Chapter Five: The Rise and Fall of Gary Smith

Hannah was sitting on the steps of the library, waiting for Beatrice, enjoying the September air. It had been about a week and a half scenes school started and already she couldn't wait for winter break. It wasn't that she hated it, it was just that school had always been kind of easy for her.

"Hey there Hannah," she turned to see Beatrice coming out of the library.

"Hey B, ready to head into town?" Hannah and Beatrice had planed a girls day out. Hannah really wanted to go into New Coventry to look around. Ivy had told her there wasn't much there, but Hannah knew Johnny would be hanging around and she hoped her and Beatrice would 'run into' him while they were out.

"What are you thinking about," Beatrice asked while they walked to there bikes.

"Nothing much, just Johnny."

"Hannah," Beatrice giggled, "Are you still crushing on him? How many times have we told you, he's with Lola."

"I know I know, but it's on again off again thing. I just have to catch him when he's not with her and then I'll have my chance to win him over."

"Thought out like a hopless romantic."

"So I'm a romantic. I can't help it, he's just so… amazing."

Beatrice laughed, "come on, I want to stop by the Aquaberry Outlet and pick up some fabric."

Hannah coked her head to the side as she got on her bike. "Do you make costumes or something?"

"Yeah, but not just costumes. I like to design and make clothes."

Hannah couldn't help but be surprised. It seemed so out of character for Beatrice. But at the same time it was really cool. She had never met anyone who could make there own clothes before.

Hannah and Beatrice sat on top of a one of the train cars in New Coventry. She propped her sketchbook on her knees as she drew the setting in front of her.

"Reminded me again how you talked me into climbing up here?" Beatrice had made the mistake of telling Hannah she was afraid of heights.

"Reverse Psychology," Hannah answered, "One of many interest."

"You seem to be into everything," Beatrice said, "Art, Theater, Psychology… is there anything your not into?"

"Drama," Hannah answered, "I prefer it on the stage, not ruining my life."

"And yet you're trying to win over Johnny."

The two girls laughed for a moment before climbing down off the train car. As they walked back to there bikes, Hannah's mind wondered. "B," she begin, "You mind if I ask you something?"

"Sure," Beatrice responded.

"Back when I first got here, before school started, Ivy mentioned a guy named Gary," Hannah explained. Beatrice turned her head and looked at the ground. "But there's no one at the school by that name."

"Yeah… not anymore," Beatrice murmured.

"So who's Gary?"

Beatrice told Hannah everything. How Gary manipulated Jimmy into taking over all the cliques, then turning the whole school against him so Gary could take over the school. "And what's more, Ivy thinks Petey had a crush on Gary."

"Wow, sounds like the perfect person for a case study."

"Oh no, Gary's locked up at Happy Volts. That is the last place you want to be."

But Hannah had made up her mind. She was going to interview as many people in the school as she could, then she was going to Happy Volts to meet Gary Smith in person.

Hannah sat at the desk in her room looking at the papers spread out in front of her. She had spent the last two weeks interviewing anyone who passed her by about Gary. Most of them said the exact same thing, that Gary was a Sociopath with A.D.D who stopped taking his meds, which caused him to go crazy. She had held off talking to Ivy, Petey and Jimmy for last.

"What are you up to over there?" Ivy closed the door before walking over to the desk.

"My Independent Case Study. Mind if I ask you about someone?"

"Sure," Ivy smiled.

"Did you know Gray Smith?"

"You mean that two face hack who broke little Petey's heart?"

New one, out of all the students the only other person to mention Petey's potential crush on Gary was Beatrice.

"So Petey really was in love with Gary."

"He'll never admit it now, but yeah he did… does… I don't know anymore. Little monkeys bi, like my Trent. But the only person he every seemed to love was that sociopath."

Hannah knew she had to talk with Peter next. She finished writing down everything Ivy had said then headed for the door.

"Where you off to know?"

"I've got two more people to see then I think my case study will be complete."

"Good to hear, last person you should bother with is Gary Smith. But I can tell your on a role sooooooo have fun."

"Thanks," Hannah said taking her notebook and a pen in her hands and heading out the door. "See you in a few." Hannah made her way down the hall, running down the stairs and out the door. She didn't care to talk to Jimmy much, he really did annoy her beyond believe. The only other person she really wanted to talk to know was Petey. She made her way to the boys' dorm.

Outside the dorm, she saw Jimmy sitting on the steps with Lola.

"Yeah there Hannah what's up."

"Hey Jimmy," Hannah said trying to hide how annoyed she was. "Would you mind getting Petey for me? I have something to ask him."

"Yeah sure," Jimmy said standing up and heading inside. Hannah rocked back and forth waiting for Jimmy to bring Petey.

"Soooooo Hannah," Lola said standing up from the step, "A little birdy tells my you've got a think for my Johnny."

'Oh great, just what I want,' Hannah thought shaking her head.

"Johnny's my man," Lola growled, "Mine you hear me."

"Calm down Lola, it's an innocent crush. I'm not a home wrecker or anything."

"Just keep away from my Johnny," Lola shoved Hannah before walking away.

"What was all that about," Petey asked walking to join Hannah.

"Nothing, no worries. Want to go for a walk?"

"Sure," Jimmy responded.

"No Jimmy just me and Pete if you don't mind." Hannah was trying to hold back her anger. Jimmy didn't let Petey go anywhere by himself, even if he was with Hannah… espically when he was with Hannah.

"Alright alright," Jimmy said holding his hands up in defense. He turned on his heels and walked back to the dorm. Petey laughed.

"What's so funny," Hannah asked

"Nothing, how about that walk?"

Hannah and Petey turned and walk toward the library. "So I was going to ask," Hannah hesitated, "I'm doing this independent psychological study, just a hobby kind of and well…" Hannah didn't know how to ask. She didn't want to upset Petey, and from everything Ivy had said Gary was a sore subject.

"Hannah," Petey looked over at her confused.

"What when on last year with Gary."

Petey looked down and frowned. "It was nothing had this plan to take over the school… and he did kind off, but Jimmy stopped him."

"Oh, yeah. Sounds like a real sociopath," Hannah said trying to improve Petey's mood.

"He wasn't all bad," Petey yelled, "He was…" Petey looked down again scuffing the ground.

"Come on cutie, you can tell me." Hannah put her arms around Petey's neck, "I won't judge, you're my friend."

Petey returned the hug, "Gary was more than my crush… He was my first."

"First? As in…"

"First kiss," Petey said pulling back. "Last Halloween, Gary and I got dared into seven minutes in heaven in the janitors' closet. Gary teased me about now having my first kiss then we…" Petey trailed off.

"It's okay Pete, we don't have to talk about this anymore."

"I'm fine, it's just… I tell everyone that I'm bi. I even took Beatrice out to dinner once, but… It's true I'm gay. And what's more I don't feel like myself. I don't get what's going on in my own head half the time and it hurts." The turns started to swell up in his eyes. Hannah pulled him close.

"Its okay cutie," Hannah whispered, "I love you just as you are."

Note: This ones a long one =^_^= but I loved how it came out and it felt good to write. I did borrow a little at the end from DarkMoonX's "Strictly Gary and Petey." This was what got me writing again, so this is my little thank you for the inspiration. Chapter Six may take a little while, I have a few more things to look up and then I'll be on a role. Happy Reading =^_^=