So here's the next chapter. Sorry it took so long but my comp crashed at the end of March and I lost the six chapters I had typed. I've got most of them typed back up so hopefully I can post faster but you know me and I never usually post more than one chapter every few months.
Ch. 43: The Return
At breakfast I sat down and put the plate of brownies in front of me. "Ooo brownies for breakfast." Russ said reaching out to remove the plastic wrap.
I reached out and tapped the back of his hand making him withdraw it. "Those are for Varsity leave them alone." I said.
"Aw man."
"Fine, be my guest and have one, but don't come whining to me when you're running to the bathroom every five minutes." Russ went back to his breakfast and Julie sighed.
"How exactly is this helping to fix things?" She asked.
"Just watch. Charlie, come along." I said. Charlie and I walked over to the Varsity table where Scooter stood.
"Morning Lizzy, Charlie." Scooter said.
"Brownies?" Kyle asked.
"Yeah." I said handing them to Charlie. "On behalf of the JV team, we wanted to say we're sorry for all the pranks we've played on you guys." I reached out to Scooter and he took my hand pulling me to him. I stood up on my tiptoes and whispered in his ear "the top three aren't tainted. If you trust me then you won't eat any but those three." I said. I pulled away from him and smiled.
"Enjoy." Charlie said handing Scooter the plate.
"I guess that makes it ok." Scooter said taking the plate. I grinned and walked away with Charlie. When I got back to the table I sat down and watched the Varsity table. Scooter set the plate down on the table and pulled the plastic wrap off. He took the top three brownies and handed one to Kyle before eating the other two. He said something to the team then sat down. The rest of the team dug in and I watched as Andy had three before I had to go to class.
Later after Civics ended Scooter grabbed my arm and slowly escorted me to lunch. "So explain this." Scooter said.
"Our prank war is screwing things up between you and Cat-Lady. I can't do that to you and her." I answered. "The top three weren't tainted with Laxatives that way it looked like we were hitting the entire team but not seriously messing things up between us." We stopped at his locker and I looked at him. "Julie was really bothered about this latest prank. She wanted to call it off and I realized that my fight with Andy was screwing things up between the two of you. You're not my target and I feel really bad that it's hurting you. I just need Varsity as a cover to keep me out of serious trouble." We started walking again.
"I knew something up with those brownies." Scooter said.
"How?" I asked.
"You said I'm sorry. I know you well enough to know that you never say I'm sorry. You say I apologize when you're being truly honest." He said. "That and I figured it had something to do with you not selling us out the other night."
"Yeah something like that. Only me or Andy will get in trouble for this."
We stopped right outside the cafeteria and he grinned. "Rick told me how cool you were. I just never thought I would see it in my relationship. Thanks Liz." He said then kissed my cheek. As lunch ended Scooter handed me a piece of paper. "Get that to Julie ASAP. Please."
"Certainly my good fellow." I answered smirking. Luckily my path to Psych took me passed Julie's locker. "Scooter asked me to give this to you. I think it's imperative that you read it." I said handing her the note.
When I just stood there she smiled. "I'll tell you what it says later, right now I want you to go to class so you don't get into any trouble."
"Yes Ma'am." I said saluting her. Then I scampered off to class. We spent most of our time talking to Mr. Stewart in pairs about our progress.
"And how is my favorite couple?" He asked.
"Well considering you pissed off my boyfriend—" I started.
"Dean Portman will get over himself. I'm sure he'll understand that this is just a project worth half your grade."
"How did you know...?"
"I do have gossip queens in my class Mrs. Jacobs. As relating to this project..." He trailed off.
"I think we'll be ok. We're still trying to get used to everything but other than that we're working pretty well together."
"Mr. Mendoza?" Mr. Stewart asked.
"Lizzy's been a great help. I don't think I could have done this without her." Luis answered. I blushed.
"He's great on his own. I'm sure he could make it through without me." I said.
"And how is the baby?" Mr. Stewart asked.
"Well..." I was going to make some smart comment but knew I was better off not doing it so I said instead "As anxious as his papa to come out. I on the other hand can wait another week and a half."
"You do realize Ms. Jacobs you can not control when you have your child."
"Yes sir, but you can."
"True, but all I'm going to tell you is that when he or she is ready it'll happen. Sometimes even when you are least expecting or ready for it."
"Yeah alright." I answered.
In study hall Julie came in smiling. "Hey girly." I said nearly bouncing in my seat. "What's up?"
"Well there's always the fact that Varsity members have been running to the bathroom all day." She answered.
"Don't care as much as I should. What was in the note?" I asked.
"Just that he knows what's going on now and he isn't mad at me. Oh and he wants to take me to dinner tomorrow."
"That's great Julie." I said.
"Ain't it though? How are things between you and Port?" She asked.
"Good, good." We talked a bit about my psych project and about my relationship until I noticed Adam with his head down and how he was doodling. The only problem with that was Adam never doodled. "Julie, does it look like something's wrong with Ads?"
