Chapter Twelve- Virgins and Grown Ups
Getting adjusted to Rosewood had always been a challenge for her since moving, but little by little Kate had hoped she was winning people over. Even though she knew that Hanna didn't really like her specifically because of what went down between her parents, Kate had managed to make small talk with a few of her friends. In no way shape or form did she want to steal or try to be like Hanna, but she did envy the life she had built for herself and hoped that before senior year was over that she'd be able to at least make three friends at least. Coming into the locker room after physical education, Kate could see a group of girls gather around near the area in which her locker was. Hoping that it could be a moment that she could interact with the other girls, she soon realized that someone had become the but of a joke when she heard nothing but laughter. When she finally came in front of her locker she quickly saw the word "virgin" tagged on her locker along with other outcast girls with the same tagging. Coming into the locker room to meet up with a few of the girls for info on the latest gossip, Hanna quickly saw Kate standing mortified by her locker along with the tagged word. Wanting so badly to just walk away and let Kate deal with on her own, Hanna's conscience wouldn't allow her to do so as she walked over and opened up Kate's locker and handed her clothes over to the girl who just stood motionless.
"Put your clothes on" Hanna told her
"My locker" Kate said still in a haze
"Put clothes on and lets get out of here" Hanna told her before Kate slowly did as she was told "Okay, people we're doing the infamous virgin tags….funny, funny but lets move on" she told the crowd of girls as they slowly dispersed and went back to dressing.
His body had felt like it had taken a severe beating as he felt himself slowly limp up the driveway after football practice. Noticing the young man limp his way to the mail box to collect the mail, Hanna's father wasted no time in walking over towards Lucas. Taking a moment to gather his strength, Lucas stood for a moment wondering how he was going to make it through the first playoff game this Friday. Just as he began to come up with a list of lies he could tell Coach Gilroy as to why he physically couldn't play he found himself quickly interrupted by the presence of Hanna's father. A slight smile came across Lucas's face as he didn't expect to see Hanna's father.
"Mr. Marin, what are your doing here?" Lucas asked trying to lean up against the mail box
"Are you okay?" Hanna's father asked
"Yeah, football practice….first playoff game is this Friday, so pain comes along with sports" Lucas babbled "Hanna isn't here, I think she's still at school" he said
"Oh, I was actually looking for you. I wanted to talk to you" Hanna's father said
"Really, am I in trouble or something?" Lucas asked a little nervously
"No. You just happen to be the closes thing to Hanna, and I just want to know what's going on with her. Ashley won't tell me much because she thinks that should be something Hanna should do" Hanna's father said
"Well then I'm sure Hanna will talk to you" Lucas said as Hanna's father just looked at him
"Lucas, you've seen how she is around me…she barely tolerates me, and that's just for her mother's sake" Hanna's father said
"With all do respect, sir. What is it do you want?" Lucas asked "I mean if its conversation you want then I'm pretty sure Hanna can muster up words, may not be the words you want, but she can muster up words" he said
"I just want to know what's going on with her as far as school wise, I mean she has no plans for the future and she thinks she can stumble into college. I just need to know that she's preparing" Hanna's father said
"Your not giving her enough credit. I'm sure Hanna is preparing for college and her future for that matter" Lucas said
"Has she talked to you about college?" Hanna's father asked
"I….we really haven't discussed it" Lucas sighed trying his best to think back on any conversation he's had with Hanna about college or even the future for that matter
"See, I just want the best for my daughter" Hanna's father said "And I think you could help her see that" he said
"You know she does have a boyfriend now, I think this is out of jurisdiction to probe around in her business, all I can do is give her my support" Lucas said
"Boyfriend? Look I don't want to get into her business, which is why I'm not bugging her about it, but I just want to know she's looking to the future" Hanna's father said "So please talk to her about it" he said as Lucas felt as if he was caught in a tough position between Hanna and her father seeing as their relationship was so damaged.
It was late at night when Hanna and Kate had pulled into her driveway coming in from school. On the whole drive home, Kate had stared out of her window still saddened by what had happened at school, it had all felt like a nightmare and she was at the pit of it. It wasn't so much that virgin was tagged on her locker because she had to face the fact that she wasn't sexually active like most girls but to be ridiculed for it is what bugged her the most. At a time when she wanted to just fit in she felt like it only added into another thing she had to do in order to fit in with the rest of her classmates. Looking over at the girl, Hanna was unsure how to even address the issue because less than twenty four hours ago she wanted nothing to do with Kate but now her conscience had her in close proximity with her. Motioning to say something, Hanna was cut off by the sound of her cell phone ringing as both Kate and Hanna looked on at the phone to see that it was Kaleb calling.
