Summer of '76

Wood Shop

We were all walking to our first period. The hallways were all empty considered the first bell hand rung about six minutes ago. Pickford was talking about his weird "Smoking a J with 50 elves" dream that he had last night. I personally don't smoke weed but a majority of my friends do. But who knows that could all change tonight at Pickford's and Michelle's party. Michelle and Pickford were walking me and Pink to our first period class, English. When we got to the classroom mine and Pink's friends, Tony, Mike, and Cynthia were standing by the door. Me and Pink are very social butterflies around the school. We are friends with everyone. Well, just about everyone except O'Bannion. The Mike pretty much decided for both tony and Cynthia that they were going to the party tonight. They never go to party's. They always just go to one of each other's houses and play poker all weekend. When we got into class Jodi, Shavonne, Kaye, and Cynthia were all trying to name all of the Gilligan's Island episodes. Shavonne was writing them down in order on the chalk board. Our teacher wasn't even in the classroom yet, so we were all just talking and goofing off. me, Mike, Tony, Cynthia, and Pink were all talking about Pickford's party tonight. "We're going to the bathroom. Could you let Mrs. Wilk know?" Jodi said while having her hand on my shoulder. me and Pink nodded at her. I saw Don by the door trying to get Pink's attention. "Don's trying to get you." I said to Pink and pointing at Don. "Hey, man I can't go till Mrs. Wilk gets here. So, why don't you go get Benny and check me on the way out." Pink said. I was listening to their conversation. Don nodded and was about to leave but turned back around. "Coach gave me something to give to you." Don said while digging in his overall's front pocket. Don handed Pink a folded piece of paper. Pink unfolded it and read it. "I can't believe their actually doing this." Pink said disappointed. The football coaches were trying to get all the football players to sign this pledge, basically agreeing to not engage in any drugs and alcohol or any other illegal activities. I got up and went over to Don and Pink. "Hey, girly." Don said and put his arm around my shoulders. "Hey, Don. Are you going to check out Benny?" I asked. "Yeah, I was just heading there now. Why?" Don said. "Well, I'm coming with you guys to the Junior high and I want to go bother and wait with Benny before we leave." I said putting my arm around Don. "I guess let Mrs. Wilk know I'm in wood shop, if I'm not back before she gets here." I said to Pink. He nodded at me and sighed as he folded back up the pledge and walking back to his seat. Me and Don left and made our way to got check out Benny. "So, you excited for Pickford's party tonight?" Don asked nudging me. "Uh, yeah kinda." I said. To tell the truth I don't actually like party's very much. I would much rather be at home alone relaxing. But I like hanging out with my friends and every time I go to a party with my friends I end up having a really good time. "What do you mean "kinda"?" Don asked. "I just don't really like going to party's sometimes, but then if I don't go i almost always end up regretting it, man. I just like seeing my friends not really the smoking and drinking." I said. "Yeah, I get it. You'd much rather be at home, daydreaming about being with Benny, then actually hanging out with him." Don said with a smirk. "Oh, shut up." I said and hit his arm. We finally got to the shop room. Don stuck his tongue out and put his hands in the rock position at Slater for Slater to get Benny's attention for us, trying not to wake up the shop teacher, who was sleeping in his chair at his desk in the front of the classroom. "Just give me two minutes." Benny whispered while holding up two fingers. Don left and I went into the classroom. I walked pass the teacher quietly, trying not to wake him up. I went over to Slater, who was sitting on a table, talking to one of his stoner friends. I looked down at his lap and saw a bong that he had been working on in shop. "Really, Slater?" I asked while pointing at the bong. "What? It's a very important tool in life, man." Slater said while giggling. "For you, it is." I said patting his shoulder and walking over to Benny. Benny was over at the drill press, drilling holes in his paddle that he was making to bust the freshman boys. there was a sign on the drill press saying "Wear Your Safety Goggles." But of course Benny had his goggles up on his forehead. I sat up on the table that was behind Benny. Benny turned around and set his paddled on the table. "Hey, hand me that box of markers on your right there, Arrow, please." Benny said pointing at the markers. Benny has been calling me Arrow since we were in Junior high because my favorite band is Aerosmith. "Here." I said handing him the markers. "You finally going to be done with this stupid fucking paddle, man?" I asked while taking the hat off his head and putting it on mine. "Yeah, just as soon as I'm done coloring it. Now pick out some colors for me to use." He said pointing to the markers. I picked out red, green, and blue. "Here." I said handing him the markers. Benny had finally finished his paddle, completely. "Man, those freshman won't even know whats coming." Benny said and hit my thighs with his paddle. Then Don was at the door waiting for me and Benny. "Yeah, I'm sure they won't." I said rolling my eyes. "You ready to go?" I asked pointing to Don, at the door. "Yeah, lets go." Benny said lifting me up off the table and setting me down. When we were walking out the classroom door, heading to go get Pink, I felt Benny slap my ass with his paddle. I hard Benny and Don snickering. "Benny!" I yelled. "You're lucky i love the both of you or else I would've hurt you two very badly right now." I said turning around and pointing my finger at them. Don threw his arms up in defense. "Wait, you love me?" Benny asked smirking. "Oh, shut up. You know what I mean." I said rolling my eyes at him. I still heard Benny and Don giggling. We went and checked out Pink and were heading to the parking lot out to Benny's truck.