Kowalski's worry only increased as the spring semester continued. He'd been able to concentrate on academics as he was technically participating in the decathlon. He was glad that he didn't miss anything due to the brainwashing fiasco. His team had gone to the ten events, but not all of them at the same time as they didn't want to leave their home unprotected.
The rest of the team admitted it wasn't as fun as the science fair, to which Kowalski agreed but he still wanted to prove himself. He aced math and science portions; was confident about economics, language, art, and literature; but he didn't feel entirely confident about music or social science. And that was just the objective events.
He worried about the subjective events, which were an essay, interview, and speech. He wasn't so nervous writing the essay, but an interview and speech made him feel anxious. He had no problem getting up in front of the class or showing his team something, but those felt less like he was under a microscope.
His essay was about the science of energy conservation and he felt relieved as he wrote. His additional comfort for the day was that Rico was waiting for him while playing a game that Skipper had gotten him for Christmas.
His speeches went decently. He knew what he was talking about, but the feeling of being scrutinized caused him to falter and stutter a bit.
Then came the day of the interviews. Private was waiting with Kenny and Jeffery. All was well until they came to a question that brought his whirring train of thoughts to a screeching halt. The question before had been to describe his role model to which he had difficulty picking just one. He ended up talking about Galileo and how his influence in all sorts of sciences were still very deeply ingrained in modern society.
He knew some questions wouldn't be directly tied to the core theme of the competition like how to tell someone their zipper is down, but this was something he never prepared for.
"What defines family for you?"
Kowalski's mouth opened, no sound came out.
"Mr. Taro?"
"Mr. Taro, your son told me you were hard on him for not completing his homework."
"I may have raised my voice. I'll have a chat with him later."
His back ached as he stood, facing his blank wall. At least it was over for now. It wasn't his fault he had to help Kenny with his homework and make dinner and wash the dishes before bedtime, he barely had time to finish a couple problems.
"Mr. Taro, Kowalski got in trouble for hitting a child two years younger than himself. He claims he was defending his brother. Kenny says the boy was making fun of him. While I like to see that Kowalski is helping his brother stand up for himself, I don't see why it had to resort to violence. Is everything alright at home?"
"Yes, they're just a bit rambunctious. I'm doing my best as a single father for my family. I promise I'll sit him down and explain why what he did was wrong."
Family. What was that? Parents and children, aunts and uncles, cousins and all that. They loved each other. All I have is Kenny. All I have is being the protector.
That night he'd thrown himself in front of Kenny who was getting a verbal lashing about how weak he'd been for not defending himself. Kowalski was next to him, also receiving the same screaming session.
It became physical because Kenny sniffed; his nose was still runny from crying earlier. He wanted to wipe it on his shirt, but it was still dirty and Kowalski hadn't done the laundry yet. Laundry was delayed because he was at the wall again with fresh bruises on his back.
"Kowalski, am I weak?" Kenny asked.
"No, you're a kid. It's normal, I think." Nothing about this was really normal, but he had to shield the younger boy as much as possible.
"Do families let you cry?"
"I don't know. Probably."
"Are we a family?"
"Yeah, we're brothers."
"What about Dad?"
Kowalski thought about it. "I…guess he's our legal guardian and family by blood. But…I don't think families hurt each other like that."
"Do families have to be related?"
"No. That's why people get married, you marry and become part of your spouse's family."
"If I get married, can I get a different dad?"
"Shh, don't let him hear that…but, yes."
"But you have to kiss and kissing is gross…is there more ways? What about a doption?"
"I'm sorry, I don't think there are. We're stuck with him until we're eighteen kinda like how Nat's stuck at her home. Adoption is one word and we're too old. She wasn't adopted while she's still little. People don't wanna adopt older kids like us."
"Mr. Taro?" The man questioning him waved a hand.
"Huh? Oh, I'm sorry." Kowalski shook his head. "Sorry, I was…I don't know."
"I can choose a different question if you wish."
