Additional disclaimer: �Cold and mutable things� borrowed from Cassie Claire�s Draco Trilogy.
Author�s note: This is a two-parter, and is to be continued in YA2:06 - Hide and Seek.
Nicky�s YA Episodes, season 2, episode 5. Revised version 2005.
You can find the commentary for changes to episodes 204-206 here.
Part One
Teaser
New Rawley. Hardly a blip on any geographical radar screen, comfortably settled in the Massachusetts, a small town that was virtually unknown if not for the prestigious Rawley Academies towering over its edge.
Rawley Boys� Academy had long been acknowledged as one of the best private high schools one could send one�s sons to, at least here in the US, so when a matching Rawley Girls� Academy sprung up a few years ago, there had already been a mile-long waiting list. Good environment, good teaching staff, good accommodation� as anyone who�s anyone would know, Rawley is The Best. And they made sure that everyone else knew about it, too.
Taken by the grandeur of the impressive Rawley buildings, extensive sporting facilities and gorgeous views, most visitors forgot about the quaint little town that lay at their feet, and all the people that lived in it. So it was like two worlds, really. The Academy versus the town. The elite versus the masses. The rich versus the�
Well, �poor� wasn�t exactly the word, Will Krudski mused as he ambled down Main Street, lost in thought. It was just that one didn�t fully realise what world one was really living in, here in this quiet town with its narrow streets and friendly faces, until one entered the other world. Rawley, and its rich kids with their rich parents, always competing over who�s got the better car, who�s got the better handbag, whose mother landed the best Hollywood role, or whose dad won the Senate seat this time round.
He grinned to himself. It had been difficult at times, constantly trying to balance out the radically different lifestyles of the town and the school, and sometimes he failed, being caught up in the two yet not managing to reach either. He could remember all too well the period of confusion, of perpetual inner questions about his own part in all of this, doubting if he really belonged anywhere, feeling guilty for leaving the town behind and inadequate at being thrust into the prosperous world of Rawley. Shaking his head slightly, he made his way into the local gas station, heading up the stairs.
*Will�s voiceover begins*
�It�s amazing to realise just how much each of us hide. How we all have things that we shift away from the light, wary of what others may see in it, wary of what judgments they may make. We often hide ourselves because we�re ashamed, or feel as if we don�t measure up to what other people want to see. In one way or another, there�ll always be areas in our lives that are obscured by shadow, and there�ll always be places in our hearts that are cloaked, hushed� clandestine.�
Will bounded up the stairs and knocked rhythmically on a door. A moment later, Bella Banks opened it with a broad grin. Pulling him into the room and toward her in a passionate kiss, she let the door swing shut behind them.
***
Rawley Boys� Academy, common room
The common room was deserted save for Jake Pratt, who sat back on a couch, staring intently at the TV screen. The VCR whirred, halfway through a videotape. The woman onscreen shifted with ease, completely natural in front of the camera, comfortable with a grace that came with a life spent in the world of performing arts. She had curly auburn hair and was decked out in Chanel, latest fall collection, as Jake wryly noted. Monica Pratt was probably more acquainted with the staff in fashion houses than she was with her own daughter.
�� I�m going to London soon,� Monica said onscreen, smiling. �And staying there to do at least two plays before I consider my next move, so it�s a surprising bout of stability for me. It might be nice for you to come over for Christmas break for some mother-daughter bonding��
Jake quickly turned the volume down, glancing around to see if anyone from the dorms had appeared and caught the �mother-daughter� bit. Satisfied that she was indeed alone, she turned back to the TV.
�How�s Hamilton?� Monica asked the camera, grinning. �If you�re watching this with Jacqueline, remember, you still haven�t sent me those photos!�
�Did someone just say my name?� Hamilton Fleming asked, sticking his head in the door.
Jake gave a start and reflexively pressed the Off button on the remote control, only to turn it back on again when she realised who it was. �God, don�t scare me,� she chuckled. �I�m so paranoid about people catching me watching this.�
�What is it?� he asked as he walked into the common room, wriggling his eyebrows. �Something dirty?�
�Yes,� she said dryly, �I�m watching porn in the middle of the day in the public common room. And� did I mention ew? It�s my mom.�
�Sorry,� shuddering slightly at the unwelcome image, he took a seat beside her. �So what is it?�
�This is her new way of getting in touch with me,� she rolled her eyes. �Sending videotapes of ourselves to each other so we don�t forget what the other person looks like. I found the package in the Unclaimed Post box over at the girls� campus. I�ve really got to be more careful about mail.�
�So your mom sent this tape to you,� he mused.
�Yeah,� she replied with a sigh. �And she expects me to make one to send back to her. Did I mention I hate her stupid ideas about how to keep in touch? Why can�t she just stick to voicemail like a normal person? It�s like she tries so hard to prove she�s keeping up with what I�m doing, but she has no��
�And I don�t think I need to remind you two,� Monica continued in the background, �that you have to be really careful about protection whenever you� you know. I know you�re teenagers, and I understand that you have urges, and I�m not gonna be one of those medieval moms who doesn�t acknowledge that. I just wouldn�t want my little baby to��
Jake paused mid-sentence, jabbing the remote control furiously at the TV and turning it off. Hamilton was laughing so hard he was rolling on the couch. �We have urges, do we?� he choked out.
�Shut up,� she groaned, turning to him with a very red face. �No matter what I tell her, she still thinks we�re doing it. Most moms can�t handle the fact their children are having sex; mine can�t seem to handle the fact that we�re not.�
�Your mom�s a wise woman,� he grinned suggestively. She hit him with a cushion.
***
The diner
The silver late-fall sunlight was streaming through the windows of the near-empty diner, lending the place a peaceful air, a welcome lull after the lunch hour rush. Sean McGrail spun around on his stool, boredom written all over his face. He shared a bland look with Scout Calhoun, who was working behind the counter.
�This sucks,� Sean finally said.
�Yeah,� Scout agreed, wiping down the Coke machine without enthusiasm.
�I mean,� Sean said, �this is pathetic. Both of us sitting here just staring at the gas station all day. I hate to say it, but that girl�s got us whipped, man.�
�Speak for yourself,� Scout said, but one pointed look from Sean, and he shrugged. �You might have a point, though.�
�Why don�t we ask her over?� Sean asked. �I know she�s at home.�
�And then what?� Scout replied dejectedly. �It�ll be just the two of us here, and her. I can see that situation going down well.�
�So call Will and get him to come over,� Sean shrugged. �Come on, admit it, you wanna see her too.�
�Yeah, but Will�s getting sick of it,� Scout said slowly. �You know he hates taking sides.�
�Look, we�re not even doing anything,� Sean said, his tone impatient. �We just need him here so Bella doesn�t feel caged in. We�ll sit around and drink milkshakes or whatever. Trust me, it�ll be nice.�
***
Bella�s room
�This is nice,� Bella murmured as Will traced over her cheek with a finger and followed its track with little butterfly kisses. �I missed you."
" Yeah," he mumbled. "Me too. Trying to keep out of everyone's way is really starting to annoy me."
She chose to let that comment pass, and instead giggled. "I can�t believe we didn�t pick this up earlier, considering we�ve only spent our whole lives together.�
�In second grade you kissed me, remember?� he chuckled. �It was your experiment. You thought it was gross.�
�I have a feeling I won�t be saying that anymore,� she murmured as their lips met again. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she kissed him slowly, feeling happiness surge up inside her as though her heart was an expanding balloon.
Suddenly, steps thundered up the stairs, breaking the moment. A knock sounded on the door and at the same time Sean�s voice called, �Bella, are you in there?�
Bella and Will cast a panicked look at each other, jumping apart. Not a moment too soon, as Sean opened the door and appeared with Scout in tow.
Part Two
*Theme song and opening credits*
�Will!� Scout and Sean exclaimed in unison. �What are you doing here?�
Will quickly glanced around the room and picked up the closest textbook lying on the desk next to him. �Uh, tutoring Bella in�� he darted a look at the book. �Um, geography.�
�That�s right,� Bella nodded, smiling weakly.
Sean and Scout swallowed that without question. Will was, after all, The Scholarship Boy. �Well, do you guys wanna take a break now?� Scout asked hopefully. �We have milkshakes waiting down in the diner.�
Will and Bella took a quick look at each other. �Yeah, sure, why not?� she shrugged with another weak smile.
If she had been paying attention, she would have seen Scout and Sean�s faces light up with identical grins. She didn�t, but Will did. For a moment his expression clouded over as conscience suddenly flared in him, a splendid display of guilt and shame exploding inside his mind, grey and viscous and bitter, twisting his stomach into knots.
Bella followed as Scout and Sean made for the stairs, but she paused at the door. �Will, are you coming?� she asked.
�Yeah,� he said, managing a small smile and a nod as he set the textbook down and followed her out the door.
