Paths
A Drake & Josh fan-fic
A short story by Alison Lydon
Lead characters:
Drake Parker & Josh Nichols
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters. No copyright infringement is
intended.
Chapter 1
The First Meeting
Part One
Carver Elementary School
San Diego, California
Fourth grade-1995
Josh Nichols hid in the bathroom during lunch as Todd Porter and Tyler Donaldson said
they were going to kick his chubby ass out of the solar system because Josh wouldn't
help them cheat in math class today. He hid his sandwich in one of his zippered hooded
sweatshirt pockets. His father, Walter Nichols, who did the sports and weather
broadcasts on KLSD made it for him as his Grammy who was staying over was spoiling
him with her homemade blueberry pancakes and the pure maple syrup she got on her
trip when she went on her trip to Vermont with one of her 'gentleman friends'. He sat on
the floor and ate his sandwich trying not to make noise. Boys rarely used the lavatories
unlike the girls who used them as gossip stops for the popular cliques. So he knew as
long as no one saw him enter the restroom he'd be fine. He took his apple juice box out
of the other side zippered pocket. Tomorrow maybe he'd brave the cafeteria world.
Grammy got him a magic kit and suggested that maybe he do some tricks for the other
kids so they'd be his friend. His Grammy couldn't imagine anyone ever hating 'her
sweet Joshie'. There was one boy he wouldn't mind being friends with. He was really
popular with both the boys and the girls. His name was Drake Parker. If he could be
friends with Drake then maybe the other kids would like him too.
It was worth a shot.
Even though Drake was popular he wasn't one of those kids in school who could be
defined by having a sole best friend by his side. There were a small group of kids that
he could have claimed to be a part of but it was only because they were all on the same
bus stop and lived in close proximity to each other.
"Hi Drake, will you come to my birthday party?" Sylvia Anderson handed him a vanilla
scented envelope.
Even before puberty and the sexual feelings that went with it, Drake always had a
natural affinity for girls. Except for his toddler sister Megan she was always throwing
things at him and not once did his parents Jeffrey or Audrey Parker catch her in the act.
Boys were okay, but girls gave you invites to parties. The boys only did so when their
mom's forced them and their envelopes were not vanilla scented. Girls were more
interesting to him. They smiled, giggled, and wished you well. All he and his guy friends
did were ride bikes and get dirty like some pseudo episode of The Wonder Years they
were just suburban kids who rode their bikes and got dirty and didn't ponder the
meaning of life.
"I'm sure my Mom will let me."
As this was going on Todd Porter and Tyler Donaldson had Josh cornered by the water
fountain down the hall.
"Where were you at lunch today, Nichols?" Porter asked him
"I-I was—I wa—s"
"Shut up!" Donaldson pushed him
"Behind the monkey bars after school!" Porter said
"What's going on here boys?" asked the stern teacher who was "old" like forty-five and
had her hair in a tight bun.
"Nothing, Miss Gallagher." Josh replied hoping that they'd stop thinking about this fight
once and for all.
"Good. Now I suggest you all get to class."
Porter and Donaldson gave Josh dirty looks and punched their fists into their palms to
indicate they didn't forget the fight after school.
Josh knew there was only thing he could do after the last class of the day and that was
to run like the wind.
Audrey Parker who just started working part time after Megan started at the Alcott Day
Care Center was trying to hold onto the remains of Drake's childhood.
She poured Drake a glass of milk and gave him a plate of double chocolate chip
cookies.
"Thanks, Mom."
"You're welcome, sweetie. How was school today?"
"Good," he took Sylvia Anderson's envelope out of his faded red book bag, "Can I go to
Sylvia Anderson's birthday party next Saturday?"
"I don't see why not."
"Cool." Drake replied as he dunked his cookie in his glass of milk.
It was good to be Drake Parker.
Josh never ran so fast. As soon as the ending bell rang he darted out of his American
history class, which thankfully Porter and Donaldson were not in and just kept running.
He lived only three blocks away and his Grammy was always home to greet him while
his Dad worked until eight o'clock at night and his Mother until six at Rutherford's
Department store. They fought sometimes.
"Joshie, why are you out of breath?" Grammy said as she heard Josh enter the modest
sized apartment.
"I—I—" He could never find the words when his back was up against the wall.
"Are you getting picked on?"
"Uh—it's not a big deal."
She hugged her grandson tight. "Come into the kitchen. I made beef stew for supper
tonight. I'll make you a bowl with some of your favorite crescent rolls."
"They're POPPIN' fresh!"
"That's right, Joshie, you keep your sense of humor and me and your father will help you
with your bully problem."
"Don't go to Principal Harris!" Josh replied all panicked, "The last time I got gum thrown
in my hair! In my hair!"
"Everything will be fine, dear. You just sit down and eat."
Josh was hungry but he was still terrified of facing the two bullies tomorrow. But he still
wanted to make friends with Drake in the cafeteria at lunchtime. Maybe Drake would
have the answer? He was a popular kid and they knew everything.
It was terrible to be Josh Nichols.
Author's Note: To be continued…