A/N Not a very good chapter but I haven't really been that motivated to write however thought I should at least do a small update. Hope you like it. Next chapter will be better. I promise.

I don't think it surprised anyone more than it did me when Andrew Clark got down on one knee in the middle of the hall and asked me to prom. None of the so called cool kids were there and I thought it was kind of interesting how the average Joes, the ones who just get through school without being either popular or unpopular didn't care at all. Claire said that all of our friends look up to her and the others but honestly I wondered if we really did or it was what they wanted to think. Anyway I played it pretty cool though when all I want to do was get all girly, bounce up and down and squeal "yes, yes, yes". Even I had pride and part of me was still upset about yesterday although I didn't know why I was taking it out on him so I told him I would think about it. I already knew my answer was yes; he knew my answer was yes when I smiled at him in English, but it was fun making him squirm.

After English he kissed me on the cheek and I went to Hashimoto's office. It was my first visit of the week. I smiled at the secretary and she waved me towards his office as she talked on the phone. Mr. Hashimoto was bent over a thick file on his desk, probably mine. I had never seen it before, most people don't have guidance counselor files that thick, heck most encyclopedias aren't even that thick. I cleared my throat and he looked up.

"Allison?" He said and looked surprised. I couldn't figure out why. "Come in. Come in and have a seat."

Walking in I sat in the usual worn olive green office chair and plopped my bag on the floor next to me.

"Well this is a surprise."

"Huh? Its Tuesday, homeroom and I am here instead of saying the Pledge with the rest of them as usual."

"No, not your visit your new look." I had forgotten that I was dressing differently from when we last met on Friday afternoon. "You know I think this is the first time I have actually seen your face." I didn't respond unsure if that was a question or a statement. "I was told by your English teacher that you have been seen with Andrew Clark:" Once again I said nothing. "When I first heard that I thought that she must have been mistaken but now I see you I can see that it is true. I know that …well you aren't. …" he started to blush not sure how to tell me I wasn't Andy's type. I wasn't about to help him either. "Well I am glad to see that you are making friends, coming out of your shell. You are friends with Andrew. Do you have any other friends?"

I was hesitant to tell him but I had just been asked to prom and I was feeling a bit giddy still so I decided to give the guy a bone and said, "A couple."

"Do you mind elaborating, Allison?

"Claire Standish, Brian Johnson, and John Bender."

His eyes widened but he composed himself rather quickly. "That is quite a selection of friends." I could hear the disbelief in his voice as though I pulled a couple names out of a hat and threw them out there without reason just to say something.

"You don't believe me?"

"Now Allison…" he began in that patronizing tone he always tends to take with me and the main reason that I normally sit here and never speak. "We both know you have a problem with the truth."

"If I had told you that I was friends with Andrew you wouldn't have believed me would you? But since Ms. told you then it must be true, but when I tell you that I am friends with Claire, Brian and John you disregard it as another story." By that point the volume I was speaking at wasn't quite yelling but getting there. 'Go get some friends Allison,' that is what you have been telling me for the past two years and when I finally do you don't believe me."

"Please try to calm down and sit back down. So you claim that you really are friends with these people. I see 3 groups who you would like to be part of and…."

"Screw you! How about I tell you this, I am going to the prom with Andrew Clark. Yes, he asked ME to the prom. If you don't believe that there are about fifty students who watched it happen." I grabbed my bag off the floor and stormed out of the office. That man was an ass. I went into the girls' restroom and wiped my face. My eye make up had run. I laughed at myself for being so petty being worried about my make up. "God I am turning into Claire;" I said to my reflection smiling back at me. I wet some paper towels and wiped the black trails of mascara off my cheeks.

"Are you okay?" A small voice asked coming from behind me. I turned and saw a blond girl I didn't recognize. Her hair was done in two long braids and she wore thick glasses.

"I'm fine thank you."

She gave me a small smile and held out her hand. "I'm Sylvia."

