Thanks a lot for the reviews and comments everyone! As always, they are highly, and truly, appreciated. I'm sorry, once again, for taking such a while. I had other things that needed to be dealt with, and I also couldn't figure out how I wanted to write some things for this particular chapter. Oh, I should also inform you that as of the moment, I'm in the middle - okay, more so beginning - of an original short story for my Creative Writing class, so since that's actually worth a grade, I'm going to be concentrating on that a bit more.

Hmm, I might as well inform you all of this, too. I plan on having at least two more stories branched off from this one, like the Christmas one is. One is going to take place during the kids' summer break, which will feature the "guest character" who is going to be later introduced into this fic. The story will mostly deal with Twister and Reggie's hooking up and how others deal with it, mainly Otto. I know this is a bit of a cliché, but I think it'll be fun to write about it, and also, for this fic's sequel, Mackenzie is going to have a semi-big role in it.

For the other fic I plan on writing, it'll take place that next year, in May. I plan on it being a one-shot. Reggie's Senior Prom, and Twister as her date, of course, and if that's a spoiler to anyone (that Twist and Reg will be hooking up at the end of this fic) then I'm sorry, and you should've read my Christmas fic. lol This prom fic will probably be done in the same way as the Christmas fic, a one-shot.

Okay, let me stop rambling and get to the relevant info. Now, for this chapter, it continues off from where Lars left Reggie to see what the commotion was all about, and a bunch of other miscellaneous stuff (aka, filler). That's pretty much it, and the chapter is going to be pretty long, so let me warn you now. All of the stuff used in this chapter were scenes that wouldn't fit into any other chapter, so I just decided to put them all here.

One more thing, I don't plan on having Twister becoming aware of what Otto did for Sam until the pep rally, just to let you know. He will remain completely oblivious, and speaking of the pep rally, it will be pushed up by a chapter, as well as the "guest character" that Otto will, somewhat confide in.

Oh, and Mike, I am very honored that your family likes this story as well. When I saw your review, my jaw dropped! I had no idea that you showed it to them. I shall dedicate this story to Armando now! I now need to get in touch with you; I have a few questions for ya dealing with Armando. lol I hope to catch you online sometime so I can talk to you about that. I know you're probably wondering why I just didn't ask you when I saw you online recently, but I wanted it to be a surprise.

Now, in reference to what jovhyztwist asked about, I got that book online. It didn't cost much. The book itself was very cheap; it was just the shipping & handling fee that put it up. lol It was still under $10. Anyway, I don't want to spoil it for everyone else, so I have a solution. I posted an entry (January 26) about it in my Live Journal (www . livejournal users / ssjup81/ ) Just close up those spaces when you copy and paste the address. Feel free to post your thoughts on it as well. It's open for the public. Also, if you're curious about me, take a look at other entries if you'd like, get an idea as to what I'm like.

Now, as always, I do not own anything dealing with Rocket Power. Klasky-Csupo has that honor.

Chapter 17: Otto the Saint!

The two headed into the school, wondering why the schoolyard and walkways had been so empty. When they got in the school, and walked past the cafeteria, there was a lot of discussion going on.

"I wonder what's going on?"

"Who cares, I have to get to class before I'm late, Lars!"

"You sure are boring, Rocket Dork's sister."

"Lars!"

"Okay, okay, let's go."

Passing by the other students, both Reggie and Lars overheard, "fight," and "Josh Grody got his ass whupped."

"Whoa, did someone just say that annoying punk that used to hang around with me and my crew got beat down! This is totally awesome! I gotta check this out!"

"I thought you were going to walk me to class."

"You're on your own, chica! Besides, I have a study hall this period." Reggie hmmphed. "I know you want to know too, Reg, so I'll call you later and fill you in, unless you find out before the day is out. I should call you anyway and think of ways to talk some sense into your shrimp-o brother."

"How did you kn-"

"I can see it in your eyes, chica," he winked at her. "The Larsmeister knows these things." He waved to her. "Later, much!" The boy took off to where the crowd was.

He pushed his way through and listened in on the many conversations that were taking place. At one point, Lars heard someone mention, "Otto Rocket."

"Rocket Dork?" He cupped his hands around his mouth as the tardy bell rang, and the B-Lunch people were making their way towards the cafeteria. "Hey, what's going on! What happened?"

One of the students nearby looked ecstatic. "Oh man, you shoulda seen it!" the boy exclaimed. "It was totally awesome!"

"Wicked," another student screeched out.

"There was a major fight here earlier!" a girl with long, bushy brown hair told him.

"Who fought?" Lars asked anxiously. "Did someone say something about that Grody-dork?"

