I forgot last time but now I remembered I own nothing and yes the original laughing cat is a real website to see it do a search for "the original laughing cat" and it should come up.

Chapter 5: A surprise named...

Remember the last one ended with Portman and her convo. 'I didn't look at him but I could tell he was looking down. "I'm trying to be serious here." I looked up at him. "Will you…"' so now the continuation of that sentence.

"Will you go out with me?" He asked sorta fast.

"You mean as in be your girlfriend?" I answered.

"Uh yeah" He said trying, but failing, to play as if her had been expecting that answer. I knew he hadn't expected it, neither had Dwayne but hey who did. My clear blue eyes held anger for a few seconds the softened.

"Yes but who is gonna tell Charlie?" I asked.

"I don't know."

"I'll tell him eventually but if somehow he finds out before I tell him then don't blame me."

"Yes!" He practically yelled, causing about 6 people to jump and the entire room to turn and look at him.

"Hey Portman do you see a freak circus around here somewhere?" I asked.

"Nope." He said slightly confused.

"Then I wonder why people are staring." I said shrugging a bit. After that every one turned back to what they were doing. "So…"

"So what? Oh that, uh yeah I think you telling him might be a good idea. I don't want to get killed in the process."

"Ok." I said going back to coloring as Portman slipped his arm around my waist.

About a week later most of the JV hockey team had figured it out and congratulated him and were carefully watching what they said around Adam, who being Charlie's room mate would instantly tell him, which was actually what I was waiting for. The varsity Baseball team all knew because half of them were in that study hall and I had accidentally let it slip to Mike who spread it around. Friday after hockey practice I was waiting for Portman and Dwayne to finish changing before heading back when 4 members of the varsity hockey team came walking towards me lead by Andy Jefferson. Scooter was talking to Julie and Connie just out of ear shot down the hall with his back towards me. When they reached me they started the trash talk.

"Well, well, well boys what do we have here? If it ain't the little ex-duck and our very own b-ball pitcher." Andy said causing the rest to laugh.

"Can't y'all just leave me alone?" I asked.

"Now why would we want to do that? Guys?" He asked looking over his shoulder as they shrugged. Then Andy did the worst thing he could possibly think of. He raised his right hand and slapped the left side of my face really hard.

"You did not just slap me did you?" I asked. He just looked at me then slapped me again. So again I said, "You do not want to do that again" but he did. So I punched him really hard causing him to fly backwards in to the wall and I'm sure I heard his jaw shatter. "Three hits then it becomes self defense." I said shaking my hand a bit. Then the other three started to beat me up. So I went into full defense mode, only hitting to keep from getting to beat up.

"ALRIGHT EVERYONE FREEZE!" Dean Buckley yelled.

We all froze on the spot and on of the jocks muttered "Oh crap Buckley."

"What is going on here?" Buckley asked.

"Well you see…" We all started.

"One at a time and what happened to Mr. Jefferson?"

"Well…" We tried again.

"Alright this is getting me no where. The four of you my office now." Buckley said, "Holland, Moreau, Gaffney will the three of you escort Mr. Jefferson to the nurse."

"Right away Dean." Scooter replied.

Once we got to the office Dean Buckley ushered me in first saying "Ok Ms. Jacobs you first." I went in and sat down. "Tell me what happened in your own words."

"Well you see Andy and his three friends came up to me and started messing with me, you know picking on me then he slapped me, I asked him not to do it again but he didn't listen to me. So after he hit me again I warned him not to do it again but again he slapped me. You see Dean I was brought up with the saying that if they hit you three times hit them back. After three hits it becomes self defense. Growing up with four brothers I learned how to defend my self well and what it sounds like when a jaw is being shattered, a bone is being broken or cracked. So after he slapped me three times I punched him, so hard that it shattered his jaw and threw him back in to the wall. I didn't really mean to hit him that hard it was just that I have a really short fuse when it comes to anyone being picked on or slapped. After Andy hit the wall his three friends jumped on me and I defended myself to the best of my ability."

"What were you doing down there in the first place?"

"Honestly Sir I was waiting for Portman and Robertson, like they asked me too."

"Thank you. Your dismissed and I suggest you go straight back to your dorm and get some ice for your slightly bruising cheek."

"Thank you sir." I said walking out the door and back to my dorm.

I checked my freezer when I got back and realize that I didn't have any ice so I sat down on my bed and pulled my knees up to my chest. All of a sudden the entire team minus the two girls walked in my door. "Hey guys." I said cocking my head to the right slightly.

"There you are. Where have you been? I thought you said you would come by after practice." Dwayne said.

"I did come by but then I had to go to the Dean's office. Please have a seat." I said putting my feet down.

