Chapter 726: Tree Hill High School
Monday, March 20th, Afternoon
Lunchtime at Tree Hill High School, and the students were in The Commons in their small groups. Off to one side, a 15-year-old curly-haired blonde girl, a cheerleader and well-known and liked in the school, sat alone. Her usual bright colors were muted, and her once-ever-present TARDIS backpack was replaced with a standard gray one. Jackin Rothenburg, a boy about the same age, walked over and stood before her. He took a moment and studied her.
"Is it true what Keir has been saying?" Jackin asked.
Sawyer Scott's eyes narrowed, "I pay no mind to what you and your band of 'dudebros' say, Jackin," she hissed, letting him know she was in no mood to deal with anyone's shit.
"Do you know, whatever he said, true or false, he's bragging about it," Jackin said.
"You and all the others don't see us as people anyway, so why try to fight it?" she shrugs.
"Sawyer, he's telling the whole school you slept with him," Jackin said.
She shrugs, "I'd thought you'd be celebrating because he was your friend? Why are you here talking to me about it?"
"Umm, contrary to what you think of me, I do have sisters," Jackin said.
"Gareth," she warned him, "All over some pissing contest because you couldn't get my damn attention Rothenburg. You're no better than your best friend, so kindly leave me alone for the rest of our high school careers," she growled. She gets up and leaves, shaking her head. Boys, why do they do this?
"Sawyer, do you want to be known as the easy girl in the class?" Jackin asked.
"They did it to my sister; the difference is, I know I only have two years left in this damn hellhole, and I'm going to focus on the people who actually give a damn about me and aren't my friend just because I'm popular!" Sawyer screamed, "Two years, and maybe less because at this point, fuck this place, and fuck almost all of you because most of you will peak in high school and come begging me and family for employment after college, and you all know it!"
"Two years of every grubby guy drooling over you," Jackin said, "Ask Shannon what happened to Pami."
"Not if I'm gone," Sawyer said, "I don't have to be here to put up with this shit Jackin, and you know that."
"We both know you won't leave LK behind; you have never left LK behind," Jackin said.
"I'll take her with me," Sawyer said, "She doesn't deserve to deal with any of this ridiculousness either."
Jackin gave her the, yeah, right look. "Whatever you say," Jackin said.
She fires the opposite look, "Watch me!" right back at him, "You think you're so cool, so hot, you're just like the rest of them," Sawyer said.
"Rest of who?" Jackin asked.
Sawyer turned on her heels and walked out of The Commons and toward Lucas's office with a deep scowl. She whips around, "The rest of them, the school."
She left him behind, done with his games. Sawyer sighed, she didn't care about her reputation, but it sucked. Keir had objectified her, and it hurt a lot. And who did Jackin think he was, with his damn 'white knight' complex, when he was just like Keir? Sawyer knew she'd made a colossal mistake, but she still held in the emotions she'd felt about his picking a fight with Gareth. And all over her? For what? She'd lost her best friend and her innocence; what was left?
She sat in her dad's office, sighing. There was a knock on the door. Sawyer looked up to see a tall muscled sixteen-year-old boy at the common entrance to her dad's office. His dark eyes and hair scanned the room, showing the talent that made him a three-year starter on the varsity football team. They called him the Raven; his mom called him John, and most people knew him as Jack Daw.
"Excuse me, I was sent down here to see Mister Scott," Jack Daw said.
"He's at lunch," Sawyer whispers softly.
"Hmm, why would Mrs. Bartlebee send me down here if he's at lunch?" Jack Daw asked.
"Maybe she assumed he didn't go off campus today? I'm not really sure," Sawyer said and shrugged.
Jack Daw shrugged, "I guess you're right," he said, "By the way, are you waiting for Mister Scott too?"
"You do realize that he's also my father, right?" Sawyer asked, looking him dead in the eye.
"He is? Who are you?" Jack Daw asked.
"His youngest, my name's Sawyer," she said.
Jack Daw shook his head, "No, it doesn't ring a bell," he said.
"That's a first," Sawyer smirked, "Guess you don't pay attention to the rumor mill either?"
"Ain't got time to bleed, ain't got time to blab," Jack Daw said.
"That makes you a gentleman and a scholar Jack," Sawyer laughed, "By the way, I know who you are because I- well, I'm on the squad."
"You're a Swifty?" Jack Daw asked.
"I'm a cheerleader." Sawyer grinned, "But," she looked around, "Taylor's music is pretty good, but don't tell anyone I said that!"
"Here early stuff," Jack Daw said, "So, you're that OMI song."
"That's an obscure reference, Felix Jaehn?" Sawyer countered.
"Of course, Sawyer Cheerleader," Jack Daw said.
"I understood it, but most people aren't witty enough to make it," Sawyer said, grinning.
"Brevity is the soul of wit," Jack Daw said.
"So they say," the blonde said and nodded.
"So, why is Miss Sawyer Cheerleader hiding in a teacher's office?" Jack Daw asked.