"He got beat badly," another student with thin-rimmed glasses, short, dark brown hair, and slightly tanned skin by the name of *Miguel piped up as some of the other students started to disperse.

The 17-year-old senior was in Lars' classes, minus Study Hall, but didn't participate in the sports activities that their school had to offer, mainly because he worked afternoons at a computer repair shop. Right now, the 5'6 senior was wearing a grey Cardinals sweatshirt, a pair of black Converse sneakers, and a pair of 505 blue jeans. With Miguel, you would never see him without his CD-player Walkman hanging from his belt-loop, and a pair of headphones loosely dangling from around his neck.

The boy was also a member of the computer club, and would sometimes be in charge of servicing the school's computer labs and tutoring the younger students in computer programming and usage, which would give him some extra points. Due to his being in this club, he knew both Sam and Oliver pretty well and helped them out with their programming occasionally.

His other extra-curricular activity consisted of chorus. He played guitar, and would sometimes be seen carrying it in its case over his backpack. He's played the guitar for some recitals, the most recent being a rock 'n' roll concert during their school's prom just a few weeks back, Twister as the lead vocalist, as he was asked to join them. Even though Twister didn't take chorus this year, he would still, occasionally, sing at special functions.

"Otto Rocket taught him a thing or two, and probably gave him a broken nose!" Miguel proclaimed.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Rocket Dork beat him up!"

Everyone who still hadn't left yet, nodded.

"That's not fair!" Lars whined. "I wanted an excuse to kick his ass!"

"He had a reason," Miguel's 6' tall, curly blonde-haired sophomore friend by the name of *Scott spoke up gently.

Lars had seen both these kids around before, Miguel especially since they had a majority of classes together, and as far as he knew, both Miguel and Scott were pretty cool.

Scott was wearing a navy-blue surf shop T-shirt, his letterman jacket, cool, aviator shades that all the girls loved since it made him look "awesome," dark blue Vans tennis shoes, and a pair of 501 jeans.

"He was protecting a friend, and defending his honor," Scott told him.

Lars grumbled and crossed his arms stubbornly in slight disgust as the other students started off, leaving Lars with Scott and Miguel. "Honor smhoner, I still wanted to kick his ass! That jerk has been a pain ever since I first met him! He would constantly try to tag along with me and my crew!"

"You wanted to kick his ass?" Scott asked earnestly.

Lars snorted. "You better believe it, dude!"

"Well, so did half the school. Fate works in mysterious ways, bro."

Miguel nodded in agreement. "Friend is as friend does, esse," he stated wisely. "When the hour of need came, Ottoman had the cojones to do what needed to be done."

"Wait, I'm lost. Why would Rocket do that?"

"He was defending the honor of his friend," Scott repeated.

"Which friend?" Lars asked curiously. 'Could it have been Twister?'

"His friend with the blonde hair and glasses. That Dullard guy."

"It was very frightening," Miguel frowned. "That Grody kid deserved what he got."

The two boys explained the entire situation to Lars who could only blink. Not at Otto's fighting Josh, but at Josh. Even he wouldn't go that far. He bullied, and he normally only whomped his brother on a regular basis, but to go as far as almost killing someone? He would never purposely do that.

'What a loser! How could he hurt the Squid like that! I mean, sure the Squid is a big dork and a pain, but even he doesn't deserve a whomping like that!'

He then thought for a moment.

'Wait a minute; they said Otto fought for the Squid. Why would he do that if he's supposedly being an ass to him, Reg, and my brother?' He turned back to Scott and Miguel. "Was there more to the fight other than just the Squid being hit the way that he was?"

Miguel nodded again. "There sure was, bro. He insulted Rocket's mother as well. He's nothing but a cretin, insulting the spirit of his deceased mother."

'Whoa, he did that!'

"That's what really set him off. Sam's being beaten in such a way was part of the reason, I'd say," Scott declared, "but that insult towards Otto's departed mother was just unforgivable! If you know anything about Josh, Mother Theresa and Saint Francisco would probably line up right behind Otto to whomp him."

"Definitely so. *I recall a time where Sam got hurt very badly once before, and it was during a roller hockey match, probably the best one of the season that year. A van lost control while driving down the California Incline, the brakes giving out, and almost hit Otto and Lars, but Sam pushed them out of the way just in time, taking the hit, just like a true friend."

Lars was still so amazed at Otto that he didn't even hear Miguel's comment. If he had, he would've definitely responded to it. "I-I just can't believe it. Did he-" he cut himself off, as he thought a bit more. He was still surprised at what had occurred just moments earlier.

"Yo, Lars," Scott called to him.

"Oh, what?"

