Carrying on the Torch

Disclaimer: I don't own Good Luck Charlie

A/N:

Chapter 12 (Daydreamer, Daydreamer)

Charlotte leaned against her locker and watched the students run past her, she was feeling a lot better than she did last night. Some people asked her about the beating she took at taekwondo, not realizing that was where it happened, but she did let them know everything was fine. Dee and Regina were already on their way to class, Charlotte was taking advantage of the five minute break between classes. She was actually thinking of skipping, but she didn't want to bother doing that at the moment. What would she miss? History before lunch?

The teacher was a stern, but kind man with years of experience on his belt. She knew him well enough to know that by skipping his class, he would immediately contact Skyler. In which case, she knew she'd be in more trouble than she would like to be, so skipping was out of the question. What she really wanted to do was find Mason's class and talk to him, she felt like she was being avoided, but she consistently told herself that he wouldn't do that to her. It was only because she'd not talked to him since Thanksgiving, and she wanted to know why.

Her eyes focused on a poster for one of the school's clubs, the Key Club, a very good group that helped with many things around the campus and community. It was close to the Student Council, but they were more geared to governing the student body. The president of the student council was a girl named Brittany, she had an almost nasal sounding voice, was thin, had blonde hair that curled at her chin, and high cheekbones. Charlotte knew her well as one of the more popular girls in school, and one of the most competitive. Skyler told her that Brittany's mother, Elaine, was actually someone that Amy had a problem with when Charlotte was a baby. The two mothers had made a competition of nursery rhymes and Amy wound up making fools of themselves. Now Brittany and Charlotte didn't get along, rather, she tried to avoid the girl at all costs. The two had a class together a couple years back and constantly fought over who was doing better in class. Sure, Brittany was the A student, but she still managed to get under her skin.

When they were kids in elementary school, all the way through high school, it was the same thing every time. Brittany wanted to outdo everyone at everything and Charlotte wanted to give the girl a reality check by getting in the middle of everything Brittany did, and so, that made her Brittany's public enemy number one.

"So, who's head to I bust open?" Mason's voice pulled her away from her thoughts and she quickly snapped her head in his direction. He was to her right, smirking and leaning his arm on the lockers above her head. He was wearing his school jersey, probably due to the football party that the jocks were throwing after school for their 'back to school' days. They threw a party after every holiday, trying to make it more enjoyable of a return. Her eyes froze upon his broadened shoulders and his muscular chest, she cleared her throat and turned her gaze up to his.

"W-What?"

"I heard what happened at your taekwondo class, that was a bad beating you took. Do I get to bust any heads for you?" She laughed nervously and pushed herself from the locker, closing her eyes and shaking her head.

"None, I've got it handled." As she started walking, he shrugged and began following her.

"I thought so."

"Yep, now where have you been?" She turned the corner of her lip up and spun around to face him. "You haven't been avoiding me, have you?" She wanted to mess with him just a little, hopefully make him stutter. He pushed his hands in his pocket and kept a calm and collected expression on his face, as though he knew she was just trying to heat up the pressure a little. How could she get this man wrapped around her finger if he managed to cool his way through everything?

"Nope. After we left, Uncle Emmett chewed me out for sassing him. I was grounded without my phone or computer, that was lifted just yesterday." She frowned and crossed her arms over her chest. It really wasn't fair, everything that was going on. How did they deserve to be punished for something that PJ and Emmett couldn't let go of? "Anyway, I'm pretty sure I'm still 'forbidden' to date you, but I figure what the old man doesn't know won't hurt him, right?" Her eyebrows rose and a look of impression etched over her face.

"I see, and do you constantly do things to piss off your uncle?"

"Maybe." He tossed a football in the air, catching her off guard. It was the first she'd noticed he had that thing. "Anyway, I assume you have taekwondo after school?"

"Monday through Friday, but it starts at five."

"Cool. So, right after school we're having our football party, I was wondering if you'd like to join me. It'll be over at four-forty, ample time for you to show up to class, right?" Her lips flattened and she tapped her chin in thought. Last time, she left the school just a little after that time and wound up three minutes late, something that Miss Keener didn't tolerate, so she couldn't afford to do that.

"Miss Keener is really strict about tardiness. Yesterday I left about four-forty and wound up late by three minutes, I got penalized for it."

"Ouch." She nodded and ran her hand behind her neck. She really wanted to join him, but she didn't want there to be so little time. After school she promised to help her teacher clean up. The day before she'd been in such a rush to leave that she wound up bumping into her teacher's desk and knocked off some expensive jar, so she wanted to make up for that somehow.

"I'm also helping my teacher after school, so at best, I'd only be with you for fifteen minutes…I don't want to have to just get there and then leave." He nodded and held his football at his side.

"I understand, another time then." He moved his hand up in front of his chest and grasped the ball with his other hand, holding it firmly. "If you're doing anything this weekend, maybe we could get together, still open for that steakhouse? Or are you under strict surveillance too? I know Aunt Ivy doesn't care if I date you, so she's a supporter…" She smiled cheerfully and nodded her head, she really did like the thought of that restaurant. Although, she'd have to run it by Skyler first. Even though Skyler would support the two of them, the woman did not like going behind PJ's back.

