Chapter 5: Ruined
T.J took his sweet time walking to Kelso's. When he got there he was earlier than the rest. He sat down at a table in the far corner of the shop and waited for the gang. The arrived five minutes later.
"Hiya Teej," said Spinelli.
"Hi."
"So have you got the time and destination," asked Gus.
"Yes, I have."
"Good," said Vince. "Where and when?"
"Their meeting is at 7.15pm by the dumpsters on the back street alleyway of Oyster Bay. Now, this is how we're going to-"
"Stop. This is all wrong. I just want to tell someone that my money was stolen and get it back somehow," said Mikey.
"Mikey, no!" Said Spinelli, Vince and T.J together.
" I must admit, Mikey is probably right about this, I mean-"
"No Gretchen, this is the only way," T.J cut in. "Now here's what we're going to do. There are four ways to get to the meeting place. You'll see when we get there. We shall pair up and surprise them so that we can corner them into the middle."
"Great plan Teej, but are you sure this is going to work? I mean, how can you trust Randal?" Asked Spinelli.
"I know what I'm doing and I got the information from pretty reliable sources," T.J said, quite offended. "Now, as I was saying, Vince, you and Gus pair up, I'll go with Spinelli and 'The Big Four' can pair themselves up."
These words hit Spinelli; she had had a small crush on T.J ever since fourth grade. Her parents had told everyone about that on parent's night, but no one ever mentioned that night because of the embarrassment it caused Spinelli. Being his partner in a fight was just what she had wanted.
"Hi everyone, can I get you anything," asked Mr. Kelso.
T.J hadn't eaten anything since breakfast, he was hungry and ordered himself a small lunch. The rest of the gang just ordered fries.
While they waited for their meals, Spinelli discussed some strategy with them. T.J had no concern of a downside to his perfect plan. 'The Big Four' could do anything and with a surprise attack, it was impossible to lose.
"Look T.J, I really didn't want to have to be the one to tell you this but-" Gretchen didn't finish.
"Yeah I know Gretch, you've said it a million times," snapped T.J.
"No it's not that, but don't you know you're forgetting something."
T.J thought about this. Didn't Butch say that he had forgotten something? It was what he had dreaded, a downside to the plan.
"What," he asked.
"One word, Heather."
T.J swore so loudly; everyone in the shop went quiet and turned to face him. Most seemed annoyed at the sudden interruption.
"Could you keep it down please," said Mr. Kelso, annoyed.
"Sorry about that," said Gus, apologizing for T.J.
"Damnit," said T.J, not so loud this time. "I knew it was going too perfect. How could I forget? Oh man this sucks."
"Yeah I mean, it's not like you can miss a date with Heather, she won't give you another chance," squeaked Gus.
"I know that!" Snapped T.J.
Heather was one of the most popular girls in school. She was a cheerleader and T.J had had a crush on her ever since the first time he saw her in the seventh grade.
"Yeah, and you'll lose your social status like that," said Vince.
Vince and T.J were very popular in school as well. Vince because he was the captain of almost every school team and T.J because of the pranks he pulled and his sense of justice towards others.
"What am I going to do? The date is at seven."
"You could call it off, or reschedule it." Suggested Gretchen.
"No, that wouldn't work, she's busy tomorrow and she wouldn't give me another chance," T.J replied.
"Teej, I have an idea, but please don't argue with it. You're going to have to sit this one out," Vince said.
"But-"
"Sorry Teej, maybe you could catch the ending, we're all going to miss you in the fight but it's the only way."
"Not really-"
"The only way," repeated Vince. "You can't turn down someone on your first date. Besides, we'll still win."
T.J breathed deeply. He was going to have to go on the date. Vince wouldn't take no for an answer.
"O.K I won't fight, but I'll try to get there as soon as possible. Vince you will be in charge while I'm gone."
Spinelli had remained very surprisingly quiet during this change in subject usually she was very active. She felt sick after hearing about what was happening.
That is how they left Kelso's, no one was happy. Only time would tell if everything worked out O.K, but nothing seemed likely. There was no telling what surprise the gang would get next.