"What the holy hell happened to you?" Charlie asked as he sat down on my left and took my face in his hands. I guess it was starting to swell.

"Ow must you touch it?" I asked.

"Sorry got any ice?" He answered.

"If I did do you think I would be sitting here letting it swell like this?" I said rolling my eyes.

"Banksie go get that ice pack from our freezer." He said making Banks get up and left coming back about a minute later with an ice pack and handing it to Charlie. Charlie picked up the towel from my floor and wrapping it around the ice placed it to my cheek. I took hold of it and pressed it gently applying about as much pressure as I could with out causing pain. "So what happened?"

"Well, first off I should tell you that the situation has been taken care of. So to the story, I was down there by the locker rooms just like I said I would be watching Connie and Julie talking to Scooter. I couldn't hear what they were saying 'cause they were out of ear shot so I knew they didn't hear the cause of the fight."

"You got into another fight?" Dwayne asked.

"Yeah but this time it wasn't my fault, they started it. Anyway Andy Jefferson and his friends came up to me and started taunting me. He slapped me three times so I punched him and shattered his jaw. Then the other 3 jumped me and I did the only thing I could think of growing up with 4 brothers. I defended myself to the best of my abilities. Of course Buckley happened to catch the end of it and sent the four of us to his office." I finished.

"2 weeks ER, 2 flipping weeks." Scooter said opening my door the rest of the way. I gave him a confused look and he explained "Buckley benched the 3 of them for 2 weeks, next week and the one right after break. How could you?"

"How could I? How could I? You are so lucky Charlie is stopping me from standing up. You just happened to conveniently miss the beginning of that fight. I get slapped 3 times and they get benched for 2 weeks I call that fair. Owwwwwww!" I said taking a deep breath.

Charlie lifted the bottom half of my shirt exposing my abs and lower ribs. "Looks like they bruised a few ribs too."

"ER." Julie said pushing Scooter out of the doorway a bit so her and Connie could get passed. "The total damage you did to Andy doesn't look to good. They have to take him to the E.R. The nurse thinks you shattered his jaw. And to make it worse his parents just went in to the Dean's office."

"What she's trying to tell you is, Lizzy, you could very well loose your scholarship." Connie added.

Charlie released my arm so unexpectedly I fell over backwards landing in Portman's lap staring at the ceiling. "Well at least the nickname has shown it's validity and oh God could this day get any worse?"

"Hey babe, relax. First off you said it yourself he hit you three times, which is self defense. And secondly ain't your dad and Bombay lawyers?" Portman said pushing a bit of hair out of my face and behind my ear. I cringed slightly at the mention of Bombay.

"Oh yeah my dad is. Sorry I keep forgetting."

"Wait let me get this straight. You end up with a bruised cheek and ribs and walk away scot-free. Andy gets a shattered jaw and his friends get a few bruises and benched for 2 weeks this so ain't fair." Scooter said.

"First off Scott I was the one attacked by 4, count them, 4 guys. Second it was self-defense on my part, third they started it, and fourth I ain't getting away scot-free, I'm in danger of losing my scholarship. Now either shut the hell up or get your varsity ass out of my room." I said standing up. And with that he left.

"Skater-aide, I'm sorry about what I said at lunch about a week ago, I know you've told me many times that I should stay out of your personal life, like you promised me you would. It's just that I don't want you getting hurt. I mean you've only know Portman for about a week." Charlie said.

"Charlie I know you're sorry." I said turning my attention to Fulton.

"Alright I meant all that but I meant to say I apologize for what I did."

"I forgive you Spazway just remember I grew up with four brothers for about 11 years and I know how to handle myself and guys who don't treat me right. And Charlie I've known Portman since last summer. Don't ask me how I just have."

The Thursday before break I was lying on my bed flipping through some magazine when Charlie knocked on my door. "Skater-aide?" He asked pushing the door open the rest of the way.

"I told you if the door was open you could just come on in." I answered rolling onto my back and looking at him.

"Christmas decided to come a bit early to Eden Hall." He said a bit apprehensively.

"What are you talking about?" I asked.

"Well maybe I should just show you. Ok come in." He said sitting on my extra bed.

"Chris, Ben isn't school still in for the two of you?" I asked as my 2 of my big brothers came in. Chris also known as Christian is 23 with blue eyes, messy brown hair, medium build, is about 6'3 and is the best pitcher I know. Ben, who I call Bean occasionally, is 19, 6' even, straight neatly combed blond hair, mainly brown eyes and a lean build but has great reflexes. Seth, although not present at the time, is 20 years old 6'1, dirty blond slightly messy hair, hazel eyes, and a stocky muscular hockey goalie build.