***
Jake and Hamilton�s room
�Okay, we�re rolling,� Hamilton announced, holding one of the digital cameras that they�d borrowed from the school. He pointed it at Jake, who was perched in a desk chair, trying to smooth her short dress over her legs.
�Hi mom,� she smiled uncomfortably into the camera. �Um� here I am at Rawley Girls�, everything�s good, school�s okay, the weather�s been fine, it�s nearly winter but not too cold yet� what?� she demanded, catching Hamilton rolling his eyes.
He stopped the recording. �You�re talking about the weather.�
�I don�t know what else to say,� she said, disgruntled. �This is so stupid.�
He raised an eyebrow and pressed the record button once again, pointing the camera at himself. �Hi, Ms. Pratt,� he smiled charmingly. �I�ll be Jake� queline�s cameraman and interviewer today, and no, I haven�t forgotten about those photos, I just need to go through my portfolio and choose a few. I�ll send them to your New York office, I hope that�s okay with you.�
�So,� he said, turning the camera back on Jake with deliberate cheesiness to his voice, imitating some over-enthusiastic interviewer. �Jacqueline, how are you finding life at Rawley Academy?�
She smiled at his deliberate non-use of gender specifics with regard to the school. �Rawley�s great,� she said, looking straight into the camera. �I�ve made friends in and out of school. There�s this girl, Bella Banks, who lives in town, and we�re pretty close. I�m on good terms with the teachers, and a lot has been going on. We had a Halloween Ball not long ago, and before that, we went to an overnight camp with the class.�
Hamilton grimaced at the mention of the camp. It had not been, to put it mildly, the best experience of his life. A five-hour hike plus getting beaten up in the dark by some mysterious guy was not his idea of Fun in the Wilderness. He turned the camera off and leaned forward in his chair. �I wonder what your mom would say if we actually told her the truth. You know, about what�s happening at Rawley.�
�Yeah,� she agreed, ticking them off on her fingers. �We�ve come out as a gay couple, moved in together in the non-carnal sense, got beaten up, went to the ball as a normal heterosexual couple for once and pissed off Ryan and Lena��
He laughed, � If your mom knew about all this, she�d��
�Probably be too preoccupied with whatever she�s doing to even notice,� she finished for him sullenly.
He set the camera down by his feet and looked at her thoughtfully. �She�s not that bad, you know.�
She didn�t answer, folding her arms across her chest and leaning back on the chair.
�Come here,� he said with a small sigh, opening his arms.
She stood up hesitantly and walked over, letting him embrace her. �Just give her a chance, okay?� he said softly. �At least she made the effort to make the video, right?�
She shrugged and then nodded slowly, eyes downcast.
He kissed her briefly before he picked up the camera once more. �Come on, let�s get back to work.�
***
The diner
Bella sat in their usual corner booth by the window, looking expectantly at Sean, Scout and Will, her gaze travelling from one face to the next. Smiling uncertainly, she peered down into her milkshake, noticing all too acutely the awkwardness that filled the space between them. Will gave her a discreet look and she glanced back, the wry expressions in the exchange only clear to two of them.
Scout and Sean rambled on cheerfully, their enthusiasm spurred by Bella's presence. Or perhaps they rambled because her silence and discomfort was so pronounced that even they had sensed it, and they were making up for it somehow. "So. Jell-O shots," Scout suddenly exclaimed, apropos of nothing.
The others looked at him quizzically. "What about them?" asked Will.
"Jell-O shots," Scout repeated. "Why are they always lime? I don't think I've ever seen a batch that wasn't green."
The others looked at him as if he were crazy. "I've seen other colours," Bella said slowly, not sure what he was getting at. Sean nodded in agreement.
"Oh," Scout furrowed his brows. "It's just they are always green on TV."
"Um," Will looked lost. "Cos it's stereotypical to have them green? Why are you asking?"
Scout shrugged. "I dunno, I just wondered."
There was a round of muttered �oh�s around the table, and then another awkward silence. Finally, Scout stood up. "I think it's time for us to get back to school, Will," he said. "It's getting late."
Will looked at him before he glanced at Bella, who was looking disconcerted. "Um," he began, trying to formulate an excuse to stay but unable to come up with any. "All right," he agreed, defeated, smiling apologetically at Sean and Bella, hoping that it would hold some special meaning for her.
She sighed under her breath as she waved, watching the boys saunter out the door, Will casting one more look over his shoulder as he went.
***
Jake and Hamilton's room
"I miss you," said Jake plaintively, looking at the camera, her eyes very wide. "I know I don't really jump for happiness when I see you, or act particularly heartbroken when you leave, and we usually end up arguing whenever you come to see me, but I miss you anyway."
She looked away for a second, self-consciously adjusting the straps on her dress. "I guess what I'm trying to say is, I know work is important to you, I know it makes you happy. And I�m glad it makes you happy and I don�t want that to change. But� just don't� don�t forget that you have a daughter here at Rawley."
Hamilton looked up from the mini fold-out screen of the camera, which was replaying their tape. "Intense," he remarked.
Jake chewed on her lip meditatively as she looked over his shoulder. "You don't think I've gone overboard, do you?� she asked doubtfully. �I mean, it felt natural at the time, but now that I look at it, I was being pretty melodramatic." She smiled, "Maybe it's in the blood. Like mother like daughter."
"No, I think it's great," he replied earnestly. "You're only telling her what you feel. That should be what�s important."
She nodded, a little smile stealing over her face.
�ATTENTION STUDENTS, ATTENTION STUDENTS!�
They leapt to their feet as a thunderous voice blasted out from nowhere. �What the hell?� Jake exclaimed, looking around wildly.
"Dad?" Hamilton asked, mystified, as he lunged toward the window as though expecting to see Dean Fleming hovering outside the first floor dormitory.
"The school has now finished work on the new PA system,� Dean Fleming continued at a more normal volume. �I am speaking over an intercom from my office, which communicates to both the Boys' and Girls' Academies via individual speakers that are fitted to each of your dorm rooms and the common room areas."
Hamilton finally located a tiny speaker at the foot of a wall, which was emitting a lot of noise for its size. Glancing up at Jake, he rolled his eyes. �I should have known. Dad had a bunch of electricians over after summer session. I just thought they were doing some rewiring.�
Meanwhile, the Dean droned on. "The PA system is installed in cases of emergency, or when the whole school needs to be addressed, without the need of a full-school assembly�"
"Can we turn this thing off?" Jake groaned, sliding off the bed to crouch beside Hamilton.
"The speakers cannot be turned off individually," Dean Fleming carried on as if hearing her comment. "But we expect that the use of this intercom will not be frequent, and when it is used, we expect you to listen. That is all. Good day." And with that, the sound shut down with a dull click.
"Is your dad aware that the school has too much money than it knows how to handle?� Jake glanced at Hamilton with a smile. �I mean, individual speakers in each room? Come on."
He chuckled. "What can I say. Welcome to Rawley."
***
New Rawley
Will breathed in great lungfuls of the chilly air and wrapped his jacket around himself tightly. The November sun tossed its feeble rays over the quiet morning, catching the dewdrops on the grass like they were miniature crystal prisms. The town was deserted at this hour, as always, but he knew that Bella would be up already, waiting for him at the gas station, waiting for a precious few moments alone together. And the thought of her raised a dense cloud of guilt in his stomach, the same way it did when he thought about Scout and Sean.
He wasn't being fair to her, because he owed her a real relationship, something that wasn't confined to early mornings or rooms shut off from the rest of the world. But he also felt guilty thinking about his friends, everything that was hidden from them, all that was clandestine these days, the pressure of it seemingly cutting off his oxygen supply and making him struggle for breath more and more as the hours went by.
But today he was going to make it up to her. He was adamant about it.
She was already waiting for him as he approached the gas station. "Hey," she called, smiling as she ran out of the shop, the sunlight glancing off her hair.
"Hey," he replied, glancing around hastily before he kissed her, their lips meeting in a hurried moment, simultaneously sweet and wanting, perhaps, of something more than this. They parted quickly, looking a little awkward as they surreptitiously glanced around once more. It was nice being out in the open, but it was also too exposed, too worthy of paranoia. There was a lot that hung on the balance if their relationship got out, and they couldn't risk it. Not yet.
"Look," he began, just as she started to say something. There was a pause as they grinned at each other. "You go ahead," she said.
"I was going to say," he bit his lower lip. "I know I haven't been around much lately�"
"It's not your fault," she interrupted.
He smiled. "But I'm devoting today to you. We can hang out, the whole day, just whatever."
She laughed. "That's precisely what I was gonna suggest."
They grinned at each other. "Should be fun," she said softly, trailing a hand up and down his arm.
"It will be," he promised, moving forward to kiss her again.
