It had been three days since JoJo had apologized to Samantha. Plus, it had been three days since his friends ragged him for talking to Samantha. It was cold on that February day in 1976. JoJo waited in the lunchroom for the starting-school bell to ring. All of a sudden, Donald Dwarf--all 5'2" of him--jumped up and "whack" came down on almost top of JoJo's head with his class ring. Dwarf was so short that he made it only to the back top part of JoJo's head.
"HaHa, Freshman! Glad are you off of your waiver clause!" JoJo was now fresh meat for the Seniors once again, since it was the Second Semester.
"You, punk!" JoJo yelped at the Dwarf.
"Oh, little baby. Did I hit you too hard."
"Not at all. Too bad you are not tall enough to hit the top of my head!" JoJo knew the rule--don't get in a fight with one senior because that is equal to fighting all seniors. However, JoJo was ready to cold-cock Donald if he moved one step closer.
Donald sensing the imminent punch, turned around, waved his hand and continued his way down the hall.
That REALLY hurt, JoJo thought to himself. High school had so many problems! He wanted to make amends with Samantha--and she wouldn't let him. The fellers were making fun of JoJo when he talked to Samantha. And now, he was getting Wake-Up Calls from the Seniors again. On top of everything, he had a new schedule. There was the bell....
After a quick Homeroom, JoJo went to Science class. Mr. X. Plosion was his teacher. This man was way out there! He didn't talk---he yelled. And, he loved to call on students. This morning, he decided to pick on Tommy.
Plosion yells, "Mr. Wildfire!!"
"Yessir," Tommy screeched.
"Where is your homework?!"
"Uhhhh. I think my brother and I switched book bags or something. Cause I did EVERY problem."
"You're a LIAR, Wildfire!"
"Yessir...I forgot all about the homework..."
"No Problem! Unless you think After-school Detention is a problem, because you just received ONE day!!"
"No sir...no problem."
WOW, JoJo thought. Can I please go back to Jr High?!
Lunch finally arrived! JoJo made it to the lunchroom before his buddies. He carefully scoped out a place where no Upperclassmen sat. Lo & behold there was Samantha. She was at a table with another "outcast." JoJo walked straight to the table--on a mission.
"May I sit with y'all?"
Samantha responded, "Are you sure you want to do that JoJo?"
"Absolutely."
"Well then, grab some chair."
As JoJo sat, the other student got up and left.
"Guess he doesn't like your type, Ole Buddy."
JoJo thought, What type? Then he remembered all the bullying he and his friends had done. The merciless laughter. The belittling.
"I don't really blame him."
"Is this going to be Confession Time?"
"Well, maybe. I am just saying that I have been a punk to you and many people."
"And..."
"And! It has stopped for me!"
Samantha pushed further...What about your friends?"
"I can't speak for them."
"Fair enough."
JoJo took a bite of his hot dog, then he took a deep breath. "Do you think we could talk today?"
"I guess I did shut you down the other day. But, I do NOT want to hear about Jesus!"
"That's fine. We can talk about something else."
"Fine. You start."
JoJo could be feel the pressure. "How are your classes going?"
"I hate school. Next question."
"Do you have any hobbies?"
"I like music."
JoJo couldn't believe a civil comment came out of Samantha's mouth, but he was glad.
"Who's your favorite group?"
"The Stones."
"Cool."
Samantha decided to play along. "Who's your favorite group?"
"Foghat."
"Hmmm Didn't take you for a Foghat type a guy. Cool."
Samantha had a clock in her head for lunch, and it was blaring! This meant leave the cafeteria. She couldn't run the risk of being humiliated---again.
"JoJo, I need to run. See ya."
"OK, Samantha. See ya."
Just as Samantha was leaving, Tommy and the boys spotted her coming from JoJo's table. Thirty seconds later they invaded the table.
Tommy started, "She's not so bad."
JoJo knew he was in trouble. "What are you talking about, Tommy?" JoJo said Tommy loudly, mocking Plosion.
The guys laughed!
Tommy took "the punch" and countered with, "Your girlfriend is not so bad."
JoJo decided to play it off cool. "I agree."
All the guys let out, "Ooooooo."
JoJo decided to get up and leave. He could hear Tommy saying something followed by the fellas laughter. But, he really didn't care. He wanted to please God over men---boys in this case.
That night, Samantha wrote in her journal...
School was the same as always except for lunch. JoJo joined me at the risk of being teased by his friends. I really thinks he wants to be friends. But, I will not let my guard down. It could be a cruel joke. Still---Suicide is on pause.
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