After both of them hugged me Chris explained. "They let us out a bit early and we stopped by the house, which was a big mistake because mom is still fuming about Seth, dad told us exactly what happened, we got the short story from Charlie, and we just had to come see you and make sure you're ok and that all these guys around here aren't hitting on you."

"I'm fine Chris, mom and dad kicked Seth out of the house until Christmas break because they knew the two of you would be there to stop him from doing any thing. And besides they sent me up here to the protective care of my over protective cousin who I hear promised the two of you I wouldn't get hurt." I said as Chris took a seat in my computer chair and Ben sat next to me on the bed.

"Well that's good to hear but I've got a surprise for you two. This might come as a shock but the idea behind this was all moms' idea. If it had been mine well I wouldn't have done it in the first place, but I should really let him tell the story." Chris said, "Ok your turn."

The guy who walked through the door next scared the crap out of me. Ben's face had lost all its color and his expression looked like he had just seen a ghost. Both Charlie and Chris looked a bit worried. "What's wrong with you two? You look like you've seen a ghost."

"I don't know what kind of sick joke you think this is Christian but it ain't funny. Matt's…Matt's dead." I said laying back down on my bed and burying my face into my pillow.

"Teddy Bear, Beanie I know this is hard to believe but I'm not dead. I never died." The guy said. He looked a lot like Matt would have if he had still been alive. At 26, Matt or Mattie as I called him when I was being childish should have been about 6'3, extremely messy blond hair, deep green eyes, very muscular build from football, hockey, baseball, soccer, and the occasional pick-up basketball game. He also had a smile that could charm any girl into falling for him and could make everyone he knew smile.

"No it's impossible." I wailed from my pillow.

"How?" Ben asked.

"Mom always wanted me to play pro for the Minnesota North Stars if I wanted to go pro. It was the only team she would accept. Dad on the other hand was happy for me either way. So when I called to tell mom and dad about my offer to play pro for the Detroit Red Wings, I got Chris first and he was happy then dad got on and he was also happy but it was a different story with mom. Boy was she pissed that I had already said yes. I guess she didn't want anyone to know that her perfect all star of a son had disappointed her, so she spread it around to our family and friends that I had died and some how coerced dad and Chris in to not saying anything. The last thing they have ever done for me is sign the house in Minnesota over to me." Matt explained.

"One day I was walking down the street and I ran into him. He knew how close we were and knew I would tell you as soon as I could, so he instantly made me swear not to say a thing to you." Charlie put in.

"Why would you come forward now? I mean risking the chance of mom finding out and getting even madder. And didn't you have to change your name to keep us from finding out?" Ben asked rubbing my back and speaking my thoughts seeing as I was still crying.

"I wanted you guys to come see me play and yeah I changed it to Matt Johnson, not legally or anything but that's what the jersey says."

"But what about Mom? Ain't she gonna get mad?" Ben asked again.

"I guess so but I'm not too worried about that, I mean you, Seth, and Chris are all over 18 and can make your own choices and I got tired of hiding it." Matt answered. "Ben what's wrong with my Teddy Bear?" Matt has always called me that since I was little because I never went anywhere until I was 5 without my favorite stuffed bear.

"They never told you did they?" Charlie asked.

"Told me what?" Matt asked.

"You told me you watched the goodwill games and can recognize anyone from Team U.S.A. right?" Matt must have nodded because Charlie went on. "The reason you didn't see her there is because the day they got the phone call ER hung up her skates for good. That was the day she lost you or so she thought. So she put away almost everything she had that reminded her of you. Think about everything she's been through. First she's pull away from everything she's ever known, her home, her school, her friends, her brother, her cousin, and the Ducks, everything Matt when she was moved to Texas. The only bright thing about it was that she met Dwayne Robertson, and ended up dating him for about 5 months. Then he gets pulled away when he goes to play for team U.S.A. and she gets up-rooted again when your dad transferred to Ohio. She never got to say goodbye to him. When she reaches Ohio she plays softball and eventually makes a new friend named Aaron, who as I understand it spends a lot of time in her room. To make matters worse every time Seth comes home from college on the weekends, he beats the tar out of her because her friend loves to hang out with her. Then because of that they send her here. Matt she has been though more in five years than anyone should ever have to go though in a lifetime, and now she's scared of Seth which is not a good thing. Chris and Ben had each other to support, Seth had your mom to talk to, your dad was always working, and she could only email Dwayne and Fulton because of long distance charges. There was no one for her to talk to with you gone and the rest of us over 700 miles away. You might be like this too if you had to put up with all that. Maybe ya'll should go hang out in my room until we get her calmed down." Charlie explained.