Scout chose that moment to turn around the corner. "Hey guys!" he called cheerfully, jogging up to them as Bella removed her hand from Will's arm in one jerky movement.
"Scout! What are you doing here?" Will asked, jumping back, feeling a wave of warmth flooding across his face.
"I've taken up jogging," Scout replied and mercifully, did not seem to notice that anything was out of the ordinary. "Gosh," he said, looking around, "is it always so quiet here in the mornings? What are you guys doing up so early?"
"Um," Bella said, faltering.
"We were gonna work on the truck," Will quickly filled in for her. Never mind that it wasn�t really a valid excuse for getting up this early; Scout seemed satisfied enough.
"Great!" Scout exclaimed happily. "I'll help too, I'm done jogging anyway. Then what do you say for some breakfast at the diner afterwards, huh?"
"Um," Bella said, darting a panicked glance at Will. He shrugged, a sinking feeling already settling in his stomach. Scout looked from one face to the other, expectant.
�Okay,� Will agreed woodenly, exchanging a miserable glance with Bella as Scout grinned, turned and walked toward the truck, already starting to talk to them over his shoulder.
***
Rawley Boys� Academy, common room
Ryder Forrest looked out the window from his seat in the common room. The morning sun caught his grey eyes at an oblique angle, turning them a misty shade of blue much like the sky overhead. He checked his watch before he sighed in annoyance. �Honestly, I don�t know why I even bother.�
Kevin Bryant, new-found follower - well, Ryder liked to think of him as minion, even though that probably wouldn�t go down too well - joined him, plonking himself down on the couch. �What�s up?� he asked. �You waiting for someone?�
�Only the bane of my very existence,� Ryder replied, rolling his eyes.
Kevin raised an eyebrow. �Fleming and Pratt?�
�Kevin, dear boy,� Ryder turned to him with a sickened expression. �Those lovely lil� fruits? I live to be the bane of their existence, not the other way round.�
Kevin shrugged.
�No,� Ryder continued, checking his watch again. �I�m waiting someone much, much worse.�
***
The diner
Will and Bella stared at each other helplessly over the table, listening to the idle chatter coming from Scout, who was seated firmly between them in the corner booth.
For the past hour they had worked on the truck to back up Will's flimsy on-the-spot excuse, and now they were sitting in the diner, having breakfast, and Scout was showing no sign of leaving them alone. "So, what are your plans for today?" he asked, sipping from a mug of hot chocolate.
Will shrugged. "Not sure."
"Actually," Bella fought the urge to kick him under the table. "I might be� um, studying. You know, one-on-one. Will needs to tutor me."
"Why?" Scout looked puzzled. "I thought you weren't going for the Rawley scholarship anymore."
Bella's eyes darted quickly to Will. "Actually," she answered, swallowing. "I think I might want to, um, try again, now."
Scout shrugged. "All right, it�s your call. I don�t understand it, though. You seem happy where you are, and I dunno why you�d want to change. I guess I better leave you guys to it after breakfast."
Will allowed himself a small grin in Bella�s direction, hidden by a strategically placed coffee mug. Her foot nudged his under the table, and he nudged back. They smiled at each other, trying not to let Scout see.
*Bic Runga's 'Bursting through' plays*
Bella traced Will's instep with the tip of her shoe. She felt him respond by raising his toes slightly, so that his worn sneaker was rubbing her ankle. She eased the ball of her foot upwards, touching his ankle gently.
And it's a feeling I get
I know you're listening now
Warm me today, warm me today
Filter in my lonely room
"Um," Bella tried to divert her attention from the little game of footsie under the table, which was difficult since she was having trouble forming words. "Scout, what�what are you doing today?"
Scout took a while before answering. "Um� just hanging around school, I guess."
Will nodded, looking a little guiltily at Bella. Meanwhile, she could feel his foot entwine hers in a funny angle, and she stretched forward to make her leg more comfortable. "That�" she mumbled, barely keeping the conversation going, "that�s nice�"
Warm me today, warm me today
Look outside the sun it's bursting through
Bursting through
Oh, it's filling up this room
"Well," Will said abruptly. "I'm full."
Bella recoiled in surprise, withdrawing her foot with a jerk. He looked meaningfully at her and said, "It's time for us to go study now, Bella."
"Yeah," she agreed, picking up her jacket as she slid out of the booth, careful not to let a smile slip over her face.
"Um, Bella," said Scout, hesitantly. "Before you go, can I talk to you for a minute?"
She raised an eyebrow. "Sure. Um, Will, why don't you wait at my house? I'll be right over."
He grinned and turned without further ado, closing the glass door behind him with a swish. She stared after him, fighting back another smile as she watched his languid walk toward the gas station, not really noticing as Scout took her by the arm and guided her out of the diner. He stood with his back to the station, unaware of Will beaming in Bella's direction as he disappeared into the house. "What were you doing?" he demanded.
Now my fingers are cold
But I have touched you
You're all I need to know
Don't fade from me now
I know you're listening somehow
Her eyes travelled over Scout�s shoulder, still half-watching Will. As his words registered she blinked, turning back to him. "What did you say?"
"I just don't get it, Bella," he said, obviously agitated. "You say you need more time, and that's fine, but why were we playing footsie in the diner? I can�t� I can�t handle this. You�re�"
She could her cheeks flood with heat as realisation dawned. "We were playing footsie in the diner," she echoed faintly, trying not to make it sound like a question.
He nodded, a blush crawling up his neck as he looked down, mindlessly rubbing his sneaker over the concrete sidewalk. "Bella, I�m confused. I don�t know what you want, so I dunno, throw me a bone or something? Let me know what�s going on in your head?"
She stared at him, mortified. He looked at her expectantly yet all she could do was to draw a blank. �Um,� she fidgeted nervously, avoiding his eyes. A Jake expression popped into her head and she blurted it out. �I�m sorry, Scout, I had a sketchy moment.�
�A sketchy moment?� he echoed, looking caught halfway between vexation and amusement.
She nodded, blushing furiously, �I�m sorry, I didn�t� um� mean to. Uh, I wasn�t thinking.�
�You�� he began, looking exasperated, before he stopped with a weary sigh. �Never mind.�
She looked at him, biting her lip. Shaking his head with a small, dejected smile, he shrugged and began walking away.
�Scout,� she called after him, and he turned, though he did not speak. Shrugging uncomfortably, she sighed. �I�m� I�m sorry. It won�t happen again.�
�Maybe after you make up your mind,� he said, managing a weak smile as he turned again and headed toward Rawley in the distance. She stared after him, a wave of misery welling up inside of her.
Part Three
The gas station
When Bella opened the door to the shop, she was surprised to see Will sitting glumly on the couch instead of in her room upstairs. �Grace,� he said simply, catching her questioning look.
She raised an eyebrow. �What?�
�She�s in your room. With some guy,� he replied, shrugging. �I can�t exactly throw her out, can I?�
She shook her head angrily, storming up the stairs. This was the one day that she got to spend with Will, and she wasn�t going to let Grace ruin it by taking up the only place that they could be private in. Sharing a room with a sister was inconvenient at the best of times, but sharing a room with Grace, the sister from hell�
�GRACE!� she yelled as she pushed open the door and saw the brunette making out on the bed with a guy from school. �What the hell is going on?�
�Excuse me,� Grace Banks parted lips with the guy long enough to say, rolling her eyes. �Is it too much to ask to get some privacy around this place?�
�What do you think you�re doing?� Bella demanded, bristling. �I need to use my room, get out.�
�Wait, let me think,� Grace said sarcastically, looking at her as if she were crazy. �Uh� no. It�s my room too, you know.�
Bella threw up her hands in exasperation. �Can�t you go somewhere else? I really need this room today.�
�I was here first,� Grace replied as she turned back to the guy and made a flicky hand motion at Bella over his shoulder, indicating for her to go away and not come back for a very long while. Bella stared at her for a moment longer, seething, before she turned and stomped back down the stairs.
Will was still sitting on the couch, looking up with a vaguely amused expression. �No luck?�
�I feel so caged in,� she complained. �Isn�t there anywhere else that�s private?�
He shrugged. �The best alternative I can offer is �draw the curtains�.�
�Better than nothing,� she agreed as she tugged on the curtain that separated the interior of the shop from view of the gas station outside. �Finally,� she sat down next to him with a relieved sigh.
He kissed her softly. �I�ve been waiting all day to do this.�
She smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck, only to jump away at the noise of the shop door being opened. �Dad!� She exclaimed as she hastily slid away from Will to a less intimate distance.
�Hey guys,� Charlie Banks entered, blinking against the sudden darkness and straining to see the figures on the couch. �Why is it so dark in here?�
�Hi Charlie,� Will replied. �We were� uh� gonna watch a movie on TV.�
Bella�s eyes widened, and she jabbed him furiously in the ribs. What with their incredible bad luck today, it seemed likely that Charlie would join them in watching the make-believe movie.
