Title: The World through the Eyes of a Basket Case

Author: TWBasketcase

Disclaimer: I don't own TBC

Summary: School the next day, where the curveballs are usually thrown; later, John and Ally spend some time together and talk about their personal dilemmas

A/N: Sorry about the delay; my job at the pet store is a little demanding right now! Lol, so here is chapter 17, kind of angsty, but who doesn't love angst! I know I love it a lot…but that may just be because I am a tad bit loony. Hahaha anyways, I hope you enjoy! Please drop me a line and tell me what you think…good or bad I don't care, just let me know. :)

Chapter 17 –

I woke up to the blaring of my alarm; it was a Wednesday morning in mid-April and today I felt wonderful. In fact, I felt even better when I heard the soft voice next to me.

"What the hell is that?"

I laughed; okay maybe it wasn't that soft of a voice but it still sounded nice, "It's my alarm clock…what the hell do you think it was? We have to go to school."

He grinned sheepishly and pulled me close to him, "Good morning,"

"Good morning to you too…now get up." I replied hitting him with a pillow

A few moments later we were up and dressed – well I dressed, Andy had to wear yesterday's clothes, but being a jock in all, he had changes of clothes in his locker. I was just pulling on my shoes when there was a knock on the door.

Andy turned around and opened it and I was met with a familiar voice, "Oh hey Sporto…you here to give us a ride or what, dude?"

Andy smirked and punched John in the arm, "No, you can walk."

"What's a matter got the tights in a bunch today?"

"Watch it Bender!"

I laughed; even though we all remained friends Andy and John still bicker at each other to this day…I find it rather amusing actually. They sound like an old married couple at times; but I would never tell them that…god knows which way they would kill me!

"Let's go guys!" I interrupted, causing them both to send me looks. I pushed past them both and made my way down the hall towards the parking lot.

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We reached the school just in time for first period to begin; and lucky me I got to listen to John and Andy fight over the radio station. They are like children sometimes. Andy wanted Springsteen, and Bender wanted Hendrix. So finally I just changed it and tortured them both with Billy Ocean! The groans of frustration and the lack of arguing were definitely worth it.

We entered the school and headed towards our respective lockers. As I was about to turn the corner to my locker I was met with the sound of arguing. I recognized the voices right away; I should have known that this was coming. I stopped before turning the corner to listen momentarily.

"What the hell do you think you are doing anyways? You know they are out to bring us down!"

"But they aren't anything like that, Ashley! They are all really nice people and I like to be around them, what's wrong with that? Are you honestly upset that we are choosing our own friends rather than waltzing around with our noses up your ass?" I laughed when I heard that; it was the sound of Michelle's voice and it was now the turning point where she was getting it from her friends for liking who she wanted to like.

"Really Ashley, you aren't really worth it," that was Claire's voice, which surprised me a little. I take it it's probably a little easier for her to stand up to them now that she has another girl on her side. I grinned, "Because if you were a real, true friend then you wouldn't give a shit who we hung out with as long as we were happy!"

I turned all the way around the corner and leaned against the wall but stood my distance away from the group. I will butt in if need be but for now my two friends seem to be holding their own.

"How can you honestly be happy ruining your reputations by hanging out with freaks? You two have worked so hard to get popular and now you want to throw it all away. I expected a little more from you Michelle."

"And why is that Ashley?" My brunette friend shouted waving her arms around in a desperate attempt to get through to her 'friend', "Did you honestly believe I was about to judge these people without knowing them first?"

"You shouldn't have to judge them, Michelle!" Ashley yelled back throwing her head around as she spoke, "That bitch kicked the shit outta me! Did you not see what she did to my face?"

Claire let out a howling laugh as Ashley scowled, "If my memory serves me correctly, you hit her first Ash! Why do you hate Allison so much anyways?" I shifted my weight on to my other foot and waited patiently for the answer; I kinda wanted to know myself. I don't think they were aware of my presence yet, but maybe that was for the better. After a few waiting seconds I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned around and faced John and placed a finger over my lips in an attempt to keep him from blowing my cover.

