Welcome to Westwood

CHAPTER SIX: HOMECOMING

Chapter Six

Her eyes went wide open when she heard the knocking on her door. Beck realized that she was no longer dreaming so she quickly got up.

"Hey." She answered with eyes half closed as she opened the door. Fitz was still in his PJs but he was clearly bothered about something. "You okay? Feeling sick?" She asked but Fitz shook his head. 

"I just realized something. I'm here and I'm real, in your world. So...if you were me, knowing everything you do, being from this world from the start…what would be your first move?"

Beck bit her lip, thinking hard about his question. If that was the case, she needed to start with the basics, her first instinct. "Uhm...I would...reach out to the writer of the story."

"But you said you couldn't contact the writer. What's the best way to send them a message?" He asked more, trying to figure something out.

"We...comment on their posts. There's a very slim chance the writer would see it but...I'd assume they'd at least read through the comments. I mean, I already commented twice since the story ended."

Fitz snapped his fingers, figuring it's worth a shot. "That was you. But what if the message is from me?" He suggested and Beck stepped back in her room to let him in, going through her laptop again. Opening the website, she went to the final chapter of the story. Looking up at Fitz, she let out a deep breath. “Okay. Well…what are we gonna write?”

“First off, who are we gonna address it to? The writer? What is their name?” Fitz asked but Beck shook her head.

“I don’t know who the writer is. It just says anonymous. No one knows who they are.” She reminded him before Beck thought of something else. “But…what if we address it to someone you know?” Fitz nodded, figuring her idea was a different approach from her first comments. “We could address it to my parents. They’ll know what to do if they find out I’m alive.”

Beck nodded but wondered why he didn’t choose his wife instead. Assuming his parents would know better, she decided to go along with Fitz’ plan. “Alright, what should we say?” She asked, her fingers ready to type in what the Prince had in mind. Fitz smiled as he quickly thought of what to say. 

“Mighty King of Truston and the beloved Queen of our dear kingdom—.” He started but paused as he heard Beck laughing. "What's wrong?" 

"Seriously? That's how you'd send a message to your parents?" She asked, trying to hold her laughter more but it was growing impossible. 

"It's how we address our King and Queen. I don't want to sound disrespectful." He explained himself and while Beck thought it was funny and cute, she knew that message wouldn't be taken seriously.

"I get it. They're the...King and Queen but...I thought you were gonna send them a message...as you, their son." Beck told him. "I was just thinking...you should talk to them how...you would when you needed help tying your shoelaces when you were a kid or talking to them about your dreams when you were growing up. Don't talk to the King and Queen. Talk to your parents, Fitz."

The Prince pressed his lips together, finding sense in what she was talking about. This isn't just a matter of speaking to the royalties of Truston. He is seeking help from his parents. "What do you call them when it's just the three of you?" She asked.

"Mother...Father." Fitz told her, looking at the screen directly but his focus was nowhere. Just saying those words squeezed his heart into bits. To say that he misses them isn't enough to describe how he feels.

Beck smiled, letting Fitz speak from the heart.

"Mother...Father...if this message gets to you, I want you to know that I am alive and well." He started and Beck typed those in, smiling a little as this is the first time she's hearing Fitz talk as a son and not just a Prince. "The sorceress...murdered me on the night of my wedding but I was sent to this world...a new world where I met the kindest people." He added, smiling up at Beck, clearly describing her. "I am fighting to get back to our Kingdom to save everyone. And I shall not stop until we defeat the sorceress and bring peace back to our people. That is my promise to you, and the rest of Truston." 

Beck thought he was finished but Fitz had one last thing to say. His parents weren't the only family he left behind. "To my Princess Katherine, if you're still out there, be patient as I will come home to you again one day." Beck froze in place, feeling her fingers shake on top of the keys as she forgot for a minute that the man beside her is a husband. Swallowing hard, she started typing those words. She may be accepting that fact but it still stings a little that he is and always will be looking forward to coming home to the love of his life. "You may look for us in Westwood High if you can find a way to save me." Beck added, just to let the parents know where in this world to find their son.

"Hopefully...we get a response or even a sign that they got the message but for now... we're gonna be playing the waiting game. Are you okay with that?" Beck asked and Fitz nodded at her with a small curve on his lips. "It's alright. I enjoy your company so I don't mind sticking around for a little bit." He assured her before getting an idea. "So...you wanna walk around and exercise?" He suggested but Beck groaned, laughing a little after. "Fitz, it's 5 in the morning. Go back to bed so I can go back to sleep." She insisted, patting his back so he could get moving. Chuckling, the prince gave in and let the girl get some more rest. 

