"Hey Claire, are you going to Fenton's party tonight?"

"Uh, yes." Shit, is it Saturday already? Claire had not long been awake and was attempting to get herself ready for a long day of prom shopping and high school parties.

"I'll take you then. Fenton's bro Jake is home – I've not seen him in ages. We're gonna go for a drink somewhere." Claire's brother Matt was in the same school year as Fenton's brother Jake; they'd not seen each other since they began university.

"Yeah, ok, that's cool. Thanks Matt." Claire puckered her lips and ruffled her hair and went to organise her outfit for the day.

Claire walked into the large kitchen of her home as her brother Matt and father were having what was intended to be a private conversation.

"Oh, don't stop whispering just because I've walked in," Claire said sarcastically.

"We weren't whispering, Claire." Claire's father gave her an disapproving look.

"I think it's clear that you were."

"Stop arguing you two, I've been home about 4 days and you've already had more than enough arguments!" Claire's brother Matt lightly slapped her on the arm, in a humorous way. "Anyway, hasn't my little sis got to go and spend lots of money on a prom dress today!?"

"Unfortunately, yes."

"I thought this was your thing, Claire?" Claire's dad seemed confused as to why his daughter, who skipped school to go shopping and was punished with a Saturday detention, didn't want to go shopping.

"I love shopping. I love the idea of prom. But prom shopping is stressful because of friends at school. I think I'm over it."

"If your mother was here I'm sure she'd take you."

"Well, she's not Dad. I've heard nothing from her and so maybe we shouldn't bring it up again?"

"Claire, no need to be defensive. Dad was just trying to be nice."

"And you, Matt. Have you heard from mum?"

"No, but…"

"Exactly." Claire interrupted before Matt could continue saying what he wanted to say. "I'm going out. Annie is taking me."

"Have you got some money, Claire?" Claire's dad ruffled through his pockets and handed her a wad of dollar bills.

"You don't need to do this, Dad."

"I do. It's the least I can do. Please, enjoy yourself and have a nice time." Claire smiled and hugged her dad and waved to her brother as she danced herself out the door.

"I'm not sure I like this dress, Claire. It makes me look fat round the tummy."

"Hey Ann, it looks really great."

"Hmm, I'm not sure. I might try the other one on." Claire was twirling in front of the dressing room mirror at her prom dress. It was a very pretty light pink floaty dress that was bang on trend for 1984. Annie walked out the changing room with a different dress on.

"That definitely is the dress you should get. You look lovely in it, Claire. Really pretty." Claire blushed and looked down in embarrassment at Annie's comments.

"You look amazing in that purple though! Your boobs look huge!" Claire and Annie laughed and began dancing around the changing room to the dismay of other women.

John arrived at his friend Billy's; he entered to find Billy and Denzel sitting down smoking a joint, with a few of Billy's other friends, Caleb, Turner and Tom . John proceeded by doing the exact same. "I was wondering when you'd get here John. Haven't heard anything from you today" questioned Billy.

"I've been a bit busy. Trying to sort that hostel thing out."

"You up for gate-crashing the party tonight? Billy told me about it."

"I've not told him yet, Tom." John looked at Billy and Tom in utter bewilderment wondering what they were talking about.

"Well, is anyone going to tell me what the fuck Tom just said?"

"There's a party tonight; we're not invited but that basically means we have an invitation. An invitation to crash it. So that's what we're gonna do." Turner filled in where John was blank.

"Sounds legit."

"You in John?"

"Of course." John took a deep puff of his cigarette and blew it all out again. He smiled and looked around and laughed with his friends.

"Caleb, get a move on. You're driving. Tom get in the bloody car." John and his rowdy friends were clambering into Caleb's small, run down car.

"You need to give me directions; I've not long been passed."

"I think Turner has the details."

"You know Fenton? It's his house. Not too far from mine but on the left."

"Did you say Fenton's?" John was very curious. He disliked Fenton, a lot.

