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"I have an idea..." Hartley led Cassie down an uncrowded street. "I saw this the last time I was in town. It's a jazz club called the Dakota. And it didn't have it's windows busted by any of the rioters."

When the reached the large wooden doors of the Dakota, Hartley started to open them for Cassie...paused, and stepped aside.

"Almost forgot...not necessary, right?"

The soulful notes of jazz escape out into the night sky as the two go in.





((bedtime for me too))

The next day, Hartley had his second counseling session. To his surprise, it was Doctor Sampson in the office, not Doctor Quinzel.

"Hello, Hartley. Doctor Quinzel came down with a case of..." Leonard Sampson squints at the note scrawled on the paper. "Bilateral Chromosomal Reassignment Disorder, and so won't be attending sessions this week."

Hartley figured that was a fancy way of saying that she didn't want anyone to see she was a dude now. Doctor Sampson must have missed the Student Council debate. Hartley sat down, not sure how to take the sudden switch.

"Now, if you can just give me a moment, Doctor Quinzel's filing system is a little...hectic."

Doctor Sampson looked through some file folders. There was one labeled "Drug Problem," another labeled "Sociopathic Narcissist," one with "ADHD" and another labeled "Australian." Sampson stopped when he found a file labeled "Daddy Issues."

"She labels them by diagnosis instead of patient name. So, Hartley, how has the last week been going for you?"

That was the million dollar question, wasn't it?

"Not so bad, I guess. I mean, I can't complain when 99% of the student body suddenly changed genders."

"Any progress on recovering memories from Homecoming?"

Hartley thought of the song stuck in the back of his head. That mournful, hopeless tune.

"No. Is Ms. Frost really going to force the six of us to have our dreams invaded?"

Leonard frowned.

"Not so long as I'm working here. She and I have different perspectives on how psychological evaluation is supposed to work. She wants answers for an event. I would like answers for a person."

Hartley had no idea what that was supposed to mean. Dr. Quinzel had been weird enough, but this guy looked like he could bench press cars and his hair was green. Why couldn't the school hire some normal counselors?

"Do I have to keep coming to these sessions? We're not going to get any answers for Homecoming Hell, and I have to miss band practice to come."

"You like Band, don't you, Hartley? Up until two weeks ago, it was the only class I have record of you attending."

"I like music."

Leonard nods and starts shuffling through some papers.

"I do have to say that in the last two weeks, things seem to have turned around for you. You're attending all of your classes. Each of your teachers was asked to write an evaluation of you. Would you like to hear them?

Professor Prince says 'Good student, hard work ethic.' Professor Richards say 'Good student, hard work ethic.' Mister Rogers says 'Good student, hard work ethic.' Doctor Magnus says 'Good student, hard work ethic.'"

Hartley grits his teeth. Oops. He should have probably changed up the hypnosis a bit between classes. Doctor Sampson put the papers down.

"Now, either the teachers all got together and decided to standardize their commentary, or something is going on, Hartley."

"I...I don't know, I mean..." Hartley stammered.

"Let's change direction for a bit." Hartley breathed a sigh of relief. "Let's talk about after-school activities. You don't seem to have any outside of being first chair in the flute section of the band. Are you interested in any of the sports?"

"Not really."

"Fine arts? We have a jazz band and there's a glee club starting up."

"I just sort of have my own thing going on."

"I've heard that from the rest of your 'group' when I had them in today." Doctor Sampson responded. "Except for Leonard Snart's interest in football and James Jesse running for student council, there doesn't seem to be anything that catches your eyes."

Hartley thought about the riot and the crime spree they'd organized last week. There were a few things that had caught his eyes then...he was thinking about giving it another shot this week.

"Well, I...I've started hanging around with Cassandra Sandsmark and her friends, and maybe they'll open me up to more activities."

Doctor Sampson nodded.

"I think that's good. I think that increasing your scope is exactly what you need - what all of your group need. A chance to see past the end of your own nose, as it were. Hero High exists to take extraordinary children and mold them into extraordinary adults, Hartley. You should take full advantage of what's offered here."

"You're probably right. Maybe there is more to life than just the music."

Yeah, right.

*Chris hurries into cheerleading practice.*

Sorry I'm late...we were at the movies last night and some of the locals-

*Chris sees Coach Cage.*

Uh...what's going on?

Cassie looks over at Chris and Wally.

"Coach Cage wants the cheerleaders and football players to change places.. apparentely four members of the football team came down with Igotmyperiodis. "

The cheerleaders laugh.

Coach Cage sneers at Powell.

"FINE! You can stay here!!! I need the powerhouses like Kent and Anders and someone fast like Quick! Besides someone has to throw up Achilles on cheerleading jumps!"

Cassie can't hold back her laughter.

" What's so funny Sandsmark?! I want you give me 100 laps around the field! Now!"

"Not this again?!"

"What are you waiting for? Me to dance in a tutu for you?! GET MOVING!!!"

"Yes coach"

Starts running laps outside.

I didn't say I wouldn't try! Jeez...don't get your panties in a twi-

*Chris realizes that could be happening literally to the coach and bursts out laughing.*

WHAT DID YOU SAY!? YOU GOT A HUNDRED LAPS LIKE SANDSMARK!! AND DON'T RUN WITH HER!!! OPPOSITE DIRECTION!!!

*Chris sighs and starts running the opposite direction. When they pass each other, Chris winks.*

Hey, good lookin.

Oh, come on...how can he even hear that!?