"No, well maybe a little but I know him, if something was wrong with him, he'd tell us. You know he would. Maybe he just misses playing hockey." Julie said glancing down at Adam.
"Maybe...I still can't shake the feeling it's deeper than that."
"He'll be ok. Just give him time." Julie says. I shrugged and went back to my homework.
Again at dinner Adam seemed a bit off but Andy distracted me from pondering it too much.
"Watch your back Duck, or you'll find the school will know more about you and Seth than you want them too."
I looked up at him ready to say something witty and make him shut up but something made me stop. The man standing behind him to be exact. "On the contrary you better watch your back." I said smirking.
"What are you going to do? You have nothing on me." Andy said still grinning.
"It's not what I have on you but rather who's standing behind you." I said crossing my arms over my chest.
"What are you—" Andy started.
"Hey Riley." I said.
"Riley? What difference does that make?" Andy says.
"This difference." The man gripped Andy's arm and whipped him around. "And if you knew what's good for you, you'd shut your trap right now."
"Rick Riley." Andy gasped. "What are you doing here?"
"Seeing my little brother." Rick smiled tapping his visitor's pass.
"And as for this Duck?" He spat. "She's gotten to you too." He said after a moment.
"More like her four big brothers. You've also been talking back to Scooter? I don't appreciate the way you've been running around here. We'll just have to see if we can change that about you."
"You wouldn't touch me. You can't touch me." Andy said.
"Wanna bet on that?" Rick asked.
"Enough Rick. You'll leave him alone. I'm sure Andy's gonna stop now." I said glaring at Andy.
"You've been here for three months," Andy spit at me. "Three months and you have the entire school wired."
"Two and a half Jefferson and I ain't asking you to like me I'm just asking that you leave me alone." I answered back. Andy narrowed his eyes at me, then jerked out of Rick's grip and stormed out of the cafeteria.
"He bothering you kid?" Rick asked turning to me.
"Not more than I can handle. And speaking of handling. I was until you showed up. Besides you've obviously talked to Holland and he would have told you how much Jefferson bothers me."
"Just because you think you can handle him doesn't mean you actually can." Riley countered.
"Just because I am the baby of my...Oh I get it. Y'all think that since I'm the baby of the family that I can't take care of myself. Y'all think that 'hey she's just a little girl raised among big, strong boys and she needs us to help her out when the going gets rough.' Problem with that theory boys—" I said looking around at Dean, Fulton, Charlie, and Rick, "The problem is, those same rough, strong boys taught me how to play one of the roughest sports in the history of all sports. I can handle myself when it comes to self-absorbed little brats who can't find the stick they have shoved so far up their arses to see straight." I stormed out of the cafeteria and to my room plopping down in my computer chair.
Soon there was a knock on my door.
"Go away." I called. Unfortunately the person came in and pulled my computer chair to between my beds and they sat down on my bed. I looked at my feet and noticed the expensive tennis shoes. There was only one person I knew that wore expensive tennis shoes that would come see me.
"Jakie, you know I didn't mean to come off so hard on you. It's just...since Seth's rough handling of you I've worried about you more often. I don't want you to get hurt." See I was right it was Riley.
"Riles..."
"I know, I know you can handle yourself but how much more can you handle before you snap?"
"I see your point." True I had snapped last night because of Gordon but Andy was just like a fly that won't go away.
When I mentioned the latter to Riley he smiled. "How much longer are you going to swat at him until you reach out and squash him?" He asked.
"I honestly don't know." I said.
"And that's what has us all worried. Too soon you're gonna squash him and you may go so far overboard that you'll end up in more trouble than you can handle. I don't want that to happen."
"I know Riles but I have to find something other than being a tattletale that will keep him off my back. That's what the prank war is for." I said. He nodded and we walked a bit longer before there was another knock on the door. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.
"Lizzy?" I heard Fulton ask as the door creaked open. "You ok?"
"I'm fine." I said. I couldn't let them know I was still upset.
"So you're still dating him?" Riley asked. It was strange that he came to that conclusion just from Fulton's question.
"Portman? Yeah."
"How do you tell them apart?" Rick asked.
"Well Fulton's cute and Port's just good looking." I said. Rick smiled. "I'm kidding." I pulled myself up off my chair to talk about two of my most favorite things in the world. I walked over to Fulton and touched his shoulder looking at Rick. "Fulton has longer, straighter hair, he's also better at hockey. Portman has shorter, curlier hair and has more control while he plays but he gets worn out faster. And in my opinion he is cuter." I said.
"Liz." Fulton said softly.
"I told you I'm fine."
"Yeah but how much longer are you going to pretend you're fine?"
"Until you believe I'm telling the truth and actually go away." I said spinning to face both Fulton and Dean.
"Babe..." Dean said.
