds in the sky were giving the impression of some more possible rain.
Peyton bristled, feeling his hand reach for hers. Angry, disgusted and upset with him still, she flicked back a wayward blonde curl, letting it hit against the brown coat she was wearing over her checked mini skirt and snug brown sweater. "What…what could you possibly have to say after the stupid asinine thing you did in the hallway yesterday?"
Surprised to have Peyton's attention now, he took a breath, resolving to not sound too desperate. Yes he felt at pretty much a loss. He hadn't talked to her since the event in the afternoon yesterday…at least not without her turning her back on him and saying nothing, but he was still unwilling to give up too much power. He had a reputation to protect and he wasn't the type to grovel anyway. "What about you, huh…that stupid game you were playing with my ba-
He immediately cut himself off, knowing that wasn't going to get him anywhere.
Peyton laughed dryly. "What Nate…were you going to call him your 'bastard brother', your pet name for your BROTHER?! You just don't get it, do you? How awful that was yesterday! How"
He cut her off suddenly. "It was dumb. I shouldn't have done it. I know that now."
"Then APOLOGIZE to him." She smiled wickedly. "In fact, why don't you make it even more believable? Do it in front of the whole school!"
His mouth opened wide at that, his face incredulous. "WHAT?! Are you insane Peyton? I'm not making a total fool out of myself by apologizing in front of everyone. There are things people expect of me…I mean I'm the best player on the team and…"
"Yeah…so good that you managed to help the team LOSE last night."
Nathan was reeling now, finding it hard to keep his temper under control. "HE started that fight Peyton! He kept egging me on and then he goes and starts handling you…all over you last night!"
Peyton smirked. "Yeah...and I was enjoying ever second of it. You stupid ass! I just kissed him on the cheek…but you know what…I did notice one thing…Lucas is a lot more attentive and actually listens, unlike someone else."
Nathan frowned with frustration. "I listen to you. What…is this about your art? Look, I admit I don't get it, all right? I don't see why you care so much about that when there are better things to focus on."
"Because I LIKE art. Maybe I like it even better than cheerleading and all that…maybe I like it more than YOU."
His frown grew. "It's morose Peyton! It's depressing...those pictures of yours…all miserable things that no one wants to think about!"
"Well and what if I told you that sometimes they have to do with my MOTHER huh? That's not all parties and laughter Nathan because she's DEAD!"
Noticing some nearby neighbors now watching them as they argued loudly in her front yard, Nathan attempted to lower his voice. "Damn it Peyton…you always go on about that! You're supposed to be my girlfriend and yet you spend more time flirting with Lucas…every time we're together it seems like it's just a chore now. And why don't you just let it go sometimes…all this with your mother…not just make a big deal out of it so you can bring everyone around you down to your depressing level?" Seeing her look of wide eyed shock mixed in with hurt…Nathan immediately regretted his hastily spoken words.
"Hey…Peyton come on…I didn't mean it!"
Her look of shock turned to one of utter disgust. "Yeah…you never mean it…AFTER you say it! You don't even think Nathan! You just open that mouth of yours and start acting like that jackass father of yours!"
Nathan reached out for her, not liking her words, but realizing she was angry and upset with him now… and hurt. "Peyton come on…I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make light of the situation with your mother or our relationship."
Peyton laughed dryly right in Nathan's face. "The situation with my mother, Nate?! She's DEAD! That's the 'situation.' And don't worry about our relationship because as far as I'm concerned…" She reached up, touching his cheek with a dark look in her eyes. "We DON'T have one." Then turning away from him she finally did enter her car, driving off to school…
Leaving a shocked Nathan standing there…with the nosy neighbors just watching.
I**I**I
Lucas walked out the front door, concentrating on his backpack, adjusting it on his shoulders, and nearly crashed headlong into his best friend. "Hales! Whoa, you surprised me!"