The weekend went by so fast and they didn't notice how Monday was already waiting for them again. As they arrived at the parking lot, Beck realized that she forgot this week's event. Banners were being set up and people were dressed in medieval clothing. Among the four of them, Fitz was the only one with the biggest grin.

"Holy crap, I can't believe we forgot it's homecoming week." Beck groaned but Penny was laughing. "I don't know about you but I'm glad I forgot about it. There's no way I'm wearing dresses like that." The best friend insisted as they kept walking.

"Well, this feels like home." Fitz said, looking around and seeming impressed with how close the clothes looked to the ones they wore back in his kingdom. As they went inside the school, a bunch of kids bowed and curtsied at them and Fitz was having the time of his life. "This is definitely making me feel less homesick." He added, turning to his buddy. "How long is it gonna be like this?"

"Hopefully not forever. But for homecoming week, there's usually a theme that the students wear." Gus told him, pulling out his phone to check on the updates from the student council. "Oh, okay. So apparently, we're just having two themes this year. Past and Present. For the first three days, it would be clothes from the past, specifically the 20th century. The older, the better. And for the present would be the 21st century. It's not a requirement but it fits the school spirit to be in line with everyone, especially for the sake of our football team."

"Football? What is that? Is that another sport?" Fitz asked and Gus nodded. "Honestly, I don't get why we still support our football team. We've never won a championship since 1996." Gus added, shaking his head. "Well, it wouldn't be very American of us if the school gave up on the team." Penny chimed in, turning to Fitz. "Just...go along with everyone. And if someone's staring at you, just yell 'Go Rhinos!' and you're good to go."

Fitz looked around as they kept walking, noticing a big guy in a jersey staring at him. This is the perfect time to practice what Penny taught him. "Go Rhinos!" Fitz said enthusiastically and the big guy smiled at him. "Thanks, brother. We won't let you down." He assured Fitz while the group kept walking. "Oh, trust me. They will." Penny whispered and the four of them just laughed quietly, heading to their own classes. 

—

In the principal’s office, the secretary, Betty, knocked on Principal Harris’ door. Maureen looked up from her paperwork, always giving her staff a big smile but when she saw who was behind Betty, the smile broke. “Matt? What are you doing here?” She asked, getting up from her seat in surprise. 

The guy had a sly smile, hands inside his brown leather jacket as he took a seat in front of his older sister. Older, specifically a 12 year gap that sometimes people think he is Beck’s older brother. “Really, Mo? Not even a...welcome back, brother?” He asked, chuckling at his sister’s reaction. “It’s homecoming week. I’m home.” He added confidently, seeing as his sister still wasn’t impressed.

“You didn’t go to school here, Matt. Seriously, what are you doing here? You need cash?” Maureen straight up asked, having a feeling that’s one of the reasons.

Matt held his chest, looking all offended at what his sister assumed of him. “Okay, okay. I lost my job last week...but!” He quickly added before his sister would lecture him again about keeping a job. “But...I have enough money in me, okay? I don’t need any cash, I just need a nice warm welcome from my family. But like I said, I lost my job last week.”

“Okay, here it goes.” Maureen quickly interrupted him, glad that he was finally getting straight to the point. 

“Mo, I lost my job last week. And...I was wondering if there’s an opening here at school. I was thinking of staying in town for a while so...might as well get a job here.” 

“What kind of job? All you do is play basketball, work some random job, bug me and my family and of course, date a new girl every two weeks. There’s not an opening for you in this school. Try the grocery downtown.” Maureen suggested but Matt shook his head. “Come on, Mo. The least you could do is give your brother a chance. Also, I changed my ways. I’m not dating around anymore. I’m here because I followed a girl.” He revealed and Maureen just gave him wide eyes. “You want to move into town because of a girl? That’s new.” She scoffed but noticed how her brother’s eyes were turning into heart shaped and his cheeks blushing.

“Remember when I spent a summer here with you guys during my senior year? It’s the same girl I met then! We bumped into each other last month in Jersey and now, she’s moving back home here so I figured, I’d follow her. I really like her and...she could really be the one.” He admitted but Maureen just laughed at him. It sounds surreal to hear her brother talking like this. “And does she work here? That’s why you want to work here?”

Matt shook his head in response. “She went to school here but she works elsewhere. I’m not sure yet, I don’t remember. But that’s why I’m staying in town because I want to get to know her more. So I kinda really need the job so I can stay here. You’re the principal of the school. I’m sure you have the powers to…put me somewhere on the faculty list. Don’t tell me you haven’t used that position to your advantage?” 

