I own and claim no rights to the motion picture, 'The Breakfast Club.' The
plot is mine however, and any characters not familiar to the original movie
are created by me. No similarities to any other fics are intended.
Chapter 10
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Isaac stared at himself in the mirror and groaned. "I look like an idiot," he mumbled at his reflection. His tuxedo fit perfectly on his body, making him look far more mature than he was or felt. With one last look at himself, he exited the bathroom, wishing for the millionth time that he could at least ruffle his hair or something. It was only curtesy for Annie that kept him from doing so. Tonight he was going to be a freakin' gentlemen, even if it killed him...which, he seriously thought it might. Entering the kitchen, he was greeted with the vision of his sister, dressed in an elegant black dress with stylish heels and made up hair posing for their father, who was taking pictures of her with fatherly pride in his eyes. Swallowing, Isaac eyed his sister with similar pride. Well, his sister sure did clean up nice, he thought ruefully.
Sensing his approach, Samantha turned, and flashed him a megawatt smile. "Well, what do you think?" she asked cheerfully, twirling in a circle. The only evidence that she was still shaken from the past couple of days was the vunerable look in her eyes that told Isaac that she was still quite fragile.
Not wanting to make her worry, he answered truthfully, "You look gorgeous. In fact, I think you should maybe put a sweater on, over that thing. With you walking around in that, I am not going to be able to stop all the guys from trying to bother you."
Samantha gave him a coy flutter of her eyelashes. "Who said I wanted you to stop them?"
Isaac shook his head, suppressing a chuckle. She was going to drive him nuts one of these days!
John motioned Isaac into the middle of the room, telling him to stand beside his sister, which Isaac did, reluctantly. Almost a roll of film later, Isaac held up a hand. "Okay, before I go blind and make us crash into a tree, I think we had better get going. We have to pick up Bobbie, Jen and Annie in less than ten minutes."
John let them go, but handed Isaac some money. "Be safe out there, okay Isaac?"
Isaac stared at his father, noticing the genuine concern--and a deeper emotion Isaac wouldn't admit was parental love--and nodded. "Of course. Don't forget, I have precious cargo in my car."
Both Bender men looked over at Isaac's car, where Samantha stood, waiting patiently, while toying with her small black purse, something she found quite amusing that she had.
Then, turning, Isaac walked to his car, climbed in and started the engine. Waving one final goodbye, Samatha slide into the backseat, just as Isaac pulled away from their home, never once looking back.
.........................................................
Pulling into the Clark driveway, Isaac, Annie and Sam waited patiently as Bobbie went into the house and got his date. When Jen appeared in the doorway, Annie and Sam gasped in feminine envy. When Isaac looked over to see what they were looking at, he inwardly groaned, and banged his forehead lightly to the steering wheel. Jennifer, whom Isaac considered his sister just as much as Sam was, strolled to the car, wearing a blue dress that seemed molded to her body. Shaking his head, Isaac muttered to himself, "Did she paint the damn dress on herself or something?"
Hopping into the back seat, Jen greeted Isaac, Annie, and Sam with a feline smile.
"Where did you get that?" Annie asked curiously, turning around in the front seat to eye Jen.
Jen's smile widened, if possible. "My dad got it for me at the mall. The designer clique! Isn't it great?"
"Yes it is," Annie complimented.
"It looks even better with you wearing it," Sam told her, causing Jen to beam happily at her.
"Thanks!"
Isaac looked at them in his rear view mirror. "Is this exchange of feminine compliments over, or do you want Bobbie and me to wait in Uncle Andrew's living room?"
The girls threw him haughty glances, and he started the car, hiding a grin. Samantha and Annie spent most of the car ride discussing hair and make up procedures, while Jen and Bobbie held each other close and Isaac focused on the road. In what seemed like an eternity, Isaac pulled into Shermer High School's parking lot, which was packed with cars and elegantly dressed people. Easing into a parking space as close to the school as he could get, Isaac turned off the engine and they all climbed out of his car.
Together, they headed toward the school gymnasium, ignoring the glares and whispers from the people still in the parking lot. One glance at the gym's interior had Isaac groaning. An array of soft, "girly" colored streamers hung down from the rafters, with matching ballons and confetti on both the ceiling and the floor. Tables with candles on them aligned one side of the gym, while several bleachers were pulled out on the other. Resisting the urge to lift his collar to hide his face, Isaac reluctantly allowed Annie to drag him into the gym. Amid the glares and pointing, Isaac heard his sister call out to someone in the crowd. Unsure as whether to be amused or concerned, Isaac watched John Jefferson, glammed up and not wearing his normal dork gear (i.e. his glasses that could probably let him see Saturn if he pointed them to the sky), push his way through the dance floor to his sister's side.
