Crescent Academy

3. New Hope

Pairing: Jackson/Diego (M/m) hand, ping pong paddle

Crescent Academy

Diego, Rafe', and Landon's Dorm Room

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Evening

After a nice, but hectic dinner of grilling out for the first time, Jackson was wiped out. He knew that Hayley was still a little upset from dealing with Aurora. He reassured her that she did the right thing. Jackson enjoyed getting to know Dorian Williams. The man seemed to know a lot about every subject under the sun. Jackson was pleased to see Ollie hanging out with Diego, Rafe', Landon, and another Crescent who just arrived, Henry Benoit. Henry was another Crescent orphan from the Bayou. Another wolf had adopted him, but he was having issues fitting in.

Hayley said she would look in on all the girls if Jack would check on the boys and make sure they were all in beds.

Tristan and Lucien were both reading when he came in and said goodnight. Henry had settled in a small, private room near the stairwell.

"You sure you are okay in here by yourself, bud?" Jackson asked.

"Oh yeah, I always had my own room at Lisina's place," Henry said quietly.

"Yeah, that's okay. But maybe once you get to know the other guys you will change your mind?" Jackson offered.

Henry, a slim and lanky teen with limp, curly hair, smiled weakly. He replied, "Jackson, I'm not like you. People don't like me or even respect me. I am better off keeping to myself."

Jackson frowned, "Bud, there are plenty of folks who can't stand me. But they follow me if I do what is right for the pack. A wolf can't always worry about being popular. I think being here will be good for you. Just give it a chance, huh?"

Henry nodded, "I will. I guess it wouldn't hurt me to hit the weight room a bit also."

"Not at all. I will spot you myself. Hope about we give it a go tomorrow morning? Sound good?" Jackson said. He patted the boy on the shoulder and said goodnight. Most 13 year old wolves were starting to show signs of aggression and angry. Henry seemed oddly passive. But Jackson thought that could be another sign of leadership. If more wolves used their brains rather than their brawn, the Crescents would not be in the mess they were in now.

Jackson knocked and pushed open the room in which Landon, Rafe', and now Diego had settled in. He wished that Henry had taken the fourth bed in here, but he understood that the boy wasn't ready yet. Instead, Ollie was lounging on the bed, laughing at something Rafe' had said.

"Ollie, you moving in here?" Jackson chuckled.

"Nah, I like my little private room. I got to admit that I ain't going to miss sharing with your stanky ass!" Ollie retorted.

"Language!" Jackson chided. "Remember you are supposed to be a responsible adult around here."
The other boys laughed and Jackson's eyes grew wider. What was Ollie up to?

"So Diego, did you get all settled? Feeling better? The girls were saying they cured you of some fever?" Jackson prodded. He sat next to Ollie on the bare mattress of the bed.

Diego grimaced, "Yeah, I had to drink some disgusting green sludge of swamp herbs. Then, Ollie here got me drunk on moon shine and I've felt better ever since!"

Jackson's face darkened and he glared at Ollie. "Really, bro? Moonshine? You ain't supposed to be drinking that, let alone handing it out."

Ollie colored and looked down. "I was just trying to get them to come check out the school. It was the only way Diego would leave the tent!"