The Other Anderson

A twelve year old Neil Perry wandered the halls of the Welton dormitories. The opening ceremonies of the school year had ended a good half hour ago, but he had been kept back by his parents, who had insisted on him personally meeting Mr. Nolan. He'd made a good enough impression, answering the headmaster's questions readily and shaking his hand firmly like his father had taught him. However, when they'd finally let him go, the other seventh graders had already made their way to the dorms. A new student and on his own, he'd gotten lost.

His eyes constantly moving from paper in his hand with his room number on it to the doors he was passing he was having a job of juggling his bag. Where most children his age would begin to feel unease, Neil was merely frustrated. The newness of the school was only a momentary inconvenience really, and he was sure to be over it within hours.

After a few more fruitless minutes of searching he approached the first person he came to. The boy looked to be older than Neil, if anything for the fact that he seemed familiar with the school. At any rate he looked like he knew where he was going.

"Hey, I'm sort of lost," he said, walking confidently over to the older boy, smiling brashly, his age brining him no shyness or lack of buoyancy. "Do you think you could show me where…" his sentence trailed off as he held up the paper.

"Yeah, of course," said the older boy, taking the paper from him and looking at it. Neil studied him briefly as he glanced over the paper. He was about half a head taller than Neil was, with short-cropped brown hair. He was at the age where his shoulders were beginning to broaden, his cheeks beginning to hollow. His eyes where dark, maybe brown.

"Oh. Your problem is you've gone a floor too high. Just check the hall downstairs and you should be fine." He raised an eyebrow, looking back up at Neil. "Seventh grade, eh? I remember my first year at Helton."

Neil grinned. "Is it all it's cracked up to be?" The older boy shrugged.

"It's hard work." He gave Neil appraising look. "I think you'll be fine, though," he said smiling.

"Well, thanks for your help," said Neil. There was a beat and then he extended his hand. "Neil Perry."

The older boy grinned at the younger boy's forwardness and shook Neil's hand.

"Jeffery Anderson."

Yes, everyone, Todd's older brother! I've been wanting to write this for MONTHS.

Jeffery is more confident than Todd, more outgoing. I got the impression from Neil's "Oh, so you're THAT Anderson" that he ACTUALLY knew Jeff. I REALLY wanted those two to be friends. I imagine they'd just say hi when they saw each other in the halls and that Neil took his questions about school life and whatnot to Jeff in the first months of school, but I don't think they'd necessarily go out of their way to hang out. Maybe play soccer. Maybe at some point in passing Jeff would mention that he has a brother Neil's age

I hope Neil's personality in this both fits the Neil we know from the movie and is plausible for a 12-year old… He was sort of difficult to write for here. This type of character analysis is SO fun! I've got a longer version of this, if anyone's interested in me posting it on its own.