Title: The World through the Eyes of a Basket Case
Author: TWBasketcase
A/N: So I just wanna say thank you to the following for your reviews:
Katydid7186: yes I found the herpes thing very funny myself…but I'm also evil and crazy…who laughs at themselves as they write? I guess my pen name suits me.
Santafelover: Yes I'm still torturing you, sadly. But I was thinking that when I am done with 'And Then There Were Two' (I only have one chapter left) I was gonna start a Claire/John story. I have been just too evil to them.

Allison: Thanks for the review. I love your work! I just have to say that I get all giddy about Andy and Ally too! Hehehe…I need to write more moments :P
TBFF Nat: As usual, you make me laugh. Andy does need to be hurt more…maybe I can lay off John for a bit and hurt Andy. I always found it easier hurting the tough guys and playing with the cuddly ones :D
DarkoBender: Hey woman! John Bender speechless is pretty scary. And you're right…good ole Canada is definitely the place to be. And angst is also good…I know I love reading it and every time I try to write something good it turns angsty…it just makes me enjoy my work more I guess.
Billy Crazy: You're so cute! Lol thanks for the review
Lazaefair: Yes 29 chapters is pretty long…but somehow it doesn't feel so long to me; Just comes I guess. I'm really glad you liked the chapter; I always look forward to your reviews 'cause you always tell me the truth and how I can make things better, thanks for that. As for the comment on Andy using protection; you had me laughing out loud. We will just say he was safe, okay?
Jenifer: Amazing review, as always. I always admire how you pick out the little things that I put in for a purpose. That's awesome of you. As for John's band, I would love to progress with that I just have to figure it out first. I know that I had all too much fun playing in a band when I did so I know how much of a ball heavy metal vomit parties can be! Ha!
Ailcia: It really is leading up to something but all I am gonna tell you is that it will be a major break through for ole Johnny. And I'm glad you are still interested! Thanks for the review.

Chapter 30 – Built Up Frustrations

I approached the white bungalow and paused at the door; I have only been here once before and I had only stood outside. The outside of the house was kept up rather nicely; it was painted a dull blue and had very neat gardens in the front. I found it ironic that the outside of the house was so peaceful when usually the activities on the inside of the house were anything but. I opened up the creaky screen door slowly and knocked sharply on the large oak door on the other side.

I heard padded footsteps immediately and within seconds a woman appeared before me – more presumably his mother; she had long dirty blonde hair and kinda looked like a normal house wife, "What can I do for ya?" She asked curiously.

I blew my bangs outta my eyes, "I'm here to see John."

She nodded her head and motioned for me to come in, "He's in his bedroom."

I took off my shoes and looked around, "Where is that?"

She pointed to the door immediately to her left, "The basement."

I just nodded in response and as soon as I opened the door I was met with the blasting sounds of his guitar. I gave her an amused look and she just shook her head in annoyance, "While you're down there will you tell him to turn that down? No matter how many times I tell him all I get is a middle finger."

I gave her a sympathetic and knowing look; she laughed, "I don't know why my boy is so disrespectful."

I crossed my arms, "Believe me ma'am, he really isn't all that bad."

She just snorted and turned back to whatever it was she was doing at the kitchen table. I made my way down the stairs and winced once I got to the bottom; 'I Wanna Rock' by Twisted Sister was just blaring through my ear drums…how the hell does he listen to this shit so loud?

I turned the corner from the stair case and stood amused in the doorway. He had his guitar strapped around him and was on his knees singing along to the song and playing simultaneously. He was going into goofball rock star mode; the last time I seen him do this was at his show…and that was almost two months ago.

I raised my eye brows at him as he jumped off his knees to his feet and continued banging his head to the melodic song. He spun around and caught my eyes; he gave me a big grin and as the song ended he stuck out his tongue and belted out the rest of the song. I laughed in spite of him and he turned the stereo off…and thankfully the amp as well. He was very talented but damn at that volume I won't be able to hear by the time I want to go home. Ha!

"What's up?" He asked as he wiped sweaty hair from his forehead.

"Nothing, I just wanted to come and…"

"Tear me a new asshole? No thank you…" he trailed off leaning back on the lone mattress that sat pathetically on the floor.

I narrowed my eyes at him and crossed my arms, "Not I'm not even here to talk about Claire or what you did; I came to see if you are okay."

He raised his eyebrows and grabbed a t-shirt off the floor; he gave it a whiff and made a face, "I'm fine." I sighed and he just threw his shirt back on the floor and proceeded to look for another one. When he found one that was relatively clean he quickly changed his shirt and rested back on his bed.

"Are you?"

"I wouldn't have said it if I wasn't."

"Yes you would have," I replied incredulously; I don't know who he thinks he is fooling…this guy could be the most impossible person to talk to at times.

He smirked and stared at his ceiling, "Okay Miss smart ass…do I have a reason to be 'not okay'?"

I shot him a glare, "Well when you go storming out of my house saying nothing…yes, you don't do that."

"I thought you said you didn't wanna talk about that?"

