The Brat Pack

Late Tuesday morning, March 27, 1984. Shermer High School, Shermer, Illinois.

The lunchroom is divided. It has been since freshman year. The popular kids sit on the left, near the door and lunch lines; it makes it easier for them to get first dibs on the best food. The nerds sit in the middle; this makes it easier for the popular kids to find someone to do their homework. The tables on the right are where the "normal" kids sit; no one bothers them there. The burnouts sit in the far back.

Brian sighs as he stares down at his tray. This morning, his sister Jenny had decided she didn't want to brush her teeth, hoping to stay home from school to avoid a science test. As a result, Brian's mother hadn't packed his lunch, and now he's stuck eating corn dogs and a scoop of watery looking corn. Brian frowns as he thinks about Jenny. She's never acted like that before. Something must be going on...

"...did you hear me, kid? I said next!"

"Hey!"

Brian snaps from his thoughts, looking around. Behind him, an angry line of kids stand with their trays, glaring at him.

"Next, please!"

Brian looks forward, realizing it's his turn to pay. "Oh," he says, blushing as he hurries to the cash register. "Oh, sorry."

He digs into his pocket and pulls out his wallet, grabbing a few bills and shoving them into the cashier's hands. She eyes him oddly as he hurries away, not bothering to stay and get his change.

Brian looks around at the tables, slumping his shoulders. His friends are MIA, probably in the library playing games on the computers. This happens at least once a week.

As he spots an empty table and starts for it, he hears loud laughter coming from the back. Turning, he spots Bender and his friends, throwing around paper airplanes at their table. Brian smiles, a thought creeping into his brain.

He starts for the back, pushing through a group of Drama Club kids. A few of them snap – literally snap their fingers – at him as he goes.

"Hiya, fellas," Brian says cheerfully as he sets his tray down at Bender's table, pulling out one of the chairs and lowering himself down. He can feel eyes from all over the cafeteria staring at him.

Bender looks like he's about to have a heart attack from where he's sitting. Curtis lowers his milk carton, milk dripping from the straw. Johnny's head is in constant motion, glancing at everyone sitting at the table. Craig flings peas at Brian's head.

"Uh, what the fuck, dweeb. Are you lost?" Bender asks in horror.

Curtis drums his fingers on the table as Brian shrugs, shoving a spoonful of corn into his mouth. He flinches as another pea hits directly on his eyebrow.

"Just wanted someone to sit with, that's all."

Craig laughs, loading his spoon again. "Where's the Nerd Herd at, huh, buddy?"

He launches his spoon forward. Brian moves his head to the left, watching as peas soar by. One hits Curtis on the ear and he snarls. Craig drops his spoon and pushes his tray forward a little.

"The Nerd Herd? Hey, I kinda like that, yeah." Brian nods his head, looking around.

Bender cracks a smile. Curtis, however, is clearly not amused. He lowers his head, whispering so only Brian can hear.

"I'm gonna give you 'til the count of ten to get the hell away from this table, else I'm gonna beat the living shit outta you."

"Oh, come on, Curtis, buddy!" Brian pats Curtis's shoulder.

Bender, next to Curtis, widens his eyes and shakes his head, mouthing no, no, no quickly.

"That's it!" Curtis roars, standing up. A few kids look over at their table. "Boys, I need to take a bathroom break."

Johnny grins widely, standing too. Craig joins them. Bender swallows, standing up slowly.

"Okay, well, see you then." Brian is about to bite his corn dog when he feels a strong hand on his shoulder, fingers digging into his sweater.

"You," Curtis says with narrow eyes and a venomous smile, "are coming with us."


The hallways are empty. Craig and Johnny stand guard at the door as Curtis shoves Brian inside. He tumbles forward and grips a sink for support.

"Take care of him," Curtis growls to someone in the hall.

Next thing Brian knows, he's face-to-face with a furious Bender. Brian starts to back up toward the wall on the far side, Bender taking slow steps toward him, turning on every sink as he goes and checking underneath the stalls. They're alone. The room is filled with the sound of rushing water. Brian squeezes his legs together. He hadn't had to pee five seconds ago. He holds a hand out as he hits the orange brick wall.

"Bender, please," he starts.

"What. The. FUCK!" Bender hisses, three inches from Brian now. "What the fuck, Brian! What were you thinking! I should beat the shit outta you."

Brian swallows, turning his head away from Bender, before he starts to blink and look back. "You – you mean you're not gonna hit me?"

"Fuck, no, I, ugh." Bender runs a hand through his hair, cursing to himself. "You're lucky Curtis sent me in and not someone else, or even came in himself, because you'd be bleeding on the floor right now if he had."

"I, I understand."

"Really?" Bender shoots him a pointed look. "Really? Because I don't fucking think you do. What was that? Do you have a death wish?"

"No, I just thought-"

"Well don't," Bender snarls, pointing a finger at Brian. "Don't ever pull a stunt like that again, or so help me I'll hit you next time. Do you understand?"

"Yes."

"Good." Bender runs another hand through his hair. It almost looks like he's shaking. Then again, that might just be Brian.

"Wait a few minutes before leaving, you hear? And don't mention this to anyone, or I'll kill you."

Bender hurries back to the door, only opening it enough for himself to slip through. Brian rushes and locks himself in a stall, breathing heavily. He hears the door creak open for a second before shutting again. He's left alone with the running faucets after that.