Disclaimer: See the Prologue
A/N: Here comes my favourite Smith: The Punk. By the way, if you're waiting to review once the story is finished, don't hold your breath. This is going to be a long fic and I really appreciate your input right now.
Chapter 6 – New Punk Kid On The Block
"…and then he fired a massive blast and blew a chunk outta the building," Jake conversed with Trixie and Spud on the way to Millard Filmore Middle School, who had been curious as to what happened to Jake on Saturday.
Today was Monday, the start of yet another week of school. But they didn't mind, as they were already on the edge upon listening to Jake talk about Dan Smith, the Hellion. Well, at least Spud was; Trixie was starting to feel bored, where she yawned to prove it.
"Wow, Dan sounds like a really far-out guy," Spud remarked ecstatic, "And he kicked the Huntsman's butt?"
Jake chuckled, "Yeah. It looked like the Huntsman had his ear blown off. Bet that hurt, eh?"
Spud nodded enthusiastically, already taken in by this guy which he only seen once, had referred to Trixie as his 'girlfriend', and that was last weekend. He had wished to see Dan Smith 'The Man' in action himself.
Trixie sighed, "Can we chat about somethin' else? I heard everything back on Saturday."
"Awwww," Spud moaned, just as they reached the fencing outside the school.
Jake sighed upon stepping onto the grounds, remembering how he'd always see Rose out in the front, which Trixie immediately sensed, and sighed within her mind.
'He ain't gonna live till' 20 worryin' about her,' she thought, 'How hard is it to let someone go, specially' if it's someone that's tried to kill you?'
As they walked into the school, they were unaware of the black sedan pulling out in front of the school, where the back window rolled down, it's passenger 'watching' Jake, Spud and Trixie disappear through the door.
He then grumbled as if this was his first day of school, in a tone of voice that strangely sounded similar like Jake's.
"Showtime."
----------
What can be considered very unfortunate, albeit oblivious, was that the gang's first class was with Professor Hans Rotwood, who was living proof that the Nazi Party once existed. And he looked rather sour (more than usual), considering the fact that he was still sore after falling down the stairs courtesy of Jake about a week ago.
"Alright class," he begun, seeing all eyes wearily focused on himself, "Let's get down to business…Evolution of the Dragon."
Hans RotwoodMoans and sighs were heard all around the class, which was not unusual for Rotwood's classes, or lectures more like.
"Not again," Spud was heard to say softly.
Jake however, rested his head on his desk and thought, 'How can this day get any worse?'
----------
Meanwhile in the principal's office…
"Smith. Con Smith is it?"
"Yeah, ma'am. That's my name, don't wear it out."
Dolores DercetoThe wheel-chair bound Principal Derceto looked curiously at whomever it was that sat cross-legged before her desk: a fourteen-year old boy dressed in a white shirt, green shorts and grey slip-on shoes. His height was 4'6, which was considered really small. What really caught her eyes was the bandanna that covered the top half of his head, including his eyes; and the rather cool-looking headphones he wore.
Overall, he looked like a little punk.
"So, I understand your family just moved here over the weekend?" Derceto asked.
Con nodded, where he smiled, "Yeah. We sure did. All the way from Seattle."
Derceto smiled back, then looked over his file, when suddenly her smile faltered when she came across something…unsettling.
"I…also understand you have a… certain condition," she explained, "Could you elaborate on that?
"Huh?" Con replied, his smile disappearing
"It's just so we can assess you and your needs properly," Derceto explained further.
Con nodded, putting both feet flat on the floor and sitting properly.
"I'm used to it," Con replied smartly, "It doesn't give me crap and I always have it under control."
"Well, I'm sure you'll love it here, Mr. Smith. You'll find that our facility is one of the best in this state alone. And we are accepting of anyone who is unique in some way."
"That's what I've heard," Con replied, "So, when do I start?"
Decerto checked the boy's schedule, "Well, your current class has already started. Would you like me to show you."
Con shook his head, "Not needed, yo. I'm gone."
He then reached forward and snatched his schedule from the desk, before grabbing his bag and disappearing out the door, leaving a rather dumbfounded principal Decerto sitting there.
