Title: It's Not Unusual
Rating: PG-13
Setting: cafeteria, lunch, junior year, sometime in March.
Summary: A typical day at lunch with the gang. Symptoms include school work, dances, sports, food, shopping, and a touch of madness.
Feedback: Feel free to review.
Dedication: this one is for Cee, whose brilliance in her 2007 NaNoWriMo entry helped to inspire it.
Disclaimer: Lex, Jeff, Matt, Sammie, Anna, Anthony, and Chris belong to me. Kate, Fred, and Daniel belong to my friend Cee.
Story Notes: This story was inspired by and is loosely based on events in Cimmy's 'Seven Days a Week' story. This story, in turn, inspired me to write my own three part story 'A Spring Fling.' This is a one-shot that can be read on its own or as a companion piece set in the same fictional universe. There's no real point to it, it's more like a really long drabble. 'It's Not Unusual' is a song by Tom Jones.

Chris practically threw his tray down in front of Jeff. “Did you see that game last night!?” he said, clearly enraged.

“You mean the Knicks game?” Jeff asked calmly, carefully chewing the sandwich he had brought with him for lunch.

“Could you believe that? They were winning the whole game and blew it with eleven seconds left!”

“Brings back memories of 1995,” Jeff said bitterly, “Except that was part of an epic playoff game collapse and not just that the Knicks suck.”

Chris sat quietly fuming as Anthony sat down next to him. “Talking about the Knicks game, I see?”

“Team sucks,” Chris muttered.

“You really shouldn’t let them make you so angry anymore, they’ve been in a downward spiral since Patrick Ewing left,” Anthony said wisely.

“I don’t understand how a team can blow it with eleven seconds left. How could any team be that bad!?”

“It’s the Knicks, they’re constantly achieving new lows,” said Matt, sitting down next to Jeff. “You shouldn’t let them bother you anymore, Chris, they’ve been awful for years.”

“I can’t help it,” Chris moaned, “I love that team.”

“Talking about the Knicks?” Sammie asked brightly, turning up for lunch. She put her bag lunch down on Matt’s other side. “I saw the game, I don’t think they’ve lost like that since – ”

“1995,” Matt, Jeff, and Anthony said at once. Chris moaned and buried his face in his hands.

“Oh, lighten up, Chris, it’s not that bad,” Sammie said. “Well, yeah it is, but still, don’t let it bother you.”

Chris just continued to moan.

“Where are Lex and Anna?” Anthony asked, looking to change the subject. The Knicks were depressing, if nothing else.

“With Freddie darling, where else? They’re coming pretty soon though, they were stopping by the locker room so Fred could grab one of his books,” Sammie said brightly as if she highly approved. “Anna and Daniel are finishing up with their biology lab. We were one frog short in class and Mr. Hudson had to get another one from the other class so they started a little late. They should be down in a bit. You really think he likes her, Chris?”

“I’m sure of it,” Chris said his first coherent words since beginning to moan about his favorite basketball team. “Come on, Daniel DeRienzo is never nice to anyone who isn’t Fred Ahlgren or Kate McKinley. And he isn’t really even that nice to them.”

“At least Daniel hides it reasonably well,” Sammie said. As the only girl of the group present, she felt obligated to be the gossip. “Fred’s been following Lex like a lost puppy for months. When’s she gonna wise-up? Jeff?”

“I think hanging out with Fred has lowered her intelligence. He’s not that bright and I’m beginning to believe his slow thinking is something you can catch. She just doesn’t get it,” Jeff said, still carefully chewing his sandwich. “Really, she’s never that slow.”

“He should make a move,” Matt announced. Everyone stared at him. “What? He should. She’d get it then, at least.”

“You’re just usually the overprotective one,” Anthony explained. “Encouraging anyone to make moves on Lex isn’t usually something you do.”

“Fred’s a nice guy,” Matt said. “Not that bright but has the guy ever been anything but nice to anyone? Even with us, it’s like he goes out of his way to be nice.”

