A/N: Wow! Sorry for the delay in the updates I was having some MAJOR internet troubles. I was still able to type up new chaps but I couldn't post them or receive emails! Grr! Thank God that is fixed. Anyways, I just had a few things that I wanted to say before I went ahead and posted Chapter 20…
1. I am happy if you find this story interesting. There are a few people who are saying that I am putting the characters through a lot; I do that to keep the story interesting and entertaining.
2. If you think I am writing Allison out of character, here is my reasoning: I am writing a fic involving The Breakfast Club and how the Saturday detention changed their lives. I found that Allison (especially with the subtle hints dropped in the scene where they are on the floor talking) was someone fun, spontaneous and carefree under the black clothes. I used the detention as a way for her to develop some self confidence and blossom into her true self. I know also that she said her parents ignored her, but I wasn't about to take it like they have never spoken before. I'm sure she meant it in a way where they talk to her, they just don't care. They're more involved with themselves. And I know her mom was in the car in the movie I just took her out of the story for my plot to work.
3. Me personally, if I was any of the stereotypes used in the Breakfast Club I would be an Allison/Bender mutt. So with that saying I find it much easier to write from those two character's perspectives rather than say, Claire or Brian. Which is the reason why there isn't as much Brian as I would like there to be in this story; I just can't write him well but I am definitely working on it.
Thank you for letting me get that out, it wasn't to anyone in particular I was just hoping that would clear some of the questions I get. So with that said I hope you enjoy chapter 20 (WOW BIG 2-0!) of 'The World through the Eyes of a Basket Case.'

Chapter 20 – Things Just Keep Getting Better…

My face fell, "You're getting married?"

My dad smirked, "Yeah, is that okay with you?"

"Are you and mom even divorced?"

He shrugged, "I'll work on it."

Him and Pamela just linked hands and headed off towards the bedroom. I cannot believe he is acting this way! My mom just left a few months ago and here he is bringing on the next piece of ass! And I know damn well that if her and the kids move in – or if we move in with them – then our bad relationship now will only get worse. Oh God…the kids; I am going to have brothers? This is so…so…horrifying!

"Allison?"

I snapped my head around to the sound of Andy's voice and gave him a confused look; I must have been standing there for a few minutes completely lost in my thoughts. He was giving me a pretty worried look but right now I was just seething, "Yeah?"

"Are you okay?"

"No…let's get outta here,"

He furrowed his brow, "Where?"

"I don't care let's just go."

He nodded his head and grabbed his keys. I was pretty thankful for him not asking questions because right now I just don't know how to answer. On top of everything that happened at school today, John and Claire's drama, my visit with the guidance councilor and now this? I think I am just a little over loaded right now.

I pulled on my chucks silently and opened the door. We headed down the hallway of my complex and complete silence; silence that in a way I was thankful for and silence in a way that made me want to scream. What the hell am I going to do with my life?

When we reached Andy's station wagon he opened the door for me quickly and ran around to the other side. He plopped down into his seat and turned the key into the ignition, "So where to?"

I blinked, "I don't know…a park, a field, out of town, or out of the country…I don't really care right now."

He frowned, "Are you going to be okay?"

"I really don't know right now Andrew. I find out your leaving, John and Claire are driving me nuts, school sucks, my dad is fucking off and getting married, I really don't know if I'm okay."

He looked down to the floor obviously not knowing what to say; I don't think I would either. The big problem with my dad getting married is that I don't exactly know where that is going to leave me; it's obvious already that he likes her and her children a lot more and I don't even know if he would want me living with them. He would probably give Mark and Jacob my room or something.

Andy put the car in gear and headed out of the parking lot. For awhile we just drove around aimlessly in complete silence. It wasn't until we parked in a large, quiet park in Chicago that we decided to get out. We walked about 200 feet until I found a beautiful pond with a bench and we sat down.