T.J took his sweet time walking to Kelso's. When he got there he was earlier than the rest. He sat down at a table in the far corner of the shop and waited for the gang. The arrived five minutes later.
"Hiya Teej," said Spinelli.
"Hi."
"So have you got the time and destination," asked Gus.
"Yes, I have."
"Good," said Vince. "Where and when?"
"Their meeting is at 7.15pm by the dumpsters on the back street alleyway of Oyster Bay. Now, this is how we're going to-"
"Stop. This is all wrong. I just want to tell someone that my money was stolen and get it back somehow," said Mikey.
"Mikey, no!" Said Spinelli, Vince and T.J together.
" I must admit, Mikey is probably right about this, I mean-"
"No Gretchen, this is the only way," T.J cut in. "Now here's what we're going to do. There are four ways to get to the meeting place. You'll see when we get there. We shall pair up and surprise them so that we can corner them into the middle."
"Great plan Teej, but are you sure this is going to work? I mean, how can you trust Randal?" Asked Spinelli.
"I know what I'm doing and I got the information from pretty reliable sources," T.J said, quite offended. "Now, as I was saying, Vince, you and Gus pair up, I'll go with Spinelli and 'The Big Four' can pair themselves up."
These words hit Spinelli; she had had a small crush on T.J ever since fourth grade. Her parents had told everyone about that on parent's night, but no one ever mentioned that night because of the embarrassment it caused Spinelli. Being his partner in a fight was just what she had wanted.
"Hi everyone, can I get you anything," asked Mr. Kelso.
T.J hadn't eaten anything since breakfast, he was hungry and ordered himself a small lunch. The rest of the gang just ordered fries.
While they waited for their meals, Spinelli discussed some strategy with them. T.J had no concern of a downside to his perfect plan. 'The Big Four' could do anything and with a surprise attack, it was impossible to lose.
"Look T.J, I really didn't want to have to be the one to tell you this but-" Gretchen didn't finish.
"Yeah I know Gretch, you've said it a million times," snapped T.J.
"No it's not that, but don't you know you're forgetting something."
T.J thought about this. Didn't Butch say that he had forgotten something? It was what he had dreaded, a downside to the plan.
"What," he asked.
"One word, Heather."
T.J swore so loudly; everyone in the shop went quiet and turned to face him. Most seemed annoyed at the sudden interruption.
"Could you keep it down please," said Mr. Kelso, annoyed.
"Sorry about that," said Gus, apologizing for T.J.
"Damnit," said T.J, not so loud this time. "I knew it was going too perfect. How could I forget? Oh man this sucks."
"Yeah I mean, it's not like you can miss a date with Heather, she won't give you another chance," squeaked Gus.
"I know that!" Snapped T.J.
Heather was one of the most popular girls in school. She was a cheerleader and T.J had had a crush on her ever since the first time he saw her in the seventh grade.
"Yeah, and you'll lose your social status like that," said Vince.
Vince and T.J were very popular in school as well. Vince because he was the captain of almost every school team and T.J because of the pranks he pulled and his sense of justice towards others.
"What am I going to do? The date is at seven."
"You could call it off, or reschedule it." Suggested Gretchen.
"No, that wouldn't work, she's busy tomorrow and she wouldn't give me another chance," T.J replied.
"Teej, I have an idea, but please don't argue with it. You're going to have to sit this one out," Vince said.
"But-"
"Sorry Teej, maybe you could catch the ending, we're all going to miss you in the fight but it's the only way."
"Not really-"
"The only way," repeated Vince. "You can't turn down someone on your first date. Besides, we'll still win."
T.J breathed deeply. He was going to have to go on the date. Vince wouldn't take no for an answer.
"O.K I won't fight, but I'll try to get there as soon as possible. Vince you will be in charge while I'm gone."
Spinelli had remained very surprisingly quiet during this change in subject usually she was very active. She felt sick after hearing about what was happening.
That is how they left Kelso's, no one was happy. Only time would tell if everything worked out O.K, but nothing seemed likely. There was no telling what surprise the gang would get next.
