Chapter 10 – Jagged Little Pills

I Won't leave You Lonely – Shania Twain

"You know, I expected this from you, Ethan but not you, Spencer."

Mrs. Tanner – our Family Life teacher was extra bitchy today – and by the way her face swelled – it must have been her time of the month; that happens right?

Either that or she was attacked by a swarm of bees – and that's not that unlikely. Who didn't hate her shrill voice and her ability to make young children cry?

"Mr. Littman!" she screeched. I jumped at the sound of her wicked witch voice.

"I'm here."

She rolled her eyes, "I never expected this out of you, Spencer."

Spencer sighed, "I'm really, really sorry Mrs. Tanner but Ethan here," he looked over at me with those judging eyes that caused me to shrink in my seat, "forgot to mention the fact that the baby dolls needed their special food or they would die."

"Hey," I shot, "how is this only my fault? Spencer was the one who kept it and left it on his dresser for an entire week. If anything, he should be charged with child abandonment."

"She gave you the instructions to give to me, you idiot. All of this could have been avoided." he retorted

"Yes, well, that was my mistake," she admitted, peering at us over her humongous, dinosaur glasses as we sat in front of her desk after class had ended. "So, I'm giving you to another shot instead of failing you right out."

I sighed in relief. I didn't need to fail another subject – that was for sure. "Okay, so where's our black baby?"

She smiled, "Bring him in Stacy."

The door opened and both Spencer and I turned to see who she was talking to. In walked a woman who was holding a child by the hand and guiding him in.

Both me and Spencer looked at one another in panic and fear and then back at our teacher who wore a deviant smirk. "You can't be serious, Mrs. Tanner."

"What? You wanted a black baby, didn't you?"

"Yes, I believe in being multicultural but this is taking it to the extreme, don't you think?"

"Well, it's either this or nothing so what is it going to be boys?"

I looked over to Spencer who wore the same pale expression – one that told us both that we knew that we would regret saying yes.

"Yes." We both said in unison. Mrs. Tanner smiled and cleared her throat while calling over Stacy and her child.

"You will spend one day – from three o'clock this afternoon to three o'clock tomorrow afternoon with little Tommy here and you will make him happy because his happiness will define your grade. And you better pay more attention to him than you did that poor doll because is going to stand for if you don't. Come back after school to pick him up."

I swallowed. I couldn't keep a cabbage patch kid without something going seriously wrong how suppose to take care of a real living baby?

"Now hurry and get to your next class."

I sighed and stood with Spencer, glancing at the young toddler one more time. Looking him directly in his big brown eyes and shivering at the thought that I was suppose to keep them shining and sparkling.

The moment we exited it the class room and the door closed, I leaned against it. "What did we just get ourselves into?"

Spencer shrugged and leaned against the wall next to me, "Hopefully, we just got ourselves an grade but knowing your track record when it comes to keeping things alive, we might just land in prison."

I groaned, "Am I really that bad at keeping things alive?"

Spence blinked, "Ethan you had six girlfriends last year, your plant experiment from that biology project died within its first day and you've had four cats."

"Is it really that bad?"

"Four cats."

"Right." I groaned. "Well then, this should be quite interesting."

He smiled, "I agree."

Silence followed before he placed a little kiss on my cheek, "I've got to get to Math class and you have to get to English."

"See you after?"

He smiled, "Yup." He said before readjusting his bag on his shoulder and started off down the hall – the opposite direction I was going.

I watched him vanish before I pivoted around and headed to my locker to get my English text book. It was way too heavy to lug around.

The hallway was crowded and filled with idle chatter and slow walking teens and unlike Spencer, I actually didn't mind it. We were teens; that's what we did. Talk and laugh.

Jake was leaning up against my locker with an open Shakespeare book in his hands, briskly turning through the pages and scanning them quickly with his eyes.

I smirked and leaned against the locker next to him, "Catching up on missed work, I see."

He grumbled underneath his breath, "No you idiot, we have a test today."

My eyes widened, "What?" I mumbled, "When was this information given out?"

"Remember those email accounts he made us make that you said no one ever checks?" Jake asked and I nodded in response. "Well, turns out that it was just us."