"I think I can answer it. What defines family for me? Honestly, had I been able to be here last year and been given this question, I don't think I would have had a satisfactory answer. Without going into detail, I would have said it was to be protectors of those who need it. But I personally have learned that family is so much more than I ever would have thought. A family is a group of people who love, trust, and care for each other. To me, it means people I can trust to have my back when I need it. People who truly care about me and want me to be safe and alive."
"Alright. That concludes the interview segment. Your results will come later. Thank you for coming."
"Thank you." Kowalski got up and left. Private and Kenny cheered and were shushed by the person at the front desk.
Jeffery took the three boys back to the apartments. Kowalski told his cousin about the last question and Jeffery said he would have adopted them no matter how old they were.
…
Kowalski ended up being eligible for nationals, to which Skipper was hesitant about letting him go. It would mean being apart from the team a lot next year, but eventually the leader allowed it.
Kowalski had almost entirely forgotten the whole Simon/Hans spy thing until the end of April when he was told that Simon wasn't a decathlon competitor this year. He had put aside his concerns when it came to his brother's birthday on May seventh and Skipper held off on the intel until the day after.
According to Skipper, who had talked to Agent Simms, Hans had spilled all he knew. It took a while because he'd been afraid of being found and killed. Simms promised to protect him as long as Hans doesn't betray them.
Hans had said there was someone else spying on them, but he didn't know who. He wasn't given anything about anyone deep undercover. He just knew Savio wasn't one of them.
Simon hadn't just skipped the decathlon, he had disappeared. Upon a casual call to his school, Kowalski was told Simon never came back after spring break and his parents were unable to be contacted.
Kowalski also called Astoria High to check on Mikayla, but they couldn't give him personal information. They did confirm, after Kowalski's description and pleading to make sure she was at least alive, that she was still breathing and attending school.
He'd called the senior's home a few times, but they told him she hadn't been around since the day he'd been there. They told him they'd pass on the message that Kowalski was checking in. Skipper had to almost literally drag him away because they were starting finals revisions with a study group.
Rico, meanwhile, was being shamed by his sister for his actions. They were in her room while she was supposed to be studying with Rocky. Rocky quietly read her notes while the Blue siblings talked.
"You didn't even come to me to ask me what to do!"
"I know…m'sorry."
"THEN you just plant one on him randomly, confusing everyone! I know he's your boyfriend and you're protective of him, but you basically outed him to a room of strangers-"
"OKAY!" Rico shouted. "I get."
"I know you have the 'Rico way' of life, but there's people who won't like that and you have to be prepared for any response-that doesn't include violence." She added the last part sternly upon hearing his sharp intake of breath. "Obviously I'm not Mom. I can never be her and Grandma's taken more of that role than I have. I know you can protect yourself, but I can't help but feel protective of you. After everything we've been through, after what happened to you last year, I don't want to lose you."
Rico looked startled. "Lose? How?"
Rikki shrugged. "I don't know how. It's just a feeling I've been having since the whole headache thing. I'm about to graduate and you guys will be here without me and Rocky to stop our little brothers from going off the deep end."
"Never lose me." Rico said confidently.
"I wish I was as confident as you are." Rikki said glumly.
"Don't worry, Rikki, that's what we've been secretly training Kowalski and Private for, making sure the other half of the team doesn't get lost in their own actions." Rocky said. "You guys can be kinda…hmm, what's the word?"
"Dynamite." Rico said.
"I think the word you're looking for is dynamic, but okay." Rikki said. "You don't have team stuff to do today?"
"M'lene." Rico said.
"Marlene's having Skipper and Kowalski study in her room and Private's studying with his friends." Rocky explained. "And Rico here thinks he's studied enough."
"Have so!"
"Man…graduation…" Rikki sighed. "You do realize next year will be the first time since fifth and sixth grade that we'll be in different schools and the first time ever in different states, right?"
"Oh." Rico said
"Remember how we raised money to get here and how I got a scholarship and got you in?"
"Uh-huh."