"Oh yeah, it's gonna be rad. There are loads of people from our school year going. I'm sure they'll love seeing our faces." And that was when John remembered. This was the party Claire was going to be at, and he suddenly became nervous.

"Well then lads. There's the front door. Let's do it." Billy led the group of rowdy, slightly drunk and slightly high men into the extravagant mansion that belonged to Fenton. The music was loud, and what John could see through the window, it was extremely busy. Billy rang the doorbell and knocked on the door numerous times.

The door opened. "Billy?"

"Yes, Fenton."

"You weren't invited mate, so go home." Fenton got defensive, quickly.

"Well, mate. I think you should invite us in." A crowd began to gather at the door. Billy knocked the can out of Fenton's hand.

"Oh look guys, he's bought the whole motley crew." The crowd on the other side of the door and began to laugh and chanting for them to leave. "Look, John Bender hiding at the back!"

"Well lads, let's go in. Fuck them." Billy pushed past Fenton and the closest people to the door and the rest of the boys follow suit. Drinks were spilt and egos boosted. John entered and looked around the large building. A sea of blank looks emerged when they entered the room; confused, dazed faces all wondering why John Bender amongst others had turned up to a 'popular' party.

"Go home guys, you're not wanted," remarked Stubby, a close friend of Fenton and Andy's. John was yet to see Andy or Claire.

"Don't tell us what to do" Turner shouted back.

"We were having a good time before you arrived" shouted a familiar voice. It was Andy, he had just appeared.

"Andrew Clark" said John.

"John Bender."

"Just let us in for a bit." Asked John. "We won't cause any harm to this precious house or these precious people. Don't worry." Andy looked around to Fenton and Stubby who were both slightly confused.

"Fine. Don't cause any problems. The whole wrestling team is here remember." Fenton raised his voice and at the same time, took off his hoodie to reveal his designer tank top.

"Good. No problems." John and the rest of the gang went into the kitchen and helped themselves to drinks. They lit cigarettes, offered them to people and flirted with the many, disinterested girls at the party. No sign of Claire. He was desperate to see her. To hug her and kiss her. He'd not seen her properly since they had a mini-argument on Wednesday at school. John's group happily merged with the rest of the party goers and John ended up talking to a shy girl who was stood in the corner; he didn't want to be talking to her and she clearly didn't want to be talking to him, but at least he wasn't on his own.

"A FIGHT HAS BROKEN OUT!" John overheard loud roar. Everyone from the kitchen where he was standing rushed over to where this fight was and he stayed put and lit a cigarette and cracked open another can of drink. He took a puff and then a swig and that's when he saw her again. Claire was with the crowd of people watching the fight breakout. He had recently overheard that it was between Stubby and his friend Turner, which John found funny because Stubby was twice the size of Turner. He didn't care about the fight. He only had eyes for Claire. He continued to puff on his cigarette and take a sip of his drink until Claire made her way out of the group and stood to one side. She was being called by someone to come back in but Claire was not fussed. The group were moving forward like a big stampede and loud roars of chanting could be heard suggesting that fight was becoming more intense. He put his cigarette out and his drink down. He walked over slyly to the group of people and looked over the small people in the crowd and could see the fight. Claire was looking at him. He could feel it. "Claire." John turned his head to the left where Claire was leaning against the stair banister. Claire's face had gone a reddish colour.

"John? What are you doing here? You weren't invited were you?"

"No. We decided to gate crash," John said quite frankly to Claire.

"Let's go in here to talk." Claire motioned towards a door to her right.

"Oh, cheeky Claire."

"I just don't want anyone to see us talking and ask things." John followed Claire into the downstairs toilet. It was small and they were fairly crammed in.

"Ah I've missed you." John wrapped his arms around Claire, who did the same, and planted a kiss on her forehead.

"I thought we agreed that we wouldn't do this here! We agreed that we were going to keep it private and hidden until we were ready."

"Just relax a little, Claire. I've got some weed if that will help." John found himself amusing. "You look good tonight you know." Claire went all embarrassed.