Luckily, Charlie didn�t seem to think that was an option. �Okay,� he grinned as he walked past them and into the kitchen. Bella and Will glanced at each other, uncertainty written all over their faces. From the direction of the kitchen cheerful whistling could be heard, before the sound of a power drill began to whir. �Dad?� Bella called, looking crestfallen. �What are you doing?�
�I�m fixing up some shoddy wiring here,� Charlie answered loudly. �Am I bothering you guys? Sorry, but this could take a while. Maybe you should go somewhere else to watch the movie.�
***
Rawley Boys� Academy
Jake hurried into the common room, not forgetting to throw a dirty look in Ryder�s direction as she passed him, lounging on a couch with some guy she didn�t know. She headed straight for Hamilton, who was playing a video game with Scout. �Hey, I�m gonna drop this off at the post office,� she said quietly, showing him the videotape.
He looked up. �Okay. Need me to come with?�
�Nah,� she shrugged. �I�m just going into town.�
�Post office closes early on Sundays, guys,� said Scout. �I think the deadline is two o�clock.�
Jake glanced at her watch and gave a start. �I better hurry,� she said, turning with a hasty wave. �See you later.� Running toward the door, she stumbled as she went past Ryder, when he stuck his foot out at the last minute, and the tape flew out of her hands. The guy sitting next to Ryder scrambled to his feet and picked it up, tossing it to Ryder with a smirk
�Ow!� Jake exclaimed, picking herself up from the floor. �Hey! Give it back!�
�Well, well, what have we here?� Ryder asked, examining the tape. �To Mom, from J.,� he read out loud, triggering a few snickers around the room.
Jake blushed beet-red as she tried to grab the tape from his hands. �That�s mine,� she said angrily.
�Give it back, Ryder,� Hamilton growled as he abandoned the game and rushed to Jake�s side.
Ryder merely sneered at them and turned to the other guy. �Kevin,� he said casually, �what d�you think our little Jakey put in this tape? To his mother, too! I�m a bit curious, I have to say.�
Kevin sniggered, catching on. �Why don�t we take a look?�
�NO!� Jake yelled, lunging at the tape in Ryder�s hand, and he twisted away with a laugh, holding it above his head. Hamilton tried to grab at it and Ryder ducked, getting up from the couch in the process, and he ran across the room to the VCR, pulling the tape out of its case as he went. �Oh, come on!� he leered, �just one little peek can�t hurt!� Crouching down next to the machine, he glanced over his shoulder with a smirk. �Or do we have something to hide?�
Hamilton and Jake shared a frantic look and darted across the room, as did Kevin and Scout. �Ryder!� Hamilton hollered, a sinking feeling in his stomach he recalled the image of Jake sitting in front of his video camera, clad in her beautiful pastel pink dress. �Don�t!�
Ryder jammed the tape into the VCR and pressed play.
A picture flickered on the screen, but before any of them could make it out, Jake dove for the remote control and turned it off. At the same time Hamilton tackled Ryder, knocking him out of the way. �Scout,� he yelled. �Get the tape!�
Scout jabbed at the �eject� button, knowing from the force of Hamilton�s exclamation that this was probably not a thing that Ryder should get his hands on. He grabbed the tape out of the machine, but before he could do anything else, Kevin plucked it out of his grasp. �Thanks,� smirked the taller boy, holding it behind his back.
Ryder shook Hamilton off and grinned. �Kevin, good boy.�
Jake abandoned the remote control and ran toward Kevin. �It�s mine!� she hollered, dangerously close to tears. Her life at Rawley depended on that tape, and if Ryder got away with it, she could wave goodbye to everything that she�d built up here. Kevin grinned at her, waving the tape teasingly, and she tried desperately to snatch it, only for him to whisk it away in the last second.
�Give that back,� Hamilton said forcefully, marching to Jake�s side, flanked by a somewhat confused-looking Scout.
�You gonna make me?� Kevin snarled.
Hamilton narrowed his eyes and was just about to reply when Finn interrupted, sticking his head in the door. �Excuse me, gentlemen,� he said curiously. �What seems to be the problem here?�
�He�s got my tape,� Jake muttered, feeling uncomfortably like a narc, despite the fact that she didn�t seem to have another choice in the matter.
Finn looked at Kevin, holding out his hand. �May I see the tape, Mr. Bryant?�
Kevin handed the tape over with a small roll of the eyes. Finn scrutinised the label before handing it to Jake. �This does seem to belong to you, Mr. Pratt,� he said, before turning his eyes on Kevin and Ryder, who were looking wholeheartedly unimpressed. �I think I don�t need to remind you guys,� he said, with a hint of warning in his voice, �that toying with other people�s property without their consent is not looked kindly upon by the school.�
�Yes, sir,� Ryder replied with an edge of sarcasm to his voice, though not enough to be reprimanded for. Finn shot another cautioning look in his direction before he left the common room, warily glancing over his shoulder.
Jake clutched the tape to her chest. �God, grow up,� she muttered as she walked past Ryder and Kevin, followed closely by her friends.
Kevin�s lips curled up as he saw Hamilton link fingers with Jake. �God, you queers make me sick,� he muttered under his breath.
Hamilton suddenly swivelled around, his eyes widening.
�What�s wrong?� Jake asked, puzzled.
Hamilton was silent for a moment, staring at Kevin. �Let�s just get outta here,� he said finally, turning and walking away. Jake and Scout shared a bemused look before they quickly followed him out of the common room.
***
New Rawley, Main Street
Bella and Will walked down the street, close enough so that their hands brushed up against each other now and again. She heaved a wistful sigh and he glanced at her sympathetically. �How about the docks?� he suggested.
�Too exposed,� she sighed again. �Your dorm?�
�Scout�s there,� he replied. �What about the drive-in? It should be deserted at this time of day, right?�
�Short film festival all weekend,� she groaned. �God, is it so hard to find a place where we can get some damn privacy?�
�Let�s go somewhere,� he suddenly grinned. �Get out of town. It�s not too late, why don�t we drive to Carson? We can stay there for dinner. Your truck�s fixed, right?�
�Yeah,� she brightened as she sidled up to him, a teasing smile playing about her lips. �What are you suggesting, a real date?�
He smiled, but before he could say anything, he saw Sean turning the corner, walking past the local newsstand. Quickly taking a step away from Bella, he raised a hand in greeting. �Hey man,� he called.
Sean looked up with a grin. �Hey guys. Whatcha doin�?�
�Um, we�re�� Will opened his mouth, looking at a loss as to what should come next. Mentioning Carson was definitely out of the question. �We were gonna study,� he finished. �Bella�s got a scholarship exam coming up, remember?�
�Great!� Sean exclaimed. �Hey, you guys don�t mind if I join you, right? I kinda need help in a couple of subjects.�
�Actually,� Bella said desperately, shooting a poisonous look in Will�s direction. �We kinda need to concentrate on my work. I�m sorry, but��
�Come on, guys,� Sean wheedled. �I know this scholarship thing is a huge deal, but I really need help in trig. I promise I won�t be annoying. It�s just� well, I can�t understand this stuff and�� He trailed off, looking dejected. �If my grades don�t improve, Coach Hudson said I won�t be able to play in any of the winter sports teams��
Will sighed, unable to cope with the guilt trip. �All right,� he said sullenly. �Come study with us.�
Bella looked like she was about to tear her hair out.
***
Rawley Boys� Academy
�That�s him,� Hamilton said flatly as soon as he, Jake and Scout came out of the doors, looking cautiously behind his back to check if anyone was in earshot.
�What? Who?� Scout asked, looking at a complete loss.
�The guy at camp,� Hamilton replied, the tone of his voice cold and flinty, leaving no room for doubt.
�Oh my god,� Jake whispered, stunned.
�Are you sure?� Scout asked uncertainly. �The guy who beat you up?�
�Believe me,� Hamilton said quietly. �I�m sure.�
Scout still didn�t look convinced. With a weary sigh, Hamilton added, �You know how he was muttering something when we left? How we make him sick? He said the same thing when he was� you know. At camp.�
�We�ve got to tell somebody!� Jake exclaimed. �Your dad? Finn?�
He shrugged helplessly. �And then what? What could they do? I don�t have any proof that he�s the guy. All I can go on is the voice.�
�There has to be something we can do,� said Scout. �We can�t just let him get away with it. This is ridiculous.�
Jake bit her lip and ran a hand through her hair, but said nothing. Hamilton saw the tape in her hand and sighed again. �Come on,� he said. �Let�s go send the tape, and we can talk on the way��
�It�s too late,� Scout interrupted, checking his watch. �The post office is closed.�
Hamilton shrugged. �Let�s go to Carson, then. I don�t wanna hang around here anyway.�
Scout looked from Hamilton to Jake, then back to Hamilton again. �You two go,� he finally said. �Looks like you might need some time alone.�
***
The diner
Bella looked down at her textbooks without comprehending their meanings at all. She sneaked a glance at Will, who was in the process of explaining sine waves to Sean, before she raised her eyes to the wall clock. It read 2:15pm. She sighed inaudibly.