“True. And Fred’s a sweetie!” Sammie said loudly. Matt immediately looked like he could take back what he said. “I don’t know about Daniel though, he seems like he’s kind of a dick –”

“Shut-up,” Jeff hissed, “They’re all coming in.”

Sure enough, in walked Fred, Lex, Anna, and Daniel, all of whom were talking. Well, Lex, Fred, and Anna were talking. Daniel was complaining. Loudly.

“I did not damage the liver!” he said angrily.

“Sure you did,” Anna said calmly and patiently. “That’s why all that nasty liquid came out.”

“Well, if you had held the damn thing still –”

“Oh shut-up,” Fred said, sitting down next to Sammie, with Lex on his other side. “Daniel, nobody cares and you’ll still get an A. Anna, it’d be easier if you just took the blame, or he’ll never be quiet.”

“It was my fault,” Anna said immediately, sitting down next to Anthony and smiling.

Daniel sat down on her other side and mumbled to himself. “Where’s my lunch?” he asked.

“How are we supposed to know? No really, how are we supposed to know, Daniel? Aren’t you the smart one?” Fred grinned at him.

“Shut-up,” Daniel replied.

“Good comeback,” said Fred, nodding seriously. Sammie giggled. Daniel looked annoyed.

“Here,” Anna said, rolling her eyes. She pulled it out of her bag along with her own. “You brought it to bio but didn’t want frog guts to get on it, remember?”

“Yeah, yeah, I remember,” he opened it and pulled out his sandwich.

“What’s up with you guys?” Lex asked. Chris mumbled something in response. “Awww, Chris, upset about the Knicks game?”

“It’s like I’m wearing a sign,” Chris said in disbelief that Lex knew what he was talking about from a couple of groans.

“You like the worst team in the league, it’s not hard to guess why you’re upset,” Lex said amusedly.

Fred looked around, “Where’s Kate?”

“No idea,” Anthony said. “It’s pretty quiet without her.”

“I left her a note in her locker, she’ll be here in a bit,” Sammie said, “She’s gonna be –”

What Kate was going to be, they never found out, because at that moment Kate came running into the room yelling, “Sammie! Sammie!” Kate practically threw herself on to the crowded bench between Fred and Sammie.

“Oh Christ,” Matt said as the soda can that he was holding got sent flying through the air. Sammie had knocked into his arm when Kate squeezed herself in. The can sailed through the air and hit Tommy Maceroy in the back of the head at another table.

They heard a string of swear words as Tommy looked around for where the can had come from. “Sorry,” Matt said, waving. Tommy gave him the finger. Matt rolled his eyes.

“What’s all the excitement about?” Fred asked.

“Armani’s having a sale!” Kate said excitedly.

“So what’s all the excitement about?” Fred repeated. Kate elbowed him in the side before turning back to Sammie.

“Sammie, Armani’s having a sale!”

“I know, Kate, I told you about it, remember the note on your locker?”

“Oh yeah,” Kate said thoughtfully. “You wanna go after school?”

Sammie laughed, “Kate, did you read the rest of the note?”

Kate was still holding the note in her hand. “Oh no!” she said.

“Read it,” Sammie encouraged.

Kate’s eyes scanned the paper. “YOUR BROTHER WORKS AT ARMANI AND CAN GET US A DISCOUNT ON SALE STUFF!?” she practically bellowed.

“Yes,” Sammie said with a grin. “Would you like to go after school?”

“After school? I have to wait that long? Let’s go now!” Kate said excitedly. “I need so many things!”

“I would but I have a history test that I have to take, or I’ll fail the class,” Sammie said, “So it has to be after.”

“I hope they’re not out of the things I need by then!” Kate squealed excitedly.

“What could you possibly need?” Daniel asked, “You have everything, you’re practically a spoiled brat.”

“Shut-up Danny!” Kate said, “When can we go, Sammie?”

“Right after I take my history test next period, if you want,” Sammie smiled.