There suddenly was a knock on the door from someone trying to get in. "Just a minute!" Claire shouted. "John, what do we do!?"

"Who cares, because I don't. I don't understand why you have such a problem, Claire." Claire was clearly panicking at the prospect of her being found in a cramped toilet with John Bender. That wouldn't look good. "You've got some crap on your shoulder, let me get it." John placed his hand delicately on Claire's shoulder and removed some fluff that was stuck to her dress. Claire was expecting him to aggressively brush it off, but he didn't. He was gentle, like a boyfriend. Like her boyfriend. She did love him, but she just wasn't ready for everyone to know. Another knock at the door. Claire nuzzled back into John's chest and carefully listened to John breathing out, and back in. She shifted her head up and met John's eyes looking down at her. They both leaned in for a kiss. John now had his hands in Claire's hair and was kissing her like he meant it. He was into her and he wanted to show and tell everyone. That's when the bathroom door broke down. Claire and John stopped kissing almost at once. A party goer, part of Andy and Stubby's group, was standing by the now broken down door looking at the now separate Claire and John.

"Oh my god!" he shouted, "Claire and John Bender!" Crowds of people began to form around the entrance of the door. Plenty of shocked expressions and laughter could be heard. Claire stood awkwardly fiddling with her hair whilst her faced burned up. John seemed to find the situation relatively funny and gathered himself together.

"Nothing was going on, nothing." Claire tried to reassure herself and her friends that there was nothing to gawp at.

"Like she said, nothing was happening…all of you fuck off and leave me alone." John was trying to push his way past the crowds of people who were now standing outside the small toilet door, continuing to ask question and chanting and screaming. John looked back to Claire who was red and panicking. Claire was looking to Annie, emotional and unsure what to do. Savannah went up to Claire and shouted in her face, constant shouting. "You are such a liar. There is something going on and I'm going to find out what that is!"

Fenton soon followed and join in shouting at Claire, "You and John Bender? You can so much better Claire." Crowds of people were demanding for answers.

That was when John noticed Claire was going to cry. "Nothing happened. Just leave her alone" he shouted. "Get out of the way already." John pushed his way back and grabbed Claire's hand and pulled her through the crowds of people and through Fenton's front door. Tears were now streaming down Claire's face. As they made their way through the front door, John picked Claire up and carried her away from the craziness of Fenton's party. People tried to follow them but it was dark and cold and they eventually gave up. John placed Claire down as her emotions took over. John looked lovingly in Claire's eyes, something very out of character for him. "You ok?" Claire stood there; cold, crying, upset, angry and confused.

"I-don't-know." Claire struggled to respond, stuttering from her crying. "I don't know what to say or what to do."

"It's fine. Don't worry. I'll just make something up, no one will know." John took his jacket off and place it over Claire.

"You should've left me in there John!" Claire screamed in John's face and John was visibly shocked by this new side to Claire he'd never seen.

"Would you calm down? I think you need to calm down."

"No I won't. You should've left me in there. EVERYONE is going to think we're dating. We're not meant to be dating. You're the criminal, I'm the princess. This just doesn't happening, it's not meant to happen John." John remained silent unsure how to respond. "We shouldn't do this. We need to just not be with each other."

"So what you're telling me is that you don't want to be with me?" Claire was silent. "Are you saying that you don't want to be with me because you are worried about what people think?" Claire remained silent. "You're embarrassed by me? The guy who had crazy parents; his dad was abusive and violent and killed his mum. The guy who does drugs? The guy who is the polar opposite of you and you won't give him a chance? The guy with a bad temper who stands up for himself and what he believes in? You won't do any of that. You are so set in your ways you don't want to take a chance and risk it. You won't stand up for me and show everyone that you believe in me?"

"I, I don't know, John."