Without preamble, Samantha put her arms around the shy sophomore, and kissed him on the lips. Isaac, Bobbie, Annie and Jen could see Johnny's ears turning deep red, which almost brought a smile to Isaac's lips...almost.
When several seconds later, the kiss had not completed, Isaac became to crack his knuckles loudly, an eyebrow raised menacingly. John, who could see Isaac clearly over Sam's shoulder pulled away from the girl, after seeing Isaac's expression. Johnny's ears were still bright red, but he managed to not stutter over his introductions to Sam's family.
"Nice to meet you," the boy said warmly, then turned his gaze to Sam, eyeing her like she was a Goddess in the flesh. For some reason this reassured Isaac more than anything else that this guy was ok.
"You look beautiful Samantha," Johnny told her, taking her hand and stretching out to see all of her. "Isaac and I will both have a hell of a time keeping guys away from you!"
Samantha laughed, and waved goodbye to everyone as she and Johnny headed toward the dance floor.
Jen glanced around the room, her arms crossed over her chest, aware that the girls were eyeing her with envy and dislike. "It's a good thing I have a big, strong boyfriend here to protect me," she murmured.
Isaac scoffed, unable to hold back all of his disbelieving laughter, noticing that Annie was biting her lip, but her eyes were twinkling with mirth. An annoyed looking Bobbie slapped Isaac in the back of the head, puffing his chest out to seem more built than he was.
Isaac smoothed back his hair, a frown twisting his mouth. "Hey now! Do you have any idea how long it took me to get my damn hair to behave?" he demanded. "Don't make me have to kick your ass man!"
This time, all four of them laughed. Isaac led them to a table and they spent several minutes talking and listening to the music. Eventually, a slow song came on, one that Jen could not resist. Pulling a semi-reluctant Bobbie after her, Jen got him onto the dance floor and they held each other close, swaying slowly to the music.
Isaac watched them and several others dance for a while, then turned his gaze to his "date." Annie was slumped back in her seat, staring sadly into the candle that was placed in the middle of their table. Concerned, Isaac took her head, tearing her focus from the candle to him. Squeezing her hand gently, he asked, "Is everything okay, kid?"
Annie smiled at him, her gaze shying back to the flame. She replied in a quiet whisper, "Am I ugly Isaac?"
Isaac seemed completely thrown by the question. He eyed Annie for a second, then said, "No, actually. Blond hair, blue eyes, light freckles...a slim figure. You are, as Sam says, 'Yummy!'"
Annie smile widened slightly. "Then why is it that I have to get...well, let's face it, you are a brother to me, just like Bobbie...I had to get my brother to bring me to my first dance ever?"
Isaac was floored. See, he thought to himself, this is why I avoid social situations...things always get complicated!
"Well Annie," he began, then quieted. Suddenly a thought came to him. "Well kid, I guess the guys, especially the ones nearer your age, are kinda intimidated by you."
Annie's eyes held a sheen of tears. "They are," she whispered fearfully.
Shit.
Isaac shifted in his seat and put a hand on her shoulder. "I meant, that they see you as sophisticated, and tough. It takes a tough kind of woman to hang out with us you know." Isaac smiled at her encouragingly. "I bet that if you were to go up to one of the dudes that came stag, they would jump at the chance to dance with you."
Annie raised an eyebrow skeptically. "Do you really think so?"
Isaac nodded. "I would bet my life on it."
Annie hesitated for several seconds, regarding Isaac with cool eyes, as if searching for evidence that he may be lying. Then, she jumped up, kissed Isaac on the cheek and hurried away to the bleachers where several freshman and sophomore boys sat, watching. Under his breath, Isaac muttered, "Someone had better ask her to dance, or there will be hell to pay."
With a relieved sigh, he watched a sophomore he vaguely recalled, take her hand and slowly lead her to the dance floor.
"Isaac Bender triumphs again!" he whispered to himself.
"You know," a soft voice said into his ear, "they say talking to yourself is the first sign of insanity."
Isaac turned. "You would know all about that, wouldn't you? Hmmm, Jennifer?"
Jen smiled at him, and took a seat, Bobbie excusing himself to go to the bathroom.
"So," Jen began, "You enjoying the dance yet?"
Isaac grinned. "Well, I got Annie to dance, thankfully not with me. Dancing is to...well, it's just not me. But I think I have this pep talk thing down!"
Jen laughed, and looked over to where Annie was still dancing with the sophomore.
"Aww...they look so cute. Too bad they grow up to be annoying!" Jen joked.
"Did I miss anything?" Bobbie asked, as he rejoined the table, three punch glasses in his hands.