"Hey babe" Hanna answered the phone as Kate just turned back to look out the window
"Where are you?" Kaleb asked
"I'm at home. I'm running a little late but I'll meet you" Hanna said
"No, take your time. I just thought I'd be late and I didn't want to keep you waiting" Kaleb said "How was school?" he asked
"It was good. Look I'm trying to scurrying around the house, but I can't wait to see you tonight" Hanna smiled weakly
"All right. I'll see you, drive safely" Kaleb said before he hung up the phone
"Is that your boyfriend?" Kate asked
"Yeah. We're having dinner tonight" Hanna replied "Are you all right? I mean what happened at school wasn't personal it was just something that happens every year" she said
"Has it ever happened to you?" Kate asked
"No" Hanna replied realizing she couldn't say too much on the subject
"Are you even a virgin?" Kate asked as a moment of silence fell between them
"I really don't feel comfortable talking about that with you" Hanna answered not wanting to get into her sexual past "It's all right. I mean it's not embarrassing to be a virgin" she said
"It is when everyone thinks its like uncool to be one" Kate said "I bet you don't even know what it's like to be picked on" she said
"Kate, you really don't know me well enough to say that" Hanna replied
"Like I've had the chance. You probably got a kick out of today, to know that your annoying step sister got what she deserves" Kate said
"Actually if you knew me instead of thinking you did, then you'd know I would enjoy watching a bunch of girls get embarrassed about their personal business because I sure as hell wouldn't like it" Hanna replied angrily
"So then why did you help me? If you hate me so much then why help?" Kate asked
"At this point I really don't know because your just acting like a little brat now" Hanna said "You got embarrassed, it's high school…deal with it" she told her
"Do you even know what it's like for me? I mean I've heard the saga of what happened with your parents but you act like I haven't had to handle the new marriage and move" Kate said
"Kate we don't need to get into this" Hanna sighed in frustration
"Don't you think I want my parents back together? Don't you think I want my dad back home?" Kate said "I didn't want this, it's the last thing I wanted" she said
"Then great, that's wonderful…we both hate the circumstances, we've officially bonded. Grab your stuff and go home before my dad gets all worried" Hanna said as she quickly got out the car before Kate furiously opened her door then slammed it behind her "Watch how you close my doors!" she yelled
"Go to hell!" Kate yelled back as she stormed off to her house as all Hanna could do was manage a little chuckle
"She could've used that attitude today" Hanna said to herself
Walking over to his locker after class to switch out his books all Lucas could do was thank the heavens that the day was slowly dwindling down but then realized that he'd have another grueling practice to look forward to. Leaning up against the locker next to him, Hanna scanned the hallway in search of Kate since she hadn't seen her walking to school in the morning. She knew that the way they ended things last night wasn't the greatest but she feared that she had let what happen the day before get to her. To Hanna she saw what had happened to Kate as a little prank that most girls have had to endure over the past years, luckily it never happened to her because she knew the girls that would do it and they always thought Hanna and Sean were thumping like bunnies so Hanna was always in the clear, but after talking with Kate she began to realize what it could feel like to be embarrassed like that in front of classmates.
"So I just finished up my apps and am just about to send them off. You?" Lucas asked
"Apps, as in more than one? I thought Winthrop was it?" Hanna asked
"It is. I just did others just to appease my grandmother, she hates the distance at Winthrop" Lucas said "What about you? Have you done any applications?" he asked
"I haven't gotten around to it" Hanna said "With English and everything, I haven't had the time" she said
"Oh, is taking care of my mom becoming too much because if it is then…" Lucas said before Hanna cut him off
"No, no. I like hanging out with your mom, that's the furthest thing from being stressful" Hanna said
"Then if you need help with your apps then I can help" Lucas offered
"No, I can handle it. I just need to set aside a day and do it" Hanna said
"Then I will grant you your day. Tonight, that's if you don't have plans with Kaleb, you can just come over and do your apps and I will even cook for you" Lucas said
"You cooking for me? That sounds great, but I've got plans with Emily and Aria tonight" Hanna said "I do appreciate the offer though" she smiled
"Then what about tomorrow night?" Lucas asked
"Luke, I can do my applications on my own. Less in case you just wanted to cook for me or something?" Hanna asked
"I just want to make sure your not sacrificing because of me and my issues" Lucas said
"Your not an issue for me" Hanna smiled "Where is all of this coming from?" she asked
"I just thought about it, and realized that we haven't really talked about" Lucas shrugged
"Well I'm fully aware of applications and I'm on it" Hanna told him as Lucas just smiled weakly knowing that Hanna had most likely not even started on her applications.
Flipping through the pages of his chemistry book, Alton had hoped that he would somehow get inspired to continue on with his studying for his online test that he had to do complete by tonight. With their hands intertwined together as they both found some bit of studying to do, Spencer found herself living out her greatest fantasy of flirting while studying. For some odd reason she found Alton more appealing with a book in his hand because then his brilliance really showed, they would engage in debates and she swear that he had been clone because after the books were put away they were arguing about the dumbest of things from his perverted views. Glancing up from her book, Spencer quickly noticed Kate sitting off in the corner of the library reading her book. Hearing what had happened to the girl, Spencer felt bad for her because she knew that it always sucked to be the but of the joke when all you wanted to do was fit in.
"I have half the mind to just skip this test because my head just doesn't seem to be in this" Alton groaned as he soon noticed Spencer's attention had turned towards Kate "Oh, no. She's fooled Lucas and she's not about to fool you" he then said trying to snap Spencer attention on her
"Why do you dislike her so much?" Spencer turned to ask
"I don't dislike her, I just don't buy into the woe is me thing. She's after Lucas, and always has been" Alton said
"So are you like Lucas's protector now because last I checked he seemed to be his own person" Spencer laughed
"Team Hucas, I still have hope that this stupid phase of we're best friends crap, and she doesn't help" Alton said
"You do know that Hanna has a boyfriend, right? His name is Kaleb, the same guy that scored you tickets to the convention" Spencer said
"That convention is Comic Con thank you very much, and he did that to throw Lucas off the trail that is Hanna" Alton said
"Well anyways, Kate got the scarlet word the other day" Spencer told him hoping to inspire some sort of sympathy from her boyfriend "They say she almost cried" she said
"What is the scarlet word?" Alton asked
"Virgin" Spencer replied
"I love how today's youth have taken a literary classic and just turned it into another teenage lingo. The scarlet word, really?" Alton said in disbelief "I don't get what's the big deal, if she is then so what" he said
"This coming from the not so recent virgin himself" Spencer laughed
"I took my deflowering like a man, and am ever so grateful to you but I can understand why its important for a guy to lose his v-card but not a girl. I thought girls were all into the my body is a temple thing" Alton said
"So because guys don't care who or how they lose their virginity all girls should think like that?" Spencer asked
"I never said that, I just didn't think that girls really thought about it like that" Alton said
"Well maybe you should start to consider the idea that girls think about the dreaded v-card just as much as the boys do" Spencer said
Pacing the floor anxiously and with much anticipation, Hanna was racking her brain as to possible scenarios that could come out of her taking the S.A.T's the previous week. For the past couple of days she had listened on and on to her friends talk about the stress of doing applications while all she could do was worry if her grades were even good enough to even fill out an application for the schools she wanted to apply to. Mr. Smith had been helping her improve her grades and with choosing a college to apply to which she greatly appreciated because a part of her still felt like she wasn't good enough. Putting a rush on her mid-term grades that she could show that she had improved over the time period, Mr. Smith was doing all that he could to help her but had hoped that she had done enough on her S.A.T scores to convince schools that she was more than capable to take on college work.
