My name is Robby. I've known Bradley since we were in kindergarten. Bradley was the smallest boy in school and I didn't have much more to offer in the height department, either. We were pals and stayed close to each other. Bradley was also the smartest kid in school, usually on the distinguished honor roll, and I wasn't that far behind him. When aptitude tests were given to help determine classes in jr. high, Bradley's spelling, reading, and language skills were at a senior high or college level. We didn't have a lot of problems with other kids except for some of the brattier boys.
Things began to change in jr. high. Bradley became increasingly annoying with his condescending attitude about his intelligence, saying that he was going to be valedictorian, go to an Ivy League school, blah, blah, blah. Some of the other brainiacs even got tired of hearing it. His voice was soft, but his words were irritating.
On a summer afternoon prior to 9th grade, my Mom dropped Bradley and I off at a sub shop while she went to get some groceries. While we were eating, Lattimore and Mark came in with an older boy who was old enough to drive. I worshiped Lattimore from afar. He was rough and rowdy, but was bad ass cool and had way more friends than I did. Plus, he was letting his beautiful, wavy red hair grow long, and that got my young gay pecker excited. While they were waiting for their sandwiches, I had to listen to Bradley whine on about how it wasn't fair that losers like them had friends while kids like us didn't have any. For the past couple of years, I've listened to him moan that other kids didn't like him because he was too bright, too short, too something or other.
At that moment, I decided to grow some hair on my stones and walked over to their table and sat down. I said, "I have a question for you guys, and please don't laugh in my face. What do I need to do to be more cool in school." Just when I thought I was about to be mocked, Lattimore was surprisingly courteous and candid. "You should let your hair grow a little longer and change your style. You look like you're dressing for church, and not high school." Mark spoke up. "Have you heard the expression, 'You're judged by the company you keep?'" He gestured to Bradley and told me everyone associates me with him. I thanked them for their honesty and went back to finish my sub. I dismissed Bradley's question of why I was talking to them.
During the weeks before school, I convinced my parents to allow me to "explore" with my wardrobe. I ditched the brown dress shoes, white socks, slacks, and buttoned-down shirts. On the first day of
Freshmen school year, I showed up with longer black hair, white sneakers, black socks, blue jeans, and a bright orange t-shirt. Some kids snickered at my new appearance, and I thought I'd made a big mistake. When I was at my locker I heard someone clapping. I turned and saw Lattimore with a grin on his face. He then gave me 2 thumbs up! He was standing next to his friend, Ricky, who also had a smile. I'd never seen Ricky smile before. I suddenly didn't give a crap what the critics thought. I had approval from Lattimore and Ricky!! Nothing else mattered.
Our football coach was looking for a statistician. I jumped on that! I'm good with numbers, got to go to all the games, and got to know some of the players. Definitely a boost to my social stature! They liked what I did so much, I kept stats for the basketball and baseball teams, too.
I started to put some distance between Bradley and I, and he was becoming noticeably upset. He had a few acquaintances at school, but I'd always been his best friend. I knew he was gay and I'd always kept his secret, but some had their suspicions. I never denied my sexual orientation when questioned about it. I think Bradley wanted for us to be lovers, but during our sophomore year when I was tutoring Vance, he was livid that I was warming up to boys that he despised. He also didn't like my new ear and nose studs. Bradley's ego and disdain for others was putting him on an island, and I didn't want to be stranded on it with him.
His island got very small during 11th grade. What Bradley did to a student named Maurice cemented his legacy at our school forever . . . >>>
I was thrilled when Lattimore and Vance came over to give my wallet to me. With all $414 still in it! I thought that might be gone forever! We sat down at my kitchen table where Vance and I had studied together back in our school days, and they explained what had occurred over at the creek since the day before. I was fascinated and amused as they told me everything, from Bradley getting caught spying on them, to their miraculous pants/condom/beer can plot that Bradley's dad blamed HIM for. And Mark's astute thinking that led them back to the creek to find my wallet. But, none of it answers the burning questions. The hows and whys of Bradley having temporary and careless possession of my motorbike money.
The next day, after Vance and I were done at the store, we decided to pay Bradley a visit . . .
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Have your perceptions of any of the characters changed? Who should be next to lead the way?
Robby will soon drop by to take you back to his school days and give a clearer picture of how these characters got to this point. You'll likely be surprised. 
What do you think of him, and should he be a more prominent character?
