"Three. Rico, get him out of here."
Rico grinned and rushed into Kowalski's room. He gasped loudly.
"Do I want to know?" Kowalski groaned.
"No, but I do. JULIEN! If you touched anything, I-" He stopped. His jaw dropped as he looked into the room.
"What's with the silence? What did he do?!" Kowalski panicked. He ran into the room. "Julien- HOLY COW!"
They had half expected Julien to be standing there holding something of theirs or trying to look like he didn't break something.
Kowalski half-expected Julien to be parading around their room nude or something, trying to get dirt on the boys and embarrass them.
But Julien wasn't on a path of destruction around the room. He wasn't nude or holding anything embarrassing. He wasn't even in the room.
They couldn't believe their eyes…
They couldn't even get words out…
Out of everything to happen…
Out of all things…
It couldn't be, yet it was…
It had to be…
And it was…
Why else would their hearts leap with excitement?
Most definitely, the person standing in their room was-
"PRIVATE!" Rico tackled the young boy in a hug.
Kowalski and Skipper grinned and ran over to hug him.
Private smiled at his roommates. "And I thought you hated me at first." He said.
"What happened? When did you get here?" Kowalski asked.
"Let the kid breathe, Kowalski." Skipper said.
"I got here about an hour ago." Private said. "My flight was delayed twice."
"Twice?"
"The first time was when the plane came back from America. It was experiencing strange engine problems on the last leg back and they almost had to land it in Ireland. The second time it was cancelled because of bad weather conditions in England. And they needed more time to clear the ice over here. I was trying to surprise you, that's why I didn't communicate."
"We're glad you're still part of the team, Private." Skipper said. "Are you planning on revealing the surprise to Kenny and the others?"
"I was going to wait until Math tomorrow morning so do you mind covering for me? I'm going to spend the night at Henry's house."
"Certainly." Kowalski said.
The boys took the stairs. Rico kept a lookout while the others took an alternate route. Private had his backpack with him. Skipper had called Rocky and let her know what was going on. Private got in her car and instructed her on how to get to Henry's house.
"Could you pick me up in the morning?" Private asked.
"Sure." Rocky said with a smile.
"Thanks."
…
The next day, Kenny sighed as he entered Math. Mr. Campbell looked at him with concern.
Barry drummed his fingers on his desk, waiting for class to start so it could be over.
"Class, I would like to introduce you to someone." Mr. Campbell said.
Barry pretended to pay attention.
"Come on in."
The door opened and Barry gasped.
"PRIVATE!" Kenny yelled, nearly toppling his desk over. Barry shot up and ran over to the dark haired boy.
Ramona and Allie stood up and walked over to him.
"Sorry I'm late, guys."
"Better late than never, I suppose." Allie said.
"You're the best teacher ever." Kenny said to Mr. Campbell.
"I'm still good old reliable Randy." The teacher said.
"And every part is true." Private said.
The class laughed.
"Alright, now that we know Private's back, can we try to get to work? I trust you can make up the week, right?"
"Yes, I'll just get it from Ramona and Allie."
Once Math was over, Allie filled Private in on her new housing arrangement. They had officially moved to her grandmother's house and the family couldn't be happier. Private let them know that Kenny's talk and Mr. Campbell's email had helped persuade Candace to let Private return.
Park B and The Penguins celebrated all week. There didn't seem to be a day where they weren't smiling over Private's return. Even Julien seemed slightly happier. Fred said he was happy, but they were confused by his monotonous tone.
Skipper let the agents know that Private was back on the team. The boys were told that Blowhole had remained quiet, but they were pretty sure he had his spies near them. Hans couldn't be officially pinned as a spy since he was underage.
…
Two weeks into January showed that the ice turned to slush and it was no longer snowing, but still cold. Kowalski's swim team met at an indoor pool a few blocks away. He seemed to be improving greatly and he didn't mind that it was cold on the way back home.
