A special thanks to everyone who reviewed: "jdhwater14", "i-h8-sclub", "NotAContrivance", "rivendell1990", and "beckie13". It means a lot especially with the length of this story!
Now back to the story!
Chapter Eleven: About Third Street's Secret...
Location: In the playground of Third Street School, it's just after 10 AM next Monday, the gang except T.J. meets near the basketball court
During the weekend, T.J. decided to and did not complain about Ashley X ruling the playground. Despite Ashley X and T.J. having restored their friendship, T.J. continued to offer his help to Ashley X because his guilt was difficult to get over. By now, one-third of the playground was being used to pump out oil with 2 huge oil wells and even though no playground equipment was torn down, the playing area was crowded. Ashley X was delighted in knowing the profits she was making with these oil wells and how the school board and students would not stop her.
While T.J. was with Ashley X on top of the jungle gym (where King Freddie used to be), the rest of the gang were talking at the basketball court looking up at the two of them. Vince tried to shoot a three-pointer with the basketball but was knocked down by another student because of the crowded playground. Vince commented, "I can't believe how crowded this place is!"
Gus added, "I can't even walk twenty feet without some kid bumping into me!"
Irwin Lawson knocked into Gus while playing tag and teasingly said, "Out of the way Goosewald!"
Spinelli took a big step and stared face to face with Lawson, "You want to say that again, Lawsuck!"
Lawson snapped back at Spinelli, "Don't look at me Ashley! You same-named friend can't even fix this sardine house of a playground!"
Spinelli was just about to attack Lawson when Mikey grabbed and restrained her. She violently tried to get out of Mikey's grasp, "Let me go Mikey! I'm finally gonna fix his mouth...I had enough of his lip!"
Vince tried to cool off Spinelli, "Whoa Spinelli! Chill....just chill..."
Spinelli interrupted, "But he called me by my first name!"
Gretchen immediately pointed out, "Well...Lawson does have a point..."
Spinelli violently yelled, "What?!? Calling me an Ashley?!?"
Gretchen in an apologetic voice said, "No...No... Spinelli....I mean how crowded this playground is...."
Mikey, Vince, and Gus all agreed. Spinelli cooled down a bit and replied, "Yeah....Lawson is finally, for the first time, right about something...." and Mikey put Spinelli back on the ground.
Vince proposed, "Well let's see what the other kids think about Ashley X..."
Gretchen agreed, "Yeah....that's a great idea Vince....we'll see what the popular majority of the students think about Ashley X! I'll use my super-sensitive microphone and earpiece to clearly hear what others think without our influence of questions."
Mikey cried out, "Such deceit! An invasion of privacy!"
Gretchen replied, "It's not such a bad thing....I mean it's for the good of the playground, right?"
The rest of the four agreed, "Right!" The five friends broke up to speak with all the kids of the playground. Gretchen decided to hear what the kindergartners were saying about Ashley X by using her super-sensitive microphone invention while she could maintain her safety on the other side of the kindergartner playground fence. Spinelli went to see Francis, the hustler kid. Mikey decided to talk with Kurst. Vince decided to speak with Randall and Gus went to see Cornchip girl.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Gretchen could hear crystal clear all of the conversations the kindergartners were having from tribal chanting to eating paste. She finally heard an adult voice who said, "Look children! A gift from Ashley X again! She wanted to give you little ones some more candy!" The kindergartens all chanted "Candy! Candy! Candy!" Gretchen continued to listen in.
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Spinelli, looking bored, walked over to Francis, the Hustler kid. The Hustler kid elbowed Spinelli and whispered, "Hey Spinelli! I'll sell ya 2 cans of silly string for only a buck! How 'bout it?"
Spinelli quickly assured him she was not going to buy anything, "Hey look! I didn't come here to buy anything... only to talk."
The Hustler kid replied, "Sure, yeah...watcha wanna talk about?"
Spinelli casually asked, "What do you think about Ashley X ruling the playground? Isn't it crazy? I mean just look at how over swamped this playground is!"
The Hustler kid was surprised and said, "Crazy?!? You don't know crazy...Spinelli! I mean since Ashley X has been ruling the playground, my business has been through the roof!"
Spinelli was even more surprised than Hustler kid, "What are you talking about? I mean, I'm talking about the crowded playground since these oil wells have been here just look at the place....thanks to Principal Prickly..." She ended with disgust.
Hustler kid carelessly said, "Hey Spinelli! That's not my job....Right now business is booming and I don't have time for other things..."
Spinelli walked away, sighed and ended with, "Yeah....thanks....Francis..."
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Mikey approached Kurst, who was sitting underneath a tree getting ready to eat the dozen brownies she stole from the cafeteria.