'Heaven knows how can live like that,' she thought, 'Especially when he can't…'
Something else then popped into her head.
'Did he say 'crap' in front of me? That's a first.'
----------
Jake felt fatigue overwhelm him as he sat and listened to Rotwood drone on over irrelevant studies. He had always felt the urge to abduct him and scrub his mind of everything that has got to do with his infatuation with magical beings.
Sometimes, even wanting to kill him; but he'd always shrugged that thought away, thinking it as 'excessive force.'
'Soon, Rothead,' he thought as he smirked, 'You'll get yours.'
"Mr. Long?"
"Huh?"
Rotwood looked at Jake sternly, noticing he was once again drifting off.
"Pay attention, will you?"
Jake nodded, "Whoops. Sorry."
Suddenly, the door into the classroom opened slowly, before being kicked open and nearly off it's hinges…
"EKKKK! DUCK FOR COVER!"
…where Rotwood couldn't help but dive under the desk, his monocle falling from his eye. The entire classroom was startled, where Jake Spud and Trixie's eyes widened, Jake getting ready for anything bad that would happen. He merely saw some bandanna-wearing kid with large headphones standing in the doorway, his bag slung over one arm and some papers in the other.
"Er…is this Room #28?" he asked, "Mr. Rotwood
Trixie queered her eyebrows, 'Whoa! Who's this guy?'
Rotwood got out from under his desk, straightening his suit and humiliation coursing through him.
"It's PROFESSOR Rotwood," Rotwood replied gruffly, "And you are?"
"Con Smith," the kid replied, "I'm new here."
Rotwood looked over at his roster, "Oh yes. Mr…Smith."
'Smith?' Jake, Trixie and Spud all suddenly thought alarmed.
"Well," Rotwood said, looking over the bandanna-wearing kid with curiosity, "I must say you're five minutes late. But you're just in time for the exciting parts of my lecture."
"That's a relief," Con replied, smartly.
'Pity the fool,' Spud thought.
"Please take your seat," Rotwood finished.
Con nodded, before looking over the classroom. Trixie noticed he was staring her way and the empty desk next to her. He walked over towards it and sat down, placing his bag underneath and exhaling softly.
"Now, where were we?" Rotwood said, managing to steady his heartbeat and hold his bladder, "Oh yes. Michaels, read on."
Con reached into his bag and pulled out his respective textbook, where upon opening it…
"Hey," Trixie whispered over to him, "Nice entrance. Way to make Rotwood jump like that."
He smiled, "Thanks."
"Name's Trixie," she added, "Welcome to Stalug #38."
Con then sensed Jake was looking at him from the front. He turned his head his way, where Jake suddenly faced the board. If it wasn't for his bandanna he would have queered his eyebrows, but he just shook his head and faced Rotwood,
Class went by as usual, but only this time the students were fully awake and paying attention, amused at seeing how Rotwood could teach a class after having the fright of his life courtesy of the new kid, which they were all curious over. Like what's with the bandanna which covered his eyes? And the really cool-looking headphones?
'Man,' Spud thought, 'Why isn't he gettin' busted for wearing all that gear?'
Jake was thinking different over this new guy.
'Smith?' he thought, 'Could he be…? Nah!'
He shook his head softly.
'Gotta be a coincidence.'
After class, Jake caught up with Trixie and Spud as they walked down the hall past the multitudes of lockers, which lined the walls and the students, which checked into them.
"As usual, that was a waste of good thirty minutes of my life," Jake complained.
"You my man are not wrong about that," Spud remarked, patting him on the back.
"Hey, wanna go check out the new kid?" Trixie said, "He looks kinda cute…er…cool."
Jake and Spud turned towards her, surprised upon her saying that.
"What?" she shot at them, frowning.
They quickly shook their head, and said in unison, "Nothing. Let's go!"
They saw Con just up ahead as he sat up his locker, piling his books into his space, all the while whistling happily to himself, which caught the attention of passing students. As two of them walked by Jake, Trixie and Spud…
"Did you hear about that new kid?" Courtney was heard to say, "Almost made Rotwood pass out."
"Yeah. Heard he crapped his pants," Lacey added.
'Jeez, news spreads like bacteria here,' Jake thought.