Kenny was more talkative than ever, according to Ramona, Allie, and Barry. He interacted with the others and tried to be more involved in class. Mr. Campbell kept an eye on Kenny, trying to see if there were any problems. Kenny seemed to cover up any pain.
Private's English class was more fun with Kenny in it, especially since they got to talk to each other about the assignments.
…
A few days later, Kowalski remembered something he wanted to ask. The four of them were playing Monopoly when the question came up.
"Hey Private."
"Yeah?" Private looked up.
"Do you know who Petey D is?"
Skipper and Rico looked at Private.
"Who?" Private asked.
"There's this kid online who goes by Petey D. He was abroad when we last spoke to him." Skipper said. "Now that I think about it, it could be you."
"That would be cool, but I'm not." Private said. "I know my middle name is Peter, but I never really use it."
"Should we look into it?" Kowalski asked.
"I don't know, it's not really that big of a deal." Private said.
"But he knew that Mason and Private couldn't possibly be on the same plane together. How could he know where they live?" Skipper asked.
"Is he a teacher?" Private asked.
"I didn't know teachers could be in the chatrooms." Kowalski said.
…
When asked about it on Monday, Roy complained that they were going to get him in trouble. He pulled up a list of all students with the name 'Pete' and the letter 'D'
Four students showed up on the list, including Private.
"There you have it." Roy said. "Peta Dabney, A. Peter Davis, Derek Peterson, Gabriel D. Petes. I know for sure that Peta isn't on the chatrooms because she had some issues with it last year. Gabriel is a transfer student and is still learning to speak English."
"Any staff members?" Skipper asked.
Roy's jaw dropped. "You can't ask me to do that! I'm not going to delve into the files of the faculty! Doing you this favor without question is already putting me in a position of-"
"Alright, we get it!" Kowalski said.
"Are the chatrooms for students only?" Private asked. "We just want to know if this person could be a staff member." He added as Roy opened his mouth.
"No. If invited by a student, staff members can create chatrooms. It was set up when the first set of transfer students came here. Those from out of state would get homesick and want to leave. The counselors set up chatrooms in case they were unavailable during school hours." Roy explained.
"I think we should drop this." Kowalski said. "Even if it is Derek, why should we care? He's helping other students."
"He's an ally." Skipper said.
"He did stick up for Rico." Private said.
"Alright, we'll drop it for now."
The other three nodded.
"Good for you, now please let me get back to work before I get into trouble." Roy said.
The four boys left the office.
…
As January faded into February, emails were sent to the sixth grade class about permission slips for the Spring Break trips. Park B signed up for camping in tents near Franklin Lake.
Kowalski revealed, in secret, to his team that he signed all official papers concerning Kenny and himself and even came up with another email to pretend it was his dad. He waited until the day after Private's letter was mailed to New York. He wanted it to make it look as if it took a while with the mail system.
Private had been told that his mother nearly flipped out, but his dad was able to calm her down and told her that her son was supervised, among friends, and smart enough to follow rules. It took a lot of convincing, but she finally broke. That didn't stop her from rattling off a list of things he needed until he told her the trip was happening in April.
The day before Valentine's Day, Skipper was in a sour mood. He growled if Hans even looked in his general direction. When asked about it, Skipper shook his head and refused to explain his actions.
Hans approached Skipper later in the evening with a huge grin and a card. Kowalski, Rico, and Private stayed quiet. Kenny and Barry exchanged looks.
"Skipper, since Valentine's Day is tomorrow and this is a New Year, we should bury the hatchet." Hans said.
"Can I kill you with it first?" Skipper growled.
"Oh, you're funny!" He gave Skipper a plastic container with pastries in it. "Please take these as a token of forgiveness."
Skipper shoved it away. "You take it, I ain't forgiving you."
"Why not? It was five years ago, let it go already."
"Let it go? Let it GO?! I'LL LET YOU GO!" Skipper stood up, knocking the chair over and drawing the dining hall's attention.
"Temper, my friend, it lands you in sticky spots." Hans said calmly.
"So do your fists."
"You know how it started."