I heard the door open and then shut as Charlie moved to my bed. "Skater you know he didn't want to make you mad, none of us did. Hell we thought you'd be happy to have him back in your life again." I sat up and looked at him through my red puffy eyes. "You want to watch a movie?" I shook my head and he then decided to play the laughing cat website. As funny as it is it did nothing to help. So then he sent an IM to some one, one was returned and about a minute later Portman walked in the door and Charlie left.

Portman tried to cheer me up by walking to the extra closet and pulling out my big box of movies. He walked to the TV saying "if this doesn't work then I'm clueless." He put in the movie and got comfortable on my bed. The movie came on and it turned out to be Spaceballs. Originally a very funny movie but I just wasn't in to it and so halfway though the movie he saw that and he turned it off and said "Alright I didn't want to do this babe but I'm calling in back up."

So he walked out the door and a few seconds later Dwayne walked in. He put in a video and said "Ok let's try this." He found the spot he was looking for and when he hit the play button 2 seconds later I burst out laughing. "I knew it. The Outsiders and Matt Dillon falling on his butt gets you every time. And here you go. One more time 'cause I know you love it so much." He rewound it and played it again. And yet again I laughed. It wasn't one of those forced laughs to get them to go away it was a full on 'that's extremely funny' laughs. He then stopped the tape and put it away. Then he opened the door and motioned down the hall at something. Portman and Charlie came in the door and Portman asked "How in the world did you get her to smile like that?"

"A master of the art never tells." Dwayne said.

"So you want…um…" Charlie started.

"Benny." I hollered acting like a three year old.

"You rang." Ben said coming in the door as Portman plopped down next to me on the bed and wrapped his arms around me. "Baby please, don't be mad at Matt."

"Um could y'all call Fulton for me?" I asked.

"You're the one with the set of lungs. Call me yourself." Fulton answered from the doorway.

"Please grab a seat would you. Hey you remember Ben right and vise versa." I said reintroducing them.

"Long time, no see man," Fulton said shaking his hand.

"Like wise." Ben said as Fulton sat down between Charlie and Dwayne on the opposite bed, while Ben sat in my computer chair.

"Bean how can you not be mad at Chris, he lied to us for the past five years?" I asked.

"I am a bit upset, but more so at mom, it was her idea as both Chris and Matt said." He answered.

"So what do you suggest I do now oh smart one? Forgive Chris for lying and be all happy now that I have my favorite brother back?"

"I didn't say, yet. I'm saying that yes you should forgive Chris for lying it wasn't his fault, and I know it will be hard having Matt around but he is our brother and we need to treat him as such."

"I don't know if I can be as calm about it as you can. I mean you and Chris always got along real well and you always thought that Matt could do no wrong. Me on the other hand, I love Matt to death but this is just something I just don't know if I can put up with, since I'm now 16 and he hasn't seen me since I was 11, there's a big difference there."

"I know but how'd you forgive Charlie when he did the exact same thing as Chris."

"It's just different."

"How?"

"I don't know possibly because he ain't flipping out about the nonexistent distance between Portman and me, like I know Chris will."

"Yeah, wait why aren't you?" Fulton asked knowing how over protective Charlie can get.

"Because I've known about it for the past two days and I've come to the realization that being the enforcer he is, he ain't gonna let her get hurt and he makes her more happy than I've ever seen her. And I know as soon as Christian walks through that door he'll flip out and if I did Chris would put me about 6 feet under." Charlie answered.

"Well let's see how he takes it. Bean call him in." I said as Ben did Dwayne covered his ears, because last time Chris had found out I had a boyfriend he exploded and the moment Chris walked through the door there was a sudden explosion.

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING TO MY BABY SISTER?" Chris yelled, "YOU HAD BETTER GET YOUR DAMN HANDS OFF HER BEFORE I BEAT THE…"

"Christian, chill out you've seen how he plays hockey. You always said you wanted some one to take care of her, and when she gets a guy to go out with her, you blow up on them, just like you did to Tex." Ben said intervening, "You remember Fulton Reed, her best friend in the entire world, Dwayne 'Tex' Robertson who lived down the street and her ex, and our cousin Charlie. This is Dean Portman, one of the Bash brother's for Team U.S.A. and now Eden Hall remember."

"Oh yeah number 21 I do believe." Chris said. Portman nodded

"Good deal, if you hurt her I'll..." He started but Ben poked him. "We'll make your life a living hell. Hey Fire-arm (another nick name only used by Chris) are you mad at me?"

"No Chris I ain't and thanks for bringing my big brother back to me and you know which one I mean." I said. I saw Matt standing in the doorway so I rolled over an feigned sleep.

"Can I come in?" Matt asked.

Well there you go. Thank you all for tuning in. Tune in next time.