Tristan's High School Life - 7. Chapter 7

I watched as the group practiced for their upcoming show. I had no idea that Justin and Julian both danced. This seemed like a huge set-up my thoughts were interrupted by Sarah the Theater Manager.

“Enjoying the scene” she asked sitting down

“Uh yeah” I croaked out my eyes not leaving the twins

“Take it there is someone or something up there you like” She said chuckling

“What makes you say that?” I asked

“Well one you haven’t made eye contact and second well how to put this delicately, how much to attend the circus?” She asked laughing

I looked down in horror and saw what she meant.

“I uh” I couldn’t form a damn sentence

“Relax Tristan, I’m a mother of three boys and I’ve been in the theater for years and you’re not the first boy I’ve seen get a boner watching everyone dance.” Sarah said “This is safe with me, I won’t tell on you”

“Thanks, I feel like I was set-up to come here” I said and she laughed

“Your Grandpa asked me when the high school team was practicing for their show and I told him” Sarah said

“So it was a set-up, how does he know who’s on the team?” I asked “You know with it being high school and all”

“There is nothing that he doesn’t know about. I am going to miss him when he decided to retire.” Sarah said “When he took over the program he made a lot changes. I had him years ago as a professor and he was the same way. I think that is why he trusted me to run the theater.” Sarah said

“Since you were his student?”

“Yeah, this position never really existed and I kind of made it my senior year as a way to get school credit. When you Grandpa made me permanent the following year I was jumping for joy; he’s a good man.” Sarah said

“Yeah he definitely is” I replied

“Seems like your issue is resolved; the class is almost over and they will need to clean up in here before the lock the hall. You can catch the class in the back hallway and then make your way over to your Grandpa’s office.” Sarah said smiling

I watched the class and when the teacher was talking I made my way out and to the back hall. Once the class started to come out I had some random folks say hi when they reconized me and I greeted them back waiting for Justin to come out.

“He’s taking his time” Julian said coming over

“Oh hi um….” I said not knowing who I was talking to

“I’m Julian” He replied sticking his hand out

“Hi Julian, I am Tristan” I said

“That I know; my brother never shuts up about you” he replied laughing

“You guys are really good.” I said

“Thanks, dancing is a lot of fun.” Julian said

“Hey Julian, Mom is running late…” Justin said stopping mid-sentence when he saw me

“Hey Justin, nice dance moves” I said blushing

“Hey Tristan, how did you find the dance team?” Justin said skeptically

“Oh, I’m not stalking you or anything” I said quietly “My Grandpa works here”

“I didn’t know that, what’s he do?” Justin asked

“Some kind of Professor and Administrator” I said not wanting to give away who he really was as I was tired of being asked for favors.

“I heard what happened at school today, sucks that you won’t be in class” Julian said

“Yeah and Justin I need to apologize for my behavior. You see I just found out recently that my dad’s who’ve been absent had died along with my other grandfather.” I said

“Wait what?” Justin said puzzled

“My life is complicated, short version is I live with my brother TJ and the Mayor is his grandmother and my great-aunt. The guy I call Grandpa is actually my brother’s partner’s father but he’s been the only Grandpa I’ve known other than my Great-Grandfather’s” I said

“I think you might need to write this down but I’m sorry for your loss” Justin said and I could feel his confusion so I decided to move on to a new topic

“Well, I should let you guys go. See ya around” I said and turn and started to walk away and could hear Julian and Justin arguing

“Hey Tristan wait” Justin called out so I stopped “Look, we’ve had a bit of a rocky first start and it seems you want to start over. Am I right?”

“Yes I do, if that’s ok?” I asked

“It is fine but just so you know; Julian and I are kind of a package deal.” Justin said

“What?” I asked confused

“We should do lunch this weekend, the three of us” Julian said

“I need to ask my brother and his partner” I said

“Fair enough, lets trade information and we can set it up” Julian said

We each entered our numbers in each other’s phone and then I said goodbye and head to Grandpa’s office. I stopped and waited a few times to make sure no one was following me as I made my way to his office.

“Ah, right on time Tristan” Grandpa said “Did you like the surprise?”

“I knew I was being set-up” I said smiling

“A nice kind of set-up” Grandpa said chuckling “Let’s go, I understand Jackson and TJ are making dinner”

“Good, I’m starving” I said and right on cue my stomach rumbled making him laugh

“Oh to be a teenage boy again” He said with a twinkle in his eye

The subway was packed and it was warm and I hated the smell of body odor. It didn’t seem to faze Grandpa. When we got street level he started to talk to me again

“Tristan, I wanted to talk with you about something and before I say it please know it is something I’ve been thinking about for a while and is not TJ’s idea.” Grandpa started and I gulped “I think we should do the tutor more permanently. You are a very smart and special individual and think you shouldn’t have to worry about school and being held back by your peers.”

