~Part Seven~


Hamilton slowly closed the worn suitcase, running his fingers down the sides and pushing the silver latches shut. Jake’s clothing had been neatly folded and packed away, after being pulled from the blackened closet. He glanced up, scanning the room for anything that could be salvaged from the gray dust.

Carefully stepping around the bed, Hamilton made his way to the desk, picking up Jacqueline’s laptop. It had been melted by the fire, with dripping plastic frozen to its curled surface. As he wiped at the black, flaking exterior a scattered pile of personal photographs inched into his view. He looked over at them, trying to piece together images through the smudges and burnt corners.

Hamilton crouched down, reaching for one sticking slightly out among the rest. He blew off the dust, sending a small cloud of silver into the air only to dissipate, leaving a thick aura behind. It was a picture his friend Henry had taken a week before the end of the summer session. Hamilton had his arms wrapped around Jake, pulling her to the ground laughing as she tightly clenched a football, refusing to give it up.

He stared at the photograph, trying to sort out his thoughts. As he drew in a deep breath, his eyes closed letting two small tears escape, falling down his pale cheeks. “Jake, I’m sorry,” he whispered in a hush.

. . .

Jacqueline sat up in bed writing in a small notebook. The sun had nearly set and patterns of a soft pink reflected through the window. She had just spent the last two hours under a microscope and was relieved to finally have a little time to herself.

Though the surgery had been a success, she could still feel the fluid pain pulsation through her legs. Her thoughts had been racing and she needed desperately to write them down, and since she had no computer available, she had settle for a small notebook and pen.

“Hey sweetie, how are you feeling?” her mother asked quietly, after letting herself in.

“Mom!” she said smiling, after setting the paper down. “I’m doing good. Did you get everything taken care of in New York?”

Monica walked over to the bed and set her purse on the small table, sitting down. “Um, everything’s taken care of.” she said smiling, pausing shortly. “So, what are you writing?” she asked, picking up the notebook.

“Oh, nothing...just thoughts.” Jacqueline said, eyeing the small object.

“Do you mind if I read it?” her mother asked, indicating towards the poem.

“Uh...no, no go ahead.” she replied biting her lower lip.


Orange mass creeping above thickened thistles
Before which passing through branch a wind whistles
Upon from what red streaks catch to soar
Over green hues seen from afore
Endless nothing beyond back


Her mother read the poem, her temperament fading, becoming more serious. She pierced her lips after finishing, looking up at Jacqueline with an uncharacteristic concern on her face. “Do you want to talk about this?” she asked, raising the notebook to Jacqueline’s view.

“Um...no.  No, I’m okay.” Jacqueline said, unconsciously shaking her head back and forth.

Her mother nodded, slightly looking away. “Jacqueline,” she said after a few moments of silence, “I’m...sorry...I haven’t been around for you. I guess after your father left, I just never realized how much you might need me.” She looked down, ashamed at her admitted guilt.

“Mom,” Jacqueline began quietly, “I think we both drew away from each other.” She leaned over, taking her mother’s hand, smiling passed the years of lost misunderstanding.

. . .

The sun was setting slowly down the side of the trees, throwing long shadows onto everything as Bella walked into Friendly’s. Will had been sitting on a stool at the counter, speaking with Scout, when she entered. As the door opened it pushed on the small bell hovering above, sending it into a swaying motion to announce her arrival.

“Hey Bella.” Scout said smiling as he looked over.

“Hi guys.” she replied casually, walking over to the booth in the corner, sitting down.

“Hey.” Will nodded over with a grin.

“Could you get me a burger and some fries Scout?” Bella asked scooting into the corner.

“Sure.” he replied back, heading to the kitchen to place her order.

Will stared at the counter for a moment before sliding off of his stool, making his way over to where she was sitting.

Bella eyed him as he sat down very slowly, grimacing when he finally reached the seat, letting out a small sigh. “What’s the matter with you?” she asked, laughing lightly because of his seemingly stiff movements.

“Finn somehow got it in his head that we’ve been slacking off ever since Hamilton and Jake have been gone. So he decided we needed some extra practice today.”

“And lots of it!” Scout added, walking back to the counter from the kitchen, holding his back as if to emphasize his pain.

“I thought Hamilton was back in school though.” Bella said confused.

“He is.” Will replied, leaning forward onto the table, “His dad’s just requesting that he not participate in any of the more strenuous activities for the next couple of weeks.”

“Oh.” Bella stated, shifting her gaze to her hands, “So how are Jake and Hamilton doing anyway?”

“Hmm?” he asked, slightly dazed, but quickly snapping back. “Uh, I’m not quite sure.” his eyebrows crinkled as he seemed deep in thought.

The bell above the door rang suddenly as Hamilton walked in, a somber expression on his face, hands buried deep inside his pockets. “Hey.” he replied as the other three greeted him in turn. Settling himself down next to Bella he stared at the saltshaker on the table, picking it up and rolling it over in his hands.

“I think I’ll go get our order.” Will said to Bella who knowingly glanced at Hamilton as Will walked over and sat at the counter.

“Hey.” Bella said, leaning over and nudging him a little with her shoulder. “Everything okay?” she asked him, waiting for his response.

Hamilton set his elbows on the table and brought his hands up, running them through his hair, then resting them on the back of his neck. “My dad asked me to pack up Jake’s stuff yesterday.” he replied softly, not wanting the others to hear.

“Is he kicking her out?” she asked, lowering her voice to his.