�No, Will,� Sean groaned, banging his forehead softly against the counter. �It doesn�t make sense no matter how you explain it.�
�I don�t know how else to do this, man!� Will threw up his hands in frustration. �We�ve been over it three times!�
�Geez, man, calm down,� grumbled Sean, looking up resentfully.
Will exhaled. �Okay,� he said, sounding as though he was straining to keep his cool. �Why don�t we do this again��
�I don�t know if it�s you or me, Will,� Sean said. �Maybe it�s entirely me being stupid, like it usually is; but I get the feeling that you�re not making much sense yourself today. What�s going on?�
�Nothing!� Will exclaimed immediately, gaze darting to Bella for a millisecond before he lowered his eyes guiltily.
Sean caught the look, however, and peered at Bella questioningly before his expression cleared. �God,� he said, his tone suddenly apologetic. �Look, Bella, I�m so sorry. I know this scholarship thing is important, and I tell you I�m not gonna be annoying, then I come in and start hogging Will��
�It�s okay, Sean, really,� she said, her lips quivering upwards as though she was trying for a smile and failing miserably.
�I really appreciate this, you guys,� he said gratefully, looking from one crestfallen face to another.
�No problem,� Bella and Will replied in unison, exchanging exasperation-filled glances that only they could decipher and understand.
***
Rawley Boys� Academy
Beside the stone steps that led up to the dormitory, Scout waved to Jake and Hamilton as they headed off into a cluster of trees by the lake, where Jake kept her bike. When his friends ducked out of sight, he looked around, blinking against the early afternoon light.
Life had become so monotonous for him lately. School was boring, work was boring, everything was an endless series of bland events that came one after the other, with no foreseeable end or interruption. Even his friends always seemed to be preoccupied these days. Jake and Hamilton with each other, of course; whereas Will constantly disappeared, probably tutoring Bella for her scholarship exams. Crew had finished for the year, and although he was on good terms with the other Rawley guys, he didn�t feel comfortable enough with them to be hanging out all the time.
Actually, he didn�t feel like much of anything lately. It seemed to him that the only clear, defined thing in his life at this time was Bella, and how much of a decision she wasn�t making.
He sighed. He didn�t know what he was going to do if she decided to choose Sean over him. Personally he did not think that likely, as he was confident that what they shared in the summer was far greater and more electric than what she and Sean could ever have. But what if she did, in some moment of insanity? What if she didn�t feel the same way? Then where would he be? What would he do? What could he do? It was hard enough seeing her everyday, knowing that he wasn�t her brother and yet unable to do anything about it. What if she ended up choosing Sean after all this time?
�Damn it,� he swore under his breath. Would she choose already? Put him out of this misery. Out of the corner of his eye he could see the vague form of Jake and Hamilton astride the bike, pulling out onto the road and heading off in the direction of Carson. As they moved out of sight, a blur of black came streaking in.
Scout craned his neck, furrowing his brows as he watched the black blur turn the curve on the road, tires squealing as it entered the academy driveway. It was a beat-up BMW convertible, with its hood up, practically covered in dust. So much so, in fact, that the car looked more a shade of blotchy brown than its original black paintwork. Music blared from the stereo, the thumping bass notes of Garbage�s �Only Happy When It Rains� reaching him before the car did. As he watched, it swerved round the last bend of the driveway and pulled to a screeching stop in front of the dormitory.
I'm only happy when it rains
I'm only happy when it's complicated
And though I know you can't appreciate it
I'm only happy when it rains
You know I love it when the news is bad
Why it feels so good to feel so sad
I'm only happy when it rains
Scout stared as the driver opened the door, leaving the engine running as she got out and looked around.
The first thing that he noticed was the girl's hair. It was white blonde, grazing her shoulders in soft razored wisps, reminding him of ice and snow and all cold, mutable things. The girl took her sunglasses off, and he noted with surprise that she had bright purple eyes.
I'm only happy when it rains
I feel good when things are going wrong
I only listen to the sad sad songs
I'm only happy when it rains
"Excuse me," she said as she walked toward him. "Is this Rawley Academy?"
"Um," he replied, looking curiously at her. "Yeah, this is Rawley. But I think you�ve got the wrong one. The girls' school is on the other side of the lake."
"No,� she shook her head and grinned. "I'm at the right one."
I only smile in the dark
My only comfort is the night gone black
I didn't accidentally tell you that
I'm only happy when it rains
You'll get the message by the time I'm through
when I complain about me and you
I'm only happy when�
The music stopped suddenly, and the girl whirled around just in time to see Ryder pull the key out of the ignition through the open car window. "You know I can't stand that band," he said, scowling.
The girl smiled, her purple eyes glinting in the sun. "I know."
Ryder just glared, while the girl grinned widely and looked back, unaffected.
Then, Ryder broke into a smile. A real, honest-to-goodness smile. Scout, who was still looking on with bemusement, nearly fell over with the shock.
"Miss me?" she asked Ryder, still grinning.
"Always," Ryder said as he stepped forward and pulled her into a tight embrace.
When the two parted, Ryder glanced at the gaping Scout and smirked. "What?" he asked casually. "Never seen a guy hug his sister before?"
"Sis� sister?" Scout sputtered.
***
The diner
Bella and Will stepped out of Friendly's, glancing around warily as though they expected hurdles to come flying in at them left, right and centre. "Coast is clear," she said quietly, only half joking.
"Finally," he said, breathing a sigh of relief. "I thought Sean would never leave."
"So," she raised an eyebrow at him. "What now?"
He grinned. "Come on, let's go to Carson."
Part Four
The truck sped along the road, barely passing the town's outer limits before Will said to Bella, "Pull over."
"What?" she glanced at him, confused.
"Pull over," he said again, his tone serious.
She frowned, but obeyed nevertheless as she pulled up on the side of the road. "What�" she began to say as she turned around, only to be effectively shut up when he grabbed her by the shoulders and kissed her.
His fingers became entangled in her hair, barely distinguishing the difference between the fine flannel of her shirt and the soft satiny feel of the blonde strands. His lips moved over hers, slowly, sweetly, and it finally felt like the boundless wait of the day was over.
***
Rawley Boys' Academy, dorms
Kate Fleming ran down the halls, her face flushed. Spotting Scout in the common room, she skidded to a stop. "Scout!" she exclaimed, looking as though she was trying not to pant. "Have you seen Hamilton?"
He looked up from the TV screen. "Oh, hi Mrs. Fleming. Hamilton's gone to Carson with Jake."
She groaned. "When will he be back, do you know?"
"They left a half hour ago," he glanced at his watch. "But I think they might be staying for dinner or something."
With a disgruntled sigh she walked in, flopping onto the couch and pressing her hand to her forehead. "That�s just� great."
"What's wrong?" he asked, concerned.
"I have a new student waiting for a tour of the school," she answered. "And Munchie was supposed to show her around this morning. But she was held up, and now that she's here, he's gone." She moaned, "I'd give her a tour myself, but I've got all these errands to run, and�" Massaging her temples, she shook her head wearily.
"I'll show her around if you want," he volunteered.
She perked up. "Would you?"
�Sure,� he shrugged. "It�s not like I have anything else going on."
�Thanks, Scout,� she said gratefully, brushing her blonde curls out of her eyes. �It�s terribly nice of you to offer.�
"No problem, Mrs. Fleming," he grinned. "Where is she?"
"She's in the common room over at the girls' school," she said before standing up and promptly running off again, heels clicking against the polished wooden floor. "Oh my god! I'm late! I'll see you later!"
"Wait!" he called after her. "What do I do?"
"Just� show her around!" her voice was growing fainter and fainter by the second. "Show her where you hang out� play it by ear�"
"Hold on, Mrs. Fleming, what's her name?" he dashed to the door and called, but she was already gone.
***
Highway to Carson
Will pulled back from the kiss after what seemed like an eternity. "Now we can go," he said, grinning.
Bella raised a hand to her warm cheek, trying to return her breathing pattern to normal. "Okay," she said slowly. "What was that all about?"
He shrugged, looking a little embarrassed. "I haven't been able to do that all day."
She smiled, pecking him softly on the cheek. She let her lips linger on his skin for a moment, and was pleased to see a blush crawling over the tip of his ears. �You�re so cute,� she giggled.
He kissed her again. "Come on, let's go. We'll never get there at this rate."
