"Blood On The Ground" – Part 3

Summary and additional notes in part 1.

Author's Note: Thanks for the reviews! It's majorly awesome hearing what you guys think :D

Raidon - I tried to send you a PM, but it says you have it disabled, so I'll respond here. The order for the fall semester stories are: "Kiss, Kiss" - "Radiate" - "That's All" - "Blood On the Ground". And then "How To Save A Life" follows in March (Spring semester of Junior year). Hope that clarifies things! Btw, I agree with your review 100%.

Disclaimer: Do NOT own Degrassi!

3-

"What were you thinking?" Drew yelled at his brother while the younger Torres put his books away. They were at Adam's locker because he had just been suspended for the rest of the day for the incident with Owen. In a few minutes their mother was going to pick him up from school.

"I was sick of his comments," Adam argued. He shouldn't have to put up with the verbal abuse the bully spewed constantly in his direction. The dude was a major hypocrite. Adam knew Owen was jealous that he couldn't have Fiona. It was beyond petty for him to call her names.

"Adam, you don't challenge crazy people! The guy is unhinged and you could have gotten seriously hurt!" Drew continued.

Adam turned to him and frowned. "Well, I didn't! I knocked him down with one punch!" he boasted.

Drew sighed.

"I'm not the same weakling he pushed around last year," Adam went on to say.

Fiona marched over to them. Drew exchanged a look with Adam. He could tell that she was very angry.

"Adam, what was that?" Fiona demanded.

He looked away from her. "I had to do something," he said weakly.

She shook her head. "So you pick a fight with a Neanderthal? Real smart!"

Adam turned to her. "He disrespected you!"

"Don't make this about me. I don't give a crap about what he says. I asked you to let this go and you didn't listen!" she argued.

Drew took a step back, feeling awkward for being in the middle of the couples' spat. He could see both sides of it, but he sided with Fiona. This could have been really bad for Adam.

"I handled it," Adam argued. He may have gone against Goliath, but he definitely came out on top. Why wouldn't they acknowledge that?

"But at what cost, Adam? You're supposed to be a leader. What kind of example does this set for other kids being targeted? Particularly the ones who can't fight back?" she questioned. Adam was beginning to feel bad. "And don't you ever treat me like some prize you won again," she lectured. "I caught your dig at Owen and you didn't have to go there."

Drew raised an eyebrow.

Adam ran a hand through his hair. "He hates me for existing and he hates me for being with you," he said honestly. "What am I supposed to do?" He looked into Fiona's eyes.

She brought a hand to his cheek. "Live your life in spite of that. This is just a small portion of our lives together."

Adam softened. When he didn't know which way was up or down, she always centered him. "I'm sorry," he told her.

It was in moments like this that Drew saw how much love the couple had for one another. Seeing Principal Simpson approach he cleared his throat. Adam and Fiona looked up.

"Adam, it's time," Mr. Simpson told him.

Adam nodded. He turned to Fiona. "I'll see you when you get back."

She smiled at him sadly. She and her mom were taking a flight back to New York this afternoon. She wouldn't be back until Tuesday.

"See you at home, little bro," Drew told him as Adam walked down the hall with the principal.

-oOo-

"What were you thinking?" Audra Torres yelled, unaware that she was mirroring the same words her older son had spoken just minutes earlier.

Adam put his head down.

"What am I going to do with you?" she muttered to herself as she pulled away from the school. She focused her eyes on the road.

"I'm sorry to disappoint you again, mom," Adam quipped.

"Don't! Don't you dare throw yesterday in my face, Adam. It's comparing apples to oranges."

Adam snorted.

His mother took a deep breath. "I reacted badly to seeing you with Fiona," she acknowledged. "But it does not give you ammunition to start fights at school!"

"He called me and Fiona dykes, Mom. Okay? Does that make the picture clearer for you?" Adam yelled. He was tired of people acting like he didn't have the right to be upset by what Owen said.

Audra pressed her lips into a tight line. She felt a stabbing pain in her chest anytime her children went through difficult times that she couldn't help. "At the end of the day they're just words, Adam. I rather have you around in one piece."

Adam scoffed. "He deserved what he got! I'm not sorry and I would do it again!"

"Adam!" his mother yelled. They were at a red light, so she took the opportunity to turn to him. "You have to find a way to let this go. Please."

Adam stilled himself and tried to quell the anger that was churning inside. He could see that she was sincerely worried. The truth was, he was starting to scare himself. He had exploded in rage at Owen. He didn't like feeling that way, but it was like he couldn't control it. He knew he had to try because somehow he managed to anger his mother, brother, and Fiona.

.

tbc

A/N: I'm going to post another chapter tonight. Things between Adam and Owen reach a new low...