I found another idea for a chapter, one that I think is needed. It's one that I thought about writing, and after much rethinking, I decided to get it out. It's a little bit shorter than the rest, but I think it's necessary, considering what's been happening.
With the last week of summer vacation coming to a close, the gang decided that it would be best spent having fun, ignoring the fear rising up from middle school getting closer and closer. While it was harder as those who returned from camp went to a lot of those places in search for fun as well, but they still had a few places left that many didn't know about. Like the paintball courts and the community center.
Finding that he enjoyed paintball enough, TJ brought new gear before their game today, wanting gear that fit him properly and didn't constantly needing to be adjusted. It came up to just under 200 dollars, but he decided it was well spent. It was advertised that construction of an indoor paintball course was beginning soon, so they would be able to come back and play even through the cooler months. And that was something TJ likes, as the strategy and teamwork involved never failed to take his mind off of things.
Hours later, the five of them left the paintball court, littered with newly forming bruises, and in search of water.
"I don't think I'll ever get used to this game," Menlo said as he returned his rental gear. He rubbed his sore arms.
"You're actually really good at sneaking up on people and not getting caught," TJ said.
"Even so, I believe this will be the last time I'll be joining you in this game. This is the most I've been covered in bruises," Menlo said.
"Aw, okay. I was still fun having you out here. What about you, Randall? You've gotta really good sniper aim."
"I do, don't I?" Randall asked, somewhat smugly. "I think I'll keep playing every now and then."
"Great! We should form a team and see if they have competitions for this sort of thing," CJ said. "We'd dominate! Or we could just play for fun."
"Yeah playing for fun sounds like a good plan," Robert said. "Have something you do for shits and giggles; life's too serious for constant competitions."
"I guess you're right," CJ said. "So what's next on the schedule, boys?"
"Don't forget we have kickboxing practice a little later," TJ reminded her. "We can go to the park for while."
"There's a few movies out. The theatre might be crowded, though," Robert said.
"The park sounds like the better option," Menlo said. "Considering that the movies may be extremely crowded."
Decided on the park, they stopped by TJ's house so he could pick up Sasha. As soon as he opened the front door, Sasha came running up to him, excited to go out. After he clipped her leash on and grabbed a ball for him, they headed towards the park.
Though filled with more people than usual over the summer, they still managed to find an empty field relatively easily. They took turns tossing the ball, while holding a conversation. Robert mostly stood back, watching the other four talking amongst them.
The summer might not have ended how he expected it to, but it still ended on a good note. Though his feelings wasn't what he originally thought, but he'd recover. He's young. And Detweiler will be just fine in that area, too. Crushes came and went. But he could see something between him and his doppelganger. At least he'll be leaving him with a new group of friends, and not by himself. He had to feel lonely that his old group practically abandoned him.
If Robert wasn't two years older, he'd consider confronting them himself. But it wasn't his place. And the fight would be a little uneven. Ah, well. They made their decision, even if it was a stupid one.
He was brought out of his thoughts when the ball rolled over to him and Sasha came running towards him, barking.
"Guess it's my time to play with you, huh?" Robert said. He picked up the ball up, and Sasha ran a few circles around him, excited. He tossed the wall. "Go get it!"
The puppy happily ran after the ball.
"Hey, Robert," TJ said. He walked up to them, the others close behind. "It's crazy how fast this summer went, isn't it?"
"Yeah, it is," Robert said. "Still worried about Middle School?"
"A little bit. But it can't be helped, can it?" He asked, brushing it aside.
"Don't worry, you'll be fine," Robert said.
"If you say so. We were thinking that since it's the last weekend before school, we should do something special. Nothing big, though," He suggested.
"I particularly think that we should take all of our money and by all the candy we can," CJ said. "Just have a big 'ol binge. I think we deserve it."
"Sounds good to me. But do you think that's a good idea right before kickboxing? Won't you get cramps?" Robert asked. "Or at least crash in the middle of practice."
"Right, I almost forgot about that," said TJ. Sasha came up to him, dropped the ball and sat down. "We should probably start heading out to practice, huh, CJ?"
"Yep! Don't want to be late."
. . .
"I think I'm beginning to get used to this whole kickboxing thing."
Walking down the street, TJ stretched, enjoying the fact that his muscles didn't ache as badly as they did in the beginning. He adjusted the gym bag he carried as he and the others made their way to the candy store.
"Me too," he said. "And we're gonna reward ourselves with endless sugar. I hope they have those sour strips I like."
"Only one way to find out," Robert said. Once they reached the store, they headed inside. Decorated with sparkling glass jars filled with candy, walls painted with pastels, and isles and isles stocked with candy, anyone with a sweet tooth would feel a cavity forming just at the sight. They left their bags near the door before heading deeper into the store.
Off in their own sections, they hunted down their favorite candies. TJ scanned the isles for those sour strips he liked so much. He never could remember the brand, or maybe more than one brand made it and he didn't have a favorite in that regard. He found lemon heads, as well as the other various flavors those came in. Though he scooped a few boxes of those up, it wasn't what he was looking for.