Mikey kindly approached Kurst, "Hello my good friend! May I ask you a question?"
Kurst was annoyed that Mikey interrupted her eating, but was willing to talk and harshly said, "Yeah Blumberg, what is it?"
Mikey politely asked, "Have you felt uneasy or unsatisfied by the ruling of Ashley X on this playground?"
Kurst was busy scarfing down a brownie when she replied, "Unsatisfied!....I could care less..."
Mikey, again, politely spoke, "But please dear friend....you must have known some change around here...."
Kurst frustrated and trying to get back to her eating said, "Look Blumberg! The only thing I've noticed is that the prices on the cafeteria food have went down a lot! That's it!"
Mikey graciously said, "Thanks again Kurst for your time! I greatly appreciate it from the depths of my heart and soul." and soon began to walk away.
Kurst simply said, "Yeah, yeah Blumberg....whatever...." and immediately indulged herself in finishing the brownies.
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Randall was busy hiding in the bushes and taking notice of how the Diggers were busy around the 2 oil wells, "Ah! This is going to be extra moist! Those simpletons are always having their head in the ground....wait 'til I tell Ms. Finster about them messing with school property."
Before Randall could completely turn around and sneak off to meet Ms. Finster, Vince stood right in his way. Randall disgusting said, "Oh it's you LaSalle! Get out of my way before I report you to Ms. Finster!" Randall began to walk away from Vince.
Vince sarcastically replied, "Oh really? Just wait 'til I report you to Spinelli..."
Randall froze and his eyes bulged out. Randall completely changed his attitude with nervousness, he turned around, came back, and said, "Sure....a....buddy....what do you want?"
Vince glanced over and said, "What do you know and feel about Ashley X?"
When Randall heard that name, he could wait to tell everything on how frustrated he was about her. "Ashley X, Ashley X! I've tried everything to get her a detention but Ms. Finster looks the other way! She gets away with everything from gum chewing to even insulting Ms. Finster!" Randall begins to bitterly cry... "I just can't stand how she it does it! Treating my dear, Ms. Finster as if she is nothing! Nothing I tell you!"
Vince feels creeped out and slowly, step-by-step, walks away, "Okay.....yeah....thanks Randall...." Randall continues to cry like a baby on the ground.
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Gus soon begins to approach Cornchip girl, "Hi ya! Cornchip Girl! How is everything?"
Cornchip girl replies in her usual bubbly, cute self, "I'm doing absolutely wonderful Gus! Say....when can we play the Land & Sea game again? That's if our dads' can ever agree on anything." She begins to giggle.
Gus says, "Well....have you noticed any changes you dislike or like since Ashley X has been ruling the playground?"
Cornchip girl answers, "Ashley X? She's been so kind to me....there's nothing wrong with her."
Gus slightly puzzled says, "Well geez...okay....I guess I'll.....um....see you later."
Gus confused and surprised by Cornchip girl's answer slowly walks away.
~~~~~~~~
The five meet back at the basketball court and discuss about their conversations. They begin to notice dark clouds approaching the playground but they do not concern themselves with it. Vince begins to summarize what they collected, "Well guys....it looks for the most part everyone is happy with Ashley X ruling the playground. I can't really find anything wrong with Ashley X."
Gretchen adds, "I concur with Vince....I tried using my super-sensitive microphone but nobody said anything bad about her. Well, except of course, the Ashleys...."
Mikey interrupts the flow of the conversation, "My dear friends....why are we looking for something so bad with Ashley X? Being made of flesh we all have our weaknesses.....should we, being friends of Ashley X, really be dwelling on the bad aspects of her?"
The other four begin to feel bad and guilty for pursuing the question on determining if Ashley X was hurting the playground.
Mikey continued, "Has she not shown kindness toward each one of us?"
Vince replied, feeling guilty as like the rest of three, "You're right man....this is our friend...we shouldn't be doing this...."
As the five began to rethink about their behaviors, suddenly a new kid from around the corner of the school showed up. The new kid immediately caught Spinelli's eyes, the new kid was a 6th grader who was wearing a leather jacket and leather jeans. This new kid had the motorcycle Harley Davison biker-look. All Spinelli could do was just stare, "Wow! Geez...look at him! He's got it all!" The new kid had dark sunglasses, leather booths, gelled hair, and even a tattoo. The other four and most of the playground watched in shock. His appearance definitely showed he was the biggest and baddest kid in Third Street and to the kids of Third Street....probably was the baddest kid ever in Third Street. Spinelli immediately ran over to him and to her it was like meeting an idol of what she wanted to become. Spinelli knew that this new kid was the ultimate bad boy. Ashley X could care less of who the new kid was but T.J. stood on top of the jungle gym wondering who he was. T.J. wanted to meet this kid, but he felt obligated to stay to help Ashley X because of his guilt.
