SHOUT OUTS/ANSWERS

Victoria's Twisted Angel: Thanks, here's more. I'm glad you think so.

Leaf26: Thanks. Sorry this isn't soon enough.

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Crimson and Chrome 42: Here's more.

DISCLAIMER

Belongs to Canadian Television and Disney. I only own the plot. I'm not sure of the English teacher's name, so I made something up. I apologize if it's wrong. I also apologize

On Monday, Nick and Casey quickly got dressed and went downstairs.

"You two excited?" Nora questioned as the two began making a breakfast of eggs, bacon, sausage, and toast.

"Of course. I have my brother back. Things are going to be great now," Casey grinned, as he put in different ingredients. Then, "Hey, Nick, are you gonna need a ride?"

"You kiddin' me? I learned to drive while I was locked up," Nick responded. He started to put pepper on the eggs, but she quickly grabbed his wrist and shook her head.

"How does that work?" Lizzie wondered, appearing in the kitchen from seemingly out of nowhere.

"I was a model inmate, they needed someone to do some driving, they found out I didn't have a license, gave me a few classes, and the rest is history," Nick answered, quickly putting the pepper on the eggs.

"Nick!" Casey complained, catching the action. He snickered.

"Inmate?" a voice repeated. Nick turned to see George, Edwin, Marti, and Derek.

"Uh, yeah. You all might as well know, I was in prison for violating my probation," Nick stated as he put in garlic.

"Nicky, gross!" Casey told him.

"How the heck did you do that?" Derek wondered at the same time.

"Some guy tried to hurt Casey and I beat him up. But other than that, I didn't really get into fights," Nick answered. "And Case, you know it doesn't taste good without garlic or pepper," he continued.

"He's just so hot-headed and stubborn," Casey stated with a roll of her eyes. Then, "Breakfast is almost ready. Sit down." Everyone did so. When the food was ready, the two served it. Despite her previous protests of the ingredients her brother had added, Casey had to admit that the garlic and pepper made the eggs better. When they were done, Nora took Lizzie, Edwin, and Marti to school, while Casey, Nick, and rode to Sir John Sparrow High as Derek drove the Prince, his father's old car. When they got to the school, Derek quickly found a parking spot and everyone out. For a moment, Nick hesitated.

"Hey, I got your back, ET," Casey reminded him.

"I know," Nick answered. They walked up the steps and into the entrance. As the other kids chattered excitedly, Nick looked around at the clamoring students who greeted their friends. Lockers banged open and closed. Nick listened as the other inmates shouted and jeered. Some banged on the bars and shouted obscenities. He tensed as one of the comments was directed towards him. A hand slipping into his brought the boy out of his reverie. He looked at his twin who squeezed his hand reassuringly and smiled gratefully. They dropped hands and he slung his arm around her shoulders.

"Come on. Let's go get your schedule," his twin said.

"Yeah," he agreed. With that, they headed for Principal Lassiter's office. The man looked up at the knock on his door.

"Come in," he called. The door opened. "Ah, Ms. MacDonald, what can I do for you?" he questioned.

"Nick needs his schedule," Casey responded.

"Ah, yes. Of course," Principal Lassiter commented. He went to a pile on his desk and pulled out the schedule. He glanced at Nick.

"So I heard you were in prison," Principal Lassiter commented giving the piece of paper to the boy.

"Yeah, so?" Casey questioned sharply.

"Easy, GT," Nick cautioned.

"Just know that I'll be watching you," Principal Lassiter continued.

"Yeah, whatever," Casey and Nick chorused. Then, they walked out.

"You know, I thought I was supposed to be the one who didn't like teachers," Nick commented.

"He made a prearranged judgment without even getting to know you. I won't stand for that," Casey answered. She looked at her brother's schedule. "Okay, it looks like we got a lot of the same classes, starting with first period English," she continued. Nick followed Casey into the classroom. They sat down and Nick rubbed his hands on his jeans. With her right hand, Casey intertwined her second and third fingers and placed them on his desk and Nick shot her a grateful smile. Then, they focused on the teacher who began lecturing. In the back of the room, Derek sat in his chair, not even bothering to take notes. He'd just get them from a geek or maybe Casey. Speaking of Casey…he glanced at his stepsister who was busily taking notes and scoffed. What a geek, he thought with a scoff.

"Mr. Venturi, is there something you'd like to share with the class?" Mrs. Persings asked.

"No, Ma'am," he responded. Fifty minutes later, the class was over and they headed out. Nick endured a few more classes before lunch.

"So, how's your day so far?" Casey wondered as they got into line.

"It's been good. The school bells are kind of---all the chaos reminds me of---but it's good," Nick responded, unsure of how to word what he was saying. Casey just nodded, immediately, understanding what Nick was talking about. The noise and confusion sort of reminded him of prison. They each got a plate of tuna surprise and an orange juice and went to a table to sit down. Presently, Sam, Max, and Emily joined them.

"Hey, guys," Casey greeted.

"Hey, Casey," they all acknowledged.

"Is this your brother?" Emily questioned.

"Yeah, I'm Nick," Nick introduced himself.

"I'm Sam, this is Max, and that's Emily," Sam told him, pointing to each in turn.

"Nice to meet you all," Nick stated. "So, me guess, you're football and he's hockey," he continued, pointing to Max and then Sam.

"Wow. You're good," Max commented.

"I know the look," Nick shrugged.

"You play sports?" Sam questioned.

"Played a little when I was younger," Nick answered. Yeah, then I got stupid and started getting into trouble, he thought to himself.

"Why'd you stop?" Sam wondered.

"Started getting into trouble here and there, which resulted in me getting kicked off the football team---not my finest hour," Nick responded.

"Oh," Sam said.

"If you guys are done with the third degree…" Casey commented.

"Hey, no worries. It's cool, GT," Nick assured her. "They're your friends, they got questions…" Derek walked up as his voice trailed off.

"So Spacey, what are you and your delightful brother talking about?" he questioned, sitting down.

"Just sports," Nick responded.

"You played?" Derek asked.

"Little football," Nick answered.

"Were you any good?" Max wondered.

"Quarterback," Nick replied.

"Why'd you quit?" Derek queried.

"Derek!" Casey chided.

"To quote Casey on Friday, 'You got somethin' to say, Derek'?" Nick questioned, slamming a fork down on his tray.

"I just think it's interesting that you're still playing the 'I used to live with Dad' angle when the angle's really 'I used to be prison'," Derek commented. The table went quiet.