Chapter Text
Joe Liebgott could not believe his eyes. He had gone 3 years without seeing him and now he had shown up in his first hour. David Webster. His old friend turned enemy. Joe had held a grudge against him ever since he transferred out of their public school the summer before eighth grade and cut off all ties to Joe.
Because of this, the first time Joe had seen Web since he transferred to that snobby private school, was at the grocery store about a month ago. Even though his preppy new school was in the town over, Webster still lived here. Of course Joe had handled that interaction with a great level of maturity.
But now, of course, the cocky little shit was back in his school on the first day of 11th grade. Lieb didn’t know what the fuck he was doing back but Webster sure as shit wasn’t welcome. Joe stalked aways from the classroom not caring that it would likely mean another detention.
He just needed to get away from Web. Then as he continued down the hall his anger grew. Web had no right to be here and Joe was going to try his hardest to get this punk out of his school.
~~~
As Webster took in the surroundings of his new first hour classroom he began to notice something in the corner of his eye, but as he turned he quickly realized his mistake. It was Joe Liebgott, standing in the doorway scowling, that had caught his eye. However, it seemed that before Liebgott noticed Web noticing him, he marched away, hands shoved in his pockets.
Web quickly moved to get up and follow, nearly tripping his friend Carwood Lipton in the process. But of course, the teacher decided that they would finally start right then. So Web ended up having to sit back down silently fuming. He had been ready to run after Joe and confront him about calling David a “prestigious dick that couldn’t help but give in to his selfish tendencies” at the grocery store the other day.
Of course this was made worse by the fact that this had been their first interaction since David left, and since they had been on good terms when he left, when he saw Joe and expected a friendly greeting, making the snarky comment he got instead, an even larger blow.
Lipton, ever the concerned mother in their friendship, proceeded to ask Web, “Hey David, you alright? I don’t think I've ever seen you this mad. And I saw the aftermath of somebody calling sharks monsters."
Web flushed at the reminder of the last time he had lost his temper. “Just fucking Liebgott” he responded, “He’s getting on my last nerve.”
“And here I thought that was my job!” Web jumps as a very tardy Lewis Nixon plops into the seat between him and Nix’s longterm boyfriend, Richard Winters.
“Lew, you already have too many absences! One more and they will call home!” Winter scolds. “And we both know that’s the last thing you want!” Dick adds in a hushed whisper that is still very audible from where he’s sitting.
“Yeah, yeah, cool your beans Dick. I won’t be late again. If it makes you feel better it was from a good cause this time!” Nixon replies, seemingly unbothered by the glaring fact that the teacher has already started. Then again, the teacher doesn't really seem to care all that much.
It's then that Winters questions, “Oh really? And what, praytell, is this "good cause"?”
“Well you see,” Lewis begins, “You know Doc? Eugene Roe? The one with the massive crush on Liebgott's friend Babe Heffron?” Dick nods and Webster perks up at the sound of Joe’s name. “Well it seems they finally got their shit together over summer and I was giving Doc some good ole’ relationship advice.”
Winters laughs quietly, “And what exactly gave him the idea that you knew anything about relationship advice?”
“Well I landed you, didn’t I, cupcake” Nixon replies with a shit eating grin on his face but Winters only smiled softly back. Nix's grin slowly faded into a soft smile as well and before long they were just staring lovingly into each other's eyes.
“Yo! Stop eye fucking you two!” Joseph Toye whispers from a seat behind Winters. “Some of us are actually trying to learn something here!”
From the seat behind Nixon, George Luz replies, “Yeah and I’m sure you really care about a junior Bio class huh Toye?”
“All of you stop flirting!” Carwood impatiently scolds from next to Webster. Toye opens his mouth to reply but Lipton cuts in, “Yes you two Toye! We all know you and Luz are dating, no need to act appalled.”
“Yeah I mean I knew I was bad but know dating me is appalling?” Luz replies cheekily. Toye just rolls his eyes and Luz glances at Lipton and tells him, “You’re just mad that you and Web are the only single ones here!” Lipton opens his mouth to shoot back another remark but it’s then that the teacher butts in with a reminder about the importance of listening. Web figures they’ll have plenty of time to discuss over lunch but for now, he’s just relieved he’s back.