“That’d be fantastic!” Kate said, “Oooh Chrissie Connors is going to be so jealous of me tomorrow!”

“Damn straight she is,” Sammie grinned, “Lex, Anna, you wanna come after next period?”

Anna and Lex looked at each other. “Are you kidding?” Anna asked.

“When have either of us turned down cheap clothes?” Lex giggled, “Of course we’ll come.”

“GIRLS AFTERNOON!” Kate shouted, making Fred drop the bag of chips he was holding. “I’m so excited!” Kate squealed, bouncing up and down on the bench.

“No kidding?” Jeff said, watching her bounce. “We certainly never would have guessed.”

“Could you sit still?” Anthony asked after about a minute, “You’re making me nauseous just watching you.”

Kate managed to stop bouncing but every so often would twitch excitedly. “How come you never told me your brother worked at Armani!?” Kate finally burst at Sammie.

“I wasn’t sure you could handle it,” Sammie chuckled. “Where’s your lunch?”

“I don’t have one today and I forgot my money in the dorm room!” Kate said.

“Katie, why didn’t you say anything, I’ll buy you lunch,” Fred said, scrambling to grab his wallet out of his back pocket and knocking Lex off the bench simultaneously.

Lex landed on her butt on the floor. “Ouch!” she said, looking around. “Fred!”

“I’m sorry!” Fred grabbed Lex’s arm and pulled her back on the bench. “I didn’t mean to–”

“I know, I know, stop you’re like, spitting food in my face!” Lex said giggling.

“Here Kate,” Fred tossed Kate his wallet.

“Ewww, no, I hate their food,” Kate said, wrinkling her nose.

“You can have some of mine,” Anna said, “I’m not that hungry.”

“What is it?” Kate asked.

“Peanut butter and jelly,” Anna said. Kate gladly accepted half her sandwich.

“How old are you?” Daniel said to Anna, “Five?”

“What do you mean?”

“Peanut butter and jelly?” Daniel mocked.

“Dude, get a life,” Anna said dismissively. “I know you like to pick on people but really, because of my sandwich? Grow up.”

Daniel looked surprised that she didn’t freak out and get upset. “Hey,” he said, “How come –”

“How about the Spring Fling?” Anthony said, looking to change the subject again before Anna and Daniel started bickering. “Are we going to that?”

“Forget going. Are we playing at that?” Chris asked.

“They asked us to play but the finance committee cut the funds and I told them we wouldn’t play for free again after the disaster at the Fall Ball,” Jeff said. “I think they’re having some kid DJ at it instead.”

“They broke my guitar!” Sammie said angrily.

“And my bass,” Jeff said.

“And the drums,” Matt added.

“Oh shut-up,” Lex said, “You all got new ones! I paid for them.”

“You want to play there?” Jeff asked. “You’ll be singing all night. They mostly want cheesy love songs.”

“Ewww, I’ll pass,” Lex said. “Besides, Fred asked me to go! I said I would!”

Fred turned a bright shade of red. Kate saw this and giggled shrilly.

“You wanna go with me, Sammie?” Matt asked.

“Not especially,” Sammie said, and Matt looked stunned. “Kidding,” she said. “Sure, I’d love to go.” Matt looked rather relieved.

“What about me? Who’s going to take me!?” Kate said in a minor panic. “I can’t not go with somebody!”

“Relax, Kate, I’m sure somebody will take you, somebody always does,” Jeff said.

“How about you take me?” Kate suggested boldly.

Jeff choked on his drink. “Me?” he said once he stopped coughing. “Why me?”

“Please?” Kate asked.

“No. I don’t date friends.”

“Please?”

“No.”

“Please?”

“No.”

“Please?”

“No.”

“Please?”

“No.”

“Please?”

“No.”

“Please please please please please please please please!” Kate begged.

“No.”

“Please?”

“Oh for God’s sake, fine!” Jeff exclaimed. “Fine, I’ll take you! Just stop begging!”

