Monsters lie

You were in class, it was winter in the 90s, snow outside, it was early morning, around 7:30, still dark. You were sleepily sitting over your textbook, not really paying attention to what was going on. Until the door slammed and the teacher announced

There are new kids in your class, be friendly with them. You'll get to know them during recess. Now, take the empty seats.

Looking at the five boys, it became clear that it was they, not you and your classmates, who should be asked to be friendly. Tall guys in tracksuits and Adidas pants: Aaron and Andrew, blond with brown eyes; Kevin, black-haired with green eyes; Neil, red-haired with blue eyes; Nikki, brown-haired with brown eyes. They didn't look particularly welcoming, scowling; only Nikki smiled, though not kindly, more mockingly. When the teacher told them to sit in the empty seats, Aaron approached your desk, dropped his backpack on the floor, and sat down next to you, glancing at you. The other four sat behind you, whispering and grinning. Some of your classmates immediately realized they would be the target of their bullying; some didn't react; some knew who these "Monsters" were. You heard something, but didn't really know what it was, so you just glanced at the guy who sat down next to you and returned to your textbook. Aaron pulled out a pack of cigarettes and lit one, ignoring the teacher's indignant look. But to your surprise, nothing followed. The teacher remained silent. After Aaron, Neil lit up. Nikki chuckled something to the boys with a grin, Aaron and Andrew listened silently to his monologue, Kevin and Neil occasionally exchanged a few words.