The rest of the four joined up with Spinelli. Spinelli couldn't say a word, she was completely star-struck. Vince noticed Spinelli trying to say something but he began talking anyway to the new kid, "Hey man! How are you? Are you new here?"
The new kid casually but smoothly answered, "I'm okay....and it's my first day..."
Ms. Finster with her soul-terrifying piercing eyes noticed this new kid and was about to walk over to him since he was wearing clothes against the school dress code, but before she could take 5 steps she received a painful shock from her metal bracelet. Ms. Finster looked up to where Ashley X was and saw that Ashley X was waving her finger back and forth to Ms. Finster to not interfere. Ms. Finster quietly walked back.
Gretchen asked the biker-looking kid, "It's a pleasure to you. May we ask your name?"
The biker-looking kid said, "You can just call me Tyler."
Gus curiously asked, "Um....what's your last name?"
Tyler condescending looked at Gus and said to the gang, "Just call me.....Tyler." Gus immediately began to shake in his shoes by his look and by not seeing Tyler's eyes through the seemingly impetrating sunglasses.
Vince asked, "Who is your teacher and where do you live? We haven't heard about you all day..."
Tyler with his tough attitude said, "How about you let me worry about them...."
Gretchen with an apologetic voice, "We just wanted to know more about you...."
Tyler replied, "Not to be mean guys....but I got to take care of some business..."
Spinelli finally came back to her senses and elbowed Vince. "Isn't he the coolest Vince?"
Vince confusedly said, "Yeah....um, I guess so...more like mysterious..."
Spinelli yelled to Tyler while he was leaving the gang, "Hey Tyler wait up!" Spinelli soon caught up with Tyler and followed him. She continued her fascination with him by asking several questions to him. Back in the jungle gym, T.J. became even more curious in knowing who Tyler was, especially when T.J. saw how fascinated Spinelli was with Tyler. Butch quietly approached the remaining four of the gang (Gretchen, Vince, Gus, and Mikey).
Butch whispered to the gang, "Hey fellas...I heard you guys are trying to find something bizarre while Ashley X has ruled the playground."
Vince quickly brushed Butch off since the four of them decided not to think badly about Ashley X, "Forget about it Butch! We don't care to hear about it, besides Ashley X has been helping the playground...."
Butch replied, "Oh really? I guess you guys don't want to hear about the free money the school gives to the students every week."
The four of them were surprised and Vince reacted, "WHAT?!? Free money?...you mean dinero, moolah, cha-ching, the green stuff?"
Butch casually responded, "Uh huh! Sure....I'm surprised you guys didn't already know about it."
Vince still in shock said, "Know about it....the 6 of us never got any such money!"
Butch said, "Well, the school sends a check to your parents every week."
Gretchen acknowledged what Butch said and concluded, "Knowing how our parents are....our parents must have already invested the money for our college funds."
Gus disappointing sighed, "Aw man! Looks like we will never get our hands on our money now."
Mikey wailed, "Alas! The candy and toys we could purchase!"
Gretchen thought of an idea and she knew just who to talk to. "I highly suggest we discuss with the person who knows more about school matters than anyone else does."
Vince caught on and knew what Gretchen was thinking, "Let's all pay a visit to Menlo."
The four of them went into the school and into Menlo's office. Menlo was not pleased at all with their interruption, "And what do you rambling, time-wasting children want?"
Vince demanded, "We want to know more about money this school has been sending to our parents."
Menlo acted as if he knew nothing about it and harshly said, "Look! I'm trying to create the best computerized filing database this school has ever seen! I have not scheduled interruptions, like you, in my planner!"
Gretchen rushed over to Menlo's computer and in a blur, of 2 seconds, finished typing. She proposed this deal, "Now you can either provide us the information we seek OR expect this instantly programmed virus to obliterate your entire database in....oh, counting from 20 seconds..."
Menlo started to panic, "You wouldn't dare! I spent 3 weeks making the most perfect organized database!" He noticed the counter on the computer screen ticking.....10....9....
Vince and Gretchen both asked Menlo, "So what's your decision Menlo?"
Menlo was beginning to sweat and he was terrified seeing his work about to be eliminated in just a few seconds. The computer timer kept passing....8....7....6... Menlo knew that the information they wanted was very confidential and Principal Prickly gave Menlo his absolute trust in keeping it a secret from the rest of the school (students, parents, faculty, and the school board.) If the public knew of the secret funds that businesses have given to this public school, it would be a huge scandal devastating to the school and Principal Prickly.