Maureen gave him a look before looking down at her papers, seeing Fitz’ name, the person she enrolled in school for personal reasons. If she could do that to a stranger, what difference would it make if she does this favor for her brother? Letting out a breath, she finally nodded at her. “Fine. You can start tomorrow. But you can’t stay in our house. The guest room is occupied.”

Matt gave her a questioning look so Maureen kept talking. “We have an important guest staying at home. Just come back to the house for dinner so you can meet him. Now get out because I have a lot of things to do, including your employment papers.” Maureen said and that was enough to get the guy up from his seat, thanking his sister with his hands together. “Thank you. You’re the best, Mo.” He said on his way out but not before Maureen could stop him. “Oh, and Matt…” She called. “Welcome back, brother.” She added as Matt gave her multiple flying kisses before walking out of the office.

Lunch time came and the group met up at their table. Beck noticed something different about Fitz, being quieter than usual and something just seems off. “Hey, Fitz. You okay? Did they tease you about the party again?” Penny finally asked since no one had the guts to bring up the elephant in the room. Beck glared at Penny, hoping she would have worded it differently. 

“Is something bothering you?” Beck asked as well.

Fitz looked up at them and pressed his lips together to smile a little. “I’m fine. Thankfully, no one has brought up about the party but...seeing everyone in their outfits and the set up, it just reminded me a lot about home.” He finally shared. He was feeling homesick. The three of them were quiet for a while, sure that they would never understand how the guy was feeling.  He wasn’t just missing a place a couple of miles away. He was longing for his home, which is another world away from theirs. Partly, Beck was feeling guilty for pulling him back from their initial plan which could’ve brought him back to his world but he couldn’t have let the guy drown and die right there. There has to be another way. “We’re not gonna stop trying, okay? We’ll find a way to bring you back home.” Beck assured him.

“I suggest we just skip school for the rest of the week so we won’t have to see these people wearing medieval clothes. We can come back next week.” Penny suggested with a big grin but both Beck and Gus gave her a judging look. That’s definitely not in the cards. 

“I’ll be alright. I love surprises but...felt like...a big trip down memory lane. Because that’s all my home is to me right now. A big memory.” He sighed, picking up his fork as he started taking bites of his jello. “My mother would’ve loved this, though.” He added with a smile and the three laughed along with him.

“Everybody loves jello. Especially when there’s alcohol in it.” Penny added and Fitz gave her a curious look. “You can put alcohol in this?” He asked and Penny nodded at him with a smirk. “Definitely. They’re jello shots and Gus should make sure they serve those when we go to your next party.” She teased and Fitz nodded at her, looking excited to try it. 

“I can teach you how to make the jello fruit cake so you can make it for your mom when you get back.” Beck offered, assuring Fitz that they’ll never stop until they find a way to bring him back to Truston. Thinking about Truston and Fitz feeling homesick, Beck suddenly got an idea for tomorrow, hoping it would make Fitz feel better.

Later that night, Maureen was preparing the table for dinner and Beck noticed an extra plate. “Mom, are we expecting someone?” She asked, getting water from the fridge. Taking the tray of chicken out of the oven, Maureen realized she forgot to tell her daughter about their visitor. Well, visitor isn’t exactly the word since her brother wanted to stay in town for a while. “Matt is in town and...I got him a job at school.” 

“Matt’s in town? What’s he gonna do in school? Play basketball?” She asked, giggling to herself as she couldn’t imagine her uncle working in such a professional set up. 

“Actually, he is the assistant coach of the basketball team. Coach Lillard needs assistance anyway and honestly, it’s the only fitting spot for Matt in school so…” Maureen added, shrugging her shoulders a little. “Oh, and he’s staying here so I hope Fitz wouldn’t mind a roommate. He told me he just needs a week to find a good place and settle.” She assured her daughter, feeling like the house is already too full.

Soon, the doorbell rang and Beck figured that’s their special guest. Opening the door, she smiled at her uncle who isn’t too far from her age. Hence, why they both insist on her calling him by his name. “Hey, Matt. Welcome to Westwood.” Beck said, giving him a hug.

“Becks!” Matt said, hugging his niece before seeing an unfamiliar face on the couch. “I assume he’s our special guest?” He asked so Beck figured she'd introduce the boys to each other. “Matt, this is Fitz. Uhm…” She paused, unsure how to introduce the guy. “He’s staying in the guest room so he’ll be your roommate.” Hopefully, that was enough introduction. “Fitz, this is my uncle, Matt.” She added.

