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The Divine Right of Kings	By : vinsmouse Category: G through L > Hardy Boys Series Views: 5915 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I don't own the Hardy Boys, not making any money, just cheap thrills.

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Chapter 35

Joe dropped his books on top of his desk and slid into the chair with a tired sigh. Being in school was harder than he would have ever expected and he had expected it to be pretty difficult. He just couldn’t get rid of the feeling of being watched and judged by the other kids. The jerks in his gym class were the most obvious about it but he was sure there were a lot of students thinking the same stuff.

One good thing had come from the beginning of the school year, which was that his relationships with his friends had become much less strained. They still didn’t really understand how Joe felt, but he was starting to accept the fact they were trying. It made him feel a little less alone.

Joe glanced at his stack of books. The teachers had been great, not one of them had become irritated whenever he had to leave class. Too bad that understanding didn’t extend to homework, he thought ruefully. With another sigh he turned his computer on, he needed to find a news item for current events day in history class tomorrow. Mrs. Angeline had told them during the first week of class they would conduct a class on current events each Friday, though three weeks into the school year this would be the first current events day. Mrs. Angeline had wanted to, she said; give them a chance to settle into the routine of school.

Joe liked the idea of discussing current events in small groups. He liked history well enough but with plans to become a detective he was more interested in current events than those far in the past. He wasn’t too sure he could handle the group discussions; hopefully he and Chet would end up in the same group that would help.

His instant messenger program dinged, startling Joe from his thoughts. Clicking the icon he opened the messenger tab.

Hello Joe, you will know me as Minder. Alex told me about you and not seeing you in the forum I frequent I decided to take the initiative in speaking to you. I hope you don’t mind overmuch.

Joe stared at the message. He’d completely forgotten about the person Alex had suggested he talk to. Should he respond? Alex had said the man was a lot like him, but Joe wasn’t sure about talking to a complete stranger as he had done with Alex. Yeah the older man had hurt him, his back would probably be scarred for the rest of his life, but he had also saved him, more than once. It was that which had given Joe a connection with him, allowing him to talk over his problems with somebody who truly understood. And Dr. Saylor was helping him, did he really need to talk to somebody else, somebody he didn’t know? But Alex had suggested Minder, it almost felt like a betrayal of the older man to not give Minder a chance. Decision made Joe began to type.

Hello Minder. I’m sorry but I had forgotten about the forum.

That is quite alright Joe. Does this mean you are feeling better?

Some, I guess. I have a new therapist; she’s a lot better than the other one. I feel like she really wants to help, I never felt like that with the other guy.

That’s wonderful news! So you’re able to tell her everything?

Maybe not everything but a lot.

Is there anything you need to talk about?

Not really.

Joe, talk to me.

Alex was right, you are a lot like him. It’s just that there are some boys in my gym class that are always saying things to me.

Things?

I don’t really want to talk about it.

Of course, you’ve only just met me. I should have realized you wouldn’t be ready to divulge any problems you might be having yet. Only know that I am here anytime you need to talk, rant, cry, question, whatever you need I will do my best to live up to Alex’s expectations in helping you.

Thank you. I need to go now though, homework.

Yes schoolwork is important. I will allow you to get to it. Good-bye

Good-bye.

Turning off the instant messenger Joe leaned back in the chair, staring blankly at the computer screen. Five minutes later when Frank entered the room he was in the same position.

“Joe,” Frank called. The lack of response brought a frown to his face. “Joe, you okay?” he gave his brother’s shoulder a little shake.

Startled Joe jerk badly, nearly tumbling from his chair. “What are you sneaking up on me for?” he sullenly demanded.

“Sneaking up on you? I called your name twice little brother.”

Joe glanced up at his brother, “You did?”

“I did,” Frank confirmed. “Something happen?” He noticed the instant messenger was turned off, Joe never turned it off. Had somebody sent him a nasty message? They better not have or Frank would make sure they learned not to harass his brother.

Joe considered, for about three seconds, telling Frank about Minder. He quickly realized that would be a disaster of a conversation. He shook his head. “Just stopped to think and forgot to start again,” he joked.

Frank groaned, “That joke’s older than you little brother.”

“And?”

Frank smirked. “And you need new material.” Leaning against the wall he studied his younger brother carefully. “You sure you’re alright?”

“I’m fine Frank, just thinking about my homework.”

“You thinking about homework? You must be getting sick,” Frank teased.

“Oh ha, ha,” Joe rolled his eyes. “Speaking of needing new material,” he sniped, tossing an eraser Frank’s way.

Frank easily dodged the missile. “And on that note I’ll leave you to work.”

*LINE BREAK*

“How’s the boy doing?”

