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Author's Chapter Notes:
Thanks for sticking with me on this guys...I know I've been slacking on updates, but I'll try to get another up soon...I think I'm on a roll! Anyways, thanks again to all you that are faithful readers! I apreciate all the feedback you guys leave, too. *MUAH*
So Nick let me stay home that day, but the next day, it was right back to school! I let out a long yawn, as I entered Biology. I wasn’t completely surprised to see someone, other than Morgan, sitting on her stool. I should have figured that Morgan would ask to switch lab partners.

“Hey.” I greeted the girl, not really knowing who she was.

“..h…hi..B…Baylee…” She stuttered, looking up, at me, with a small smile. Just my luck, I tell ya!

“It’s…uh…Allison…right?” I asked. I must have been right because she got this ‘he knows my name’ look on her face. I quickly looked her over…the first thing ANYone would notice was her hair. HOLY COW! It’s long…like, really long…it’s all the way down past her butt…with bangs that hung in her eyes, just, a bit…and it’s a natural fiery red. It almost hurt to look at it…yet it was amazing at the same time. Hmm…that means she’s Irish, right? She has the fair skin, too…oh, and freckles…then there is that little dimple on her right cheek that I noticed, when she smiled.

“Uh huh.” Her head nodded, as a soft pink crept onto her cheeks. Great. My new 9th grade Biology lab partner has a crush on the star JV football and basketball player…looky there…that’s me…perfect. I shook the thoughts, from my head, and sat on my own stool. I caught a glimpse of Morgan, who was looking back at me.

“So…” I started, not really knowing what to say.

“…yeah…?” looking at me, with wide eyes, she smiled, again. Okay…you know, sometimes, it’s kind of cool to walk down the hallway, having girls checking you out and wishing they were your girlfriend. I quite enjoy the attention, usually. But then, there are times where it is just plain annoying. Guess what! This is one of those times! Sure, she was pretty and all…I had to give her that…but, it kind of helps to have a lab partner that can actually talk around you. This was going to get complicated, if she was gonna be stuttering and making googly eyes at me, all the time. Luckily, for me, class began.

After the bell rang, I stood up, to gather my things. I turned to head out, when Morgan brushed past me, causing my books to hit the floor. Sighing loudly, I crouched down, to pick them up.

“Here…you need help?” I looked up, getting caught in Allison’s bright green eyes. Look who’s the one staring now! Someone slap me!

“Uh…” Think Baylee…think! Form words…you can do it. “Yeah…um…sure.” Great…now I’m stuttering? What’s next? “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome…Baylee.” There was that shy smile again. We stood up, looking at each other for another moment, before heading out of the classroom. I quickly made it, to my locker.

“Hey man,” Sean greeted. Any progress with Morgan?”

“Heeeell no! That chick will not speak to me, for nothin!” I shook my head, switching books. I turned around, seeing Allison, and some of her friends, walking towards us. “Hey Allison.” I smiled, giving her the ‘what’s up’ nod.

“Hi, Baylee.” She grinned, biting her bottom lip.

“Oh…my…gosh!” One of the other girls squealed, as they kept walking. “Baylee Littrell just totally talked to you!” I had to bite my lip, to keep from laughing. Girls are so weird!

“Who’s that?” Sean asked, looking her over.

“Allison…she’s my new Biology lab partner.” I answered, shrugging my shoulders.


“Stop it, dork-off!” Sean and I were goofing off, in Algebra. We had a substitute teacher and she was just rambling on, not even paying attention to the class. I flung another rubber band, at him, snickering. I looked over and saw Allison staring at us…well, me. When I gave her a goofy grin, her cheeks went red and she quickly turned away, focusing her attention on her text book. You know that really goofy grin that my dad always did? Oh…well…I guess you probably do, huh? Anyways, it must be hereditary because I’ve got it too and that’s the one I use, with girls! Actually, that grin is what makes me more popular than the other jocks, in school…the girls love that grin!

“Make me!” I whispered, egging him on. He tried to slap my upside the head, but I ducked, and he missed.

“Mr. Littrell!” The sub interrupted my fit of laughter. I sat back up, looking at her with a raised eyebrow. “Can you, please, come to the board and solve this equation?” I glanced at Morgan, who was looking at me, expecting me to go and do it. After all, she IS the one who spent two hours explaining it to me. HUH! Morgan wants to play games…well two can play, ya know.