It was so pretty here; the grass was a beautiful shade of green for the spring and the trees were waving in the wind, the pond was drifting in ripples as families of ducks swam around the edges. The sun was already going down as we just caught the end of the sunset. It was so peaceful – just the peace I needed. I turned my head to face Andrew; he was staring off onto the pond with his hair blowing over ever so slightly. He looked like he was really thinking and the light from the posts reflected perfectly off of his features.

"What are you thinking about?"

He turned to me slowly, "Just everything…leaving, my dad, the meet…you. Do you ever think about the future?"

I tilted my head slightly as I thought, "Well kinda…I mean I do sometimes but most of the time I try and focus on the present. Every little thought and action affects your future and I try and focus on those things first."

"Well that's logical; I mean I never really had the chance to think about the present. My dad always has me focusing on either wrestling or where it's going to take me. I always knew that I wanted to go to a big name school and get a good education. Then I would think about the career that it would lead me to, and the woman I would marry, how many kids I will have, if I'll be successful. He always makes me think about those things." He put his hand over his mouth as he let out a small cough. He shrugged out of his jacket and offered it to me; I accepted in appreciation.

"Don't you ever feel like your childhood just flies by though? All that worrying about being a successful adult would definitely shift your focus on just having some fun, and being a teenager; doesn't that bum you out?"

He nodded his head, "Yeah you gotta point, but that's just the way I was raised. The future is big and it's something that you have to plan out in order to be ready for it. I still find time to have fun and everything it's just something I have my sights set on as well. What about you? What do you have planned?"

I blinked, "I don't know…I haven't given it too much thought, really. I think if I wanted to be anything it would probably be something with the environment or animals. If I do something like that then I have the chance to travel, help animals, and be out free in the nature…it would just be really beautiful and selfless."

He gave me a smile, "I always figured you would want to be an artist or…"

"A social worker or something?" I scrunched up my face, "Nah, a social worker isn't really me…I have a hard enough time helping myself let alone other people. I don't believe that people should be categorized by mental stability or financial income; people should just be aloud to be themselves without someone coming around and sticking their noses in it. I know what its like to have someone picking at every little thing in my mind and I don't like it so I wouldn't do it to other people. As for an artist…it really is a great hobby, but that's just what it is: a hobby. It is something that I do for fun and for myself to clear my mind. I wouldn't want anyone to give me their money just because I did it for the hell of it. I wanna do something that will make a difference. Not too many people care too much for animals and the environment and they just don't realize how important it really is."

He gave me another big smile and nodded his head, "That's definitely an interesting point; I think you would be good at what you want to do; it certainly suits you."

"Yeah but like I said, I haven't really given it much thought; that's just what I would want to do at this point in time."

"That's great; if you decide to put your mind to it though I bet you it will work out great for you. My dad always wanted me to go all the way to the Olympics or become a wrestling coach or something. I always wanted to write though, sports especially. I know sports really well not just wrestling; I love football, baseball, basketball, hell even golf. My marks are pretty high in English and besides gym it's my best subject so I figured I could incorporate both of them."

I nodded and looked out towards the water, "What does your dad think about that?"

"He's not entirely thrilled but he's learning to accept it. He's not entirely thrilled that I am going to Canada either but in a way I am, and because someone wise once told me to start thinking for myself I finally did. I think this break away from him will be real good for me and an awesome experience. I could finally do something that will make me happy and something that I really want to do."

I gave him a half smile and nodded, "I'm proud of you Andy; I'm glad that you finally decided to do something for yourself. I'm not going to be selfish and beg for you to stay because I wanna see you happy; but that doesn't mean it's not going to level me once you leave."

He raked his fingers through his hair and swallowed, "It's going to be hard for me to leave you…and my friends too. It's definitely a factor that makes me want to stay but at the same time I know in my heart that it's what I want to do. If you didn't have a year left of school I would probably ask you to come with me."

"I would love to go to Canada and I would love to stay with you wherever you went, but like you said, my life has to get in order first before I did anything like that even though I would love to just run away."