Haley gasped, feeling her friend's hands on her upper arms as he steadied her and steadied himself at the same time. Looking up into warm blue eyes, she shivered a little. Usually she could get away without acting in the way most girls with a crush acted. When he held her close that was fine most of the time…a friendly hug no big deal, but when he was holding onto her and looking into her eyes…that was it. That was when she hoped she wasn't so obvious.
And now too she was still worried. Yesterday and last night had been so horrible. She hoped he was okay. Looking up again, away from his beige sweater, she noticed how they went with the brown jeans he was wearing and topping it was a black jacket. She lightly touched the top of his head, grazing her fingers against his blonde hair. "Sorry. I just…well I was worried about you after last night. How did it go with your mom?"
Lucas smiled mildly, admiring his friend who was wearing jeans with a patterned sweater, a dark brown jacket, and boots. He knew that there were people with way more friends than he had. But he would never give up his small little circle of people to connect with to be more popular. People like Haley were one in a few. It didn't matter what happened. She was always there for him…and he planned on always being there for her too. She was special to him. "It's okay Hales. I told her everything…well almost everything. I just kind of left out some of the more gross details about the poster…the sick caption. But she knows enough…and she gave me the lecture on fighting, but other than this thing with the coach I'm not really in too much trouble. My mom doesn't like what I did, but I think she understands it…at least a little bit."
He reached out and touched Haley's cheek gently. "And you…stop worrying about me…okay?" He peered down into her brown eyes quietly, eyes that were always so honest and kind. "I'm fine. As long as he backs off now, I won't fight him anymore. But I swear Hales, if he tries anything else…well I can't promise anything. If he asks for it, he's going to get it…and that's it."
Haley frowned, but nodded her head in understanding. She didn't like it, but she couldn't blame him. Nathan Scott had gone way too far with that last move. And his father…whoa… "I was kind of surprised…how his father acted last night."
Lucas scoffed, anger forming in his mind. Dan Scott brought that kind of reaction in him up and to the surface. He made him feel defensive…hurt…and bitter. "What…that he was insulting to my mom and acting like a selfish uncaring senseless jerk?"
"That he treated his own son so badly!" Realizing her blunder belatedly, Haley touched Lucas's shoulder with a sorrowful expression. "Oh Luke…I'm sorry. I didn't mean it that way…that he has only one son…that"
But Lucas cut her off easily. "Hales, don't worry about it. I DON'T consider myself that man's son. He's a stranger to me, and I guess that's good because after the way he acted last night…even to Nathan…I'm glad he's not a part of my life. If he was…who knows how screwed up I would be, huh?"
He laughed and Haley laughed a little too, but she wasn't finding it all that funny. Was Nathan screwed up? She bristled with frustration at where her thoughts kept going back to. She didn't like him. She couldn't stand him. She was furious with him for doing what he had done to her best friend…repulsed by it. She hated all the BS ing he did and…
He had reminded her of a snake…the one living thing on earth that she hated…and feared… the most.
"Hales…"
Haley drew away from her thoughts with a short laugh. "Oh…sorry Lucas. "I just…well we…we should get to school. I mean…if you…uh…do you mind giving me a ride?"
Lucas laughed, moving alongside her and draping a friendly arm around her shoulder. "No, of course not! You just have to put up with me stopping at the donut shop. Was kind of thinking of getting some chocolate sprinkle donuts before I get to school… I could get you some too…filled with jelly of course." He remarked with a twinkle in his eye. Since they had been kids they had made it a tradition to buy some donuts on the way to school. He was the chocolate sprinkles type and she was the jelly filling type.
Haley giggled. "Okay…like I'd be crazy to pass up that…luscious jelly filling…ahhh. And on the way, you can tell me who thought up that cheerleading adoration act…you know when Peyton and Brooke kissed you in the game, acting like you were the only player who made a basket!"
Lucas laughed even more, though trying to defend himself too. "Ah come on Hales. It was just a joke, you know that! But it wasn't who you were thinking…it wasn't Brooke…shocker I know."
