(no subject)

[fry_sandhu]

The kitchen is quiet, compared with the usual chaos. There's a study table going with Coral, Gil and Rahne at the table; Fry is upstairs working on his Open University coursework.

Fran is in the dining room, having a word with Brooke about a letter from school. Guppy is attempting to cook. FEAR.

Comments

[numbered_doctor]

Her own work done, Remy currently stands beside Guppy and helps to the best of her ability.

"Dad?" she ventures after building up some nerve.

[sandhu-kids.livejournal.com]

"Yes?" Guppy asks, smiling gently at her as he tosses some rather wonky courgettes into the frying pan.

[numbered_doctor]

"D'you think I can talk to you and Mom privately after supper?"

[sandhu-kids.livejournal.com]

"Sure." Guppy nods. "We're nearly ready to eat anyway, Mum's just having a word with Brooke."

He hesitates, then adds.

"Would you say Brooke is being very disruptive at school?"

"You think she might not be?" Rahne says, from the table.

[numbered_doctor]

"Not very?" she answers a little hesitantly. "Private school here, is a little more strict than public school back in the states."

[sandhu-kids.livejournal.com]

"That's true." Guppy says, nodding. "We're not mad at Brooke, we're just concerned because from experience, if she's acting out it's because she's bored."

Brooke emerges from the dining room, with a general look of stubbornness. But she spontaneously starts setting the table, as it's her turn.

[numbered_doctor]

"It's all pretty easy, once I have a good look at what needs to be done," she says softly. "Brooke's the same, and it's...tedious, when the teachers explain things again and again, and make us do it, again and again."

[sandhu-kids.livejournal.com]

"Girls, I appreciate that it can be hard being part of a class of twenty five." Frogspawn says, coming in and leaning on the counter. "The problem is that not all of your classmates are quite as clever as you two, and the teachers have a problem with Brooke's attitude of questioning which work is and isn't useful. You're not just there to pass exams, the teachers are perfectly within their rights to teach you things outside of the syllabus."

"And if you don't agree with your teachers, you still have to behave in a respectful manner." Guppy says. "Not everything in school will interest you. But that is true of life, and school isn't there to entertain you."

"The school is happy with Remy's behaviour." Frogspawn says. "Brooke, as I've just been discussing with her, less so. They say the situation cannot continue as it is."

The other siblings glance up. It's not uncommon for the family to discuss things together; indeed on Fridays there's a weekly House Meeting where they do the week planner, discuss conflicts, and request money for things.

"Long story short, they're not expelling me." Brooke says. "But they're saying it might not be the 'best learning environment' for me and that I might want to think about going to a specialist sports college for sixth form."

[numbered_doctor]

Remy's head snaps to Brooke at her announcement. That was new.

"Really?"

[sandhu-kids.livejournal.com]

"Doesn't mean I'm going." Brooke says to Remy. "They just want me to think about it. Mum was asking me what I want to do for a career and seeing as I want to be a karate instructor I can kind of see their point. But I'd miss being in the same class as you."

"The school is prepared to keep Brooke at this point, but they want to see that we're being constructive in trying to help her." Frogspawn says, dishing out the dinner.

"I might change my mind and want to be a PE teacher anyway, in which case I'd be better off where I am." Brooke says.

[numbered_doctor]

Remy smiles.

"I'd miss having you around class, too," she says, settling into her chair. "But really, don't worry about me. I can manage, if you wanted to go to another school."

[sandhu-kids.livejournal.com]

"I don't really know what I want." Brooke says.

"You don't have to decide anything now, let's just arrange to go and see the nearest sports school some time and take it from there." Guppy says, ruffling her hair. "You wouldn't be moving for over a year anyway."

They all sit down for dinner, including Fry who has just come downstairs.

[numbered_doctor]

Remy's quiet through dinner, her mind whirling with scenarios and possibilities regarding her upcoming talk with her parrents.

[sandhu-kids.livejournal.com]

After dinner, Coral starts loading the dishwasher.

"Shall we go have that chat?" Guppy asks Remy softly.

[numbered_doctor]

Steeling herself, Remy nods, rising and tucking in her chair.

"Sure."

[sandhu-kids.livejournal.com]

Brooke, having guessed what's going on, gives her a friendly wink.

Guppy and Frogspawn take her into the living room and shut the doors.

"What's up?" Frogspawn asks gently.

[numbered_doctor]

Sitting down on on the couch, Remy's brow furrows as the tries to think of the best way to broach the subject.

"I-"

Hmmm. Better just say things straightforwardly, get it out there. Expression cautious and unsure, she looks to the two people who raised her.

"I've discovered recently, that I kind of...like girls?"

[sandhu-kids.livejournal.com]

"Okay." Guppy says, smiling.

Frogspawn also gives her an encouraging smile.

"I hope you know we love you just the same no matter who you like." she says.

[numbered_doctor]

"I know," she says softly. "It just...seemed like something to tell you, after I got it straight in my head. That and it gives you fair warning."

[sandhu-kids.livejournal.com]

"Has anyone been giving you trouble about it?" Guppy asks.

[numbered_doctor]

"No," she says. "Then again, the school doesn't know."

Thanks to Brooke.

[sandhu-kids.livejournal.com]

"Well the school has a LGTB friendly policy, so if you have any problems you must let someone know." Guppy says.

[numbered_doctor]

A nod.

"Of course."

[sandhu-kids.livejournal.com]

"So, is there anyone in particular you like?" Frogspawn asks, shifting over to give her a hug.

[numbered_doctor]

A little tension leaves her as Frogspawn hugs her, and Remy leans against her.

"I kissed Micah a little while ago, but she told me afterwards that she doesn't like girls. She was really nice about it, though."

[sandhu-kids.livejournal.com]

"Oh, Micah's a good kid." Frogspawn says. The parents have a habit of... not so much spying, but keeping an eye on who the kids hang out with. Especially since the two oldest have a tendancy to get taken advantage of.

"If you find you're getting into a serious relationship, and you need advice on staying safe, we got clued up after we found out about Brooke." Guppy offers. "Not that we're trying to encourage you to move too fast."