"Oh, look who it is."
. . .
Between the amount of time it took to go through the footage he had and having to stay awake long enough to do so, Randall found binging on a giant box of lemon head usually helped stay up for another hour or two before crashing. While at the candy store he figured that he might as well pick up a few boxes, just to stock up. He never knew when he would need to sift through hours and hours of footage.
So far he wasn't able to find them. They were a relatively simple candy, so he doubted that they weren't somewhere in the store. Turning into another isle, he continued his search. But, as soon as he turned, he didn't spot the candy right away, but he did spot LaSalle and Spinelli bothering TJ, who was doing his best to ignore the two of them.
If there was one thing that Randall knew it was that he wasn't exactly the greatest friend. That wasn't something that he didn't deny to anyone accusing him, but the last school year taught him a lesson in humility that I won't forget anytime soon. What which him leaving for middle school and Ms. Finster finding a new snitch, and this time for real, he was forced to face the fact that without any friends, he was alone. And he didn't like that. It took a while for him to learn how be even somewhat of a decent friend, but it was progress. And if there was any time to put that to the test, it was now.
"Hey, dude, I think I found those sour strips you were taking about," Randall said, walking up to him. He grabbed TJ by the arm and started pulling him away from the two of them. "They're over a couple of isles, c'mon."
"So what are you two best friends, now?" He heard LaSalle asked.
"I'm just trying to show he where the right candy is!" He yelled. Hopefully that would get the others attention.
"Wait a minute, you're not leaving! We still gotta bone to pick with you," said Spinelli.
"No the fuck you don't," a voice said behind them. They turned and saw Robert standing there, looking like he was barely keeping himself from boiling over. "We just came in here to buy some candy, so unless that's what you're planning on doing, you two can leave."
"Hey, what's going on?" CJ asked as she and Menlo joined them. She recognized his two other former friends from the one time they played kickball together. Seeing the sad, almost borderline miserable look on his face, she took his hand. He looked at her, confused. "You don't wanna be around those guys, do you?"
"No," he mumbled, shaking his head.
"I think Robert's gonna handle them," she said. "C'mon."
She led the way to another section of the store, leaving Robert alone with his two former friends. The look on Robert face told them that he had more than a few words for those guys, and they didn't want to be there for the fallout.
"I can't believe those guys showed up here," CJ said.
"I know. We were trying explicitly trying to avoid them," said Menlo. "Though I am curious where Griswold, Blumburg, and Grundler are."
"I'm not. The less of them together, the better," Randall said. "You okay, dude."
"Yeah. I'm fine," said TJ. "It's whatever."
"What were they trying to talk to you about, anyways?"
"Just about how they don't think I'm really depressed and that I'm faking for attention. And that the others think so, too," he said. "They still blame me for us not being friends anymore. I know it's not true, but it still hurts. It's whatever."
"It's not just whatever, they're being jerks," said CJ. "I wanna know what the hell happened. Your group was just as close as mine."
"I'd rather not know, to be honest. I feel like whatever answer they'll give it'll just make things worse," he said, shrugging. "I really don't wanna think about it, guys. We came in here for candy, so let's get some."
. . .
"What's your deal, King Bob?" Vince asked.
"Yeah, why are you on his side?" asked Spinelli
"He's my friend. And besides, someone has to be," Robert said calmly. "Five against one is a little unfair, isn't it? Even someone who sunk as low as you has to know that. So. A word of warning for you and the rest your little 'group': If any of you do so much as talk to him ever again, I'll deal with you myself."
"Oh so you're threatening us?"
"It's not a threat, it's a warning. The two of you have no idea what kind of hell you put him through this summer, and you weren't even here. Stay the hell away from him, you caused him enough trouble and heartache," he said. He brushed passed them. "I don't give a damn about why this all started, but you're going to leave him alone from now on."
. . .
When Robert found the others, they each carried a small basket filled to the brim with boxes and bags of candy. His own was nearby, left there when he went to go check up on all the ruckus. He picked up the basket, joining them.
"You okay?" He asked.
"Uh-huh. I'll be fine," said TJ. "Are they gone?"
"They should be. If they ever bother you again, let me know, alright? I'll take care of them," Robert said. "Anyways, what'd you pick out? Did anyone find red vines? I love those."
. . .
They each ended up leaving with enough candy too last at least a month. At home, they each stashed it away, whether under the bed, under the loose floorboard or stuffed away in a closet.
TJ laid on his bed, looking out the window. With Spinelli's house being a little down across the street, he got a relatively clear view it. He watched the five of his ex-friends go into her house. She was happy that the other took over the situation over earlier. He didn't know if he was able to walk away from them like that. He tore off a piece of cherry flavored sour strips.
At least they weren't coming over his place. He almost expected them to. Maybe Robert really did scare them enough for them to leave him alone. He only hoped that worked as they entered middle school.
Youthful Rebellion is still in the works, folks. I'm working on getting a job, and making up for one class so I can graduate this semester. Until then, I'm going to work on other fics I need to finish up, maybe outline my Little Monster revision.
Until then,
Thanks for reading!