"Thanks babe," Jen said, sipping her punch thoughtfully.
"Annie's dancing with some guy," Isaac answered, taking the punch with a grimace.
Bobbie looked over the sea of high school students and watched his sister laugh, and be twirled around the dance floor. Although his jaw clentched, Bobbie muttered, "Well, at least she is having a good time."
"Exactly," Jen soothed. "You can't protect her from everything! Besides, he is just a boy. Trust me, my dad has taught Annie everything she needs to know on how to handle rambuncious boys!"
Isaac and Bobbie grinned.
"Well, I guess I don't have to worry anymore," Bobbie said, taking a seat next to his girlfriend.
For over an hour Isaac sat at the table, Jen, Bobbie, Samantha, Johnny, and Annie joining him occasionally to talk and joke around when they weren't out on the dance floor. Finally, at the end of a particularly cheesy slow dance (in Isaac's opinion), Principal Collins and Counselor Lane Welles, a very kind woman who was one of the few admins that Isaac respected, walked up to the set up platform and demanded everyone's attention over the microphone.
"Come down everyone, calm down!" Collins chuckled.
"Hello Shermer High School, and welcome to Homecoming 2003!" Mrs. Welles called out, causing the whole room to errupt in thunderous applause, and made both of the administrators on the podium laugh.
"Okay now," Collins instructed, waving his hands to settle them down. "It has come the time to announce this year's Homecoming King and Queen! Will the Royal Court please come stand beside the podium?"
Several formally dressed students walked up to the stage, Jennifer and Bobbie included, as she had been named Duchess of the Junior class (though she was technically a senior) and Bobbie was her escort. Leaning back in his seat, Isaac, along with Annie, Samantha and Johnny waited as Principal Collins allowed a drum roll to sound.
"And now, your 2003-2004 Homecoming King is--"
He opened an envelope handed to him by Mrs. Welles.
"Taylor Messing!"
Applause sounded in the room as the basketball team captain strode confidently to the Royal Court and allowed them to put a crown and robe on him.
When everyone had quieted, Principal Collins took a different evelope from Mrs. Welles and signaled the last drum roll. "And now, your 2003-2004 Homecoming Queen is--" With a fluorish, Collins opened the envelope, then grinned. "The great, Miss Amarice Chesterfield!"
Thunderous applause followed this announcement as Amarice glided gracefully onto the floor in a sparkling vision of gold and white.
"Well well," Isaac muttered under his breath. "I am not the only one who cleans up nice then...?"
Mrs. Welles took control of the microphone and said, "Now Shermer High, your Homecoming King and Queen will enter the dance floor for the traditional slow dance. Everyone, have fun!"
The thunderous applause that followed roared in Isaac's ears as people stood to watch the King and Queen twirl around the floor.
***********
Claire stared at her picture in her Senior Yearbook. Sort red hair, stylish (snobby!) clothes and perfectly manicured nails gleamed from the glossy pages, that seemed to have been taken lifetimes ago. Flipping the pages, she came to the signature section of her yearbook and reread the words of her school mates. The five blank pages reserved for signatures had been filled to the brim, even some written sideways in the margin. But the only signatures and comments that truly concerned her were at the very back. Smiling sadly, she ran a hand over the elegant and artistically drawn words across the top of the last page. "The Breakfast Club."
Claire remembered how Allison had taken great pains to draw different styles of words in each of their yearbooks. Brian's print had been written with mathematic symbols and small elephants entwined. John's words had been matched with dragons, while Andy had sports medals and objects that Allison thought explained their relationship. Claire's words had been decorated with nail polish and lipstick pictures, topped with a sparkling tiara.
Claire smiled. She had always been thought of as a princess.
That Saturday eons ago had changed her life. She had been living in a porcelaine world, where everything around her had to be perfect, and all of it had to revolve around her. But John and the others changed all that. They smashed through the make believe world she had made and finally taught her that the real world was so much more. She and Andy had been trapped in a cage of high school perfection. They had to be perfect, as their friends saw perfection to be, because to everyone else that is what was expected of them. But John, and especially Allison showed them that life...well, life could suck. And no matter how much money you had, it didn't mean it would make up, or cover up what was really going on. Claire's family life sucked. Her mother was a drunk shopaholic, who loved using her as a tool against her father. And Claire's dad was a workaholic who lavished money and affection on her just to piss off her mother.
But all that had changed in one day. And the months that followed were heavenly. Until the bottom of Claire's new found world came crashing down. Claire's hand around her yearbook tightened. Tracing her finger over Allison, Andy, Brian and John's signatures and comments, her eyes glazed over.
She could still hear the scream.
