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Pulling over in the parking lot Mackie takes off his helmet climbing off his bike, people stare as he walks. Mackie never had much going for him at school but being with Ben made being there bearable, now that they're not together there's nothing keeping him there.

"You want to transfer?" The dean asks Mackie who's sitting across him, Mackie nods "but it's only been a year."

"I know but there's nothing left for me here, and I figured since I've been off probation I could just transfer back to East Shore."

"You were expelled Mackenzie transferring back to East Shore isn't an option."

"Ok then I'll find a different school or I'll drop out, school's not that important to me. I have a job I'm good at and my own place"

"Is this because of the mugshot? Because we are looking for the person who sent it"

"I don't care about that, there's nothing left for me here I don't want to stay" he's made up his mind.

"All right um that final decision can't be made until we have a parent sign these. But you can't drop out,"

"Why not?"

"School is important Mackenzie trust me, I know you didn't fit in here so I think I might have the next best thing." Mackie listens "online school" The dean suggests

"Online school?"

"Yes we have an online school program that costs 150 dollars a month, but it guarantees you graduate with your diploma. You won't get access to teachers but it lets you work on your own time without having to be here,"

"Why have I never heard about this?"

"Because actually going to school is the best option,"

"Whatever I'm interested. How do I sign up?"

Printing sheets of paper the principal hands them to Mackie "get these sign, bring them back, then we can get the process going for signing up."

"Thanks," Mackie takes the papers. He doesn't know if his parents will agree but this is better than dropping out altogether, so they don't really have a choice.

Everyone walks to class as he's walking towards his locker, the side eyes and whispers are heavy but it's nothing Mackie isn't used to. "I heard he broke the guy's neck," someone says as he walks past them.

"Look at his hands" they continue to comment

Going to his locker Mackie opens it and starts to empty it out, shoving everything in his backpack he hopes it all fits. Everyone's curious but only one is unafraid to approach him, "got exiled huh?" Jeremy grins standing next to Mackie as he continues "makes sense you never belonged in my school anyway." Mackie continues to ignore the gloating boy, "and don't worry I'll take good care of Ben." Dropping his bag Mackie yanks Jeremy by the collar slamming him against the locker pinning him there by the throat, everyone sees and some take out their phones ready to record yet another meltdown from Mackie. "Yeah hit me so I can make sure you go back to jail where you belong"

Mackie is tempted but Jeremy saying he belongs in jail is the reason he lets go, Mackie swore to never go back there. Picking his bag up he checks the empty locker then shuts it, "if you hurt Ben again I will have no problem killing you and getting life for it." He walks away

"Ben!" Someone runs up to him as he sits outside with the girls

"Hey" Ben greets the out of breath boy,

"Catch your breath Milton geez" Ali comments

"Your boyfriend- I just saw him emptying his locker, I think he got kicked out."

"What?" Ben is shocked "why would he

get kicked out?"

"Maybe someone told about your party?" Milton looks at Ali and she shrugs

"Did he leave?" Ben asks

"He's leaving now" Milton points to Mackie walking out of the doors, Ben along with the others watch him as he walks towards his bike. Turning when he gets to his bike Mackie sees Ben watching him, they stare at each other "aren't you gonna go say something?"

"They broke up" Brooke answers,

"Oh"

Getting on his bike Mackie puts on his helmet starting his bike and pulling out of the lot. "Hope we never have to see him again" Ali comments rolling her eyes. She doesn't know how much this hurts Ben as he watches the guy he's in love with drive away and he's probably never coming back. Getting up Ben walks away so they won't see him cry over the thought.

Knowing the shop is closed Mackie drives to the house hoping his mom's there and not his dad, maybe his mom will agree to him finishing school online. Stopping in front of the house he doesn't see any cars, using his key Mackie goes into the seemingly empty house. It's been 2 months since he's been in there and maybe he was hoping something had changed, but nothing. "Mom?" Bentley walks out of his room and sees Mackie "MACK!" He runs towards his big brother jumping in his arms

"Hey what are you doing home? Where is everybody?" Mackie hugs his little brother

"Ryder is sick so mom said I could stay home with him, dad's in the basement."