“I don’t know Grandpa” I saw shuffling my feet and stopped as we arrived at the building.

“Have a seat” he said pointing at the bench “Tristan I really think you could finish high school much sooner than four years and that if you want to go to college or whatever you want that you have options.”

“I’ve always known I was a bit smarted but I’m not sure what I want to do” I said morosely

“Look it’s just food for thought not something you need to make a decision on right now. Just know that Jack and I want to do everything we can to help you succeed.” Grandpa said sincerely

“I know and I love you for that. You guys have been so wonderful to me the last several years.” I said tearing up

“My dear boy, we love you so much and so glad you are part of our clan” he said pulling me into a hug “Now let’s dry those tears and go in and eat”

I could feel the love radiating off Grandpa as he wiped my eyes with his handkerchief. We went into the lobby and took the elevator up to our floor and I could smell the food as we stepped off.

Superintendent Hayley Mills POV

I was finishing up some tasks before leaving for the night when my phone buzzed

“Ms. Mills, Andrew Cartwright is here” April said through the intercom

“Ah, send him and lock the door on your way out” I replied

“No problem, have a good night” she responded as my door opened and Andrew walked in

“How was your first day?” I asked with a smirk

“I told you that the place was a mess” he relied taking a seat

“I know you did but I needed something to happen to remove her, I just can’t believe it was the mayor’s grandson.” I said

“About that, so I took a look at the security tape from the camera’s that the school system installed once we were contacted about what was going on” Andrew said

“I told you retiring was the wrong move, heck you were my teacher” I said laughing

“Yeah and I remember when you started teaching and left when Graves was assigned but look at you now” he replied

“Ok, memory lane over. What did you find?” I said curiously

“Well I think we can clear Mr. Campbell; based on this footage we see something thrown at the window from the direction Graves was standing” he said “At first I couldn’t figure out what was thrown but I asked the custodian who cleaned it up”

“Out with it Andrew” I said losing my patience

“A stapler and it’s the one that is on the counter but gone the next minute when the window shatters” he replied

“So the old broad broke the window and blamed Tristan” I said shocked

“Yes she did and that’s not all she did” he replied

“Andrew remind me to never tell me a story” I said annoyed

“She had that girl out that Tristan was a student and she planned on getting word out about the Romero’s too” He said

“Son of a school teacher” I said

“She was dumb enough to use school emails to conspire with these folks”

“Why would she do that? It’s easily traceable” I said

“Agatha Graves isn’t the smartest person and I tried to be nice but the rules were outrageous.” Andrew replied

“Did she not know she replaced you as the head of the school?” I asked

“I honestly don’t think she did; she cleared out all of the office staff that knew me.” Andrew said

“I would like you to stay on as Principal until a new one is in place. I am going to fire Graves” I said

“I have no problem but given the situation I am sure the Mayor and TJ won’t allow Tristan to return” he replied

“Let me handle that but I agree.” I replied

Tristan’s POV

Everyone was super quite over dinner. Kat gave me a few sympathetic looks I guess to counteract the death glares from my brothers.

“So Tristan, how was hanging out with grandpa” Jackson asked

“Oh it was great” I said

“I bet” TJ smiled

“I saw Sarah and we had a small conversation” I replied

“How is she doing?” Jackson asked

“She is doing well” I said

“So you got kicked out of school again, huh?” Josh said menacing

“Yeah too stupid to do what you are supposed to?” Jake said piling on

“Enough” Grandpa Jack said loudly “Boys put your plates in the sink and go to the office now”

Jake and Josh’s mouths were hanging open.; Grandpa Jack wasn’t one to lose his temper. Everyone was looking around the table not sure what to do

“Pop I can talk to them” Jackson said

“Son, let Tracy and I handle this as I know you both have been trying but this has to end” Grandpa said standing up

“Yeah we can do this” TJ said

“Listen boys, I love you but this has been going on for far too long” Grandpa Jack said

“Honey, let the boys deal with it” Grandpa Tracy said

“Tracy, let us take care of, they have other children to take care of” Grandpa Jack said

Grandpa Tracy looked at TJ and Jackson who both gave in.

As Grandpa Jack was walking I saw him taking off his belt.