She could still see and feel the blood.
Putting her head in her hands, Claire could feel the tears running hotly down her face. Suddenly, she heard the doorbell ring, and jumped in surprise. Wiping her face with her hands, she stood up from the couch in her living room and walked towards the front door, pausing in front of the hallway mirror to ensure that her face wasn't a mess. Smoothing down her shoulder length red hair, she walked forward and opened the door.
"Hello Claire," Allison murmured softly.
"Allison," Claire said happily. "I haven't seen you in ages! Come in."
Allison walked into Claire's home and looked around. "You have redecorated since I last visited."
"Yes," Claire acknowledged, "I was bored with the old look."
Leading Allison back to the living room, Claire motioned for her to take a seat, which Allison did, after a moment's hesitation.
"So," Claire began, "what do I owe this wonderful visit?"
Allison studied Claire for a moment before replying. "It's time Claire."
Claire's smile faded. "Time for what?"
"Time to close old wounds...and heal new ones."
***************
Isaac and the others walked away from the gymnasium just after midnight and headed back toward Isaac's car.
"So," Annie asked, while slipping her arms around Isaac's, "how does it feel to have survived an entire night at a high school function?"
"It feels dirty," Isaac said. "I don't think I will ever be clean again."
Annie laughed.
"Think of it this way Isaac," Jen called out from behind them, "You got out of your house for an entire night, and spent it in the company of three beautiful women."
"Three beautiful women?" Isaac said slowly. "What beautiful woman? The only girls I see are you three!"
With a laugh he sprinted forward as Annie, Samantha and Jen tried to attack him with their purses.
"Hey, Bender," an agitated voice called out from the other side of the parking lot. Isaac looked up and saw Henry Larris, and most of the football team standing around Isaac's car. "We got a bone to pick with you!"
"Great," Isaac muttered under his breath. He turned to Bobbie. "Take the girls back inside."
"Hell no!" Samantha argued. "This is my fault, I am not going to stand by and let you get your ass kicked over this!"
"Sam, for once, don't argue with me, and get your ass out of here!" Isaac hissed at her.
"Sam's right Isaac," Johnny interrupted. "You shouldn't be left alone to handle this. I'll--I'm--I'm behind you all the way."
"Same here man," Bobbie said.
The girls nodded, and Isaac shook his head. "Stubborn fools."
Turning he walked to his car, the group following him. "What do you want Larris?"
"Because of you and your little trailer trash sister, we lost the Homecoming game!" Larris snarled.
Isaac's hands clentched into fists, but Jen put a hand on his arm.
"And how did you come up with that little thought Henry?" Jen asked calmly.
"If the Pep Rally hadn't been ruined by you freaks, we could have won the game!"
"Oh really?" Isaac said. "You don't think, by any chance, that your loss would have anything to do with the fact that you all suck, now would you? The only good football player on your team is Masterson, but he can't carry all of you."
"Screw you Bender," one of the team members called out.
"How intelligent," Samantha muttered.
"You shut up bitch, or I'll--" Larris began.
"What the hell are you doing?" Greg asked, as he and Ryce appeared from behind several cars.
"Stay out of this Masterson," Larris ordered angrily.
"Or what, Larris?" Greg asked furiously. "You want to blow the rest of the season by getting your dumb asses suspended?"
"Why don't you do us all a favor, Masterson," Larris said, "and go fu--"
"Hello gentlemen, ladies," a calm voice inserted.
Everyone's head whipped around. Principal Collins and his wife stood several feet away. Collins was smiling, but his wife was doing her best not to twitch nervously. "May I ask what is going on?"
"Nothing Mr. Collins," Larris answered. "Just having a chat here with my good buddy Isaac."
The principal's eyebrow rose. "Well I suggest you end your chat and go home. It is getting late."
"Yes sir," Larris said. Turning, he started to leave, then turned back and whispered to Isaac, "This isn't over Bender...not by a long shot."
"I'm counting on it," Isaac muttered back. After Larris, Greg, Ryce and the rest of the team left Isaac turned to Principal Collins.
"Thanks sir. Have a nice night," Isaac told him.
"No problem Mister Bender. But do see that you are careful not to engage in anymore late night...chats, ok?"
"Yes sir."
With a flash of a smile, Collins and his wife were gone.
Isaac turned to the others. "If I wasn't going to kill Squeaks before, I sure as hell am going to now."
"Man that was scary. You have almost the entire football team after you man!" Johnny said, as he hugged Samantha goodbye.
"Don't remind me," Isaac muttered, as he and the others piled into his car.
************************************************
A/N: I FINALLY DID IT! Chapter 10! Give me a high five! Yay! THANK YOU to EVERYONE who reviewed! I appreciate it greatly! Hope you liked this chapter.
