Extra Baggage Chapter 4: Perfect Drug, a bully fanfic

"Extra Baggage"

Story #4: "Perfect Drug"

By: Seinasu

In the wee hours of the night, Tabitha thought about the famous Jimmy Hopkins. Everybody knew he was in charge of the school. Everybody listened to him and respected him (more or less). He first started out as the kid who didn't want to be bothered by anybody. He just wanted to get through school as quickly as possible... or until his mother divorced his latest step-dad. Behind his tough attitude was a boy who had dreams.

The way Gary talked about him; it was like he was talking about a miracle drug. He talked about the strengths and weaknesses of Jimmy like he was a pill he wanted to swallow, no matter what the side effects were. Jimmy only wanted to be left alone, but Gary managed to string him along like a puppet. At first they seemed to be alike, getting into mischief and just doing what boys naturally did at their age.

Even before he really knew Jimmy, he had something in store for him. What sheer brilliance! Oh, wait, it was the fact that he had stopped taking his pills did he become more fabulous... but still! What sheer brilliance!

Tabitha sat up from her pillow and the digital numbers on her alarm indicated that she had at least four more hours until she had to wake up. Yawning, she glanced over and saw that her room mate, Eunice, was in a deep slumber, with empty candy wrappers all over her bed.

She fell back onto her pillow and stared up at the ceiling.

No matter how much of herself she devoted to Gary, she knew that deep down, she wasn't as important as Jimmy.

Gary would never admit it, but Jimmy was the reason for him to even bother with Bullworth. Jimmy was the fuel and Gary was the spark. Every time Gary saw Jimmy, he would have a look on his face that only Tabitha could see. Jimmy's feelings towards Gary were hostile at best and he told him flat out to stay the hell away from him. But time and time again, Gary showed up when he was never wanted, no matter who Jimmy was with or even if he was by himself. Sometimes, Jimmy would run into him and that would make Jimmy even madder, knowing that he approached the one person he wanted to avoid.

Jimmy could easily get riled up and Gary knew exactly how to push his buttons. She knew Gary needed Jimmy to function. He needed a way to get back at Jimmy for usurping his position as Head Boy last year. But he was taking his time planning something... then again this was all under her assumption. She really wasn't sure what he was planning exactly because he wouldn't tell her.

To Gary, Jimmy was the "one who got away."

I hope that didn't sound too weird. Forgive me, Gary!

Tabitha realized he'd come so close to completely humiliating Jimmy, only to have it thrown right back in his face. Jimmy's presence was Gary's motivation.

There were times, when she and Gary were alone, did Gary get upset. Really upset. It was due to the medication he was forced to take. Sometimes he complained of headaches and stomach pains, but mostly headaches. Whenever she tried to reach out to him, he cursed at her and told her to leave him the fuck alone. He had yet to physically harm her but as she told him time and time again, that she was there to help him. She wanted to be of use to him. She wanted his attention.

In reality, she knew she wasn't really of any use. She wasn't Jimmy.

She could only imagine how Gary felt when Jimmy confronted him on that ill-fated day. Since she wasn't on school grounds, Eunice filled her in on what supposedly happened on the rooftop. Did Gary get excited when Jimmy confronted him for the first time in months? Was he upset? Was he hurt? Did he laugh? Did he cry?

If only I'd been there to see him! I would've cheered him on!

She closed her eyes and tried to fall asleep, but her train of thoughts continued to chug forward.

Tabitha was just a lackey, a liability, a scapegoat... Even if Gary pretended to somewhat care about her, she knew he really didn't. Even so, she was nuts about him. He was so smart, cunning, smooth talking... He was the embodiment of sheer genius (ADD be damned!). He was something she could never be. She couldn't even imagine her pathetic life before serving Gary. When she wasn't with Gary, she was shy, weak, easily startled—she was just a wreck. Her thoughts could be perfectly structured in her head, but when she spoke aloud her stammering made her even more of a ridiculous sight. So she always looked forward to seeing Gary each and every day because he gave her the confidence she needed to function. The loud, brash, and bold side of her only seemed to emerge whenever Gary was around. It was only then that she felt more or less normal.

I guess maybe this is how Gary feels about Jimmy as well. Gary needs Jimmy whether Jimmy knows it or not. I need Gary whether Gary knows this or not.

When Gary saw Jimmy, she could only imagine the gears in his head grinding. She knew he wanted to say something colorful to Jimmy but he had to bide his time. All eyes were upon him and Jimmy was more than ready to pound his face in if he crossed that invisible line. It was only when Gary and Jimmy were alone, was she the only person to know that Gary was temporarily sated.

It was a strange to comprehend at times, knowing that Gary was grateful for Jimmy's presence.

Or maybe she was just over-analyzing the whole situation.