They headed together now to a used truck his Uncle Keith had been able to get him from the auto shop…having it put in his hands one day after a grateful owner of another car Keith had worked on, left very satisfied…so satisfied that he gave Keith a used truck…that had needed some work on it…to him as a gift. Keith in turn had given it to Lucas, after fixing it up and making it suitable for his trips to school and such.
Haley shook her head at his words. "It wasn't?"
"Nope. It was Peyton's…though Brooke was more than happy to get in on the act."
"Why does that not surprise me?" Haley asked dryly.
I**I**I
"Ah-hah, just as I thought."
Whitey nodded his head along with the temporary principal. Andrew Baxter…he still remembered when he had just been a kid, getting teased by the majority of the team. It looked like he hadn't let that work against him though. Obviously he had taken his life in his own hands after high school, making something out of himself.
Whitey had always liked him, just hadn't gotten too close because of Andrew's shyness. It looked now like a lot of that had left him too, leaving a mature self assured man.
"So you said you have something planned for them this afternoon, right? Because of their constant fighting on the court?"
Whitey grimaced, putting his hands on the hips of the bottom half of the warm up suit he was wearing. "Yes, and the fact that even when it is a real game, they act as if they're on opposite teams." Whitey glanced at the poster Andrew had shown him. "But after what I've seen, I think one of them deserves a lot more than just that. What he did is just beyond awful. And I wouldn't be surprised if he hadn't acted alone. He's got a great so called best friend who loves to do his bidding."
Andrew smiled mildly at the cryptic tone in Whitey's voice. "Yes…well I'll be looking into that too. But for now…both of them should be on their way to school…and before they get here, I want Katherine to make a few phone calls….time for some parental involvement…and some immediate apologies."
I**I**I
Still angry and furious with her boyfriend, Peyton drove her car around viciously in the parking lot.
"HEY! Trying to run me over?"
Peyton hit the breaks quickly, nearly hitting a student pedestrian. "OH my gosh! I'm sorry!" She got ready to get out of the car, but hearing the sound of a horn behind her, she realized she was blocking traffic. It was one of the parking lot's busiest times, as the morning rush of students raced to get the spot closest to the school entrance. Hold your horses, Peyton thought with irritation as she signaled to her almost crash victim to wait. Watching him shake his head, but not moving, she smiled as she did see a spot just across the way. She rushed to get it and turned the engine off, grabbed her stuff, checking her hair and makeup a little, and then jumped out of the car, heading over to her still waiting victim.
"Ohhhhhh…I'm so sorry!" She called out. Then as she finally reached him, she touched his arm consolingly. "I didn't mean to nearly run you over in the parking lot! Are you okay?"
"Look Peyton, if I got you that angry you could have just said something. You didn't have to try to kill me."
Peyton's blue eyes widened. He…was he…he looked so serious. He didn't honestly think that she had meant to nearly hit him. "Hey…I…"
He laughed now, smiling warmly. Those blue eyes had just looked so shocked. "Come on Peyton! I'm just joking, though you did nearly kill me!"
Peyton found herself laughing now too…and then hitting him on the arm. "You jerk! You made me feel so awful. Uhhhh…but I am sorry. I just…I'm sorry." She laughed again, and then moved forward, looking up into the familiar eyes of none other than Jake.
I**I**I
"Hey Nate! Nate!"
Hearing that second call, Nathan stopped. "What the heck do you want Tim?"
Noticing that his friend had an expression on his face like he was getting ready to punch someone, Tim put up his hands in defense. "Whoa…Nate. Who got you so pissed off this morning?"
Nathan frowned even more. "Oh shut up."
Tim laughed dryly, tentatively putting a hand on his best friend's shoulder. "Come on Nate…"
Nathan was barely paying attention though. His mind was on other things. After his talk with his mom, he had continued to feel tired, yet also more restless than before. Unable to sleep, he had tossed and turned most the night. When his alarm had gone off that morning he had felt as if he had hardly rested.
