Mates and Missing Kids

I : New School, New Friends

"Since there is nothing so well worth having as friends, never lose a chance to make them."
-Francesco Guicciardini

***

"Lance! Are you ready to go?" Jayden yelled up the stairs to his son. "We're going to be late!"

"I'm coming!" He yelled back as he swung his backpack over his shoulder. He ran his hand through his hair, trying to make it presentable, as he ran down the stairs to where his father was waiting.

Jayden chuckled and said, "You look like you have a rat's nest on your head." Lance glared at him. "Hey, Max!" Jayden called.

"What?" asked a voice from the kitchen.

"Come work your magic on Lance's hair!"

"All right," the voice replied. Max came out of the kitchen and walked over to us. He ran his hands through Lance's hair, flattening it down, and partially combing it. "There. Now you don't look like a homeless person," he said when he finished, his grey eyes sparkling.

"Thanks, Dad!" Lance said brightly, and gave him a hug. He checked the time, then ran outside. "Race you to the car!" He yelled. Jayden kissed Max on the cheek, then sprinted after his son.

"Slow down, you pipsqueak!" Jayden yelled. Lance could hear Jayden gaining on him, but reached the car first and jumped inside. He quickly reached over to the driver's side and locked the doors. He looked out my window to see where his dad was, but couldn't see him. His brows knitted together in confusion, and he jumped when a hand grabbed his shoulder. He turned around to see Jayden in the driver's seat.

"How did you get in?" Lance asked.

The older man grinned and said, "I have the keys." He held them up, then turned on the car.

As they drove down the street, Lance watched the world pass by. After a few minutes, he turned and asked, "What's this new school like?"

Jayden kept his eyes on the road, and replied, "It's a very highly praised school. It's known for both its sports teams and for its academic records. The kids are nice too, from what I've heard. Actually, I believe some of my old friends' kids go there." He glanced over at Lance and smiled. "I think you'll like it there. You have nothing to worry about."

"I'm not worried about the students, I'm worried about the teachers. What if they're mean? Or really strict? Or homophobic?" Lance ranted, only stopping when his dad laughed.

"You don't have to worry about them being homophobic. Besides, you don't like any teachers. I just hope they have enough patience to put up with you," Jayden teased, and Lance pouted at him. "You know, no matter how many times I've seen you make that face, it doesn't stop being absolutely adorable."

"I am NOT adorable!" Lance protested, slumping down in his seat.

"Yes, you are. Now don't start arguing, because we're here. You need to go get your schedule, and I need to get to the station. New evidence came in this morning," Jayden stated, and pushed Lance out of the car. "Go, have fun, and learn. I love you!"

"Love you too, Papa!" Lance replied, then walked into the building as Jayden drove off. He had no idea where to go, but luckily, there were signs pointing to the office, and class had just started, so no one was in the halls. When he walked into the office, the secretary looked up from her computer and smiled.

"You must be the new student!" she said. "I'll print off your schedule, it will just take a minute." She typed something into her computer, and a piece of paper came out of the printer. She handed it to Lance, then said, "You're going to need someone to show you around, and I have just the person." She picked up the phone, typed in a number, and spoke to the person on the other end. "Could you send Amber down to the office, please? Mmhm. Thank you." The secretary turned to Lance and smiled. "She'll be down in a minute," she told him.