Chapter 10
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Isaac stared at himself in the mirror and groaned. "I look like an idiot," he mumbled at his reflection. His tuxedo fit perfectly on his body, making him look far more mature than he was or felt. With one last look at himself, he exited the bathroom, wishing for the millionth time that he could at least ruffle his hair or something. It was only curtesy for Annie that kept him from doing so. Tonight he was going to be a freakin' gentlemen, even if it killed him...which, he seriously thought it might. Entering the kitchen, he was greeted with the vision of his sister, dressed in an elegant black dress with stylish heels and made up hair posing for their father, who was taking pictures of her with fatherly pride in his eyes. Swallowing, Isaac eyed his sister with similar pride. Well, his sister sure did clean up nice, he thought ruefully.
Sensing his approach, Samantha turned, and flashed him a megawatt smile. "Well, what do you think?" she asked cheerfully, twirling in a circle. The only evidence that she was still shaken from the past couple of days was the vunerable look in her eyes that told Isaac that she was still quite fragile.
Not wanting to make her worry, he answered truthfully, "You look gorgeous. In fact, I think you should maybe put a sweater on, over that thing. With you walking around in that, I am not going to be able to stop all the guys from trying to bother you."
Samantha gave him a coy flutter of her eyelashes. "Who said I wanted you to stop them?"
Isaac shook his head, suppressing a chuckle. She was going to drive him nuts one of these days!
John motioned Isaac into the middle of the room, telling him to stand beside his sister, which Isaac did, reluctantly. Almost a roll of film later, Isaac held up a hand. "Okay, before I go blind and make us crash into a tree, I think we had better get going. We have to pick up Bobbie, Jen and Annie in less than ten minutes."
John let them go, but handed Isaac some money. "Be safe out there, okay Isaac?"
Isaac stared at his father, noticing the genuine concern--and a deeper emotion Isaac wouldn't admit was parental love--and nodded. "Of course. Don't forget, I have precious cargo in my car."
Both Bender men looked over at Isaac's car, where Samantha stood, waiting patiently, while toying with her small black purse, something she found quite amusing that she had.
Then, turning, Isaac walked to his car, climbed in and started the engine. Waving one final goodbye, Samatha slide into the backseat, just as Isaac pulled away from their home, never once looking back.
.........................................................
Pulling into the Clark driveway, Isaac, Annie and Sam waited patiently as Bobbie went into the house and got his date. When Jen appeared in the doorway, Annie and Sam gasped in feminine envy. When Isaac looked over to see what they were looking at, he inwardly groaned, and banged his forehead lightly to the steering wheel. Jennifer, whom Isaac considered his sister just as much as Sam was, strolled to the car, wearing a blue dress that seemed molded to her body. Shaking his head, Isaac muttered to himself, "Did she paint the damn dress on herself or something?"
Hopping into the back seat, Jen greeted Isaac, Annie, and Sam with a feline smile.
"Where did you get that?" Annie asked curiously, turning around in the front seat to eye Jen.
Jen's smile widened, if possible. "My dad got it for me at the mall. The designer clique! Isn't it great?"
"Yes it is," Annie complimented.
"It looks even better with you wearing it," Sam told her, causing Jen to beam happily at her.
"Thanks!"
Isaac looked at them in his rear view mirror. "Is this exchange of feminine compliments over, or do you want Bobbie and me to wait in Uncle Andrew's living room?"
The girls threw him haughty glances, and he started the car, hiding a grin. Samantha and Annie spent most of the car ride discussing hair and make up procedures, while Jen and Bobbie held each other close and Isaac focused on the road. In what seemed like an eternity, Isaac pulled into Shermer High School's parking lot, which was packed with cars and elegantly dressed people. Easing into a parking space as close to the school as he could get, Isaac turned off the engine and they all climbed out of his car.
Together, they headed toward the school gymnasium, ignoring the glares and whispers from the people still in the parking lot. One glance at the gym's interior had Isaac groaning. An array of soft, "girly" colored streamers hung down from the rafters, with matching ballons and confetti on both the ceiling and the floor. Tables with candles on them aligned one side of the gym, while several bleachers were pulled out on the other. Resisting the urge to lift his collar to hide his face, Isaac reluctantly allowed Annie to drag him into the gym. Amid the glares and pointing, Isaac heard his sister call out to someone in the crowd. Unsure as whether to be amused or concerned, Isaac watched John Jefferson, glammed up and not wearing his normal dork gear (i.e. his glasses that could probably let him see Saturn if he pointed them to the sky), push his way through the dance floor to his sister's side.