Fitz stood up and extended a hand to shake the new gentleman he just met. “You call your uncle...Matt?” He asked, chuckling.

“Yeah, well, he’s just a few years older than me so I just call him Matt. Don’t worry. He likes it that way, makes him feel younger.” Beck teased and Matt laughed along, shaking his head.

“For your information, I am still young.” Matt told her as he shook the other guy’s hand. “Nice to meet you, Fitz. And don’t worry, I don’t mind sleeping on the floor. I'm used to it.” He added before seeing his brother-in-law, giving Robert a big hug. By the look on his face, Maureen had already told him about their new house guest.

Beck turned to Fitz, wondering if this new family member was just helping his homesickness more. She never got to read about relatives in his story so might as well ask him about it. “Sorry about Matt. You okay?” She asked, pressing her lips together. “You don’t have a brother or an uncle you’re missing back home, do you?” She added with a light chuckle and thankfully, Fitz chuckled along as he shook his head. “No, not really. My parents and I didn’t have any siblings. My wife’s only living relative is her brother but I only ever really met him once...in the most awkward way. I don’t even wanna remember it.” He explained, chuckling as he looked at how close Matt seemed with the family. “Must be cool, huh? To have more family than just your parents.” 

Looking over at her uncle giving her mother a hug as well, Beck chuckled and nodded at him. “Yeah, it’s cool sometimes. Kinda like I have an older brother when Matt is around.” Remembering their sleeping arrangements, Beck almost forgot to talk to him about it. “I hope you don’t mind sharing the room with him. My mom said it’s just a week, at least. He’ll move out once he gets an apartment nearby.”

“Yeah, it’s alright. But...are we gonna tell Matt where I’m really from?”

That’s another thing they’ve yet to discuss. “Uhm...let’s just follow my mom’s lead.” She insisted before they were called to go over to the table. Beck suddenly stopped in her tracks and turned to Fitz. “Oh, and...you’re a whole lot cooler, by the way. You have your family back in Truston and you have another family here in Westwood — my parents, Gus and Penny...and me, of course. We’re your family now so you do have family more than just your parents.” She assured him and Fitz appreciated that. He did find a new family here in Westwood, which makes it easier to stay for a while.

As they took their seats, the family started eating. The food was too good to be ignored so once they all had food on their plate and everyone had their first bite, they let all that flavor sink in their taste buds before the first conversation was brought up. 

“So, where’re ya from, man? Where are you parents?” Matt asked innocently, munching on his chicken. The four other people at the table looked at each other like they were waiting for someone to speak up for the rest of them. Finally, Maureen cleared her throat and answered for Fitz. "He's a transfer student. One of the school's benefactors are his parents and...they personally asked me to look after him." 

Matt nodded, as he didn't seem to care that much about where the guy came from. Still, he had some curiosity to speak about. "How long have you been staying here?" 

"About a week or so. Sometimes...it kinda feels longer than that but...I'm having a great time here so far." He answered, quickly giving Beck a sweet smile before continuing to eat. Beck responded similarly and Matt was quick to notice it.

"Are you two together or what?" Matt asked and both Beck and her parents choked on their food a little, surprised at how direct the question was. Robert gave the two teens a look, waiting for their answer and Maureen prayed to the heavens they'll answer what she already knows. Fitz was quiet so Beck had to answer and clear the room. 

"No, we're... we're friends. That's it. He's just...staying in our house and he's also friends with Penny and Gus so…" She explained, hating how she was sounding and feeling guilty about her response. Maureen and Robert gave her another look so she had to repeat herself. "We're just friends, mom. You know that." She added and Matt was just giggling quietly in his seat, realizing what his question had caused which was so funny to him. 

“I hear ya. I, for one, am excited to have a roommate again. It’s gonna feel like college all over again.” Matt said excitedly and hearing the word college,Fitz got curious.

“Did you go to Harvard too?” Fitz asked and Matt shook his head, chuckling. “I wasn’t that smart so no. I focused on pro-ball but after college, it wasn’t that easy to make a living out of it.” He explained but one thing got him curious about his question. “Wait, did you say Harvard too?” He asked, turning to Beck. “Did you get into Harvard?” He added excitedly and every member of the family had a different response in chorus.

“No!” Beck immediately implied. “Not yet.” Her mother spoke. “Soon.” Her father said proudly.

After a minute of silence, Matt started laughing. “Y’all are acting weird. But if you do get into Harvard, I wanna be one of the first to say I’m proud of you. Although, I still think you should send out your writing to the world. You write great stories.” Matt added and Beck felt so good hearing that. He may be childish at times but he is one of those who believes in her talent as a writer. “Thanks, Matt. I really appreciate that.” She said with a grin.

