Title: The World through the Eyes of a Basket Case
Author: TWBasketcase
A/N: Thanks to all who reviewed, mainly to: Moonjava, Santafelover, KushelKitten, Jenifer (for the great reviews I get, very in depth, thank you), Katydid7186, Lazaefair (Thanks for all the constructive criticism I really appreciate that), Billy Crazy, Jessesgirl29, Hannah (nice to hear from ya again, I missed you dammit! Lol), DragonBlade5, and DarkoBender (you read the whole thing in one sitting! That must have taken all day! I appreciate that shit, girl, that's damn flattering that you would sit through the whole thing! Thanks!) Thank you guys for all of your inspiring words, it means a lot. I guess I should say that you guys are going nuts with no John/Claire togetherness…I love to torture you! Hahahaha! You guys will have to wait quite a few more chapters to see what ends up happening to them. Now on with the story, I hope you enjoy!

Chapter 22 (damn this is getting long) – History Repeats Itself

"So, is evil wench moving in yet or what?" Bender asked kicking a stone across the side walk as we walked towards the school.

I grumbled, "She may as well; I mean she has all of her shit lying around our apartment, her bratty kids are always over and I have slept on the couch the last three nights in a row because they have stolen my bed."

"Families suck," he replied grumpily, "I can't wait for the day I got myself a job and I'm out. That way I can just chill out and no one will be around to make me feel like hell."

I smiled at the thought of Bender sitting on the floor of an empty apartment completely satisfied with himself. He would probably get the apartment and not put anything in it because he would be too lazy to clean it. Just him and his guitar sitting on the floor smiling like a goof.

"Did I tell you I have been looking for a job?" I asked him as we crossed a busy street; he laughed when we both had about six cars stop to avoid hitting us because we didn't look first. One honked and Bender shot him the finger. "Get off the street; are you kids crazy or something?" Some forty-something year old suit and tie guy was yelling at us with his window down shaking his fist.

Bender turned around, "Eat my shorts, dick!" After about five more honks we continued on our way.

He looked back at me as if to continue our previous conversation, "You been lookin' for a job?"

I smiled, "Yep…"

He raised an eyebrow as he pulled a cigarette out of his pocket and lit it, "Whereabouts?"

I shoved my hands in my pockets as I walked, "The pet store, the record store…I even tried a tattoo shop to see if I could draw designs."

He nodded his head, "That's pretty cool, any luck yet?"

I shrugged, "The record store called me for an interview…but I'm not really expecting to get it."

He furrowed his brow as he took another drag from his cigarette, "Why not?"

I shrugged again, "I dunno,"

He shook his head disapprovingly, "Don't be getting all self conscious on yourself again; record stores always hire crazy people."

I laughed and gave him a light shot in the arm, "Thanks for comfort there John."

"No problem that is what I am here for," He said in a snobbish voice as we stepped up the school steps. We were obviously a couple of minutes late because there were no students standing outside the front steps like there usually was first thing in the morning. I shot a look to John who smiled; "ya better not get caught or you'll be seeing Dick."

I shook my head, "I better not be getting caught or you'll be getting my foot up your ass."

He raised his hands in mock dread, "Oh the horror!" He yelped playfully clutching his chest. We made our way through the front doors and walked briskly through the hallways. Everything was so quiet in the school it almost seemed like Saturday again; but we should have known better.

"Mr. Bender! Miss Reynolds! Come here please!"

I looked at Bender with a glare; he just rolled his eyes, "My Dick, what do I owe you for the pleasure?"

Vernon crossed his arms, "Watch it, you'll get another one!"

This time I just rolled my eyes, "What difference is that gonna make…" I muttered under my breathe. He cocked his head to the side and approached us in an authoritative way, "What was that?"

Bender smirked, "I believe she said that the seventies were calling, they wanted their cheap suit back."

I cringed; Bender was so dead. "Is that so?" Vernon started, "Well guess what? You can get your asses down to my office…now!" He yelled.

We rolled our eyes in unison and turned and headed into the direction of Vernon's office. I looked at John through the corner of my eye, "Sticking that foot up your ass is sounding more tempting."

He lifted his head high and smirked ridiculously, "Aw come on, Ally…it'll be fun!" I shook my head and entered Vernon's office. Oddly enough Claire and Brian were sitting there as well.

Bender cocked an eyebrow, "what the hell are you guys doin' in here?"

Brian gulped nervously; he looked like he got caught with his hand in the cookie jar, "Well you see…we kinda got caught ditching class. Michelle really wanted us to help her with her campaign...so we did…but it turned out only she was aloud out of class to do it…and you see we got caught and…"

"We get it, junior," Bender said rolling his eyes and plopping down in a chair. Brian shot him a playful glare and Claire giggled.

