Episode 4 ^1/4: Admitting is step one.

Insightful and passionate are not descriptors often assigned to Court. But you’d be wrong to think he isn’t both these things. Seeing past the words people speak to the very truth of their soul. Family comes first in his life, but his kindness reaches past the very personal definition of family he carries. Perhaps that is why he is quick to come to the defense of someone like me.

~CrystalClear

Court moved his arm around Crys’ back. The palm of his hand was on the bench seat they sat upon, and the only part of them that touched was the inside of his shoulder to the back of hers. They continued to look at the laptop she was writing on. He noted, “you’re ruining my reputation.”

“I’m sorry,” she instantly apologized!

Leaning a little more into her, “it’s okay, I’m happy to let you.”

Her left hand pulled the hair behind her ear as she turned a pretty shade of flush, “do you think the tone is okay? Or maybe I’m not giving enough information. I want people to feel the truth, not just read it.”

“Without telling everyone what happened, you put a personal note in there. I thought that was sweet!”

“What if it isn’t to others? Just because it means something to me, doesn’t mean it will to anyone else. What if they don’t believe me? Or they don’t care?”

“Not everyone will, right?” He took her hands so that she was no longer wringing them.

“What if,” worry had Crys dropping her head. “What if I’m just mimicking my mom’s voice, and I’m not even doing that well?”

He had her hands in his lap, “we’re all influenced by the people and things that inspire us. Their voice will always show in our passion because they touched our heart. And maybe that’s how we live on, when the next generation picks up our voice and carries it forward.”

A shaking hand touched her lips to repress strong emotions. She leaned into his side, turning her head closer to him to hide the tears in her eyes. Impulsively, he kissed the side of her head.

“Court?”

He sat back because he was worried that he was pushing too much. She approached each situation head on without fear, but she hadn’t ever shown physical affection towards anyone. Not even her sister. She let Ang hug her, but she never initiated. And so, he didn’t want to push her.

She looked at him with that fearless curiosity that had him hooked, “can I ask about your relationship with your mom?”

He hadn’t been expecting that. He nodded, “you can ask anything you want.”

That brought up the smile that dug the hook in further, “my mom is my idol. She’s also one of the most important people in my life. You and Geo don’t talk about your mom much, but I get the sense that she’s just as important to you as my mom is to me.”

He wanted to pick up her hands. Talking about his mom was difficult, and it’s why he avoided doing so even with his brother. Rather than take the comfort he wanted, he hid behind a cavalier grin, “she is! Our parents divorced when we were young, so it was just us and she made us her whole world. She never remarried, always has time for us, and she never talks bad about our dad.”

“You can hear the hurt in Geo’s voice when he talks about him,” she softly pointed out.

He nodded because, “we feel like a responsibility for him. There’s no joy when he sees us. But I think what hurts Geo the most is that when he remarried, it was on our birthday. So every year, he’s busy with his anniversary to his new wife.”

“That’s not right,” Crys took the initiative to hold his hands.

He returned the hold, but shrugged, “it’s how he always is. His new life is more important than the life he abandoned.”

“We can’t make people love us, no matter how much we may want to.” She brought their hands up to her chest, resting her chin upon them, “but it’s okay to hate them when they don’t.”

He loved that, loved hearing it in her voice! With a smile, he leaned forward to kiss her forehead. Softly he asked, “is it okay if I like you a lot?”

With a tear in each eye, she nodded consent to his request. Her voice on her breath almost couldn’t be heard, “yah!”

She surprised him with a hug. Arms moving over his shoulders, it wasn’t intimate. It was warmth and assurance. And he hung on to it, even if he wasn’t exactly sure what it meant.

Familiar voices caught their ear. They looked over as Sam and Ty walked closer with Sam muttering dismissively, “I told you to go away. We have different classes.”

“I’m walking you to yours,” was the playful reply.

Sam shot a look, “worried about me?”

“Yep,” was the quick reply with a quicker smile.

Sam turned his head away.

