Title: Since Your Gone
Author: TWBasketcase
Disclaimer: I do not own the Breakfast Club. I also do not own The Cars…who own the title of this story. I love The Cars. My favorite 80's band and 80's movie mashed into one story! Sadly, I still don't own either of them.
Rated: T for language and drug use
Summary: Four years have gone by and Andy returns to his life in Shermer, Illinois. It won't take him long to realize things have changed, and how will he cope with these changes?

A/N: This is a new but not so new story from me. If you don't catch on by the end of the chapter then I will explain it to you, lol. Give her a go and let me know what you think!

Chapter 1 – Prologue

April 27, 1988, downtown Chicago, Illinois.

Bang, bang, bang! "Will you turn that damn music down? I'm tryin' to sleep here!"

"John! Will you please bring me a towel?"

"Just pour my fuckin' drink, please?"

I rolled my eyes and stood up from the couch and made my way towards the door of my apartment. It did not surprise me – at all – that Mrs. Casey from down the hall was up here banging down the door again. I swear that old bag had nothing better to do with her time than bother us. She made it her mission to come over a couple of times a week. She never had a problem with Claire; she adored her. If John or I were to answer the door though…damn, a couple of times she actually called the cops.

"Hello?" She screamed from the other side.

I watched her silently from the peephole in the door and scrunched up my face. She had curlers in her hair and a cucumber mask on her face. She looked as if she was back from the dead or something. But since it was after midnight I think she probably just rolled out of bed; that was a more logical explanation anyways.

"John!" Claire screamed once again from the bathroom. The poor girl had been getting sick all night while her boyfriend was busy 'celebrating'. I rolled my eyes at her and craned my neck around the corner of the wall. "Will you please go help your wife?"

He glared at me and took another shot. "She ain't my wife…she's my ole lady." Brian and Eddie just shook their heads, while Jeff punched him in the arm. "That's my sister you're talking about John!"

"You're retarded," I deadpanned.

He grinned crookedly and looked at the three males in front of him. "Don't listen to the chicks…drink up!" And again they all cheered and slammed back more Jack Daniels. I looked back at the peephole as Mrs. Casey wailed on the door again.

"JOHN!" Claire bawled once more.

I grabbed at my hair and looked back at the couch. "Will you please go help her?" A small giggle came from the girl sitting there. Luckily she was in medical school and she needed the experience with pukers. That and being best friends with Claire were good enough reasons in my book. Michelle stood and quickly made her way down the hall to the bathroom to assist my ever moody roommate.

"Who's there?" I asked the door suspiciously.

"Claire?" Mrs. Casey wailed through the door.

I rolled my eyes, "No, it's Allison."

I heard a loud scoff from the other side of the door. "I want Claire!" She bellowed.

"She's indisposed of at the moment…" I turned around to glance down the hallway, only to see Michelle bolt out of the bathroom with her hand over her mouth. Claire slammed the bathroom door shut behind her. Michelle regarded me with a humorous grin and began to laugh.

"What did you hoodlums do to that poor girl?" Mrs. Casey demanded.

I rolled my eyes. "I rolled her up in a carpet and stuffed her down the trash shoot…"

Another loud roar of laughter came from the kitchen, as Bender started chanting the word "Dork," and then "Chug," followed by a round of applause. Claire was still crying from the bathroom, and Michelle looked like she couldn't keep up with the everyday chaos of our home. She was trying hard to make Claire feel better, but in her state it was damn near impossible.

I swung the door open and caught Mrs. Casey in my arms; it was quite obvious she was leaning against the door and listening through the solid metal. I cocked an eyebrow. "Can I help you?"

She steadied herself and glared at me angrily. "I have been trying to sleep for the last hour and all I can hear is that crazy music and yelling. I have to go the doctor's office in the morning and I need my sleep!"

I watched her impatiently. "Okay…I'll turn the music down."

She tried to look past me, towards the noise emanating from the kitchen. "What about them?"

I looked over my shoulder at the group of boys and shrugged. "I could always roll them up in a carpet and kill them too…"

She raised her eyebrows half way up her forehead and watched me worriedly. "I worry about you, dear."

I nodded, "Yeah I do too."