"Fuck." I cussed under my breath and pushed him to the side. He growled but I ignored it, opened my locker and dug until I found my English book. "I'm so screwed dude." I couldn't fail this English test. If I did, chances were that I'd fail the entire class and that would mean that I would be failing three classes in total. Not Good.

"Shit, crap..." I continued as I pulled it out and flip through the pages until I made it to the page where we last stopped in class. "Where's Russ?"

"He's already in class. He studied already."

"Damn Asians." I grumbled with an eye roll before looking down at the page. I tried to read it but the words looked so foreign and so big and there weren't even any pictures to amuse me. It was hopeless.

While I was panicking, at the tip of the top of the page, my eyes caught sight toof two sun kissed legs and almost immediately, they diverted on route to the body.

She was wearing ripped Daisy Duke styled jeans. That's basically all I saw, mainly because that's what my eyes were glued to the entire time.

"Man, I'd like to constrict that body with my anaconda." Jake said, biting his lips and undressing her with his eyes.

The book he held was like mine - closed and forgotten by its reader. The blonde walked over to her locker, not too far down the hall from us and opened it.

Jake looked over at me and smirked, "It's all you bro."

I frowned a bit. "But I'm with Spencer."

Jake shrugged, "You're only talking to her. Being, you know, a friendly neighbor."

I nodded, still a little hesitant, "I mean, it's not like I'm asking her on a date or to have sex or anything." I wasn't cheating or anything. Was there some law against talking to someone who wasn't Spencer? Then again, he sure as hell didn't like me talking to Piper. The blonde pivoted her head around to look at the passing crowd and by mistake, our eyes connected.

She kept the gaze and I wasn't going to break it. She smiled a bit and I smirked at her, causing her to blush and spin back around.

"Go for gold, bro." Jake added with a chuckle.

I smirked in return and walked over to her, leaned against the locker next to hers. She looked over and smiled, "Hey, pretty lady, I haven't seen you around these parts before."

"Yeah, I'm new so..." she responded in a soft tone.

I raised an eyebrow, "The school year is basically over. Why did you wait so long to transfer?"

"My parents wanted me to take it out for a test drive to see if I would like going here."

I smiled a bit, "Well, you came out the worst possible time. Exams and Prom. Everyone gets crazy around this sort of time of the year."

She giggled, "I think I can handle it."

I smirked, "I'm sure you can." I waited a few seconds for her to get whatever she needed out of her locker and close it for her. She looked up, "I didn't get your name."

She smiled a bit, "Suzy. Suzy Davis.

I smirked, "Cute name."

"Thanks," she she replied and wrapped her hands around her Literature book, "I better be getting to class, don't want to be late on my first day."

I nodded."Okay pretty lady, see you around." She nodded and headed left. I stood by her locker and watched as she turned around to and stared at me. I smirked at her and she spun back around quickly and nearly sprinted around the corner – out of my sight.

Jake clapped from by our lockers and was smiling his way over to me and secured both of our books in his bag. "You still got it." he snickered, "You're still the best player in the land, my friend."

I shrugged, "Just because I'm in a relationship doesn't mean I can't flirt, right?"

"Actually." Both Jake and I groaned when we heard the voice. We turned to meet Karla, whose hands were tightly hinged to her waist and her face was lit up with a deep set scowl, "It does mean you can't flirt lover boy."

"Why not?" I asked. She gave me that 'are you serious' look she always did and rolled her eyes.

"It's a form of cheating and remember that whole 'I don't want you to hurt Spencer' thing we had the first night of your first date?"

I sighed, "Yes."

"Okay." Her face settle into a frown, "Ethan, I don't expect you to go from being a massive playboy to monogamous boyfriend in a blink of an eye and neither does Spencer but at least try to resist temptation." Her eyes burrowed into mine, "For Spencer."

"I won't cheat. I got a damn tattoo for God's sake! Doesn't that mean anything?"

"Yes, it means it's going to hurt hella bad getting it removed when he dumps your ass."

I smirked, "Jokes on you, I wouldn't remove it even if he dumped me. Which he won't."