"Head's up!" Spud exclaimed, "Here comes the Bradster!"
"Aw, man," Jake groaned.
They saw Brad approaching Con, just as he shut his locker and span the dial. He turned to face him.
Brad Norton"Hey, New Kid!" Brad begun, "I heard you made Rotwood dive under his desk. Nice going."
Con smirked, "Thanks…I think."
Brad's eyes widened upon hearing that smart remark. Jake and co. saw Brad getting 'friendly' with Con, where Spud shook his head softly; eyes closed as if in focus.
"This oughtta be interesting," Spud said.
Jake crossed his arms uncomfortably, seeing what was unfolding not to far from them.
"Word of advice, New Kid," Brad explained, "Know your place on the food chain here. A little punk like you is a mere ant, and I'm the lion here."
Con's smile faltered, "I see where this is going. You must be the class 'asshole'! There's usually one in each prison...I mean school."
Brad's face turned to shock, upon being called an asshole for the first time in his life. He frowned and quickly reached forward and grabbed Con's headphones, and dangled it above his head as if daring him to take it back.
"Better watch your mouth, Smith," Brad threatened, "People can get hurt here in Millards. Better learn to keep out the way of guys who can flatten you in an instant."
"Now things are getting hostile," Spud whispered to Jake.
"I see that, Spud," Jake replied, eyes narrowed slowly, "Stop playin' commentator."
Con surprisingly smiled, "You mean the jocks? Those guys don't scare me…"
Suddenly, he swiped his hand forward and was then holding his headphones.
"…and neither do you, butt-munch!"
Brad's eyes widened, seeing he no longer held the headphones. This caught the attention of several other students, who quickly surrounded them, praying they'd see a fight between Brad and this little punk kid.
"How'd…how'd you do that?!" Brad cried, seeing Con take back possession of his headphones in a split second
Con still smiling as he put his headphones back on, "So are you finished playing the asshole or are we done?"
Everyone whistled at that, where Brad frowned and clinched his fists.
"Why, you little punk!" he exclaimed.
"ALRIGHT!"
Jake then pushed through the crowd and stepped between Con and a fuming Brad.
"Give em' a break, Brad," Jake said, smiling, "It's his first day. You should know not to beat up the new kid on his first day. It's etiquette, you feelin' me?"
Brad narrowed his eyes, staring daggers at Con.
"You're lucky, dweeb," Brad said, "Better watch yourself!"
With that Brad turned around and pushed his way through the crowd, which was disappointed to not have seen fists flying, also walked away.
"Jackass," Con muttered.
"You got that right, bro," Jake overhead him.
Con turned to face Jake, where he smiled slightly.
"Thanks for that, dude," Con said, "Didn't think I'd meet any jerfoffs the first thing I get here."
Jake shrugged, "It happens. Anyway, name's Jake."
"Con, yo!"
They shook hands, where Jake nudged toward Trixie and Spud, who stepped forwards and made themselves known.
"This here's Trixie," Jake introduced her, "But that's her formal name. Call her Trix."
Con turned to her and smiled, "You haven't changed since I first laid eyes on you, which was thirty minutes ago."
Trixie blushed, "Don't flatter yourself, Bandanna Kid."
Con then turned to Spud, who frowned for a split second at seeing Trixie blush at Con's words. He then smiled big,
"I'm Spud," he introduced himself.
Con looked his way blankly.
"Spud?" Con said questioning, "Jeez, your parents mustn't like you too much."
Spud's eyes widened, upon hearing that light-heartedly humorous, but offensive suggestion.
"That's short for his last name," Jake explained, "Spudinski."
"Whoa!" Con suddenly exclaimed, "I'm standing corrected, man!"
Spud bowed his head, feeling hurt. He then felt Con's hand on his shoulder, where he saw that the punk was still smiling.
"I'm just jokin'," Con admitted, "Honestly."
Spud smiled relieved, "Really?"
"No."
Spud's smile faltered.
"Got ya'!"
Jake and Trixie laughed, seeing Spud getting rolled over. Spud looked dumbfounded, eyes wide in shock. He then smiled softly, getting the humour.
"You're fun to tease, Potato-man!" Jake smiled, "In a good way that is."
