(Shermer High School Library)
"Do you believe that crap? So then she says to me- Clark, are you even listening to me?"
Actually Andy wasn't listening, but that never stopped Roger Whitehouse. That guy could talk non stop.
"What?"
"Jesus, Clark. What gives?"
Andy stopped scribbling on the desk, suddenly aware of the dark circle he'd drawn.
"What are you talking about?"
"I've been trying to talk to you about Nancy. What's with you?"
"Nothin'." Andy said.
Angrily Roger rose from his chair. "Well, I've gotta go. See you around, Clark."
"Later." Andy said to his so called friend.
Who needed that moron anyway?
He looked around the library which was unusually busy for 2 in the afternoon. Everywhere he looked he could see kids doing research, scoping out books or whispering to each other. He'd never really cared about this place before, but after Saturday, he knew he'd never think about it the same way again.
He rose from his seat; the one that Claire occupied on Saturday, and walked to the far back table.
Allison's seat.
He ran his hand over the wooden frame, as though touching the chair would bring her closer to him.
Crap.
What in the hell was he doing? Angrily, he made a fist and slammed it onto the table. The noise echoed throughout the library, causing conversations to stop and a few heads to turn.
"Is there a problem, Mr. Clark?" Mrs Jenkins asked.
The old bat. She'd been the librarian for eons. It was a wonder she could hear anything at all.
Wordlessly, he rose from the table and walked out of the library. God what had he done? Damn his old man. Last night's argument over Allison had done nothing but make him feel bitter.
What in the hell was he thinking, yelling at Allison like that for no reason? As soon as he snapped at her he immediately felt guilty. She didn't deserve to be treated that way. No one did.
He walked down the hallway, amazed to find that it was completely empty. Wearily he leaned against the wall and closed his eyes. When he opened them, he was shocked to find Bender there, smoking a cigarette. Suddenly he realized it was the first time he'd seen the jackass since detention on Saturday.
Bender turned and locked eyes with Andy, who quickly looked away. When he looked back at Bender, he could have sworn that he saw the beginning of a smile. He started to say something but he knew Bender would just deny it.
He sighed and gently knocked the back of his head against the wall, not caring about the pain it caused.
"Hey, you all right?" Bender asked.
Without warning, memories of the fight with his father returned, along with Andy's anger.
"What do you care?"
Bender smirked. "Well actually I don't."
Andy sighed. Jesus was this anger going to live inside of him forever? The guy was just trying to be friendly-if that was possible.
As Bender walked away, Andy forced himself to calm down. "Hey Bender, I'm sorry about that."
"What?"
"Snapping at you. I-I'm sorry, okay?"
Bender shrugged. "Sure Sporto. See you around."
"Bender?"
Bender turned around in surprise. "Yeah?"
"Have you... I mean, you haven't seen Allison around here have you?"
"Um... yeah. I saw her just a little while ago. I think she was in the lecture hall."
"Thanks."
"Something going on between you two?"
"Not anymore."
"What happened?"
"It's a long story." Andy sighed.
"Your old man giving you hell again?"
Andy was amazed at how much he and Bender had in common. He never thought that would happen.
"Non-stop."
Bender smiled. "Yeah, I definitely know about that. Story of my life."
"I'm sorry." Andy said, truly meaning it. "I mean... I'm sorry for assuming the worst about you on Saturday."
"No problem. Happens all the time."
He thought for a moment. "Bender can I ask you something?"
"Sure." Bender said.
Andy took a deep breath and let it out slowly.
"The clock's ticking, Andrew." Bender said, pointing to the clock that hung from the ceiling.
"Was Allison... I mean, was she upset earlier? When you saw her?"
"I didn't really notice." Bender said.
Andy sighed. "It doesn't matter anyway. I'm sure she hates my guts, but I need to talk to her."
"Well... good luck." Bender said.
Andy looked up in amazement. Bender was actually being friendly?
"Thanks. That means a lot."
When Andy headed down the hallway for the lecture hall, he turned to find Bender smiling. Wow, so Bender actually had a heart, no matter how small. Wait until the guys hear about this.
But maybe he should just keep it between the two of them. Bender had a reputation to uphold.
