The next few weeks the gang settled into their schedules and new lives as highschoolers. Each also indulging in the idea of the opposite sex. Grethen had a crush on a boy in her math classes, she considered him to be her intellectual equal. The jock and the bad boy of the group go several stares, flirtatious giggles, and bold advancements by many of their female classmates. Mikey was excited for the idea of new love to blossom within his friends. Spinelli and Gus were left behind on the idea of the love train.
Gus was to busy discovering his new found hobby of tinkering with machinery. Spinelli? She just didn't care for the whole love scene. Sure she had feelings, and a potential crush, but she wasn't out to look for anything. Throughout her journey of emotional experiences thus far, she came to the conclusion long ago that if she were to ever find love someday, it would happen on its own time. She would never risk her tough girl reputation on something that wasn't real, someone who wasn't worth it.
"I told you Claire, I'm not interested." T.J. was clearly beginning to get annoyed with the extra attention. Homecoming was coming up. Almost every ninth grader thrilled for their first highschool dance. Spinelli rolled her eyes, she witnessed the same scene happening to both T.J. and Vince for the past week. Claire sulked away dejectedly.
T.J. slammed his locker shut, Spinelli leaning against the wall of lockers next to him. "Geez T.J, take it easy. I thought breaking stuff was my job." She smirked playfully.
"You're right, I just don't get the big deal with this homecoming dance junk."
"Well, it's the first dance of the year. I surmise about 97% of our fellow ninth graders are eager about going." Gretchen walked up to the duo, followed by the rest of the group. She adjusted her glasses before refocusing back on her beloved handheld computer, Gallileo. It may be outdated by now, but she cherished it nonetheless.
"Everyone seems to uptight about getting dates for it." Vince chimed in. "Is having a date really necessary for these things?" Gus asked, completely bewildered.
"The whole thing seems unnecessary, who would want to act like a barbie doll and go all gaga over some date that isn't even real." Spinell shrugged off.
"Oh, but Spinelli, you're looking at it all wrong! It could be a beautiful chance to form new friendships, or even love!" Mikey threw his arms in the air with poetic expression, Spinelli rolled her eyes, feeling nauseated over the mush.
"I mean, I'm rather infatuated with a certain math colleague I know." Gretchen sighed dreamily. It's not like her to lead with emotions over intellect, but this wasn't elementary school anymore. Things were changing.
"I too am finding a certain… interest in a fellow female classmate of mine." Mikey clapped his hands together in a dream like state.
"Blegh, you guys are going to make me lose my breakfast." Spinelli complained. Throwing her hands up in defeat before placing them back on her hips.
"Aw, man! I'm going to be the only one going alone then!" Gus whined.
"Well Gus, the probability of any of us getting rejected is pretty high. I've been studying the social cliques of our new highschool environment. It appears that the more popular people believe a person is, the more desirable they seem" Gretchen concluded.
"Isn't that kinda like what the Ashley's were saying the other week?" Vince questioned, remembering T.J. and his Ashley run in on the first day of school.
"I think so? But, I don't really care about being popular. I've got you guys after all!" T.J. smiled happily, the six have been together through most of elementary. Proving many times over that their friendship could withstand the hardest of trials.
"Well, it wouldn't be such a bad thing for us to make more friends, right?" Vince questioned, looking a big confused on the social status of highschool.
"No, I don't think it would be, I mean… why not?" T.J. shrugged, equally confused.
"Well… can we promise something? No matter how many friends we make, we'll always stay best friends?" The gentle giant sounded sad.
"Sure thing, big guy." Spinelli nudged his arm playfully.
"Of course! You guys are the best friends I could ever have!" Gus chimed in.
Everyone else charged in with cheers. The other students continued in their own cliques, not paying the group of six any attention as they chatted and waited for the bell to ring for classes. The ching of pocket chains and boot studs echoed louder and louder as the sound drew closer.
A tall boy, skinny, with well toned muscles. Casually messy black hair covered his head, Sporting a studded leather jacket and a torn muscle shirt. Ripped black jeans, with studded combat boots to complete his punk look. He had a bad boy vibe about him. One look would've made any Ashley swoon.
He seemed to have come out of nowhere. Rudely pushing Gus and Gretchen out of the way sharply, penetrating the tight group. He strutted up till he stood straight in front of Spinelli. Slamming his palm against the lockers she was still leaning against. The boom rang out. Causing a few nearby students to refocus their attention in the direction of the noise. Spinelli didn't even flinch. She glared at him, folding her arms.
The rest of the gang held various reactions of nervousness, annoyance, or even anger. They all watched in anticipation at whatever scene would come into play before them, Gretchen figured a 92% chance that this strange and unwelcome newcomer was going to get punched.
"You're the one called Spinelli, right?"
"So what if I am? What's it to you?" She spat back. Still shooting him a death look.