"Yeah, with words I'd rather not repeat in the company of younger kids." Skipper growled.
"Hmm? I don't recall this. I want to simply be friends aga-"
"That is utter b-er…cow poop!" Skipper nearly shouted.
"Cow poop can be a gift. Have you heard of spreading manure on gardens to make flowers of friendship blossom?" Hans batted his eyes. Skipper shook his head.
"Have you heard of methane gas that can be flammable and explosive?"
"Gentlemen, I think we should stop the argument here." Kowalski said, standing up. "This is a dining hall and should be treated as such. This is no place for a fight."
"Fight?" Hans said with a hurt face. "I was simply looking for-"
"That is enough!" Skipper said. "You have done and said enough. We're not taking your pastries so leave!"
"Oh fine."
Hans walked away.
Kowalski fixed the chair and pulled Skipper down onto it.
"What was that all about?" Private said. "Why can't you forgive him?"
"I will as soon as Denmark lifts the ban…which they will never do."
"Five years? How did two ten year olds get kicked out of Denmark?"
Skipper raised an eyebrow. "I believe this conversation is starting to sound familiar."
Private blushed. "I just want to know."
"Now is not the time or place to tell you."
"Would you tell us?"
"Not likely. It's not a story I like to remember."
The boys sighed and let the subject go. They waited until they were in their respective rooms before the subject was mentioned again. This time, Private and Skipper were reading in the living room and Rico had followed Kowalski when the latter said he had a question.
"Can you tell us a little bit?" Kowalski asked.
"Of what, soldier?"
"What happened in Denmark? Can you at least give us an outline or tell us why it was so bad?"
"We already heard that people got hurt, including the Prime Minister, and that you weren't allowed there." Private said.
"We got into a fight and things escalated from there." Skipper said with a tone of finality.
"We're not getting more out of you, are we?" Private asked.
Skipper shook his head.
"Sorry, Private, we just have to trust that the Skipper knows what he's doing." Kowalski said.
Kowalski and Rico returned to their rooms. A few minutes later, Private finished what he was reading and decided to turn in for the night.
Skipper stayed on the couch for a little while longer.
"Skipper, Hans, stop fighting!"
BANG!
SMASH!
"My car!"
"Hans, you idiot!"
"Who are those kids?"
"Are they driving golf carts?"
"MY FOOT!"
"Hey, watch where you're going!"
"Denmark Police, stop what you're doing!"
"Hey, stop!"
"No, I just finished that sculpture!"
"That wedding cake took me three hours!"
"I want these wild boys out of Copenhagen at once! You two are never to return, look at the damage you've done!"
"Dad, it wasn't my fault! It was Hans-"
"I don't care whose fault it is, you didn't stop yourself. They're giving us two months to get you out of here. Toby and I are allowed to stay for your eldest brother's graduation, but you are to return to New York with Rocky and Brian. Your mother will accompany you."
"But-"
"No buts. I'm very disappointed in you, son."
Skipper realized he wasn't going to finish the book tonight and closed it. The words replayed in his head. His father's disappointment resonated even today. George Sorenson might have moved on, but his words struck his youngest son who began desperately trying to prove himself worthy.
The snores of his roommate penetrated his thoughts as he opened the door. He got dressed in the dark and stayed awake in his bed for a while.
…
He had finally fallen asleep when he was suddenly being shaken awake.
"We're late!" Kowalski shouted.
Rico's grumbling was accompanied by rustling as he searched for clean clothes.
"I'm nearly dressed!" Private shouted.
"Skipper, get up!"
No response came.
Once Private was dressed, he switched places with Kowalski while Rico brushed his teeth.
"Skipper, Skipper, please get up. We're going to be late for school!"
"Huh?" Skipper mumbled.
"Finally! We're late! We have fifteen minutes to get to class. I text messaged Barry and Kenny. They grabbed some muffins from the cafeteria for us."
Skipper panicked as he got dressed. Private and Rico met the younger two boys downstairs and began eating. Barry and Kenny headed to school with Rico while Private waited with two muffins.