She stared at me as if I had something growing out of my face. She placed her hands on her hips, shook her head, and walked back towards her apartment. "What a strange girl she is…"

I shut the door quickly behind me and did up the three padlocks on the back of it. As soon as I turned around, I was met with a very scary looking Claire. Her short red hair was wild; it stood up in all sorts of directions. Her eyes were red and puffy, and she was a lot paler than usual…which was pretty damn pale if you ask me. "What did she want?" she croaked.

I held back my laugher and shrugged. "She got lost in the hallway again."

She gave me an incredulous look and shook her head. "You need to stop scaring that poor woman." Claire was a lot more sympathetic to the older lady. Of course working in a spa and dealing with all sorts of rich old bags she had more experience putting up with them than I did. I worked in a record store. I had to deal with mohawked punks, shoplifters, and vandalism. I'm still hitting myself for not choosing a better job at this point.

I snorted and raked a hand through my long hair. "Are you feeling any better?"

She sighed tiredly. "I don't know. I don't know what is meant by better anymore."

I took her gently by the elbow and led her back into the living room to sit on the couch next to Michelle. Brian and Michelle had just gotten back from New York yesterday night. Their school year was over again, and they finally made their way back to Shermer for the first time in almost two years.

Michelle had been seeing Brian straight from the day Claire introduced the two of them in her senior year. When I first met her I thought she was one of the sweetest people I had ever met. She was the first person to look past the crap and the stereotypes and support our group. I will admit that it surprised me that out of everyone, it was one of Claire's friends.

But as I got to know her, it surprised me less and less. Even though she was pretty, popular, and spunky, she was very smart and independent. She had a job and she worked for her own car and all of her nice clothes. She had stood up for us against the others - who gave us a hard time for our friendships – and she had a lot in common with Brian. They both worked very hard to maintain their grades, and both wanted to go to university to study medicine. They were the two who seemed to keep the level heads when things got out of hand between the rest of us – mainly Claire and John.

She was a senior along with Claire and Andy when we had met, so she left for school at the same time as they did. It was hard for Claire because they had been best friends for so long. It was just as hard for Brian; she was his first real girlfriend and he had to wait an entire year to be near her again. But they had stuck it out, and now they were living together in New York, where they both attended Columbia University.

"Claire, you look pale, hun…" Michelle commented, carefully placing the back of her hand against Claire's forehead.

She sighed overdramatically. "I feel like a house fell on top of me."

I laughed at her. "It's your own fault, you know…"

She glared at me. "It is not my fault!" She protested childishly. "It's his fault," she pointed at the partying, long haired boy across the room. He pointed at his chest and smirked as if it couldn't be him she was referring to. "I didn't see you complaining!"

She narrowed her eyes at him dangerously. "I hate you."

He looked back at his friends and laughed, "Let's drink for Claire…since she can't." This earned another glare from my red headed friend. "I should just toss you out of my apartment." He just snorted at her and went on with his activities.

I laughed, "Again? I think the twentieth time is pushing it, red…"

"I don't care." She folded her arms and tried to resist a smile.

Michelle chuckled at her friend. John and Claire had constantly been at each others throats when they first met…and I mean that literally. They had met in detention like the rest of us, but they had a much rockier relationship. After about two or three weeks of getting along fine, they got into this nasty fight over 'considered girls' (don't ask) and broke up. I think they drove us all crazy for about three months. Yeah…it was three long, horrid months. I mean, some people have this tension around them when they fight, but John and Claire had barbed wire…and electricity, land mines, and explosives. When they fought just about everyone came down with them. It was scary for sure.

They eventually made up…at the prom of all places; I still think Andy bribed him with something to get him there, but whatever. When Claire and I got our apartment, he was a frequent guest. She was going to college and her dad pretty much covered the rent for the two of us. Our utilities were included, so the only things we had to worry about were food, phone, and cable. Thankfully I had a job; the long distance phone calls from New York and British Columbia racked up these horrifying phone bills. Claire's dad – James – was nice and all, but I think he would of flipped his red lid if he had seen those numbers.

Of course he wasn't too happy either when he found out that John was frequenting the apartment either. He gave Claire – and even me for some reason – this huge lecture about boys, and their penises…saying they stick it in any girl that's willing and almost always impregnate them. Of course, he wasn't that blunt at all and very red in the face as he spoke. It was cute, but that didn't stop John – that boy was very persistent.