She chuckled and turned the ignition back on, pulling out onto the road, toward Carson� and freedom.
***
Carson, post office
Jake sealed the parcel that held her videotape, stuck a customs declaration sticker on it and handed it to the lady at the desk, looking once more at the address on the front.
"London," she murmured. It was one of her mother's more favoured places to perform, so Monica should be pretty happy with the consecutive plays she was doing there. And who knew? It was indeed, in Monica�s own words, a surprising bout of stability. Perhaps they could even work some bonding time in, somewhere�
After she�d paid, she walked out onto the tree-lined street, where Hamilton stood looking up at the sky with a contemplative expression on his face.
"Hey," she said softly.
He lowered his eyes and glanced in her direction. "You posted the tape?"
She nodded, and he managed a small smile. "Still thinking about that Kevin guy?" she asked softly.
He simply looked at her. "Come on," she sighed. "Let's go sit down. Do you wanna talk?"
He shrugged and followed her to the side of the road, where they flopped onto the grass and stared up at the sky. For a while neither spoke.
When she finally did, her tone was light and soothing. "So� what do you want to do? About Kevin, I mean."
He shrugged. "I�" he began, then paused to deliberate over his words. "I don't know what I can do."
She nodded sympathetically, reaching over to take his hand.
"But I need to do something, you know?" he continued, gritting his teeth. "I can't just sit there and let him get away with this. It's just� God, how am I ever going to prove anything? It's gonna be my word against his."
She propped herself up on her elbows. "Can't you just talk to your dad? Just say that you're suspicious of him, and they can� I dunno, investigate or something."
He shook his head vehemently. "Jake, I can't ask my dad to do this. He can't investigate another student on the grounds that his son suspects them. He's the Dean, as he constantly reminds me.� For a moment his voice took on a whole new layer of bitterness. "As if I could forget. He's so scared of being accused of unfairness that he's probably willing to be biased against me. I wouldn�t put it past him."
She looked at him and fell silent, chewing thoughtfully on her lower lip.
"Look," he sighed. "If I had any other evidence apart from the fact that I know he's the guy, I'd be telling in a second. But as it is, I have no proof. And it wouldn�t exactly help, telling people on my word alone."
"It's gonna be all right," she said, her tone consoling.
"How can it be?" he retorted, agitated. "If I don't do anything about this, the guy's just gonna run free." Sitting up, he pressed a hand over his face, looking as though he were about to cry.
Without saying anything else she reached over and hugged him, her lower lip trembling. He clung to her, burying his face in her shoulder. She stroked his hair softly, ignoring the curious glances of passers-by. She knew that it must have been a strange sight, two guys hugging with a tender sort of intimacy out on the public grounds of Carson, but she couldn't care less. They were supposed to be gay, anyway.
"Thank you," he whispered as he pulled back after a while. "I needed that."
She nodded and looked at him carefully. "You gonna be all right?"
He shrugged. �I guess.�
"All right enough for this?" she reached inside her backpack and sneakily showed him a pair of kitten heels nestled inside. Upon catching his questioning glance she chuckled self-consciously. "Hey, we were going out of town. Girl opportunities don�t come often, you know."
He smiled, the furrow in his brow lifting, if only a little. "Might as well go for an early dinner."
"I saw this cute little Italian restaurant on our way over," she said enthusiastically. "It's in one of the side streets. Come on."
She pulled him up to his feet and led him away, their fingers interlinked. And as soon as they disappeared down Main Street, Bella�s truck drove in and pulled up to the curb. She and Will jumped out, looking around excitedly. "Ah! Freedom!" Will cried, exuberant. "Carson, I love you!"
Bella giggled in spite of herself. "Stop, you're embarrassing."
"Why?" he turned toward her, beaming. "Come on! Bella, aren't you excited? We're here, all alone, and no one knows."
She brushed her hair out of her face and grinned. "Yeah, okay, it is kinda great."
"We can do whatever we want," he smiled. "We can be a real couple. I can even do this," he grabbed her and kissed her passionately, right there on the street, attracting a few stares from disapproving townsfolk.
She pulled away, laughing. "What? PDA?"
"Exactly!" he grinned. "I'm PDA-ing for PDA's sake."
"Come on," she giggled, linking her arms through his. "Let's go on our first date."
***
Rawley Girls' Academy, dorms
Scout wandered down the halls of the dormitory, peeking around the common room door. As he had suspected, the girl with the violet eyes, a.k.a. Ryder's sister, was sprawled on the couch, looking around with disinterest. "Hey," he said as he stepped into the room. "You must be waiting for the tour."
The girl looked up. "And I suppose you're the tour guide?" Extending a hand, she smiled. "Faye Archer."
He shook her hand. "Scout Calhoun."
"Calhoun, huh?" Faye grinned. "I like a guy whose name I recognise."
He smiled self-consciously, shifting under her curious violet stare. "Hey, speaking of names," he said. "You're Ryder's sister, right? Why isn't your name�"
"Forrest?" she finished for him with a small sigh.
"I guess you get that a lot," he said.
"I�m used to it," she shrugged. "My name used to be Read Forrest, but if you ever call me that I'll kill you."
"Um� okay," he said uncertainly, taken aback. "Can I ask why?"
She shrugged again, getting to her feet. "My parents got divorced when I was younger, and if that bastard who calls himself my father thought that I would keep his name for one minute longer than I had to, he certainly doesn't think so now."
He raised an eyebrow at the comment, but chose to let it pass. Growing up in rich kid circles, he only knew too well that sometimes parent-child relationships took on warped forms when money and status and pleasure got in the way of the simpler things.
"Archer's my mother's maiden name," she continued as she headed out the common room, with him trailing close behind. "After the divorce my father stayed with Ryder in England, while my mother got custody of me, and we got out of there. Clean break, so to speak. Ryder's the only person who I still let call me Read sometimes." She grinned. "Old times' sake, you know."
He tilted his head. "You guys were close as kids?"
She held up two fingers entwined around each other. "We were like that."
"Oh," he said dubiously. Somehow he found that hard to believe, that Ryder could be, or could have been, close to anyone.
"So," she glanced at him with a grin. "Are you the official welcoming party to Rawley?"
He laughed. "No, I'm doing this as a favour to Mrs. Fleming. Her son was supposed to be doing the tour thing, but he had some other stuff going on, so�" he shrugged. "I have no idea what I'm supposed to be doing, in case you�re wondering."
She chuckled. "I don't need a tour, anyway. Ryder can take me around when he's got some time. Do you want to just walk around for a while? Tell me a bit more about yourself, school, life in general."
"Sure," he nodded. "I can do that."
They followed the path that wound around the lake, slowly making their way toward the Boys' Academy. "So," he said curiously, "you haven�t got an English accent at all. It�s kinda weird, with you being Ryder�s sister."
"Not that weird," she said airily. "I hadn�t been back to England since I left. People used to say I had this outlandish accent, back when I was travelling a lot; but all that seems to have worn off, too."
"You've been around," he said, more of a statement than question.
She nodded. "Our family lived in London, and my mother hated it there. She's from Virginia, and could never stand the weather, or the East Londoners' accents, it drove her crazy. I think that's why she didn't push to get Ryder's custody as well, his accent was so broad that she had trouble understanding him." She chuckled, glancing at him. "So after the divorce she got the hell out of there. Ryder used to say that he'd never seen the woman move so fast in her entire life. Anyway, my mother and I moved around. We lived in France for a few years. Then she took me down south."
"You mean the Mediterranean?"
She laughed. "No, I mean, really down south. Australia. We lived in Sydney for a while before coming back up again. We settled down in Atlanta for about a year before she got bored of me."
"What?" he asked, startled.
"She's almost never home these days," she shrugged. "And when she is, you can bet some young, oily himbo is with her. It�s kinda disgusting. Ryder's been trying to get me to come to Rawley for a while, and since it wasn't really fun living at home anymore, I thought I'd give this a try."
"You drove all the way here from Atlanta?"
"Yeah," she grinned. "Pretty obvious when you look at the condition of my car. I took it to the garage in town straight away. I hope I didn't kill it."
He laughed. "So you�re a sophomore?"
She shook her head. "Junior. I'm only a year younger than Ryder."
"He's in our English class," he said.
She nodded. "Repeating 10th grade English, I know. It's sad how he let himself go like that. The wrong crowd and all that, I guess." There was a glint in her violet eyes, half amusement and half something darker. "Naturally," she said, "I blame father. Sometimes I wonder if he still remembers that he has a son at Rawley."
"No love lost between you and your dad, huh," he commented.
"Duh," she said flatly, pausing to look out to the lake.
He glanced at her. "That's not your real eye colour, right?" She turned with a quizzical look, and he smiled sheepishly. "Sorry, just had to find out."