“You think I’m cute,” Ty looked proud!

“Not a word that’s ever crossed my mind with you,” Sam looked and sounded bored.

But Ty heard something else, “oo, a level up then.”

Sam’s lips pursed as he tried to repress amusement. He put minimal effort into trying to remove his hand from Ty’s.

“They’re so cute together,” Crys sighed with longing.

“Those two cannot keep their hands off each other,” he shook his head with a laugh. He wondered out loud, “do you get the sense that it’s less a stage and more a state of being for them?”

She nodded delightedly, “they’ll be the cute old couple that finds every excuse to hold each other.”

“With Sam pretending that he doesn’t love it,” he laughed.

“I can’t believe I’m giving in to this crap,” Sam muttered. He had a hold of Ty’s collar, “go to class. I am going to sit with our friends for a bit.”

Sam then pulled Ty in. The kiss they shared got the attention of those around them. Hands slid up Sam’s back. They held each other close. Tight were Sam’s fists in Ty’s clothing. Yet soft was the promise within that kiss.

When they parted, Sam pushed Ty in the direction of his class. His cell was in hand and a glance down had him taunting Ty, “it’s my side piece. Go away.”

“You will pay for that,” Ty pulled Sam close for a possessive kiss that would act as the final word and would leave Sam looking dazed.

Once Ty was walking away, Sam replied by text. Slowly he made his way over to join them. Darkened eyes looked at his phone as he sat down across from them. His mouth opened, but then closed right away. He held a hard look, and when he did finally speak there was bitterness heard, “I’ve learned to observe and to keep my mouth shut.”

Strange way to start a conversation. Sam hesitated before he opened the video of Kurt and his friends beating the hell out of Sam. Crys looked uncomfortable yet determined. If Sam was bringing up the video, there had to be a good reason for it. He moved past the worst of the beating. Kurt and his friends were walking away. The camera jostled as the person behind the filming moved forward. The last scene was always the same. The camera caught the ground for a moment before it was turned off.

Sam watched the two of them, but Court didn’t get what they were supposed to be seeing. Crys was pulling Sam’s phone closer to playback the last few seconds. The sounds of rain were turned up as she increased the volume. As the camera lowered there were a few faint footsteps that could be heard beneath the rain. She rewound again. With a finger poised to act, she stopped the video at a specific spot. In the frame now was the corner of a black shoe. In the fading light with the camera in motion, it wasn’t a great shot.

“I don’t have a reason not to trust him.”

When Sam didn’t finish the thought, Crys did, “but he comes to mind first.”

Sam nodded silently.

Lost, he asked, “who are we talking about?

Crys told them, “mom says to always trust your gut. Subconsciously we can recognize reg flags we can’t consciously process. Court, why isn’t Todd a part of our family?”

He was still lost, “why are we talking about Todd now?”

“Sam and I became family quickly.”

“I’m more of an in-law,” Sam refuted getting a laughing smile from the two of them.

Crys continued, “everyone knows that Todd wants to be included. Is there a reason why he isn’t?”

He shook his head because he hadn’t ever really thought about it, “family is about being comfortable around each other. He just doesn’t have our vibe. And Ty sorta gets final say. He started our family.”

Crys tapped the phone, “Todd was the one to find Sam that day. And that does look like his shoe.”

“Maybe,” he didn’t want to disagree with her, but it seemed like a stretch.

Sam gave his opinion from a surprising perspective, “I’ve learned to pay attention to shoes. They tell a lot about people. Mine are old and worn because I can’t afford luxuries, and because I know I’m not worth them.”

Crys had fingertips pressed to lips.

Sam pushed on, “Ty wears good runners. Not brand name or flashy, just good shoes.”

“I so want to know what that means to you,” Crys breathed in awe.

Sam grinned, “Kurt pays a stupid amount of money for poor quality. Todd has cheap shoes pretending to be expensive.”

“He can’t afford much,” Court wasn’t buying into Sam’s theory just yet.

