Chapter Text
Cory and Shawn were standing in the principal’s office, both thirteen-year-olds were staring at their feet while Mr. Fenny lectured them. The boys had ditched their last two classes of the day, having spent the time hanging out behind the school instead.
They had been reading comic books and laughing when Mr. Fenny caught them and marched them straight to his office.
When Mr. Fenny finished his lecture, he sat silently and looked at the boys.
“This is the second time this month that the two of you have ditched classes.” He said, his voice stern. “You leave me no choice but to give you both three day’s detention, starting Monday.”
He slid two envelopes across the desk towards the teens and said. “I expect these to be signed and returned to me Monday morning. You are excused.”
Cory and Shawn nodded, then walked out of the office and into the hallway.
“This is so not good.” Cory moaned, as they walked over to their lockers.
The last bell had rung while the boys were being chewed out by the principal, signaling the end of the school day. There were a few other students in the hall, but it was clearing out fast. The students were eager to start their weekend.
“My Dad is going to kill me.” Cory said, as he started shoving books into his backpack.
“I’m feeling kind of homicidal myself.” A voice said, causing both boys to jump slightly and spin around. Jon was leaning against the wall with his arms crossed across his chest. He was giving Shawn a stern look.
“Detention?” Jon asked.
“Three days.” Shawn said softly, as he lowered his gaze. “Starting Monday. And, um…..you have to sign a note.”
Jon sighed and said, “I drove the car today, let’s go.”
“I can walk.” Shawn said, looking up. Him and Cory normally walked to and from school, unless the weather was bad.
Turner’s apartment was only two blocks from the school, and the Matthews’ house was a block past that.
“Not up for debate.” Jon said, his voice stern. “Grab your stuff and let’s go.” Then he looked at Cory. “You too, Mathews.”
“Yes Sir.” Cory said.
“Grab your Math and Science books too." Turner said, causing both boys to moan. Those were the two classes that they ditched. “I’ve got your assignments from those classes. You won’t get credit for them. But Shawn, you are doing them anyway this weekend.”
Then he once again turned towards Cory. “I imagine your parents would want you to do them too.”
Both boys did as they were told, then the three walked outside to Turner’s car.
The ride to Cory’s house was made in silence, each passenger lost in thought. Cory knew exactly was in store for him. His parents were going to be mad. He knew he’d get a long lecture and grounded for at least the weekend.
He also knew that his Dad was going to spank him. It was a rule in the Matthews home. If you got in trouble at school, you get in trouble at home.
Shawn, however, was unsure what was going to happen. And it made him nervous. He knew he’d get lectured, and probably grounded. But wasn’t sure for how long, or what else would happen.
The last time he got in enough trouble to be grounded, which was the previous month, Jon had told him he was grounded for a week. But after three days of Shawn being on his best behavior, Jon had lifted the grounding.
Jon had threatened to spank him a couple times, but never did. Never even swatted him. But the man seemed really upset over this, so Shawn wasn’t sure if he would or not. The uncertainty of it was really making Shawn jumpy.
Turner was wondering what he should do,. He knew he had to punish Shawn, but how? He knew that Alan was probably going to spank Cory, but he wasn’t sure if he could spank Shawn.
He’d only been living with him for a couple months. And Jon knew that the boy had a tough childhood, and had abandonment issues. He didn’t want to scare the kid, didn’t want him to hate him for being too hard on him.
But he also didn’t want to be too soft either. He didn’t want Shawn thinking that he could do whatever he wanted without consequences. Shawn was only thirteen, he needed structure and guidance in his life.
For the millionth time since offering Shawn a place to stay, Jon thought that this parenting thing was hard.
Jon parked in front of the Matthews house.
“Thanks for the ride, Mr. Turner.” Cory said, as he grabbed his backpack and opened the door.
“See you Monday, Matthews.” Jon said. “And word of advise, show your parents the note first thing.”
“Yes Sir.”
Cory climbed out of car, exchanged quite goodbyes with his best friend, then he slowly walked towards his house.
Jon waited unto the teen was inside the house, then he pulled back into traffic and headed home.
“I’m really sorry, Jon.” Shawn said softly.
“We’ll discuss it at home.” Jon said with a sigh.
Shawn nodded, then stared out the window wondering what was going to happen. And wondering when Jon was going to realize that he was too much trouble and kick him out.
TBC!!!!!!