He had a job and had tried getting his own place at first, in downtown Chicago near us. Of course that didn't last him long as he never had any food and was at our place more than he was at his. He eventually got the boot from his land lord, and had no where to go. His parents didn't want him back, and his other friends all lived with their folks still…or already had too many people crashing at their places. Claire was pretty reluctant about letting him stay; hell, it was a big step. But eventually she gave in, giving him the condition that he had to sleep on the couch and stay out of her room.

Of course, that didn't last long either.

Let me tell you, living with the two of them scared the day lights out of me at first. They weren't used to seeing each other so much and the bantering and bickering grew more and more frequent; there were times that I would have rather slept on the street than in that apartment. They had gone through some nasty fights and he even ended up leaving a few times. It took some time, but after three years went by they eventually got the hang of it.

Living with another couple was kind of strange for me at times. I mean, there was always that third wheel factor, and being on the outside of many arguments (that left me in some very awkward situations, let me tell you), but they were my best friends. I usually had no problem whatsoever telling them who was in the wrong – anything to make them stop. I'm not a huge fan of fighting.

At the same time though, it was kind of hard for me. They got to live together and sleep together, and even though they fought they still had this amazing and electrifying chemistry together. That chemistry and the nice things between them really made me miss my boyfriend.

I couldn't sleep next to my boyfriend and fight with him, and tell him I love him everyday because he was over 20,000 miles away at school. The long distance relationship was a definite killer.

Before he left, we had been dating for six months. It sure didn't seem long – hell, it wasn't long at all – but we were close. We had this bond – well I can't really describe it with words and do it justice; but when he left I felt like someone had stolen my left arm…and leg…and maybe half of my brain too. I mean, I have seen him since he left…but only a few times. He came down for one and a half summers, and two Christmas's. I talked to him on the phone a lot, and I wrote him lots of letters…sent him lots of pictures and drawings. I liked to think that we kept up some sort of relationship…even though its been almost a year since I've gotten laid.

It was four years ago that he moved away. If he had gone somewhere just a wee bit closer than perhaps I would have seen him more. Maybe if things weren't so messed up at his family's house then he would be home more. I don't know…but I do know for sure that he is coming home soon. In a month, actually. I'm still not too sure how everything will go – he will be home for good for the first time in four years. Four years is a pretty long time away from someone. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy he is coming…but scared shitless and nervous at the same time.

In the meantime, though…my other friends were home.

Brian stumbled over to the couch and grinned at Claire. "You sure have a nice place here." He steadied himself of the arm of said couch. He was a lot bigger and more mature now. It still cracked me up to see him drunk…it wasn't something I got to see very often.

She cocked an amused eyebrow at him. "Well thanks, Brian. I'm glad you came home to see it."

He laughed lightly and raked a hand through his - now very short – blonde hair. "New York is great and all…but I needed to come home. It gets way too hectic there for my liking."

"What were the chicks like?" Bender asked, annoyingly.

Brian laughed, "I was there with my lovely girlfriend, jerk!"

Bender cocked an amused eyebrow and folded his arms. "Are you trying to tell me that you never scoped any ass out?"

"John!" Claire scolded.

I laughed, as did Brian. He looked at Michelle. "I didn't, I swear."

She shook her head and looked ready to burst out laughing at him. "That's fine…"

Brian looked at Bender and then back at Michelle, and then back at Bender. "Just hers…"

Bender laughed out loud and smacked him playfully on the arm. I was always amused by the two of them when they were together. At first it was because of Brian's awkwardness…John was kind of like a leader, while Brian was always completely fascinated with him. They had this hilarious dynamic where John would have so much fun with him, and Brian would be so embarrassed, yet animated at the same time. Of course, now Brian was bigger than John was, and not quite as awkward as he used to be; which still made it all the more interesting in my eyes, because – hell – it's been a long time since I had seen the two of them together.

Brian stood up and looked at the clock. "It's getting kind of late…maybe we should get going now?" Michelle just shrugged her shoulders and began to stand up.

John's demeanor slumped. "You can't leave now! It's only 1:30!"

I rolled my eyes and flipped on the TV. Jeopardy! re-runs were on.