----------
At the cafeteria, they brought their lunches and invited Con to sit with him, which he obliged. They were then quick to bombard him with Twenty Questions as Con sat next to Jake.
"So, Con-man?" Trixie begun, "How does a guy like you wind up in a dump like this?"
Con chuckled before taking a bite out of his meat sandwich, "Dunno! It was a group decision."
"You mean your folks?" Spud asked.
"Yeaaaaahhhhh," Con said, slowly and cynically, "My folks."
They noticed how Con replied to that question, where Jake's eyebrows raised curiously.
"So what d'ya do when school's out?" Jake asked.
Con turned his way and answered in a fake menacing tone, "If I told you, I'd have to kill you."
"Whoa, harsh man," Spud said, "Like saying you're a part-time assassin."
"Get real, Spud," Trixie nudged him in the ribs, "Yo, what's with the bandanna?"
Con smiled and pushed the tail of his bandanna behind his back, "Nothin'. It makes me look cool. Don't you say?"
"I'll say," Trixie replied, "It's looks slammin.'"
"Can you even see out of there?" Spud asked, "I mean, dude, it's over your eyes."
Con bowed his head slightly and replied softly, "It doesn't matter much to me."
Jake looked at him questioningly, "Whys that, yo?"
Con sighed and was about to open his mouth to reply when suddenly spun around and caught an apple that would have collided with his head. Jake, Spud and Trixies' face shone with complete surprise and amazement
"WHOA! Jake cried, "What the hey?"
Spud and Trixie's eyes widened.
"Great catch, man!" Spud cried, ecstatic.
Trixie glared, "It's the jock."
The whole table turned to see Brad a yard away, his throwing hand stretched forward. He then glared, where Con suddenly smiled and flipped him off, shocking the jock and everyone else at his table. Con then pulled out his tongue.
"Whoa! Harsh, dude!" Spud said again, "I'd never do that!"
"Just makin' a point," Con replied, before turning to face the trio, "Say, what d'ya guys do for fun around here?"
Jake smiled, "We're gonna hit the skate park once school's out. Care to join us?"
"Word!" Con replied, "Y'know that trick Tony Hawk took around a dozen times to pull off?"
"Yeah?" Jake replied, thinking about the God of Skateboarding himself.
"I can do that as well," Con replied, "And in fewer tries as well."
Trixie smirked, "Now you're bluffing."
Con crossed his arms; "You won't be so sure after I make you all seem like amateurs."
"Looking forward to it," Spud replied.
After lunch they headed for their next class, where along the way Con sensed something…unsettling.
"Hey guys," he said, "I'll catch up with ya.'"
"Where're you goin'?" Jake asked, surprised.
"Nature calls," Con replied, "Don't wait up."
He then took down the hall and made a left, leaving Jake, Spud and Trixie standing there.
"Well, he was in a rush," Spud said.
Trixie looked over at him, eyes narrowed, "What d'you think? Guess you don't have to do your business."
"Nope," Spud replied, smiling and feeling proud, "I do it for an hour in the morning, then I'm through until school's finished."
Jake face was that of disgust, as was Trixie's, who then shuddered.
"We did not need to hear that," Jake groaned.
----------
"This essay better get me a 'A', buddy."
Con looked around the corner to see Brad wringing some nerdy-looking kid's neck, flashing written paper in his face. The kid was terrified as Brad, who clearly enjoyed strong-arming everyone, intimidated him.
'What a fuckass,' Con thought irritated.
He then had a bright idea flash in his head, before smiling devilishly.
'Time for him to stop picking on the little guy,' he thought, determined.
He then lowered his head and focused.
"Dangerous…"
Later in class, as everyone else worked quietly as the teacher wrote on the board, Con smiled with amusement as he heard what happening in the next room, which surprisingly no one else could.
What in God's name was that, Mr. Norton?!
I swear, Professor. Rotwood. This isn't my essay! Someone…
TO THE PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE!!!!
Laughter erupted in the next class, which everyone else heard and raised their heads from their work. Following the slamming of a door, they saw Rotwood dragging a protesting Brad past their class door, where Con tried his best not to laugh as well, only eliciting a giggle.
"Mr. Smith?" the teacher asked, "What's so funny?"