"I'm pretty sure you've told me, but I need a break." Rocky said, closing her book.
FLASHBACK
"If you two really want to go, okay. It'll be a lot of money and I can't get either of you a car for your eighteenth birthday with how much this will be." Rex said as he prepared to dial the school's number.
"Yes please!" His kids said.
"Dad, it's New York!" Rikki said. "How many other teenagers get the opportunity to do this? And being part of this inclusive program could look good on our college applications."
"How much is the dorm fee?" Rex asked.
"Um…I…don't…know…" Rikki mumbled.
"Will I have to ask Grandma for help?"
"I did."
"Rikki…"
"She said she didn't mind!" Rikki said defensively. "It's for school."
Rex dialed a number.
"Hi Mom…yes we're doing good. Rikki told me you're offering to pay for this school thing she wants to do…yes, Mom, I understand, but-" He sighed. "Of course I want them to broaden horizons and all that-yes. Yes, I know they're your only grandkids…oh alright. Of course I'm grateful. Thanks, Mom. Love you, bye."
He looked at his gleeful children.
"I'm surprised you two don't have massive egos with the way she spoils you." Rex said with a smile. "But ok, I'll let you go to New York."
"YAY!" Rikki held her hand up and Rico high fived her.
"Simmer down, I still have to call the school first."
Rex called the school as the teens were excitedly squealing. They stopped when he greeted the person.
"My name is Rex Blue, I was wondering if my children could apply to your school with this scholarship they received from school…No, we're from out of state. Kirksville, Missouri. Hm? Hold on. Rikki, is it called the Central High Apartments?"
"Yes." Rikki replied.
"Yes, they did consider the apartments there…Two. My son Rico is fourteen and in eighth grade. Rikki, that's R-I-K-K-I is my fifteen year old daughter, she's in ninth grade. Rikki's blind but can move around with a cane or assistance. She does have a guide dog, but he's pretty old and doesn't do flights well…single income household. I'm a mechanic, my wife was a teacher. I can request their latest grades and send them. Sure. I'll do that and get back to you. Thank you. Bye."
"Alright, let's get to work."
The teens cheered again and brought out the applications. What Rico hadn't paid attention to when trying to read the paper to his sister was the fact that both of them had to write an essay on why they wanted to come to Central Park High and what they hoped to gain from their experiences.
Rikki's essay was easy for her. Rico rolled on the floor in mental agony, trying to figure out what to write. His dad and sister helped him eventually write something and they were able to put it with the application by the deadline. Then they sent it.
They got their acceptance emailed to them three weeks later with a notice that Rico barely made it with his grades.
"If you guys do this, you have to work hard." Rex told them.
"We'll do our best!" Rikki said, hugging her dad. Rico joined the hug.
FLASHBACK END
"Aww." Rocky said. "Short but sweet."
…
"Kowalski, I'm sure she's fine and studying for her own finals!" Skipper said for the fifth time that day. They were supposed to be going over English lit notes with Marlene, Josie, and Nat. They'd invited anyone else who needed help, but no one else showed up.
"This girl's got you real riled up, huh?" Josie said.
"It's just…I'm concerned about her living situation. She reminds me a lot of me and Kenny."
"We know." The group said.
"Getting worked up and neglecting your studies isn't going to help her." Marlene said. "You've opened the door to communicate, now just wait."
"Wait?" Kowalski squeaked.
"Yep. Sometimes you just have to play the waiting game."
Skipper nodded to confirm. Kowalski sighed reluctantly and went back to his notes. A few minutes later, Nat got a text.
"Izzy's asking if Josie's still here." She said.
"You tell him if he wanted to study with her, he should have joined our group." Marlene said. She was still a bit put off at his lax attitude when he'd told her she had to chill. "I was plenty chill." She grumbled.
"I'll just say 'yes, why?'." Nat said, texting him back.
Izzy responded with a 'you'll see'.
Kowalski and Nat shook their heads. They had a couple moments of near silence, broken by mumbled questions and rustling papers.