Without preamble, Samantha put her arms around the shy sophomore, and kissed him on the lips. Isaac, Bobbie, Annie and Jen could see Johnny's ears turning deep red, which almost brought a smile to Isaac's lips...almost.
When several seconds later, the kiss had not completed, Isaac became to crack his knuckles loudly, an eyebrow raised menacingly. John, who could see Isaac clearly over Sam's shoulder pulled away from the girl, after seeing Isaac's expression. Johnny's ears were still bright red, but he managed to not stutter over his introductions to Sam's family.
"Nice to meet you," the boy said warmly, then turned his gaze to Sam, eyeing her like she was a Goddess in the flesh. For some reason this reassured Isaac more than anything else that this guy was ok.
"You look beautiful Samantha," Johnny told her, taking her hand and stretching out to see all of her. "Isaac and I will both have a hell of a time keeping guys away from you!"
Samantha laughed, and waved goodbye to everyone as she and Johnny headed toward the dance floor.
Jen glanced around the room, her arms crossed over her chest, aware that the girls were eyeing her with envy and dislike. "It's a good thing I have a big, strong boyfriend here to protect me," she murmured.
Isaac scoffed, unable to hold back all of his disbelieving laughter, noticing that Annie was biting her lip, but her eyes were twinkling with mirth. An annoyed looking Bobbie slapped Isaac in the back of the head, puffing his chest out to seem more built than he was.
Isaac smoothed back his hair, a frown twisting his mouth. "Hey now! Do you have any idea how long it took me to get my damn hair to behave?" he demanded. "Don't make me have to kick your ass man!"
This time, all four of them laughed. Isaac led them to a table and they spent several minutes talking and listening to the music. Eventually, a slow song came on, one that Jen could not resist. Pulling a semi-reluctant Bobbie after her, Jen got him onto the dance floor and they held each other close, swaying slowly to the music.
Isaac watched them and several others dance for a while, then turned his gaze to his "date." Annie was slumped back in her seat, staring sadly into the candle that was placed in the middle of their table. Concerned, Isaac took her head, tearing her focus from the candle to him. Squeezing her hand gently, he asked, "Is everything okay, kid?"
Annie smiled at him, her gaze shying back to the flame. She replied in a quiet whisper, "Am I ugly Isaac?"
Isaac seemed completely thrown by the question. He eyed Annie for a second, then said, "No, actually. Blond hair, blue eyes, light freckles...a slim figure. You are, as Sam says, 'Yummy!'"
Annie smile widened slightly. "Then why is it that I have to get...well, let's face it, you are a brother to me, just like Bobbie...I had to get my brother to bring me to my first dance ever?"
Isaac was floored. See, he thought to himself, this is why I avoid social situations...things always get complicated!
"Well Annie," he began, then quieted. Suddenly a thought came to him. "Well kid, I guess the guys, especially the ones nearer your age, are kinda intimidated by you."
Annie's eyes held a sheen of tears. "They are," she whispered fearfully.
Shit.
Isaac shifted in his seat and put a hand on her shoulder. "I meant, that they see you as sophisticated, and tough. It takes a tough kind of woman to hang out with us you know." Isaac smiled at her encouragingly. "I bet that if you were to go up to one of the dudes that came stag, they would jump at the chance to dance with you."
Annie raised an eyebrow skeptically. "Do you really think so?"
Isaac nodded. "I would bet my life on it."
Annie hesitated for several seconds, regarding Isaac with cool eyes, as if searching for evidence that he may be lying. Then, she jumped up, kissed Isaac on the cheek and hurried away to the bleachers where several freshman and sophomore boys sat, watching. Under his breath, Isaac muttered, "Someone had better ask her to dance, or there will be hell to pay."
With a relieved sigh, he watched a sophomore he vaguely recalled, take her hand and slowly lead her to the dance floor.
"Isaac Bender triumphs again!" he whispered to himself.
"You know," a soft voice said into his ear, "they say talking to yourself is the first sign of insanity."
Isaac turned. "You would know all about that, wouldn't you? Hmmm, Jennifer?"
Jen smiled at him, and took a seat, Bobbie excusing himself to go to the bathroom.
"So," Jen began, "You enjoying the dance yet?"
Isaac grinned. "Well, I got Annie to dance, thankfully not with me. Dancing is to...well, it's just not me. But I think I have this pep talk thing down!"
Jen laughed, and looked over to where Annie was still dancing with the sophomore.
"Aww...they look so cute. Too bad they grow up to be annoying!" Jen joked.
"Did I miss anything?" Bobbie asked, as he rejoined the table, three punch glasses in his hands.
"Thanks babe," Jen said, sipping her punch thoughtfully.