"Were you about to say something?"

"Oh no, no, nothing," he replied quickly, still trying to make sense of the situation. 'So, Rocket Dork fought for the Squid because that Josh nerd was ragging on him and insulted Mrs. Rocket. That's just not cool! Never insult a kid's parent, especially a dead one. You never make fun of the dead, it'll anger their spirits.'

Lars looked up at the clock, realizing that he was incredibly late for his Study Hall.

"Yo, look, I have to get going and thanks for that information," Lars told the two. Scott and Miguel waved Lars off as they headed back towards the cafeteria.

"I still can't believe that Josh guy did what he did," Scott said after Lars walked off.

"Same here, but right now it's time for some grub, esse!" Scott's friend responded while scanning the cafeteria.

"Definitely, bro!" Scott gave Miguel a sly look. "Sure it's lunch you're interested in?"

"Of-of course," Miguel stammered, his face going partially red.

"BUST!" Scott laughed mockingly while pointing a finger. "You're looking for that girlfriend of yours; Claudia!"

Miguel grinned. "Naturally." He sighed languorously. "She's the girl of my dreams! The one I plan on marrying someday."

Scott laughed. "Mention Claudia, and you space out, getting all lovesick. Let's go before all of the Freezy Freezes are sold out."
x x x x
Meanwhile, Lars was still in thought over Otto. He stood up for his friend, a very noble act indeed, but that didn't sound like the Otto Reggie had just described to him about a half-hour earlier. As much as he hated to admit it, he admired Otto for what he had done. Under the circumstances, he probably would've come to Sam's aid as well, since Josh's behavior was so unforgivable and unacceptable.

"I guess Rocket Dork isn't as bad as I thought," he murmured as he made his way towards class...
x x x x
Back at the Shore Shack, the phone rang…

"Want me to get that, bruddah?"

"No, that's okay Tito; you have to get that next order started anyway. I'll get it."

Tito nodded and went back to the grill while Ray went to the phone.

"Shore Shack, this is Ray Rocket speaking...Principal Healey!...OTTO DID WHAT?~~~"

Everyone in the Shore Shack heard Ray's outburst, as well as a few passer byers. Tito even turned his attention away from the grill, curious as to what was wrong.

"Raymundo?"

Ray waved his hand to Tito, indicating not to worry about him and to continue with the orders. Tito shrugged and, reluctantly, went back to flipping burgers and deep-frying the fries and plating a couple of other orders.

"I'm sorry, but did I hear you right, Healey? Did you say that Otto got into a fight and possibly broke the guy's nose he was fighting with?"

A grim look appeared on Ray's face after hearing the grumpy old man's answer.

"Believe me, Healey, Otto will be punished severely! He knows better than to fight, regardless of the reason!"

It was silent on the other end for a short moment. Ray was about to speak up, but Healey spoke up first.

"You want me to come in for a conference this afternoon?" Ray looked around the semi-full shack. It was the lunch rush. "I'm not sure I can, but I'll manage. How about this afternoon at about 2:00?"

Healey agreed to the terms.

"I don't know why we need a conference just for Otto's fighting, but I sense there's more to this than just his fight, right?"

Healey grimly told him, "Yes," and a few more things.

"Oh, it's about his punishment? Well, I'll be there at 2:00."

Ray hanged up the phone and looked over towards Tito, who had just finished bussing the table Reggie and Lars had just left, and was now giving one customer his order of fish tacos and fries.

"Enjoy your meal, bruddah."

"Thanks a lot," the satisfied customer smiled, taking his seat at the table Lars and Reggie had just finished with.

Ray walked back behind the counter and sighed.

"What's the matter?" Tito asked in concern, after taking the burgers he'd started on, off the grill. "You look more down than a vegetarian at a steak eating contest."

"We have to close up early today, Tito," Ray answered sullenly.

"How early are you talkin', bruddah?"

"I have to close up at about 1:30. I have a conference with Otto's principal."

"Oh no, what happened?"

"He got into a fight and might have given the kid he fought a broken nose!" Ray pounded his fist down on the surfboard countertop. "How could he do something so irresponsible? He knows fighting is wrong!"

"Wow, lil Otto hasn't been in a real bad fight since Elementary school, right?"

"Yeah. After Olivia died, he didn't have any trouble with fighting, 'cept with Twister at times, and of course, Lars, but that doesn't count. Boys will be boys and boys do fight at times, but to fight to this extent?" Ray started to pace around. "Tito, what's going on with my kids?" He threw his arms up into the air. "First Reggie cones in here with Lars and now Otto's getting into fights at school!"

"I'm certain that he had a reason, Raymundo. It's not like Otto to fight. He normally finds some way to show off one of his many extreme skills before fighting."

