Chapter 6 Visitors. Allison.
Allison sat at her bedroom window, looking out at the night. She was alone. The house was quiet. Her parents gone who knows where. They never thought to tell her. Always assumed that she could take care of herself. She loved the quiet though. It made everything clear. Hid nothing. She liked that.
She was happier than she had been in ages. She had friends. Real friends. She had asked Brian to help her with her math homework and he acted like she had asked him out. He was so happy. Who would have thought that the bonds that were formed that day would last. She even saw Claire wave and smile at John Bender. Who would have believed that.
And then there was Andrew. He had kissed her that day, her first real kiss. Not counting Nick from second grade. She really had never expected to talk to him again. That is why she stole his patch. To always remind her of that day. But he surprised her and had called every evening after practice. He had even invited her to some silly party, but she was still uneasy about large groups of people.
Suddenly a car pulled up in front of her house. Allison looked down at the street in interest and squeaked when she saw Andrew emerge. She raced down the stairs and got to the door just as he began to knock. She stopped and bounced a bit, not wanting to seem eager, and slowly opened the door.
"Allison, so sorry to come by so late. I was hoping we could come by, Claire needs somewhere to stay, she is crying, and I don't know what to do. . . Are your parents here, will they be mad, you weren't sleeping were you? . . . .. "he began rambling, pacing back and forth on the porch.
"Andrew, slow down, my parents are gone for the weekend. Where is Claire now, what happened." She stepped outside and put her hand on his arm.
"In the car, she was almost raped tonight at the party." Andrew said so quietly, She barely heard him.
"Oh god", she shrieked hurrying to the car and flinging open the passenger door. Claire practically fell out into her arms. Allison couldn't help but start crying too, as she helped her into the house.
Allison took Claire up to her room. Claire seemed to be in a daze. Andrew followed stopping at the bathroom and retrieving a wet rag. Claire placed it over her face and continued crying. Allison set her down on the bed. Claire stopped a minute to look at her. "He was right." She whispered.
"Who was right?"
"John, on Saturday. He said I was no more than a tease. I asked for this to happen."
"No don't say that. John was just being mean. He didn't mean it." Allison said softly.
"You didn't ask for this Claire. Andy shouted making both girls jump. Steve has done this before. He thinks he can get away with anything. He probably won't even remember talking to you tomorrow, he was so wasted."
"Saturday, tomorrow is Saturday, Claire whispered. So much has changed in one week. Everything is different. I wish we could just go back, and still just be sitting in that silly circle, talking. Sharing our fears, our hopes, our dreams." She laid down on the bed. Suddenly exhausted.
Allison slowly reached out and pulled her hair away from her face, slowly stroking her hair until Claire cried herself to sleep. She knew what they must do, she turned to Andrew, her eyes big.
"Tomorrow, you will go get John and Brian. We are having our second meeting of the club." She stated.
"I don't know where to find them." Andrew said
"It's Saturday silly, where else would John Bender be on Saturday morning." Allison smiled.