The In Between

Chapter 1 - Klaus Quinn

Rain poured through a somber grey sky as everyone stood with umbrellas over Nicole Quinn's coffin, except her 17-year-old son Klaus. He stood with no umbrella, just staring into the distance. He was officially alone in this hellhole of a world. Alone except for his drunk father and good friend Greg in his life. But otherwise, he felt like he had no one, as any kid would after losing a parent.

Nicole was basically the town's well-known angel of a human being. She was a nurse at the local hospital and a real community person. She put up with her ex-husband and took care of Klaus for most of his childhood and teen years. Klaus would hardly stay with his father. Of course, bad things happen to good people.

Nicole discovered she had a brain tumor after feeling awful pain in her head for several months. She'd always ignore it, thinking it was just an ongoing migraine.

By the time the doctors found it, it was too late to remove. Klaus was of course in denial when he found out his mother would pass away after a while. Even though he was not a religious person, he would pray for the tumor to go away.

He skipped school, against his mother's will, to stay and take care of her. After a surprisingly long 3 months, she passed away in her sleep, while Klaus slept in a sofa chair right next to her. He awoke expecting to talk with her about the wonders of the universe, but she was gone. He went numb and just sat there for hours on end before calling the authorities to come take her body.

Now he stood at his mother's funeral in Ligonier, Pennsylvania, with all her close friends and family. Everyone said their goodbyes and two men lowered the coffin into the wet 6-foot deep grave. Klaus now stared at it being lowered until it was finally down in the ground. He looked around and everyone was gone except Greg. Greg just smiled at him sympathetically.

Klaus began to walk back to his Jeep and Greg followed, frowning. He couldn't imagine having Klaus's life right now.

Klaus got in the driver's side, Greg in the passenger's. Klaus ran his hand through his wet, dirty blonde hair, sighing. He started the car and began to drive to Greg's house.

Greg bit his lip, unsure whether to say anything in this silent, rainy car ride.

"So... How about I order some Chinese takeout and we watch some Doctor Who?" Greg asked Klaus.

"Sure," Klaus replied dully.

"Okay. If you want to take the day off school tomorrow, I'll take the day off too, so you don't have to be alone," Greg said reassuringly.

"No, I want to go to school. I can't miss anymore. Plus, I need a distraction from... all this," Klaus waved his hand in the air lazily, emphasizing the situation.

"Alright, I understand..." Greg stared out the window, feeling badly for his best friend.

Klaus and Greg arrived at the Tomson house and ate their Chinese takeout and watched Doctor Who, as they planned. 

Greg fell asleep on the bottom bunk, and Klaus stared into the darkness of the room until his eyelids felt like bricks and he fell into a deep sleep.

--

It was fifth period English and Klaus stared off into space, as he had all day. Mr. Jameson, Klaus' favorite teacher, called on him for the second time to answer a question.

"He's too busy thinking about his dead mom and his drunk dad, who's probably going to beat him when he gets home," Tyler Butler, the wide receiver of the football team snickered.

Klaus heard every word and this snapped him out of his grievous daze. He jumped up out of his seat and punched Tyler straight in the face, knocking him out of his chair.

"Fuck you, Tyler! Don't say another fucking word about my mother or my father!" Klaus shouted at him, glaring daggers at this bully.

The whole room got so silent you could hear a pin drop. Greg stared at his best friend with both awe and shock. Mr. Jameson was impressed but knew he should do something about it.

"Klaus, can you step outside with me for a moment?" He spoke up.

Klaus stormed out of the room, leaving a bloody-nosed Tyler on the ground. Mr. Jameson followed.

"Klaus? Are you okay?" He asked, concern etched in his words.

"Is that a fucking trick question?" Klaus looked at his teacher in disbelief.

"I-I'm sorry. I meant, is Keagan really hitting you?" He said awkwardly.

"No, he gets drunk and can be an asshole, but he's never hit me. Tyler is just a prick. Send me to the principal's office or whatever, I don't care..." Klaus trailed off, looking down.

"I think Tyler got what he deserved, and also, because of your current situation, I'll just send you home today, okay? Let me get all your assignments from your classes. Wait for me outside, okay?" Mr. Jameson smiled weakly.

"Thanks, Mr. J..." Klaus walked outside to his Jeep. "Only 4 more months and I'll be 18... I can do this." 

Fifteen minutes later Mr. Jameson showed up at Klaus' driver's window with a folder full of assignments. Klaus rolled down his window.

"Take it easy, Klaus, okay? I know losing a parent is hard, I lost my dad a few years ago. You're a tough kid, you'll get through it," Mr. Jameson smiled reassuringly.

"Thanks, Mr. Jameson. See you tomorrow," Klaus started the car and drove to his house.

As he carried his stuff into the house, he saw his dad tidying up the house, blasting rock music. 

What? Klaus thought.

Keagan noticed Klaus walk in. He turned off the music.

"Hey, buddy... You're home early. Something happen?" He asked, worried.

"I punched Tyler Butler in the face," was all that came out of his mouth.

Keagan raised a brow.

"Good. Kid's a douche, just like his dad," he huffed.

"Yeah... Well, I have homework to do," Klaus walked upstairs to his room.

Keagan frowned and went back to cleaning the house.

Dad's cleaning? And speaking coherently? I guess everyone grieves in their own way... Or maybe he's trying to get his shit together because he's stuck with me... Whatever, I'll be out of here soon enough. Klaus pondered this all as he sat down on his bed.