A/N I posted this earlier but during the upload my computer crashed and lost the last couple paragraphs. I looked and unfortunately it didn't save. I had to go back and re-write the end of this part. As before, I do not own the "Breakfast Club". I do reluctantly claim ownership of the jocks and the cheerleaders.

All weekend after my dad drove me home from detention I thought about what today would be like. Last night I resigned myself to the fact that Claire and Andy would never talk to me and probably Bender too. Brian, however I believed him when he said that he would never ignore me or the others. This morning I decided that I would make more of an effort, I felt better about myself with my hair pulled back away from my face and without "the black shit" as Claire called it. I felt bare and vulnerable but decided I would take the risk just for today and see what would happen.

I always tried to be in whatever class I had before everyone else. It isn't because I am an enthusiastic student because I'm not. Actually I'm quite average Bs and Cs with an A in art. But I try to be first because that way I can sit quietly in the back and not draw attention to myself. Saturday I was the last one in the library and they snickered as I came in. Snickering is usually avoidable if I don't draw that kind of attention to myself especially from the sports. I guess the popular girls decided long ago I'm not worthy of their attention but with the sports my mere presence is enough reason for them to rip on me and point. So first period, even though it is a class I share with Andy, I didn't hold out much hope.

He came up to me and said, "Hi", and asked about my weekend. I really wasn't expecting that. He caught me completely off guard and surprised me even more by sitting next to me. I wasn't sure what to say but afraid to say nothing. Afraid that in the silence he could hear how fast my heart was beating. Trying to relax I asked him about his. He was practicing as usual. Funny how conversing which came fairly easy Saturday felt like pulling teeth. He didn't give up though; in fact he sort of invited me to his upcoming meet. I accepted but wasn't sure if I could actually bring myself to show up.

Andy's normal clique came in. As a reflex I looked down and tried to look absorbed in my book in a hope to appear invisible to them. They took notice though. Whether it was my new look, Andy sitting there, or a combination that caused them to notice me I'm not sure. I think it was a combo"

As they realized who their wrestling boy wonder was seated next to they called him over and started in with the typical jeering of me. "Freak" "Basketcase". I didn't want to look up. If they did they would see the tears form in my eyes, threatening to fall. The hair in my face had always given me protection before; a shell that protected me from their laughter. The layers of clothes had always formed another barrier which I gave up for the day.

"How are you weird,"Claire asked Andy

"He can't think for himself," I answered for him.

"She's right. I can't think for myself," he answered with a wry smile.

"Well there goes Saturday," I thought though not sure if I was thinking about this past one or the next one. He can't think for himself it takes more than a day for people to change right?

"Go sit with your friends, Sporto." I snapped at him and turned back to my book. I didn't mean to but I wasn't feeling as brave now as when I left the house. Maybe if he went over to them they would forget about me. Out of the corner of my eye I watched him stand and go over to his friends. He tried but he wasn't strong enough or so I thought.

"Knock it off guys, leave her alone."

What the...? I looked up and he was confronting the other sports.

"What the hell has gotten into your Clark?" asked Bill. Bill was an ass, a big ass who stood about six foot four and weighed at least 220lbs. He wasn't a wrestler but a football player. They all hung out together due to a common love of athletics I guess. "She's a freak."

"Yeah a freak." I glanced at the other one. He was a wrestler. I remember seeing him in last year's yearbook that I flipped through out of boredom on Saturday morning. Paul Peters or something like that was his name. I never paid much attention to roll call.

He was defending me. Andrew Clark star wrestler and big man on campus was defending me, the school weirdo. I think my mouth was hanging open in shock. The other students were watching the scene unfolding before them. The eyes of Marsha Christholm head cheerleader were burning into me. Sinking my head wasn't an option. If he was trying to be strong for me I would try to be for him as well. "She does what she wants because she wants to not because a bunch of guys in tights, or cheerleaders dictate it to her." With that comment I snorted trying to stifle a laugh and Andy glanced between his jock friends and the pretty cheerleader.

A vein in Bill's head was throbbing and his hands balled into fists at his sides. Luckily the bell rang. Andy turned and walked away from them and sat back down at the desk next to mine. He stared straight ahead his anger clearly evident. The same look on his face as when he told Bender to leave Claire alone on Saturday. "Thanks," I whispered to him as the teacher began droning on about Dickens's life.

He turned and smiled, "No problem."

I could still tell he was worried. He has just jeopardized his standing with his friends. As the lights dimmed for the start of the film he reached over and took my hand. Although we sat that way the rest of the period I wondered if he had any regrets standing up to them and I wondered if Claire would be able to do the same for John Bender.