“Uh…” I started laughing, knowing I was going to make Morgan mad. I leaned forward, resting my elbows on my desk. I raised my eyebrows and grinned, answering, “Miss Sutherland…I’m a jock…do you really think I know any of this crap?” I leaned back, as the class erupted in laughter. Morgan glared at me, disapprovingly, as I leaned back with a cocky grin. I spent the rest, of class, sketching, on my notebook. I glanced up a few times, at Morgan, seeing that she was upset. I also glanced up at Allison, always finding her looking at me. I would smile, and then go back to what I was doing.

The rest of the day passed quickly. I kept catching Morgan and Allison staring at me. After school, I went straight home because we had to go meet with Kevin and his counselor, today, in order to work on preparations, for the upcoming trip. I tried to get my homework done, but it was hard, not having anyone to help me focus. Before I knew it, we were already walking into the clinic, for the appointment.

“Good afternoon,” the woman greeted me, Nick and Mason. We all greeted her back, as we entered the room, seeing Kevin already sitting in a plush chair. “Alright.” She sifted through some of her papers, before looking up at us. “We need to do some talking. I can’t send Kevin off, on this trip, without there being some kind of communication already established. Now, who wants to start?” No one answered. “How about you, Nick?”

“Um…okay…” Nick fiddled with his fingers, looking around the room. “Wh…what am I su…supposed to say?”

“You’re not supposed to say anything, in particular. Just talk, to Kevin…tell him how you are feeling.”

“Feeling about what…exactly?” I looked at Nick, who was obviously nervous, and then looked over to Kevin, who hung his head.

“Anything. His rehab, his progress, past issues that need to be resolved, the trip…anything that has been bothering you, about the situation with Kevin.” She clarified, but it didn’t look like it helped Nick.

“Uh…” Nicks eyebrows were furrowed, as he rubbed the back of his neck, before crossing his arms. I studied his face; he looked like a scared little child. I had seen some pictures, of their younger years, and Nick had that look, on his face. I know that Kevin was really hard on Nick…hell, he still is…

“I’m not going to snap at you, Nick,” Kevin’s voice was soft and broken, as he continued to stare at the floor. Nick’s head quickly turned towards Kevin. “That’s what you’re thinking.” Kevin looked up to meet Nick’s timid eyes. “But, I’m trying to change, Nick.”

“Go on, Nick…” the counselor’s voice was gentle, but firm.

“Okay…um…” Nick drew in a deep breath, slowly letting it back out. “Here goes…see…I’m really glad that you…you know…you’ve been here and…um…getting help, but, I’m really…worried…about this trip.”

“Go on…what about the trip?” The counselor pressed.

“I’m worried…that it might…not be the best thing for the boys. They’ve been through a lot of pain and heartache already…not that I think you would hurt them…or anything…I mean…I just…see what I meant was that emotionally it might do more damage than good. NO! That’s not right…um…see…there’s probably going to be arguing and stuff and they don’t need to hear that…we’re supposed to be good role models and…not that you aren’t a good father, I didn’t mean that! I mean…I’m not any better…not that you’re not good…what I mean is…shit!” Nick slouched down, further, into the chair. He let his head fall into his right hand, elbow resting on the arm of it.

“I know what you mean, Nick.” Kevin’s voice was gentle and…actually caring. Nicks head popped back up and he looked at Kevin, with confusion.

“You do?” His face looked shocked and confused. Obviously he wasn’t expecting that kind of response. Mason and I just sat quietly, listening, and waiting until the counselor decided it was our turn.

“I’m worried too,” Kevin nodded, fiddling with his hands, returning his gaze to the floor.

“You are?” Nick’s eyes widened.

“Yes, Nick. I know how I’ve been and I’m aware of the effect I have had, on everyone.” Kevin drew in a deep breath, “…and I know that it’s my fault you can’t talk to me.”

“No, Kev…you know I’ve always been…”

“Yeah, you’ve always been…because I was on to you all the time. You never had this much trouble when I first met you. I was always on your back, harping on you and I’m the one that made you so insecure. You’re a great person, Nick, and I’m sorry if I ever made you doubt that.”

“If you ever made me doubt…are you serious?!?” Nick’s eyebrows furrowed and his voice rose, with growing anger. “What about all the lectures on how I couldn’t care for Baylee right? What about how I needed to change all the time? Oh…and don’t get me started on, the subject of, Ashley!” Nick scowled, on that last comment. He sat back, looking away, and crossing his arms again.

There was that Ashley again! Something big must have happened with her. I’ll have to skim through dad’s journal, later, and see if I can figure out what it was. My mind drifted of for a little while, as Nick and Kevin argued some more. The counselor kind of kept it under control, but still let them go at it. Kevin’s voice didn’t elevate, like Nick’s did, but remained calmer and gentler. I guess Kevin really meant it, when he said he was trying to do better.