~I~

By the time Ricky drags the half asleep junior back to the dorm, clouds have rolled in and the wind's picked up. Great. Just what Peanut needed while he was sick. Ricky wonders how he ended up like this. He was so bright this morning, cracking jokes and being energetic in the history class they had this morning. And now he was just so bleak looking.

Pushing open the doors to the dorm, Ricky shoves their way past Bucky then Damon, who he makes a comment to about missing his shower with Ted before entering Peanut's room. He knew he'd be in for it when he left, but to hell with that jock.

"What's with him?" Lefty's voice is nothing but concern when they walk in, Ricky letting go of his friend and having Peanut practically collapse on the bed.

"He's sick," he tells him nonchalantly, "Probably caught something when he went outside for photography."

There's no reply. Lefty had been Peanut's roommate when he arrived a year back, seeing as his previous roommate, Troy, had irritated him so much with his babbling and threats that Peanut continuously fought him until Dr. Crabblesnitch had to change who he stayed with. In walked Lefty, a freshman who showed potential in shop class. Peanut had worked with him the most, trying to get to know him. When he showed an interest in bikes, he had taught him how to fix them, seeing as back then they had shop together. With Peanut's help, he got the hang of everything, and even excelled. And though he's young, Lucky will occasionally have him work on the cars with him, saying it will help in the long run. He would always ask Peanut for advice on some things with the cars, though, saying he felt more confident asking him rather than the other junior. It was sweet, really.

Ricky goes to sit by Peanut, watching him clumsily kicking off his shoes. He looks over at Lefty, who's back to scribbling down something on a piece of paper.

"Whatcha got there?" he asks, catching his attention as he reaches to the end of the bed to grab the blanket for his friend.

"Math," he grumbles, "I don't see what I'm ever gonna use this for!"

"Heh. You never know," He lays back, staring at the ceiling. "Well, I know Peanut's not, but you gonna come to the tenements and hang out tonight?"

"Of course!" He seems excited. "I hate being here, anyways. It's so boring!"

He had to agree. There was a reason Ricky never really spent his time in the dorm, other than to see his friends or crash in their room when he was too lazy to walk home. Other than that, he never really found a reason to stay in the dorm for long. Slowly sitting up, he lays the blanket across Peanut and gets off the bed, stretching and cracking his neck.

"Well, you wanna go now?" he asks, looking down at the sophomore. "Or are you gonna come by later?"

With a smile, Lefty tosses his homework to the side, standing up and putting on his jacket. They start for the door when he stops, looking back at his friend.

"Will he be fine by himself?" he asks. Ricky just nods, opening the door.

"Don't see why not," he replies, stepping out. "Just let him rest. We'll be back before curfew."

With that being said, they're out the door, leaving the sick greaser behind. A part of Lefty feels odd to just leave him there. Normally, they would all go back to the tenement and hang out there, either leaving with enough time to get back home before curfew, or they would just spend the night there. But leaving without Peanut just felt weird to him, especially how he was Johnny's right hand man and always stuck with the clique. Though, he did need the rest. No point in dragging him out if he was feeling like this.

It's sundown by the time Peanut finally wakes up, sweating and groaning. He throws the covers off, removing his jacket and running a hand through his hair that was damp with his sweat. Even though it's a little disgusting, he does feel better. He's not as tired and his energy did come back. He props himself up on his elbow, rubbing his eyes to get the sleep out of them.

"Hey, Lefty," he greets as he notices a shadow move by at the end of his bed. There's no response and he frowns. "Fine, don't answer me, asshole."

He reaches over, turning on the light and grabbing his packet of cigarettes, taking one out. He puts it between his lips, going to turn in the direction he had seen Lefty move in.

"Ay, hand me a light-" He sees no one. No trace of his friend, either. He sits up fully, looking around, trying to see if this is one of his stupid jokes or something. But it's not. He's all alone in the room. "Probably just seein' things."