"That's none of your damn business! She stole something from me!"

Claire's eyes widened, "What the hell are you talking about?" Michelle's expression matched that of Claire's; eyes wide, hand on the hip and confusion all over. I wonder what the hell she is talking about myself. I turned to John and he looked just as confused.

"You'll find out soon enough, girls. I will see you guys later; no sense in me falling to your low and associating with mutants! Michelle, I guess your run for prom queen isn't going to be a successful one. I'm running now as well and I want you to know that you will never get a vote; you wanna associate with mutants then you will get treated like one." With that she spun on her heels and her three henchwomen followed in pursuit. John grabbed me by the arm and brought me back behind the corner fully.

"What the hell was that," he whispered loudly.

"I dunno, I guess we will find out soon enough," I replied quietly.

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I was just about to close my eyes and go to sleep for the night – after a long day at school – when I heard a loud knocking at my apartment door. I figured if I just throw the pillow over my head it'd go away or my dad would answer it.

I wasn't to have such luck.

I grunted and tossed my pillow against the wall furiously. Who the hell would knock so loud and not let a girl get her sleep? My father was sitting at the kitchen table silently sipping his coffee like nothing was happening at all.

"You know you could get off of your ass and answer the door, father,"

He glared back at me in response, "I'm not expecting anyone, it's probably just another one of your late night treats," he hissed.

I could feel my face and ears burning as I clenched my fists at my sides. Am I honestly related to this man? Before I could mutter a response the ongoing knocking shook me from my thoughts. I let out a loud, frustrated sigh and spun around the small kitchen and headed towards the door. When I finally opened it, I was shocked at what I saw.

"John! Are you alright?"

He was definitely a sight for sore eyes. His hair was matted and messy from struggle, a tiny trickle of blood crept from his nose, and what really caught my eye were the large bruises forming around his throat. He was wearing his usual blue denim jacket and cargo pants; his black Slayer t-shirt seemed stretched and disturbed; it usually clung tight to his body but today it sagged off of him. He slowly nodded his head and cleared his throat, "Just peachy…will ya let me in or not?"

"Oh, right," I pulled the door open wider and held it as he slowly made his way in. Without saying a word he took his shoes off and marched slowly to my bedroom. I knew exactly what that meant too; something bad happened at home and he needed a place to sleep. I looked at my dad – who wasn't paying attention at all – and shook my head; through the hurricanes of drama in my life this man still finds the time to remain his true self. I wonder if he ever even thinks anything good about me anymore – I wonder if he still thinks about me at all.

I left the kitchen hurriedly remembering suddenly that I had company. When I reached my bedroom I could see that John had already pulled 'his' mattress down, had taken off his coat, and was lying back on his pillow staring at the ceiling. His hair fanned over the pillow and his eyes were very intense; the heavy breathes escaping his throat almost sounded inhuman.

"Do you want to talk about it?" I asked him calmly as I shut the door.

"Not this particular second,"

"Well you know if…"

"…I wanna talk, I'll talk to you." He interrupted.

I nodded my head slowly and took a seat on my bed. I have only been friends with John for four weeks now and already he has had to stay at my place seven times. It irritated Andy a little bit, but when it comes down to it, I'm the only person he can go to. Andy, Claire, and Brian's parents wouldn't let him come waltzing in as he pleased and I was his only option. As much as it did make Claire and Andy a little flustered they both understood and accepted that it needed to be done. It didn't bother me any, and John felt comfortable and safe here and that is what mattered. John and I are close in a friendly way that the other members of the Club aren't. I can't really explain it; it's like a mental understanding.

We laid in our respective beds for about an hour in companionable silence; I was listening to the way he was breathing and occasionally sighing in frustration. The way he sounded was different tonight…it wasn't the usual angry John that came over after a domestic fight, tonight he sounded hurt, tired, sad – desperate.

After a few more minutes my eyelids were getting heavier. When he finally spoke it snapped me awake.