"Skyler's the same way, but it might be difficult. There's a line of trust and Skyler doesn't like going behind PJ's back. I also don't like to get in trouble with her, so not telling her might be a bad thing…" Undermining Skyler or going behind her back usually resulted in being grounded, or having a long talk about what happened and about being respectful. "So, when's the next game?"

"In a couple weeks." The team had football games all year around, so Charlotte wanted to be sure to be there and cheer for Mason. "I'll let you know." Suddenly Mason felt a tug on his arm and Charlotte's annoyed gaze fell onto the girl that jumped into her view. Brittany was hanging onto his arm and wore a huge grin on her face.

"I couldn't help overhearing, but I'll be happy to go with you to your party after school, Mason. You don't mind, do you?"

"Uh…" His lips parted, but no words came out. Charlotte rolled her eyes and glared at Brittany. The girl had dated Mason once a year ago, but he dumped her, and she still was trying to hook up with him. Mostly it was out of spite for Charlotte, she knew about her relationship with Mason. "Well you can go if you want, but, I'd rather you not latch onto me." He pulled away from her and looked to Charlotte for help.

"I have nothing to say," she said simply. She honestly didn't know how to respond to Brittany, the girl was everywhere. Not only was she unable to come up with a response, class had begun five minutes ago. "Brittany…" Brittany smirked at her and stood erect. Before she was able to say anything else, she saw Skyler walking down the hallway. She cringed as she met her adoptive mother's disapproving eyes. "Uh oh." Mason's eyebrows rose and he turned to see Skyler, cringing as the woman crossed her arms and stepped beside them.

"You're not planning on skipping class, are you? It's only the second day back since Thanksgiving." Brittany started to laugh and Charlotte shot her a glare, making her chuckle more. Mason smacked Brittany on the back and Skyler shot the girl a look from the corner of her eyes, silencing her abruptly. Everyone knew better than to piss off the school nurse. "Is there a reason you're here right now, Brittany?"

"No ma'am." Skyler smirked and turned to the girl, arching her eyebrow high.

"Have you had your flu shot yet? If not, I want you to head straight to my office." Brittany paled briefly and quickly hid behind Mason, who was doing all he could to stifle a snicker. Charlotte had choked back a laugh as well and cleared her throat. Skyler turned back to her and exhaled. "I want you to hurry up and get to class, no skipping." Brittany stuck her tongue out and snickered.

"Yeah Charlotte, do as the school nurse asks." Mason stepped to the side and Charlotte rolled her eyes. She smirked as Skyler grabbed Brittany's arm and started pulling her away. "Uh…flu shot?"

"Yep." Brittany groaned as Skyler glanced back to Charlotte. "And get to class." She nodded and exhaled, she was used to the teasing by now. Sometimes it got old, people weren't commenting on her relationship with Skyler as much as they used to, but there were still some random statements. She looked to Mason and rubbed his shoulder.

"I'll see you around, give me a call later and we'll talk about this weekend, okay?" He smiled back and hugged her. Her cheeks burned and her heart jumped in her chest.

"All right, you have a great day. Hopefully we can work something out."

"I'll be sure to talk to Skyler. You'll talk to Aunt Ivy?"

"Yes. Now get to class before Skyler comes back around the corner." He nudged her playfully, then quickly kissed her cheek. She laughed and ran off, trying not to be any later than she had to be. Her face was red and her body was on fire, she hadn't expected Mason to kiss her! As she ran, she felt Mason watching her. With air beneath her feet and angels dancing around in her head, she was almost certain she was in heaven.

When she entered her class, it was with such abrupt speed that she shocked everyone. Eyes flew towards her, but she didn't care. Her mind was filled with euphoric daydreams, so much so that she viewed the classroom as if it were being held in a field of grass and water. Normally she tried to quell the daydreams, but at this point of time, she decided to just let them run rampant. "Miss Duncan? To your seat…"

She was a dancer, spinning around in a vibrant floral dress while everyone looked on. She made it to her vine covered desk and floated into her seat. Somewhere in the distance, Mason was waiting for her to answer his call. He would wait, not even the ugly witch, Brittany, could take him. The witch could only suffer as the Queen vaccinated her.

"Miss Duncan?" The royal teacher kept repeating her name, as though he wanted something from her. She leaned forward and put her hand to her cheek, sighing heavily.

"Yes?"

"Are you…with us, Miss Duncan?" She blinked and stared at the outfit he was wearing. When she noticed his puffy, purple pants, and his checkered shirt, she realized she needed to come back to reality. She shook her head and the dream went away. Everyone was giving her strange looks while the teacher, dressed up in a suit and tie, gazed at her with heavy skepticism. "Miss Duncan?"

"I'm here, sorry Mr. Weller…" She sank in her seat as the class turned back to the teacher, all shifting uncomfortably in their seats. The teacher cleared his throat and shook his head.

"All right, we were just discussing Benedict Arnold's involvement in the American Revolution…Thank you for joining us, Miss Duncan. What can you tell us about Benedict Arnold?"

"He was…a traitor to the country…" A lame answer, but she honestly had nothing to contribute. She was far too embarrassed to come up with any solid answer. Hopefully the teacher would just ignore her for the rest of the class, but, that was unlikely.

Ah Charlotte, what a wonderful web of dreams you weave in your mind. Well, we see a little bit more of a conflicting character in this chapter, how lovely.