"But," Brian started to interrupt, "I have people I have to see tomorrow morning."

Claire cleared her throat. "I really need to sleep, John."

I cocked an eyebrow at the TV. "And now for double Jeopardy!" I laughed a bit; I loved Jeopardy!

"Oh come on, guys!" He tapped Claire's arm like an impatient child. "But your brother and Eddie came all this way…"

I looked at Jeff and smirked; he was drunk as a skunk anyways. As soon as he found out about Claire, he came bounding on over to get drunk with John. He was only a few years older than us, but he was a very cool guy and he and Claire were very close. I had met him first a few months before Claire and I had moved in together. He was very talkative, so much in fact that I was pretty scared of him.

He had a tendency to be cocky and he loved to party, but he was very caring. Attitude wise he actually reminded me a lot of John, which is why I think they get along so well. At first it was kind of shaky between the two of them, but eventually they realized they were oh so very 'cool' and became friends. Fashion wise, however, he was a lot more like Claire or Andy…wearing things that made him look good. He was a very handsome guy, he was tall, had brown hair, and dark eyes. He also had a very nice physique; that guy got more girls in the span of a few months than I had fingers and toes.

Eddie on the other hand, was my boss. My very flamboyant and a lot older boss; he had ten years on the rest of us. I first met him four years ago when I applied for my first position at the record store. I had a lot on common with him, we both loved older rock bands, we were both vegetarians, and we both swooned over Andy. It was kind of strange talking about my boyfriend with another guy who thought he was attractive, but I became comfortable with him very quickly. He was just very personable and easy to get along with. His partner is a whole other story; that guy just does not like me for some reason. Maybe it's because we would get Eddie all crazy like. I don't know for sure.

Eddie had been very good to me over the years. He had ended up promoting me in the store from lowly cashier to assistant manager and receiver. He had always put a lot of faith in me, and for that he got me out of a lot of jams and tough times.

"I think Eddie and Jeff are ready to go pass out somewhere anyways," I interrupted Bender, much to his dismay. He growled at me and I narrowed my eyes in challenge.

Claire stood up slowly. "I'll go call a cab."

Once everyone was out of the house, Claire tiredly closed the door behind her, and rubbed her stomach. "I am beat."

John waved her off comically. "I'm fine…let's find something else to do…"

Claire rolled her eyes "No, you're drunk and you have to go to work in the morning."

He narrowed his eyes in confusion. "No…not till 10:00."

She pulled him by the elbow and shook her head. "Let's go to bed, please? I'm tired."

He let his hair fall in front of his face and grumbled. "You're always tired now."

I cocked an eyebrow at him. "Well that's to be expected, isn't it? Keep your dick in your pants and you wouldn't have to worry about this kind of thing."

He raised his hand and pointed at me, but Claire grabbed his arm and cut him off. "Bed…now."

He narrowed his eyes at me before he walked away. "You smart ass."

"Good night!" I called behind them. I heard the sound of their door closing, and I was left alone once again in the darkness with only Alex Trebek to keep me company. Jeopardy! was great and all, but it didn't make that great of a companion to all of us lonely night people.

"Welcome back to final Jeopardy! everyone. Just as a reminder, our final clue was…" I watched as Alex shuffled his cue cards together. "In what sport did big man Andre Rene Rousimoff participate in to become not only the largest athlete, but one of the biggest superstars of all time?"

Allison snorted, "That would be wrestling, Alex."

"And football is incorrect, George. The answer you were looking for is wrestling."

Allison snorted. She hated wrestling…but somehow always knew all the stupid answers in relation to it. She pulled a blanket up around from the other end of the couch. She watched out the window and into the darkness of the night.

The answer you were looking for is wrestling.

She sighed and closed her eyes tightly. Suddenly, she felt lonelier than ever.

To Be Continued

A/N: Okay, so as some of you may have guessed, this is the start of the sequel to 'The World through the Eyes of a Basket Case'. For any of you new readers don't worry…I am going to try and explain things as best as I can if you don't want to read the original (which is fine). For those of you who have read it, I hope you like it so far. If there are any questions you may have, feel free to ask me. Don't let the sequel part turn you off…give it a chance! For those wondering, we'll hear from Andy in the next chapter. Love it or hate it, let me know what you think! Thanks!