"Hey yeah, you're right. He always makes challenges, or race, not fight. I guess it's because I taught him that there's always an alternative to fighting, and so did Olivia…"

Ray sighed again as he tried his best to hold back tears. Mentioning his deceased wife was always painful for him.

"Well, did the principal say anything about suspension?"

Ray thought for a moment. "Hmm, that's strange, he didn't mention anything about a suspension, just 'punishment'. When I think of punishment, I think detention. He was also a lot calmer than he usually is. Healey is like Merv, hotheaded, short patient, and hates it when anyone breaks the rules. He sounded a bit concerned, or distressed, now that I think about it."

"Then the situation must be serious, or either he's concerned with something else, if he didn't argue."

Ray nodded as he stared down at his watch; it was already 1:15. "Well, we better close up now, Tito, but let these customers finish their meals first, of course."

"I'll go lock up while you announce it."

The two did just that, Ray announcing that they would be closing up momentarily at 1:30, while Tito started to pull down the big metal doors to the shack, but a bubbly laugh caused him to stop.

"Oh, hello Mrs. Stimpleton," Tito greeted.

"Now what's with closing up early?" the fun-loving Violet Stimpleton demanded. She had just finished her daily speed walk around the Boardwalk and Pier. She was wearing a blue sweat-suit and a sweatband on her forehead. Even though the woman had just entered her 60s, she was still just as energetic as ever. "I was in the mood for a nice Guava Shake."

"Oh, hi Violet," Ray said to her. "I have to head down to the kids' school for a while, and there's way too much business here for Tito to handle alone."

"Oh Ray, don't you worry none about that," Mrs. Stimpleton smiled. "I'll help out Tito until you get back."

"Are you sure, Violet?"

"Of course I'm sure! You go down to that school and do whatever it is that needs to be done!" She put an arm around Tito, her other hand resting on her hip. "Tito and I can handle this crowd! Don't you forget, Merv and I helped out here before, and it was fun, fun, fun!" She laughed goofily.

"You know, bruddah Ray, under the circumstances, I feel that it would be a good idea to have her help out while you're gone," Tito sincerely told his friend. 'So much for visiting Paula like I was planning while he was out, but staying here is the responsible thing to do.'

"Well," he thought for a moment, "okay. I would hate to close up while it's busy..."

"It's no problem, and in return, all I want is a Guava Shake."

"No problemo!" Tito told her.

"Wow, thanks you two. You're the best!"

"It's no problem at all, now you hurry and get to that school. Don't want to get a detention for being tardy," the woman joked.

"Right," Ray chuckled lightly.

He waved to Tito and Violet, and headed to Ocean Shores High, wondering what Healey wanted to discuss with him. 'What's so hard about handing out a punishment for fighting?' he wondered as he made his way to his loud, green sputtering station wagon.

"EVERYONE, YOU MAY CONTINUE YOUR MEALS IN PEACE!" Violet announced at the top of her lungs. "THE SHACK WILL REMAIN OPEN FOR YOUR EATING PLEASURES!"

The customers shrugged, and went back to eating while Tito let up the metal door he had started to close earlier.

"Wow, so many customers," Tito said as he headed back behind the counter.

"You guys are in b-u-s-i-n-e-s-s!" She sat down on one of the stools.

"Yep, we sure are, Mrs. Stimp." He handed her a Guava shake.

"Thanks!" She took a long sip and gave out a contented sigh. "Ahh, the perfect drink after the perfect workout!"

"So what brings you around here?"

"Well, I just did my power walk around here today, and was in the mood for a Guava Shake. What was with Raymundo? He looked a bit worried about something. Nothing really bad happened with the kids, did it?"

"Unfortunately. Lil Otto-cuz got into a fight at school and the principal wanted to talk to Ray about it."

"Why, that doesn't sound like Otto. He can be such a little angel. I'm sure that all will be settled."

"I sure hope so."

"Oh, speaking of little angels, Reggie and Maurice are absolutely adorable!"

"They are? In what way?"

"Oh, those two make the cutest couple!"

'Couple? What is she talking about?'

"I saw those two this morning when I went out for the paper since Merv was too lazy to go today. I saw those two hugging for so long, and then they almost kissed, but little Sammy startled them! Romance is in the air, Tito! Can't you feel it?" she explained in her same old, giddy fashion.

"Wow," was all Tito could say. 'Those two? Together? Raymundo obviously doesn't know about it, or else he would've mentioned it. Are they keeping it secret from everyone? If so, that explains why both Otto and Sam weren't around last night. Speaking of those two, I wonder if Sammy or Otto even knows about it.'