“Thanks Jeffster!” Kate said brightly.

“And don’t call me that!”

“Okay…Jeffster,” Kate giggled. Jeff buried his face in his hands and if the others hadn’t known better, they’d have guessed he was crying.

“What about you Anthony? Who are you taking?” Matt asked.

“I think I’m going to ask Sarah Lawrence,” Anthony said. “You know, from English.”

“I know her!” Kate squealed.

“Who don’t you know?” Anthony asked.

“Only people beneath me,” Kate smiled.

“Not snobby at all, Kate, not at all,” Fred patted her head affectionately.

“Want me to put in a good word for you?” Kate asked.

“Uh…sure, I guess,” Anthony agreed, unsure what prompted this kindness. “Thanks Kate.”

Chris spoke up then, “I think I’m going to ask Chrissie Connors.”

“Ewww you like her!?” Kate burst out, not even attempting to hide her contempt today. Usually she tried to pretend she and Chrissie got along.

“No,” Chris smiled. “I figured that would annoy you though.”

“Mission accomplished,” Kate frowned.

“Don’t worry, Kate, I’m going to ask Laura Saunders,” Chris grinned. “Isn’t she on the squad with you?”

“Yeah, she’s not so bad,” Kate said thoughtfully. “Oh no! Anna, who will you go with!?” she worried.

“Maybe Daniel should take her,” Fred suggested before Anna could answer. Daniel threw a carrot stick at him.

“I don’t do school functions,” Daniel said simply. “Sorry, Toots.”

“First, don’t call me ‘Toots’, and second, who said I wanted to go with you?” Anna asked, clearly unimpressed with Daniel’s attempt at cool.

“Who wouldn’t want to go with me?” Daniel asked, undeterred.

“How about anyone who wants their date to show up, dance, and be a good time?” Anna asked.

“Sweetheart, I’m a great time,” Daniel said. “Just give me a chance.”

“Right,” Anna said. “I mean during the dance. That bad boy crap doesn’t work with me. You’re just rude. You probably wouldn’t even show up.”

“I would so,” Daniel said.

“Yeah right,” Anna rolled her eyes. “Give me a break. You just said it, you don’t do school functions. You wouldn’t show up.”

“I would so,” Daniel said, “I would take you if I was going to get something out of it.”

“Yeah, well, I’m not giving you anything so I’ll wait for someone decent to ask me,” Anna grinned brightly. “Thanks though.”

Daniel looked confused for a second. He hadn’t offered to take her. Wait, had he? He didn’t remember.

“Tyler Mikowski likes you,” Lex said to Anna, “He’ll probably ask you.”

“You’d go with that football moron but not with me!?” Daniel burst out before Anna had a chance to answer. “What is wrong with you?”

“I don’t know,” Anna grinned, “But you love it. I’m intriguing.”

“Oh shut-up,” Daniel said.

The bell rang. It was time to go.

“Only one more period until I go to Armaniiiiiii!” Kate howled, dashing off.

“I’ll meet you out front,” Sammie called. “See you two then,” she nodded at Lex and Anna before wandering off with Chris and Anthony for their history test. Jeff got up after them, waved, and headed for Spanish.

Lex and Anna had English together and walked away. Anna said something to Lex and both of them looked at Daniel and started to laugh. Daniel gave them the finger. Anna gave it back.

Fred and Matt had economics that period. Daniel usually skipped economics but followed them today.

“Don’t you usually have sex with Alyssa O’Connor this period?” Fred asked lightly and Matt chuckled.

“Not today,” Daniel said.

“Why?”

“What? Kate gets to act like a freak over Armani but it’s strange if I go to economics?”

“Yes,” Matt said simply.

“Shut-up,” Daniel said.

“That really is your only comeback today,” Fred said. “And I know why.”

“Shut-up Fred!” Daniel snapped. He pushed his way ahead of them and took off for class.

Matt shook his head. Fred chuckled. It was just that kind of day – almost ordinary.