"I don't mind people asking," she said. "Yeah, they�re coloured contacts, I'm so short-sighted I think I�m bordering on legally blind. The hair�s straight from a bottle as well," She flicked a strand of ice-blonde hair away from her face. "When you spend childhood being a mousey little girl with giant glasses whom no one notices, I guess sooner or later something just snaps and you do the whole self reinvention thing. I'm fake all over. The hair, the eyes�" she laughed suddenly. "No plastic surgery though, It'd be a very long time before I resort to surgeons stuffing silicone down my breasts."
He blushed, not sure how to respond to that comment. Thankfully she didn't seem to expect an answer as she strode on ahead. He hurried to follow her.
Part Five
Caf� Valentino, Carson
"You look great," Hamilton commented as he and Jake got shown to a table near the back of the restaurant, and she took off her coat to reveal a pretty bell-sleeved shirt and matching long skirt.
"Thanks," she smiled, looking down at her girly outfit as she put her backpack on the floor, sliding it beneath the table before she sat down.
He took her hand. "It feels so amazing, being here with you like this."
She grinned and did not answer. Instead she leaned in, kissing him briefly, not noticing that Bella and Will strolled past outside, hand in hand.
"Caf� Valentino," Will read the sign over the restaurant, turning to look at Bella. "Are you hungry? Wanna grab a bite?"
"Sure," she smiled at him. Planting a small kiss on her temple, he wrapped an arm around her waist and pushed open the door.
***
Rawley Academy
"And this concludes our official tour of Rawley Academy," Scout announced, turning to look at Faye as they traipsed the lawn in front of the girls� dormitory.
"It�s early," she said, checking her watch. "Wanna hang out?"
"Where�s your brother?" he asked. "Don�t you want to catch up or something?"
"He�s hanging with his minions," she said, with a perfectly straight face. "Can�t ruin the macho thing he�s got going on. We�re catching up some other time."
He laughed. "Sounds like Ryder all right. What do you wanna do?"
"Let�s go shopping," she said promptly.
He looked a little apprehensive. "What are you planning to buy?"
"Clothes," she replied as she started to walk toward the parking lot, looking over her shoulder at his terror-struck face. "I�ve brought like, one change of clothing with me. You coming?"
"You do realise this is a task reserved for whipped boyfriends?" he teased, but as soon as the words left his mouth he blushed. It could have so easily been taken as though he was coming on to her�
Luckily, she just rolled her eyes skyward. "You wish, Calhoun. Now come on. Where�s the nearest town with decent shopping?"
"Carson's about forty miles from here," he suggested. "But isn�t your car in the garage?"
She grinned but said nothing as she strode purposefully up to a shiny red Corvette. "Ryder's car?" he asked as he trotted up. "He's letting you borrow it?"
"I wouldn�t say he let me, per se," she said airily as she pulled a set of keys out of her coat pocket and turned off the car alarm. "Just hop in."
He grinned and obliged.
***
Caf� Valentino, Carson
"Hi," Will said to the maitre D' at the front desk. "Table for two, please."
"Of course," the man said genially as he took a couple of menus and led the way into the restaurant. "Please come this way."
"This is great," Bella smiled up at Will as they followed the Maitre D�. "I can't believe we're actually on a date."
"No one knows us here," he grinned, looking unusually liberated. "It�s so cool to finally be able to do stuff with you in the open. Even this," he said as he kissed her again, knowing that their public displays of affection were getting rather tacky, but he couldn't help it. The possibility of being a �real� couple for a few hours was making him giddy.
"Stop it," she giggled as she kissed him back briefly before pushing him away. "Behave."
Laughing, they turned back to the Maitre D� and saw Jake and Hamilton sitting a couple of feet away, staring at them, gape-mouthed.
"Oops," Will murmured sheepishly.
***
Rawley Boys� Academy, common room
"Those queers," Kevin was still fuming as he sat in the common room, peering at the television screen but obviously not taking anything in. "God, I�d love to teach them a lesson."
Ryder only glanced at him with a half-hearted shrug.
"I�m bored," Kevin whined. �Let�s do something, Ryder. Let�s make up a plan to get the fags."
"You're bored because you're boring," Ryder said unceremoniously, getting up and heading out of the common room, searching his pockets for a cigarette.
"You said we were going to, you know, really play with Fleming and Pratt," Kevin said sulkily as he followed Ryder up the stairs. "I'm getting sick of them pansying around here like they owned the place. Let's do something. How 'bout if we try to get Pratt expelled? It'd be so funny."
Ryder rolled his eyes as they came around the landing. "And how do you plan to get him expelled, exactly?"
Kevin looked blank for a minute before he shrugged. "I dunno, it'd just be funny."
Ryder looked askance at him, not bothering to answer. Instead he said, "Something seems to be up with them. They're acting weirder than usual."
"Yeah? Like how?" asked Kevin.
"Do you think I'd still be hanging here with you if I knew that something interesting was going on with our queer little friends?" Ryder retorted, rolling his eyes again. "Come on, let's go hit the town." Reaching into his coat pocket, he paused in the hallway, furrowing his brows.
"What's up?" Kevin asked, catching the confused expression on the other boy�s face.
"Where are my keys?" Ryder wondered aloud as he pushed open the door to his room. Instantly he groaned, raising a hand to his forehead. "Oh, bloody hell."
Kevin peeked from around the other boy and saw that something was written on Ryder's mirror. Drawn, actually. "Is that� lipstick?" he asked uncertainly, squinting.
Ryder strode up to his dresser and looked at the waxy red lines that defaced the glass. There was a crudely-drawn picture that resembled a key, and a little heart with a smiley face. "Damn it!" he swore angrily, swirling around.
"What does that mean?" Kevin asked, scratching his head.
"Faye �borrowed� my keys," Ryder translated, agitated. "My god, she's gonna kill my car! I've got to get it back. Come on, we have to take your car."
"Wait!" Kevin called as the other boy ran out the door. "How do you know where she went?"
"Where�s the nearest town with decent shopping?" Ryder was already halfway down the stairs.
Kevin scurried after him. "Uh� maybe Carson?"
"Then that's where we're going," Ryder replied flatly. "Bane� of� my� bleeding existence," he muttered under his breath as they dashed out into the parking lot.
***
She said she loved someone, but it didn't begin
So each morning - I'm calling
From the rush hour with love
From the rush hour with love
Stop sleeping, stop sleeping
The Corvette took a tight turn on the road, nearly skidding onto the shoulder. The stereo was pumping again, this time Republica�s �From Rush Hour With Love�. Faye was at the wheel while Scout sat next to her, clinging to the seat with both hands, looking rather green. The wind whipped them in the face and she glanced at him, letting out a peal of laughter when she took in his expression of abject terror.
"Do you always drive like this?" he asked, swallowing nervously.
"Why? Does it scare you?" she shouted over the sound of the music and the howling wind, spinning the steering wheel for another turn on the road.
"Are you insane?" he yelled back, fighting the urge to clench his eyes shut.
"Maybe," she said, glancing at him with another smile.
So each morning - I'm calling
From the rush hour with love, get up wake up
From the rush hour with love, gonna get gonna get gone
From the rush hour with love, get up, stop
Stop sleeping
Stop sleeping
The car passed the 'Carson 35 Miles' roadside sign in a flurry of red.
***
Caf� Valentino, Carson
"Okay," Hamilton began delicately, staring at Will and Bella. "I have a feeling that wasn�t something we were supposed to see."
Jake nodded numbly, looking as though she couldn�t tear her eyes away from the couple, whose arms were still entwined around each other's waist. Bella and Will noticed, and they stepped away from each other. "Uh, guys�" Bella began, trailing to a stop.
"You�" Jake asked the other girl, her tone tentative, "� and Will?"
"You guys are�" Hamilton continued, still gaping.
"� together?" Jake finished for him.
Bella and Will's silence was affirmation enough as they sneaked a guilty glance at each other. Jake shook her head, looking as though she was trying her hardest to absorb the information. "How� how long have you�"
"A couple of weeks," said Bella, sheepishly.
"Does Scout know?" Hamilton interrupted, wide-eyed.
Will and Bella�s faces simultaneously clouded over. "No," Will said emphatically. "He doesn�t. And neither does Sean."
"Guys, this is huge," Hamilton murmured. "I can't believe it. I don�t know what to say."
"You won�t tell them, right?" Bella asked anxiously, "God, this is just such a mess�"
Hamilton looked ready to speak, but Jake beat him to it. "Of course not," she said quickly. Catching Hamilton�s slightly dubious expression, she gave him a pointed look. "We won�t say anything," she said again. "It�s not like we can talk."
Despite the situation, Bella had to chuckle at that comment. Relieved, she looked up at Will and he glanced back, the two sharing a smile.
