(James, Isi, Helen, Chad, Joe, Josh and Tank)<br/>September 5, 2012 - Before First Period Just inside the gym<br/><br/>"Hey guys," James said in a pleasant voice that his eyes didn't mirror as he took a step forward and stopped Tank in his tracks." You guys miss the turnoff to the kindergarten, or are you just here to try and hang with the big folks?"<br/><br/>Upon hearing that, Joe and Chad immediately turned to view the interloper.  A silent understanding was spoken between them.<em>Basketball.</em>If ever there was one unwritten school rule it was that jocks did not mess with other jocks.  Yet, here, James was interposing.  This meant to them that Helen and Isi were off limits, at least for now.<br/><br/>Chad gave a wry smile at James, "If you were half as strong as you were tall, you'd be playing football, bro."  He looked at the others and gave them a small nod.  "Well, we need to get to class.  Can't afford a tardy.  Have fun with the lesbians.  Maybe you can kiss one of them straight."  With that, he told the others, "Let's go."  As they left, Tank put his index finger and middle finger to each eye and then pointed them back at the smaller boy and back at himself.<br/><br/>He smiled at James and said, "Well, that was certainly fortunate."<br/><br/>He turned to the girls and said, "Sorry.  I wouldn't have kissed you, either one of you, if I could have helped it.  Glad it never got to that point."