"I think that says it all. I think you're right, we shouldn't do this. Whatever this is. It never should've got this far. It should've all ended with that crappy diamond earring, which as I mention it, you can have it back." John pulled the diamond earring Claire had given to him weeks before out of his ear. "I was trying to help you, and now you make ME feel bad? I've never felt like this before and you're making me feel bad. I'm not gonna have this shit, Claire. You are fucked up. You need to step away from tradition and be who you want to be."

"I want to be with you but just not publicly yet!"

"And why is that?"

"I don't want people judging us before they realise how happy we are."

"Exactly. You aren't being who you want to be because you are so worried about other people's opinions of you. You are more like that tramp Savannah than you realise, Claire."

"How dare you. I hate you."

"That's what you said in detention when we met. You then went on to kiss me, Claire. I don't think I know whether you're lying or telling the truth."

"Leave me alone, John. I can't believe you're treating me like this."

"I'm not doing anything, Claire. I'm just trying to go on with this relationship but you don't seem interested."

"You know I am interested, you just need to accept that I want more time."

"Believe me, I've tried to accept that but you don't help the situation."

"Just leave me alone, John."

"Why? Do you not know what to say? What you want to do about us?"

"I think you heard what she said, she leave her alone." A deep voice chimed in to Claire and John's argument. "I think it's clear what's going on here, John. You need to step away from Claire."

"Who the fuck are you?" John couldn't tell who this person was, but they approached Claire and John slowly. The figure was large, tall and stocky. Had the body of a wrestler. It became more obvious as the figure approached who it was. "Fenton, really? Get the fuck out of here."

"Fenton it's nothing. Nothing is going on" Claire tried to reassure Fenton as she wiped away her tears.

"Nothing is going on, Claire? I think he's been trying to pressurise you to do things. I'm not an idiot. She told you to leave to leave her alone and stop treating her in a horrible way."

"You don't know any of this Fenton, I suggest you leave." Fenton approached John and they stood face to face. The same height, John maybe slightly taller but Fenton was clearly more muscular.

"Back off, man." John was angry.

"What are you gonna do about it, Bender?"

"Don't ask for it, seriously."

"Oh, are you gonna beat me up like your dad did to your mum? Or are you gonna kill me like your dad did to your mum? Is that what you planned to do to Claire?"

"Don't say that Fenton. Nothing is going on, honest. John, just leave. Please." The pain and desperation was evident in Claire's voice.

"Hey, Claire. I think you should go back into the house. I don't think you should be out here." John spoke clearly and demandingly through gritted teeth. Fuck, he's very very angry.

"Yeah, Claire. Listen to your boyfriend."

"Grow up, Fenton." Claire stormed away back into the party where she would be warm and without the stress of John for a moment.

"I really don't like you, Bender. I think it's clear what's going on. You and your friends have fucked up my party this evening."

"I couldn't give a shit about you and your party."

"Tell me what's been going on between you and Claire. What the fuck was that about in the toilet earlier?"

"Nothing is going on, like Claire and I both said."

"Sounds suspicious to me. Tell me the truth, or shall I kick it out of you?"

"Back off, man." John took a step back, in an attempt to calm his temper. Him and Claire appeared to be over. He was upset and angry and confused how to deal with this situation and he had some arsehole harassing him now? "I'm going. Have a nice party, you arsehole."

"That's it. FUCK YOU MAN." Fenton planted his fist into John's face with brute force. John responded equally and a fist fight began between the two. Fists were flying and aggressive language and sounds was evident.

"Lads, stop it will you!" Andy came running towards the noise and broke up the fight between the two testosterone filled boys. "John, go home mate. You shouldn't have come, you weren't invited." Fenton walked off whilst John stared at Andy.

"Claire broke up with me."

"Is that what that fight was about?"

"No. Fenton is intimidated by me. He has the hots for Claire. He thought I was making Claire do things and doesn't want to believe that Claire might actually like me than she him."

"Dangerous territory, Bender. Sorry about you and Claire. But, like I said, you really should go." John bowed his head down in agreement with Andy. He turned around and readjusted his hair and began to walk away. It was only then, as he walked alone in the cold air that he realised Claire had his coat.