Jeremy shrugged. He really shouldn’t be discussing his students with anybody, he knew that. But he needed an outlet for his concerns and frustrations. “Okay I guess.” He sighed deeply, “I just feel so bad for the kid. I mean I only know what I read in the papers but it isn’t hard to figure out what kind of hell the boy, the whole family for that matter, was put through.“ He glanced over at Kevin, his neighbor and friend, to see him nodding his agreement.

“But you’re helping him?”

“I like to think so. I’m pretty sure being allowed to use my shower helps but…”

“But?” Kevin asked.

Jeremy hadn’t known Kevin long, having only lived in Bayport for a couple of months himself. Kevin had only moved in a few weeks ago but they had clicked almost instantly. Both men had been horrified by the reports they read about the Hardy family. “I think it may have made things worse for him with the other boys,” he hesitantly told his friend. The man would get a look so intense whenever Jeremy mentioned the other boy’s harassment of Joe Hardy that it was frightening. He wondered if maybe Kevin had suffered something similar. He could only pray he hadn’t, friend or not it just wasn’t something he could easily ask about. ‘The Mets are a great team, by the way were you ever assaulted when you were a boy?’ Jeremy could imagine how well that would go.

Kevin scowled at nothing in particular. “Let me guess, they’re suggesting something inappropriate is going on between you and your student?”

Jeremy was startled by the near growl underlying the question. “I think so. They’re careful not to let me hear but I’ve caught a few looks aimed his way and the occasional word or two that make me think they are. But I can’t take the offer back now; the boy isn’t ready to shower with his classmates.”

“No, you’re right about that. Maybe you should report the boys to the principal,” Kevin carefully suggested.

Jeremy shook his head. “I’ve thought about that but I can’t prove anything and I doubt Joe would talk. I’m afraid that if I went to Principal Wemette it would only make things worse for him in the long run.”

“Yeah, you’re probably right.”

Jeremy stared dejectedly at his coffee cup. “Yeah, especially since the boys who seem to be doing the most harassing are also jocks whose parents are either on the school board or involved in local government. No principal wanting to keep their job would go after kids like that without rock solid proof.”

“I’m afraid you’re right.” Kevin glanced at his watch. “Hey I hate to leave you feeling this way but I’ve kind of got a date.”

Jeremy grinned, “I’ll be okay man. Go on, have a good time.”

“You sure? I can cancel,” Kevin half-heartedly offered.

Jeremy laughed. “You’re a good friend Kev, but no man should have to give up a date for anything less than a life threatening emergency.”

Kevin grinned. “Thanks, I’ll be around tomorrow if you need to talk.”

*LINE BREAK*

Joe sat in Mrs. Angeline’s History class, nervously fiddling with the news article he had printed out last night. Moving down the rows of students Mrs. Angeline was asking each student to give a brief outline of the article they had chosen. She had explained that after this they would decide which articles to talk about and break up into small groups. She would move around the room to help them with their discussions. She had made it very clear that she expected them to give an opinion on the article their group was assigned and defend that opinion.

Joe was only half listening as the other students, one by one, told the class about the article they’d chosen. He vaguely heard Mrs. Angeline calling on one of the boys who continually harassed him in gym class.

“I found an article that I thought would be real good for current events. It’s something that is relevant to everybody but especially kids.”

Mrs. Angeline frowned as she watched Bradley Cooper sliding what he must have thought were sly glances towards Joe Hardy. She had a bad feeling about this article and had just moved towards Bradley to look at the article when he continued.

“My article is about sexual assault and how the victim can do things that cause it,” Bradley smirked triumphantly.

Joe paled dramatically and jumped to his feet to run from the room, leaving his books behind in his hurry to escape the stares of his classmates. Panicked beyond reason he bypassed his little refuge in favor of the parking lot where sat his brother’s car. Climbing inside he locked the doors and curled up on the back seat, oblivious to the vibrating of his phone.

Mrs. Angeline glared at the Cooper boy. “Chet call Frank Hardy, tell him what’s happened please.” She spoke without taking her eyes off Bradley. She felt a bit of satisfaction as the bullying brat paled under her glare. Vaguely she was aware of Chet speaking quietly in the background of the too quiet room.

“Chet you are in charge of the class while I’m gone,” she said as he closed his phone. “Mr. Cooper you and I have an appointment with Principal Wemette.” Grabbing him by the arm she frog marched him from the room.

Frank had raced from his class to the room set aside for Joe only to find it empty. Trembling with rage he pulled his phone from his pocket and dialed his brother’s number. The phone rang several times before going to voice mail, ratcheting the older brother’s worry up another notch. “Where are you Joe?” he whispered as he tried once more to reach his little brother.

TBC...

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The Divine Right of Kings