Gretchen with a sarcastic attitude said, "We're waiting Menlo." The timer was now... 5....4....3....
Menlo was worried that if he told them about this information, that eventually Principal Prickly would find out and he would lose his secretary job. The thing he loved doing at school... Menlo was being mentally being torn left and right. On one hand, was his finest work about to be destroyed while on the other was the possibility of losing his job. His eyes began to deeply stare at the computer monitor. The timer was approaching 2...1.... He reluctantly and explosively yelled, "Okay! Okay! I'll tell you! Just don't...." The timer approached zero and the intense stress caused Menlo to faint in his office chair.
Mikey cried out, "Oh no! What have you done Gretchen? Such a cruel deed when he was to reveal the truth!"
Gretchen smirked and said, "Don't worry guys! I can recover it...like that!" To shock of Vince, Gus, and Mikey all of Menlo's work was recovered as if the virus never existed.
Gus sighed, "Oh great! Menlo's fainted and we can't even get an answer from him."
Mikey calmly reassured the three, "Do not be disappointed my dear friends! For I know what fragrance will trigger the revival of his soul."
The three began to give a confused look to each other, but Mikey knew exactly what to do. Mikey looked at Menlo's table and slightly opened a small bottle of white-out. The smell of white-out made Menlo's nose alert and suddenly Menlo woke up as if he got up from a pleasant dream. Menlo sighed, "Ahhh!....The wonderful aroma of the ultimate office supply...white-out!"
Vince quickly asked, "Okay Menlo! Spill it out....we want to know about the money this school keeps sending to our parents."
Menlo noticed that everything was recovered on his computer by glancing at the computer screen. He sighed and whispered, "Before I tell you guys anything...come with me to the filing room so no one will hear us."
Mikey ignorantly and loudly responded, "But what is of such secrecy?"
Vince put his hand over Mikey's mouth, "Shhhh! Quiet Mikey! This is gotta be big!" He looked over at Menlo, "Okay let's go!" The four joined Menlo in the filing room. Menlo locked the door behind him when all of them entered and turned off the lights, the room was about half the size of Menlo's office. The filing room was filled with 6 foot tall filing cabinets.
Vince asked Menlo, "What's the big secret man?"
Menlo took his flashlight and opened a locked filing shelf; he went to the back of the shelf and pulled up a file that was stamped in dark, red ink labeled, 'Very Confidential! For Nobody's Eyes, By Order Of Principal Prickly' Menlo turned around, read the file with the flashlight, and faced the four. He whispered, "First you must promise me that this discussion will not go outside this room!"
Vince brushed off Menlo's seriousness, "C'mon...you must be joking..."
Menlo gave Vince a stern look, "Do you want to know or not? I'm already putting all of us in very serious expelling danger here!"
Vince looked at Gretchen, Gus, and Mikey and looked back at Menlo, "Okay....we won't take it outside of the room..."
Menlo looked again at the file and said, "The money this school gives to the parents is not the form of any type of refund. This school has been secretly associated with powerful corporations that...well....as this file appears....to have" Menlo was reading the file but was unsure of the accuracy of the document "well...'donated' hundreds of thousands....possibly even millions of dollars to this school."
The four of the gang were shocked simply hearing millions of dollars but visualizing the money sent their minds daydreaming. Menlo continued, "This document does not seem to have all the information on why the funds are being given to this school."
Suddenly there was a knock on the door. It was Principal Prickly, Menlo and the four instantly froze. They knew they were in big time trouble if Principal Prickly found out. Menlo hurriedly tried to put away the file, and place it back where it was before the file cabinet was opened. Principal Prickly could be heard on the other side of the door saying, "Ms. Lemmon, Ms. Lemmon this door won't budge! Get me Hank now!" He faced the door and yelled to whoever was in the filing room, "Look this is not the place for romantic faculty relationships! Open this door NOW!"
Gus and Mikey were petrified, Gus whispered, "What do we do? What do we do?!?"
Menlo told the four to calm down and that he could get them out of it. Menlo said to the four, "Just relax and don't say a word! I'll be able to get you guys out of here!" Gretchen and Gus gulped in fear.
Hank finally opened the door from the outside. He noticed the four and Menlo, "Why what are you kids doing here? And with the lights out? Are they not working?"
Principal Prickly immediately walked inside and loudly spoke at Menlo, "Menlo...haven't I told you not to take students into the filing cabinet room!"
Menlo was scared not knowing what Principal Prickly might do just gulped and said, "Well...I....just tried to inform these four about their detention records....and these four didn't make-up one detention a year ago." The four looked at Menlo in frustration and couldn't believe that this was his plan.
