Chapter 21 – Trial Run

I was filled with a determination I had never felt before. It wasn't like me to want to react so strongly, so suddenly. I mean, I didn't even know the guy, but I already didn't like him. My first thought was to run out there and demand to know who Mom was talking to, but that wouldn't be smooth, would it? I would scare him away, which wouldn't be a bad thing, but at the same time Mom might get even more pissed with me and force me to work here the rest of my life. Not something I want to even risk.

Breathe in, breathe out, I reminded myself. So what, it's just a guy, right? Mom can like whoever she wants, date whoever she wants for that matter. The last time she had been in a real relationship was when she dated Ella's dad, but I was too young to remember that. She was a relatively young, beautiful, work-minded woman. No wonder this guy likes her.

If I was being completely honest, the reason why I didn't like the guy was that my figure of a father was Jeb, and I didn't want more than one of him in my life. If all men were like him, I don't know why there hasn't been a world-wide epidemic of female suicide.

I looked over my shoulder at Fang, who was watching me. "Okay, so I want you to stay as close to me as possible while you're invisible. Then I'll distract Mom and the man so you can make a clean getaway. We clear?"

He nodded, and the air around him shimmered, as was the pre-invisibility ritual. In an instant, he was completely gone, but I was hyperaware of the breath I felt tickling the back of my neck.

I inhaled deeply. "Alright, here we go."

I stepped through the door and made sure it hung open long enough for Fang to get through. I felt his presence directly behind me. Once we cleared the space, he darted down the hall in that silent, unnoticeable way he had. Some people, even if they were invisible, would totally give themselves away by their thunderous footsteps. Fang, on the other hand, walked silently whether you could see him or not. He was blessed in that way.

I strolled up casually to Mom, whose back was facing me, and wrapped my arm around her shoulder. She turned and smiled. "Hey, honey, ready to go?" she asked, her brown eyes kind. I had no idea how such a wonderful mother could sometimes act like she was a crazy dictator.

"Yeah," I said and switched my attention from her to the man standing across from us. I'd never seen him before but he seemed to recognize me.

Mom noticed my gaze and rolled her eyes as if she had forgotten something important. "Oh, Max, I wanted to introduce you to someone before we go." She waved a hand at the blond haired man. "This is Justin Truman. I used to work with him at the genetics lab where I met Jeb. He had an appointment for his cat." I looked down to see a small crate resting at his feet. An Oriental with big blue eyes stared up at me.

"Hi, I'm Max," I said politely, trying to overwhelming kneejerk reaction to punch him and run. I wasn't sure why I didn't like him, but I assumed that any guy looking at my Mom with affection would make me protective of her. "I'm her daughter," I added in case he didn't get the hint.

"Yes, I remember you when you were a baby," he said with a smile. "You've grown a lot since then; it's hard to believe that it has been fourteen years already."

I rolled my eyes. Cut with the crap, I wanted to say. I don't like suck ups. "Well, I have homework to do…" I said as a reminder to Mom that we really needed to get home. I hoped Fang was close because I wasn't sticking out this conversation any longer.

"Right, sorry Justin but we really need to get back home," Mom said apologetically. "I'm sure you understand. It's been nice talking to you again."

"Yeah," he said. He opened out his arms and Mom hugged him quickly. I wanted to gag, but I figured that she'd probably make me clean it up anyway so it was a waste of my effort. "I'll call you."

"I'd like that. Goodbye."

I clutched her arm and towed her toward the lobby, careful not to say a thing until we were out of there. When we were securely in the car, I was too worked up for the yell-a-thon that I wanted to take part in. I just sat there, my arms crossed over my chest, staring out the passenger door window.

Mom sighed. "I know you're annoyed Max," she began without looking at me. "Tell me what's wrong."

I sniffed and kept a firm gaze on the moving scenery, cause you know I love being the adult in a situation like this. She knows what's wrong, but she wants me to admit it.

"Max…" Her voice had a warning in it. I really didn't feel like talking but I was going to give her what she wanted to hear.

"Mom, what do you want me to say? That everything's fine? I've been working for the past four hours nonstop, and when I get home I still have more work to do. I still have one more day of Mr. Reinhard ahead, and a whole week of the kennel. Do you expect me to take everything in stride and say 'I know I did wrong and I'm gonna accept my punishment with a smile'? I'm tired of this already! Don't you think just telling me that you're disappointed and that you don't want me to do it again is enough of a reminder not to do it again? I learned my lesson yesterday."

"I know," she said after a second's pause. We pulled up in front of our home and she cut the engine. I hoped Fang was here. "I thought about this punishment carefully, and I think what I made you do today wasn't right. You shouldn't have to clean the kennel by yourself." I tried to keep my face smooth so she wouldn't know that I wasn't alone. "Both Ella and Fang said that it was unfair, so I think for the rest of the week you'll be sorting out medicine and assisting me with my appointments."

My ears perked. "Really?" I didn't want to get my hopes up and then have reality crashing down on me again. This sounded more like the Mom I loved.

She nodded. "I saw you working really hard, and I know you do understand that what you did was wrong. That's why I'm appeasing your work load, and I promise you won't be home this late again."

