The True Values of Friendship
Chapter 2: The New Kid in Town
On Monday morning the halls of Kingsport High was bustling with activity. Lonely, lost, freshmen searching frantically to get to their lockers so that they may get to "homeroom" on time to "set a good first impression". Stressed out sophomores, some having remembered the summer homework they had forgotten to do, some having to remember their locker combinations this year and being careful not to confuse it with last year's combinations. Excited juniors eager to be given the privilege of attending the prom and other things that only the "upper-classman" got to have, and finally bored seniors ready to get out of here. They'd seen enough of this place already.
"So, looking forward to the new year of school?" asked Val heading to her locker along with Caite.
"Of course, and you know why?" asked Jamie with a big grin.
"I have a funny feeling but why don't you just surprise me," said Val trying to stifle a smile.
"Because this year we FINALLY get to go to the prom", said Jamie excited.
"Wait a minute man. I thought you weren't into this whole 'school spirit thing'. I mean, attending the prom, is kind of thinking way out of the box for you, if you know what I mean" said Hank trying to hide a smile.
Jamie just glared at him with a look that meant; "you know what I mean. So hush up or you're dead". Then he said, "Well, this year I'll make a small exception," sneaking a look at Catie who returned it.
"I can't wait," said Catie trying not to show excitement.
"Well, you two better get to class. Don't want to be late on your first day of school," said Val with a wink. The boys just rolled their eyes, turned on their heel, and went to their own lockers. When they got to their lockers, they saw someone there that they will never forget.
"Oh, look what we have here. A cripple in the halls of Kingsport High School perhaps? Now, what do we usually do with good-for-nothing cripples like you? Do you know?" asked Hank slapping Tyler on the back of the head hard. Despite the pains of an oncoming headache coming on, he didn't turn around.
"Oh, check this out. He's trying to be brave. How sad," said Hank ready to slap Tyler again before the bell rang. "Saved by the bell boy. But next time, you better look out. I'll get you," said Hank menacingly before heading off to class.
"Hey" said Jamie in the friendliest tone he could muster.
"Hello," said Tyler quietly.
"How are you?" asked Jamie.
"I'm fine, and you?" asked Tyler.
"I'm good," said Jamie.
"I have to go," said Tyler slamming his locker shut and wheeling away down the hall.
"He always has a tendency to rush off doesn't he?" asked Jamie to no one in particular before turning and heading to class. At lunchtime, the lunch hall was crowded with students. Some milling around talking and flirting, others just eating and being the "anti-social outcasts", and others just staring off into space thinking about who knows what.
"Hey Jamie, over here," said Val waving him over. Jamie nodded his head in acknowledgement and went over to the lunch table. When he got to the table, he was greeted with a question.
"What do you want to be when you get out of high school?" asked Val curiously
"I want to be either in motor cross, or a guitarist, or both. How about you guys?" asked Jamie.
*"I want to study microbiology or be in real estate", said Hank.
*"I want to be a pediatrician," said Val, the brains of the group.
*"And I want to save the world, one pathetic loser at a time," said Catie with sarcasm.
"Good luck with that," said Jamie equaling her sarcasm with some of his own.
Before Catie could respond with some of her witty comebacks, they heard a loud clang behind them. Jamie slowly turned around, while the other three looked above his head. When Jamie saw what 98% of the cafeteria were gawking at, a mix of emotions ran through him.
"Hey you cripple. What are you doing here in our cafeteria? NEWS FLASH: I'm the boss of this cafeteria, and I decide who shall enter or exit this place. And well. let me just say that the way you look, I would be surprised if you were welcome anywhere. People like you aren't made for society. You want to know why? Because you can't do anything by yourself. Heck, you can't even do anything period. It's amazing you even made it to high school let alone 11th grade. Do you understand me boy? Now, you hear me because I'm only going to say this once. You get out of our cafeteria and get back on the streets where you belong," said Justin Ball, a school bully, while knocking Tyler's tray to the ground, dispersing all of it's contents everywhere. Tyler just bowed his head in defeat, but didn't turn around or leave.