"How long have they been together, Tito? Was it fairly recent?"

"To be honest, Mrs. Stimp, I have no idea," he replied meekly.

"You look surprised," the woman pointed out, walking behind the counter where Tito was. She saw a couple of people coming towards the counter.

"Oh, no, no, not at all."

"I'm sure Raymundo, and both Raoul and Sandy are just thrilled, thrilled, thrilled!"

"Yeah, I bet," Tito mumbled. "Mrs. Stimp, could you not mention this to bruddah Ray?"

"Why not?"

"Well, um, because, er, I-"

She gasped, coming to a surprising realization. "You mean he doesn't know?!"

Since Tito couldn't think of a way to lie his way out of the situation, he shook his head slowly.

"And you didn't know either, did you?"

"No, ma'am."

"Oh, so it's a secret romance!" She clapped her hands excitedly. "Well, I'll tell you what, Tito, I won't mention it to Raymundo or anyone else."

"What about bruddah Stimp?"

"Even if I did, who would he tell?"

"You make a very good point," Tito concurred, nodding slowly. "I'm just surprised that those two are, well, boyfriend and girlfriend, like you said. Are you sure?"

"My eyes don't lie, Tito. I may be getting older, but my eyesight is still as sharp as it was when I was 25!" She giggled again.

Tito didn't know of anyone else who was as giddy, optimistic, or alive as Violet Stimpleton. She was always cheery, and with that mood, it always helped to get everyone around her out of the dumps, her husband, Merv, probably being the exception, at times. He always wondered how both of them ever got together.

"It's kind of hard to mistaken something like that anyway," she pointed out.

"Yeah, one can't mistaken a hug, but they almost kissed?"

She nodded. "Yesiree!" She sighed dreamily. "Young love is so beautiful!"

"Yes, it is," Tito said slowly again, still a bit surprised over the fact that Reggie and Twister were dating.

"Come on now Tito, let's get crackin'! These customers need some good eatin'!" The woman then shrieked out, "Cowabunga!"

"Um, right," Tito managed to say, meekly, heading towards the grill to prepare the now oncoming orders...
x x x x
After the role was called, Reggie's short, plump Journalism teacher, *Sharon Olsen, told the senior writers to get as much coverage on the pep rally as possible when they went and for the head editor to go over the tape as soon as possible with the head of the A/V group. This, of course, meant that Reggie would have to spend her time after school with Twister.

Any other time it wouldn't have bothered her, but this time was different. She didn't want to be alone with Twister, but at the same time, she did. She was still confused about her actions from earlier that day, when she almost kissed him. What did it mean?

Reggie, knowing that it was her responsibility to, just nodded to her teacher, replying with a, "Yes ma'am."

For the rest of the class period, the students just worked on getting the latest issue of their school's paper out for the students and for circulation (they had to send a copy of their paper to the other high schools of their district). The paper always went out Friday mornings, but they were late from the printers and had to be delivered before the pep rally started. This also meant their having to miss the news broadcast that was always shown during the first 15 minutes of the final class of the day.

Their teacher broke some of the students up into teams of two, giving them each a section of the school to drop the papers off at. Students not chosen to go out to perform this easy task were those who were behind in writing articles and had to work on them so that they'd be ready to go to the printers Wednesday afternoon. The others were Journalism I students who did other miscellaneous things for the paper. Reggie's class consisted of Journalism I and II students, they were just all given different assignments, tests, and stories to cover. There was no Journalism III, which meant no Journalism course for Reggie her senior year, but she could remain in Journalism through the actual club itself and keep her head editor position.

For one group, there was Reggie and Trish; Reggie pulling a wagon behind her stacked with papers and Trish looking at the classrooms their teacher had written out for them. They had to deliver papers to the classrooms on the first floor, near the cafeteria, A/V lab, main office, gym, etc., who had a 7th period block.

Trish was head of the Advertisement staff, which meant having to get companies to place ads in their paper to help fund it. The school could only pay for so much. The main businesses Trish never had trouble getting an ad placement for was the Shore Shack and Rocket Boards. Ray and Tito were always willing to place an ad in their school's paper.

While walking down the hall, Trish seemed very anxious. Reggie noticed this with her usually composed, and quiet, friend. She also noticed with other students in her class when she walked in. They all looked quite anxious to share something with her, but with their teacher talking, they couldn't quite get it out. The wise, old, English-loving Mrs. Olsen was quite a stickler to the rules and this included no talking while she was talking or else you get a detention. She never had too much trouble with her students after mentioning that rule to her Journalism and English 10, 11 students.