BAM BAM BAM
"What the-?"
The rapid knocking continued. Thinking it was Izzy, Nat groaned and hurried to the door, opening it. She was about to yell at him when she realized it wasn't Izzy.
"Geez, Julien, I would like a door." Nat said.
"Josie…where?" Julien panted.
"JOSIE! Julien's here for you!" Nat shouted, causing Julien to wince.
"Nat, I'm right here." Josie replied, getting up. "Hi Julien, what brings you 'round these parts?"
"H-hey Josie…" Julien said as he officially entered the room.
"Can I help you?" Josie asked warily.
"May I speak to you in private?"
"Sure. We're studying in the living room, so we can chat in my room."
"Keep the door open." Skipper said, giving Julien a smirk. Julien glared at him.
Kowalski and Nat snickered while Marlene stared determinedly at her paper, fighting to keep a straight face.
"Oh, get your minds out the gutter." Josie said.
"And you wonder why it's a 'private' conversationing, peoples." Julien said.
Nat rejoined the study group as Julien and Josie went to talk. They really were talking, though they kept the volume down, so the study group wouldn't be disturbed.
"Can we move on to math yet?" Nat asked after a while. She stretched and yawned.
"Almost." Marlene said. "And it wouldn't be nice to move on without Josie."
"Math? I thought history was next?" Skipper said, feigning horror.
"Stop trying to freak me out!" Marlene complained.
"Sorry."
They heard shuffling footsteps and looked up to see Julien wringing his hands and looking pensive. Josie stood next to him with an encouraging expression.
"So, what did you two get up to?" Nat asked when Julien didn't say anything.
"Nothing!" Julien said defensively. "Literally, just-I don't know…talking about stuffs and I also need to say stuffs and-"
"The point?" Skipper asked.
"Point…right. Well, the point is I am ssss-agh"
"You are sag?" Kowalski asked. "I am not familiar that word as an adjective. The proper adjective would be saggy."
"What? No." Julien shook his head. "There are at least two words that are difficult for me to say. One, because I have never admitted even to myself until today. I am sp-spoiled."
"Not exactly breaking news." Skipper said.
"I knows. The other word is sorry. I am sorry."
"For?"
"Everything I have done to everyone in this room and out of this room."
"Anyone understand? Kowalski?"
"Is this supposed to be a broad apology or will you be specific?" Kowalski asked.
"Specific. Ok, I shall start with you." Julien looked at Nat who looked apprehensive. "I am sorry for being a jerk and for the harassing. I would like to be friends because we are both good at the drama class and I think you and I could be friends."
"Honestly, I think I have to apologize too." Nat said. "No, I know I do. When I first met you and heard about you, I immediately judged you. It's not that I was entirely wrong, but I never got to really know you. Maybe part of me was jealous of your 'perfect' life because I'm just an orphan girl whose home just wanted one less kid to feed."
"I am learning I am trying hard and am not me. I mean over hard with the pretending I'm-eh…Kowalski?"
"Trying too hard to be someone else other than who you are at home?" Kowalski suggested.
"I…think so? Sure. If you accept my apology, we can start over…friend." Julien held out a hand hopefully. Nat shook it.
"I accept yours if you accept mine." Nat said.
"Yes. Ok, Marlene." Julien took a deep breath. Marlene's eyebrows were up as she waited for him to speak. "I am not the best with knowing how to stop what I am doing. I hurt you bad and I didn't know how to fix it. I know it's been over a year, but having these feelings of being attracted to someone is making me think about the past stuffs and how the things have um…caused? No…it's like it does something…been-"
"Impacted?" Kowalski said.
"Yeah. Impacted our friendship. You are a good friend and I was being a terrible person. I want to be a good friend. I am sorry for breaking your feelings at the valentines dance."
"That's literally all I wanted." Marlene said. "An actual apology. I still saw the good in you."
"Really?"
"Julien, do you think you're not a good person?"
