Title: The World through the Eyes of A Basket Case
Author: TWBasketcase
Chapter Summary: Well our beloved brats are back in detention…what do they have under their sleeves?

Chapter 23 – Back To Where We Started Part One

I woke up this morning scrambling for my alarm clock, as the sound of David Bowie's "Changes" pierced my ears. When I finally reached the damn thing, I glanced at the red glowing numbers that lit up the corner of my dark bedroom; they flashed 6:00 am. I raised an eyebrow as I tossed the covers off of my body; it funny how this day already started off at the exact pace as my last Saturday detention. I chuckled at the thought and stretched wildly as my feet graced the floor. It was nice sleeping in my own bed again; I had the place to myself as my father and the old lady decided they would crash at her place last night. Having those people around is hell.

I rummaged through the mountains of clothes on my floor and decided on a tighter fitting, black Def Lepperd T-shirt. I threw on a knee length black skirt and some grey stockings.

I wondered how this detention would turn out; would it be as dramatic and emotional as the first? Who am I kidding! The Breakfast Club sitting in a Saturday detention together with Vernon is trouble in the making! This is going to be so much fun…even if I do have to sit in the school for nine hours on a Saturday. Funny how I actually have a reason to be there; that's definitely going to be a first.

I walked slowly to the bathroom and began to brush my teeth; I let the minty flavor sit on my teeth for a few moments as I brushed my hair. I pulled it back into a head band and finished my teeth. I strolled down the hallway past the kitchen and to the foyer and pulled on my chucks. I opened the door and started on my way…the same way that led to the start of a brand new life.

I was probably about half way to the school when I heard a whistle; I spun around quickly and noticed John probably a hundred feet behind me. He had his hands stuffed in his pockets and was looking around as if he didn't do anything at all. I shook my head and smirked at his antics; another day in detention for him…this is probably his tenth in a row! Ha!

I waited for him patiently to catch up and when he did he gave me a huge grin, "How's it goin?" he asked with a nod of his head.

I shrugged, "It's early, and I have to go to school…same old, same old I guess."

He let out a small laugh as the early morning sunlight shone off of his sunglasses. He looked like he was in a fairly good mood this morning which is somewhat strange for him considering he is usually not a morning person.

"Why are you so happy today?"

He shrugged, "I got a job," he said rather nonchalantly hiding the excitement.

A smiled, "That's good, where?"

He buttoned up his jean jacket a little more as a wind breezed by, "At a garage…I'm just washing cars and painting and shit so it's nothing too good right now but it's a start."

A smiled again, "That awesome though, at least you got one, right?"

He lit up a smoke as we approached Shermer High, "Yeah, and in a month or two I'm going to have my own place and get out of that hell hole."

"I have a job interview on Monday for that record store; I'm hoping I get it."

He took a drag off his cigarette and nodded, "Yeah I hope ya do too; I bet it will be nice to have more time away from Pammy and the brats from hell."

I let out a chuckle, "Yeah well either way I gotta get used to it."

He threw his butt on the ground and nodded, "Yeah well like I said families suck."

"Amen."

I stopped abruptly as I saw Brian slam his car door and approach us; he had a huge frown on his face and his shoulders were slumped farther down than I thought was possible, "Hey Bry!"

He gave us a small wave and seemed to become less tense as he approached us, "Hey John, Ally…how are you today?"

I shrugged, "Fine, and you?"

He frowned, "my mom is giving me HUGE shit. Even though I got my shop mark up and I'm acing the rest of my classes she still think I'm a delinquent because I got two detentions. Its such bullshit…she thinks that it's because of you guys."

Bender smirked, "Us? What the hell did we do?"

He shrugged, "That's the funny thing, she is still dead in love with Michelle, Claire, and Andy…but she still thinks you two are weird and trouble makers."

I rolled my eyes, "That's funny considering it was Claire and Michelle that talked you out of class."

John smiled triumphantly, "I love getting you guys in trouble."

I laughed along with him and left Brian shaking his head miserably. We kept laughing as we made our way into the building and into the library. Claire was already sitting in there in the exact same place as the last time. Brian pulled out the chair beside her and John sat in his same spot as last time. Claire shot me a playful look as I sat at the table next to hers and I suppressed a laugh. I heard the door open and close and the first thing I thought was it was going to be Andy…but I was wrong.

Claire giggled, "Michelle what are you doing here?"

Michelle giggled back and sat at the table behind me, "I was supposed to come in today and do some more prom stuff but I figured since you guys were in here I would have more fun in here instead."

John snorted, "You're starting to sound like Allison."

I scoffed, "Whatever John…you're just mad because you can't leave!"

Brian shook his head, "So it starts…" The door burst open and Andy came walking in looking rather angry. We all shut up and looked at him. He stopped in his tracks when he noticed our staring and he scowled, "What are you guys staring at?"

I swallowed, "Good morning?"