"Hi, I'm Allison," I told her taking her hand. It was kind of surreal. I don't think anyone had ever introduced themselves to me before and shook my hand unless they were an adult. And they certainly didn't do it in the bathroom.

"Nice to meet you. I'm new, obviously," she said with a shy smile.

"So what do you think of Shermer so far?"

"It's different. Smaller than Green Bay but it seems nice enough." Just then the bell rang. "Uh…before we go can I ask you something?"

"Sure, I guess."

"Where is Mr. Valeri's chemistry room? I have that second period and have no idea where to go."

"I have it with him third. It's upstairs; almost directly above where we are. It's next to the girls room."

"Cool. Thanks," she said bouncing away.

The next two periods were pretty uneventful. Art was great as always. I loved losing myself in painting. However third period Chemistry was different; I heard the airheads in class whispering about me. By that time they had heard about Andy asking me to prom. I caught bits and pieces about how I must be easy and putting out for Andy, and how I was ruining his chances to become prom king. I had never thought about that. It wasn't as big of deal to guys as becoming queen was to the girls. I thought it would be kind of cool if Andy would be king. He was after all popular, athletic, and very cute. Then I heard someone talking about dresses. Shit that was something I hadn't given thought to at all. How would I get the money? I had some saved from my job working in the metaphysical bookstore but most of that money went into art supplies and my college fund. I guess I could take some out and use it for a dress.

Just then Mr. Valeri called on me. Of course I hadn't been paying attention. "So Ms. Reynold's could you please come up here and draw the formula for Ammonia nitrate."

I racked my brain trying to remember. Slowly I approached the front of the room. "Today, Ms. Reynolds." Standing there I wracked by brain trying to remember it and finally it came to me. I spared myself the humiliation of screwing up in front of the whole class. As I turned and walked back to my seat the popular girls looked disappointed and watched me as I walked back to my seat. They really were like vultures waiting for the prey to die before they could dine. Didn't die this time bitches, I said and gave them the finger. One of them stuck her tongue out at me. Instead of making me mad which was her intention, it made me giggle. The bell dismissing the class covered the sound.

I brought my own bagged lunch today, tuna on wheat with peanut butter, a zip lock baggie of Cheetoes ™, and a can of Yoohoo. As I made my sandwich, after all one cant put cheetoes on ahead of time or they absorb the oils from the peanutbutter and the tuna then are soggy by lunchtime, someone sat at the table. I looked up expecting to see Claire or Brian, because out of the corner of my eye I could see they were slight in build, but I was surprised that it was Sylvia.

"Hi. Do you mind if I sit here," she asked wide eyed.

"No, Not at all. Go ahead." I told her. After all who was I to tell anyone no. She seemed okay.

"Your sandwich looks," she paused and I was waiting to hear what insulting remark she had to make. "Great. Have you tried that combo with Doritos instead? Just as cheesy but with a little more spice."

I was about to answer when Andy plopped down next to me. "Hi ladies. He said kissing me on the cheek. Sylvia, I didn't know you knew Allison."

"We met today in the bathroom," she said and blushed. I couldn't blame her she seemed to have a small crush on Andy.

"How do you know each other," I asked.

"Creative writing." They said at the same time.

Then we had a small lull in conversation so to break it I decided to put Andy out of his misery. "I've thought about it." They both looked at me. "Yes, I'll go to prom with you."

Andy jumped up and yelled, "Yes," pumping his fist in the air. "Wonder if John will ask Claire."

"Speaking of which have you seen them today?" I normally would see Bender between second and third period but today I didn't.

"No. Haven't seem any of them. Wonder where they are?"

"Who are Claire and John?" asked Sylvia taking a bite of a Twinkie.

"Friends of ours. We sort of have our own group which is Claire, Bender, Brian and the two of us." I explained. Then I had a thought. Sylvia seemed nice enough and as far as I knew Brian didn't have a date to prom…

"Oh," she said disappointed. "I guess you guys probably don't want me hanging around then."

"You can hang around. There is always room for one more." With that answer she smiled and laughed and said, "I can't wait to meet your friends."