Julien mumbled something unintelligibly, looking back down at his shoes.
"You are." Josie said. "I told you, just be yourself. Be a benevolent king."
Julien nodded. "Skipper, Kowalski, I am sorry for being very annoyingly annoying. I really do want to be friends with you guys. My apology for you four really needs to be for Rico. I-I knew he wasn't a bad guy. He's not. I just…went on the wagons so no one would think bad things of me."
"Jumped on the bandwagon." Kowalski corrected.
"Ok, now that one I think you are making up."
"Julien, focus." Skipper said.
"Oh yeah. I want to be a friend." Julien said, holding out his hand.
"From a distance." Skipper shook it.
"Works for me."
"Good. Now go find Rico, he's hanging out with Rikki and Rocky. While you're at all the apologizing, can you let Izzy know to explain exactly how you should approach people instead of attempting to break down their doors?"
Julien blushed and the other teens laughed. He giggled slightly.
"You have an adorable giggle." Josie commented. Julien's blush grew deeper, he stammered a thanks.
"Focus on the task, Julien." Skipper's voice brought him back to earth. Nat and Marlene were giggling.
…
Rico was confused, but agreed with his sister when she told Julien they would slowly start to accept his apology.
Julien joined Marlene's study group and actually was trying. He admitted it to the guys later that it was partially to impress Josie, and partially so his parents wouldn't think he was goofing off.
"Ugh, I know basic geometry here people and I'm FROM Madagascar, like practically the king!" Julien complained when he got a review question wrong. "Are you sure it's not a continent?"
"Positive." Kowalski said. "It also hasn't had a monarchy since 1897, no one would make you a king before you could tie your shoes properly, and knowing the location is geography, not geometry. In the roughly ten years since you left, did you even look at a map or ask where it was? Do you know much about the country? I've done slight research."
"Ehh…no. But my grandma sends some stuff and my uncle goes back all the time. Is the culturey stuff and studying peoples also geography?"
"That's anthropology, which we don't take. I don't think it's a high school subject."
Julien groaned loudly. The rest of the group laughed.
…
On the line of slow forgiveness, Allie approached Skipper for the first time since they were at the Carson house. She'd been here and there and around, but had been awkwardly avoiding everyone. At the same time, they were trying to give her space, but had no idea how much she needed.
Finals week was when she started to warm back up to her friends again. She'd also been thinking the older teens were upset with her over her secret because they'd looked stressed out a lot more than usual.
"What? No, that wasn't it." Skipper said when Allie had told him that. "It's mostly surrounding Hans, someone Kowalski met at the fair, and uh…interpersonal relations. So…what's up?"
"Oh, um. I was wondering if Hans was back in touch with you guys." Allie said.
"No, why?"
"The old Wilson place is being used again. I've been having tea at night a lot more so I can sleep better, Private's suggestion, and I like looking out the window. I saw lights in the house last week. I thought it was reflections, but the person who lives next door said they were all hearing some noises at night."
"Alright, we'll investigate. Thanks, kid."
"Should I be concerned that Julien's been apologizing to everyone?"
"Nope. Don't look a gift lemur in the mouth."
Allie looked bewildered. "Julien said that, didn't he?"
"Yup."
Julien really had been apologizing to everyone that he thought needed to hear it. He also was starting to look up Madagascar more. He asked Kowalski how much research the resident genius had done. Kowalski told him not much else and Julien looked relieved, though he didn't explain and there wasn't time to question him.
Rico told Rikki and Rocky that they were going on a short mission. they told him to try not to get knocked out so he could see his sister graduate and to pass the message to Skipper as well.
A/N: I meant for the decathlon to be more expanded on, but reading about it doesn't feel very exciting so I tried my best. Next chapter will be the end of year 2. Full transparency, I have 45 pages written for year 3 and counting since I wanted to fill in unused months in their lives. For year 4, the end of the story, I have 85 pages, including the rough draft of the end and the final author's note. How many chapters it is, I don't know since some will be longer than others.