"So, what was the big news?"

"Big news?" I asked confused.

"Sporto…you told me that he had big news, what was it?" He asked with a smirk.

"Oh that," my eyes fell to the floor and I frowned, "He's goin' away."

He furrowed his brow in confusion and propped his head up on his hand, "What the hell do ya mean 'goin' away?"

I swallowed, "He got accepted to school on a scholarship."

"Isn't that supposed to be a good thing?"

"Yeah but…it's where he is going that is bothering me."

"Okay…where is he going?"

"Canada…British Columbia."

His eyes widened and he let out a low whistle, "That's pretty fuckin' far."

"Yeah I know I will only be able to see him on Christmas and summer break. I don't know if it's gonna work. He'll probably end up findin' someone else or something."

He narrowed his eyes and furrowed his brow, "Don't talk like that," he said pointing a finger at me, "Sporto's all ga-ga over you…that won't happen."

"I hope not,"

"It won't," he said with a sigh, "He'll go to school and wrestle, you'll become some fancy-pants artist, he'll come home and you two will get hitched or something."

"Can you imagine me getting married?" I said laughing.

He laughed as well, "Yeah…Sporto and Ally's white wedding, I could so see it."

I choked back my laugh at the comment and stared at him with wide eyes. He stopped laughing when he seen my reaction and his face fell slightly, "Oh…"

That was kinda awkward! I didn't have any intention of telling anyone what happened; I'm not the type to kiss and tell…he kinda caught me off guard. A blush rose up to my cheeks until I felt them burning and he started laughing again.

"What the hell are you laughing at, you shit!"

He laughed harder, "What the hell are you so embarrassed about?

I narrowed my eyes and crossed my arms, "It's none of your business, Johnathon!"

"My business?" He said pointing to himself still laughing, "I know that, but you think that ever stopped me from buggin' people before?"

"What you jealous?"

He stopped laughing and his face turned into a scowl, "Fuck off,"

It was my turn to laugh, "Don't worry, I didn't tell anyone your little secret, cherry…just keep your comments to yourself and it will stay that way!"

I laughed a little longer while he grumbled curse words under his breathe about me. John Bender is so double sided it humors me; people think he's outta control? Well I know that this basket case can keep him under her finger!

He lay back down on his back and let out a sigh, "All this drama is really startin' to tire me out. Never thought I'd see the day…" He trailed off, obviously changing the subject.

"I know what you mean; my life went from being by myself all the time to dramatic enough to write a movie about it."

He laughed, "I could see it; the five of us…call it 'The Breakfast Club' or something."

I let out a snort, "How cheesy!"

"Well, hey, it would probably sell!"

"Well people will pay for anything these days."

He nodded his head in agreement, "Speaking of which, what do you think that fight was all about this morning?"

"With Ashley? She seems like she is always walking around looking for a fight. She's just pissed because Michelle chose Claire over her."

"I don't blame her…" he mumbled, "That chick is like a walking tornado…always messin' shit up."

I pushed my fingers through my hair and sighed, "Somehow I have the feeling she is only gonna mess shit up even more."

He propped his head up, "What do ya mean?"

I gritted my teeth, "She said I stole something from her…I don't know what the hell she is talking about."

John started laughing, "Maybe she is referring to her friends. You come along kick her ass and make people realize how much of a bitch she is…now she is losing all of her posse one by one."

I laughed nervously, "I don't wanna steal people's friends."

He was now directing his laughter at me, "You get nervous too easily."

"I can't help it,"

"Well help it, okay! There is no need for that, you did nothin' wrong. Besides Claire and Michelle were standing up to her and they didn't even know you were there."

My eyes lit up, "I know they did such a good job. I'm so proud of Claire!"

His eyes lit up faintly for a second with the hearty laugh he let out. It would only last a second though, the pain and heartbreak taking over again. His eyes flew to the floor and he started drawing circles on his blanket with his fingers. I forgot about that soft spot he has.