Sam didn’t explain himself. He just gave his observations, “Todd’s shoes have a hollow tick to them, rather than the wooden tack of the high-end versions of his shoes. That’s the sound I heard when I came to and you can hear it on the video. Other people wear the same shoes, but like she pointed out, Todd was the one that found me.”

Court cracked his knuckles, “so, what do we do with that? Todd said he was just trying to get into the bar that night. I didn’t have any reason not to believe him. Do you really feel like he had something to do with what Kurt did?”

Sam shrugged, “Kurt slammed the bat into a brick wall before I knew he was there. He said he was surprised to find out it’s true I react badly to loud noises.”

He and Crys shared a look.

“Not many people know that. And I trust Pey. He’d never tell anyone that.”

“You’re right I wouldn’t,” Pey was walking up to them. “I’m shocked you are!”

Sam looked over his shoulder, “hey, side piece.”

“Hah!” But then Pey pieced it together, “do I have to look out for Ty today?”

Sam’s cruel grin was the answer.

Pey claimed a seat next to Sam, “they up to speed yet?”

Bothered by the accusation of someone he’d allowed near his family, Court found himself asking, “you’re in on whatever this is?”

Sam’s gaze shot over to him, “feel guilty on your own time.”

“That’s not fair,” Crys softly came to his defense.

With a hand upon hers, he stopped her, “it’s okay, I get what he’s saying.”

“He just has an asshole approach,” Pey chided his friend. “Almost all eyes were on Todd that day in the theatre. But Todd was looking around. I knew what Sam’s reaction would be and I was watching him. I think Ty was jumping on the opportunity presented to him.”

“He was,” Sam affirmed without inflection.

With a grin, Pey continued, “to be fair, other people might also have seen Sam’s reaction. There’s not a lot here to go on.”

“But it’s enough for me to want to look,” Crys cast her vote.

“Okay, me too, I guess,” he gave in. It got reactions out of the others, so he explained himself, “Sam, you helped us out when you didn’t even know us. I still owe you for that. And if Crys thinks you’re onto something, then I’m willing to go along. Pey’s proven that he just wants what’s best for his friend, so his angle is simple and I can get behind that.”

“Told you, you are overbearing,” Sam muttered.

“Says Ty’s boyfriend,” Pey retorted.

“Heh,” Sam laughed.

Pey stared suspiciously at his friend, but Sam wasn’t going to elaborate. Giving up, Pey asked them, “so, what are we doing?”

“You’re going to have to keep your mouth shut for this one,” was Sam’s warning.

“I’m not sure I completely follow yet, but I think we may need your online stalking skills to pair up with her investigative skills,” he would venture because he wasn’t sure what Sam and Crys had in mind exactly.

Pey was all smiles, “you had me at ‘keep your mouth shut’. Who am I stalking?”

“Court,” was the harmonious reply from Sam and Crys.

“Uh,” Pey was clearly confused, “you know it’s not really stalking when the target is asking to be stalked.”

“You’re stalking the suspected target,” Sam let him know. It seemed to be the way they communicated.

“Wait, why am I a target?”

When understanding dawned, Pey lit up, “gotch’ya! But you can’t get mad because I’m taking up your girlfriend’s time.”

Since this warning had been for Court, he felt more lost, “I have a girlfriend?”

Crys blushed cutely, “oh, we’re not a couple.”

“Oh you are just too precious,” Pey pinched her cheeks playfully.

“Easy there Pey,” Sam laughed at his friend’s expense. “Court will kick your ass, and you know I won’t step in to help you.”

“Aww baby, I just like causing shit for you,” Pey winked Sam’s direction.

Surprisingly, Sam laughed softly at that, “focus on causing shit for the right person, please.”

“Well, since you asked so nicely.” Pey looked his way, “Court, how invasive can I be?”

Sam shot a silent look conveying his annoyance and confusion.

He shrugged, knowing that he was probably going to regret this, “my family comes first. And your side piece is part of that family. So do what you gotta do, I guess.”