"Anything yet?" Hanna asked nervously
"Calm down. It's coming, just give it time" Mr. Smith told her trying to calm her down
"How can I calm down, this is my college future hanging in the balance" Hanna said
"I know that Hanna, but worrying yourself in the ground won't do any good. Just sit and breath" Mr. Smith told her
"Sit and breath? That's your advice for me?" Hanna asked
"Or…sit and shut up. Which one do you prefer?" Mr. Smith asked as Hanna just looked at him sternly
"You know sometimes I wish that you were a typical teacher, one that only says encouraging things and then waits until after the kid leaves to talk bad about the kid" Hanna said
"Why do that when I can just tell you to your face. Brutal honesty lives her" Mr. Smith laughed
"What if I'm just meant to go to community college? What if I'm supposed to look on sadly as my friends go off to bigger and brighter futures while I stay back in Rosewood attending the community college here" Hanna sighed
"Oh, so now your singing your swan song" Mr. Smith grinned "Hanna you need to stop thinking of all the negative things and focus on the good" he said
"Your too late with that encouraging crap!" Hanna snapped at him
"Okay, I clearly need to take your mind off of this because I can see myself strangling you. Uh…..lets talk about something else, what's going on in your personal life?" Mr. Smith asked trying to take her mind off of the results
"Is Beth still into Lucas?" Hanna asked as Mr. Smith nearly had a heart attack to think that his niece and his protégé were carrying on a secret love affair
"What?" Mr. Smith asked
"Next topic" Hanna declared "Have you met a special girl yet?" she asked
"Uh…no. I don't have time for a girl" Mr. Smith said
"Really? I mean you're a bachelor and have a boat load of money, you would think that would inspire some girls to see you as a baby daddy prospect" Hanna said
"Oh, how I hate that you called me a bachelor" Mr. Smith sighed "Hanna just because I live a fair lifestyle doesn't meaning I should have girls fawning all over me" he said
"Fawning? Look who is getting ahead of themselves. I would set you up with my mom but then I don't think I could handle you dating my mom seeing as your annoying and rude" Hanna said "How about my grandma? She's looking for an extra pep in her step" she laughed
"I can now understand why Alton and you are so close because your both annoying as hell" Mr. Smith said just as his fax machine began to turn on as it printed out a piece of paper. Catching the paper before it fell to the ground, Mr. Smith looked on at the columns of numbers that showed her results hoping to analyze it quickly in his head as all Hanna could do was crowd his desk in anticipation. Pulling out his calculator, Mr. Smith began to scroll down the list, more and more Hanna grew anxious by the minute
"What? Tell me something. Is it good or bad?" Hanna asked before Mr. Smith eyes just stop scanning the paper then he let out a sigh of frustration before leaning back in his chair, and just like that she had her confirmation without words ever being exchanged "I didn't do good. That's what it is, huh?" she asked
"Hanna, we can just do the next testing. I mean there's another one being held in a month, and we can use this as a stepping stone that way you know what to expect in the next one" Mr. Smith said trying to keep her spirits up as all Hanna could do was just stand still feeling like her world had finally came to a halt "We still have time, with your grades improving….we have time" he kept saying
"I…I think this is it" Hanna said lifelessly as if the wind had been knocked out of her "I think this is the point where the joke is on me" she said
"What? Hanna, no. You've got to keep trying, we will get this" Mr. Smith assured her
"No. I don't want to do this anymore" Hanna said
"Your over reacting" Mr. Smith said massaging his head in frustration as all he could do was try to think of ways to help Hanna out and give her some hope that this wasn't as bad as it seemed. "Tomorrow we'll have a fresh head and get back to work" he said "So I'll see you tomorrow?" he then asked as Hanna just stood silent
"Yeah, tomorrow" Hanna replied before she grabbed her stuff then flashed her usual sarcastic smile to Mr. Smith and left the classroom
Meeting up with Kate down at the comic book store, Lucas and Kate spent the little time he did have before his late football practice to just read the new comic books the owner had brought in. He had heard grumblings around school that Kate had been tagged by the Virgin gang as he came to call them, and he just really wanted to see if she was okay and to offer up support. The whole time she had managed to turn the sad face into a happy one just by being in Lucas's presence, it had always surprised Lucas that she was so into him but then again it was always a surprise when a girl was into him. On occasion she would glance up at him and just stare as if she were trying to memorize every ounce of him but whenever he'd look up she'd quickly look away. It all just seemed to be innocent flirting on her part and he didn't think much of it.
