Notice there's still dialogue from the the actual t.v. series. I'm writing this as a disclaimer. I accredit those lines to the writers of "Time Stands Still". Additionally I want to say that I've gone back in and edited these next two chapters and caught as many mistakes as I could. Please enjoy!

XXXII. Last Minute Unthinkables (Part 1)

Thursday

1 day until Whack-Your-Brain

Rick Murray

Here we are: in the gym, on the stage, sitting at our table. The Whack-Your-Brain contestants are, from stage left to stage right, Jimmy, Emma, myself and Toby, who has yet to show up. I just saw him. Wonder what happened?

The double doors to the gym open, and Mr. Simpson walks in. "Okay...we're just about...not ready to start." He leads his version of attendance when he stumbles across Toby's empty spot. "Huh. Where's Toby?" A brief pause. "I'll give him a few minutes." He hops on the stage and walks over to Jimmy's side of the table. "How we feeling about the quiz bowl? Good?" He holds a thumbs up at us. "Now I know you joined at the last moment, Jimmy—"

"I joined?" Jimmy's dull, monotonous, deep voice actually held some expression for once.

"And you're happy to be here," Simpson insists, "but you have this in the bag. Just focus on the sports category, and leave the rest for your teammates. Disclaimer: know that I don't give out this advice, EVER, but desperate times calls for desperate measures." He addresses all of us.

I sigh, looking ahead at the table. Some fun we're having. I hold my head down even as the doors to the gym open.

"Ah! Our high-tech genius has arrived!" Mr. Simpson announces, soon followed by a, "And he's bleeding."

I look up as Mr. Simpson walks over to my friend Toby. I can't see him that well due to the teacher's great height, but I barely make him out holding his hand up to his face. "Skateboard accident." Toby reports. "I'm fine." As he moves to sit down next to me, I realize he's holding a damp tissue to his lip.

"I'll get you some ice." Mr. Simpson leaves the gym, leaving the four of us non-friends alone.

I bite the corner of my lip. They really wanna piss me off, don't they? Everyone here all knows what really happened. They torture me. Then Vivian. And now Toby? Well at least I know who it isn't. I quickly dart my eyes at Jimmy. His stupid friends are to blame!

I turn to Toby to speak, but Jimmy beats me. "So give it up, Isaacs. Who did it?" Maybe he feels left out because it wasn't him who hurt Toby.

Toby only looks over at him, but I have plenty to say. "Wish you hit him, Jimmy? Miss out on all the fun?"

Jimmy huffs at me. "Rick, why don't you just back off?"

I huff back. "I've been suffering for weeks. It's a big joke you and your friends." I shake my head. "I should just stop it."

I wait for Jimmy's response, but he remains silent.

So I continue, "Toby doesn't deserve this. Nobody does."

When I look back at Jimmy, he's holding his head down as he leans back in his chair. To my utter shock, he appears to be considering, like visibly processing, what I just said. Since when did he see me as human enough to think that anything I have to say is worth listening to? Don't get too excited. He's only doing this because Simpson forced him into Whack-Your-Brain.

But Mr. Simpson is not in the room, so Jimmy's not bullshitting his way up just to kiss the teacher's ass. Is there really hope for Jimmy Brooks? Then these next twenty-four hours won't be as painful as I thought.

"Alright." Mr. Simpson reenters the room, handing Toby an ice pack while hopping up on stage. "Time to get the ball rolling. Crunch time begins...now!"

The rehearsal is pretty routine. As a person who has been beaten, pushed into lockers, tossed into dumpsters, I never feel more alive than when I'm dominating the trivia team. Every question that I answer correctly renews what little strength I carry in me day after day. During these times, no bullies are present. It's just me and my teammates as we work together to represent Degrassi. It's during these drills for Whack-Your-Brain that reminds me of why I returned in the first place. In just this half hour, Degrassi is awesome again, maybe even better now that Jimmy seems to be coming around.

I can see him out of the corner of my eye as I answer one consecutive question after another. His raised eyebrows tell me he's impressed by my extensive knowledge. We've been practicing for the quiz bowl for weeks, and Toby, Emma and Simpson are still astounded by my sharp skills. For once, they all have something good to think of when they hear Rick Murray. Could we possibly get along? He hasn't made one dirty look at me since we've been at it, especially since I'm the one answering the most questions. Toby and Emma are sharp too, but they're no match for me. Unless they spend their time binge-reading encyclopedias in place of hanging out with their friends, I will always be two steps ahead of them.

"Which poem ends with the line, "and miles to go before I sleep?"

"Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening." I ring the bell on the table to answer. "Robert Frost."

"Correct." Simpson points the worksheet in my direction, indicating that he heard my response. "Which element, represented by Te, is also known to cause garlic breath?"