He rolled his eyes and came and sat next to me; I looked at him outta the corner of my eye and boy did he look pissed. Something was telling me though that I knew exactly what – rather who – was the source of his anger. I couldn't continue thinking further because just seconds later Vernon appeared.

"Well, well, well," He drawled, "Looks like we are all here and on time." He glanced around the room at each one of us, "Mr. Clark, Ms. Standish…it's sad to see such role models making such a bad example for the rest of their peers." He tsk'd as Andy scowled and cursed under his breathe.

"Mr. Johnson, I hope this is the last time. Ms. Reynolds…" he just nodded and then looked at Michelle, "Ms. Manning I pity the fact that you have fallen into the wrong crowd…you really would have had that prom queen title won." I looked back at Michelle who just gave him a glare.

His eyes looked around the room once more, "…And Mr. Bender, I'm glad we are still making this a weekly routine. I think maybe you should just give up and drop out already…"

"Um Dick…excuse me, Rich…" Bender interrupted, "Drop the speech today, okay? You must have forgotten that we all already know that you spend your life harassing and threatening young kids so you have no one here to impress."

Vernon scowled, "You watch it Bender!"

Bender propped his feet up on his table and rolled his eyes, "Watch what?"

Vernon just rolled his shoulders and ignored the smart ass question glancing at his watch, "The time is now 7:06, you have exactly…"

"Eight hours and fifty four minutes to think about why you are here." Bender finished for him.

"Ponder the error of your ways…" Claire and I said simultaneously in snobbish voices. We all started laughing at Vernon's expense as his features turned an ugly shade of red and the vein in his temple looked ready to burst.

"I don't even know why I bother with you brats!" He hollered, "Here is your damn papers…and I want an essay! I don't mean some mockery of a paper with you guys being smart asses! You write a damn essay telling me…" He pondered, "Telling me why it is important to respect and listen to your authority figures!" He gave us an excited look that said 'ha ha I just got you!' but all I could do was raise my eyebrows and smirk; he really is an idiot.

I turned to look at Bender, Vernon was just setting him up, "And what's authority to you?" he started, here it comes, "A cheap suit, a bad hair dye job, and threatening children? This essay is going to be fun…"

"Bender!" He screamed, "You're gonna get it one of these days!"

He rolled his eyes and waved his hands dismissively, "Yeah I haven't heard that from you before, why don't you go sit back in your desk and look at that porno collection you got in the top drawer."

Vernon's eyes popped out of his sockets and we started laughing, "I'll be in my office, any monkey business is ill-advised, "he said trying to keep a straight face, "So don't move and no talking!" He spun around on his heel and walked into his office, library door slamming behind him.

Brian turned around and looked at Bender, "Is that door still broken?"

Bender shrugged, "I've pulled the screw out twice since you guys have been here, I think he just stopped bothering to fix it."

I smirked and turned around to Andy, "So what's the matter?" I asked in a quiet voice so the others wouldn't hear.

He shrugged, "Take a guess…"

I eyed him carefully, "Your dad?"

A wave of anger flashed over his eyes as I said his name and he nodded. I frowned, "What happened?"

He looked ahead of us and spoke carefully, "Let's just say I've been up since four o'clock training at the gym non stop. My knee hurts, my chest is burning and I'm tired as hell."

I frowned, "Is that supposed to be some kind of punishment?"

"I guess so…" he frowned and was about to continue when he was interrupted.

"Hey Sporto! Why the long face?" Bender hollered from his side of the room.

Andy turned around, "Just a bad morning is all."

"So why don't we have some fun then?" He asked excitedly, "If we go to my locker then we get some smoke…and we all know how much fun you guys have on that!" He said with an immature laugh. I gave him a grin and turned to Andy who had a wild expression on his face, "Bender there is no way in hell that we are walking out that door again, do ya not remember what happened last time we did that?"

Claire smirked, "Yeah there is no way in hell I'm having you hide under my table again either if we get caught." She folded her arms and sighed.

John scowled, "How bout you Big Bry…wanna go for a walk?"

"It is a little risky…"

Bender was starting to get grumpy at the lack of excitement going on. Then a thought hit me, "Well who says we have to walk to Bender's locker?"

Bender looked at me with a confused expression, followed by the others so I continued, "Well when Bender got caught, how did he get back in here?"

"You wanna go through the vents?" Claire asked with a horrified look on her face.

"It could work…"Bender thought out loud, "Of course we would just have to make sure it doesn't break…"

"What are you guys talking about?" Michelle asked, totally confused.

Bender looked at her and smiled, "Sweets, I don't think you know what the hell you got yourself into!"

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"You guys are so dead if I wreck this skirt!" Claire cried from behind me as we made our way through the ceiling.

"Will you please stop complaining?" Andrew and John hissed from the front of the line. Claire had been whining for the whole two minutes we had been up here already. There are a lot of dust and spider webs up here, but jeez…I forgot how much of an appearance freak she is.

