Saint Joseph School

((i14.5 update.

Brandon's been through a lot in the last few months. His relationship with Del Sweetwater didn't work out, though he still carries some feeling for her. From there, he went on to an ill-fated friendship/something more with Aura King and then a brief relationship with London Zentaro ...

Dear mom and dad,

How are you? I'm good here in Paragon. It's quieted down some since Beth came back.
Things with London didn't work out as well as I'd hoped, but we're still friends. Her band is amazing. I'm seeing a new girl now, and have been with her for several months. Anna is great; grandma ...

Brandon lined up with the others to shake the opposing team's hands. "Good game, good game," he kept saying as he shook. And he was serious: it was a hell of a great game. Neither team had anything to be ashamed of in his book. He kissed Anna and headed for the lockers, pleasantly worn out.

Brandon followed his teammates into the locker room, pumped. He said, "Man, great game, GREAT game. These guys aren't going to be the pushovers we hoped, but we're tough too. You're all doing an awesome job, just keep doing more of it!" He laughed with the exhilaration of testing himself against ...

Brandon shifted and popped his neck, giving Arly a high-five as she ran to her spot. He was used to the crowd, to the eyes being on his every move, and none of that bothered him. What made him nervous was the idea of using powers. He wasn't going to resort to his fire unless something very strange ...

*laughs* "Now are you just gonna make us run, coach, or are you coming along too? If you're just gonna sit there, I bet Arly's got a twinkie or something for you."

Brandon grins and steps up the pace slightly while the others laugh...no reason for slacking off, even if it's just a fun game.

*grins and starts out, running laps with an easy, ground-eating lope* So how long until the game, anyway?

Brandon had been up since six, as usual. He'd already had breakfast and run two miles without his powers, also as usual. He sat down beside Anna, breathing easily and grinning. "But it WAS funny. Mission accomplished."

He waved to Mal. "Hey man, good to see you!"

Brandon walks in with an easy smile, wearing a tank top and loose shorts. He walks to the front of the table and stands, confident and relaxed, nodding to everyone in the room. He turns his attention to the two team captains.

"Hey guys. I'm Brandon, met you both before, of course. Basketball isn't ...

Dear mom and dad,

Things are fine. I guess you know that Beth's back. She moved in with grandma and grandpa just fine, and they're being pretty strict with her. The nuns are even worse.

I met a new girl. Well, I knew her before, but now we're closer. You remember me mention London a few months ...

Dear mom and dad,

School's great. Grades are fine, and we're sure to take state.
I haven't heard anything more from Beth. I've been looking...she's not in Manhattan.
Everything else sucks. Go concentrate on Beth and we'll talk later. Or not.

Love, Brandon.

+++

The dojo was empty. He wasn't sure ...

Brandon sat in the police station, staring at the officer across the desk from him. He'd been in these sort of places a few times before, mostly in situations where the officer in charge was teaching him about what cops did all day. Once he'd gone to a jail with his dad and Beth, his dad's effort to ...

"Hey, mom, how's...oh, you heard about...mom, calm down. No. No! Oh, come-is dad there? Can I talk to him until...okay. Hey dad. Yeah. I don't know where she went, no. We were talking, and we got into a fight. Yeah. YES, a real fight. And then she left, and I don't-what? Of COURSE I'm out looking ...

My Dearest Del,
I got your letter, and- *scribbled out, thrown into the trash*

Del: What the hell is wrong with you?? Why would you- *scribbled out, thrown into the trash*

Dear Del,
I miss you more than- *scribbled out, thrown into the trash*

Dear mom and dad,
How are you? I am fine, but tired ...

A paper is sitting crumpled in the bottom of a trash bin somewhere in Paragon.

Dear mom and dad,

How are you? I'm mostly okay. It's been a long month.
Beth seems upset a lot of the time. More than usual. Remember the jerk I was telling you about, Luke? They're dating now. He makes her a little ...