"Hey, didn't you hear me? Or do you need your hearing checked too? Boy, I said get out!" said Justin, getting up close to Tyler's face. Tyler just flinched, but couldn't move.
"Would you like me to assist you?" asked Justin getting near to Tyler's face again threateningly.
Before Justin could "assist" him, though, Tyler turned and wheeled away before he could be the object of any more ridicule.
"Now that's mission complete. But you haven't seen anything yet," said Justin in a sinister way to his friends.
"I dare you to go up to that cripple and make him your friend for money, then ditch him," said Val with a hint of playfulness in her voice.
"Um," said Jamie hesitant, his morals fighting against his friends.
"Oh come on. For $30," said Catie
"Unless you're chicken," added Hank.
"No, I'm not a chicken. I'm just-," said Jamie who was cut off.
"Then if you are not a chicken, prove it," said Val mischievously.
About 10 seconds passed by during which Jamie was in deep contemplation before he answered, "FINE, but the only reason why I'm doing it is so you guys could get off my back about it," and rushed off in the direction that Tyler fled.
When Jamie finally found what he was looking for, his heart just melted with sadness. Tyler was hunched very close to a water fountain ignoring the jeers and taunts that were shot his direction by other peers.
Jeez, how can he scrunch up so small? mused Jamie, then walked up to him quietly. "Hey," said Jamie feeling very sorry for the young disabled boy in front of him, but brushing it off quickly having remembered why he was here.
"Hello," said Tyler barely audible.
"How are you?" asked Jamie.
"I'm fine and you?" asked Tyler back.
"I'm good. So, what's your name?" asked Jamie curiously
"My name is Tyler Connell. What's yours?"
"Mine is Jamie Waite. So now that we've got that established, will I be able to put a face to that name, or will I forever have to stare at the top of your head? I mean, don't get me wrong, the top of your head looks nice," said Jamie taking a stab at humor.
At that remark, Tyler started to turn around, but not quick enough.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean that as an insult. But in case you haven't noticed, I haven't been able to get a good look of you so a million different images of what you look like are running through my head right now", said Jamie with an encouraging voice.
Tyler slowly turned around, and reluctantly tilted his head up into the blinding light. What Jamie saw scared him. It wasn't that Tyler's face was deformed or anything similar to that, it just wasn't the kind of face you would see everyday. Half of his face was meshed in with dirt and grime, and the other half of his face was decorated all over with bruises. No wonder he goes around school with his head down. Jeez, who beat him up? Wondered Jamie then said out loud, "Oh my goodness Tyler," and reached out a hand to which Tyler shrunk back in fear.
"Please don't touch. Anyway, what are you doing here? I mean, why are you here?" asked Tyler curiously.
"I just wanted to come say 'hi'. Is that a problem?" asked Jamie kind of offended.
"Ok, no offense, and I'm sure you wouldn't do a thing like this, but usually when someone comes to talk to me, it's either on a dare or a bet or something for money. So.?" asked Tyler expectantly.
"So, what?" asked Jamie, hoping that Tyler didn't find out about his dare but having an overwhelming feeling that Tyler was smarter than he looked and that he could see right through him and his lies.
"So, is this a dare? And please don't lie to me," said Tyler looking straight up into Jamie's eyes like he was boring into his soul for some answers.
Ooh, strike three. I'm out "It kind of is," said Jamie blushing.
"Oh. How much?" said Tyler with a pained look in his eyes.
"30 dollars. But that was before"-said Jamie who was cut off.
"Before what? Man, I thought you were cool. Well, you might be, but not in my book you certainly are not. Thanks for paying attention to my physical makeup like all the rest of the world. There's your 30 bucks. I hope you are happy," said Tyler, and with that, turned around and wheeled away into the distance.
When Jamie got back to the lunch table, his group of friends knew that something was wrong, but did not have the nerve to ask.
*-In real life, those are the career choices for actor Danso Gordon, who plays Hank Beechem. Currently Danso is enrolled at UCLA. *-In real life, that is the career choice for actress Reagan Pasternak who portrays Val Lanier. *-If you remember, Catie said that line (although not intended for the same purposes) in the final episode of the season. Just some trivia for you guys. Hope you guys liked it. Next installment soon!
