Friends: The Next Generation

1. The One With Jason's First Day

"Wait, you're new here, right?" Someone asked me after I closed my locker. I was a bit shocked because I hadn't noticed anyone approach me, so I took a couple steps back.

"Yeah, uh, I am. I just transferred here from that school by Central Perk." I responded, scratching the back of my head as I spoke.

"Central Park? I didn't realize there was a school near it." The guy said and I shook my head a bit.

"No, not Central Park. Central Perk. The coffee shop." I explained. He gave me a strange look, which indicated that he had no idea what I was talking about. I had completely forgotten that I was now going to a school that was in a complete different area from where I lived.

"Right. So, if you don't mind my asking, why did you transfer schools?"

"Uh, well, I just had a hell of a time at my old school. Bullies and stuff. It got so bad that my dad decided it would be best if I just got a fresh start at a new school, y'know?" I said and he raised his eyebrow a little.

"I get it. So, what's your name?" He asked.

"Jason."

"Jason, huh? Well, I'm Micah."

"Nice to meet you, I guess." I mumbled as I slung my backpack onto my back.

"So, do you need help with anything? I know first days can be hard and everything." Micah said and I grinned a little. It was the end of the day, so there was really nothing I needed help with-- I had already gotten through the day with no problems. But, I decided to have a little fun with this.

"Oh yeah, definitely. I need help finding my car. I don't remember where I parked." I said with a small sigh, walking towards the door.

"I can help. What's your car look like?" He said and followed closely behind me.

"Well, it's long and yellow and it can fit about 50 or more people."

He stared at me for just a moment, obviously a bit confused by what I was saying. Then, it hit him. "Wait, you mean the school bus?"

"No, I drive a long-ass taxi that can hold a whole herd of people." I said sarcastically and he shook his head a bit.

"You ride the school bus?" He asked and I nodded a bit.

"I do."

"That really sucks." He said with a slight frown.

"Yeah, it kinda does. But, I'm used to it." I shrugged a bit.

"You should let me drive you." He said as we walked out to the parking lot.

"You realize I live pretty far from here, right?" I said and he shrugged a bit.

"That's fine. I can still-"

"C'mon, Mic. We have to go." A female voice called out from behind us, and I turned around to see who it was.

"We can't go home yet. I've got to take Jason home."

"Jason? Who's--" She stopped talking when she saw me, and took one good look at me before grinning a bit. "Hi there."

"Um, hi." I said awkwardly. "You are...?"

"I'm Ella. You must be Jason." She said and held her hand out.

"Yeah, that's me." I mumbled.

"Good to know. So, we're taking him home?" Ella said, obviously talking to Micah.

"Yeah, we are. Get in the car." Micah replied and she nodded before walking to the passenger side to get in. "Not there. Jason will ride in the front seat. You get in the backseat."

"Asshole." Ella mumbled and got in the backseat.

"Wait... are you two related?" I asked as I got in the car and buckled my seatbelt.

"We're twins." Micah said and Ella leaned forward a little.

"Yep. But I'm the hotter one." Ella said and Micah snorted a bit.

"Sure you are." Micah said sarcastically. "Jason, which of us is hotter?"

"I.." I paused for a moment and looked at Micah, then looked at Ella. I didn't know which of them was 'hotter'. I hadn't really given it any thought, and I didn't really see why it would matter. I let out a slight laugh, trying to avoid answering the question.

"Relax, J." Ella said, giggling a bit. "We were just kidding."

"Right." I said awkwardly.

"What's your last name, anyway?" Ella asked as she sat back in her seat and buckled her seatbelt.

"Uh.. Bing-Tribbiani." I said and Micah turned his head to look at me.

"That sounds more like two last names." Micah said.

"It is, kinda." I responded.

"I'm sure it has a hyphen, idiot." Ella said to Micah and I laughed a bit.

"It does." I said and she let out a loud 'ha!' as if to say 'I told you so'.

"Oh. Wow. So your mom and dad combined names?" Micah asked.

"Something like that." I mumbled, shifting in my seat a little. I didn't really want to tell them the truth about my parents.

"Hey, wait. Did you say Tribbiani?" Micah asked.

"Better yet, did you say Bing?" Ella said.

"Uh. Yeah." I said and Ella gasped a little.

"Our mom used to be in love with a guy with that last name!" Ella said loudly.

"Tribbiani?" I asked.

"No, Bing." Ella said.

"Oh. Huh." I wasn't sure how else to respond.

"And I've heard that other name before. Where have I heard Tribbiani?" Micah questioned.

"Ooh! Ooh! Days Of Our Lives!" Ella said excitedly.

"Oh yeahhh. Joey Tribbiani. Are you related to him by any chance?" Micah asked.

"You could say that."