Authors note: Glad to see there are people still interested in this sequel. I hope I didn't lose the interest of too many people. There's a lot of middle school fics popping up. Which is great, I'm glad there's more people writing for this section. I was almost afraid it was dead, which was my half excuse for working on this. And they're all different, wonderful.
Read on!
To TJ's surprise, his former friends bothering him was the last thing on his mind when by the time the second week started. Whether it was the homework that took up most of his attention, or the initial fear not living up to what his mind worked it up to be, he wasn't going to question it. He was just going to leave his books in his lockers and go to lunch.
When he stepped into the lunch room, he saw that a crowd had gathered towards the front. He couldn't get a good look at them, but from the few glances he was able to get from the small gaps in the crowd, there were a few girls dressed in cheerleader uniforms, looking a little too happy and peppy than anyone should be at school.
"What's all that about?" He asked, joining the others at their usual table in the corner.
"Cheerleaders advertising the clubs and teams," said Randall.
"It would've been more efficient to announce it over the intercom," Menlo muttered. "They're going to let the students take a period off so they can go into the gym and football field to check out the clubs."
"I snatched a flier," CJ said. She handed the paper over to TJ, who looked it over. Typical sports teams, baseball, basketball, football, soccer, cheerleading, along with the book club, science club, matheletes, the band, and more that covered the back as well as the front.
"Tomorrow after lunch," TJ said. "At least we don't have class. Too bad it's my favorite one, though."
"Not a single thing on that flier interests me. Free time to be lazy for me," said CJ. "What about you guys?"
"The student newspaper looks interesting," said Menlo. "I can't help but feel that's my need for order speaking."
"I'm just gonna look around. I'm not gonna turn up a chance to get out of class," said Randall.
As students walked to their tables, they overheard bits and pieces of conversations between friends over which team they want to join. Mostly sports, some clubs. All sounding eager to tryout or join them.
#
"READY? OKAY!"
As everyone else's attention turned towards towards the peppy cheerleaders, TJ and CJ headed back inside to meet back up with Randall and Menlo. It was way too loud and crowded out on the football field for any of their liking, and there wasn't much to take note off. They already had their kickboxing outside of school.
"Our team isn't that big, being a middle school newspaper, but our job is very important! Someone has to get the news out there to the students. The must know the truth!" One of the members of the student newspaper said.
"We're looking for another reporter, and a photographer. If any of you think you're up to it, come to our room after school," said another member.
"So are you two news reporters now?" TJ asked.
"Maybe. I'm still not sure yet," said Menlo.
"I'm only interested in taking pictures," said Randall. "It's the closest thing to spying on people I've seen at this school so far."
"I'm surprised you haven't been snooping on people so far," said TJ.
"Nothing much to snoop on. Things were a lot more interesting in elementary with you and the others; I've gotta give you props for that," said Randall. "You guys kept things interesting, that's for damn sure. Everything here pales in comparison."
"Let's go see if the cooking club still has any more cake to give out," said CJ. "So we can actually get a piece while everyones outside."
"You're just in luck; we're bringing out another cake," said a student passing behind them. They turned and saw her walking back over to the cooking clubs booth where they were cutting into another cake.
Not ones to miss out on a free cake, they each took a slice. Before any of them could take a bite, CJ's slice was knocked her hand and onto the filthy gym floor, by none other than Austin, the same guy who thought short jokes were funny last week.
"OH he's so brave, knocking into a girl," said TJ. He handed her his own untouched piece. "You'd think he'd at least have some sort of integrity and go after a guy."
"You got something to say to me, Detweiler?" Austin asked, marching up to him.
Despite having more than a head over him, TJ didn't back down. Maybe if it was just about him, he would, maybe not. But what kind of bully goes after a girl?
"Yeah I do. What's your deal? I don't care what issue you have with me, but you're going to leave my friends alone!"
"And what if I don't? What are you going to about it, short stack?" Austin asked.
"Alright you two. Break it up," a teacher from across the gym called. The two of them stared each other down before Austin turned and continued on his way.
"What a jerk," said Randall. "It's like he has nothing better to do."
"I know. You okay, CJ?" Asked TJ.
"Yeah, I'm fine. I wanna know what that kids issue with you is," she said. "Whatever. We're gonna take this all out at kickboxing practice. I feel sorry with who we're going to spar with."
#
"You're looking at the schools newest news reporter and photographer!"
"Holy crap. Congrats, guys!"