Sawyer huffed in agitation, "It's not you, Jack; it's never you. It's Jackin Rothenburg. And for the love of life, his sister's the cheer captain, so if I had punched him, I'd be hearing from Shannon." Sawyer shook her head. "He had some pretty unsavory and disrespectful things to share with me earlier."
"Shannon? She punches her little brother all the time," Jack Daw said, "So does their little sister Bryn."
"Well, if Jackin weren't such an asshole, maybe they'd stop doing that," Sawyer mumbled.
"Nah, they wouldn't; Shan is cool; she helped me with my math homework," Jack Daw said, "So, you said unsavory; did they not cook well?"
"His comments certainly left a bad taste in my mouth. They were quite vulgar and objectifying," she sighs, "Like I'm not a person?" Sawyer said, sighing again.
"I see, but aren't we all just a dream waiting to end upon the dreamer's waking?" Jack Daw asked.
"I just wish people wouldn't let themselves get so lost in those dreams," Sawyer whispered, "It's a painful thing to realize what other people perceive you as. But, but less than human? It's sad when people don't see you for the human being you are," she's breathing deep, not wanting to break down in front of him.
Jack Daw turned his head, much like a raven would turn its head to look at her, "I think there's more to this story, Miss Sawyer Cheerleader," he said.
"There always is," Sawyer said in another soft whisper.
"All I know is this, Will Point to the fact that time is eternal," Jack Daw said.
"Our time on this land is the opposite," Sawyer said, "Time is eternal, and in other instances, it's finite,"
Jack Daw turned his head the other way, "You are how old if you don't mind me asking?" he asked.
"15; I'm a sophomore," Sawyer replied.
"Thought so deep, but so young," Jack Daw said, "I prefer to swim where I can see my feet."
"It's kind of an inherited trait; the congresswoman for our district is my sister-in-law, my mother is Peyton Scott, and well, we all know what a scholar coach is; it's heavily related to the people I had around me as I was growing up," Sawyer chuckled softly.
"But are all factors, all traits even?" Jack Daw asked.
"In my case, they're even enough," Sawyer said, nodding.
"Hmm," Jack Daw said.
She raises a brow, "What is it?" Sawyer asked.
"Lies, we all lie; lying is a survival mechanism, but the most tragic lies are the ones we tell the person that looks back at us in the mirror," Jack Daw said.
"I don't believe anything they say about me, Jack; I just wish they wouldn't lie to themselves or be scared to actually talk to me. Jackin wasn't afraid to approach me but handled it all wrong," Sawyer said, "He does that quite often," she shakes her head.
"So, what are the unwashed masses saying about you, Sawyer Cheerleader?" Jack Daw asked.
"Oh, the usual crap, "she's easy,' and all that," she said, rolling her eyes.
"They are saying you are Staples?" Jack Daw asked.
"I don't trust anyone after all this; my circle of friends just got whittled down to two," she whispered.
"Why?" Jack Daw asked, "And who?"
"Listen, I'll leave a message for Coach letting him know you stopped by, but we need to head out," she said, "My cousin and Ms. Stafford," she said of LK and Keni.
"Do we?" Jack Daw asked, "If time is eternal, why must we be anywhere?"
"I really don't want to be out there either," she sighed.
"Buffy," Jack Daw said.
"Well, yes, but out there," she motions to The Commons where everyone else is, "with all of them- the people who only care about me because of what it can get them. Those people who don't see me as a person."
"No, no, no, Oz and Buffy said the most important thing about high school," Jack Daw said.
"What's that? That it eventually ends and sets you free?" Sawyer asked.
"Oz said, Guys, take a moment to deal with this. We Survived. Buffy said It was a hell of a battle. Oz said Not the battle. High school," Jack Daw said.
"I'm barely surviving, Jack. I really wish my mother were still around to help me navigate all this. It's really absolute hell," Sawyer sighed even louder this time.
"When you find yourself going through hell, keep going," Jack Daw said.
"I hope I can muster up enough energy to keep going," Sawyer said, nodding.
"The best advice ever, square your shoulders, lower your head and keep your feet moving forward," Jack Daw said.
"Look, Sawyer Cheerleader, people just suck," Jack Daw said and shrugged, "They are going to talk because it makes them feel better about themselves. There are only two people that you have to answer to."
"Myself and God?" Sawyer asked.
"There is but one true god, and Ishkabibble is his name," Jack Daw said.
"What does Jack Daw believe in?" Sawyer asked, smiling.
"Time is eternal," Jack Daw said.
Sawyer nodded.
"Also, leave the gun; take the cannoli," Jack Daw said.
Sawyer laughed softly, nodding. She's lost in thought.
"Out! Out! Damn Spot! Get out of your head; you'll get lost in there and never can find your way out," Jack Daw said.
"It's safer in here; no one can hurt me," she says.
"Don't be Pink and build the wall," Jack Daw said, "Pain lets us know we are alive."
"Brick by brick, the wall gets thick," Sawyer fired back.
"She's a brick house," Jack Daw sang.