“Hey,” Sam snarled almost venomously, “he’s my side piece. Not the other way around.”

Pey leaned closer to Court to whisper, “he’s no longer denying being family, what the hell happened?”

“He met Ty’s parents,” he whispered back.

“You met parents?” Pey called him out loudly!

Sam glared, “I had selfish reasons for going. And Ty puts out.”

“Oh my gosh,” Crys covered her laugh with both hands.

With laughter lifting his mood, he let his mind wander for a moment down a pleasant path. Geo was the brother that had his back when he got into shit. Ty was the brother that ended it. Tanner was the brother that he turned to for advice. But Sam was the brother he could get into shit with, and he loved it!

“It’s nice to finally have a brother to get into trouble with,” Court had his arm around Crys’ shoulders. “I didn’t know I was missing that.”

“I will push you under the bus if it’s convenient,” Sam warned him.

“You talk a big game for someone going out of his way to help,” Pey called him out.

“Just remember I said to keep your mouth shut. No one else gets involved,” Sam cautioned sternly.

Crys seemed to back him up, “just until we know more for sure. They only have suspicions right now.”

“Suspicions of what, exactly?” He still wasn’t following them.

“I’m damned good at what I do,” Pey reminded them. He was handing his phone over to Court, “Todd’s the one that keeps posting the video of Sam letting himself get beat up.”

“We are not talking about that,” Sam’s mutter was distracted as he texted.

Court focused on one issue at a time, “if he posted it, he’s the one that took the video. That’s what you’re saying, right?”

“Not necessarily, but combined with Sam’s weird shoe theory it looks like it,” Pey gave an apologetic shrug.

“Fuck you,” Sam was on his phone, appearing not to be paying much attention to them.

“And there’s more.” Pey was looking at Sam, “do you remember the photo I showed you of you flirting with Ty in the bleachers?”

“I haven’t seen that,” Crys perked up.

Pey had his phone back and was pulling up the image, much to Sam’s annoyance. “I can tell you that the picture was taken from the field, from a cell phone. So, they would have to be close.”

“That’s the night we were playing against my old rugby mates,” Court recognized the moment in the photo. “I can promise you it wasn’t any of them taking that picture.”

“Jaz would have been vocal about taking it,” Crys gave her opinion.

“And Ty was flirting with you,” Pey noted.

Sam was biting his nail as he looked at the photo, “that is how he flirts.”

Court shared a grin with Pey.

Sam sat back, “Todd was there.”

Crys tapped her fingers before her lips in contemplation, “what would be his motivation for posting that picture?”

“I’ve been very clear that my picture doesn’t get taken,” Sam pointed out.

“Unless it’s for Ty,” she was teasing him.

Pey gave a questioning gesture, “the hell, dude?”

“None of this really makes any sense to me,” he ran a hand over his face. “Do you really think he’s behind what’s going on?”

“Look, I’m the first to say that Sam’s charming personality is the reason he got beat up,” Pey turned a hand over in defeat.

“Thanks,” Sam didn’t sound annoyed.

Pey grinned, and kept talking, “but we’ve never answered why Kurt and his friends were in that parking lot in the first place.”

“And now we need to ask why Todd was too,” Crys pointed out softly.

He felt his face fall in shocked understanding.

“I’m sorry, Court.” Crys took his hand, “I think we have to consider the possibility.”

“This is my fault. I should have been paying attention,” bitterness laced his voice.

“Relax. Good people have a hard time seeing evil,” Sam dismissed as he stood up. “Let’s go to class already.”

“Wait, but you saw it first. Does that make you evil?” Pey taunted as he stood up.

Sam’s reply was punctuated with a pointed look that was cast sideways, “Todd shouldn’t have crossed that line.”

“Sometimes,” Pey was watching Sam’s back, “there’s moments where he scares the hell outta me.”

“I don’t think he’s bluffing,” Crys held the strap of her bag.

“Whatever he does, it’s on me,” he looked at the two of them. “So, let’s find out whether we’re right or wrong.”

