Unlike Luc, Sam did not keep track of the rising number of misdemeanors he was committing and the number of demerits. To the almost 7 year old the episodes were over and he had little concept of a growing number of records of his misbehavior. Luc during the school year had been helping Sam keep track of his demerit points in hopes of keeping his little brother out of the principal's office. However with his own impending doom, or all efforts to keep it at bay, Luc completely stopped counting on Sam's behalf.

Handing in homework had never been a strong inclination for either Scuito-McGee child. Being bright and quick meant that things like homework seemed like an inconvenience that was designed to take time away from something that was actually worth doing. That being said, everyone in their lives disagreed with them and wouldn't even listen to complaints or attempts at getting out of doing the assignments. Luc had learned very early on in his academic career that he was to complete everything whether or not he agreed with the premise or needed to practice the theory. Sam having only been in 'proper' school for less than a year had not yet come to the same understanding that Lucas had. Therefore Sam handed in homework when it suited him, which was almost never.

Miss Carmichael had always taught the first or second grade and therefore had developed a slightly more lenient system for the handing in homework and assignments. It was her belief that these young children hadn't enough time to develop the skills to remember, complete and hand in homework. Therefore she didn't hand out a demerit point until a child had forgotten 3 times. This more tolerant system once again taught Sam the wrong lesson. It meant that points accumulated slowly and he saw little or no consequence for not doing the work assigned. Miss Carmichael counseled him each time he was remiss in submitting something however in Sam's case it went in one ear and out the other.

So as the spring weather grew even warmer and Sam was finally finished cleaning up the library books to Mrs. Coleman's satisfaction and was allowed to go out for recess the lingering tally of his misdeeds was forgotten completely.

There were very few weeks of classes left and the spring dance for year 7's and 8's was fast approaching both boys had accumulated 9 points. Lucas was finding it very hard to be so studious and conscientious for such a long time but he completely understood what was at stake and continued his righteous ways. Sam, on the other hand, was blissfully ignorant of the looming 10th point. He changed nothing about how he did his work, spoke to his teachers or acted in the school yard. He had received many warnings and was quick enough to pull himself in that he remained with 9 points right up until the night of the dance.

Lucas was relieved 'real' classes were over. Exams began in the middle of next week after 2 days slotted for review and questions for the teachers. That meant as he walked home Friday afternoon he felt he was free. No more need to be super vigilant, the dance was tonight and he was going to attend and have a great time. Sam had a backpack full of work to complete as he had been day dreaming on Luc's behalf all day. Miss Carmichael had noticed his distraction and decided that the little guy could get the work done over the weekend after all the excitement was over. She was unsure of why Sam cared so much but was happy to see him engaged in his brother's life.

Luc ate supper quickly and rushed off to shower and get dressed. Tim smiled as he watched his son run up the stairs to get ready. He himself at not been so confident at the same age and was so happy to see Lucas enjoying the social network at school. Abby and Tim were pleased to have Lucas have a night of fun and frivolity as a last hoorah of 8th grade, he'd been so focused lately he needed some down time. Lucas was going to Sean's house after the dance for the night and Tim would pick him up the following afternoon.

Sam as soon as he had been released from the dinner table ran to Luc's room and sat on his bed as his older brother got dressed for the evening. Bouncing on the end of the bed the smaller of the two boys asked questions incessantly.

"Who you gonna dance with? Why do you like dancing? Is Sean going to dance too?" These questions continued with no time in between for Luc to actually answer so instead he continued to preen himself while gazing into the mirror. Sam for his part was excited without knowing why. He wasn't going to the dance but he fed off the vibrations of anticipation in the air. It wasn't until he asked "Are you only gonna dance with Natalie?" that he finally got a response out of his sibling.

"Shut up, would ya, God you're bing annoying" Luc growled just as Tim walked into the room. Sam was shocked into silence and couldn't help looking back and forth between his father and brother.

"Pardon me?" Tim asked firmly.

"Sorry Dad" Luc quickly apologized as he didn't want anything to put a damper on his evening.

"I should think so, young man, that is not how a gentleman on his way to a grad dance behaves now is it?" Tim replied his eye brows raised in the 'listen carefully' manner.

"I am really sorry, I promise" Luc said turning away from his father enough that he couldn't be seen and glared menacingly at his younger brother. Sam often misinterpreted scenarios, but this one was pretty straight forward and he ran quickly from the room.

"I came to see if you're ready, if we have to pick up Sean on the way to the school we need to leave in about 5 minutes." Tim explained as he turned from the room, giving his son one last look that he hopefully portrayed his feelings of pride and acceptance rather than disappointment he had entered the room with.

"Let's go then" Luc said as he gathered a jacket from the back of his chair and headed towards the front door before Tim even turned around.

"Oh my little boy is so big … he's graduating from grade 8…he's going to be in highschool.. grad dance..I can't believe itcanyoubelieveitTimourlittlebabyisgoingtobeinhigh schoolandheisalmostfinisedgrade8andhesgoingtoadanc eandIjustcan'timagineandohmygoshhesgettingsobigand lookhowhandsomeheisand" Half way through Abby's tirade she had grabbed a hold of her eldest child and held him to her squishing him with all her might.

A muffled "Dad, save me, please" could be heard through Abby's wrapped arms and Tim suppressing a grin suggested "Abs I think he'll do better in high school if he's still breathing!"

"Oh yeah… yeah… of course" not releasing her grip until she had planted a dozen or more kisses on his still damp hair.

"Have fun tonight… more fun than your father would have but less then I would have…" Luc smiled as he exited the house and made his way to the car to wait for his dad to drive him to Sean's and then onto the school.