author's notes

warning: mild swearing


Kyle droned on and on. As he spoke, his wavering voice got stronger. Carson knew that Kyle was a bit of a loser; always the odd-one-out and always the last picked for sports in Physical Education class. But the kid had good ideas, and was definitely one of the smartest in his class. He was thin, what some would call border-line anorexic, but he ate like a horse during meal-times. Generally, Kyle was seen with a pilot's jacket; when Carson asked him about it he just said brown was a soothing color.

Of course, everyone knew Jackson was Kyle's opposite. Jackson was a popular jock, which was why Kyle was so wary of him. Truth be told, Jackson did intimidate Carson a little, but no one needed to know that. He was always accompanied by the ladies, always with a new girlfriend, and never in trouble. The teenager had even wriggled out of detention by 'impressing' a few teacherbots. Yes, Carson was worried about how Jackson would treat his group, but he knew that nothing Jackson said could hurt him. That pretty face had no affect on Carson at all.

Then there was Myles. He had a terrible attitude, which came from living in the poorest section of New Saratoga. There were rumors that he had been held back in freshman year twice for busting up a teacherbot. Carson doubted this, as someone that tough should've been expelled.

"Hey, Carson," Jackson yelled. "Wake up!"

Carson started, then realized he had been so lost in thought he hadn't noticed Kyle had finished speaking. "Yes?"

"How come you're the leader?"

With a sigh, Carson said simply "I'm the oldest."

"Oh no you ain't, sucka. I am." Myles glowered across his desk at him.

"Ok. Let's be diplomatic," Jackson said, for the first time hesitant. "I'm sixteen."

"Seventeen, as of January 1st," Carson returned. Jackson stared at him, clearly not liking that his birthday, August 5th, was still five months away.

"Seventeen and one month exactly!" Kyle said happily. As the current date was March 11th, it made his day easy to figure out.

"Nineteen, twenty in July," Myles rumbled, causing the other three to look at him in shock.

"Wh-what?" stuttered Jackson.

"I was held back in freshman year, three times." Myles said this as though it was common for a junior to be nineteen.

"Mind if I ask why?" Kyle asked tentatively.

"Momma wanted to make sure I got fed, an' th' only way to be sure was to keep me in school. I fail enough to keep me back, but I'd be th' top o' th' class if I weren't failing."

Carson digested this. He knew Myles' family was poor, but he hadn't realized they were that poor.

Silence filled the classroom. Shortly, Myles said gruffly, "Enough of this bs. Let's work on this damn project."

"Alrighty. Let's watch some A-Team episodes. I think that will help us become acquainted with who they were and what their myths are about," suggested Kyle, knowing his idea would be shot down.

Sure enough, Jackson retaliated with "No, I want to spend as little time as possible with you losers."

The statement angered Myles, however. "Who you callin' a loser, punk?"

"Hey, pretty boy," Carson added, "I'm sure Myles would be happy to rearrange that lovely face for you."

At that, Myles rounded on Carson. "Hey, wise mouth, I'd be just as happy to wipe that grin of your face."

Kyle squeaked in alarm, causing Myles to turn to him. "And you… you ain't pissed me off yet, so jus' watch out."

Kyle took the warning, and said quietly, "So, meeting tomorrow, same time, same place?"

The others nodded in quiet agreement, not wanting to anger Myles further. Myles stalked out the door, slamming it shut as he left. After he was gone, they all sighed in relief.

Jackson looked shyly at Kyle and stated "Thanks for that."

"Oh, it-it was nothing," Kyle returned, then grabbed his book on the A-Team and ran out the door.

"Pretty boy," Carson said as Jackson got up to leave. "Listen a minute."

Abruptly sitting back down, Jackson gave him his full attention.

"Kyle is a little bit… odd."

With a frown, Jackson asked "How so?"

Carson sighed. "It's none of our business, but I know that he is in therapy for being somewhat insane."

"Oh. How do you know?"

"I've been in most of his classes since we were little tykes, he used to bounce off the walls. Then one day, in third grade, he fell silent; withdrew into himself. He told me everything, that day in third grade. And I think that by now he's forgotten that he's told me, but all the same, he needs friends other than me."

"No. I'm sorry Carson, but I can't ruin my reputation with a nutball."

"I understand. Thank you for your time, and don't tell anyone."

"I won't." With that, Jackson left the room.

Carson sighed again and began to pack up.