"Annie's dancing with some guy," Isaac answered, taking the punch with a grimace.
Bobbie looked over the sea of high school students and watched his sister laugh, and be twirled around the dance floor. Although his jaw clentched, Bobbie muttered, "Well, at least she is having a good time."
"Exactly," Jen soothed. "You can't protect her from everything! Besides, he is just a boy. Trust me, my dad has taught Annie everything she needs to know on how to handle rambuncious boys!"
Isaac and Bobbie grinned.
"Well, I guess I don't have to worry anymore," Bobbie said, taking a seat next to his girlfriend.
For over an hour Isaac sat at the table, Jen, Bobbie, Samantha, Johnny, and Annie joining him occasionally to talk and joke around when they weren't out on the dance floor. Finally, at the end of a particularly cheesy slow dance (in Isaac's opinion), Principal Collins and Counselor Lane Welles, a very kind woman who was one of the few admins that Isaac respected, walked up to the set up platform and demanded everyone's attention over the microphone.
"Come down everyone, calm down!" Collins chuckled.
"Hello Shermer High School, and welcome to Homecoming 2003!" Mrs. Welles called out, causing the whole room to errupt in thunderous applause, and made both of the administrators on the podium laugh.
"Okay now," Collins instructed, waving his hands to settle them down. "It has come the time to announce this year's Homecoming King and Queen! Will the Royal Court please come stand beside the podium?"
Several formally dressed students walked up to the stage, Jennifer and Bobbie included, as she had been named Duchess of the Junior class (though she was technically a senior) and Bobbie was her escort. Leaning back in his seat, Isaac, along with Annie, Samantha and Johnny waited as Principal Collins allowed a drum roll to sound.
"And now, your 2003-2004 Homecoming King is--"
He opened an envelope handed to him by Mrs. Welles.
"Taylor Messing!"
Applause sounded in the room as the basketball team captain strode confidently to the Royal Court and allowed them to put a crown and robe on him.
When everyone had quieted, Principal Collins took a different evelope from Mrs. Welles and signaled the last drum roll. "And now, your 2003-2004 Homecoming Queen is--" With a fluorish, Collins opened the envelope, then grinned. "The great, Miss Amarice Chesterfield!"
Thunderous applause followed this announcement as Amarice glided gracefully onto the floor in a sparkling vision of gold and white.
"Well well," Isaac muttered under his breath. "I am not the only one who cleans up nice then...?"
Mrs. Welles took control of the microphone and said, "Now Shermer High, your Homecoming King and Queen will enter the dance floor for the traditional slow dance. Everyone, have fun!"
The thunderous applause that followed roared in Isaac's ears as people stood to watch the King and Queen twirl around the floor.
***********
Claire stared at her picture in her Senior Yearbook. Sort red hair, stylish (snobby!) clothes and perfectly manicured nails gleamed from the glossy pages, that seemed to have been taken lifetimes ago. Flipping the pages, she came to the signature section of her yearbook and reread the words of her school mates. The five blank pages reserved for signatures had been filled to the brim, even some written sideways in the margin. But the only signatures and comments that truly concerned her were at the very back. Smiling sadly, she ran a hand over the elegant and artistically drawn words across the top of the last page. "The Breakfast Club."
Claire remembered how Allison had taken great pains to draw different styles of words in each of their yearbooks. Brian's print had been written with mathematic symbols and small elephants entwined. John's words had been matched with dragons, while Andy had sports medals and objects that Allison thought explained their relationship. Claire's words had been decorated with nail polish and lipstick pictures, topped with a sparkling tiara.
Claire smiled. She had always been thought of as a princess.
That Saturday eons ago had changed her life. She had been living in a porcelaine world, where everything around her had to be perfect, and all of it had to revolve around her. But John and the others changed all that. They smashed through the make believe world she had made and finally taught her that the real world was so much more. She and Andy had been trapped in a cage of high school perfection. They had to be perfect, as their friends saw perfection to be, because to everyone else that is what was expected of them. But John, and especially Allison showed them that life...well, life could suck. And no matter how much money you had, it didn't mean it would make up, or cover up what was really going on. Claire's family life sucked. Her mother was a drunk shopaholic, who loved using her as a tool against her father. And Claire's dad was a workaholic who lavished money and affection on her just to piss off her mother.
But all that had changed in one day. And the months that followed were heavenly. Until the bottom of Claire's new found world came crashing down. Claire's hand around her yearbook tightened. Tracing her finger over Allison, Andy, Brian and John's signatures and comments, her eyes glazed over.
She could still hear the scream.
She could still see and feel the blood.
