Crescent Academy

10. What Mary Says is True

Thank you to everyone who voted: the winning votes are below!

Pairing: Ollie/Rafe'-Landon (M/mm) hand, ruler

Jackson/Henry (M/m) ping pong paddle

Crescent Academy

Hayley's Office

Saturday, June 4, 2011

Afternoon

Jackson found Hayley napping on her couch in her office.

"Babe, are you okay? You never sleep like this," Jackson asked. He felt her head and she felt okay to him. Maybe a little warm?

"Yeah, I just shut my eyes on I was out like a light," Hayley said, sitting up. "What time is it?"

"I don't know. 2ish. Were you crying?" Jackson asked.

Hayley rubbed her eyes, "Ah, yeah. I had a hell of morning. Guess you didn't hear about what Jade and Aurora pulled? Oh, and Wendy burned that big shrub. I guess not all of it, though, because Ollie cut a switch from it!"

"Whoa, back up. You best tell me the whole story," Jackson said. He got up and poured Hayley a glass of water from the pitcher on her desk. Then, he got himself one as Hayley filled him in on all the details of Aurora and Jade's morning escape plan.

"Jack, I am really proud of Ollie. He's like...growing up or something," Hayley sniffed.

"Yeah, me too," Jackson grinned. "Are you getting emotional? About Ollie?"

"Maybe?" Hayley laughed, embarrassed a little bit. "But I think I need a break from this place also. The girls were complaining they felt trapped and it is a little isolating here. The Bayou always felt expansive...Here, it can feel cramped and closed in. Hey, we should try for a date night with Josh and Aiden now that they are living here. What do you think?"

"Yeah, they are probably still at Grams' place now. Oh, and we have the movie thing tonight. Oh, that leads me to a little problem," Jackson said. He explained what had happened with the boys and the "borrowed" bows and arrows.

"Oh my God, Jackson. That scares the hell out of me. We have a lot more dangerous stuff than bows hidden in the arsenal," Hayley vented.

"Yeah, I know. Only the adults have access to that, though. Anyway, Coach knew I was heated and reminded me not to whup them when I was angry. Now, believe me, they all got at least one good smack, but I told them they were grounded to their room all day," Jackson said. "And they would have to clean their rooms and miss movie night."

Hayley winced, "Ouch, sucks to be them. But Jack, they lied and did something dangerous. I think it is appropriate. What's the problem?"

Jackson took a big gulp of his water, some dripped down his face. Hayley smiled and wiped it away with her thumb.

Jackson smiled and answered,"Ah, Henry. He asked me if I would have given the same punishment if it was Ollie or my 'kin." I said that I would 100% have licked him 'cause you know Ollie stinks at being penned up, I mean, I ain't hardly any better, but even at school, we got out for gym and some other classes. So I told Henry I would consider it."

"Lisina gave us permission to tan his hide if needed. I would say this qualifies," Hayley answered. "But remember she said she never smacked him ever. Not even once."

"Yeah, I know," Jackson said dryly. "Damn, I am tuckered out, too."

"Go take a nap after you go see Ollie. Ask him to take care of Landon and Rafael. You give Henry his spanking. And I will concur that the ping pong paddle you told me to take from the rec room was very effective on Miss Aurora," Hayley gushed. "That oak paddle is too heavy, but the other one was perfect."