Principal Prickly sighed with relief, "Well fine! Ms. Finster will take the four of you to detention that will be served for the rest of recess today." Vince and Gretchen gave Menlo an upset look, while Gus and Mikey were still scared not knowing what else could happen.
Hank soon took the four to the cafeteria for their detention with Menlo walking by them. Principal Prickly walked completely into the filing room and in the corner of his eye noticed the lock on the filing cabinet (where Menlo looked up the file) was not locked. He approached and observed the unlocked lock...
Hank arrived at the cafeteria and dropped the four and Menlo off. The four and Menlo knew that it was going to take a while for Ms. Finster to arrive since Hank would be talking with her. The four sat impatiently at a lunch table and they were all still upset with Menlo. Vince started to talk, "Thanks a lot Menlo! Now we have to sit here and miss the rest of recess."
Menlo replied sympathetically, "I'm sorry guys...but how else was I going to take Principal Prickly's attention away from you simply being inside the filing room?"
The four understood Menlo's point and the four of them responded, "Yeah you're right....sorry...."
Menlo began to walk away back to his office when Vince interrupted him before Menlo could reach the cafeteria doors, "Hey Menlo! Why did you help us there? I mean you could of simply got us in bigger trouble."
Menlo lightly replied, "Well....one time T.J. helped me and my friends.....and I felt it was only necessary to repay a big favor." Menlo then walked through the cafeteria doors and walked back. The four were surprised by Menlo's kindness. Even though they were missing out on recess, they all looked at their situation optimistically and they were content since they knew it could have been worse......a lot worse....
Meanwhile back on the playground, Spinelli was enjoying Tyler's company. The kids of the playground had never seen Spinelli so happy and excited before. Spinelli was still constantly fascinated talking with Tyler about his experiences and his advice on being a tough kid. Spinelli was so fascinated with Tyler that she didn't even realize that Gus, Gretchen, Vince, and Mikey were not on the playground. Ashley X was enjoying every minute of T.J. being her 'pet' by constantly using T.J.'s guiltiness to help her in ruling the playground but yet she was still able to be kind and generous to T.J. since she still had a crush on him. T.J. was now not really focusing on Ashley X or his guiltiness anymore because he noticed Spinelli spending a LOT of time with Tyler throughout the day, more so than with his gang of friends or with anyone else for that matter. T.J. began to feel deeply discouraged about the possibility of ever having a closer relationship with Spinelli, his heart began to sink deeper and deeper in despair and sadness...
Chapter Twelve: The Ashleys' Confrontation
Location: In Ms. Finster's classroom; it's Wednesday and class has just started; the entire class is seated and ready for class
Despite the attempts of Vince, Gretchen, Mikey, and Gus trying to alert T.J. and Spinelli about the school sending money to their parents, they have both been too preoccupied to listen to their discovery. T.J. continued to help Ashley X, yet still his heart was aching over seeing Spinelli constantly talk and be with Tyler. Spinelli enjoyed Tyler's company all the time, she was so preoccupied with Tyler that she did not really notice she was starting to lose touch with the gang. Throughout the couple of days that passed, the Ashleys noticed how often Spinelli was seen with Tyler. The Ashleys would soon unleash another plan up their sleeves that would damage Spinelli, Ashley X, and T.J friendships!
Ms. Grotke started announcing, "Good morning everybody! It's such a wonderful day right now, but I heard that there might be thunderstorms. Oh dear! But that doesn't mean our education has to be at a standstill! It's time, class, for you to present your book reports!" The class groaned and even though the class had completed their reports, still they did not want to present.
Ms. Grotke enthusiastically responded to the moans, "Students! Let's have positive energy in this classroom! It won't be that bad! Let's start with....T.J.!"
T.J. went in front of the classroom and began to speak about his book report on the story of Treasure Island which Ms. Grotke had assigned for him. T.J. spoke but with no enthusiasm because his mind was focused about Spinelli rather than just some book. Ashley B saw this as a great time to tease Spinelli while the class was distracted with T.J. presentation. Ashley B whispered to Spinelli (who was seating diagonally in front and left of Ashley B), "Wow Spinelli! I'm surprised you can focus on the presentation much less anything else since that Tyler bad boy appeared." Ashley B made 2 facial expression kisses and began to giggle. Ashley Q and Ashley T soon paid attention to Ashley B and Spinelli.
Spinelli gave a hostile face and harshly whispered back to Ashley B, "Look powder-puff! I'm not that interested in Tyler, okay?!? Sheesh, leave me alone!"