"How do you know where we are going?" Michelle asked from the back.

"Just trust me, princess…" Bender replied. Suddenly he stopped and we all bumped into each other.

"God dammit John I really don't need your ass in my face!" Andy hissed. I was right behind him so I didn't mind too much. Ha!

"Just be quiet!" John hissed with his hand raised in the air to motion us. Andy looked back at me and mouthed 'Vernon' and pointed to the floor beneath us. I nodded my head in understanding.

"Great, this is just fuckin' great!" Claire whined, again. I looked behind me and glared and she smiled sheepishly, "Sorry, I'll stop whining, just hurry up and get us outta here!" I could hear Vernon's faint footsteps and gay whistling; I guess it was better we did take this route.

When he passed we began moving again, "How much longer John?" Brian asked.

"Just two more hallways over and we are good to go," he replied, keeping his focus on the task at hand, "I'll jump down when we get there and you guys will stay up here…"

Claire sighed overdramatically, "Then what was the point of us coming?" We all stopped before hand knowing that John would suddenly halt again sending us crashing into one another, "Listen Cherry, no one forced you at gun point to come okay? I just needed Andy here to help me back up when I got the shit, alright? Now stop your complainin' 'cause I don't trust you to not freak out if we get caught by Vernon. So shut it."

She obliged, not pushing the topic any further and thankfully not starting another argument with John. We finally stopped after a few moments more of crawling and John crawled over the vent; leaving John on one side and Andy on the other.

"Okay Sporto, I'm gonna pull this thing off and check for Vernon. If the coast is clear than I'm gonna grab my shit and then I need you to help me back up."

Andy nodded, "How am I supposed to pull you up from the floor though…we won't be able to reach."

John paused, "I didn't think of that."

They sat pondering for a few moments, arguing back and forth to each other and each moment passing making the rest of us very nervous.

"Hey Bender," Brian started.

"Not now Brian just hold on."

"I know how you can get up…"

"Just hold on…" Andy replied.

"WILL YOU JUST HUMOR ME GUYS?" He asked – demanded rather – loudly.

They spun around with frustrated looks, "You can just climb on top of the lockers…"

Andy and John looked at each other momentarily before mumbling things like, "I thought about that," "I knew that," and "what do you think we are stupid brainiac?" I laughed under my breathe at their antics and finally John pulled the grate off and plopped his head down into the hallway.

"Coast is clear," he called up seriously.

"Alright go, I gotcha covered," Andy whispered to him.

John jumped down from the ceiling and landed on the floor of the hallway with a thud. Andy crawled over to where John was sitting on the opposite side of the vent and I moved up to where Andy was. The other three sat behind me nervous and impatient. I on the other hand love adventures and this is a blast! I'm beginning to understand why Bry's mom is scared of us…Bender's locker closed with a slight slam and he began climbing up onto his locker.

"Alright Sporto, take the grass…" Andy grabbed the paper bag and tossed it over to Brian, "Why me? Always me…" Brian wondered out loud. I let out a small chuckle and shook my head at the kid; he really is something else.

Andy laid down flat on his back and lowered his arms, "Ally, come sit on my back…" He asked through gritted teeth. I crawled over the vent and sat on Andy's back for support; there wasn't much room in here and John is much bigger than me and Andy but I guess this plan should have been thought out a little better. John grabbed Andy's hands and just as he was about to pull up we heard the sound of whistling.

Andy and John looked at one another with monstrously wide eyes and John let go, "Bender, what the hell are you doing?" Andy asked.

"Just get back to the library…now!" John ordered, and pulled away.

"God dammit John we aren't gonna leave you here!" I yelled.

"Go! He's coming!" He yelled.

Andy pulled the grate back up and looked at me with worried eyes. I looked back to the rest of the group and they gave me blank and shocked looks.

"Fuck!"

TBC

End Notes: Ah! Sorry about the cliffy lol, I was thinking I would do the detention in two or three parts just to make it longer and more detailed. So I hope you like; there is much more fun and trouble to come! Ha! I would like to throw out some thank-you's to: Moonjava, Katydid7186, Two Bit's Twobit (DragonBlade5), Santafelover, KushelKitten, UnicornPammy, DarkoBender, ABeautyLikeYou, Basket Case89, Lazaefair, Jenifer, Poohismyhomie, and MEL. Thanks for the reviews guys, you rule.
I just wanna say to Hannah; I'm not too sure how many more chapters this is going to be…I know at least ten more because I have to go through the prom campaign, the wrestling meet, the prom itself and graduation. So I know I have at least that to do; I know exactly where I want to end it but I'm not giving that away. So there will be lots left to come, I mean I could go on and on but that would get boring LOL. But thanks for the question; I just don't wanna give anything away. So I hoped you enjoyed this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it and I promise you guys I will have Part 2 up by Sunday night. So please R&R and enjoy!