"Okay, spill it!" Reggie told her friend. She couldn't take it anymore. What was Trish so anxious to tell her?

"Oh man, Reg, you should've been there!" Trish exclaimed, coming to their first destination.

"Been there for what?"

"Lunch!"

"Oh, that, well, I, um, er~~"

"Don't sweat it, girlfriend," Trish told her plainly as she picked up one of the clusters of papers, dropping it by the classroom door. "We have to go to all of the classes on this side of the hall," she said as she walked ahead. Reggie followed behind, the wagon's squeaking being the only thing heard in the empty hallway.

"Trish?"

"Oh, like I was saying, don't sweat about the lunch thing or missing us at the amusement park last night. We figured you just forgot when we saw you with Twister." She dropped another stack of papers down by the next door. She then marked it off her list and headed to the next.

"Oh man, I forgot to call you guys last night! I didn't mean to ditch you guys! I was just so upset about Otto last night, and Twister and I-"

"It's no problem, Reg, same as today..."

"Wait…you're not curious as to where I was for lunch?"

"Sam was about to tell us something about that, but that jerk had to bother him," Trish growled. "He so deserved what he got!"

Reggie had now figured it out. Something had obviously happened to Sam, and everyone knew that the both of them were good friends, which would explain why everyone seemed so anxious on talking with her. They obviously wanted to spread the news to her since she was obviously unaware of it.

"What happened to Sam!" she asked in alarm, stopping in her tracks. Reggie then recalled something else, when she was on her way to class with Lars. Hearing something about a fight, and Josh. She then gasped, putting two and two together. "That Josh Grody guy fought with Sam, didn't he?!" She didn't wait for an answer and panicked. "Oh my god! Is Sam okay?!"

Trish nodded and explained the entire situation to her up to the point before Otto had stepped in.

"That kook!" Reggie growled. "Wait until I see him again! He's been a pain to Sam for years now! I will so majorly whomp him beyond belief!"

"As if, Reg!" Trish reprimanded. "He's bigger than you!"

"I don't care! No one hurts one my friends to that extent and gets away with it!"

Trish gave her an approving smile. "I see it runs in the family."

"Runs in the family?" A look of confusion appeared on the girl's face as Trish nodded, her long shiny brown hair swishing. "What are you talking about?"

"Like I said, it runs in the family. Otto obviously felt the same way."

"Otto?"

"You shoulda seen him, Reg! After Josh punched Sam, Otto jumped right in to defend him!"

"My brother...he what?"

"He gave him a major whomping, and a bloody nose!"

"My brother did that?" Reggie sounded amazed. Her selfish brother stood up for Sam? She thought about it momentarily; that did sound like him. When it came to his friends, he was less than selfish and would always try his best to defend them, but why now when he vowed to just not talk with them?

"Are you sure your bro is as bad as you say?" Trish asked quietly, loads of doubt evident in her voice.

"I-I'm not so sure," Reggie managed to say. "That sounds like something the old Otto would do…the one without the attitude problem."

"Yeah, but I think what really set him off was what he said about your mom."

"My...mother?"

"He dissed her pretty badly, and Otto just snapped after that. In the beginning, he was definitely fighting for Sam, but after that, he was fighting for that crack Josh gave about your mother."

Reggie had a dark, distant look on her face. He said something bad about her mother? The person she never had the honor of truly knowing? "What did he say?"

Trish told her, and Reggie's fists clenched at her sides. She felt like crying. Her voice quivered slightly, "H-h-how could he-he-he say something like that?"

"Reg?"

"That bastard has no right saying such a thing about my mother! She suffered from cancer!" She trembled in anger. "We had no idea she was suffering, but she always managed to smile for Otto and me whenever we would visit her in the hospital! He doesn't know what it's like to lose a parent! He has no damn right to say a thing like that! She did not let herself die! She had a relapse!"

The next thing Trish knew, Reggie was shedding tears, silently sobbing while staring straight down at the carpeted school floor.

Trish hugged Reggie, who started to fully cry. She tried to keep it in, but she just couldn't stop for some reason. She just found what Josh did so cruel that she couldn't compose herself like she would normally, and it also caused painful memories to flood her mind, like her mother's final days and how she never got to hear her mother say she was proud of her story.

When Olivia read it, she had written on the final page, Great job, Reggie. I loved this very much and I hope to see more stories from you. You have a real talent for writing, and I hope that you keep it up and continue with it. I want my daughter to become the best writer ever! I want you to share that wonderful talent of yours with the world!

Reggie always found that strange. Why did she write it when she could've waited for them to visit again and tell her then? That was one question the future journalist could never answer. To this day, she keeps her story locked up and secure in her room. She treasured it and her mother's words.