"Good for you." She murmured with an eye roll, "Don't be stupid, Ethan," she looked over to Jake, "and you don't egg him on Robin." He stuck out his tongue and chuckled. Karla sighed and squeezed the bridge of her nose, "I'm friends with morons, I swear."

I snickered and slung my arm around Ethan's shoulder and mashed our temples together, "We're two idiots in a pod."

Jake chuckled, "Deal with it."

She rolled her eyes, "I'm trying but you make it increasingly hard to." Her phone rang and before she picked it up, she looked at the both of us, still conjoined together and smiling. She narrowed her eyes and pointed her phone at us, "You two behave and get to class."

We nodded together and spun around with our heads still together and trotted to class – earning bemused looks and confused stares all the way there.

We got to class, met up with Russo and took the test and like most test I take, I winged it. I don't know how I did but hopefully good enough not to repeat the eleventh grade.

The day continued on like this. Class – break – Class. Unfortunately, like most Mondays, after period one, me and Spencer don't see each other until the final bell.

"So any news on the Suzy chick yet?" Jake asked.

Russo shrugged, "From what I've gathered, she's from Boise and she's pretty smart."

I raised an eyebrow, "How smart?"

"She's won her school's annual science fair for the last two years." Russo noted. "And, she was treasurer to her school's student body president two years running."

I had to admit, I was impressed.

"She sounds innocent." Jake smirked, "Awesome."

I snickered, "Good luck getting that, all the guys in junior year are already hot on that trail and all have so far been turned down."

Jake lifted an eyebrow, "You too?"

"I didn't try."

Russo frowned a bit, "Why not?"

"Ethan!"

At the sound of the voice, we all turned our heads towards the direction of the lockers. Spencer was walking our way with his bag hanging off one of his shoulders. His hair and eyes lit up amazingly due to the sun beams that shined into the halls from the open school doors.

He looked...magical.

I smiled and looked back at Russo, "You were asking me something?"

His head swung to meet my bright eyes and they seemed to mirror their intense shiny glow, "Never mind."

Spencer had finally reached us when he sighed, practically throwing his bag into my hands; subsequently, causing me to stammer backwards.

"I've had the roughest day in the history of roughest days, today." He moaned, leaning against the wall near Jake.

Jake pouted and rested his head on Spencer's shoulder and shot me a look. He raised his eyebrows – almost as he was asking consent. He knew me well.

I shrugged and he nodded and relaxed a bit onto Spencer's shoulder, who smiled and patted Jake on the top of his head.

"You know, I haven't written any songs in a while." Spencer admitted once the chatter had started to slowly decrease.

I nodded, "You haven't picked up that guitar in months."

He sighed, "I know. And to think it's all I ever did for the first couple of months this year." A tiny smile find home on his pink lips, "Maybe I'll go home and try today."

"No you're not."

He got confused, "And why is that?"

"We're Super Nannies today, remember?"

Russo raised a questioning brow but I waved him off, "Don't even ask."

He chuckled and Spencer groaned, pushing a pouty Jake off of him.

Spencer groaned again and came over to me and grabbed me but the hand, "Let's get this over with." He grumbled and dragged me down the hallway.

I waved back at the guys who were smiling and grinning as Spence kept my wrist tightly secured in his grip and led us back to the health class where the Wicked Bitch of the West and the mother and son were waiting.

Mrs. Tanner looked over and smiled at both Spencer and I– and while hers towards Spencer was sweet, the one she directed me was more of a smirk. She always liked Spencer more; and, if I didn't hate her so much, maybe I wouldn't felt a tinge of jealously towards my batter half.

"Come in boys and meet formally meet Stacy and her little boy. Stacy is a family friend and has agreed to help me with this in advance since I knew at least one group was going to mess this up." she looked in my direction and I rolled my eyes.

Spencer took the first steps towards the beautiful young lady. Her skin was dark and her hair was a brunette color – the same color that her glossy eyes were.

He took her and shook it, "My name is Spencer Haynes and," he looked back at me with a small smile, "that's Ethan."

I waved with a crooked smile and a stepped forward and shook her hand. She smiled brightly in return and looked down at Sammy who was holding onto the edge of her sun dress.