He gets up, grabbing the lighter by Lefty's bed and using it to light his cigarette. Taking a drag, he looks around. Lefty's homework is still sprawled out on his bed and his jacket is gone. He takes a seat back at the end of his bed, slouched over. He was pretty sure they had went to tenement, but then again, he doesn't know if he should be out while sick. Was he really sick? He didn't feel like he had caught anything. He felt fine now. Maybe he just had a moment where he got exhausted. He wasn't sure.

Laying back, Peanut takes another drag, exhaling the smoke through his nose. Photography comes to mind and a small part of him is still upset he let his shadow get in the way of a really nice picture. He wondered if he did have a shot at photography, though, if he really didn't become a mechanic. Maybe Ms. Phillips was just saying that. She was known for encouraging her students, rather than just shooting them down like most did. It felt nice, really. To have someone look out for him, other than Johnny. That's the only reason why he tried more in class. The encouragement made him feel better. Plus, the idea Johnny had pitched him only made him want to work harder. Finish high school, go to college, and they'd become mechanics after that. All of them. That was the plan, at least. And that was the plan he liked the most.

Finishing his cigarette, he drops it in the ashtray and lays back. The clique comes to mind. Johnny and Norton were seniors, and though Peanut was considered second in command, Norton was also in that spot with him. Considering both would graduate this year, he figured he was second in command for when they left. He'd be the new leader. At least, that's what he thought. He never asked Johnny.

There was Lola, as well. A beautiful senior with a nice body. Her voice, while it could get annoying at times, was a decent sound as well. She was "dating" Johnny, some would say. Technically, they were a couple, but it wasn't a surprise that Lola would go around town, flaunting her body to every guy she saw. Peanut always thought Johnny deserved more than that, though the leader could never see it for himself. He drove himself crazy over the girl. Everyone saw this, but who were they to argue with their boss? If he wanted to get himself hurt day in and day out, then there wasn't anything any of them could do except hope he would realize he deserved someone better soon.

Ricky and Lucky were the other two juniors. Both were close with each other, and Peanut often wondered if they were close like he and Johnny were. He didn't know how they had met, but he remembered Lucky would come around the auto shop more and more, being invited by Ricky. Back then, they had shop and worked on bikes together, often messing around to the point where Neil would yell at them for playing more than working. They ended up in the office more than a few times, the teacher not wanting to hear them anymore.

Lefty, Hal and Vance were their sophomores. Vance was a well respected greaser, and he often times did hang around Peanut and Norton. On some occasions, he would speak for the clique as well. Anytime they had to do something, though, he always chose to be with Lefty. Then, there was Hal. Hal wasn't a normal greaser, you could say. He didn't take much of an interest in bikes and cars like they did. Hell, he was even failing shop! But, despite this, he was pretty cool to hang around. He also provided the extra muscle whenever Norton wasn't around.

Slowly sitting up, Peanut reaches for his jacket and puts it back on. 6:30. He had a little over four hours left and he'd be damned if he was gonna spend it alone in the dorm room with everyone else outside ranting and raving. So, putting on his shoes and grabbing his packet of cigarettes, he leaves the dorm. There's a slight breeze outside, but it feels pretty good. He walks down the stairs and heads for the gates, a prefect calling after him to be back by curfew. Yeah, sure.

The walk to the tenement wasn't too bad, and along the way he spots Norton walking out of Yum Yum Market, a plastic bag in his hand.

"Hey, Norton!" he greets, running up to the senior and patting his shoulder. He looks down at him, a small smile appearing.

"Hey, Peanut. What's up?" He slows his pace. "You feelin' better? I heard you were sick."

"Yeah, I'm feelin' better," he tells him, smiling back. "Everyone else at the hang out?"

Norton nods and they continue their way to the old building, making small talk and jokes. This is what Peanut didn't want to miss out on if he spent his time back in the dorm. He didn't want to miss out on the fun they all had together. Didn't want to miss the jokes they'd make or the stories they'd tell. He wondered who would have the craziest tonight.