"So why are you guys here?" Claire asked.

Bender shrugged nonchalantly, "Late." I rolled my eyes at his inability to look her in the face; he was such a coward sometimes.

Claire narrowed her eyes at him, "Why were you late?"

He let out an irritated sigh, "I got the keys from my Beemer taken away."

She scowled, "Yeah I'm so sure, be a dick because I asked a simple question."

"Listen mom, if you really need to know, I was busy dropping everything I have for a girl so she could piss and moan about how much of a fuck up I am and then break up with me."

Her face turned a deep shade of red; but before she could respond Brian cleared his throat loudly. He shot her a glare and mouthed 'stop it'. I gave Bender a looked and leaned over, "You are so damn stubborn, you know that?"

He pulled his head away and went about his business like he didn't hear me. I looked at Brian and rolled my eyes; he let out a snort, "So how come you didn't get called down for yesterday?"

I shrugged, "More than likely my teachers didn't notice. They don't really care what I do…they probably figured I was down in the councilor's office or something."

They both let out scoffs in envy. I smiled at their antics and soon Brian was called in to the office. He got up nervously and his previous sweaty and anxious appearance was back. I feel sorry for the kid; his mom is gonna kill him. I turned back to my friends and realized in sheer horror I was left alone in the room with John and Claire.

Bender was staring at her disturbingly; it was the same way he stared her down in that Saturday detention – which seems like centuries ago – obviously trying to let her know she can't intimidate him. It's too bad that she can get to him. She shifted uncomfortably in her seat and glared at him. I uncomfortably switched my gaze back to John.

"Is there a problem, cherry?" He asked his eyes still cold and dark.

She sighed over dramatically – just like Claire would, "Yeah, you."

His nostrils flared, "Yeah, and what exactly is the problem with me?"

Her eyes shifted to the window behind him, "Let me see…you are arrogant, obnoxious, and irritating."

His eyes grew ice cold, "Yeah and you are a stubborn bitch who likes to make me feel like the shit under her shoe."

"I never treated you that way! And besides I find it funny how now you wanna talk about feelings; every time I tried to talk to you you blew it off like it was nothing! I cared about you, cared a lot and you had to keep your other girlfriends around!"

He clenched the chair until his knuckles turned white, "It wasn't nothing, and I just wasn't ready to talk about that shit! And I already fucking told you I got rid of them." I glanced at the secretary who was just watching in fascination. I guess it wasn't everyday you had one of the schools most popular and most feared having a love battle; although it was nothing new to me.

She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms, "Wasn't ready my ass…you never seemed to have a problem saying what was on your mind before…"

He let out a loud breathe, "Yeah that was before I had a princess squashing me under her glass slipper…"

"Yeah well at least I tried, John! I called you and all you could do was question me and then hang up! Do you know how much that hurt me? I think I'm ready to give up on you…"

He stared at her for a second like she had just grown a second head. Then I saw it – the massive wave of pain and sadness flash over his eyes, "Fine, you want it that way, good, you'll get it that way. I don't even care what happens to you anymore."

Tears welled up in her eyes and it was apparent that she was just crushed and she was fighting like hell to fight it so she could look unfazed by it all. I saw through it and if I did then John most definitely did. He stared at her wet eyes and with a scowl.

"Fuck this," he got up and stormed out of the office. The secretary began calling after him and you could hear his reply from the hallway, "Tell Dick to go fuck himself."

I looked at Claire sympathetically and stood up to go sit beside her. I placed an arm around her shoulder as she wiped her tears away violently before they had any chance to fall. She tried to compose herself rather quickly; on the outside she looked like she had calmed down but her eyes were filled with sadness and worry. I wish to god I could just lock them in a room together and make them realize how much they need each other.

I sat back with her in silence for a few moments before I asked her, "Are you okay?"

"I'll be fine."

"You know I don't believe that."

She nodded her head slowly, "It's the best sounding answer though."

"I wish things could turn out better but you guys have to do that yourselves." I blew my bangs out of my face and looked at her sincerely.

Her eyes went downcast, "I know that…I just wish he couldn't get me going like that. Every time I feel like I could – or need – to sit down and talk with him he just makes me get so crazy. I don't know what it is about him."

"Claire Standish!" Vernon called he opened the door as Brian exited looking rather upset. Claire looked at me before standing up. I looked back at her seriously, "Love can do funny things to people, Claire."

She looked at me in absolute shock and stood there with realization written all over her face but yet total clueless ness.

"Ms. Standish!"

She shook her thoughts away and walked towards the office, eyes downcast. Brian looked at me and sat down, "What happened?"

I sighed and sat back, "I don't know but I hope they are coming to some realizations soon. This can't keep going on."

He nodded, "Agreed."

"So what happened in there?"

