The Lakeshire Hunt

CHAPTER 2: The Great Reunion

The next day, Carter started avoiding me. I saw him entering the campus. He was wearing the marvel shirt we both wanted to buy downtown. Man! He got his without me? I spotted him while I was still in the car, so I had Lou stop the car right away. “You can just drop me here Lou. Thanks.” I rushed. “Oh okay, Let me just park real quick.” He answered. He always makes sure the car is properly parked before dropping me off. For security purposes, you know. Like he always says, he would hate to drop me anywhere cuz a car might suddenly pass by and hit me. “Oh no no no no no, I’m good. You know what, I’ll just jump off and make a run for it.” “What?!” My nanny and driver chorused. I didn’t wait for what they had to say and immediately opened the door, jumped off and made a run for it. Like I said I would. “Hey wait! Watch it! Lucas! Car!” Louie overacted as a car passed by at an amazing speed. Good thing I stopped for a while after jumping off. “Lucas!!!” My nanny screamed in surprise. “Bye nanny, bye Lou! See you guys later!” I responded while running cheerfully towards Carter. “Sigh…kids.” Lou commented. He didn’t make any effort to park the car and immediately drove back home after. I know he wouldn’t tell my mom. So that was no biggie. He knows how my mom and dad gets pretty upset with bad news about me, so he and Nanny promised they wouldn’t tell my mom and dad anything for as long as I listen to them. I still do listen to them and obey them, but today’s an exemption. I was in a hurry.

I was able to catch up with Carter. I was totally right behind him when the bell rang and the students began to rush in. I got caught up by the stampede and so did he. “Carter!” I called out. Struggling. “Hey! Carter!” I called again. He did turn back, so I knew he saw me, but surprisingly, he didn’t stop or waited for me at all. He literally just ignored me. What’s his problem? I sure do hope this isn’t about yesterday’s prank on the new girl, Abby, cuz that is just plain lame. I was able to reach the class in one piece and saw Carter sitting on his seat. I made my way straight to my desk, my eyes pinned on him. He notices me but obviously he’s being hesitant. What’s wrong with him? Both Alexa and Abby were absent. Sigh…I’m sure yesterday’s prank would be Ms. Milligan’s main topic of the day. Can’t wait. Just my luck.

Ms. Milligan was already in the room, seated anxiously in front, while preparing her laptop for today’s lecture. She seemed like she was waiting for a call or a text as she kept looking at her phone. She was so absent-minded, she didn’t even notice that everyone was already in the room. As I said, everyone, except Alexa and Abby. It actually took a while for her to come into her senses. The class started gossiping about Alexa and Abby. I heard Abby got hospitalized and so did Alexa. Talk about super lame, stupid and unbelievable. They were clearly playing it. Who would believe they got hospitalized because of a fake toy rat? So overacting. This definitely did not make my day. First, Carter wouldn’t talk to me. Now both Alexa and Abby are playing actresses. This will definitely put me into a lot of trouble.

As the students chatter gets louder, Ms. Milligan’s phone rang. She anxiously answered the phone, “Hello? Oh hi…”as she stood and walked out of the room. Ignoring the noise. While she was out, I got really bored. I thought it would be a good idea to confront Carter while Ms. Milligan was on the phone. I was planning to talk to him later around lunch but Ms. Milligan looked like she would take her time on the phone, so I changed my mind. Carter was actually talking to one of our classmates, Arnold. A pretty boring geek, as we call him. I remember pranking this geek before. Way back in middle school, I tied his shoe laces together when he was dead, focused on the class discussion. When the bell rang for lunch break, he grabbed his stuff and put it in his bag and the moment he stood up, he fell forward and landed face-first on the floor. This was so hilarious, Carter and I almost peed on our pants from laughing so hard. Those were really the fun moments and definitely one of the funniest pranks we pulled off. But now, I completely have no idea where he bumped his head into. Trying to avoid me since this morning and now hanging around a prank victim? He must’ve hit his head pretty hard.

