Hi, we're attempting to write our first fanfic here.. So please read and review and give us any pointers that you think we might need. Thanks.

– meta and scrawler.

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Chapter 1:

"It's time to wake, Frank. You'll be late for school!"

Frank gave a small groan and rolled over in his sleep. His mother, Laura, tapped him lightly again.

"Don't feel… like going to school today," he mumbled half asleep, his eyes still shut.

His mother felt his head for a temperature. "Don't you feel alright, dear?" she asked. Her voice was beginning to sound concerned. It was not often, (in fact, hardly ever) that Frank did not want to go to school. He was all along a conscientious student, and usually woke up early enough for school, with even time to spare. It was his younger brother Joe who usually refused to budge from his bed in the mornings, not Frank.

Then she sighed. "Frank, I know this is difficult, but…"

Frank got up reluctantly, shrugging the bed clothes off. "I'm fine, Mom," he assured his mother. "Just feeling lazy." He managed a wan smile and made his way to the bathroom.

He turned on the tap and splashed some cold water on his face. Sigh, it was only the first week of school, and he was already dreading it. He wondered how he was going to last the whole term.

A year ago Frank Hardy was an enthusiastic young student looking forward to his high school graduation. At the end of the term, all were dashed, and his life crumbled before him. He did not manage to complete his high school examinations, and was now forced to repeat his final year along with Joe who was a year younger. It had been a terrible letdown to a lot of people, who had been expecting him to ace his examinations. He closed his eyes, as he remembered everything that had happened in the past one year.

A mystery that he and Joe had been working on near the end of the year had left him severely ill. Too weak to attend school for a whole month, he had missed his final exam papers. Of course, he did try to make it to his first two papers, only to collapse from exhaustion at the end of the day. Needless to say, he was placed back in hospital, and the doctor restrained him from going back to school for any more papers. Not that it make much difference, actually, whether he sat for them or not. His mind was fuzzy then, and he neither been able to concentrate on the questions nor remember the answers. He would probably have failed anyway.

Even after he was discharged from the hospital a week later, Doctor Bates had ordered a complete month of bedrest, So, he didn't get the chance to make up his papers…

His parents were understanding, and did not blame him, but Callie certainly did. Callie! The girl he had so dearly loved… once upon a time. A year his junior and a classmate of Joe's, she had been his perfect date all through high school, but it was all over now. A stab of pain burned in his heart as visions of the blonde, brown-eyed girl now holding hands with Steve Taylor flashed through his mind. He had heard that the two had grown close during the holidays. He could not blame them, however, though he did feel some resentment. After all, Steve was there for her when she cried over him after they broke up. He cringed, remembering her angered voice during their last fight. Two days after he missed her junior prom – since he was confined to bedrest – she had come over, supposedly to talk things through, though they ended up yelling at each other for most of the conversation.

"You should have known better to take on a case like that when your finals are so near! I'm disappointed in you, Frank! A lot of people are disappointed in you!"

"Yes, it's always Joe. I always thought it's bad enough that he takes precedence over me. I didn't know that you let him takes precedence over your own future too!"

"And that was a blatant, outright lie, Frank! You told me it was your Dad who called. That you needed to run an errand for him! You didn't tell me that it's all about Joe! Or Belinda!"

The case involved Joe's life, he had argued back, defensively. And he was involved in the case not because he had to, but because he needed to, and wanted to. Not only Joe was his younger brother, but also his pillar of strength, his loyal confidante and best friend. Joe really meant a lot to him. Besides, the only reason why Joe was abducted was because he had to drive home alone after their dinner that night. All because the big brother chose to go for a movie date with his girlfriend. How could he be so irresponsible to not involve himself in this case?

He didn't have any excuses for lying to her though, apart from the fact that the kidnappers had threatened to kill Joe if he told. But then again, he felt that she should have shown a little more understanding. After all, he had never told anyone, apart from Joe, every single truth about his cases, not even to his dad sometimes.