Crys wasn’t taking her hand out of his as they followed Sam, “how?”

He thought about it for a moment, feeling the weight of the situation upon him. With a decision made, he looked at Crys, “walk with Sam to class. Let me check something out first.”

Her question was immediate, “what are you doing?”

“What I do best,” he grinned. “Shooting from the hip. Come on Pey. We’re going to stir up shit.”

“Oh, my specialty,” he laughed.

Crys hesitated, but only for a moment before she relented and ran off after Sam.

“What do you need me for?”

He answered Pey’s question as they began walking, “just need you with.”

“Aww,” Pey was disappointed.

He laughed softly, “think of it as a stunt.”

“Oo,” he perked back up.

“A dangerous one,” he amended without laughter.

“OO!”

The right person was with him for this. They walked across the campus talking about classes and Tanner’s production. Being with Pey was simple and easy. Conversation always flowed naturally. No wonder he’d been able to befriend Sam. Glancing at the model next to him, Court had to admit that if he were Ty, he’d also be twinged with a little jealousy.

They stopped in front of a faculty that wasn’t theirs. As they leaned on the expensive, needless sign on the manicured lawn, he mulled things over, “I think this is a bad plan.”

They watched the crowd as they moved about between classes. So far, they hadn’t been noticed. But this wasn’t some TV drama where the faculties were strictly monitored. People from all faculties could be there and most people wouldn’t know the difference.

Pey nodded, “it’s a terrible plan if we planned anything. But we’re going on the fly here, so we’re awesome.”

He could agree with that. “There he is.”

Kurt and his friends were coming out of the main building. Even doing something so simple as moving between classes, arrogance just rolled off that guy! Expensive shoes moved confidently down the stone steps. If Sam hadn’t pointed out his theory on shoes, Court wouldn’t have even noticed now. But there was a certain boastful pride in Kurt’s entire outfit. The brand names were flashy and on display. Or did he only think that way now because of what Sam had pointed out, and because they hated Kurt?

But the truth was that they would still hate Kurt even if he were wearing the same shoes that Sam did. They stared boldly at Kurt, as though he had interrupted their conversation and it had upset them. Sensing eyes upon him, Kurt looked their direction. That arrogance Court couldn’t stand had Kurt walking right up to them.

“Why is there trash littering our campus?”

“It’s always so sad when someone puts themselves down,” Court shot back.

“Man, your dad said…”

“Would you stop fucking talking about my dad,” Kurt snarled! “I don’t need his advice for how to deal with pathetic pieces of garbage like these two.”

“Trash, garbage,” Court looked at Pey. “He’s not very creative.”

“Guess that’s why he failed to get into the Arts,” Pey shrugged.

“How the hell did you know that?”

Surprise had washed over Kurt, allowing the question to slip out before he could think it through. It was definitely news to Court. And by the looks of shock on the friends’ faces, it was news to them too.

Peyton wouldn’t address the question though. He had a different focus, “lots of things aren’t going your way these past few years. Could account for what you did to Sam. But I’m not willing to let it end with that as an excuse.”

“Look, maybe there was something more you didn’t see that was off camera. But the incident between him and I is over, and he doesn’t want to press charges.”

“That wasn’t the end after you beat the shit outta Sam. Guys like you don’t just stop.” There was something in the way Pey addressed Kurt that kept the rest of them quiet. Pey’s eyes glanced at Kurt’s friends, “and a situation like this doesn’t go away without someone taking the fall.”

The words sunk in as they looked at each other.

“But,” Pey’s light tone was back, “it’s in the past. I’m sure it’s fine. I’m sure we’ll all just forget about what happened.”

Court and Pey stood up.

“Enjoy the rest of this day,” he gave a subtle wave of his hand that wasn’t threatening.

He and Pey walked off.

To Pey he spoke softly, “you got a scary side to you.”

“I don’t like letting it out,” Pey made light.

He noted, “this is a terrible plan.”

“Just the worst,” Pey was in agreement. “Now that we’ve rattled the idiot, what’s next?”