"How much more time do you have to kill?" Kate asked as they walked over towards his car
"I have thirty more minutes exactly and I'm in no way shape or form looking forward to going to practice" Lucas replied
"If you hate playing football then why do you play?" Kate asked
"Because….its something that helped take my mind off of things. In some way it gives me clarity to think, and it does help with the popularity" Lucas smiled
"Lucas Gottesman loving popularity, I never thought you'd be that bold to say that" Kate laughed
"Getting picked on at Rosewood High, you appreciate popularity whatever chance you have at" Lucas said as they both got in the car before Lucas pulled out of his parking spot and started the journey back home
"So I'm guessing you've heard about the whole virgin tag?" Kate asked as Lucas looked over at her with an I'm sorry face plastered all over him
"Yeah, I did….it's really…it's okay to be a virgin. I mean I guarantee you that most of the so called popular girls are still virgins" Lucas told her trying to comfort her
"Name one" Kate laughed in disbelief by the statement "Everyone seems to be doing it" she sighed
"And I strongly believe that not everyone is" Lucas said as a moment of silence came between them
"Have you? Have you had sex? Are you the dreaded v word?" Kate turned to ask him as Lucas let out a slight laugh
"I am…not a virgin" Lucas replied slowly unknowing what effect this would have on her
"So your experienced and all?" Kate asked
"I wouldn't put it like that, but I've had it a few times" Lucas replied awkwardly
"Lucas, will you take my virginity?" Kate asked which completely shocked Lucas so much so that he had to pull the car over to the side of the road just to wrap his head around what Kate had just suggested
"Okay. All right. Let…let me just process what has been said. You…you, Kate…you…want me to take your virginity. Why?" Lucas asked her still in shock
"Because you're a nice guy, and your practically the only friend I have" Kate said
"Being a nice guy shouldn't be a reason why I'm a candidate to deflower you, there has to be more than that" Lucas said
"Well I'm not exactly dating right now, and I don't have a line of guys trying to ask me out. Then there's also the fact that I do kinda like you" Kate replied shyly
"Like me? Why?" Lucas questioned
"Luke, don't act like your surprise. I'm sure Hanna has told you about how I am when it comes to you" Kate replied
"Yeah, but I just chalked that up to Hanna not liking you. Look, all of this is just catching me off guard with the whole taking your virginity and you liking me" Lucas said
"And now you just want to get away from me because I've officially scared you off" Kate sighed as she turned to look out her window
"No, I'm not scared by what you've said. I just really think you should think about this" Lucas told her
"And I have because I know it sounds like I've lost my mind, but for once in this town I want to fit in on something. I want to get the monkey off my back and I want to with you" Kate declared
"But sex? That's a huge step, it's not like a kiss or a hug, it's a huge form of intimacy" Lucas told her
"Which is why I want you. Look I'm not asking you to love me, I just to be that nice guy" Kate told him as all Lucas could do was let out a sigh of confusion
The day had weighed heavy on the young girl so much so that thoughts about the day only added to the existing weight. What she should do or what she shouldn't do were constant questions that ran rampant in her head to where she just wanted to flush them out and just be free of it all. In moment of silence she laughed to herself to think that she'd be capable of even achieving going beyond the dreaded junior college because she knew it her heart of hearts what she wanted out of high school she had all ready received. Alison had groomed her to be queen bee, and with an untimely death of her best friend she became just that. She had dated the long time crush then fell in love with an outcast, which to some was a huge understatement as to what Lucas's social status was at that time. She knew what it was like to be on the party circuit and literally have people await your arrival, in all shapes and form she was the belle of the ball. All of the things she had always wanted out of her glory days of high school she was accomplished and in her heart of hearts school was the last thing she thought about. Walking up and down the mall, looking on at the shop windows Hanna stopped to look at a metallic bomber jacket that had caught her attention until she was quickly joined by Mona.
"It's beautiful, isn't it? I mean it literally looks like something fitted for a queen" Mona told her
"What are you doing Mona?" Hanna asked her not in the slightest of moods to deal with her ex-best friend
"Oh, just shopping. With all the events we have coming up, tis the season" Mona laughed "Others worry about college applications and we worry about clothes" she said
"Well your speaking for yourself on that one. High school was fun and all but it won't last forever" Hanna told her
"Honey, all we have is high school. Then it'll become like high school part two at the local junior college. Don't you see, high school never ends" Mona said
"And you want it to be that way? Your more delusional than I thought" Hanna said
"Putting all our beef aside…we had great times in high school because we both know what its like to rise from the bottom to the top, am I right?" Mona asked
"Yeah, but it doesn't mean I want to be in high school mindset twenty four seven" Hanna said
"And you won't, now that your not connected to Hermes anymore" Mona quickly replied
"Lucas is still one of my best friends" Hanna replied
"And Lucas will also be going off far and away to college along with the rest of your friends" Mona told her "Spencer will go off to some fancy ivy league because let's face it she is a Hastings. Aria will probably explore her artistic and broody side by running off to some foreign country. Emily will most likely go off to San Francisco, where she'll be free to be herself without judgement. So in all of this, where does little old Hanna fit in?" she asked at the end as Hanna turned to look at her wanting to say one of her classic come back lines but found words hard to come by
"Your wrong" Hanna replied weakly as those were the only words she could muster up after the saddened picture had been painted about her future
"It's cute that you think your just like them, but once graduation comes, maybe even before then, you'll realize that your nothing like them….you're a little like…me" Mona said letting her words linger for a bit "There's a party after the game that going to be on the docks, a few of the Jamestown boys will be down so you can get your flirt on or bring that rumored boyfriend I've been hearing about. Have fun, leave the apps to the others" she said before she walked away. Looking on at Mona as she walked away, Hanna wondered why she had let Mona get the best of her but most of all why did it seem to make sense to her. Just as she turned back to look at the mesmerizing jacket she so desperately wanted but had no money to buy her phone began to ring.
"Hey. I know I was supposed to call you but I got caught up" Kaleb immediately rambled but found no reply on Hanna's part "Hanna, are you there?" he then asked
"Yeah, I actually went by the mall and completely forgot" Hanna said
"What are you doing tonight?" Kaleb asked
"I have to go to dinner with my dad" Hanna replied
"Oh, well that knocks the idea of me driving down to take you out to dinner, huh?" Kaleb laughed
"I'm really not even looking forward to dinner with my dad because I'm just tired" Hanna said "And I don't want to make you go out of your way to come see me" she said
"Why wouldn't I. You're my girlfriend, right?" Kaleb asked
"Yeah. Look I'll call you back tonight, I have to do something" Hanna said before she quickly hung up the phone and just looked on at the jacket for a while longer before she entered into the store.
All throughout practice Lucas couldn't take his mind off of what Kate had proposed to him earlier. He just found himself confused as to how warped things were because in one moment they were enjoying comic books and then she all of sudden proposes a deflowering session with him. After thinking about it Lucas hadn't been too shocked that Kate liked him after both Alton and Hanna had made it clear to him, but it had surprised him how desperate Kate was to fit in. He remembered moments when he himself at wanted someone or something to just change in his life so that high school wouldn't feel like hell to him. By the stroke of luck he managed to spark up a friendship with Hanna Marin and then manage to steal her heart, it all had been luck to him and it all had changed his life. Just as he pulled into his driveway, Lucas was surprised to see Hanna's father sitting on the bench on his porch.