She nudged him forward but he continued to stay stapled to her, hiding his little face in the folds of her dress. She laughed, embarrassed at her tot and apologized.

Spencer waved her off and stepped a little closer, "Don't worry, I'm sure he'll come around once we start having a little fun." He assured her.

She smiled meekly, "He's a bit of a mute around new people so it might take a while for him to start talking."

Spencer nodded and knelt down beside him and whispered something his ears. Sammy's head partially came from behind his mom's flower printed dress; enough to expose one if his eyes. Spencer continued talking to him until his entire head made an appearance.

He stood and offered his hand, which little Sammy took.

I was impressed. You woudl think Spencer, being the younger of his parent's kids, wouldn't have the instincts a big brother does. Kai had them and Josh unquestionably had them as well.

"Okay, then boys," Mrs. Tanner began with the rough and loud clap of her hands, "I trust you will show Sammy a great and wonderful time tonight and for the first part of tomorrow. You will report back here and I will ask him questions and depending on his answers, I will grade you." She smiled, "Good luck."

I turned around and exited the class with Spencer close behind and Sammy in tow.

We got some very strange and intrigued looks while we headed down the hall to our cars but I shrugged them off. Once we got there, Spencer placed Sammy in the backseat and strapped him into his car seat that we got from his mom.

"Is he going to be okay back there?" I asked, "He's not going to fly out or anything is he?"

Spencer, who was still adjusting the cars seat, noticeably smiled, "He'll be alright, and he's a big boy." He said and ruffled Sammy's hair. The little boy smiled – chuckled if 'm not mistaken and looked up at Spencer with his big brown, glowing eyes that were filled with content.

It was contagious. I couldn't help but smile at the both of them. That smile instantly dropped when Spencer got into the backseat with him and closed to door behind him.

"Before you say anything, just know that our grade depends on his happiness. So no jealousy out of you."

I scoffed, "Me? Ethan Littman? Jealous of a four year old?" I scoffed again.

I noticed Spencer rolling his eyes in the backseat before he spoke, "Okay, Ethan Littman."

It was my turn to roll my eyes.

Not long after he got Sammy comfortable, I started the car and was heading home until Spencer said that he promised Sammy some time at the Central Park. It was no wonder why he willingly took Spence's hand back in class.

Once we got there, and Spencer unstrapped him, Sammy ran into he open gates and found an ice-cream cart. Spencer, without saying a word to me, exited and ran after him.

I sighed, locked the car and trudged behind them. The kid was already stealing Spencer from me and we just got here.

By the time I got there, they had already gotten two ice-creams and started eating them.

I pouted, "Hey, I wanted one too." I wined.

Spencer rolled his eyes and smiled, then offered me his – which I took...very quickly and started licking it.

I winked and he gasped. He pulled me closer to him, "Don't do that in front of Sammy."

I snickered and handed it back to him. We started walking along the path with Sammy in the middle of us, making it difficult for me to hold Spence's hand.

"So what's up for prom?" Spence asked.

I looked over; he was done eating his ice-cream and looked a little nervous. I smirked.

Maybe I should make him sweat it out a little. I mean, I had to get his attention some how and maybe this would make him pay a little more attention to me. "I don't know," he noticeably frowned at that, "I was thinking of taking Abby or something."

"Abby's a lesbian, Ethan."

"I know." I winked.

Spencer rolled his eyes and shrugged, "I was thinking of taking Denzel."

I tensed this time, "Denzel, the football player? I didn't know he was gay."

He nodded, "Yeah, that way me, you, Denzel and Abby could double date."

I clenched my jaw, "You aren't taking pretty boy Denzel to the Junior Prom."

"Why not?"

"Because you're taking me."

Spencer's eyebrows shot up but a pompous smile was at his lips, "I thought you were taking Abby?"

"She's a lesbian." I retorted.

'Oh' he mouthed, "I thought that was a bonus by the way you winked your eye."

I growled and he chuckled in return, "I can play your game twice as good as you, E." he noted and took Sammy hand and turned towards a lady who was selling multi-colored Frisbees.