He inhaled deeply, "Vernon said he was very disappointed in me but since my grades are so good and I have a fairly good track record he won't put it on my record, thank god. He said just go to the detention this Saturday and stay out of trouble. He said if I come back again there will be more drastic consequences."

I raised an eyebrow and nodded. Looks like Brian and Claire will be keeping Bender some company. Just as I was laughing at the thought the door burst open and in came my Andy. I gave him a smile and he turned the corners of his mouth up before he was followed by his coach.

"Sit down," he instructed. Andy nodded and plopped down next to me. His coach went into Vernon's office momentarily and just as quickly came out again.

"Stay here until you talk to the V.P. then I want to see you at lunch."

Andy sighed, "Can't I spend my lunch eating instead?"

He gave him a look as if he was crazy, "No. You will be in the gym and you will get my punishment."

He turned and left and Andy smirked to himself. I raised my eyebrows in disbelief; this is definitely a new Andy…he has gotten a whole lot better at thinking for himself, but I can't help but wonder what kind of trouble he got himself into.

Brian gave him a suspicious look, "You didn't tape anyone's ass together did you?"

Andy gave him a glare, "No I didn't tape anyone's ass together! I just thought I would have a little bit of fun that's all."

Brian and I looked at him stunned; "At whose expense, Andrew?"

He shrugged, "Jack's."

I gave Brian a look and he bit back a laugh, "What did you do?"

He shrugged, "I was putting some Ben-Gay on my knee and his jock strap just happened to be sitting there calling out my name."

I dropped my jaw; he is bad! Brian placed his hands over his crotch involuntarily. Moments later we broke into a laugh, Andy stopped and smiled, "I heard about everything that happened yesterday so I just had to do something to shut him up."

"How did you get caught?" Brian asked transfixed.

Andy frowned, "Jack is the quarter back of the football team…coach needs him. When he seen him squirming around he pulled him into the locker room and they found the stuff in my locker. Apparently Jack suspected me all along."

We nodded our heads in understanding. He looked back to us, "Why are you guys here?"

"Ditched class," Brian replied, "Claire's in there right now, and Ally and John were late and got caught in the hall. I think we all may end up in detention on Saturday."

Andy bit back a smile, "Funny how things work, huh?" At that last word Claire came out of the room looking slightly annoyed; that expression changed when she saw Andy…it went from annoyed to overly amused. I think she caught the drift too.

"Where's Mr. Bender?" Vernon asked; he sounded like he wasn't surprised at all. I glanced at Claire who smirked; I looked at Vernon, "He said he would see you Saturday." He shook his head and then looked at Andy, "Let's go, Clark." Andy shook his head and bid his farewell to us; we laughed in spite of ourselves and Claire took a seat, "What's he here for?"

Brian laughed, "A mishap with Jack's jock strap and a tube of Ben-Gay."

Her jaw dropped, "You're kidding me?"

He shook his head, "I am not. If it was anyone else I think I would most definitely feel bad."

She shook her head amused, "It looks like history is repeating itself."

"No doubt." I replied. We all sat back in companionable silence for a while before Andy emerged looking slightly annoyed – mirroring Claire's look just moments before.

"Miss Reynolds," Vernon summoned.

I stood quickly and pulled my bag over my shoulder and headed into the office. I took a seat in front of his desk as he closed the door.

"Well, well, back again are we?" He mocked.

I smirked and just stared him in the eye saying nothing.

"At least you have a decent reason this time," he paused, "Looks like you should have picked your friends a little more wisely." I gave him a cold glare and he continued, "If you wouldn't have been off screwing around with Bender you wouldn't be here. He's nothing but a trouble maker and you are digging yourself a hole by hanging around with him."

He furrowed my brows, "You don't even know anything about him!"

He shrugged nonchalantly putting his hands on the back of his head, "I do know that he is a bum. He is going no where in life so you might as well just get away from him while you still have the chance."

I snarled my lip, "Just leave him out of this; this is supposed to be about my punishment."

"Detention on Saturday. Although I am wondering if I should even have the five of you in there together at all. The first time was probably the worst mistake I ever made…" He trailed off.

I narrowed my eyes, "Well looks like you are gonna make it again, now doesn't it?"

He scoffed mockingly, "I will see you on Saturday Miss Reynolds." I got up from my chair and had Vernon follow me out. The others rose as I walked out; ready to leave with me.

"Detention?" Andy asked.

I nodded; Claire and Brian shot each other a playful glance. "Looks like we're back at square one…" Brian trailed off.

Vernon smirked, "Get out of my office you spoiled little pricks. Seven o'clock Saturday…if you're late you'll have another one."

We all laughed at him and left him in the office grumbling curse words to himself. Looks like this weekend should be very interesting.

TBC

TWBasketcase