Chapter 2 - " Graveyard "
I was getting the hang of it. After a couple weeks at Madison High, it was either sink or swim. I refused to sink, but I wasn't quite swimming either, so I guess I was pathetically treading water. But at least I had friends.
My preconceived notions of this socially awkward bunch began to change. They were still nerds. But at least they kept me company. Plus, they were like masters of avoidance. We dodged bullies at every cost. Much was contributed to the intuition of Sabrina. I swear she was like a fortune teller.
"Jonathan, come here!" spoke an authoritative voice from the shadows.
I recognized the voice, so I preceded with caution.
"Sabrina—Is that you?" My voice was scratchy.
"Hurry, Jonathan!"
Shrouded by the shadowy cover, I paused as a pressure upon my wrist pulled me in.
"Be quiet!" shot out a whisper.
Minutes elapsed as we both stood in silence. I questioned her not, but I was getting uncomfortable. Although Sabrina was sweet and all, I was not attracted to her, and I didn't want her to get the wrong idea. I'm such an idiot.
Just as that thought came over me, I heard a loud explosion as boisterous voices thundered into the gymnasium.
"Why are you whimpering? Are you a little girl?" shouted an obnoxious voice.
"You're hurting me." squeaked out a voice.
"Oh—Boo—Hoo! I'm hurting you," mocked a voice.
As still as I could, I maneuvered my way into a position to see the ruckus. Low and behold, I caught a glance of several rather large figures and two tiny ones.
I could make out the larger figures; they were football players. I was glad that my brother wasn't among them, but I'm sure he would take part if he weren't out sucking face with the blonde cheerleader.
I was unable to recognize the smaller figures though. They were just random casualties caught in the wrong place at the wrong time.
"How do we teach them a lesson? Well, if they want to act like little girls, then so be it—Strip em down, boys!" demanded the leader in charge.
"No! Don't make me do it," cried out one of the scrawny figures.
"I guess we'll have to do it for you then. Grab him!"
As muscular grips subdued the two boys, their pants were stripped from them along with their undies.
"Look at these boys, they're stark naked—Hand them some draws!"
One of the large shadowy figures tossed two pairs of thong panties. Rather than being totally nude, the boys covered themselves up desperately.
"If you boys want your pants back, man up! They'll be hanging on the flag post," said the main shadowy figure. He paused and chuckled at his comrades.
With the flag post located in the front of the school, these poor souls were going to get humiliated. Once that bell rang, there was no way they were going to get their pants back with their dignity attached; they would be the laughing stock of the entire school. But what could I do as fingers pressed into my flesh, thwarting my feeble attempt to confront those jerks.
"Hey, hero, do you want to wander around campus in panties too?" said Sabrina.
She was correct. What was I going to do about it?
Needless to say, I was grateful for Sabrina's help, but I was still annoyed by the harsh treatment I just had witnessed earlier.
"What's up, Jon," said Bob. "Sabrina told me about your guys little adventure earlier."
"I thought the bullies at my old school were cruel—You have some real punks here."
"There's something about this place, Jon. Eventually, you'll figure it out–hopefully."
"What do you mean?" I wanted to get to the root of the problem.
After all, I transferred from California. I knew all about street gangs, so there was nothing this little country town on the outskirts of Milwaukee could teach me. As I was wrong assuming what Sabrina's intentions were at the gymnasium, I was dead wrong again.
"I don't know if you're ready to see it yet," said Bob.
"You don't know me—I been through a lot. Do you even know why I moved down in the first place?" I was going to school this country boy. "My father was murdered by the Mafia, so don't tell me that I'm not ready."
"Really, the Mafia?" scoffed Bob. "I guess you have seen it all. I'm sorry about your father, but there is a bad omen in this town—You were better off in California, dude!"
"I can handle this town—Trust me!"
"Meet me tonight at the graveyard."
"What time?"
"Eight O clock sharp!"
"Wait—it's a school night. I can't get out of the house."
"Oh well—but if you want to know the truth, you'll be at the graveyard tonight."
Later that day, after school, this ominous feel must have been contagious because my brother was acting weird since he got home.
"Okay, honey—the hospital called me in. I took the lasagna out of the freezer!" said my mother as she bee-lined toward her car.
I was used to this because she was always on call, both of my parents very dedicated to their profession. She was a nurse. That's how she met my father; he was a doctor.
"You're on your own tonight, kiddo!" said my brother.
"Where are you going?" I wasn't staying home alone. "It's a school night, Jake!"
I had to catch myself, but it was too late. I said it. And then I wondered why I got picked on all the time. I sounded just like the curfew police.
"That's why you're still a virgin," scoffed my brother as he bolted out the door.
Well, at least there was no one home to tell me that I couldn't meet up with my friend's at the graveyard tonight. I would much rather my brother come with me, but it was time for me to man up. I detested that remark my brother made, and I wasn't going to be a virgin for the rest of my life. I was going to be courageous.
I knew where my brother was going. He was going to be with that bimbo all night. But I wasn't quite sure what I would be doing though.
The graveyard? I thought. What was so special about the graveyard—And why eight O'clock?
