Chapter Sixteen

John picked at a rip in his jeans on the ride to school. He knew that there had to be rumors about his parents, and he honestly didn't want the pity from anyone in that school. It was bad enough that he had to deal with the Standish's, he didn't need three thousand other students giving him the same looks he got from Claire's family.

Claire knew he didn't want to speak, so instead, she attempted to calm his nerves with a tape she'd bought at the music and video store. She popped it into the radio console, letting the music play through the speakers.

Def Leppard blasted through the car, the lyrics to Rock Rock ('Till You Drop) filling her ears.

After a few moments, she noticed another voice mixing with Joe Elliot's. She glanced over to her passenger, noticing that his lips were moving and his eyes were closed.

"Women to left, women to the right. There to entertain you and take you through the night." His voice was rough and gritty, carrying the tune with more bass than Joe Elliot did. "So, grab a little heat and come along with me." His fingers moved with the same rhythm as the lead guitar, his feet keeping the beat with the drums. "Cause your mama don't mind what your mama don't see."

Claire smiled, listening to John belt it out. He never missed a beat, never missed a lyric, and always knew just when to take a breath for the next verse. She bit her lip, forcing herself to not say anything, afraid that he would stop. She turned into the school parking lot, waiting for the song to end before turning her vehicle off.

John slid down in his seat, flipping his shades over his eyes, and fiddled with the AC/DC pin on the lapel of his trench coat. "I swear, if anyone even looks at me weird, I'll kill 'em."

Claire nodded, popping her door open. Truth be told, she was scared too. She was scared that once her friends saw her with John, that she'd finally give into their pressure. She hated to think about all the looks they would get, but most of all, she hated the possibility of failing to stick with John through the teasing. "I bet you will."

Bender stepped out of the car, slamming the door, and sticking his gloved hands into his pockets. He didn't wait for Claire to catch up, instead, he walked right toward the school, stepping in front of another car without stopping.

Claire rushed after him, her flats slapping against the pavement. "John!" She called, finally catching up to him. "Wait up." She panted, barely able to keep pace with him.

"Hey look!" Shouted one of the jocks —who Claire recognized as Peter Howard— pointing to Bender. "It's the beater!" He stepped toward John as if he was looking for a fight. "What's wrong?" He mocked, getting into John's face. "Daddy give you a black eye?"

John's lip curled, and almost a second later, Peter had a big glob of spit dripping from his nose. "Go to hell." He growled, pushing past the brute.

Peter whirled on him, grabbing his arm and slamming him into the concrete railing of the steps. "After you, Burner." He spat, grinning at the squeak of pain that escaped the weaker teen.

"Hey!" Andy barked, pushing Peter off of his friend. "Leave him alone."

Bender pushed away from the railing, squaring his shoulders and balling his fists.

Claire could see what was coming next, but it happened so fast that she almost missed it.

John punched Peter right in the nose, hard enough to make it bleed but not break. He threw the punch so perfectly, that Peter fell right on his butt, screaming that his nose was broken. Bender rolled his shoulders, pushing past the few kids that had gathered around the fight. "It's not broken asshole." He stated, taking his dark glasses off and showing the fading bruises around his eyes. "This is what it looks like when you break your nose."

There was a gasp from the crowd, as John put his glasses on again, and walked into the school.

Claire started after him, but was stopped by her friend Jessica. "Is he seriously living with you?" Her bright red lipstick made her look even more bitchy than she normally did.

Claire nodded, adjusting her backpack on her shoulder. "Yep."

"And you're not scared that he's gonna, like, rape you in your sleep?" Jessica asked, walking beside her.

"He wouldn't do that." She wanted more than anything for John to show the real him, the him that she got to see at home, but deep down she knew he would never let that happen. "Listen, I have to get to class. I'll see you later." She rushed off, turning through the twisting halls until she made it to Bender's locker. The others were already there, waiting for him to open the door.

"What the hell are you all waiting for?" He snapped, spinning the combination into his lock. "What did you plant in here?"

"Just open it." Allison ordered, bouncing on her toes.

He shook his head as the lock popped open. "Hold your horses, Alli." He opened his locker, his jaw dropping open as he stared at what was inside. "No fucking way…"