“We test our theory,” he shrugged feeling oddly helpless.

“How do you want to do that?”

Slow was the shake of his head, “I’d rather just ask him point blank. I just don’t think he’d tell the truth. Back in high school, a lot of people had that issue with Todd.”

“How come you became his friend?”

“I didn’t,” he finally gave it some thought. “I stepped in to help. It was a convenient excuse for a fight. Set my rep from the start.”

Pey gave him a silent look that reminded him of Sam.

He let Pey in on something important, “my mom was just diagnosed. I didn’t know what to do, or how to cope. We didn’t have the family we do now. So, I threw myself into rugby. Transferred schools so that Geo wouldn’t have to deal with my meltdown. He had enough to deal with.”

“You and your brother were going through the same thing, right?”

“I know. I know it was selfish of me. Geo needed my support. But if I could freak out where he couldn’t see, then I could go home and be his support. But it left him alone that final year at school,” he spiraled in his memories.

“You’re talking to the wrong guy about what’s selfish,” Pey pulled him back figuratively. “What’s clear to me is that you didn’t take off. You both found a way to cope, and you both stayed by your mom.”

He hadn’t thought about it that way. He looked ahead and back simultaneously.

Pey continued, “what happened with Todd? You said you aren’t friends.”

It was kindness that Pey wasn’t pressing the issue of their mom and his choices back then. He got back to the relevant topic at hand, “Todd was sort of a fallout of my meltdown. After that first fight, he just stuck around. I had so much going on at home and with the new team that I didn’t really notice him. Then I met Ty through rugby, and Jaz through him. And our family started to form. I wouldn’t have even thought about him after high school if he hadn’t come to this university.”

“Interesting,” Pey murmured.

“What is?”

Pey was about to wave the answer away, but seemed to reconsider when he glanced over. With a grin, “how we all see things differently. I bet Todd has a very different telling of high school.”

“He didn’t have friends in high school, and I didn’t have the heart to tell him I didn’t stick up for him for his sake. I should have been more clear with him.”

“But Geo was,” it seemed as though a light had turned on for Pey. “He knew how you felt about Todd. So he’s been making it clear that he’s not family. I thought he was just being a kind of a dick, but he’s actually protecting you from having to do that.”

He shook his head, “I never told him.”

“I guess you didn’t need to. Kinda cool having a twin, hey?”

“I’m gonna have to start giving my brother more credit,” he gave a wry grin. “And I need to take responsibility for this.”

He was texting Crys a simple message asking if she was willing to be bait. Even without an explanation, her response came quickly. She was in. He showed the message to Pey.

He sighed, “I’m still hoping that we’re wrong about Todd.”

Pey set a hand on his shoulder. The sympathy Pey gave was accepted and appreciated.

“I’m going to head to the coffee shop. Todd’ll probably be there.”

“Good idea. On it,” Pey’s cell was already in hand.

“On what?”

“Video, of course. The coffee shop has cameras.”

“But not audio. What are you going to see with the feed that I won’t?”

“Just worry about Todd. I’ll handle the rest,” Pey shrugged the question off.

Pey was moving off, ending the conversation. With a shrug of his own, Court also moved off.

The coffee shop was buzzing with university students grabbing a drink before class. Most were taking them to go. Names were called out at the coffee bar. Appreciation was shown in a wave as conversations carried on out the door.

“Knew I’d find you here. Just the kid I’m looking for,” Court had an arm around Todd’s shoulders.

There was a slight jump when he did. But that unease quickly turned to shining excitement, “Court! What do you need? I’m getting a coffee, did you want one too?”

“I need the perspective of a young mind and something cold that’s loaded with sugar,” he was looking up at the menu as they took a step forward.

“You’re not old,” was the laughing reminder.

“Meh, just roll with it,” he shared that laughter. “You busy right now?”

Todd shook his head, “what do you need?”

“For you first not to tell Geo that I encouraged you to skip class. Do that and I’ll buy your coffee.”