"She's building one," Sawyer replied in a monotone voice.
"Why hide inside yourself?" Jack Daw asked, "Be out, be proud, have pride."
"It's safer, no pain," Sawyer said.
"If you are in your comfort zone, you aren't growing; if you aren't growing, you are dying," Jack Daw said.
"I have no comfort zone," Sawyer said, "I'm uncomfortable and sad, and worried, and... sad..." she admits.
"About what?" Jack Daw asked.
"My dad," she revealed, "And because it's a health-related issue, I can't say anymore, but he's not okay, and I'm worried about it. My sister's taking time off work to come out here," she admitted.
"So, why worry? It seems it is under control," Jack Daw said.
"Because I'm scared, Jack, my family have medical issues, and now my dad is facing one that could end his life- and it's also the one I inherited," Sawyer said.
"Carpet the dam," Jack Daw said.
"It's the first time I admitted that out loud, the being utterly terrified of losing him. I just- he misses her so much, and we all know that, but I'm so terrified that he's gonna let go if something goes wrong...!"
"Why are you letting it consume you?" Jack Daw asked.
"Because it's a demon inside, and I'm having trouble exorcising it," Sawyer said, "If I don't speak it out loud, it's gonna consume me even more- I just, I had to let it out. I've already lost so much in my life, and especially this year..." thoughts of Gareth enter her head, "I just need a break, I just need a break from all the pain...I am only human; I'm not sure how much more I can take..!"
"I think I should go as Elsa for Halloween," Jack Daw said.
Sawyer just looks at him, past him, shaking her head.
"We all should embrace our inner Elsa," Jack Daw said.
Sawyer just sits there, a vacant look in her eye. She's shutting down and going numb, and it's frightening.
"You know they named a Lion, Lion," Jack Daw said.
She pulls out her phone and brings up the text chain with Lucas.
Sawyer: I can't stop thinking about it because it's going to be me in your position. I'm trying not to let it break me, but I'm scared, Daddy! I'm scared of losing you! Just promise you'll do everything in your power to come back to us!"
She sent it, burying her head in her hands.
"Sawyer Cheerleader, answer me a question," Jack Daw said.
She looks up at him, silent.
"Why can't guys wear Mumus? They look so comfortable?" Jack Daw asked.
"Because we base our worth and make decisions based on societal standards instead of doing what truly makes us happy- we forego happiness, in its true form, to be accepted. We shouldn't, but we do," Sawyer said.
"In English," Jack Daw said.
"We care too much about what others think of us," Sawyer said, "And we shouldn't, but we do."
Jack Daw turned his head like a raven, "So, why do you?" he asked.
"I think that stopped today," Sawyer said.
"Did you say the line?" Jack Daw asked.
She looks at him like he has two heads.
"Quoth the raven," Jack Daw said.
"Nevermore," Sawyer said nodding, "I didn't take you for a Poe fan."
"I thought that was just something we shouted in a huddle," Jack Daw said.
"It's a Poe Quote; it's because the Raven is our mascot," Sawyer said, smiling a bit.
"That's what they call me, Raven," Jack Daw said.
"Well, your name makes it easy; you're John Daw; everyone calls you Jack because of your last name. Jackdaws are members of the family of birds that Ravens are a part of," Sawyer said.
"I thought they called me Jack because my grandpa is John," Jack Daw said.
"Maybe that, too," Sawyer said, smiling, "It's not meant to be taken personally, though. My cousin still uses the family nickname for me, and I take it in stride because it's not meant to be taken personally. We all have nicknames in our extended family too."
"Nicknames? What is your nickname?" Jack Daw asked.
"LK still calls me Sassy- I get my witty bantering from my mom, and it was something she started calling me, and I guess it stuck," Sawyer said.
Jack Daw shook his head, "I don't see it," he said, "Melancholy is more like it."
"You should've seen me rip into Jackin; then it would've made all the sense in the world," Sawyer said.
"No, no, I can't see it," Jack Daw said.
Sawyer just smiles and shrugs. The bell rang, and Lucas entered the view of the door frame. "Sawyer? Mister Daw, what are you doing in my office?" he asked.
"You didn't hear about my tirade on the quad? And as for Mr. Daw, he was sent here to talk to you by Ms. Bartlebee," Sawyer said.
"No, I didn't, and you'll both be late for class, so Miss Scott, I suggest you go to class," Lucas said, "As for you, Mister Daw, what does Ms. Bartlebee want?"
"Oh, I was supposed to drop this off," Jack Daw said.
"Fine, now get to class," Lucas said.
Sawyer decides to stay put.
"Yes, Mister Scott," Jack Daw said and left.
Lucas looked at Sawyer, "You have to go to class," he said.
"So you say, but maybe I'm a bit preoccupied with other things," Sawyer sighed.
Lucas sighed, "Sawyer, I know, but we can't do this now," he said.
"Then we won't; good luck Dad, don't die, okay?" she grabbed her bag and disappeared completely, blowing off the rest of her classes.