“Of course he is.” Hamilton replied, bringing his hands back down to the table. “Why wouldn’t he?! She broke the rules, and we all know how he feels about the rules.” he stated sarcastically, setting his forehead down on his hands.

Bella put her arm around his back, placing her hands on his shoulders, giving him a small hug. “I’m sure you’ll be able to figure something out Hamilton,” she whispered to him, placing her chin on the hand closest to her. “It’ll be okay.”

. . .

“...So he completely freaked out and started wiping off my lipstick.” Jacqueline chuckled, causing her mom to start laughing hysterically. “I’m pretty sure no one saw it though.” she smiled remembering the event.

“I can’t believe you were on that boat and I never even knew it,” her mom said, smiling. “Well, that’s what I get for not paying more attention, I guess.”

Monica Pratt had decided to stay with her daughter until she recovered enough to go back to school. For the passed three days, ever since she had returned for New York, they had spent the entire time talking about school and her mother’s productions, as well as the time that they had missed over the years.

“Well, it would seem Hamilton is quite taken with you to go through all of that trouble.” Monica stated, sincerely.

Jacqueline smiled, thinking of the things Hamilton really had gone through just to keep her there. “Yeah, well the feeling is definitely mutual.”

“Oh, my baby is falling in love!” her mother swooned, teasing her.

“Agh!  I don’t know why I’m even telling you this,” Jacqueline said, covering her face and shaking her head.

“Alright, I’ll stop teasing.” her mother replied, tapping Jacqueline’s arms down.

“Thank you,” she said, sarcastically.

“So, do you want to go on an ice cream run?” her mother asked mischievously after a few moments.

“Mom, I’m not supposed to leave the hospital.” Jacqueline said, eyeing her mother.

“Oooh, look at who’s suddenly into not breaking the rules,” her mother laughed. “Besides, it’s just in the cafeteria.” she said, standing up and grabbing her purse. “I hear they make a mean Starlight Mint!”

“Lead the way!”

. . .

Hamilton sat in the small kitchen of his house staring deeply into a small glass of orange juice. He watched as the pulp swirled then dipped and reemerged above the covered surface. When small shuffling noises sounded behind him he continued to glare at the cup, tipping it slightly towards him.

“Hey sweetie.” his mom said, after walking into the room. “To what do I owe this pleasure? You haven’t been home right after school since last year, well, and your grounding.” She walked over to a set of cupboards and opened them, pulling out a few extra art supplies obviously kept there for special use. After no response she turned to face him, seeing his dazed state.

Hamilton’s mother opened her mouth to speak, stopping when Hamilton raised his head. “Mom,” he asked, wiping at the perspiration that had formed around his fingers, “do you believe in fate?”

“Well...I guess that all depends. I believe that there are some things you don’t change because you’re too afraid,” she said walking over and resting her hands on his shoulders, “...and then there are those things you can’t change because it’s not up to you to change them.”

“So how do you tell the difference between the two?” he asked, setting his cup down on the flat surface of the table.

“Ah, that’s the hard part...Sometimes, though, your heart will quietly tell you...good or bad, you just have to listen.” She stood there for a moment, rubbing his tense shoulders. “Well, I have to get back to school.  So I’ll see you later,” she said, kissing the top of his head before grabbing her supplies and walking out of the room.

. . .

Jacqueline had just fallen asleep as a light tapping came at her door. “Come in,” she said, shaking herself awake. Hamilton popped his head in, quickly entering the room and closing the door quietly behind him. “You know, one of these days those nurses will stop pretending that they never see you sneaking in here.” she chuckled as he walked over to the bed, leaning over to give her a soft kiss.

“Yeah, but I’ve had plenty of practice, don’t you think?” he asked, stealing one more quick kiss, raising an eyebrow playfully as he sat.

“Well, all the practice in the world doesn’t make a bit of difference now that your dad knows.” Jacqueline replied, chuckling at his cocked grin, her laughter dying down at the dry expression that pierced his lips. She gazed at him for a moment before speaking again, “You know, you’ve been like this for the past week.”

He abruptly turned to her, clearing his throat, “Like what?”

“Like somebody just ran over your dog.” she said, rolling her eyes and staring back at him, waiting for an answer.

“I’ve just uh...I’ve had a lot of homework to catch up on, and it’s been a little crazy at my house with the fire, that’s all.” he replied, swallowing.

She looked at him with a smug, disbelieving expression. “Yeah, well how are the repairs coming with the school?” she asked, deciding to change the subject.

“Good, they should be done here in the next week or so. Although I must say, Finn sure doesn’t mind having the excuse to hold all of his classes outside.” he said, smiling again.

“Oh, I have to tell you, the doctor said that if everything follows as planned, I should be able to come back to school in about a week and a half!” Jake said excitedly at the possibility.

Hamilton forced his smile to remain, taking her hand, “That’s great.”

“Now I just have the deal with everyone knowing I’m a girl.” she said, looking down at her hand as his thumb brushed against the back.

“Actually, I don’t think anyone knows yet.” Hamilton replied matter-of-factly.

Jacqueline wrinkled her eyebrows, “How could they not?! I was in my pajamas when they pulled me from the building.”

“Well, according to Scout, we were both so black with soot by the time they pulled us out that he could barely tell it was us, let alone the fact that you’re a girl.”

“I guess they’re in for a big surprise!” she said, leaning forward to place a small, lingering kiss on his lips.

“Yeah,” he said, looking down again, trying to smile, “they are.”