Chapter 2: The New Kid in Town
On Monday morning the halls of Kingsport High was bustling with activity. Lonely, lost, freshmen searching frantically to get to their lockers so that they may get to "homeroom" on time to "set a good first impression". Stressed out sophomores, some having remembered the summer homework they had forgotten to do, some having to remember their locker combinations this year and being careful not to confuse it with last year's combinations. Excited juniors eager to be given the privilege of attending the prom and other things that only the "upper-classman" got to have, and finally bored seniors ready to get out of here. They'd seen enough of this place already.
"So, looking forward to the new year of school?" asked Val heading to her locker along with Caite.
"Of course, and you know why?" asked Jamie with a big grin.
"I have a funny feeling but why don't you just surprise me," said Val trying to stifle a smile.
"Because this year we FINALLY get to go to the prom", said Jamie excited.
"Wait a minute man. I thought you weren't into this whole 'school spirit thing'. I mean, attending the prom, is kind of thinking way out of the box for you, if you know what I mean" said Hank trying to hide a smile.
Jamie just glared at him with a look that meant; "you know what I mean. So hush up or you're dead". Then he said, "Well, this year I'll make a small exception," sneaking a look at Catie who returned it.
"I can't wait," said Catie trying not to show excitement.
"Well, you two better get to class. Don't want to be late on your first day of school," said Val with a wink. The boys just rolled their eyes, turned on their heel, and went to their own lockers. When they got to their lockers, they saw someone there that they will never forget.
"Oh, look what we have here. A cripple in the halls of Kingsport High School perhaps? Now, what do we usually do with good-for-nothing cripples like you? Do you know?" asked Hank slapping Tyler on the back of the head hard. Despite the pains of an oncoming headache coming on, he didn't turn around.
"Oh, check this out. He's trying to be brave. How sad," said Hank ready to slap Tyler again before the bell rang. "Saved by the bell boy. But next time, you better look out. I'll get you," said Hank menacingly before heading off to class.
"Hey" said Jamie in the friendliest tone he could muster.
"Hello," said Tyler quietly.
"How are you?" asked Jamie.
"I'm fine, and you?" asked Tyler.
"I'm good," said Jamie.
"I have to go," said Tyler slamming his locker shut and wheeling away down the hall.
"He always has a tendency to rush off doesn't he?" asked Jamie to no one in particular before turning and heading to class. At lunchtime, the lunch hall was crowded with students. Some milling around talking and flirting, others just eating and being the "anti-social outcasts", and others just staring off into space thinking about who knows what.
"Hey Jamie, over here," said Val waving him over. Jamie nodded his head in acknowledgement and went over to the lunch table. When he got to the table, he was greeted with a question.
"What do you want to be when you get out of high school?" asked Val curiously
"I want to be either in motor cross, or a guitarist, or both. How about you guys?" asked Jamie.
*"I want to study microbiology or be in real estate", said Hank.
*"I want to be a pediatrician," said Val, the brains of the group.
*"And I want to save the world, one pathetic loser at a time," said Catie with sarcasm.
"Good luck with that," said Jamie equaling her sarcasm with some of his own.
Before Catie could respond with some of her witty comebacks, they heard a loud clang behind them. Jamie slowly turned around, while the other three looked above his head. When Jamie saw what 98% of the cafeteria were gawking at, a mix of emotions ran through him.
"Hey you cripple. What are you doing here in our cafeteria? NEWS FLASH: I'm the boss of this cafeteria, and I decide who shall enter or exit this place. And well. let me just say that the way you look, I would be surprised if you were welcome anywhere. People like you aren't made for society. You want to know why? Because you can't do anything by yourself. Heck, you can't even do anything period. It's amazing you even made it to high school let alone 11th grade. Do you understand me boy? Now, you hear me because I'm only going to say this once. You get out of our cafeteria and get back on the streets where you belong," said Justin Ball, a school bully, while knocking Tyler's tray to the ground, dispersing all of it's contents everywhere. Tyler just bowed his head in defeat, but didn't turn around or leave.