I guess the saying is "keep your friends close and your enemies closer."

Gary took his medication but Jimmy was the one pill he wanted to really consume. Everybody else was flushable.

A single piece of snow fell from the gray afternoon skies, signaling the impending arrival of Old Man Winter. Tabitha held out her hand and watched as the snow missed her palm and floated harmlessly to the ground. She sat on one of the many benches that were placed around the main building. Just a few feet away, she watched Gary talk to Petey about something. She couldn't hear what they were saying, as Gary had purposely pulled Petey away so they could talk in private.

Pete Kowalski was another drug for Gary. Though he didn't need Petey as much as he needed Jimmy, he was still a pill he wouldn't mind swallowing on a daily basis. Gary was essentially Petey's first "friend" at Bullworth. Back then, nobody wanted anything to do with Petey. They thought he was a total dork and a complete femme (at least that's what Gary told her). Sometimes, Gary fondly recalled the many, many, many times he humiliated Petey—calling him names, kicking him in the groin, sending him into the fray of pissed off Jocks, etc.

The way he talked about Petey, it was like he was talking about a favorite toy. He looked forward to playing (torturing) him. He didn't see him as often as he'd like, but when he did, he often delighted in talking to him about something or another. And every time this came about, Petey looked worried and hesitant. Once in a while, when he wanted to avoid confrontation, Tabitha would hold him down as long as possible (the last time she recalled, she "accidentally" tripped him) for Gary to "talk" to him. For the most part, she was told to stay back and just wait.

Tabitha watched as Gary put his arm around Petey's neck. He was holding him tight, like he was trying to put him in a headlock. Petey dropped the text book he was holding in his arm and it bounced off of his foot.

She smiled inward. Gary was strong; physically, he appeared much stronger and fit than last year. She knew he was able to hold his own against one or two guys his size. The way he had his hold on Petey, he could probably snap his neck. He didn't seem to care if Petey was Head Boy.

Suddenly, Petey did something that neither she nor Gary expected and it caused her to sit up with wide, curious eyes.

Petey turned and shoved Gary away so hard that Gary broke his hold and stumbled backwards. He almost fell flat on his back but he managed to keep a steady hold of his own balance. Petey turned around and looked straight at Tabitha, his facial expression to her screamed, 'Did I just do that?!'

Tabitha steadily rose from her seat and took a step forward. Without warning, Gary kicked Petey in the back of the knees, sending the smaller boy crashing forward against the ground.

Without realizing it, Tabitha cried out, "Petey!"

She threw her hands over her mouth and squeezed her eyes shut. What did she just say?! Wasn't she supposed to be cheering for Gary? Why in the world did she express concern for Petey of all people?!

Something was wrong, and she knew it. She was devoted to Gary and only Gary. She wasn't supposed to think about anybody else but him.

Gary threw Tabitha a questionable look, then began to walk in circles around Petey.

"Yeah, poor Petey," Gary said with mock sympathy as Tabitha approached the scene. "Like he's never been hit or kicked before."

Tabitha bit her lower lip as she looked down at Petey, who was struggling to get up. So when he got to his knees, Gary kneeled before him.

"Go ahead and tell on me," he said to the smaller boy. "Stand up for yourself and do what's right. This is America, land of the free. Free speech for all! Don't let anything hold you back from kicking me out for good this time. Do something that Jimmy can never do and get me expelled for good."

"Gary, no...!" Tabitha protested fearfully. "I don't want you to leave!"

Gary ignored her pleas and continued to stare right into Petey's eyes. "Do it, Head Boy. Abuse your powers and rid yourself of the person who's tormented you. You know if I were you, I'd do whatever it takes to see me banished."

Petey frowned. "I know," he said weakly. "You tried to do it to Jimmy last year. But... I'm not like you Gary and I hope I will never be like you."

Gary slowly rose from the ground, his arms folded across his chest. He chuckled, seemingly amused by this side of Petey.

"I won't abuse my position to just get back at you," Petey asserted as he climbed to his feet, his knees still a bit wobbly. "I'm where I'm at today because Jimmy and Dr. Crabblesnitch... they think I can do it."

"But think of the power you have in your position," Gary said, his tone rising with excitement. "If someone's really pissing you off, you can just go to the principal and fabricate some story about them and in no time, he'll be nothing more than a memory! You don't even have to make up a story for most of these kids—they're so twisted and messed up that you can just tell him about what they're really capable of."

Petey sighed in frustration and he exclaimed, "I'm not like you, Gary! I would never use my position like you!. That was messed up the way you hurt people behind their backs and wrecked people's relationships with each other! You didn't even know those people personally and what you did... that was just... just... SICK!"