~~~
Joe cannot believe how easily Webster’s friends have just allowed him right back into their circle. And lucky for him he has Carwood to keep him company instead of being a third wheel like Joe currently is. Bill Guarnere is currently out with the flu and Doc and Babe have been sickly sweet with each other since late July when they got together.
The only other resident at their table is a senior named Ronald Speirs who sits a few seats down. And with all the rumors about how he only got transferred here to avoid going to Juvie, Joe sure isn’t willing to talk to him. Of course with the two lovebirds at the table this makes his only other viable option staring at the table where David Webster is currently seated.
Joe can see how the other couples at the table had somewhat paired off with Nixon laying his head in Winters lap and Joseph Toye attempting to steal Luz’s food as he giggles about how “sharing is caring”. The other two table residents, Carwood and Webster seemed to be smiling and laughing about something.
God, Joe could not wrap his head around how easily they forgave him for leaving. In fact, now that he really thinks about it they never seemed to be mad in the first place. Being so wrapped up in his internal wondering, Joe doesn’t notice David getting up until he’s already on his way towards Joe. Joe stands up as he approaches, assuming from his stance that this will not be a friendly conversation.
“Well?” David starts, “You ever gonna man up and tell me where the hell you got the idea that you had the right to call me pretentious?!”
Joe stares him down, “Hell yeah I will! I know for a fact that you're a piece of selfish trash because as soon as mommy and daddy offer you a fancier school, you up and leave like all your friends mean nothing! Not like they seem to care.” He finishes with a grumble.
Web steps closer to him and hisses, “They aren’t fucking mad because they fucking asked for the whole story! Meanwhile you call people selfish and assume things that you really know nothing about!” David yells.
“Well my fucking pardon for not reaching out after you so clearly cut me off! Don’t blame me for being mad when you decide to get the hell outta’ dodge the second you had a chance! You don’t have to tell me that you must have gotten in some deep shit to get thrown out of there!” Joe fires back. And he doesn’t know what but something about that last sentence set Webster off.
He grits his teeth and pulls his arm back and swings right as a clearly concerned Lipton, who Joe hadn’t noticed till right now, jumps in front of Web. Web’s eyes widened as he realized what he had done. Lipton quickly pushed Webster away from Joe and out the door seemingly unphased by the hit and all the way out he’s reassuring Web he’s fine.
After the rising voices had caught the people in the vicinity’s attention it became clear that Babe was also at his side worriedly whispering to him and asking what he was talking to Web about. Joe didn’t have the heart to explain what was going on and instead stormed out of the cafeteria.
~~~
Lipton was becoming increasingly worried about his best friend. He had been elated when Webster had informed him that he would be returning. He knew the circumstances of Web’s return weren’t exactly great but he was still happy to have him back. Now however, he was second guessing if Web’s return was going to be good for him. And if it would be good for Carwood seeing as he got punched by Web on his first day back.
Then he was momentarily distracted from this train of thought when Ronald Speirs, possibly the most intimidating senior at their school, started to approach him and he actually looked like he had the intent of starting a conversation. “Hey Lipton. I know it’s not really my business but is everything ok? That seemed pretty intense. And you got hit. So… are you ok?”
Carwood just stood gaping at him. Ronald Speirs was asking him if he was ok. The world had fallen on its head. Carwood could not believe this. He wasn’t unpopular or anything but he knew he was pretty plain and Speirs was the most mysterious person he had ever met. “Um… Carwood?” Ron repeated.
It was then that Lipton got his head out of his ass and replied, “Um… Yeah… No… I’m fine…Uh…” What. A. Disaster. He was going to go die now.
Speirs smirked and sighed. “You wanna know don’t you?”
“Know… what?” Carwood replies in a terrible attempt to feign ignorance. Speirs only raised his eyebrows in response. “...Ok yes I guess I am a little curious.” Lipton relents.
“Well to sum up, I moved because my mom got a new job, I do not have a criminal record, and I have definitely never pushed anyone out a window.” Speirs summarized.
Carwood sighed in relief. Then, “Wait a window?!?!” He yelped. Ron sighed and mumbled something about how he "shouldn't have brought that up".
Then he perked up and turned more serious (because apparently that was possible) and once again asked, “But you are ok?” Carwood nodded and Speirs gave him a small smile before he turned and walked away. Now that he had a moment to process it, that may be the craziest thing to happen to him. This was definitely going to be an interesting year.