He let out a chuckle, "I think I've heard you say that before; I'm glad you decided to stick around instead of going to Israel, Africa or Afghanistan."

I let out a laugh at that comment, "That was a Saturday detention Andrew Clark! That same day I realized that there are things to stick around for. I sure did learn a lot that day…sometimes I think it was like fate to end up there."

"What do you mean?" He asked with a slightly furrowed brow.

"Well…I almost decided to go the park and draw that day instead. It almost seemed as if the five of us all ended up there because our lives were getting a little too hard to handle. Brian ended up there because he was getting all stressed out over his grades, Claire ended up there because the pressure of school was getting to her, you ended up there because your dad had been on your back, Bender ended up there…well because he is always there, and I ended up there because I was trying desperately to find something for myself. I just think it is so strange how we all ended up there because we needed a release and at the same time we found one in each other."

He gave me a bright smile, "I know what you mean now; any one simple thing could have changed the outcome. Like if one of Claire's friends ended up skipping with her or if one of Bender's dope smoking buddies ended up there. I am disappointed with what I did but in a big way I'm glad I ended up in there."

"Did you ever fix things with Larry?"

He looked down at his feet, "No…what the hell can I say to the guy? I mean I know I can apologize and everything but would it make a difference? If Jack and Ashley came up to you and apologized for jumping you guys after school that day what would you think about it? What I did to Larry is just as bad as what they did to you guys."

I scrunched up my face and let out a snort, "The difference is you are genuinely sorry about what you did and you have felt guilty about it since it happened. Jack and Ashley are still on our backs constantly and they are proud of the fact that they did it. Jack and Ashley are inconsiderate assholes and you are an honest, sensitive person."

He scoffed, "I bet Larry doesn't think that way. No offense or anything but you see me that way because you're my girlfriend…Larry probably wants to kill me or something."

I rolled my eyes, "But if you would just apologize…maybe he could see that in you too."

He frowned, "I don't think so…you didn't see him. I traumatized the kid and humiliated him in front of like thirty people; what I did was unforgivable."

"If you keep getting down on yourself and not get the guts to say your sorry then it would be unforgivable. You made a mistake and did something wrong, so you gotta fix it. It's not going to fix itself and you need to be the good man that I know that you are and just apologize. He may accept it, he may not, but either way you will have done your part and you will feel better about yourself."

He sighed, "I know that…I just need the time to gather enough strength to do it. It's funny that I can get my ass beat around a wrestling mat no problem but when it comes to the smaller things I am a huge pussy."

"Time heals all wounds, Andy, just remember that."

He gave me a smile, "I know thanks."

I smiled in return, "No problem, if I am feeling like crap there's no sense in you moping with me right?"

He furrowed his brow, "You shouldn't be feeling like crap either you know."

My eyes began to fill with unshed tears, "I know I just can't help it."

He pulled me into a hug and placed a soft kiss on my temple. I pulled away and blinked hard against the tears, "I just don't know what's going on or how I am going to handle everything."

He looked at me sincerely and held my hand, "You're strong; I know for damn sure you can do it. I can't exactly tell you how but I can tell you that I will be there for you."

"That's all I need."

"Well then you got it…anything you want or need I will do my best to give it to you."

I let out a small chuckle, "You're too good to me."

He gave me a crooked smile in return, "You deserve it."

I rolled my eyes, "Whatever!" I let out a small laugh, "My dad doesn't seem to think that way about me. I mean it was bad enough that he didn't even talk to me about how I felt when my mom left and now he just wants to run off and get hitched with Barbie. He is only concerned with himself and he doesn't giving a flying fuck if I am upset or sad or scared at all. I just feel so alone when I'm at home."

Andy nodded giving a small frown, "What was he like before she left?"

I shifted on the bench so I had my legs crossed, "It was weird kinda; he was always up in her business wondering what she was doing and how she was feeling constantly, and with me I was just kinda there. To him I was her kid and not his problem. Once she left he kinda became bitter and he sort of considers me a nuisance. I'm thinking when he gets married he is probably going to want me out of the picture completely so that he can have his picture perfect relationship and the sons he always wanted."

