Michael walked out of class eagerly. He knew Jan would be at her locker. She pretended she wasn't waiting for him, but he knew better. Catching sight of her, he began to stroll towards her. Once he was behind her, he tapped her shoulder.

"Hey, Jan." He said nonchalantly. She rolled her eyes before shutting her locker and walking away without a word. Once Michael returned from his momentary shock, he ran after her. "Hey, what's your problem?"

Turning to him, she gave him a glare that made his blood run cold. "What do you think?" she replied icily.

"Last time I answered that question, you yelled at me, so I'm not even gonna run into that bear trap again-"

She stopped abruptly and took him by the arm, leading him to a place out of the way of the other students changing classes. "Look, just shut it for a second." She sighed. "I'm mad at you because of what you said in science last period."

He struggled to remember. "I said a lot of things in that class. . . ."

She nodded slowly. "Yes, you did. And just about everything you said was offensive and crude! That's exactly my point!"

Michael laughed. "You're just not understanding my humor. Try this: Ok, so a nun, a pastor, and a black guy walk into a bar-"

Jan gave him a blank stare, slowly shaking her head. "No, you just don't understand it. We're seniors, Michael. Don't you want to do something for this school instead of building up your reputation as class idiot?"

He gasped. "I resent that!"

She nodded. "As you should!" They both were jerked back into reality as the minute bell rang. Before running off, Jan turned to him and said, "Just promise me you'll think about what I said."

Watching her go, Michael sighed. He knew he had to prove to Jan he could do something. But he couldn't just jeopardize his reputation. He shrugged. I'll figure something out. I always do.

Pam walked out of the front doors of the school and sat down on the steps. Roy said he'd meet me here at lunch. I wonder where he is . . . .

"Looking for someone?" Whirling around to face the voice, she saw a boy who looked about four years older than her. He was sitting on the wide cement railing at the edge of the steps with his legs stretched out in front of him. He gave her a small smile and, while she did smile back, she couldn't help but think he was staring into her very soul. Before she could speak, he started chuckling.

"Aren't we all?" He shook his head, smiling. "Aren't we all?"

"Excuse me, um, who are you?" Pam timidly asked.

He looked off into the distance. "Well, I believe there's really only one way to answer that question." He reached behind the railing and pulled out a guitar before placing it in his lap and beginning to strum. "In song."

"Oh, I don't think that's really necessary." Was that guitar there the entire time?

"Oh," he sang. "One evening, as the sun went down
and jungle fires were burning,
down the track came a hobo hiking,
and he said, "Boys, I'm not turning.
I'm headed for a land that's far away
besides the crystal fountains.
So come with me, we'll go and see
the Big Rock Candy Mountains."

He paused and Pam tried to seize the moment. "Um, look, I don't-"

"In the Big Rock Candy Mountains,
there's a land that's fair and bright,
where the handouts grow on bushes
and you sleep out every night.
Where the boxcars all are empty
and the sun shines every day
and the birds and the bees
and the cigarette trees,
the lemonade springs
where the bluebird sings
in the Big Rock Candy Mountains."

Pam sighed, giving up attempting to stop the boy. Fortunately, while he was nearing the end of the verse, she saw a familiar face walking towards her. She waved and called out to him, hoping he would come faster. "Hey, Roy!"

He waved back. "Hey, Pam!"

Despite this interruption, the boy continued playing. Soon, Roy approached. "Hey, sorry I'm late, the guys-" He noticed the boy. "I see you've made a new friend."

"In the Big Rock Candy Mountains,
all the cops have wooden legs-"

"Hey, kid." Roy stepped towards him, grabbing the neck and muting the sound. This did nothing to stop the boy from strumming though. Eventually, Roy just gave up.

"Ready to tour, Pam?" he asked, putting out his hand. She smiled, taking it.

"Of course." They walked off together, failing to notice Michael standing a few feet away. His eyes widened in the fresh burst of an idea.

"That's it! That's what I can do for the school! I'll start a glee club!"

Song used: 'Big Rock Candy Mountain' by Harry 'Haywire' McClintock