Ashley Q raised her eyebrows, made a quick smirk, and whispered to Spinelli, "Like whatever Spinelli. You know and we know that you have something going on with Tyler. I mean, like, c'mon now, you've been with him for like for over 2 days straight! He's attractive I'll give you that, but he's definitely not a boy of high station."
Spinelli became more angry but still whispered since she did not want to make a scene, "I ain't a girlfriend of Tyler's and I'm gonna get each one of you Ashleys if you don't stop!"
Ashley X began to listen in on their conversation and she secretly was happy that things were working out as she planned...
Ashley B raised her voice from whispering to a quiet voice, "It's all over the playground Spinelli! That you and Tyler are more than just friends..." She began to giggle harder and continued, "I'm sure you two talk hours of blue collar work like changing oil, pumping air into tires, and comparing each other's body graffiti."
Ms. Grotke noticed the heated conversation between the 3 Ashleys and Spinelli, interrupted T.J.'s presentation, and looked at 4 who were disrupting the class, "Would you girls like to tell me what the conversation is about?"
Ashley B stood up from her desk and said, "I would like totally love to Ms. Grotke!" Spinelli looked at Ashley B with her teeth clenched and signaled to Ashley B her fist down below her desk. Ashley B continued anyway as if she was presenting to the entire class, "I would like to announce that Spinelli has fallen for bad boy Tyler." The class immediately began to laugh at Spinelli. Gretchen, Vince, Gus, and Mikey looked at Spinelli in confusion wondering if this was even possible for a tough girl like Spinelli. T.J. just gulped heavily with his report still in his hands. He tried to rationalize in his mind that Spinelli falling in love for Tyler was impossible because it just wasn't like Spinelli's character, but then again in the back of his mind he knew that Tyler was the tough guy Spinelli couldn't stop admiring and that possibly Spinelli's friendship with Tyler was closer than with him. T.J. continued thinking, in the back of his mind, could it really be possible that Spinelli has fallen for Tyler?
Ms. Grotke immediately tried to quiet her class, "Children, please...please; let us not make fun of Spinelli's budding love life.."
Spinelli slapped her right hand on her forehand, "Oh brother...."
Ms. Grotke continued, "Continue T.J." The class continued to snicker silently about Spinelli as T.J. presented.
Soon 10 AM arrived and T.J. quickly followed Ashley X to the playground to help her rule the playground. T.J. followed Ashley X, like a servant, but he walked slowly and sadly trying to cover up his pain after learning about Spinelli in the classroom. The rest of the gang met up with Spinelli for the first time after a couple of days at the playground. Gretchen, Gus, Vince, and Mikey were ecstatic to see Spinelli again. The clouds became darker and were soon covering up the sky.
Spinelli began with her eyes focused on the ground since she was feeling bad not being with them, "I'm sorry guys for not hanging with you guys for a couple of days...I mean it's just that living in this neighborhood you never really get a chance to see a cool guy like Tyler and I just got carried away..."
Mikey spoke, "It's okay Spinelli, we understand sometimes we all get caught up meeting such greatness."
Spinelli smiled lightly and felt reassuringly glad that her friends understood her.
Spinelli looked around for T.J., "Hey! Where is that boy, T.J.? I haven't seen him for some time…" Spinelli began thinking over the days that went by.
The rest of the gang pointed up to where T.J. and Ashley X were (they were on top of the jungle gym.) Spinelli became confused and asked, "Why is T.J. helping Ashley X all the time? Why isn't he hanging around with us?"
Vince replied, "Well Spinelli...even though their friendship has been fixed, T.J. still feels bad about betraying Ashley X. T.J. told us that betraying a friend like that is just impossible for him to conceive."
Spinelli replied back, "Ashley X just seems like she's using T.J. I mean which friend continues to take advantage of T.J.'s guilt?" Spinelli looked up at the jungle gym and angrily said, "I think I'm gonna have a little talk with her royal highness..."
Gretchen quickly pulled Spinelli's arm, "Wait! You can't just go up there! I mean, yes, she did consider herself to be just like any other student and for us to call her comrade. But remember she still has the power of the playground!"
Spinelli faced the 4 of the gang and pointed to the jungle gym. Spinelli couldn't stand to see one of her friends being misused like that she angrily said, "Ashley X may have power over the playground but she doesn't have power over a friend! Nor should she! I don't consider a person who takes advantage of someone else's kindness as a friend! Now don't stop me guys, please!"
The 4 of the gang knew Spinelli was right. Gretchen stopped Spinelli again, "Wait Spinelli! Just wear this super-sensitive microphone so we'll know what's happening.....good luck, Spinelli."
Spinelli smiled at the 4, "Thanks guys.". She walked quickly with an attitude to meet up with Ashley X while the 4 watched from a distance at the tetherball courts. The rumbles of thunder and darkness of the clouds soon over took school and the neighborhood around Third Street School.