Still, he had been determined to talk to his girlfriend, to set things straight between them so he had rushed over to her place…only to have her yell in his face and turn him away.
Riled, upset, tired, and grumpy, it was the last straw practically, now having Tim coming after him. "Look, I don't want to talk about it…all right?"
"Trouble with Peyton? Or maybe your new soon to be girlfriend…the petite little Miss James who…well what do you know…there she is a few feet away at her locker with…ahhh…her crush."
Nathan grimaced and thought about how his best friend was way worse at measurement than him. She was a lot more than just a few feet away. "Look Tim…she's not my girlfriend."
Tim didn't even bother to correct his friend. That defensive sounding answer had told him enough. "So is she still the bait?"
Nathan laughed dryly now. "The bait, Tim?! Are you serious? After that stupid prank yesterday the girl won't even talk to me!"
"So no more plan to get back at Lucas?"
Nathan answered with a scowl on his face. "Come on Tim! I'm just lucky more about this wasn't found out. If my mom knew the full details of what we did…I swear. She'd have my head. I'm done, okay? I don't like him. I don't want him on the team, but I'm not going to be taping up any more life size posters of Lucas's mom either. That whole stupid thing just went way too far."
A questioning expression lined Tim's face. "Hey…Nate…this really got to you didn't it? What happened yesterday? Haley's reaction…and even Lucas's…it really upset you didn't it?"
Remembering how it had all played out, Nathan sighed wearily. Yes, it had upset him, but more was on his mind now too…like his almost lie to his mom…and what kind of torture Whitey was going to rend to them that afternoon…to his brother and him. "I just don't ever want to do anything like that again. And the game last night was a joke. I think its time to lay off a bit for the sake of the team if not anything else."
"Peyton is still mad with you, isn't she?"
"She won't even talk to me. But I mean it Tim. Look, I know your dad's hardly home too, but you could get into trouble also…this latest prank we pulled could get us both into hot water…and if my mom knew more than just the part I told her..."
Tim's eyes widened. "Man…Nate…you told your parents about it…about everything we did?"
Nathan shook his head. "No…I mean I told my mom some. My dad doesn't even care. The only thing he thinks about is basketball and how to make me a winner…yet prove to me over and over again that I will never be as good as him."
"Why…why did you tell your mom?!" Tim asked with exasperation, a worried look on his face.
"Because she asked." Nathan answered defensively. "I mean I couldn't just lie about it all to her! I had to tell her some of the truth. I told you my dad doesn't really care about those things, but my mom's different. Since she's been back she's been on my case about everything…and she's not dense. She noticed last night how I was acting and how Lucas was acting, and then the fight…"
Tim laughed dryly. "Well I don't think anyone missed the fight. It was pretty obvious Nate."
Nathan smiled wryly. "Yeah, well anyway she wanted to know what it was all about and…well I can't just lie to her like you do with your step mom."
"That's because she's a witch and is dense." Tim retorted quickly, referring to his stepmother, but then returned the topic to Nathan's mother. "But yeah…she is your mom. I get that. It's just…Nate, what if she says anything?"
"I don't think she will. She was upset with me last night, but I think I convinced her that what Whitey has planned is punishment enough…"
"And what about Lucas? What if he blabbed to his mom?"
Nathan turned away from his friend and towards the two figures still standing there at the lockers, Haley and Lucas. Their backs were turned toward him so he couldn't read their faces. "I…I don't think he did, at least not about all of it."
After Lucas's reaction yesterday, Nathan got the feeling that he would have done everything he could to protect his mom from those pictures. He doubted his brother had gone into detail about what those pictures had shown…especially the ugly caption.
Frowning now, Nathan once again wished he simply hadn't even come up with the idea. It had landed him in a lot of trouble. Haley probably thought he was the scum of the earth. Lucas had been more than just upset. His mom was disgusted with him. His father was angry and disappointed because of the stupid game not being played the right way. And he wasn't even sure if that fight with Peyton had resulted in them breaking up.