“Anything for you,” Todd again nodded vigorously.

“Good,” he dropped his hold on Todd’s shoulders.

They were at the front of the line making their order. Craving a chocolate fix, he ordered the largest drink he could. Once they got their order, they found a table to sit down at.

“What’s going on?”

Plans were for smart people. He preferred to shoot from the hip. As he removed the lid he answered, “I’m worried about Crys.”

“Why?”

Court glanced across at Todd.

Eager was the expression in those eyes, “what’s going on with her?”

“I think she’s taking this family business seriously,” he was lifting a dollop of whipped cream with his straw. The sweetness hit his tongue.

“But you all do.” Was the petulant note only there because he was looking for it to be, or had it always been there and he’d missed it before?

“We do because it is to us,” he waved the matter off. “I just think…or I worry that she’s going about it wrong.”

“What do you mean?”

He stirred slowly watching the chocolate and whipped cream mingle, “she’s been hung up on what happened to Sam. She says that she’s getting close to uncovering who’s behind it. But that’s going to put her in danger. I already said that I wouldn’t let that happen.”

“She’s going to know who did it?” Todd’s coffee cup slowly hit the table.

He shrugged carelessly, “we know it’s Kurt. And I frankly don’t care why he did it. But I don’t want her dealing with it because it’s Kurt. Problem is, she’s not really telling us anything. She says she needs proof first.”

“So, what can I do to help?”

He smiled as he sat forward, “you’re her age and you’re not family. Do me a big favor and talk to her.”

“But what good will that do?”

“Maybe she’ll open up to you. I need you to find out what she knows. Just tell me if she’s in danger with Kurt. If he knows she’s looking at him, he’ll definitely come at her.”

“I suppose,” Todd was toying with his coffee cup.

“Please, do this for me,” he coaxed. “Just talk to her. Find out what she knows and what’s she doing. I’ll handle the rest. I really need your help.”

Todd looked uncertain. Hesitation rested heavily in his eyes, but eventually he nodded, “I’ll try.”

“Good job,” he punched the kid in the shoulder.

“You really like her, huh?” There was no mistaking the sullen note in that comment.

“Course,” he was sitting back. “She’s a major cutie who wants to use her powers for good. She’s kinda the female Pey. I guess that’s why they both fit with the family.”

“He’s family too?”

Court slid his gaze across the table. He felt that he had to try, “does that bother you that they are?”

“Well, no, uh, a little, but,” Todd was all over the place. “You don’t know them, right? I mean, I get that Crys has her sister, and she’s friends with Jaz. But Peyton…what’s he got? Can you really trust him?”

“Pey’s got Sam, and Sam’s family. That’s good enough for me,” his straw moved into his mouth. He looked across the table and decided it was time to be direct, “you want to be family too?”

“Well, maybe, I dunno,” Todd was stammering.

“Look kid,” he sat forward, “our family is something we’re crafting, in essence. I don’t want you to take it personally. And if it were up to me…”

He stopped himself because that wasn’t fair to the others.

He tried again, “if it were up to me, you’d have a great family. But not this family. We can be friends.”

“But why can’t I be family?”

Sam would tell him family isn’t what it’s cracked up to be, and then he’d walk away. Ty would give a cryptic and cutting remark, and then he’d walk away. Geo would give him a speech about making good life choices. Jaz would be sympathetic. And Tanner would try to help Todd understand. But what should he do?

“It’s okay Court,” Todd shifted and his smile was back. “We’re friends. And I’m happy being that.”

Thrown, only one response came out, “really?”

“Of course! You’re the one that matters to me anyway. And I’ll talk to Crys for you. No worries,” the smile was big. “Is there anything else you need?”

“You’re really okay?”

“For sure,” that smile was unwavering. “I’m going to grab a snack. You want anything?”

“Uh no, I’m cool,” he sat back and watched Todd make his way to the counter.