Spinelli quickly and confidently, with her anger, climbed up the jungle gym to meet up with Ashley X. Once Spinelli was on top of the jungle gym, she approached Ashley X (who was facing the other direction and seemingly not aware of Spinelli's presence). Before Spinelli could speak to her, Ashley X instantly turned around and greeted Spinelli almost as if she expected her, "Well hello Spinelli...."
Spinelli was off-guard for a second, but then focused back her anger, "Look here Ashley X! I don't know what you think you're doing but this is ENOUGH! You can't continue to take advantage of T.J.'s kindness by playing on his guilt for him to help you rule the playground!"
T.J. tried to calm Spinelli down, "Spinelli! It's okay, really...I don't mind helping Ashley out." Spinelli did not pay attention to T.J. because she was more focused on her anger toward Ashley X.
Ashley X responded with a cold attitude toward Spinelli, "If T.J. feels like helping I won't stop him."
Spinelli now became enraged and frustrated for Ashley X not seeing her point, "You don't get it! DO YOU!?!? NO FRIEND AT ALL, TAKES ADVANTAGE OF ANOTHER FRIEND!"
T.J. put his hand on Spinelli's shoulder and calmly said, "Spinelli please! I can handle this...." Yet T.J. knew that when Spinelli became this angry, it was almost completely futile to calm Spinelli down now.
Spinelli loudly, but did not project her anger at T.J., said, "T.J. get down from this jungle gym! You shouldn't be here anymore! This is no friend of yours that uses you for 3 WEEKS!"
T.J. slowly backed away from Spinelli and climbed down. He then quickly ran to the opposite side of the jungle gym (the opposite side of where the 4 of the gang were) and strained his neck up looking up 2 stories at the explosive argument that was about to begin. Suddenly with a clap of thunder and lightning, it began to rain slowly but the rainfall began to increase quickly.
Ashley X then shouted back at Spinelli, "I told you....Ashleeey that T.J. wants to be here!" Ashley X tried to think of other things to say that would justify T.J. being with her all the time, but she knew deep down that she was taking advantage of T.J.'s kindness and wanted T.J. as her boyfriend even if she had to manipulate T.J. Her angered emotions now took over. She yelled as the rain now came in sheets, "I can't help it if T.J. likes me better than the rest of ya!"
Spinelli's blood began to boil, her face clenched up with rage, and her eyes became blood-shot; she shouted with all her might, "HOW CAN T.J. CHOOSE TO BE HERE?!? YOU CONSTANTLY PLAY WITH THAT BOY'S EMOTIONS!!! HE'S TOO KIND TO BE YOUR FRIEND! IN FACT, YOU DON'T DESERVE SOMEONE LIKE T.J.!!!"
T.J. was just mesmerized watching the events folding on top of the jungle gym as were the rest of the students on the playground. The rain began to pour so heavily in continuous sheets of rain that soon every kid was completely drenched but they were absolutely focused on the jungle gym despite the cold, harsh whipping rain. The kids of the playground were engrossed in the possible fight with Spinelli and Ashley X; that could change the dimensions of ruling the playground. The winds began whipping past the playground in an excess of 45 MPH, tree branches and parts of the shingles of the school roof were ripping off and blowing around on the playground. The sky was filled with a darkness that made it seem like 10 PM. The lightning, thunder, and winds ruled the sky as the only sources of light and sound outside except for sounds and voices on top of the jungle gym.
When Spinelli told Ashley X that she did not deserve T.J., Ashley X's emotions completely overruled her consciousness. Ashley X was no longer aware that she was on top of the jungle gym, or of the horrendous thunderstorm around her, or that she was completely soaked to the bone with cold rain water. Ashley X was only focused on Spinelli and Spinelli only. Ashley X became a monster of pure anger and hate toward Spinelli. Ashley X charged toward Spinelli, with all of her hatred and energy, punched Spinelli's right cheek before Spinelli had a chance to defend herself.
Meanwhile, Ms. Finster wearing an umbrella hat was doing everything to get the children inside the school because of the monstrous, terrifying thunderstorm. She tried using her whistle, threats of detention and parental contact, but nothing was working. Ms. Finster soon noticed the fight above the jungle gym, she knew she should stop the fight immediately but inside she desperately wanted Spinelli to beat up Ashley X after what Ashley X did to her after the cafeteria incident and with the metal bracelet treatment. The Ashleys couldn't believe it themselves...they were so shocked and fascinated by the fight that they forgot to take their umbrellas with them. Their dresses would soon be ruined and their make-up was running all over their faces. Vince, Mikey, Gus, and Gretchen just stood at the same place with their frozen minds on the fight and their mouths wide open where they almost began to choke on the rain water.