Tabitha couldn't help but marvel at Petey's passionate response to Gary. He sounded different. He was certainly acting different. He was... maturing. But her mind quickly shifted to last year, when Gary was jumping from different cliques, telling them this and that to stir things up and cause problems for Jimmy in the long run. It was his plan all along. He wanted to rule the school and Jimmy didn't. This time around, it sounded like he wanted Petey to attempt the same actions he did. But Petey wasn't having it, and it engrossed Gary to no end.

"Sick, huh?" Gary mused with a wicked glint in his eyes. "You're not telling me anything new, Pete. I've heard it all before—my parents, doctors, classmates, and teachers—yeah, I'm sick. I'm just sick of being around all you idiots who have no idea what real power is until you're able to grasp it in your very hands."

"Man, Gary, you're just asking for trouble," Petey said as he backed away and picked up his text book that fell when Gary grabbed him earlier. "I hope for your sake nobody hears you talking like this. Especially Jimmy."

Gary's eyes lit up like holiday lights as he touched the side of his temple. A slight twinge of pain suddenly flashed across his face but only Tabitha noticed this.

"Jimmy, huh?" he said after a few moments. He lowered his hand from the side of his head and asked, "You think Jimmy is this great hero? You think he's not capable of what I'm capable of? You think he's better than me?"

"No way!" Tabitha exclaimed before Petey could respond.

"Shut up, Leech," Gary snapped, his voice suddenly filled with annoyance. "Quit interrupting me!"

"Gary, you really should treat her more nicely...!" Petey retorted. "It's... It's starting to get tiring."

"Oh, god, Petey I'm so sorry," Gary remarked with obvious sarcasm. He placed his head in his hands and sobbed loudly. Lifting his head, he smiled at Tabitha and asked her in a charming voice, "Am I mean to you?"

Tabitha opened her mouth to say something when Gary promptly answered his own question to her.

"No, I am not. I'm just being honest with her as I am with everybody. I may forget to add in a few details here and there... but I never, never lie about anything. I am not mean nor am I unfeeling. I know how everybody operates and that's why I am the way I am. I keep my guard up and you should too, Petey. Next time you try to warn me... Well..."

Gary appeared at ease, as he walked over to Petey once more and poked him sharply against his chest with his index finger.

"Just try me," was all Gary said. He withdrew his finger and walked away, eventually wandering up the stairs to the main building. Before he pulled one of the main doors open, he hollered out, "I'M SORRY, PETEY! I WAS JUST KIDDING!"

More snow started to fall from the skies as the heavy doors closed shut, and Petey and Tabitha were left alone. Petey knew very well that Gary wasn't playing around, as Tabitha simply stared down at her feet.

A moment later, Petey rubbed the back of his neck and looked uneasily at Tabitha.

"Aren't you going to go after him?" he asked, knowing how she operated around her precious Gary.

Tabitha looked at the building where Gary disappeared to then looked back at Petey. She tilted her head to the side and asked softly, "What made you... I-I mean... Why did you say those things to Gary?"

"Because I'm sick of being pushed around by him," Petey said as he closed his eyes. "I thought Gary was my friend, even when he bullied me. He wasn't as bad as the rest of the regular bullies, but he would do it constantly. Ever time he saw me, he'd do something to me... Well, I mean, he was just always there to tease me. Maybe I should take back what I said about him being not as mean as the bullies..."

"S-So... Why don't you... um... talk to Dr. Crabblesnitch about him...?"

The moment those words slipped, she regretted them right away. She could only hope and pray that he wouldn't consider such a thing. Petey opened his eyes and his shoulders sagged miserably.

"As I told him, I don't want him expelled just because I don't like him. I'm not looking for a power trip or anything."

"I-I-I see... Uh..." Tabitha tucked a lock of blonde hair behind her ear and started to back away. "I'm gonna find Gary... So..."

She paused because as she felt quite uneasy about what just happened. Petey actually stood up to Gary. Even if he didn't beat him in a physical confrontation, he still stood up for what he believed in. He didn't believe in corruption like Gary. No longer was he looking like her, a person too timid to really do anything.

No, she wasn't like Petey. She adored Gary. She didn't need any other friends. Gary was... well, he wasn't a friend. He was beyond having any friends. He was in such a higher state than everyone that he really didn't need anybody. She was damn lucky to be able to spend time with him!

Still, she didn't fit into his equation with Jimmy or Petey. She was sure that after his confrontation with Petey, Gary would still want to keep an eye on him. As for Jimmy—he was Gary's other half, his reflection through a twisted, distorted mirror. He'd always want to keep an even closer eye on Jimmy. All the while, Tabitha stood on the outskirts. She could be just an arm's length away from him but never feel enough close to him, as Jimmy and Petey were.

For the first time since she declared her devotion, she didn't feel the need to take her pill right away. However, like all drugs, she quickly found herself craving for her daily fix of Gary.

THE END