*Alright you guys, I am back and better than ever! After a long break from writing anything at all, I am

back! All of these new chapters have been written under Evanesence's CD, Fallen, so if it sucks blame her

but if they rock, then I take all the credit!*

John and Thomas fought for a few more minutes and soon a crowd formed around them. Finally,

Andy jumped in and broke them up.

"Damn it man!" yelled Thomas, "You are going to have to make a choice. This chick or us. It

should be simple."

"Just go away. Leave me alone for now."

"Fine, but you have no idea how much of a mistake you are making right now Bender."

Thomas stormed out of the lunchroom and the students silently filtered back to their seats and started

Chatting quietly.

"John," Claire said reaching for him, "Are you OK?"

"Just leave me alone, OK?" he snapped.

Claire stared bewildered at him.

"Princess," he said sarcastically, "If you will excuse me from your presence."

He walked out of the lunchroom.

"Claire," Allison said, hugging her.

"Can we go," Claire asked, holding back tears.

"Sure," Allison said, gathering her backpack and kissing Brian and Andrew on the cheek.

They walked out of the lunchroom, followed the whole way out by five hundred pairs of eyes.

"Where do you want to go?" Allison asked when they were safely outside of the school.

"The only place that ever makes me feel better."

*THE MALL*

"You know," Allison said, "I have never actually been here before. The mall, I mean."

"Is that actually possible? Where do you get your clothes?"

"Flea markets, thrift stores. Much cheaper, it seems, than here."

"Yeah I guess, but not everything is totally expensive. Sale shopping is the best way to go. Two

for the price of one."

"True...I probably need to do some shopping."

"Really? Can I help? Puleeeeaaase?"

"Sure, Claire, why not?"

*AN HOUR LATER*

"Claire, my parents are going to have a fit when they see how much money I spent in one day. This

is about how much money I have spent on all the clothes I have ever owned in my life."

"Well tell them the clothes were on sale. That always seems to make my parents feel better."

"Thanks for helping me shop today Claire."

"Oh it's nothing. You helped ,me to take my mind off of all of the drama at school."

"You know, he is not all bad at heart."

"Oh, I know that..."

"He really likes you...He wouldn't have attacked his friend..."

"Then why did he snap at me?"

"That I do not know."

"Well boys, how do you ever figure them out?"

"I dunno. Well, it is two o'clock. What do you want to do?"

"We could go back to my house. My mom has Junior Service League and my dad is at work. We

We could get Rosa to make us some hot chocolate and she makes killer oatmeal chocolate chip cookies."

"That sounds great."

*LATER THAT AFTERNOON*

"That is crazy!" Allison laughed, "I cannot believe that you would do something like that!"

"Well, what can I say? I was young and foolish."

"OK, next question...first kiss?"

"Oh God! How did I know."

"You don't have to answer it if you don't want to."

"No it was just really recent..."

"You are shittin' me. Your first kiss was John on Saturday?"

"Yeah," Claire answered sheepishly.

"Well my first real kiss was too. I mean there was Beanie Johnson in first grade but that was just a

peck."

"From the mouth of the self-proclaimed nymphomaniac herself."

"Also from the mouth of the compulsive liar who lied about the nymphomaniac thing. Oh crap. It is

four-thirty. I better head home. I'll see you at school?"

"Sure will."

"And Claire?"

"Yes Allison?"

"Don't be too hard on Bender."

"Ugh!" Claire groaned, "I won't. Scout's Honor. You happy?"

"Very. Bye!"

*OK, there you go. I really need some reviews on this to keep me posting. I have everything written except

the end. I have a few longer chapters like this and then a few short ones comparing Claire and Bender in

their pining for one another! Please review!!!!*