Tight

In the hallway at school, Bryan and Big Will are hanging out together, talking about Ms. Pac-Man, when they suddenly notice Mike staring at them with “mean eyes.” Big Will suggests that Bryan talk to Mike to resolve the tension between them, and Bryan is struck by how “good different” Big Will is from the kids he knows, most of whom would react more aggressively. At lunchtime, Bryan sits with Mike, who wants to go train-surfing again, but Bryan says that he doesn’t want to skip school this time. Mike suggests going on Saturday and bringing a third kid to make it “more fun.” However, he rejects Bryan’s suggestion to bring Big Will, sounding “jealous.” Instead, he suggests inviting someone named Kev. The next day, Mike introduces Bryan to this boy, whom he calls Little Kevin. Little Kevin is Bryan’s age but looks two years younger. He clearly hero-worships Mike and laughs obsequiously at his every joke, which annoys Bryan, partly because it reminds him of himself not too long ago. Like Mike, and unlike Bryan and Big Will, Kevin is also enthralled by the sight and sound of loud, flashy cars.