The Brat Pack

The backyard is just as grand as the rest of the house. A perfectly green, manicured lawn lays in front of Brian, an inground pool laying smack-dab in the center. Brian lounges on one of the white chairs by the pool, watching Ally and Andy exploring the garden further back in the yard. Brian takes a sip of his water and turns when he hears Claire and Bender come outside, both laughing together and watching as Claire jogs over to Ally, pointing out the different flowers to her. Bender seats himself next to Brian and lays back in the chair, closing his eyes.

Brian licks his lips and presses them together, staying quiet for a minute. Finally he looks at Bender, squinting in the sun. "Can I ask you something?" he says.

"No," Bender answers automatically.

Brian opens his mouth to respond but closes it again, turning back to face the pool. Bender sighs, shaking his head.

"Learn to lighten up," Bender says as he sits up, snatching Brian's water bottle from his hands and taking a sip.

Brian points his thumb in the direction of the house. "You know there's one of those for-" he catches Bender's eye. "Never mind." Brian sighs. "It's about Curtis."

Bender stops mid-sip, lowering the water bottle. He wipes his mouth with the back of his hand and points at Brian. "Choose your words carefully," Bender warns.

Brian shakes his head. "No. No, I just mean, what will he do if I honestly don't put his name on this science project?"

Bender gives a light laugh. "Probably beat the shit out of you, if we're being honest."

Brian swallows the lump in his throat. "Oh," he says, his voice cracking.

"Curtis is an idiot, alright? But he needs help. Just do me this solid."

"Well who's gonna do me a solid when I need something?" Brian snaps. Bender stares at him and Brian looks straight ahead again.

"Yeah? Alright, what is it you want?"

Brian shrugs one shoulder. "I just want to be left alone, alright? For the rest of the year."

Bender nods. "Yeah, okay. You help Curtis and I'll make sure that happens. Deal?"

Brian looks at him, smiling a little and nodding his head. "Yeah. Deal."

They both are quiet for a bit then, watching the others, before Brian speaks up again. "How did you guys become friends?"

Bender laughs. "I fought them."

Brian laughs too. "Not uh." He looks at Bender, who is staring at him. Brian gets serious. "Wait, seriously? What happened?"

Bender hands Brian back his water bottle back, laying back on the chair and folding his hands behind his head, crossing his ankles. "I moved here in eighth grade. Second day here I was walking home alone and they swarmed me, shoving me and demanding to fight, saying it was initiation for all the new kids."

"They jumped you?" Brian asks, alarmed.

"They tried to. Johnny threw the first punch, I sidestepped him and pummeled him to the ground. When I stood up, Curtis looked me over and told me I was in. Never left their side since."

Brian nods. "I, uh," he smiles a bit. "I remember you. You were in sixth period with me that year."

Bender opens one eye. "No shit, really?"

"Uh huh. Mr. Dion's class. You sat in the back and used to throw spitballs in my hair."

Bender busts up laughing. "Sounds like something I would do." He gets serious and shakes his head. "Man, that was so long ago. What I wouldn't do to go back to those times."

"Where'd you move from?" Brian asks, taking a sip of his water.

"Chicago," Bender replies.