Autumn in Philadelphia Trilogy

Cory and Shawn's Miracle Soap VII

Shawn stared at the wall during homeroom. He and Cory had been relegated to different parts of the room. As it turned out, their punishment included not sitting next to each other during class time.

"Shawn."

Shawn saw Jonathan looking at him with a frown- and standing on his head. Momentarily disoriented, he blinked.

"Audrey's that way," the teacher said quietly, pointing to the front of the classroom.

"Right," he said, still confused as to why Jon was upside down. Then it dawned on him. He was leaning his head over the back of his chair, consequently inverting his view. Once he sat up properly, his spatial orientation was restored.

Homeroom seemed to drag on forever despite the fact that Audrey was in charge of it. Cory's attention kept wandering. He wondered what kind of grueling chores were awaiting him and Shawn after school.

When the bell rang, Cory and Shawn bolted for the door.

"Shawn!"

Shawn froze just outside of the door, hoping Jon would think he didn't hear him.

"I know you heard me, Hunter."

Darn it, Shawn thought, reluctantly turning around.

"I didn't do it," he declared as he reentered the room.

Audrey shook her head in amusement.

Jon regarded him skeptically. "What didn't you do?"

Shawn opened his mouth and started to say something. He abruptly closed it.

"If you don't already know, I'm not goin' ta tell you."

Jon rolled his eyes and smiled. "I just wanted tell you to come straight to the apartment when you're done today. And make sure to tell Audrey good-bye before you and Cory start your detentions."

Shawn frowned. Why would he do that? Unless...

"That wasn't part of the punishment!" he protested.

"Huh?" Jon had no idea what the boy was talking about.

"Audrey not being able to come over was not a part of the punishment!"

"Shawn," Jon said. "Audrey's not going to be here this weekend. She's going home."

"Oh." Shawn wasn't convinced that that was any better. "Why?"

"Cause I miss it, that's why," Audrey told him.

"Do you have to?"

She cocked her head to the side. "Yeah, I kind of do."

Shawn scrunched his face up. "But who's going to cook for us?"

Jon gave him a light pop with some papers he had in his hand. "She's not your personal chef. We'll survive."

"I think I'm going to try a fast this weekend," he said seriously.

Audrey laughed. "I'll be back Sunday night."

"Bring me something?" he asked, giving her his best-puppy dog eyes.

She laughed again and ruffled his hair.

"Like what?"

"One of those 'I love NY' shirts."

"You gotta deal, mate."

"Yeah," Jon said, urging him out of the room. "You got your deal. Now get going before you're late to your next class."

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