But mostly, still, was the way Nathan felt about himself. He tried to bluster his way around with Tim and did his best to show a non caring attitude around school, but honestly he was feeling guilty for what he had done…not to mention very uneasy about it…so uneasy and on edge that it made him blurt out things without even thinking…even more so than he usually did.
I**I**I
"Hey…Luke you okay?" Noticing how Lucas just stared at his locker for a minute, Haley was worried. He was probably remembering the events of yesterday she thought…probably…
"Hey Cutie…what's got you looking so down…"
Haley bristled at the new voice, frowning at Brooke's attentions.
Lucas couldn't help but smile suddenly at the feel of Brooke's hand moving up his back. Turning around, he took in her low rise jeans, red sweater and…the flash of white toned stomach…and then of course her brown reddish hair…back to the flash of white toned stomach…
Man, he needed to get out more. "Uh…hey Brooke."
"Ohhhh…are you still feeling down about the little incident in the hallway yesterday?"
Haley's arms came over her chest in angry defiance. "Uh…yeah…it was pretty awful what Mr. Basketball Jerk did yesterday."
Brooke laughed at Haley's name for Nathan. "Ohhh! Haley, that's funny! You are turning out to be so different from what I thought you were at first."
Haley shook her head with a tight smile. Oh really? Well you are EXACTLY what I thought you were Brooke.
"See, I thought you were one of those girls that are shy and quiet, but I think maybe I was wrong. Anyway, Nathan and co. deserve that name…even worse actually for the stupid thing they pulled yesterday. Even I was shocked by it. But I think its time to forget about that unfortunate incident and focus on much…much better things…like when you are going to give me some lessons on how to play Luke?"
"Play what?" Lucas asked confusedly.
Haley rolled her eyes. Great Luke…just encourage her!
"Well…there are a lot of things we can play together Sweetie. What do you want to play?"
"We should be getting to class soon Lucas…don't you think?" Haley asked Lucas pointedly, not liking where this was leading to at all. Couldn't he see that this girl was so blatantly flirting with him? Didn't he care? Didn't it bother him…or…uh…did he actually LIKE it?"
Lucas blushed as Brooke smiled at him suggestively. "Uh…Brooke…" Then he noticed Haley with a definitively unpleased expression on her face. "Uh…I think Haley's right. We should be getting to class. But about the lessons…you meant…"
Brooke giggled. "Basketball silly. You said you were going to teach me how to play basketball…show me some of your…sexy moves…anyway…"
"I did?" Lucas wondered. His mind of course had been on other things lately…like right now he was thinking about how soon he and Nathan would be meeting up with the coach…learning what their punishment would be…something he was dreading.
He didn't! Haley thought angrily.
"Yes…you did…so…"
"Uh…well I'm always practicing at the court…you know near the café…where Nathan and I had that first one on one competition. If you come there some time…I'll probably be there. And if I'm not there…"
"He'll be at home with his mom and most likely not be in the mood for company or possibly doing something with his best friend…me." Haley added pointedly.
Looking back and forth from both girls, seeing that sexy smile still planted on Brooke's face and a bit of amusement, and a defensive expression on Haley's, Lucas smiled weakly. Oh man, between these two…he was really going to have his work cut out for him. Of course Haley was just a friend, but she was special to him, and he would probably be reacting with the same protective nature if someone was going after her.
Before he could even react though, a voice cut through all the early morning before class action in the hallway, an authoritative one.
"Mr. Scott!"
Both Nathan and Lucas turned around at the same time from their friends, noticing their principal standing in the middle of the hallway…their new temporary principal that had only been with the school for a few weeks.
Then both boys looked at each other, with questioning eyes. Who did he mean?