"Hello Mr. Marin" Lucas said reluctantly as he made his way on to the porch
"I just wanted to know if you gave any thought about what we discussed the other day?" Hanna's father asked "Seeing as Hanna as stood me up for dinner tonight, my concern level has raised a few notches" he said
"I really don't like talking about Hanna behind her back. This is something you should talk to her about" Lucas sighed in frustration as Hanna's father just observed his reaction
"I see Hanna has managed to frustrate you too. I always get that look and give that sigh when I have no idea how to get through to Hanna" Hanna's father said
"Even if I was concerned about Hanna, why should I report back to you? I seem to have a vivid picture of you revealing to your daughter and your ex that they had to leave their household because you weren't going to pay for it anymore. If anything you're the last person I would express my concern to" Lucas said
"I'm still her father" Hanna's father replied sternly
"Yes, you hold that title, but to her you haven't been a father. Hanna is a lot of things, and frustrating is amongst that but maybe you should start having faith in her" Lucas said "I think the key reason you came to me wasn't because of college but because you find yourself being an outsider in your own daughters life, and that is something you've done. Build your relationship with Hanna first, and then you'll get your right to be concerned" he said
"Look I appreciate your loyalty to my daughter, but I know my daughter. Hanna is very vulnerable, and is very fragile after everything she's had to go through at her age. So although I haven't been a constant in her life, I know when to be worried about her and I'm worried" Hanna's father replied
"And what if she has a plan? What if she has no intention to go to college because she wants to work? Not everyone is college material" Lucas quickly replied
"Hanna hasn't had worked a day in her life so I highly doubt that's the first thing she wants to do fresh out of high school" Hanna's father replied to his comment "She will act out" he said
"Do you have the slightest bit of faith in her? I mean seriously, you say you know her but I don't think you really do!" Lucas replied angrily before Hanna's fathers cell phone began to ring and he reached in his pocket to answer
"Hello" Hanna's father answered as he slowly took in the information that was being given to him before he just shook his head in disappointment as all Lucas could do was wonder if he should just go inside "I'm on my way" he said before he hung up "Yeah, you know her so well….Hanna just got arrested for shop lifting" he replied angrily
"What?" Lucas asked in complete disbelief
"This would be the part where Hanna acts out, and then this will be the part where I take the options out of her hand and force her to look at her future" Hanna's father said before he made his way past Lucas and went back over to his house.
She had finally gotten use to being in barely occupied cell after what felt like an hour that had passed her by, though she had accepted in order to last in this cell she would have to get a bladder infection because there was no way she was going to the restroom in this cell as filthy as it looked. Closing her eyes for what felt like a mere second, Hanna could hear the sound of keys banging against the cell as the guard had signaled for her to come over because she was being released. Silently thanking the heavens that she would live to see another day, she almost regretted it once she saw her mother and father waiting for her when she walked out. Giving her daughter a quick hug, Hanna's mother hugged her as if she were trying to find the strength to understand why her daughter did what she did as Hanna looked over at her father to see his disappointment written across his face. The walk in the parking lot had become the biggest journey of her life as she could feel the tension rise within her as she felt more rage than anything towards her father.
"Are you gonna come by tonight?" Hanna's father asked her mother
"I just want to get our daughter home, and then we can talk tomorrow" Hanna's mother replied as she didn't let her grip go off of Hanna
"So we'll just wait, that's your solution to this?" Hanna's father asked in disbelief "Great parenting" he clapped which caused Hanna to rip away from her mothers embrace and nearly leap towards her father
"How dare you! What makes you think you have the right to criticize her!" Hanna yelled at him as her mother did all she could to hold her back "I mean you seriously think you have the right!" she continued to yell
"Yeah, I do because I'm your father!" Hanna's father yelled in response
"No, your far from that! You can be Kate's father but your sure as hell not mine" Hanna replied
"Well I got news for you, I'm your father whether you like it or not. The stunt you pulled to night is classic Hanna, and it needs to stop" Hanna's father yelled
"Will you two stop! Your both upset and you will regret whatever you say to each other" Hanna's mother told them
"No, I wouldn't regret a damn thing I say to him. I hate him!" Hanna yelled at him "I hate you!" she yelled at him
"That's fine but you are my responsibility and I'm not going to let you dictate what I must do for you. You need to get your life in order because the second high school is over with, that's it…it's over" Hanna's father said
"Yeah well I wish the second you left that you would have been gone for good. I mean seriously? You packed up the family and decided to move next door, for what? Why did you even come back? You made it clear how you felt the first and second time around" Hanna said angrily towards her father but he showed no signs of backing down himself
"Because you're my daughter!" Hanna's father replied with all the emotion spilling out of him "Now I know you hate me, and at this point I don't blame you, but I'm scared for you….I'm scared that your gonna get caught up with all things high school and let your future pass you by" he said unable to stop the tears that were forming
"Wow! You really got me on that" Hanna said after a moment of silence came between them
"Hanna" Hanna's mother said wanting her daughter to just listen to her father
"No" Hanna quickly replied turning back to look at her mother "You don't get to be worried or scared for me because you gave up those two emotions when you walked out and when you left me and mom scrambling for a place to live. So don't think for one second that you can pick up and be a parent now because I won't allow you" she said before she began to storm off leaving her mother confused
"Where are you going?" Hanna's mother called out to her
"I'm walking home" Hanna yelled back as she continued on her walk
Sitting at the computer he began to replay the video over and over in disbelief as all his friend could do was pace the floor nearly pulling his hair out. Turning to look at Spencer, who was equally as shocked as the both of them all Alton could do was just imagine what was going through Hanna's head at the moment for her to end up doing something like that. Lucas couldn't help but think back to what Hanna's father had said and even though he hated to admit it, Hanna's father was right. Looking towards Spencer it almost felt like she wasn't all to surprised like both Alton and him were, it was as if she knew of this part of Hanna and just got it confirmed.
