The Nonviolent Squad: The REAL Story

Everything Worth Remembering Begins in Homeroom...

It was a lazy Monday morning, for most of the world. But for the classmates of 803, that moment between phys ed and English was time to continue a tradition - the library relay.

While the rest of the class looked on somewhat warily, Gavishka, Cordell, Anna Rose, and Erin shunted for positioning behind the line of tile near the change room doors. They knew what they had to do - wait for the sound of the bell, then run like mad to the English class at the other end of the school. It was a long-standing tradition, but they all took it seriously, maybe a bit too much so.

At precisely 9:41 AM, the bell sounded. In a very civil way that involved as much subtle cheating as possible, each competitor raced for the finish line, the threshold of Room 204. Gavishka sprinted down the hall, Cordell hot on his heels. Erin, keeping up her reputation as a timid, rule-abiding student, speedwalked to the stairwell and proceeded to take the steps five at a time. Panting, all three of them shoved their ways through the door, first Cordell, then Gavishka, then Erin. As one, they turned to look for Anna Rose. Then they heard her voice.

"I'm right here," came a voice from a seat in the front of the classroom.

Let's face it - no one can explain how Anna got to the class before they had even hit the stairs. But it happened every single time.

A few minutes later, Jeanne ambled into the classroom.

"No need to hurry, eh Jeanne?" Cordell commented wryly.

"Who, me? I never hurry."

This aside, the group proceeded to sit down in their regular conversation cluster. It was a lazy day, a day fit for chatter while pretending to work (or for some members, actually working) on assignments. Soon the discussion turned to violence.

While Erin was absorbed completely and totally with her work, the four other friends began to converse.