I grinned. "Thanks Mom!" And, get this, for once I hugged her. I'm not generally the type of person who likes hugging people – and to my great horror, there are those out there who do – but I thought this was an exception. We pulled apart and she opened her door. I bit my lower lip and shot a glance toward the house. I couldn't tell if Fang had gotten back or not. Since there was no point having Mom question my behavior by waiting in the car, I followed her to the house.

We stepped into the house to see Ella in the kitchen stirring up some rice and beans. "Hey, Ella," Mom said, coming up and giving her a hug. "Thanks for starting dinner. Where's Fang?"

She shrugged. "In his room, I think."

Mom nodded and my heart thudded. Was Ella still covering for him or was he really there. "Well, I'll call him in for food."

"That should get him out of his cave," I muttered to myself.

Mom headed toward his room while I hobbled over to the fridge. I was dead tired and I felt like I was going to pass out as soon as my head hit something soft. I opened the door and looked through containers of various foods to find what I wanted. In the back was a carton of every kid's favorite – chocolate milk. I could already taste its creamy goodness on my tongue. I reached in when I felt my body tense, the hairs on the back of my neck prickle. "Ugh, Fang, quit it!" I yelled before even turning around, and when I did I nearly fell over by his close proximity. He was standing over me, looking down with a smirk.

"I really can't believe I haven't been doing this sooner," he said with some amusement. "It's fun scaring you."

I pushed his chest so I could make room to get around him. "In case you haven't noticed I didn't fall down this time."

His expression didn't change. "I'll have to work harder at it."

I groaned. He was impossible. He started walking away but I grabbed his wrist. He was startled but looked at me with a questioning expression. "Thanks, for before," I said quietly. I heard Ella snicker and I shot her a look that shut her up instantly.

He nodded, and I wasn't sure, but I thought I saw something light in his black eyes.

"Attention students, I have an important announcement to make," Mr. Reinhard announced over the intercom. He wasn't sure why he was doing this. He looked over his shoulder and got a short, curt nod from Mr. Darnell in encouragement. "Today's first period will be cancelled for a special assembly that will be taking place in the auditorium. All students are to report there immediately after homeroom. Seats are arranged by grade, freshman in front and seniors in back. Please seat yourselves promptly so we can utilize all the time. Thank you." He released his thumb from the button and sighed.

"This is going to be a big change," Mr. Darnell said, approaching the principal in that regal way he had. Mr. Reinhard couldn't explain why he felt uneasy about the younger man. "You'll see a difference in the conduct of your students. All other schools in the district have already taken these measures, and it's time that Nimitz High is recognized on the same level as all the others."

The principal sighed. He thought this was a ridiculous step in "the right direction", that it was too harsh. The students here didn't behave that badly, he thought. They never did anything that required him to come down too hard on any particular teen. Even James Griffith, who he'd suspended for two weeks, was that biggest punishment he had given out in years.

"Don't you think this is very… sudden?" Mr. Reinhard asked slowly. He knew he's agreed to this, but he wanted to give it a try anyway. "Our kids aren't bad. I don't see why bringing in everyone is necessary."

Mr. Darnell smiled and played with something in his pant pocket. "We have some new officers, and we wanted to get them experience on a smaller level before getting to the big crimes. Besides, there are only ten guards. We aren't bringing in a full force."

"Just to remind you I only took up this deal on a trial and error basis," the principal reminded him. "Once all the commotion from the stink bomb incident dies down, then we'll discuss how we want to proceed from there."

"Of course." Mr. Darnell's grin was blinding. He pulled out a cell phone, the item he was fiddling with earlier. "If you excuse me, Sean, I need to make a phone call."

He nodded. "Yes, go on." Mr. Darnell walked out of his office into the reception room.

Mr. Reinhard sighed. He wasn't sure if allowing a whole squad of fully trained guards to police his school to enter was the greatest decision he'd made. The way they were – strong, burly men that were all extremely good looking – unnerved him somehow, like it wasn't natural. Mr. Darnell had assured him that they can stay for as long as he desires, and that if it doesn't work out they'll move on from there. He also didn't know why the younger man found this necessary for raising Nimitz High's name on a local standard, but he decided to wait and see how things would play out.

Sooo, I still haven't found Mojo. It's still hard writing, but since I have the computer basically all day I might try to update again tonight. It all depends on if I finish the next chapter and if I can find my mojo. If anyone sees him tell me!!! Also Max is a little OOC, so I apologize for that.

Luna, I'm intersted in knowing why you don't think the Fax will work out. I have some ideas of what I want for the two in the future (and when I mean future, I mean like in a sequal, or I may make it a trilogy. hmmm...), but even then I'm not completely sure what I want to happen. cloudNrain, hahaha I love to hear (read, whatever) those words! Thank you for the poster idea, but it really hasn't been working. Mo, nope, sorry it wasn't Ari. In this book he's a kid like he was supposed to be until they Eraserfied him. I don't think he'll be in this book at all, but maybe the sequal *cough*.

As promised, next chapter will be a Fang chapter (everyone cheers now). It will fastforward a couple weeks from here, so everyone knows. Also, I will be taking off my poll once I post Chapter 22, so anyone who hasn't voted please do!! Once I take it down, I'll post a few fun polls that will change weekly.

Please Review!!!!!!!