The Academy, Part Two

Twenty Five

James:

Samantha quickly turns the radio back off. "Babe you can be angry but don't be a bitch too, it was a joke. It's my car, please don't turn the radio off if I turned it on," I say, unable to bite my tongue. It's an after effect of deafening silence. Silence makes me extremely angry. "First making fun of me, then calling me a bitch, and then making a big deal out of the freaking radio. Why am I here? So far it sounds like I'm only here for you to be amused. When was the last time you said you loved me and were serious about it?" She demands. "This morning at the hotel," I say, searching for a hotel. It's late because I wanted to drive as far as I could so this is linner or dunch. "I said while being serious, try listening," she says, crossing her arms and glaring at me. "I mean it every time I say it," I say, looking her dead in the eyes as we stop at a stop light.

"Then why would you make fun of me?! The boys did it because they're asshole teenage boys. They're supposed to be immature and you are too because it's part of your personality but I thought you'd know when to stop," she says, picking at a loose thread on her jeans. "I'm sorry," I say simply. "I know but I asked you why. I already am really embarrassed by practically everything I do when I'm around you and now the boys made it worse and you're right, I sound like a whiny bitch," Samantha groans, leaning back against her seat. "There is no need to be embarrassed," I say, pulling into a local, run down motel. "James they sounded like a recording sometimes, gosh, it was mortifying!" She exclaims, covering her face with her hands. Oh shoot, I forgot to protest the sounding like a bitch.

"Nothing they or I did sounded anything like you do. I promise. And another thing, I would be very turned on if they sounded anything like you, I am in no way shape or form turned on right now," I say, going for the humor approach. "I hate you," she groans. "You know you don't," I say, opening my door and leaning back in to kiss her quickly before going to get hotel keys. "We're actually full, I'm sorry," the lady says before I can even approach the desk. Funny, the wall if full of keys. "No your not," I chuckle, gesturing. "Time to come home son, stop playing games,bring your friends along. I'd like to meet them," Dad says, popping up from behind the counter with a gun. "Alright, let's go," I sigh.

We go back outside and I see Sammy being ushered out of my car. She puts her hands behind her head and I am suddenly very angry. "Get the guns off of her," I growl, pushing one of my dad's men away from her. In the same move I take his gun and unload it before throwing it across the parking lot. "James," Matty stutters. "Guys get in the car. We'll be okay, I promise. Just do what I say and It will all be fine," I say, putting authority and sincerity into my voice as I make eye contact with my three friends.

We get into the minivan and then are sped to the air port. I hold Sammy's hand and don't take my eyes off the guy with the gun in the front seats. "On the plane, now," Dad instructs as we come to his dock. My faithful friends look at me for guidance. I nod and lead the way, keeping a tight grasp on Samantha's hand. "Buckle your seat belts. We'll be home in two hours," Dad says, sitting in the front. I motion to the seats in front of me for Ester and Matthew. I make Samantha sit by the window behind them. There is a very large carpeted aisle between two rows of two chairs.

"Ester listen to me carefully. Get a spell up between you, Matty and Sammy. Leave me out of it. It needs to be bulletproof but invisible, you hear me?" I ask as the wheels start up. He gives me a small nod and mutters something under is breath while waving his wand discreetly. "James front and center my boy," my father says with an evil smile before making the chair turn side ways so they all face the middle of the room. I meet him in the middle, standing at attention.

"What punishment would suit you best? I won't be hurting your friends because I don't have the time for a lawsuit," he sighs, waving his hand in the air as he speaks. Before I can move, his fist flies against my stomach. "James!" Samantha squeaks. The breath is knocked out of me and I am in immense pain. "Stay there," I say murderously to my friends, facing my father. "Trying to protect you friends, your family?" He asks, every two word punctuated by swift but hard blows to the chest and face. "Don't fight back James, it won't help. True strength lies in the courage to resist," my subconscious tells me in the voice of Mr.Pan. "Dad stop," I say, spitting blood onto the floor. "Why don't you beg like the dog you are?" He demands, grabbing my hair and throwing me to the floor. "Dad please stop. I beg you to stop," I say, kneeling at his feet.

"That took too long," he says before slamming his fist against my jaw. He rolls his sleeves back down and a man brings him a glass of champagne. "Take your seat, scum," he says, kicking me again. Breathing heavy, I swiftly take a seat beside Matty and Sammy. Much more pain came from that then physical pain. My pride took a hit, that was my father's goal.

Sammy silently reaches over and takes my hand. "Doll face would you come here please?" My dad says as if he is talking to a cat. "Do it Sam, I promise I'm on my feet if he raises a hand at you, we all are right here," I say, patting her knee as she stands. "Introduce yourself love," he says, looking at her like he's inspecting a prostitute. That pissed me off. My skin starts to cool and I feel pain ease. "My name is Samantha, I'm going to marry your son and I think you are a really big asshole," Samantha says. My dad laughs and nods at her. "You are just a ball of sexy aren't you Sammy?" He asks. "Dad stop," I say, standing up. "Right that is not for me," he sighs. Samantha sits back down and looks violated and mortified at the same time. "Next," he says.

"Matthew Wayland. I'm one of James's best friends. I'm his oldest friend and I also think you are a very large douchewad," Matty, says, taking a seat before being dismissed. "My name is Ester Briant. I am James other best friend. You are a little cowardly bitch," Ester says, going and sitting before being asked. "Nice friends you've got there," Dad says, still looking at Samantha as if she is some toy.