"So what are you going to do?" I asked him.

"About…?"

"Well…you and Claire?"

He smirked and rubbed his hands over his face, "She's a fuckin' handful, you know? She's happy one second, then miserable, then sad, then excited…I don't even know what the hell she wants half the time, and the other half of the time I don't even care what she wants."

"That's not true. You may not want to admit it, John, but you do care."

"Shut up."

"No," I replied in mock anger, "You guys are fighting over bullshit and it needs to stop. Every time we all get together it ends with everyone feeling uncomfortable and you two storming away from us…what are you even fighting about now anyways?"

He narrowed his eyes darkly, "Hey I tried to apologize to her and she shot me down, and you know it. I'm not gonna waste my time crawling around on my knees for her if she is just gonna turn me down. That's not my style."

"Isn't she worth it?"

"I don't know anymore…" he trailed off.

I swallowed and looked down to the floor, "She still wants to go to the prom you know."

"Let her go then…" he said waving his arm.

I scrunched up my face, "You aren't gonna go?"

"Did you really see me going to the prom anyways? The only reason I was gonna go is so that she would have someone dark and handsome to go with," I laughed and he continued glaring at me, "Now I have no reason to."

"Okay then," I said, deciding not to push the topic any further. I wouldn't want him exploding or anything. He rolled over on his back and threw his arm over his eyes.

"Are you feeling better?" I asked changing the subject.

"I'll be fine; my old man was drinkin' tequila tonight."

"I'm sorry you have to go through that,"

He moved his arm from over his eyes and gave me a sad look, "You have nothing to be sorry about. He does, he brought me into this shitty world."

I frowned, "It'll get better."

"I hope so. But for now as long as he keeps starting shit with my mom, I have to be a step between. He doesn't just beat me up for the sake of torturing me…it's mostly when I have to keep him off my ma."

I frowned deeper and sat up, "Do you think she will ever stop it?"

"No," he said simply, "She's gotten too attached." He gave a smirk to the thought of his parents and let out a frustrated sigh. "When he isn't drunk he is kissing her ass making her believe that there is some kind of hope for them. He keeps leading her on and she loves him so much that she keeps the idea of them being a perfect couple in her head. It's sad really…the call it the Stockholm syndrome."

"Stockholm syndrome?" I asked confused, how does he possibly know about these psychological things?

He let out a sigh, "Yeah in an abusive relationship if the abuser shows any kind of sympathy towards his victim the victim tends to grow attached to the abuser. They show a sense of fear and adoration towards them. It's kind of sick really. What's even worse if anyone tries to get between the abuser and his victim, the victim tends to get defensive for her abuser. They keep that small amount of sympathy as a sign of hope. That's why I don't think she'll ever leave him."

I gulped; I would be terrified if I was John…he really is strong. "So where does that leave you?"

"In the middle. It sucks but that's life." He grumbled, "Are you ready to go to sleep now?"

"Yeah…good night John." I said, deciding to drop the touchy subject.

"Good night, Ally…thanks for being there."

I smiled as I turned off the light, "I'll always be there."

He smiled in response before his breathing evened and he fell into a sleep. It's too bad that sleep is his resort to peace.

TBC

A/N: Thank to the following for your reviews: Jenifer, Santafelover, Moonjava, Jessesgirl29, KushelKitten, Hannah/Basketcase89, Opal Grimstone, Unsocial Beautifly, Silverina, and Tugs N Kisses. I love all of your reviews and a lot of you bring up some valid points. For those of you who had questions regarding the story I want you to know I'm going to try my best to wrap up everything in the end of the story. And about the Larry Lester thing…I know I haven't touched it yet but like I said everything will be wrapped up in the end. Thanks for all the compliments on the character of Michelle as well, they are appreciated. So I hoped you enjoyed this new installment; my next week of work is not as nearly as busy so I should have Chapter 18 up by Tuesday or Wednesday. So in the mean time, just press that little button below and drop me a line! Thanks everyone again, you all keep me motivated and inspired.