Friday, probably the best day of the week that also involved going to school. Menlo and Randall announced their membership on the student newspaper first thing in the morning.
"Do you have something to report on, yet?" TJ asked.
"Yep, the football and cheerleading tryouts this weekend," said Menlo.
"Sounds boring. The tryouts, not you're being there and reporting," said CJ. "I'm sure you guys will make a great article and take great pictures."
As they walked to their lockers, TJ was barely able to keep himself from falling when Austin stuck his foot out to trip him in the halls. As much as he wanted to wipe that smug look off Austins ugly face, he's rather not have the attention of the crowd on him. That would have to wait for another time.
Besides, he has a number of tests to get through today.
#
Though between the massive amount of school work he was expected to get through was something always on the back of his mind, TJ wasn't one to turn own ice cream at Kelsos when offered, especially on a Friday night. What better way to let the stress of school melt off your shoulders than over an almost comically large milkshake with the ambiance of the semi empty neighborhood streets?
While Menlo and CJ couldn't join them, Menlo wanting to be as prepared as he could possibly be for reporting tomorrow morning at tryouts, and CJ wanted to soak in the tub after a particularly harsh kickboxing practice, TJ and Randall were more than willing to meet up at the ice cream bar with their respective cameras in hand.
"I'm sure the wide angle lens will work fine for a shot of the whole field, but I'm not if I'll need one for a close up of people trying out. A standard or short telephoto should be fine, but I don't want to carry both," Randall said.
"What's the difference?"
"Standard is just for everyday pictures. General pictures, ones everyone takes, you know," he said. "Short telephoto's are for portraits."
"Those are the ones that focus on things closer, and blue things behind them, right?"
"Right!"
"Maybe don't take close up pictures of people trying out. New teammates haven't been decided yet, so it would take more sense for a picture of them all on the field," said TJ.
"Yeah, you're right," said Randall. "That makes sense."
"Do they have those lenses for video cameras?"
"Yeah, for some of them. They're expensive though. It's too bad they haven't built them into the cameras yet. That'd be pretty awesome. You thinking about making movies after all?"
"I'm still mulling it over. It wouldn't be anything more than a something I'd do when I'm bored, if I do," said TJ. "Like when we're all out doing something. That and there's this abandoned building I sorta kinda wanna check out."
"The one on the edge of town?"
"Yeah that one."
"Me too. Never got around to it though."
"I always thought that someone lived there. It didn't look like it was abandoned, so I didn't think about it," said TJ.
"It's definitely abandoned. I looked through the windows once. I couldn't see much with all the dust built up on the glass, but there wasn't any furniture or anything," said Randall. "I did some more digging. It's been abandoned for years."
"It should be safe to break into, then."
"So you two are the best of friends now, huh?"
The two of them turned from their seats at the bar to the booth directly behind them. Butch, recognizable by his unforgettable streak off white hair, sat alone, sipping on a strawberry smoothie while doodling away in a small sketchbook.
"Best friends? No. but we get along well enough," said TJ. "That's all I need to be friends with someone. Turns out we have more in common than we thought."
"I thought I'd never see the day. Third Streets golden boy and the resident snitch hanging out like it's nothing," Butch said. he stood and brought his glass up to the counter. "First time for everything."
"I haven't been doing any snitching lately. Everything's boring compared to Third street. I have to admit, you can your old friends kept things interesting, that's for damn sure," said Randall.
"Whatever, Weems. If you decide to break into that building, let me know, yeah? I'm not one or breaking into places, but I wanna know what it looks like inside," said Butch. "Might give me something to draw."
"Yeah, sure no problem, Butch," said TJ.
"I'm gonna head out. Get home before the 'rents get upset."
"I think I'm gonna head out too. It's getting late, and I don't wanna get in trouble this early in the school year."
"Oh, TJ, before you go, I have something to give you," Mr. Kelso said. "You remember my friend Stan from a few weeks ago?"
"The guy who said he'd read my comic? Yeah, I remember him."
"He called me and wanted me to give you his address. He's really interesting in reading what happens next, and hopes that you'll send him a copy if you make another," said Mr. Kelso. He handed him a post-it note with an address written down on it.
"Oh. Okay. Thanks, Mr. Kelso."
After pocketing the address, he headed out, he and Randall parted ways before he started towards home. He noticed other kids out with their own groups of friends. Though he had his own new group, it still reminded him of what he used to have. He tried taking his mind off it, thinking of what he still had to do with his comic.