A/N This chapter isn't very good but it does take us a little further on into the story and hopefully it will stop the nagging for an update. I do have a life outside of fanfic and while I enjoy writing it, it is not the only thing I enjoy. Plus keep in mind I have two stories going. If one isn't updated the other probably has been. A big thank you to everyone who has reviewed.

Tuesday

I walked into school and scanned the hallways hoping to see Allison. We had to work things out and I was hoping she would arrive early so we could take care of it before first period English. I decided to wait by her locker. We didn't have English homework so she would have to stop by there to grab her books. As I arrived I saw Bender at his. As he slammed his locker shut and closed the lock I heard him mutter, "If I found out who stole by fuckin' lock I'm going to kick their ass." He turned and saw me and started to walk away. After my conversation with Brian yesterday I knew what his problem was.

"Hey Bender," I yelled. He stopped not turning but allowed me to catch up to him.

"What do you want Sporto?"

"Back to that are we? Back to calling me 'Sporto'?" He didn't say anything; just looked at me with his patented Bender smirk. "You know if you would pull your head out of your ass and quit being so quick to assume things about people you might actually have a chance with Claire."

The smirk faded. "Pot. Kettle. Black."

"I can't believe you would listen to rumors instead of asking us, people who are supposed to be your friends if they are true or not."

"Quite obvious it is."

"Really? Because I don't think so. Claire and I are friends. We have one class together. And I like someone else which you know very well."

"You like Allison? Well could have fooled me."

"Doesn't take much." I knew I was pressing it but damn, that guy really knew how to piss me off, push my buttons. Suddenly he grabbed my jacket and slammed me backwards against the lockers.

"Listen up, Sporto. What happens with me and Claire is none of your business."

"It is if you hurt her."

"Like you haven't hurt Allison? Leave her like that in the girls' toilet and then expect her to want to hang out with you. You should have been the one there for her Sporto, not me. So I really don't think that you are in any position to be telling me how to treat Claire. Got that?" Then he let go of my jacket and stomped off down the hall.

I could have kicked his ass but the last thing I needed was another detention and another detention with Bender at that. Ignoring him I started back towards Allison's locker but stopped. She was standing in the middle of the hallway looking at me. To my relief she hadn't gone back to her old style. Her hair was pulled back; she was wearing a pair of jeans and a white "Relax" t-shirt. I wondered how much she had seen. "Allison," I said as I came toward her. She turned and began to walk down the hall. I jogged a bit to catch up to her. "You know you can't really avoid me. We have English together." She didn't answer but I would take that as a good sign and continued. "I know you were embarrassed yesterday and I'm sorry that it happened to you. Marsha is a bitch. But to take it out on me…"

She stopped and faced me. "I was just saving you the hassle of dumping me."

"Why would I do that?"

"So you could go to prom with Claire."

"I don't want to go to the prom with Claire." I told her as sincerely as I could. She looked surprised at that statement. "I want to go to prom with you. So," I said and went down on one knee. By this time half the school was probably watching, "Allison, will you go to prom with me?" Hesitating a moment she began to speak and then she said, "I'll have to think about it."

I heard the crowd go, "Awww," in disappointment as they broke up and started going to their classes. What the Hell? My mind cried out. "Okay. You think about it. Just so you know I only want to go to prom with you. If you want to go with someone else just say the word." We entered the English classroom and she sat down in the same seat as yesterday. I once again sat next to her and she gave me a small smile. I knew she was on her way to forgiving me.

I entered second period which was my creative writing class. The school must have been punishing me giving me Lit and creative writing back to back but at least they were with two different teachers. My old man hated the fact I was taking creative writing. Artsy classes in his opinion were for girls and "fags". At times I found it hard to believe that I was related to such a bigot. As I took my seat I got a whiff of sickening sweet perfume, Marsha Christholm sat down next to me.

"I noticed there is trouble in paradise."

"Well it started because of a certain snake," I said smiling at her. She at least had the decency to blush briefly.

"A shame that your 'girlfriend' shot you down in the hall. It would have been interesting to see what Mortica would wear to prom. Would she come in her fancy bag lady apparel or would she just wear a garbage bag." I just ignored her but she continued. "I'm still available for prom. Troy Patterson asked and I told him that I would but if you need a date I would much rather go with you."

"I don't think so." Was all I said before the final bell signaling the beginning of class rang.

"Okay class today we are going to be talking about poetry. Since spring is right around the corner…." Ms. Dean stopped and looked at the door. "Can I help you?" We all turned to see a girl standing there with her blond hair done into two long braids, wearing a pair of jeans, plaid shirt, and thick glasses.

"Uh…I'm new," she said as she shut the door and walked over to the teacher's desk.

"You must be Sylvia Jenkins." The girl just nodded. "I didn't think you would be starting until Friday."

"That was the plan but my father and I took care of everything and arrived in Shermer last night. Mom thought it would be a good idea if I started today."

"Very well. There is an empty seat by Andrew and Marsha why don't you sit there." Once she was settled Ms. Dean continued. "Now Sylvia why don't you tell us a little about yourself."

Sylvia looked nervously at her hands and Marsha snickered. "My family just moved here from Green Bay, Wisconsin. I have a younger sister who is eight and we have a sheepdog named Bartleby."

"Who is your favorite author and poet?"

"I guess my favorite author is Moliere. My favorite poet is Coleridge."

"What is you favorite poem by Coleridge?"

"That is hard he has so many good ones. Um… "Kubla Khan" .

"Does anyone else know 'Kubla Khan'"? Ms. Dean asked looked at us. No one raised their hand. "Sylvia, can you recite a bit of it for us?" Sylvia again nodded and began, "In Xanadu did Kubla...:" Ms. Dean stopped her, "Please stand up next to your chair." Sylvia stood and a couple of the princesses in the class snickered, Sylvia's pants were too short. The new girl didn't seem to take notice of their laughter. She probably had heard it before at her school in Green Bay.

"In Xanadu did Kubla Khan a stately pleasure dome decree. Where Alph, the sacred river ran. Through caverns measureless to man down to a sunless sea. So twice five miles of fertile ground, With walls and towers were girdled round. And there were gardens bright with sinuous rills, Where blossomed many an incense-bearing tree ;
And here were forests ancient as the hills, Enfolding sunny spots of greenery."

The room was silent as she finished the verse. She had a really expressive voice.

"That was lovely, Sylvia. Now class on top of creating a portfolio of poems this nine week period you will each have to memorize and recite a poem as well. I will be assigning them tomorrow. For now I want you to think about Spring and what it means to you and begin your first poem. You have until the end of the week." The class whined and moaned about it but Sylvia seemed thrilled. Poetry was obviously something she enjoyed. Poetry and Moliere. I had to introduce her to Brian.