"Oh, don't be like that. You can call me D.J. You know…." Dancing his eyes around her features. "You're a lot cuter than people say." He placed his other hand under her chin, lifting her head up slightly, enough directly look down at her face. His other hand still on the locker next to her as if acting as a barricade. By this time, some of the other students were also intently watching.
D.J. was known as the top bad boy of the school for only being in 11th grade. He held that reputation over the past couple years and grew quite smug with it. The Ashley's were among the females that looked on the scene with either rage, or jealousy.
"Move the finger before you lose it." Spinelli threatened.
"Oh? Feisty are we?" D.J. teased. "Well, maybe this will soften you up a bit. How would you like to go to the homecoming dance with a guy like me?" Raising an eyebrow in a flirtatious manner.
Spinelli curled her fingers, ready to let her fists do the talking when T.J. forced his way between them.
"She's not interested! So just leave her alone!" T.J. yelled the words before they ever entered into his brain.
By now, most of the students had stopped to watch the teen drama unfold.
"Hey, dweeb! I think the lady can answer for herself!" D.J. was now up in T.J's face. D.J. forcibly shoved T.J. into the lockers next to Spinelli. Pinning him there and setting his fist, ready to launch.
Spinelli raging more as the situation quickly escalated. Her fist still ready, she planted her feet, threw her fist forward following her hip into it. Her first jab claimed a spot in the lower ribs, her cross came in, finding its way to the flat of his stomach. D.J. stumbled back from the force, landing into the lockers opposite of the hall, sliding to the ground. Hand clutched his stomach as he wheezed for air. The other girls in the hall shot Spinelli dirty looks and rushed over to D.J. who quickly stood up and brushed them off.
"If you EVER call me that again, I'll make sure you won't speak for a month!" Spineli yelled, her fists up threateningly. Mikey and Vince grabbed onto their fiery friend to make sure she didn't do anything to rash. The friends were use to her bouts of fury.
"I'll get you back for this!" D.J. threatened, a clear limp even through his feign of hiding it.
"And you!" Spinelli turned her rage into T.J. "What the heck was that! I can answer for myself you know!" T.J. didn't expect to end up the center of one of his best and longest friend's rage. His mind was still racing, trying to catch up on the events of what just happened. He wanted to say something, but could only stammer as she stomped away.
"Yeah, Teej. That did seem kinda… weird." Vince agreed with their spunky friend.
"Oh come on guys! It was a beautiful display of friendship! Perhaps this friendship will pollinate into something sweeter than honey someday!" Mikey enthusiastically praised. Gus chuckled.
"Yeah, even I could see that jealousy!" The army kid mused.
"I must agree, you actions do seem to be the results of hormonal teenage emotions." Gretchen opted for the scientific explanation, as usual.
The bell rang for class before T.J. had a chance to protest. The group quickly split to begin their day of classes. Spinelli eventually calmed down some, T.J. still couldn't wrap his head around the situation. He couldn't stop thinking about it. Spinelli was his friend, one of his best friends. All he thought he did was defend her from a guy who came ff as such a jerk.
The first half of the day felt tense for T.J. knowing he needed to talk to Spinelli, to explain the situation. He knew she was tough, and that she can take care of herself, but she didn't have to do it alone, right? He knew there was no way she could stay mad at him much longer. So far she'd given him the cold shoulder, but he'd make it up to her.
T.J. sat at a near empty table with his tray of food. Waiting for his friends to gather. So, when a tray clanked down next to him, he almost didn't look. Until he realized he didn't recognize the voice.
"Hey T.J!" A girlish voice said cheerfully. A carrot top girl with a navy blue baseball cap sat next to him.
"Uh… do I know you?" He questioned.
Giggling, she answered. "We played kickball together years ago, C.J. Rotweiler." T.J. paused a moment, letting himself sink into the memories.
"Oh, yeah! So you and you're friends come here now too?" T.J. wasn't sure how to reac, he wasn't even sure how she remembered his name.
"Yes, we do! I'm glad to have a chance to meet you again." C.J. slid just a little closer to T.J. making him get uncomfortable. The two continued to talk despite that and eased into casual conversation.
Finding out they had many things in common. From root beer being their favorite pop, their current favorite show was "Batter down!" and they both had every issue of "Senior Fusion" ever printed.
One by one his friends began to gather around him at the table. T.J. almost hesitated when Spinelli sat down, despite having had two classes with her that morning, he still couldn't quite tell if she was still mad at him or not.
"Hey guys, this is C.J! From that kickball thing Principle Prickly made us do." T.J. placed a hand on her shoulder. Spinelli couldn't stop the glare she sent in that direction.
"You know T.J. you're pretty cute now. C.J. teased. She continued to openly flirt with him, T.J. either thinking nothing of it, or being completely oblivious. It didn't take long for Spinelli to stand up, about to walk away.
"I think I'm going to lose my lunch." She spat, sliding the rest of her try over to Mikey before exiting the room.