Spinelli did not expect Ashley X at all to begin a fight. Spinelli was desensitized to the rain that soaked her completely or the cold that had given her goose bumps all over her body. Spinelli now knew this was...WAR! Spinelli soon side kicked Ashley X's stomach, and Ashley X slid knocked lying down on the slick, wet top floor of the jungle gym. They soon both ran up to each other in the middle of the floor and their hands grasped each other trying to push the other down on the floor. Spinelli and Ashley X were trying to push the other down with all their might and energy in each cell of their body. Their hands clenched on to each other so hard that their nails began to rip the skin off of each other hands which soon began to bleed. T.J. snapped out of his mesmerized state and knew that he had to stop it before anything serious happens. Lightning bolts ran seemingly continuously through the clouds and now several times the lightning hit the ground. T.J. knew HE HAD TO STOP IT NOW, otherwise there might be tragedy on the playground.
Just before T.J. could approach the jungle gym to climb it, a bolt of lightning landed on the top floor of the jungle gym. Spinelli and Ashley X were both suddenly pushed away from each other from the electric force. It felt like someone had took a sledge hammer and swung it (like a baseball player) against their small hearts. The electricity of the lightning bolt had somehow caused Ashley X's cellular phone to send a continuous shock signal (which was far less than what Spinelli or Ashley X received) to T.J.'s metal bracelet. T.J. immediately fell forward in excruciating pain. He did not know that the shock was coming from the bracelet rather he thought his proximity to the jungle gym had caused him to receive a shock, but yet he still did not know why he was still receiving a continuous shock. Spinelli and Ashley X were now fickly coming in and out of consciousness from the shock, and unknowingly they both tripped passed the edge of the top floor of the jungle gym and began to fall at the same time. They both began to scream, but they were not completely aware of what was happening...all they knew was that they were falling. T.J. suddenly looked up from the screaming, his eyes bulged out seeing a tragedy unfold right above him. His mind was racing, he knew he had to catch them, but he could only have the strength to catch one of them because of the excruciating on-going shock pain. No other kid was close enough to be able to catch them in time. His mind played out the falling as if it was in slow motion. He had to make a decision, but which one? His emotions completely overtook him and he knew that the one he didn't catch could be serious injured or possibly die simply by the fall alone. Spinelli and Ashley X continued to scream falling down but their eyes were barely open, much less their minds aware of anyone catching them. T.J.'s mind conflicted with the enormous crush, and love of his life he had for Spinelli and his guilt for betraying Ashley X. His mind almost blacked out by the conflicting emotions, and suddenly his overpowering crush he had for Spinelli took over him like a gasoline explosion. He just couldn't live without Spinelli....He rushed over with only his soul giving him determination despite the merciless 55 MPH winds and the relentless, unforgiving shock pain that had caused him to be drained off of all bodily energy. With a sudden blow on his arms, he caught Spinelli and from the corner of his clenched eyes he surprisingly saw Tyler somehow catch Ashley X. T.J. could only move a step after gently placing Spinelli on the ground, where T.J. simply collapsed from the shock pain. Spinelli was conscious, but immobile (she couldn't move her body or speak) her eyes were half-way opened and her hearing was shaky; to her, she didn't know if she was dreaming or dying. The continuous shock given to T.J. from the bracelet suddenly stopped, but T.J. felt no improvement in his condition. Suddenly, a tornado siren was blaring throughout the neighborhood....
T.J. struggled to face Spinelli and tried to prevent the rain water hitting Spinelli's face that was dripping from his face and violently from the wind. He faced Spinelli and looked directly to her as if their souls were communicating, he knew the severity of Spinelli's injuries and as much as he did not what to even think about it he knew that Spinelli could possibly die. He slowly struggled to get his green jacket off and tried to cover Spinelli's chest from the cold and rain. He gently spoke with tears running down his face, "Spinelli you just gotta be strong! You're the strongest one among us! We all need you in our lives Spinelli! Please don't go and leave us! I don't know if I could I ever live without you Spinelli....I love you..." His shock pain finally caught up with him, soon after speaking his eyes closed and he collapsed right next to Spinelli. The rain continued to beat heavily and viciously against them, but Spinelli, Ashley X, and T.J. were all unconscious...
Ms. Finster was finally able to get all the kids inside the school and the paramedics arrived just 2 minutes after T.J. collapsed. The paramedics rushed the 3 of them to the nearest hospital. The students and faculty of Third Street, and the paramedics left the playground just in time before a massive F-4 tornado was arriving...
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To Be Continued…