"It'll be okay, Reg, don't worry. That creep is getting what he deserves. I just hope Healey goes easy on your bro."

After a few moments, Reggie stopped crying and wiped her eyes. Her face was red from embarrassment. No one had ever seen her cry before, other than probably family, and if she did cry, it wasn't because she was sad or upset over something. Maybe just an emotional moment, like when Ray had given her her mother's music box that she had won in her very first surf contest.

Reggie had always tried to avoid that one expression of emotion being upset enough to cry. She had to be the strong, non-girly Reggie Rocket. Crying only showed weakness, and she felt that people would think less of her if she did cry, and this included Otto, Sam, and Twister over time...especially Otto.

Ever since Olivia died, she tried to play the role of mom to him, which meant she had to remain one step ahead of her bro at all times and to act like an adult. Adults didn't cry, in her mind.

"I'm sorry," Reggie apologized gently.

"No, it's okay, Reg. You had to let it out, and that's normal. I can't even imagine what you went through during that time."

Reg gave Trish a weak smile. She was grateful to have her as a friend. "Well, we better get back to delivering these. We start getting called for the pep rally in about 10 minutes."

"Yeah, don't want to disappoint Mrs. Olsen. She'll go ballistic if we don't get this stuff done."

With that the two continued their deliveries, Trish refraining from asking where her friend was that day, or what the deal with Twister could've been...
x x x x
Over in the A/V lab, before Reggie and Trish started putting out the papers, Twister had just finished eating his lunch and setting up the equipment for the news broadcast, which he did by himself. Fridays had been lonely for him lately. He had been, at times, avoiding the cafeteria so that he wouldn't have to see Otto, yesterday being the exception since he was determined to speak with him for Reggie's sake.

He set up everything a bit faster than usual this day. When he went to the cafeteria, he heard mention of Otto, but didn't pay any attention. He was too depressed to fully care. The only things on his mind were how many Freezy Freezes and pizza he could eat without getting sick.

"Lighting, check, audio, check," he mumbled as he made sure everything was ready. With the audio and the lighting, since it was the same every week, he didn't even need to have the actual people there to test it on them. It was pretty much a default setting anyway. It wasn't like it was a high end production. Either way, though, he hated the fact that he was in charge of everything. He hated that responsibility, but he was the best in the entire club and it was good practice.

At least one good thing was that he didn't have to actually film the broadcast this week. Another student of the club was since he had to cover the pep rally, something else he really wasn't up to doing, but was still going to do his best on it. Since Otto's shunning of him, he hadn't been up to doing much of anything lately, but he tried not to let that show and would still act like the same old, outgoing, extreme footage seeking Twister.

He sighed again as he waited for the bell to ring, indicating the end of the class period, while starting his sixth Freezy Freeze. A few moments later, the bell finally rang and the anchor people for their school's news show entered. A blonde haired senior named Brenda Jordan, and a junior named Chris Atkins.

"Hi Rodriguez," Chris greeted, his dark, shiny black hair tied into a single ponytail.

"Yo," Twister greeted unenthusiastically. The sooner he got down to the gym, the better. They weren't having it on the football field this time.

"Hi there cutie," Brenda smiled at Twister.

"Um, hey," Twister grinned goofily while checking the camera again to see if the pair were definitely clear. "I-I have to get going."

"Wait, you're not going to film it this week?"

"No, I 'm covering the pep rally, another A/V member will. Oliver Van Rossum I think."

"Aww, but you're cuter than he is," Brenda flirted.

"Um, yeah." Twister didn't know how to respond to this girl who would constantly flirt with him. Otto would always tease that "she likes younger, taller men". Twister would just tell him to "shut up", playfully, and go back to joking around, like best bros did. "Anyway, I left my directions over by the monitor there, so let Oliver know, okay. I did all of the lighting and sound testing, so he shouldn't have to do much of anything."

"It's amazing how you can do that without us even being here…"

"Okay, cutie!" She winked at him.

"So, Twister, where's Ot-" Chris could barely get out.

With that, the boy walked out of the lab and headed towards the gym. He hadn't bothered staying to finish up the convo that both Brenda and Chris were attempting to start. They both knew of what Otto had done in the cafeteria and wanted to ask Twister about it.

"That sure was rude!" Brenda snorted.

"We must put this in the broadcast," Chris said as he took his seat. "What Otto Rocket did was heroic."

She nodded. "Definitely. The entire school should know about it! I was there!"

Other students of the class entered the A/V lab, one of these people consisting of Oliver.

"Why hello there," he greeted, adjusting his glasses. "I am flattered to film your broadcast today."

"Yeah, that's nice nerd," Brenda muttered.