"I'm not talking about it I just asked if you were okay and you put up a front when you know that you don't have to with me."

"Shouldn't you being hanging out with princess and sporto?"

"John…Claire left like a half an hour after you did and Andy stayed another couple of hours and went home for dinner."

He raised his eyebrows, "What time is it?"

"It's around 7:30."

"Holy shit…" He trailed off, "I thought it was like one o'clock."

I smirked, "Time flies when you're playing rock star I guess."

He shot me a playful glare and picked up his guitar; he left the amp off and just strummed it quietly. I watched his behavior; his shoulders were slumped, and his legs were spread in front of him carelessly…he also looked very tired and his hair was just about everywhere. He looked more bothered and annoyed right now than I had ever seen him.

"So why did you come here?" He asked quietly while plucking the strings.

"Why am I not welcome?"

He looked at me seriously, "Did I say that?"

"No, just your tone of voice isn't very nice."

He smirked, "Just answer the question."

"I already did when I came in here. I wanted to see if you were okay."

He looked up at me as he lit a cigarette and went back to playing his guitar, "You didn't have to. I fucked up what else is new…I'm used to it."

I sighed, "Yeah well I wanted to okay? I know how you get…if you don't get it out you end up building it all in until you explode. I coulda sent Andy to come talk to you…"

He snorted, "I probably woulda laughed in his face and closed the door on him…and then continued to laugh at him on the other side of the door."

I groaned, "No kidding."

He laughed at his own antics and started to play 'Revenge' by TSOL. He listened and spoke as he played; as if playing the instrument came so naturally to him that he didn't even notice he actually was playing it.

"Is this what you have been doing all day?" I asked him quietly.

He looked at me out of the corner of his eye, "Yes."

He sat for another few minutes in silence, "John."

He ignored me; "John!"

He looked at me sadly, "I want her back."

I opened my mouth to reply but then shut it again; he looked so sad it made me wanna cry. Earlier I had wondered if he was even sorry for the way he acted but now that I look at him I know that he is sorry. Just by looking him in the eye I can see him screaming apologies. "I know you do John…that's why you said that stuff about her in the first place."

He scowled; I know for a fact he absolutely despises having emotional conversations so I'm not gonna pry too much. If he actually initiates the conversation first then I know that I'm lucky to even get that.

"I'm that obvious, eh?"

I nodded, "just a little…but I think I may have been the only one to catch it…everyone else thinks you are just trying to be an ass."

He balled up his fists, "Man, did you see that fruit cake? He was too tall to be that thin…his teeth were too big and his eyes were too far apart! He wasn't good enough for her!"

I stared at him silently and watched on as he yelled out all his pent up frustrations…which he probably had a lot of. He cursed under his breath and kept his eyes glued to the wall ahead of him and no where near me.

"I just can't fucking believe that he even thought he was anywhere near good enough for her. I mean look at her…she is fucking gorgeous, and smart, and fun, and so easy to persuade…he is a jack ass!" he looked at me for a second, "Is there something that he could give her that I can't?"

I hesitated and took in his desperation, "No."

He let out a frustrated sigh, "God dammit what the hell am I gonna do now…she fucking hates me!"

I swallowed, "She doesn't hate you, she is just upset."

I snorted, "Yeah fucking right! You heard what she said! She even hit me."

"You deserved it."

"Still!" He sulked, "I haven't seen her like that before and now I'm fucked."

I stood up and grabbed my bag, "Just give her some time…and on top of that, apologize."

He seemed to be contemplating my suggestion, "Yeah…maybe."

I gave him a brief smile, "I'll see ya at school tomorrow."

He slumped his shoulders and pushed his dark hair out of his face, "Yeah…thanks Al."

"No problem…good night." He nodded in response and I headed back up the stairs towards the front door. At least I found out what crawled up his ass; now all he needs to do is swallow his pride and set the ego aside – even if that's a big step for him – and fix this.

I said good bye to Mrs. Bender and stepped out into the warming spring air. I readjusted the strap of my bag higher onto my shoulder and set out into the night. It was only a three block walk back to my complex and I started thinking; there is only a little more than three months left before half the club goes away to college…and I think in those three months we should be having fun and laughing together…not fighting. Even if we don't end up being friends forever we should at least make it worthwhile for now. I start work tomorrow and then the prom is in less than two weeks…something needs to happen. Something big needs to happen.

I bolted up the stairs and headed into the apartment that I shared with the wannabe family from hell. I sat on the couch and dialed an all too familiar phone number.

"Hello?"

"Hey Andy, it's me."

"Oh hey, what's up?"

"Nothing much really, I just got home. I actually just wanted to talk to you."

He let out a chuckle on the other end, "Ya miss me already, eh?"

I snorted, "If it makes you feel better than yes. But what I really wanted to call you about was something else other than phone sex."

"And what's that?"

"I gotta plan." I replied slyly.

I heard him hesitate, "Okay…shoot."

I smiled into the phone; if no one else wants to make things better I am sure as hell going to try.

TBC