He began replaying the conversation in his mind. From the corner of his eye, he saw Todd discretely texting. It was hard not to question every gesture Todd made. Was it nerves that kept him glancing Court’s direction? He pretended not to notice Todd as he stared at his phone. There was a group message between Pey, Sam, Crys, and himself.

He texted to let them know that Todd was on his phone after their little talk. Pey was already on top of it. Good thing he was watching the cameras. But Court knew that they wouldn’t be able to see the phone’s screen. Not well enough to make out who and what Todd was texting. Would Pey be able to find out? Rubbing a hand over his face, he had to hope that Pey was as good as he claimed.

When Todd came back, he had a pastry and a broad smile. Court took a piece for himself, and then asked, “how’re classes going?”

Crys was tapping the end of her pen against her bottom lip while in deep thought. Those thoughts began to emerge, “Kurt’s profile is cocky, arrogant, and rash.”

“Umm, Crys?” Todd’s voice reached out to her.

She blinked in surprise, seeming to have forgotten that she was not alone. Seeing that she had someone to bounce her idea off, she engaged Todd by turning towards him, “I believe it’s because of his dad. He can afford to be a thoughtless ass because his dad has always protected him.”

“Uh, ok,” he gave a nod.

She continued with fire beginning to rise, “Kurt’s not a thinker, or someone who plots. Plotting is what you do when you think you could be caught or have higher aspirations. At best, Kurt has always coasted.”

“I’m not following,” he shook his head.

“Kurt’s in school because he’s supposed to. I heard his dad made him. He hates Ty because he doesn’t like people standing up to him. Fragile and inflated ego. He barely put in effort to become Student Body President so lost it over a single incident. He could have recovered from that, but he didn’t even make an effort because he feels entitled.” She waved these aside, “the point is that he doesn’t put in any effort for his life. So, why go to this effort to go after Sam? It just doesn’t make any sense, and doesn’t follow his pattern.”

All Todd could do was shake his head helplessly.

“Maybe it is about Ty and not Sam, like Geo thinks,” she murmured thoughtfully.

“Why not just go after Ty then?”

She shook her head, “because they tried that before and failed epically. Kurt may not be intelligent, but he won’t come after Ty head on again. Not unless they have an edge.”

“What kind of edge?”

Her lips pursed, “not sure. Ty’s pretty much not going to be taken by surprise. And even if he were, I think he’d do just fine. He works out a lot. Goes for a run every morning. Hits the gym a lot. Plays some of the toughest sports. Kurt and his friends don’t do any of that.”

“I didn’t know all that,” his fingers twitched.

“He works hard.” Her look turned wistful, “that’s why it’s not surprising that he put in so much effort to get Sam.”

Her sigh of longing hit Todd’s ears. He began to question, “but Court…”

She slapped her hand down on the table decisively, “I’ve got to find out what Kurt is doing!”

“How do you do that?”

Her gusto fell flat, “I have no idea yet. But I’m family, and I’m going to make sure I find out.”

“What if you could talk to Kurt?”

She looked up in question, “what do you mean? Like an interview?”

“Yah,” he nodded vigorously, “like that. Something to make him think that you’re just interviewing him for your class.”

“Yah,” she was now nodding, “maybe about the Student Body president thing. It could work. Or maybe about Ty; ask him to share his view on what Ty is really like. If he hates Ty that much, maybe he’d jumped at the chance to give his point of view.”

“But Court won’t like it. And maybe he’ll want to fight,” his voice fell quiet. “So, maybe it’s not a good idea.”

“Hmm, you’re right,” once again she was tapping the pen against her lip. “But if I meet Kurt in a public place without his friends, I’ll be safe. Just a quick meeting to get his side of the story, and hopefully I can discover some of the truth.”

Todd nodded mutely.

“You won’t tell Court, will you?”

He shook his head, “but are you sure that’s a good idea?”

“I’ll be smart, I promise. Besides, we got to try for our family.” She touched his hand, “Thank you Todd. This really helped.”

“Where are you going?” He asked when she’d suddenly stood up.

“To get my interview, of course,” she shrugged with a grin.