Con quickly composed himself, "Nothing, ma'am."
The final bell later rung and school was closed for the day. As they walked through the rapidly becoming empty school corridors…
"I heard Brad's gonna get a month of detention," Trixie said, "Apparently he ticked off Rotwood big time."
"Really?" Jake asked, smiling, "Wonder what he said?"
Con explained as they continued walking, "He said, and I quote: 'The person I admire is Professor Hans Rotwood. He is living proof that Hitler had children, despite having one of his balls blown off. When I grow up I want to be just like him so I can walk my Nazi right ass off a cliff and plummet into the raging sea, or better yet, onto a freeway and into oncoming traffic. Rotwood for President and eventual Dictator of the United States of America'. Heil Rotwood, y'all! Peace out, brothers! End quote."
They all erupted in laughter, where Jake cried, "He said all that?"
"Yeah," Con replied, "I should know. I wrote it."
"Huh?" Jake said, stopping himself from laughing while Spud and Trixie were rolling around on the floor, still laughing.
"I switched his 'essay', which he got from some other kid," Con replied, "By the way, that other kid got a A+."
Spud got up, "Con-man, you are bad to the bone!"
He then raised his hand for a high-five, and the punk obliged. Spud and Trixie's eyes then widened.
"Uh-oh," Trixie said suddenly.
Jake and Con spun around to see Brad and a few other jocks approaching, where Brad was fuming, punching his hand with his fist.
Con smiled and greeted, "Hey Brad. How'd your 'The Figure I Admire' essay go? I heard you got a F and a month's worth of inside playtime!"
"Can it, squirt!" Brad exclaimed, "And prepare to be spitting teeth."
Jake glared, "Lay off, Brad. You deserved it, yo!"
"Stay out of it, Long. I'll deal with you after I've finished working over Connie-boy."
Con, still smiling, "You don't scare me, Brady!"
He then stepped closer, where he was before Con. He looked slightly down at the punk and smiled.
"You better wish you're blind," he continued, "You don't wanna see what I'm gonna do to ya."
Con's smile suddenly faltered, and his mind crashed. He then felt anger and rage rise up inside of him.
"What'd you say?" Con asked, vehemently.
Smirkingly, Brad grabbed Con by his shirt, twisted the collar around his neck and brought his fist near his, "I said you'd better wish you're blind."
"HEY!" Trixie cried, "LEAVE HIM ALONE!"
"Back off!" Brad hissed, "This is between me and the punk!"
Jake glared and stepped forward, "Let go of him, Brad. Or…"
"OWWW!"
Jake cut himself off when Con grabbed Brad's hand, and twisted it.
"HEY…ARGHH! LEGGO'…AHH!"
If it weren't for Con's bandanna, they would have seen fire brewing in his eyes. The jock's eyes widened and backed off as Con forced Brad's hand off himself, where he then grabbed Brad by the neck with his other hand and twisted his arm behind his back, where the cracking of bone could be heard.
"Con," Jake asked, "What are you doin'?"
"Damn!" Trixie exclaimed.
"Listen Brad," Con whispered menacingly, his face now emotionless, "I may be the new kid here and a tad on the small side, but I also have a short fuse. If you're ever thinkin' about pushing around my pals, or me, I'll shove your head so far up your fuckin' ass you'll save a fortune on hats. Got it?"
"YEAH! YES…ARGHHH!" Brad cried out in pain.
Con then pushed Brad forward, bowling over the rest of the jocks, who cluttered to the ground like bowling pins, leaving only one jock standing in pure shock.
"Gotta work on those spares," Con muttered.
He then smiled with satisfaction and turned around, walking towards the front entrance. Jake, Spud and Trixie looked at the jocks all piled over, eyes wide as saucers.
"What just happened?" Jake asked, almost stunned
Trixie smiled, "We're his 'new friends?' I like the sound of that."
"Me too," Spud added, "Let's catch up with him."
Jake smiled as well, "Works for me."
They then ran to catch up with Con, who had already gone through the doors. Brad and his friends didn't feel like getting up yet, especially him with his near broken arm. From that day forward, Brad swore he'd never pick on new kids, small-kids or even kids wearing bandannas who speak street slang ever again.