I chime the bell in front of me again to log my response. "Tellurium." I look over to see Jimmy, again, more visibly impressed at my responses. Before I have time to process it, I realize that I'm smiling at him. At Jimmy Brooks. Smiling. Something you do when you're happy to see someone.

What's more bizarre is that I can make out a smile on his face too. The faintest trace of a smile, but still there nonetheless.

"Bingo." Simpson confirms my answer. "And one last question from the world of sports: which team has suffered the most consecutive Super Bowl losses?"

Dammit. So much for my winning streak. I have no clue what football team that could be. Hell, I can't even name one football team let alone choose one that can't win the world series...or super bowl, pardon me. Wait. This is sports. I glance over at Jimmy. If I don't know the answer then surely...

Jimmy chimes his bell. "The Buffalo Bills?"

Simpson looks at him, pausing. Is he wrong?

"Four-time losers. No wins!" The teacher exclaims.

Jimmy smiles at himself, clearly content that he answered the question right. Maybe it's a good thing that Jimmy's here after all. I begin to think. Whatever I don't know, he compensates for. This could help us win!

"Utility perfected." I say aloud to Jimmy.

He looks at me and nods in response. Again, his pleased expression appears genuine.

My theory proves true as we continue with rehearsal—or trivia practice. I'm strongest in categories like science, math, history and a little geography. Emma holds her own in geography and is also quick at the natural biological sciences. Toby's exceptionally well at the math and knows more about culture than the three of his remaining teammates combined. Lastly, Jimmy excels in the sports, and, if he's quick enough, geography is his friend too. Simpson goes through all of the possible categories we may run into tomorrow morning until we can answer everything. Literally.

"Alright now." Simpson announces. "You all are looking like you guys are the teachers here, and not me." He crosses his arms. "You're gonna crush those Northern High kids, like beat 'em by a landslide. Now rumor goes that there's a kid on the other team that's just as good as Rick, though we all know who's smarter," he winks at me, "but stay focused. There's a variety of strengths you all have that will work wonders for you tomorrow. And lastly," he paces in front of us as he speaks, "from this moment forward, I forbid you to study! Except maybe Jimmy." He looks at the kid while he says his name. "The rest of you need a rest. Do other homework. Play outside. Whatever you kids do. And enjoy the rest of your day."

As Mr. Simpson moves to the corner of the stage to gather his papers, the four of us hand in our name tags and bells to him. Simultaneously we grab our school bags and leave the gym as a group—Jimmy included. I glance up at him as we walk through the double-doors, expecting him to take leave of the group, but he keeps pace.

Now for the ultimate test. Now that the teacher isn't around, will Jimmy have some fun with me? "Amazing trivia skills, Jim." I say to him as we enter the hallway.

"Thanks. You were good too." He replies.

No way. This could work! Me getting along with Jimmy? Raditch's advice helped after all. Whodda thunk it?

"Yo, Jimmy." Oh no. Jimmy's bad influences of friends approach, starring Gavin the bad hair day. He's flanked by Alex and Jay. They're still together? Figures. Couples that bully together stay together.

"Hey, dog meat," Spinner addresses me, "you got something on your shirt."

Like an idiot, I glance down only to be thumped in the chin by Spinner. I bite back my agitation. Just when I thought things might be okay, I can count on Spinner to remind me of my place.

"That's weak."

I jolt my head up in surprise. No. Jimmy couldn't have said that. He couldn't have…

"Grow up." He continues in a solid voice, glancing at the threesome in front of us.

"Ooooh. Ricky found a friend." Alex teases.

Friend? I contemplate. Could he be? No not Jimmy.

"Give it a rest." Jimmy replies. "It's boring." He hovers over Alex, making her look like a meek little toddler in comparison, and cuts between the white thugs, walking past them.

It takes me a second to register what happened. After staring in confusion as Emma and Toby move past the bullies, I finally pull up the rear, feeling the glares of Jay, Spinner and Alex searing my back.

Jimmy.

Stood.

Up.

For.

ME.

He's crossed over now. Jimmy finally sees the light. That I am good. That I have changed. We've had a lot of bad run-ins from both this year and last year alike, but now, now, we're teammates. Even companions outside of Whack-Your-Brain. Degrassi can have everyone else. At least I got one person to stop bullying me, one person to see who I really am.

And on that note…

As I catch up to my group of new friends, I turn to face the three again and cross my arms in the shape of an "X". I can't help but grin smugly at them as they do it. Man, the looks on their faces. Now we're about fifty feet away from Spinner and his group, but I can still see their open mouths and wide eyes. Stupid fools would have never thought someone like me would have the guts to come near their beloved babies, let alone vandalize the windows. I turn back around after I'm satisfied from the dumbfounded looks on their faces.

They'll learn someday. If you get Rick Murray, Rick Murray will get you back.