This is the first time Fitz is hearing about her talent, surprised that it wasn’t included in the book he used to read about her life. "You write?" He asked and his face was filled with astonishment and his lips curved up in the sweetest way. Matt saw it.

"Sort of. I mean, I do...write. I just think I need to be more... experienced to be called a writer." She explained, giggling shyly. Fitz pressed his lips together and nodded, looking back at his food as they continued to feast on dinner. 

Later that night, it was time to go to bed and Maureen handed Matt his sleeping bag and pillows. Beck and Fitz had already said goodnight so the guy went to his room and saw Matt getting his makeshift bed ready. "Really, I do not mind sharing the bed with you." Fitz insisted but Matt gave him a look. "Are you sure? Isn't it...gonna be weird?" Matt asked and Fitz shook his head. "Two adult male in the same bed is not weird at all. Back home, my best friend and I shared my bed numerous times. We slept well." 

Going over his bed, Fitz tapped the mattress, hoping the guy wouldn't mind. The floor seems a little too uncomfortable. Matt got up and laid on the bed as Fitz did and the moment their faces were up against each other, it took a few seconds before both of them got up.

"Yup, that's weird." Fitz said and Matt nodded. "Agreed. I'm just gonna stay in the bag. It's only for a few days." Matt insisted and Fitz nodded. "Smart. We should've gone with that option immediately."

Going back to his bag, Matt laid his head on the pillow and felt much more comfortable. "That's better."

"I get up early anyway so if you need to sleep in, you can take the bed once we leave for school." Fitz suggested and Matt nodded at him. "Thanks. I'll definitely do that."

Fitz laid down properly and just when he thought they were going to sleep, Matt spoke up again. "Hey, I saw the way you looked at Beck earlier. You like her, don't you?" He asked and Fitz froze in bed, still like water and unsure how to respond. Would Matt be protective if he said yes? Would Matt figure out he's lying if he said no?

"Every day, I learn more things about her that surprises me. And it is something I look forward to the most when I get up every morning." He responded wholeheartedly, smiling to himself a bit.

Matt smirked, taking that as an honest enough answer. "Alright, Shakespeare. Get some sleep."

The next morning as he was getting ready for school, Fitz heard music downstairs. They sounded like trumpets and horns and they were all too familiar. Putting a jacket on, Fitz went downstairs and saw Beck and Maureen dressed like women back in Truston. Beck wore a blue off-shoulder commoner's gown while Maureen rocked a Queen's outfit.

"What's going on?" Fitz asked, chuckling.

Beck smiled up at him as she moved closer, glad that Matt was sleeping in. "I know you've been feeling homesick and I just wanted to do something that would help. You've been blending in with all of us here so I figured, now, it's time we blend in to your world. To help you feel a little...at home. Thankfully, it fits the homecoming week theme." 

Fitz felt his face freeze into a smile. This girl really surprises him everyday and he loves it. "Thank you. This really means a lot to me."

"Well, what are you waiting for? Go get changed to your own clothes." Maureen insisted, glad to see the guy's face light up so bright. Running upstairs, Fitz quickly changed to what he's used to wearing, glad to have some sense of home to his reality. Once he was ready, they headed to school and he couldn't stop smiling, especially when he saw both Gus and Penny join the outfit change.

"This is so cool. I wish I could bring you guys to Truston one day. It's definitely more grand and lively than this but...this will do." Fitz said, chuckling as they walked inside the school.

"It was Beck's idea so you should thank her. I hope we could make you feel a little less homesick with this." Gus said. "It's the least we could do. Right, Pen?"

Penny had a bit of an uncomfortable face with a forced smile as she kept scratching her body. "I'm not used to wearing clothes as tight as this so you could say I'm doing a lot for you, Fitz." Penny told him jokingly and they all laughed. 

"C'mere. Let's loosen that a bit." Beck said, going to her side to fix her corset.

Letting the girls fix that, Fitz looked around once more before his eyes landed on a familiar image. A woman wearing a black hood, same height and same build. "No." Fitz murmured to himself, feeling like he's seen a ghost of his past, specifically the sorceress who killed him that night. "She's here." He said and it caught the attention of the trio.

"What?" Beck asked.

Fitz didn't say another word, running towards the woman in the hood. He needed to know who the sorceress was. She probably figured out where he was so before she could get to him, Fitz had to attack first. He could feel the rage coursing through his veins and when he finally shoved her against the locker, he was surprised to see the woman's face.