Oliver laughed timidly. "So, how do I start?"

"Directions over by the monitor," Chris pointed.

"Ahh, perfect! I shall definitely do my best in place of my fellow colleague, Twister." He read over the redhead's notes and then the equipment. "Seems he's done everything."

"Nice." Brenda rolled her eyes.

"Hey, how is that Dullard guy doing?" Chris asked, ignoring his co-anchor's rudeness.

"I am not quite certain," Oliver said as he got behind the camera, checking the settings once more. "After our confrontation with our principal, we were all sent back to our assigned classes, while Joshua and Samuel were sent to the Nurse's Office, as well as Rocket Boy."

"Oh, so you haven't seen him since then?"

"No, I have not, but we mustn't talk now, you guys go on in one minute!"

"Right," Chris nodded.

The two started the broadcast, reading off the regular news, but before they ended, they mentioned Otto. An example of a grand hero and was a great asset to their school. Brenda winked, and blew a kiss to the camera saying, "We love you Otto Rocket!" and "Crush that competition tomorrow!"

Chris followed up, by saying, "We're behind you, bro!"

During the broadcast, Twister was too busy to pay attention to it. He was trying to figure out the best places to set up the cameras without anyone getting in the way. After all, he was the one editing these tapes together. He wasn't going to film this by himself, though. He just had to set everything up. There was no way he was going to be able to film from all of the locations.

After he got it set up the way he wanted it, he smiled, pleased with himself. "There, that ought to do it."

He then sat down by the main camera he'd be using, the one right where the cheerleaders would be. The only reason he chose that particular spot was because the other guys of the club would film the cheerleaders more than the actual events that would be going on. Sure, he would get a bit of footage of the cheerleaders, but not a whole tape full. It was unprofessional. Filming was about the only thing Twister did take super seriously.

After a while, an announcement was heard over the loudspeaker, calling certain classes down to the gym. They would call them down a section at a time, or either by grade level. This time, they were sticking with sections of the school.

The students entered the gym, chattering about, talking about the news broadcast. Twister was waiting for his other three colleagues who were going to be filming the pep rally. This was supposed to be the most important rally of the year, and he definitely didn't want it messed up. He had to concentrate on that.

After what seemed like an eternity to the young Maurice, the other three students that were supposed to help him film the rally arrived. He gave them instructions and what to stick with. Twister then went back to his camera.

One of the students started talking to Twister, about to mention Otto, but he just shooed him away and told him to get ready to start taping the students entering the gym and for the other two to get into position.

They all shrugged and listened. He was the most experienced when it came to filming angles and what to film in general. Why he would want shots of the students entering and taking their seats in the bleachers was beyond them. What Twister had in mind was going to pretty much be a documentary. He was going to combine the pep rally footage with the surf competition footage, and interviews, which those of the Journalism department would be doing, after the rally and the competition.

Finally, the entire school was seated in the large gymnasium. Twister's film was rolling, determined to make the best video in Ocean Shores High pep rally history...
x x x

Author's Notes

Note 01: So this first note is regarding Miguel and Scott. Since those two have inspired me so much with this fic, I decided to give them cameos. It's my way of saying thanks.
x x x
Note 02: What Miguel referenced was from mike2000's fic, A Close Call. For the part mentioned, there was a street hockey match between the Rockets and the Lasers. During the match, Lars took a potshot at Sam. He aimed the puck right at his stomach, causing Sam to have a bit of an attack. Otto, Twister, and Lars started arguing over it. Meanwhile, on the California Incline, there was a guy driving a van that should've really been condemned. It had bad brakes. Sam saw the van coming, but the others didn't, since they were all arguing. Sam rushed to the boys, despite his attack, and pushed them out of the way, but was hit as a result. It was a very good story and for you Sam fans, I hope you all decide to read it.
x x x
Note 03: I know this is an odd note to make about Reggie and Trish's teacher, Mrs. Sharon Olsen. It just happens to be the name of my old high-school Honors English 10/11, and Journalism teacher. She was the one who got me fully into writing, inspiring me quite a bit. She even got me into a higher-level English class since she felt I had the potential to be in a higher level. She really did believe in me. Unfortunately, she passed away a good while back from diabetes, and I feel that I never got the chance to say goodbye, although, realistically, how often to former students do? I guess you could say this is my way of thanking her. Of course, if I ever get the opportunity to write and publish and original work, I would definitely dedicate it to her. As for the Journalism thing, she was head of the club, and she got me into it my second year of high school, then for 11th and 12th grade, I took Journalism I and Journalism II. I really wish I'd done better for the classes, though. I was a rather…lazy student.