They didn't realise, but Jake and Hamilton caught their expressions, the tenderness in them, and they exchanged a look, the same thoughts running through their heads. It was like seeing their own relationship in rear view. The same secrecy, the same affection, the same delicate indescribable taste of clandestine love�
"Excuse me?" the poor Maitre D' was still standing there, looking completely lost. "Are you ready to take a seat?"
"They're sitting with us," Jake piped up, and Hamilton nodded in agreement. "Could you bring us a couple of chairs?"
The Maitre D' obliged, and Bella sat down with Will next to her, looking apprehensively at the other couple. There was an awkward silence.
Jake tilted her head and looked at Hamilton, recalling the days of summer, and how everything came to be how they were. She could see herself reflected in the eyes of the forbidden lovers sitting across from her, and she knew that Hamilton could see himself in them, too.
Will reached for Bella's hand under the table, squeezing it gently, speculating on what was to come. True, he hadn�t expected Jake and Hamilton to be judgmental or outspoken about their discovery, but who knew? They were the first ones to find out about this relationship, and maybe, just maybe, he and Bella were the ones in the wrong, and everyone else in this whole wide world could condemn what he did to two of his best friends. He broke some sacred rule of friendship, he knew it; the only thing he didn�t know was how to set it right.
After a lengthy pause Jake finally spoke.
"You guys make such a cute couple," she said, grinning.
And that comment somehow broke the tension, the ice, the unseen barriers. They laughed, looking at each other with newfound relief. The girl who relished the chance to be a girl and the boy who relished the chance to appear straight for once; the best of friends and newest of lovers, savouring the sensation of being out in the open like this, such a strange feeling.
Life was suddenly sweet.
***
Main Street, Carson
The Corvette pulled to an abrupt stop beside the curb and Scout lurched from it, looking a lot worse for wear. Faye emerged from the driver's side, laughing as he gave her a feeble look and said, "I need to sit down."
"Come on," she said nonchalantly. "Don't tell me Master Calhoun can't handle my driving?"
"I'd be surprised if we could find anyone in this whole world who can handle it," he managed a weak smile as he stumbled to a roadside bench and collapsed into it. "Where�d you learn to drive? The driving school in hell?"
"You get five minutes to recover," she followed him, grinning. "But after that, I don't wanna waste any more time. Let�s hit the shops."
"I can�t wait," he deadpanned as he leaned back on the bench, wiping cold sweat off his forehead.
Part Six
Ryder and Kevin sat in Kevin's beat-up car, advancing toward Carson as dusk gradually fell. Ryder pressed his cell phone to his ear, but clicked it shut impatiently when he heard the familiar pre-recorded message. "She's turned her phone off," he muttered angrily. "I swear, if she does anything to my car�"
Kevin didn't take his eyes off the road. "You talking to me, man?"
"No," Ryder replied sullenly, sticking a cigarette in his mouth. Breathing in the heady smoke, he was thankful for the familiarity that it brought, the temporary calm like a security blanket. He exhaled out the window, trying not to think about his gorgeous Corvette which, for all he knew, could well be wrapped around a lamppost by now.
"Your sister, what's she like?" Kevin asked with a slight smirk. "I like chicks who draw on mirrors with lipstick."
Ryder rolled his eyes skyward at the idiocy of that comment. "First of all," he said vehemently, "let me make it clear that I don't want you anywhere near my sister, understand?"
"Whatever, dude," Kevin smiled. "Geez, don�t turn all family guy on me. It�s not you."
Ryder simply rolled his eyes again, shaking his head and taking another drag.
"Seriously, what�s she like?" asked Kevin. "You haven�t seen her much in the past few years, right?"
Ryder rested his arm over the open window and furrowed his brows, letting the cold wind tousle his hair. His eyes were a pale blue in the fading light.
"She's a total klepto," he said, finally, a small smile playing about his lips.
***
Dress shop, Carson
"I'm a total klepto," Faye announced from inside the changing room, rather loudly, to the alarm of the salesladies in the store. She peeked from behind the curtain. "Can you pass me that dress? The short black one."
He obliged, but found the klepto issue alarming. "What?"
"I have an obsession about 'borrowing'." Her reply came accompanied with the sound of rustles and thumps as she attempted to pull the dress on.
He smiled, somewhat bemused. "Should I be worried?"
"I think it's another one of my attention-seeking devices, I haven't quite worked that one out yet," the curtain shifted, and she stepped out of the changing room, twirling around. "What do you think?"
"It�s nice," he said, nodding appreciatively.
She grinned. "I love it. Let's just hope I have enough money, I have a sneaking suspicion that I've maxed out all my credit cards." She ducked back into the changing room again. "So, what about you?" came her voice from behind the curtain, "I've been spending the past two hours telling you everything about my life, tell me something about yours."
He shrugged. "My life's pretty boring."
"Oh, come on," came her reply. "Nothing at all? Nothing even remotely scandalous? Criminal? Dumb?" She peeked out again and wriggled her eyebrows, "Do you see your dad much? Has he got any political dirt on anyone? Could come in handy."
"What can I say?" he laughed. "My life's just not very interesting these days. Unlike this summer."
"What happened in summer?" she asked as she walked out of the changing room, back in her own clothes, cradling the dress in her arms and looking as though her interest was piqued.
He paused. "It�s� complicated."
She raised an eyebrow as she took the dress to the counter and asked if she could split the price with five different credit cards. The saleslady looked pained as she began the laborious task of card swiping, and Faye turned back to Scout, scrutinising him curiously. "What isn�t complicated, these days?" she said. "Do tell."
He was about to reply when the saleslady looked up. "Sorry," she said, not sounding remotely apologetic. "Even if you split it five ways you're still about two hundred dollars short."
"Damn," Faye said, crestfallen. "If only Ryder was here."
"You�d borrow money from him?" he asked with a smile.
"Exactly," she grinned as she shrugged at the saleslady and breezed out of the shop, leaving the dress on the counter and Scout trailing close behind. "It�s okay," she said. "I�ll come back later for it. You wanna get some food? I�m starving."
***
Carson, Main Street
As Kevin�s car zoomed into the centre of town, Ryder caught the sight of Faye's coattails swishing around a corner and a glimpse of the familiar ice blonde hair. "Quick, down that alley," he instructed. "There she is."
Kevin manoeuvred the car onto the narrow street and pulled to a stop. The sun was beginning to set, and under the fading red-gold light they could see Faye and Scout standing on the sidewalk, contemplating the sign over Caf� Valentino.
"Italian?" Faye considered, turning to Scout.
"Sounds good," he agreed, holding the door open. She cast him a semi-amused smile before she stepped across the threshold.
"Faye!" Ryder called as he leapt out of the car and ran toward them. "Where the hell's my car?"
Kevin, who was about to follow, suddenly caught in his peripheral vision a motorbike parked by the curb. A motorbike that looked suspiciously like Jake's.
Or rather, it was Jake's.
He smirked. It was common knowledge in school that Jake Pratt had a motorbike, and he�d always wanted to do something to it to teach the queer a lesson, though he had no idea where it was hidden at Rawley, despite many an hour spent trying to locate it. But this was too easy.
"If Ryder never does anything," he muttered under his breath as he strayed off course. "I guess I'll just have to make my own fun."
***
Jake reached for her glass of lemonade. "A toast," she proposed, smiling at her friends.
Will and Bella looked at each other, reaching for their glasses. Hamilton grinned at Jake, rolling his eyes. "Cheesy much?" he teased.
"Shut up," she shoved him playfully, and was silent for a moment while she contemplated. Then she looked up again, raising the glass so that the lights overhead shone through the crystal clear liquid with its countless miniature bubbles, sparkling like an incandescent dream. "To truth," she said, looking at each of them in turn. "To truth, and to these rare times when we can share it with the people in our lives."
Hamilton smiled at her, so did Bella and Will, as they meditated on what this meant to them, to their own worlds, for their truths to be shared. "To truth," they chorused, laughing.
*Will's voiceover begins*
'There's no easy way to hide, but there's always something to hide in all of us. The clandestine are not things that we can shy away from, but rather, things that we must all embrace, because it could be in all of us. Sometimes I wonder what life would be like if we stepped away from all these secrets. Would we be liberated, made free? Or maybe we'd just be torn and broken, unable to cope with the inevitable strain. I admit it, I'm a coward, and maybe I won't find out the answer to this for a very long time�'
They turned sharply as the door was pushed open. "Where the hell is my car?" a familiar-sounding voice shouted, and as the sight fell into view both Bella and Jake gasped. Right there on the doorstep was Scout, with Ryder Forrest hot on his heels. Scout�s eyes were trained on Ryder, and Ryder was lunging at the girl standing beside him. But just one shift of gaze, a fraction of an angle, and they could see�
*Will's voiceover continues*
'�Or maybe we'll find out right now.'
To be continued in YA2:06 � Hide And Seek.
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