"So….now we know Hanna is a clepto, now what?" Alton asked breaking the silence that filled the room due to shock
"Alton, could you be more insensitive?" Spencer quickly asked him
"Uh, this is me we're talking about. Are you really surprised?" Alton asked her as Spencer just somehow realized that he was telling the truth
"I hate that I'm getting to know you so well that what you just said is the truth" Spencer said shaking her head in disbelief
"Why? Why would Hanna do something like this?" Lucas asked in complete confusion "I mean has she ever done something like this before?" he asked
"Yeah, Hanna has done this before…a few times to be exact" Spencer said "But I thought that was the old Hanna…when we were all estranged" she said
"This isn't the new Hanna or the return of the old. Look I think this may have something to do with apps" Lucas replied
"What about apps? She wouldn't let that be the cause of living out her Wynona fantasies" Alton said
"Because she hasn't done any. Her dad came to me and wanted me to look into it to see if she was even thinking about the future…I talked to Hanna and she didn't give off the impression that she had even started on her apps" Lucas sighed as he took a seat on the edge of Alton's bed
"Wait…wait. Look Spencer is all future gung ho….Hanna not so much, which isn't a bad thing. I just don't see the connection to her becoming sticky fingers" Alton said leaning back in his chair
"Because this is what Hanna does when she acts out. When her parents split she just took on the personification of queen bee and it was Mona and her from then on" Spencer replied
"Aw, Mona" Alton smiled delightfully which quickly caught Spencer's attention and in a quick motion she grabbed the nearest pillow to throw at him "It was just a fantasy, nothing more" he said dodging the other pillow coming his way
"Guys!" Lucas said trying to get their attention "What are we going to do about Hanna?" he asked
"Luke there is not much we can do but just be supportive…I mean we can't pressure her about doing apps because some people just aren't in to school….the shoplifting we can express concern for but until Hanna comes to us and says something to us then we just have to sit back and let her parents handle the situation" Spencer sighed
"Yeah, well I'm not a big fan of her dad's so I don't look for him to lead the way with parenting" Lucas shrugged
"We just have to wait on her to let us in" Spencer told him
"Wait? Since when does waiting solve anything, we should be showing her that we're here to help and will do whatever is possible to help her get into any college" Lucas said in response
"You have to let Hanna determine that" Alton said as Lucas turned to look at his friend to see that maybe they were right, maybe all he could do was wait.
How could it have been possible he thought throughout the whole night, both Hanna and her step sister had managed to throw is world a monkey wrench that stopped it from its usual rotation. Although flattered to be her first for the obvious reasons of just to survive in the epicenter of teenage angst, high school, Lucas knew that Kate would regret this decision and in no shape or form did he want anything to do with that. The whole night he just tossed and turned doing his best to stop thinking about the two girls but he couldn't help but to care so he knew that to each of them he owed them something, even it wasn't him actually helping he owed them something. Getting up bright in the morning, Lucas quickly sat at his desk beginning to script the perfect letter to Kate containing mostly the reasons as to why he couldn't take the one thing she would and always treasure most in this world even though she may not realize now. By the time he had finished the sun had began to peek through giving him enough to stash it away in the window sill outside of Kate's bedroom. He thanked the heavens that her bedroom was downstairs out towards the streets which made easier access for him. Having enough time for his final task, he wasted no time heading towards the school. Making his way inside the classroom like he had done a million times before he quickly saw Mr. Smith sitting at his desk grading paper.
"Hey, what are you doing here?" Mr. Smith asked as he glanced up to see Lucas come into the room
"I wanted to talk to you about something. Something that you may get tired of hearing about, but you're the only person that I can think of" Lucas said as he took a seat in the desk in front of Mr. Smith's desk
"Okay…does it have anything to do with staging an intervention for Alton about his frequent porn watching?" Mr. Smith laughed as he leaned back in his chair making a paper ball out of a spare piece of paper that was on his desk
"No. Alton has a girlfriend now" Lucas said as Mr. Smith just laughed to himself "I never saw that coming" he said
"Yeah, we kind of all did but he pulled it off and got the girl. I guess every geek has their day" Lucas shrugged "I need to ask you for a favor?" he began to ask
"Okay, does it have to do with your dad?" Mr. Smith asked
"No. It has to do with Hanna" Lucas said "I'm afraid she's throwing her future away…I don't mean to make it so dramatic but I just can't see it any other way" he sighed in frustration
"Oh" Mr. Smith said as he leaned forward with a slight grin on his face
"Yeah, I know that we're not together anymore and I should just let her do her own thing….but I can't just sit back and do nothing especially when I know that she has great potential. Then another part of me just wants to stick to her dad because he's such a jackass" Lucas babbled on as Mr. Smith did his best to get a word in "I can't stand that prick! I wish he wasn't right, but I'm afraid he might be if I continue to do nothing" he continued to babble on before Hanna made her way inside the classroom. Surprised to see Lucas there so early, Hanna looked on at Mr. Smith wondering if he was trying to plan an intervention since she hadn't shown up the past two days.