Realizing that he had found both of them, Andrew signaled down the now silent hallway. "Well perfect. Seems I didn't even have to look for the other one. I was lucky enough to find both of you in the same hallway. I would like to see you…Nathan Scott and Lucas Scott…both of you…in my office…now."
Turning to each other haphazardly again, both Nathan and Lucas saw how their principal was standing there waiting. With resigned sighs, they both followed him, walking a considerable distance from each other.
I**I**I
Seeing the regretful look in her eyes, Jake smile warmly. Peyton could be such a contradiction. She had a deep voice for a girl and she carried herself with assurance every day, but there was that vulnerable part of her too that had come from the loss of her mother…and other things he supposed. "So why were you driving so recklessly anyway Peyton? I mean I know you usually race around, but in the parking lot too?"
Peyton smirked. "Funny Jake. I do not race around. I just drive fast sometimes…better than being a turtle."
"Are you implying that I drive slow?"
Peyton laughed. "Mr. Ultra Careful…in everything except…"
Jake frowned. "Thanks."
Peyton touched his arm. "Hey…I didn't mean…oh come on…" She linked arms with him. "Let's go in the school and see what exciting things are happening at Tree Hill High today."
Jake shook his head, but kept his arm linked with her. Opening the door and ushering her inside, he smiled gallantly.
Peyton giggled. "Oh my gosh…are you being chivalrous Jake?"
Jake laughed, and then frowned. "Better quit it, huh? Your domineering boyfriend might see us…get the wrong idea."
Peyton wondered what he meant by the wrong idea, as the mention of Nathan made her scowl. "Oh, who cares what he thinks? He's being such a jerk lately, anyway."
"I told you it wouldn't make you happy Peyton…getting together with him…I told you that"
Peyton looked up into Jake's eyes, seeing something protective in them. She got ready to say something back, to interrupt him, but suddenly a red whirlwind landed right at her feet.
Brooke looked back and forth from Peyton to Jake. Uhhh… "Okay you two..." She pointed. "This is definitely something I want to know about…but not now…bigger news on the front. New principal…just called Lucas and Nate into his office!"
Peyton and Jake just looked at Brooke in shock and then at each other with defining expressions. Looked like the truth of yesterday…was out.
I**I**I
"Have a seat."
Turning to each other questioningly, Lucas and Nathan finally sat down in the two chairs, bringing their attention back to their temporary principal. One long stroll down the hallway and now they were sitting in the principal's office, both having enough sense to know it had to be about the incident yesterday…yet both also wondering…just how much did Mr. Baxter know about yesterday?
Andrew Baxter sat down at his desk, focusing on both Nathan and Lucas who were sitting in chairs right in front of his desk now. Searching the boys faces quietly, he could easily read the tension, but as much as it had to do with being in his office, it also had to do with being near each other. It was painfully obvious how uncomfortable and distempered they felt when in close proximity to one another.
Finishing his silent evaluation of them, he finally spoke. "Well boys, do you have any idea why I have called you in here today?"
Nathan simply shook his head and looked down at his white and black sneakers while Lucas just remained still.
"Uh-huh. Well I guess I'll just have to give you the facts…and maybe you can be so kind as to fill me in on the details. First, I know about the fight last night, during the basketball game against the Sentinels, and I am aware that you were acting so disruptively that you were benched for the entire rest of the game. Suffice to say, the people at Parklane High School were not pleased at all. I will be expecting a typed letter of apology from both of you tomorrow morning, at least five minutes before your first class. I discourage being tardy or absent…but for certain special circumstances…such as todays, I find it unavoidable."
Nathan's face was a nearly blank expression. The guy talked like someone from a nightmarish educational TV show. Meanwhile Lucas too was not feeling totally comfortable. He understood everything of course that Mr. Baxter was saying, but that didn't mean he liked it.