"Look I'm ok. A bit pissed but—"
"Uh yeah," Fulton scratched the back of his neck, his cheeks tinting a bit pink, "we just wanted to give you some time to cool off. You sounded really pissed at dinner and you needed time to cool down." Fulton said. I cocked my head and Fulton smiled. I gave him a look then he nodded.
"Babe, have you noticed Adam...he's a little..." Dean stopped and looked down.
"Yeah I'll talk to him about it. Don't worry I'm sure things are fine." I answered.
"Alright. Just let him know..." Dean stopped again.
"I got it don't worry." I said. Dean nodded and with a glance at Fulton they both left.
"He likes you. A lot." Riley said. I turned and looked at him curiously.
"Fulton? He's my best friend."
"No, Portman. I can tell. It might even surpass high school."
"Maybe but...I doubt it. I mean Dean's great and all but like you said it's high school it can't go that far."
"Just don't forget what I said. If you really like him don't give up on him." Rick said. I nodded and sat back down in front of him. We talked a bit longer before he had to leave.
The next morning Adam wasn't at breakfast so I pointed this out to Charlie. "Hey Char have you seen Adam today?" I asked.
"No. I woke up at 6:30 and his stuff was gone. He didn't leave a note either. Maybe he is getting some tutoring or skating or something." Charlie said. I looked at my plate and thought about what could be bothering him but I couldn't come up with anything.
I tried to talk to Adam in English Lit. but Fulton seemed like he didn't want me to worry about it. "I know something's wrong with him but you have to let him come to you." Fulton said as Adam nearly bolted from the classroom.
"I guess." I sighed. Around lunch time Fulton was still trying to convince me not to bother Adam. "I get it Fulton." I finally snapped.
"Sorry." Fulton answered. We got our food and he walked towards the Ducks but I didn't see Adam over there. In fact Adam was sitting by himself over on the other side of the cafeteria. I looked back to Fulton but he was already with the Ducks so I walked over to Adam.
"Is this seat taken?" I asked standing across from Adam. He just shrugged so I sat down. "You don't look very happy."
"Take you that long to figure it out?" Adam asked.
"Took me that long to ignore what the Ducks had to say. 'He'll come to you when he's ready,' 'He misses hockey,' and on. This isn't about hockey is it?" I asked.
"Does it look like it's about hockey? Or does it look like them being them? Did you know I was the only freshman to ever be put on Varsity at this school? They wanted me back this year too but...I just didn't want to leave them. And now...I'm benched for my grades and you step in. Now it's all about you." Adam said putting his fork down and shoving the tray away.
"It's not all about me even if I want it to be which I don't." I answered looking at my macaroni and cheese. I stabbed it then looked back at him. "Fulton and Dean were both worried about you."
"You don't have to lie to make me feel better." Adam said.
"You honestly think I'd do that? Well I'm not. Fulton didn't want to push you. Said you'd talk when you were ready. You always have and Dean...he knew it was better to let me do it."
"Ever thoughtful bash brothers." Adam sneered.
"Charlie was worried too but well you know him. He says one wrong thing and y'all think he's overreacting and being a spaz. And Julie, she knew something was wrong but didn't think it was right to push you. They are worried about you but no one gets you like I do. Because you don't let people in. I know I said it would always be us against them but maybe it's time to be all of us against the world. Not because I hate coming after you, I'll do that to the world comes to an end, but because then they won't need hockey to keep them in tune with you. You love movies right? So does Averman that's why he works at a theater. Has to see every movie with in two weeks of it coming out. And Guy can speak French so can you. And Fulton, he adores Shakespeare though if you tell anyone he'll beat you to a pulp. Talk to them, find out what you have in common with them and they won't push you out." I said.
"I know you mean well but—"
"But nothing Adam she's got a point even if you don't want to hear it. I'm sorry we did that to you. Half of us don't even notice it. You're a good friend but once in a while speak up and stop us from doing it. If we don't hear any different we don't notice a change in the status quo until it's too late." I looked up and saw Portman standing there.
"Honestly?" Adam asks.
"Yeah. I mean you're a great guy but sometimes we get so wrapped up in other stuff that we don't notice everything that everyone else is going through. And for that I apologize. I just want...would like you to speak up a bit more every now and then if it starts happening." Dean said sitting next to me.
"Thanks, Port." Adam said.
"See I told you." I said.
"Thanks Liz." Adam said. I smiled but the bell rang.
"I'll see you later." I said. When I got out of the cafeteria I saw Charlie.
"Hey Liz. Where were you?" Charlie asked touching my arm.
"Doing your job." I answered. He raised an eyebrow. "Talking to Adam. It's your job to make sure this team stays together and acts like a team but once again you've pushed Adam out. Stop making me doing your job and do it yourself."
"Liz, please. I just...I knew something was wrong but I couldn't push him. Not again." Charlie sighed.
"Fine." I stormed off and went to class. I found out later that by the end of the day most of the team had talked to Adam and even Charlie seemed to be in shock about what happened.
Well there you go. Tell me what you think please.