He frowned, "You don't think that he would actually throw you out do you?"

I shrugged, "I wouldn't put it past him. There was like an entire month once where he didn't say anything at all to me. I found it so strange that I actually counted the days. He really is a self centered person."

He raised his eyebrows, "Well you aren't anything like that…I take it you are more like your mom."

"No not really. She was one of those women who always wanted to shop and spend her money. She had a major gambling problem and when we lost the house and ended up in the apartment she got pretty depressed and bitter."

"How old were you when that happened?"

"I was only like seven when we moved into the apartment. She was pretty great at trying to hide her problems and be a good mom before that all happened. After a couple of months in the apartment she just stopped caring about everything; she stole money from my dad and they were always fighting and once again not even caring if I saw or heard them. I learned to take care of myself after that; I learned to feed, clothe, and walk places myself. I tried a lot to get their attention, sort of just to remind them that I was still there but it only annoyed them."

He nodded his head and frowned, "That's a lot to handle at such a young age. Why did she leave then and how long ago did she go?"

I sighed tiredly, "She left about five or six months ago with a doctor she met. He had money and he gave it to her when she asked for it so she took off with him. For awhile I just figured that she would be back and she was just going for a break, but now that my dad is getting married and I am kinda worried. I don't know what's going on with her because she hasn't even called to tell us where she is. I wonder sometimes if I was stupid to think that she would call to check up on me."

"It's not stupid, Ally. You needed your mom and there is nothing wrong with that; it definitely doesn't make you stupid."

I stood up suddenly, "I know I just wish sometimes that she would come home and scoop me up just like she used to. Until I met you guys I was starting to think that maybe there isn't such thing as love in the world."

He stood up so that he was at eye level with me, "There's love in the world; even though all sorts of bad things happen you have to remember that there will always be someone out there who cares. It just a matter of letting yourself find the strength to love and be loved."

I grabbed his hand as we started walking back towards the car, "I know that now, thank-you."

He gave me a slight nod, "No problem…no sense in letting you sit around and mope right?"

I gave him a playful shove and jumped on his back when he stumbled slightly, "Oh my god! You are so heavy!" He joked.

I scoffed, "Mr. big wrestling man can't handle a lady?"

He jokingly tumbled over, "Not a heavy one! You need to do something about that, woman!" We landed in a heap on the ground laughing. We wrestled around a bit; he of course letting me get the upper hand so that I had him pinned down. He looked up at me with twinkling blue eyes, "So where we going now?"

I shrugged and sat up slightly, "I don't know…I don't want to go home and I know that your dad doesn't like me too much so your house is out of the question."

He looked at his watch, "It's after 11 o'clock, and there aren't too many places we can go."

I sighed over dramatically, "Okay let's just go to my house."

He gave me a look as he sat up, "Are you sure?"

"Positive…just come with me,"

He smirked, "You aren't asking me to spend the night again, are you?"

I narrowed my eyes playfully, "Maybe…we'll just have to see how lucky you are!"

He stood up and pulled me up by my hand with him, "I'm guided by a force much greater than luck, woman!" With that he scooped me up playfully and ran back to the truck. I couldn't help but let out fits of laughter at him. He really is amazing and I'm glad he is around to make things better for me. Let's just hope there aren't any more surprises waiting for me at home.

TBC

A/N: Thank you all for the excellent reviews; I really appreciate them! Thanks to: Santafelover, QueenCrissCross, Moonjava, Jenifer, DragonBlade5, Locket the Lookout, Ailcia, Billy Crazy, Lazaefair, Unsocial Beautifly, ILoveLove, Katydid7186 and everyone else who has reviewed this story. Please leave me a line for this chapter and tell me what you think. There is going to be a lot of Claire and Michelle in the next one, which should be up within the next two days. Thanks all!

TWBasketcase