But it was true that many people were somewhat disappointed in him, especially his teachers. He had been a straight-As student all along, and no one had expected him to fail any of his papers, let alone repeat the grade. Especially Callie, she had called the whole thing disgraceful. But he could not see in any way how this could be helped. After all, his brother's life was more important than some grades on a piece of paper. But Callie had blamed him, and she blamed Joe too. It wasn't Joe's fault, and it was his own future that he had messed up, not hers, he had argued back – only to realize that it was quite the wrong thing to say when she whirled on him. Bitingly thanking him for making it clear that she had no part in his future, Callie had stormed out of the room and out of the house. And she had been furious ever since…

If only… if only he had not let his brother drive home alone that night, then everything wouldn't have happened. But it's all too late now. The past is over. At least, Joe was safe. He must now make full use of the present, and concentrate on graduating this year. Looking straight into his own deep brown eyes in the mirror, he drew a deep breath, making a silent resolve to complete his high school education this year. The only problem was that, he would be in the same grade as a bunch of juniors, and that would mean he would be in the same class as Steve and Callie too. He dreaded the mere thought of seeing her and Steve in class together. Oh well, she and Steve would make a pretty good match. He considered Callie one of the prettiest girls he had ever met, and Steve was indeed a good looking guy, with his handsome features and a charming smile to match, good in sports and in his studies too. His jaw broke into a wry smile in spite of himself. It was ironic that he was silently wishing them the best.

Deep down inside, though – Frank knew that the case wasn't the sole reason why Callie broke up with him. They had been arguing more and more lately over the past few months; and there had been subtle hints that Callie had developed some other interests – how could he have ignored it? Those sneaking glances; and that wistful smile whenever her gaze rested on Steve. Callie had even accepted a ride from Steve once, when Frank had to run off on an errand for his father. Yes, Frank somewhat knew that his girlfriend had a crush on that guy. But had been very busy with his cases lately, and rarely had time for her…

He had messed up; and he had lost her… and man, did it hurt…

Oh, never mind. Joe will be there, he consoled himself. At least, that was one comforting thought. Strengthened by the mere thought of his brother, he ran his hand through his dark brown hair and sighed. He would get through all these mess somehow.

Joe was almost finishing his breakfast when he came down. "You're late," he said, flashing his blue eyes triumphantly at Frank. Six foot tall and an inch shorter than Frank, Joe bore a close resemblance of his mother with his bright blue eyes and light blond hair – a complete contrast to his dark-haired, brown-eyed brother Frank, who took after their father in his looks. "Fancy Frank Hardy oversleeping! This is a solid proof that miracles do happen!" the younger Hardy grinned.

Frank gave his brother a light cuff for his cheek, and buttered himself a toast. He swallowed it in three big gulps, knowing that they were already running late. Joe had already finished breakfast, and was standing there, impatiently waiting for him.

"Race you to the van, Frank!" Joe chirped as Frank swallowed his last morsel, and did a mad rush towards the door. Frank groaned, but dashed after his brother all the same, almost tripping over the rug in the hall on his way out.

Their mother shook her head. "Have a good day in school!" she called after them, as Joe backed the van out of the drive. "Drive safely, and DON'T speed!"

Despite the slightly heavy traffic, it was a lovely drive to school. The trees were still wet from last night's rain, and the sun shone brightly from the cloudless sky. Even Frank, in his gloomy mood, felt his heart lighten as they drove. Joe was in good spirits too, humming along with the radio and drumming his fingers endlessly to the beat, till he almost swerved into the ditch when a cat ran across their path.

"Blow! Just a little late and there's no more space," Joe mused as he rounded the van through the school parking lot. Oh, well, might as just well, he sang, as he swung the van into a corner space next to a low red car. It was not a proper parking spot where they parked. The proper spaces had ended where the red car was, but since it did not obstruct anyone, they didn't bother. After all, there was nothing much they could do as there was no more space.

And up they went, towards the school building to find their friends, unaware that someone was watching them as they left.