When I look back now, it seems so unreal. For some strange reason these past events take on something of a dreamlike quality. Details are unequivocal in my mind and yet, somehow, the whole thing seems hazy, as if it never happened at all.Gary and Stephen had always got on. Ever since primary school, when they had been thrown together as shy, nervous young boys in a whole new world of school, they seemed to hit it off. Which was surprising to a lot of people. It soon became apparent to both teachers and pupils alike that Gary was just that little bit more confident than everyone else. Gary was never short of a quick gag during class, always had something to talk about, and was friends with almost everyone.Stephen however, was not so confident or outgoing. He kept himself to himself and was largely ignored at first. He tried to be "one of the boys" but never found himself able to fit in. Somehow the two became friends, maybe something to do with opposites attracting, and Stephen broadened his circle of friends through Gary. He also increased his enemies. Gary's one fault was that he teased mercilessly anyone that had something to be teased about, and he drove quite a few people away from himself and Stephen. Some of Gary's confidence rubbed off on Stephen over the years and he came further and further out of his shell and developed a personality and "following" of his own.They had become very close friends. They knew each other's ins and outs and did most things together, but as they progressed through high school, the cosiness lost a bit of its warmth. Both of them met new friends, did different things, and didn't have quite as much in common.You see Gary had developed into the centre of attention, everything revolved around him, or so he thought. He had worked his way into a position of "power". What he did meant things. If you were friends with Gary you were "in". Stephen though, however hard he tried, could not achieve the same kind of attraction as Gary, and he always felt he was playing second fiddle, and naturally resented it. But he still went on in the shadow of Gary. At least he was behind him and not in his way.Anyone in Gary's way was lucky to live to regret it. He didn't just tease anymore; he didn't just make fun if the opportunity arose. He was calculating and heartless, especially if he particularly disliked someone. And if they had a particularly indefensible weakness then they were doomed. It wasn't just Gary's peers who came in for the "treatment" either. Teachers were subjected to his sarcasm and cold wit quite often.I particularly remember a young teacher who started at our school who had unusually large ears, which also stood out, so that, as Gary put it, he had a "head like a satellite". The poor man got quite a bit of stick about it from everybody, but it was, in general, light hearted and without malice. But Gary disliked him intensely.He went out of his way to make the teacher's life miserable. It started off with Gary bringing in an elephant's trunk. He presented it to the teacher and told him he could stand in for Dumbo. Gary continually disrupted classes like this and eventually drove the man to leave the school. Rumours circulated about a suspected nervous breakdown.Stephen was also the despair of the teachers but for entirely different reasons. Gary, for all his faults, was very good academically. Stephen was also very good in his class work but for some inexplicable reason, in tests and exams he was awful. It wasn't for lack of trying either. He spent a good many hours in revision before exams. He didn't fail, which was at least one blessing. but he never passed particularly well either.But despite all of their differences, Gary and Stephen remained reasonable friends. That was of course, until six months ago.For about a month previously, relations between the two were "cool", and I sensed that one of them was close to cracking. The catalyst arrived in the form of a Physics exam. It was one of the semi-important type i.e. an exam that would act as a good indicator to possible future qualifications but was not one that had to be passed at all costs. What happened was that Gary maintained his 80% level but Stephen managed 96%. Considering the fact that Stephen was usually lucky to make 60%, it raised a few eyebrows. None more so than Gary's.In the common room, after the Physics period, there was almost a full house, with everyone discussing whatever they were want to discuss. Gary launched the pre-emptive strike as Stephen walked into the room."Ho! Here comes the Physics genius. Forget the last 4% of the solution paper did we? Or did we deliberately leave it out to make it look good?"The volume level in the room dropped noticeably but Stephen just gave a mirthless smile and came to talk to me."Hey! Are we lesser mortals not good enough for you any more?"Stephen remained ignorant for a few seconds, then replied with:"Jealousy will get you nowhere!""The only thing I'm jealous of is the fact that you got away with it!""With what?". Stephen spat the words."The answer sheet!""Just because I beat you, you think I cheated! My we have got a high opinion of our self!""Don't you think a 36% rise is a little unusual?". Gary's tone was patronising and dripping sarcasm."Don't you think Susan's pregnancy was a little unusual?". It was common knowledge but it had the desired effect."At least I've got the ability!". Gary was now getting angry. "Unlike some people I know who had an operation to prevent it!"The room silenced. Gary's scarlet face gradually began to pale in the ensuing, suffocating silence, as he realised the enormity of his statement. Gary had just severed the last frail bond that had kept the two of them together, secrecy, and was already regretting it.I could almost visualise Stephen's nerve go quietly "ping!". Gary's face was now ashen and the room was still silent. Nobody had moved."I'll bet Angela wishes you'd had the same," said Stephen, just loud enough for everyone to hear."She'll never forget your "ability" will she? That kind of thing tends to be imprinted onto the minds of five year old little sisters for life! You never talk about her do you? No! She's in a home now. Of course we can never prove anything. She was too scared to go to court so you were never properly tried. It never made the national newspapers and your father made sure the local paper never breathed a word, him being the editor!"The silence seemed to deepen further. Gary's face had lost all expression, Stephen's was now scarlet and intense. Gary got up slowly and walked over towards Stephen, every eye on him, the centre of attention again.One or two of the girls screamed as they saw the blood pour from Stephen's face after I'd managed to separate Gary from him. Stephen wiped his hand across his nose and exaggerated the action of looking at the blood. Gary was writhing in my hold, the girls still screaming, as a teacher came into the room and took Stephen to first-aid. Another teacher came for Gary.I can still remember the blood on Stephen's face and the force of the struggle I had with Gary, but it seems so very distant. If the stain wasn't STILL on the common room carpet I'd be inclined to believe it had never happened.We all left school about 4 months ago, everyone going their separate ways. A few of us, myself included, went on to university and are now studying for our respective exams. Everyone disowned Gary after Stephen's revelations.Silly really but true none the less. I thought it would be difficult for Gary to start university but he found a new friend, someone he could relate to and trust. I've been an innocent bystander in all the happenings, an outsider looking in. But it's heart-warming to watch Gary study for his Theoretical Physics with Stephen.