Putting her head in her hands, Claire could feel the tears running hotly down her face. Suddenly, she heard the doorbell ring, and jumped in surprise. Wiping her face with her hands, she stood up from the couch in her living room and walked towards the front door, pausing in front of the hallway mirror to ensure that her face wasn't a mess. Smoothing down her shoulder length red hair, she walked forward and opened the door.
"Hello Claire," Allison murmured softly.
"Allison," Claire said happily. "I haven't seen you in ages! Come in."
Allison walked into Claire's home and looked around. "You have redecorated since I last visited."
"Yes," Claire acknowledged, "I was bored with the old look."
Leading Allison back to the living room, Claire motioned for her to take a seat, which Allison did, after a moment's hesitation.
"So," Claire began, "what do I owe this wonderful visit?"
Allison studied Claire for a moment before replying. "It's time Claire."
Claire's smile faded. "Time for what?"
"Time to close old wounds...and heal new ones."
***************
Isaac and the others walked away from the gymnasium just after midnight and headed back toward Isaac's car.
"So," Annie asked, while slipping her arms around Isaac's, "how does it feel to have survived an entire night at a high school function?"
"It feels dirty," Isaac said. "I don't think I will ever be clean again."
Annie laughed.
"Think of it this way Isaac," Jen called out from behind them, "You got out of your house for an entire night, and spent it in the company of three beautiful women."
"Three beautiful women?" Isaac said slowly. "What beautiful woman? The only girls I see are you three!"
With a laugh he sprinted forward as Annie, Samantha and Jen tried to attack him with their purses.
"Hey, Bender," an agitated voice called out from the other side of the parking lot. Isaac looked up and saw Henry Larris, and most of the football team standing around Isaac's car. "We got a bone to pick with you!"
"Great," Isaac muttered under his breath. He turned to Bobbie. "Take the girls back inside."
"Hell no!" Samantha argued. "This is my fault, I am not going to stand by and let you get your ass kicked over this!"
"Sam, for once, don't argue with me, and get your ass out of here!" Isaac hissed at her.
"Sam's right Isaac," Johnny interrupted. "You shouldn't be left alone to handle this. I'll--I'm--I'm behind you all the way."
"Same here man," Bobbie said.
The girls nodded, and Isaac shook his head. "Stubborn fools."
Turning he walked to his car, the group following him. "What do you want Larris?"
"Because of you and your little trailer trash sister, we lost the Homecoming game!" Larris snarled.
Isaac's hands clentched into fists, but Jen put a hand on his arm.
"And how did you come up with that little thought Henry?" Jen asked calmly.
"If the Pep Rally hadn't been ruined by you freaks, we could have won the game!"
"Oh really?" Isaac said. "You don't think, by any chance, that your loss would have anything to do with the fact that you all suck, now would you? The only good football player on your team is Masterson, but he can't carry all of you."
"Screw you Bender," one of the team members called out.
"How intelligent," Samantha muttered.
"You shut up bitch, or I'll--" Larris began.
"What the hell are you doing?" Greg asked, as he and Ryce appeared from behind several cars.
"Stay out of this Masterson," Larris ordered angrily.
"Or what, Larris?" Greg asked furiously. "You want to blow the rest of the season by getting your dumb asses suspended?"
"Why don't you do us all a favor, Masterson," Larris said, "and go fu--"
"Hello gentlemen, ladies," a calm voice inserted.
Everyone's head whipped around. Principal Collins and his wife stood several feet away. Collins was smiling, but his wife was doing her best not to twitch nervously. "May I ask what is going on?"
"Nothing Mr. Collins," Larris answered. "Just having a chat here with my good buddy Isaac."
The principal's eyebrow rose. "Well I suggest you end your chat and go home. It is getting late."
"Yes sir," Larris said. Turning, he started to leave, then turned back and whispered to Isaac, "This isn't over Bender...not by a long shot."
"I'm counting on it," Isaac muttered back. After Larris, Greg, Ryce and the rest of the team left Isaac turned to Principal Collins.
"Thanks sir. Have a nice night," Isaac told him.
"No problem Mister Bender. But do see that you are careful not to engage in anymore late night...chats, ok?"
"Yes sir."
With a flash of a smile, Collins and his wife were gone.
Isaac turned to the others. "If I wasn't going to kill Squeaks before, I sure as hell am going to now."
"Man that was scary. You have almost the entire football team after you man!" Johnny said, as he hugged Samantha goodbye.
"Don't remind me," Isaac muttered, as he and the others piled into his car.
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A/N: I FINALLY DID IT! Chapter 10! Give me a high five! Yay! THANK YOU to EVERYONE who reviewed! I appreciate it greatly! Hope you liked this chapter.