Spinelli! Wait!" T.J. stood up to chase after her, but C.J. grabbed his arm and yanked him back down.
"Hey! What are you doing!" T.J. yelled, shocked.
"Oh, come on! She probably just wants to be a lone anyway! Just let her be, we were having such a good time without her." C.J. whined.
"I kinda agree with Spinelli. Sorry Teej, I know you were probably trying to make new friends and all… but she's a little much." Vince spoke out. Gus nodded in agreement.
"C.J. That's my friend you're talking about! I'm sorry C.J. but I just can't leave her." The fire of T.J's voice poured out into his speech. T.J. stood up, along with the other four remaining members of the group. Al walking out of the cafeteria together. Everyone was clearly getting tired with C.J's odd behavior and clinginess she displayed towards their leader.
"Hold on guys, I think I might know where Spinelli is. Just, wait here. I'll go talk to her." Gretchen offered calmly as they approached the bathroom doors. Entering into the one labeled girls, revealing the pink wall tiling behind. Gretchen heard a stall door slam and the sound of a faucet running. Turning the corner revealed her closest female friend.
"Spinelli?" Gretchen called out to her. Her gaze softened when she noticed Gretchen in the room with her. "Are you ok?" Gretchen continued.
"Peachy." Spinelli lied through her teeth.
"Spinelli, we've been friends since kindergarten. Be honest with me. Are you still mad at T.J?" Gretchen's sensible side pulled through.
"Kind of. I don't need him or anything thinking they need to defend me. I can take care of myself!" Spinelli stated, upset.
"Spinelli, this IS T.J. we're talking about. He knows better than anyone that you can most certainly take care of yourself. And YOU should know better than anyone that he defends his friends. It's a natural instinct for him. You can't really be mad at him for wanting to defend you, his friend, against a creepy jerk like that." Grethen continued.
Spinelli's shoulders sagged. "I guess you're right." She conceded.
"Great, now we can get to the rest of the story." Gretchen was satisfied she had gotten the earlier predicament straightened out, but her scientific mind still had inquiries on some of her other actions of the day. And over the past couple weeks with T.J. receiving so much attention from other girls during that time.
"Spinelli, were you jealous at lunch? When T.J. and C.J. were paying so much attention to each other, in a very flirtatious manner, I might add?" Gretchen wasn't afraid to ask questions, even to her spunky best friend.
"What do you mean by that?" Spinelli was getting defensive. "T.J's allowed to talk to whoever he wants, he's a big boy!" Spinelli folded her arms and avoided the fellow female's gaze.
"Sorry, I was just wanting to confirm some suspicions I had. I've been wondering since about…. The 4th grade or so." Gretchen premised.
"Gretch, just say what you mean." Spinelli monotoned, almost sounding exhausted.
"Very well then, Spinelli, do you have a crush on T.J.?" Gretchen used her most scientific, matter of fact voice.
"Wha-what?" Why would you think that!" Spinelli being shocked couldn't begin to describe her reaction.
"Well… I noticed quite a bit throughout elementary, but didn't have the emotional understanding to complete my analysis. But, the way you two handled my 4th grade experiment, really seemed to be the tipping point of my suspicions. Spinelli, you seem to be way more likely to let your guard down with him, than anyone else." Gretchen stated her facts in a summarized fashion.
"Gretch, we're just good friends is all." Spinelli denied anything.
"Spinelli, girl to girl. There's absolutely nothing wrong with having a crush. Even if it's one of your best friends." Gretchen smiled encouragingly. "I have one as well." Gretchen continued. Smiling semi-dreamily.
"Fine! You wanna know the truth! I… I don't really know…" Spinelli stuttered, before Gretchen could reply, the bell rang.
"We can talk later." Gretchen said quickly before they left the bathroom without another word spoken.
They were greeted by the four male members on the other side of the door. T.J. looking just as flustered as Spinelli. Gretchen concluded that the guys had a similar conversation as the girls just had. She smiled mischievously to herself as she considered her friends possible outcomes.
Neither Spinelli or T.J. paid each other any attention. She stuck her hands in her jacket, passing the boys without a word. T.J. walked off, feeling incredibly awkward, he still had two more classes with her that afternoon. The three boys looked to Gretchen for answers whose only reply was folding her hands behind her back as she more than confidently strutted off to class. Leaving three confused boys behind.
The rest of the school day settled into an intense, awkward silence. T.J. didn't know what Gretchen had said to Spinelli in the bathroom, and what his guy friends said made him uneasy. But, he knew he had to talk to her at least. It became tradition for the two to walk home together, seeing as how they lived three houses down from the other. Today, Spinelli excused herself, saying she had an errand to run after school. T.J. acted like he was ok with that, but he was saddened on the inside.
Each took off in opposite directions from their houses.
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All right... chapter two up.
I don't know why the last chapter didn't have indents because, I SWEAR I added those in!
Hopefully won't screw up on this one xp