"We have eight minutes!" Kowalski announced as they finally got off the elevator.
The three of them rushed out to school, trying not to slip in the slush.
Private headed to his class while Kowalski and Skipper skidded into their classroom.
"Barely made it, boys." Their teacher said. "Eat those quietly."
Kowalski sighed as he took his seat.
During the last ten minutes of class, they were given free time. Doris handed Kowalski a comb.
"You need it. What happened to you two?"
"Bit of a late start." Skipper said.
"Are you feeling alright?" Marlene asked. "It's not like you to wake up late."
"I'm fine. Happy Valentine's Day, I hear there's a party this Friday. Are you going?"
"Yep, just got to find a date first."
"I already have a date." Doris said.
Kowalski looked disappointed.
"Are you two going?" Marlene asked.
"No." Skipper said. "Today is a continuation of yesterday in the events of memories I don't want to remember."
"You don't want to remember the day of love? Or awareness of singles, as some call it." Doris asked.
"No, ladies, I do not. First off, I do not have a girlfriend. Second, this holiday makes no sense to me. Third, I don't feel like it."
"I don't have a date…" Kowalski said.
"Oh, I'll set you two up." Doris said.
"What?" Kowalski blinked.
Skipper shook his head. "Didn't you hear me, I said-"
"Blah blah, it's Valentine's Day! I know people who would love to go out with you; please let me set it up." Doris looked at them with sad eyes.
"I'd rather not go on a blind date." Skipper said.
"Well, cross Rikki off the list."
"You know what I meant."
"Come on, this would be great for you guys! Is Rico going?" Marlene asked.
"Rico? Yeah right." Skipper snorted. "He wouldn't go if you begged."
"You guys are no fun." Marlene said.
"I am fun."
"Yeah right, you wouldn't know fun if it hit you in the face wearing Julien's ridiculous orange pants."
"Want to make a bet, sister?"
"Yeah, and you're letting Doris set you up."
"Can I pick my own date?" Kowalski asked.
"Sure, if you can find one by tomorrow." Doris said brightly.
They stared expectantly at Skipper.
"Fine." He groaned. "But only to prove that I CAN have fun."
"EEE!" Both girls squealed excitedly.
"Oh brother."
The boys left class to find Rico and Private.
…
Private, it transpired, had already asked Hunter to the dance and she agreed. Rico didn't want to go at all, and the other two were trying to search for dates.
"Is there anyone who would go out with us for one night?" Skipper asked.
"Why didn't you ask Marlene?" Private said innocently.
"I'm certain she has a date and absolutely no interest in me whatsoever."
Skipper and Kowalski still didn't have dates by the next day and groaned when Doris and Marlene approached them in the lobby.
"Kowalski, I found someone who agreed to go to the dance because her date bailed on her." Marlene said, rolling her eyes.
"He's a coward." Kowalski said.
"Hey guys." Rocky said as she entered.
"I'm going to kill him." Skipper said.
"Relax; he just wasn't the right guy for me." Rocky said. "I dumped his sorry butt while he was trying to get it out…like I wasn't already suspicious. Anyway, I heard you didn't have a date so here I am."
"Thanks." Kowalski said.
"You hurt her, I kill you." Skipper said menacingly.
"G-got it, sir."
Rocky rolled her eyes. "Just go meet your date."
"She should be here any moment." Doris said, checking her watch. "Oh, there she is."
Skipper's jaw dropped. Kowalski, Marlene, and Rocky gaped at her.
The girl had dirty blonde hair dyed red at the tips. She was wearing orange shorts and a yellow t-shirt.
"Whoa." Skipper said.
"Hello, my name is Kitka, I'm from downtown and I'll be your date to the dance."
A/N: Barry: YES! Got my popcorn back! Who is Kitka? Is this another cliffhanger? Maybe it's not as bad as the last one so…
Wait...where is everyone? Hello?
Oh come on! That's not fair!