"What….is….going…on?" Hanna asked confused
"What are you doing here?" Lucas asked
"I….I come by in the mornings. It's a new habit I've picked up" Hanna said
"Good..so maybe you were the right person who could get through to her" Lucas said as he turned to look at Mr. Smith
"Get through to me?" Hanna asked
"Luke was concerned about you so he came to me" Mr. Smith said "He was concerned about you not doing your college applications" he said as Hanna just stared Lucas down
"Wow, your becoming more like my father by the minute" Hanna said
"Please, don't lump us together as being the same. I was concerned and I just wanted to help you" Lucas said detecting the anger in her voice by the mention of her father's name
"He had good intention, don't bite his head off" Mr. Smith said "Your late by the way…I should bite your head off" he told her as he motioned for her to take a seat
"What…what exactly is going on here?" Lucas asked "Because although I'm glad you here, I'm just a little concerned as to why you're here?" he asked
"Hanna is grabbing the bull by the horns. Hanna is working on improving her grades so that she can get into a decent college, but we're preparing for her S.A.T's" Mr. Smith said as Lucas looked on at Hanna with shock and embarrassment all wrapped up in one
"So you've been doing this secretly, why?" Lucas asked her
"I'm not book smart like you and I'm getting a late start at all of this. I didn't want to get my hopes up, and with what happened this week….I kind of loss track" Hanna sighed
"You mean with the whole shoplifting?" Lucas asked discreetly so Mr. Smith wouldn't hear but he failed to do so
"Shoplifting, well it doesn't compare to what I've done" Mr. Smith laughed to himself
"I had my moment and now I'm done. I got an earful from my mom and my dad, if you can call him that" Hanna said
"You could have told me. I would have helped" Lucas said
"I think at this point I need to do this on my own. I need to feel like I accomplished something in high school besides being popular" Hanna said
"And this would start to explain you being tired all the time, huh?" Lucas asked as he started to remember all her strange behavior
"All for the sake of the future" Hanna declared
"Now I would love to witness more of this touching moment between you two, but we have a lot of work to do seeing as Ms. Marin showed up late" Mr. Smith said "Thanks for stopping by Luke and I will catch up with you later" he said beginning to usher Lucas out the door
"I'll talk to you later guys" Lucas said before he left the classroom. Making his way to the front of the class, Mr. Smith sat on his desk in silence for a moment as Hanna tried to pretend like she didn't notice him staring at her.
"Is there a problem?" Hanna asked as she pulled out her final book
"I just wanted to take in this moment" Mr. Smith told her "The moment you grew the hell up because you got knocked down on your ass the other day with those results" he said
"Thanks for that memory flashback. Any other failure you want to shove in my face?" Hanna asked
"No, I just wanted you to remember it because believe me when you get knocked down it inspires you to get back up. Sometimes we need incentives to get back up and sometimes that incentive could be just to say….fuck everyone that ever doubted me" Mr. Smith told her as he folded his arms "Let's get to work" he said turning back towards his desk so that he could take his seat.
Looking at her self intently in the mirror she had almost become obsessed with looking like most girls that had attended her school. Thoughts ran through her head as she began to hate herself for even proposing the idea of having Lucas take her virginity, she wondered what even possessed her to think that way but she knew it wasn't fun to be the virgin anymore whether sexually or just in general in this town she felt like the virgin. Taking in a deep breath she began to straighten up her shirt before she finally gave her self a final look over then the approval to start yet another day at the hell she called Rosewood High School. Turning to grab her back pack she noticed a note sitting on her window sill and she immediately walked over to grab it only to see that it was from Lucas. A piece of her breathed a sigh of relief as she was glad that Lucas didn't find her weird or strange anymore after what had transpired between them the other day. Opening the letter she could see that he had put time and effort into it.
Dear Kate,
I know you may think that I have been avoiding you, but that's not the case. I guess you could say that I've been tied up with stuff but I haven't forgotten your request. It's not everyday that you get a proposal to have sex with someone, I mean this was stuff that I would have dreamed about a few years ago but I like to think that I'm wiser now that I've experienced what is to have sex. First of all, I want to end you misery and just say that I decline your offer to have sex with you but not because I don't find you attractive but because I don't want you to waste your gift on me. Sex is something that doesn't have emotion behind it…its something that's taken so lightly and without care. I'm lucky to say that yes, I had sex but most importantly I made love. Making love surpasses sex in every sense of the word because its about two people uniting in heart, body, and soul. Making love is about cherishing the person your with because there is no other person you'd want to be with. So I hope you will never have sex because its beneath you and beneath what you have to offer any lucky guy that you choose to be with. I hope that you make love and believe me when it comes to making love there are a lot more virgins than you'll ever fathom.
Sincerely,
Lucas
P.S. Keep looking...you'll find him
Looking down at the piece of paper as he made his way through the crowded mall, he found himself to be lucky that he was able to detect what store she was in to begin with from the surveillance camera. Entering into the store he looked on to see all the girls that in one way shape or form laughed at him back in the days of being a certified geek, and in that moment he felt proud because of where he was today, because of the reason he was here at this store is what made him so. He laughed to himself as the girls began to whisper to amongst each other probably talking about his relationship with Spencer, but he could care less because his days of proving himself to them was over. Making his way over to the store manager Alton folded the piece of paper up and tucked it away in pocket.
"May I help you?" The manager asked
"Uh, I had a friend that came in earlier the other day and she sort of Wynona'd your store" Alton said before the managers eyes began to bulge out "And your beginning to remember her….yeah, please hear me out" he said
"She stole my best selling item. All these kids come in here and just think they can get away with anything" The manager said angrily
"Yes, you have described my screwed up youth down to a science but that's not everyone. Look she messed up but that's not who she is" Alton protested
"I don't care who she is. She stole from the store and she had to suffer the consequences" The manager said
"Having her mall privilege revoked is a little harsh and kind of a joke but to her the mall is a fun place" Alton said "What if I guarantee it will never happen again" he said
"I don't care" The manager replied
"Here, here. Here is two hundred dollars, that will cover the jacket" Alton said handing over the money to the owner
"Her parents all ready paid" The manager said
"Well call this bribe money along with whatever service you want of me" Alton told the manager "I'm smart, really smart. Probably smarter than everyone in this whole store combined. I can do taxes, I can hack into anything well almost anything but I know people, I can do your kids homework…anything" he said
"Why do you care so much? Your giving up money, offering services that sound a bit appealing, but why?" The manager said after he took a few moments to size Alton up
"Because…she's a friend that did something stupid, but just made a mistake" Alton told him "We all make mistakes" he sighed
"Do you do geometry?" The manager asked as Alton shook his head "My kid can't grasp it for the life of him, the teachers are all ready saying he'll be held back, and we can't afford a tutor…so do you know geometry?" he asked
"Yeah, I know geometry" Alton smiled
"I'll talk to mall security and see if we can lessen the punishment, but if your friend does it again then she'll be doing her shopping on line for now on. C'mon I got some inventory I need you to do since your Mr. Braniac" The manager said as he motioned for Alton to follow him
"This task I'm about to embark on…this is all for the sake of my friend right?…your not just using me for the hell of it" Alton said as he followed behind
The crowd roared as the home team ran out onto the field prepared and eager to start off the game. Grabbing a spot next to Spencer and Aria, Hanna began to scan the field in search of Lucas and when she finally was able to she could quickly see his eyes looking back at her as if he were searching for hers as well. A smile came to his face from what was visible through his facemask which only made Hanna smile in return just glad that he still cared for her to still go out of his way just to make sure she was fine. They had broken up and it was clear to them that they weren't the same two people they were when they first got together but it was refreshing to know that they still cared about each other, that they still believed the best in the other whether it be in a good or bad situation. For a moment Hanna just observed the setting…her high school setting that she had longed to be a part of and realized even though she had to see life beyond high school it was still fun to know that she was very much a part of her high school. Nudging her friend on the shoulder, Spencer broke her concentration as Hanna turned towards Aria and Spencer who looked at her with much concern.