"Ryder's sick?" He puts Bentley down

Nodding "he threw up in his bed this morning so now he's in mine while dad cleans his downstairs." Walking towards his little brother's room Mackie listens to Bentley, "so where do you live? Do you have your own room? Harley asks us all the time"

"I bet he does." Walking in the room he sees Ryder sleeping "how's he doing?" Mackie whispers

Bentley shrugs, "if he throws up on my bed mom says I get to sleep in your room" he grins

"That's all you care about?" Bentley nods and Mackie playfully taps the back of his head.

"So are you back?"

"No I just need to talk to mom" they walk back out heading to the kitchen

"She went to get medicine for Ryder, want me to get dad?"

"Nah it's ok" opening the fridge Mackie looks around at the containers filled with food, "what'd you guys have for dinner?" He starts to open containers placing them on the counter

"Meatloaf" he sighs "and stupid veggies."

As he opens the container of fruits their dad walks into the kitchen, he and Mackie look at each other then Mackie looks back at the bowl of fruits putting some in his mouth. "Hey" his dad greets

"Hey" Mackie doesn't bother looking at him,

"Bent go check on your brother"

"But he's sleeping"

"Just go," his dad says sternly and Bentley walks out of the kitchen. "What are you doing here?" He asks his son

"I need to talk to mom and she's not answering her phone," he starts to put the containers back in the fridge

"She'll be back soon" it's awkward between them, the dad wants to try but doesn't want Mackie to reject him. "So how you been?"

"Good... you?"

"Yeah, good got new shotguns at the range." It's quiet as they stand there with the kitchen island between them, "so Harley tells me you guys are talking again"

Mackie scoffs "probably only because he knows Ben and me ended things."

"Who's Ben?" His dad asks

"My-" feeling himself about to say boyfriend, Mackie stops and corrects himself "ex."

"Oh... sorry to hear that"

Staring at him "are you?" Mackie knows he doesn't mean it

Before his dad can reply the front door opens and in comes his mom, "Honey?" She calls her husband "is that Ken's bike outside?" She walks turning in the kitchen to find Mackie and his father, "hey" a smile grows on her face seeing her son "what are you doing here?"

Walking over Mackie kisses her on the cheek "missed the boy's and I needed to talk to you so figured I'd stop by,"

"Oh yeah did you see Ryder? Poor baby has a stomach bug"

"He's sleeping I didn't want to wake him up"

"Ok. Hi honey," she greets her husband "were you guys talking?"

"Barely" Mackie answers, "look I need to talk to you about school"

"Both of us?" His mom asks

"No just you is fine."

"Mackie if it's anything about school I think I should be involved" his dad comments.

"Fine" standing in the kitchen with them Mackie lets out, "I'm not going anymore."

"What?" His dad asks

"Excuse me?"

"Before you guys react, I spoke to the dean and he gave me an idea we all can agree with"

"I swear if the word GED comes out of your mouth I'm gonna attack you."

"No mom online school, the dean says if you sign the papers he can transfer me to an online program."

"Is that as good as being in school?" His mom asks and Mackie nods "and you'll get your diploma?" He nods again "what do you think?" They turn to Mackie's dad

"Is it costly?" He asks

"You guys don't have to worry about that I can pay for it myself,"

"Mackie you're 17 years old and you're paying for everything in your life now, but you're still our kid so we can handle this one thing."

"It's 150 a month" he answers,

"We can take care of that as long as you promise to finish and graduate"

"Yeah that's the plan" opening his bag he takes the forms out, "just need these signed and for someone to come to the school with me to get me registered for online school."

"I could do it" his dad quickly replies before his mom does, "I mean I could close the range early tomorrow and meet you at the school."

"Is that ok with you Mackie?"

Nodding "yeah" shutting his bag, "I have a long drive back to my place so I should go."

"So when are you gonna have us over to see this place of yours?" His mom smiles

Looking at his parents Mackie answers, "soon." Walking out of the kitchen he sees Bentley coming towards him

"You're leaving?" His brother looks up at him with sad eyes

"Yeah but I'll be back tomorrow, call me when Ryder wakes up ok?" Bentley nods "and take care of him"

"Ok."

"Bye" he turns to his parents

"Bye honey" his mom waves

"Bye," his dad replies before he leaves.

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