Seeing them hanging out definitely didn’t stop me from confronting him though. As I was walking towards Carters’ seat, Arnold tapped his arm and obviously signaled him that I was coming. Carter turned back and forth towards me and continued chatting with Arnold. Ignoring me. “My man! What's up?!” I greeted. “Oh hi Lucas. Uhm, good and uhhh you?” He responded coldly. “So Arnold. Your brother goes to Harvard, right? Will you be going there too? Dude, I thought that would be pretty cool.” He continued to talk to Arnold. I can’t believe this. He’s being very difficult. How could he just ignore me like that? “Uhm Carter? Do we have a problem here?” I asked. He and Arnold were talking about Arnold’s brothers’ stories about Harvard. He seemed to have so much fun chatting with him, He didn’t even hear me. Wow. I have never felt so stupid in my entire life. Is this some kind of a joke? “Hey, man, we need to talk.” I insisted. I raised my voice to get his attention. Arnold stopped and said “I’ll give you two some space.” He volunteered. “Finally, thanks moron!” I answered. How stupid can one get? It sure took him a while to understand that I wanted to speak with my best friend. i***t. “You don’t have to be so rude, Lucas.” Carter reacted. “You sounded like you just got dumped by your boyfriend or something. For real, are you gay or what?” He joked. He looked coldly at me with that smirk on his face. He never jokes like that about me, so I knew something was definitely up. “Alright. Are you pranking me or what? Cuz that ain’t funny Carter.” I reacted, placing my hands on his desk. For some obvious reason, that joke didn’t feel right. He stood up and placed both his hands on his desk, right in front of me. “It doesn’t? Good. Now you know how others feel. That’s just the start…Lucas.” He seriously responded. Ms. Milligan returned to class before I could even answer back. Man! I got really mad. What gotten into him? He played a part in all of my pranks, so those were like “BIG” words. He should’ve told himself that! “Alright, settle down! Settle down everyone! Back in your seats!” everyone returned to their seats as instructed, but when I turned back, Ms. Milligan added, “except you Lucas…” She paused. I think I already have an idea what this is about. I turned to look at her as she continued “Principal Mcdough called for you.” The room turned silent as some of the students whispered, God knows what. Ms. Milligan watched me as I returned to my seat and gathered my stuff. I put them on my back and began walking my way out of the room. I wasn’t even thinking about what the principal wanted. All I was thinking about was me and Carter’s confrontation earlier. Me and Carter have known each other ever since we were in kindergarten. We initially ignored each other in school, but the moment we stepped out, our moms became the best of friends. The more they saw each other, the more me and Carter got closer. We were basically brothers already. We started doing our epic pranks since middle school and we always had each other’s backs. I just cannot believe he would just throw away everything we have been through all these years just because of that new girl.

As I walked closer and closer towards Principal Mcdough’s office, I heard a familiar voice. “I am so sorry Mrs. FritzMichael. I completely have no idea what got into him.” The woman said. I started walking slower as I got nearer to the principals’ office to eavesdrop. Her voice sounded so familiar, I could mistake her for my mom. I put my right ear on the door to do a bit more listening before I went in. It’s best to know who you’ll be dealing with. You know. Since I really hate surprises, “Save it Mrs. Rivers. I had to fly all the way from Ireland just to make sure my daughter was alright. She had to stay in the hospital for God’s sake!” The other woman lectured. Please calm down, Mrs. FitzMichael, rest assured that we will get to the bottom of this when Lucas arrives,” Principal Mcdough assured. For some reason, I wasn’t worried about what Abby’s mom would say. What got to me was Mrs. Rivers. I’m not sure if Abby’s mom said it right but my mom is in Florida on a business trip. She’s been away for 2 months now. She says she won’t be back until next month. I was feeling more excited than scared really. It’s a pretty weird feeling actually. You would’ve just run off if you were in my situation really. But if you are a kid who hasn’t been able to see your parents for like forever? Man, you will understand me. I can barely remember my mom. My dad comes home to check on me most of the time, but my mom? She never comes home. “I just don’t know what to say … I’m aware of his pranks but I just didn’t think it would come this far.” She responded. She sounded so sad, nervous and worried. I peeked through the window to confirm if it was her and, to my surprise, it was her! I immediately rushed inside and gave her a big hug. “Mom!” I called “Oh Lucas…” She responded, followed with a tight hug. “Finally” Principal Mcdough started. Standing from her seat and walked, passing behind us and to the water dispenser. She replenished her mug with some lukewarm water and returned to her desk. She placed both her hands on top of her desk, gave a huge sigh, then added “What has gotten into you, Lucas? Have you have any idea of the extent of your actions? She bellowed. On top of my head, I responded vaguely with a “No, I don’t. Apart from me reuniting with my mom, I didn’t think this meeting was any important at all. “My little girl is in the hospital because of you! And you have to pay for what you did!” Abby’s mom shouted. She was very mad she had this ugly reaction on her face. I couldn’t picture it really. The only thing I can say is she was very angry. Principal Mcdough got her some water and patted her on the back. Mrs. FitzMichael, please calm down.” Principal Mcdough calmed her. “Principal Mcdough. I did not fly all the way from Ireland for their apology. I want this boy expelled from this school!” She demanded. “What?!” I reacted. “Please no. We’ll pay for your daughters’ hospital bills and all but please let my son stay.” My mom pleaded. “I don’t want your money! I want your son to be punished!” Abby’s mom strongly emphasized. “Alright, well how about this. Since Lucas seems to have no remorse for what he did; I think it would be fair to have him suspended from the first semester of the class.” Principal Mcdough suggested. “Mrs. Rivers, It’s up to you and your husband to decide on how to use Lucas’ suspension days for him to learn from his mistakes.” She added. Abby’s mom didn’t say anything but looked like she agreed with Principal Mcdough’s suggestion. My mom agreed as well. “Thank you so much Mrs. FitzMichael, I assure you, this will never happen again in the future.” My mom assured them. I didn’t say anything about the issue cuz I just find everything confusing and unnecessary anyway. I did made my mom come home, so it felt like I was doing the right thing. Me and my mom left ahead of Abby’s mom, who stayed with Principal Mcdough.

My mom immediately called our family driver, Lou, to come fetch us. She didn’t say a word about the issue. She was just so busy with her phone again. I think she was trying to reach dad. “Are you gonna stay here for good mom?” I attempted to start. “Let’s talk at home Lucas.” She coldly responded. Sigh…everyone seems to be in a bad mood. The moment the car arrived, we hopped in and went home.