"Where is Kaleb? I thought he was coming with?" Aria asked
"He's going to meet me here. I talked to him a while ago and he was just leaving school so he should be here very soon" Hanna replied "I think he sounded more into seeing Lucas play more than anything, they've started up like a little bromance that it's disgusting" she said
"Guys do love their sports" Aria replied
"Not mine. Apparently mine is working, but…I will see him tonight" Spencer smiled devilishly as both Aria and Hanna did their best to rid themselves of the images that were coming to them
"And that aspect of your relationship we don't need to know about" Hanna laughed
"You okay? You've been a little different this week" Aria asked Hanna
"Yeah, I'm fine. I've just been dealing with some stuff" Hanna replied
"Are you sure because…I saw the video. I was with Alton and Lucas when they saw it" Spencer said
"Lucas explained that to me and….I'm not proud of what I did, but it was just a mistake that I kind of needed to make" Hanna said feeling a bit of life lesson hit her towards the end of her statement "I kind of grew the hell up this week" she smiled
"Interesting. Well I'm glad to hear that but if you ever need any help with anything you know we're here for you right? I mean its nice to have Lucas and Alton around but it did begin with four of us" Aria said
"The five, the five of us" Hanna corrected "Even though she's not here, I have a feeling she wished she could be" she said
"I think so to" Spencer smiled as did Aria at the memory of their friend before Hanna noticed Kate sitting by her lonesome as the people who were originally sitting on the same bench as her began to move over towards where their friends were. Excusing herself for a moment, Hanna made her way down to where Kate was and grabbed a seat beside her which caught Kate completely off guard.
"What are you doing? They might see us together and put together the fact that I'm your step sister" Kate replied
"Don't ruin this because I can just as easily hike my way back up" Hanna said
"Then why don't you? You clearly don't like me" Kate said
"What I don't like is what my dad to my mom and me. I especially don't like that he went off and married your mom" Hanna said
"And we're back at the same dilemma but with an added bonus of something I all ready knew…you don't like me or my mom" Kate concluded
"I don't know you and you'd be asking too much of me right now to get all buddy buddy with your mom because I kind of have this allegiance to my mom…you know the whole voodoo doll where we drape my dad's doll over a burning fire pit, we're crazy like that" Hanna joked
"So what are you saying then?" Kate asked
"I'm saying that I don't not like you" Hanna said "We're all virgins in some aspect of our lives but that doesn't make us any better or less than everyone else, it just makes us individuals" she smiled
Pulling over to the side of the road he quickly began to adjust the collar of his shirt in the mirror of his car. He began to fidget on his desire to perfection and his collar would be nothing less of that in his mind if it were up to him. Getting out of his car he looked on to see that the road he was on was completely abandoned with no sign or sound of anyone else traveling through. The cold wind sent chills up his spine but not much could affect him nor did he allow it to as he made his way over to the hidden away cabin. Slowly closing the door behind him he began to feel his pockets for a lighter so that he could see and with enough time passing in between he almost became reluctant that he would find it but to his luck he had. The fire quickly lit which only caused him to jump back in shock at the figure that was all ready present with him in the cabin.
"Son of a bitch! You scared me" Kaleb said
"You always were afraid of the dark" Mona laughed
"So what exactly are we doing here? This place gives me the creeps" Kaleb said looking around the cabin
"I happen to like it here. It makes me feel reborn" Mona teased
"You sound….annoying. What are we doing here? I'm suppose to be meeting up with Hanna" Kaleb said
"Relax, I'll be sending you on your merry way to be with her. I just thought you should know it was no easy task undoing your mess…really? Did you have to do that much damage to her car?" Mona asked "It cost me an arm and leg" she said
"Like your not being compensated. It was an investment if you wanted me to get close to Hanna, and what better way to get close to her than helping her while being abandoned" Kaleb said as he picked up the bracelet that sat on the only table in the cabin
"Well keep up the good work….A will soon make its appearance and we'll be done being the work horses" Mona said as a moment of silence came between them
"You ever think about it? I mean do you just find yourself unable to get it out of your head?" Kaleb asked her breaking the silence as he played with the bracelet
"I used to, but now I get so drunk that I don't. We did what was asked" Mona said
"And look how we benefited from it" Kaleb replied sadly as he looked over towards Mona "Lets hope A has a plan to bring down the house because any longer and we're going to find ourselves in a mess" he said before he tossed the bracelet towards Mona "I've got to go. I'll pay you back on the car if that's all you needed" he said just as he left. Knowing that there was more she needed to say, Mona stopped herself from chasing after Kaleb knowing that she would see him another time. Kneeling down to pick up the bracelet that had slipped through her grasp she looked on at the bracelet before reading "Alison" she said as she looked down at the bracelet "You always wanted to go out in a big bang, well their about to get one" she said to herself as she looked on at the bracelet of her childhood tormentor.