Jon looked at the cup of innocuous liquid for several long moments. While he knew that Karen had no compunction about the drink, and that she would never abuse it, he couldn't help but think that others would not be so noble.
Even as Jon considered that, Karen noticed a group of bigger boys leading a much smaller one away from the main party room. Two of them were clutching water bottles filled with the pink liquid she had just thrust in the direction of Jon.
"Hey Jon boy, I'll be right back. Don't drink that until I return." she followed along behind the group. It took her a few moments, but she finally managed to place faces (or at least backsides) to names. There were four of the larger boys, and all of them were members of the football team. Two of them were 'escorting' a much smaller James Mathews. James was one of the kids that just kind of blended in at her high school and, she realized belatedly, also happened to share a Gym period with her. The two escorts were Robert Jones and Quin Wesley, both on the 'B' squad of the team. They rarely saw action, either on the field or off. The two with the waterbottles were Randy Gates and Marvin Greene. They were the A- members who got floated from the field to the bench depending on what team they were playing.
The group seemed to sense that someone was following them and Marvin stopped in his tracks, giving Karen the moment she needed to duck into a convenient coat closet. When she emerged, she was just in time to see the door at the end of the hall swing shut. As it closed, she heard one of the jocks laugh and say, "Now we got two of these losers. Let's see what really happens with this stuff."
Karen had to do something
