Author: the tangled web we weave

Archive: Yeah. Just tell me. Thanks.

Review: Please!

Warnings: Just mentions of drugs/drinking mostly.

Disclaimer: Whoops! Forgot about this! Sry! Yeah, so, you know the deal. I wish I owned them (at least Bender, heehee), but sadly, I don't.

Okay, third chapter here. I'm posting the next chapter too. Like, right after this. I'm also one of those people who can't stand to have something end! And btw, the next section is gonna be much longer than this, so get excited. Okay, on with the show! >>So sorry! There was a blackout in my neighborhood just before I posted this! Grr...at least all my stuff was saved...So here it is, with the next chapter right in tow. I'm posting them at about the same time. Sorry again!

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Chapter Three: What would you do?

"It looks like Bender," she finished.

"What? Bender? Really?" Andy asked, surprise evident in his voice. 'What the hell would he be doing outside this late? It's frickin' freezin' outside,' Andy wondered.

"Yeah, I think it's him," Claire responded, her nose pressed against the chilly glass, and her breath making little frosted circles on the window with each word she spoke. Suddenly, she turned back to Andy. "Andy, he doesn't look too good. And it's freezing outside tonight," She turned pleading eyes up to him. "Could we pull over? I mean, just to see what's going on?" Personally, Andy was a little wary of doing just that. 'I mean, a guy like him, out in the park alone, at night? He could be doing anything, especially something like taking hard drugs or drinking, or waiting for a drug dealer…' He looked back at Claire, and realized he had to do something. He could see in her eyes that she was concerned for Bender, and it suddenly occurred to him that he should be worried too; after all, the five of them had said yesterday that they were going to break the mold and get to know one another. He really shouldn't be judging John Bender as harshly anymore. Claire was still waiting for him to say something.

"Uh, yeah. What do you mean he 'doesn't look too good'? Maybe he just, you know, uh…" Claire was giving him the 'don't even say it - although though I know you will' look. Andy continued with his train of thought, as he wasn't sure he could put the facts that he knew about John aside. He was truly still a little worried about being in a park alone with a possibly drunk or stoned Bender. Especially with Claire there. He did have that switchblade in detention too… "Look, I mean, maybe he just had too much smoke for one night or something. Do you really think we need to-?"

"Yes." Claire interrupted him. She gave him a stern look as they began to pull over. "Look at him," she said, and pointed in the direction of the bench. Andy craned his neck to see around Claire and out the window. He couldn't make out much more than a bench, half lit by a park light, and a hunched-over figure on one end. Since he couldn't see much of anything in the dim light, he made up his mind and went on Claire's word, pulling the car to a stop at the curb. 'Well, now is the perfect time to prove our friendship,' Claire thought to herself. 'I hope he's okay…' They both stepped out of the station wagon(?), throwing slightly uncertain glances at one another. If Bender had heard the car stop and the two of them get out, he definitely did not show it. Claire inadvertently shivered in the cold as they began to walk on the asphalt of the park's pathway. As they drew closer, they both took notice of the way the he seemed to have his arms wrapped protectively around his torso, and the way he hunched over, as if in pain. In the back of their minds, a memory from detention surfaced, one which neither wanted to be proved this night. Claire showed Andy an expression of slight apprehension, and he returned it, now genuinely concerned for the 'criminal' of the school. In the dim light, it also appeared that there was something wrong with his face; it seemed oddly swollen, but they both hoped that it was simply the shadows. Once more, their concerned eyes met, and then they hurried their steps towards the motionless form of John Bender.

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(?) Author question: I'm really not sure what to call Andy's car...I know it's not a station wagon really...but if anyone could help me out with what type of car his dad owns, that would be awesome!

So, that was the third chapter. I know, it's short, and I'm sorry! But I liked it with the break in there, so here it is. But I'm posting the next chapter right now - so never fear - Bender will be back in that one! Yay! does happy dance Thanks for reading again! Come back soon!

the tangled web we weave