"Hey, didn't you hear me? Or do you need your hearing checked too? Boy, I said get out!" said Justin, getting up close to Tyler's face. Tyler just flinched, but couldn't move.
"Would you like me to assist you?" asked Justin getting near to Tyler's face again threateningly.
Before Justin could "assist" him, though, Tyler turned and wheeled away before he could be the object of any more ridicule.
"Now that's mission complete. But you haven't seen anything yet," said Justin in a sinister way to his friends.
"I dare you to go up to that cripple and make him your friend for money, then ditch him," said Val with a hint of playfulness in her voice.
"Um," said Jamie hesitant, his morals fighting against his friends.
"Oh come on. For $30," said Catie
"Unless you're chicken," added Hank.
"No, I'm not a chicken. I'm just-," said Jamie who was cut off.
"Then if you are not a chicken, prove it," said Val mischievously.
About 10 seconds passed by during which Jamie was in deep contemplation before he answered, "FINE, but the only reason why I'm doing it is so you guys could get off my back about it," and rushed off in the direction that Tyler fled.
When Jamie finally found what he was looking for, his heart just melted with sadness. Tyler was hunched very close to a water fountain ignoring the jeers and taunts that were shot his direction by other peers.
Jeez, how can he scrunch up so small? mused Jamie, then walked up to him quietly. "Hey," said Jamie feeling very sorry for the young disabled boy in front of him, but brushing it off quickly having remembered why he was here.
"Hello," said Tyler barely audible.
"How are you?" asked Jamie.
"I'm fine and you?" asked Tyler back.
"I'm good. So, what's your name?" asked Jamie curiously
"My name is Tyler Connell. What's yours?"
"Mine is Jamie Waite. So now that we've got that established, will I be able to put a face to that name, or will I forever have to stare at the top of your head? I mean, don't get me wrong, the top of your head looks nice," said Jamie taking a stab at humor.
At that remark, Tyler started to turn around, but not quick enough.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean that as an insult. But in case you haven't noticed, I haven't been able to get a good look of you so a million different images of what you look like are running through my head right now", said Jamie with an encouraging voice.
Tyler slowly turned around, and reluctantly tilted his head up into the blinding light. What Jamie saw scared him. It wasn't that Tyler's face was deformed or anything similar to that, it just wasn't the kind of face you would see everyday. Half of his face was meshed in with dirt and grime, and the other half of his face was decorated all over with bruises. No wonder he goes around school with his head down. Jeez, who beat him up? Wondered Jamie then said out loud, "Oh my goodness Tyler," and reached out a hand to which Tyler shrunk back in fear.
"Please don't touch. Anyway, what are you doing here? I mean, why are you here?" asked Tyler curiously.
"I just wanted to come say 'hi'. Is that a problem?" asked Jamie kind of offended.
"Ok, no offense, and I'm sure you wouldn't do a thing like this, but usually when someone comes to talk to me, it's either on a dare or a bet or something for money. So.?" asked Tyler expectantly.
"So, what?" asked Jamie, hoping that Tyler didn't find out about his dare but having an overwhelming feeling that Tyler was smarter than he looked and that he could see right through him and his lies.
"So, is this a dare? And please don't lie to me," said Tyler looking straight up into Jamie's eyes like he was boring into his soul for some answers.
Ooh, strike three. I'm out "It kind of is," said Jamie blushing.
"Oh. How much?" said Tyler with a pained look in his eyes.
"30 dollars. But that was before"-said Jamie who was cut off.
"Before what? Man, I thought you were cool. Well, you might be, but not in my book you certainly are not. Thanks for paying attention to my physical makeup like all the rest of the world. There's your 30 bucks. I hope you are happy," said Tyler, and with that, turned around and wheeled away into the distance.
When Jamie got back to the lunch table, his group of friends knew that something was wrong, but did not have the nerve to ask.
*-In real life, those are the career choices for actor Danso Gordon, who plays Hank Beechem. Currently Danso is enrolled at UCLA. *-In real life, that is the career choice for actress Reagan Pasternak who portrays Val Lanier. *-If you remember, Catie said that line (although not intended for the same purposes) in the final episode of the season. Just some trivia for you guys. Hope you guys liked it. Next installment soon!