"I am also aware that Coach Durham has his own discipline method prepared for you later today. I have talked to him about this and whether or not it is feasible. Simply put, I am concerned about how well you two will be able to work together for one afternoon. I would like your assurance right now that there will be no more physical outbursts during that time. Do you think you two will be able to work together, because if not, I think it is time to seriously consider not having you on the same team together. I understand Coach Durham's interest in both of you being on the team, because of your athletic abilities, but I am also concerned about the fighting, especially during an actual game. He turned to Nathan. "Now, you Nathan have proven your talent on the court, but I am concerned about your academic progress. It seems your grades have not been on the top priority list, but I intend to change that. It would be easy for me right now to tell you that your grades have made you ineligible for sports, but I am willing to give you another chance…as long as you agree to work on those grades…and your attitude. I hope we understand each other on that matter."
Nathan was bristling underneath. He hated having the principal bring up his school problems with Lucas around. He felt like he was punishing him already. But he was also very nervous. He had the feeling that this was just the start of it. "Uh…yes sir. I understand."
"Good." Andrew Baxter turned to Lucas now. "And as for you Lucas, I simply have some advice. I understand that there have been problems with the team…problems I assure you that I will get to very soon, but I think it is important too that you remember you are now part of that team. It is up to you as much as them to work together. And if there are any problems with the team that you think have gone beyond what you see as all right, please remember that my door is always open."
Lucas simply nodded his head as Nathan frowned. Typical…Lucas was seen as the good one and he was the belligerent little brat. Yes, he knew that big word.
"As I was saying though boys, fighting is totally unacceptable and because of that fight both of you will be spending time in afternoon detention, until I think you have learned why it is such a bad choice. Don't worry though. It will be in rooms separate from each other. I think it is enough for you two to simply learn to work together on the court. And yes…I know that you have basketball practice after school…so on days where you cannot stay later, you will be expected at school about twenty minutes before it starts for your 'morning' detention.
Both boys grimaced, but said nothing. Lucas was angry though. They were being punished for fighting, but the incident in the hallway…it looked like Nathan was going to get away with it.
Then thinking back to the principal's earlier words, Lucas wondered…wait…was there more?
Andrew Baxter smiled tightly, got up to walk around the front of his desk, and then started to lift a crumpled up piece of paper…large and poster like with a hideous caption.
Seeing that picture again, Lucas turned away in disgust as Nathan closed his eyes with apprehension…and regret.
Andrew Baxter began to speak with a quiet conciliatory, yet firm voice. "First of all Lucas, I apologize for having to expose you to this yet again…this vile display. And as for you Nathan…I wonder about your reaction. It seems you have seen this before."
Nathan opened his eyes, but said nothing.
"Come now Nathan…I have noticed the tension in you from the moment you entered my office. And your reaction to this…excuse for a poster…was undeniable. This is familiar to you…isn't it?"
Feeling Lucas's eyes on him now as well as Mr. Baxter's, Nathan swallowed hard. "Uh…I know that it was up in the hallway yesterday…that…"
Andrew nodded his head slowly. "I see. So are you going to now deny to me that you had anything to do with this? Are you going to tell me you only SAW this picture…yet had nothing to do with it at all?"
Turning to Lucas and then to the window, Nathan sighed heavily. He had watched Lucas rip down that poster…felt him throw it at him…and yet now here it was. It should have been in the garbage…right? It didn't matter though. Lying was only going to make things worse. It was obvious Mr. Baxter was testing him. It was possible he even knew the answer already. If he lied he could get himself into a lot of trouble…
"No. I'm not saying that."
"Really?"
Lucas watched his brother carefully now, a bit surprised that it sounded like he was going to tell the truth. It was probably for his own benefit though.
Nathan sighed again. "Yes sir. I mean…I was the one who wanted to put this picture up."
"Hmmm…should I assume somebody else was involved?"
Nathan ran a tense hand through his hair. "Yeah…I mean yes sir. My friend Tim…we did it together. But I was the one who came up with the idea. And I was the one who made the final decision to put it up."
"And you did it to upset Lucas? To upset him by posting something intolerable about his mother?"
Nathan's forehead wrinkled with confusion. "Uh…intole…what?"
Lucas frowned. "He means bad. You did it to show my mother in a bad way."
Andrew smiled mildly. "Yes. That was basically what I meant. You wanted to upset your teammate…and I believe half brother…that is correct, yes?"
Nathan simply nodded his head, the headache he had last night returning tenfold.
"So I take it you posted that picture in the hallway in a place where you knew Lucas would see it right away…so as to upset him? Is that correct?"
Nathan was holding onto his forehead with his hand now, running his fingertips against it. This was getting very ugly. "Yes sir."
Andrew focused directly on Nathan now. "Yes…Well Nathan, from Lucas's reaction to this picture I would say you were successful. And I would say it is time you deal with the consequences of your actions." Andrew turned to Lucas now. "I'm sorry Lucas. I have a feeling this will upset you…but I believe it is necessary to have your parents…and yours too Nathan…here to see just what happened yesterday in the hallway…to understand exactly what it was Nathan… and Tim…who I will be getting in touch with soon too anyway…but since Nathan has admitted he was the one who planned this whole-
"NO!"
Andrew halted his sentence quickly, shocked by the interruption. Sure, he had expected Nathan to have an outburst or two…to plead for mercy if not anything else…but Lucas? "Lucas, I-
"You can't…you can't show my mom this!" Standing up now, Lucas was practically yelling.
"Lucas, I must admit I am somewhat surprised at the extent of your reaction."
Lucas grimaced, turning to Nathan shortly, noticing how he was looking at him questioningly too. Turning away from him, he turned back to Mr. Baxter, pleading his case. "Look, its just…you don't know…You don't understand everything my mom has been through. She doesn't need to see this! I don't want her to. I don't want her to see this DISGUSTING thing that HE did!" Lucas pointed furiously to Nathan, clearly upset.
Seeing the upset in his brother's face and hearing the anger in his voice, Nathan once again regretted his actions of the day before…only this time he felt like he was starting to realize just a bit more how it had affected his brother. He had known he was upset yesterday…but now seeing him defending his mom, not wanting her to see the picture…Nathan realized that Lucas wanted to protect his mom from it…even though showing it to her would make Nathan look bad most of all…Lucas only cared about his mom.
Easily reading the upset in the boy and touched by his concern for his mother, Andrew touched Lucas's shoulder gently. "Lucas…I understand that you are upset for your mom…and that because of the nature of the picture, you don't want her to be subjected to it, but you see I have already called her…and she is here…along with your parents Nathan. They're simply waiting outside in the outer office."
Nathan swallowed hard. "Uh…my parents are here…now?"
Andrew's expression hardened. "Yes Nathan. And they will be joining us shortly."
Watching the tension line Nathan's face, Lucas turned away dismissively. Right now he could care less about his distress. Right now all he could think about was how horrible this was going to be for his mom. "Please…please Mr. Baxter…please just don't show this to her."
Nathan closed his eyes hard, at that moment forgetting his own misery and simply…automatically reacting to the upset in his brother's voice.
Seeing the pain in Lucas's eyes, Andrew turned to Nathan. "Well Nathan…was your little PRANK worth it now? Was this what you had wanted to achieve?"
Unable to talk at that moment, Nathan simply shook his head.
Getting little answer, Andrew turned back to Lucas, speaking consolingly. "I understand you are upset about this Lucas…but that degree of upset, that is the reason why I MUST show this to your parents and Nathan's parents. I cannot allow this kind of cruel behavior." Andrew turned to Nathan. "And Nathan…I think it is important that you understand just how much your actions can affect others. I want you to learn from this experience…so you will think twice next time before you decide to do what you consider is just some little prank."
Nathan nodded his head, still not saying anything…as Lucas resignedly sank back down into his chair…his hand shaking as he ran it through his blonde hair.
Oh Mom…he thought sorrowfully…I wanted to protect you…
To be continued…
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